Ginger

Ginger, scientific name Zingiber officinale, is a plant of the Zingiberaceae family native to the Far East but nowadays widely known all over the world. The part of ginger that we use is the fleshy and fragrant rhizome, fresh, sliced or grated, in the dried form as a powder or even in the form of candied fruit. Ginger is a spice used to flavor sweet and savory dishes, but also to prepare healthy herbal teas. In fact, ginger is characterized by beneficial properties, which we are now going to see...

Healthy in the kitchen, non-stick pans

Hands up who has never used a non-stick pan! These pans are comfortable and practical, they allow you to cook quickly and easily, the food does not stick and little butter or oil is required, making the dishes lighter. However, the non-stick pans have been, and are still being, at the center of numerous discussions about their safety, since fears have been expressed that their use may be linked to an increased risk of developing tumors. Let’s try to understand better and to know also the positio...

Auricularia

The auricularia auricula judae, also known as wood ear or jelly ear, is an edible mushroom characterized by a particular ear-like elongated shape. This fungus grows on tree trunks, especially elder, and has been used since ancient times in China as a food and herbal remedy (Balakrishnan et al, International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jan 2015). From the auricularia fungus a supplement is obtained with important medicinal properties, useful for the well-being of the organism...

Sea as a source of health

Renè Quinton was a biologist who, at the beginning of the last century, saw sea water as an important source of health for the body. Indeed, he considered this water as a real medicine, similar to the blood that flows in the body and able to keep alive, according to Quinton, something that can survive just in the blood and organic liquids, the white blood cell. Sea water can enter the body through the skin but can also be taken orally or sprayed into the nose. Bathing in the sea - But why sea ...

Buckwheat honey

Linden honey? Wild flower honey? Acacia or eucalyptus honey? No, buckwheat honey! Although it may seem strange, there is also buckwheat honey, and what a honey! Based on scientific research, this type of honey is a powerful source of beneficial properties, but let's see better in detail. Buckwheat honey, how it appears and properties - First, buckwheat honey is produced by bees from the flowers of buckwheat that are small flowers characterized by a color ranging from white to light pink. The o...

Immune system, how to protect it Part 2, plants and foods

Viruses, bacteria, toxins and yes, even tumors, are all the aggressions from which the immune system defends us. That's why it's important to take care of it. There are lifestyle habits and particular food choices that can help strengthen the immune system, some more known, others less. We’ll see better in detail and we’ll try also to understand what remedies are really effective and supported by scientific studies. Vitamins - Vitamins C and E have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pr...

Immune system, how to protect it Part 1, healthy habits

The immune system is our shield, thanks to chemical reactions and biological processes it has the task of protecting us from any aggression, which can occur in the form of viruses, bacteria, parasites but also tumors, as emerged from recent scientific researches that are studying the connection between the immune system and cancer cells (Corthay et al, Front Immunol, May 2014 - Palmer et al, PNAS, Feb 2018). It is therefore important to take care of our defenses, whatever the season! Fortunately...

Chokeberries

Aronia, scientific name aronia melanocarpa, is a bush belonging to the Rosaceae family. Its fruits, called aronia berries or chokeberries, are berries that, for what concerns their appearance, remind the blueberries but the taste is a bit sourer. Aronia berries can be found in the form of dried berries or in the form of juices. Chokeberries, properties – As for the properties, aronia berries are a source of vitamin K, useful for the health of bones and the proper blood clotting, vitamin C, gro...

Lemon, peel

The lemon, scientific name Citrus limoni, is a plant of the Rutaceae family, the same as tangerine, orange and bergamot. The term lemon also refers to the fruit of this plant, of a beautiful intense yellow color and characterized by a rounded shape. Lemon is known and appreciated for its juice, drunk as a purifying and refreshing drink, used to dress salads or to marinate fish, meat or even fruit. But science is also interested in another part of the lemon, less used except for giving flavor to ...

Uncaria tormentosa

Uncaria tormentosa is a medicinal plant belonging to the Rubiaceae family. It is native to the rainforests of Amazonia and central America and is called also cat’s claw because of its hook-like thorns needed by the plant to climb on the trees. Used as a remedy since ancient times thanks to its healthy action, now the properties of uncaria are recognized also by scientists (Reis et al, Int Immunopharmacol, Mar 2008 – de Paula et al, J Altern Complement Med, Jan 2015). In particular, according to ...

Elmleaf blackberry honey, beauty cosmetic and natural remedy

Elmleaf blackberry, also called bramble, scientific name Rubus ulmifolius, is a species of wild blackberry belonging to the Rosaceae family. The bramble is a remedy of tradition thanks to its powerful anti-pyretic properties, therefore useful to counteract the fever, and to its antioxidant effect given by some phenolic compounds such as ellagitannins (Martins et al, Food Funct, Jun 2014 - Niaz et al, BMC Complement Altern Med). These healthful properties are also transferred to honey that is obt...

Cypress, mother tincture and extract

The cypress, scientific name cupressus, is a plant of the family Cupressaceae characterized by the typical candle-like and tapered shape. But the cypress is not just a beautiful ornamental tree, it has also important healthy properties. In a previous post we have already seen its use in the form of decoction, now we focus the attention on two preparations that you can easily find in herbalist’s or chemist’s shops, the fluid extract and the mother tincture. The fluid extract, obtained from the be...

Grapefruit, fruit

Grapefruit, citrus paradisi, is a fruit tree belonging to the Rutaceae family. Its fruits, always called grapefruits, are round with a yellow skin and a bitter taste. The pulp instead can be light yellow or even pink. In particular, from hybridization with blood orange you can get a fruit with a sweet pulp and a bright pink color. In other cases the pink variant has been obtained by exposure to ionizing radiation, for example the two cultivars called Star Ruby and Rio Red, in this case the pink ...

Satsuma

The satsuma tangerine is a citrus fruit native to Japan. The scientific name of the plant is Citrus unshiu and it is also known as myagawa. The peel is thin, green or yellow, even after ripening, and the pulp is orange, seedless, characterized by a sweet taste with a hint of bitterness. The ripe fruit can be harvested between October and December, is very resistant to cold and is a very appreciated delicacy rich in healthy properties, let's see them. The satsuma is particularly rich in antioxida...

Common mullein

Common mullein, scientific name Verbascum thapsus, is a plant of the Scrofulariaceae family. Already known to the ancients, Pliny indeed prescribed mullein for the respiratory tract infections while Saint Hildegard used, in case of laryngotracheitis, a decoction of flowers of mullein and mauve, today mullein is considered an ideal remedy against diseases of the respiratory tract thanks to its expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties able to sooth cough. You can use mullein to treat pharyngi...

Silver

Silver is a trace element, and even though it is not considered essential, it results able to bring benefit to the body thanks to its anti-inflammatory, painkilling, antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Able to inhibit the growth of bacteria, silver was already known to ancient Egyptians and Phoenicians that used to keep water in jars coated with silver in order to purify it and avoid contaminations. As a remedy silver has an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic action especially for what conce...

Cauliflower

Cauliflower is a winter vegetable of the Brassicaceae or Cruciferae family. It is rich in fibers and, due to its high satiating power combined with low calories intake, it is well suited to be introduced into the diet of those people who are overweight. In addition to this, the cauliflower contains minerals such as potassium, that results helpful to regulate blood pressure, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, selenium, phosphorus, but also vitamins A, group B, C, E, K, J, antioxidants such as l...

Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet or spiraea ulmaria, scientific name Filipendula ulmaria, belongs to the Rosaceae family. Although it is different, from the esthetic point of view, from the rose, it is very close relative, because both have in common a very intense smell. Known and also used by King Alboin to treat gout, we now know that the meadowsweet has important and demonstrated diuretic properties that make it a remedy to treat edema of the legs, joint effusion, gout, rheumatism, kidney colic and stones of the...

Blackthorn

Blackthorn, Prunus spinosa, is a plant characterized by white flowers and blue, berry-shaped fruits. The plant has purifying, diuretic and laxative properties while the fruits are astringent. Brew of leaves with purifying properties – On order to benefit from the purifying properties of blackthorn leaves you can prepare a brew in this way: bring to boil a liter of water, remove from heat and put to infuse a handful of fresh or dried leaves for about ten minutes. Filter and drink up to two cups...

Mandarin

Mandarin is a fruit tree belonging to the family of Rutaceae. Its fruit, called Mandarin like the name of the plant, is rich in vitamin C, important to strengthen the immune system and to protect capillaries, but also vitamin A, B group and P, the latter helps in case of water retention and promotes diuresis. Mandarin provides minerals such as iron, potassium, calcium, manganese, zinc, copper, magnesium and bromine, which promotes relaxation and is helpful in case of insomnia. The mandarin has a...

Fucus

Fucus vesiculosus, called also bladder wrack, is a seaweed rich in iodine, therefore it can be used in case of hypothyroidism and to regulate the functionality of the thyroid. Fucus has a powerful detoxifying action, speeds up metabolism by helping to lose weight, relieves symptoms of acid reflux and sour stomach, controls emotional eating, it is able to decrease the levels of cholesterol and blood sugar. Fucus is also a remedy in case of constipation. You can take one 300 mg capsule 15 minutes ...

Cynodon dactylon

Cynodon dactylon, also known as devil’s grass, wiregrass, Bermuda grass, despite his reputation as a weed, is a plant with healthy properties. The grass has in fact diuretic and depurative properties, is recommended mostly in case of kidney and bladder inflammation, cystitis, rheumatism, gout and renal colic, it disinfects the urinary tract. Thanks to the diuretic effect it is helpful also to regulate the blood pressure and it is against cellulite. It can be used in case of flu with fever but al...

Acerola (Malpighia glabra)

Acerola (Malpighia glabra) is a plant that grows mostly in Central and South America. The fruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, it contains also vitamins of group B, mineral salts such as iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium, and antioxidants. It revitalizes the body and modulates the production of histamine. It should be taken as a supplement to each season change, to strengthen the immune system and fight against flu and colds. In general the dosage is 5mg for kilogram body weight, to b...

Ganoderma (Reishi Mushroom)

Ganoderma Lucidum, called also reishi, is a mushroom with beneficial properties. The mushroom is woody, for this reason it is generally taken in the form of dried powder. Ganoderma has an excellent anti-inflammatory action, it can reduce pain and swelling, it strengthens the immune system against fungus, candida, flu and it has also an anticancer action. This mushroom has also the property to regulate the blood pressure, lower the cholesterol, accelerate metabolism and is helpful to lose weight ...

Albizia

Albizia, also known as silk plant, has relaxing and digestive properties, for this reason the plant is very useful in case of stress, insomnia, palpitation, anxiety but also poor digestion. It is able to improve and to fortify the immune system, also against flu. You can take albizia as extract in drops or capsules, you can find both in chemist’s or herbalist’s shops. Liquid extract – take 40 drops every day in a glass of water for one month. Capsules – Add it to the breakfast yogurt...

Coconut

Coconut can be eaten as a fruit, alternatively it is possible to drink coconut milk and coconut water. Fruit – The fruit, the coconut with the white pulp that can be eaten on the beaches, is rich in mineral salts such as potassium, magnesium, copper, iron. It contains also vitamins, such as vitamin C, B, E and K. Coconut is also a source of fibers and water, important in case of constipation. The high content of mineral salts is then helpful in order to remineralize in case of excessive sweati...

Sea buckthorn

Sea buckthorn is a tonic for the body and very helpful in periods of stress and weakness. It contains also vitamins, such as vitamin A, B, E and C, in a higher quantity than that contained in oranges and kiwi. For this reason, sea buckthorn is a valid remedy in case of flu, fever, cold, in order to heal such illnesses but also to prevent them. It has antiseptic properties, it is a relief indeed for inflammations of the mouth and ulcers, antioxidant and anti-aging effects. Glycerin macerat...

Echinacea

Echinacea stimulates the immune system and has antiviral properties, for this reason it results very helpful to fortify the immune system , to prevent and to heal flu, cold, fever, cough but also infections of the urinary tract such as cystitis. Mother tincture – To heal try to take 30 drops of mother tincture of echinacea in a glass of water three times a day. To prevent take 15 drops in a glass of water once a day. Capsules – 500 mg of dry extract of echinacea in capsules twice a day witho...

Maca

Maca is a plant native to Peru. The most important part of maca is the root, also called Peruvian ginseng, with important healthy properties and used also by Incas. The properties of this plant are probably due to the fact that maca lives in the high Andes with important temperature range, this forces the plant to develop a mechanism of auto-protection. First of all, maca is rich in iron, zinc, calcium and vitamins A, C and of group B. Maca is also energetic and can be very helpful in case of s...

Astragalus

Astragalus has been known for millennia and used by ancient Chinese medicine, it is first of all a tonic for the body, very helpful in case of stress. Astragalus gives energy, improves concentration and memory. According to recent studies, astragalus is able to fortify the immune system. For this reason, the root of this plant results very useful in case of flu or cold. Astragalus can also protect the liver by helping it restore its functions in case of illness or medicines. Even though astraga...