Red Bush Tea

Red bush tea comes from a South African plant called Rooibus, (Aspalathus linearis is the botanical name.)

(The drink made from steeping the rooibus leaves is not a real tea, since tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia family of plants, which give us green tea, white tea, black tea, oolong tea, etc.; but using the term "tea" to describe infusions of other plants is generally understood, so I will use it here.)

The leaves of the Rooibus plant are green, but they turn red when they have been bruised and allowed to dry in the sun. This natural fermentation is the traditional way rooibus leaves are processed. After fermentation, the tea brewed from the leaves becomes very red.

Some of the benefits of drinking green or black tea lie with their high content of antioxidants which can bind to free radicals in the body to help prevent oxidative damage to body cells. Some of these antioxidants are polyphenols including catechins. But tea has a drawback, if you are sensitive to caffeine.

Rooibos is also a good source of antioxidants and polyphenols, but has no caffeine.

Rooibos also has a very low tannin content, so it brews a very smooth tea, and has a sweet, mild flavor.

Rooibos has been used as an herbal remedy for a long time, it is safe enough to use in infants, and has been used to settle colicky infants, and as a wash to treat diaper rash. In Japan, it is also used as a natural remedy for acne, both as a topical application, and taken as tea.

Researchers have found that rooibos decreases histamine production, and is also rich in quercetin, a natural anti-inflammatory. Regular consumption may help allergy and hayfever problems.

Rooibos tea soothes the digestive system, helps digestion, and improves the appetite, and is often recommended for digestive discomfort.

Drinking rooibos calms the nervous system, and helps relieve insomnia, and soothes nervous tension and irritability.

Rooibos contains natural fluoride, and many other trace minerals.

Rooibos can be brewed the sams as regular tea, but can be steeped longer without becoming bitter because of the low tannin content. Since it is naturally caffeine free, it can be enjoyed all day, even by those who are sensitive to caffeine.

Rooibos is widely available, most grocery stores carry several varieties, generally in the same aisle as regular and herbal teas.

Chocolate: A Natural Remedy for Coughs

I was doing some reading recently, and came upon an interesting statement. It was a claim that dark chocolate was as effective a cough suppressant as most over the counter cough remedies, or even codeine.

I have not used dark chocolate this way, but I was very interested, since I am quite fond of dark chocolate. (Actually, my wife says I am a chocoholic.)

I have written before about the health benefits of chocolate, see this post: More Good News About Chocolate, but was unaware of this use for chocolate. So I did some further research.

I found that chocolate contains many constituents, including an alkaloid called theobromine. Theobromine is considered a broncholytic agent, which means it helps relax or expand the bronchial passages. So it seems that it could help reduce coughing.

All chocolate contains theobromine, but the darker the chocolate, the higher the concentration. If you want to try chocolate as a natural cough suppressant, I recommend using the darkest (highest cocoa percentage) chocolate you can find, also the highest quality chocolate available. (Stay away from products with "chocolate flavor" as they may contain little actual chocolate.)

I am not certain of the optimal dose, the original article mentioned a very small dose, 450mg (which is less than half a gram, and there are just over 28 grams in an ounce, so the original recommendation is far less than a mini-chocolate bar.)

I do believe that starting with the smallest possible dose that is effective is the best practice with any natural remedy, so the 450 mg dose is a good place to start.

I will try dark chocolate next time I feel a cough coming on, and I invite anyone else who is interested to join me. Let me know how it works for you.

