Summer is upon us and that means it’s the season of sunburns. I’s time to stock up on natural remedies that will soothe and rejuvenate. And of all the natural remedies you can concoct to soothe those bubbling blisters and raw red shoulders, aloe vera gel for sunburn ranks at the very top.
According to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 50.1% of adults have had at least one sunburn within the last 12 months. To avoid sunburn, you know the drill–wear sunscreen, cover up, and stay in the shade–but if you do get too much sun, you might turn to your kitchen and garden for some old-fashioned sunburn remedies.
Aloe Vera Gel for Sunburn: Sunburn prevalence is high
The new CDC study shows that even though people are taking more steps to protect themselves from sunburn, half of all adults and 65.6% of whites aged 18 to 29 had at least one case of sunburn within the past year. Most cases of sunburn are first-degree burns, which means the skin gets red and is painful.
The redness begins about 2 to 6 hours after sun exposure, and the worst effects occur at 12 to 24 hours. However, the most serious effect is the potential for skin cancer, as the risk for melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) increases with the increasing number of sunburn episodes a person experiences during life. – Source
Although sun exposure levels remain at extreme highs, it creates a new drive to implement newer – and more effective – ways to combat the painful effects of UV rays. Consider enlisting the aid of aloe vera for sunburn to start the soothing process. Read below for more information.
Aloe Vera Gel for Sunburn, and Other Remedies from the Kitchen and Garden
If sunburn does occur, the following home remedies (including aloe vera for sunburn) can be found in your kitchen or garden. Most of the claims of relief are anecdotal, as there are few scientific studies to support their use. However, these remedies are considered to be tried-and-true.
Aloe vera gel for sunburn is one remedy that has been the topic of some research. In a journal article entitled “Aloe vera in dermatology: a brief review,” the authors noted that while aloe vera was not helpful in protecting against sunburn, “it can be effective for…burn, wound healing and inflammation.” An aloe vera plant is handy to keep in your kitchen or garden year round. Snip off a leaf tip and squeeze the juice onto your skin. You can also slice through a leaf, spoon out the gel, and mix it with some vitamin E oil. Apply aloe vera for sunburn every hour as needed. However, one of the more common methods for aloe vera for sunburn is through the plant’s gel. You can purchase this remedy at most pharmacies and grocery stores.
Apple cider vinegar added to a warm bath can help relieve sunburn pain. Add 1 to 2 cups to bath water and soak for about 15 to 20 minutes.
Baking soda is an easy and effective treatment. In a small bowl, mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with about 1/2 cup water and mix well. Apply the mixture to your skin with cotton balls or a soft cloth. If you have a large sunburned area, soak a soft cloth in the mixture, squeeze it out, and lay it on the affected area. Another option is to pour about 2 cups of baking soda into bath water and soak in it.
Black tea and green tea contain tannic acid, which can help draw the heat from sunburn. Steep 2 to 3 tea bags in 2 cups of hot water, allow the tea to cool, and then soak a cloth or cotton balls in the tea and apply to sunburned skin. You can also add 4 to 5 tea bags to warm bath water and soak in the bath. Cooled tea bags can also be used as a compress on sunburned areas. – Source
Make sure you have your cupboards stocked with some natural sunburn remedies (including aloe vera gel for sunburn), especially if you plan on spending a lot of time outside during the hot summer months.
Of all the aloe vera benefits we write about, the impact of this miracle plant on your hair is one of the most underestimated aspects. Used as shampoo or conditioner, it adds shimmer and radiance, but can also improve scalp health. Continue reading to learn all about aloe vera benefits for hair.
Aloe Vera Benefits For Hair: Shampoo and Conditioner
The quickest and easiest way to incorporate aloe vera into your hair care routine is to mix some aloe vera gel with the shampoo or conditioner you already use. Some shampoos already contain aloe vera extracts, but if you prefer to make your own, experts recommend using herbal shampoo and using half the amount of shampoo you would normally with twice that amount of aloe vera gel. If you suffer from hair loss or even dandruff, this is a good option, especially if you don’t have the time to massage your scalp or to do a scalp treatment. Aloe vera contains a substance that helps protect against seborrhea. Aloe vera also has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities, and this can be helpful in situations where your scalp needs a little extra care.
