How to Reverse Cavities and Gum Disease Naturally

I don’t know yet at what age this ceases to be true, but from what I have seen, at least up until the 70s, it seems that if the body is getting enough nutrition, the teeth and the gums are capable of regenerating. I was incarcerated (for a crime I did not commit) for a year and a half. The diet was really bad compared to our standards, as you can imagine. I came out with visible holes in my teeth. In jail, I was the guy trading most of my food for the canned veggies and bleached salad mix. But still, my gums had receded, and my mouth looked ten years older. Here is specifically what I did to regenerate my teeth and gums:

Homemade Toothpaste

I just add some coconut oil to some baking soda, a little water, a pinch of sea salt, and a little less of cinnamon. You don’t have to be exact, but we have oral care recipes here if you like. These days I just use Earthpaste and Doc’s Tooth & Gum.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic method of oral care that involves swishing oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Some say that this practice can detoxify the whole body and heal all kinds of diseases, but these statements aren’t possible if the diet is not addressed. It does promote good oral health by reducing harmful bacteria and dental plaque while cleaning the areas of the mouth that brushing and flossing cannot get to. Oral health does increase the strength of the immune system, so oil pulling can lead to improved overall health.

Traditionally, sesame oil was used, but these days coconut oil is more often recommended, and it’s my preference as well. To increase the potency of this protocol, use essential oils, such as peppermint, cinnamon, or clove. Tea tree oil and oil of oregano are two good options, but they can get really intense. Start off with just a small amount.

Here are some suggestions with the essential oils for oil pulling. Add these to a tablespoon of coconut oil.

  • For bad breath: 2 drops of cinnamon, spearmint, or peppermint essential oil
  • Toothaches: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each
  • Canker sores: 2 drops of holy basil essential oil.
  • Gum disease: 2 drops of cinnamon, clove, or tea tree essential oil.
  • Receding gums: Add 2 drops of Myrrh essential oil.
  • Cavities: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each
  • Any infection in the mouth: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each

How to Oil Pull

Swish the oil around in your mouth (like you would with mouthwash) and pull through the teeth, for 15 to 20 minutes. Don’t swish hard, or your cheeks will get sore very quickly.

The longer you do it, the more benefit you’ll get. 15 to 20 minutes is ideal, and I like to do it while I write articles, but even just doing it for a few minutes is very beneficial. You may need to take your time and build up your mouth strength. (I did.)

Spit it out! Do not swallow it. That oil gets nasty, and it’s better to dispose of it than swallow it. Follow with tooth brushing, or at least thoroughly rinsing the mouth. And don’t spit it out in the sink. The oil could stop it up.

I did it at least once a day, and the more you oil pull, the better.

Calcium & Magnesium

I eat lots of raw vegetables, but to speed things up, I wanted to make sure I had enough calcium. One should not take lots of calcium indefinitely without magnesium, and the nonfood sources don’t provide calcium that absorbs into our body well. Plus, I was coming out of jail, so I was too broke for supplements anyway, and that Tooth & Gum ain’t cheap!

Lemon Egg Recipe – the best organic calcium supplementation

  1. Carefully place whole, clean, uncooked, uncracked, organic eggs in a clean wide-mouth jar or glass container. How many eggs is up to you, but the lemon juice needs to cover the eggs.
  2. Cover the eggs with freshly squeezed organic lemon juice (concentrated lemon juice is pasteurized and should never be used as a substitute).
  3. Cover the jar loosely and place it in the refrigerator. A few times during the day, gently – very gently – agitate the liquid in the jar. As the Calcium from the shells is leached out by the lemon juice, bubbles will appear around the eggs.
  4. Approximately 44 to 48 hours later, when the bubbling has stopped, carefully remove the eggs from the jar, being sure not to break the egg membranes. Replace the lid tightly on the jar containing the liquid and shake the mixture. You now have “Lemon Egg”.

Drink it straight or mix 2oz in smoothies. It can also be used in recipes calling for lemon juice as well, but the juice will not be acidic and it will taste a bit different. If there is no more than twice as much lemon juice per egg volume I take a tablespoon to two of the lemon mixture and up to six if I don’t eat enough vegetables. Personally, I just took a spoonful every day and chewed it for a while. I don’t know if the teeth absorb any calcium that way, but I suspect it’s possible. I would do this after my brush and floss routine.

One whole medium sized eggshell yields about 750 – 800 mg of elemental calcium plus other microelements, including but not limited to magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, sulfur, silicon, zinc,  (27 elements in total). The composition of an eggshell is very similar to that of our bones and teeth.

Chewing on Garlic

I chewed on garlic three or more times a day for as long as I could stand it. The technique is as follows:

  • Peel a small clove of garlic and put it in your mouth
  • Start a timer
  • Chew with your mouth open
  • Breath through your mouth as you chew
  • When it starts to hurt, close your mouth, and start swishing the juices through your gums
  • Spit it out when it becomes intolerable

At first, I could only do this for about 15 seconds at a time, but I built up to a minute. This is a hugely beneficial technique for anyone with mercury amalgam fillings. Garlic will pull out (chelate) the least attached particles from the fillings before they were about to release.

Doc Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula

This is the most popular product sold at Green Lifestyle Market. I think this is in large part because you can so easily tell how well it works. I contend that with the right diet and oral care most people can regenerate their mouth without this formula, but it will speed up the process. If you’re not happy with you can get a refund.

For anyone who smoked, smokes, vapes, or works in conditions where they inhale carcinogens, I highly recommend the Tooth and Gum Formula.

For anyone who has toxic fillings in the mouth, or metal, or has otherwise had lots of oral work done, I also highly recommend the Tooth and Gum Formula.

I put some toothpaste on my brush, set that aside, then I squirt one squeeze of this tooth and gum stuff directly into my mouth, and then I brush. That’s how I do it. You can also just brush with the tooth and gum, or do oil pulling with it, or use it with water as a mouthwash, or use it without water as a mouthwash. It’s kind of hard to screw it up, but for maximum effect, do brush it into your gums, and do leave it in the mouth for at least a minute. You can buy it here or click here for the recipe ( the third one). I brushed and flossed twice a day with this routine, three times a day if I smoked marijuana that day.

