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Tag Archives: natural remedies
Western Medicine vs Holistic Treatment of Fibroids
Chile, let’s talk about the sad state of #fibroid treatment options in the USA.
Did you know that about 20% to 80% of women develop fibroids by the time they reach age 50? And for women of color, fibroids are an epidemic. Black women are up to three times more likely than others to develop uterine fibroids. One estimate is that 25% of African-American women will suffer from fibroids by the age of 25 and a whopping 80% will have them by age 50.
The root cause of fibroids is estrogen dominance, that is, too much estrogen in relation to other hormones. This can be fueled by a range of things I see in my practice all the time including poor diet, too much consumption of refined sugar, dairy, and meat, stress and unresolved traumatic experiences (rape, molestation, abuse), taking birth control, and endocrine disruptors.
Western medicine prescribes medications, hormonal injections, contraceptive pills, or other forms of birth control to control fibroid symptoms. The kicker is that most of these interventions (especially birth control) pummels the body with synthetic hormones and furthers the growth of fibroids. In addition, at certain stages, doctors may recommend a myomectomy, hysterectomy, or Laparoscopic surgery. Less frequently recommended are less invasive medical procedures such as uterine artery embolization, or radiofrequency ablation.
Surgery is not a cure for fibroids and also there are many risks. Up to 33% of women who have surgery will need a repeat procedure. Why? Nobody counsels women that in order to achieve lasting healing you have to address the root cause by changing the lifestyle, diet, and stress levels that created the fibroids!
To reduce the size of fibroids naturally, we use herbs and supplements to rebalance the hormones, encourage stress reduction and healthy emotional processing, get rid of hormonal inputs in your diet, remove the sources of synthetic hormones and use alternative therapies that support healing. More on this soon. If you or someone you know is battling with fibroids, sign up for a free call about our Hormone Balancing Academy to learn how our team can help you.- XO
P.S Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @therawgirl!
My Ultimate #Coronavirus Survival Plan
Chile, as if I need anything else to worry about besides finding truly organic veggies, and sticking to my intense JLo fit before 50 workout regimen, the coronavirus is spreading the way veganism did after people saw “What the Health?”
What is coronavirus and how does it spread? It’s a virus that appears to mostly affect the upper respiratory tract that currently has no treatment, vaccine, or specific medication used for treatment although in China they are testing an anti-HIV drug called Kaletra on infected patients. The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). It does this through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes which can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Thus far these countries have reported widespread community transmission: China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea with new cases popping up in other countries by the day.
I’ve received several messages from followers and family over the past weeks and have finally put together my personal game plan to survive this or any virus of that matter. Besides staying prayed up, here are the six things I think are essential for preparation.
- Don’t stress about it. Anxiety and stress lower your immunity and will actually make you more susceptible to any disease. Stop watching the news which may increase your anxiety, and catch up on the latest through articles or other means. Pray, meditate, breathe deep, and woosah daily to make sure you remain calm. Sleep is also essential and a major KEY in keeping your immunity up, so get enough of it every night.
- Boost Your Immunity by megadosing Vitamin C daily from whole food sources. Vitamin C works best BEFORE you are sick but in therapeutic doses can help with recovery from just about anything. My favorite sources are acerola cherry powder and camu camu powder. Add to your smoothies or juice and drink up!
- Get Yo’ Gut Together. Our gut is the seat of our immunity and if our gut is comprised – leaky – or overrun with bad bacteria our bodies become a breeding ground for a wide range of pathogens or viruses, including corona. If your gut is leaky you may need to start taking L-glutamine or consuming a lot of cabbage (a natural source of it) for repair.. If you have ongoing serious gut issues, don’t panic, just start working with someone to repair it now.
- Eat Real Whole Food. If you need a life or death reason to start eating healthy, #coronavirus is it. Eating processed and fast foods will lower your immunity.
