A Prayer for Saturday, August 18th 2018

The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?

Prayer

The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me,it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;though war break out against me,even then I will be confident.
–Psalm 27: 1-3

Psalm 27 1-3

Available at amazon.com; “A Republic, if you can keep it”

Follow me on Twitter @OzarksAuthor

This page and its links contain opinion. As with all opinion, it should not be relied upon without independent verification. Think for yourself. Fair Use is relied upon for all content. For educational purposes only. No claims are made to the properties of third parties.

Aloe vera the houseplant pharmacy

Aloe vera is one of the oldest known herbal medicine that can be traced back in ancient Egypt. Aloe vera plant was depicted on stone carvings and in Eber’s papyrus in 16th Century BC, found in burial grounds of deceased pharaohs.

aloe-vera-plant

DISCLAIMER: It is my belief that this information is true and accurate, however, understand that if you choose to follow what is posted here you do so at your own risk. The author of this article and the management of this website assume no responsibility for your application of this information and, specifically disavow any responsibility for any outcome therefrom.

Aloe vera was historically used to heal wounds and treat various skin conditions, Aloe was also taken orally as a laxative. Nowadays, aloe extract is still popularly used as a home remedy for skin problems such as psoriasis, burns, sunburns, insect bites and others. Aloe vera can be found in many skin products such as lotions, gels and sunblocks. Other folkloric uses include treatment of arthritis, asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and osteoarthritis.

Aloe Vera is widely used as traditional herbal medicine in China, Japan, Russia, South Africa, the United States, Jamaica, Latin America and India. It is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine for its anti-inflammatory, regenerative, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal and healing properties.

Aloe Vera is traditionally used to treat the following skin conditions

skin burns,
scalds,
scrapes,
sunburn
wounds
psoriasis and others

Aloe Vera juice or the fleshy leaf is applied directly to the affected skin, providing relief and believed to improve healing.

treatment of hair related problems

Dandruff,
Thinning and falling hair,
Baldness.

Fresh Aloe Vera juice or sap are massaged to the affected scalp and let it stay for a few minutes before washing.

Aloe Vera, Herbal Medicine For Conjunctivitis, Stomachic, Hemorrhoids and Diabetes

Aloe Vera is used in conjunctivitis, Aloe leaf juice is applied to the outer eyelid
In small doses, Aloe Vera is considered stomachic tonic; in large doses, as purgative.
For hemorrhoids, Aloe Vera cuticle from its leaves is used as suppository for hemorrhoids
In some Ariabian regions, Aloe Vera is used to treat diabetes.

Aloe vera has several active constituents and most of them have therapeutic implications for disease prevention and treatment through the modulation of various biological and genetic activities. The possible mechanisms of actions of Aloe vera are described as follows:

Aloe vera has aloe emodin (AE), aloin (barbaloin), anthracene, and emodin found to be relevant to cancer prevention owing to the activation and inactivation of molecular pathways associated with them.
Aloe vera function as an antioxidant through free radical and superoxide radical-scavenging activities and anti-inflammatory activities via inhibition of prostaglandin E2 production from arachidonic acid and also inhibition of various transcription factors and the activities of enzymes including lypoxygenase and cyclooxygenase.
Aloe vera shows antimicrobial activity by rupturing bacterial cell walls. Earlier studies have reported the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of Aloe vera gel.

Aloe vera are widely cultivated and generally grown in pots. It can be bought it from your local garden supply or florist and from time to time at home depot shops as ornamental plant. Aloe vera is also widely used as ingredient in cosmetic and herbal preparations.

Aloe vera leaves contain a clear gel that is often used as a topical ointment. The green part of the Aloe leaf that surrounds the gel can be used to produce a juice or a dried substance (called latex) that is taken by mouth.

Warnings and side effects:

Use of topical aloe vera is not associated with significant side effects.
A 2-year National Toxicology Program (NTP) study on oral consumption of non-decolorized whole leaf extract of aloe vera found clear evidence of carcinogenic activity in male and female rats, based on tumors of the large intestine. According to the NTP, from what is known right now there is nothing that would lead them to believe that these findings are not relevant to humans. However, more information, including how individuals use different types of aloe vera products, is needed to determine the potential risks to humans.
Abdominal cramps and diarrhea have been reported with oral use of aloe vera.
Diarrhea, caused by the laxative effect of oral aloe vera, can decrease the absorption of many drugs.
People with diabetes who use glucose-lowering medication should be cautious if also taking aloe vera by mouth because preliminary studies suggest aloe may lower blood glucose levels.
There have been a few case reports of acute hepatitis from aloe vera taken orally. However, the evidence is not definitive.

