Abigails Herbs

Next to the common cold, periodontal disease is the second most prevalent ailment in the United States. The rate of periodontal disease increases with age. It affects 75% of Americans over the age of thirty-five.

There are various warning signs of severe gum (periodontal) disease:

• Red, tender or swollen gums.
• Loose teeth.
• A change in the way your teeth fit together.
• A change in the fit of partial dentures.
• Gums that bleed when you floss or brush.
• Receding gums ( gums that pull away from the teeth).
• Dry mouth.
• Continual bad breath.
• Teeth grinding (bruxism).

The process of gum disease can be treated if caught early. Report all symptoms to a dentist or periodontist (specialist). Brush  and floss teeth daily, using Listerine and Plax.  Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Regular, intimate contact with an infected person can transmit the bacteria that cause periodontal disease from person-to-person, so avoid sharing toot brushes with others.

Aloe vera gel has soothng properties. Applying aloe vera gel directly to inflamed gums eases discomfort and soothes the inflammed tissues.

There is no evidence that chocolate causes acne, kidney stones or infant colic. Cocoa’s contibution to tooth decay has been blown out of proportion. Some research even suggests that cocoa contains substances which inhibit the growth of bacteria that causes tooth decay. The substances that create toothe decay is the sugar and other, sweet ingredients that are mixed in with the cocoa.

The USA consumes three billion pounds of cocoa per year and the rest of the world uses a million tons of cocoa annually. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry released a study done in 2003, co-sponsored by Cornell University showed that cocoa is two times better than red wine as an antioxidant. Cocoa is five times better than black tea as a powerful antioxidant.

Cocoa, scientific name Theobroma Cocoa, is known as the “food of the gods.” Organic, dark cocoa is the healthiest form of antioxidant in the entire world.  It is ranked as “number one” when compared to the other rich and potent antioxidants available to us today. Below is a list of the world’s most potent antioxidants ranked in order of their effectiveness:

1. Cocoa (dark, organic)
2. Red wine
3. Green tea
4. Black tea

Take away the sugar, butter and cream that is usually added to the cocoa and you will see that chocolate does not deserve the bad reputation it has known.

Psoriasis is a skin disorder which is characterized by a red discoloration of the skin, covered with silver-white  scales which become flaky. This condition can be rather painful, itchy and sore. It is caused by faster-than-normal buildup of skin cells which grow at a more rapid rate than normal skin cells.  Psoriasis is difficult to get rid of and it is very unpleasant.

Neem oil is an Ayurvedic  herb which  helps to clear up various skin problems. I use it on my dog to alleviate and prevent fungus, mange and other skin conditions caused by allergies. Neem Oil also keeps insects from biting my dog. I mix neem oil with water and spray it onto my dog’s skin. Her fur is much shinier and healthier-looking now.

Last week I traveled to Atlanta to visit Elena and Richard, some good friends of mine. They showed me how they apply neem oil to their poodle’s skin to heal bug bites and  to keep fleas and ticks away. They reported that the neem oil really works. Then they showed me how Richard was suffering with an annoying case of psoriasis on the tops of both of his feet. He applied the neem oil directly onto his feet (full strength), and within 12 hours, his scales had disappeared. The itchiness and discomfort went away also.

Elena and Richard also concurred that their dog’s fur was shinier and thicker than ever due to the neem oil.  I also give one teaspoon of neem oil to my older dog so that she eats it with her food. As a result, her arthritic symptoms clear up and she is better able to walk without limping.

Neem oil is highly reccommended for all kinds of skin disorders and as an effective insecticide.

As the weather becomes hot and sticky this summer why not use some herbal alternatives to kill odor-causing bacteria and bust body odor? Commercial under arm deodorants and anti-perspirants contain harmful chemicals which are not usually healthy for us. These chemicals block skin follicles and cause uncomfortable allergic reactions for many of us.

Try some natural techniques for alleviating body odor:

• Zinc    -     It has immune-stimulating effects. Take 30 mg. in supplement form or increase your intake of food sources like shellfish and legumes. If you take a supplement, also take one mg. copper ( present in multi-vitamins).
• Baking Soda   -    This is sodium bicarbonate which soaks up moisture and helps stop bacteria from forming on the skin.  Sprinkle a small amount onto your hands and apply directly to your underarms.
• Tea Tree Oil   -   This awesome and incredible essential oil is loaded with anti-bacterial compounds. Mix a couple drops of tea tree oil with a teaspoon of almond oil and rub onto your armpits. Sometimes tea tree oil can be irritating to skin, so always do a skin patch test to see if your skin is sensitive to this essential oil.