- Practice Sanitation – Instead of hand sanitizers, wash your hands with soap and water, and make your own sanitizer by moisturizing your hands afterwards with a carrier oil that has added essential oils with antiviral properties to it. (Create Your own Blend by mixing in some of these: Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, Pine, Tea Tree, Lemon Balm or check out doTERRA On Guard, which has a decent mix of these)
- Get acquainted with and stock up on powerful natural antiviral herbs. There are many you can choose from but these are my personal go-to’s:
- Blackseed Oil, Powder, or Extract is jokingly called “the cure-all for everything except death.” I’ll personally be taking this daily as a preventative measure. There is research that was conducted in Nigeria and an article published in the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine which describes an HIV patient who experienced a complete recovery after undergoing treatment with a black seed extract, for a six months period.
- Astragalus Root is a Chinese adaptogenic herb I take in tincture form for it’s longevity properties and ability to calm the central nervous system, but was pleasantly surprised that this herb that keeps on giving has potent antiviral and immune enhancing properties. In fact, it has been shown in studies to combat herpes viruses, hepatitis C, and avian influenza H9 virus.
- Oil of Oregano in oil or pill form is potent and should not be taken for more than 2 weeks continuously without a break. This is different and not as harsh as oregano oil, but still very powerful. Also a great way to clear out the gut in tandem with other herbs before reseeding if you have candida or parasites. Wild oregano oil has been tested against aggressive germs, including the cold, flu and even bird flu viruses and always emerges victorious so corona doesn’t stand a chance.
- Elderberry has been used in herbal traditions for centuries and use can be traced all the way back to Hippocrates, who is considered by certain populations to be the father of medicine. He referred to Sambucus nigra elderberry as his “medicine chest” because he believed it to be so useful in treating a wide variety of ailments. Elderberry has been found to promote a balanced immune response and is a great one to have on-hand to boost immunity or combat illness. It comes in a myriad of forms – syrups, lozenges, general supplements.
You can also add basil, garlic, turmeric and other herbs to your food regularly to increase anti-viral properties. If you are taking medication, do not begin taking herbs without consulting with a health practitioner to ensure there are no negative interactions. -XO
References:
Brochot A, Guilbot A, Haddioui L, Roques C. Antibacterial, antifungal, and
antiviral effects of three essential oil blends. Microbiologyopen. 2017 Aug;6(4).
doi: 10.1002/mbo3.459. Epub 2017 Mar 14. PubMed PMID: 28296357; PubMed Central
PMCID: PMC5552930.
Gilling DH, Kitajima M, Torrey JR, Bright KR. Antiviral efficacy and
mechanisms of action of oregano essential oil and its primary component carvacrol
against murine norovirus. J Appl Microbiol. 2014 May;116(5):1149-63. doi:
10.1111/jam.12453. Epub 2014 Feb 12. PubMed PMID: 24779581.
Onifade AA, Jewell AP, Adedeji WA. Nigella sativa concoction induced sustained
seroreversion in HIV patient. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2013 Aug
12;10(5):332-5. eCollection 2013. PubMed PMID: 24311845; PubMed Central PMCID:
PMC3847425.
Yimer EM, Tuem KB, Karim A, Ur-Rehman N, Anwar F. Nigella sativa L. (Black
Cumin): A Promising Natural Remedy for Wide Range of Illnesses. Evid Based
Complement Alternat Med. 2019 May 12;2019:1528635. doi: 10.1155/2019/1528635.
eCollection 2019. Review. PubMed PMID: 31214267; PubMed Central PMCID:
PMC6535880.
Reverse Heart Disease with a Plant-Based Diet
blog.oransi.com
Just in case you hadn’t heard, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have stated that heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing over 600,000 people each year. The good news is that research has proven that heart disease can not only be reversed, but cured all together with lifestyle changes, and adopting a plant-based diet. Removing animal products from the diet literally removes the ongoing contributing factor to cardiovascular disease and allows the body to heal because most saturated fats and cholesterol are found in meat and dairy products.
