Wheatgrass, Barley Grass, Spirulina, and Moringa – truly transformative! A Shutterstock Licensed Image.

In the 1960s and 70s, one type of grass was prevalent. While possession of even a tiny amount may have landed you in jail, your stash was vital to your social status, romantic entanglements, and personal well-being. Luckily, there are several types of grass and algae today that are equally or far more nutritious. These robust powder healers can remove toxins from your system, drastically reduce or eradicate inflammation, and improve your physical and emotional health. Whether consumed in shakes, shots, pills, or tinctures, wheatgrass, barley grass, spirulina, and moringa might be your new best grass buddies.

“Although few people have ever heard of it today, Moringa could soon become one of the world’s most valuable plants, at least in humanitarian terms.” — Noel Vietmeyer, US National Academy of Sciences

Wheatgrass

While it might taste like your front lawn, wheatgrass can be a powerful ally against inflammation, stress, and high cholesterol. This powerhouse of powder healers has 17 amino acids, eight of which are considered essential. And like all green plants, the chlorophyll in wheatgrass can boost your health in a variety of ways. With one of the highest levels of chlorophyll found in nature, wheatgrass has an insane arsenal of abilities:

• Removes fungus
• Detoxifies your blood
• Energizes your immune system
• Cleans your upper and lower intestines
• Heals your skin
• Reduces the incidence of liver and stomach tumors
• Provides symptomatic relief for arthritis and fibromyalgia
• Helps you lose weight
• Treats hemoglobin disorders, such as anemia and thalassemia
• Prevents and slows cancer growth
• As a natural deodorant, makes you a little less stinky

Other good sources of chlorophyll include green beans, parsley, spinach, mustard greens, alfalfa, spirulina, arugula, peas, and matcha green tea.

Barley Grass

The fiber in barley grass makes it a dominant player against high cholesterol. This ultimate type of powder healers also contains minerals like calcium (11x more than milk), iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and copper, which can improve bone health and production.

Infused with a variety of B vitamins, like B1, B3, B6, and B12, barley grass can enhance your body’s resistance to diseases and infections, drastically lower stress levels, and significantly improve your health. This grass also contains phytochemicals such as flavonoids and folate, which can protect your cells from carcinogens.

Barley grass also has bioactive compounds that include superoxide dismutase and bioflavonoids. These ingredients help barley grass remove free radicals from your body, which will help you reduce inflammation that can cause a variety of diseases, including arthritis, gout, and cancer.

“The food you eat can be either the safest and most powerful form of medicine or the slowest form of poison.” ― Ann Wigmore.

Spirulina

Spirulina is a cyanobacterium, a unique type of bacteria, most often called blue-green algae, the super-power behind many popular super-food powders. From one tablespoon of spirulina powder, your body will receive 4 grams of protein plus healthy doses of vitamins B1, B2, and B3, along with equally beneficial amounts of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, and manganese.

This nutritious algae king of powder healers also has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. When our bodies endure oxidative stress and damage, our DNA and cells can experience degradation. Because it has phycocyanin, an active antioxidant, it can fight free radicals and reduce or extinguish your body’s inflammation. By taking small amounts of spirulina every day (4-8 grams), you can increase your antioxidant enzymes, and reduce oxidative damage, while reducing your chances of heart disease.

Spirulina also lowers your LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, while elevating your HDL (good) cholesterol.

“Gram for gram, spirulina could be the most nutritious and well-rounded food on the planet, which stores almost indefinitely.” — Gabriel Cousens

Moringa – The Miracle Tree

It is often referred to as Moringa oleifera and is known as the drumstick, horseradish, and ben oil tree. The leaves of this precious friend are highly nutritious and wonderfully healing for your digestive tract. Native to the Himalayan mountains, and passed down through many lineages of healers, shamans, women, cooks, and doctors in India and Africa, this tree has fed and helped millions of people.

Traditionally, moringa lovers have added the plant’s pods of fleshy meat to tinctures, teas, soups, stews, and rice dishes. The leaves and seeds can also be added to salads to add flavor and nutrition. They can also be used as a spice or as a vegetable in place of spinach, green beans, and mustard greens. Every part of the plant is safe and consumable, including its stems, leaves, pods, seeds, flowers, and roots.

