Can Eating Walnuts Reduce Your Risk of Breast Cancer

We have seen walnuts recommended as good for the heart for quite some time now. Some recent research, reported in the journal Nutrition and Cancer, says that eating walnuts may also help lower the risk of breast cancer.

These statistics come from the National Cancer Institute website:

Estimated new cases and deaths from breast cancer in the United States in 2011:

New cases: 230,480 (female); 2,140 (male)
Deaths: 39,520 (female); 450 (male)

Here is an excerpt from the abstract  from Nutrition and Cancer, reporting on the study, "Dietary Walnut Suppressed Mammary Gland Tumorigenesis in the C(3)1 TAg Mouse." (July 20,2011)

"Walnuts contain multiple ingredients that, individually, have been shown to slow cancer growth, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytosterols*. In previous research, consumption of walnuts has slowed the growth of implanted breast cancers...Compared to a diet without walnuts, consumption of walnuts significantly reduced tumor incidence (fraction of mice with at least one tumor), multiplicity (number of glands with tumor/mouse), and size...A comparison with another dietary intervention indicated that the omega 3 content alone did not account for the extent of tumor suppression due to the walnut. The results of this study indicate that walnut consumption could contribute to a healthy diet to reduce risk for breast cancer."

(*Phytosterols are naturally occurring plant compounds. You can read the Wikipedia article about phytosterols, if you want more information.)

Walnuts are good for the heart, and now they may also help reduce the incidence of breast cancer. And they taste good, and are a natural product. (I think raw, unsalted walnuts are a better choice than roasted , salted ones.) It seems like a no-brainer to add them to your diet.  If you are watching your weight, just pay attention to the calories you are eating, make sure not to overdo it.

Natural Home Remedies and Relaxation Drinks

I have been doing a series on natural home remedies for insomnia and anxiety over the last few weeks. I have been seeing commercially marketed products calling themselves “relaxation’ or “serenity” drinks. I did a little research to see what I could find out about them.

It seems like there are new “relaxation” drinks on store shelves every week, my concern is that most are just trying to make a quick buck, and may not be very effective.

I found an article on Prevention magazine’s website about these so-called “relaxation” drinks:

“Stressed and sleep deprived? In our frazzled world, ample sleep and relaxation seem to be elusive goals. Now manufacturers are trying to cash in on our need to relax, and the market is anything but sluggish. More than 350 varieties of so-called relaxation drinks have hit the shelves, with revenues expected to reach $73 million this year.

 But do they work? Prevention investigated and found some unpleasant surprises with these 'serenity sips.' Because they're not FDA regulated and many labels cite a proprietary blend, a buyer has no idea how much of each active ingredient--melatonin, valerian, L-theanine, and others--is actually captured in the can or bottle. There's also limited research on how these relaxants interact with one another. Nor are they all shelf stable: Some of these compounds degrade in liquid.”

Read the full article here: Relaxation Drinks

The article did not conclude that any of the drinks they tested were worthwhile as relaxation aids. After reading the article, I will personally stick with preparing my own “relaxation” drinks. Chamomile tea is relaxing, and much cheaper than these new products; green tea is a natural source of L-theanine, and some research has shown that if you take a supplement of L-theanine, if you take it with green tea, you absorb more of the active constituents.. If I want to use some of the other supplements mentioned I will look for a standardized supplement by a manufacturer who has been around long enough to earn my trust.

What Is Insomnia and How Is It Treated?

I have written about insomnia before, and recommended some natural home remedies to help with insomnia. I found some information about insomnia on the National Institute of Health website, and I wanted to share some key points:

• Insomnia is a common condition in which you have trouble falling or staying asleep. The condition can range from mild to severe, depending on how often it occurs and for how long.
• Insomnia can be chronic (ongoing) or acute (short-term). Chronic insomnia means having symptoms at least 3 nights a week for more than a month. Insomnia that lasts for less time is acute insomnia.
• There are two types of insomnia. The most common type is secondary insomnia. This type of insomnia is a symptom or side effect of an emotional, neurological, or other medical or sleep disorder. Secondary insomnia also may result from using certain medicines or substances, such as caffeine.
• Primary insomnia isn't a symptom or side effect of another medical condition. It is its own disorder. A number of life changes can trigger primary insomnia, such as long-lasting stress or emotional upset. Even if these issues are resolved, the insomnia might not go away.
• Insomnia is a common disorder. One in 3 adults has insomnia sometimes. One in 10 adults has chronic insomnia.