Aloe Vera Benefits For Hair: Scalp Treatments
There are many aloe vera benefits for hair, but it can be used as a scalp treatment as well. If you don’t have aloe vera gel handy, you could put aloe vera leaves in a juicer to extract the juice. If you apply this to your scalp and gently massage it in before rinsing it off, you should be able to see a noticeable change in the condition of your scalp and hair in about two to three months.
To maximize your aloe vera benefits for hair, it is best to leave the aloe gel or juice on for at least two hours before rinsing or washing your hair. This method is effective for scalp issues and can be used to not only treat hair loss, but to promote hair growth as well. Aloe vera contains an enzyme that promotes hair growth by stimulating the hair follicle. For those of us who want longer locks faster this is a useful option.
Moving on to another of the aloe vera benefits for hair, if you find that your hair is thinning, aloe vera is not only a natural remedy to help reduce hair loss, but it can also be useful in treating the scalp for things like sunburn. Our hair usually protects our scalps against damage from the sun, but if your hair is thinner than normal or if you are bald, you may need a little extra help. If your scalp becomes sunburnt, a little aloe vera gel can help relieve the pain and soothe the skin as well.
Wondering how aloe vera benefits the health of your hair? To gain a better understanding for the aloe vera benefits for hair, it helps to know a little about the plant itself.
Aloe Vera Benefits For Hair: History
Aloe vera is a succulent plant that grows in tropical climates. It is a gray-green color, with fleshy offshoots and spiny edges. It grows to be approximately 2 to 3 feet tall and is a commonly kept houseplant because of its medicinal properties. Aloe is used to treat wounds, burns, some cancers in animals, inflammation, diabetes and indigestion. Aloe is also believed to be a known treatment for hair loss and a natural conditioner that may replace synthetic and chemical conditioners. As a cellular regenerator with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, aloe treats and heals red, itchy and unhealthy scalps. Aloe promotes hair growth by stabilizing the follicular cycle.
Aloe is used as a treatment for a condition called seborrhoea. Seborrhoea is a bacterial infection in the scalp, which begins with the body’s production of an oily substance called sebum. Excessive sebum can cause the scalp to become itchy and red. Hair of an infected person becomes fragile and thin, and as the disease progresses, hair loss occurs. Aloe’s aforementioned anti-bacterial properties naturally treat seborrhoea, but in addition, aloe contains magnesium lactate, which works as an itch inhibitor. This gives a person with seborrhoea relief from her condition as it treats it.
To get the most aloe vera benefits for hair, it is recommended that aloe gel be mixed with shampoo to condition the hair during showers. Additional gel may be spread through the hair after shampoo has been rinsed from it.
Aloe Vera Benefits for Hair: Conclusion
The aloe vera benefits for hair really are virtually endless. If you struggle with an itchy scalp or hair growth issues, it might be time to add aloe vera to your hair care lineup. We found this cool video that will show you how to make your own aloe vera shampoo and coconut oil conditioner.
Thinking about how to eat healthy on a budget? Turns out there might not be all that much evidence to support widespread claims that eating healthy costs more. That’s according to government research by the USDA. Personally, I’m a little skeptical of the study, based on Big Food’s never-ending quest to make more preservative-packed junk food at a lower price, but there are some great tips here for how to eat healthy on a budget.
How to Eat Healthy on a Budget
We have many excuses for not eating healthy: I’m too busy. I don’t live near a grocery store. I can’t afford healthy food. I don’t know how to cook. But how to eat healthy on a budget isn’t impossible.
A new study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service is taking one of those excuses off the table.
Previous studies have shown that eating junk food is cheaper than eating healthy food. But Andrea Carlson, lead author for the USDA study, said the way those researchers measured cost-effectiveness skewed the results.
Carlson and her team analyzed 4,439 foods in three different ways – price per calories (as previous studies had done), price per edible gram and price per average portion. Retail prices were based on Nielsen Homescan data. The average portion was determined from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The researchers found that when they used the price per calories analysis, fruits and vegetables appeared more expensive. “But this changes when you use other two,” Carlson said in a press call Wednesday.
