Live Everyday like a Holiday!: Treatments

Showing posts with label Treatments. Show all posts

Aromatherapy for Cancer Treatment

There are essential oils which contain constituents that are anti-carcinogenic. They inhibit one or more stages of a cancer’s progression. This does not mean essential oils cure cancer. Just like it takes several factors for potentially carcinogenic essential oil constituents to cause cancer, it also takes a lot of work for these essential oils to help with preventing cancer. Sometimes the presence of anti-carcinogenic essential oil constituents can negate the carcinogenic potential of an essential oil. Some have anti-tumoral properties.
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Pictured: YJY Ceramic Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, Lotus Flower Humidifier Portable for Office, USB Auto Shut-Off Intermittent 8 Hours Work Air Purifier(White-White)
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Subject: Aromatherapy for Cancer Treatment

Frankincense Essential Oil Targets Cancer Cells : A study in the journal BioMed Central journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, March 2009, titled: "Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity" concludes with: "Frankincense oil appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells and suppress cancer cell viability. Microarray and bioinformatics analysis proposed multiple pathways that can be activated by frankincense oil to induce bladder cancer cell death. Frankincense oil might represent an alternative intravesical agent for bladder cancer treatment." ...while a bit technical, this is very, very promising -- essentially saying that this easily obtained, inexpensive, NON-TOXIC natural compound can eradicate cancer cells without harming normal, healthy cells in the same organ. Frankincense has a long, long history of medicinal use, and searching for 'frankincense cancer' produces 30 results just for this material. If choosing an essential oil of Frankincense, the 'carteri' species has been the subject of most research, with cold-process Carbon Dioxide distilled oils considered the most therapeutic (seek CO2 or SCO2 distilled oils or extracts, as offered by Ananda here).
Lemongrass Essential Oil Induces Cancer Cell Death : Lemongrass, after Frankincense, may next most commonly researched essential oil for anti-cancer activity. In the May 2009 journal of Chemico-Biological Interactions, researchers tested Lemongrass essential oil against 12 human cancer cell lines. Colon cancer and neuron cancer cell lines were found most susceptible to the essential oil. The study concluded: "Our results indicate that the oil has a promising anticancer activity and causes loss in tumor cell viability by activating the apoptotic process as identified by electron microscopy." This indicates that Lemongrass may induce natural cell death of cancer cells (apoptotic process), a process that is inherently dysfunctional in cancer cells.
Sweet Linalool for Liver Cancer: Linalool is a very common essential oil constituent. Essential oils are naturally made up of many individual chemical constituents, and linalool is a sweet, relaxing aromatic found in many floral and sweeter spice essential oils. Linalool itself, separated from the essential oil of Coriander (Cilantro seeds) was the subject of research published in the June 2009 issue of the journal of Chemico-Biological interactions. Linalool was found to completely eradicate the HepG2 liver cancer cell line in VERY low concentrations. Linalool has a great many other effects, having been shown to lower anxiety and even significantly improve sleep. And now it even has anti-cancer effects! So even if one is noted directly targeting cancer, but using aromatherapy in a more 'casual' application, there may be important protective effects occurring at the same time.Skin cancer is a major concern for many folks, and a series of studies have shown Sandalwood to be effective at preventing tumor development. Alpha-santalol, a component also shown to have anti-anxiety and sleep enhancing action, may be the constituent to which most of these effects may be attributed. This is fortunate, as Sandalwood from India is becoming more rare and expensive, though Sandalwood from Australia and other South Pacific islands is still readily available. A study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, a formula used for containing just 5% Sandalwood essential oil used before exposure to toxins significantly reduced the formation of skin cancer tumors. A study published in January 2008 in the Journal of Anitcancer Research showed a significant reduction in tumor development in skin exposed to UVB radiation -- Sandalwood would make an excellent addition to a pre-sun body or face care formula.
The Powerful Protection of Spice Oils : Components of Thyme and Oregano essential oils have been shown to actually protect human DNA strands from breaking when exposed to extreme oxidative stress. DNA damage is a leading cause of cancer development, as this can lead to an abnormal cell life cycle, essentially turning off the process of natural cell death. Carvacrol and Thymol were singled out in a study by Slovakian researchers in 2007, though they also note that other components of these oils may have chemoprotective effects as well. Other spice essential oils that have demonstrated cancer preventative effects include Ginger, Tumeric, Basil, Garlic and Sage.
Essential Oils Offer Immune System Support : Beyond the direct effects on tumor cells, essential oils have been shown to positively effect the immune system on a chemical level. They can enhance the activity of white blood cells, making them more efficient and removing foreign material and microbes from the body. This would likely result in more effective cancer outcomes. Further, there's the psychological component of any disease, and many essential oils have demonstrated anti-stress activity in scientific investigations.

