Cayenne Pepper

I am so amazed by the many benefits of adding Cayenne pepper into daily health habits. Not only can it stop a heart attack, it can also relieve frost bite, aide in digestion, improve metabolism and is full of Vitamin C.
Cayenne has been used in folk medicine since 7000 B.C.

Benefits of Cayenne:

• Great digestive aid:
• It improves metabolism and stimulates the digestive tract increasing the flow of gastric juices and enzymes. It also helps relieves gas.
• It helps prevent infections from forming in the digestive system.
• Nutritious:
• It contains more vitamin C than an orange, as well as iron, calcium, phosphorous, and B-complex Vitamins.
• Anti - irritant:
• Has the ability to relieve upset stomach, ulcers, sore throats, coughs and diarrhea.
• Improves Heart Health and stops heart attack immediately:
• Dr. John Christopher, the famed natural herbalist stated that One of his greatest stories in his long career was how he could instantly stop a heart attack if he could get the patient to drink a glass of warm cayenne water. He said, "A teaspoon of cayenne should bring the patient out of the heart attack."  With internal hemorrhaging, if the patient can drink a glass of extra warm cayenne water, Dr. Christopher wrote, "...by the count of ten the bleeding will stop. Instead of all the pressure being centralized, it is equalized and the clotting becomes more rapid."
• Helps lower bad cholesterol.
• Regulates the flow of blood from the head to the feet so that the pressure is equalized.
• Supports Weight loss:
• Boosts the metabolism adding in burning excess fat. Also reduces the appetite leading to taking in less calories. Also stimulates the production of saliva which aids in the digestion process.
• Prevents and Treats Blood Clots.
• Anti-Inflammatory Properties
• Cayenne’s anti-inflammatory properties makes it a great herb for diabetes, psoriasis, arthritis and herpes-related nerve damage.
• Detox Support
• Cayenne increases the lymphatic pulse and digestive rhythms and is also a circulatory stimulant. Because it heats the body, the natural process of detoxification is streamlined. It cause us to sweet which is an important process of detoxification. Combined with lemon juice and honey, cayenne tea is a great morning beverage for a total body detox.
•  Anti-Cancer Agent:
• Studies done at the Loma Linda University in California found that cayenne pepper can prevent lung cancer in smokers. This may be again related to cayenne’s high quantity of capsaicin, a substance that can stop the formation of tobacco-induced lung tumors. Other studies have also shown a similar reaction in cayenne’s ability to inhibit liver tumors.
• Joint-Pain Reliever
• Cayenne pepper is very soothing; it is effective as a poultice for rheumatism, inflammation, pleurisy, and helpful also if taken internally for these.
• Relieves Toothache:
• Preserves the teeth from rotting, and when rubbed on the gums, stimulates them enough to prevent pyorrhea.
• Topical Remedy
• As a poultice, cayenne has been used to treat snake bites, rheumatism, inflammation, sores, wounds and lumbago. Applied to the skin, cayenne is analgesic. It increases the blood flow to the affected part, which helps to stimulate the circulation in rheumatic and arthritic conditions, It increases the flow of nutrients to the tissues and aides in the removal of waste products.  Cayenne power placed in the socks has a warming effect on cold feet, making it a great remedy for frostbite. 
• Reduces swelling.
• For a poultice mix with honey and apply to skin.
• Warming Stimulant:
• The heating qualities of cayenne make it a valuable herb for poor circulation and related conditions. It improves the blood flow to the feet, hands and the central organs.
•  Migraine Headache Prevention
• Anti-Cold and Flu Agent
• Aides in breaking up and moving congestion.  Mix a pinch of cayenne to lemon juice, dilute with warm water, add honey and use as a gargle to relieve sore throats.
• Excellent for internal Hemorrhage
• Stimulates the gall bladder reflex
• Effective in causing hemorrhoids to regress
• Will heal a sore ulcerated stomach

Cayenne is truly an amazing herb and one of the greatest available for health benefits. I have only touched on a few of the great benefits of Cayenne. I hope you enjoy reading and learning what I have found.
You can find Cayenne in a capsule form, powder, as a whole pepper or infused oil.  Research shows that it is more effective to take Cayenne in the powder or whole pepper form as opposed to the capsule form.  I personally take it in the capsule form and know that it works for me, after taking it I can feel its warming effect. Never take the capsule on an empty stomach it will make you feel very sick.

