Surprising Health Benefits of Basil

By Andy Redding  

Many people are already aware of the culinary uses of basil but you may be surprised to learn of the numerous health benefits of this plant due to its powerful anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. In a medicinal context, basil is often referred to as St. Joseph's Wort. Throughout history, ancient cultures have used herbal remedies to prevent and treat disease and illness. Holy basil, for instance, has been used for centuries in traditional Indian medicine as a treatment for hepatic, gastric, respiratory and inflammatory disorders as well as a remedy for headache, fever, anxiety, convulsions, nausea and hypertension.

Today, the western world has taken a keen interest in holy basil's medical properties and has found that it can help cure and prevent a large number of ailments. Let's take a closer look at ten of the most popular ways people are using holy basil to increase their health.

Increasing Skin and Hair Health - Due to holy basil's antibacterial and anti-fungal properties, consuming it will purify your blood and remove toxins, which helps prevent the outburst of acne and pimples. In addition, you can combine crushed basil with a little bit of rose water, neem paste, or sandalwood paste and apply that to the face to reduce inflammation. As a hair treatment, you can add a basil paste to your hair oil to help keep your scalp cool, reduce itchiness, and even promote hair growth by improving circulation in your scalp.

Improving Oral Health - Basil is known to help prevent various periodontal diseases, fight off pyorrhea, and eliminate bad breath. To use basil for this purpose, it's recommended to dry basil leaves in the sun for two to three days. Once dried, crush the basil leaves into a powder, which you then use to brush your teeth. In addition, when you massage your gums with the basil powder it will eliminate bad breath.

Quitting Smoking - Some sources claim that chewing basil leaves has been more effective than nicotine patches in reducing nicotine cravings. It's also been said that the antioxidants in basil leaves can help repair damage in the throat caused due to years of smoking.

Helping Cure the Common Cold - Basil leaves are used far and wide as a remedy for fever and the common cold. Most commonly, the juice of basil leaves has been known to bring down high temperatures during fevers. To use basil for this purpose, you can boil the leaves in water to create a type of tea, which you drink.

Reducing Stress - Chewing 10 to 12 holy basil leaves twice a day has been known to reduce stress. This is because holy basil contains compounds such as eugenol and caryophyllene which have long been used in essential oils to elevate both mood and spirit. Scientific studies have shown that eugenol, in particular, helps enhance mental clarity and combat stress.

Treating Ear Infections - Basil can be used to treat minor ear infections and relieve the pain associated with it. To do this, extract the juice from 4-5 basil leaves by crushing them and then applying the paste directly around the infected ear. You can also mix the basil paste with a carrier oil like coconut oil. Once the oil has been mixed, warm it gently and then apply it to a cotton ball that you wipe around the inner infected ear, preferably twice a day.

Eliminating Kidney Stones - Because it is regarded as a tonic for the kidneys, basil is great for the organ's overall health. Basil is also known to help induce stone expulsion from the urinary tract. To use basil for this purpose you should steep five to six basil leaves in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Then, serve as tea with one teaspoon of honey.

Relieving Headaches - Tight muscles and tension are the leading cause of headaches. Because of its analgesic properties, basil is a natural muscle relaxant and is most effective when combined with lavender. In addition, basil's antiemetic properties help reduce nausea and vomiting. Chew a few basil leaves the next time you have a headache for a natural relief.

Improving Eyesight - Basil is high in vitamin A, which is an essential vitamin for proper eyesight. Additionally, eye sores can be treated with a few drops of basil juice created from crushed basil leaves and water.

Preventing Certain Types of Cancer - Various recent laboratory and animal studies have shown that consuming holy basil can repair cells damaged by oxidation and radiation, demonstrating the potential to destroy pre-cancerous lesions and tumors. Studies into using basil to prevent cancer are still ongoing but have already produced some astonishing results.

Holy basil has been used for medicinal purposes in India and other parts of the eastern world for centuries. However, it has only been in the last decade that the western world has taken a serious look into its healing properties. As studies continue, there may yet be even more health benefits uncovered in this truly nourishing herb.