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Essential Oils which contain at least one or more anti-carcinogenic constituents.

Basil (lemon) Oximum x citriodorum
Basil (linalool CT) Ocimum basilicum
Bergamot (wild) Monarda fistulosa var. menthaefolia, Monarda menthaefolia
Cananga Cananga odorata, Canangium odoratum f. macrophylla
Citronella Cymbopogon nardus, Cymbopoon winterianus
Clementine Citrus clementina, Citrus reticulata var. clementina
Copaiba Copaifera officinalis, Copaigera langsdorfii
Coriander Seed Coriandrum sativum
Dill Seed (European) Anethum graveolens
Elemi Canarium luzonicum, Canarium vulgare
Fir Needle (Himalayan) Abies spectabilis, Abies webbiana
Fir Needle (Japanese) Abies sachalinensis
Fir Needle (Siberian) Abies sibirica
Fir Needle (Silver) Abies alba
Geranium Pelargonium roseum x asperum
Ghandi Root Homalomena aromatica
Grapefruit Citrus x paradisi
Ho Leaf (linalool CT) Cinnamonum camphora var. glavescens
Hop Humulus lupulus
Hemp Cannabis sativa
Lemon Citrus x limon, Citrus limonum
Lemongrass Cymbopogon flecuosus, Adropogon flexuosus, Cymbopogon citratus, Andropogon citratus
Lime Citrus x aurantifolia, Citrus x latifolia
Mandarin Citrus reticulata, Citrus nobilis
May Chang Litsea cubeba, Litsea citrata
Melissa Melissa officinalis
Myrtle (lemon) Backhousia citriodora
Myrtle (honey) Melaleuca teretifolia
Neroli Citrus x aurantium
Orange (Sweet) Citrus sinensis, Citrus aurantium var. sinensis
Palmarosa Cymbopogon martinii var. martinii, Andropogon martinii var. martinii, Cymbopogon martinii var. motia
Palo Santo Bursera graveolens
Pepper (Black) Piper nigrum
Pine (Black) Pinus nigra
Rosalina Melaleuca ericifolia
Rosewood Aniba rosaeodora, Aniba amazonica, Aniba parviflora
Tangerine Citrus reticulata, Citrus nobilis, Citrus tangerine
Verbena (lemon) Lippia alba, Lippia gerinata
Ylang-Ylang Cananga odorata

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Medical Disclaimer: This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.

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Holidays To Remember
National Cancer Prevention Day / February 7
National Cancer Prevention Month / February
World Cancer Day / February 4
www.gone-ta-pott.com/international_observances.html
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Frankincense Essential Oil Targets Cancer Cells

Subject:

Aromatherapy for Cancer Treatment

Frankincense Essential Oil Targets Cancer Cells :

A study in the journal BioMed Central journal of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, March 2009, titled: "Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity" concludes with: "Frankincense oil appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells and suppress cancer cell viability. Microarray and bioinformatics analysis proposed multiple pathways that can be activated by frankincense oil to induce bladder cancer cell death. Frankincense oil might represent an alternative intravesical agent for bladder cancer treatment." ...while a bit technical, this is very, very promising -- essentially saying that this easily obtained, inexpensive, NON-TOXIC natural compound can eradicate cancer cells without harming normal, healthy cells in the same organ. Frankincense has a long, long history of medicinal use, and searching for 'frankincense cancer' produces 30 results just for this material. If choosing an essential oil of Frankincense, the 'carteri' species has been the subject of most research, with cold-process Carbon Dioxide distilled oils considered the most therapeutic (seek CO2 or SCO2 distilled oils or extracts, as offered by Ananda here).
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Other Said Benefits Of Frankincense

