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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Onions and Mayonnaise

Red Onion


I receive an email which is very useful and interesting I want 
share 
this to all of you here we go...


In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu.

Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died.

The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise,  everyone in his family was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and placed it under the microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It obviously absorbed the bacteria or viruses, therefore,  keeping the family very healthy.

Now, I  heard this story from my hairdresser in Arizona (AZ). She said that several years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her  shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work. Try it and see what  happens. We did it last year and we never got the flu.

Now there is a P.S. to this for I sent this to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health  issues. She replied with this most interesting  experience about onions:

"Thanks for the  reminder. I don't know about the farmer's story..  But, I do know that I contacted pneumonia and  needless to say I was very ill.. I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion put it into an empty jar...placing the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the  germs.. Sure enough it happened just like that...The onion was a mess and I began to feel better. 

"Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room  saved many from the black plague years ago. They  have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties."

This is the other note:

"Lots of times when we have stomach  problems we don't know what to blame. It's probably the onions that are to blame. Onions absorb bacteria and the very reason they are so good at  preventing us from getting colds and flu---and therefore also the very reason we shouldn't eat an onion  that has been sitting for a time after it has  been cut open.


"LEFT OVER ONIONS ARE POISONOUS

"I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, Makers of Mayonnaise. Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist.

"The guy who gave us our tour is named Ed. Ed is a chemistry expert and is involved in developing most of the sauce formula. He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's.

"Keep in mind that Ed is a food chemistry whiz. During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about  mayonnaise. People are always worried that  mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise  you. Ed said that all commercially- made  Mayo is completely safe.

"It  doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in  refrigerating it, but it's not really  necessary. He explained that the pH in  mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the quint-essential picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.

"Ed says when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato  salad?). 

"Ed says it's not the mayonnaise (as  long as it's not homemade Mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the onions, and if not the onions, it's the POTATOES.

"He explained, onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion...He says it's not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator.

"It's already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park)!

"Ed says if  you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put it on your sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial  mayonnaise will even begin to break down.

"Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot  metabolize onions.

"Please remember it is dangerous to cut an onion and try  to use it to cook the next day, it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food  poisoning."

Please share this on to all you love and care.




Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Do you eat cucumbers?

Cucumber


1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin  B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin  B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron,  Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and  Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a
cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B  Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.


5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping verything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don't have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels
water.




9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don't have time for a massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.


11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don't have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a 'green' way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won't leave streaks and won't harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.




13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the 
cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!!




How to Treat your Arthritis Naturally at Home


This is article is worth sharing to everybody.

Information provided by Lionel Sweetman - Published: 2010-06-19

Arthritis

Arthritis is pain in the fingers, knees, elbows, hips jaw-any place In the body where there Is a joint between bones.

Arthritis can be very painful due to joints being surrounded by many nerves which are needed to make the complicated joints work properly.

There are many forms of arthritis like Osteoarthritis or rheumatoid Arthritis; to name just two, but we are not going into that now. What we are looking at here is natural remedies.

A lot of arthritis sufferers very often turn to natural herbal remedies and botanical methods to gain release from their symptoms. But do these natural alternatives do what they promise? Can you find relief from herbal supplements?

There are many herbs and such like that has shown some promise in helping treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and we will just look at a few of them:

Boswellia - For thousands of years Boswellia has been used as a natural anti-inflamatory. Extracts of the gum of this tree, which is mainly found in India, have long been used to relieve joint pain and inflammation. Modern scientific research has confirmed that boswellic acids contained within the herb are able to stop the formation of leukotrienes, the immune cells responsible for inflammation. With regular use blood supply to the joints is also maintained allowing for soft tissue to be nourished and viable.

Scientific research has shown that boswellia has the ability to inhibit the inflammatory mediators in the body, reducing pain and inflammation without irritating or ulcerating the lining of the stomach. Boswellia has also seen to be highly effective in the treatment of ulcerative colitis.

