Most know about garlic’s antimicrobial properties. A healthy diet rich in raw garlic is the best defense against fungal, bacterial, viral, and parasitical infections. Garlic may also be used topically to treat vaginal yeast infections and athlete’s foot.

WWI soldiers used crushed garlic on infected wounds suffered in battle. Hippocrates, considered by many to be the “Father of Medicine,” also used garlic to heal cancerous tumors. Garlic’s history is as rich and plentiful as its benefits. It is a truly amazing herb and one that many naturally minded healthcare practitioners will tell you is one of nature’s most incredible plants.

Be forewarned, garlic does burn the skin. It’s not pleasant, but the results are amazing. Here’s a personal story about treating a spider bite with garlic:

In Los Angeles there was a spider with a bad attitude in our apartment. He bit me nine times over the course of four nights. I do not know what kind of spider it was, but he was nasty, and five of those bites got very infected.

I’m not one to get infections easily, but the spider that bit me was a potent little bastard! The bites were on my left arm near my elbow. I couldn’t move my elbow and I was starting to look like an Ebola virus victim. One of the bites was so bad that there was almost a third of a cup of green and greenish yellow, thick, oozing puss that I spent 5 hours carefully extracting, only to have it fill up the next day. I was taking tons of supplements and eating well; I was doing everything I could to ensure I did not get an infection, but this toxin the spider bit me with was unrelenting.

I was also using some of the most potent herbs I knew of, putting them directly into the huge hole left behind from the puss extraction. During the third time (seven days after the bite) of removing the puss (I was cutting open my arm and literally digging into the infection, scooping out this nasty pussy junk), I noticed streaking. Blood poisoning. So I decided to take drastic measures. I knew it would burn me badly, but I filled up the hole with garlic. I shoved a total of four large minced cloves into the infection, which gives you an idea of the massive size of the hole that was there on my arm just below my elbow. Then I bandaged the wound.

It itched so badly that night, but my whole arm hurt and itched so much already that the garlic itch didn’t matter to me. I taped my hands in my sleep so my fingers wouldn’t claw off the bandage while scratching in my sleep.

The next day I awoke to a huge purple welt. It was three times the diameter of a quarter, and it looked like something had eaten a huge chunk of my arm. It was ghastly! But it was also uninfected! I had no itch, and very little pain right there, unlike the other bites.

The other bites had to be drained for infection a few times, even well after the wound closed. I did not do the garlic trick with them, as the scar that I thought might be permanent was massive and disturbing to look at. It took a month for the other spider bites to heal, and it took 6 weeks for the garlic wound to completely heal leaving a very large scar.

But here is what I found most interesting. Today, one year later, every single spider bite left a scar, except the big one. The one I put the garlic into is less visible than the others. As massive and nasty as it was during the slow healing process, the permanent damage done was less than that of even the relatively insignificant other bites.

Garlic Potency – Allicin

A sulfur-based compound called alliin and an enzyme called alliinase are separated in the garlic’s cell structure when garlic is whole. Cutting garlic ruptures the cells and releases these elements, allowing them to come in contact with each other and oxygen to form a powerful new compound called allicin, which not only adds to the number of garlic’s health-promoting benefits but is also the culprit behind its pungent aroma and gives garlic its “bite.”

Allicin is garlic’s strongest antimicrobial component. This is also why researchers tell us that slicing, chopping, mincing or pressing garlic before cooking will enhance its health-promoting properties by releasing more allicin. Avoid boiling or cooking whole garlic cloves as this deactivates the enzymes.

By chopping garlic more finely, more allicin may be produced. Pressing garlic or mincing it into a smooth paste will give you the strongest flavor and may also result in the highest amount of allicin. Let it sit for five to ten minutes before eating or cooking. If cooking is required, do not expose to heat for longer than five minutes.

The processes used to create garlic tablets destroy allicin. Fresh garlic is best, but if you need to take it as a pill, don’t take garlic in tablet form. Use powdered capsules instead.

Garlic and Cancer

When garlic is a regular part of the diet, it has been shown in studies to help prevent cancer of the prostate, bladder, colon, stomach and breast.

One study of 40,000 postmenopausal women showed a 50% reduction in colon cancer.

Fingernails and Cuticles

Garlic strengthens nails and can heal cuticles. While ingesting garlic has a positive effect on skin and could, therefore, help cuticles, and possibly promote nail growth, people usually use garlic topically to enhance nail growth and repair cuticles.

Here’s a recipe for garlic infused nail polish.

Make sure to use nontoxic nail polish! Here are a few:

1. Piggy Paint, non-toxic, odorless, kid-friendly, kid-colored, water-based formula.
2. Honeybee Gardens, an alternative to solvent-based nail polish, water-based, odorless, removes with rubbing alcohol.
3. No-Miss, does not contain the three-to-avoid above, and also does not contain camphor.
4. Acquarella, water-based system of nail polish, conditioner, remover and moisturizer.
5. Suncoat, water-based nail polish that has been recognized and honored from the Canadian Health Food Association Expo.
6. Gaiam, created by New York City’s first organic spa, our non-toxic nail polish is free of known carcinogens.

Check out more nontoxic nail polishes at care2.com.

Alternatively, you can also soak nails in garlic oil, or apply garlic oil to nails regularly.

For damaged cuticles that don’t want to heal, take crushed garlic, apply to the cotton of a Band-Aid and wrap the finger. The way to do this is to open the Band-Aid wrapping, place the Band-Aid on a table or counter, place garlic in a “U” pattern to lineup with the cuticle line, and then put the finger, nail down, onto the Band-Aid and wrap the finger. It’s a little easier with help, but it’s not too difficult to do alone. It will itch for about 20 minutes. One finger is pretty easy to manage the irritation, but multiple fingers can get pretty difficult to bear. Leave it on for a minimum of 3 hours – 8 hours max. Once the Band-Aid is removed, let the skin air out for a few hours at least, but if there’s the potential to damage the cuticles again, wrap them up in new Band-Aids.

Different Kinds of Garlic

Garlic can be broadly classified into two groups known as hardneck and softneck. Hardneck garlic may be broken down into three types,  the purple stripe, porcelain, and rocambole. Within the softneck classification there are artichokes and silverskins. Hardneck varieties tend to grow and thrive better in regions with colder winters.

Hardneck cultivars tend to have are richer, spicier, and generally have a more complex flavor. Hardneck varieties, due to their plumpness and fairly regular clove shape and thicker skin, are considerably easier to peel. Softneck garlic is usually milder. Much of the softneck garlics are used in processed products and for garlic powder for seasoning. The cloves of softneck cultivars are also more difficult to peel due to irregular shape and tight, thin skins.

Pest Control with Garlic

Germs, parasites, and most animals don’t like garlic. If you have a garden that you want to protect or a pet you need to keep flea free, it’s easy to make a garlic spray that you can apply directly to plants and animals.

Garden Protection Recipe

• 1 whole bulb of garlic
• 1 small onion
• 1 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper
• 1 quart of water
• 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap

Chop all ingredients finely (or crush, or use a food processor), and put in blender with water. Blend at a low speed until well mixed and then strain. If you blend at too high a speed, you may have nothing to strain, and the mixture may be too thick for a spray bottle, but it depends on the sprayer.

Put liquid into a spray bottle and add dish soap. Mix well.

Use a spray bottle to liberally apply to plants, all over, including the top and underside of leaves.

Flea Control Recipe

• 1 whole bulb of garlic
• 1 small onion
• 1 lemon
• 1 quart of water
• 10 drops of peppermint oil clove oil or any other essential oils that pests don’t like.

Chop all ingredients finely (or crush, or use a food processor), and put into a blender with water. Blend at a low speed until well mixed and then strain. If you blend at too high a speed you may have nothing to strain, and the mixture may be too thick for a spray bottle, but it depends on the sprayer. Spray pet before it goes outside, and regularly if there are fleas in the house. Avoid spraying near the pet’s eyes.

Other Garlic Health Benefits, Tips, and Tricks

• Garlic might help prevent hair loss! Massage garlic oil into scalp.
• Garlic is definitely a low calorie food with 4 calories per clove.
• If you put a slice of garlic over a splinter and cover it with a bandage, it will help the skin push it out.
• Garlic has its own day of recognition! April 19 is National Garlic Day.
• Garlic is rumored to ward off mosquitoes and other vampires.
• Garlic helps babies gain weight while they are in the womb.
• Rub garlic on a cold sore to get rid of it.
• Put a slice on a skin tag and cover with a Band-Aid to get rid of it.
• Garlic is high in iodine – good for the thyroid.
• Garlic is high in vitamin C.
• Garlic doesn’t need to be refrigerated.
• Avoid CHINESE GARLIC!
• Garlic helps to regulate blood sugar.
• There are 300 varieties of garlic grown worldwide.
• Garlic has been grown for more than 5000 years.
• To quickly peel an entire head of garlic, put it in a jar and shake until the cloves come loose and the skin comes off.
• Grow a new bulb from any clove that sprouts.

Shillington’s Total Tonic, and Blood Detox are two of my favorite garlic recipes.

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Garlic is my go-to herb for many ailments, and I eat it every single day. I put it in my salads and in the foods I cook. I eat it raw and cooked, but more often raw. I use it to reset my gut flora, I use it to detoxify my body, and I use it to make food taste better, but it does so much more.

Related Products:

• Mother Earth Organic Root Cider – Barrier Island Organics
• Shillington’s Echinacea Plus
• Shillington’s Blood Detox Formula

Recommended Reading:

• Make Your Immune System Bulletproof with These Natural Remedies
• Cayenne and Capsaicin, Natures Miracle Medicine
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• How to Optimize Curcumin Absorption – With Golden Milk Tea Recipe
• The Amazing Herbal Power of Ginger

As a long-term vegetarian, I’ve certainly heard enough comments and opinions regarding my diet to last a lifetime. “How do you get any protein?” ” You must be low on iron.” “But what do you eat?” “Don’t you miss bacon?”

The list goes on.

I’m a health and fitness enthusiast, so I feel confident in the fact that my diet is strong. I work in fitness for a living, so I’m pretty clued in! But let me assure you, that doesn’t stop the questions. So to address this and to help any fellow vegetarians or vegans or those who are contemplating a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, here is a list of veggie-friendly foods that are packed with protein – no steaks included!

Peas

An unlikely contender, but peas are a fabulous source of protein for vegetarians. Just one cup of peas contains around 8 grams of it! If you’re not the biggest fan of peas then think outside of the box with your recipes. A fresh pea hummus, for example, is a delicious snack, especially when accompanied with pitta bread or ryvita.

Chia Seeds

You probably wouldn’t assume that seeds could be such useful sources of protein, but chia seeds should be in every vegetarian’s kitchen cupboards. Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain roughly 4.7 grams of protein. There are lots of different ways to use chia seeds. I personally sprinkle mine into my morning smoothie, but you can also use them in salads or even in yoghurt.

Quinoa

Admittedly, I’ve only become accustomed to quinoa in the past few years, but it’s not only a great source of protein, it’s a great substitute for rice. Although it looks like a carbohydrate, quinoa is technically a seed. If you stick to a low or no carb diet, then you need to give quinoa a try. I use it with my veggie chillies, but also with green vegetables on its own. Some people even eat it as porridge.

Chickpeas

I love chickpeas. They’re a fantastic snack as they can be fried or you can mush them up and make hummus! There are lots of different options, and not only are they high in protein, they’re extremely low in calories. On a Friday night, I like to create a mezze board with veggies, hummus, and pitta bread.

Black Beans

Beans are generally high in protein and a great source of antioxidants, but my favourite are black beans as they taste delicious in a chilli or a burrito. There’s a whopping 8 grams of protein in just half a cup, so for a protein boost they’re a great option.

Spinach

Spinach is a brilliant source of protein and iron. I tend to pack a load of spinach into a smoothie. It’s a great base for my Nutribullet juices. It’s also a great addition to a curry. I tend to pop a handful into my homemade veggie curries. It does drain down to a small amount though, so add plenty.

Peanut Butter

I’m a self-confessed peanut butter addict. I could eat it out of the jar quite happily, but we’ll keep that between you and me. You only need two tablespoons for 8 grams of protein. Spread it on toast, or eat it with some chopped up banana.

Lentils

If you’re a vegetarian and you’re not eating lentils, you might want to start as they are packed with protein and super easy to add to meals (not to mention cheap!). As well as being rich in protein they’re also full of fibre, magnesium, iron, and minerals! They’re extremely versatile, too. I usually add them to stews, soups, curries, and chillies.

Almonds

As well as being protein packed, these little nuts are also a source of magnesium, vitamin E, and copper! And they’re a pretty good snack, too. I usually take a small handful to work for when I need a mid-afternoon munch!

Soy

Soy gets a bad rap, and it’s well deserved when it’s genetically modified soy, or when it’s not properly fermented. Tempeh, tamari, and some other soy products are fermented so that the dangerous enzyme inhibitors are removed and hormone disruption does not occur. When soy is done right, it’s a perfect protein.

Editor’s note:

I love peanut butter. But peanut butter is problematic for many people, and it’s not the healthiest nut (nor is it an actual nut, but that’s another article). Some other nut butters are a better choice for those with health issues. It’s best to buy nuts that you can sprout at home, and then make your own nut butters to ensure the enzyme inhibitors have been removed.

Further Reading:

• Animal Vs. Plant Protein, Which is Better
• Enzymes and Health

Although wheat is a staple food in the human diet, gluten proteins are associated with three well-known pathologies that affect a significant portion of the human population: gluten allergy, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, and celiac disease. More and more people are having trouble digesting wheat. Today, approximately one in every 133 Americans have celiac disease, the least common of the three gluten-related pathologies. Let’s look at a few likely reasons as to why.

Wheat Has Changed

The wheat we have now is very different from what our ancestors consumed. Modern dwarf wheat is hybridized. That isn’t a GMO, but the genes of our wheat plant have been modified to grow faster and to be more resilient. Nearly all of the wheat consumed today is dwarf wheat, which has shorter stems and offers greater yield.

We used to eat a wheat variety called einkorn, which was actually one of the first grains that humans cultivated more than 10,000 years ago. When the Bible tells us to eat bread, einkorn is the wheat it refers to. Einkorn is lower in starch and higher in protein, essential fatty acids, phosphorous, potassium, pyridoxine, and beta-carotene.

More & Different Gluten

Modern wheat has much more gluten than einkorn. Modern wheat has a different gluten-protein structure. Einkorn has 14 chromosomes, and modern wheat has 42 chromosomes.

Gluten is actually not a single protein, it is a family of different proteins. One of the gluten proteins that scientists believe is causing much of the problems is called Glia-α9. A study found that Glia-α9 is significantly higher in modern wheat.

Wheat Processing Has Changed

Modern techniques in grain processing make it possible to create massive amounts of refined wheat for much lower cost than before. These modern processing techniques separate the nutritious bran and germ from the starchy endosperm. This process increases the shelf life of wheat but removes B vitamins and other nutrients.

These more refined flours started to be widely used around 1880. Soon after the world experienced epidemics of pellagra and beriberi.

Bread Making Has Changed

Most commercial bread contains bromides, added starches, refined sugars, added gluten (vital wheat gluten), preservatives, artificial flavorings, leveling agents, and stabilizers. Baking Soda, baking powder, and cream of tartar are often used in place of yeast or in addition to rapid rise yeast to make the bread rise quickly and more uniformly. Modern bread rises for a couple of hours or less, whereas homemade bread traditionally takes at least 12 hours to rise.

