Herb

Garlic is a wonderful healing herb and, unlike many of the other herbs, it tastes great and can be incorporated into a variety of meals. Garlic has been used for over 5000 years as a healing herb and has strong antibacterial, and antiviral properties. But it’s health benefits extend well beyond it’s infection fighting properties. It is also reputed to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as help protect against heart disease and stroke.

And the benefits of garlic don’t stop there. A recent study has shown that taking a garlic supplement once a day can reduce the risk of getting a cold by 50% and help you gain a speedy recovery if you do happen to catch one. In fact, I tried this out recently when I felt a sore throat coming on – I toasted a piece of bread and added some raw crushed garlic to it. It was a bit pungent but I woke up the next day good as new! Aside from colds, garlic has historically been used as a remedy for infections, athletes foot, worms, respiratory ailments, some cancers of the stomach, colic, ear aches, bladder problems and high blood pressure.

Garlic is jut plain good for you too! it is loaded with vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, B and C, selenium, potassium, calcium, zinc and magnesium. But in order to reap the benefits, you must prepare it in a certain way. Researcher say it is the allicin that is released when garlic is crushed. If you are trying to serve yourself a garlic herbal remedy by adding garlic to your foods then make sure you crush it a bit ahead of time and don’t add until the final 5 minutes of cooking. This will give the allicin enough time to develop and will insure you don’t cook all the garlic health out of it.

Cooked garlic will not have as much benefit as raw and whole garlic cloves have little benefit at all. Another way to incorporate garlic into your meals without cooking is to make a garlic bread where you crush the gloves into a paste and toast bread – butter the toasted bread and spread the garlic on it – Yum!

Garlic can have an affect on blood clotting, so don’t start taking supplements unless you discuss it with your physician first especially if you are on blood thinning medication or due to have surgery in the near future.

Chives (Allium Schoenoprasum) the smallest species of the onion family, is native of Europe, Asia and North America. The name of the species has been derived from the Greek word Skhoinos (Sedge) and Prason (onion).

Although the plant is comparatively new to the Western world, it is well-known in Asian cuisine, as garlic chives. The flavor of garlic chives is more like garlic than chives, but much milder. However, today chives have earned a place in most kitchen cabinets around the world.

Medicinal Values

In traditional fold medicine, Chives were eaten to treat and purge intestinal parasites, apart from stimulating digestion, treating anemia, and enhancing the immune system. They have been used in alternative medicine as a cure for colds and flu, and as an appetite stimulant. This is done by offering a cup of Chives infusion to the patient, twice or thrice a day.

In Chinese herbal medicine, the garlic chives are used to treat fatigue, to control excessive bleeding, and as a cure for ingested poisons. The bulbs and leaves of the plant are applied to insect bites, wounds, and cuts, while the seeds are used in treating problems associated with Liver, Kidney and other digestive system problems.

Being rich in flavonols, it depicts anti-tumor effects. A new Chinese research confirms that eating Chives and other vegetables from the allium group reduces risk of Prostate Cancer.

Chives have also been used for control of high blood pressure and in improving blood circulation. This is due to the presence of organisulphide compounds such as alkyl sulfoxides and allyl sulphides. It is a hypotensive and a digestive tonic possessing anti-bacterial properties. The Vietnamese use Chives in treatment of sore throat, asthma, dyspepsia, and dysentery.

When included as a part of regular diet, Chives helps in lowering high cholesterol levels in blood. The alkaloids and saponins in the seed are used in treatment of haematuria, spermatorrhoea, lumbago and incontinence.

Chives are also rich in Vitamins A and Vitamin C and contain trace amounts of sulphur and iron.

However, although these medicinal properties of Chives are similar to that of garlic, the effects are comparatively milder than garlic. This could probably be the reason behind the fact that this medicinal herb is being used only in limited quantities.

Are you worried about heart disease now or later in life? So much is written and reported on heart disease or cardiovascular disease.

There’s good reason. It’s the number one killer of people in the US.

So, for good reason, you should to be concern about what you need to do so that you can avoid being a victim of heart disease.