Thunder god vine - A supplement that is derived from a perennial vine that is native to Asia, also In areas of China, Korea, and Japan. The root is peeled away to make this herbal supplement and Is by tradition, been used to treat autoimmune illnesses and inflammatory conditions. It has been find by research that thunder god vine does indeed contain anti-inflammatory activity, and some immune-boosting activity has also been discovered.

One clinical trial carried out at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that roughly 80 per cent of those patients who were given a high dose of the plant supplement found that their rheumatoid arthritis symptoms got better considerably. However, researchers have found that this and other studies are too small to prove the true efficacy of this plant-derived supplement.

Cherries - To take away the pain of gout, eat 6-8 cherries per day. They can be tinned, frozen or fresh. This is a Japanese treatment, which they have used for centuries. They also boil the cherries down into a syrup which makes a strong sweet drink. The cherry is a very good source of magnesium (which is a natural painkiller) and potassium. The potassium acts as a diuretic, reducing inflammation by ridding tissue of fluid.

Dandelion leaves - One of the best remedies for treating arthritic conditions probably grows right in your backyard: fresh young dandelion leaves. Because of the high vitamin A and C content, when eaten raw in salads, these greens help the body to repair damaged tissues and help the liver clear toxins out of the blood.

European herbalists have used these anti-pain dandelion recipes for many years. Older leaves should be steam or sauté - like spinach, this is because they are too tough to eat raw. You can also improve the taste by cooking with garlic or add olive oil for a tasty dish. Dandelion can also be made into a tea steep, just 1 teaspoon of dried leaves or 3 teaspoons of fresh leaves in 1 cup of boiling water. Or make a coffee-like, but bitter-tasting, beverage by boiling, and then straining, 4 ounces of fresh root in 2 pints of water. Taken daily, this is a good guard against winter colds.

Desert devil - Devil's-claw - an ominous-sounding cure - comes from the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. For at least 250 years, the Hottentots, Bantus, and Bushmen (all native tribes of this region) have treated arthritis pain with this large claw-like fruit that can trap and injure livestock. The tribesmen's favourite method is to draw an extract from the root and brew it into a tea. Alternatively, devil's-claw can be dried, powdered, and taken in tablet form.

Recent French and German studies found that the pain-relief of devil's-claw is similar to that of cortisone. The root acts mainly as an anti-inflammatory, an effect of harpagoside, its active ingredient. Preparations using the whole plant work even better because it contains additional compounds, such as flavonoids, that enhance the anti-inflammatory effect. Devil's-claw is available in many forms through most mailorder herb companies and health food stores.

Water therapy treatment - A more pleasant and relatively effective home remedy for arthritis pain is water therapy treatments. This entails immersion of affected regions into warm water for about an hour. Best results can be achieved by utilizing a specially designed water tank which is sometimes called sensory deprivation tank. The water temperature is maintained at 93.5 degrees Fahrenheit which is the normal body temperature of a healthy human.

A spoonful of sugar - The British, known for their fondness for sweets, swear by crude blackstrap molasses dissolved in water. When taken every morning, they say this preparation eases and even eliminates pain in the joints. This is some feat in England! (Cold, damp climates usually aggravate a case of arthritis.) The molasses is an excellent source of minerals, including iron, potassium, and magnesium. It is also a concentrated sweet. So it is important to rinse your mouth out or brush your teeth after using this treatment. Otherwise, you may be trading one pain (arthritis) for another - a toothache!

Copper bracelets for arthritis - Until recently, Western doctors dismissed as folklore the idea of wearing copper bracelets as a way of treating arthritis. Indeed, there are many doctors who are still sceptical. Researchers in Australia, however, have found that copper, when coupled with aspirin, is more effective than aspirin alone in treating the pain of arthritis. Since many substances are absorbed through the skin, there may be some truth in this old wives' tale. Copper bracelets are available all over the net.