Places to buy Cayenne:

Vitacost.com - Sign up today and receive a $10 gift certificate
Amazon.com  - I have marked some of my favorite products here.





References:
http://www.cayennepepper.info/health-benefits-of-cayenne-pepper.html
http://www.cayennepepper.info/health-benefits-of-cayenne-pepper.html

Herbal Raspberry Leaf Tea

 

As I have studied Raspberry Leaf tea I have been amazed at all the benefits that are found within it.  I believe our Heavenly Father thought of everything natural and good to help heal our bodies. Below I have listed only a few of the things that I learned during my research. I hope that it is beneficial.





For hundreds of years the raspberry leaf has been used to aide in pregnancies.
When midwives where the primary health care providers for women and the natural birth, raspberry leaf was the herb of choice to aide in childbirth. Women would brew it to drink during the last 2 months of their pregnancy to tone uterus muscles for labor and delivery.  After birth raspberry leaf tea aides in the uterus returning back to normal and in the production of milk.  It is also excellent for menstrual cramps.

Benefits during pregnancy include:

• Tones uterus
• Decreases nausea
• Relieves constipation
• Improves blood circulation
• Increases milk production
• Prevents miscarriages
• Eases labor pains
• Helps make labor quicker and easier
• Decrease the need for intervention during labor such as Cesarean, forceps or vacuum
• Prevents hemorrhaging
• Promotes bone development for baby

Raspberry Leaf Tea is also rich in nutrients:

• Vitamins C, E, A, and B complex
• Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, iron and antioxidants.
• Tannins which are a natural astringent that can help cleanse the outside and inside of the body naturally.
• The leaves also contain anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease pain and inflammation safely and naturally.

Other Health Benefits of Raspberry Leaf Tea:

Treat conditions natural by drinking 2 to 3 cups of red raspberry leaf tea throughout the day.

• Increases fertility in both men and women, especially when combined with Red Clover.
• Eases menstrual cramps and regulates the flow during menstruation.
• It is good for small children when they are vomiting. It is also helpful for dysentery and diarrhea in infants.
• Relieves constipation
• Poor blood circulation, inflammation, diarrhea, irritated skin, gum diseases, oral cavities, the cold and flu, respiratory infections and digestive issues
• Because of the high amount of vitamin C and other potent nutrients in red raspberry leaves, the tea is also useful for treating bacterial and viral infections as well as dehydration and fevers.
• Reduce high blood sugar levels by sipping on some red raspberry leaf tea to help lower them when needed.
• Useful for vitamin deficiency, heart problems, diabetes and gingivitis.
• Used to promote bile production, sweating and urination
• Good for the general purification of the blood
• When applied directly to the skin, red raspberry leaf tea helps treat and disinfect inflamed skin.
  
  
  Using Red Raspberry Leaf Tea as a Gargle
• Because of natural antiseptic properties, lukewarm raspberry leaf tea can be useful as a gargle to help soothe and cleanse the throat. It is useful for soothing toothaches, canker sores, cold sores, fever blisters, throat infections and dry mouth. Adding a pinch of sea salt will increase the effectiveness of the raspberry leaf gargle because sea salt has the ability to kill bacteria.

Where to get Red Raspberry Leaf Tea:

• If you grow raspberry plants already you can harvest the leaves off of the plants. To dry place on a cookie sheet and stick in direct sunlight, such as a window. You can also place leaves between 2 screens and leave outside to dry.
• Vitacost.com has a great selection of Raspberry Leaf Tea.  Click on the link Vitacost.com and run a search in the search box for Raspberry Leaf Tea.
• Check your local health food stores. Some of them may even carry the capsule form.

Raspberry Leaf Tea

1 teaspoon dried raspberry leaves, chopped or 3 teaspoons fresh raspberry leaves, chopped

1 cup boiling water

1. Add the chopped raspberry leaves to a tea ball or to the cup of boiling water.
2. Cover the cup. Use a cup lid or an overturned plate to cover. Allow to stand for 5 minutes to let the raspberry leaves steep.
3. Remove the cover and strain the tea into another cup or mug.
4. Drink plain or add in your choice of sweetener such as Xylitol, Stevia, sugar or honey.