Is there a natural remedy that can serve as a preventative or relieve or reduce the symptom of cardiovascular disease? Is there some natural remedy that can lower cholesterol levels or LDL, reduce angina attacks, reduce congestive heart failure, ischemic heart disease, prevent and reduce the fat build on your artery walls… and lower high blood pressure?

Yes there is.

In a special report put out by the Health Sciences Institute, they reported on a “New Breakthrough Against Heart Disease and Stroke.”

This is so exciting that now there is a natural heart remedy that has come to light here in the US, but has been used for over 2500 years in India.

It’s an Ayurvedic herb called Arjuna and is readily available. Arjuna comes from the Terminalia Arjuna tree, located throughout India.

In all of the clinical studies that have being performed it has shown significant improvement in patients tested. In tests for LDL cholesterol it reduced LDL by 25% after 30 days of use with a dose of 500 mg per day.

People who suffered from angina attacks were put on Arjuna. During a 12 week period, these people had a 30% reduction in angina attacks.

This is what the Health Science Institute report has to say about Arjuna,

“If the cholesterol circulating in your bloodstream isn’t removed on a regular basis, it can deposit on the walls of your arteries. While this happens to everyone to a certain extent, thicker cholesterol deposits reduce the volume of blood flowing through your vascular system…’hardening of the arteries.’ This can cause a deterioration of tissues and organs. Your arteries also deteriorate from the accumulation of cholesterol. If left untreated, atherosclerosis can kill you. But Arjuna has been show to turn around this life-threatening condition.”

So why haven’t you heard about this wonder herb. Well, it was reported in the newspaper, but was put in the middle where very few people would see it. Pharmaceuticals definitely don’t want you to know about it.

What’s even more astounding about Arjuna is that you can afford it. Most herbal remedies or any supplement that can really do something for you cost from $25 to $50 for 30 – 60 capsules and some even more.

Arjuna cost $8-$10 plus shipping, if you can’t find it at your health food store, for 120 capsules of 550 mg. This will last you 2 months or more. This comes to $5 – $7 per month to care for your heart. Go out and buy this right now. Your heart deserves it.

I have to go now; I need to open the bottle of Arjuna that I just received in the mail. The brand that I recommend is Planetary Formulas…Arjuna.

If you don’t do anything for you health this year, do this one thing; buy Arjuna. Share this information with your friends and family and don’t keep it to yourself.

Capsules are just one way to ingest Chinese herbal supplements. Since capsules contain anywhere from 35%-50% filler (inactive starch) you may want to check into other options for your herbal medicine. Here are three you might want to consider.

Alcohol tinctures are made from herbs soaked in alcohol. The cooking process varies with this modality. This method produces a product with an acceptable taste, but Traditional Chinese Medicinal herbs were, and still are, cooked or decocted in water. Clinical studies done in China for the past several decades reveal the proven effectiveness of herbs which have been cooked in a water decoction, not alcohol extracts. The Traditional Chinese Medicine community does not have the research to back up alcohol tincture herb formulas. Additionally, data such as herb to extract ratio is often not disclosed. Since there is considerable difficultly in achieving a high concentration ratio through the alcohol extraction process along with the lack of research, it is presumptuous to rely on the effectiveness of this process of producing Chinese herb medicinals.

Another option when you are purchasing Chinese herbs is a ready-to-drink plastic pouch of vacuum-packed extracts. This high-pressure cooking method pushes the decocted herbs into heat-resistant plastic pouches. This method is often referred to as the Korean system of herb extraction. The cooking process for these pouches is something akin to a home pressure cooker, otherwise known as a home herbal extractor. This method is widespread in both China and the Koreas but is not very popular with Americans. The most likely reason this method has not gained popularity is that Americans generally do not like the taste of herbs. These plastic pouches are equivalent to about one cup of liquid. Drinking a brown herbal extract two or three times a day is simply beyond what most Americans will tolerate, even to benefit their health. This process of raw herb preparation is superior to the home stove top decoction process. Yet the labor intensity of cooking and cleaning the machine, along with the overall expense of both the pressure cooker and packaging machine, limits its use. The issue of volatile oil loss during the cooking process (same as the problem with the home stove top method) also limits the strength of the final products. Another downside is that all raw herbs need to be added at the onset of cooking. You are out of luck if you need to add aromatic herbs at the end of the cooking process, as there is simply no way to do this.

