These 7 Superfoods Are My Go-To Herbs to Fight Disease

Can we grow our own medicine? Believe it or not nature has supplied us with some very powerful tools for boosting our body's immune system. One of the best ways to harness the healing potential of food is to grow it yourself, in your own garden. But, before you get discouraged, you do not need a green thumb to turn these six seeds into robust herbs and vegetables. 

Important tip: To make the most out of their healing abilities, eat your produce whole, fresh, ripe and raw.  

1 . Garlic 
Packed with goodness: This potent herb is antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti-fungal, and has been found to reduce inflammation too. Studies have also shown that garlic can reduce the risk of lung cancer, prostate cancer, and osteoarthritis. According to preliminary findings, garlic may also lower cholesterol and blood pressure in people who suffer from hypertension.

Use it to avoid the common cold. If you feel like you are getting sick, mince fresh garlic and let it sit for 15 minutes, then swallow it as you would a pill. This is an extremely effective method of preventing a cold.

Easy to grow: In spring or fall, buy seed garlic (you can purchase it online, or get it from a local farmer. Gardening supply stores should sell it too). 

For best results:
Plant individual cloves (narrow side facing up) about three to four inches below the soil and about 18 inches apart. 

• During the winter, cover the soil with mulch to help keep your seed warm. You can use straw, hay, leaves or grass clippings. 

• Come spring, the flowering stalk of the plant should start to grow. To retain the nutrients in the garlic, snip it off (as otherwise, the nutrients will rise up into the flowers). After two weeks, harvest the bulbs.

2. Broccoli sprouts

 

Packed with goodness: Broccoli sprouts are baby plants in their prime, making them 10 to 30 times more powerful than fully grown broccoli. Besides having a full profile of enzymes, vitamins, and minerals, broccoli sprouts contain concentrated stores of sulforaphane, which helps mobilize the body's natural cancer-fighting resources, inhibiting tumor growth. The sprouts have also been shown to lower blood sugar and cholesterol, which helps protect against heart disease.

Use it to reduce symptoms of asthma and other respiratory disorders. Studies show that the compound found in broccoli sprouts, sulforaphane, reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in the airways. 

Easy to grow: Broccoli sprouts may be grown at any time of year. 

• Place 1/2 a cup of broccoli sprout seeds in a mason jar with a sprout lid. Alternatively, you can use a cheesecloth, secured tightly with a rubber band. 

• Add 2 cups of room temperature water and let it soak for eight hours. Drain, rinse again and repeat the steps twice a day for three days.

Tip: Within 72 hours, your seeds should yield around 2 cups of sprouts. For best results and to retain much of its nutrients and sweetness, the tails or roots of the sprouts should be about 1/2 an inch to 3/4 of an inch long. Store them in the refrigerator in a covered container, where they will keep for up to five days.

3. Mint 

Packed with goodness: According to two studies, the compounds found in mint (perillyl alcohol, carotenoids, and retinoids) may beat prostate and liver cancer. It has also been shown to lower inflammation and reduce seasonal allergy symptoms significantly. 

Use it to ease digestion. Studies show that mint relaxes the muscular lining of the digestive tract, quieting cramps and gas, reducing abdominal pain. It has also been shown to work on people who suffer from IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome).

Easy to grow: A word of caution - Mint can get pretty invasive in the garden, but these simple steps should keep it under control: 

• Buy a starter plant in the spring and grow it in a pot. 

• Give the herb partial sunlight. Plants continue to grow and expend energy when exposed to sunlight, so keeping it in the shade for part of the day will give it a good break. 

• Herbs also hate soggy roots, so be sure to keep it slightly on the dry side. 

 4. Asparagus

Packed with goodness: Asparagus contains high levels of glutathione, a detoxifying compound that removes poisons from the body. Adding to its list of benefits, asparagus is also anti-inflammatory, which helps fight common chronic health problems such as type 3 diabetes (a type of Alzheimer's), heart disease and certain cancers. It is also rich in B vitamins, folate, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, zinc, manganese, selenium, and iron. 

