Health and Diet Blog

Vincent Platania asked:




The stories surrounding nutmeg tell of its ability to enhance a man’s virility.  Young men were told by monks in the sixteenth century to keep some nutmeg oil on hand so that they could put the oil on their genital area and it would serve to strengthen their masculinity.  Men have been known to keep nutmeg under their armpits to attract a collection of admirers. 

This interesting spice also has some health benefits as well.  It has been used to keep away boils, broken bones and rheumatism.  It was believed that the spice could keep the plague away during Elizabethan times and became a very highly valuable spice.

Nutmeg comes from a tree that grows in Moluccas in an area of Indonesia that is called the Spice Islands.  The fruit that grows from the tree is the nutmeg seed.  The fruit is small, about the size of an egg.  The seed has inside a yellow fruit that when it is cut in half there is a red covering inside.  This is sold as mace when it is dried.  Underneath this is a nut, which is the actual nutmeg. 

Spices have been shown to contain many health benefits and nutmeg falls into this category.  It has been used to treat conditions such as gastroenteritis, dysentery, vomiting, indigestion and bloating.  It has also been used in India’s Ayurvedic medicine to treat many digestive conditions, premature ejaculation and urinary incontinence.  It can help with the treatment of arthritis, neuralgia, muscle pain, rheumatism and poor circulation.

Some have even said that the oils that come from the nutmeg can cause hallucinations.  Don’t worry, though, this will not happen when you add it to your custard.

Nutmeg is best known as an addition to sweet recipes like puddings and pies.  It can also be used on meat dishes for an extra added zip that will leave your guests wondering what your secret is.  Vegetables are not immune to the benefits of the spice.  In fact, nutmeg can be used on almost anything you cook.

It works especially well with cheese dishes and is often a part of a soufflé recipe.  Put it in your soups for a little kick. Egg dishes respond very well to the addition of nutmeg.  And of course, don’t forget the eggnog.  The aroma of nutmeg is as delicious as its taste.  Many people will come running to your table ready to try the dishes that you created with the addition of nutmeg.  Feel free to experiment a little bit with the occasional dash of nutmeg in your favorite recipes.  It will bring out a flavor that most people will know but might not be able to identify.  It will be your little secret.

If you want to find some high quality nutmeg you should check out www.rawleigh-products.com for some of the best nutmeg.  This company uses a special technique to preserve the natural flavorings of the spice and deliver to you a fantastic spice.

DR HARSHAD RAVAL MD HOMEOPATHY asked:


Swine Flu Symptoms

The symptoms of swine flu in people are expected to be similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms of Swine flu may including all or some of the following:

Fever Muscle aches Lethargy Coughing Headache Sore throat Runny nose Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Lack of appetite Complications Of Swine Flu

Those at higher risk of catching influenza in general include those with the following:

* Age of 65 years or older

* Chronic health problems (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease)

* Pregnant women

* Young children

But the past epidemics and pandemics of flu have shown that during pandemics most people that are affected are healthy young adults.

Complications of Swine Flu can include:

* Pneumonia

* Bronchitis

* Sinus infections

* Ear infections

* Death

Transmission of Swine Flu (How is Swine Flu spread?)

As with other flu like illnesses, Swine flu is spread as follows:

Coughing Sneezing Kissing Touching infected objects Touching nose, mouth and/or eyes with infected hands Swine flu does not spread by eating pork. Treatment of Swine Flu Swine Flu Vaccination / Swine Flu Shot

The protective ability of influenza vaccines depends primarily on the closeness of the match between the vaccine virus and the epidemic virus, so the presence of non reactive H3N2 SIV variants suggests that current commercial vaccines might not effectively protect pigs from infection with a majority of H3N2 viruses. The current vaccine against the seasonal influenza strain H1N1 is thought unlikely to provide protection. The director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases said that the United States’ cases were found to be made up of genetic elements from four different flu viruses—North American swine influenza, North American avian influenza, human influenza A virus subtype H1N1, and swine influenza virus typically found in Asia and Europe.