Another option for taking Chinese herbs is individual herb formula granules in individual packets. The Chinese herbs in individual packets are fairly new to the US market but have been used in Asia for nearly ten years. Chinese herb formula packets have the added benefit of herbs which are cooked together. This method preserves the proven efficacy of Chinese medicine. Since the individual packets are air-tight, the herb granules stay fresh and do not clump, even without a starch or dextrin filler. These Chinese herb formulas begin with a controlled low temperature cooking process which ensures that the maximum amount of beneficial active constituents are extracted from the herbs. Volatile oils are captured with sophisticated equipment and reintroduced back into the finished products. The decocted liquid is then dried into granules and packaged immediately for freshness. No starch additives are needed in this type of packaging. The major benefits are both the high concentration ratios of these products (as no filler is needed) and the ease of use. These packets of granules can be carried easily and either poured on the tongue to swallow like a pill or mixed in water or juice to drink. Formulas sold in packets can be easily used by the general public for many different conditions.

Whichever modality of Chinese herbs you choose is not as important as actually taking the herbs on a daily basis. So choose a mode of delivery that is convenient, yet effective. Chinese herbal medicine is used by over a billion people on our planet and has been used successfully for nearly two thousand years of recorded history.

You can improve your health and vitality with Chinese herbs, and sipping a cup of herbal tea is certainly more enjoyable than popping all those capsules full of filler.

Dong Quai is considered the ultimate, woman’s herb.
Women use it as a general blood tonic, but it is mainly held in high regard by women who take it regularly as a tonic for general all round well being.

Here we will look at the herb and its benefits.

The name Dong Quai covers several different strains of Angelica which include:

Angelica sinensis, Angelica polymorpha and Angelica acutiloba and others

Dong Quai & Ginseng

Dong Quai is also known as Tang Kuei, and is held in high regard in Chinese medicine almost as highly as panax ginseng.

Dong Quai has been used in China for around 2,500 years, where it is believed to have Yin qualities, whilst Panax ginseng has the opposite qualities of Yang.

Dong Quai or angelica, is an aromatic herb that grows in China, Korea, and Japan and is used by herbalists as a treatment for a variety of gynecological treatments from regulating the menstrual cycle, to treating menopausal symptoms.

Dong Quai grows at high altitudes in the cold, mountainous regions of China, Korea and Japan.

Dong Quai is a fragrant, perennial plant which has purplish stems and bears clusters of white flowers and winged fruits in July and August.

The yellowish-brown thick-branched roots of the dong Quai plant have a number of medicinal uses.

It takes three years for the plant to reach maturity, after which time the root is harvested and is made into tablets and powder for sale as a tonic.

Nutritional makeup

Dong quai contains vitamins E, A and B12 and rich in tannins.

Researchers have isolated at least six coumarin derivatives that exert antispasmodic and vasodilatory effects.

The essential oil in dong quai contains Ligustilide, butylphthalide, Ferulic acid and various polysaccharides. These elements can help reduce blood clotting and relax peripheral blood vessels.

Medical testing

Dong quai contains compounds that, in laboratory tests, have demonstrated activities that can help with the following:

Reduction of pain, dilation of blood vessels, and stimulation and relaxation of uterine muscles.

Studies on animals seem to indicate that dong quai may treat abnormal heart rhythm, prevent accumulation of platelets in blood vessels, protect the liver, help with urination, act as a laxative, help promote sleep and relaxation and finally, fight infection.

