Anemia, natural remedies

Food combinations and cooking methods, stinging nettle

Vitamins and mineral salts, especially iron, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, useful in case of stomach ulcers but also to stimulate the liver and for the beauty of nails, skin and hair.

Stinging nettle, scientific name urtica dioica of the Urticaceae family, is a plant known and appreciated for centuries for its nutritional and medicinal properties. In our previous articles we have always focused on the use of nettle as a herbal remedy, in the form of herbal teas useful to purify the body and counteract water retention. Today, however, we will go deeper in the use of stinging nettle as an ingredient for cooking. Stinging nettle, nutritional properties - Nettle brings vitamins...

B vitamins

B vitamins are water soluble and act for the well-being of the eyes, skin, liver, kidneys, nervous system, blood flow and immune system. Let's see the main food sources.

The B vitamins are a group of eight water-soluble vitamins that play an essential role in the functioning of the body's cells. In fact, they participate in the synthesis of DNA and guarantee the good health of the nervous and immune systems (Kennedy et al, Nutrients, 2016). Since the B vitamins are not stored in the body for a long time, they should be replenished regularly through a varied diet (Schellack et al, SAPJ, 2015). Following the Mediterranean diet has shown to increase the levels of m...

Food combinations and cooking methods, the mushrooms

Vitamins and mineral salts, anti cancer properties, able to support the liver and the immune system, counteract high levels of cholesterol and blood sugar, useful in case of overweight, constipation and anemia, let’s see the best food combinations and the cooking methods that maximize the properties of mushrooms.

In June the mushrooms start growing in the woods. The mushrooms, even if they are vegetables, aren’t constituted by cellulose, such as salads or fruits, but by nitrogenous substances, carbohydrates, low fat and, in particular, proteins. And it is thanks to this characteristic that mushrooms have been nicknamed the plant based meat. But the mushrooms are also a precious source of mineral salts such as iron, zinc, magnesium and selenium that give anticancer and antioxidant properties. Mushrooms co...

Iron

Iron is essential to several life processes and a deficiency of this mineral may cause tiredness, irritability and poor concentration, it should be taken through diet thanks to food sources such as red meats, fishes but also leafy greens, legumes and chocolate.

Iron is an essential element for the human body since it plays a pivotal role in several life processes. Iron indeed participates in the formation of the red blood cells, in addition to this, it is a component of many enzymes such as that responsible for energy production. This trace element should be introduced though diet but not all the ingested iron is then absorbed by the body. In fact, the percentage of iron absorbed by the small intestine ranges from 5 to 35% on the basis of the condition...

Food combinations Part 5, the best ways to eat artichokes

Raw artichokes, cooked in oil or boiled, prepared with ginger or garlic, every preparation has its properties in order to help the liver, to counteract poor digestion, insomnia, anxiety or anemia.

The artichoke is the flower bud of the plant Cynara scolymus. The artichoke is rich in iron, potassium, magnesium, cynarine, an alkaloid able to protect the liver and to lower the cholesterol, inulin, a prebiotic that protects and stimulates the bacterial flora of the gut, antioxidants such as tannins (Rondanelli et al, Monladi Arch Chest Dis, Mar 2013 – Lopez-Molina et al, Phytochemistry, Jun 2005). However, the properties of the artichoke depend on the ways of cooking and on the foods served t...

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is essential for the body, supports and protects the nervous and immune system, plays a role in the formation of red blood cells and genetic material, is central to the production of cellular energy.

Vitamins are essential substances for life, however, the body is not able to self-produce them and therefore they must be introduced through food. Vitamin B12, or cyanocobalamin, belongs to the group of water-soluble vitamins B. This vitamin is able to preserve the health of the nervous system by maintaining the protective sheaths of the nerves, supports the immune system, is essential for the production of energy at the cellular level and helps the body to use the folate. But the properties of ...

Cherries

Vitamins and mineral salts, antioxidants, slightly laxative action useful in case of constipation, diuretic properties and help to fight excess of uric acid, contain melatonin.

Cherry is the fruit of plant Prunus avium and delights us with its sweetness for a fairly limited period of time, from the beginning of June until the end of July. But cherries are not just delicious, they also have interesting healthy properties. They are in fact a source of vitamins, such as A, C, B1, important for the proper functioning of muscles and the nervous system, B2, useful for the health of skin, nervous system and vision, and mineral salts such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron...

Snow peas

Vitamins and mineral salts, iron and folic acid, phytoestrogens and fibers, contrast hunger and constipation, useful in case of anemia, help to control blood sugar and cholesterol.

