Category: Holistic Health

Naturopathic, alternative medicine and chiropractic health care

  • Functional Medicine: It’s Not the What It’s The Why

    Health Freedom Idaho is hosting the Natural Health Symposium and educational conference that allows participants to learn more about a variety of modalities of healing available from local Treasure Valley practitioners.Functional Medicine of Idaho will provide insight to the in’s and out’s of their integrative medicine clinic. 

    Functional Medicine is transforming healthcare by giving the patient the ultimate power to heal. Functional Medicine efforts focus on the root causes of an individual’s condition and treats those causes.

    Functional Medicine of Idaho is one of the region’s few functional and integrative medicine clinics that offers both primary care and functional medicine.We create a focus on prevention through nutrition, diet, and exercise; use of the latest laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques; and prescribed combinations of drugs and/or botanical medicines, supplements, therapeutic diets, detoxification programs, or stress-management techniques.

    Interested in learning more?! Join us at the Natural Health Symposium. Seating is limited.

  • Open the blinds, and let there be light! The Health Benefits of Natural Light.

    Light within our home and at our workplace can affect both our health and our well-being. Sunlight helps the body produce the “happy” hormone serotonin which combats a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Studies who that sunlight in the classroom have a positive impact on student test scores. We now know that artificial light can decrease levels of melatonin, a hormone that is created in the brain. Melatonin is fundamental for our body’s health as it controls our circadian rhythms. A body ‘out of balance’ will effect mood and sleep patterns, energy and eventually decrease immunity.

    If you can’t go outside as often as you like you can make some home improvements to ensure you’re getting maximum light through your windows. “More public living spaces, like living rooms and kitchens, are ideal for allowing filtered daylight to penetrate” – Karen Egly-Thompson a former interior designer.  Wooden blinds are perfect at letting the right amount of light in and are also easily controllable.

    Natural light boosts your body’s vitamin D storage

    Vitamin D is important for absorbing calcium and promoting bone growth, as well as helping prevent certain types of cancers, heart disease, depression and weight gain.  Yet, many Americans have a vitamin D deficiency due to a lack of outdoor sun exposure. So get outside since scientists suggest that Vitamin D may be helpful in treating many different disorders and diseases, such as autism, cancer, diabetes, chronic pain and depression.

    Natural light improves your mood

    Did you know that there is a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder, which affects many people in the winter when they do not receive enough sunlight? Scientists believe that the “happy” hormone called serotonin increases when nights are short and days are long.  In fact, many psychiatrists recommend that people get out in the sunlight for at least 30 minutes a day to help prevent or treat depression.

    Open the blinds let in the light. Better yet, open the door and take a walk outside in the sun for at least 20 minutes several times a week, your body will thank you. 

    RESOURCES: 

    Shining Light on What Natural Light Does For Your Body

    Natural light helps you sleep

    Research shows that the amount of sunlight you receive during the day has a direct impact on how much sleep you get at night. Direct sunlight, especially early in the morning for at least half an hour, produces the most benefit for a good night’s sleep while artificial lighting has little to no effect. In fact, artificial light before bed and at night can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer if you’re unable to consistently obtain quality sleep.

    Natural light benefits vision

    Computer screens, smart phones and florescent light can cause eye strain that can lead to permanent eye damage. Natural light has been shown to lower the risk of nearsightedness in children and young adults by helping the eye produce dopamine, which aids in healthy eye development.

    Employees Benefit From Natural Light, Study Finds

    Natural light leads to higher productivity

    A study by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology found that employees working in natural light recorded higher levels of energy than those working under artificial light.  Another study showed 40 percent higher sales at checkout counters located beneath skylights. This data confirms what many studies have shown: natural light leads to enhanced productivity.