Healthy Diet

Diet is key. Supplements can do some amazing things, but they simply prolong the inevitable when the diet isn’t first consideration. I ate large salads and lots of raw fruit every day. I occasionally do smoothies, and I generally have a wheat-free grain in a bowl with lots of cooked and fresh veggies and herbs on top. Check out the further reading below for more on my diet. If you really want to know how well this protocol works for you, I suggest pictures. Take pictures of your mouth daily or weekly, and you the judge. But chances are, you’ll feel it and know it’s working. It’s still fun to compare the picture though.

Lastly, your mouth won’t be much healthier than your gut. If you suffer from other health ailments, I suggest a gut protocol like this along with your new oral health regimen.

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How To Reverse Fatty Liver Disease (Diet Plan Included)

The combination of too much fat, too much sugar, and too little exercise is the best way become obese — in the liver. Fat buildup in the liver that is not due to alcohol consumption, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, affects 20-30% of adult populations in developed countries.

At first, this disease looks like another major issue to worry about, but it is simple and easy to reverse. In fact, it is intimately linked with other reversible conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and obesity because they all share a similar cause.

Related: How To Heal Your Gut

The Vicious Cycle of Fatty Liver Disease

Think of fatty liver disease like obesity and diabetes of the liver. When we eat an excess of calories and sugar, insulin is released from the pancreas to let our cells that we have plenty of energy. Our cells take what they need from the fat and sugar that is circulating in the blood.

Problems arise when we eat too many calories and too much sugar. The cells already have enough energy, so they stop listening to insulin — a biological process called insulin resistance. As a result, fat and sugar build up in the blood, contributing to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.

The liver cells are also negatively influenced by the influx of calories and sugar. They become insulin resistant and start making fat from the excess sugar (fructose causes the most liver fat gain). Eventually, fat builds up in the liver to the point that it becomes toxic and creates inflammation.

The combination of obesity in the body and the liver causes inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species to accumulate. This leads to more inflammation and oxidative stress that damages the liver.

Meanwhile, in the gut, a lifestyle that promotes fatty liver disease changes the microbiome and increases candida growth. This increases inflammation, oxidative stress, and endotoxin absorption, which causes more liver damage.

Recommended Reading: Lower Cholesterol and Prevent Heart Disease Without Drugs

Don’t worry — there is a silver lining to this vicious cycle. It is possible to reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and liver damage naturally.

How To Reverse Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The key to disrupting the vicious cycle of fatty liver disease before it damages the liver is exercise and diet.

That’s right — Treating obesity of the liver is similar to treating obesity of the body. In fact, many scientific papers agree that the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease should be focused on controlling diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia.

This means that the best way to reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and prevent liver damage is with the same lifestyle that has been proven to control diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia.

The Fatty Liver Disease Lifestyle Cure

In a review of studies on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease treatments, the researchers found that weight loss leads to a substantial improvement in this condition. Weight loss of 3-5 % reduces liver fat, but a weight loss of 10% may be needed to reverse liver damage. To accomplish this, researchers used the most well-known ways to promote weight loss: caloric restriction and exercise.

Let’s start with exercise. Physical activity alone improves insulin sensitivity and reduces fat in the liver. In fact, one study kept the body weight of their subjects constant while they implemented an exercise training program. They found that exercise alone leads to a substantial decrease in liver fat.

Related: If You Drink Soda, It’s Probably The Worst Thing You Do To Yourself (even worse than smoking!)

In studies that combine caloric restriction with exercise, the results are even more promising. For example, one study took twenty-five obese patients with fatty liver and put fifteen of them on a calorie restricted diet and exercise program for 3 months. The calorie restricted diet was based on a daily calorie intake of the patient’s ideal weight in kilograms multiplied by 25 calories, and the exercise program is described as “walking or jogging”.

The researchers found that the treatment group’s “weight, blood biochemical data such as aminotransferase, albumin, cholinesterase, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose values, and steatosis (fatty liver) were significantly decreased after the trial. In the control group, there were no significant differences in the clinical and histological findings before and after the trial.”

It’s that simple. Eat less and move more, and you can reverse fatty liver disease. Many other review articles on the treatments for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease also agree on this simple principle.

The jury is still out, however, on the best diet for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We know for certain that restricting your calories helps, but there is an even better way to reverse disease and improve liver health.

The Best Fatty Liver Diet

Restricting calories works, but the studies tend to ignore the importance of food quality. For example, diets that consist of mainly refined and processed food have been found to promote the growth an obesity-causing microbiome. On the other hand, eating a high-fiber plant-based diet favors a microbiome that reducing inflammation and improves health. This is one of the reasons why it is best to stop counting calories and count on these guidelines instead:

1. Limit Your Added Sugar Intake

By doing this, you will greatly reduce the likelihood of fat build up in the body and the liver. You will also reduce insulin resistance, blood sugar, inflammation, and gut health issues as well.

Related:  Signs You Have Too Much Candida

2. Eat High-Fiber Foods With Every Meal

The healthiest way to get more fiber is by consuming plenty of low-carbohydrate vegetables. They will improve gut health, reduce the absorption of harmful lipopolysaccharides, and improve the health of the cells throughout your body.

Try the salad recipe in this article for the best results: Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included

3. Eat Liver Healing Foods

You can also add these four scientifically-proven liver healing foods to your diet to help reverse fatty liver disease:

Oily Fish

Two or more servings of oily fish per week can have a beneficial effect on blood lipids and may reduce liver fat. Wild-caught salmon is one of the healthiest oily fish.

Nuts

A handful of nuts per day improves liver function tests. Walnuts, in particular, have been found to be one of the healthiest nuts for your liver.

Avocado

Avocado consumption is associated with weight loss and improved liver tests. This is mainly because avocados have a substantial amount of monounsaturated fat, fiber, and antioxidants.

Olive Oil

This popular oil improves liver function tests and helps with weight loss because it is loaded with antioxidants and oleic acid.

Related: Best Cooking Oils Health Benefits Smoke Point Which to Use and Avoid

4. Use Liver Healing Supplements

When you search the internet for liver supplements, you are inundated by supplements that seem promising, yet have no shred of evidence that backs of their claims. To save you some time and experimentation, here are three supplements that have been found to improve liver health:

Spirulina

Spirulina is a natural algae powder that is incredibly high in protein and a good source of antioxidants, B-vitamins, and other nutrients. A dose of 4.5 grams (about a teaspoon) per day of spirulina has been shown to help reverse fatty liver disease.

Betaine

Betaine is a compound that is naturally found in beets and spinach. It is essential for the normal function of the blood, bones, eyes, heart, nerves, and the brain, and it reduces build up of fat in the liver.

The best way to supplement with betaine is by eating raw beets or taking a TMG supplement. TMG stands for Trimethylglycine, and it is the form of betaine that is found in beets.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle contains a compound called silybin. Silybin can reduce fat build up in the liver, and it may even reverse liver damage.

Probiotics

In a meta-analysis on the effects of probiotics on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the researchers found that probiotic therapy can help reverse insulin resistance, improve liver function, and reduce inflammation. However, not just any probiotic will do.

Product Recommendation: Syntol AMD – Arthur Andrew Medical

Bifidobacterium longum, for example, was found to be the most effective probiotic strain at reducing liver fat, inflammation, and endotoxin levels. The best way to add this strain to your diet is by taking a stomach-acid resistant probiotic that contains it. FloraMend by Thorne Research is one of the best probiotics in this regard.

Recommended Reading: Probiotics, Bacteria, and Our Health

5. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Although no alcohol consumption is best for reversing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, some alcohol consumption may be beneficial as well. In fact, one nonalcoholic fatty liver disease treatment review found that limiting alcohol consumption to less than one drink per day may actually have a beneficial effect on liver health.

6. Exercise Everyday

The kind of exercise that is best for reversing fatty liver disease is not yet known, but almost any type of exercise will help. It is probably best to go for brisk walks throughout the day and do resistance training at least 3 times a week.

But don’t get caught up in finding the perfect workout plan. Any exercise is better than no exercise for all aspects of health. Start by doing what you enjoy doing.

What About Using Drugs for Fatty Liver Disease?

For a typical nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patient, pharmaceutical drugs are not usually recommended. However, when the disease progresses to liver-damaging nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), drug therapy may be necessary.

Related: The Gallbladder, Bile, and Gallstones

A drug called thiazolidinedione has been shown to be effective for improving diabetes, liver function, and fibrosis of the liver. However,  there is one problem — patients relapse when they aren’t on it.

In a study that tested thiazolidinedione in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, researchers found that diet and exercise were essential in maintaining the results achieved by drug therapy. When patients in the study followed up after 37 months, the patients who had sustained exercise programs and reduced their body mass index, also had normal liver enzyme levels, fibrosis improvement, and were free from diabetes. Conversely, patients who made no lifestyle changes had gotten worse after discontinuing the drug.

What are we suppose to take away from this study? That, even in the worst case scenario, pharmaceutical drugs cannot replace diet and exercise.

Putting It All Together

You can reverse fatty liver disease by following these six simple steps:

  1. Limit sugar intake
  2. Eat low-carbohydrate vegetables with every meal
  3. Exercise every day
  4. Take scientifically-proven liver healing supplements like spirulina, betaine, milk thistle, and probiotics
  5. Include liver healing foods in your diet like avocado, nuts, oily fish, and olive oil
  6. Limit alcohol intake
Related: Sugar Leads to Depression – World’s First Trial Proves Gut and Brain are Linked (Protocol Included)
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Amla is The Most Amazing Medicinal Plant You Haven’t Heard Of

Nature has given a wonderful gift to mankind in medicinal plants to promote healthy, happy and disease-free life. These plants play a vital role in natural healing. If I were allowed to choose the most amazing medicinal plant to treat medical conditions, it would be Indian gooseberry (amla). This plant has some exceptional benefits to health and our overall well-being.

Amla or Phyllanthus Emblica belongs to family Euphorbiaceae.  It is a small to medium sized deciduous tree found throughout India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, China, and Malaysia. According to the national institute of health, Phyllanthus Emblica is highly nutritious and could be an important source of vitamin c, amino acids, and minerals. It can be used as a medicine and as a tonic to improve vitality and resistance power.  Research shows that a unique complex within Indian gooseberry is super nutritious.  It has more antioxidant activity than blueberries; it has 20 times more vitamin c than lemon juice. It has 30 times more polyphenols than red wine and has more gallic acid (a potent antioxidant) than any other fruit.

What are the uses of amla in traditional Indian medicine? What are the benefits of this wonderful superfood? How can we use it easily at home with simple DIY recipes? Read on to know more.

Related: The Brain Boosting Benefits of Gingko Biloba

Use of Amla in Traditional Indian Medicine

Amla has been used in Ayurveda and Unani system of medicine for the therapeutic purpose for long years. The fruits, seed, leaves, root, bark, and flowers are parts of the plant that used in traditional Indian medicine. According to Ayurveda, amla balances all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha). It contains 5 out of 6 tastes recognized by Ayurveda.

Amla is particularly helpful in reducing pitta because of its cooling energy. It also balances both pitta and vata by virtue of its sweet taste. The Kapha is balanced primarily due to its drying action. It may be used as a Rasayana (rejuvenative) to promote longevity. It also helps in:

  • Enhancing digestion (dipanapachana)
  • Treat constipation (Anuloma)
  • Reduce fever (jvaraghna)
  • Purify the blood (Raktaprasadana)
  • Reduce coughs (Kasahara)
  • Alleviate asthma (svasahara)
  • Enliven the body (jivaniya)
  • Enhance intellect (Medhya)
  • Strengthen the heart (hrdaya)
  • Benefit the eyes (chakshushya)
  • Stimulate the hair growth (romasanjana)

Nutritional Value of Amla

Amla is reputed for its high ascorbic acid content and antioxidant rich activity. In a 100 gram serving, gooseberries provide 44 calories. Gooseberries are 88% water, 10% carbohydrate and less than 1% each of protein and fat. It is abundant in vitamins and minerals. Apart from being the richest source of vitamin c (27.7%), it also contains other vitamins too, that includes Vitamin A (2%),  thiamine(b1) 3%, riboflavin (b2) 3%, Niacin (B3) 2%, Pantothenic acid (B5)6%, Vitamin B6 6%, Folate (Bg) 2% and vitamin E 2%.

Must Read: Make Chocolate Healthy Again: Fast and Easy DIY Homemade Chocolate

Minerals: it contain calcium 3%, copper 4%, iron 2%, Magnesium 7%, phosphorus 4%, potassium 4%, sodium 0%, zinc, copper 1%.

Scientific research on Amla (Indian gooseberry)

According to a study published in British journal of nutrition, Morden scientists have studied the amla fruit for more than 25 years and determined that amla’s unique blend may have a positive influence on everything from metabolic syndrome to anti-aging process. Japanese researcher put Sun Amla (a proprietary amla extract) to the test by evaluating its effect on human endothelial cells and in a rat model. In both cases, the amla fruit extract inhibited the biological responses that can lead to inflammation and blood clots. It also works to combat the free radicals and contribute to overall health.