I remember the first time I tried Rooibus tea, I took my first sip and the aroma smelled so distinctive and good. It had a citrus flavor. I asked the tea expert what the pleasant smell was and he said it was bergamot that was infused into the tea leaves to give it a better, improved taste. Wow – I liked it right away.

Bergamot is actually an essential oil from the rind of the bergamot orange, a citrus fruit from Asia which is grown commercially in Italy. The bergamot essential oil has many health benefits; it helps with indigestion and  flatulence. It has a fresh, invigorating essence. It feels very uplifting and has antiseptic properties which helps one to relax.

Bergamot used to flavor only black tea such as Earl Grey. In present day, bergamot oil is infused with many other types of teas, such as oolong, green, white and rooibus teas.  Bergamot gives a subtle pleasure and it is delightful for soothing both body and mind.

This summer, make your own iced chai tea. Any kind of black tea will do, however, Darjeeling is the best choice if you want an authentic Indian taste. Prepare the following ingredients:

• 2 1/2  Cups water
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 14 cardamom pods
• 2 cups whole milk
• 6 whole cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3 black or Darjeeling tea bags
• 1/4 cup honey

Follow these directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, bring water, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat.
2. Add tea bags and steep for 15 minutes, covered. Remove tea bags. Add honey or agave and stir until dissolved. Stir in milk.
3. Strain the mixture into another container. Allow to cool and then refrigerate for about an hour. Serve over ice. Enjoy. It is simply delicious.

A recent research review, published in the Cochrane Library, which studied 25 over-the -counter cough medicine, has determined that here is no good evidence either for or against the effectiveness of formulas such as Robitussin or Mucinex or any other brand of cough syrup.

For a change, try herbal alternatives as recommended by Tieraona Low Dog, M.D. (director of education at the University of Arizona’s Program in Integrative Medicine). The ingredients featured are sage and thyme, which alleviates chest congestion. This recipe also has vitamin- C rich- lemon and throat-soothing honey. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Pour hot water over 2 teaspoons of organic lemon rinds, 1 teaspoon of sage and one-half teaspoon of thyme.
2. Dried or fresh herbs can be used.
3. Cover and steep for 15 minutes.
4. Strain the tea.
5. Then add the juice of on-half  lemon and 1 tablespoon of honey.

Drink two to three cups daily for cough relief. Relax and see how quickly your cough improves.

The main ingredient in exotic chai tea is made from black tea which contains rich antioxidants. These antioxidants boost the immune system and prevent illness as they help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Both Ayurvedic and Chinese cultures place a high value on the spices that make up a good cup of chai tea. Such spices include:

• cardamom
• cloves
• ginger
• pepper
• cinnamon

Some people put a mixture of milk and honey in their chai tea, which give it a very sweet taste. It is not recommended that anyone with ulcers drink chai tea as the sweet flavor could possibly irritate the ulcers. However, the ingredients in chai tea generally promote healthy digestion for the majority of tea drinkers.

Exotic chai tea takes the chai to a much higher level by adding even more spices to this delicious beverage. It has much less caffeine in it than coffee, thus making it safer to drink; you can consume a few more cups of exotic chai tea (than coffee) per day due to its lower caffeine content. It can be sipped as either a hot or cold drink.

While you might think something like almond oil would only be useful if you were about to start cooking dinner, you should think again. Rather than being used strictly as a cooking additive, almond oil has found itself in products such as soaps, massage oils, and moisturizers. At the most basic level, almond oil is obtained from the dried kernels of the almond plant. The properties of the oil make it ideal for moisturizers and lotions, because it is heavy in unsaturated fats as well as essential fatty acids.

These properties make the oil sink readily and easily into the skin. In a similar vein, the oil also has a high level of omega-3, making it ideal for many other types of natural skin care and skin restorative products. Used in some completely unrelated arenas, this oil has even found itself used as a wood conditioner. To that end, some clarinet players and oboe players have utilized almond oil to keep their woodwind instruments in the best condition possible.