Prostate Cancer : In the March 2010 issue of "Molecular Pharmacology," Dr. Aydee C. Estrada, et al., reported on the effects of tirucallic acids against prostate cancer. Tirucallic acids are the active ingredients found in frankincense. Dr. Estrada found that tirucallic acids extracted from frankincense successfully killed cultured human prostate cancer cells that were experimentally grafted into mice, by inducing the expression of proteins that are important in apoptosis. Apoptosis is a cell process that produces cellular death and is a process most cancers have learned to avoid.
Leukemia : Acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, is a cancer that occurs in the bone marrow and originates in cells that eventually develop into white blood cells of the immune system. AML is rare in children and generally only affects adults over the age of forty. In the March 2005 issue of "Molecular Cancer Therapy," Dr. Lijuan Xia, et al., reported that in laboratory-based experiments, resin from frankincense extract successfully induced apoptosis, increasing cell death by approximately 40 percent in leukemia cells.
Kidney Cancer : Using human bladder cancer cell lines, as reported in the March 2009 issue of "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine," Dr. Mark Barton Frank, et al., illustrated that frankincense was cytotoxic for bladder tumor cells. In other words, frankincense might provide benefit against bladder cancer by killing cancer cells, while not affecting normal cells. Further experiments are necessary to verify the results.
Ovarian Cancer : According to researchers at the University of Leicester, it has been discovered that frankincense contains cancer-killing properties for ovarian cancer. The compound AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid) in frankincense has the ability to target cancer cells in late-stage ovarian patients.
Bladder Cancer : A recent paper published in the journal Chinese Medicine identified sandalwood’s anti-cancer potential alongside that of a related oil, frankincense. Operating in coordinated but distinct ways, these two precious oils were observed to both promote cancer cell death and inhibit cancer cell potency. The latter effect is where sandalwood oil really got to show off its power, halting the viability of two particular cells implicated in human bladder cancers: J82 and UROtsa. Like frankincense oil, sandalwood was shown to activate certain signaling pathways in order to fight against these cells, but its mode of achieving this was found to be distinct from its partnered oil.
inflammatory diseases : Frankincense is also used in traditional medicines to treat inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and Crohn's disease. AKBA (3-0-acetyl-keto-beta-boswellic acid) is one of the active ingredients in frankincense and has anti-inflammatory properties.
acne
anxiety
asthma
bronchitis
colds
coughs
indigestion
ulcers
to alleviate stress and relieve pain.
skin-care products, frankincense essential oil is said to treat dry skin, reverse signs of aging, and reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.

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Resources: wikipedia / wikiwel.com / aromatherapy / Alternative Cancer Treatments / Essential Oil
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List Of Hangover Foods

Various folk medicine remedies
exist for hangovers.

1) The ancient Romans, on the authority of Pliny the Elder, favored raw owl's eggs or fried canary as a hangover remedy,

2) the "prairie oyster" restorative, introduced at the 1878 Paris World Exposition, calls for raw egg yolk mixed with Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper.

3) By 1938, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel provided a hangover remedy in the form of a mixture of Coca-Cola and milk (Coca-Cola itself having been invented, by some accounts, as a hangover remedy).

4) Alcoholic writer Ernest Hemingway relied on tomato juice and beer.

5) Other purported hangover cures include cocktails such as Bloody Mary or Black Velvet (consisting of equal parts champagne and stout).

6) A 1957 survey by an American folklorist found widespread belief in the efficacy of heavy fried foods, tomato juice and sexual activity.

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List Of Hangover Foods

The following foods and dishes have been described as having a theoretical potential for easing or alleviating symptoms associated with the hangover. Hangover foods have not been scientifically proven to function as a remedy or cure for the hangover.