Ginger - Ginger is very effective in the treatment of arthritis and a host of other ailments. Recent medical research in Holland has indicated that this, too, is much more than just myth. Eating ginger does, according to the Dutch doctors, help alleviate arthritis pain. Use the ginger with anything…soups, sauces, salads etc.

Eucalyptus oil for arthritis pain - An old traditional home remedy for arthritis pain requires the use eucalyptus oil. A small quantity of eucalyptus oil is warmed before applying it in a very thin layer over the painful joint. You would then cover the joint with a plastic wrap. Follow up by applying continuous heat to the joint with the help of steaming towels. This can be a relaxing pain relief routine that can prove beneficial at bedtime for maximum reduction of the arthritis pain.

Bee Stings - An arthritis therapy that may sound more like a punishment was used 2,000 years ago by Hippocrates - bee stings. Once considered to be the leading cure for rheumatism, arthritis, and gout, bee stings were used for centuries by ancient Europeans.Based on this traditional therapy, scientists in Switzerland, France, Germany, and Great Britain devised a treatment that employed a series of injections of the venom- using either a hypodermic needle or a live bee! The bee venom, like many noxious substances, stimulates the immune system to release inflammatory substances. This is known as the counter irritation theory.

Saint Hildegard’s Ointment - Hildegard was a mystic from 12th century Germany whose wisdom still holds true to day. She said “ Detoxify, purify, and regenerate the whole organism.” Hildegard’s recipe for an arthritis ointment was to take 4 parts vermouth, 2 parts deer fat, and 2 parts deer marrow, and mix it into a salve. This ointment was massaged on the painful joints while the sufferer sat in front of an elmwood fire. The warmth of the fire and the stimulation of blood flow from the massage were really the important parts of the treatment. So if you cannot get your hands on any deer fat. goose fat is a much better option and is available all over the net. To get rid of the rheumatic toxins that caused pain, Hildegard prescribed eating fragrant, raw quince. The fruit can be cooked in water or wine, baked in a cake or pie, or made into jellies and candy ( this is popular today during holiday seasons). Hildegard's advice to gout sufferers was to slowly chew (before breakfast) 1 to 3 teaspoons of celery seed powder mixed with spices such as rue, cloves, and saxifrage. For a better taste, the celery powder can be sprinkled on bread with quince jelly. Celery is a diuretic, and the loss of excess fluid can reduce the inflammation associated with the arthritis. Rue contains ruin, which can strengthen blood vessels (preventing them from leaking fluid into tissue and thus preventing inflammation).Warning: Don't use rue during pregnancy. It can bring on bleeding.

Glucosamine - Produced naturally in the body and is found in relatively high concentrations in the joints and connective tissues where its main function is to repair cartilage and maintain joint mobility. It has been shown that between 90 and 98 percent of Glucosamine Sulphate is absorbed into the body.

Because of it's healing properties and the fact there a few reports of side effects Glucosamine has been approved for the treatment of arthritis pain and other joint and muscular pain in more than eighty countries throughout the world. Research has shown glucosamine's ability to both decrease pain and reduce inflammation whilst also allowing an increase in the range of motion in the joints, helping to repair aging and damaged joints throughout the body.

Recent studies have indicated that glucosamine may be at least as if not more effective than the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin and ibuprofen but without the harmful side-effects connected with these medicines. While NSAIDS provide effective pain relief for arthritis and other joint pain they can also reduce the production of cartilage in the body. In doing so this obviously worsens the condition in the long run and so increases the dependence on the drugs. Not only does glucosamine relieve pain but it also reduces inflammation, repairing the cartilage damage rather than just masking pain.

Aloe Vera for arthritis - Aloe, by its self does not cure or heal anything; it is the beneficial effects of over 200 different nutritional constituents and the way they react to help reduce inflammation and pain which promote healing. Aloe Vera gives a great boost to the immune system and energy levels. So, In other words…..Aloe Vera provides the body with the right agents to take care of itself and to restore and repair body functions and the body's own healing process.

