Herbal Household Remedies

Via: The News-Press

Salsa plus avocado equals lower cancer risk

While salsa alone is super healthy, this pairing helps you soak up four times more cancer-fighting lycopene and almost three times more immune-boosting beta-carotene, finds an Ohio State University study. You can thank the fat in avocado for the lift.

Equally good: Use cubed avocado and salsa as an omelet filling for breakfast.

Iron-fortified cereal plus glass of orange juice equals more energy

Eating iron-fortified cereal can help enhance your energy, but consuming a half cup of orange juice along with it increases the amount of iron absorbed sixfold, says Joan Salge Blake, R.D., an assistant clinical professor of nutrition at Boston University.

Equally good: Mix one-half cup fresh orange juice, 1 tablespoon grated ginger and 2 minced garlic cloves; add iron-packed tofu and marinate for 30 minutes. Grill over medium heat.

Teaspoon of peanut butter plus glass of milk equals stronger bones

“Drinking milk while snacking on a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat like peanut butter helps you absorb as much bone-building vitamin D as possible,” says Susan Kraus, R.D., a clinical dietitian at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.

Equally good: Mix 8 ounces skim milk, 1 teaspoon peanut butter, 1 cup fresh fruit and one-half cup ice in a blender for a bone-strengthening smoothie.

Cantaloupe wedge plus yogurt equals immunity boost

The vitamin A in cantaloupe helps ward off viruses, but “enjoying it with foods that are high in zinc, like yogurt, ensures that your body can utilize almost 100 percent of the nutrient,” says Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., author of The Most Effective Natural Cures.

Equally good: Mix 8 ounces nonfat plain yogurt, one-fourth cup unsweetened applesauce, one-half teaspoon cinnamon and one-quarter cup honey. Dip cantaloupe pieces in it for a snack.

Spinach, carrots, tomato, tablespoon olive oil plus marjoram equals healthy skin

Veggies need one tablespoon of full-fat dressing with olive oil in order for the body to absorb many of the antioxidants that are good for your immune system, skin and heart, says Bowden. To up the antioxidant capacity by 200 percent more, top with the herb marjoram.

Equally good: If you’re not into fatty dressings, put pine nuts, walnuts, avocado or a bit of blue cheese in your salad instead. They all offer the same benefits.

Mug of green tea + lemon equals heart help

Squeezing a lemon into green tea makes five times more catechin, a heart-healthy antioxidant, available for your body to use than if you sipped sans citrus, notes a Purdue University study. (Vitamin C slows the breakdown of catechins in the digestive system.)

Equally good: Add a 6-ounce can of lemon-juice concentrate to 12 ounces green tea, chill, and top with 12 ounces club soda, a lemon wedge and a few mint leaves.

Via: KeepTheDoctorAway

17/06/2008

Brits are increasingly turning their backs on prescription medicine, instead preferring to use natural remedies, according to a new report out today.

More than 60% of Brits questioned said they would rather use natural products to ease certain illnesses such as flu, digestive problems and depression, and are now opting for remedies such as honey and lemon, Echinacea and St John’s Wort.

With an increasing disillusionment with traditional medicine such as paracetamol, anti-depressants and flu medicines, half of UK adults admitted they are more likely to use natural and food based remedies today than 5 to 10 years ago, the research by honey producer Rowse reveals.

Full Story

Via: MailTribune.com

Cultivating a tea garden makes a very fresh brew
AP
Staff and wire reports
June 11, 2008

A cup of tea at breakfast or over lunch is one of life’s simple indulgences. It’s even more special — and not much more difficult — if you grow the herbs yourself.

“Tea is one of my favorite ways to use herbs,” says Ellen Scannell, a master gardener and food preserver certified by Oregon State University.

Many of the best tea herbs are easy to grow, beautiful and naturally resistant to pests. Even if you don’t have garden space, many delightful tea herbs will grow in containers on a porch or windowsill.

“Mint is the classic one,” Scannell says.

Consider mint species with other subtle flavors including apple, pineapple, chocolate, orange, ginger and lemon. Scannell also favors lemon verbena. Daisy-like chamomiles can cheer up any garden and make a soothing tea.

Once you’ve chosen your herbs, it’s easy to harvest, dry, store and brew.

Here is how: