Abigails Herbs

I love Yoohoo Chocolate drink. It was one of my favorite energy drinks as an adolescent and it is still one of my favorite energy drinks. It has zero grams of fat in it and it has vitamin D3 and calcium, not to mention various other minerals and nutrients. But when I read the contents on the back of the bottle of  Yoohoo today, I noticed it had no cholesterol but it was filled with high fructose corn syrup.

I try to stay away from high fructose corn syrup because it is very sweet and I really believe that the corn syrup is highly habit forming. I also think that many people are addicted to that sweet taste. We have more diabetics than ever in the United States and more people with serious heart conditions.

Anyway, I try to stay away from Yoohoo and I stick to beverages which are not pre-sweetened. Processed white sugar is just as habit forming as sweeteners made from corn. The artificial sweeteners are not healthy and can definitely lead to formaldehyde toxicity in the body as well as cancers and other life- shortening  diseases.

Stevia is a natural sweetener which actually nourishes the pancreas and balances glucose (sugar) levels in the body. It is from Paraguay and has been used by the Guarani tribe there for hundreds of years. Stevia has been used safely in Japan for 30 years now and extensive research has declared that stevia is safe and does not have the negative side effects of sweeteners such as aspartame or processed sugar. In fact, aspartame has been banned in Japan.

The whole leaves of the stevia herb contains numerous phytonutrients and trace minerals which aid with the following health conditions:

• stabilizes blood-sugar levels
• aides in digestion
• minimizes cravings for sweets and fatty foods
• inhibits bacterial growth
• lowers hypertension
• helps break addictions to alcohol and other drugs
• shortens the recovery time for colds and flus

Stevia is very positive and beneficial as it contains no calories, no carbohydrates and no negative side effects. It even curbs cravings for sugary  food and, thus, it is great for successful weight loss.

Ginger or ginger root is a very effective anti-inflammatory.  Fresh ginger, of course, is preferable to the dried herb. Ginger is so powerful that it helps to fight certain cancer cells and it assists in slowing down the growth of tumors. Ginger infusions, (steeped as a tea), also alleviate nausea from radiation and chemotherapy.

To use ginger as an herb for cooking, and to benefit from ginger’s health benefits, grate some fresh ginger and add to a fruit salad. To spice up the taste of an Asian stir-fry dish, add the freshly grated ginger to the wok or frying pan.

When making a ginger infusion, slice a one-inch piece of ginger and steep it in a cup of boiling water for a minimum of 10 minutes and a mximum of 15 minutes before drinking it. You can drink the ginger infusion either hot or cold. Note: The ginger must be steeped correctly to get the health benefits.

Clinical depression is serious and calls for professional attention. However, a simple case of everyday  “blues” can be treated with good-tasting herbs and/or spices.

Current clinical research has shown that cinnamon not only stabilizes blood sugar levels, but that it also lifts our spirits when we are feeling sad or emotionally “out-of-sorts.”  Cinnamon is a friendly spice; it puts the sweetness back in our lives.”  Cinnamon is especially safe because it contains no sugar at all.

Just steep a tea bag full of cinnamon powder in one cup of boiling water or pour one cup of hot, boiling water over a cinnamon stick and let it steep for 10 minutes. Drink up and enjoy the  smile that will come over your face!

Bilberry grows in the acidic soil found in marshes, swamps and bogs. The berries look similar to blueberries and the plant barely grows over two feet high. The leaves and stalk of the bilberry plant are a bright, solid green and the flowers are bell-shaped with a pink-green color.

Bilberry has powerful anthocyanosides which have super-charged health benefits for all of us.  Regular consumption of bilberry helps to improve eyesight and eye health. It also strengthens capillaries  and supports the formation of connective tissue.

You can drink bilberry as a tea. The ripe berries are a mild laxative because of their fruit sugar content, however, the dried flowers have an antibacterial effect and are actually quite binding.  Bilberry is a very versatile and beneficial herb.

The health benefits of green tea are nothing short of extraordinary. The Chinese have used green tea for centuries because they have been wise to the life generating properties of this marvelous herb.

Well, green tea extract, developed into a salad oil is a healthy add-on  to vegetables, casseroles, salads and other recipes. It also has a pleasant and yummy taste. Research has discovered that the catechins in green tea are 100% more effective than vitamin C at preventing heart disease as well as other major illnesses. It has been found that green tea is 25% better than vitamin E   in preventing and combating certain health disorders.

Green tea has a compound known as ECGC, which is powerful at preventing cancers and other potentially fatal human conditions. Out diet plays a major role in the game of health and wellness. The green tea salad oil is just another way that we can consume this valuable herb and stay healthy well until old age. Drinking it as a tea is another option.

Red clover is one of the purifying herbs. It is used to clear up skin conditions. Red clover is also a great herbal source of potassium. Potassium is one of the most valuable minerals necessary for healthy human functioning. It keeps our hearts beating regularly and it prevents stroke.

Potassium regulates the transfer of nutrients through cell membranes. Taken regularly with magnesium, Potassium helps to prevent calcium-oxalate kidney stones. A significant study completed in 1997 revealed that low potassium contributes to high blood pressure. It transmits electrochemical impulses to maintain stable blood pressure. Potassium also works with sodium to control the water balance in our bodies.

Foods such as bananas, avocados, lima beans, spinach, garlic, apricots, nuts, brewer’s yeast, yams and yogurt are all great sources of potassium. Red clover can be taken as a tincture, in capsule form or as a tea. To make a good cup of red clover tea, take 2 to 3 teaspoons of red clover flowers and steep in 1 cup of  boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Bee pollen is helpful for people with allergies because it strengthens the immune system. Like other been products, bee pollen has an antimicrobial effect. It is also useful for fighting fatigue, cancer, colon disorders and depression.

Bee pollen is a powder like substance that is produced by the anthers of flowering plants and is gathered by bees. It is composed of 10 to 15% protein. It also contains B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, essential fatty acids, enzymes, calcium, copper, carotene, iron, sodium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, plant sterols and simple sugars.

Fresh bee pollen should not clump together or form clumps. It should be stored in a tightly sealed container.

Some  people are allergic to been pollen, so if you have never tried bee pollen before, try a small dose and watch for allergic reactions of wheezing, rash and discomfort, If you have any of these symptoms, discontinue your use of  bee pollen immediately.

Ginkgo biloba is a Japanese herb with powerful antioxidant effects in the brain, retina and entire cardiovascular system. A study in the respectable  Journal of the American Medical Association reports that ginkgo has a measurable effect on dementia in people with Alzheimer’s disease and in people recovering from strokes. This is because of its wonderful ability to enhance circulation. It has been found to decrease the risk of strokes.

Other prominent studies have revealed that ginkgo can improve both long-term and short-term memory functions and enhance concentration. Ginkgo has also been helpful in the treatment of hearing problems, impotence and macular degeneration, (of the eyes).

Caution:  Anyone taking prescription blood-thinning (anticoagulant) medication or uses over-the-counter pain killers on a regular, ongoing basis, should consult a physician before using ginkgo biloba; the combination of these drugs could result in dangerous internal bleeding.

Ginkgo speeds up cerebral circulation which improves memory and all brain functioning. It destroys free radicals;  protecting brain cells.

Studies show that breakfast eaters are less likely to be fat or obese than people who skip breakfast. Breakfast eaters are also more productive and are better able to concentrate than those who do not eat breakfast. There are great benefits to eating breakfast to start your day; a morning meal shifts your body from an energy-conserving state into a calorie-burning machine. Green tea is a good breakfast drink because it gives your metabolism an extra boost.

Here is a wonderful recipe for a blueberry and green tea smoothie as a breakfast drink which is refreshing as well as nutritious:

1. Brew some wholesome green tea at night and chill it in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Place the tea along with 2 cups of  frozen or fresh blueberries, 3 to 6 ice cubes, 12 ounces of fat-free yogurt, 2 tbsp. of whole, dry-roasted unsalted almonds and 2 tbsp. of ground flaxseed in a blender and mix together until smooth.
3. Add more water to the blender if you use unfrozen blueberries.

This eight ounce drink has only 334 calories; it has 13 grams of protein and only one gram of fat. It is packed with 7 grams of  healthy fiber. The rich antioxidants in the green tea and blueberries protect your body’s cells from free radicals which damage DNA in the mitochondria; the key ingredient in your body’s calorie-burning process. Almonds provide natural protein and healthy monosaturated fat. Flaxseed has omega-3  fats, with lots of  inflammation-fighting properties.

Brewing the green tea at night saves time in the morning. Drink one of the smoothies and refrigerate the other smoothie to drink on the following day.