Growing basil and other herbs at your own home is a great way to introduce gardening and a healthy lifestyle to your every day life. Learn more about growing basil indoors and outdoors, preserving basil through the winter, and recipes for this healthy herb athttp://growingbasilinfo.com/

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Versatile Lavender

By Jackson Charles Brown

Lavender has put its mark in the culinary industry. Crème brulee, custards, and ice cream contain its perfume, and biscuits and fruit salads contain its simplicity. On the shelf it is right next to saffron, but lavender is so much more than an ingredient. It is also a medicine that has a value incalculable.

Amongst the essential oils, lavender is the most versatile oil. Consumers of essential oils probably have it in their cabinets because of its versatility. Since lavender is the most versatile amid the other essential oils, the consumers of it are just as varied. The elderly with aches and pains, athletes, pregnant women, and anyone that is stressed can use lavender. Lavender can be used for skin, calming nerves, soothing muscles, aiding digestion, and decreasing inflammation.

Mild skin problems can be solved with it. Lavender helps skin heal through tissue growth, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. It is great for troubles like acne, blotches, stretch marks, scars, burns, eczema, insect bites, and itching. Eradication of lice can also be done with lavender. For these purposes use two to three drops of lavender on irritated, injured, or infected area and rub into skin.

Everyone experiences stress for one reason or another. It helps relieve stress by providing better sleep; therefore, lavender is great for insomnia patients. Stress can also be caused through anxieties and nervousness; it can also reduce these causes along with depressive moods and irritability. It reduces blood pressure, which is great for relieving migraines. To reduce stress massage, diffuse, or bath with lavender.

Lavender is also great for digestion difficulties. Because it is an antispasmodic, it increases gastric juices and intestinal flow. It also reduces flatulence, nausea, and digestive spasms. For relief mix two drops of lavender with one spoonful of vegetable oil or honey or one half spoonful of sugar. Drink this mixture three times a day.

Athletes enjoy it because it relieves muscle, tendon, and joint pain. It does this through soothing pain, relaxing muscles, and reducing inflammation. Cramps and rheumatism can also be relieved with lavender. Massaging two to four drops of lavender with one spoonful of vegetable oil is the best way to relieve pain. The second best thing would be to take a lavender aromatic bath.

Lavender oil is anti-bacterial and antiviral oil. Because of this, lavender is great of curing infections. Lavender works on respiratory infections like bronchitis, coughing, laryngitis, and some tonsillitis. Urinary infections can also be relieved with lavender oil by drinking two drops three times a day.

Because too much of a good thing can be bad, prolonged or over use can be harmful. It is not recommended that women in their first quarter of pregnancy use lavender. Use of lavender for children under the age of three months is restricted.

Rainshadow Labs Specializes in Intuitive Essential Oils aromatherapy essential oils, essential oils and wholesale soap making supplies. We are passionate about Oraganic Essential Oils and soap and candle making, and we love to help people feel and look young again. Come visit anytime.

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Is Whey Protein Right For You?

By Michael Pilcher  

Whey protein has been around for years and years. It has been proven to have huge benefits for your body and overall daily performance.

Many professional athletes use whey protein to help boost their overall strength and endurance as well as help them recover faster after intense workouts.

What are some of the benefits of whey protein:

·       Helps boost your protein and BCAA intake.

·       Helps your tendons, organs and skin... as well as hormones, enzymes, neurotransmitters and all sorts of tiny molecules.

·       Builds more strength and healthy muscle.

·       Proteins are also the building blocks of the contractile elements in muscle.

·       Whey has been shown to be particularly effective at increasing muscle growth when consumed right before, after or during a workout.

·       Helps in losing weight.

·       Proven to prevent diseases and build the immune system to prevent sickness.

·       Whey can boost metabolism by 80 to 100 calories per day.

Taking whey protein is a great way to increase your protein intake, which should have major benefits for dieting or weight loss.

Studies have shown that replacing other sources of calories with whey protein, combined with weight lifting, and or resistance training can cause weight loss of about 8 pounds, while increasing lean muscle mass.

Therefore, if you're trying to lose weight, then a whey protein supplement can help you both lose weight and hold on to your precious muscle. Muscle plays a vital role in weight loss. It is proven that 1 pound of muscle burns up to 100 calories per day.

Muscle loss starts occurring at 30 years of age. This is another advantage of using a good quality whey protein to help maintain and build muscle. Of course weight lifting or resistance training is recommended along with whey to help maintain the muscle you have and help build muscle to help burn fat.

Protein has been shown to help weight loss by boosting metabolism (calories out) and reducing appetite (calories that you take in). Whey can help increase fat loss, while preserving lean muscle mass.