Recent years have brought to life a new trend where moringa powder is regularly added to smoothies and shakes. Some people swear by its healing abilities and will toss a tablespoon into a glass of water and throw it back. It has the same bite that you might find in a shot of whiskey, although without the drunk-like, numbing, or euphoric effects.

With beautiful bright green stems and leaves, and remotely related to broccoli, kale, and cabbage, moringa is a superhero shrub. It contains vitamins A and C, along with iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

The tree’s leaves contain phytochemicals and antioxidants, which, as noted above, provide anti-cancer, anti-arthritis, anti-inflammation, and other remarkable and healing attributes. Moringa has been used to cure everything from liver tumors to typhus and undernourished animals to toothaches.

Wheatgrass, barley grass, and moringa might comprise the powder-trinity that can finally improve your health and increase your life-force. These substances can be found online and in almost any plentiful food or supplement store.

Don’t let Western Medicine Discourage You from Powder Healers

While western medicine might snicker at nutritive powders, they are too busy to research the benefits properly. Only you can know what heals you. In many areas of health, nutrition, and medicine, it’s permissible, even preferable, to trust yourself.

Improving your health doesn’t have to be expensive. You don’t have to purchase trendy packages or combo-supplements from influencers at 10x the cost. You can ignore the hype and fancy logos and find your unique, personal path to wellness. While pharmaceutical companies might offer temporary relief of your symptoms, they also steal from rain forests and resell natural substances at 10,000x their value. It’s a scam.

With a little research and focus, you can build a personalized healing profile. You can empower yourself with knowledge and personal trials. While this might take a little time, many of the ailments we all tend to endure are curable through our own exploratory efforts. In the meantime, stay healthy and feed your body and spirit the light-filled foods they deserve!

Nurture and help your Liver and Kidneys. A Shutterstock Licensed Image.

You’ve finally decided to nurture your liver and kidneys. You might be looking for the best liver detox or how to successfully flush your kidneys and liver. You might be wondering, “What does the liver do?” or “What are the best herbs for kidney health?” This article will answer those questions and more.

Let’s Start With Your Liver

At around 3 lbs, your lovely liver is a large, meaty organ, almost the size of a football. This dark brown and reddish beast is protected by your rib cage and sits on the upper right side of your stomach. It lives just beneath your diaphragm and above your tummy. When you feel pain in your liver, it most likely comes from your upper right abdomen, mid-to-upper back, or within your right shoulder blade.

Your liver has a few adjacent relatives. Cousin Gallbladder sits directly under the liver, where you’ll also find parts of Aunt Pancreas and Uncle Intestines. This little system works hard to digest your food, absorb nutrients, and filter the blood that comes from your digestive tract.

While the liver regulates and detoxifies the chemicals going through your body, and metabolizes the drugs in your system, it secretes bile, which breaks down fats and carries waste to your intestines. All of this happens during digestion. When you eat, your liver goes to work.

Click to read How Sage And Similar Herbs Help Us Extinguish Toxins And Heal

Your liver produces proteins that are important in blood clotting, and it breaks down old and damaged blood cells. It metabolites carbohydrates and ensures your blood sugar levels remain constant. Your liver also stores vitamins and minerals and releases them when you need them most.

The liver is one of those organs that people tend to take for granted. We sometimes assume that it can handle anything. While this is almost true, we forget that the liver is a catch-all for everything we put into and experience within our bodies, including emotions. Even though it’s usually reliable, and our primary line of defense, the liver has limits.

Liver disease is severe and can stem from a variety of causes, including:

• Hepatitis
• Genetics
• Cancer and other growths
• Alcoholism
• Injecting drugs
• Tattoos
• Exposure to other people’s fluids
• Exposure to chemicals and toxins
• Diabetes
• Obesity

How To Improve Liver Function

Sometimes healing our livers is as simple as dramatically reducing our consumption of alcohol and drugs, avoiding risky sexual behavior, removing aerosols and toxic soaps from our homes, meditating, crying, forgiving others, protecting our skin, and eating natural, organic, whole foods.

If you’re serious about improving your liver function, you might consider taking some of these herbs, each of which has unique healing properties:

• Milk Thistle
• NAC N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
• Artichoke Leaf
• Marshmallow Root
• Parsley
• Chana Piedra
• Yarrow
• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Dandelion Root
• Yellow Dock Root
• Choline
• Molybdenum
• Tocotrienols (a type of vitamin E)
• Zinc
• Selenium

Ayurvedic medicine has also been successful in healing the liver, doing so for thousands of years. While it’s best to consult a physician or Ayurvedic practitioner before consuming these herbs, here is the list of Ayurvedic herbs often prescribed to cleanse the liver: Bhumyamalaki, Barberry, Kutki, Amla, Turmeric, Guduchi, and Amalaki.

Tell Me About My Kidneys and How to Heal Them Naturally

Your two kidneys are bean-shaped warriors who continuously protect you. How do they do it? They filter your blood, removing waste, drugs, acid, and excess water to produce urine. They help your body maintain a healthy balance of water, salt, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium in your blood. They also produce an active form of vitamin D, which feeds your bones.

With a million functional units called nephrons, your kidneys keep your nerves, muscles, and other tissues functioning correctly. They regulate plasma, extracellular fluid, ion concentrations, pH, toxins, and hormones. Your kidneys allow your body to control your blood pressure and make healthy red blood cells, and they filter your blood before its journey into the heart. Your kidneys play a significant role in your health.

Chronic kidney diseases can cause or stem from diabetes, cardiovascular disease, weak bones, high blood pressure, anemia, nerve damage, Glomerulonephritis, cysts, urinary tract infections, congenital disorders, drugs, and toxins. While not every kidney story has a happy ending, most kidney diseases can be treated successfully.

Herbs for Kidney Health

To keep your kidneys happy and healthy, you might consider adding some of these herbs, berries, roots, and supplements into your daily regiment. Be careful when ingesting these things as they can be toxic in any quantity. Consult a doctor the moment you believe your kidneys to be in jeopardy.

• Milk Thistle
• Parsley
• Juniper Berries
• Golden Rod
• Dandelion Root
• Gravel Root
• Corn Silk
• Marshmallow Root
• Vitamin B-6
• Omega-3s
• Potassium Citrate
• Gynostemma
• Grapes, peanuts, berries w/ resveratrol
• Cranberries
• Lemon, orange, beet, and melon juices
• Seaweed
• Teas: Fenugreek, Ginger, Mint, Nettle, Hydrangea, Tumeric, Sambong

When cleaning or healing your kidneys, Ayurvedic medicine suggests the following herbs: Brahmi or Gotu Kola (Bacopa monnieri), Shilajit, Punarnava, Manjishtha, and Varuna. When cleansing your kidneys, consider consuming lots of watermelons, leafy greens, roots, and teas with the herbs as mentioned above.

Liver and Kidney Flushes and Diets

What is the best drink to flush your kidneys and liver? What cleanses will bring my vital organs back to full strength? There are several natural liver and kidney cleanses and diets that will help improve the functionality of these critical organs. Here are a few suggestions:

• For 2-3 days, begin each day with a glass of water infused with a tablespoon of lemon juice.
• Enjoy a morning smoothie that includes one or more of the following: beetroot, apples, cucumber, spinach, banana, lemon juice, and grated ginger. You might follow-up your smoothie with a cup of green tea.
• For lunch, enjoy proteins like organic chicken and tofu, and veggies like red onion, green beans, and carrots. Add a little Greek yogurt, grapes, and some brown rice. Keep the meals trim and simple.
• For dinner, create a meal that includes a few of the following: a cup of coconut water, blueberries, kale, a small portion of tofu, sweet potatoes, celery, tomatoes, kidney beans, parsley, and garlic.
• Throughout each day of your cleanse, enjoy concocting your own teas with Dandelion root, Marshmallow root, Turmeric, and Ginger. Or select a few favorites from the liver and kidney herb lists above.
• As you come out of the cleanse, consider changing your daily routine to include some of the ideas in this list, mixed with things like Milk Thistle, Omega-3s, and other supplements mentioned above.

No matter how healthy you are, consider adjusting your diet to include kidney- and liver-friendly foods. You might focus on berries, citrus fruits, vegetables, brown rice, lean meats, including chicken and seafood. You might also consider avoiding processed foods, refined carbohydrates, sugar, artificial sweeteners, foods high in sodium, beef, pork, alcohol, and caffeine.

Be aware that the FDA has not announced its approval for the ideas in this article. Some people reported that they became sicker when ingesting some of the items on the above lists. It’s always essential to consult a nutritionist or doctor when drastically changing your diet or beginning to consume new herbs and supplements. As you research on behalf of your health, seek clinically studied and tested ingredients, and only take clinically recommended doses.