According to center for pharmaceutical science institute of science and technology, a review report shows that several types of research confirmed that various extract and herbal preparation of amla showed potential therapeutic benefits against various diseases and result were similar to standard drugs. Though more scientific research will be needed to confirm this.

Benefits of Amla

Amla is a Great Antioxidant Food

Amla is one of the most antioxidant rich foods on earth. According to some scientific research, it has turned out to be the number one among the antioxidant rich food. Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. This damage is an important factor in the development of different disease conditions such as blood vessels disease, cancer etc.

In a comparative study of Amalaki, the Sanskrit name of the Indian Gooseberry), with spirulina and wheat grass, the vitamin c content of crude amla powder was found to be 5.38 mg. It was also found to be the rich source of phenolic compounds. Because of these constitutes, amla works great as an antioxidant agent and helps in keeping our body disease free. Amla contains various antioxidants that include ellagic and gallic acid, emblicanin a and b, punigluconin, and much more. A detailed scientific analysis of amla shows that this antioxidant provides powerful protection against various diseases and slows down the aging process.

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Amla is a Potent Hypolipidemic Agent

Amla has a great hypolipidemic agent; in simple words, it can produce a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride, and VLDL.  To evaluate the efficacy of amla as a hypolipidemic agent, a clinical trial has been conducted on 600 patients. Out of total 600 patients, 40 were treated with the Amla Capsule (500 mg (daily for 42 days and 20 patients were given Simvastatin capsule (20mg) daily for 42 days. After analyzing various biochemical parameters, and the value of total cholesterol, LDL (Low-density lipoprotein), HDL (High-density lipoprotein), and VLDL (Very low-density lipoprotein), it has been observed that amla produces a significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride, and VLDL and a significant increase in HDL level. It is concluded with this study that amla produces significant hypolipidemic effect along with a reduction in Blood pressure. With this effect, it can play a vital role in the prevention of development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

Amla has Great Hepatoprotective Properties

Scientific studies have shown that amla is effective in preventing the toxic effects of hepatotoxic agents like paracetamol, heavy metals, antitubercular drugs, and ethanol. Amla is also reported to impart beneficial effects on liver function and to mitigate hyperlipidemia and metabolic syndrome.

Amla has a Good Anti-Diabetic Effect

Amla has anti-diabetic properties. Scientific studies have shown that amla or some of its important constituents (including Gallic acid, gallotannins, ellagic acid and corilagin) possess antidiabetic effect through their antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties. It also helps in preventing hyperglycemia and diabetic neuropathy. More scientific evidence is needed to confirm this study.

Related: Top 10 blood sugar lowering foods

Amla is Good for Hair

As it contains a lot of vitamin c, minerals, and antioxidants, amla helps in promoting hair growth and work as a tonic for hair health. It reduces hair loss, strengthens hair roots, and enhances the natural color of your hair. It also works as a natural conditioner for hair and helps in preventing premature graying of hair. This amazing health benefits for hair could be obtain

  • Either by eating gooseberry fruit
  • Applying amla paste on hair roots
  • Using amla hair oil for nourishing hair

According to a recent survey on the use of hair oils for hairdressing by the Indian population revealed that amla oil is extremely popular for hair and used equally by men and women. It is the most effective oil in controlling hair parasites. It has been proven to be the most toxic for hair parasites and most effective at keeping hair parasites free.

Related: Reverse gray hair naturally

Amla Helps in Treating Bone Disorders Including Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoporosis

Osteoclasts are involved in rheumatoid arthritis and in several pathologies associated with bone loss. According to a scientific study, extracts of Emblica Officinalis were able to induce programmed cell death of mature osteoclasts, thus potentially limiting the damage they can do to our bones and joints. Accordingly, the study suggests Amla extracts could be an alternative tool for therapy applied to bone disease.

Amla Helps in Treatment and Prevention of Cancer

Amla is wonderful in the treatment and prevention of cancer. The fruit is used either alone or in combination with other plants to treat many elements. It has great anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardio protective, anti-anemic, antipyretic, and many more awesome healing properties. Experimental studies have shown that amla and some of its constituents (like pyrogallol, gallic acid, and ellagic acid) possess anti-neoplastic properties. Especially pyrogallol (an active component of Emblica Officinalis extracts) has an antiproliferative effect on some human cancer cell lines.

Apart from all these wonderful benefits, amla

  • Helps in slow down the aging process
  • It improves digestion and prevents constipation
  • Improve eye sights and helps in treating eye disorders
  • Boosts immunity and protects our body against infection through its antibacterial properties.
  • Increases diuretic activity and helps in elimination of toxic products from the body.
  • Great for skin, it gives you radiant skin and also keeps it hydrated.
  • It is also a good blood purifier. Regular consumption of amla powder helps in increasing hemoglobin naturally.
Related: How to use turmeric to kill cancer

Different Ways Amla Can Be Used as a Remedy

Of course, eating the fresh fruit is the best option to get the nutritional benefit of this super fruit, but it tastes quite sour and so many people might struggle to eat this as a fruit. Second, not all of us able to get the access to fresh fruit all the time. Here are some super easy ways to use amla at home easily.

Before making any recipe with Indian gooseberry it is very important to select a good quality of fruit. Here are few tips to select the good quality fruit.

It should be properly ripe, fresh, hard, well skinned, bright yellowish green in color and medium in size. Avoid buying bruised, raw, too green, wrinkled, spotted, infected, or bad smelling fruit.

Amla Juice

Amla juice is easiest option to add amla to your diet. The regular consumption of gooseberry juice prevents many diseases and empowers the strength.  And personally, I prefer to use it.

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 amla
  • Grinder, juicer or mortar and pestle
  • Salt (optional and according to test)
  • Grated ginger, raw honey (1 teaspoon, optional)

Instruction:

  • First, select a good quality of amla
  • Soak amla in salted water for a while to remove any unwanted residue before using
  • Wash the amla
  • Dry them with a cloth
  • Grate or cut the amla in finer pieces
  • Now, you can use either grinder, juicer or a mortar and pestle. Grind the amla with the help of little water, strain the mixture through a strainer. Strain and squeeze the pulp to get the juice. For adding extra taste and flavor you add a pinch of salt. If you are hypertensive, it is best to avoid salt. If you are diabetic, avoid honey.
  • Otherwise, 1 Tsp ginger and raw honey can be added if you like.