Use it when you are suffering from a hangover. Studies have shown that its extracts boost levels of certain enzymes that are key to breaking down alcohol.

Easy to grow: This perennial plant need only be planted once, and it will yield stalks for 25 years. 

• In the early spring, buy 1-year-old Jersey Knight or Jersey Giant crowns, planting them in an area of your yard that gets full sun and is well drained. 

• Asparagus crowns should be planted six inches down in rich or sandy soil. 

• Place them in four rows, 12 inches apart, covering them with three inches of soil. 

• Wait two weeks, then add more soil so that it is slightly mounded above ground level. Cover with a lot of mulch to keep weeds out and water regularly - up to three times a day (if it's not raining). 

• To make the most of your bounty, do not harvest any spears for two years, allowing all the plant's energy to be established in the roots. And when harvesting, use a sharp knife to cut the spears at ground level. 

5. Basil

Packed with goodness: Due to its antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as being a good source of beta-carotene and magnesium, basil protects cells against a number of diseases, including heart disease, asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease. 

Use it to soothe headaches. Basil contains eugenol, a component that has been shown to work in the same way as over-the-counter remedies such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Just chewing on basil will help dull a headache. 

Easy to grow: There are well over 60 varieties of basil, but we recommend using sweet Italian, luscious, Thai basil or purple basil. 

• Buy a starter plant in the spring, transplanting it outside using standard outdoor gardening soil. 

• When watering, be sure to water the soil, not the leaves (as basil leaves may be vulnerable to disease). 

• Depending on the variety of basil you opted for, expect it to grow up to five inches. 

6. Red cabbage microgreens

Packed with goodness: The super-baby version of red cabbage (less than two weeks old) contains a six-fold higher vitamin C concentration and 69 times the vitamin K of the mature vegetable. Vitamin C is high in antioxidants, fighting inflammation and protecting the body from cell damage to help prevent chronic conditions such as heart disease. This super microgreen also contains collagen, which aids in strengthening muscles, skin, bones and other connective tissues. Being rich in vitamin K, red cabbage microgreens will help with blood clotting and bone building, preventing osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, and cancer.

Use it to help prevent colds and flu. Being a fantastic source of vitamin C, red cabbage microgreens will help boost the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells - protecting the body against bacteria and infections. 

Easy to grow: Opt for red cabbage seeds or special microgreen seeds. 

 • Using a baking dish or a seeding tray, add about two inches of organic potting soil or seed-starting medium. 

• Sprinkle the seeds around and add a light layer of soil on top. Water thoroughly (just this once) and leave to sit in the sun, using a spray bottle to mist with water a couple of times a day. 

• The microgreens should roughly take a little over a week to grow. Harvest at the 10-day mark, when the greens are about two inches high. 

7. Chamomile

Packed with goodness: Chamomile is one of the best-documented medicinal plants in the world. It is high in antioxidants, is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Preliminary findings also suggest that it may deactivate cancer cells. But, chamomile has been shown to speed up the wound healing process (particularly burns), prevent and treat colds, protect against bacterial infection, calm muscle spasms, ease an upset stomach and promote better sleep. 

Use it as the ultimate chill-out tonic, soothing frayed nerves. According to a 2012 study from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, German Chamomile has also been shown to relieve anxiety and reduce symptoms of mild depression. 

Easy to grow: Chamomile is happiest when it is somewhat neglected. 

 • Buy a packet of seeds, planting them inside initially (as the roots like to remain warm). Alternatively, you may invest in a germination heat mat that can be bought at a gardening shop for about $20. 

• After six to eight weeks, transfer your chamomile outdoors, to a sunny spot, with good airflow, watering it about once a week or whenever it looks dry. 

• In a couple of months, you will be able to harvest the yellow-and-white daisy flowers. 

• To use, just dry and crumble the flowers, placing them directly in a tea ball. Just add boiling water, allow the chamomile to steep for a while - and enjoy!

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for food, medicines, exercises and so on.   

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One Kind of Music Could Be an Unexpected Cure For Motion Sickness

The next time you find yourself in a car, driving along a winding road, why not turn on an uplifting tune? It might help you recover from motion sickness.

