Saturday, October 4, 2014

Protect your Health with Organic HERBS and FOOD!

Ginger Basil concoction
Around our house we don't usually get sick.  Why?  Healthy foods and Immune Boosting organic herbs are a priority for us.  "The common cold" is only common because people allow their bodies to become susceptible to "bad bugs" or have a condition the weakens their immune system.  
Ebola scares the crap out of me so we're doing everything we can NOW to give our bodies what they need to fight off infection.


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October 2, 2014
Dear Mary,
Mary here! When I'm not assisting people grow the healthiest, organic garden available I am assisting my husband in his wellness-based, chiropractic office.  
We educate patients about the benefits of getting healthy and staying healthy.

My research has shown that there many reported health benefits of both culinary and medicinal herbs. You might be growing a few in your garden at the moment.

Below is a recent article we publish on our blog Back to the Basics. Please enjoy and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Protect Your Health with FOOD!

With Fall here and Winter around the corner, NOW is the time to boost your body's immune system.  Giving your body the proper nutrients to allow the body to heal naturally is the simplest way to avoid harsh and sometimes harmful pharmaceuticals.  

I am in no way implying that you throw out your prescriptions and go totally herbal.  This is not intended as medical advice but as a tool to help boost your immune system and to assist your body in the healing process.

Now, with a recent diagnosis of Ebola within the United States it is imperative that we are all proactive in a healthier lifestyle.


Powerful Herbs to Fight Viruses

ALOE
Not only is this one of the more helpful herbs for fighting viruses, this can also work as an astringent and has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Taken internally, it is good for easing the symptoms of AIDS and for digestive disorders. Use only the pulp from the inside of the succulent leaves of the aloe plant.

Astragalus, a mighty member of the bean family, has been shown to boost the immune system and inhibit certain viruses, such as the Cocksackie B virus. It enjoys a long history of preventing and treating colds and various other respiratory-related conditions.

Basil, especially as an extract or oil, is known to have exceptionally powerful antioxidant properties that can protect the body from premature aging, common skin issues, age-related problems and even some types of cancer. The herb also contains the flavonoids orientin and vicenin, which are plant pigments that shield your cell structures from oxygen and radiation damage.
Both fresh basil and basil oil have strong antibacterial capabilities. In fact, basil has been shown to stop the growth of many bacteria, even some that had grown resistant to other antibiotics. Basil can be applied to wounds to help prevent bacterial infections.
In Ayurvedic medicine, Holy Basil is used as a tea or a tincture. Among its many medicinal uses are lowering cholesterol, as an immune booster, and lowering blood glucose levels

Cayenne pepper's bright red color signals its high content of beta-carotene or pro-vitamin A. Just two teaspoons of cayenne pepper provide 47% of the daily value for vitamin A. Often called the anti-infection vitamin, vitamin A is essential for healthy epithelial tissues including the mucous membranes that line the nasal passages, lungs, intestinal tract and urinary tract and serve as the body's first line of defense against invading pathogens.

Echinacea is a classic member of the antiviral herbs. Not only does it fight viral and bacterial infection, it also stimulates the white blood cells and is good for the immune system. Use both the leaves and the roots of this plant.

Black elderberry (Sambucas nigra) is another herbs to keep handy during the cold and flu season. Elderberry has antiviral activity against influenza viruses and enhances immune function. A proprietary elderberry extract (Sambucol®) significantly shortens the severity and duration of influenza.

GARLIC
Garlic (Allium sativum)has broad activity against a number of organisms and also promotes immune function. People around the globe have used the bulb as food and medicine for thousands of years. Four French thieves added to garlic's fame by staying alive as they either robbed or interred (the story varies) victims of the plague. Their alleged secret? Internal and external use of a vinegar made of garlic and other antimicrobial herbs. This 'vinaigre des quatre voleurs' is still sold in France.

Garlic has antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Mycobacterium, as well as species associated with diarrhea (Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Clostridium, Klebsiella, Bacillus subtilis). Happily, though somewhat mysteriously, garlic interferes with disease-causing bacteria, rather than the "friendly" bacteria such as Lactobacillus that colonize the intestines.
Garlic also tackles fungi (Candida, Cryptococcus, Trichophyton) and parasites such as (Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica,Trypanosomes, Leishmania).

Genuine licorice root, not that red candy that shares the same name, has been a key ingredient in most Chinese herbal formulas for more than 3,000 years. Research indicates that licorice's two primary ingredients-glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid-boost production of interferon. Active ingredients- hypericin and pseudohypericin, are phytochemicals that display strong antiviral properties enough to overpower herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2, certain flu viruses (influenza A and B), and EBV.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has scientific backing as an anti-nausea agent. It may offer other benefits to those stricken with infections diarrhea. Alcohol extracts of ginger are active against bacteria that infect the intestinal tract (Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Helicobacter pylori), skin and other soft tissues (Staphylococcus aureus), and respiratory tract (Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae). Ginger has antifungal activity against the yeast Candida albicans. It also discourages intestinal worms. Because studies have shown that heat deactivates the antibacterial effect, it may be best to consume ginger raw, or in tincture or capsule form.

Yarrow is one of the antiviral herbs that is also anti-inflammatory, improves blood clotting and increases perspiration. Use the entire yarrow plant except for the roots.


We have now added even more Certified Organic Herbs @  Mary's Herbal Organix.  These are VERY popular and we expect to sell-out quickly.  Orders available now!  Organic Herb orders will ship within 4 business days of purchase.  Orders of 2 or more herb varieties will ship via USPS Priority Mail.

DIY Tincture Kits are also available and ship via USPS Priority Mail.

Important note: This article is not intended as a substitute for the advise of a health care professional. Some microbes are incredibly virulent. And some people are more vulnerable than others. Microbes innocuous in hardier folk can be lead to life-threatening infections in people with compromised immunity. Newborn babies are vulnerable because their immune systems are immature. Elders face declining immune function. In the face of overwhelming infection, antibiotics can save lives. In other instances, antibiotic treatment may help prevent complications. 
 


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If you have additional questions please feel free to ask.  We usually reply within a few hours (unless we're at the farmer's market). 
Thanks you and have a wonderful day!
REMINDER: The YGFM is closed this Saturday, Oct 4th.  Not to worry, we'll be OPEN on Sunday, Oct 5th with a HUGE celebration!
Happy Planting,

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-Mary