A fever, stomach pains or a simple case of the sniffles can send people rushing to the pharmacy for a drug to battle their symptoms.

But Mother Nature provides a number of medicinal plants with healing properties that also can nurse you back to health, a fact more Americans are beginning to discover.

“The use of herbal medicine, although traditional in many Eastern cultures, had been only a minor fad in Western medicine until recent decades,” says Dr. Virender Sodhi, founder of the Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Medical Clinic (ayurvedicscience.com), which provides complementary and alternative medicine.

That trend has been shifting as a growing body of studies and research has demonstrated the effects of traditional remedies on chronic diseases, such as diabetes and hypertension, says Sodhi, author of the new guide, “Ayurvedic Herbs: The Comprehensive Resource for Ayurvedic Healing Solutions” (www.ayush.com).

That’s not necessarily news to ailing people in other parts of the world, such as Asia and Africa. For centuries, they have found relief through herbal medicines derived from shrubs, vines, trees and other plants, Sodhi says.

Here are four examples, a couple of which are recognizable by better known names and purposes.

• Glycyrrhiza glabra. Most people would recognize this plant by its more common name – licorice. It has been used for centuries in the traditional and folk medicines of Asia and Europe to treat ailments ranging from the common cold to liver disease, Sodhi says. Most Americans likely encountered licorice as children because the sweet root of the plant is used to make candy. Licorice can cure more than a sweet tooth, though. It can protect people from the influenza virus. In cell line studies it was shown to reduce titer of the influenza virus by 90 percent and have strong immune modulation properties. It’s an important ingredient in many herbal preparations, Sodhi said, especially for bronchial conditions. Because of its expectorant properties, powdered licorice has been used for centuries to treat coughs. Modern cough syrups often contain licorice extract.

• Piper nigrum. This flowering vine’s berries, when still unripe, are used to produce black pepper, but spicing up food isn’t its only talent. Piper nigrum has anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-spasmodic properties that make it ideal for treating digestive disorders, Sodhi says. It doesn’t stop there. Drug resistance is a major concern in cancer patients. Piper nigrum can reverse multiple drug resistance many fold and significantly increase the apoptotic effect of many pharmaceutical drugs.

• Boswellia serrate. Commonly known as Frankincense, this herb has powerful anti-inflammatory effects. Several patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis have gone in to remission using a Boswellia preparation. In brain tumor patients it has reduced cerebral edema by 75 percent. Sodhi has mentioned case studies of many patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica and ulcerative colitis who went into remission.

• Bael. This fruit-bearing tree indigenous to the hills and plains of central and southern India has numerous uses. The fruit promotes healthy digestion and is used medicinally to treat such conditions as diarrhea, dysentery and cholera. The leaves, roots and bark of Bael also have medicinal value. They help relieve acute bronchitis, heart palpitations, intermittent fevers and many other ailments. Dr. Sodhi has observed 100 percent success in treating patients of clostridium difficile, who did not respond to standard medical protocol of metronidazole (Flagyl), Dificid (fidaxomicin), or vanconycin.

About Virender Sodhi, M.D., N.D.

Dr. Virender Sodhi was the first Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physician in the United States. He is the author of “Ayurvedic Herbs: The Comprehensive Resource for Ayurvedic Healing Solutions,” (www.ayush.com)  and founder of the Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Medical Clinic, (ayurvedicscience.com). Dr. Sodhi earned his M.D. (Ayurved) in 1980 from the Dayanand Ayurvedic Medical College in Jalandar, India. He served as a college professor in India until 1986, when the Indian government selected him to share Ayurveda with Western society as part of a cultural exchange program. He finished his fellowship in Integrative Oncology with Dr. Mark Rosenberg in 2012. Dr. Sodhi is a visiting professor at Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the University of Washington School of Pharmacy, and at Des Moines University in Iowa.

The post 4 Plants With The Healing Power To Cure What Ails You appeared first on AKAMom Magazine.

Honey is a natural food that contains health benefits, thus known as a “functional food”.  Its healing abilities are derived from its biological make-up. Honey contains many antioxidants, enzymes, vitamins and minerals all in their most natural form.  However, many honey products in the grocery store are so processed and filtrated that, essentially, they aren’t real honey at all – and with that, it is assumed that any health benefits that come along with honey are lost in production.