RoundUp

Eager to sell more of its flagship herbicide, Monsanto has encouraged farmers to use their glyphosate as a desiccant. Wheat can be harvested quicker and easier if you dry it all out ahead of time with Roundup. It’s also used in this way on barley, oats, canola, flax, peas, lentils, soybeans, dry beans, and sugar cane.

My Two Cents

I believe that much of our problems with wheat digestion stem from the changes in our gut bacteria due to the increase in antibiotic usages, antimicrobial toxins chemicals (from pesticides to hand sanitizers), increased vaccines, and most importantly, our ever-increasing consumption of refined sugars. The result is a gut full of candida with little beneficial bacteria to help properly digest food, and this leads to a body full of fungus, parasites, and other pathogens.

An abundance of candida in the gut will cause the gut lining to be more permeable which allows for gluten proteins to pass into the bloodstream undigested. I believe this is a major cause of the increase in food allergies and digestive issues and gluten problems we are experiencing today. For more on that, I urge you to check out Best Supplements To Kill Candida and Everything Else You Ever Wanted To Know About Fungal Infections. It’s a must-read for anyone with chronic illness.

Related:

• Monsanto Lost! Ordered to Pay $289 million in California Roundup Cancer Trial
• Gluten Intolerance, Wheat Allergies, and Celiac Disease – It’s More Complicated Than You Think
• Stop Eating Like That and Start Eating Like This – Your Guide to Homeostasis Through Diet
• Sugar Leads to Depression – World’s First Trial Proves Gut and Brain are Linked (Protocol Included)

When most of us think of the plague, we think of the Black Death and the millions who died in Europe in the Middle Ages. Few realize that the plague is endemic in the southwestern United States and has been with us since plague epidemics struck California in the early 1900s.

The plague has hit the news lately. A Yosemite National Park campground was closed and dusted with flea insecticide after a child, who is now recovering, contracted the plague. Plague was confirmed in two dead golden-mantled ground squirrels, and it was confirmed in fleas combed from captured squirrels and chipmunks.

What Is the Plague?

Plague is caused by a bacterium, Yersinia pestis. It is spread by fleas that typically infest rats and other rodents.

According to the CDC, there have been three distinct pandemics: the Justinian Plague, the “Black Death” or the Great Plague, and the Modern Plague. (A pandemic is defined as an epidemic that has spread over a large area – a global outbreak or one that has reached several countries.)

The Justinian Plague, which began in 541 AD, killed more than 25 million people over the following 200 years.

The Great Plague of Black Death started in China in 1334, spreading across the trade routes into Europe where it wiped out an estimated 60% of the population. In all, 75-200 million deaths in Eurasia were attributed to the pandemic that lasted a few short years, from 1346 to 1353.

The third pandemic, the Modern Plague, accounted for 10 million over a 20 year period beginning in 1894. This outbreak also started in China and spread to port cities around the world (including the U.S.) through globe-trotting ship rats.

While there have been no pandemics of the plague since the early 1900’s, epidemics continued with outbreaks in India in the first half of the century and epidemics in Viet Nam during the 1960s and 1970s.

Currently, 95% of the cases occur in sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar. But the plague is endemic in the southwestern Unites States – meaning it is a constant presence in the wild.

Forms of The Plague

Infection of the Yersinia pestis bacterium can take many forms, but the most common forms are bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic.

Bubonic plague is named from the buboes (painful lumpy swellings) that form in lymph glands. This form of plague usually begins from a fleabite. The bacteria multiply in the nearest lymph node. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, weakness, and swelling in one or more lymph nodes.

Septicemic plague refers to a systemic infection of the circulatory system. The initial infection can start as septicemic or it can occur as a result of untreated bubonic plague. Symptoms include those for bubonic plague along with shock, abdominal pain, and bleeding into the skin or other organs. Tissues and skin may turn black and die, especially on the toes, fingers, and nose.

Pneumonic plague occurs when the infection is concentrated in the lungs. The infection is spread through inhaling infectious droplets (from an infected person coughing or sneezing) or it can occur secondary to untreated bubonic or septicemic plague. It presents with fever, headache, and weakness as in the other forms, but also includes a quick onset of pneumonia. Pneumonic plague is the only type of plague that can be spread from person to person.

Current Stats on Plague

The World Health Organization receives between 1,000 and 2,000 reports of plague each year. Most of the cases are from small towns and villages or agricultural areas in Africa.

Most of the human cases of plague in the United States occur in two regions:

1. Northern New Mexico, northern Arizona, and southern Colorado.
2. California, southern Oregon, and far western Nevada.

Cases have occurred in other states, though it is endemic in these regions, spread among the rodent population and spread to other wildlife. In recent decades, the Unites States averages 7 human cases per year. Eighty percent of the cases are bubonic plague.

Prevention

Without a doubt the best defense against the plague, Lyme’s disease, Powassan, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, West Nile, or any other disease transmitted by bloodsucking ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas is reasonable, safe prevention. When working or playing in the woods or bushy areas, wear long sleeves and long pants. Tuck your pants in under your socks. Cover your hair or wear a hat. And spray your clothes and uncovered skin with insect repellent.

