Tag Archive for 'liver'

Alfalfa: Refreshing and Fortifying.

Do you want to lose weight and feel clean and green?

alfalfafield

Alfalfa is one of our richest sources of vital nutrients. This super food is high in chlorophyll, vitamins A, B1, B6, C, D, E, and K, calcium, phosphorus, niacin, biotin, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Vitamin K is critical to blood clotting. Alfalfa is also rich in phytoestrogens, saponins and it contains the eight essential amino acids. Alfalfa is higher in protein than many other plant foods. It has antibacterial, antioxidant and antifungal properties. It cleanses and rejuvenates the entire digestive tract and the blood. It reduces pain, toxins, skin blemishes, and halitosis by making the body more alkaline.

Use alfalfa to prevent and/or treat:

Arthritis, diabetes, digestive problems such as gastritis, and liver-cleansing, weight loss, acne, constipation, intestinal ulcers, kidney and bladder stones, prostate conditions, asthma, fatigue from malnutrition, hypertension, and hay fever. It has been recommended to improve immunity to cancers. Alfalfa leaf saponins lower plasma cholesterol, decrease intestinal absorption of cholesterol, and prevent atherosclerosis. The antibacterial, antioxidant and antifungal properties of alfalfa provide relief from arthritic pain and to enhance healing. Traditional Chinese healers use alfalfa leaves and juice to cleanse the digestive system and eliminate bladder stones. Alfalfa root is used in Chinese medicine to reduce fever, improve urine flow, and treat jaundice, kidney stones, and night blindness.

Continue reading ‘Alfalfa: Refreshing and Fortifying.’

Acetaminophen Dangers

Are you taking  Tylenol or other popular acetaminophen pain killers? The maximum dose 12 daily has been reduced to 8 -10 regular pills because of possible liver damage. A July 6 article in The New York Times suggests there is no need for alarm, but fails to report the dangerous effects of mixing your favorite painkiller with alcohol. Sudden liver failure is quite possible.  Continue reading ‘Acetaminophen Dangers’

Traditional Diagnosis and Herbs

Yes, that’s why I use traditional Chinese medicine. My friend Frank Lin took my pulses, 6 on each wrist, and looked at my pale, scalloped tongue and finally said, “low kidney energy and stagnant liver chi.” Bingo! That’s exactly how I feel–low energy and stuck circulation trapped in my chest. He listened patiently as I described the sharp, stabbing pain I have felt on and off for a couple of weeks that starts from my upper back near my right shoulder blade and reaches to the front near the underarm into the breast. It hurt when I breathe deeply or lay on my side to sleep. I have lumps in that breast area and mammograms for years have produced nothing more than “nothing changed, nothing new” as a diagnosis. That is not enough. It is time to act to prevent the lumps and shrinking breast from turning into “an illness.”  Continue reading ‘Traditional Diagnosis and Herbs’

Herbal Tonics that protect against Poisons

Neem plant fowers2 Neem flowers and leaves

neem leaf


We are becoming acutely aware of our need to enhance immunity and reduce emotional stress. Immunity to illness, in alternative health traditions, includes emotional balance, mental clarity, vitality, restful sleep, a positive outlook–in short, all the ways we feel healthy. Health does not come in a vaccine, but requires careful deep-cleansing of impurities and poisons; balancing energy, circulation and body fluids; and generally fortifying body and mind. Continue reading ‘Herbal Tonics that protect against Poisons’

Foods for Acid Reflux

High acid foods increase sour stomach, bloating, burps and acid reflux. If you have those digestive discomforts or constipation, drink 1 – 2 tablespoons of health food store aloe vera juice added to warm water after meals. Aloe, a soothing deep-acting cleanser, helps relax muscle tension that makes you feel choked with acid. Use an aloe juice or gel such as Lily of the Desert or other drinkable brands (not the aloe you put on sun burns!) Many people get relief from acid reflux by adding 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and sipping it with a straw. Some traditional Chinese doctors recommend apple cider vinegar for weight loss because they believe digestive spasms are associated with liver congestion. To avoid acid reflux, (and gout) reduce or avoid the following high acid foods:  Continue reading ‘Foods for Acid Reflux’