Buckthorn


Abundant in vitamin C far more than brier or citrics are, sea buckthorn is used in the food industry, sylviculture, and pharmacy, and its positive effects can be seen in effectively treating illnesses, especially liver problems.
Description
Sea buckthorn is a tall shrub measuring about 1.5-3.5 meters tall and is covered in thorns. It grows in clusters on river shores, in swampy areas and even on gravel.

Sea buckthorn is harvested in the period between August - September. It is recommended that sea buckthorn fruits be harvested before the first frost settles in so as to avoid the sudden diminish of the vitamin C that it contains.
Proprieties
Sea buckthorn is an energizer, anti-anemic, abundant in vitamins, anti-inflammatory herb, and it also decreases appetite (in cases of treatments against obesity). At the same time it speeds up the recovery process after an illness, it's a good coronary protector and it can also slow down the aging process.

Due to the presence of a large amount of vitamins that it contains (C, A, B1, B2, B6, B9, E, K, P, F, as well as phosphoric microelements, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and sodium), sea buckthorn is used effectively in treating liver failures, improving the detoxification of the hepatic cell. It contributes to the synthetization of proteins and through the considerable amount of carotene that it contains, it�s also effective at preventing cancer. Furthermore it gives a relaxing sensation with slightly narcotic effects.
Treatment
Gastric and duodenal ulcer, allergies, diarrhea, nettle rash, rheumatism, neuro-endocrinological afflictions can be treated by using sea buckthorn oil. It can also be used against alcohol dependency, anemia, asthenia and stress.

In treating ophtalmological afflictions, hypertension and gingivitis, sea buckthorn is an excellent treatment mixed with other medicinal herbs.

Extraordinary results were obtained from processing sea buckthorn in pharmaceutical laboratories. The products obtained were used in treating depressions, Parkinson diseases, tumors, adenomas and leukemia.

Thermal and chemical burns, chilblains and infectious eczemas are treated with the aid of products containing sea buckthorn or sea buckthorn oil.

Positive effects were obtained from treating psoriasis with sea buckthorn (under the form of tea or tincture).

Macerated sea buckthorn is used in cases of common cold or flu.
Mixtures
From sea buckthorn tea can be prepared containing a sort of oil obtained from fruits, syrup, macerated sea buckthorn, tincture, juice, nectar, jam, jelly, sweets, jelly fruit, liquors and various alcoholic drinks.

Tea is recommended in cases of diarrhea, rheumatism, skin diseases, and nettle rash. It is obtained by putting two spoons of mashed fruits into 500ml boiled water. After leaving the pot covered for about 30 minutes its content is passed through a sieve.

Fruit oil is prepared from 150g of fresh fruits, over which 150ml of sunflower oil. The pot is kept at room temperature for 3 weeks stirred from time to time. After that, the seeds get crushed and placed in oil once again. After two days of being kept in a luminous warm place, the oil on the surface which should be clear is moved into another bowl. Thirty drops are administrated three times a day over a period of minimum three weeks.

By mixing half a litre of juice with half a litre of honey, fruit syrup is obtained. After homogenization the syrup is kept in the fridge. The treatment is long lasting and consists of taking from four to six spoons of syrup a day.

Macerated sea buckthorn is prepared by crushing 500g of sea buckthorn seeds over which 500g of honey is poured. This mixture is digested by taking a spoonful each day to keep the body resistant to cold and flu.

Read More..

Celery (Apium Graveolens)

Description
Usually, celery (Apium graveolens) is used in making salads, spicing up foods containing meat, etc. However, the roots, leaves and celery seeds are used for therapeutic purposes in treating and preventing diseases. In medicine, celery has been used as far back as Ancient Greece when it was highly valued for its properties as an aphrodisiac as well as its medicinal properties. Around the same time celery was also used as a decorative herb by the Romans, who used the leaves for their "Winner's Crown". In traditional medicine celery was used to eliminate intestinal parasites. Chinese medicine recommended celery to be used as a medicine to treat high blood pressure due to its stabilizing components. Apium graveolens initially grew on humid grounds of Europe and Asia. With the start of the 19th century, celery began to be grown in United States. Nowadays this vegetable is more commonly used in foods, due to the richness of its taste. It is also useful in stomach illnesses, rheumatism, obesity and diseases of the urinary bladder; celery keeps its therapeutic properties the best when it is consumed raw. Either used as a snack or as medicine, celery detoxifies the body, stimulates the nervous system and mineralizes the body.