Consumer Reports tested 15 insect repellents in May of 2015 and found that two natural repellents (if the concentration of the essential ingredient is high enough) worked better that Deet. One contained picaridin (a 20% concentration from the black pepper plant); the other contained lemon eucalyptus (a 30% concentration from the gum eucalyptus tree).

There are many essential oils that repel insects. To learn more, check out Powassan Virus, a Deadly Tick Disease for a recipe to make your own insect repellent. But remember, essential oils are medicinal. Do your research and use in a responsible manner.

Spray insect repellent on your clothing and exposed skin. To put repellent on your face, spray your hands and rub or pat onto your face. Apply to children to control the spray and don’t put any on their hands so they don’t ingest it or rub it into their eyes. Wash your hands after application.

After coming in, wash sprayed clothing in a separate wash and bathe or shower. Also, take the opportunity to thoroughly check for ticks.

Recommended Reading:

• How to Cure Lyme Disease, and Virtually Any Other Bacterial Infection, Naturally 
• Bullet Proof Your Immune System With These Natural Remedies

Sources:

• The Black Death: The Greatest Catastrophe Ever – History Today
• Plague – History – CDC
• Plague – Symptoms – CDC
• What really works against bug bites – Consumer Reports
• Powassan Virus a Deadly Tick Disease – Organic Lifestyle Magazine

The information starts with a history of Monsanto company, which was started in 1901 by John Francis Queeny and gave the company his wife’s maiden name. The company was started to manufacture saccharin then moved to vanilla and caffeine. By 1915 the company had made its first million and it kept on growing. Most people associate Monsanto with disease and bug resistant crops and rBGH for increased milk production, but the company is also linked to the production of the U.S. atomic bomb, agent orange, and Roundup weed killer which could be resulting in the decline of honeybees.
Infographic and written content courtesy of Top masters In Health.
Today Monsanto reports a revenue of nearly $16 billion. 93% of the U.S. soybeans and 80% of U. S. corn grown today are patented products of Monsanto. Also, there are a total of 282 million acres of farmland worldwide that are growing Monsanto crops and 404 facilities worldwide. In the United States, 40% of all crop acreage is using Monsanto products.

What price does someone pay to use Monsanto seed? There is a license agreement printed on every bag which some may find to be overstepping boundaries in the fact that it allows Monsanto to sue farmers for not following Monsanto procedures, or investigate the farmer’s fields anytime it chooses. Monsanto also has a hotline set up for neighbors to call if they suspect Monsanto seed is being used without a license.

Further Reading:

• Scientists Against GMOs
• Understanding and Detoxifying Genetically Modified Foods
• Doctors Against GMOs – Hear From Those Who Have Done the Research

Source:

• How Monsanto Took Control of Our Food – Top masters In Health

The cure for a fever used to be more cowbell. But what’s the cure for an unending, unrelenting season of hotter than average summer weather, especially if you’re pregnant? Whether this is your first little one or you’ve been down this road before, figuring out how to efficiently solve problems is crucial. Why not take the same approach to how you cool down, using nutrient-rich and healthy foods to streamline your body’s cooling functions? Some of the best foods for a much-needed break from the heat also provide other pregnancy-related benefits. Here are some of the best two-for-one deals that you can nibble on through the last (and possibly hottest) months of summer. And you don’t have to be pregnant, or even female, to benefit from these foods!

Cool Down With Watermelon

Let’s start with the big guns here – watermelon. For many people, sweet and juicy watermelon is the ultimate summer fruit. Watermelon is a natural diuretic that helps with swelling while still replacing important nutrients. Approximately 75% of pregnant women suffer from some degree of fluid retention, and vitamins B, C, beta-carotene, and folic acid in watermelon are ideal for flushing that excess water while cooling you down. As an added side benefit, watermelon can also help regulate bowel movements. Pregnancy hormones and shifting organs can disrupt a regular elimination routine. Watermelon is a delicious summertime treat that can help you get back on track. Watermelon can be added to salads, but for maximum cooling and eating benefits, just leave yours in the fridge and enjoy it as soon as it cools down.

Stay Hydrated With Berries

Staying hydrated is key in surviving a hot summer, especially while pregnant. Berries also help you stay hydrated. Now is the time to be buying fresh berries, as the peak of summer makes them more plentiful and more delicious than ever. Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries are potent sources of antioxidants, which repair stress damage in the body. They are considered to be a cooling food in Chinese medicine, and their high water content can help promote alkalinity in the body. For a pregnant lady craving something sweet, berries are a great way to indulge that desire. They contain fiber, which slows down your body’s absorption of the sugar. The “more sugar, bigger baby” theory might be an old wives’ tale, but why not choose something sweet that comes with some cooling powers and a heaping side of nutritional benefits as well? Use berries as a snack throughout the day to help with the perpetual hungry feelings or try them in a creamy, healthy smoothie.

Benefits of Dark Leafy Greens

Dark, leafy greens provide cooling summer hydration along with other great health benefits. These bad boys are composed of 80 to 95% water (depending on which green it is) and though they might not have an immediately noticeable cooling effect, they could actually increase the body’s ability to regulate itself long term. The body’s temperature regulations occur in the brain, and greens like spinach and collards have been found to protect the brain from premature aging and stress damage. These greens are power packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C, K, and folic acid. Folic acid is an often discussed pregnancy nutrient, as it makes a difference in preventing birth defects, but some medical professionals disagree as to whether using folic acid supplements is actually doing more harm than good. Up your daily dose of dark greens for a little piece of mind and a more efficient summer cooling system!

