Natural Food Remedies
The food we eat, affects the quality of our cells, tissues, organs, and mind. They help control our hormones, amplify angiogenesis (the growth of new capillaries that feed us oxygen and nutrients after a heart attack or stroke) they inhibit when capillaries are feeding the wrong cells, as in cancer and heart plaques, they boost our immune defenses, they help regenerate tissues and organs, they protect our DNA, and affect our gut microbiome.
In our western medicinal society, we look for the quick fix (a pill) to stabilize us. What most people don’t realize is this medicine will help our symptoms, but it covers up why we have those symptoms in the first place. Our bodies have the ability to heal on their own, we just need to get out of it’s way! Using food as medicine, allows our body’s own defenses to be amplified in a way that helps us heal naturally, the way we were designed to. Here are a few natural remedies that were written about thousands of years ago in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and are still alive and useful today! Using some of these foods, I was able to heal my hormonal acne, strengthen my immunity through Covid-19, and heal inflammation!
Seaweed: high in microminerals such as iodine and tyrosine which are important for your thyroid function, iron, antioxidants which fight disease-causing free radicals, fiber and polysaccharides that support gut health, and it also helps strengthen hair and nails, protects from sun damage, prevents wrinkles and premature skin aging. Seaweed can be used to roll sushi, but also is great in soups, stews, smoothies, and salads.
Manuka Honey: found in Australia and New Zealand, this honey comes from the Manuka bush and has the highest anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial affect than any other honey. It is used to treat wounds, burns, acne, and has been shown through research to reduce the proliferation of cancer cells! I used it on my jawline hormonal acne and noticed a reduction in redness and scarring.
Echinacea: actually a flower, grown all over the world, (I have it in my yard) is well known for it’s ability to treat colds and flus. It works great steeped in tea or made as a tincture.
Garlic: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, this food does it all! It has been proven to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing cardiovascular disease risk, and has anti-cancer affects due to the bioactive allicin that helps suppress tumor growth.
Turmeric: an anti-inflammatory and neuro-protective compound, reduces oxidative stress that causes damage to our DNA; this spice has helped arthritis, brain fog, anxiety, and any other inflammatory symptom. It has also been shown to help with indigestion and irritable bowel disease by promoting the release of bile to help encourage normal digestion. It is commonly used as a spice sprinkled on food, in teas, and even lattes!
Ginger: an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and even has anti-tumor effects, thanks to gingerol, its active compound. This root has the ability to soothe nausea, stimulate digestion, support blood glucose regulation, and decrease symptoms of osteo-arthritis. I like to buy the root and break off part of it to use when juicing.
Coconut oil: it has a natural substance called lauric acid which has anti-microbial properties. It reduces the occurrence of UTI’s and yeast infections. It is great for cooking with because of its high smoke point (the ability to heat without causing oxidative stress in the body).
Lemon: acts as a digestive tonic, relieving sore throats and coughs, it also alkalizes our PH. Cancer thrives in acidic environments, so keeping your body more alkaline is best. Lemon has anti-bacterial effects and is high in vitamin C. Squeeze into your water if you frequently experience bacterial infections.
Dandelion: not just a flower, but the leaves can be used in salads and smoothies as well. Dandelion is rich in choline, important for brain and liver function, and helps rid the body of toxins and excess estrogen. The sticky resin found on the stems can be used as a wart or blister remedy. It also is a natural diuretic, which means it pulls extra water out of your cells to be eliminated through urination.
What food remedies do you use?