    Natural Light and Education: The Benefits of Daylighting for Schools

  • Winning the Fight Against Cancer

    One in three men and one in two women will be diagnosed with cancer. Cancer doesn’t care if you are young or old, or where you live. It doesn’t care what your spiritual path is. It doesn’t care if you are rich or poor. It will touch your life whether we are the one battling cancer or you witness a cancer battle fought. July 21, at the Natural Health Symposium Dr. Karlfeldt will discuss different naturopathic tools used to support the body’s ability to control and fight cancer. Dr. Karlfeldt has done extensive training in the area of Naturopathic Oncology with some of the leading doctors and researchers in this area.

    Many patients have become and remain cancer free while being supported by the services offered at The Karlfeldt Center. 

    The Karlfeldt Center is a comprehensive health treatment center that provides proven natural healthcare solutions for all ages and conditions. Our practitioners have dedicated their lives to helping men, women, and children find effective, practical and less invasive ways to address health conditions with the well-being of the whole individual in mind.

    We treat the cause, not the symptom.

    208-338-8902 
    Email Us: info@thekarlfeldtcenter.com 

  • 107,000 Americans Die EVERY YEAR from “Properly Prescribed” Medication

    How does a U.S. doctor get on the terrorist watch list, no-fly list and ‘do not employ’ list? Simply because she didn’t force the ‘standard of care’ on her patients, instead gave them informed consent and she allowed people to pick and their intervention. She noted that most people tried natural dosages first. She says she got irate visits from drug companies, in spite of the fact that her death rates went to zero!!!! By the time the Government officials ‘caught up’ with her, she had a drug free practice. She was threatened by insurance companies, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies for not prescribing drugs to her patients. Fortunately, for her patients, she didn’t give in to the pressure. Unfortunately for her, she was forced out of the country. She still teaches and interviews from her new home in Panama.

    Dr. Daniels reveals the truth about how dangerous pharmaceuticals have killed more than 100,000 people in America every year and why you should use natural solutions and supplements instead of dangerous pharmaceuticals. 


    Here is how she says the insane process starts. Doctors get mail from a pharmaceutical company about a particular drug in the mail. For a given medicine, the letter will speak of the side effects, dosages, a so forth, of the drug.

    As an example, she goes on to show an actual letter she received which stated the drug might cause liver failure, she says the notes frequently indicate that one of the side effects of the drug can be, plain and simple, “Death.”

    Dr. Daniels now has a dilemma on her hands, because she realized her patients could wind up dead if she prescribes these drugs. She tried to counter this danger by prescribing dosages much less than a pharmaceutical company’s suggested dosage, as in 1/8 of the dosage or less.

    She would also recommend less frequent intakes of the drugs time-wise, as in advising a patient to take the drug once a week or month as opposed to daily.

    She also said that so many patients were dying from drugs, she began a policy of only administering a drug if she had substantial evidence that the number of deaths from the drug was less than 1 in 10,000.

    PLACEBO TRIALS AREN’T SCIENTIFIC

    Dr. Daniels also, exposed that placebo control trials on adult medicines are somewhat of a joke, as an example, a drug for adults and/or the elderly, could have been tested on teens. Drugs prescribed to women, only tested on men and so forth.

    Drug studies remove patients who died during the study. Consider what this means. The only time a drug can be determined to cause death is after the drug has been released to the market.

    Dr. Daniels also reveals what she calls a “Dirty little secret” about placebo pills, in that placebo is not a sugar pill, it could be anything. The reason? Because the testers desire the placebo to be a lower dosage of the actual drug. They want the side effect profile of placebo to be the same as the side effect of the drug being tested.

    PATIENTS AREN’T PROVIDED INFORMED CONSENT

    Some of the letters from drug companies about dosages and side effects of drugs are in such fine print and so lengthy, important drug info is often not even legible.

    Dr. Daniels says that, along with the prescribed medication, the patient gets a page on the medicine, but not the vital info about the possibility of death. She says it is too labor intensive to copy those pages and often it is not legible, so doctors don’t bother.

    She also exposes that doctors are told what to or what not to share with the patient, because ”supposedly,” the patient may not know how to handle that type of information.