For instance, take a chocolate glazed donut. Each donut is probably about 240 calories, and you could probably eat two or three of them with no problem (and just a teensy bit of guilt). Then take a banana with about 105 calories.
How to Eat Healthy on a Budget: The Cost Crux
If these two cost the same, the banana is more expensive per each calorie eaten. But you’ll probably only eat one and feel a lot fuller afterward, Carlson said. That makes it cheaper per edible gram and per the average portion.
“Many have raised concerns that those of modest means … can’t afford a healthy diet,” said Kevin Concannon, the USDA under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services. “The good news I take away from the study is that is not necessarily the case.”
Concannon said the study shows that carrots, onions, pinto beans and mashed potatoes are all less expensive per portion than ice cream, sweet rolls, pork chops and ground beef. In fact, protein foods and food high in saturated fat, added sugars and sodium were all more expensive than fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains based on these methods.
“This is great news for all getting by with a limited food budget,” he said. “You don’t have to compromise good nutrition.” – Source
Okay, I’ll concede that point. However, many of these healthy options require preparing food from scratch, while that box of Hamburger Helper can be ready in 10 minutes flat.
Thinking about how to eat healthy on a budget? What many people need is a good collection of recipes that can be made quickly. Check out the following video to get a couple ideas and see that how to eat healthly on a budget isn’t rocket science.
Food additives are the norm in today’s market. As a matter of fact, we’ve pretty much come to accept the fact that most f what we buy is going to have some type of additive or preservative thrown in.
While some food additives can have a minimal impact, others are downright scary. Here’s some of the creepy stuff major food manufacturers put in your food without your knowledge.
Partially hydrogenated fats are the principle sources of trans fat in the American diet, and a Harvard study estimated that trans fat causes 70,000 heart attacks every year. The good news: Partially hydrogenated oils are beginning to slowly retreat from our food. Progressive jurisdictions like New York City are starting to restrict the allowable amounts in restaurants, and many chains are switching to healthier frying oil. Still, the battle isn’t over. At Long John Silver’s, for example, there are still 17 menu items with more than 2 grams of the stuff. According to the American Heart Association, that’s about the maximum you should consume in a single day.
Where you’ll find it: McDonald’s McChicken, Long John Silver’s Broccoli Cheese Soup
Food Additives: Azodicarbonamide
This chemical is used most frequently in the production of industrial foam plastic, and although the FDA has approved its use for food in the States, the United Kingdom has labeled it a potential cause of asthma. In a review of 47 studies on azodicarbonamide, the World Health Organization concluded that it probably does trigger asthmatic symptoms. The WHO concluded, “exposure levels should be reduced as much as possible.” I’ll put it more concisely: Avoid it.
Where you’ll find it: Dunkin’ Donuts bagels, McDonald’s burger buns
Food Additives: Aspartame
Aspartame is a zero-calorie artificial sweetener made by combing two amino acids with methanol. Most commonly used in diet soda, aspartame is 180 times sweeter than sugar. Over the past 30 years, the FDA has received thousands of consumer complaints due mostly to neurological symptoms such as headaches dizziness, memory loss, and, in rare cases, epileptic seizures. Many studies have shown the sweetener to be completely harmless, while other have linked the additive to cancer. A 2006 Italian study found that rats fed high daily doses of aspartame—the equivalent of nearly 3 liters for a 150-pound human—experienced higher levels of lymphomas, leukemia, and other types of cancer. Still, after reviewing the study, the FDA concluded that the results weren’t strong enough to warrant the confectionary chemical’s removal from the market.
Where you’ll find it: Nutra-Sweet, Equal, Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi
Food Additives: Nitrate and Nitrite
The are nitrogen-based compounds that are essential for digestion in small amounts. They occur naturally but are synthetically produced for use in fertilizer and as food additives. They’re commonly used to cure processed meats. Nitrates and nitrites have a tendency to fuse with amino acids to become carcinogenic nitrosamines. Ironically, the processed meats into which nitrates are commonly added are rich with amino acids, making nitrosamine formation very likely. In addition to concerns about cancer, increased nitrate and nitrite intake has been linked to deaths in Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, and Parkinson’s patients. Despite the risks, the valuable use of nitrates and nitrites as inhibitors of botulism warrant their acceptance as food additives in the eyes of the FDA.