Gelsemium. [Gels]

This remedy corresponds to the commencement of the trouble, when the patient is weak, tired and aches throughout the body. It removes speedily the intense aching and muscular soreness. There is constant chilliness and the patient hugs the fire; the fever is less acute than that of Aconite, and the cough is hard and painful. There are paroxysms of sneezing with excoriating discharge, and great torpor and apathy. An extensive experience with this remedy in the great Epidemic of 1918 proved its usefulness. Simple cases were speedily cured. Aconite will sometimes prove the better remedy for children, but the drug will never be a prominent one in influenza. Still it may be prescribed when indicated; it will, perhaps, soothe and moderate the subsequent attack, but its action is not quick here as in simple fevers, as we have to do with a blood affection.

#Baptisia.

Influenza with marked gastro-intestinal symptoms may need this remedy, especially when there are present putrid diarrhoea stools. Clarke considers this remedy the nearest specific for the disease; he prefers the 30th potency. Hughes also praises it, but uses it in the 1x and 2x dilutions, which seem to have more extensive testimony as to their efficacy.

#Eupatorium perfoliatum.

This remedy has much soreness and aching of the entire body; hoarseness and cough, with great soreness of the larynx and upper respiratory tract. Coryza with thirst and drinking causes vomiting. The cough is a very shattering one, hurts the head and chest, and as in Drosera, the patient holds the chest with the hands. The breakbone pains are characteristic of the remedy. Add to these symptoms acute bilious derangements, and it is all the more indicated. Many physicians rely on this remedy in influenza / flu almost exclusively in the early stages.

#Sabadilla. [Sabad]

Sneezing is the great keynote of this remedy. Sneezing and lachrymation on going into the open air. The throat is swollen and the pain is worse on empty swallowing; the sneezing is excessive, shaking the whole body. Shudderings, with gooseflesh chills creeping upwards, are also prominent symptoms. Frontal headache, dryness of mouth, without thirst and cough, worse on lying down, are additional symptoms. It suits well many cases of the catarrhal form of flu; other remedies having sneezing are Cyclamen and Euphorbia.

#Arsenicum. [Ars]

This remedy covers more phases of flu than perhaps any other remedy. Hughes believes that it will cut short an attack, especially when there is a copious flow, prostration and paroxysmal coryza. Its periodicity makes it suitable to epidemics, and it suits the early symptoms when the affection is in the upper portion of the respiratory tract. The burning dryness and copious watery excoriating secretion and the involvement of the conjunctiva are unmistakable indications. Langour and prostration are prominent symptoms.

#Arsenicum iodide.

Chills, flushes of heat and severe fluent coryza, discharge irritating and corrosive, sneezing and prostration. It corresponds to true influenza and is highly recommended by Hale. Sanguinaria nitrate is especially valuable when the trachea and larynx are affected. Phytolacca. Specific when the throat is inflamed and spotty, with great hardness and tenderness of the glands.

#Dulcamara. [Dulc]

This is one of our best remedies in the acute form; the eyes are suffused, the throat is sore and the cough hurts because of the muscular soreness. If brought on by damp, cold changes in the weather, so much the surer is Dulcamara indicated.

#Bryonia.

The trouble here is largely bronchial and going down. When a person is very grumpy and feels miserable with the flu, wanting only to lie still and be left alone, this remedy is likely to be useful. Headache, muscle aches, and cough or stomach pain may be the major symptoms. Everything feels worse from even the slightest motion. The person’s mouth usually is dry, with a thirst for long cold drinks.

#Phosphorus may be indicated, especially when the trouble moves towards the chest. It is a very useful remedy for the debility following la grippe, as it is usually of the pure nervous type. It is the great post-influenza “tonic.”

