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Natural Alternative Health Boosters
1. An extract in green tea called Thenanine can help calm your brain, encourage better sleep and reduce stress, whilst the high antioxidant levels in this tea can help boost immune function and fat burning within the body.
2. Sage, rosemary and coriander can help improve your memory.
3. Oats, soya beans, cabbage and cauliflower contain vital brain nutrients that could help you avoid Alzheimer’s.
4. Dabbing cider vinegar mixed with half a crushed aspirin will help dissolve warts.
5. Keeping the acid/alkaline ratio of your body correct helps you avoid many major illnesses. Chocolate, coffee, red meat and alcohol are the most acid-forming food you can ear, whilst wheat grass, mango and Canteloupe melon are the most alkaline. Anger makes the body acid - being calm and taking deep breaths makes it alkaline.
6. In the 15th century grave robbers used to apply oils that included cloves, lemon, eucalyptus and rosemary to avoid contracting the plague. It became known as Thieves Oil. Today in a therapeutic formula, Thieves Oil has been shown to kill 99.9% of all airborne bacteria. As conventional antibiotics are now less effective - this and other oils and herbs could save your life.
7. Simple Bee Propolis which bees make to sterilise their hives, and New Zealand Manuka Honey have been shown to kill various MRSA types of bacteria as well as protecting against many viruses.
8. Foods from the brassica family including broccoli, spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, collard greens, turnips, watercress, pak choi and kohlrabi help protect against oestrogen sensitive cancers including breast cancer and cancer of the cervix, balance hormones and greatly alleviate menopausal symptoms.
9. Black cohosh can effectively relieve hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms after four weeks of use. Other herbs that are great for reducing menopausal symptoms include agnus castus, hops, liquorice root, dong quai and wild yam.
10. The mineral selenium has been found to help prevent prostrate enlargement and there is significant inverse relationship between selenium levels in the body and prostrate cancer. 200mcg per day can significantly reduce your risk of either.
11. Co-enzyme Q10 is a supplement well proven to improve energy levels and is vital for a healthy heart. The body produces co-enzyme Q10 naturally, but as we age or when we are stressed we produce less, and as few people eat organ meats these days which are rich in co-enzyme Q10, it is best taken as a supplement of 100mg daily. If you are already taking statins, it is important to supplement with 150mg of co-enzyme Q10 because by blocking the enzyme that produces cholesterol, statins also block the enzyme which produces co-enzyme Q10.
12. Eat more oily fish for optimum eye health. Salmon, mackerel, tuna, sardines and anchovies, alongside nuts and seeds are rich in natural fats which help lubricate the eyes from the inside out.
13. Coriander detoxifies heavy metal from the body and is full of nutrients, especially B vitamins.
14. Magnesium is a natural vasodilator which means it encourages the veins and arteries to dilate, so there is less chance of a restriction causing a heart attack or stroke. Magnesium is found in oats, honey, wholemeal bread and pasta, almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, mustard and curry powder. All leafy green foods are rich in magnesium - and foods like chlorella and green food powders are also high in iron.
15. If you have a low or flagging sex drive, worrying about the situation will make it worse. Studies show that a lack of vitamins C, E, A, B and the mineral zinc and selenium can cause a low sperm count and lack of sex drive. Ylang ylang, rose and jasmine therapeutic oils applied to the lower abdomen area can help revive a flagging sex drive in men and women. Note that essential oils must always be diluted in a carrier oil such as almond or jojoba oil - and should never be applied to the skin neat.
16. Celery seed extract acts like a diuretic so can help ease swollen feet and ankles.
17. Suffer from hayfever? The plant extract butterbur can help helps relieve the cold-like symptoms associated with hayfever, and place a few drops of melissa and basil essential oils on a handkerchief to help clear the sinuses.
18. Ease a sort throat with this home-made gargle. Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic, use diluted with a little sea salt as a gargle but do not swallow. Gargle with a mixture of warm water and a quarter of a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a pinch of salt.
19. Two bananas or 4 sticks of celery a day, both of which are rich in potassium, have shown to help lower blood pressure.
20. Globe artichoke and fennel stimulate liver function and cell regeneration, and can help lower blood cholesterol.
These tips are from the new edition of 500 of the Most Important Health Tips You’ll Ever Need: An A-Z of Alternative Health Hints to Help Over 200 Conditions
The book is written by Hazel Courteney. Hazel has spent the past 15 years encouraging people to take more responsibility for their health. In 1997 she was voted health journalist of the year for her column, What’s The Alternative? for The Sunday Times and Daily Mail. During her five years as a columnist answered 50,000 readers health queries.