Wishing you lots of healing as you begin to nurture your liver and kidneys!

Superfoods are yummy! A Shutterstock Licensed Image

While we have hundreds of options for every meal, we tend to eat the same foods over and over again. We are creatures of comfort and habit, after all. Even when our palettes are feeling adventurous, we tend to select foods that have similar attributes.

And while we might rarely stray far from our norms, we are all highly susceptible to marketing ploys, especially for products that promise health benefits. This is especially true of superfoods.

What are superfoods? Superfoods are the nutrient- and antioxidant-rich meals and snacks that seem to promise miraculous benefits. While the marketing of superfoods is a fascinating game of “who is more successful at promoting limited, scientific trials,” superfoods indeed show promise. Not only do they often taste delicious, but they also burn cleaner, and feel better in our bodies, especially when compared to the usual All-American fare of grease, flesh, and fries.

While a handful of superfoods have only gained notoriety in recent years, some of them have been popular for centuries. The best ones promise to improve your heart, liver, kidneys, brain, and more. Some say they can alleviate depression and facilitate the release of stored and stuck emotions. Superfoods That Cleanse Cleansing 101 with Kate Leinweber

Regardless of the hype and limited scientific studies, superfoods are packed with nutrients that many popular foods lack. If you believe that nutrients like vitamins and antioxidants are healthful, look no further than superfoods.

Common Questions About Superfoods

We all have questions about our superfoods. How much superfood is too much? What if a superfood contradicts our health by benefiting one organ while harming another? You might be wondering if green superfoods are better than non-green superfoods (they’re not). You might be looking for the best brain superfoods or the ones that provide the most energy. You might be recovering from an illness or exhaustion, and want to find the superfoods that can expedite your recovery.

Some foods pretend to be super when they’re not. When building your power-diet, look beyond hipster trends and marketing. When shopping for the healthiest foods, consider only the ingredients and health benefits. When constructing a nutritious diet, nurture all of your significant organs with vitamins and nutrients that can help them thrive.

While a few of these foods taste like bitter medicine, most of them are absolutely delicious. Here is my superfoods list:

Fruits, Nuts & Seeds

Blueberries: These lovely little berries contain compounds called anthocyanins, which can prevent cancer, heart disease, and dementia. They’ll also give your immune system a big boost.

Acai Berries: Pronounced “ah-sigh-EE,” these tiny red berries have more antioxidants than other berries. Their biggest claim to fame is that they stop cell damage that leads to the most harmful and deadliest diseases.

Goji Berries: Grown by monks for thousands of years, these tart little berries contain vitamins C, B2, and A, along with with iron, and a host of antioxidants. Many say that Goji Berries boost immunity, fight heart disease, improve brain function and digestion, and prevent cancer.

Aronia Berries: Also known as Chokeberries, these berries are high in vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Some scientists say that Aronia can also help prevent cervical, skin, breast, and colon cancers, along with liver and heart disease.

Ginseng Berries: In addition to improving mental and sexual function, Ginseng Berries are said to decrease cholesterol, fight cancer, and lower gut inflammation.

Strawberries: These berries are full of vitamin C, manganese, folate (B9), folic acid, fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. Strawberries also might reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol, help manage blood sugar, and improve your brain function as you age.

Tomatoes: Not only are Tomatoes one of the most popular superfoods; they are cancer-fighting warriors. They contain lycopene (the antioxidant phytochemical that also helps prevent heart disease), along with vitamins A, C, and E — all enemies of free radicals, the pesky critters in bed with cancer.

Blackberries: Blackberries are chock-full of polyphenols, chemicals that reduce the inflammation that leads to heart disease and cancer. They also help breakdown sugar, which will lower your chances of Type 2 Diabetes.

Watermelon: This delicious fruit is full of vitamins, potassium, and lycopene, an antioxidant. It may help curb your risk of cancer and diabetes, and brings benefit to your heart. Watermelon also helps protect your joints, and it has amino acids that can improve your workouts.