    She poses the question, “Why should drug companies inform doctors at all?”. She answers that basically “If the patient dies and family sues, then the pharmaceutical company is not liable, only the doctor is liable.”

    In an almost “sinister” revelation, Dr. Daniels said that doctors are told via instructions only to terminate medication ONLY if the patient is urinating black and defecating grey, symptoms that imply liver failure, a signal that the patient is near death. She also noted that most patients that died were, as she called it, “fully medicated”.

    Dr. Daniels goes on to speak on the apparent logic that many of us already surmise, when she asks the listener to imagine the impact on the drug company’s profits if doctors took it upon themselves in subscribing minimum or reduced dosages, and thus doctors are instructed to administer what is often a lethal dose.

    Another almost “sinister” practice in drug studies is to remove patients who died during the study. Consider what this means. The only time a drug can be determined to cause death is after the drug has been released to the market.

    She noted that most people tried natural dosages first. She says she got irate visits from drug companies, even though her death rates went to zero!!!!

    Take Charge: What can patients on prescribed drugs should do.
    Here is the advice from Dr. Daniels:

    • If doctor prescribes medications, ask for package insert and read adverse reactions. DO NOT ACCEPT THE PATIENT LEAFLET, because it has been fully inspected by the Public Relations Department, and references to death have been deleted.
    • Ask doctor have there been deaths from drug, and if he says he doesn’t know, then that is a warning flag and bad sign, because it implies he hasn’t read packet insert.
    •  If deaths from a drug were caused at same dosage, you were prescribed for, inquire about lower dosage.
    • Inquire about time frame of deaths from the beginning if taking the drug, as in, “was death 1 week out, one month, half year?” She says often deaths are one week into dosing.
    •  Inquire about alternate medications
    • Only deal with drugs that have been on market for 3 years (to allow for availability of death data on that drug)
    • In her words, she suggests to “Ask Dr. Google”, enter your medication with the word DEATH

    Article and commentary first appeared at http://www.gaiahealthblog.com/2013/07/06/murder-by-medicine-is-no-accident-says-dr-jennifer-daniels/

  • Treating MTHFR: Optimizing Genes, Improving Lives

    Methylation is the most powerful system controlling our genes, our genetic potential. By looking at methylation, the root of the problem often comes into focus. The truth is that body has the ability to heal and grow strong regardless of age or condition. The only question is will the body have the resources it needs to overcome the challenges it suffers from? By studying the current peer-reviewed research, Dr. Rostenberg has discovered powerful, natural strategies to optimize gut and methylation function to heal the body. He has dedicated thousands of hours to the study of the pathways involved with folate and methylation. By balancing the body with methylation, anything is possible! By looking beyond MTHFR, we are able to optimize our genes, and optimize our lives! Dr. Rostenberg will share his research and insight and help uncover the genetic or root causes of health problems and find a natural solution!

    Learn More at the Natural Health Symposium July 21.

    Dr. Rostenberg of Red Mountain Natural Medicine 
     presents: Treating MTHFR: Optimizing Genes, Improving Lives 

    No other system in our body has the ability to impact so many others, to create or destroy health, to protect or injure our bodies. If our genes control our destiny, then the methylation cycle controls our genes. So by optimizing your genes through methylation pathways, you take control of your health, you take control of your life. That is what Beyond MTHFR is all about.

    Dr Rostenberg can be reached at Phone 208-322-7755. Email redmountainclinic@gmail.com. 

     

  • 5 Successful Tips To Reduce Stress

    From the elderly to even kids, it appears that everybody is dealing with stress these days. Stress is our body’s method for disclosing to us that something has upset our normal equilibrium. Sometimes stress can be useful as it might persuade us to succeed however mostly stress can influence us in a negative way.

    Sometimes you are under a considerable stress that it may affect your work. The major difference between the individuals who are successful and who aren’t isn’t regardless of whether you experience stress, however, how you manage it. Here’s some great advice from relaxlikeaboss.com :

    Exercise

    Exercise is a standout among other approaches to reduce stress and enhance your general personal satisfaction. Walk or do whatever activity you feel great with. You may like to join a wellness club. Make certain to practice frequently. Try not to worry about your family or work while you are exercising; this is your personal time and don’t let anyone interfere.

    Exercise benefits your mind and body. However, even a 20-minute walk, dance, run, or swim can give a prompt impact that can keep going for a few hours.

    Smile and Laugh

    Our brains are interconnected with our feelings and body language. At the point when individuals are stressed, they regularly hold a considerable measure of the worry in their face. So smile or laugh can help to reduce stress and enhance the circumstance.

    Listen to some comedians; watch a comedy play or even short YouTube clip on your drive home. As indicated by Mayo Clinic, a smile has both long-term to enhance a state of mind and short-term to ease tension. So have a decent tummy romping giggle! 

    The researchers recently reported their results in The Journal of Neuroscience. Social laughter led to increase in endorphins

    Meditation

    Meditation is one of the greatest tip rehearsed by numerous individuals to help ease out the stress. In other words, being engaged at the time, which is the present or NOW!

    It encourages the brain and body to reduce stress. It can enable individuals to see new points of view, create self-sympathy and absolution. While meditating, individuals can discharge feelings that may have been causing the body physical pressure. Much like exercise, research has demonstrated that meditation quickly can receive prompt results.

    Get Social Support

    Call a companion, send an email. When you share your worries or sentiments with someone else, it can help to reduce stress. In any case, it’s essential that the individual whom you share with is somebody whom you trust and whom you feel can comprehend you. On the off chance that your family is a stressor, for instance, it may not reduce your stress in the event that you share your works misfortunes with one of them.

    Sleep

    Everybody knows stress can disturb your sleep. It is well known that absence of sleep is a key reason for stress. This endless loop makes the mind and body escape whack and just deteriorates with time. Try to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep. Put away all the electronics an hour before sleep, adjust the lighting level, and give yourself an opportunity to unwind before going to bed. It might be the best stress reducer.

    Final Words

    Removing the greatest cause of stress and figuring out how to deal with the rest will enable you to have an uplifting viewpoint towards life, which will have a positive streaming impact on your family and friends. With better stress administration, things which appear to be overpowering will soon become trivial. You will be more advantageous, more joyful, and more energetic; prepared to confront every obstacle.

    the article originally appeared at https://relaxlikeaboss.com/stress-management-guide/

  • Health benefits of CBD oil that nobody talks about

    Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is a cannabis compound which is completely non-psychoactive. This means that it does not change the state of mind of the person who uses it. However, it does appear to produce significant changes in the body and has been found to have medical benefits. It is emerging as a powerful medicinal substance with anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to help several diseases which were previously untreatable. CBD can help fight cancer and bowel diseases, it cures symptoms of schizophrenia, and even reduces anxiety and sleep disorders. People are unaware of a number of health benefits of CBD. 

    Research shows that CBD products are actually helpful at reducing many ailments. Such diverse ailments that they seem to be unrelated, in fact… but they are not. Emerging research shows that each of these ailments may be related to dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short. The “key and lock” metaphor is often used to describe this process. The human body possesses specific binding sites (“locks”) on the surface of many cell types, and our body produces several endocannabinoids (“keys”) that bind to these cannabinoid receptors (CB) to activate or “unlock” them.

    Health benefits of CBD oil that nobody talks about:

    1. CBD Reduces Inflammation and Autoimmunity

    CBD serves as a  therapeutic medium for a variety of inflammatory and pain-associated disorders due to its anti-inflammatory properties.

    Inflammation has always been a subject for researchers when it comes to finding a therapeutic solution. CBD has a prominent way of interacting with the endocannabinoid system that appears very beneficial for the therapeutic applications which are related to inflammation.

    2. CBD May Protect Against Neurodegenerative Diseases

    CBD is said to prevent toxic effects of Neurotransmitter Glutamate and Radical Oxygen Species in the brain, which results in preventing brain cell death.