A team of researchers led by neuroscientist Yilun Li at China's Henan Institute of Science and Technology has found music may be a surprisingly effective intervention for reducing nausea and dizziness induced by travel. Depending on the song.

In experiments, 30 participants were subject to a driving simulator, in which they were made to feel carsick while wearing an electroencephalograph (EEG) cap. This allowed researchers to 'read' the brain activity of volunteers in real time, as it transitioned from a stable state to a state of motion sickness, and gradually back again.

Participants were divided into six groups. Four groups listened to a minute of music after the nauseating drive; one listened to no music after the drive, spending 1 minute meditating instead; and one ended the drive right before participants were expected to feel nauseated.

The researchers found that joyful music alleviated symptoms of carsickness by 14 percent compared to the group that meditated.

Soft music was the next best genre. It alleviated symptoms by 13.4 percent compared to controls.

Interestingly, one type of music reduced nausea at a rate worse than simply waiting for the feelings of carsickness to pass. Sad music seemed to make recovery harder.

It's difficult to say how significant these changes are, as the current experiments were based on a small sample size with limited statistical power.

That said, the results align with other studies that have found music can be transformative – changing the way we feel, for better or worse.

Previous studies have also shown that a favorite tune can reduce symptoms of visually induced motion sickness or 'cybersickness' from virtual reality devices. It might even help with hangovers.

But while some research suggests that sad music can improve mood and make us feel good, it's possible that in some scenarios, it can have the opposite effect.

EEG data from the current trial suggests that motion sickness has a negative correlation with brain activity in the occipital region, which helps process visual information.

The more sick a participant said they felt, the less complex the activity in this part of the brain. The better they recovered, meanwhile, the more varied activity the EEG caps recorded.

"Sad music may exacerbate discomfort through emotional resonance," the authors hypothesize.

Whereas cheerful or relaxing music may help participants maintain a good physical state, "thus enhancing the comfort of the occupants."

It's worth a try.

The study was published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience.

 

 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs 

45 Creative Uses For Your Orange Peels

Health Benefits 

 

1. Lowers Blood Pressure  

Orange rinds can be used to lower blood pressure. They have been a part of Chinese herbal medicines for thousands of years for this purpose. 

 

2. Suppresses Depression and Anxiety  

Orange oil can be used to naturally relieve anxiety and depression by taking a bath or rubbing just a bit on the temple and forehead area. 

 

3. Improves Heart Health 

Orange peel contains a compound called nobiletin, which has been found to lower a person's risk of inflammation and heart disease. 

 

4. Lowers Bad Cholesterol 

The nobiletin present in orange peel also exerts a positive influence on your health by lowering levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in the body. 

 

5. Aids in Weight Loss

Since orange peel is low in calories and high in fiber, it is very useful in preventing you from exceeding your recommended daily calorie intake. It also forms adipose tissue, which helps to prevent obesity. 

 

6. Eases Respiratory Issues  

Consuming orange peel results in your lungs being cleansed, since it helps to break down and expel any trapped phlegm. 

 

7. Protects You From Cancer  

Research shows that eating orange peel can protect you from a number of different cancers including breast cancer, skin cancer, and colorectal cancer.

8. Prevents Digestive Issues 

The non-soluble polysaccharides found in orange peel help prevent constipation, heartburn, nausea, and excess acid forming from in the stomach. 

 

9. Improves Oral Health 

Rub an orange peel against the inside of your mouth and teeth to freshen up your breath, whiten your teeth, and even reduce their sensitivity. 

 

10. Gets Rid of a Hangover  

If you overdid it last night, you can ease today's struggle by mixing salt and orange peel in some boiling water for around 20 minutes. Once it cools, you should drink the whole concoction to help reduce the effects of your hangover.

Beauty Treatments & Applications 

11. Natural Skin Bleaching

The Vitamin C that orange peels contain helps to lighten dark spots and blemishes on the skin. Simply rub the skin right onto your skin or mash it into a paste instead. 