Of course, depending on what you are wanting to do, depends on the type of Whey protein you need. If you are wanting to lose weight and maintain the muscle you have, as well as build muscle, then it is recommended that you use a whey protein that is low in carbohydrates, but has a high level of protein (24 grams or above).

Beyond just muscle, strength and leanness, whey protein can provide numerous other health benefits as well.

Such as: lowering blood pressure, blood sugar and reducing symptoms of stress and depression. Whey protein is very high in the amino acid Cysteine which has huge health benefits. Cysteine does this by raising levels of Glutathione, the main antioxidant substance in the body's cells. Glutathione is very beneficial and important to the body.

Here are some benefits to Glutathione:

·       Increases energy

·       Slows down the aging process

·       Reduces muscle and joint discomfort

·       Strengthens immune system

·       Detoxifies the liver and cells

·       Improves mental focus and clarity

·       Improves quality of sleep

·       Reduces the effects of stress

·       Improves the skin

·       Athletic performance and recovery

As you can see above, Glutathione is an important part of the defense system. It is recommended by professional trainers and nutrition specialist to use a whey protein that has Glutathione in it, or add additional whey with Glutathione.

When it comes to any type of muscle gain and fat loss, protein is the king of nutrients... and whey has been proven to be much better than other forms of quality protein. Whey is the choice of top fitness models, pro athletes, as well as body builders and weight lifters.

Whey by itself may not taste very good, which is why it is recommended to get a quality whey protein that is flavored with chocolate, vanilla or strawberry flavored. Most athletes and those using whey protein will add Almond milk which really boost the taste. Almond milk with only 60 calories is the best choice.

It's important that you read the ingredients list, because some of them can have unhealthy additives like refined sugar. Look for those that are lactose free as well.

Taking whey is a convenient way to add 25-50 grams of protein on top of your daily intake. This can be important for bodybuilders and Gym enthusiasts, as well as people who need to lose weight or are simply lacking protein in their diet.

Most flavored whey proteins are also very delicious and can be used to make healthy recipes (like smoothies) taste incredibly good. Most of these mentioned above are smooth tasting and very good when used with 60 calorie Almond milk.

Whey is generally well tolerated, although people with lactose intolerance need to be careful with it, which is why it is recommended to choose whey protein that is lactose free. Make sure and choose whey that is aspartame free as well. Aspartame is dangerous and should be avoided.

What about side effects?

People with kidney or liver issues may want to avoid whey protein. Make sure you consult with a medical professional before using it.

Taking too much whey protein could cause digestive issues such as nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, pain and cramping. There are people who are allergic to whey and other supplements.

If you are unable to tolerate whey protein powders, then isolate or hydrolysate may be better choices for you. If this is the case, then you can add more protein to your daily diet by searching foods that are rich in protein, like meats, fish, and shrimp.

Can you have too much protein in your daily diet?

Eating massive amounts of protein is unnatural and may cause harm.

Having high percentages of protein in our daily diets are perfectly normal and safe. It has been said by many professional coaches, and nutritionist that having a higher daily protein number than carbs and fat are huge for maintaining weight and also in losing body fat.

Keep in mind that athletes and those that workout a great deal need more protein than regular individuals, especially strength athletes, runners or bodybuilders.

Typically, 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight (2.2 grams per kg) or 30-40% of calories should be safe. You can visit websites such as GNC, that have protein charts that you can use to determine your daily protein number that is needed and healthy for you and your body weight.

For the majority of people, there is no reason to be concerned about the exact number of grams of protein in the diet.

I personally take in over 100 grams of protein daily, which works great for me. I also recommend using some type of daily food and exercise tracker, such as the myfitnesspal.com app. This is a free app that you can use to enter every meal, exercises, your daily weight, water intake and much more. This simple app will help you stay on track and keep you accountable to your weight loss, weight management, and fitness goals. This app can be found by going to your favorite search engine and search "myfitnesspal".

More whey protein advantages, delicious recipes and additional information can be found by visiting my blog.

Michael Pilcher has been involved in the health and fitness industry for over 30 years with much success in fitness and weight loss.

Michael owns and operates many successful businesses. Michael's number one goal is helping his clients and customers reach their goals and dreams. You can visit Michael's blog at: http://www.MikePilcher.com

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