    CBD has antioxidant activity much greater than that of vitamin C or vitamin E. CBD also protects brain cells from beta-amyloid toxicity, making it a potential therapy in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. It may also protect the brain in cases where the blood flow is reduced.

    Some studies have shown improvement in patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease treated with 100 to 600 mg/day of CBD over a 6-week period.

    3. CBD Relieves Nausea and Increases Appetite

    CBD is said to relieve nausea and vomiting. Researchers found that CBD in low amounts decreases nausea and vomiting produced by toxic drugs, but in high doses, it can increase nausea or has no effect. 

    THC is a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting in human patients, but more clinical studies prove that CBD is more efficient in doing so.

    CBD also helps in increasing the appetite by binding the cannabinoid receptors in the body.

    CBD greatly helps to reduce food sensitivities as well.

    4. CBD Promotes Bone Growth

    CBD does not only increase the bone growth but also the bone density.  This is all because of the endocannabinoid system. Cannabinoids work on receptors in the endocannabinoid system to produce bone formations. It is also found that broken limbs are healed much faster when treated with CBD.

    5. CBD Helps In Treating Anxiety & Insomnia

    CBD for anxiety is already a well-known benefit. 

    The researchers point to studies showing that CBD may reduce anxiety behaviors in disorders such as:

    The review notes that current medications for these disorders can lead to additional symptoms and side effects and that people may stop taking the drugs because of these unwanted effects. CBD has not shown any adverse effects in these cases to date, and the researchers call for CBD to be studied as a potential treatment method  -Medical News Today

    As CBD possesses the ability to reduce anxiety, it can be helpful in reducing sleep difficulties and also improving the sleep quality. CBD  helps in increasing the overall sleep amounts and improves insomnia as well. CBD has been shown to reduce insomnia in people who suffer from chronic pain.

    If CBD is given in smaller doses, it can also stimulate alertness and reduces daytime sleepiness, which is important for daytime performance and for the strength and consistency of the sleep-wake cycle of an individual.

    6. CBD May Help with Quitting Smoking

    Research has found that inhaling CBD for a few weeks can possibly reduce the number of cigarettes smoked by almost 40%, without increasing the cravings for nicotine. 

    CBD is very easily available worldwide. 

    7. Cannabidiol Can Provide Treatment for Acne

    CBD decreases the lipid synthesis and proliferation of sebaceous glands on the human face and also possesses an anti-inflammatory effect on sebaceous glands. Therefore, it can potentially act as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of acne vulgaris.

    8. Cannabidiol Lowers the Incidence of Diabetes

    CBD can impede and delay the destruction of insulin-producing cells present in the pancreas and also the production of inflammatory cytokines in diabetics.

    CBD has found to reduce the inflammation of pancreatic cells and improves the glucose tolerance. It also increases the insulin sensitivity for type 1 diabetic individuals so that there is a possibility that less insulin is needed for the management. It also makes the fluctuation of the blood-glucose level more manageable.

    article contributed by Kathy T. Cooley

    HFI editorial staff did further research to gain a better understanding of how CBD oil affects the human body. 

    Research shows that CBD products are actually helpful at reducing many ailments. Such diverse ailments that they seem to be unrelated, in fact… but they are not. Emerging research shows that each of these ailments may be related to dysregulation of the endocannabinoid system, or ECS for short. The “key and lock” metaphor is often used to describe this process. The human body possesses specific binding sites (“locks”) on the surface of many cell types, and our body produces several endocannabinoids (“keys”) that bind to these cannabinoid receptors (CB) to activate or “unlock” them.

    How CBD works

    All cannabinoids, including CBD, attach themselves to certain receptors in the body to produce their effects.

    The human body produces certain cannabinoids on its own. It has two receptors for cannabinoids, called CB1 receptors and CB2 receptors.

    CB1 receptors are found all around the body, but many of them are in the brain.