Healthy Tea

Iced tea during a hot summer isn’t just good hospitality, it’s practically a cooling-off requirement. Since cutting back on any kind of caffeine like that in black or green tea is a pretty standard recommendation for any pregnancy diet (and caffeine can dry out the skin anyways), a good herbal tea is the solution. Red raspberry leaf is a great herb for pregnant ladies to know about. It contains vitamin B, iron, calcium, and magnesium and has been shown in research to reduce the time spent in the second stage of labor, improve circulation, and strengthen uterine muscles. There have been women who report red raspberry leaf has helped induce their labor, so it’s a good idea to do some research before you take it. Red raspberry (not the leaf) is a common ingredient in many readily available pregnancy teas, but to get the benefits from it, buy quality red raspberry leaf in herb or tea form from a company you trust. Mountain Rose Herbs has a great organic pregnancy blend that adds spearmint for that extra refreshment factor.

The Hotter the Cooler?

It might sound crazy, but spicy foods like hot peppers can also help you cool off. Yes they make you sweat more…but that’s actually the body’s way of expelling heat. We are always producing heat and your ability to remain cool depends on how fast you can sweat off that excess warmth. This method is most effective at cooling down the skin, and peppers also have other benefits. You’ll feel more alert, experience better digestion, and use the calories you consume more effectively. As peppers have been identified as a cause of heartburn (which some women experience during pregnancy), it’s important to take it slow and know what spice level is comfortable for you. Adding a little bit of cayenne to cranberry lemonade combines the benefits of berries and hot peppers and wraps it up in a refreshing summertime package.

Of course, these aren’t the only cooling foods available to you. It’s easy to fantasize about consuming one ice cream bar after another in an attempt to stop the sweaty madness, but after the short term buzz you’re left with an inner cooling system that is less able to reliably do its work. Choosing a cooling snack that pairs something nutritious with the heat relief you’re seeking is an efficient way to make your life (and baby’s!) a little easier.

Recommended Reading:

• Everything You Should Know About Watermelon
• 5 Foods for the Summer Season that Cool, Nourish, and Detoxify the Body
• Six Common Superfoods For Your Pregnancy Diet
• How to Get the Right Nutrition While Pregnant and Reduce the Risk of Birth Defects
• Acupuncture for Fertility
• Top 6 Superfoods to boost your energy!

Sources:

• 10 Cooling Foods to Eat in the Summer Heat – onegreenplanet.org
• Will Eating Watermelon Help Swollen Ankles – livestrong.com
• Leafy Green Vegetables – thescienceofeating.com
• Red Raspberry Leaf Tea in Pregnancy – Benefits of Raspberry Leaf – bellybelly.com/au
• Ten Ways Hot Peppers Help You Be Healthy and Lose Weight – naturalnews.com

Fibromyalgia was once an obscure condition, the very word itself capable of prompting looks of confusion or dismissal. At one time called fibrositis, the condition is now almost a household term with many people diagnosed daily. This condition of widespread soft tissue pain and accompanying, overlapping symptoms is now taken more seriously, but it is still misunderstood by many mainstream doctors who do not have a cause or a solution.

The source of fibromyalgia has many theories, everything from insufficient nutrition to neurotransmitter imbalance, myofascial constriction to adrenal fatigue, mental illness to hypochondria, the latter most unlikely and ludicrous. Many people in the medical field suspect the condition to stem from a disturbance in the nervous system and the communication of pain signals. This might explain why the syndrome can wreak havoc on almost all organ systems. Those living with this condition know too well how one can look perfectly healthy yet be suffering from unexplainable, severe pain in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and sometimes joints.

The pain can be worsened with exertion, emotional stress, too little sleep, an overly acidic diet, and cold or hot weather. Soft tissue pain, burning, aching, and weakness can concur with irritable bowel and bladder, crushing fatigue, chronic indigestion, severe light sensitivity, anxiety disorders, hormonal imbalance, and intolerance to food and temperature changes. The severity of symptoms can vary season to season, day to day, hour to hour, and sometimes, minute to minute.

Fibromyalgia can develop gradually or come on suddenly after a car accident, fall, or injury. Prolonged emotional stress can also trigger a healthy individual into a lifelong struggle with the syndrome. Some symptoms persist for years while others are transient; some are debilitating while others are constant but in the peripheral.

It may be misdiagnosed as multiple sclerosis, Lupus, or depression. Sometimes fibromyalgia comes with a co-diagnosis of Sjögren’s Syndrome, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFIDS/ME), rheumatoid arthritis, and Myofascial Pain Syndrome. Some medications and treatments may work only for a little while. Sadly, it is no wonder why fibromyalgia encourages health care professionals, bosses, family members, and friends of the patient to chalk it all up to, “It must be all in your head!”

For the person living the Hell that can be fibromyalgia, such a summation can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Depression is common and can develop along with the plethora of other agonizing symptoms. A fibromyalgia diagnosis twenty years ago made a patient even more vulnerable to such beliefs and criticism than today, but those living with it wish it could merely be chalked up to self-obsessive imaginings. It is not surprising that many allopathic doctors take the “logical”, easy way out and prescribe antidepressants to fibro patients. Because of this, it is often assumed that the condition is psychological in origin.