 

12. Body Scrub  

Wrap up some orange peels in gauze pads and rub them on your skin while you are in the shower. The scrub will brighten your skin and give it a great smell. 

 

13. Bath Oil  

Extract the oil from the orange peels by grinding up the peels and fermenting them with vodka or alcohol for about 3 days. Strain the oil and add a few drops to your bath. Orange oil is known for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as its ability to improve skin tone and texture. 

 

14. Bath Powder  

You can also add orange peels to your bath in powder form instead. Simply dry out the orange peels completely and then grind them down to powder in the food processor, then sprinkle only a bit in your bath. 

 

15. Glowing Skin Application

To get skin that is glowing and healthy-looking, simply crush some orange peel powder, dried neem leaves, pomegranate peel and lemon juice, and mix it all together. When the concoction has set, simply rub it into your skin, and sit back and admire the results. 

 

16. Face Mask  

You can make an orange face mask by mixing equal proportions of milk and orange powder together until you've got a thick paste. When it's ready, apply it to your face and wash it off after about half an hour. This mask will remove dead skin cells and excess oil from your face. 

 

17. Hair Care  

Add crushed orange peel to some water and leave it there overnight. From the following day, you'll be able to add this mixture to your hair to help rid yourself of dandruff, while cleaning and conditioning your hair at the same time. 

 

18. Lip Balm 

To make orange peel lip balm, first, you'll need to add some almond oil, and an equal amount of sugar and orange peel powder to a bowl. Mix it together and let it set before applying to your lips.

Cleaning Uses 

19. Citrus Cleaner

You can make your own citrus cleaner by infusing vinegar with orange peels and a bit of boiling water. Trust us, it works wonders!

20. Create a Natural Sponge  

Orange peels can be used as a sponge too! Before the peel completely dries out, it contains a number of essential oils that are helpful in degreasing surfaces as well as pots and pans. If your sink or counter is full of grease, use an orange peel to scrub it down. 

 

21. Deodorizer 

 It's no secret that the smell of a freshly peeled orange can clear out a room. Place the peels at the bottom of your garbage bin, or hang them from a string in your bathroom for a constant fresh scent. 

 

22. Garbage Disposal Cleaner  

A great way to clean out your garbage disposal is by putting orange peels down the disposal. Place them in the disposal and run it until clear, then run some water down after it. The citrus will get rid of any scents coming from the disposal. 

 

23. Air Freshener

Boil orange peels in hot water to help freshen the air in the kitchen. You can also add a cinnamon stick or mint into the mix if you want to recreate the smell of air fresheners. If you have a fire going at home, place a paper bag filled with dried orange peels into the fire and your house will smell wonderful.

24. Refrigerator Deodorizer 

Orange is also an excellent deodorizer for your refrigerator. Cut an orange in half and remove the fruit from the inside (eat it!). Then, fill up half the orange with salt and put it in a small bowl in your refrigerator for up to a week or two. 

 

25. Shine Wood  

You can use the white underside of an orange peel to breathe new life into dull-looking wooden furniture. Simply rub it onto any wooden surface, and give it a rinse with a damp cloth when you're done. 

 

26. Freshen Up Smelly Shoes  

Place some dry orange peels into small sachets, and then place them into the worst offenders on your shoe rack. The peel will absorb the odors naturally, making your life more pleasant and fragrant!

DIY Projects 

27. Orange Peel Candle

Make a candle at home with orange peels infused inside. Simply add finely shredded pieces of orange peel to the wax and other ingredients to make your home smell fresh and fruity! 

 

28. Topiary Tree  

Make your own topiary tree with orange peels for a fantastic smelling piece of home decor. With enough effort, it will look amazing, too! 

 

29. Make a Bird Feeder 

To make a natural bird feeder that birds will love, cut an orange in half and remove the fruit. Take the orange half and poke 3 evenly spaced holes near the cut section of the peel. There, attach a sturdy piece of string and hang it from a tree. Fill the empty orange peel with birdseed and wait for your flying visitors to pile in!

30. Orange Peel Boats 

Here's an idea that kids will certainly love! Cut an orange in half, remove the fruit and use the halves as little boats in the bathtub or out on the lake!