Apples: This crunchy fruit is rich in phytonutrients, antioxidants, flavonoids, and fiber. They may reduce the risk of cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

Pomegranates: This delight, also known as “Punica Granatum,” is a shrub that produces luscious, tiny, tangy, red fruit. It’s chock-full of fiber, protein, and potassium, and has high levels of vitamins C, K, B9 (folate), and more. Pomegranates have extremely potent antioxidants (punicalagin) that can out-power red wine and green tea by about 300%. By reducing chronic inflammation, they can reduce the risk of heart disease, arthritis, fungal and bacterial infections, cancer, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and obesity. Some studies show that Pomegranates can improve memory and sexual function. Awesome!

Avocados: While many believe that Avocados are vegetables, Avocados are delicious, high-calorie fruits. They’re filled with lutein, beta-carotene, and healthy fats and acids, and are infused with vitamins C, E, K, B-6, riboflavin, niacin, folate, magnesium, and potassium.

Flaxseeds: These tiny seeds are a nutritious source of healthy fat, antioxidants, fiber, protein, and essential fatty acids like Omega-3s. Many scientific trials seem to point to the idea that Flaxseeds can help lower the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

Chia Seeds: Important long ago to the Aztecs and Mayans, Chia Seeds are cousins of mint. Loaded with antioxidants and fiber, they’re a great source of protein, calcium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), and potassium.

Pistachios: These ancient, edible nuts are rich in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, choline, and betaine. Pistachios are jam-packed with B-vitamins and vitamins A, C, E, and K. These little green and brown morsels are also helpful in reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, aiding digestion, reducing Macular Disease (AMD), and improving health. They also have aphrodisiac properties.

Almonds: A great source of vitamin E, Almonds help reduce inflammation, which can lead to diseases like cancer, and they can protect against cognitive decline. Almonds can also help prevent heart disease, increase insulin sensitivity, and help to protect your gut.

Can Sweets and Beverages Be Superfoods?

Dark Chocolate: With a higher content of flavonoids and polyphenols (antioxidants), Dark Chocolate is a powerhouse against disease-causing free-radicals. This delicious treat can improve heart health, cognitive function, and vision.

Green Tea: If you want to keep your heart healthy and decrease your risk of cancer, Green Tea can be a powerful ally. This healthy beverage can also improve brain function, reduce stress, soothe arthritis, clear acne, and help fight against urinary tract infections.

Kombucha: Fermented beverages and foods like Kombucha can improve intestinal health, boost the immune system, and reduce the risk of allergies and chronic diseases. The same is true for all fermented and probiotic-heavy foods. If Kombucha’s alcohol content is not your thing, you’ll receive similar benefits from sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, miso, and yogurt.

Seaweed, Algae, and Grass

Seaweed: Nori, Kelp, Wakame, Kombu, Dulse, Blue-green algae (Spirulina and Chlorella) are excellent sources of protein, carbs, fiber, minerals, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamins C, B, A, and E. Rich in iodine, these water-weeds are helpful to people with hypothyroidism. Seaweed can also help with weight loss, heart health, and the gut.

Wheatgrass & Barley Grass & Blue-green Algae (BGA): These bitter but nutritious cereal grasses are cousins to our favorite leafy vegetables, but these rich green foods pack a 10x more powerful punch of beneficial phytonutrients. While they might be a bit hard to swallow and enjoy, your body will appreciate their luscious benefits.

Moringa: Also known as “Moringa Oleifera,” Moringa is a plant known as the miracle tree and horseradish tree. It’s a potent antifungal, antiviral, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory. Low in fat, Moringa is chock-full of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B-6, and much more. Moringa works quickly in the body, which might result in the almost immediate passing of gas.

Vegetables and Fungi

Kale: This dark, leafy green vegetable has more iron than beef, and it’s packed with nutrients, including lots of vitamin C, and 700% of your recommended vitamin K. Kale’s antioxidant quercetin will also boost your immune system.

Romaine Lettuce: Romaine Lettuce is a remarkable superfood. It is said that this crunchy vegetable can prevent vision problems, help protect the eyes from a variety of disorders, and deter muscular degeneration. An excellent source of vitamin K, Romaine Lettuce, will help to protect your bones and prevent aging diseases like osteoporosis – all because it’s jam-packed with vitamins A and C, potassium, and many B vitamins. It’s also one of those veggies that’s capable of fighting cancer cells.