A Natural Remedy for Allergies

Flavonoids are a group of plant chemicals with many health promoting benefits. One flavonoid of special interest as a natural remedy for allergies is quercetin.
Quercetin acts as an antioxidant and helps protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals. Quercetin is also a very effective antihistamine. Unlike many allergy medications, quercetin acts on the cells that produce histamine, and does not cause drowsiness as many over-the-counter antihistamines do. Quercetin also inhibits the production of leukotrienes, which are another class of pro-inflammatory molecules in the body.
Quercetin seems to be more effective when combined with bromelain, a natural enzyme found in pineapple. Bromelain has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy activity, but also increases the absorption of quercetin.
Many fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruits, apples, onions, and parsley are good dietary sources of quercetin. Green tea, olive oil, bilberry, blueberries, blackberries, and red wine are all rich in flavonoids, including quercetin.
Quercetin is available as a supplement, often packaged with bromelain. Taking either a quercetin supplement, or including more quercetin rich foods in your diet, can make allergy season less stressful.
Click this link to read more about Natural Remedies for Allergies.

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Natural Help for Rheumatoid Arthritis

A study of rheumatoid arthritis patients conducted at the Charite University
Medical Center in Berlin, showed patients made significant improvements in
their condition, after using capsules made of rose hip powder for six
months.
Professor Stefan Willich, who co-led the study, said "Rheumatoid arthritis
is one of the most difficult medical conditions I'm aware of. It's a tough
disease which makes it all the more remarkable to find such beneficial
effects from this natural remedy."
Half of the patients were treated with a rose hip remedy called LitoZin,
which is made from rose hips, while the other half received a placebo.
Both groups continued taking their usual medication. The group taking the
rose hip remedy saw significant improvements in pain and discomfort, but
there was no change in the group taking a placebo.
Experts hope to conduct more extensive trials to see if the results are
confirmed, and to see if there are any side effects to the rose hip powder.

A Valentine's Day Treat

It's Valentine's Day again, so today's post isn't really a remedy, (although it does have dark chocolate, with lots of health benefits.)

It is a very enjoyable to get some anti oxidants and flavonoids, as long as you are willing to consume the calories.

To make this Valentine's Day Treat, (two servings) start with 4-6 ounces of dark chocolate, the best quality you can get. You can use chocolate chips or a block or bar of chocolate, but I don't recommend baker's chocolate. Semi sweet,bittersweet, and high cacao content chocolate all work well. Experiment and find what you like best.

If you are using a block of chocolate, first chop it in to smaller pieces. Use a serrated knife, otherwise the blade will get dull very quickly.

Then you need to melt the chocolate. I use a double boiler, with water in the bottom set at a gentle simmer; or you can use a microwave, it only takes 15-30 seconds in most microwaves. You want the chocolate to be very soft and smooth. (If you don't have a double boiler or microwave, a Pyrex measuring cup set in a few inches of very hot water will do, stir the chocolate until it melts. Do not use a plastic or non Pyrex glass cup for this as it may shatter or melt.)

While the chocolate is melting, warm 8-12 ounces of milk (1-1 1/2 cups) to not quite boiling. Or if you want real decadence, make it cream or half and half.

When the chocolate is melted, slowly stir in the warm milk or cream. Pour into two mugs, garnish with a dollop of whipped cream or a shake of cinnamon. Sit back and relax, sip and enjoy the taste of REAL hot chocolate. (I included measurements as a starting point, if you like a stronger chocolate taste, increase the chocolate, or decrease the milk or cream; if you like a more dilute taste, increase the milk or cream.)

Enjoy!

A Natural Remedy for Herpes?

I was asked recently about a natural remedy for herpes.

Unfortunately, I don't know of any cure (natural or pharmaceutical) for herpes, but there are some natural options for symptomatic relief.

Stress is often a trigger for outbreaks of herpes, anything you can do to help manage or reduce stress may help. (Yoga, biofeedback, and meditation are just a few options that offer alternative ways to help your body cope with stress.)

Keeping your immune system functioning well may also limit outbreaks, there are a number of herbal remedies which have traditionally been used as immune system tonics. Some of these immune tonics are garlic, echinacea, astragalus, reishi, and ginseng.

To hasten the healing of a cold sore (or pimple, also), my favorite natural remedy is simply a tea bag. Green or black, it doesn't matter. You need to dampen the tea bag with warm water, and hold it over the sore or pimple, for a few minutes, several times daily.