As you can see, a large number of adults have at least occasional insomnia, and about 10% suffer from chronic insomnia.



There are a number of approaches to treat insomnia. These include drugs, lifestyle changes, natural remedies, and behavioral therapy.

Sometimes, a few common sense lifestyle changes are all that you need to help you fall asleep faster:

• If you drink caffeinated beverages of any kind, stop; or don’t drink any after lunch.
• If you drink alcohol, it can make you fall asleep, but it will disrupt the quality of your sleep, so you should not drink several hours before you go to bed.
• Don’t watch television in bed, the flickering light will keep you from feeling sleepy. So will the constant scene changes, and changing volume levels.
• Don’t work in bed. It will keep your mind active when you should be winding down.
• Don’t read in bed. If you feel you need to read before bed to feel drowsy, do it in a chair close to your bed, and do not use a bright light.
• Make sure the lights are dimmed as you are getting ready for bed; this signals your brain that it is time to produce melatonin. (A naturally produced hormone that makes you feel sleepy.)
• Don’t exercise vigorously before going to bed. Some gentle stretching and deep breathing may help you wind down, but vigorous exercise will keep you from falling asleep.
• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. This helps your body establish a natural sleep cycle.

In my next post, I will continue talking about insomnia treatments.

Natural Anxiety Remedies: Passionflower

I wanted to continue my posts about natural anxiety remedies by talking about the herb Passionflower. Its botanical name is Passiflora, often with a second word such as passiflora officinale, or passiflora incarnata, both of which are listed as alternative names for Passionflower.

Passionflower has been used for centuries to treat anxiety, and insomnia. It is often used in combination with other herbs such as valerian or scullcap.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database has this to say about the use of passionflower to treat anxiety: "There is some evidence that passionflower can reduce symptoms of anxiety, sometimes as effectively as some prescription medications."

There was a study done in 2001 that compared Passionflower to oxazepam in the treatment of GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder), which concluded: "The results suggest that Passiflora extract is an effective drug for the management of generalized anxiety disorder, and the low incidence of impairment of job performance with Passiflora extract compared to oxazepam is an advantage." (The drug oxazepam had worked faster, but did impair job performance during the study.)

You can read more about this study here: Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.

You should use caution with Passionflower if you are using any other kind of sedative preparation, as Passionflower could intensify the effect. Passionflower is generally considered safe in normal doses, but some side effects have been reported, such as dizziness, confusion, irregular muscle action and coordination, altered consciousness, and inflamed blood vessels. (I have personally used Passionflower without any problems, and have recommended to others, also with no problem. I mention the reported side effects only because they appear in some of the publications which describe the use of Passionflower, and I wanted to make sure my readers are aware of, what I believe is a very slim, possibility of side effects.)

I have found Passionflower can be a safe and effective natural anxiety remedy, and recommend you try it, if you are looking for a natural alternative.

If you have severe anxiety symptoms, please consult a professional. If you are taking any medication, please talk to your doctor before you begin taking Passionflower, or any other natural remedy.

Natural Home Remedy for Anxiety

We live in a stressful society, and with so much uncertainty facing nearly everyone, it's no wonder more and more people are feeling anxious. If you are having serious anxiety problems (meaning they interfere with your day to day life) please consult with a medical or mental health professional; don't try to treat your anxiety symptoms with natural remedies.

