March 18, 2008

Banana: The All Purpose Remedy


The banana has earned its ranking as the number one fruit in the United States. One reason that this fruit is so popular is that it can be used as a remedy in many different ways-and it actually works!

The banana is rich in potassium citrate, fiber, iron, and other proteins such as tryptophan, which helps soothe ailments in the body and mind.

Potassium found in the banana is important in a lot of bodily functions. It normalizes heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain, and regulates your body's water-balance.

When stress kicks in, our potassium level decreases. In order to regain a full and healthy potassium level, a banana will do the trick.

The Food and Drug Administration, who is responsible for regulating food and drug products, is allowing banana producers to make claims that bananas will help reduce blood pressure. Bananas are low in salt and high in potassium chloride, a dietary supplement usually given to lower blood pressure. So save money on artificial dietary supplements and grab a bunch of bananas.

Ladies suffering from PMS can enjoy a banana because it contains vitamin B6 which regulates mood-altering blood glucose levels.

This yellow fruit may also serve as an antidepressant. The protein tryptophan converts into serotonin. Serotonin is responsible for improving your mood, causing you to feel happier.

Because bananas are rich in fiber, it helps restore your bowel movement. Therefore a laxative may no longer be necessary.

The iron in bananas helps treat anemia. Anemia is caused by iron deficiency. As a result, the banana is replacing what the missing iron.

If you're ever feeling nervous before a game or performance, a banana will cure the jitters and butterflies in your stomach. It is full of B vitamins which help calm the nervous system.

Forget about creams that are used to ease the itching sensation from mosquito bites. Peel a banana and put the inside of the skin directly on the bite and watch it reduce the swelling and irritation.

Do you want to give up smoking? Bananas have high levels of Vitamin C, A1, B5, B12, potassium, and magnesium which help aid a person going through nicotine withdrawal.

To help late night food cravings go for a banana. It helps control blood glucose levels because of the carbohydrates it contains.

Heartburn can quickly be cured as well. A banana is antacid which provides a calm and soothing relief. Believe it or not, with the help of a banana you can cure a hangover. It's simple all you need to do is make a banana milkshake and add some honey. The banana calms the stomach, the honey restores low sugar levels, and the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

A study performed by The New England Journal of Medicine states that eating bananas regularly in your diet can reduce the risk of stroke by up to 40 percent.

In Thailand, expectant mothers eat bananas for the sole purpose of ensuring their newborns will be born with a cool temperature.

When dealing with a wart, take a banana peel and wrap it around the wart with the yellow side out. Keep the banana peel in place with a band aid or surgical tape. This will help kill the wart. Bananas are also known as the 'athlete's number one fruit,' primarily because research has proven that two bananas will give you all you need for a vigorous 90 minute workout.

The banana has definitely earned its ranking as the number one fruit. It's a great alternative for some medication, including potassium chloride or Tylenol products, and may save you a trip to the doctor. Another bonus is that trying these banana remedies won't put a risk on your health. There is no negative backlash when it comes to eating a banana, so it wouldn't hurt to try.

So the next time you are feeling a little queasy or blue, try eating a banana first. Put these remedies to the test and you might save some cash in your pockets!

March 05, 2008

Kitchen Remedy - Lemon


Lemon, the tree always green, was cultivated in China for over 3000 years and it's well known for his therapeutically proprieties.

His fruits and leaves are used in treatment for several diseases. Lemon has two proprieties, which make from this plant an important therapeutic fruit: antibacterial proprieties and high content of vitamin C.

Lemon contains:

  • 90% water
  • 1.26 mg proteins
  • 25.6 mg calcium
  • 0.54 iron
  • 52.7 mg vitamin C
  • Energy 27 kcal

Lemon Cures

Because of this nourishing content lemon juice helps the immune system and it's redoucing cholesterol. Vitamin C from the lemon is immediately absorbed into the body; nutritionists recommend daily consuming of this fruit to raise the synthesis of anti stress hormones.
Because lemon contains citric acid, it quickly changes the body's acid condition into an alkaline one. Lemons also contain phosphorus. For this reason, lemon juice in water with a little honey, 2-3 times/day helps cure halitosis (bad breath)! For those suffering from a hangover, lemon juice in a weak solution of black tea works wonders as it converts an acid condition (a condition that causes headaches and migraines) to an alkaline one. Sometimes a shot of lemon or lime juice will cure your hiccups!


Citrus limon benefits

  • blood cleanser
  • diuretic
  • inflammation
  • nerve tonic
  • used in the fight against cancer
  • reducing high blood pressure
  • minor feverish illnesses
  • varicose veins
  • hemorrhoids
  • kidney stones
Traditional Uses:

Lemon peel:
it is used to calm down articulation pain. Volatile oil from the lemon peel helps in blood vessel relaxation and has anti-inflammatory effect. To use lemon as an anti-inflammatory substance scrape away very carefully the peel from the lemon without taking off the white part, putt it on the painful zone and wrap the area up with a bandage. Keep the bandage for one hour or two.

Lemon juice: helps in cases of sunstroke. The juice has an astringent action and calms down the pain. It's also a very good disinfectant, used in cases of small injuries, injuries in the mouth, neck (like cankers). To obtain this effect, squeeze a lemon and mix it with a cup of worm water. Gargle three times a day with the juice prepared.

Lemon juice daily first thing in the morning (on an empty stomach) eliminates water retention, helps with weight reduction, and keeps the system alkaline. For the flu, an old time remedy is to juice one lemon and add that to a cup of hot water with honey. Drink the entire amount at once and then repeat every couple of hours until you are feeling better.