#Rhus toxicodendron. [Rhus-t]

Influenza, with severe aching in all the bones, sneezing and coughing. The cough is worse evenings and is caused by a tickling behind the upper part of the sternum. Especially is it useful in cases brought on by exposure to dampness. There is much prostration and depression, and the patient may have some symptoms which are suspicious as pointing towards typhoid fever, such as burning tongue, stupor and delirium. Aching pains, nightly restlessness are keynotes symptoms. Causticum, like both Rhus and Eupatorium, has a tired, sore, bruised sensation all over the body and soreness in the chest when coughing, but it has in addition involuntary urination when coughing.

#Allium cepa. [All-c]

Profuse catarrhal coryza; the nose runs freely, there is sneezing, irritability cough, the face is swollen and looks inflamed. Camphora. This remedy is often sufficient at the outset to cut short an attack, or at least modify the severity.

#Sticta. [Stict]

Nasal catarrh; headache, thirst, nightly expectoration, great watering of eyes,running at nose, hoarseness of voice, frontal headache and depression of whole system. Tuberculous subjects attacked by influenza. “There is no better remedy,” says Dr. Fornias,”for the incessant wearing, racking cough of this class of patients.” Tuberculinum is an excellent prevention of recurring attacks of influenza /flu in those who have annual attacks.

#Ipecac

Adapted to cases where the gastric symptoms predominate; tongue clean or slightly coated. Nausea: with profuse saliva; vomiting of white, glairy mucus in large quantities, without relief; sleepy afterwards; worse from stooping. Low thirst. Cough: dry spasmodic, constricted, asthmatic. Difficult breathing from least exercise; violent dyspnoea, with wheezing and anxiety about the stomach. Cough, with rattling of mucus in bronchi when inspiring; threatened suffocation from mucus. Pains as if bones were all torn to pieces.

#Veratrum album

Adapted to diseases with rapid sinking of the vital forces; complete prostration; collapse. Cold perspiration on the forehead (over entire body, Tab. ); with nearly all complaints. Thirst: intense, unquenchable, for large quantities of very cold water and acid drinks; wants everything cold. Diarrhoea: frequent, greenish, watery, gushing: mixed with flakes: cutting colic, with cramps commencing in hands and feet and spreading all over; prostrating, after fright; < least movement; with vomiting, cold sweat on forehead during and prostration after. Vomiting: excessive with nausea and great prostration: < by drinking ( Ars. ); by least motion ( Tab. ); great weakness after.

Paul Hata asked:




What is Chinese Food Therapy – Chinese food therapy dates back as early as 2000 BC.Chinese food therapy is a practice of healing using natural foods instead of medications. Chinese food therapy is a modality of traditional Chinese medicine, also known as Chinese Nutrition Therapy. The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine, which is also known as the Niejing, was written around 300 BC is important in forming the basis of Chinese food therapy.

Philosophy of Chinese Food Therapy – The philosophy behind Chinese food therapy is that everything must be balanced. This begins by discovering the polar opposites of foods that are available and combining them for a middle ground. Yin and yang are the philosophy that is used for foods, giving the best combination of elements for health. Yang is known to increase body heat, which will raise the metabolism to process nutrients. Yin then combines with this to decrease the body heat, which will balance the nutrients that are being processed in the metabolism.

Causes of Illnesses – According to Chinese medicine, improper meal and unbalanced diet can be one of the major causes of illness. Not eating balanced and proper meal can lead to a stop in the right energy flow in your body, causing your body to not have the ability to process its nutritional needs correctly. The alternative that is suggested is Chinese food therapy, where there is a balance between the food that you eat and the nutrition that you get.

Treatment Methods – In order for Chinese food therapy to work properly, there has to be an understanding of how your body reacts to specific things. If you are completely balanced, too much of either yin or yang will cause a reaction by your body, allowing you to stay balanced. Everything that your body does, when using Chinese food therapy, will be communicating to you how to use your food and balance it out properly.