Dean Ornish was the first to conduct a groundbreaking study that proved that a vegetarian diet in tandem with lifestyle changes can reverse heart disease. He studied a total of 47 patients and half of the subjects were prescribed medication along with the standard diet of “lean meats” including fish and poultry, and also not allowed to smoke. The experimental group were put on a low fat vegetarian diet, brisk walking as exercise three times per week, no smoking, and stress management exercises. After one year the findings were groundbreaking. The control group had not improved, most had their condition worsen, and still needed medication to function. In the experimental group within weeks chest pain disappeared, cholesterol levels dropped, and in 80% of patients the arteries were reopening.
Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn of the Cleveland Clinic conducted another groundbreaking twenty year study and had the same astounding results. The seventeen patients from his study who stayed on the diet and kept up with the lifestyle changes did not have a single cardiac episode over the consecutive twelve years. “After 5 years on Dr. Esselstyn’s plant-based diet, the average total cholesterol levels of his research group dropped from 246 milligrams per deciliter to 137 mg/dL (Above 240 mg/dL is considered “high risk,” below 150 mg/dL is the total cholesterol level seen in cultures where heart disease is essentially nonexistent.) This is the most profound drop in cholesterol ever documented in the medical literature in a study of this type.”
What these studies prove is that contracting heart disease is in large part the result of a sum of choices. Luckily our bodies allow us to choose something different. But why wait until the your arteries are clogged and the veggie hits the fan?
References:
Esselstyn, C. (2007). Prevent and reverse heart disease: The revolutionary, scientifically proven, nutrition-based cure. New York: Avery.
Falk, L., Bisogni, C., & Sobal, J. (2000). Diet change processes of participants in an intensive heart program…Dean Ornish Lifestyle Heart Trial. Journal of Nutrition Education, 32(5), 240-250 11p.
Preventing and Reversing Heart Disease. (2011, May 6). Retrieved November 21, 2015, from http://www.pcrm.org/about/volunteer/preventing-and-reversing-heart-disease
Ayurveda 101
Ever since I was introduced to Ayurveda, I’ve been hooked. Learning more about doshas and energy imbalances while at Wanderlust (the yoga festival) helped me to realize that I needed to move from the East Coast and that the stagnant energy of where I was living was affecting my health. As soon as I took steps to relocate everything shifted back to optimal. The wonderful thing about Ayurveda is that it emphasizes the bio-individuality or uniqueness of every being and takes into consideration the whole person, mind, body, and spirit.
Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine that originates from India and has the goal of maintaining health and preventing the onset of disease. This is system is personalized and considered a macro-explanatory model for disease because it takes into consideration the whole person being treated along with environmental factors. Ayurveda is based on three entities called doshas: vata, pitta, and kapha. The doshas help to explain the makeup of the body along with the temperaments of individuals for the purpose of understanding balance and imbalance. Ayurveda is based on energies of the elements including: fire, air, ether, water and earth; and each dosha corresponds to one or more of the element energies. Every single person at birth comes into the world with a specific makeup of these doshas that is fixed, and referred to as Prakriti. One’s Prakriti is the most important factor in ayurvedic medicine because it determines the treatment plan for each individual. Optimal health is achieved when there is optimal functioning of the doshas and the interactions between them to maintain balance in the body. Proper elimination, clear thinking, proper functioning of sensory organs, and a peaceful mind are also considered signs of good health.
Diagnosis of disease in the ayurvedic system is holistic involves examination of the manifestations of disease, subtypes of disease, and severity of condition. Development and progression of disease within Ayurveda, is explained by deviations or imbalances in the doshas. Imbalances of the doshas can be caused by a range of external or internal stressors including: environmental conditions, nutritional deficiencies, physical stress, or emotional turbulence. Treatment of any condition is highly personalized and includes parameters for overall health, diet, digestion, immunity, and response to environmental factors. Ayurveda also takes into consideration six tastes: bitter, sweet, sour, pungent, astringent, and bitter. These can be used to determine dietary changes or herbal treatments that also help to counteract imbalances. Herbs may be used in tandem with manual treatments, massage, dietary and lifestyle advice, nutritional supplements, and yoga to restore balance. If you are experiencing a health challenge that seems to be a impossible to diagnose, or if you just want to try a different perspective, Ayurveda may offer you interesting new insights. -XoXo Raw Girl
References
Sumantran, V., & Tillu, G. (2013). Insights on Personalized Medicine from Ayurveda. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 19(4), 370-375.