Claims and Common Uses for Dong Quai are:

1. Increases the effects of ovarian and testicular hormones.

2. Can be used in the treatment of liver disorders.

3. High iron content believed to help prevent iron deficiency anemia.

4. Aids in regulating blood sugar levels and lowers blood pressure.

5. Relieves constipation and insomnia.

6. Exhibits anti-tumor, anti-bacterial activity.

7. Used in the treatment of arrhythmia and heartburn.

8. Brings relief from symptoms of PMS, migraine headaches, abdominal pain and arthritis.

9. Believed to help women resume normal menstruation after using birth control pills.

10. Acts as a mild sedative which can help relieve both stress and anxiety.

11.Strengthens internal reproductive organs, helps with endometriosis and internal bleeding or bruising.

12. Relieves menopausal conditions such as vaginal dryness and hot flushes.

Dosage

The powdered root can be used in capsules or tablets. Women normally take 3–4 grams daily in three separate dosages. Alternatively, 3–5 ml of tincture are taken three times per day.

Side effects

Dong Quai may cause fair-skinned people to become more sensitive to light. People using it on a regular basis should limit prolonged exposure to the sun. Dong Quai is not recommended for pregnant or women who are breast-feeding

If space is at a premium, you might like to grow your herbs in groups according to their uses. A garden filled predominantly with herbs always looks lovely, but small collections for a specific purpose are interesting and create a good talking point. Following are several collections, each comprising of ten plants, but you could alter these to suit your own requirements.

CULINARY HERBS

A culinary collection is most convenient if it is sited near the kitchen, by the back door or even on the windowsill inside or outside the window. It may sound lazy to suggest that it takes too long to wander down the garden to find the necessary herbs for the meal you are cooking, but on days when the weather is bad you will be far more inclined to reach just outside the back door for a piece of foliage than to get wet walking through the garden!

The ten culinary herbs to grow are as follows, but is not necessarily in order of preference!

1. Borage (Borago officinalis)
The leaves add the flavor of cucumber to cold drinks and the flowers are very useful for crystallizing.

2. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum)
The flowers can be used in salads and the leaves are chopped as a garnish for soups, salads and vegetables. Chives are lovely with cream cheese.

3. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
The leaves are delicious in pickles–particularly with gherkins–and are also good with salmon and new potatoes. They also go well with eggs and potato salads.

4. Basil (Ocium basilicum)
Basil is marvelous with tomato and garlic dishes for that real Mediterranean flavor!

5. Mint (Mentha sp.)
These herbs are invaluable for vinegars, sauces, syrups and jellies. Young leaves are delicious when added to new potatoes, peas and fruit salads and summer drinks.

6. Parsley (Petroselinum crispum)
This is a very popular culinary herb which can be used as a garnish in large sprigs or chopped finely and sprinkled over a wide variety of dishes. If added to a dish while it is cooking, parsley should not be incorporated in the early stages.

7. Thyme (Thymus sp.)
Another very popular kitchen herb often used in stuffing poultry, thyme is also very useful with vegetables and in jellies.

8. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage is very useful with the fattier meats such as duck or pork. It is particularly good with liver and sausages. Sage and apple jelly is delicious.

9. Marjoram/oregano (Origanum sp.)
Marjoram is delicious with fish and in cream of butter sauces, and oregano is used with pizzas, tomatoes and egg dishes.

10. Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium)
Chervil is delicious with vegetables, particularly carrots, and with white fish and chicken. It should always be added towards the end of the cooking time.

AROMATIC HERBS

The aromatic qualities of dried flowers and leaves are very important. Aromatic herbs have been used in the home for pot-pourris for many centuries to scent a room gently or deodorize unpleasant smells, and the natural antiseptic qualities of some herbs can protect against unwanted insects, whether they be moths, fleas or worse!

These plants look lovely as a collection of fresh flowers or leaves in a posy. You could also plant them around a seating area in the garden so you can enjoy their scents while you relax.

1. Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla)
Once dried, the leaves give a delicious scent to pot-pourris and can also be used to scent ink and writing paper. The essential oil is often used in perfumes. The leaves smell delicious when rubbed.

2. Clove pink (Dianthus caryophyllus)
These flowers look very decorative in the garden and have a lovely distinctive perfume. They can be dried and used in pot-pourris.

3. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
This is a very necessary ingredient of pot-pourris as it features in many recipes. It has a number of other aromatic uses around the house, particularly when made into sachets and bunches.

