Alvaca - Basil

According to Off the Grid News, Basil is a common herb in most of our kitchens, but did you know that, besides tasting good in our chicken and pasta dishes, it can be of use toward having more healthy bodies? It is an excellent alternative health treatment for many minor ailments.

Grown originally in Asia and the Middle East, basil traveled the world along the spice trail. It has been grown and used for 5000 years and has hundreds of varieties and is now cultivated in many countries. All of its varieties have unique and individual chemical make-ups; and yet the base medicinal properties remain consistent from one strain to another.

The volatile oils of dried basil are weak, so fresh basil is usually better in both our cooking and our healing treatments.

The main use of basil medicinally is as a natural anti-inflammatory. It is similar to the compounds found in oregano and medical marijuana – and may be used as a substitute for the later because it offers the same relief without the “high.” The same compound that makes it useful as an anti-inflammatory is also believed to help combat bowel inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis.

Many naturopathic doctors prescribe basil in treatment of diabetes, respiratory disorders, allergies, impotence, and infertility. This may be because basil contains cinnamanic acid, which has been found to enhance circulation, stabilize blood sugar, and improve breathing in those with respiratory disorders.

It is also know that basil is very high in antioxidants, especially when it is used as an extract or oil. These antioxidants can protect your body against free radical damage associated with aging, some skin ailments, and most forms of cancer. Antioxidants have become an important part of keeping our bodies healthy, and basil may be among the safest and most effective sources of these life-giving compounds.

Additional scientific research has shown that the volatile oils in basil, combined with their antioxidant effects, make it a great health boost for our immune systems.

Fresh basil leaves and basil oil have antibacterial properties. They can be used to disinfect surfaces. Leaves, applied to wounds, may eliminate infections. Basil used in your cooking or taken as a nutritional supplement can assist in combating common viruses like colds, flu, and the herpes family of viruses – in a manner similar to that of Echinacea.

Treatments Using Basil

1. Healing: Sharpen memory, use as a nerve tonic, and remove phlegm from your bronchial tubes. Repeat up to once an hour. Leaves can strengthen the stomach and induce perfuse sweating. The seeds can be used to rid the body of excess mucus.
2. Fevers: Basil leaves are used for quenching fevers, especially those related to malaria and other infectious, eruptive fevers common to tropical areas. Boiling leaves with some cardamom in about two quarts of water, then mixed with sugar and milk, brings down temperature. An extract of basil leaves in fresh water should be given every 2 to 3 hours; between doses you can give sips of cold water. This method is especially effective for reducing fevers in children.
3. Coughs: Basil is an important ingredient in cough syrups and expectorants. It can also relieve mucus in asthma and bronchitis. Chewing on basil leaves can relieve colds and flu symptoms.
4. Sore Throat: Water boiled with basil leaves can be taken as a tonic or used as a gargle when you have a sore throat.
5. Respiratory Disorders: Boiling basil leaves with honey and ginger is useful for treating asthma, bronchitis, cough, cold, and influenza. Boiling the leaves, cloves, and sea salt in some water will give rapid relief of influenza. These combinations should be boiled in about two quarts of water until only half the water remains before they are taken.
6. Kidney Stones: Basil can be used to strengthen your kidneys. In cases of stones in your kidney, the juice of basil leaves mixed with honey and taken daily for 6 months will expel them through the urinary tract.
7. Heart Problems: Basil can be used to strengthen those weakened by heart disease. It can also reduce your cholesterol.
8. Children’s Illnesses: Pediatric complaints like colds, coughs, fever, diarrhea, and vomiting have been know to respond to treatment with the juice of basil leaves. Also if the rash associated with chicken pox is delayed, basil leaves with saffron will bring them to the surface more quickly.
9. Stress: Basil leaves can be used as an anti-stress agent. Chewing 12 basil leaves twice a day can prevent stress. It will purify the blood and help prevent many other common ailments.
10. Mouth Infections: Chewing a few leaves twice daily can cure infections and ulcerations of the mouth.
11. Insect Bites: Basil can be used preventatively and as a curative. A teaspoonful of the basil leaf juice taken every few hours is preventative. Rubbing the bites with juice can relieve the itching and swelling. Also a paste of the root is effective for treating the bites of insects and leeches.
12. Skin Disorders: Basil juice applied directly to the effected area is good for ringworm and other common skin ailments. Some naturopaths have used it successfully in the treatment of leucoderma (patches of white or light-colored skin).
13. Tooth Problems: Dry basil leaves in the sun and grind into powder for a tooth cleansing powder. You can also mix with mustard oil to make herbal toothpaste. Both of these methods will counter bad breath and can be used to massage the gums, treat pyorrhea, and other dental health problems.
14. Headaches: Basil is a good headache remedy. Boil leaves in half a quart of water, cooking until half the liquid remains. Take a couple of teaspoons an hour with water to relieve your pain and swelling. You can also make a paste of basil leaves pounded with sandalwood to apply to your forehead to relieve headache and provide coolness in general.
15. Eye Disorders: Basil juice is a good for night-blindness and sore eyes. Two drops of black basil juice in each eye at bedtimes each day is soothing.