Iyer, J. (2013, July 1). The Goal of Ayurvedic Treatment. Tampa Bay Wellness, 7-7.
7 Natural Remedies That Kill Internal Parasites
diy-home-remedies.com
Although it sounds crazy and a little scary to think about WORMS in our bodies, the fact is that 99.8% of people will be exposed to or experience health issues related to parasitic infection. You can get parasites from your pets, other people’s pets, from kissing or having intercourse with a person who has parasites, from contaminated drinking water (and a lot of drinking water is infected, especially tap water), from walking barefoot on contaminated soil, from improperly cooked or handled meat, improper hygiene, infected fruits or vegetables, and the list goes on. If you are a loyal reader of this blog you know that I’ve explored this topic before, but because of the overwhelming response, I want to address it again. -XoXo Raw Girl
So, what are parasites? Parasites are organisms that live in our bodies and feed off of our life force. They are worms that suck us dry by preventing nutrients from our food from nourishing our bodies, can cause damage internally to organs, and can cause a host of other symptoms that you and your doctor will most likely mistake for something else entirely. These can be anything from stomach and intestinal complications like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or leaky gut, mood and anxiety issues, sleep disturbances, weight issues either via excessive hunger, or excessive weight loss, skin disorders like acne or rashes, food allergies, and excessive fatigue or lack of energy. Essentially, parasites can slowly but surely erode your quality of life. Below are a few key herbs and foods that can help you rid your body of parasites. If you choose to conduct an over the counter parasite cleanse, ensure that it at the very least includes cloves, black walnut, and wormwood in the list of ingredients.
Cloves destroy parasitic eggs before they have a chance to develop. They are more powerful when purchased whole and ground up for consumption as they tend to lose their anti-parasitic properties rather quickly. Cloves contain powerful antimicrobial agents that travel through the bloodstream, killing microscopic parasites and parasitic larvae and eggs. Cloves are tremendously effective in killing malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, scabies and other parasites, viruses, bacteria and fungi, including Candida.
Black walnut hull is very effective at removing dead parasites and other parasitic wastes from the body. It is available in a powdered form, in capsules, as well as in tinctures. Black walnut hull has been used for centuries to expel various types of worms, including parasites that cause skin irritations such as ringworm. It also oxygenates the blood, which also helps kill parasites. Black Walnut hull is very effective against tapeworms, pinworms, Candida albicans, and malaria. It is also effective in reducing blood sugar levels, and facilitating the bodies’ natural detoxification process.
Wormwood is one of the most powerful weapons in the parasite killer arsenal. It is an extremely bitter herb that is quite difficult to down, but the effects are well worth it. It acts as an anesthetic that numbs the parasites, thus forcing them to release their grip on the body. The herb is most effective against roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and pinworms. Wormwood is the second most bitter herb known to man and has been proven a powerful herbal remedy for malaria. The herb is now being used by locals in Malaria ridden countries and has proven even more effective than drugs without the danger of side effects.
Consuming Raw or Aged Garlic is one of the most effective ways to kill parasites. Garlic is an effective remedy for many types of parasites, from one-celled species to larger varieties such as hookworms and pinworms. Garlic is known to slow and kill more than sixty types of fungi and twenty types of bacteria, as well as some of the most potent viruses known to humans. All effective parasite cleanses always include garlic. It can be hard to consume large amounts of raw garlic, so another way to successfully include large amounts of garlic in your diet is to consume aged, odorless garlic pills.
Apple Cider Vinegar increases stomach acid if taken prior to your meals. This will keep the stomach free of parasites and will also ensure that you will kill off any larvae you inadvertently eat with your meals. A great way to incorporate apple cider vinegar is to add it to salad dressings or prepare a simple “apple cider vinegar tonic” which is apple cider vinegar diluted in pure filtered water and drink this concoction first thing in the morning and several times throughout the day.
Coconut Oil has an abundance of medium chain fatty acids, which after converted by the body, create a substance that efficiently kills parasites, yeasts, viruses, and pathogenic bacteria in the gut.