Aquadito de pollo - a soup in Peruvian cuisine consisting of chicken, cilantro, vegetables and spice
Ajiaco - a soup common to Colombia, Cuba, and Peru.
Asparagus - a vegetable
Bacon Sandwich - buttered bread with bacon in between
Banana - a fruit
Bloody Mary - a mixed drink
Cassoulet - is a rich, slow-cooked casserole originating in the south of France, containing meat (typically pork sausages, goose, duck and sometimes mutton) pork skin (couennes) and white beans (haricots blancs).
Ceviche - also called cebiche, seviche or sebiche - is a seafood dish popular in the Pacific coastal regions of Latin America.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Churros - a fried dough pastry
Coconut water
Coffee Congee
Corpse Reviver - a haor of the dog remedy
Crackers and honey
Cesnecka - A soup in Czech cuisine that is prepared using a significant amount of garlic
Dal bhat
Eggs
Espresso
Fernet - an alcoholic beverage consumed as a drink choice to avoid the hangover
Fricase - A soup in Bolivian cuisine prepared with ribs, hominy and potatoes
Fried Chicken
Fried foods
Fruit juice
Fry up - a British full breakfast
Greasy foods
Green tea
Grilled cheese sandwich
Guobacai - A snack of strong local flavor in Tianjin cuisine, guobacai is a sort of pancake made of millet and mung bean flour.
Haejang-guk - or hangover soup refers to all kinds of guk or soup eaten as a hangover cure in Korean cuisine. It means "soup to chase a hangover" and is also called sulquk.
Hair of the dog - in Mongolia, vodka is consumed as a hair of the dog remedy.
Hamburger
Jagerbomb
Kishkiyya - a porridge in Iraqi cuisine from the 10th century that was consumed in Baghdad, it was prepared using ground wheat and meat
Kiwifruit
Loco moco - a meal in Hawaii
Luwombo - A dish in Ugandan cuisine consisting of meat, peanuts called luwombo and vegetable that is steamed in a banana leaf and typically served with a side dish of plantains.
Menudo - mexican soup
Miso soup - a Japanese soup
Mustard
Oats and oatmeal
Omelette
Ostrich egg omelette - consumed as a hangover food in South Africa
Pad kee mao - "drunken noodles"
Peanut butter
Pedialyte - an electrolyte replacement drink for children
Pickle juice
Pizza
Prickly pear
Poutine - is a dish originating from the Canadian province of Quebec consisting of French fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy.
Prairie oyster - a cocktail served as a hangover remedy that consists of raw egg, worcestershire sauce, tomato juice, vinegar, hot sauce, salt and ground black pepper.
Quinoa
Ramen
Revuelto Gramajo - a breakfast hash dish in Argentine cuisine consisting of potatoes, eggs, cheese and vegetables.
Shakshuka
Spighetti
Spinach - a vegetable
Sports drinks
Sushi
Tea - ginger tea and peppermint tea.
Toast, and toast and honey
Tomato
Tomato juice
Torta ahogada
Tripe soups
Underberg - a digestif bitter
Water - rehydrating with water before going to bed or during hangover may relieve dehydration-associated symptoms such as thirst, dizziness, dry mouth, and headache.
Youtiao
Zurek

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National Hangover Day / Celebrated every January 1
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Resources:
wikipedia.org / mensjournal.com / nbcnews.com /
dictionary.org / eatthis.com /

Bacon Sandwich as Treatment for Hangovers

Bacon sandwich as treatment for hangovers

A study by Newcastle University found that foods high in protein—such as bacon— break down into amino acids. The combination of fat and amino acids can speed up a sluggish metabolism depleted of neurotransmitters due to over consumption of alcohol, suggesting that a bacon sandwich can help the body lessen the effects of a hangover.

Wow y'all! Who would of ever thought that bacon could lessen the effects of a hangover. OK party people I guess you need to fill that frig up with bacon. I made a page about the bacon sandwich on my website several years ago. Here's the link to it if you want to go read about the bacon sandwich. It's popular in several different countries but called something different in each one.

OK..... so..... the bacon sandwich is considered a hangover food. So let's talk a bit about hangover foods. Maybe I should do a separate post about them because I've found a huge list of so-called foods that help with hangovers. I've found about 50 foods said to help. A post listing them might just be helpful to someone. But here's a few to give you a taste.