Fibromyalgia pain is linked to neurotransmitter imbalances, especially serotonin and acetylcholine, which in turn can have an effect on mood, but antidepressant drugs can fail to solve deficiencies and glitches within the nervous system and impose undesired side effects to an already burdened body. Often, antidepressants and similar medications prescribed for fibromyalgia compound the problem and make things worse.

There has been widespread assumption among alternative health practitioners that fibromyalgia syndrome stems from a toxic diet and lifestyle that includes an excess of processed foods and alcohol; however, there are countless people living with fibromyalgia who have a history of adhering to healthier diets and ways of living.

Fibromyalgia does not discriminate, affects people of all ages, and affects both genders. A higher percentage of women are diagnosed, thus some speculation surrounds possible hormonal factors. With so many conflicting theories and findings, only one thing is certain and agreed upon: every person is individual and in need of a tailored treatment program. The fibromyalgia sufferer needs a village to maintain balance, and that village can be comprise of medical doctors and holistic practitioners, among them, massage therapists, acupuncturists, chiropractors, herbalists, and counselors. Unfortunately, most care is not covered by insurance and can also be a hit or miss.

Fortunately, there is much a fibromyalgia sufferer can do to lessen pain and find longer periods of equilibrium, even the one who has literally tried everything under thesun and the one with limited financial resources. There are also newer alternative treatments and combinations of such that are dramatically changing lives.

Graston Technique

Graston Technique® has been around for nineteen years but is only now making its way into therapeutic dialogue. Used by more than twenty-two thousand professionals including therapists, athletic trainers, and respected chiropractors, Graston is a cutting-edge, non-invasive approach to injury recovery and connective tissue disorder.

The Graston practitioner uses six types of stainless steel instruments to rub soft tissue. These tools reach deeply into layers of muscle to permanently reduce scar tissue and trigger points that prevent blood circulation within the fibers. Trigger points are painful areas that hold the most tension within a muscle. They develop from injury or poor habits such as posture and repetitive movement. Trigger points can also form from physiological stress patterns within the nervous system, creating stubborn and dysfunctional loops of miscommunication between the brain and muscles.

Each muscle is comprised of numerous layers of fibrous tissue that is wrapped in natural cellophane called fascia. Fascia not only holds together muscles, tendons, and ligaments but also organs. Trigger points within a muscle can multiply over time, eventually spreading to larger areas of the body and constricting the deepest levels of the fascia. If these critical points are not addressed after an injury, accident, or years of bad habits and stress, the digestive, respiratory, reproductive, and endocrine systems can be adversely affected. What began as a small area in need of help becomes a larger problem compounded by other, more serious conditions.

Many seasoned chiropractors believe that fibromyalgia is actually a syndrome brought on when multiple, unaddressed trigger points go haywire. Over time, the body learns ways of coping and moving to prevent further injury, which can include glitches in the autonomic nervous system. Year upon year of dysfunctional nerve communication, constricted fascia, and blood-deprived muscles can result in serious reduction of mobility and quality of life. Other conditions, seemingly unrelated to the muscular-skeletal system, can develop and become debilitating.

Graston Technique® goes where massage therapy leaves off. Massage therapy is highly effective for fibromyalgia but does not get to the root trigger points. A massage therapist’s hands can only reach a few layers of muscle tissue, whereas Graston tools can reach  five layers down, where the deepest trigger points fester. Treatments, combined with knowledgeable chiropractic care and tailored exercises, can yield results quite rapidly. While other modalities might provide temporary relief, Graston combined with other therapies can get to the source of pain and unravel decades of problems within the soft tissue and have a permanent effect.

Essential Oil Therapy

Clinical aromatherapy uses essential oils to increase oxygen to the tissues, reduce acidity, improve circulation, and lessen inflammation. Essential oils—steam-distilled essences from plants, leaves, bark, roots, flowers, and fruit peels—are powerful substances that can gently nudge the body back into balance. Some are also amazingly effective analgesics that work better than over-the-counter ointments as well as prescribed pain medications. When used properly, essential oils do not cause side effects and contribute to overall health of the body’s nervous and immune systems.

Application of essential oils can be approached four different ways, all offering great benefits for the fibromyalgia sufferer:

1. Undiluted to the soles of the feet where the pores of the body are the largest, thus providing quick absorption of essential oil particles into the bloodstream where the oils do their work to reduce pain and inflammation. This method is best to calm over-excited nerves and works systemically to bring the body into a more harmonious state. For convenience, applying essential oils to the soles of the feet is best employed at bedtime.

2. Diluted in a little vegetable oil (also called a carrier or base oil) and applied on site to reduce pain, swelling, inflammation, and discomfort in soft tissues and joints. This method can be applied up to four times a day. This method can also be highly effective for acute pain and when used with massage modalities.

3. Blended with Epsom salts or evaporated sea salt and distributed into a hot bath or foot bath. Aromatherapeutic baths can greatly reduce fibromyalgia pain and promote better sleep. This method is best used in the evening.

4. Inhaled to stimulate the neurotransmitter serotonin which can be alarmingly inadequate in people with fibromyalgia. Essential oils can be applied to a tissue or a specific aroma locket for this purpose and inhaled throughout the day to maintain healthier levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters.

