Kelp: Medicine from the Sea

Based on an article found on herbalandalternativemedicine.com:

Kelp is a type of seaweed that is rich in vitamins, minerals and essential trace nutrients our bodies need. This "herb" makes an excellent all around vitamin that's particularly useful for women during menses, and it is believed to have medicinal properties as well.
(Note: kelp is also an ingredient in our eight-herb essiac.)

The full power of kelp comes from the number of nutrients it provides, and its natural iodine. Natural plant iodine is absorbed more slowly by the body than synthetic versions are, and this is safer as well as more useful for the body to absorb and use. Iodine is essential for the human body to operate properly. Iodine is specifically useful in regulating the thyroid gland, which plays a major role in moderating the body's metabolism.

When the thyroid is not functioning properly, it can cause extreme and chronic fatigue, weight gain or loss, and/or growth problems. By helping to regulate the thyroid naturally, kelp may assist with maintaining the body's growth, energy levels, and in balancing body weight too.

Additionally, the thyroid's release of iodine into the body helps prevent or fight diseases and infections. By helping to regulate and supplement the natural iodine levels in the body, kelp indirectly acts as an infection fighting herb.

The large amounts of vitamins and minerals contained in kelp are a true treasure. This herb is packed full of calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and other trace minerals. This makes it an excellent plant to use as a daily multi-vitamin, and the added iron and calcium is particularly useful for women.

Kelp is considered an essential herb for hair, nail and skin problems, because it helps these areas of the body to become stronger and healthier with regular use. Kelp helps rebuild cell membranes, and the high mineral content makes it an excellent choice for use during pregnancy because it normalizes glands and hormones, while providing the extra nutrients a woman's body needs while carrying a child.

Since kelp is a seaweed it is naturally salty, so it can also be used as a table salt substitute in cooking.

Some of the various health problems kelp has been used for over the years include: hair and nail growth or repair, clearing up skin problems such as acne, providing additional energy, regulating the thyroid gland, reducing morning sickness, as a pregnancy vitamin, and an all around daily vitamin.

For Successful Healing, Cancer Must Be Treated as a Multi-System Disease

You have just been diagnosed with cancer. Your oncologist is pushing you to begin chemotherapy immediately. You know that chemotherapy will make you sick, your hair fall out and leave you completely debilitated and dependent on someone to care for you. You will suffer severe side-effects that may leave your nervous system damaged, weaken your bones or damage your heart. You also realize that chances are your cancer will return after months of grueling treatments. You think maybe you would like to try alternative medicine but your oncologist is against it and you know of others who tried that route and died. What you may not know is this: Cancer can be healed naturally, and is done so every day, but it takes more than a multivitamin, a few supplements and a daily bowl of blueberries to accomplish complete healing.


Read more here.

Add Some Color to Your Diet

Studies show that variety provides cancer-fighting benefits. Grocery shoppers should bear in mind that good things come in colorful packages from Mother Nature. Dark or bright red, dark green, yellow, orange and blue or purple fruits and vegetables tend to offer the highest content of vitamins, antioxidants and other phytonutrients.

(Post note: Recent studies also indicate that no single fruit or vegetable can fight cancer alone, such as tomatoes in the fight against prostate cancer. But it is still thought that an all-around healthful diet high in colorful fruits and vegetables can help prevent damage to immune systems as people age.)

Read more about new colorful and healthy fruits and vegetables here.

Eat Your Artichokes

Artichokes are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium, but it is their phytonutrient content that really makes them shine.

In fact, a study published in the July 2006 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that artichokes ranked fourth in antioxidant content out of over 100 tested foods.

Artichokes were found to contain more antioxidants per serving than blueberries, raspberries, spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes and a host of other fruits and vegetables (only blackberries, walnuts and strawberries had more).

Read more about artichokes and their benefits here.

Spice Up Your Health

Adding spices such as basil, oregano, garlic, curry, and rosemary to your diet can benefit your health, according to Suzanna Zick, a naturopathic physician and researcher at the University of Michigan Health System."

Adding herbs and spices can help you maintain a healthy weight. Plus, they can help prevent certain cancers, and even lower blood pressure, control blood sugar and improve cardiovascular health," Zick said.

Read more about how spices can boost your health.

6 Healthy Benefits of Papaya

Top Health Benefits of Papaya

Why eat papaya? It's delicious, refreshing and will support your health in the following ways, according to this article from SixWise:

1. Promote Good Digestion

2. Fight Heart Disease

3. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

4. Support Your Immune System

5. Protect Your Eyes and Lungs

6. Fight Prostate Cancer