4. Bergamot (Monarda didyma)
Both the flowers and the leaves can be used when dry in pot-pourris. The scarlet flowers retain their color well.

5. Myrtle (Myrtus communis)
The creamy flowers and dark green leaves look pretty in pot-pourris and the leaves are particularly aromatic.

6. Scented geranium (Pelargonium sp.)
The leaves are very strongly fragranced and make a delightful addition to sachets, pillows and open pot-pourris. There are various scented pelargoniums to choose from and all are equally useful, so it is just a matter of personal taste as to which ones you grow.

7. Sweet violet (Viola odorata)
This is a lovely flower to use in floral waters and perfumes. Dry both the flowers and the leaves to add to pot-pourris.

8. Rose (Rosa sp.)
These flowers are a vital ingredient of this collection–particularly the old-fashioned scented varieties. both the petals and hips are useful for pot-pourris. Rose petals have been the basis for all types of pot-pourris through the ages.

9. French marigold (Tagetes patula)
The leaves of the different varieties have different scents, some orange, some lemon. Both the scented leaves and the colored flowers are good for pot-pourris.

10. Angelica (Angelica archangelica)
This is a pretty plant for the garden. Angelica seed gives off a lovely smell when burnt and the leaves and roots are useful for pot-pourris.

HERBAL TEAS

Herbal teas made from freshly picked ingredients from the garden are incomparably better than those made from dried leaf or flower infusions. Although it is not practical to grow a vast number of plants for tea-making, here is a small selection of herbs that cover fairly everyday problems and are moderately easy to grow.

These teas are meant to be taken as enjoyable drinks or as mild remedies for very minor problems. If in doubt, see you doctor and don’t attempt to treat yourself.

1. Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
The flowers are dried to make teas and are regarded by some as a panacea for all ills! Chamomile aids restful sleep and is excellent for soothing indigestion and nerves.

2. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Tea can be made from fresh or dried material and drunk to alleviate the pain caused by piles. It is also a very effective cure for diarrhea.

3. Heather (Calluna vulgaris)
Tea can be made from the fresh flowering tips to help clear the complexion, to remove freckles and to help acne.

4. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Fennel leaves and seeds can be infused and the tea drunk as a stimulant. According to an old wives’ tale, fennel tea is meant to help with a slimming regime and as a general relaxant.

5. Hop (Humulus lupulus)
The flowers make a tea that calms the nerves and also acts as a tonic and stimulates the appetite. Add honey or sugar for flavor.

6. Lovage (Ligusticum scoticum)
Although lovage has a rather strong flavor, it is very useful as a gargle and helps to soothe sore throats. It also helps to dispel flatulence.

7. Sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata)
Sweet cicely tea is a relaxing and refreshing drink which can help to soothe persistent coughs and ease sore throats.

8. Caraway (Carum carvi)
Caraway tea can be made from the leaves and stalks of young caraway plants to give a gentle relaxing tea. Tea made from the crushed seeds is much stronger in flavor but a better relaxant.

9. Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium)
This tea is currently very popular as a relief from migraine and headaches in general. The leaves should be infused to make the tea and in many cases it really does work.

10. Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
The tea made from lungwort leaves is useful for helping persistent coughs and lung disorders (hence the common name).

The turmeric herb benefits many areas of the body. Let’s start with the digestive system. It was originally used in traditional healing to relieve indigestion, inflammatory bowel, gas, parasitic infections and viral infections affecting the gastrointestinal system. In some countries, people drink tea containing it to promote good digestion. Those are the traditional uses that relate to the digestive system. What does the science say?

Scientific evaluation has shown that the rhizomes, an underground stem system, of the plant contain curcuminoids, primarily curcumin. Curcumin has anti-viral, anti-parasite and anti-inflammatory activity. In animal studies, it has been shown that curcumin, as well as piperine and ginger enhance the activity of digestive enzymes, which are necessary for breaking down foods and absorbing nutrients from them. When these digestive enzymes are less active problems like constipation, gas and indigestion occur.

When it comes to the future health of the digestive system, curcumin has been shown to inhibit the growth of colorectal tumors. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types.