*Bloody Mary
*Chicken noodle soup
*Coffee
*Crackers and honey
*Coconut water
*Fried Chicken

Definition: "Hangover food consists of foods and dishes that have been described as having a theoretical potential for easing or alleviating symptoms associated with the hangover. While recommendations and folk cures for foods and drinks to relieve hangover symptoms abound, hangover foods have not been scientifically proven to function as a remedy or cure for the hangover."

Now just for fun... I also made a section of different types of sandwiches Here.
Ok bacon lover's that's all for now. With all this talk about bacon I think I'm going to go enjoy yourself a bacon sandwich. No, no! Make that a BLT sandwich loaded with bacon. What's your favorite way to eat bacon? What's your favorite way to help a hangover? Let us all know in the comments. Bye for now. :)

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Holidays To Remember:

Flitch Day / July 19 / "A custom of giving a flitch of bacon to and married couple who would sware that neither of them, in a year and a day, either sleeping or walking, repented of their marriage." This custom turned into a celebrated holiday. See Flitch Day at our website.

National Bacon Day / December 30

National Bacon Lovers Day / ?? August 20th

International Bacon Day / celebrated the Saturday before US Labor Day.

National Sandwich Day /

National Sandwich Month / August

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Resources:

photo licensed under the Creative Commons share alike license

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/

bacontoday.com

lifehacker

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The Benefits of Peaches

It's time to add more peaches in our daily diet! Research shows how healing they really are.

This post is in honor of Peach related Holidays. Below you will find a list of peach holidays and a list of "The Benefits of Peaches" as it relates to Home remedies, Food therapy and treatments.

The benefits of peaches are amazing!

National Peach Ice Cream Day / July 17

National Eat A Peach Day / August 22

National Peach Cobbler Day / April 13
National Peach Month / August

Peaches are recommended for acute, infectious diseases. They are recommended for reducing cholesterol in blood, in prevention of cardiovascular, renal diseases and anemia. Peaches are used in abdominal colics and rheumatism pains. As tea they are recommended in convulsive cough.
Peach is the aliment recommended for convalescence, for those who are in advanced states of fatigue or depressive states. It charges and regenerates energetic reserves through its rich containment of sugar and carbohydrates. Due to the fact that they contain phosphorus, peaches are recommended in neurosis, protecting the nervous cells.
Vitamin A, B1 and B2 are irreplaceable for the balance of the nervous system, they achieve the synthesis of hemoglobine, maintain magnesium in the body and strengthen the natural immunity.
Breast cancer cells -- even the most aggressive type -- died after treatments with peach and plum extracts in lab tests by two specific phenolic acid components : chlorogenic and neochlorogenic.
Peaches eaten in the morning instead of breakfast regulate intestinal and hepatic functions, maintain the alkalinization of blood, favor asssimilation and nutrition. The regular consumption of peaches is recommended to those with urinary lithiasis as well as for those who want to increase their urinary debit.
Peaches feed and regenerate the skin tissue. If the face is lotioned with peach juice, the complexion can be given a more shiny look.
Apart from their therapeutic qualities, peaches can be used in various weight losing diets. In the peel of a very ripe peach, at least 10 enigmatic elements exist which activate some substances which destroy the fat layers, this is why peach diets are effective.

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Extra Information:

Phytochemicals

Total polyphenols in mg per 100 g of fresh weight were 14–102 in white-flesh nectarines, 18–54 in yellow-flesh nectarines, 28–111 in white-flesh peaches, and 21–61 mg per 100 g in yellow-flesh peaches. The major phenolic compounds identified in peach are chlorogenic acid, catechins and epicatechins, with other compounds, identified by HPLC, including gallic acid and ellagic acid. Rutin and isoquercetin are the primary flavonols found in clingstone peaches.