 

31. Orange Peel Jewelry 

Make fragrant and fun jewelry with the little princesses you know, entirely out of orange peels! This activity is a perfect way to get kids to love fruit! 

 

Natural Repellants 

32. Mosquito Repellant

If you are looking for a natural way to repel mosquitos, take fresh orange peels and rub them all over your skin. The citrus smell will repel the mosquitos.

 

33. Slug Repellant 

If you have a slug problem in your garden, try spreading some orange peels on top of the soil to keep them at bay. 

 

34. Ant Repellant 

 Place orange peels in problem areas of your house where you usually experience an ant problem. Orange oil can also be used instead of peels. 

 

35. Keep Cats Away

If you want to keep stray cats away from your home, place orange peels outside. If you have a cat at home that tends to get into things it shouldn't, you can rub the peels or place them (or rub orange oil) near the dear things in your home (like your sofa).

Recipes & Cooking 

 

36. Orange Zest

This is probably the most self-explanatory of all the uses for orange peels. Zesting an orange peel with a zester is a great way to add a sweet and tangy taste to your meat marinades or favorite baked goods. Orange zest can even taste great in your morning cup of coffee or afternoon cup of tea! 

 

37. Make Orange Peels Dipped in Chocolate  

A wonderful delicacy, candied orange peels are a popular after-meal snack in a number of European cultures, and they are quite easy to make too! Just melt some chocolate and cover one or all sides in a sugared orange peel. 

 

38. Make Orange Peel Candy 

Candied orange peels are made by boiling a dried orange peel in sugar for about an hour. You can then cover them in chocolate as mentioned above, or roll them around in sugar for an even sweeter taste! 

 

39. Orange Peel-Infused Olive Oil 

If you want to give your salads a kick, place one dried orange peel in your olive oil to make your greens all the more zesty and exciting!

40. Make Orange Tea

No need for tea bags here! Dry out a few orange peels and place them in hot water next time you are craving a warm 'orangey' beverage. Orange tea is also great for when you are feeling congested - the citrus will open up your sinuses. Add cinnamon sticks and aniseed stars to give it a spicy kick! 

 

41. Make a Tangy Orange Sauce 

To make a deliciously sweet sauce to accompany meat, poultry or vegetarian dishes, simply combine half a teaspoon of salt with a cup of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Then, stir in 4 teaspoons of grated orange peel, 2 cups of orange juice and a cup of water. Cook this mixture over low heat for around 10 minutes, stirring constantly until thick and transparent. 

 

42. Make an Orange Zest Cake Here's a dessert that sure to wow your friends and family! 

 

Ingredients: 

• 1 tbsp grated orange zest 

• 1/4 cup orange juice 

• 2 tbsp butter 

• 1/4 cup milk 

• 2 eggs 

• 1 1/2 cups flour 

• 3/4 cup sugar 

• 2 tsp baking powder 

 

Method: 

1. Mix all of the ingredients together and beat thoroughly for around 3 minutes.

2. Add it all to a greased pan and bake at 180°C (356°F) for approximately 30 to 40 minutes. 

3. Remove from the oven, and let it cool on a wire rack, until it is ready to eat.

Other Uses 

43. Making Compost

Orange peel is full of nitrogen and other potent nutrients, which is why it makes brilliant composting material. It will enrich your soil, making your gardening efforts as fruitful as can be! 

 

44. Start a Fire 

Oranges can also be used to start a fire! Use a dried orange peel as kindling the next time you are on a camping trip or use it to make your hearth fires fragrant and bright. 

 

45. Preserve Brown Sugar 

Add your orange peels to brown sugar to help draw the moisture away and keep it from solidifying. This simple practice will save you a lot of money and frustration in the long run!

General Tips & Advice

When working with orange peel, you should usually wash, clean and dry it first. 

• Never store unpeeled oranges for an extended period of time. 

• Orange peels should not be stored in a refrigerator, but in a cool, dry place instead. 

• Always try and choose oranges that have thin skin for the best results.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement