Plants vs Synthetic Drugs

Have you ever wondered why the majority of medicines are from the earth, sky and water?

Aspirin is made from the inner lining of willow bark. (The versions sold now are "synthetic" and are supposed to be just as good, but I for one, do not believe that).

Curcumin or curcuma is a natural substance, bright yellow in colour, that is found in the root of the tumeric plant. It gives curry that "yellow colour". It contains curcuminoids that have anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities also. It has been used with animals to halt the spread and formation of cancer cells in the body. Investigate! It is also claimed that it helps prevent macular degeneration of the eyes.

Salt - in its natural form, can lower blood pressure, in the form normally sold as "sea salt" - but since people love that easy-flowing salt that doesn't clog up small holes in salt shakers, the chemists added chemicals to salt to make it free flowing. As a result, however, salt with that additive typically raises blood pressure! Hmmmmm....

Pine needle tea and cedar-tea, was reportedly used in 1535 to save the life of an early explorer - Jacques Cartier - and half of his crewman. And that is because pine needle tea is one of the richest sources of Vitamin C in the world - and - it's cheap! Just pick and create a broth or tea. Don't boil !!

Best to use SOME of the new growth at the end of each branch in the early Spring (pale green in colour)...

Chia seeds kept Indian runners healthy for up to one day, and renews energy in the body. The mind feels energized as well.

Freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed with unpasteurized honey and used on pancakes, or just lemon juice in a glass of water, not only will help keep you healthy - it is reportedly one way to keep from getting kidney stones. I bet you didn't hear this from your doctor ! (P.S. most kidney stones are caused by 2 of our favourite snacks: chocolate, and nuts. How sad...)

And speaking of sweetness - natural sugars in fruit and unpasteurized honey are the best sources of sweetness for your body. The enemy of your body is any kind of refined sugar. Another reason why refined foods are the worst thing you can do to your body.

And nuts - one of the healthiest foods on the planet! Don't shell them! Use nut crackers to break the shell and eat the interior nut, raw - if safe and available. The only people who should avoid nuts, or those subject to kidney stones.

Coffee - well, here is one item that has hundreds of studies showing it is good for you, and probably hundreds of studies that show it isn't good for you. What to do? Get green coffee beans - and roast them at home - and drink within one week of grinding the cooked beans. The amazing thing is that it will probably taste sweet - most coffee, eaten right after grinding, is naturally sweet! The problem with buying ground coffee beans in stores is that the distribution process means that much of our coffee is really stale. That's why your favourite cup of java might taste bitter. Once you taste really fresh coffee - it's going to be very hard to go back to those fast-food coffee places again. You'll be in the minority of course, but most very-healthy people ARE in the minority!

The secret of making non-acidic coffee: this one from a century old cook book used by early settlers: Grind up some coffee beans very very fine. Store in a large sealed bottle full of water and the ground coffee. Leave for one week in a fridge. Then remove, and strain - even one cup at a time...and heat it up. Nice smooth non-acidic coffee, no bitter taste. Hmmmm!!!

Which cooking oil do you use? Corn oil? Canola oil? Investigate before using these for cooking....it is hard to beat the healthier oils, such as grape-seed oil, or sesame seed oil, or virgin cold-pressed olive oil.

More to come about health.....stay tuned