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Herbs for Health - Amazing natural remedies – part one

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Published on Saturday, March 12, 2016

By Janet Husak and Karen Burton

Herbs for Health

What are MCTs?  Medium chain triglycerides (fatty acids) or MCFAs; the “medium” references the chain length of the fatty acids. Oils can contain short chain, medium chain or long chain fatty acids, but most oils contain a combination of all three types. MCFAs are known to have tremendous health benefits.  MCT oil is ready-made fuel for the body and brain. It is a very beneficial supplement for those interested in weight loss, body building and others who are looking to prevent and fight degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. 

The reason for this is that medium chain triglycerides are easily metabolized in the liver and converted into energy. These fatty acids satisfy the body’s need for good fats and nutrients without being stored as fat.  As a dietary supplement, take one tablespoon, one to three times daily. It can also be used as a substitute for conventional oils. It can be mixed with fruit juices, used on salads, in salad dressings, sauces, or added to smoothies. It’s not recommended for use in frying or high heat applications.  One tablespoon provides 115 calories.

Kombucha

Kombucha, the beverage the ancient Chinese called the “immortal health elixir”. It has been around for more than 2,000 years and has a history of health benefits like preventing and fighting cancer, arthritis and other degenerative diseases. It’s made from sweetened black tea that has been fermented by a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (a SCOBY, a.k.a. the “mother” because of its ability to reproduce or “mushroom” because of its appearance). 

In the first half of the 20th century, extensive scientific research was done on Kombucha’s health benefits in Russia and Germany, mostly because of a push to find a cure for rising cancer rates. Russian scientists discovered that entire  regions of their vast country were seemingly immune to cancer and hypothesized that the kombucha, called “tea kvass” there, was the cause. So they began a series of experiments which not only verified the hypothesis, but began to pinpoint exactly what it is within kombucha that was so beneficial. German scientists picked up on this and continued in their own direction until the onset of the Cold War. No major medical studies are being done on kombucha because no one in the drug industry stands to profit from a beverage that the average consumer can make.

Manuka Honey

Manuka honey is produced in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native Manuka bush. Honey has been used since ancient times to treat multiple conditions, because of its natural antibacterial properties. Honey protects against damage caused by bacteria. Some honey also stimulates production of special cells that can repair tissue damaged by infection. In addition, it has an anti-inflammatory action that can quickly reduce pain and inflammation once it is applied. 

Not all honey is the same.  The antibacterial quality of honey depends on the type of honey as well as when and how it was harvested. Some types of honey may be 100 times more potent than others.  Hydrogen peroxide is a component of honey and gives most honey its antibiotic quality. But some honey, including Manuka honey, also have other components with antibacterial qualities. 

Another antibacterial component in Manuka honey is methylglyoxal (MG). MG is a compound found in many types of honey, but usually only in small quantities. In Manuka honey, MG comes from the conversion of another compound – dihydroxyacetone – that is found in high concentration in the nectar of Manuka flowers. The higher the concentration of MG, the stronger the antibiotic effect. Honey producers have developed a scale for rating the potency of Manuka honey and the rating is called UMF which stands for Unique Manuka Factor. The UMF rating is thought to correspond with the concentration of MG and other compounds. Not all honey labelled as Manuka honey contains significant levels of antibacterial factors. To be considered potent enough to be therapeutic, it needs a minimum rating of 10 UMF. Honey at or above that level is marketed as “UMF Manuka Honey” or “Active Manuka Honey”. 

Tru-Pine

Canadian scientists have traced and identified the original Canadian pine tree species used by the Native people of Canada for more than 475 years. The pine bark selected to produce Tru-Pine is harvested during timber production in Canada’s virgin forests. Only premium quality pine bark from trees aged between 10 and 20 years, to ensure that the highest concentrations of Proanthocyanidins (OPCs), are extracted. Antioxidants play an important role in helping to maintain healthy cells in our bodies. They help to neutralize free-radicals, which are chemicals that damage healthy cells.  OPCs are a class of bioflavonoids which possess antioxidant properties. 

Elk antler velvet 

Velvet covers the growing bone and cartilage that develops into antlers. Antlers grow at an incredible rate of speed and the velvet covers of the antler during the growing period. Harvesting the antler at the right time is crucial as it holds the most active ingredients at that time, which is approximately the 67th day. The velvet covering is not for human consumption and is scraped off and the whole antler is frozen, dried and ground up into a powder. It is a rich source of up to 40 compounds that work in synergy to provide numerous benefits to users. Key compounds naturally found in EVA include glucosamine, chondroitin, sulfate, collagen, amino acids, fatty acids, growth factors and minerals, including calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. It is used to boost strength and endurance, improve the way the immune system works, counter the effects of stress and promote rapid recovery from illness. It can also be used at the onset of winter to ward off infections. 

Other uses include treatment of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, migraines, headaches, liver and kidney disorders, cold hands and feet, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, chronic skin ulcers and overactive bladder.  It is also used to promote youthfulness, sharpen thinking skills, protect the liver from toxins, stimulate production and circulation of blood and increase the number of red blood cells. It is used as a tonic for  children with “failure to thrive”, mental handicaps, learning disabilities, slow growth or bone problems.

These natural and amazing products are available at Herbs For Health.