Traditionally, the spice was used to treat heart disease. So, let’s look at how the turmeric herb benefits the cardiovascular system.

Researchers describe curcumin as having anti-thrombotic and anti-ischemic activity. An anti-thrombotic is an agent that prevents blood clots from forming in the blood vessels. The extent of damage done by a blood clot or thrombosis depends upon how badly it obstructs blood flow. A thrombosis that blocks blood flow to the heart will cause a heart attack. In other areas of the body, it could cause varicose veins or nerve death. In diabetic neuropathy, the cause of the nerve death is obstructed blood flow.

An anti-ischemic describes a similar reduction in blood flow, but the cause may be atherosclerosis, which is a build up of calcified plaques on the walls of the arteries. Tumors, foreign bodies and blood clots can cause ischemia, too.

Although it was not a traditional use, the turmeric herb benefits to the brain are currently under investigation. It is possible that curcumin could be useful in treating Alzheimer’s patients. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease of the brain that eventually results in the patient’s death, as more and more brain cells are strangled by hard proteins that will not dissolve. Curcumin has been shown to dissolve those proteins and prevent them from forming.

Cancer is not a disease that was well understood in traditional medicine. But modern researchers are also looking at how the turmeric herb benefits may reduce the risk of and be useful in treating various types of cancer. It’s not time to give up on conventional treatments and start eating turmeric. These studies are in the early stage and certain issues would need to be addressed.

For example, it would depend on where the cancer is located. Reducing the risk of colorectal cancer would not require that the curcumin be absorbed in the bloodstream, but to be beneficial for other types it would.

Curcumin is not readily absorbed into the bloodstream, researchers have shown. It is only possible to get the turmeric herb benefits to the cardiovascular system, the brain and other parts of the body with a well-designed supplement. Visit my website today to learn about a multi-nutritional supplement I’ve discovered that I’d like to share with you.

A Kitchen Herb Garden, why not?

As people look for ways to save money and create healthier meals for themselves and their families, growing their own herbs and vegetables may be a nice addition to the kitchen. However, having klunky pots throughout your home that need to be watered and moved into sunlight may not be preferable, especially if you live in a small apartment. The solution may be hydroponics gardening system.

Hydroponics is the term for growing plants within a controlled environment without soil. Plants receive their nutrients through the water they absorb. This is a concept that has been around since the 19th century. Through time, these ideas and technologies have developed and matured over time and can be utilized in your home today.

Indoor hydroponics is a simple strategy of growing your own fresh herbs and vegetables indoors and having them available at a moments notice. This concept is something that many people do not think about, but when asked, they would definitely agree that it would be desirable to have homegrown ingredients for their meals. Adding fresh basil, parsley or oregano to your dishes by picking them from your own indoor herb garden can add a special taste to any meal. You would even feel better knowing that your family is getting better ingredients through some of your own doing.

There are some basic herb garden products that will grow from small terra cotta pots or other more automated systems like the Aerogarden Master Gardener. In the latter case, the conceptual idea was developed to address this market by creating a self contained environment of artificial sunlight through “growing bulbs” on top of seedlings planted at the base of the unit. This creates a satisfactory climate for growth of the seedlings into mature plants that can be harvested when needed. Although self contained, these units do require watering and some attention to ensure the plants are getting everything they need to mature.

Another popular idea is to try out the hanging tomato garden. This unique setup actually grows the tomato plants downward from a hanging plastic bag filled with soil. Even thought it still needs to be maintained, this product can generate a large number of tomatoes for salads and other dishes. Many enjoy showing off their “harvest” to others as a way to educate and where appropriate, assume well deserved bragging rights.

Happy customers indicate a high degree of satisfaction in cultivating their own herbs and adding to their meals when ready. Whether you add your locally grown herbs to sauces, soups or stews, most people seem to take like the idea and find this a worthwhile endeavor.

Cooking does not have to be a chore. Turn on your passion for creating healthy meals with Fresh Herbs for the entire family.