Red-fleshed peaches are rich in anthocyanins, particularly cyanidin glycosides in six peach and six nectarine cultivars and malvin glycosides in clingstone peaches. As with many other members of the rose family, peach seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, including amygdalin (note the subgenus designation: Amygdalus). These substances are capable of decomposing into a sugar molecule and hydrogen cyanide gas. While peach seeds are not the most toxic within the rose family (see bitter almond), large consumption of these chemicals from any source is potentially hazardous to animal and human health.

Peach allergy or intolerance is a relatively common form of hypersensitivity to proteins contained in peaches and related fruits (such as almonds). Symptoms range from local effects (e.g. oral allergy syndrome, contact urticaria) to more severe systemic reactions, including anaphylaxis (e.g. urticaria, angioedema, gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms). Adverse reactions are related to the "freshness" of the fruit: peeled or canned fruit may be tolerated.

Special Precautions of Chlorogenic Acid

It was hypothesized in the 1960′s that chlorogenic acid was a chemical sensitizer, responsible for causing respiratory allergies to certain plant materials containing chlorogenic acid in humans. Some experiments on animals using fairly aggressive techniques, did cause severe allergic reactions after the material was injected into the animals, both to sensitise them and again to elicit the allergic response.
Chlorogenic acid has also been associated with increased levels of the protein amino acid homocysteine. Increased homocysteine levels are linked to an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease, however, it has not been proven that reducing elevated homocysteine improves cardiovascular outcomes for people.
Chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid were once thought to be capable of inducing vitamin B1 deficiency, however, this hypothesis was disproven in the early 1980′s. It can however, reduce the absorption of zinc and iron from the diet.

Benefits and uses of Chlorogenic Acid are

Slowed glucose absorption, reduced insulin spike after eating : slow down the absorption of glucose in the human gut, therefore reducing the insulin spike after a meal, an effect that is of significant benefit to those suffering from type II diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Reduced production of glucose in the liver : Chlorogenic acid has also been found in vitro to inhibit the liver enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase which plays a critical role in the production of glucose in the liver.
Increased uptake of glucose in muscle tissue
Reduced risk of type II diabetes : People who drink a significant amount of coffee have less of a risk of developing type II diabetes than non-coffee drinkers. As caffeine worsens insulin sensitivity, this effect has been attributed to chlorogenic acid.
Protection against Alzheimer’s disease, nerve degeneration : Population studies have linked moderate coffee consumption with a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases and laboratory studies have begun to confirm that chlorogenic acid is one of the agents responsible for this protective effect, although caffeine is also considered likely to have a protective effect.
Reduced risk of liver disease : The results of epidemiological research suggest that coffee consumption may help prevent several chronic diseases, including cirrhosis of the liver and hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) as well as gallstones.
Reduced body mass and fat
Increase fat-burning and inhibit new fat cells forming
Mild laxative
Lower blood pressure
Stimulant : Chlorogenic acid has a weak psychostimulant effect, with animal studies in rats estimating the effect to be around one third as strong as the effect from caffeine.
Improve mood and cognitive abilities : A 2012 study in healthy elderly participants found that decaffeinated coffee with a higher concentration of chlorogenic acids (521 mg) improved their mood and ability to perform a battery of cognitive tasks in comparison with ordinary decaffeinated coffee which contained only 224 mg chlorogenic acids.
Eyesight : Chlorogenic acid found in coffee prevents cell death in the retina by at least 73%. In some cases, it didn't just prevent cell damage—it actually increased the number of healthy cells.

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Resources / References / Outside Links

freedictionary.com

wikiwel.com

wikipedia.com
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The Benefits Of Pistachio Are

Pistachio nuts are also called green almonds. . According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it is packed with fiber, vitamins and nutrients, and also contains more anti-oxidants than green tea. Pistachios are also rich sources of protein and fat, but mostly “good” unsaturated fats.

This post is in honor of

WORLD Pistachio Day - Celebrated February 26

National Nut Day - Celebrated October 22

Benefits of Pistachio Are:

Reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by lowering LDL cholesterols. Pistachios help regulate and reduce LDL or bad cholesterol, which is dangerous for the heart. They also increase the levels of HDL or good cholesterol. Since these nuts contain antioxidants like Vitamins A and E, they help fight off inflammation and protect the blood vessels. This helps in reducing the risks of heart disease. Within a short period of consumption, the benefits of pistachios are seen through an increase in lutein level, which helps protect the heart against oxidized LDL.