Where you’ll find it: Oscar Meyer hot dogs, Hormel bacon, Hillshire Farm deli meat
Food Additives: Paraben
Parabens are used to prevent mold and yeast formation in food, and they’re also used in cosmetics, toothpaste, and personal lubricant. Although they exist in nature, the parabens used in commercial products are created synthetically. It’s been documented that parabens act as mild estrogens, and according to the Environmental Working Group, they can disrupt the natural balance of hormones in your body. In a Japanese study, male rats fed propyl paraben daily for four weeks suffered lower sperm and testosterone production, and other studies have found parabens present in breast cancer tissues.
Where you’ll find it: Baskin Robbins sundaes – Source
Of all the food additives listed above, the one that is constantly linked to death in humans is trans fat. Check out the following video to learn a little more about how trans fat impacts your body.
The best way to avoid these food additives is to shop for natural foods. Start shopping for organic foods at natural food stores and farmer’s markets. You may also want to go on some kind of detox diet and do a liver cleanse to help flush some of those preservatives out of your system.
It’s good enough for Beyonce, but does the lemon detox diet live up to the hype? There’s no doubt a good detox cleanse can be a welcome relief. In fact, we’ve posted a few suggestions on this site. Naturally, I wanted to take a closer look at the latest craze.
The Lemon Detox Diet Recipe
The original recipe by Stanley Burroughs produced fantastic results for almost 50 years. However, some have been promoting alterations of the original recipe. The problem with this arrangement is that they are done without understanding why the original ingredients work. Since the Master Cleanse is essentially a juice fast, adding shakes, cayenne pepper capsules or protein powder in an attempt to improve its efficacy is self defeating because it reduces the efficacy of the lemon detox diet.
The purpose of the program is to give the digestive tract a ten-day vacation, so adding things to be digested does not contribute to the objective of the diet. Stanley Burroughs in fact discourages the intake of supplements and vitamins during the program because it interferes with the body’s elimination system. Furthermore, the natural sources of vitamins and minerals already found in lemon and the maple syrup already provide for the body’s needs during the lemon detox diet program.
Other alterations include mistakes in the ratio of water through modification of the original recipe and dilution. This modification defeats the purpose of the minimum 6 drinks a day because it is more than the amount of water required. It is best to remember that variations on the process and especially in the recipe will not produce the results that originally worked for the many that faithfully followed the original Master Cleanse program and lemonade recipe.
This is the classic lemon detox diet single serve recipe provided in Stanley Burrough’s book:
2 (tbs). of lemon or lime
2 (tbs). of genuine maple syrup
1/10 tsp cayenne pepper
10 oz. water (hot or cold as preferred)
For those who cannot enjoy their lemonade, Tom offers this alternative lemon detox diet:
1. Mix equal parts of lemon juice and maple syrup as a concentrate in a dark container. Keep this mixture cool.
2. Make enough concentrate for as long as you are incapable of making the fresh lemonade juice.
3. Every time you want a glass of lemonade, measure 4 tbs. of this mixture in a glass.
4. Add water and cayenne pepper, stir and drink. The maple syrup preserves the lemon juice and prevents oxidation of the vitamin C and enzymes.
Tom Woloshyn fondly recalled Stanley Burrough’s remarks. He was said to have repeated many times over a phrase most technical people use when instructing frustrated customers, “When all else fails, follow the instructions.” In order to ensure success and experience the benefits of the Master Cleanse Detox diet, it is essential to understand how to do the program properly. Faithfully following what has been prescribed is the first step in this direction. – Source
Want to see the making in action? Check out the following video to see what one version of this lemon detox diet looks like.
After you’ve tried the lemon diet, you can take the detox routine a step further by trying a liver cleanse. Some of the products we’ve seen don’t require the type of preparation you may have seen in the video above. The pre-made detox cleansers would be a good option for people on the go.