    The CB1 receptors in the brain deal with coordination and movement, pain, emotions and mood, thinking, appetite, and memories, among others. THC attaches to these receptors.

    CB2 receptors are more common in the immune system. They affect inflammation and pain.

    It used to be thought that CBD acts on these CB2 receptors, but it appears now that CBD does not act on either receptor directly. Instead, it seems to influence the body to use more of its own cannabinoids.

    FURTHER READING:

    Everything you need to know about CBD oil https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317221.php

    CBD for Seizures and Epilepsy – Treatment with CBD Hemp Oil.  https://cbdsky.com/cbd-for-seizures/

    Best of CBD Oil. http://bestofcbdoil.com/

    How Does CBD Affect Bone Growth? | Skeletal …. https://infinitecbd.com/cbd-bone-growth/

    Diabetes and Marijuana: A Possible Treatment?. https://www.thediabetescouncil.com/diabetes-and-marijuana-a-possible-treatment/

  • Remedies for Stomach Aches & Cramps

    As a mom, the most common question we face is how to naturally ease stomach pain. From colicky babies to cancer patients, dozens of people choose the most effective and safest remedy for stomach problems. As with any natural “cure,” there are no guaranteed magic bullets, see your doctor if you have chronic stomach pain. But if you’ve just eaten some funky take-out or if you’re trying to relieve menstrual cramps, your child has tummy troubles after too many spins on the playground merry-go-round there are lots of natural alternatives to at least calm your belly.

    Here’s a list of twelve herbal and home remedies to help soothe many types of stomach discomfort.

    1. Enjoy a Cup of Chamomile Tea

    Chamomile can help ease the pain of a stomach ache by working as an anti-inflammatory (for example the lining of the stomach can become inflamed as a result common gastritis, caused by bacteria) and by relaxing the smooth muscle of the upper digestive track. When it relaxes that muscle, the contractions that are pushing food through your system ease up a bit and lessen the pain of cramping and spasms.

    You will need…
    -1 teabag of chamomile tea OR 1-2 teaspoons of dried chamomile
    -A mug
    -Hot water

    Directions
    Pour boiling water over a teabag and cover your mug, letting it steep for 10 minutes. If using dried chamomile, place 1-2 teaspoons in a mug and cover with boiling water. Cover the mug and let steep for 15-20 minutes. Sip slowly.

    2. Use a “Hot” Pack

    I put hot in quotations because you don’t truly want it hot-just very warm, but comfortably so. You can also use a hot water bottle for this as well. Heat helps to loosen and relax muscles, so if you find yourself cramping up, some warmth can go a long ways for relieving you of the dreadful discomfort.

    You will need…
    -A hot pack, hot water bottle, or something similar
    -A cozy place to lie down

    Directions
    Find a place to lie down, and rest the hot pack on your belly. It should be a comfortable temperature, but definitely warm. Do this for at least 15 minutes, or as long as you need to, reheating as necessary.

    3. Rice Water

    Rice water is exactly what it sounds like-the water left-over after you cook rice. It acts a demulcent, meaning a substance that relieves inflammation by forming a sort of soothing barrier over a membrane, in this case, the lining of your stomach.

    You will need…
    -1/2 cup of white rice
    -2 cups of water
    -A pot

    Directions
    Cook your rice with twice the amount of water you normally would for your chosen amount. In this case I am using plain old long-grain white rice. Put your rice in a pot on the stove and add the water, cooking over medium-low heat. As the rice starts to become tender, remove it from the heat and let it soak for 3 minutes with the lid on the pan. Drain and drink the water warm, adding a smidge of honey if needed. Save the rice for a bland meal later.

    4. Enjoy Some Mint

    Fresh peppermint tea (or just peppermint tea in general) can help relax stomach muscles. It also helps improve the flow of bile, which helps you digest properly. This is especially useful if suffering from indigestion or gas/bloating.