Note: Pregnant women, epileptics, and people taking medications such as blood thinners should consult a qualified health professional before using essential oils.

Natural Pain-Reducing Essential Oils & Formulas

Fibromyalgia/Myofascial Pain Blend #1

• 2 drops spearmint
• 2 drops balsam fir
• 1-2 drops ginger*
• 1 drop juniper berry

Dilute in 1-2 teaspoons of carrier oil or unscented lotion and apply to affected areas or all over the body 2x a day with a few hours between applications. Especially effective when used in massage modalities.

*Ginger is contraindicated for anyone on blood thinners. Omit or substitute with lavender.

Fibromyalgia/Myofascial Pain Blend #2:

• 3 drops eucalyptus
• 3 drops black spruce

Dilute in 1-2 teaspoons of carrier oil or lotion and apply to affected areas or all over the body 2x a day with a few hours between applications. Especially effective when used in massage modalities.

Single Essential Oils for Topical Diluted Application

• Eucalyptus: 3 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion. Mix well and apply to pain sites. Can also be added to bath water by mixing up to 10 drops of essential oil to ¼ cup of Epsom salts or evaporated sea salt.
• Ginger: 1-2 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion. Mix well and apply to pain sites. *Contraindicated for people taking blood thinners.
• Helichrysum: 2 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion. Mix well and apply to pain sites.
• Juniper Berry: drops per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion. Mix well and apply to pain sites. *Contraindicated for people taking blood thinners. Can also be added to bath water by mixing up to 5 drops of essential oil to ¼ cup of Epsom salts or evaporated sea salt.
• Lavender: 4 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion. Mix well and apply to pain sites. Can also be added to bath water by mixing up to 10 drops of essential oil to ¼ cup of Epsom salts or evaporated sea salt.
• Lemongrass: 1 drop per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion. Mix well and apply to pain sites.
• Pepper, Black: 1-2 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion. Mix well and apply to pain sites.
• Peppermint: 1-2 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion. Mix well and apply to pain sites. Can also be added to bath water by mixing up to 8 drops of essential oil to ¼ cup of Epsom salts or evaporated sea salt.
• Pine needle: 3-4 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion. Mix well and apply to pain sites. Can also be added to bath water by mixing up to 15 drops of essential oil to ¼ cup of Epsom salts or evaporated sea salt.
• Spearmint: 1-2 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion. Mix well and apply to pain sites. Can also be added to bath water by mixing up to 5 drops of essential oil to ¼ cup of Epsom salts or evaporated sea salt.
• Spruce, Black: 3-4 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion. Mix well and apply to pain sites. Can also be added to bath water by mixing up to 12 drops of essential oil to ¼ cup of Epsom salts or evaporated sea salt.

*Note: If rash develops, use only 1 drop of essential oil per teaspoon of carrier oil or unscented lotion, or discontinue use.

Single Essential Oils for Inhalation

• Cacao: 1-2 drops on a tissue or in an aroma locket. Stimulates and encourages utilization of serotonin and dopamine in the body. Inhale for 5 minute intervals up to 4x a day.
• Lavender: 1 drop on a tissue or in an aroma locket. Stimulates and encourages utilization of serotonin in the body. Inhale for 5 minute intervals up to 4x a day.
• Neroli: 1-2 drops on a tissue or in an aroma locket. Stimulates and encourages utilization of serotonin in the body. Also calms adrenalin and other stress hormones. Inhale for 5 minute intervals up to 4x a day.
• Rose: 2-3 drops on a tissue or in an aroma locket. Stimulates and encourages utilization of serotonin and dopamine in the body. Inhale for 5 minute intervals up to 4x a day.
• Sweet Orange: 1-3 drops on a tissue or in an aroma locket. Stimulates and encourages utilization of serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters in the body. Inhale for 5 minute intervals up to 4x a day.
• Tangerine: 1-3 drops on a tissue or in an aroma locket. Stimulates and encourages utilization of serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters in the body. Inhale for 5 minute intervals up to 4x a day.
• Ylang Ylang: 1-2 drops on a tissue or in an aroma locket. Stimulates and encourages utilization of serotonin in the body. Also calms adrenalin and other stress hormones. Inhale for 3 minute intervals up to 3x a day.

Those of us who are living with fibromyalgia in all of its variations of severity and complexity can find hope, new methods, and great reduction of symptoms. I have been fortunate to be on both sides of the healing fence and can attest to the fact that the body itself constantly strives for balance, and finding our own individual pathways to wellness is possible only if we don’t give up. I am grateful for my husband’s insistence to “try one more thing.”

Recommended Reading:

• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• Fibromyalgia – Natural Remedies
• How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children
• Cherries – The Superfood You Should Know About
• Reduce Muscle Soreness

Sources:

• Fibromyalgia & Chronic Myofascial Pain: A Survival Manual by Devin Starlanyl & Mary Ellen Copeland (new Harbinger Publications, 2001, 2^nd Edition)
• Multidimensional Aromatherapy: Clinical, Practical, and Vibrational Applications by Marlaina Donato, CA, CMT (Ekstasis Multimedia, 2015)
• Graston Technique – GrastonTechnique.com