Pungent Spices such as: turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, chilies, horseradish, and cayenne, all make parasites run for cover. While conducting your cleanse you can use all or some of these spices freely to add flavor and aid you in kicking some parasite but.
Want to learn more about parasites and natural remedies? Check out my latest book Parasites, Be Gone! which includes in depth research, personal antidotes, and a two week cleanse to get you started on the path to becoming parasite-free.
Healing with Acupuncture
Photo from theheartnest.com
Yesterday, I experienced an exceptional Acupuncture treatment with Dr. Shin-Yang Chen in Melbourne Beach, Fl.
I have had acupuncture before, but never like this. The healing energy was palpable the moment I met him and things just got better and better. The key to acupuncture is that there are points along our body meridians that, when stimulated, balance the flow of energy or chi within us. This balance is equal to optimal health. When we don’t have it, our chi is stuck and our blood stagnant, hence we experience disease and ill health.
Dr. Chen took the traditional practice a step further by incorporating Electro Acupuncture where each needle, after being inserted into the appropriate points, is attached to an electrode. A subtle current is turned on and runs through the energy points, further stimulating proper chi flow and balance. It is not painful, though you do feel a pulsing sensation.
As I lay there with those currents pulsating through my body meridians, I truly felt like I was floating off the table. Then, when I thought I could not reach a peace greater, he removed the needles and began a massage of my neck, temples and shoulder blades with deep penetrating strokes and Chinese herbal oils.
Later, I was given a cupping treatment that just put the icing on the cake of the whole experience. This is a suction method where cups are placed on your back and then, through heat or manually, a vacuum is created with your skin that draws out impurities by increasing blood flow.
According to www.cuppingtherapy.info, “Cupping therapy or Hijama has been utilized for centuries to cure illnesses. Hijama was used for thousands of years by Pharaohs and ancient Egyptians. It was also used by ancient Chinese, Greek and all old civilizations. The oldest recorded medical textbook, Ebers Papyrus, written in approximately 1550 BCE in Egypt mentions cupping.”
Our ancestors knew so much intuitively and spiritually that today’s scientific research cannot even begin to understand and decode. The way I felt when I got up from my full treatment, is indescribable. The wisdom of the ages had granted me a healing opportunity of a lifetime. I am still glowing and charged and filled with joy from the lightness my body achieved, due to these detoxifying and balancing procedures. I left with an herbal medicine made for me as well as an exuberant, lithe, happy and peaceful body, mind and spirit.
After the treatment
– Sia
To learn more about Sia, click here
Natural Remedies for Peptic Ulcers
We all love to eat food right? Most of us self-respecting veggie lovers not only want to find out ways to eat spectacularly healthy food with spectacular taste, but to also learn some of the ways that Mother Nature has got our back, front, and everything in between. That said, we often take for granted the delicate yet immaculately efficient process which is our digestive system. It’s a long journey from mouth to (ahem) “organic output” and every step of the way is just as important as the next to make sure everything flows perfectly.
The stomach is a very important site of digestion where strong acids and digestive juices such as pepsin and hydrochloric acid continue to break food down into more digestible forms. A stomach (peptic) ulcer is literally a burning of the mucous lining of the stomach which protects the rest of the body from exposure to the powerful acids in the stomach. This causes actual lesions to form in the stomach which can range from ½ inches to ¾ of an inch or in some severe cases even up to 1 to 2 inches. Yea pretty scary. According to John Hopkins Medicine there will be 500,000 new cases of Stomach ulcers each year. At any time over 5 milllion new cases may develop. Symptoms include but are not limited to: burning in the abdomen right underneath the ribs, vomiting, nausea, weight loss, bloating, black tarry stools, irritation to the stomach after consuming spicy foods.
How do these ulcers develop? Well the most common cause of peptic ulcers is a bacteria called helicobacter pylori which is a spiral shaped bacteria that due to its shape is able to penetrate the stomach lining, leaving your body exposed to the powerful acids the stomach secretes. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 20% of people under 40 years old and half of adults over 60 years old in the U.S. are infected, with higher rates in developing countries.