Now available at amazon.com; “A Republic, if you can keep it”

Follow me on Twitter @OzarksAuthor

Taraxacum officinale – Dandelions

You can use dandelion roots fresh for cooking and medicine, or preserve them for later use. For long term storage, drying works best.

dandelions

Native Americans tell that the plants, animals and humans were created to exist in harmony, freely giving of themselves to the better of the whole. When humans started multiplying, we started to take advantage of the plant and animal. The animals were angry and decided that if we did not give thanks for the flesh that they took from the animals, we would be cursed with disease. The plants decided to have compassion for humans, even as we killed them, trampled them, and took advantage of their offerings. The plants decided to create a cure for each disease that the animals created, to give us a chance to learn how to coexist with them once again.

If not for its association as a weed, the dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is among the most beautiful and robust wild flowers. The hearty dandelion plant is ubiquitous, yet very few people know of its power as a healing plant. From roots to blossom, every part of the plant contains healing properties.

The Dandelion is a bald or lightly fuzzy plant that grows up to 20 inches high. It forms a strong, turnip-like root with black / brown external coloration, and a milky-white interior. The leaves are arranged in a basic rosette, elongated and serrated. The stem does not carry leaves and is hollow on the inside. The bright yellow blossoms have a tongue-shape and are combined into a scaly flower head. The fruit resembles a spindle with a shield-shaped flying apparatus (pappus). The whole plant contains a white milky juice.

Thanks in part to its bitter flavor profile, dandelion is used as a tincture, tea, or extract to combat obesity and high cholesterol. By improving metabolism and through efficient blood cleansing and detoxification, dandelion is thought to contribute to relieving gout, rheumatism, liver and bile ailments, blood ailments, ulcers, skin, and other symptoms of aging. Here it is recommended as a detoxifying agent in the context of a spring cleanse or fall cure.

The Dandelion is not only used to treat existing symptoms, but also to preserve good health and prevent illnesses. Dandelion is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Specifically, when eaten raw in a salad, dandelion contributes about 40 times the vitamin A found in lettuce. It has 9 times the vitamin C, 4 times the vitamin E, 8 times the amount of calcium, 4 times the magnesium, 3 times the amount of iron, and 2 times the protein as found in ordinary lettuce.

All parts of the dandelion are useful for food. Today we will concentrate on the roots.

Harvest dandelion roots from late fall through early spring, when the plant is dormant and has stored up energy in the root. For medicinal use, most sources say fall harvest is best. This is because the levels of inulin (insoluble fiber) are higher and the fructose levels are lower.

The freezing of winter converts the inulin to fructose, which makes spring roots more palatable for eating. Spring roots are less bitter and chewy – just make sure you dig them before the plants start to blossom. Spring roots are also higher in taraxacin, which stimulates bile production.

To dig roots, use a dandelion digger or a sturdy fork. You want to break/damage the root as little as possible so you don’t lose much sap, which is where the medicinal properties lie. Deep, rich soil will produce the thickest, easiest to harvest roots.

Make sure to harvest from areas that have not been sprayed/treated with anything noxious. Select large, vigorous plants – small, spindly plants will have small roots that are not really worth harvesting.

You can use dandelion roots fresh for cooking and medicine, or preserve them for later use. For long term storage, drying works best. Scrub roots well before cutting. Slice thick roots lengthwise into strips of uniform thickness to decrease drying time and encourage uniform drying.

Use a dehydrator to dry the roots at 95°F (35°C) until brittle. Alternatively, spread on a screen and place in a cool, dry location with good air flow, and dry for 3 to 14 days (until brittle). Dried roots will keep for about a year.

To extract the medicinal compounds from the roots, use a decoction or tincture. Decoctions are water based, while tinctures are generally alcohol based. *Note: Do not use dandelion root if you have irritable stomach or bowel, or if you have an acute inflammation.

