I have this phobia I suppose one might call it…Even my family doctor used to smile and pat my hand and say “Carol, just take them” I am sure sometimes he even wondered why I paid him a visit …..Maybe I just wanted him to advise me on what he thought was wrong with me although I was one of these people who probably only saw my doctor every few years at most.
Now I don’t even go although if I felt really, really very unwell I would go. So I am not advocating never visit a doctor again I am just saying if you have a mild pain or some inflammation there are Natural Foods which can help and indeed many people and even some doctors are advising the use of Natural Foods and Herbs.
I have listed a few everyday foods and seeds with some recipes if you wish to incorporate some of these in your daily diet.
Ginger…..
I love Ginger and grow and use it in a lot of my food and pickled it is beautiful.
Ginger you can grate or dice finely, it is used in fish dishes here or with Scallops it is a lovely thing.
A member of the rhizome family as is Turmeric…Ginger is softly sweet and slightly spicy and medicinally it has many benefits.
Ginger tea can aid digestion and is a lovely drink.
It also is an ideal home remedy for muscle and joint problems.
In addition to drinking ginger tea, you can also use it to soak inflamed joints. Ginger is one of the best pain killers in the world having analgesic properties like the popular ibuprofen, only better.
It contains a quartet of active flavour constituents, gingerols, paradols, shogaols, and zingerone which are active ingredients to reduce pain. Ginger reduces pain-causing prostaglandin levels in the body.
All studies by researchers found that when people who were suffering from muscular pain were given ginger, they all experienced some improvement.
Turmeric……
.
Millions of people take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat their arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Many of these same people are now looking to treat their arthritis and other inflammatory conditions naturally.
Awareness and knowledge is increasing and people are now aware of available natural remedies that are possibly safer, or at the very least as effective, easily accessible, and inexpensive.
Despite decades of research and thousands of preclinical studies indicating the therapeutic value of turmeric, many people are still not aware that the common kitchen spice can serve as a valuable alternative for a number of health conditions.
A human study published in the Indonesian Journal of Internal Medicine clinically confirms the medicinal value of turmeric. Results show that the turmeric’s curcuminoid extract can reduce inflammation in patients who suffer from knee osteoarthritis.
Turmeric is a plant specifically from ginger family, used for flavouring and colouring in cooking.
The value of taking turmeric seems to be a valid one and yet many people are still not really aware of what a powerful substance it is.
It can be taken in Golden Milk, added to carrot soup, taken as a supplement or extract but as it is not readily absorbed and retained in the body it is advised to take it with black peppercorns which aid its absorption in the body.
Golden Milk Recipe using Turmeric and Virgin Coconut Oil.
Cayenne Pepper……
Cayenne pepper has many health benefits and anti-irritant properties. It can ease stomach upsets, ulcers, sore throats, spasmodic and irritating coughs, and diarrhoea.
Just a simple blend of:
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of hot red chilli powder and
8oz pulpy orange juice,
Taken with a straw, can provide almost instant relief from a sore throat.
Be sure not to use more than 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon for about every 8 ounces of orange juice, as Cayenne pepper is a highly concentrated spicy food powder, and when taken in higher amounts, can aggravate parts of your gastrointestinal tract.
A little word of warning although this is a very effective cure for sore throats be aware and careful that you do not use too much cayenne and to protect your stomach, a banana, some rice or potato before drinking will do that if you have a sensitive tummy.
Celery/ Celery Seeds……
As kids, we had celery with our tea on Sundays with crumpets and shellfish my mum always put it in her stews and now research backs all this up it has found more than 20 anti-inflammatory compounds in celery and its seeds and advises adding it to soups, stews or use as a salt substitute.
To me, it sounds like mum knows best….What do you think about age-old remedies which are making a comeback??
My mum probably didn’t give the benefits a thought, her only thought was that we should get good nourishing home cooked food..nothing was packets then..everything was made from scratch and that is what she taught me and I have taught my children and now my grandchildren…..
There is a lot to say about traditions and passing on knowledge and I think that all this is now making a comeback as people are questioning what is in their food and medicines.
That is good!
Oh! waffling again..sorreee we were on celery were we not?
I myself have used celery juice as a brine when making bacon as a substitute and natural brine if you don’t wish to use Salt-petre.
Celery juice is also a diuretic and can also help clear toxins that form those painful kidney stones.
Cherries…..
Cherries are one of nature’s best sources of health enhancing pigments called anthocyanins which provide powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect is the human body.
Anthocyanocides are particularly effective at keeping blood uric acid in check and a viable remedy for the painful condition of gout.
This lovely smoothie recipe incorporates cherries and leafy greens.
A cup of pitted cherries.
A young coconut..the meat and ½ cup of the coconut juice.
½ an apple or a pear
2 cups of fresh baby spinach (or other leafy greens)
Blitz together and enjoy!
Dark, green vegetables…….
Are good sources of anti-inflammatory anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol thiocyanate which protects cells from inflammatory substances which can be produced in response to injury or infection in your body.
Bok Choy is one such green which is used widely in Asian countries. It can be eaten raw in salads, coleslaw or juiced. It can also be used when making fermented vegetables which are sold on every market here and very easy to do at home.
Walnuts…..
A valuable source of omega 3 oils walnuts are one little powerhouse. Its anti-inflammatory properties help lower the risk of chronic inflammation. Just a handful a day or incorporate them in a lovely smoothie or shhh shh chocolate brownies..yum
Or if you want a bit of fit and healthy then look no further than this recipe for a luscious Banana Espresso Smoothie.
This is a recipe that my daughter gave me along with a packet of Chia seeds as I can’t always get them here. Bananas we have in spades as they grow in abundance here so my freezer always has frozen bananas ready to make a smoothie.
Ingredients:
1 frozen Banana
1 cup of coconut milk.
2 tbsp oats.
halved walnuts as in the picture or you can use 1 tbsp peanut butter
A shot of espresso.
1 cup of ice
1tsp of cinnamon, nutmeg, chia seeds and honey.
Put all ingredients in your blender and blitz away.
Pour into glass and enjoy!
I hope you are enjoying these posts and my dearest wish is that they prompt you…Yes, YOU!
To question and research what you are eating and how eating somethings can improve your health and that of your family.
Until next time….stay safe, laugh a lot and ASK a question x
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