The good news is stomach ulcers can be treated by eating foods that strengthen the stomach and with a few dietary changes (like excluding spicy foods for a while) can alleviate symptoms and give the stomach time to heal itself aided with mother nature’s most powerful medicine. Below are some helpful natural remedies and tips to alleviate symptoms of stomach ulcers and increase your overall health. Look into these natural remedies and don’t forget to move that body! In order to preserve your stomach health and support your body in its natural healthy function. -XoXo Nicola, Signing in for Raw Girl
Cabbage Juice is great for treating stomach ulcer. The amino acid arginine helps boost blood flow to the stomach lining. This strengthens the stomach lining and aids in healing ulcers. You can also mix the cabbage juice with carrot juice for a sweeter taste. Researchers have found that ulcer patients who drink 1 quart of raw cabbage juice a day often heal their ulcers in five days.
Honey isn’t an option for a lot of vegans, but in it’s raw form helps reduce any inflammation in your stomach and also attacks bacteria which keeps complications at bay.
Bananas neutralize the hyperacidity in the stomach that is caused by the gastric juices. Reduces inflammation and strengthens the stomach lining.
Bilberry is used frequently in Russia to treat ulcers by reducing inflammation in the stomach and intestines and protecting mucous membranes.
Produce rich in flavonoids like red bell peppers, strawberries, and citrus fruits can improve your condition. Studies report that they can assist in inhibiting growth of H. pylori.
Palm Tree Yoga Pose is a yoga posture that is great for increasing blood flow to the stomach and increasing overall feelings of wellness. Regular practice of Yoga in general will also be beneficial because of numerous poses that support healthy digestion and overall wellness.
Natural Cures for Mercury & Lead Poisoning
Heavy metal poisoning is becoming a common health issue in our toxic world. Two types of heavy metal toxicity often seen nowadays are lead and mercury poisoning and can affect children and adults. Both may go untreated because the symptoms are mistaken for other illnesses but excessive levels of either lead or mercury in the body can cause serious damage to health short-term and long-term. Lead poisoning can cause excess levels of aggressiveness, irritability, damage to the nervous system, damage the reproductive system, elevate blood pressure, and harm the developing brains of children. In fact, I stumbled across some articles that investigated the correlation between murder rates in various cities and increased exposure to lead. One author even asserted based on research conducted that inner city crime may actually be the result of children in urban environments being exposed to something around 10 million tons of lead residue from paint, the environment, and from water pumped through lead pipes. A Cincinnati study conducted over a twelve year period showed, “a shocking 50% increase in violent crimes occurred for each 5 mcg/dcL increase in blood lead concentration.” In addition, “The results showed that the brain’s gray matter — the part associated with intellect and reasoning ability — was shrunk an average of 1.2%.” That was so mind-blowing it made me want to throw on my Raw Girl cape, strap on my combat stilettos, and start zapping some lead and pumping organic green juice through inner city faucets, stat. In addition to water, paint, and the environment the list of products that contain lead continues to grow including things like cosmetics, batteries, jewelry, toys, vitamins, food cans, cell phones, computers, lipstick, water fountains, balsamic vinegar, and fruit juices. In fact, some samples of apple and grape juices have been found to contain unhealthy levels of arsenic along with lead that exceeded federal standards for bottled and municipal water.
Mercury poisoning can damage your brain, central nervous system and kidneys. Some of the symptoms of toxic build up in the body due to heavy metals include fatigue, depression, impaired blood sugar regulation, and female reproductive problems. Primary causes of mercury poisoning include dental fillings, and eating fish that have been exposed to mercury. A study for Biodiversity Research Institute in Maine showed that 84% of all fish available for mass consumption have unsafe levels of mercury. Tuna and swordfish usually have the highest levels, but other fish are still susceptible to toxicity.
