Posts tagged: herbal remedies

How To Make Natural Ginger Ale

How To Make Natural Ginger Ale
How To Make Natural Ginger Ale. Image – WellnessMama.com (with permission)

We just found an awesome tutorial for how to make your own natural ginger ale! The link follows after our introduction to the topic.

If you’re sick of the modern generation of unhealthy junk sodas then this could be a perfect beverage for you! We all want beverages that have great taste, but wouldn’t it be great if we could get that without short-changing ourselves when it comes to our health and nutrition? Ingredients like High Fructose Corn Syrup or aspartame are deal-breakers for me. If those things are in there, I won’t touch it. End of story. 😉

What’s great about this recipe we have found is not only that it contains real ginger (see this page for our full tutorial on the health benefits of ginger) – well known for its numerous health benefits – but it is naturally fermented, which makes it naturally fizzy! The drink contains natural probiotics and enzymes that are widely regarded to have a beneficial effect on the digestive system.

Fermented drinks and foods have been utilized since ancient times on account of their health benefits. This formula uses a short-brew method so that it does not become alcoholic.

One note – you have to be careful to follow the instructions properly. As with making other fermented drinks such as Jun (an old Tibetan Fermented Tea drink), you can create too much pressure, enough to burst the bottles if you do it wrong!

Another note that caught my eye from the comments on the original page – although the recipe calls for some sugar, note that the fermentation process will transform much of this. One person advised not to substitute with honey (it is a commonly held position that due to being antimicrobial it interferes with the fermentation) or stevia.

Ok here’s the link to the full tutorial: https://wellnessmama.com/8945/natural-ginger-ale/

Benefits of Herbal Teas

Benefits of Herbal Teas
Benefits of Herbal Teas. Graphic: © herbshealthhappiness.com. Image sources – see foot of article.

1. Green Tea: Green tea is one of the most popular teas, and that may be because of its benefits. It regulates free radicals, which are attributed to the aging process and helps prevent the onset of heart disease.

2. Chamomile: Chamomile tea is famously known for having a soothing and calming effect on the body, and thus used to help one sleep. Studies have revealed improved sleep patterns as a result of the tea. [1]

3. Peppermint: Should one experience digestive problems like indigestion, nausea, and cramping, peppermint tea is an excellent natural remedy. Peppermint relieves nausea and stomach pain, according to studies. [2]

4. Elderflower: Elderflower tea is a great remedy for colds.

5. Thyme: Thyme is attributed to both disinfectant and expectorant properties, meaning it is great when having a cough and sore throat. It also lessens the duration of asthma attacks.

6. Lemon Verbena: Lemon tea has been around for hundreds of years for purposes ranging from relieving anxiety to improve the quality of sleep. Lemon is also an excellent digestive aid.

7. Nettle: The tea from this ‘stinging’ plant is a good source of calcium, which is necessary for healthy bones and teeth, silica, and iron – which is instrumental in the formation of red blood cells.

8. Ginger: Ginger is a natural remedy to many body issues. It contains many health-boosting antioxidants that alleviate inflammation, relieve nausea, and heartburn. [3]

9. Fennel: Fennel is an ancient medicine used for a myriad of purposes like muscle enhancement and more importantly, cleaning the kidneys and treating kidney stones.

Please note that this content should never be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.

References:

[1] Chang, S. M., & Chen, C. H. 2016. Effects of an intervention with drinking chamomile tea on sleep quality and depression in sleep disturbed postnatal women: a randomized controlled trial. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26483209.

[2] May, B. et al. 1996. Efficacy of a fixed peppermint oil/caraway oil combination in non-ulcer dyspepsia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9006790.

[3] Sultan, M. et al. 2014. Immunity: plants as effective mediators. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24564587.

Image For Pinterest:

Benefits of Herbal Teas
Graphic ©herbs-info.com. Image sources – see foot of article.

Infographic Photo Sources:
Green Tea – https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photography-of-teapot-pouring-tea-730804/
Chamomile – https://pixabay.com/en/cup-tee-porcelain-drink-decor-829527/
Peppermint – https://pixabay.com/en/peppermint-peppermint-tea-mint-tee-2816012/
Elderflower – https://pixabay.com/en/elder-petals-elderflower-2422131/
Thyme – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Seombaengnihyang-cha.jpg
Lemon Verbena – https://pixabay.com/en/tee-herbs-lemon-verbena-74351/
Nettle – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Brennnessel_1.JPG
Ginger – https://pixabay.com/en/bowl-tea-ginger-lemon-hot-beverage-336538/
Fennel – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fennel_seed.jpg

16 Healing Herbs and Spices

Healing Herbs and Spices
Graphic: © herbs-info.com. Image sources – see foot of article.

Cooking with spices and herbs is a win-win situation. You get to improve the flavor of your dishes, add depth to your serving, and enjoy the wonderful health benefits. With this in mind, below is a list of some herbs and spices to make your food tastier and (according to various researches) support your health:

1. Oregano: Has anti-oxidant properties, fights bacteria, reduces inflammation, soothes, stomach muscles, and mitigate the growth of cancer cells.

2. Thyme: Helps lower blood pressure, boost immunity, disinfectant properties, boost mood, and relaxes respiratory muscles.

3. Mint: Can help ease hiccups, improve irritable bowel syndrome, improve brain function, and help with symptoms of cold symptoms.

4. Turmeric: This spice has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties that help improve heart health, prevent/combat cancer, and help with Alzheimer’s disease

5. Ginger: Anti-nausea remedy, improve brain function, help prevent cancer, regulate cholesterol levels, and offer anti-inflammatory effects

6. Basil: Helps relieve gas, soothe stomach upsets, control blood sugar, and reduce stress

7. Garlic: Natural antiseptic, improves bone health, a potent antioxidant, reduces blood pressure, and combat the common cold.

8. Black Pepper: Helps relieve indigestion, lower cholesterol levels, and control blood sugar

9. Fenugreek: Helps flush out harmful toxins, boost testosterone levels, and promote the production of breast milk.

10. Cayenne: Natural painkiller, boost metabolism, and lower blood pressure.

11. Fennel: Can reduce bad breath and body odor, improve heart health, and suppress appetite.

12. Cinnamon: Helps with neurodegenerative diseases and lowers blood pressure by improving sensitivity to insulin

13. Clove: Anti-microbial properties, promote bone health and improve liver health

14. Dill: Treat heartburn, colic, and gas

15. Sage: Antiseptic, antibiotic properties, and help ease symptoms of menopause

16. Rosemary: Contains antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial compounds

Please note that this content should never be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinicians.

Image For Pinterest:

16 Healing Herbs and Spices
Graphic ©herbs-info.com. Image sources – see foot of article.

Infographic Photo Sources:
Oregano – https://pixabay.com/en/oregano-plant-herb-food-spice-91079/
Mint – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mint-leaves-2007.jpg
Ginger – https://pixabay.com/en/ginger-root-radish-spice-2523758/
Garlic – https://pixabay.com/en/garlic-flavoring-food-seasoning-1726810/
Fenugreek – https://pixabay.com/en/fenugreek-seeds-health-pepper-meal-1049596/
Fennel – https://pixabay.com/en/fennel-vegetables-fennel-bulb-food-1311691/
Clove – https://pixabay.com/en/clove-spice-pink-food-ingredient-1326474/
Sage – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Growing_leaves_of_garden_sage_(Salvia_officinalis).jpg
Thyme – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Thyme-Bundle.jpg
Turmeric – https://pixabay.com/en/turmeric-spice-curry-seasoning-3251560/
Basil – https://pixabay.com/en/basil-leaf-herb-food-fresh-green-3388199/
Black Pepper – https://pixabay.com/en/black-pepper-spice-seeds-seasonings-83086/
Cayenne – https://pixabay.com/en/food-spice-vegetables-paprika-cook-3319730/
Cinnamon – https://pixabay.com/en/cinnamon-cinnamon-stick-spice-213455/
Dill – https://pixabay.com/en/dill-spice-plant-food-herb-green-2826179/
Rosemary – https://pixabay.com/en/rosemary-flowers-blue-violet-1090419/