Proprieties
One hundred grams of celery has an energetic value equal to 18 calories. It contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, C, E, K, PP and minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and zinc. Vitamin C contained by celery strengthens the immunologic system and at the same time makes the body more resistant against new diseases. Calcium, potassium and magnesium act towards the same goal, straightening the body. Along with magnesium, iron is effective in alleviating the effects of anemia. Celery has the ideal quantities of iron and magnesium to stop oncological diseases from progressing. This plant has diuretic properties and dichloridic effects which are useful in renal afflictions (like renal colic and renal lithiasis) and heart disorders. In this purpose celery root is used. Due to its depurative properties, the consumption of celery is recommended for individuals who have a fast paced lifestyle and are unable to maintain a healthy diet. Because of these properties - diuretic and depurative - celery is the ideal ingredient for diets based on weight-loss. Diets based on celery have energizing and fortifying effects on the body due to the stimulation of the renal glands, reduction of the stress hormone and decreasing of the heart rate. But celery also has hypoglycemic properties, which means it can be used in treating sugary diabetes. Other properties: expectorant, emollient (effective against bronchitis), it adjusts hormonal dysfunctions (dysmenorrhea, infertility, disorders caused by menopause, various forms of acne, allergic dermatosis); cicatrizing (good for wounds, scratches, ulcerations).

Treatments and mixtures
Celery is consumed as a diuretic and laxative by those who have urinary retentions or suffer from kidney illnesses; it is also efficient in cases of asthenia, hoarseness, rheumatism, icterus, gout, arthritis, inflammations, dermatosis, diabetes, and obesity. Individuals with high cholesterol should add celery to their diets. Moreover, celery is effective for those who have lack of food appetite. Below are some mixtures based on celery.

Infusion of celery powder
To prepare the infusion, four spoonfuls of celery powder are put in 1 liter of boiling water. After that, the mixture is passed through a sieve and 1 cup of it a day is consumed to treat hoarseness, intestinal gases or for its laxative/diuretic properties. The infusion made from boiling two spoonfuls of grained celery stimulates the central nervous system. The infusion is taken daily in small amounts. If in one glass of cold water a spoonful of grained celery root is left to macerate, the resulting mixture taken before each meal treats anorexia. The infusion needs to be renewed each day.

Celery decoct
Twenty five grams of celery boiled in 1 liter of water are sufficient in preparing the mixture. The resulting decoct is taken in small quantities and is efficient against rheumatism, cough and hoarseness. A more concentrated decoct (containing between 30 and 40 grams of celery root in 1 liter of water) has a diuretic and depurative effect, treating slow digestions, obesity, gout, rheumatism.

Celery juice
Celery juice is excellent in treating rheumatism, allergies, stomach disorders, eliminating toxins, stimulating digestion and food appetite, adjusting sexual functions (treats frigidity and impotence) and is known as an all-round aphrodisiac. The ideal dosage in which it should be consumed is 3 glasses a day.

Warning
For pregnant women the consumption of celery should be made in very small quantities. Celery can cause in very rare cases allergic reactions to some individuals (cases which occurred in Central Europe).

Read More..


Onion General Information
Ancient Greek historical accounts show the Onion was so popular that at one time, nine tons of gold was used to buy Onions to feed the builders of the pyramids. In the Middle Ages, it was used as a charm against evil spirits and the plague. Bunches of Onions were hung on doors to ward off the plague, typhoid, and cholera as well. Ancient folk healers believed Onion juice prevented infection. The sulfur content in Onions gives this plant its strong aroma and sharp flavor. In folk medicine, a half Onion was placed by the bedside in a sickroom to ward off germs. Scientific studies found that Onion does in fact, draw bacteria from the atmosphere. It was also found that the sulfur content in Onions is effective against bacillus subtilis, salmonella typhi, pseudomonas aeroginosa, and E. coli. This plant is rich in vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), and C, and has diuretic, antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, decongestant, diaphoretic, anti-microbial, anti-asthmatic, expectorant, anti-rheumatic, and tonic properties.
Onion Uses & Scientific Evidence For
Onion is thought to reduce blood pressure and improve circulation. Onion is taken for colds, flu, and coughs. It can help ward off angina, arteriosclerosis, and heart attack. It also works well for preventing oral infection and tooth decay. Externally, warmed Onion juice in the ear can soothe earaches and a baked Onion poultice works for draining pus from sores.

Placing a poultice on the chest relieves congestion, abscesses, and boils. Some modern herbalists use Onion juice to remove warts and prevent acne, and an Onion syrup works well as an expectorant. Onion is also thought to be an aphrodisiac and a hair tonic for stimulating growth. Sliced, raw Onions work well in soothing bee stings, insect bites, hives, or nettle rash. Steam inhalation with hot water and raw Onions relieves sinus congestion caused by colds.
Onion Dosage Information
Onion comes in various forms and is an ingredient in many products. For soothing sore throats and coughs, use 2 Onions and 2 tablespoons honey, steeped overnight at room temperature. Steeping 4 medium-sized hot Onions in 1 liter or pint of hot water for 2 or 3 hours works as an infusion for treating colds, congestion, coughs, and bronchitis. Simmer 3 Onions in ¾ cup of water for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain and ad honey for relieving congestion. Tea made from boiled Onion skins are used to improve poor circulation, and works especially well in cases of gout. For other formulations and products, read and follow product label directions.
Onion Safety & Interaction Information
Onions are generally regarded as safe; however, this vegetable can cause digestive upset in some people if too many are eaten raw at one time.

Read More..

Design by Blogger Templates