Beets: Beets are a profound source of phytonutrients (betalains), and more specifically, betanin and violaxanthin. These nutritive elements provide antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and detoxification support for the body. To get the biggest health-bang from your beets, steam them with their skin, instead of boiling them, for no longer than 15 minutes. Beets can also reduce tumor cell growth by inhibiting the normal growth of pro-inflammatory enzymes.

Mushrooms: Shiitake, Button, Creminis, Reishi, Wood Ear, and Lion’s Mane mushrooms are soft, delicious, and nutritious. Rich in vitamins B, D, and K, many mushrooms have cancer-fighting and anti-inflammatory powers, help lower cholesterol, and are natural immunity-boosters. Reishi mushrooms, in particular, fight disease, lower inflammation, suppress allergic responses, reduce tumor growth, and more. Lion’s Mane mushrooms protect against ulcers, heart disease, cancer, inflammation, dementia, depression, and anxiety. Wood Ear is a popular mushroom found in Chinese cuisine and medicine. It can lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of cancer, coronary heart disease, and arthritis. Mushrooms are wonderfully healing and nutritious!

Peppers: From sweet green or red bell to smoking-hot habañero and Scotch bonnet, these delicious, crunchy “berries” contain helpful compounds called capsaicinoids (like capsaicin), which provide extraordinary anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-cancer, and heart-healthy benefits.

Protein, Legumes, & Carbs

Eggs: A popular breakfast food, your body will benefit from eggs any time of day. Eggs are loaded with proteins, minerals, healthy fats, and a variety of trace nutrients. A large egg contains 5g of fat, 6g of protein, and our essential amino acids. Eggs are also jam-packed with iron, phosphorus, selenium, and vitamins A, B12, B2, and B5 (among others).

Beans & Lentils: From kidney, black, navy, pinto, and chickpeas (Garbanzo) to soybeans, dried peas, and lentils, these low-fat, anti-aging foods are low in calories and sodium, high in fiber, and excellent sources of protein. They’re also chock-full of complex carbohydrates and essential fatty acids, like omega-6s. Beans and Lentils also help regular sugar levels and are therefore helpful to anti-diabetes diets.

Wild Salmon: Since many media outlets are reporting that farmed salmon might lead to a host of health issues, your best choice is Wild Salmon. With antioxidants and anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, Wild Salmon is an excellent addition to your regular diet. It also has immune-supportive selenium, energy-producing phosphorus, and muscle-building protein. Wild Salmon also has heart-healthy niacin, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, potassium, and vitamin D, which is terrific for bones.

Sweet Potatoes: Sweet potatoes, especially the purple ones, are rich in fiber, vitamins B and C, minerals including iron, calcium, and selenium, and antioxidants like beta-carotene, which protect the body against ‘free radicals’ and reduce the risk of cancer. With all its fiber, Sweet potato can be helpful to digestion and improve blood sugar levels.

Oils & Spices

Garlic: For centuries, Garlic has been used to prevent diseases and improve the immune system. With increased consumption of Garlic, some population studies are showing reduced risks of cancers, including cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breasts. Garlic is also known to be an effective treatment against high blood pressure and can help reduce the effects of diabetes. Some studies point to the idea that Garlic (with all its antioxidants) can help prevent conditions like Alzheimer’s, dementia, the common cold, and other infections. In general, Garlic can defend against harmful organisms, bacteria, and parasites.

Olive Oil: Not only is Olive Oil a delicious additive in salads and other dishes, but it’s also jam-packed with antioxidants like vitamin E and has anti-inflammatory properties. With healthier monounsaturated fats, choosing olive oil over butter on occasion can lower the risk of heart disease.

Ginger: Ginger contains gingerol, a powerful medicinal from China that can be helpful against inflammation, heart disease, motion sickness, nausea, muscle pain, cholesterol, cancer, Osteoarthritis, and menstrual pain. It can help to fight infections and improve brain functions.

Curcumin: Curcumin is found in Turmeric, Turmeric’s primary medicinal element. Curcumin is known to be an antioxidant, helpful to inflammation, and reducing the effects of diabetes. If possible, consume your Curcumin with black pepper, which will keep the Curcumin in your body for more extended periods. Mixed with piperine, Curcumin will be more effective. Curcumin is an excellent source of magnesium and iron, and it will boost your body’s antioxidant enzymes. It can lower the risk of brain and heart diseases, and help with depression and some chronic diseases. Although some studies are not all that flattering of Curcumin, the majority of them show that Curcumin can produce healthful benefits.

