Herbal Nutrition Chronicle

Bronchitis is a common respiratory disorder in which one or more of the lung's airways (bronchi) become inflamed, irritated or infected. As the lining of the bronchi swell, mucus builds up, causing an irresistible urge to cough and clear the throat.

It generally occurs in the winter and typically follows an upper respiratory tract infection such as a cold or the flu. Most healthy people recover fully in a week or two, although the cough may linger for several weeks. In some cases, however, the condition can lead to pneumonia. It is not generally a serious health threat unless it occurs in the frail elderly, those with heart disease or a chronic lung disorder.

Bronchitis comes in two forms. The most common form - acute infectious bronchitis - which can be triggered by a bacterial or viral infection or an allergic reaction to something inhaled. Chronic bronchitis is the more serious form and is defined as; symptoms lasting three months or longer and occurring two years in a row.

The symptoms of bronchitis are a slight fever, build up of mucus, muscle and back pain, fatigue, sore throat, difficulty breathing, and often, sudden chills and shaking. A dry cough followed by the coughing up of mucus as the inflammation becomes more severe. In fact, ribs have been known to be broken from this cough.

If a cough following a cold or the flu lingers for more than a week, if you cough up green, yellow or brown sputum, if you experience a fever of 103 or higher, experience extreme lethargy or experience wheezing or difficulty breathing - call your doctor.

In addition to rest and adequate fluid intake; such as, water, herbal teas and soup, there are many nutritional and natural remedies that help ease the inflammation of bronchitis and loosen phlegm. Some of the more common are listed below.

Nutritional Remedies:

Beta carotene protects the lungs and soothes the mucus membranes. A deficiency of beta carotene and vitamin A increases the susceptibility to respiratory infections. Take 1,000 IU daily.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps fight infection, protects the lungs from damage and promotes healing. Take 3,000 to 10,000 milligrams daily in divided doses.

Vitamin E heals tissues and improves breathing. Take 400 IU twice daily.

Zinc helps bronchial healing. Proper immune function and tissue repair depends on adequate levels of zinc in the body. Suck on zinc lozenges - follow package directions.

Colloidal silver is a natural antibiotic that destroys bacteria, viruses and fungi and promotes healing. Take as directed on label.

Silica acts as an anti-inflammatory, reduces mucus flow and reduces coughing. Take as directed on label.

Herbal Remedies:

Rather than using just one of the following herbs listed below, alternate several to get all of their healing benefits.

Astragalus, garlic, myrrh and pau d'arco are natural antibiotics. **Caution: Do not use astragalus if a fever is present.

Black radish, chickweed, ginkgo biloba, lobelia and mullein improve lung and bronchial congestion and circulation.

Coltsfoot, slippery elm bark and wild cherry bark sooth the throat and are good for a cough.

Fenugreek is good for reducing the flow of mucus.

Goldenseal has antibiotic actions and is good for all conditions involving inflammation of the mucus membranes of the bronchial tubes, throat, nasal passages and sinuses. ** Caution: Do not take on a daily basis for more than one week at a time - do not use during pregnancy. If you have a history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes or glaucoma - use only under a doctor's supervision.

Horsetail is a good source of silica which has anti-inflammatory and expectorant actions and reduces coughing.

Iceland moss is good for mucus congestion.

Siberian ginseng is especially good for the lungs. It clears bronchial passages and reduces inflammation. ** Caution: Do not use this herb if you have hypoglycemia, high blood pressure or a heart disorder.

Herbs that eliminate or prevent mucus and expel mucus from the lungs and throat are anise, black cohosh, coltsfoot, comfrey, mullein, thyme and wild cherry bark.

As with all nutritional supplements, they should only be used in amounts typically recommended for medicinal purposes and you should always consult with a health professional first, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications.

HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!

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Know All The Health Benefits Of Garlic And Its Uses

Posted On 2011-10-14 , 2:22 PM

Garlic is one of the most valuable foods on this planet and has been used for thousands of years for many diseases and illnesses. It is a member of the onion family and the world's second oldest medicine - the first being Ephedra.

It is a potent immune system stimulant and a natural antibiotic. It can be eaten raw or cooked, taken in supplement form, or used to prepare garlic oil.

Raw garlic works best as a powerful, natural antibiotic that fights bacteria, parasites and viruses. It detoxifies the body and protects against infection by enhancing the immune system. It is good for heart disease (2 to 3 cloves a day lessen the chance of heart attacks and stroke); contains many preventive anticancer compounds and antioxidants.