Alfalfa - Commonly used for arthritic treatment, because the tea remedy is effective when taken for two to three weeks with a seven to ten day break between consumption.

Angelica - Another arthritis treatment because it contains anti-inflammatory constituents and muscle relaxants as well as natural pain-relievers. This herb is used in a tea concoction as well, with the same frequency and breaks as the alfalfa remedy.

Black cohosh - An American Indian herb used in the treatment of arthritis symptoms, has qualities similar to aspirin as well as anti-inflammatory and anti-spasm constituents.

Celery - A plant that can be used to treat arthritis. The celery seeds and other portions of the plant contain over 25 anti-inflammatory compounds, as well as providing massive amounts of potassium, which is important because a deficiency in potassium is often a culprit of arthritic pain.

Other herbal medicines used to treat arthritis pain include; feverfew, American ginseng, hop tea, licorice, mustard plaster, oregano, pineapple, red pepper, rosemary, sesame seeds, stinging nettle, turmeric, wild cucumber bark, wild yam, willow, wintergreen, and yucca. Some of these herbs are used topically, as the minerals are absorbed into the skin, while others are ingested internally for maximum benefits.

Many people think that because they are taking an herbal supplement or botanical-based drug therapy, there will be no side effects. The truth is that herbal supplements can be quite powerful and can have strong side effects. Many if not most of all conventional drug therapies are derived from plants and herbs.

The bad news is that there is not enough sufficient research to conclusively prove the efficacy of many of these herbal supplements and botanical-based drugs. Before you try any herbal supplement, it is important that you discuss its use with your doctor.


Two of the most common forms of arthritis


arthritis

Two of the most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have different causes, risk factors, and effects on the body:

·         Osteoarthritis pain, stiffness, or inflammation most frequently appears in the hips, knees, and hands.

·         Rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the hands and wrists but can also affect areas of the body other than the joints.
Even though they have these differences, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis often share common symptoms:

·         Joint pain
·         Stiffness
·         Inflammation or swelling

What causes osteoarthritis?
While the exact cause of OA is unknown, joint damage can be due to repetitive movement (also known as "wear and tear"). It can also begin as the result of an injury. Either way, with OA there's erosion of the cartilage, the part of the joint that covers the ends of the bones.

·         Cartilage acts as a shock absorber, allowing the joint to move smoothly.
·         As cartilage breaks down, the ends of the bones thicken and the joint may lose its normal shape.
·         With further cartilage breakdown, the ends of the bones may begin to rub together, causing pain.
·         In addition, damaged joint tissue can cause the release of certain substances called prostaglandins, which can also contribute to the pain and swelling characteristic of the disease.
Here are some factors that may increase your risk of developing OA:

Age

Age is the strongest risk factor for OA. Although OA can start in young adulthood, in these cases, it is often due to joint injury.

Gender

OA affects both men and women. However, before age 45, OA occurs more frequently in men; after age 45, OA is more common in women.

Joint injury or overuse caused by physical labor or sports

Traumatic injury to a joint increases your risk of developing OA in that joint. Joints that are used repeatedly in certain jobs may be more likely to develop OA because of injury or overuse.

Obesity

The chances of getting OA generally increase with the amount of weight the body’s joints have to bear. The knee is particularly affected because it is a major weight-bearing joint.

Joint Alignment

People with joints that don’t move or fit together correctly, like bowlegs, dislocated hips, or double-jointedness, are more likely to develop OA in those joints.

Heredity

An inherited defect in one of the genes responsible for manufacturing cartilage may be a contributing factor in developing OA.

What is Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks normal joint tissues, causing inflammation of the joint lining.
This inflammation of the joint lining (called the synovium) can cause pain, stiffness, swelling, warmth, and redness. The affected joint may also lose its shape, resulting in loss of normal movement. RA is an ongoing disease, with active periods of pain and inflammation, known as flares, alternating with periods of remission, when pain and inflammation disappear.
RA can affect many different joints. In some people, it can even affect parts of the body other than the joints, including the eyes, blood, the lungs, and the heart.