Benefits:

  • Help in weight loss (especially when you drink it with honey)
  • Improve metabolism and digestion
  • I usually had better hair health after using it.
  • Skin texture will improve.
  • Increase immunity and reduction in routine infections

Amla Powder

The second way to use amla at home is also very easy; you just need to dry the amla in shade for few days and then grind it in a grinder. After grinding, you may use a sifter for getting a more powdered form.

Of course, amla powder is great for our health, but for getting better result you can take Triphala churna (powder). My grandma used to take this powder for long years as a routine for her digestion. It is easily available at the local store (in India) and you can order it online too. Triphala is a staple of Ayurveda medicine in India. It is considered one of the greatest herbal preparations that provide excellent results.

Triphala churna or powder is made from three fruits: amla, haritaki or Harda, and bibhitaki. Apart from getting some common benefits such as good digestion, weight loss, this churna helps in balancing the doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) of our body.

  • Amla helps in balancing the pitta dosha
  • Haritaki helps in calming the Vata dosha
  • Bibhataki benefits to the Kapha dosha

It is usually taken empty stomach with lukewarm water. You may also make a tea by adding the 1 teaspoon powder in boiling water. Capsules, tonic, and tablets are also available. As a general rule, when you start consuming a new product you should go slow and observe any changes if you had. But if you had any existing medical condition and if you are taking any medication it is always advisable to take medical advice.

Dried Amla

This is the third easiest way to include amla as a part of your regular diet. This easily prepared and crunchy amla tastes so good and provides excellent nutritional benefits to your body.

Ingredients:

  • 10-20 amla
  • Salt and turmeric (according to taste)
  • Lemon juice (2-3 Tsp)

Instruction:

  • Wash the amla properly and wipe them with a clean kitchen towel.
  • Cut them in thinner slices and discard the seeds (you may grate them if you like a finer texture)
  • Toss the sliced amla with salt, lemon juice, and turmeric
  • Spread them on a large plate and cover with a thin cloth.
  • Let them sun dry for few days (7-8 days are good enough) or until there is no moisture left in the amla. Once, they become crispy, store them in a clean and air tight container.
  • Eat after every meal.

Benefits:

  • It is great for digestion and tastes so good. Even kids would love it.
  • It could be used as a healthy snack especially during winter.
  • It is hassle free and could be prepared in large quantity.

Side Effects of Amla

Like any other herbal or Ayurveda preparation, amla may interfere with the action of the certain medication. It may cause some side effects. Such as:

  • It may cause hyperacidity in the sensitive individual.
  • It may increase the risk of bleeding if you are taking any blood thinning medication or suffering from any kind of blood disorders, you need to take extra precaution while consuming it.
  • If you are diabetic and taking anti-diabetic medication, it is best to consult your physician before consuming it. It may cause a sudden drop in blood sugar level.
  • There is not enough safety data available to use it during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is best to avoid its use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
  • As it may increase the risk of bleeding, it is advisable to discontinue its use 2 weeks prior to scheduled surgery.

Why It Matters

No doubt, amla is a super nutritious and had amazing healing properties, but at this time there is not enough scientific evidence to support the efficacy and safety of it, it is best to consult with your doctor before consuming it. Did you have observed any amazing healing property of this super fruit? What was your experience? Please share with us.

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Do I have Lyme Disease? Symptoms and Latest News

Are you suffering from fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes? Do you have a bull’s eye rash? Were you bitten by a tick in the last 30 days? If you live in the Northeast or the upper Midwest, you may have contracted Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that infects up to 300,000 Americans each year.

If left untreated,  symptoms can escalate (within days to months) to severe headaches and neck stiffness; a spreading rash; severe joint pain and swelling; facial palsy; irregular heartbeat; dizziness; shortness of breath; nerve, tendon, muscle, joint, and bone pain; inflammation of the brain and spinal cord; numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, and problems with short-term memory.

Where Do You Catch It?

Lyme disease cases are concentrated in 14 states:

  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Wisconsin

The CDC reports 95% of all cases are from these states. However, if you have the symptoms, you should still be tested for the bacteria. There are few states with zero cases.

Related: How to Cure Lyme Disease, and Virtually Any Other Bacterial Infection, Naturally

How Do You Catch It?

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans by a tick bite. According to the CDC, the tick must be attached for 36 to 48 hours or more before the disease is transmitted.

It isn’t the adult ticks that are most likely to infect us, it’s the nymphs, the tiny (less than 2mm) immature ticks that latch on and stay on long enough to make us sick.

Is it Always a Tick?

There has been some question of whether humans could catch Lyme disease from other bloodsucking insects. The CDC says there is no evidence that mosquitoes, fleas, lice, or other pests transmit the disease. The CDC also states that there is no evidence that Lyme disease is contagious – you cannot catch it from sexual contact, food, air, water, or an infected pet.

Others disagree. The Lyme Disease Association of Australia states,

Scientific studies support potential alternate modes of transmission; however these potential transmission sources have not been fully researched.”

The site goes on to post studies of transmission through other blood-sucking insects, such as mosquitoes, flies, fleas, and mites. In addition, they cite anecdotal evidence of sexual transmission and the need for research into transmission through sexual contact, blood and tissue donation, and through infected pets and livestock.

What New With Lyme?

Not long ago, chronic Lyme was dismissed by the conventional medical profession as being a non-existent. Today, the CDC not only recognizes the existence of chronic Lyme disease, it informs us that the “proper” name is Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome.

The CDC says that most experts attribute the symptoms to residual damage to the body’s tissues and immune system, but other experts attribute ongoing symptoms to persistent bacteria that was not killed by the initial treatment and cannot be detected through laboratory testing due to diagnostic limitations and the bacteria’s ability to remain in the body undetected.

Conventional Lyme Treatment

It can be difficult to diagnose Lyme disease. False negative tests add to the confusion and poor treatment of this disease. But diagnostics are not the only problem.

According to Lyme Disease.Org, there are two standards of treatment. They state,

There is significant controversy in science, medicine, and public policy regarding Lyme disease. Two medical societies hold widely divergent views on the best approach to diagnosing and treating Lyme disease. The conflict makes it difficult for patients to be properly diagnosed and receive treatment.”