Snow peas are legumes belonging to the Fabaceae family. They are a variety of peas, scientific name Pisum sativum subsp. sativum var. macrocarpon, of these peas we eat also the pod, characterized by a light green color, with a flattened and wide shape and a very delicate flavor. The snow peas bring plant based proteins and fibers, which are useful for intestinal well-being by counteracting constipation, intestinal swelling and colitis but also help to limit the absorption of sugar and fat and gi...

Beetroot

Vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidants, able to lower the blood pressure according to scientific studies, against anemia, anti-cancer, brings fiber that guarantee a sense of satiety and a control of cholesterol, against constipation and water retention.

Beetroot, also known as garden beet or red beet, scientific name Beta vulgaris, is a plant that belongs to the Chenopodiaceae family and is characterized by an edible root with interesting healthy and nutritional properties. Beetroot indeed, especially if you eat it raw, is very rich in folate, has mineral salts such as iron, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium, vitamins of groups B and C and water, very useful to counteract water retention. Thanks to these characteristics the beetroot ...

Indian ginseng or Withania somnifera

Adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, tonic and stimulant properties, useful against stress, insomnia, nervous breakdown, in elderly or in case of loss of memory, helpful against muscle pain, in convalescence and weakness, anemia.

Withania somnifera, also known as Indian ginseng, Ashwaganda or winter cherry is a herb used in Ayurvedic medicine belonging to the Solanacee family, the same as tomato and eggplant. Native to India Withania somnifera is a small bush and its roots and leaves are used as a remedy with important benefits. In the Indian ginseng more than 80 active substances have been identified, among them the withanolides, that name the plant, that have anti-inflammatory properties and result able to inhibit the...

Mache or lamb’s lettuce

Vitamins and mineral salts, helps prevent anemia, calming action, diuretic, laxative and digestive properties, low calorie food and for this reason it can be inserted in diets of those people who are overweight or should get the weight under control, also people who cannot digest salad can eat mache because it is very digestible.

Valerianella locusta is called mache, lamb’s salad but other names include also corn salad or common corn salad. This plant should not be confused with valeriana officinalis, in fact, although both plants belong to the Valerianaceae family, valerianella locusta is used as a delicate and tasty salad, the other one, valeriana officinalis, is used as a powerful herbal remedy with calming and sedative properties. Mache salad has tender and rounded leaves, it gives fibers, vitamins, such as vitamin A...

Apricots

Vitamins and mineral salts, antioxidants, satiating power, able to fight anemia, fatigue and weak immune system, constipation, useful to control cholesterol and blood pressure, the decoction used for wraps helps against hemorrhoids and otitis.

Apricots are the fruits of the apricot tree, or Prunus armeniaca, of the Rosaceae family. Fresh apricots contain vitamins A and C and mineral salts such as potassium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, they are also rich in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant with a protective role in heart disease, cataracts and stroke and inhibition of tumor cell growth, as reported in the guidelines of the American Institute for cancer research about phytochemicals and their effect on human health. Apricots ar...

Rehmannia glutinosa

Anti-inflammatory and purifying properties, acts on kidneys and adrenal glands, can be used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, helps relieve symptoms of menopause and irregular menstruation, remedy in case of anemia.

Rehmannia glutinosa is one of the 50 basic herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, called Di-huang, that means yellow earth. This remedy is used for its beneficial effect for problems related to the kidneys and adrenal glands, it purifies indeed these organs. In addition to this rehmannia helps alleviate symptoms related to menopause such as irritability, insomnia and hot flashes, is helpful in case of irregular periods and seems to have also hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory properties. In...

Bitter root from Socino

Digestive, carminative and diuretic properties, promotes the absorption of iron and results very helpful in case of anemia, it contains inulin.

The bitter roots from Soncino are a type of chicory, Cichorium intybus, of the family Astaraceae, the same plant family of dandelion. These bitter roots are grown near Soncino, province of Cremona, Italy, they have an elongated shape, a white-beige color and are characterized by a bitter taste. The most important property of the bitter root of Soncino is its ability to purify the liver, kidneys and blood. These roots have also a carminative effect, that results very helpful in order to remove b...

Copper

Useful in case of asthenia, depression, recurrent infections that heal slowly, with zinc it results useful to restore balance in case of hormonal changes and disorders connected to them such as acne localized on the chin, hair loss.

Copper is an essential trace element, it facilitates the transport and the use of iron from the intestine and is therefore useful in case of anemia, asthenia and convalescence. The copper has also an antiseptic effect, it fortifies the immune system, it is used in case of fever or inflammatory and infectious processes of the joints and of the respiratory tract, especially if recurrent, it is important for the production of melanin, the natural pigment that gives color in hair and eyes. Natural s...

Sprouts

Vitamins and minerals, anti-anemic, purifying, energizing, anti-oxidants properties.