What causes rheumatoid arthritis?
The exact causes of RA are unknown. But research has shown that several factors may contribute to the development of RA:

·         Genetic. Certain genes play a role in the immune system — for some people, genetic factors may be involved in determining whether they will develop RA.
·         Environmental. In people who have inherited a genetic tendency for the disease, RA can be triggered by an infection. However, RA is not contagious — you can't "catch it" from anyone.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Causes of High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure

In most cases of high blood pressure causes of the condition remain unknown. Irrespective of the high blood pressure causes treatment can be provided to minimize the ill effects of high blood pressure and relieve high blood pressure symptoms like anxiety and headaches. Although there may not always be specific causes of high blood pressure it is undeniable that there are certain conditions that could contribute to or significantly increase the risk of developing high blood pressure. While not all of these factors are controllable, awareness about them does make us conscious of the existence of the risk of high blood pressure, and consequently keeps us alert to the warning signs. The practice of breathing exercises, switching to specific diet foods, and herbs or supplements can help lower blood pressure naturally.

Age: This is one of the biggest risk factors for elevated blood pressure levels and as you age the risk of developing high blood pressure keeps increasing. In the past the age group affected may have been higher, but with the changes to our lifestyle and increased stress levels, pollution and unhealthy diets high blood pressure has also begin to affect younger adults, which is why it is best to start going for annual checkups after the age of eighteen.

Diet: Diets with a high fat content are one of the major causes of high blood pressure. A high blood pressure diet plan or chart will always exclude foods like red meats, junk foods, and other fried or refined foods. There are plenty of healthy alternatives and you can prepare your own high blood pressure diet menu, with recipes for high blood pressure from internet resources. Most of the foods that cause high blood pressure are the ones that are high in sugar content, hydrogenated oils and trans fatty acids. Salty foods, fatty dairy products, greasy and deep fried foods and fatty meat products should all be avoided or eaten sparingly to avoid high blood pressure problems.

Stress: The relationship between stress and high blood pressure cannot be understated and its contribution to increased incidence of the condition in modern society is undeniable. Stress related disorders are on the rise because increasing levels of competitiveness and tremendous technological growth that has changed the urban and social landscape. This stress could either be emotional stress or even physical stress in the individual.

Racial Factors: African Americans are believed to be at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure as compared to Caucasians and this is also likely to occur earlier in life and cause complications of greater severity.

Socio-Economic Status: Although high blood pressure may be uniformly prevalent across all sections of society, the less educated and lower socio-economic groups may be more affected because of a lack of awareness and also a lack of access to quality diets.

Heredity: This is another factor that cannot be controlled and people with a family history of high blood pressure are predisposed to developing the condition.

Gender: Men are generally thought to be a lot more likely to develop high blood pressure as compared to women, but this could vary in different populations. While all of these factors may be uncontrollable there are some things that we can control.

Body Weight: Obesity is known to be one of the biggest risk factors for developing high blood pressure because blood pressure rises with increasing weight. It is highly advisable for anyone who is overweight to attempt to reduce some weight through healthy methods like dieting and working out. Patterns of weight gain are also believed to indicate the risk of obesity to some extent as those who gain weight mainly around the abdominal area are at higher risk, while those who gain weight on the hips and thighs, although at risk would not be as susceptible.

Salt: Some individuals have greater sensitivity to sodium and the consumption of salt will therefore cause a rise in blood pressure. In such a scenario, simply cutting down on salt intake would lower blood pressure naturally. High blood pressure diets are typically low in salt.

Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption is also known to raise blood pressure levels, particularly in those sensitive to alcohol.

Medications and Contraceptives: Women who have been on contraceptive pills may be at increased risk of developing high blood pressure and the use of certain medications like diet pills or amphetamines could also contribute to the problem.