    You will need…
    -A handful of fresh peppermint leaves OR 1-2 teaspoons dried
    -Mug
    -1 cup water

    Directions
    Cover the peppermint with 1 cup of boiling water, cover, and let steep for 5-10 minutes. Sip slowly while it’s still toasty warm. If using the fresh peppermint leaves, you can chew on them as well to ease stomach pains. You can also just use a pre-made teabag if you find that more desirable.

    5. Warm Lemon Water

    Lemon water, if your issue is indigestion, helps a stomachache. The high acidity level stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid, which breaks down our food. By upping the amount of HCL being produced, you help move digestion along at healthy pace. You get the added bonus of the hydration too, which keeps the system flushed and running smoothly.

    You will need…
    -1 fresh lemon
    -warm water

    6. Ginger Root Tea

    Ginger contains naturally occurring chemicals called gingerols and shogaols. These chemicals can help relax smooth muscle, such as the muscle that lines the intestinal track, and therefore relieve stomach cramps or a colicky stomach ache. Ginger root is also great for relieving nausea, which may accompany a stomachache. Sipping on some warm tea can prove very useful as a home remedy for stomach aches and is, in my opinion, more effective than ginger ale.

    You will need…
    -1 ginger root, 1-2 inches
    -A sharp knife or peeler
    -1-2 cups of water
    -Honey (optional)

    Directions
    Wash, peel, and then grate or finely chop 1-2 inches of fresh ginger root. Bring 1-2 cups of fresh water to a boil (use less water and more ginger if you want a more concentrated drink) and add your ginger. Boil for 3 minutes and then simmer for 2 more. Remove from heat, strain, and add honey to taste. Sip slowly and relax.

    7. Chew Fennel Seeds

    Let’s say your stomach ache is being caused by indigestion. In this case, chewing fennel seeds will help as they contain anethole, a volatile oil that can stimulate the secretion of digestive juices to help move things along. It can also help tame inflammation, and reduce the pain caused by it. If you are suffering from gastritis, inflammation of the stomach, this may provide some relief from the discomfort.

    You will need…
    -1/2-1 teaspoon of fennel seeds

    Directions
    After a meal, chew ½-1 teaspoon of fennel seeds thoroughly. If you are pregnant, avoid fennel.

    Some moms recommend Gripe water made with fennel and ginger is an ideal go-to source if you have a child ill who refuses to chew fennel or drink tea.

    8. Drink Club Soda and Lime

    Like lemon, lime can help ease an aching tummy. Combine the lime with club soda and you have an easy drink to sip on to wash away the pain. If you overate and have a stomach ache as a result, the carbonation in club soda will encourage you to burp, therefore relieving pressure in your belly. It has been shown to help greatly with dyspepsia (basically indigestion) and constipation.

    You will need…
    -8 ounces of cool club soda
    -Fresh lime juice

    Directions
    Mix 8 ounces of club soda with the juice of half a lime. Stir and sip slowly.

    I myself have had more than a few unfortunate run-ins with stomach aches, particularly this past year. Thanks to some generous family genes, I seem quite prone to them. Second to headaches, I find chronic stomach pain to be one of the most distracting to deal with day-to-day.

    By keeping a couple options for stomach ache remedies on hand at all time, I find I can usually be prepared to ward it off should it start to creep up.

    We Want to Hear from You! Let us know which remedies work and do not work for you.

  • Benefits of Tart Cherries

    Tart Cherry Juice health benefits, prevention of cancer, prevention of heart disease, improving circulation, speeding up healing process, preventing arthritis, improving focus and attention, help regulating sleep, preventing diabetes, boosting immune system, preventing respiratory problem and promoting weight loss.

    Tart cherry juice is rich in various nutrients. An 8-ounce (240-ml) serving contains 119 calories and the following (1):

    • Carbs: 28 grams
    • Fiber: 5 grams
    • Protein: 2 grams
    • Fat: 1 gram
    • Vitamin A: 62% of the RDI
    • Vitamin C: 40% of the RDI
    • Manganese: 14% of the RDI
    • Potassium: 12% of the RDI
    • Copper: 12% of the RDI
    • Vitamin K: 7% of the RDI

    Tart cherry juice also contains smaller amounts of B vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, omega-3 and omega-6 fats, in addition to antioxidants and other beneficial plant compounds (1, 2).

