The Use Of Natural Herbs
November 30, 2009
In a world of increased awareness of natural health – achieving optimum fitness and vitality through a focus on whole foods, organic ingredients, and a natural lifestyle – more and more attention has turned to the use of natural herbs in every day life. But while they may be once again gaining popularity, the use of natural herbs dates back to prehistoric times in the use of everything from food to medicine.
A variety of cultures along the way have identified the properties of specific herbs and classified them accordingly. Throughout history more and more natural herbs have been identified as having enormous medicinal benefits and continue to be used today in much the same fashion.
Chili peppers have been shown to reduce pain; nutmeg aids digestion; ginger helps combat nausea and vomiting – the list goes on and on. Whether used to sustain health and vigor or to remedy a host of maladies, natural herbs can be a healthy alternative to many over-the-counter medications; although they should never replace prescription medication for a chronic condition without the supervision of a medical professional.
Of course natural herbs also lend themselves to inclusion in a variety of different cuisines. Depending on the culture, specific natural herbs are used to enhance flavor and augment meals. Ginger, basil, and a host of others add tremendous flavor and health to a variety of meals. The added benefit to using natural herbs in cooking is increased flavor without the use of fats. Cooking with natural herbs can be an extremely healthy way to prepare food.
Another benefit to using natural herbs – whether in food or for medicinal purposes – is the convenience of finding anything you need in a variety of locations. Natural herbs can be found everywhere from the grocery store to local farmers markets to health food stores. Or, if you are so inclined, you can grow your own natural herb garden right in your backyard. Nothing beats the convenience of having natural herbs right at your fingertips.
No matter how you use natural herbs, you will find the benefits to be increased health, overall enjoyment of food, and a renewed focus on a natural lifestyle.
Michelle Bery
http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/the-use-of-natural-herbs-140253.html
Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar — 16 fl oz
November 27, 2009
Raw Unfiltered. Contains No Preservatives. Made with 100% Organic Apples. Bragg Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is made from the finest, delicious, healthy, organically grown apples. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar is full of zesty natural goodness and contains the amazing \”mother\” of vinegar which occurs naturally as connected strand-like chains of protein enzyme molecules and is highly regarded throughout history. Many medical studies show the health benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar. In 400 B.C. Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, used it for its amazing natural qualities. . Bragg\’s Vinegar adds healthy, delicious flavor to salads, veggies, and most foods. Tasty even sprinkled over popcorn.
Organic Lecithin Has Health And Food Processing Benefits
November 26, 2009
Lecithin or phosphatidycholine (PC) is a phospholipid, first discovered in the 1800s by a French scientist called Maurice Gobley. He extracted the compound from an egg yolk and in 1850 the compound was named lecithin from the word lekithos, which is the Greek term for egg yolk.
This lecithin was first used commercially as an emulsifying agent for a number of years. It could extend the life of many processed foods so the food industry began to add it to all kinds of food products including baked goods, nut butters, candies, chocolates, protein drinks, prepared foods and instant soups. The lecithin would also be added to recipes for flavor and also to be an emulsifying agent.
In the 1930’s when there was a boom in soyabean consumption, the byproduct of the soyabean processing was discovered to include 1.8 percent of hydrophosphatides. If this sludge was put through a process called “degumming” organic lecithin could be extracted and it would be an alternative to the lecithin from eggs. With this new development, lecithin really gained in popularity.
In fact the organic lecithin from the soybean turned out to be a safer product. The animal’s lecithin goes through the kidneys and may come in contact with all sorts of toxins. The soyabean lecithin hasn’t got that kind of potential pitfall so presently soybean lecithin makes up the main part of lecithin sold commercially.
Aside from food, organic lecithin has a multitude of other uses and has been added to paints, metal tape, animal feeds and cosmetics. In addition to that, it is sometimes used as a supplement in things such as capsules, granules or pills.
There are a number of effects that are related to lecithin. For one, it keeps fat dispersed in food. It prevents the oils from separating. In fact, one theory is, that it in this way it may help keep the cholesterol levels in a body low in the same way. This is still a theory though. Lecithin allows the fat content in foods to be reduced while maintaining the taste.
Organic lecithin is comprised of ethanolamine, insotil, phosphatides of choline and other lipids. All living organisms have these substances which are necessary in the human for the muscles, liver and the reproductive tract.
Lecithins must be studied further by the medical research community. It may be a potential treatment for high cholesterol. It keeps the fat in the bile and disperses cholesterol. Right now lecithin has been added to a number of dietary supplements for weight loss.
Organic lecithin holds great promise in the weight loss and cholesterol control fields of medicine. In addition it is very important to modern day food processing.
Sarah Thomas
http://www.articlesbase.com/advice-articles/organic-lecithin-has-health-and-food-processing-benefits-62577.html
Healthy Raw Food Recipes : Organic vs. Synthetic Antibiotics Health Properties of Raw Foods
November 25, 2009
Learn about the health benefits of raw food antibiotics that naturally occur in some plants, as opposed to broad spectrum synthetic antibiotics, in this free instructional video on raw food cooking and recipes. Expert: Rachel Karr Contact: www.greathealinggetways.com Bio: Rachel Karr is a raw food chef at Cru Restaurant in Silver Lake, Los Angeles, California. Filmmaker: Nili Nathan
Duration : 0:1:8
Blood Pressure Food: Healthy Recipes For A Healthy Heart
November 23, 2009
We all crave for good health. High blood pressure or hypertension emerges as a ’silent killer.’ Like a seasoned predator, it creeps up to us, that too, without letting us know of its presence and suddenly, at an odd moment, reveals its deadly fangs. It is not something that hits you and vanishes into thin air. It hits you and stays with you, and might prove lethal if proper measures are not taken. If you have already been brought down by hypertension, the best cure is precaution. And if you are yet to be hit by it, but do lead a life that makes you prone to it, the best way to deal with it is again precaution.
And where does precaution start? With your eating habits! Eating healthy keeps one healthy. A healthy diet for heart comprises of all such food that would supply sufficient nutrition while holding out all that might not be good for your heart.
Healthy food for your heart can, therefore, be called ’safe food’ because it is least likely to cause any damage to your heart without compromising on the nutrition supply to your body. Most of such food comprises of green vegetables and fibrous food items.
Natural foods are considered to be most healthy and that is the primary reason behind their ever-increasing popularity. As a result we are seeing a great number of natural food stores coming up every other day all over the world. A great number of books have also been written, which sign praises of natural food.
Quite clearly organic foods are the healthiest available. They are nutritious and natural while the fast foods or ‘junk food’ that we have gotten so very used to is very unhealthy because these foods supply very little nourishment to our bodies and load us with lots of unwanted calories and harmful cholesterol. And harmful cholesterol is one of the major reasons for high blood pressure and even heart stroke.
These days due to the rising awareness, companies have started growing organic food without adding the chemicals used to make them grow faster and better. The chemicals used to enhance the growth and quality of these foods actually linger on and take away much of the advantage of living on a natural diet.
Therefore, for a healthy heart a balanced diet consisting of natural foods is important. This would also keep your blood pressure within manageable limits.
Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/blood-pressure-food-healthy-recipes-for-a-healthy-heart-120490.html
