The Essential Nutrient: Water!

     Today I want to talk about something real simple, that the majority of us clearly don't get enough of: Water! Studies have shown that 2/3rds of Americans don't drink enough water! We can go without food for weeks but without water we die of dehydration in a few days. Over two-thirds of our body is water yet most of us don’t clearly understand the importance of drinking plain water. Water is the most abundant compound in the human body and is necessary for the digestion of food, for the transport of food to the tissues, for the elimination of body wastes, for the circulation of body fluids, for a lubricant in the joints and internal organs - keeping them moist permitting the passage of substances between the cells and blood vessels - and for the regulation of body temperature. Water Is part of the blood system holding dissolved minerals, like calcium and magnesium in solution, making them available to the body tissues when they an required for proper health.

     Most of us have heard or read about these many functions of water yet ironically most of us are suffering from dehydration. We have been lead to believe that only when we experience a "dry mouth" must we be lacking adequate water. This medical misunderstanding has resulted in pervasive, chronic dehydration with subsequent health problems.

    Some of the problems treated and alleviated with adequate water intake are asthma, allergies, hypertension, high cholesterol levels, headaches, migraines, low back pain, rheumatoid arthritic joint pain, angina pain and intermittent pains (cramp like pain in the legs due to insufficient blood supply). As people age, they lose their thirst sensation and become gradually, chronically - dehydrated. All too frequently we tend to confuse thirst with hunger and instead of drinking water we eat, leading to weight gain.

    The physiological effects of drinking plain water is not the same as drinking beverages that contain water like: juices, sodas, coffee and tea. In fact, some of these liquids, coffee and tea, contain dehydrating agents (caffeine and theophylline) which stimulate the central nervous system which at the same time creating a strong diuretic action on the kidneys.

     Your body needs a minimum of 6 to 8 ounce glasses of water each day. Remember, alcohol, juice, sodas, coffee, and tea don’t count as water.  Most of us will find that we are drinking no more than 3 to 4 glasses per day, not 6 to 8. Thirst should be satisfied at all times with water. The more we pay attention to the body’s constant need of water the healthier we will be. Having a "dry mouth" is the last outward sign of extreme dehydration. Which can easily be avoided by drinking the proper amounts of water. Many medications actually dehydrate the body leading to more severe problems.

     Keep in min, the human body is roughly composed of 25 percent solid matter and 75 percent water. Brain tissue is said to consist of 85 percent water and the blood is 90 percent water.

Water - plain, properly filtered water - is an overlooked and essential nutrient and may be your missing ingredient to a healthier, more vibrant, and longer life. Did you know that an American taking a five-minute shower uses more water than the average person in a developing country slum uses for an entire day? Not only that, but a typical individual in the United States uses 500 liters of water each day! Lets all take advantage of the fact that we have water accessible at every hour of the day! Drink up, it's good for your health! Until next time readers, keep it clean! :)

Gentle and Rejuvenating Ginger!

  The root of the ginger plant was used by ancient healers in Southeast Asia who utilized it's healing properties to cure indigestion and joint pain nearly 5,000 years ago. Today, many of the same benefits are being procured by this magical plant. It is top on my list of medicinal herbs because of the vast array of ailments it is proven to treat or cure. I'd like to show you a few of these marvelous benefits and give you some ideas on how to incorporate ginger into your daily life!
 
Ginger for Inflammation

   Ginger root contains powerful anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. These substances can cause a reduction of pain and increased mobility for people who suffer from rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis when they consume the plant regularly. Other anti-inflammatory benefits (if you aren't quite to the arthritis stage in life) include helping to clear skin of acne and other related outbreaks. I personally have found a few slices of ginger added to green tea and drank daily can help clear your skin almost completely! I have also experimented with using ginger as a topical acne treatment by rubbing the cut end of the root directly on a blemish, which was noticeably lessened the next morning.

Ginger as Cancer Treatment/Prevention

   Those very same gingerols that help to reduce inflammation may also be cancer fighting and killing machines! Studies have shown that the compounds, which also give ginger it's distinct spicy flavor, could inhibit the growth of human colorectal cancer cells and even induce death in ovarian cancer cells! A pro-inflammatory state is thought to be a contributing factor in the development of ovarian cancer, therefore, by reducing inflammation you are greatly reducing your risk! Ways to incorporate these cancer-fighting benefits including drinking ginger tea and eating foods spiced with ginger.

Ginger for Increased Immunity

   You may have heard that drinking ginger tea can help fight off a cold or flu. That is entirely true and I have used this many times to beat or prevent illness. Ginger is extremely warming and can even cause you to produce sweat on a cold day. By causing your body to sweat, you are increasing detoxification, which is exactly what you want when you are sick! Also, ginger can help an upset stomach and is a natural pain-killer. I find that drinking several cups of fresh ginger root tea with lots of lemon and local honey helps to kick illness faster than any commercial medicine I've ever tried. Give it a shot next time you're under the weather!!