Did you also know that high fructose corn syrup also has high levels of mercury? This highly addictive food additive is in almost everything on the supermarket shelves, which proves that the majority of processed foods are indeed toxic and need to be avoided at all costs. If you have fillings and for that reason or otherwise think you may be exposed to heavy metals, you can purchase over the counter cleanses that are effective. A great and festive way to combine a few mercury cleansing foods is to regularly make fresh salsa with tomatoes, garlic, onions, and a generous serving of cilantro. In the event that you have already been diagnosed and are already struggling with mercury or lead poisoning, thankfully mother nature has provided some foods that can help to flush the heavy metals out of your body. Remember during your process that you have the power to take control of your own healing. Be gentle with yourself, stay focused on that vision of your recovery, and may the veggie force be with you. -XoXo Raw Girl
Nutritional Balance is one of the things that helps to counteract lead toxicity. When your body has optimal amounts of zinc, calcium, magnesium, selenium, iron, copper, B Vitamins this helps to curb the effects of lead on your system. Vitamin C is key because it neutralizes the effects of lead and increases its elimination. Restore balance by closely watching your diet to ensure you are getting a wide range of nutrients from whole foods, especially those listed above, as well as integrating high quality supplements and super foods. Go to whatever lengths necessary to eat hormone and pesticide-free for a more effective detox program.
Garlic is another natural remedy that can be used to heal from lead and mercury poisoning. In 1960 a Belgian scientist discovered in his research that garlic can bring about detoxification in cases of chronic lead poisoning. The sulfur in garlic also plays a big role in combatting mercury poisoning.
Aloe Vera which can be taken in juice form or by using the gel from the plant (in moderation) can help with heavy metal toxicity especially lead because it loosens bowel movements so that toxins can be expelled from the body.
Brazil Nuts contain selenium which is a powerful mineral for neutralizing toxins.
Cilantro is a heavy metal detoxifying superfood which actually binds mercury in the bloodstream and facilitates it leaving the body. It is also a very powerful remedy for flushing lead and aluminum.
Chlorella, another heavy metal superfood is a single-celled fresh water algae that acts as an efficient detox agent. The large amounts of chlorophyll present in chlorella make it extremely powerful, allowing the body to process more oxygen, cleanse the blood, and promote the growth and repair of tissues.
Ten Immune Boosting Power Foods for Winter Wellness
Christmas is just around the corner and it’s been getting chilly lately, although we have yet to see any snow hit the ground. When the weather starts to fluctuate it can sometimes wreak havoc on even the most health conscious poster girl, if she happens to be unprepared and caught in the cold without a hat and gloves. I myself was visiting New York, and was exposed to just a little too much cold during my visit, which had my lymph nodes feeling like a sore throat or cough was about to come on by the time I returned.
What do you do when you get that not-so-great-runny-nose feeling? What I do is immediately grab some natural immune boosters that will stop that sickness in its tracks and have me barely missing a beat from my usual routine. Below is a list of some go-to immune boosting foods and supplements. Depending on how gangsta you need to get you may need more than one on the list. To beat the forthcoming cold that could have stopped me in my tracks, I added Spirulina in my juice, had some kombucha, drank tea with honey and lemon, followed by chewing on some ginger throughout the day, and seriously by the next day I was brand new. Remember also, sickness and mucus based illnesses also come from too much food consumption, consumption of the wrong kinds of foods (processed), or our colons being backed up. Which is why taking a break from heavy foods and doing soups, juices, teas, and water always accelerates your process of getting back to a 100% healthy you. – XoXo Raw Girl
Ginger is one of the best cold remedies on the planet. A staple in traditional Chinese medicine, ginger has been used for over 2,500 years to treat congestion, sinus pain, and sore throat. It has strong yang energy and warms the stomach and lungs. Ginger is also great for relieving nausea or indigestion. Eat ginger fresh, juice the root along with greens, boil it and steep to make tea, or add it to foods.
Garlic has been used the world over for warding off colds and the common flu. It is powerful because of it’s anti-viral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal properties. Eat fresh garlic cloves, juice them, take odorless garlic pills, make garlic tea, or add to foods.
Papaya is a very nutrient dense fruit packed with beta carotene, vitamin A & C, iron, calcium, folate, potassium, fiber, and more. A small papaya contains around three times the daily recommended value of vitamin C, which is a nice whopping serving that can send a common cold running for the hills faster than you can say “Bless you!”