Combat Diabetes : Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by regular consumption of pistachios. As per a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, both pistachios and walnuts help in better endothelial cell function. Those who consumed around 56 grams of pistachios were found to be more immune to Type 2 diabetes and heart diseases.
Strengthen Immunity : One of the main health benefits of pistachios is a stronger immune system that helps fight off infections, which is again due to the presence of vitamin B6. This vitamin helps the body create healthy red blood cells and strengthens the lymphoid glands such as the lymph nodes, spleen, and the thymus. This in turn produced white blood cells, which protect the body from infections.
Protect The Nervous System : Pistachios contain high levels of Vitamin B6, which influences the nervous system in many positive ways. This vitamin facilitates the development of amino acids and helps in the formation of the insulating sheath (myelin) around the nerve fiber. Both these functions are necessary for carrying optimal messages from the body to the nerves. Vitamin B6 also helps in producing serotonin, epinephrine, and melatonin, which work to calm the nervous system when the transmission of nerve impulses takes place.
Promote Healthy Skin And Vision : Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant found in pistachios. It helps in preserving the cell membranes, ensuring healthy skin. This is one of the benefits of pistachios that protects the skin from UV damage and prevents skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two carotenoids present in pistachios. These antioxidants defend the eye tissues from free radical damage, reducing impairments such as age-related macular degeneration and blindness. wikiwell.com

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Disclaimer: This post is not made to replace a doctors care.

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Shop:

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Awesome Outside Links:

http://www.worldpistachioday.com/

https://www.punchbowl.com/holidays/national-pistachio-day

http://www.americanpistachios.org/about-apg/news/world-pistachio-day-february-26

https://foodimentary.com/2017/02/26/february-26th-is-national-pistachio-day-2/

https://nationaltoday.com/national-pistachio-day/

http://nutritiontwins.com/673-its-national-pistachio-day/

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Benefits Of Mint

Mints are aromatic, almost exclusively perennial, rarely annual herbs. They have wide-spreading underground and overground stolons and erect, square, branched stems. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs, from oblong to lanceolate, often downy, and with a serrated margin. Leaf colors range from dark green and gray-green to purple, blue, and sometimes pale yellow.

This post is in honor of National Chocolate Mint Day celebrated every February 19 - National Herb Week / 1st week in May -

In general use

Mint / herbs are plants with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring food, in medicine, or as fragrances. Culinary use typically distinguishes herbs from spices. Herbs refer to the leafy green or flowering parts of a plant (either fresh or dried), while spices are usually dried and produced from other parts of the plant, including seeds, berries, bark, roots and fruits.

Herbs have a variety of uses

including culinary, medicinal, and, in some cases, spiritual. General usage of the term "herb" differs between culinary herbs and medicinal herbs; in medicinal or spiritual use, any parts of the plant might be considered as "herbs", including leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, root bark, inner bark (and cambium), resin and pericarp.

