Many people are looking for a natural alternative to antibiotics. The overuse of antibiotic drugs has caused an increased growth in "superbugs", which are difficult to treat. My philosophy is that if you use more natural methods to take care of the "little stuff", then maybe when you truly need the intervention of antibiotic drugs, they will work for you. The other concern of using antibiotic drugs is that they destroy the beneficial bacteria in your intestines, causing a lot of problems. Most natural alternatives do no harm to these good bacteria...keeping the intestines and immune system strong. There are some fantastic natural antibiotics available...thy these:
Garlic: The fragrant element of garlic, called "alicin", contains its antibiotic properties. Sorry, but fresh, smelly garlic is the best! Heat destroys some of the medicinal qualities of garlic. So cooking with garlic is still good for you, but fresh garlic is best for medicine. It has been said that one clove of garlic is equal to one dose of penicillin. You will want to take a clove of garlic every four hours, for several days, to truly see the medicinal benefits. I like to chop the garlic fine and put it in a spoonful of honey..."A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down", sings Mary Poppins. Garlic is also available in capsules, not quite as effective as fresh, but easier to take and still worthwhile medicinally.
Echinacea: The angustofolia variety, or white coneflower, is the one with the antibiotic properties of echinacoside. Notice the ending on echinacoside...like homicide...it actively goes after the bacteria to kill it! There is a huge difference in the quality of echinacea on the market. Generally, "you get what you pay for"; so if the price is too cheap - expect the quality to be low also. Also, be sure to purchase echinacea root, not herb, for the highest medicinal benefits. Echinacea is very nice in a tea, or available in tincture or capsule form. It works to stimulate the immune system to fight off sickness or infection. It works best not to take echinacea all the time, but only for short time periods as needed, giving the body a rest break. A suggested schedule might be to take it for two weeks and then rest one week. It works best if you begin taking echinacea at the first sign of symptoms, or when you have been exposed to "something" that is going around.
Goldenseal: It has anitseptic, antibiotic, alterative, and tonic properties. Goldenseal root is usually expensive, so I tend to use it when I need to "pull out the big guns" in fighting something. It has a special affinity to healing the mucous membranes, preventing infections of the skin, and as a tonic for intestinal assimilation. Goldenseal may tend to lower the blood sugar, so hypoglycemics should be careful in using this herb. The herb has a bitter taste, so I like it best in capsule form. It is often used in combination with echinacea. The most active ingredient of goldenseal is hydrazine, which accounts for its chemical effectiveness. Another constituent, berberine which gives its root the wonderful yellow color, is effective against a variety of microbes. Goldenseal grows wild in the woods of Ohio, but could be endangered by over harvesting. Support the organic herb farmers by purchasing goldenseal that they have cultivated.
We have many effective herbs available to kill harmful bacteria and prevent infection. I keep these three herbs in my cupboard all of the time...ready for use. If you need to purchase these for your cupboard, come by the store, or go to my website at: http://www.healthylife-solutions.com
Lisa Purdy is not a physician, and all recommendations are not to be considered diagnosis or prescription. Any information given is for educational purposes only. You are responsible for your own health choices.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Lactation Cookies
What a great idea! These are made to help increase a nursing
mother’s milk supply. They taste great and really work. It is recommended to
eat 4 cookies a day.
Ingredients
1 C butter
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
4 T water
2 T flaxseed meal (no subs)
2 Lg eggs
1 t vanilla
2 C flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
3 C Thick cut oats
1 C Chocolate chips
2 T Brewer’s Yeast (no substitutions)
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar
4 T water
2 T flaxseed meal (no subs)
2 Lg eggs
1 t vanilla
2 C flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
3 C Thick cut oats
1 C Chocolate chips
2 T Brewer’s Yeast (no substitutions)
Preparation
Preheat oven at 375.
Mix 2 T of flaxseed meal and water, set aside 3-5 minutes.
Cream together butter and sugars.
Add eggs.
Stir flaxseed mix into butter mix and add vanilla.
Beat until well blended.
Sift: dry ingredients, except oats and choc chips.
Add butter mix to dry ingredients.
Stir in the oats and then the choc chips.
Drop on parchment paper on baking sheet.
Bake 8-12 minutes.
Mix 2 T of flaxseed meal and water, set aside 3-5 minutes.
Cream together butter and sugars.
Add eggs.
Stir flaxseed mix into butter mix and add vanilla.
Beat until well blended.
Sift: dry ingredients, except oats and choc chips.
Add butter mix to dry ingredients.
Stir in the oats and then the choc chips.
Drop on parchment paper on baking sheet.
Bake 8-12 minutes.
To read the articles where I found this recipe follow the links below:
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
What Causes ADD?
Attention Deficit Disorder doesn't have a single cause, and at this time there is no definitive test for the disease diagnosis. ADD is a list of symptoms, which clustered together are considered indications of the disease.
Symptoms of ADD include: careless mistakes, failing to give close attention or in sustaining attention, does not seem to listen, does not follow instructions, loses things, often forgetful, easily distracted, and has difficulty organizing tasks.
Causes of ADD include: diet, food allergies or sensitivities, toxic load, and physical factors. Remove as many of the causes as you can, and see a difference in your child's behavior and focus!
Diet: eliminate sugar and processed foods! Studies have shown sugar to contribute to destructive, aggressive, and restless behavior. Sugar creates an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain...it is intoxicating and addictive. Consuming excessive sugar robs the body of B vitamins and minerals needed for nervous system function.
Symptoms of allergies/food sensitivities include: anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, insomnia, irritability, mental confusion, and personality changes.
Toxic load of chemicals, food additives, heavy metals, candida yeast, parasites, vaccinations, and fetal drug exposure.
Physical factors may include: brain injury, adrenal glands, thyroid function, and low blood sugar.
My favorite book on the subject of ADD is by Skye Weintraub, ND..."Natural Treatments for ADD and Hyperactivity". It is out of print, but we do have a few copies left in the store.
To order a natural supplement, FOCUS ATTENTION, go to our online store:
http://www.healthylife-solutions.net/?ns=1833-4
Lisa Purdy is not a physician, and all recommendations are not to be considered diagnosis or prescription. Any information given is for educational purposes only. You are responsible for your own health choices.
Symptoms of ADD include: careless mistakes, failing to give close attention or in sustaining attention, does not seem to listen, does not follow instructions, loses things, often forgetful, easily distracted, and has difficulty organizing tasks.
Causes of ADD include: diet, food allergies or sensitivities, toxic load, and physical factors. Remove as many of the causes as you can, and see a difference in your child's behavior and focus!
Diet: eliminate sugar and processed foods! Studies have shown sugar to contribute to destructive, aggressive, and restless behavior. Sugar creates an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain...it is intoxicating and addictive. Consuming excessive sugar robs the body of B vitamins and minerals needed for nervous system function.
Symptoms of allergies/food sensitivities include: anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, insomnia, irritability, mental confusion, and personality changes.
Toxic load of chemicals, food additives, heavy metals, candida yeast, parasites, vaccinations, and fetal drug exposure.
Physical factors may include: brain injury, adrenal glands, thyroid function, and low blood sugar.
My favorite book on the subject of ADD is by Skye Weintraub, ND..."Natural Treatments for ADD and Hyperactivity". It is out of print, but we do have a few copies left in the store.
To order a natural supplement, FOCUS ATTENTION, go to our online store:
http://www.healthylife-solutions.net/?ns=1833-4
Lisa Purdy is not a physician, and all recommendations are not to be considered diagnosis or prescription. Any information given is for educational purposes only. You are responsible for your own health choices.
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