Oranges are the typical go-to Vitamin C boosters that will help you fight a cold if you already have one, or keep the sniffles at bay. Eat them fresh or juice them fresh. Remember that the typical cartons of O.J. in the store are not only pasteurized (which kills of most nutrients) but they have other preservatives added to the juice that won’t necessarily do your body good. Fresh squeezed is always the best way to go, especially if you are trying to give sickness a run for it’s money.
Spirulina is blue green algae that you can take in pill or powder form. Consuming this superfood regularly will boost your immunity enough that you will not have to worry about most illnesses. Read more about the amazing superfood Spirulina.
Mung Bean Sprouts have pure forms of vitamin A, B, C, and E, along with K, calcium, iron, magnesium, pottassium, phosphorous, and zinc. One cup contains 1/4 the daily recommended value for vitamin C. Because of their high vitamin C content these power sprouts have been used since ancient times to ward off disease. Eat them fresh, add to soups, or salads.
Wheatgrass may be hard on the taste buds going down, but it’s worth the discomfort. About two ounces of this green stuff is equivalent to three pounds of organic vitamins and minerals. Wheatgrass is a complete protein and this antioxidant packed super shot helps to detoxify the body and remove toxins, energize, and will assist with relieving sinus issues and congestion. Contains vitamin A, C, E, and zinc to name a few, and can be taken alone as a shot or added to a juice.
Wellness Formula is a vitamin supplement that really works. I recommend it sometimes to people who get sick often or as a way to stop the onset of a cold. You can find it in most health food stores. Nowadays most vitamins are completely useless, but this formula delivers for warding off sickness, or helping you recover.
Green Juice is one of my favorite cure-alls. Got Chlorophyll? Add in a lot of ginger root and lemon, and you should start to feel groovy and sickness-free pretty quickly. Juicing nutrient packed greens and herbs like kale, chards, parsley, spinach, etc. will help bring your body back to one.
Kombucha Tea is a powerful tea created from fermenting mushrooms that can assist in healing numerous conditions. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and therefore can treat sore throats and common colds. If Kombucha is consumed regularly it has been shown to be an effective preventative medicine creating resistance to colds and flus in the majority of people. You can brew your own, buy it local, or find it at a health food store. When you find that magical brand, stick with it. The most powerful brands I have ever tried have always been locally made.
Juice! Sandy’s Cilantro Detox and Benefits of Cilantro
Sandy’s Cilantro Detox
1 Bunch Green Kale Leaves (5-7 Leaves)
1 head of Celery
1 or 2 Limes
handful cilantro
handful parsley
1 apple (optional)
Juice, strain, serve. Enjoy! 🙂
To pay homage to the unfortunate Hurricane headed for the East Coast as I wrote and scheduled this post last week, I’ve named today’s juice Sandy’s Cilantro Detox. Cilantro also known as coriander is a lovely addition to a juice or smoothie. Full of antioxidants this herb also has a nice amount of vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, C,E, B6, K, phosphorous, iron, zinc, magnesium, potassium, manganese. The iron and magnesium make cilantro great for fighting anemia. Ladies! Take note, adding cilantro into your diet once a month prior to the onset of PMS may be beneficial because it can relieve menstrual cramps and reduce hormonal mood swings of the condition I like to call Vegan Bi&% Syndrome. In addition to this, along with aged garlic and chlorella, cilantro is great at removing heavy metals from your body like mercury, aluminum, and lead. Incorporating cilantro in your diet will also natural remove accumulated pesticides from your body as well. Other benefits include reducing cholesterol, aiding production of digestive enzymes, promoting liver function, disinfecting and detoxifying the body, relieving arthritis, reducing nausea, lowering blood pressure, reducing cellulite, lowering blood sugar, and being an effective natural fighter of salmonella. Keeping all of these awesome benefits in mind, you may not want to reserve cilantro only for your salsa. Toss it in your juice, smoothie, or salad for a fresh green taste with great nutritional benefits to boot. -XoXo Raw Girl