Some massive company is always trying to push the latest lab-developed ointment or skincare product and it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. Multi-million dollar ad campaigns and clever packaging works, and it makes us forget that the best ointment on the planet comes courtesy of Mother Nature: aloe vera gel. Although it may seem somewhat surprising, there’s a bounty of benefits associated with various aloe vera healing properties.
The historical use of aloe vera healing dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who used it for natural wound care and healing. Over the centuries, different cultures around the world have ascribed aloe gel with a near-miraculous healing capacity not only to promote the healing of wounded or infected skin and restore it to health, but also to help keep it beautiful.
Aloe Vera Healing Properties: Nature’s Own Band Aid
Aloe vera healing properties have been described as a portable first aid kit that you can use to treat cuts, burns, bruises, scrapes, sunburn, bites and stings. When aloe vera gel is applied topically onto or into a wound, it serves as a natural, band aid or wound dressing that seals it against outside infection, accelerating the body’s own healing process. It is an effective, inexpensive first-aid solution for all minor burns and scalds.
How Aloe Vera Healing Works
Like all other succulents, aloe vera is a self-healing plant. If a living aloe leaf is cut or torn, it will immediately seal the “wound” to prevent the loss of water and nutrients and to protect against bacterial contamination. Within minutes, the aloe gel will seep out to the surface and form a water-tight, rubber-like coating over the injured area. This gel coating contracts as it dries, pulling the edges of the wound shut. Within days the wound heals completely with zero scarring.
The same natural, healing mechanism is triggered when aloe vera is applied topically to a wound, accelerating the healing process. Aloe gel forms a seal over the damaged skin, helping to staunch bleeding and protect against wound infection. Aloe vera healing provides essential nourishment to the traumatized tissues, while stimulating the regeneration of skin cells and connective tissue. Aloe gel also alleviates inflammation, reducing redness and swelling.
A Wealth of Aloe Vera Healing Properties
Aloe vera gel contains a wealth of biologically active compounds that give reason for the many aloe vera healing properties. It is rich in nourishing phytonutrients that play a key role in the healing process. These include vitamins, especially the antioxidant vitamins A, B complex, C and E, minerals including calcium, magnesium and zinc as well as amino acids like tyrosine and phenylalanine. Other beneficial compounds include: prostaglandins, polysaccharides, saponins, enzymes, glycoproteins, anthraquinones, plant sterols and lignin. – Source
Aloe vera gel has amazing natural healing properties
The long list of aloe vera healing properties is in itself a good reason to always have a tube of aloe vera gel around. In all things health related, natural is always better.
Usually, it’s not such a bad thing to subscribe to the out of sight, out of mind notion. Unfortunately, that means you are eating insects without even knowing it.
I’m a big proponent of protein. Eggs for breakfast, grilled chicken for lunch, lightly seared filet of salmon for dinner—I can’t get enough. But even I have a limit, and that limit generally begins about the time I see exoskeletons, tentacles, pinchers, or stingers sticking out of my food.
I realize that in some parts of the world, eating insects is considered a reliable source of protein. But the people who eat those bugs do so willingly. It’s a normal part of their diet. Here in the United States, we’re pretty squeamish about eating insects on a china plate or stabbing our forks into larvae. And that’s why it might come as a shock to discover that, because of the FDA’s lax food-safety regulations, your food might very well be crawling with creepy, slimy, buzzing things of all sorts. In fact, it’s been estimated that eating insects accounts for a pound of ingested protein for humans a year. And I’m not talking about gummy worms here. I’m talking about real live (or formerly live) bugs.
With the help of Rodale.com writer Emily Main, we’ve identified a few of the more disgusting bugs you may be chomping on. Prepare to be grossed out: here are some common ways you might be eating insects.
Eating Insects In Apple Butter: Thrips
Fickr photo
At anywhere from 1/25 to 1/8 of an inch long, these tiny little winged parasites are legally allowed in apple butter, canned or frozen asparagus, frozen broccoli, and frozen Brussels sprouts. Another incredibly common, yet uber-disgusting, way of eating insects unknowingly.