The ideas of yin and yang are used in the sphere of food and cooking.Yin foods are believed to decrease the body’s heat (eg. lower the metabolism) whileYang foods are believed to increase the body’s heat (eg. raise the metabolism).So if your body is imbalanced, you can use some foods in order to use the Chinese food therapy correctly. For example, some foods may cause your energy to be lower. You can use roots of foods in order to increase this, which are directly linked to the Yang foods. Ginseng is one popular example that will help to increase circulation and the metabolism. This is one of several examples that can help you to heal and balance naturally.

Benefits of Chinese Food Therapy – So the next time you are ready to eat your meal, make sure that you have both Yin and Yang in combination with each other. Over time, you will notice that the balance of your energy, as well as the various effects of the food makes a difference in how you function. Using Chinese food therapy as a method of health is one of the easiest ways to help chewing in your health.

Susan J. Wojcik asked:




 

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common disorders seen by physicians today. As many as one in five American adults has IBS and yet it goes unspoken because of the seemingly embarrassing nature of the symptoms.

Diagnosis is usually a process of elimination because there are no physical signs that can definitively diagnose IBS. According to the diagnostic criteria developed by researchers, the Rome criteria, you must have certain signs and symptoms before a physician can diagnose you with IBS:

Abdominal pain and discomfort lasting at least 12 weeks, though the weeks don’t have to occur consecutively. You also need to have at least two of the following:

A change in the frequency or consistency of your stool. For example, you may change from having one normal, formed stool every day to three or more loose stools daily. Or you may have only one hard stool every three to four days.

Straining, urgency or a feeling that you can’t empty your bowels completely.

Mucus in your stool.

Bloating or abdominal distension.

Symptoms are almost always aggravated by stress. Episodes may also be aggravated by eating, and are frequently relieved after a bowel movement. IBS according to Chinese Medicine

While other patterns may be present, IBS is almost always considered a disharmony between the liver and the spleen in traditional Chinese medicine. The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of substances throughout the body. This flow can be upset by emotions or stress, causing stagnation of Qi (energy) or blood. Traditional Chinese medicine views the spleen as being associated with the function of digestion and transforming food into energy (Qi and blood). The spleen can be weakened by a number of factors, including overeating unhealthy foods, overwork, too much worry, fatigue, and lack of exercise. When the spleen is weak and the liver is not moving smoothly, the liver overacts on the spleen and can manifest as symptoms of IBS.

To support the spleen and the liver common supplements include Chinese herbal formulas along with digestive enzymes and even probiotics. Acupuncture on a weekly or bi-weekly basis helps to rebalance the body and can correct the liver/spleen disharmony and thereby correct the symptoms caused IBS.

Finally, diet and lifestyle cannot be overlooked and must be addressed. Here are some general guidelines that can be used to balance IBS and liver/spleen disharmony:

Diet should include good protein and good fats, with moderate complex carbohydrates that emphasize vegetables. Good protein sources are wild and low-mercury risk fish or free range chicken, grass fed beef and lamb free of growth hormones and steroids. Other good sources of protein are nuts, seeds, beans, and free-range eggs.

Vegetables that are especially alkaline and contain a good amount of water and fiber. They will help to cleanse the body and support the liver. Eat vegetables steamed or sautéed, it helps to support the spleen and digestion. Raw, cold vegetables should be avoided.

Squashes, pumpkins, sweet potatoes/yams are especially nutritive to the digestion and spleen.

Whole grain brown rice supports spleen Qi as well.

Stocks, broths and soups should be a staple in the diet as a great spleen Qi tonic.

Do not consume water or beverages with meals as to not dilute gastric juices and natural digestive enzymes.

Avoid common food triggers: caffeine, alcohol, dairy, greasy/fatty foods.

Getting adequate exercise and practicing stress-relieving measures such as yoga. breathing exercises and meditation regularly.

Getting adequate sleep to minimize the effects of stress on your body and digestive system. Posted by Lakeshore Wellness Center