Summary of Superfoods

While there are many short-term benefits of using this list as your sole diet, there are also dangers. When we hammer our bodies with specific foods over long periods, there’s a chance we can develop allergies. This is not true in every case, just something to consider. After all, millions of people regularly eat bowls of rice and experience zero negative side-effects.

If you’re into superfoods for weight loss, you might consider removing the carbs and fat from the above list, like avocados and nuts. You might also consider upping your protein intake, eating smaller and more frequent meals, or committing to 60 days of intermittent fasting. If weight loss is your game, exercise is paramount.

We don’t need red wine or trendy alcoholic beverages to keep our bodies clear of toxins. Given the miracles of scientific extraction, we don’t need any intoxicants at all. We need delicious, organic foods, positivity, prayer, simple rituals, and love. In all things, remember to love yourself – that’s where our journeys toward health begin.

Tummy Herbs Heal Inflammation: A Shutterstock Licensed Image

Inflammation can begin as a benign condition and slowly turn into a nightmare. It might start with stiffness and strains in the muscles and bones and later develop into pain and agony. It might only occur on occasion, or it can be constant and dreadful. Some describe inflammation as nagging and uncomfortable, while others say they experience steady stabs and pinches throughout their waking day. It all depends on the intensity and severity of the inflammation.

Inflammation can emerge and cause damage to our bodies and lives, even when it’s not overt. It might appear as fatigue, chest pain, stomach pain, mouth sores, disorientation, fever, rash, or joint pain. Down the line, if inflammation isn’t healed, it can feed or cause a variety of diseases, including arthritis, some cancers, atherosclerosis, periodontitis, and hay fever.

You might have one of these chronic conditions, which often include inflammation: asthma, ulcers, tuberculosis, Crohn’s Disease, hepatitis, bronchitis, infected skin and nails, sore throats, mouth sores, scratches and cuts, intense exercise, sinusitis, and physical trauma.

All the science now points to naturopathic and herbal treatments for inflammation and arthritis. In this article, you’ll find helpful lists of the most successful treatments to ease your pain around inflammation, joints, and their related conditions.

“Inflammation is the cornerstone of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis – all of the neurodegenerative diseases are really predicated on inflammation.”
— David Perlmutter

Western Medicine Helpful To Relieving Inflammation And Arthritis

For 200 years, western medical practices have often worked against the body, sometimes having little effect, or creating more problems than they’ve healed. Luckily, times have changed, and western medicine is much more inclusive of the ancient traditions found in tribal, herbal, and naturopathic remedies and treatments.

While these western medical treatments might not be helpful for you; specifically, they have helped millions of people around the world reduce the effects of inflammation and arthritis:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help ease the pain associated with inflammation and provide arthritis relief. NSAIDs like naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin might be helpful in the short-term, but they can cause dangerous changes in the immune system and contribute to the growth of stomach ulcers. They might also cause kidney damage, increased risk of strokes and heart attacks, and turn low-level asthma into life-threatening conditions.
• Corticosteroids (Glucocorticoids and Mineralocorticoids) promise to prevent several aspects of inflammation and replace depleted hormones. These medications can also cause long-term problems, including high blood pressure, deficient potassium levels, and more.
• Hyaluronic acid creams and injections can help reduce the symptoms of inflammation and arthritis, mainly when applied to the knees.

Because every person’s condition and its related origin is unique, you might not find the “Best Anti-Inflammatory” or the ultimate tincture for arthritis pain relief. But if you’re willing to do a little research, you’ll most certainly find that the most potent anti-inflammatories come from herbs and natural remedies.

Science is now learning that the most successful and potent treatments for inflammation and arthritis come directly from the earth, raw and untainted.

Review the following lists and consider taking the herbs that feel best to you.

“Reduce inflammation to treat the root of many issues. If your gut isn’t working right it can cause so many other issues.”
― Jay Woodman

Natural Anti-Inflammatory Herbs And Remedies For Arthritis

Some natural remedies for inflammation have become very popular in the United States and Europe. Many of them were originally found in Ayurvedic medicine.

When taken thoughtfully, these herbs can produce wonderful results when applied to the healing of inflammation.

