Welcome to Monday Musings where my muse pinpoints anything exciting or unusual I have read, seen or experienced during the last week it could be anything that piques my interest…

Natural Antibiotics that work…Echinacea

Pharmaceutical antibiotics are one of the world’s greatest inventions…however, they are often over-prescribed and people get immune to them. They are great for bacterial infections and even for treating some parasites but because of misuse and overuse people build up resistance to them…

Echinacea is known for its antibiotic properties as well as being a popular remedy for colds and flu…Echinacea is available in many forms, including tea, juice, tablet and supplements…As always make sure you consult your doctor before starting to take any supplement.

Archaeologists have found evidence that Native Americans may have used echinacea for more than 400 years to treat infections and wounds, and as a general “cure-all.” using the root, leaves, and flowers of the plant in traditional herb remedies. Its popularity waned with the discovery of synthetic antibiotics. But, there is a growing interest again in the herb because of problems with the effectiveness of specific antibiotics against some bacteria.

Echinacea is effectively used against a variety of infections such as septicemia (infections of the bloodstream), tonsillitis, streptococcus infections, and urinary tract infections…indeed some 18 plus years ago my daughter was advised by her oncologist to take echinacea as he thought it could help to keep her white cell count from going too low he explained that nothing had been proved but many of ladies were taking it and it appeared to be beneficial she took his advice and her white blood count did indeed not drop too low to stop her treatment was it the echinacea we don’t know but her oncologist stressed it would not do any harm to take it … studies are still ongoing…Several laboratory and animal studies suggest that echinacea contains active substances that boost immune function…I was impressed with him as he was obviously looking beyond traditional medicines and agreed that traditional medicine and plant medicines could work together hand in hand.

It is important to choose a high-quality echinacea supplement and to use echinacea as early as possible in the course of a cold, with multiple doses per day for the first few days. Talk to your healthcare provider for recommendations…as always there are many unscrupulous people who manufacture supplements that either have none or very little of what you would expect it is always wise to check thoroughly …the old adage of you get what you pay for still applies in many cases…

There are three species of echinacea that are commonly used for medicinal purposes: Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea. Many echinacea preparations contain one, two, or even all three of these species. Different products use different parts of the echinacea plant, which is why the effectiveness of echinacea may differ from one product to another…

Today 23rd January 2023 a Virtual High-Level Event is being held by WHO (World Health Organisation)…The Fourth Progress Report on Global Trans Fat Elimination.

It will be interesting to hear what the outcome…

Rice is my favourite carb...I eat rice every day…but what is the problem with rice that no one is talking about? This is an interesting video…

Fitness update…

Today I went out for a gentle 5km walk I have learnt from my stupidity and trust me I have been cursing the fact that I am 71 years old and cannot jog/run like I used to…I hate getting old however now I have stopped berating myself for pushing myself too far too fast I have accepted I need to show restraint…hmmmm…hence a gentle walk but having never ever suffered from joint pains and back pains I know I must be sensible… it’s taken me long enough to accept the limitations of this body…and keep it twinge free…so gentle walking it is and then under the guidance of one’s son I will be doing gentle jogging… I’m getting lessons in how I should do it and not break into a run…I need to slow down (apparently)and do as I am told…

Toadzilla...

Awwww R.I. P…Toadzilla

Thank you for joining me today as always I appreciate your visit and your comments I hope to see you on Wednesday when my A-Z of World Cuisine will be back xx