More Uses for Cranberry

I recently talked about Cranberry and its effect on HDL levels.

Cranberry is probably more widely known as a natural remedy for urinary tract infections. It seems to help by both making the urine more acidic, and preventing bacteria from clinging to the interior of the bladder.

Cranberry is a good source of Vitamin C, and also contains some B vitamins, as well as A and E.

I have seen some authors who have listed Cranberry as having anticancer properties, but I do not have any experience using it this way. If in fact it helps prevent cancer, that is a bonus; Cranberry is a good addition to the diet to help get the recommended daily serving of fruits and vegetables.

The big caution I would add is that a lot of cranberry products on the market are primarily sugar, and not as beneficial as real cranberries or unsweetened juice. Since they are very tart, and many people are unable to eat them unsweetened, a little honey or stevia (Stevia is available in many health food stores, even some grocery stores, it is a natural product much sweeter than sugar, with a very low calorie count.) may help.

A Natural Remedy That Improves HDL

Cholesterol is much discussed in advertisements; many pharmaceutical companies talk about it as if it is the greatest threat to human health in the world. And they have the perfect drug to lower your cholesterol levels.

But the advertisements seldom mention the fact that cholesterol is absolutely essential to human life. Cholesterol is both a major part of the membrane which surrounds every cell in the body, and it is essential for the body to synthesize certain compounds, including bile acids, natural steroids, and vitamin D.

Cholesterol is synthesized in the body, primarily in the liver, and is also ingested along with many foods.

Cholesterol needs to attach itself to certain proteins in order to circulate through the blood stream; these are the lipoproteins. There are two types of lipoproteins that are important: Low-density lipoproteins, usually abbreviated as LDL, and High-density lipoproteins, or HDL.

These lipoproteins are important because they function differently as transporters of cholesterol. Cholesterol which is attached to LDL is the type which builds up in the blood vessels, these deposits (or plaque) lead to atherosclerosis, and limit the circulation of the blood by narrowing and stiffening the walls of the blood vessels.

On the other hand, HDL seems to transport excess cholesterol back to the liver where it is broken down and excreted.

The ratio of LDL to HDL is important. (An easy way to remember which is which is L for lousy, and H for healthy.) Many doctors are recommending that patients increase the HDL levels and decrease the LDL levels.

There is an inexpensive, safe, natural remedy that increases the HDL levels, cranberry juice. Studies have shown drinking just 8 ounces a day produced a significant increase in HDL levels. (Make sure what you are drinking is cranberry juice, not a cranberry flavored blend of juices, or flavored sugared water; you may need to go to a health food store to find real cranberry juice.) Unsweetened cranberry juice is very tart, and definitely an acquired taste, if you need to sweeten the juice to drink it, be aware of the extra calories, or the health effects of artificial sweeteners.

The great thing about this natural remedy is the lack of side effects, and low cost.

A Natural Remedy for Nighttime Leg Cramps

I was asked recently about a natural remedy for nighttime leg cramps.

First, if you have frequent or persistent nighttime leg cramps, you should consult with a health professional, as they may be a symptom of a more serious condition.

There are many potential causes of leg cramps, including dehydration. Sometimes being sure you drink enough water will prevent a re-occurrence of cramps.

A simple, and generally effective, natural treatment for leg cramps is to pinch your upper lip below the nose (about half way between the lip and nose) and hold pressure for 5-10 seconds, and repeat several times, until the cramp relaxes. I find this to be effective about 3/4 of the time. It is easy to try and has no side effects (unless you bruise easily, then you may see some bruising), and can easily be done with no need for any equipment, and need to even get up out of bed.

That was the advice I offered, try it and see if it helps.

More Good News About Chocolate

Research has turned up some more good news about chocolate. Many people have heard that dark chocolate has similar health effects as red wine, without the alcohol, and have felt less guilty about indulging chocolate cravings as a result.

It seems that dark chocolate has a similar effect as aspirin on platelet clumping. Aspirin reduces platelet clumping, and has been recommended to many people to reduce their chances of developing a blood clot, which could block a blood vessel, and might cause a heart attack or stroke.

Dark chocolate seems to have a similar effect on platelet clumping, perhaps due to one of the many phytonutrients (a big word that means plant nutrients) naturally contained in cocoa beans.

Eating a little dark chocolate (one or two pieces of a good quality chocolate) every day could be a delicious way to protect your health. Look for high cacao content, and low butter and sugar content; this will maximize the benefit, and minimize the calories consumed.

Natural Remedies for Insomnia 3

There is an amino acid called tryptophan, which is helpful as a natural remedy for insomnia. It is one of the essential amino acids, meaning it must be added to the body through the diet, because the body does not produce it. (Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.)

Tryptophan received some very bad press as a result of some contaminated supplements which caused a blood disorder, and was banned by the FDA. The ban has been lifted and supplemental tryptophan is again available as an amino acid and as 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy L-trytophan).

There are some foods which are good sources of tryptophan, and I would add some of these to my diet in the evening before I purchased a supplement. ( I don't think there is anything wrong with using supplements, but I prefer to use whole foods when possible. Taking an essential amino acid supplement for an extended period may cause an imbalance in the body; it may help to take a complete amino acid supplement at a separate time.)

Turkey is the most well known source of tryptophan. Tryptophan is one reason many people feel the need for a nap after Thanksgiving dinner.

Other food sources of tryptophan include: bananas, dates, figs, milk and yogurt, tuna and walnuts.

If you are suffering from insomnia, try adding a light snack of one or several of these foods in the evening before going to bed. (Don't overdo it, though; it's hard to sleep if you have to digest a large amount of food. Moderation is the key.)

Natural Remedies for Insomnia 2

I mentioned some natural remedies for insomnia in my last post.

I failed to mention the natural remedy I always try first if I have trouble sleeping: Deep Breathing and Progressive Relaxation.

Don't worry, it's not as complicated as that may sound, I will explain what I do if I am having trouble falling asleep, or if I awaken at night and have trouble sleeping.

I start by lying in a comfortable position, and just easily stretch my arms and legs out, trying to tense every muscle in my body, as I breathe in. Then, as I breathe out, I let go of all the tension with one big sigh. Then, I start to become aware of my right foot, and imagine that foot becoming very warm and heavy, and very relaxed. Then I let my awareness move slowly into my leg, imagining that same warm, heavy, relaxed feeling filling my leg,up to the knee, then through the thigh and up to the hip. Then I repeat the exact same steps for the other foot and leg.

After relaxing both legs, I move to the fingers of my right hand, again imagining them becoming warm, heavy and relaxed; and just like the legs, I imagine that same feeling spreading through my hands and forearms and upper arms to the shoulder. I repeat the same steps for the other hand and arm.

After relaxing both legs and arms, I imagine that same warm relaxed feeling pouring down through my spine, and filling my abdomen, relaxing all the muscles and organs of my abdomen and lower back. Then I imagine that warm , heavy feeling spreading up my torso to my chest and upper back making everything feel very warm, heavy and relaxed. Then i imagine the relaxing feeling moving up through my neck, relaxing the muscles as it goes. I imagine the feeling of relaxation flowing across my head and scalp and down through my face.

I almost always fall asleep before I get through relaxing my abdomen and lower back.

If you try this and don't fall asleep immediately, don't give up. I have been practicing these techniques for many years, and respond very rapidly to the images of warmth and relaxation. If you have never done any kind of progressive relaxation technique before, you may need to repeat the steps a few times before you fall asleep.

This is one case where practice will improve your results very quickly.

Natural Remedies for Insomnia

I recently read a newspaper article discussing natural remedies for insomnia.

The article included several different recommendations: melatonin, valerian and hops. It went on to discuss each of the recommendations individually. I had no problem with the actual recommendations, although I have no personal experience with melatonin, so I do not recommend it's use. I use and recommend valerian and hops for occasional insomnia, and find them quite helpful. See my post at The Herbal List for more about Valerian and Hops.

I did have a problem when the article writer described melatonin as an" herbal remedy." While both valerian and hops are herbal remedies, melatonin is not. Melatonin is in fact a hormone, naturally produced in the pineal gland, which regulates the wake/sleep cycle, among other things. This is what makes it helpful in cases of insomnia. It is generally available as a synthetic supplement, sometimes derived from pineal glands of beef cattle.

While melatonin may be found in plants, it is at very low concentrations. There is no melatonin herb.

An Update on Apples as Natural Remedies

A while back I wrote about apples as a natural remedy; you can read the post here. I recently came across some information I thought neede to be shared.

A recent study at the University of Massachusetts Lowell found that animals who consumed apple juice (about the equivalent of a person drinking about a pint of apple juice or eating 2-3 apples daily) had higher levels of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. (Neurotransmitters are chemicals nerve cells release to carry messages to other nerve cells, acetylcholine helps memory.) Higher amounts of acetylcholine in the brain improve memory function.

Other studies have shown apples are rich in antioxidants, which help protect against free radical damage. (Free radicals oxidize and damage healthy cells in the brain and body, much like iron is damaged by oxidation, which shows up as rust. Think of antioxidants as cellular antirust treatments.)

Many fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants and other phytonutrients (phyto means that it comes from plants); eating a variety of fruits and vegetables makes good nutritional sense.

Apples are widely available year round, and with many different varieties, make a delicious addition to any health regimen.

Laughter Is A Natural Remedy

I just returned from a vacation trip to San Francisco. Apart from jet lag, I feel wonderfully refreshed.

While traveling back, I read an article which reminded me of the power of laughter in promoting health.

I was first introduced to the idea of laughter as a natural remedy by Norman Cousins, who used laughter to decrease his pain so he could sleep at night; he also credited laughter with putting his illness into remission. (He documented his experience in a book which I think was titled Anatomy of an Illness)

Some time after Norman Cousins' book was published, the Journal of the American Medical Association published an article which concluded that laughter (especially if regularly used) offers immediate relief of some symptoms to patients with chronic illnesses.

Other research claims that laughter may boost the immune system, relieve stress, even improve blood circulation by dilating blood vessels.

Laughter is a very safe natural remedy, with a variety of benefits, and no negative side effects (unless you are worried that people around you will think you are silly; but research seems to say that silly people live longer; they certainly have more fun).

I think Norman Cousins used Marx brothers' comedies as part of his regimen; if they work for you, great, but whatever you find funny should be as regular a part of your life as brushing your teeth.

Laugh out loud, and laugh often; it may help you live longer.

Garlic: A Powerful Natural Antibiotic

There are frequent stories reported about antibiotic resistant germs, and it seems that they are increasing every year. I believe that much of the reason for the development of these resistant strains is the overuse of pharmaceutical antibiotics.

Garlic is a natural antibiotic, and it affects many of the antibiotic resistant germs, including fungi, yeast and bacteria. Garlic both directly affects the microorganisms, and seems to enhance natural killer cells in the body, which are an important of the immune system, and help the body to fight certain bacteria, viruses and even cancer. (I don't mean to imply that garlic is a substitute for pharmaceutical antibiotics; if your doctor recommends antibiotics, please take them.)

Garlic has a reputation for improving blood cholesterol levels, and was approved by the German Commission E (an official series of herbal monographs, or reports, published by the German Federal Health Agency) as a treatment for arteriosclerosis, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol levels.

These are all excellent reasons to add garlic to your daily diet. I use garlic regularly in cooking, as I enjoy the added flavor. Garlic has been used all around the globe in nearly every type of cooking, and as part of nearly every herbal tradition. There are many recipes available for adding garlic to your diet, in almost any type of cuisine. (See my previous post, What If I Don't Like Broccoli? for some online recipe sources.)

What If I Don't Like Broccoli?

Over the last few years, there have been many articles written in various media touting broccoli as a cancer preventative. Generally, the articles mention cabbage family or cruciferous vegetables as having similar properties. And since cancer is one of the leading causes of death, eating foods that reduce the likelihood of getting cancer is a good thing.

But, a lot of people find the cabbage family to be repulsive; they don't like the flavor, or even the smell as the vegetables cook. Cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, or broccoli all seem too strongly flavored.

The cruciferous family has several milder vegetables, especially watercress and mustard greens. (Chinese cabbage and collard greens are also in the cruciferous family.)

All the members of the cruciferous family contain various phytochemicals (a big word that means plant chemicals) which seem to offer some cancer preventative benefits, and they are all rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.

If you have been thinking you should be eating more vegetables from the cabbage family, but you, or your family, object to the taste or smell, try one of these milder tasting alternatives.

(You may find recipes to cook these vegetables at many online sites, my favorites are epicurious.com, and foodtv.com.)

Home Remedy That May Prevent Kidney Stones

If you have ever had kidney stones, you know it is quite an ordeal. But there is a natural home remedy you can take that prevents kidney stones from growing.

According to a study done at the University of Wisconsin SChool of Medicine and Public Health, the citrate in lemonade binds with crystals in the urine and prevents stones from growing.

You can get the benefit of the citrate without the added sugar by drinking lemon water. Simply squeeze the lemon into the water you drink every day. In addition to helping to prevent kidney stones, the lemon water is very refreshing when the weather is hot.

As with anything, a little is good; several glasses a day will help. Don't overdo it, though. Lemons are very tart and acidic, but they are also very high in sugar.

A Natural Remedy for the Blaahs

With the northeast section of the US stuck in a pattern of clouds and rain, people have been asking me if there are any natural remedies that will lift their spirits.

My suggestion is peppermint, or any member of the mint family.

If you have peppermint essential oil, take a few drops and place them on a tissue, or towel, and just take a few deep breaths. The aroma will lift spirits, and also increases mental alertness.

If you don't have the essential oil, a few leaves of fresh mint will do the job. (You can use any member of the mint family, Peppermint, Spearmint, or Basil all work well.) Sijmply take a few leaves and roll them back and forth in your hands a few times, until the leaves are bruised and you can smell the mint. A few deep breaths, and you are on your way to feeling better.

This will not work if you are deeply depressed. In that case, please consult with a medical professional, who can recommend the best way for you to recover.

A Natural Remedy That Goes Both Ways

Apples have been used as natural remedies at least as far back as the Roman empire, where they were used as a treatment for diarrhea.

Apples actually help both diarrhea and constipation, acting both as a laxative and anti-diarrheal.

One of the key soluble fibers in apples is pectin. Pectin is contained in many fruits, and is a key reason that fruits are healthful. There are many other factors, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, etc., but pectin has some special effects in the digestive system that I want to discuss here.

Pectin acts as a laxative stool softener, so it is very helpful in treating constipation. Pectin is also a key ingredient in many over the counter anti-diarrheal preparations. Intestinal bacteria convert the pectin into a soothing and protective coating for the intestinal lining, which is often irritated by the microorganisms which cause diarrhea.

Apple pectin also helps control blood sugar levels, and reduces the amount of cholesterol absorbed from food.

Apples also contain a natural fruit sugar, sorbitol, which has some natural laxative properties.

Apple juice has a cooling effect on skin rashes.

The polyphenols (polyphenols are chemicals in plants, some are responsible for the color of the plant and some have antioxidant properties) in apples help prevent cell damage, and may lower the risk of heart attack.