Eating Insects in Frozen Veggies: Aphids
Flickr photo
When it comes to eating insects, these same little green or black bugs that can destroy a bouquet of flowers can infiltrate your frozen veggies, particularly spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. And if you home-brew beer, you might consider growing your own hops: The FDA legally allows 2,500 aphids for every 10 grams of hops.
Eating Insects in Grains: Mites
flickr photo
These tiny white bugs are common in wheat and other grains that have been stored for a while, but one of the more common ways of eating insects in frozen vegetables. And if you have indoor allergies, that could be a problem. Storage and grain mites can cause the same type of allergic reaction as the dust mites common in homes.
Eating Insects in Canned Goods: Maggots
Flickr Photo
If you’ve ever eaten canned food, you’ve probably been eating insects (at least in a tiny amount) for some time. These disgusting little critters abound in things like canned mushrooms, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, and pizza sauces, as well as fresh or frozen Maraschino cherries. Mushrooms are by far the worst: 20 maggots are allowed for every 100 grams of drained mushrooms, compared with between 1 and 5 for every 500 grams of tomato products.
Eating Insects In Your Apples and Bananas: Fruit Flies
Flickr photo
Buy a piece of fruit covered in fruit flies, and you can wash them off. Buy a can of citrus juice, and you’ll be swilling five fruit flies with every 8-ounce cup of juice. Grab an 8-ounce handful of raisins and you could be eating as many as 35 fruit-fly eggs.
Eating Insects In Your Corn: Corn Ear Worms
Acorn Organic Photo
Corn is notoriously difficult to grow organically, because it’s prone to insect infestations. But in most cases, it’s easy to avoid eating the earworms that burrow into corncobs and eat the silk—just cut the kernels off the cob, and voilà! However, canned sweet corn will come with some extra crunch from all the larvae, skins, and skin fragments allowed by the FDA.
Eating Insects in Black-Eyed Peas: Cowpea curculio
Photo from Clemson University
Love black-eyed peas? Buy them dried and cook them yourself, rather than buying them frozen or canned. A can of black-eyed peas, cowpeas, or field peas may contain an average of five or more cowpea curculio larvae, which will grow into dark brown, beetle-like weevils that infest all manner of peas and beans.
Eating Insects in Frozen Spinach: Caterpillars
Flickr Photo
Fuzzy, ugly caterpillars are supposed to turn into beautiful butterflies for people to marvel at—not eat in a mouthful of frozen spinach. But along with the 50 or so aphids, mites, and thrips allowed in 100 grams of spinach, you may also find yourself munching on caterpillar larvae and larval fragments. Mmm . . . probably not what was giving Popeye all that strength. – Source
If the list of bugs commonly found in your favorite veggies didn’t freak you out, why not consider eating bugs intentionally? After all, it does have its benefits.
At the London restaurant Archipelago, diners can order the $11 Baby Bee Brulee: a creamy custard topped with a crunchy little bee. In New York, the Mexican restaurant Toloache offers $11 chapulines tacos: two tacos stuffed with Oaxacan-style dried grasshoppers.
Could beetles, dragonfly larvae and water bug caviar be the meat of the future? As the global population booms and demand strains the world’s supply of meat, there’s a growing need for alternate animal proteins. Insects are high in protein, B vitamins and minerals like iron and zinc, and they’re low in fat. Insects are easier to raise than livestock, and they produce less waste. Insects are abundant. Of all the known animal species, 80% walk on six legs; over 1,000 edible species have been identified. And the taste? It’s often described as “nutty.”
The vast majority of the developing world already eats insects. In Laos and Thailand, weaver-ant pupae are a highly prized and nutritious delicacy. They are prepared with shallots, lettuce, chilies, lime and spices and served with sticky rice. Further back in history, the ancient Romans considered beetle larvae to be gourmet fare, and the Old Testament mentions eating crickets and grasshoppers. In the 20th century, the Japanese emperor Hirohito’s favorite meal was a mixture of cooked rice, canned wasps (including larvae, pupae and adults), soy sauce and sugar.