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DISCLAIMER: Please remember these treatments options are only meant as guidelines and in no way replaces the advice or treatment provided by your medical practitioner. It is always good to seek the advice of your physician, homeopath, naturopath, or herbalist for professional advice in any matter related to your health. This article is for information purposes only.

Chia Seeds Are Like Magic!

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are among the healthiest foods on the planet. They are loaded with nutrients that can have important benefits for your body and brain. Chia seeds aren’t just for those following plant based diet, but anyone who wants to boost their intake of nutrients.

Salvia hispanica, commonly known as chia (/ˈtʃiːə/), is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae, native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. The 16th-century Codex Mendoza provides evidence that it was cultivated by the Aztec in pre-Columbian times; economic historians have suggested it was as important as maize as a food crop. Ground or whole chia seeds are still used in Paraguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Mexico, and Guatemala for nutritious drinks and as a food source.

Chia seeds are rich in nutrients and fiber.

Despite their small size, chia seeds are full of important nutrients.

They are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, rich in antioxidants, and they provide fiber, iron, and calcium.

Omega-3 fatty acids help raise HDL cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol that protects against heart attack and stroke.

Remember the chia pets that were popular in the 1990s? Chia seeds are the same small seeds you used to grow an Afro in your Homer Simpson terracotta vase.

Here are some key points about chia seeds. 

Chia seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, iron, and calcium.
A 28-gram, or 1-ounce, serving of chia seeds also contains 5.6 grams of protein.
Mixed with water, they can replace egg in vegan cooking.
Chia seeds can be eaten cooked or raw, but they should be added to another food or soaked before eating.

Nutritional content

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Nutrient Database, a 28-gram, or one-ounce serving of chia seeds contains:

131 calories
8.4 grams of fat
13.07 grams of carbohydrate
11.2 grams of fiber
5.6 grams of protein
No sugar
Eating once ounce of chia seeds each day would provide 18 percent of daily calcium needs, 27 percent of phosphorus, 30 percent of manganese, and smaller amounts of potassium and copper.

Chia seeds provide more omega-3s, calcium, phosphorus, and fiber than flaxseeds. Most people do not consume enough of these essential nutrients.

Kalawalla - The Most Powerful Herb.

Kalawalla Herb

.... known as the most powerful herb. 

Kalawalla is designed for autoimmune disorders to help regulate your immune system, bringing it to its healthiest, strongest levels ever!

Kalawalla helps to balance your immune system.  A real solution to autoimmune disorders is to modulate (not suppress) the activity of T cell ratios to normal balance without any side effects. Immune modulation has the advantage that, contrary to immune suppression, very few side effects can be observed from regulating the immune system back to normal. It also offers the advantage over symptomatic drugs in that the symptoms reverse themselves on their own after the immune system has reached proper balance, and this is done treating the root of the problem, and not only the symptoms.