It is recommend that you have two cups a day of this tea during the last two months of pregnancy. There are conflicting opinions about whether it should  be taken any earlier in pregnancy.

 

Raspberry leaf tea is effective and safe to use and effective to naturally relieve several health conditions, however consult your doctor to make sure it is right for you.  If you're not pregnant, the tea is still good for you; it helps to prevent spongy bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, and mouth soreness.

Xylitol - Natural Sugar replacement and Cavity Preventer

Lately 3 out of 4 of my kids have had 2 or 3 cavities at their dental checkup. All these fillings add up and get to be pretty expensive, even with insurance.  Looking for some way to help prevent cavities, I did a quick Internet search and ran across Xylitol.

Wow! What an amazing product. The more I learn about this great product, the more I want to make it a part of my daily health habits.

Xylitol is a natural occurring sweetener that is found in the fibers of  vegetables, fruits,  birch trees, and fibrous materials such as corn cobs and husks. Xylitol is produced naturally in our bodies; in fact, we make up to 15 grams daily during normal metabolism.  Industrial production is usually taken from hard wood such as birch trees or corn cobs.   It looks like and tastes like table sugar.

Xylitol is slowly absorbed by the body and does not require insulin to metabolize which makes it a great sweetener for diabetics.  Xylitol began being added to foods in the 1960s and can be found in many products such as Trident Gum, Stride Gum, mints and suckers.

Benefits of Xylitol

Now to the part about preventing cavities, this is what interested me the most about Xylitol.

1.  Xylitol reduces tooth decay. Chewing xylitol gum right after meals helps eliminate the bacteria that causes tooth decay. You can also find other products such as toothpaste, mints and suckers which contain xylitol.  Cavity causing bacteria does not thrive in the presence of Xylitol therefore limiting its ability to grow. In addition Xylitol:

• Helps reduce the development of cavities (dental caries).
• Resists fermentation by mouth bacteria.
• Reduces plaque formation.
• Increases salivary flow to aid in the repair of damaged tooth enamel.
• Compliments fluoride in oral hygiene products.

2. Helps Tooth Enamel & Strength
In addition to preventing cavities, consuming xylitol in small amounts helps decrease plaque formation, and promotes salivation to prevent “dry mouth”, which aids in enhancing mineral absorption for repairing damaged tooth enamel, while increasing tooth strength.

3. Safe for Diabetics.
Xylitol does not easily convert to fat, therefore the body does not require insulin to metabolize making it a good choice for diabetics.

4. Helps Prevent Ear Infections
Xylitol can also be used to prohibit harmful bacterial growth to help prevent ear infections in young children. It will also help clear out earwax and prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the pharyngotympanic tubes, connecting the nose and ear.


5. Increases White Blood Cell Activity
Xylitol, when taken in small amounts, can help increase the white blood cell activity in fighting bacterial infections, to help build immunity, protect against chronic degenerative disease and have anti-aging benefits.

6. May Help With Allergies & Sinus Infection’s
When used as a nasal spray, xylitol is said to be able to help reduce the prevalence of sinus infections, asthma and allergies. It helps decrease the amount of harmful bacteria that may be in the cells of our nose.

I was so excited to learn that I could help prevent cavities by giving my kids a stick of gum to chew on after a meal. The two brands that I have found to have Xylitol in are Stride and Trident.
Also Vitacost has a great selection of gums, Xylitol sweetener and mints. Sign up for  Vitacost today and receive a $10 gift certificate.

Vitacost.com




References:
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/xylitol-health-benefits/

My Grandma

My Grandma is an amazing women, not only is she the mother of 10 children but she is full of useful information.  As a kid if I had a medical problem I knew that grandma would have an answer. Not only was she an EMT but she knows herbs and their medicinal value. Grandma has a cure for everything:
Belly wash for constipation (not my favorite one by far)
Clove for tooth ache
Raspberry Tea Leaf for female problems
Carob for tummy ache
and the list goes on, grandma knows just what to use.
I decided to create this blog in an effort to learn what my grandma knows.  I will be posting here the things that I have learned and continue to learn from Grandma.