Over the past two years, three Dutch insect-raising companies, which normally produce feed for animals in zoos, have set up special production lines to raise locusts and mealworms for human consumption. Now those insects are sold, freeze-dried, in two dozen retail food outlets that cater to restaurants. A few restaurants in the Netherlands have already placed insects on the menu, with locusts and mealworms (beetle larvae) usually among the dishes.
Insects have a reputation for being dirty and carrying diseases—yet less than 0.5% of all known insect species are harmful to people, farm animals or crop plants. When raised under hygienic conditions—eating bugs straight out of the backyard generally isn’t recommended—many insects are perfectly safe to eat.
Meanwhile, our food needs are on the rise. The human population is expected to grow from six billion in 2000 to nine billion in 2050. Meat production is expected to double in the same period, as demand grows from rising wealth. Pastures and fodder already use up 70% of all agricultural land, so increasing livestock production would require expanding agricultural acreage at the expense of rain forests and other natural lands. Officials at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization recently predicted that beef could become an extreme luxury item by 2050, like caviar, due to rising production costs.
Raising insects for food would avoid many of the problems associated with livestock. For instance, swine and humans are similar enough that they can share many diseases. Such co-infection can yield new disease strains that are lethal to humans, as happened during a swine fever outbreak in the Netherlands in the late 1990s. Because insects are so different from us, such risks are accordingly lower.
Your liver is tasked with cleansing all the junk you put in your body every day. That includes the grease from those fries you picked up at the drive through. It’s only natural your liver will need a cleanse every once in a while. Here are a few of the main benefits of doing a natural liver cleanse.
Increased Energy
According to the Holistic Health Tools website, liver dysfunction is often responsible for general fatigue and the effects of chronic fatigue syndrome. A periodic liver cleanse may help reduce the strain on your liver, promoting greater energy and vitality. A natural liver cleanse may also increase energy by allowing your digestive system to more efficiently process and utilize vitamins, minerals and fats from food.
Removal of Toxins
Because the liver removes toxins and other types of waste from the bloodstream, it plays a vital role in overall health. One of the primary functions of the liver is to collect waste and carry it out of the body through the production of bile, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Most people absorb toxins into their bodies from the environment, foods, and chemicals such as alcohol or nicotine. A natural liver cleanse may help this organ more efficiently remove toxins and other types of waste, and flush them out of the body by secreting bile.
Immunity to Disease
In addition to aiding in digestion and flushing toxins out of the body, the liver is partially responsible for maintaining a healthy immune system. The liver helps to remove bacteria from the bloodstream, enhancing immunity to disease and infection, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. A periodic natural liver cleanse may enhance overall liver function, allowing it to more effectively flush out bacteria and strengthen the immune system.
Liver Regeneration
The liver is the only organ in the body that can regenerate itself, according to Dr. Robert Balch, author of “Prescription for Nutritional Healing.” In cirrhosis and other liver disease, toxic buildup can scar liver cells, destroying portions of the liver. Flushing out toxic buildups through liver cleanses may give the liver an opportunity to regenerate healthy cells. – Source
Interested in a natural liver cleanse? You can try a natural liver cleanse recipe at home. Here’s a video I found that seems to be pretty straightforward.
Photo courtesy of lampelina There are a few tried and true natural sleep aids out there
We’ve all been there: it’s 3 a.m. and your head is spinning with the next day’s work (as well as the leftover tasks from the day before). Those layovers of stress can wreak havoc on your sleep patterns and those over-the-counter or prescription options really only compound the problem for two reasons.
1. Risk of dependency
2. You’ll be groggy and unproductive the following day.
Basically, conventional sleeping medications will do much more harm than good. Luckily, there are plenty of natural sleep aids out there. Trysome of these natural sleep aids for yourself, and don’t let any naysayers talk you out of it. Your sleep depends on it.
Lavender for Insomnia
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis) is one of the most common natural sleep aids; you can use dried lavender buds in sachets or pillows or use the essential oil in a spritzer.
