If you are taking drugs for high blood pressure, you may want to put on a steaming cup of tea. In a study conducted at Boston’s Tufts University, 65 people were observed to see how hibiscus tea affected their blood pressure levels. On average, the tea lowered the systolic blood pressure, the top number of your blood pressure reading, by seven points, comparable to the effects of standardized blood pressure medication. Popular throughout Africa, especially the eastern region, hibiscus tea is made from the leaves of the hibiscus plant. Also known as bissap (in West Africa), sorrel (in the Caribbean) and karkady (in the Middle East), hibiscus contains high levels of vitamin C and organic acids and has historically been used as a medicine. Luckily, even if you are not familiar with this particular tea, it is quite easy to find, because most tea blends contain it. So drink up and don’t forget to make some for your loved ones.
The Day's Healthy Living Blog
The Benefits of Hibiscus Tea for High Blood Pressure
December 28th, 2010Current Eduction Classes
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The benefits of Milk Thistle
December 28th, 2010Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ) has been used since Greco-Roman times as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver problems. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries physicians in the United States used milk thistle seeds to relieve congestion of the liver, spleen, and kidneys. Today, several scientific studies suggest that active substances in milk thistle (silymarin) protect the liver from damage caused by viruses, toxins, alcohol, and certain drugs such as acetaminophen (a common over the counter medication used for headaches and pain; acetaminophen, also called paracetamol, can cause liver damage if taken in large quantities or by people who drink alcohol regularly.)
Many professional herbalists recommend milk thistle extract for the prevention and/or treatment of various liver disorders including viral hepatitis, fatty liver associated with long term alcohol use, and liver damage from drugs and industrial toxins such as carbon tetrachloride.
The Benefits of Cleansing and Detoxification
October 13th, 2010Cleansing is frequently mentioned in natural medicine literature and newsletters, in magazine articles, best selling books and all over the Internet. Why is cleansing receiving so much attention? We live in a toxic world; the soil where our food is grown and the air we breathe are both loaded with chemicals, PCBs, pesticides and petrochemicals. Pharmaceutical drugs and processed foods are commonplace. The facts about our hazardous environment can be overwhelming and scary. There is a choice to be made: we can either be intimidated, continue to suffer from illness and take drugs that add insult to injury, or we can take action to protect ourselves. The Natural Cures book gives many suggestions for this proactive approach to regaining and maintaining our health. We are going to target one of the most efficient and effective ways to heal our bodies and lighten the toxic overload: Internal Cleansing.
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Cleansing, also called detoxification, is our body’s normal process of elimination, a function that occurs daily through our colon, liver, kidney, lungs, lymph and skin. The most obvious forms of elimination are sweat, urine, and bowel movements. Other organs also eliminate, though you do not actually see this process. Despite the fact that we eliminate continuously, our bodies are having difficulty keeping up with the demand because we are accumulating an unnatural amount of toxins daily. This toxic overload prevents our overworked organs and colon from finishing all their assigned tasks and as a result, the toxins collect within our system. The most common symptoms of toxic buildup include: stress, constipation or failure to have a regular daily bowel movement, feeling sluggish or low energy, lack of motivation, strong food cravings, high sugar consumption, caffeine dependency and unidentifiable illness.
Unfortunately, many of us do not drink enough pure water or eat quality organic foods. We may not exercise, sleep well or wake rested. It is obvious that an individual with these habits would incur a greater toxic load than someone who is practicing a healthier lifestyle. The sobering truth is, however, that no one is safe. Even those with good eating and living habits are exposed to an excess of environmental toxins. This excess becomes embedded in our tissues, our organs overload and we may feel sick from the buildup. Our bodies do the best they can with this stressful buildup by storing the extra toxins in our cells, fat and mucus to protect us from further or deeper damage. How each individual’s body compensates for this toxic overload is unique and shows up as a wide variety of symptoms that undermine us in every way imaginable. It is clear this compensation affects our overall health, energy and ability to heal. These toxins make us ill, fat, constipated, congested, uncomfortable in our bodies, depressed, drug dependent, diseased and powerless to make important changes that we need to make in order to be well.
Do you have a health problem that you suspect might be related to your diet or lifestyle choices? Do you expect your doctor to make key decisions regarding your health? Are you putting off exercise? Do you have frequent headaches, body pain, sinus or respiratory problems? Is your cholesterol problematic? Do you have indigestion, constipation, gas or bloating? Are you over or underweight? Do you get frequent colds or flu? Is your skin dull, a far cry from the glow of your younger years? Are you irritable and tired for no apparent reason, making daily coping and relationships more difficult?
Consider some of the many benefits of cleansing:
- Improved digestion, better elimination, less constipation, gas, bloating and indigestion
- Freedom to breathe more deeply
- Less allergic or reactive responses to foods. You will likely experience less mucus and congestion and a clearing of sniffles and coughs.
- More energy, better nutrient absorption, overall improved health
- Balanced pH; improved alkalinity, less acidic
- Weight loss and the realization that you can enjoy a lighter style of eating
- Sense of satisfaction, greater vitality and a desire to choose better foods and develop better eating habits, permanently
- A deeper understanding of how to take care of yourself with these new found skills.