Follow spanishchef.net on TWITTER

Alternatively Speaking: Herbs that help

Q. Hi Natalie, I’m interested in
learning about natural options for controlling blood sugars. There’s a
lot of info out there, and some of it is very speculative, but others
have some hard science behind them. Can you recommend anything?
 
A.
Each time we eat food, it’s broken down into sugars that are then
transported into cells by a hormone called insulin. While all food
increases your blood sugar in the short term, some foods help the cells
in your body respond to insulin better and so help to lower blood sugar
levels in the long term. These foods are known as low glycemic index
foods because they break down slowly. They do not cause a rapid increase
in your blood glucose. Try to include in your diet foods rich in
soluble fiber; whole wheat products, oat products, wheat bran, peas,
lentils, nuts and vegetables. In addition to fiber, wheat germ and wheat
bran also contain magnesium, chromium, omega 3 fatty acids and folate.
Author of Therapeutic Herbs Manual, herbal medicine expert Ed Smith,
states that one of the most effective herbs in treating high blood
glucose levels is jambul, a herbs commonly used in India. Fenugreek is
another one of the most powerful botanical remedies in controlling high
blood glucose levels. Other helpful herbs in regulating blood sugar
levels include beanpod tea, cedar berries, huckleberry, juniper berries
and ginseng.

I highly recommend the herb bitter melon. It is one
of the most helpful herbs in regulating your blood sugar levels. The
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center states that bitter melon contains
glycosides, alkaloids and other substances that may be useful in
treating diabetes. Herbs alone may not be enough to keep your blood
sugar levels within the normal, healthy range. Dietary changes, regular
daily exercise and other treatment options suggested by your physician
will also help manage your hyperglycemia.
 
Q.
Natalie, can you help? I have a severe case of dandruff. I am
embarrassed to go out and I do not wear dark shirts for fear that my
dandruff is so noticeable. Are there any natural remedies you can
recommend?

A. Dandruff appears to be caused by a yeast-like fungus called malassezia, also known as pityrosporum.

Tea
tree oil (from the leaves of Melaleuca Alternifolia) is an essential
oil which has been used for centuries as an antiseptic and anti-fungal
agent. There are many tea tree oil shampoos available in health food
stores and some drug stores.

Simply shampoo the oil into your
hair daily until the scalp has returned to a healthy state. Users should
discontinue use of the oil if they notice any allergic reactions such
as a burning sensation.

One recipe using apple cider vinegar you
can try at home. Mix a quarter of a cup of apple cider vinegar with a
quarter of a cup of water.

Pour this mixture into a spray bottle
and spritz it on to your hair and scalp, being careful to avoid the eye
and ear area. Wrap your head in a towel. After 15 minutes to an hour,
remove the towel and wash your hair. You can do this once to twice a
week.

Foods that may help reduce dandruff include those that are higher in
zinc, B-vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids. Foods containing these
nutrients include red meat, cheese, poultry, peas, beans, black-eyed
peas, eggs, and leafy greens.

Refined sugar and yeast should be
avoided if you are trying to control dandruff since they are fungus
forming foods. These include breads, pastries, doughnuts, sugary
cereals, snack foods and fizzy drinks. Foods that cause the sebaceous
glands to be more active should be avoided; these are food which are
high in saturated and trans fat.

Q.
I have terrible varicose veins. Are there any alternative remedies that
can help reduce them since they are rather unsightly! They are also
starting to give me some leg pain.

A. 
I recommend taking extract of grape seeds and pine bark. Both contain
specific antioxidants that work to strengthen the connective tissue
structure of blood vessels and reduce inflammation. Make sure not to
confuse grape seed with grapefruit seed extract.

Butcher’s broom is
another of the top five remedies for varicose veins. It contains
ruscogenins, constituents which strengthen collagen in blood vessel
walls and improve circulation. This is thought to tighten weak,
stretched vessels such as those associated with varicose veins.

The
Women’s Heart Foundation reports that gotu kola is also used to treat
venous insufficiency, which is another term for the inability of the
veins in the legs to get blood back to the heart, which can in turn lead
to varicose veins. Gotu kola helps with varicose veins by maintaining
healthy blood vessels and tissues. You can find gotu kola in most health
food stores as a tea or liquid.

Horse chestnut is another herb
that is known for its benefits to the circulatory system and varicose
veins. It improves blood flow as well as the muscular tissue of the
veins. Our veins need good muscle tone and elasticity in order to pump
the blood back to the heart. The National Institutes of Health reports a
study that suggests horse chestnut be used in combination with
compression stockings to help with vein function. Do not use horse chestnut without first consulting
your physician, especially if you are on any type of medication.

Finally,
moderate exercise will increase your blood circulation, which can
decrease the pain and appearance of your varicose veins. It can also
slow or prevent the development of new varicose veins. Perform all
exercises gently and stop immediately if there is any pain or
discomfort. Make sure you elevate and rest the legs after performing
exercises for varicose veins.

This
column is brought to you as general information only and unless stated
otherwise is not medical advice nor is it based on medical experiments.
This column is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for
specific medical conditions. For more information about specific
problems, please contact a doctor.

Ask Natalie: If you have a health query and would like an alternative answer then email Natalie with your question at [email protected].
 
Someone Once Said
“If only a small fraction of what is already known about the effects of
sugar were to be revealed in relation to any other material used as a
food additive, that material would promptly be banned.” John Yudkin Prof of Nutrition at London University

Bill & Sheila’s A-Z of herbs

_____________________________________________________________________
If you require a high quality printout of this article, just click on the printer symbol next to ’Share and enjoy’, and we will do the rest. This site is hosted by (click on the graphic for more information)

Return from herbs to Home Page

If you want to increase your site popularity and gain thousands of visitors – check out these sites THEY ARE FREE. Spanishchef more than doubled its ‘New Visitors’ last month simply by signing up to these sites:




Follow spanishchef.net on TWITTER