Starting from the seeds of legumes, such as mung bean, or vegetables, such as watercress, alfalfa, broccoli, mustard, but also from cereal grains such as oats or millet, it is possible to get their sprouts , source of energy and nutrients, ideal in case of fatigue, stress, rich in chlorophyll with anti-anemic, antioxidant and purifying properties. The sprouts are rich in amino acids ready to be assimilated by the body, contain minerals such as calcium, potassium and magnesium, and vitamins, incl...

Periwinkle

Anti-inflammatory properties useful in case of sore throat, tonsillitis, against diarrhea and dysentery, healing properties to treat wounds, sores and bleeding, hypotensive effect, able to regenerate the blood and tonic effect helpful to treat anemia, tiredness or nervous exhaustion.

Periwinkle is a plant with blue flowers, but the natural remedy are the leaves where all the curative properties of the plant are concentrated. The leaves of the periwinkle are in fact helpful in case of anemia, tiredness or convalescence because they are tonic and able to regenerate the blood. The leaves of periwinkle have also significant anti-inflammatory properties, useful in case of sore throat or tonsillitis, they have antidiarrheal and cicatrizing effects and for this reason they are used...

Spirulina

Antioxidant and cleansing properties, vitamins and minerals salts, it counteracts the weaknesses, improves memory and concentration, helpful to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, able to increase the sense of satiety.

Spirulina is a green-blue microalgae that lives in lakes, therefore it contains little iodine. This algae is rich of healthy substances and nutrients, so much that it is counted among the “super foods”. Spirulina is reach in chlorophyll, an antioxidant that helps against free radicals, is able to strengthen the immune system and can also purify the body from heavy metals. Spirulina contains also vitamins, such as vitamin A and those from group B, C and E, mineral salts such as iron, magnesium, m...

Cumin

Antioxidants, protection of stomach and liver, against abdominal bloating and colic, helpful in case of cough and cold, can help to lose weight, against anemia thanks to its content of iron.

Cumin is an ingredient of curry, but it can be used also as a spice in order to give more flavor to dishes. Cumin contains antioxidants, it protects the stomach and the liver with an anti-cancer effect and it has important digestive and carminative properties against abdominal bloating and to stimulate the activity of pancreas and the correct assimilation of food. This spice has also anti-inflammatory properties and is very useful in order to heal illnesses of the respiratory tract. In addition...

Garden cress

Rich in vitamins and mineral salts, antianemic, febrifuge, diuretic, detox prperties, helpful in case of high level of blood sugar, remedy in case of acne, hair loss, neuralgias and toothache.

The garden cress belongs to the Brassicaceae, it is rich in vitamin C, PP, B2 and E and mineral salts such as iron, phosphorus, manganese and calcium. Cress has a powerful detox action, it has diuretic, digestive and febrifuge properties. Because of the high level of iron cress is also antianemic. In addition to this cress is a remedy in case of acne, diabetes, because it is able to lower the level of sugar in blood, neuralgias, toothache and hair loss. You can take cress in the following ways...

White mulberry

Rich in vitamins, proteins and iron, important in case of anemia, antibacterial action against dental caries, able to lower blood sugar, useful to lose weight.

Fruit – White mulberry fruits are rich in fiber, proteins, tannins, vitamins, like vitamin A, vitamin B and vitamin C, and iron. For the last property these fruits can be very helpful in case of anemia. Moreover, according to scientific studies, white mulberry fruits have also an antibacterial action that can be important to prevent dental caries. Tablets – Scientific studies have demonstrated that the white mulberry extract is able to lower the level of blood sugar, for this reason white m...

Grapes

Source of vitamins and mineral salts, antioxidant and detox properties, remedy in case of constipation, energy supply, useful in case of anemia.

Grapes are rich in directly assimilable sugars, mineral salts like potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron, vitamins, in particular vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamins of group B, and antioxidants, present mostly in grape skins. A very important and well known antioxidant with anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties is resveratrol, that is present only in the black grapes skins. For this reason, eating grapes with skins is a very healthy habit. Grapes have also energetic and anti-a...

Stinging nettle

Detox the liver, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, help to control the level of sugar in blood, lower the effects related to benign prostatic hypertrophy, diuretic, against anemia.

When I say stinging nettle I think to its urticant power and not to its utility. However, as you will see, it is possible to obtain from the stinging nettle a very healthy tea with important benefits for your body. Boil water. When the water is boiling remove it from heat and add two tablespoons of dry stinging nettle per water liter. Infuse it for 10 minutes, filter and drink. After a cup of nettle tea it is advised to drink a glass of water in order to help the work of the kidneys. It Is als...