Ginger root is an herb that has been used in a variety of ways as a healing agent for over 2000 years. It is thought to have medicinal properties that can be helpful to those suffering from a myriad of ailments, including arthritis, nausea, motion sickness, headaches, and perhaps even types of heart disease. In the United States the use of herbs as medicine is still considered as alternative, but in places such as China, the Caribbean, India, parts of Africa and Europe ginger is widely accepted as a healing herb.

The history of ginger is quite fascinating. The Sanskrit name for ginger is srngaveram, which translates to “horn root”. This is believed to be because of the appearance of the ginger root, which does bear a resemblance to an animal’s horn. At some point in history ginger disappeared, but it is thought that Marco Polo brought it back with him after his extensive travels and it then became a delicacy in Europe. Most of the supply of ginger comes from Jamaica, India, Africa, and China. Ginger grows in the wild in Jamaica and other islands of the Caribbean because the tropical climate offers the best growing conditions. Ginger in the wild produces flowers when the herb is at its most ripe stage. Queen Elizabeth I loved the taste of ginger and encouraged her cooks to experiment with it. The gingerbread man is said to have been the direct outcome of this experimentation.

Ginger has been used most commonly to treat gastrointestinal maladies such as nausea, abdominal bloating, diarrhea, uncontrollable vomiting, heartburn, intestinal gas resulting in excess flatulence, and colitis. Many believe that ginger can help with these ailments because it contains properties thought to strengthen the muscle tone in the intestinal tract.

Herbalists use ginger extract to decrease inflammation, which is a leading cause of many ailments including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, bronchitis, dermatitis, and ulcerative colitis. Studies are not at all conclusive, but many people prefer to use a natural remedy instead of taking ibuprofen or other traditional medication.

Use of ginger to treat motion sickness appears to be at least somewhat effective but more studies need to be conducted and analyzed. As far as heart disease is concerned, it is unclear whether or not ginger can be used successfully to lower cholesterol. It is simply to early to make an intelligent comment on this type of medicinal use of the herb.

Ginger appears as a knotted root with an underground stem known as a rhizome. It consists of volatile oils (somewhere between 1 and 4%), as well as pungent compounds known as gingerol and shogaol. It is these compounds that are thought to be responsible for the healing properties of ginger for nausea and vomiting.

You can find ginger in the produce department as a fresh or dried root. Ginger is also available as a powdered extract, in capsule form, or as an oil. You can use ginger to prepare a tea or use it as a cooking spice to prepare breads, cookies, or as an ingredient in vegetable dishes.

It is always wise to do your own research and talk to your physician before supplanting ginger, or any other spice or herb, with prescribed medications. Many health food stores have herbalists on staff that can also answer any additional questions you may have. As with all things in your life, moderation is the best choice. But when choosing spices that may also be medicinal, try using ginger as a healthy, natural alternative.

Tea is a heavenly elixir. That Heaven is the Place of Eternity far above the earth where God lives. But there’s also lasting Bliss you can have within you down here. And there’s an earthly paradise that’s a locale a lot like the wonderful domain where most people want to live forever.

Many modern people encourage you with a spirituality that reveals Heaven as a state of mind. It’s true that you can achieve inner Peace with God today and then also attain unto Ecstasy that’s a Taste of what the fortunate can feel evermore.

But it’s also a Place. It’s a Realm where there is no evil or crime like you may suffer in most places in the world. And it’s a Community where there is no more pain. For everyone there’s no more sorrow or hurting anymore.

Then there’s the paradise that can be achieved right here on terra firma. The spiritual overcomers win the Victory in establishing the society where the Fruits of the Tree of Life are freely enjoyed by all who wish to partake.

The tea plant is the earthly Tree of Life, counterpart to the perfect healing Herb nourishing the faithful who get into Heaven. It’s the recovered Blessing of the Garden of Eden lost when Adam and Eve ate of the Forbidden Fruit instead and were cursed.

There is indeed then an ideal place not only above but here on the ground today. And tea can also lead you quickly to that site within yourself where you may connect with God directly from your own heart and mind. So be comforted today with your cup of tea and where it takes you. Feel the Joy.