Make Dandelion Coffee

To make dandelion coffee, start with dried roots. Chop or break into small, even pieces, roughly 1/4″ across. Spread on a roasting pan and bake in a warm oven (200°F, 93°C) for around 4 hours. Stir occasionally. The dandelion roots should be browned and dried completely through. Cool completely. Grind and use as you would regular coffee, or place 1 heaping teaspoon of ground root in a cup of water, steep for 10 minutes and strain. Store in an airtight glass jar and grind just before use for best flavor.

available at amazon.com; “A Republic, if you can keep it”

Follow me on Twitter @OzarksAuthor

Cinnamon useful for more than just apple pie

Because Cinnamon has ancient origins, a broad range of folkloric health remedies have been practiced through the years that can be found in various cultures.

Cinnamon

Common Names: cinnamon, cinnamon bark, Ceylon cinnamon, cassia cinnamon

Latin Name:

Cinnamomum verum (also known as Cinnamomum zeylanicum), Cinnamomum cassia

Cinnamon is a spice that has ancient origins and is popularly used as flavorings, as a condiment and in cooking. Cinnamon is also known to provide various medicinal benefits that include lowering of blood cholesterol, for diabetes. Cinnamon is obtained from the bark of the Cinnamon tree.

There are two popular kinds of Cinnamon, one is the “true Cinnamon” from the Cinnamon tree which is native in Sri Lanka (from the genus Cinnamomum verum) and the other is “Cassia” (Cinnamomum Cassia) which is being commercially cultivated in China, Indonesia, Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries. It is widely accepted that Cinnamon from Sri Lanka is of better quality between the two.

Other than for culinary purposes, oil obtained from the cinnamon bark is also popularly used in perfumery. Cinnamon oil is also used in dental and pharmaceutical products. Cinnamon leaf oil has been found to be effective in killing mosquito larvae. In some studies, Cinnamon leaf oil is being proposed for use as an insect repellent.

Because Cinnamon has ancient origins, a broad range of folkloric health remedies have been practiced through the years that can be found in various cultures. While not all of its claimed health benefits are supported by science, a number of scientific studies that were done confirmed that there are indeed some medicinal benefits from Cinnamon.

Oral conditions. Cinnamon has traditionally been used to treat toothache and fight bad breath.

Health tonic. Cinnamon has been used to promote overall health and feeling of well being Some of the folkloric applications of Cinnamon are as follows;

Memory Booster. Cinnamon can improve cognitive function as well as memory.

Blood Purification. Cinnamon helps in removing impurities from the blood, and is often recommended for pimples.

Promotes Healing. Cinnamon helps to stop bleeding, and facilitates the healing process.

Digestive Tonic. Cinnamon aids in digestion and is effective for indigestion, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea and flatulence. Cinnamon also relieves acidity and morning sickness.

Respiratory problems. Cinnamon helps in cold, flu, influenza, sore throat.

Menstruation. Cinnamon is effective in providing relief from menstrual cramp and discomfort..

In Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Cinnamon is used in the treatment of flatulence, piles, amenorrhea, diarrhea, toothache, amoebiasis, heart diseases, fever, cough, cold, headache and many others.

Anti-Oxidant. Cinnamon is widely believed to be high in anti-oxidants. Regular drinking of Cinnamon tea could be beneficial to oxidative stress related illness in humans,

Diuretic Effects. Cinnamon is diuretic in nature and helps in secretion and discharge of urine.

Aphrodisiac and is believed to arouse sexual desire. It is also believed that cinnamon aids in the secretion of breast milk.

A substance from cinnamon has been isolated and coined as “insulin-potentiating factor” (IPF), while the antidiabetic effects of cinnamon bark have been shown in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Several studies have also revealed that cinnamon extracts lower not only blood glucose but also cholesterol levels.
A study comparing the insulin-potentiating effects of many spices revealed that the aqueous extract of cinnamon was 20-fold higher than the other spices. Methylhydroxychalcone polymer (MHCP) is the purified polymer of hydroxychalcone with the ability to stimulate glucose oxidation. Anderson et al. isolated and characterized the polyphenol type-A polymers from cinnamon and found that these substances act as insulin-like molecules. Following this characterization, a new compound from hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives named naphthalenemethyl ester, which has blood glucose-lowering effects, has been identified, further confirming cinnamon’s antidiabetic effects.

Infections. Cinnamon has anti fungal, antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties, it is effective on external as well as internal infections. It helps in destroying germs in the gall bladder and bacteria in staph infections.

Cancer Prevention. In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the growth of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Warnings and side effects.

Generally safe. Cinnamon is considered safe for most adults if taken in food amounts or as herbal medicine in recommended dosage.

Toxicity, Cinnamon especially from the variant Cassia has been found to contain a toxic compound known as Coumarin. High concentration of Coumarin has been found to cause damage to kidney and liver. Cinnamon powders that are bought in supermarkets are from C. Cassia thus moderate use is recommended.

Pregnancy: Large quantities of cinnamon should also be avoided during pregnancy due to the possibility of adverse effects on the uterus.

Breast feeding: While cinnamon has been traditionally used to promote milk production in nursing mothers, there are no sufficient studies that determine it side effects to very young babies. Herbal medication or consuming large amount during nursing discouraged.

Blood Anti Clotting Effect. Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood, thus caution should be exercised when it is used in combination with other blood-thinning medications such as aspirin.

Interactions. Anyone that is currently taking medication for controlling blood sugar levels or blood thinners should consult their doctor before using cinnamon as a regular supplement.

Just like in any other herbal medicines, moderation of use is recommended.

Available now at amazon.com; “A Republic, if you can keep it”.

Follow me on Twitter @OzarksAuthor

Hemp oil – Wonder drug or not

Because hemp has no psychoactive effects, the law has no problem with it. Hemp products are completely legal and available in all types of different industries and stores across America.

hemp oil

Everywhere you click these days, it seems like someone on the internet is talking about cannabidiol—also known as CBD, a chemical compound derived from the cannabis plant. Online retailers market the extract (also known as hemp oil) as a remedy for a variety of ailments, celebrities swear by its healing powers, and the ingredient is popping up in nutritional supplements and beauty products, as well. There’s even a new FDA-approved drug derived from CBD.

Although Marijuana leaves and flowers can be used to get high, CBD from hemp itself is non-psychoactive—meaning that it doesn’t get you high the way smoking or eating cannabis-related products containing THC (the plant’s psychoactive compound) can.

CBD may have real benefits for people living with chronic pain. There is a recent clinical trial from pharmaceutical company Zynerba that found that a CBD-derived topical drug provided pain relief to patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis.

We don’t have that many good drugs for pain, and we know that CBD has fewer side effects than opioids or even nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which can cause bleeding and cardiovascular problems.

Anecdotally, my internist said ; “I cannot endorse the use of CBD since it is not currently FDA approved. But if a little bit of CBD can make your knees feel better, I’d prefer you take that rather than some other drugs.”

CBD appears to have anti-inflammatory properties.
CBD oil is a rich source of fatty acids and other skin-healthy nutrients, and that it may improve hydration and minimize moisture loss
CBD oil may inhibit the growth of acne.
CBD has been shown to interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network in the brain that seems to play a role in social behavior, circadian rhythm,and reward processing—all of which can be atypical in people with autism.
In terms of solid evidence, the one thing we really know about CBD is that it can be helpful for rare childhood seizure disorders.
There have been animals studies that show CBD has scientifically proven properties to inhibit cancer cell growth. The mainstream medical community doesn’t recommend CBD products as a remedy for cancer, but when Olivia Newton-John was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2017, she was using CBD oil as a treatment.
CBD oil has been used to help fight anxiety and panic attacks. It seems to have sort of a calming effect on the brain, although the precise mechanism by which it exerts these effects is not really well understood.

IS CBD LEGAL?

To answer this question, it’s not exactly straightforward.

While it’s true that CBD is legal in all 50 states, there are situations when it isn’t legal. The difference between legal and illegal typically depends on several important factors determined by the state in question. There is, however, one very important factor that is a crucial determinant across all states, and that is where the CBD is derived from–hemp or marijuana.

Now, marijuana and hemp are both members of the cannabis family, so they do share a lot of characteristics. There is, however, a crucial difference between the two–the amount of psychoactive Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) each plant produces. While marijuana can contain up to 30% THC, hemp contains no more than 0.3% THC. In other words, marijuana can get you really high, while hemp has such a low amount of THC, that it would be impossible to get high off it.