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Benefits Of Mint

Digestion: Mint is a good appetizer and promotes digestion, due to its typical aroma. It also soothes stomach in cases of indigestion, inflammation etc. This aroma of mint activates the saliva glands in our mouth as well as glands which secrete digestive enzymes, thereby facilitating digestion. Thus it is extensively used in culinary.
stomach disorders : repeated trials on the benefits of mint have established it to be very effective against stomach disorders ranging from irritable bowel to dyspepsia and cramps.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Instead of turning to dangerous Big Pharma solutions—like SSRIs—to fix the problem, try natural peppermint oil. One study found that peppermint oil eliminated pain completely in IBS patients. Another study revealed that it reduced IBS symptoms by at least 50% after only one month in 75% of subjects. You can find natural peppermint oil in capsules for daily use at your local health food store or online.
Nausea & Headache: Again, the strong and refreshing aroma of mint is an excellent and quick remedy for nausea. Whenever you feel it, just smell the oil of mint or crushed fresh mint leaves or use any product with mint flavor, whichever is available near you, and it will be gone. In fact, many people keep mentha oil or mint flavored products with them to avoid nausea, particularly when they are traveling. Balms based on mint or simply mint oil, when rubbed on forehead and nose, gives quick relief in headache.Respiratory Disorders, Cough etc.: The strong aroma of mint is very effective in opening up congestion of nose, throat, bronchi and lungs, giving relief in respiratory disorders resulting from asthma, cold etc. As it cools and soothes throat, nose and other respiratory channels, it gives relief in cough too. Many balms are based on this property of mint. Unlike other inhalers which are based on aerosols, those based on mint are more effective and eco-friendly too.
Asthma: Regular use of mint is very beneficial for asthma patients, as it is a good relaxant and gives relief in congestion. But, over dosage may irritate as well.
Skin Care, pimples etc.: While mint oil is a good anti septic and anti pruritic, mint juice is an excelle,nt skin cleanser. It soothes skin, cures infections, itching etc., and is also good for pimples. Its anti pruritic properties can be used for treating bites of insects like mosquitoes, honey-bees, hornets, wasps, gnats etc.
Female Sterility: Now, there is a mixed opinion about this. Some say that prolonged use of menthol may cause sterility and induce inability to conceive, by interfering with the production of ova and also killing these gametes, because of its germicidal and insecticidal properties. It is also heard that men who smoke menthol cigarettes are more likely to suffer from impotency than those who smoke normal cigarettes. It is not certain whether it is due the tobacco alone or mint has anything do with it. But menthol certainly has insecticidal properties. While another group suggests that mint may be used to treat sterility in females.
Oral Care: This is a well known property of mint. Being a germicidal and breathe freshener, it takes care of oral health by inhibiting harmful bacterial growth inside mouth and by cleaning tongue and teeth.
Cancer: Current researches show that certain enzymes present in mint may help cure cancer : Mint, specifically peppermint, contains a phytonutrient known as amonoterpene which has shown the capability to thwart the growth of tumors in the liver, breasts and pancreas in animals. It has also exhibited the capacity to protect the animals’ lungs, skin and colon against the formation of cancer.
Vasoconstrictor : Mint contains chemicals that can help reduce bleeding by causing a narrowing of the blood vessels.
Other Benefits: Besides its wide industrial use in food stuffs such as ice-creams, chocolates etc., alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, medicines, inhalers and mouth and breathe fresheners, it is used as a condiment and decorative item in culinary world-wide. Drinks and food-stuffs containing mint cools you off in summer. It is a good relaxant. One more peculiar property which is very much in contrary to its cooling and soothing effects is that it induces sweating if consumed in fever, thereby curing it. Mint juice can be applied on burns to heal and soothe them.
It is also beneficial in rheumatism.
It is also said to improve activity of the brain : Peppermint aroma improves memory and concentration.

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Special Precautions of Mint

Peppermint oil can cause heartburn and digestive upset, and should be used with caution by people with heartburn, hiatal hernia, severe liver damage, gallbladder inflammation, or bile duct obstruction.
Although rare, some people have experienced allergic reaction to topical application of peppermint.
People with gallstones should consult a physician before taking oral peppermint preparations.
The safety of peppermint oil in pregnant or nursing women isn't known.
Peppermint oil shouldn't be applied topically to broken skin. Large amounts shouldn't be applied to skin.
Peppermint tea can cause choking in children and infants due to the menthol.
Pure peppermint oil is toxic at small doses. The pure essential oil should not be taken orally.
Call your health practitioner if you experience headache, flushing, skin rash, muscle tremors, or other unusual symptoms.
See also precautions of Linalool

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Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.

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Pam here! I love herbs you guys, and all things related to herbs. Everything from growing them to cooking with them to healing with them... I just love everything about it. That's why I wanted to do this post on the "Benefits of Mint." -So now that I have finished this article and about to hit the publish button..... I'm going to go outside and start raking around my mint plants I have growing in the back yard. I have about 4 different varieties that made it through the winter. (Peppermint, Spearmint, Orange Mint and Chocolate Mint.) Time for me to give them some love and attention. Have a great day!

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