For mild anxiety, there are several natural remedies that may help, including herbs and supplements. I would like to start by talking about one of the safest, chamomile. (If you have pollen or ragweed allergies, chamomile may set them off.) The National institute of Health reports on a study that was done using a standardized extract of German chamomile to treat anxiety:

"Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has a wide array of psychological and physical symptoms. Although prescription drugs can help, they often have undesirable side effects. Many people experiencing symptoms of anxiety do not seek medical attention, turning instead to alternatives. One traditional remedy in widespread use is the herb chamomile. However, scientific evidence to support the use of chamomile for anxiety has been lacking.

NCCAM-funded researchers at the University of Pennsylvania recently conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test the effects of chamomile extract in patients diagnosed with mild to moderate GAD...

...Compared with placebo, chamomile was associated with a greater reduction in mean HAM-A (Hamilton Anxiety Rating) scores—the study's primary outcome measure. The difference was clinically meaningful and statistically significant...

...These results suggest that chamomile may have modest benefits for some people with mild to moderate GAD..."

Chamomile has a reputation for being soothing and calming, so it is no surprise that it may help with mild anxiety. While the study used a standardized extract, I have personally used chamomile tea and felt its calming effect. (The study also cautions that other varieties of chamomile may not be as effective as German chamomile.) Chamomile tea is tasty, and relatively inexpensive, so if you want to see if it will help calm your anxiety, I would recommend trying it. If you don't feel like it's working, you can look for a standardized extract. The study used 220mg capsules, standardized to 1.2 percent of the constituent apigenin; so look for that on the label. The study also began with a single capsule, increased to two capsules in week 2, and then incrementally increased the dosage up to 5 capsules, as warranted.

I will write several future posts about other natural home remedies for anxiety; but please, if your symptoms are severe, consult a professional.

Natural Home Remedies and Insomnia

It has been some time since I wrote about natural home remedies and insomnia. It seems a good time to talk about insomnia now, with so many people facing higher and higher levels of stress every day.

Insomnia is generally considered a symptom rather than a disease, and stress is one condition that can produce insomnia.

Insomnia is defined as difficulty in falling or staying asleep, the absence of restful sleep, or poor quality of sleep.

There is a good article from MedicineNet.com on insomnia, which talks about some of the causes, and possible treatments:

"The most common causes of insomnia are:


medications,
psychological conditions (for example, depression, anxiety),
environmental changes (travel, jet lag, or altitude changes), and
stressful events or a stressful lifestyle.


Insomnia can also be caused by poor sleeping habits such as excessive daytime naps or caffeine consumption and poor sleep hygiene.


The National Center for Sleep Disorders Research at the National Institutes of Health estimates 30%-40% of adults report some symptoms of insomnia each year, and about 10%-15% report they have chronic insomnia."

The article on MedicineNet also lists some medications, both over the counter and prescription medications that may contribute to insomnia. You can read the full article here: Sleep Aids.

As a long time herbalist, I disagree with the statement from this article "the safety or effectiveness of these products has not been documented" with relation to Valerian.

Valerian is a natural remedy for insomnia that has been used at least since the time of Hippocrates. To say that its safety or efficacy are in question is to ignore centuries of use. There is no pharmaceutical insomnia treatment with as long a record of safe and effective use.

Many of the studies I have seen have used a water extract of valerian; herbalists know that an alcohol extract is more effective. Also, many studies have still observed improvements in insomnia after taking valerian.

Here are some reports from the National Institute of Health's (NIH) fact sheet on Valerian:
(They are discussing three studies which they rated as 5 out of 5 in a rating of the quality of the study)
The first study: "Compared with the placebo, the valerian extract resulted in a subjective improvement in time required to fall asleep (more or less difficult than usual), sleep quality (better or worse than usual), and number of nighttime awakenings (more or less than usual).This result was more pronounced in a subgroup of 61 participants who identified themselves as poor sleepers..."

The second study: "The 450-mg test sample of valerian extract reduced average sleep latency (defined as the first 5-minute period without movement)from about 16 to 9 minutes, which is similar to the activity of prescription benzodiazepine medication (used as a sedative or tranquilizer)."