Because hemp has no psychoactive effects, the law has no problem with it. Hemp products are completely legal and available in all types of different industries and stores across America.

The best advice I can give is make certain that the CBD oil you get is obtained from a natural/organic source derived from hemp.

DISCLAIMER:

I am not a lawyer and the information above should in no way be interpreted as professional advice or legal counsel.

NOTE: CBD, like any other herbal remedy works differently on each person. For some, improvement will be shown quickly. For some there will be little or no improvement. Dosage should be conservative. Most start out with two drops sublingual application twice daily, (in my case at arising and before bed). Depending on body type and metabolism some literature states you can take up to 24 drops daily.

Available at amazon.com; “A republic, if you can keep it”

Follow me on Twitter @OzarksAuthor

Kiss my asbestos

It seems that with all of the success that President Trump has attained in the economy and foreign affairs that “someone” on the inside is working at cross-purposes.

EPA-Russian Asbestos-Trump

Earlier in July, The Washington Post noted that the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and the ADAO had discovered a controversial post on Russian asbestos exporter Uralasbest’s Facebook page showing photos of company pallets stamped with a seal of U.S. President Donald Trump’s face.

As The Post reported, President Trump has long been vocal about his skepticism about the harmful effects of asbestos, claiming in his 1997 book, The Art of the Comeback, that anti-asbestos efforts were “led by the mob.”

The Post reported how in 2012, he tweeted that the World Trade Center might not have burned had the fire-retardant material not been removed from the towers.

Photos of President Trump’s face stamped onto pallets of the chrysotile asbestos appeared on the company’s Facebook page in late June 2018. A post that appeared with the photos explained that Trump had backed former EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt’s decision to not place a blanket ban on the use of asbestos products in the United States. The post also states that President Trump said asbestos was “100 percent” after installation.

Дональд на нашей стороне!Комбинат «Ураласбест» выпустил необычную партию хризотила: на упаковке паллетов с минералом…

Posted by ОАО “Ураласбест” on Sunday, June 24, 2018

Spray-on asbestos applications were banned in the U.S. in the early 1970s. Regulators attempted a complete asbestos ban in 1989, but it was ultimately overturned by the courts. In the end, the asbestos ban was upheld in six key areas: corrugated paper, roll board, commercial paper, specialty paper, flooring felt, and new uses of asbestos

The EPA, under the leadership of Pruitt, published the rule on June 11, 2018 reversing the ban on new uses of asbestos. It states, “The proposed significant new use of asbestos (including as part of an article) is manufacturing (including importing) or processing for certain uses identified by EPA.” Essentially, that means companies could get EPA approval for the use of asbestos in new applications.

There are two questions in my mind over this.

First of all, what, if any science is behind the allowance of asbestos in the use of manufactured items? There doesn’t seem to be much on that so the question regarding consumer safety would be a valid one.

Secondly, somebody advising President Trump dropped the ball on this from the standpoint of public perception. Mention asbestos being reintroduced into the market and people freak out. The optics here are atrocious. It seems that with all of the success that President Trump has attained in the economy and foreign affairs that “someone” on the inside is working at cross-purposes.

Now at amazon.com; “A Republic, if you can keep it”

Follow me on Twitter @OzarksAuthor

Prayer for Saturday, August 11, 2018

All is vanity! This cry finds an echo in human hearts of every age and clime.

God meant man to be happy. “These things,” said our Lord, “I have spoken to you, that your joy may be full.” “The fruit of the Spirit is joy.”

Yet the air is laden with complaint and bitterness. Men are asking constantly, “Is life worth living?”

Prayer

Ecclesiastes 1:18

Scripture-The more knowledge the more grief

For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.

All is vanity! This cry finds an echo in human hearts of every age and clime.

God meant man to be happy. “These things,” said our Lord, “I have spoken to you, that your joy may be full.” “The fruit of the Spirit is joy.”

Yet the air is laden with complaint and bitterness. Men are asking constantly, “Is life worth living?”

The present age is full of unrest and weariness, of war and strife, of unsatisfied yearnings and desires.

The mistake is that men seek to solve the mystery of life and to find their happiness apart from God, who has made us for Himself.

Now available on amazon.com; “A Republic, if you can keep it”

Follow me on Twitter @OzarksAuthor

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is popular for its benefits for the liver, like treating alcoholic liver damage and helping liver cells grow after a liver surgery. But thanks to the silymarin in it, milk thistle has also shown promise in controlling diabetes, improving immunity, reducing age-related brain and nerve damage, and fighting several cancers like that of the breast and the skin.

milk thistle, meadow flower, Silybum marianum

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a tall herb with large purple flowers and small hard seed-like fruits – called achenes – to which milk thistle owes its medicinal properties. Having been in use as a herbal remedy for over 2000 years, milk thistle is now making a comeback as a popular health aid, and with good reason.

If you have hepatitis C or liver inflammation due to a viral infection, milk thistle could be of help. Research states that the silymarin in milk thistle can fight the virus and improve the liver condition. One study noted that regular consumption of silymarin significantly reduced the viral load in participants who didn’t respond to conventional therapy. To add to this, in a few participants, the viral load dwindled to undetectable levels within 14 days after silymarin supplementation. However, several other studies contradict these results. In fact, some state that milk thistle doesn’t work as an antiviral agent and only reduces any inflammation caused by viruses. That doesn’t take away from the fact that milk thistle provides you much-needed relief during this time.

Patients with type 2 diabetes might benefit from consuming milk thistle regularly. A study conducted on diabetes and alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients showed that a 600 gm daily dose of milk thistle seed extract (silymarin) for a period of 6 months significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, mean daily glucose levels, and also insulin resistance. The participants also reported a 100 percent satisfaction rate with the treatment. Besides this, silymarin is also believed to treat diabetic complications such as diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage).

Now available at amazon.com; “A Republic, if you can keep it”.

Follow me on Twitter @OzarksAuthor

Herbal supplements for treating BPH

I was in sepsis and the doctors told me a delay of another quarter hour would have resulted in my death. Nothing like smashing headlong into your own mortality to get your attention.

BPH exam

In April of 2017 I began experiencing difficulty passing urine. I figured no big deal. I was wrong. On April 20th, 2017 my wife found me unconscious on the bathroom floor with heavy breathing. She called the paramedics and I was transported to the local emergency room where it was impossible for them to begin an IV due to low blood pressure. I was in sepsis and the doctors told me a delay of another quarter hour would have resulted in my death. Nothing like smashing headlong into your own mortality to get your attention.

Let it be said that I absolutely hate taking most commercial pharmaceuticals, but I am also not stupid, (stubborn perhaps, but not stupid). The urologist prescribed the generic for “Flowmax” and I have taken it religiously as prescribed. But, being a believer in herbal and natural medicine, I began to investigate other treatments. That’s when my research uncovered Saw Palmetto.

The extract of saw palmetto has been used for centuries in relieving symptoms of prostate enlargement. It is derived from a fan-shaped plant that is native to North America. Experts consider saw palmetto as a gold standard for herbal prostate treatments.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has compiled numerous studies that support the benefits of saw palmetto. Experts agree that saw palmetto contain fatty acids, flavonoids and beta-sitosterol that decrease prostate inflammation. Saw palmetto also alters certain hormone levels that affect prostate size. And unlike other medications, saw palmetto doesn’t change normal prostate-specific androgen levels.

How much saw palmetto should you take? Experts recommend a daily intake of 320 milligrams of saw palmetto split into two doses. It may take 4 to 6 weeks for you to feel its effects.

saw palmetto

Now available on amazon.com; “A Republic, if you can keep it”

Follow me on Twitter @OzarksAuthor

Turmeric as an herbal remedy

Turmeric and especially its most active compound curcumin have many scientifically-proven health benefits, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer.

It’s a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and also helps improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.

turmeric

Turmeric may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence.

Many high-quality studies show that it has major benefits for your body and brain.

Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color.

It has been used in India for thousands of years as a spice and medicinal herb.

Recently, science has started to back up what Indians have known for a long time — it really does contain compounds with medicinal properties.

These compounds are called curcuminoids, the most important of which is curcumin.

Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.

Unfortunately, curcumin is poorly absorbed into the bloodstream. It helps to consume black pepper with it, which contains piperine, a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000%.

Curcumin Is a Natural Anti-Inflammatory Compound. It has been used traditionally as an antiseptic to treat cuts, bruises, and even burns.

Inflammation is incredibly important.

It helps your body fight foreign invaders and also has a role in repairing damage.

Without inflammation, pathogens like bacteria could easily take over your body and kill you.

Although acute, short-term inflammation is beneficial, it can become a major problem when it becomes chronic and inappropriately attacks your body’s own tissues.

Turmeric also acts as an anti-inflammatory as it reduces histamine levels.

Scientists now believe that chronic, low-level inflammation plays a major role in almost every chronic, Western disease. This includes heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s and various degenerative conditions.

Curcumin is strongly anti-inflammatory. In fact, it’s so powerful that it matches the effectiveness of some anti-inflammatory drugs, without the side effects.

It blocks NF-kB, a molecule that travels into the nuclei of your cells and turns on genes related to inflammation. NF-kB is believed to play a major role in many chronic diseases.

Without getting into the details (inflammation is extremely complicated), the key takeaway is that curcumin is a bioactive substance that fights inflammation at the molecular level.

Turmeric is a powerful anti-oxidant.

Turmeric Dramatically Increases the Antioxidant Capacity of the Body

Oxidative damage is believed to be one of the mechanisms behind aging and many diseases.

It involves free radicals, highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons.

Free radicals tend to react with important organic substances, such as fatty acids, proteins or DNA.

The main reason antioxidants are so beneficial is that they protect your body from free radicals.

Curcumin is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure.

In addition, curcumin boosts the activity of your body’s own antioxidant enzymes.

In that way, curcumin delivers a one-two punch against free radicals. It blocks them directly, then stimulates your body’s own antioxidant defenses.

Turmeric improves brain function.

Back in the day, it was believed that neurons weren’t able to divide and multiply after early childhood.

However, it’s now known that this does happen.

Neurons are capable of forming new connections, but in certain areas of the brain they can also multiply and increase in number.

One of the main drivers of this process is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is a type of growth hormone that functions in your brain.

Many common brain disorders have been linked to decreased levels of this hormone, including depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

Interestingly, curcumin can increase brain levels of BDNF.

By doing this, it may be effective in delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related decreases in brain function.

It may also improve memory and make you smarter, which seems logical given its effects on BDNF levels. However, controlled studies in people are needed to confirm this.

Could reduce your risk of heart disease.

Heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in the world.

Researchers have studied it for many decades and learned a lot about why it happens.

Unsurprisingly, heart disease is incredibly complicated and various things contribute to it.

Curcumin may help reverse many steps in the heart disease process.

Perhaps the main benefit of curcumin when it comes to heart disease is improving the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of your blood vessels.

It’s well known that endothelial dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease and involves an inability of your endothelium to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting and various other factors.

Several studies suggest that curcumin leads to improvements in endothelial function. One study found that it’s as effective as exercise while another shows that it works as well as the drug Atorvastatin.

In addition, curcumin reduces inflammation and oxidation (as discussed above), which play a role in heart disease as well.

Helps reduce arthritic inflammation.

Arthritis is a common problem in Western countries.

There are several different types, most of which involve inflammation in the joints.

My personal use of turmeric was prompted by the pain in my joints from osteoarthritis.

Given that curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory compound, it makes sense that it may help with arthritis.

Several studies show this to be true.

In a study in people with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was even more effective than an anti-inflammatory drug.

Many other studies have looked at the effects of curcumin on arthritis and noted improvements in various symptoms.

Anecdotally, in my case, although it did not eliminate the arthritic pain I was experiencing, it did diminish it by about 20%.

Turmeric and especially its most active compound curcumin have many scientifically-proven health benefits, such as the potential to prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s and cancer.

It’s a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and also helps improve symptoms of depression and arthritis.

Potential Side Effects of Turmeric

Fortunately, turmeric is extremely safe and very few and minor side-effects are reported.

It should be noted though that turmeric’s safety has not been determined in either expectant mothers or during breastfeeding.

In terms of interactions, it has been found that, in vitro, turmeric can have antiplatelet effects with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs. This, however, has not been found to be the case inside the body.

Now available at amazon.com; “A Republic, if you can keep it.” A Republic-front cover

Follow me on Twitter @OzarksAuthor