The most advantageous form of honey is raw honey.  Raw honey has a cloudy, opaque appearance, unlike what you might see with commercial brands.  Commercial brand honeys are golden and clear, this is caused by excessive use of heat while being processed.  Heat is what destroys most of the naturally occurring enzymes, vitamins, and minerals found in the raw form.  The majority of honey products you’ll find on the shelf don’t contain pollen at all,  and pollen is the one component that differentiates between the categories of raw and commercial honey.  In other words, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says if the honey product does not contain pollen, it’s not truly honey.

So, what is honey?  Mainly, sugar.  In fact, about  70-80 percent of honey is sugar, and the rest is water and its nutrient composition.  But, the sugar from honey is very different from white, cane sugar.  Honey will not cause a sugar spike or elevate insulin-releasing levels, making it a safer choice for everyone, including individuals with diabetes.  But diabetes isn’t the only thing honey helps keep in check. Years of compiled research has shown honey to be the body’s most organic care-taker.  Since the late 19^th century, honey has been found to have antibiotic properties, aiding ingredients, and healing potentials.

Sniffles and Cough Suppressor

Honey has been shown to outperform over-the-counter cough medications with the active ingredient dextromethorphan.  Honey helps soothe the back of the throat by breaking up mucus, thus relieving congestion, coughing, and increasing restful sleeping.

Squeeze the juice of 1 orange, 1 lemon, and 1 grapefruit into a kettle.  Add 1 tablespoon of honey. Stir while bring to a boil.  Take off stove, add one 1 shot of brandy or whatever you prefer.

Skin

For centuries, honey has been proven effective in treating wounds, whether it’s a surface cut, a burn, or acne.  Due to its anti-microbial and anti-fungal elements, honey has the potential to kill off multiple bacteria strains without leaving a scar behind.

Problem Area Remedy: Bring 1/3 cup of buttermilk to a boil.  Take off stove immediately, add honey until a thick paste forms.  Allow to cool. Dab onto problem area.

Honey Mask: Spread honey onto face. Wait 20 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water.

Keeping Regular

Honey helps rehydrate the body allowing diarrhea to clear up more quickly.  Because of its peroxide and non-peroxide properties, honey can effectively fight against MRSA strains and other bacteria that may be causing the unpleasant, frequent trips to the bathroom.  On the flip side, honey also acts a mild laxative for those days when you’re feeling a little backed up.

Consume 2 teaspoons of honey 3 times per day OR combine 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in warm water. Drink every morning.

Constipation Specific: Blend 3 chopped rhubarb stalks, 1 cup apple juice, 1/4 peeled lemon, and 1 teaspoon of honey.

Diarrhea Specific: Combine 1 teaspoon raw garlic and 1 teaspoon of honey.  Take 3 times per day 2 hours after each meal.

Exercise Performance

Honey contains 17 grams of carbohydrates per tablespoon making it an exceptional source of energy in a natural form compared to sugary sports drinks and gels.  It can be used before, during, and after workouts as a generous energy and muscle recovery source.

Add preferred amount of honey to water bottle and shake.

Weight Reduction

Honey has many anti-inflammatory and antibiotic-resistant properties that help cleanse the liver, detoxify the body, and cut away unwanted fat.

Add 1 tablespoon honey plus the juice from 1 lemon to warm water and drink every morning before breakfast.

These are just a few things honey can have a healthful impact on.  The list goes on with boosting memory, strengthening your immune system, reducing heart disease risk, relieving menopausal symptoms, and so much more.  So, don’t be afraid to open your heart to mother nature’s most sweet and remedial gift.  Its many holistic healing powers that have been cherished for centuries, so continue the tradition with yourself and your loved ones by keeping a jar in the pantry all year round!

Resources:

www.mnn.com

www.mindbodygreen.com

www.naturalrevolution.org

www.mayoclinic.org

www.motherearthnews.com

www.draxe.com

Bader, Dr. Myles H. (1997). Grandmother’s Home Remedies. Philadelphia, PA: TelAmerica Media. 

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