   I hope you have learned a little bit about my favorite medicinal herb ginger. Not only is it delicious (especially combined with cinnamon in tea), but it has many disease fighting properties as well. I encourage you to try it out and see what ginger can do for you! Until next time, stay clean and healthy!!! :)

Treating Colds and Allergies

Last week our household was struck with the dreaded summer cold. Nothing kills a warm summer day faster than wanting to go out in the sun but already feeling hot and clammy, or wanting to run around outside and feeling achy and stuffy and tired. Here are a few home remedies that can help you get back on track to feeling your best.

Gargling salt water helps to kill bacteria in your mouth and throat and loosens any phlegm that contributes to your throat feeling scratchy. It also helps dull the pain of a sore throat. Some people also gargle warm mouthwash with similar results.

Ginger root, when grated and steeped in warm water, makes a spicy tea that helps to calm your nausea from a runny nose. It's also anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and boosts your circulation, which helps to ease irritated noses, sore throats and headaches.

Turmeric tea is a lighter summer alternative to the healing turmeric milk recipe featured here a couple weeks ago. The bitter, sweet and sour flavors compliment each other interestingly and feel great on your nose and throat. Squeeze half a lemon, a teaspoon of honey and half a teaspoon turmeric into a mug and stir together to make a syrup. Slowly pour hot water until your mug is full, then let steep for 5 minutes for full healing effects. Fresh turmeric, like fresh ginger, is a knobbly root that can be found in the produce section of most stores and Asian grocers. However, powdered turmeric works just fine too.

Keep exercising. This may seem counter-intuitive, but studies have shown that aside from preventing sickness, exercising actually helps you to feel better during sickness. Exercising at the same intensity as you normally would when you have a cold surprisingly doesn't inhibit your performance in any area. It doesn't seem to cure colds faster, but participants who exercised found that they felt better and more energetic sooner than participants who didn't. Studies haven't been done yet with sickness beyond colds. However, use caution if your cold involves fever or chest congestion as intense activity may exacerbate more serious ailments.

Drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest. This goes without saying, but don't oversleep either. Sleeping too much can be just as detrimental as sleeping too little. Get in a solid 8 hours and always have a glass of water nearby.


If you are struck with the same misfortune I was, hopefully these tips will help you get back on your feet again. Until next time, keep it clean! :)

Terrific and Talented Turmeric!

   Turmeric is an ancient Indian spice with uses dating back to 2500 years ago. It was believed to be first utilized for it's dying properties and then later was incorporated as a spice and also used for cosmetic purposes. In many Indian cultures, turmeric was used as a substitute for the much more expensive saffron, due to it's amazingly similar deep yellow color. Today, turmeric still has many valuable qualities and benefits.

   As stated above, turmeric has a bright yellow color that is gorgeous when used as a natural dye for cloth. All you have to do is add a few shakes of dried turmeric to some hot water and let the item sit for a few hours. For deeper color, you can rinse, dry, and re-dye the cloth. I added a cap full of vinegar to my turmeric bath as well to help the color stick. The color will fade over time, especially when exposed to the sunlight, but you can always re-dye it to suit your liking. It's much better than using commercial dyes that contain questionable chemicals, in my own opinion. :)
   Turmeric also has many medicinal purposes. It is known for it's anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial purposes. This makes it great at combating acne, psoriasis, arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases. I like to mix a little turmeric with some honey and avocado for a hydrating, acne-fighting face mask! Turmeric is a natural pain killer and can help detoxify your liver. It is used to help aid weight management and even helps fat metabolize! It is useful in disinfecting cuts and burns, and also helps to heal and remodel damaged skin. There is even great promise in using turmeric to help prevent and treat cancer!
   How do you obtain these benefits? Some people take supplements of turmeric but that's not always necessary. It could be as easy as sprinkling some turmeric into an egg salad or incorporating it into a traditional Indian curry. You can also make a tea using the root itself or a powdered form. A popular way to drink turmeric in India is making a warm turmeric milk. To make this you add 2 cups organic milk (dairy or non-dairy), 1 tsp. turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp. ginger powder, 4 crushed black peppercorns, a dash of cinnamon, and a dollop of honey or other sweetener (if you chose). It is a delicious and warming "health drink" that has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic practices.
   As you can see, there are many uses and benefits of this miracle root. If you've never tried it before, I definitely suggest giving it a shot in any of the above ways! Have fun and stay clean for now!