The third study: "...examined longer-term effects in 121 participants with documented nonorganic insomnia...After 28 days, the group receiving the valerian extract showed a decrease in insomnia symptoms on all the assessment tools compared with the placebo group. The differences in improvement between valerian and placebo increased between the assessments done on days 14 and 28."

And a more recent study called Effect of valerian on sleep quality in postmenopausal women: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial, concluded: "Valerian improves the quality of sleep in women with menopause who are experiencing insomnia. Findings from this study add support to the reported effectiveness of valerian in the clinical management of insomnia."

You can read about the first three studies here: Valerian Fact Sheet

The more recent study can be read here:  Valerian and Postmenopausal Women

Mushrooms and Breast Cancer Risk

I was reading the current issue of Prevention magazine, November 2010, and found a little piece of information that relates to a previous post about mushrooms and boosting the body's immune system, (Boost Your Immune System Naturally ), so I wanted to share the information here.

According to Prevention magazine, you can reduce breast cancer risk 64% just by eating a white button mushroom every day.

I am not sure what their source is, but it seems like a painless, economical and delicious  way to reduce breast cancer risk, so I am happy to pass on the information. (The reference was on page 43 of the November issue.)

Boost Your Immune System Naturally

I get asked frequently about natural ways to boost the immune system. There are many herbs which have shown at least some tonifying effect on the immune system, including Echinacea, Astragalus, Garlic, and Ginseng, I will write about them soon.

Some of my personal  favorites for giving the immune system a boost are mushrooms. Mushrooms are a great low calorie addition to any diet, and have many health benefits, including helping to reduce chronic inflammation.

But there are several varieties of mushroom which have  been held in extremely high regard as immune system tonics for centuries, including Shiitake and Reishi mushrooms.

Shiitake mushrooms are widely available fresh or dried, and found in most supermarkets and health food stores. (They are my personal favorites from a taste standpoint.)


Shiitake mushrooms are delicious added to stir fries, soups, stews, and sauces; pretty much anywhere you would use any other type of mushroom. The stems are extremely woody, so use only the caps in cooking.

Japanese studies have shown that Shiitake mushrooms boost the immune system, as well as inhibit viral replication, two activities which make Shiitake a great addition to your diet. Research in Japan has also developed a cancer treatment based on Shiitake mushrooms.

Reishi mushrooms are immune boosting powerhouses. At one time, these mushrooms were extremely rare, and prohibitively expensive, because they were only found growing in high, remote mountains. The technique to grow Reishi mushrooms was discovered only relatively recently, which has made them much more affordable, you no longer need to be the Emperor of China to afford them.

Reishi mushrooms were thought to increase longevity and so were highly prized..

Modern research has shown them to be high in immune boosting phytochemicals, and to improve production of lymphocytes (lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell, and an important part of the body's defenses against infection). Reishi also seems able to modulate immune response, (this means it can strengthen a weakened immune response, and lessen an overactive immune response), and helps some allergy sufferers get relief from their symptoms. Reishi also seems to have some anti-cancer properties, and is a part of a number of commercially available preparations said to protect the immune system of patients undergoing radiation or chemotherapy as part of a cancer treatment regimen. (If you are being treated for any medical condition, please check with your doctor before using any herbal supplements.)

Reishi mushrooms don't seem as widely available as Shiitake mushrooms, although most local health food stores carry several varieties of prepared Reishi supplements, as powders, capsules and extracts, as well as an instant tea concentrate. It's a useful supplement anytime you feel your immune system needs a boost.

I'll have more to say about natural ways to strengthen the immune system in upcoming posts.

Helpful Websites for Food Allergy Information

A reader asked me for some information about a food allergy. I have not done any recent research about food allergies, but I found some websites that may be helpful. I have included a list of links below:

Mayo Clinic on Food Allergies

Food Allergens Information

National Institute of Health Food Allergy Portal

Food Allergy Myth Buster

Tips for Coping With Food Allergies

Help Kids Understand Food Allergies

And here is a cookbook to check out:
The Whole Foods Allergy Cookbook

A Natural remedy for Both Diarrhea and Constipation

There is a natural remedy that treats both constipation and diarrhea. It is readily available and safe for all age groups, and also tastes good. There are many varieties available, to please any taste.