    Compared to sweet cherry varieties, tart cherries contain 20 times more vitamin A, and their antioxidant levels are up to five times higher (1, 3, 4, 5).

    One easy way to tell tart cherries from sweet varieties is by their color. Sweet cherries tend to be darker in color, whereas tart cherries retain their bright red color after being harvested.

    Keep in mind that some varieties of tart cherry juice contain substantial amounts of added sugars, so opt for an unsweetened variety.

    A GLASS FOR A GOOD NIGHT SLEEP

    Research shows that supplementing with tart cherry juice increases levels of melatonin and helps improve sleep quality and duration (15).

    In one study, participants suffering from insomnia drank either 16 ounces (480 ml) of tart cherry juice or the same amount of a placebo juice each day for two weeks. The cherry juice increased sleep time by an average of 85 minutes (16).

    Interestingly, tart cherry juice seems to be just as, if not more, effective at reducing insomnia than valerian and melatonin — the two most studied natural products for insomnia (17).

  • Fire Cider Remedy Immune Boosting Tonic

    Fire Cider is a popular herbal folk remedy. The tasty combination of vinegar infused with herbs is an especially pleasant and easy way to boost natural health processes, stimulate digestion, and get you nice and warmed up on cold days.

    Because this is a folk preparation, the ingredients can change from year to year depending on when you make it and what’s growing around you. The standard base ingredients are apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish, and hot peppers, but there are plenty of other herbs that can be thrown in for added kick. 

     Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar shares how to make Fire Cider, a cold and flu remedy that she formulated and shared with the world. This is a perfect remedy for someone who needs a fiery kick to his or her immune system. A blend of spicy and sweet flavors were combined to enhance your circulatory and digestive system. Will come in handy for those cold months when you’re prone to sinus infections, or when you feel cold coming on. 

    HOMEMADE FIRE CIDER RECIPE

    Ingredients

    • 1/2 cup fresh grated organic ginger root
    • 1/2 cup fresh grated organic horseradish root
    • 1 medium organic onion, chopped
    • 10 cloves of organic garlic, crushed or chopped
    • 2 organic jalapeno peppers, chopped
    • Zest and juice from 1 organic lemon
    • 2 Tbsp. of dried rosemary leaves
    • 1 Tbsp. organic turmeric powder
    • 1/4 tsp. organic cayenne powder
    • organic apple cider vinegar
    • 1/4 cup of raw local honey, or to taste

    Directions

    1. Prepare your roots, fruits, and herbs and place them in a quart-sized glass jar. If you’ve never grated fresh horseradish, be prepared for a powerful sinus-opening experience!
    2. Pour the apple cider vinegar in the jar until all of the ingredients are covered and the vinegar reaches the jar’s top.
    3. Use a piece of natural parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal, or a plastic lid if you have one. Shake well.
    4. Store in a dark, cool place for a month and remember to shake daily.
    5. After one month, use cheesecloth to strain out the pulp, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquidy goodness as you can from the pulp while straining.
    6. Next comes the honey. Add and stir until incorporated.
    7. Taste your cider and add more honey until you reach the desired sweetness.

    Herbal Ingredient Variations

    These organic herbs and spices would make a wonderful addition to your Fire Cider creations. Thyme, Horseradish Root Powder, Rosehips, Star Anise, Schisandra Berries, Astragalus, Parsley , Burdock, Oregano, Peppercorns, Beet Root Powder, Habanero Powder, Bird’s Eye Chili Powder, Whole Chili Peppers, Orange, Grapefruit, Lime peels/or juice.

    Special thanks to Rosemary for sharing amazing recipes like this with the herbal community for all to enjoy.

    This article originally appeared at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU8U0bDmXks.