It is good for colds (a decongestant and expectorant); works as an anti-asthmatic, antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antioxidant, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, estrogenic, parasiticide and rubefacient.

Garlic is used to treat allergies and asthma, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, athlete's foot, bronchitis, cancer, colds and flu, diabetes, diarrhea, diverticulitis, earaches and ear infection, fibrocystic breast disease, gout, heart attack and cardiovascular disease, herpes, hypertension, insect wounds, intestinal complaints, jock itch, sore throat, urinary tract infections and warts. Good for virtually any disease or infection.

It is effective against fungal infections, including athlete's foot, systemic candidiasis and yeast vaginitis and there is some evidence that it may also destroy certain viruses, such as those associated with fever blisters, genital herpes, a form of the common cold, smallpox, and a type of influenza. It is used to prevent certain types of cancer, including colon and stomach cancers.

Garlic can be drank as a tea; simmered in oil as an ointment; eaten in food; made into volatile material that can be inhaled, mashed and so on. It has also been used internally and externally to arrest tumor; eaten to develop immunity to cancer and to kill intestinal worms; the oil snorted into the nostrils to cure sinus infections; rubbed on arthritis parts as a pain killer. It suppresses yeast and makes mucus less sticky.

It contains many sulfur compounds, which give it its marvelous healing actions. An alternative to fresh garlic is Kyolic, which is an odorless "sociable" garlic product and is available in tablet, capsule and oil extract forms. Aged garlic extract such as Kyolic is the best.

The chemical and nutritional content of garlic includes; allicin, allyldisulfides, calcium, copper, essential oils, germanium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, phytoncides, potassium, selenium, sulfur, unsaturated aldehydes, zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2 and Vitamin C.

To avoid smelling like garlic; odor free, enteric coated tablets and capsules are available; garlic oil and tinctures are also on the market. Follow package directions.

Caution: Garlic may increase the potency of blood thinning drugs. It may also increase the effectiveness of medicine used to lower blood sugar levels in the treatment of Type II diabetes. Those who are sensitive to garlic may experience flatulence or heartburn.

As with all nutritional supplements, garlic supplements should only be used in amounts typically recommended for medicinal purposes and you should always consult with a health professional first, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or taking prescription medications.

Remedies

Arthritis - Garlic is high in sulfur, which absorbs toxins that may be irritating joint tissues. Take supplement of choice, follow package instructions.

Athlete's Foot - This powerful herb has antifungal actions capable of wiping out a case of athlete's foot. Just steep six crushed cloves in a basin of hot water for an hour, then soak feet for 20 minutes. For an especially harsh case of athlete's foot, crush 5 or 6 cloves and add to a small bottle of olive or sesame oil. Apply the oil to clean, dry feet as needed. Be careful - if the oil is too potent it can burn your skin.

Cholesterol/Heart Disease/High Blood Pressure - In order to reap the health benefits, you will need to add 4 or 5 cloves to your diet daily OR take 2 garlic tablets daily on a full stomach. It has the power to thin the blood and prevent heart attacks.

Colds/Flu - For fighting the common cold, chew or swallow a whole clove every couple of hours OR use garlic oil capsules or tablets; the more popular, odorless alternative. Take 2 capsules 3 times daily. Use garlic oil nose drops to ward off nasty flu bugs. During the height of flu season, apply 5 drops of tincture to each nostril (the first place you are likely to pick up a virus) every few hours for a few days. To make your own nose drops; mix one clove of crushed garlic to 10 parts water.

Earache/Ear Infection- Garlic mullein eardrops are a comforting cure for earaches. Garlic has antimicrobial actions, the mullein acts as a decongestant and helps numb pain. Treat both ears, even if only one hurts. Infections often migrate from one ear to the other.

Sore Throat - It is one of the best natural antiseptics - take garlic oil capsules (15 grains) six times a day.

Warts - Many warts respond to garlic oil; especially on the hand and foot. Spread vitamin E oil around the wart to protect the surrounding skin. Then, apply a freshly crushed clove directly on the wart and cover with an elastic bandage. The first sign of progress will be a tingle or slight burn. Within a few days you will notice the formation of a blister. Keep applying the vitamin E oil to keep the skin soft and aid the healing process.

What do you use garlic for?

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October 2011

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