And…

The ideal antibiotics, route of administration and duration of treatment for persistent Lyme disease are not established. No single antibiotic or combination of antibiotics appears to be capable of completely eradicating the infection, and treatment failures or relapses are reported with all current regimens, although they are less common with early aggressive treatment.”

Unconventional Lyme Treatment

Unconventional treatment of Lyme disease centers first on diet, gut health, and immune system health. Leaky gut needs to be addressed and other infections and parasites need to be identified and treated. There are many supplements and herbs that boost the immune system and fight Lyme disease.

One doctor, Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt MD, Ph.D. also checks for insulin resistance, exposure to mold, and exposure to electromagnetic fields. His patients respond quite well to limitations (or elimination) of the “electrosmog.” Cell phones and cordless phones are not used in the home and neither are wireless Internet connections. Some go so far as to paint the outside of their homes with a graphite paint called Y Shield, and they use a special cloth for curtains until recovery from Lyme is complete.

Related: Earthing – Touching Earth

Why is Lyme Disease Increasing?

One reason for the increase in cases of Lyme disease may be due to many environmental factors. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, the stress we endure, and our constant exposure to chemicals and electromagnetic fields all affect the immune system and our ability to fight disease without the additional aid of pharmaceuticals, herbs, or supplements.

But it’s not just our ability to fight off the disease that is a factor. It is also spreading in the wild.

Ecologists Felicia Keesing and Rick Ostfeld predict 2017 will be a bad year due to a “plague of mice” in the Hudson River Valley. After studying Lyme disease for 20 years, they have found the mice population to be a good predictor of disease activity.

New research suggests the loss of predators such as foxes and martens is a major factor in mice population control. Red foxes and martens feed on small rodents, including the white–footed mice known to carry the Lyme bacteria. In areas with a higher number of these predators (areas where foxes were protected rather than hunted) data shows a huge reduction in the number of infected ticks.

Opossums also help control ticks. Although they do eat mice, their impact is due to their fastidiousness. Like cats, opossums carefully groom themselves, swallowing ticks as they pull them from their fur – an estimated 5,000 ticks per season.

Climate change is also linked to the increase in Lyme disease. Warming climates allow the life cycle of the ticks to speed up, doubling reproduction in the U.S. and increasing reproduction in Canada by two to five times. Both the CDC and the EPA believe climate change is a factor. The EPA has added Lyme disease to its list of climate change indicators.

Some areas that show an increase also have experienced failed farms. Land that was cultivated has reverted to its natural state with trees and brush and an increase in ticks, mice, deer and other animals.

How Do You Test For Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose because it mimics many auto-immune diseases. Physical symptoms alone will not specify Lyme disease unless the bull’s eye rash is present at the site of a tick or bug bite.

The two tests for Lyme disease, the Western blot and the ELISA tests, which may be used together to measure specific antibodies in the blood, are known to result in a false negative result. Dr. Axe recommends direct microscopy in addition to a physical examination.

If you have the symptoms, chances are you will be working with your health care practitioner to find a diagnosis. Make sure you include testing for Lyme disease. And be sure you are tested for parasites and co-infections as well.

From the Editor:

I’m not big on diagnosis, or getting tested for Lyme, as both are highly inaccurate. If anyone is feeling a handful of the symptoms below, it’s time for a wellness overhaul. Check out How to Cure Lyme Disease, and Virtually Any Other Bacterial Infection, Naturally. It’s not an easy protocol, but it works.”

These are the symptoms that indicate a Lyme disease should be considered:

  • Any rash where a tick bite occurred. Although we are told a bull’s eye rash in the indicator, 70% develop a very different looking rash as shown in these examples.  And not all rashes are limited to the area of the bite.
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue
  • Pain in the muscles, joints, and connective tissues
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Neck pain
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Nausea and loss of appetite
  • Arthritis and swollen joints
  • Mood changes
  • Cognitive changes, which include brain fog, forgetfulness, headaches, difficulty concentrating

Conclusion

If you live in an area where Lyme disease is common, take extra care when you are out in nature. Long sleeves, long pants, and natural insect repellant will all help, but a thorough inspection of the body is also a good idea. Remember your pets can also pick up these ticks. Natural insect repellents work well for them, too.

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Johnson & Johnson Ordered to Pay $417 Million In Lawsuit Linking Baby Powder to Cancer

A jury in Los Angeles ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay a record breaking $417 million to Eva Echeverria, a hospitalized woman in California. Eva claimed in her lawsuit that the talc ingredient in the company’s well-known baby powder may cause ovarian cancer when applied regularly to the crotch.

The plaintiff alleged Johnson & Johnson does not adequately warn consumers about talcum powder’s potential cancer risks. She says she used the baby powder daily basis from around the 1950s until 2016. Court papers show she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2007.

Related: Galactagogues Foods, Herbs, and other Ways to Increase Breast Milk Production

Mrs. Echeverria is dying from this ovarian cancer and she said to me all she wanted to do was to help the other women throughout the whole country who have ovarian cancer for using Johnson & Johnson for 20 and 30 years,” – Robinson said.

This is not the lawsuit of this kind, or Johnson & Johnson’s first loss, either. In St. Louis, $70 million was awarded to a woman with ovarian cancer due to baby powder usage,

We are pleased the jury did the right thing. They once again reaffirmed the need for Johnson & Johnson to warn the public of the ovarian cancer risk associated with its product,” Attorney Jim Onder

Apparently, Johnson & Johnson is still not adequately warning its customers.

On a side note, did you know Johnson and Johnson produce vaccines?

Related: Why Anti-Vaxxers Don’t Vaccinate

Can talcum powders cause cancer? Many believe so. According to Cancer.org,

It has been suggested that talcum powder might cause cancer in the ovaries if the powder particles (applied to the genital area or on sanitary napkins, diaphragms, or condoms) were to travel through the vagina, uterus, and fallopian tubes to the ovary. Many studies in women have looked at the possible link between talcum powder and cancer of the ovary. Findings have been mixed, with some studies reporting a slightly increased risk and some reporting no increase.”

There’s a better option.

Homemade Baby Powder Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup arrowroot powder
  • ¼ cup bentonite clay powder or White Kaolin Clay
  • 1 tsp chamomile, lavender, or calendula flowers, in powdered form (use a blender)

Instructions

Mix it together, use as needed. If you want, you can add a couple of drops of an essential oil instead of the flower. Be careful with using essential oils and infants. It’s not something that should be taken lightly. Chamomile, lavender, and calendula in controlled amounts are of the few I that are generally considered safe for small children and infants.