What is this wonder remedy? The apple.

Apples have been used medicinally at least since the days of the Romans, who used them to treat diarrhea.

Apples contain a soluble fiber called pectin. Pectin occurs in most fruits, and is a big part of the reason fruits are healthful. Antioxidants, including polyphenols, and vitamins and minerals, etc.also are part of the health benefits of fruits, but pectin affects the digestive system in a particular way that I want to mention here.

Pectin acts as a stool softener and laxative , so it is very useful for constipation. Apples contain sorbitol, a natural fruit sugar, which has some natural laxative properties.


Pectin is a key ingredient in many popular over the counter anti-diarrheal remedies. Bacteria in the intestines convert the pectin into a protective coating which soothes the intestinal lining, which can be irritated by the microorganisms which cause diarrhea.

We've heard since we were children that an apple a day kept the doctor away; I don't know if that is true, but eating apples regularly is a good way to keep your digestive system healthy, and they are delicious!

Is There a Natural Way to End Snoring?

I was recently asked if I knew of a natural way to end snoring, by a friend, who said his wife's snoring kept him awake hours on end.

I told him I did not have any remedy that I could personally endorse, but had read that some people have some success sewing a tennis ball into the back of pajama tops. The theory is that it keeps the person from sleeping on their back, which is the most common position for snorers. I have never personally tried it, but told him it was worth a shot, if he could get his wife to go along with it.

I recently came across a website Banish Snoring! which claims to offer a natural two step solution to snoring. I have not personally tried their product, but it is sold through Clickbank.com, so it comes with a money back guarantee. If you try it and it does not work, simply contact clickbank.com for a full refund. I have sent the URL for the Banish Snoring website to my friend, if he tries it, I will report back here.

Is There A Natural Remedy for Swine Flu?

As the media whips up the hysteria about swine flu, I am asked this question more and more. My response has several parts.

First, I tell people that if they think they have swine flu, or any medical problem, they should consult a doctor. And that is true for readers of this blog, I am not a doctor, the information I offer is not a substitute for qualified medical care. If you think you have a health problem, please see your doctor.

Secondly, I suggest that it is better to try to prevent getting sick in the first place, and there are some common sense recommendations that help.

The first is one you probably heard from your mother, wash your hands frequently, with soap and warm water. It is one of the best ways to reduce the spread of germs.

Next, getting adequate rest is important. If you are not sleeping enough, your immune system will not function optimally, making you more susceptible to getting sick. Make sure you are sleeping enough to let your body recover from the day's stresses.

Eating a varied and nutritious diet also helps. Foods rich in vitamin C and/or quercitin (a bioflavinoid, which is a good antioxidant and anti inflammatory) especially seem to support the immune system, including apples, blueberries, onions, buckwheat, green tea, and garlic, to name a few. Eating a wide enough diet to ensure your body is receiving adequate nutritional support is important. (Consult your doctor, or a dietitian, if you need help to determine what an appropriate diet is for you.) Include a variety of fruits and vegetables every day, preferably locally grown and seasonal. Some research suggests that taking supplemental vitamin D also supports your immune system, and it may help, but I don't have any experience with the supplement myself. You may want to check with your doctor about this.

Do what you can to support your immune system, and you are less likely to become ill, and to recover faster if you do become sick.

When I get the flu, I usually let it run its course, making sure to get as much rest as possible, and drink plenty of fluids (usually tea, herb tea, or broth); if I feel I need to take something more, I use a homeopathic remedy called Oscillococcinum, which is usually available in health food stores, and even grocery and drug stores. I find that it helps most if you start taking it at the first signs of symptoms.

My strongest advice about swine flu is to remember that media thrives on sensationalism, and generally blows things far out of proportion. Take some common sense precautions, get enough rest, eat well; and take the media stories with a very large grain of salt.

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.