Kalawalla has many Clinical Studies with MS, Lupus, Psoriasis, Vitiligo and other autoimmune disorders, showing a high degree of success and very few side effects. It even has an OTC status in the European Union, which means that medical doctors actually prescribe Kalawalla for these disorders. We also know exactly how Kalawalla works due to Trials by the Harvard Medical School that details how Kalawalla modulates the T cells and its usefulness in auto aggressive and inflammatory conditions.  It also helps to balance the immune system, and as a secondary response helps to improve skin disorders, such as psoriasis.

Kalawalla Benefits:

• Protects against all types of psoriasis
• Regulates immune system
• 100% All-Natural Supplement
• Protects brain cells
• Cleanses blood
• Protects skin cells
• Fights free radicals

source: http://www.kalawalla.co.uk/

Spelt

Spelt is an ancient grain widely recognized for its many health benefits. Triticum spelta, as it was originally named in Latin, is a hardier and more nutritious cousin to modern wheat (Triticum aestivum). One of the earliest domesticated grains, spelt hasn’t changed since Biblical times. It remains unaffected by concepts such as ‘agribusiness’, ‘cross-breeding,’ ‘hybridization’ and ‘genetically modified’ - words that have come to dominate our modern food supply. Known for its slightly ‘nutty’ flavor, Spelt has long been popular as a health food in Europe. Spelt is the ultimate health food grain! It is an excellent (better than whole wheat!) source of:

• Protein
•  Fiber
•  Complex Carbohydrates
•  B Vitamins 
•  Manganese and Magnesium
•  Niacin, Thiamine and Copper

Spelt contains gluten, but it is a much more digestible form of gluten than is found in its more modern cousin, wheat. Spelt is also highly water-soluble - which means that all of its wonderful nutrients are easily absorbed by the body.

There are many spelt products available, including pasta, cereals, granola, pretzels and sesame sticks. Spelt flour can also be purchased and substituted for modern ‘common’ wheat flour to make breads, pasta, cookies, crackers, cakes, muffins, cereals, pancakes and waffles.

Best Vegetables For Vegetarians

VEGETABLES

Amaranth greens – same as Callaloo, a variety of Spinach

Avocado

Asparagus

Bell Peppers

Burro Bananna

Chayote (Mexican Squash)

Cucumber
Dandelion greens

Garbanzo beans (chick peas)-optional

Izote – cactus flower/ cactus leaf- grows naturally in California

Jicama

Lettuce (all, except Iceberg)

Mushrooms  (all, except Shitake)

Mustard greens

Nopales – Mexican Cactus

Okra

Olives

Onions

Poke salad -greens

Sea Vegetables  (wakame/dulse/arame/hijiki/nori)

Squash

Spinach (use sparingly)

String beans

Tomato – cherry and plum only

Tomatillo

Turnip greens

Zucchini

Fruit Guide: Best Fruit for Vegetarians

healthyherbdiet.blogger.com

FRUITS 

- Dr. Sebi said, "no canned or seedless fruits" 

Apples

Bananas – the smallest one or the Burro/mid-size (original banana)
Berries – all varieties- Elderberries in any form – no cranberries

Cantaloupe

Cherries

Currants

Dates

Figs

Grapes -seeded

Limes (key limes preferred with seeds)

Mango

Melons -seeded

Orange (Seville or sour preferred, difficult to find )

Papayas

Peaches

Pears

Plums

Prunes

Raisins -seeded

Soft Jelly Coconuts

Soursops –Latin or West Indian markets)

Sugar apples (chermoya)

Health Benefits of Eating Kale

healthyherbdiet.blogger.com

Kale is a type of cabbage that has purplish or greenish leaves. It belongs to the species Brassica oleracea, which also contains collard greens, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and broccoli. Researchers do not know how long kale has been around, but they do believe that it was around before the middle ages. Kale is one of the oldest vegetables in the world. Curly leaved, plain leaved, leaf and spear, rape kale and cavolo nero are the different types of kale.

What Are Some of The Nutrients Found In Kale?

Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables on the planet. Vitamin A is one of the many nutrients that kale has. A 100 gram serving of kale contains 512 percent of the recommended daily value of this vitamin. A 100 gram serving of kale also contains 700 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin K and 200 percent of the recommended daily value of vitamin C. Additionally, kale is abundant in iron, phosphorus, omega 3 fatty acids potassium, fiber and copper.