If diaper rashes are a problem, the baby’s eco system is unbalanced, and which usually equates to less beneficial bacteria and more Candida in the gut.

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Turmeric and Diabetes

Every now and then we hear about a common food that contains amazing healing properties. Turmeric is a fine example. Although it is a spice that has been used in Asian medicine for thousands of years, its potential to cure disease has been largely ignored in the West. Now we are told it can be used to treat a whole list of ailments from diarrhea to diabetes, and scientific tests are beginning to back up these claims.

What is Turmeric?

The turmeric plant, a member of the Zingiberaceae or ginger family, is native to Southeast Asia. Like ginger, the rhizome, or root, is the source of the spice. The turmeric root looks much like ginger root except for its color. While ginger is white, turmeric is orange, so orange, it was used as a dye before it was used for medicinal purposes.

If you’ve never bought turmeric, you may not realize you’ve eaten it. Chances are, you have. It is the main spice in curries, the spice that gives curry powders an orange color.

Related: Foods, Vitamins, and Herbs That Kill Cancer

What Does Turmeric Contain That Aids in Healing?

Curcumin has been identified as turmeric’s source of healing properties. Curcumin is both an anti-inflammatory and a strong anti-oxidant. It prevents inflammation and reduces chronic inflammation. It has also been found to induce apoptosis (cell death) in cancer and pre-cancer cells.

What is Turmeric Used to Treat?

According to Web M.D., turmeric is used internally to treat the following:

  • Arthritis
  • Heartburn (dyspepsia)
  • Joint pain
  • Stomach pain
  • Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
  • Bypass surgery
  • Hemorrhage
  • Diarrhea
  • Intestinal gas
  • Stomach bloating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Jaundice
  • Liver problems
  • Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  • Gallbladder disorders
  • High cholesterol
  • Lichen planus
  • Skin inflammation from radiation treatment,
  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Bronchitis
  • Colds
  • Lung infections
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Leprosy
  • Fever
  • Menstrual problems
  • Itchy skin
  • Recovery after surgery
  • Cancers
  • Depression
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Swelling in the middle layer of the eye (anterior uveitis)
  • Water retention
  • Worms
  • Lupus
  • Urinary bladder inflammation
  • Kidney problems
  • Soreness inside of the mouth and gum disease.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (used as an enema)
  • Diabetes

And is used topically to treat:

  • Pain
  • Ringworm
  • Sprains and swellings
  • Bruising
  • Leech bites
  • Eye infections
  • Acne
  • Inflammatory skin conditions and skin sores
  • Infected wounds
Related: What Causes Chronic Inflammation, and How To Stop It For Good

Turmeric and Diabetes

If you google turmeric or curcumin, you will find statements denouncing its benefits. It is common to find every alternative healthcare claim to be summarily dismissed. On the other hand, it doesn’t take much effort to find scholarly articles that show turmeric’s health benefits, such as the studies regarding turmeric and diabetes.

Studies have shown turmeric lowers blood sugar levels, repairs pancreas cells (even benefitting type I diabetics), reverses prediabetes, lowers cholesterol levels, reduces heart risks, protects kidneys, and reduces inflammation and oxidative stress caused by the disease.

Related: Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones

What is Diabetes?

When we eat, carbohydrates and sugars are broken down into glucose. The pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which allows glucose in the bloodstream to enter the cells. When this process is disrupted because the body cannot make enough insulin or can’t utilize the insulin it does make, high levels of glucose remain in the blood and the cells do not receive the glucose they need.

High blood sugar results in damage to blood vessels, to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and other parts of the body. Healing and circulation may become impaired. Diabetes is also associated with high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke.

According to the American Diabetes Association, 30.3 million Americans or 9.4% of the population have diabetes; 1.25 million (4%) have type 1 diabetes. In 2015, diabetes was rated the 7th leading cause of death in the United States.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is usually diagnosed in childhood or young adulthood. The body attacks and destroys the pancreatic cells that make insulin, leaving the pancreas unable to produce sufficient amounts of insulin, if any at all. The treatment for type 1 diabetes is lifelong insulin therapy – injected insulin – along with diet and exercise management.

Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. It is believed that hormones from the placenta create insulin resistance, causing the mother to need as much as 3 times the usual amount of insulin. The CDC estimates gestation diabetes occurs in about 9.2% of pregnancies.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is also caused by insulin resistance. Since the cells don’t respond correctly to insulin, the pancreas overproduces insulin to compensate. Over time, the pancreas is unable to provide enough insulin.

Prediabetes

Prediabetes is diagnosed when blood sugar is abnormally high but not yet high enough to be considered diabetes. These elevated levels of blood sugar can still cause damage to the body.

Curcumin, Prediabetes, and Type 2 Diabetes

In a study conducted in 2012, 240 pre-diabetic patients were randomly chosen to receive either curcumin or placebo capsules. By the end of the 9-month study, 16.4% of the control group developed type 2 diabetes, while the subjects who received curcumin showed better overall function of the pancreatic cells, and not one patient developed diabetes.

A 2014 study that reviewed articles published from 1998 to 2013 in PubMed concluded that curcumin can reduce blood glucose levels, stimulate glucose uptake, stimulate insulin secretion, improve pancreatic cell function, and reduce insulin resistance.

Although most of the positive reports involve prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, some studies are also showing improvements in the pancreas tissue of patients with type I diabetes.

Related: How to Optimize Curcumin Absorption – With Golden Milk Tea Recipe

Warnings

There are a few warnings about regular or daily use of turmeric for medicinal purposes. Extreme amounts taken on a daily basis may cause problems with the liver. Keep in mind that turmeric really does work to reduce blood sugar levels. Do not use it medicinally along with medication to reduce blood sugar. The result may be hypoglycemia – low blood sugar.

For excellent detail regarding dosage and interactions, check out Turmeric Dosage for Diabetics. The entire site, Turmeric for Health, is filled with useful information, including recipes.

To learn more about healthy absorption of turmeric and a delicious way to consume it, read How To Optimize Curcumin Absorption – With Golden Milk Tea Recipe. To increase absorption of curcumin, always add a pinch of black pepper. There is evidence that garlic also increases absorption.

Conclusion

There is abundant evidence proving turmeric can prevent type 2 diabetes and aid in managing or reversing the disease. Remember, the smart way to manage or prevent late onset diabetes is through diet and exercise, not by simply adding supplements or medications to your daily routine. But turmeric can certainly be a healthy part of your diet plan as well as a supplemental aid, without the side effects of pharmaceuticals.

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How to Make the Healthiest Smoothies – 4 Recipes

Everybody loves smoothies. I mean, who wants to eat just plain produce, right? Well, I do, but lots of people find nature’s packaging and processing of fruit and vegetables to be lacking. Or maybe vegetables aren’t sweet enough, and the fiber in fruit just ruins the customer experience of that sugar rush. Consequently, health nuts around the world have embraced smoothies as their protocol to consume all the good nutrition needed for the day in one fell swoop.

But there’s a problem.

Smoothies almost always have way too much sugar in them. We separate the fruit sugar from its fiber which decreases absorption time causing an insulin spike and a host of other issues that would not have been accompanied by eating the whole fruit. And we often use fruit juice in smoothies. Fruit juice is usually void of its enzymes too, but a slow juice press can solve this issue. Many of the healthier and nuttier health nuts throw in chia seeds, kale, spinach, and other great stuff, but the base is generally fruit juice which is, in fact, a refined sugar!

Let me repeat that statement for maximum effect.

Fruit juice is refined sugar.

This does not include cranberry, lemon, or lime juice, but most do not use these as a smoothie base.

In all my travels I’ve only come across a couple of restaurants that offer healthy smoothies, Cafe Gratitude in California and Loving it Live of Atlanta. They’re pretty good smoothies too, but they lack bite.

Bite? Yes, bite. A smoothie should fight back a little. The sweetness may feed some unsavory characters in your gut, but a good bite will correct that. Let’s get more into the bite and the sweetness issue.

It is better to sweeten a smoothie with whole fruit and use water, coconut water, or moisture-rich fruits like pineapple or watermelon. Produce should be blended on the lowest setting that can get the job done. A Vitamix will kill most of the enzymes when blending raw food at high speeds. Adding the bite is about finding the right antimicrobial herbs. We want to feed the good guys, the flora that flourishes in an ecosystem built on vegetables, herbs, and fruit. Feed your guys bad food and you get bad guys. Sugar is bad, herbs that kill pathogens are great. I like cayenne, turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. Some have managed to work in garlic for a tasty treat though I am yet to be able to mimic such a feat. The only thing harder to make work in my smoothies is collard greens. For the life of me, I cannot make collards work!

Here are four smoothie recipes that don’t just nourish, but they also heal and help balance the gut. And these smoothies know how to wake up the senses, so they’re a great morning addition to your routine.

For a lot of the ingredients listed we have done an article on the benefits of them, so check out the links within the recipes if you’re curious. I make my smoothies to fill up a Vitamix, maybe 60 ounces or so. It makes about four glasses, or close to 8 cups.

Tart-C Blast

If my kidneys are feeling sluggish, or I think I’m fighting a virus, this is my go-to smoothie. I love tart; get ready to pucker.

Ingredients

Instructions

Peel and chop up a fresh pineapple, discard peels. Put in the pineapple with the core, blend it slowly until it’s liquid. The core of the pineapple is the healthiest part of the pineapple, but you need a powerful blender to make it work. Throw in equal parts frozen berries and cherries until the smoothie blends to the desired thickness. I do a small handful of each, and add more of whichever berry I’m feeling most, just enough to get the smoothie as thick as I want. You may need to turn up the speed, just try not to let the blades get too fast to where they can damage enzymes, which is to say blend as slow as you can to get the job done. I tend to blend it fast for a bit at the end just to get the cinnamon all the way. Now that I’m thinking about it, when it’s the bark, I need to put the cinnamon in with the ice and do a higher speed there.

The finishing touch is your turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon. I add chunks of ginger and turmeric and I break off a piece of cinnamon stick, all about a half inch in size, and throw them in. This is up to you though because these spices are strong. That goes for all of the recipes here. Mix in just enough to stretch your taste buds and build up to more.

This is an excellent smoothie for helping the body detox and repair from damage, but pineapple has a lot of sugar. I recommend taking a probiotic or SF722 with this.

Phat Raspberry Zinger

This smoothie is all about the beneficial fats. And the zing of course.

I use the water from a whole, fresh young coconut, and I scoop out some meat. How much I scoop depends on the difficulty and my patience at the time. I’ve also used a can of coconut milk before, and that tastes good too, but I like fresh and unprocessed coconut whenever I have the patience. Use a ripe avocado and fresh berries/cherries with ice or frozen berries/cherries.

Instructions

I put in the liquid first, fresh fruit second, and frozen third, with the herbs last. As before, zing it to taste – I like a nice chunk of ginger and turmeric, lots of cinnamon, and I tend to do about 10 raspberries and 10 cherries or so.

Sweet, Sharp, & Spicy

This one is weird, but I love it.

  • Whole pineapple or 1 can coconut milk
  • Mango
  • Cayenne
  • Sweet potato
  • Cinnamon
  • Lime
  • Turmeric
  • Ginger
  • Cinamon
  • Allspice? Clove? Curry?

Obviously, this is a very different smoothie depending on whether or not you go coconut or pineapple. As usual, add all spices to taste and kick up the spicy as high as you can to reap the most health benefits.

Enzymatic Tropical Heat

This smoothie is an excellent meal for detoxification and healing. You’ll likely get more enzymatic activity from this smoothie than a bottle of $50 enzyme pills.

  • Fresh pineapple
  • Papaya
  • Papaya seeds
  • Papaya leaves? (I have not tried this, but if anyone is able to, please let me know if it works!)
  • Coconut (use whole, canned, flakes, whatever you have to add coconut flavor)
  • Orange
  • Mango
  • Banana
  • Cayenne
  • Ginger
  • Turmeric

What you freeze can significantly alter the flavor of a smoothie. I will freeze banana, mango, and orange chunks for this one, or use all fresh and add a little ice to thicken it. Sometimes I just leave it un-iced; the fruit makes it pretty thick. The papaya seeds should be dried and crushed. Trying to blend them at a high enough speed when they are wet and pliable will kill the enzymes. Enzymes are why we want papaya seeds in here, and they add some spice too. It’s a little funky to me though; it takes some tweaking and getting used to for some.

Conclusion

All of these recipes are an attempt to get you to spice up your smoothies. More flavor with less sugar. More health benefit, less pretending. So mix it up. Experiment, and don’t be afraid to make something awful. Check out Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included and implement the salad and cranberry lemonade, and you’ve basically got my diet. Also, check out this list of articles.

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