Lavender filled pillows and sachets are ideal to help babies and children in sleeping; in the past, dilly pillows (fragrant filled pillows of lavender and dill) were used to lull children to sleep in Europe. Today, you can use lavender filled sachets in much the same way, by slipping the sachet under baby’s pillow or leaving it on the nightstand. In addition, adults can heat up a lavender filled pillow and place it over the eyes to relax before going to sleep. You can also make up a water based spritzer with lavender essential oil (and chamomile) and spritz it lightly on your pillow before going to sleep as a simpler natural sleep aid.
Chamomile as Natural Sleep Aids
Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is another well known herb that is often used as a sleep aid. Available in herbal format from health food stores, you can also take it as a tea or use it in essential oil format. If you are using it as an essential oil, blend it in a water based spritzer as discussed above. The essential oil is gentle enough to be used with children, if you administer it correctly and dilute it before use. Chamomile is an ever-green perennial herb with daisy-like flowers; it has an apple-like scent. It has been used medicinally for thousands of years and was one of nine sacred herbs in use by the Saxons (source: The Aromatherapy Garden, Julia Lawless).
Valerian as Natural Sleep Aids
Valerian is a herb that is often referred to as the “natural alternative” to the prescription drug valium. There is in fact no relation between the two commodities but it is believed that they both work in similar ways and are used for similar conditions and as natural sleep aids.
Valerian (Valeriana fauriei) is commonly used to treat anxiety, stress and insomnia. Some people may actually fall asleep faster with the use of valerian and have a better night’s sleep too. You can take it as a herbal supplement in capsule form, as a tea or in an alcohol (free) base as a tincture. It has a strong taste. Valerian is a perennial herb with purple-white flowers and thick, gray colored roots that has been used since Medieval times; it is the root which has the odor and the part of the plant that is used medicinally. You can also use valerian as an essential oil.
Melatonin as Natural Sleep Aids
Melatonin is one of the most common kinds of natural sleep aids. Naturally produced by your body and helps to regulate your body clock, a supplement of melatonin is required to help your body re-adjust to its natural rhythms and to help you get a better night’s sleep.
Melatonin produced by the body decreases with age Melatonin production is also affected by light and requires darkness to produce more effectively; a disruption to the body’s natural cycle, such as jet lag or night shift work, will affect melatonin production too. Melatonin is usually taken in capsule or tablet form to help with insomnia. – Source
Although melatonin is one of the most effective natural sleep aids, t’s important to remember that treating your insomnia naturally is only half of the solution. The decisions you make during the day will have a drastic impact on the shut-eye you get at night. Making healthy choices will be returned to you in the form of better sleep and more productive every during the day. Check out what Dr. Frank Lipman has to say about staying on top of your game during the day.
Recharge your batteries with an adaptogen
Try adding an adaptogen formula to your morning routine – but consult your doctor first to check for allergies or possible interactions with any medications you may be on. For centuries, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine have used adaptogen botanicals as energizing herbal tonics to naturally support the body’s ability to cope with anxiety, fatigue and the aging process. They also rejuvenate and tone the adrenal system, which in turn promotes the healthy regulation of cortisol, the “stress hormone”. Armed with the unique ability to “adapt” their function to your body’s specific needs, Panax ginseng, Ashwagandha and Rhodiola are my favorite adaptogens. In fact, I’m such a fan of their rejuvenating, re-energizing effects, I’ve combined all three into my fatigue-fighting Be Well Adaptogen formula.
Green Drinks as Natural Sleep Aids
When you’re fatigued, what you’re eating makes a massive difference in how quickly your body will recover its strength. To super-charge your diet and energy reserves, you can’t beat “green drinks” as natural sleep aids. Why? Because they deliver nourishing, high-octane, drinkable doses of phytonutrients, antioxidants and digestive enzymes to every system in the body, quickly, easily and efficiently. The effects? Nothing short of wonderful: Concentrated green powdered drinks boost immunity, aid digestion, sustain energy, promote mental clarity and enhance overall well-being. Add powdered greens to smoothies or just add water and swig ‘em on the way to work – you’ll arrive energized, alert and naturally powered-up, instead of amped and jittery from caffeine. I have made it convenient and delicious for people on the go with my single serving packets of Be Well Greens. It’s a simple and transportable way to keep your energy engine humming.