• Boswellia (Salai guggul, Frankincense)
• Bromelain
• Hyssop
• White Willow Bark (contains salicin, a chemical similar to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
• Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens, Wood Spider, Grapple Plant)
• Ginkgo (Maidenhair tree)
• Nettle (Stinging Nettle, Urtica dioica)
• Myrrh
• Resveratrol
• Maritime Pine Bark
• Chili Peppers (Capsaicin)
• Cat’s Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)
• Turmeric (Curcumin)
• Green Tea (an excellent anti-inflammatory tea)
• Cardamom, Cumin, Clove
• Rosemary
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Thyme
• Cannabis (this is not for everyone, and it’s not for every condition)
• Honeysuckle

Additional Ayurvedic Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

Ayurvedic Medicine is over 6000 years old and has been traced to ancient masters like Babaji. Ayurveda seeks to help the body, mind, and heart find peace and balance. I have had tremendous results when using Ayurvedic medicine and methodologies.

Here are a few powerful, healing herbs that are often promoted by Ayurvedic practitioners.

• Amalaki
• Triphala
• Mulethi (Licorice Root)
• Manjistha
• Arjuna
• Gotu Kola
• Shatavari

Chinese Anti-Inflammatory Herbs and Arthritis Remedies

Chinese medicine has one of the most complex and intricate systems of healing the mind, heart, and body. Focused on reducing heat in the body and creating flow, Chinese herbs for inflammation and related treatments date back at least 2500 years, with many of its original teachings still in practice today.

Chinese medicine addresses the ebbs and flows of our energies, consciousness, and physical forms. When taking Chinese herbs, be cautious and sensible. Some herbs, when taken too aggressively, can cause more harm than good.

Here are a few of the most successful and scientifically proven Chinese herbs that help to heal inflammation:

• Huáng Qín (黃芩 Scutellaria baicalensis)
• Huáng Lián (黃連 Coptis chinensis, Coptis root)
• Jīn Yín Hūa (金銀花 Flos Lonicerae)
• Léi Gōng Téng (雷公藤 Tripterygium wilfordii, *Thunder God Vine)
• Lián Qiào (連翹 Forsythia suspensa)
• Dà Qīn Yè (大青葉 Isatidis Folium )
• Yú Xīng Cǎo (魚腥草 Houttuynia cordata)
• Bǎn Lán Gēn (板藍根 Radix Isatidis)
• Zǐ Huā Dì Dīn (紫花地丁 Viola yedoensis )
• Bái Tóu Wēn (白頭翁 Pulsatilla Radix)
• Chuān Xīn Lián (穿心蓮 Andrographis paniculata)

“Joint pain, bloating and foggy thoughts are not imagined symptoms, They’re the result of improper diet. Make eliminations. Start with wheat, then dairy, then sugar. These are the most inflammatory foods.”
― Nancy S. Mure

Home Remedies For Arthritis

Finding the source of our discomfort can be difficult. As you search for the tools and treatments that serve you best, consider adding these ideas to your regiment. All of these are recommended by Chinese, Ayurvedic, and western doctors throughout the world:

• Use hot and cold compresses
• Swim and Exercise
• Lose weight
• Do Panchakarma (Ayurvedic cleansing program)
• Do Yoga, Tai Chi or Qigong
• Try Chondroitin and Glucosamine
• Nerve stimulation
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Meditation
• Add more omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D to your diet
• Add the following foods to your diet: olive oil, tomatoes, nuts, spinach, kale, wild salmon, blueberries, oranges, and beets.
• Avoid fast foods and processed meats, including red meat, fried chicken, French fries, flour, soda, sugar, dairy, raw fish, and unnatural fats like margarine.

Summary

Finding the sources of your inflammation can be a daunting task. All of the suggestions in this article might also feel a little overwhelming. One tip might be to start slowly and select your favorite ideas from the above lists.

You might begin by adding a few healthier foods to your diet. Soon after, you might add one or two medicinal herbs. If you want a deep-dive into healing your inflammation, make notes on how each set of herbs and foods makes you feel. Consider implementing a 90-day program where you try three small subsets of herbs, each for 30 days.

The simplest things you can do to improve your health and inflammation are to regularly exercise, visit with your doctor twice a year, and continually improve-upon your diet. You might consider rotating groups of foods in your daily meals so that you can give your body exposure to a wide variety of nutrients.

In all things, keep calm, pray, and remain positive. Miracles await!