Sunday, October 26, 2014

Herbs and Supplements to fight candida overgrowth

Herbs and supplements to fight candida

There is an arsenal of natural herbs and supplements at your disposal to fight Candida and other fungi. Here are some of the top contenders.

Aloe vera

Aloe Vera lowers pH levels creating an inhospitable environment for Candida. It also helps detoxify the liver. The liver filters the byproducts of Candida and deals with toxins from the die off process, as the Candida is destroyed. Aloe Vera juice can be consumed on a daily basis (no more than 1/4 a cup) or capsules can be taken.

Garlic

Raw garlic is a powerful anti-fungal that does not destroy beneficial bacteria in the gut. It does, however, kill bad bacteria while killing 24 out of 26 strains of Candida. It can also be rubbed on fungal skin infections. It can be eaten raw, taken in softgel capsules, or taken as an oil. Warning: can be a blood thinner. Do not use garlic if you plan to undergo surgery or if otherwise contraindicated.

Clove Oil

Clove oil is a powerful anti-fungal that also boosts the immune system. Use 15-30 drops in water, 3 times daily.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is a strong anti-fungal with many beneficial properties. Take one tablespoon 1-2 times a day.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Use 15-30 drops in water, 3 times daily.

Oil of oregano

Oil of Oregano is a strong anti-fungal and antimicrobial. You can take 5 or more drops under the tongue or dilute in water 2-3 times a day. It can also be taken by capsule or oregano leaves can be steeped for a medicinal tea. Oil of oregano is also very high in antioxidants.

Colloidal silver

Take 1 teaspoon up to 3 times a day, but do not take it long term. There are many claims that colloidal silver is amazing. We haven't had any luck with it when treating topical bacteria or fungi and there is a lot of controversy about its effectiveness and use, though there are also many claims that it is very effective.

Olive Extracts

Olive oil and olive leaf extract doesn't directly kill fungi; it disrupts the reproductive cycle. It also stabilizes and lowers blood sugars to help starve Candida. It is also an amazing antioxidant that stimulates the immune system. It can be taken in capsule form, as a tonic, or as a tea.

Undecenoic Acid

Undecenoic acid is a very effective broad-spectrum antiviral that is taken in capsule form.

Grapefruit seed extract?

Grapefruit seed extract is effective against 100 strains of fungi as well as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It works well with undecenoic acid and does not harm beneficial bacteria. Add 10 drops to water, 3 times a day.

Please note the warnings for pregnant and lactating women for the following remedies:

Black walnut

Black walnut has been shown to be more effective against Candida than any antiviral drug. It can be taken in capsule form or as an extract.

Thursday, October 16, 2014

Homemade Lavender Soap Bar

 

Homemade Honey Citrus Shampoo

Homemade Honey Citrus Shampoo

Holy Basil Balances Cortisol and Hormones

Holy Basil Balances Cortisol and Hormones

Fresh Cup of Holy Basil TeaTulsi, another name for holy basil, has a rich history dating back to ancient eastern uses 3,000 years ago. Mentioned in the Rig Veda around 1500 BC, the sacredness of holy basil was celebrated in the Purana and is highly regarded in Ayurvedic medicine.
It is suspected that tulsi is native to tropical Asia, although it now grows in many tropical climates across the globe. Historically used in these areas as medicine because of its widespread healing power, holy basil leaves are now regarded by most countries as adaptogens (anti-stress agents) and have been used widely to promote health throughout the entire body.

Holy Basil Benefits

Today, holy basil is consumed mostly in supplement form or as Tulsi tea and is used to treat:
Now let’s jump into the research to see how effective holy basil really is.

Acne

Widely used for skincare, a team of researchers from Thailand conducted a study to determine the efficacy of holy basil essential oils against bacteria that cause acne. Essentially testing its antimicrobial capability, they discovered that a 3.0% concentration of holy basil oil is most effective against bacteria that cause acne.
Interestingly, it was also noted that the primary compound of holy basil oil is eugenol, the active ingredient in the powerful antimicrobial clove oil, which is widely held to cure many skin disorders.
When implementing tulsi for natural acne treatment, consider using unrefined virgin coconut oil as a carrier because when melted, it is more viscous and absorbs into the skin better than other oils.

Cancer

Last year, the journal Nutrition and Cancer published a fantastic review outlining the influx of research substantiating tulsi’s cancer-killing prowess that we have seen the past several years. This is their breakdown:
Holy basil possesses significant anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties that protect against fever, pain, stress and protect vital organs like the liver. Consequently, people who regularly consume tulsi are less likely to be immune-compromised and are less susceptible to developing cancer cells.
The phytochemicals in tulsi prevent chemical-induced skin, liver, oral and lung cancers because they increase antioxidant activity, alter healthy gene expressions, induce cancer cell death, prevent blood vessel growth contributing to cell growth and stop metastasis.
The extracts of tulsi protects against radiation-induced sickness and mortality and selectively protect the normal tissues against the destructive effects of radiation.
Additionally it prevents radiation-induced DNA damage, which highlights holy basil’s widespread ability to promote healing.
It’s actually unremarkable to consider that one plant has been proven to not only kill cancer, it prevents it; and even protects the body from dangerous cancer treatments.

Diabetes

Since the mid-1990s, tulsi’s ability to control blood glucose has been widely known. For instance, to test its ability to manage and reverse diabetes, researchers from Azad University of Agriculture and Technology (India) evaluated the effects holy basil leaves had on rats.
Compared to a control group, the group being administered holy basil experienced some amazing results. Not only did fasting glucose fall by 21 mm/dl, post meal glucose fell by 15.8 mm/dl, which represented reductions of 17.6% and 7.3%. Fascinatingly, cholesterol levels were decreased during the treatment as well!
Six years later, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology published a study proving that the extract of holy basil leaves were found to decrease glucose by more than 36% in normal rats and by 18% in diabetes-induced rats.
These results continue to hold true during the test of time. Just two years ago, an article published in the Journal of Pharmacy & Bioallied Sciences confirmed the ability of tulsi to balance blood sugar.

Hormones and Thyroid

In addition to managing diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels, an article published in the journal Die Pharmazie (German for “The Pharmacy”), describes that the hypoglycemic effects of holy basil is possibly due to its ability to regulate serum cortisol levels.
Oftentimes ignored, the “stress hormone,” as it is commonly referred to, is responsible for an alarming number of diabetes mellitus cases throughout the world. Its far-reaching effects on the body can play havoc on learning, memory, lowered immune function, bone density, weight gain and heart disease.
Elevated cortisol levels are so dangerous that Psychology Today refers to cortisol as “Public Enemy #1”! Another benefit from lower cortisol is supplementing with holy basil has been found to reduce anxiety and emotional stress.

Holy Basil Uses

In using holy basil, I would recommend taking it in supplement form or the way I personally consume it is by drinking 1 cup of Tulsi tea a day.

Natural Remedies for ADHD

Natural Remedies for ADHD


Focus concept in word collageAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), generally diagnosed in childhood, is a behavior-related condition that causes difficulty concentrating, impulsiveness, and excessive energy.
Causes of ADHD include a diet high in sugar and additives, nutritional deficiencies, and food allergies.
In some cases, a partial cause is related to lack of interest or forcing children to learn in a manner to which they are not geared to learn.  Some children learn better by seeing or doing (kinesthetic) rather than by hearing.
The most common treatment of ADD/ADHD today is using medications such as Ritalin and Adderall both of which have been linked to suicidal thoughts and personality changes.
The good news is there are natural remedies for ADHD that are both effective and without side effects.

Top Foods For ADHD

Additive-free, unprocessed foods – Due to the toxic nature of food additives, these may be especially problematic for those with ADHD.  It is best to eat unprocessed whole foods prepared at home.
Foods high in B-vitamins – B vitamins help maintain a healthy nervous system, make sure to include brewer’s yeast and green leafy vegetables in your diet as these contain higher levels of B vitamins.
Poultry – Tryptophan, an amino acid, helps produce serotonin a calming neurotransmitter to the brain.
Breakfast – For some people and especially those with ADHD breakfast helps the body properly regulate blood sugar and stabilize fluctuations. Make sure breakfast includes at least 20g of protein to regulate blood sugar levels.
Wild Caught Fish - Wild caught fish, such as Salmon are high in Omega-3s and are critical for brain health.  It is optimal to eat wild-caught fish at least 2x per week.

ADHD Foods to Avoid

Sugar - This is the primary trigger for most children with ADHD. Avoid any forms of concentrated sugar including candy, desserts, soda, or fruit juices.
Gluten - Some parents report worsening behavior when their child eats gluten which may indicate sensitivity to the protein found in wheat. Avoid all foods made with wheat such as bread, pasta, and wheat cereal.  Look for gluten free or even grain free alternatives.
Conventional Dairy – Most cows milk dairy contains A1 casein that can trigger a similar reaction as gluten and therefore should be eliminated if it causes problematic symptoms.  However goat’s milk does not contain this protein so it may be a better option.
Food coloring and dyes - Children with ADHD can be sensitive to a variety of food dyes and colorings, therefore all processed foods should be avoided.
Soy – Soy is a common food allergy and can disrupt hormones causes ADHD symptoms.

Top 5 Natural Remedies For ADHD

#1 Fish Oil (1,000mg daily)The EPA/DHA in fish oil are critical for brain function and are anti-inflammatory. Supplementation has been shown to reduce symptoms and improve learning.
#2 B-Complex (50 mg daily)Children with ADHD may need more B-vitamins to help with the formation of serotonin, especially Vitamin B6.
#3 Multi-Mineral Supplement (including zinc, magnesium, and calcium)
500 mg calcium, 250 mg of magnesium, and 5 mg zinc 2x daily.  All play a role in relaxing the nervous system and a deficiency may exacerbate symptoms.
#4 Probiotic (25-50 billion units daily)
ADHD may be connected to digestive issues, therefore taking a good quality probiotic daily will help maintain intestinal health.
#5 GABA (250 mg 2x daily)A calming amino acid, ask your doctor before taking GABA as it can interact with other medications.
Bonus Remedy
Rhodiola rosea as proven effective at improving the focus of both adults and children.

Essential Oils For ADHD

According to the Journal of American Medical Association essential oils of vetiver and cedarwood are very effective at improving ADHD in children.  Calming oils like lavender may also be effective.

The Most Dangerous & Heavily Promoted Prescription Drugs & Their Potential Natural Alternatives

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The Most Dangerous & Heavily Promoted Prescription Drugs & Their Potential Natural Alternatives




Prescription drugs are the 4th leading cause of death in the world. If that’s not enough to make you shriek, I’m not sure what will.
The pharmaceutical industry is committing a silent holocaust around the globe. It works like this: People are sick because they aren’t getting proper nutritients. Then they are covering up their sickness with a doctor-prescribed pill. But this is causing some serious side effects, leading their doctors to prescribe more pills to conceal those side effects.
Rinse and repeat.
The following is a list of the 7 most dangerous and heavily promoted prescription drugs with some natural alternatives.

1)  Prednisone or Cortisone

What’s the deal? Used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma, allergies and many other conditions. Corticosteroids mimic the effects of hormones your body produces naturally in your adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys. When prescribed in doses that exceed your body’s usual levels, corticosteroids suppress inflammation.
What are the side effects? 
  • High blood sugar, which can trigger or worsen diabetes
  • Increased risk of infections
  • Thinning bones (osteoporosis) and fractures
  • Suppressed adrenal gland hormone production
  • Thin skin, easy bruising and slower wound healing
Alternatives: Raw whole food diet.

2) Methotrexate & Other Chemotherapeutic Agents

What’s the deal? For the most part, Methotrexate is used alone or together with other medicines to treat several types of cancer such as breast, head and neck, lung, blood, bone, lymph node and uterus cancers.
What are the side effects?
  • Cause fetal death and congenital anomalies.
  • Liver and Kidney toxicity.
  • Bone marrow depression.
  • Lung disease ­ which can be fatal.
  • Reacts with NSAID’s ­ which can be fatal.
  • May cause intestinal bleeding and ulceration.
  • Depresses the immune system.
Alternatives: High dose vitamin C injections have shown positive results in fighting cancer cells in studies…
RESHAPING OUR THOUGHTS ABOUT CANCER
If the thought of loving rather than fighting your cancer terrifies you, it may help you to understand that fighting cancer is a fear-based thought process rooted in separation consciousness—believing that we are separate from each and separate from Creation itself.
 
Also Raw 100% Organic Foods and foods as close to as nature intended.
 
3)  Coumadin or Warfarin
What’s the deal? Anticoagulant (blood thinner) which prevents the formation and migration of blood clots.
What are the side effects?
  • Haemorrhage (bleeding)
Alternatives: 
  • Vitamin C – 1,000 mgs. dailyVitamin C coats the red blood cell (RBC’s) walls and prevents them from breaking and bleeding. However, too much Vitamin C inhibits the absorption of calcium.
  • Vitamin E - 400 IU. Vitamin E coats RBC’s and binds collagen in blood vessels to prevent bleeding and strokes.
  • OPC 165 (all natural anti-oxidant blend).

4) Cholesterol Lowering Drugs

What’s the deal? There are multiple types. Some of these drugs (Atromid and Lopid) work by absorbing bile acids which are produced from cholesterol in the intestinal tract and cause them to be excreted, thereby lowering the levels of cholesterol circulating in the blood. Statin drugs reduce production of cholesterol in the liver and alter the way in which LDL cholesterol enters the cells.
What are the side effects? 
  • Myositis - inflammation of the muscles.
  • Rhabdomyolysis (rare) – With this condition, muscles all over the body become painful and weak. The severely damaged muscles release proteins into the blood that collect in the kidneys. The kidneys can become damaged trying to eliminate a large amount of muscle breakdown caused by statin use. This can ultimately lead to kidney failure.
Alternatives: Fish, whole foods – oats, nuts, beans, spinach, avocado.
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5) Prozac (anti-depressants)

What’s the deal? Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lovan and Luvox belong to a class of drugs which alter the mechanism that balances levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in the brain. Serotonin affects mood, agitation, anxiety and sleep. These drugs mock the re-uptake or removal of serotonin by nerve cells in the brain, thus leaving more serotonin to bind to the receptor sites. This has been shown to alter mood and behavior.
What are the side effects? The FDA has admitted that antidepressants can worsen depression and suicidal symptoms in some patients. Other side effects include:
  • nausea
  • increased appetite and weight gain
  • loss of sexual desire and other sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and decreased orgasm
  • fatigue and drowsiness
  • insomnia
  • dry mouth
  • blurred vision
  • constipation
  • dizziness
  • agitation
  • irritability
  • anxiety
Alternative: Aerobic exercise and a clean whole-food diet.

6) Ritalin, Cylert, Dexadrine, Adderal

What’s the deal? It produces such effects as increasing or maintaining alertness, combating fatigue and improving attention. Traditionally used to treat ADD or ADHD in children. It has also been used to treat narcolepsy. Frighteningly enough, Dr. Bruce Perry, a world-renowned ADHD expert, has stated that ADHD is not a real disease. 
What’s the risk? 
  • Abdominal pain
  • Alopecia (loss of hair)
  • Angina (chest pain)
  • Appetite loss
  • Anxiety/Nervousness
  • Blood pressure and pulse changes (both up and down)
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Depression
  • Diaphoresis (sweating)
  • Dizziness
  • Hypersensitivity
  • Psychosis and psychiatric disorders
  • Stunted growth
  • Suicidal ideation
  • Tachycardia
Alternatives: Yoga, exercise, playing an instrument, clean whole food diet.

7) Beta Blockers and Calcium Channel Blockers

What’s the deal? A class of drugs used to lower blood pressure.
What’s the risk? Calcium channel blockers – In an ongoing study, Bruce Psaty, M.D., compared 291 patients taking calcium channel blockers for hypertension to 1,240 people with the same condition, but taking other drugs. He found that patients who were taking large amounts of calcium channel blockers for high blood pressure had a 60% higher death rate compared to patients taking diuretics or beta blockers.
  • shortness of breath
  • cold extremities
  • palpitations
  • congestive heart failure
Alternative: Reduce processed sodium intake, reduce alcohol consumption, exercise regularly, whole food diet.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that taking a long term medication which alters any of your natural body functions is obviously dangerous. This includes virtually everything used for high blood pressure and heart disease; diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers and ACE inhibitors.
While prescription pills are beneficial in some cases, the Collective Evolution team are advocates of nutrition as the most powerful type of medicine. Our body is truly a remarkable machine naturally built for optimal function, but this is only when we provide our body with all of the essential nutrients that it needs.
When we are not supplying our bodies with proper nutrition, disease likely manifests. This is usually when most people will resort to prescription drugs. These drugs only cover up the problem, but are never actually dealing with the root cause.

The many benefits of banana peels

The many benefits of banana peels



Banana peels are a bigger deal than people think. It is still the top-selling fruit in this country and Americans eating approximately 3.2 million pounds of bananas every year — which totals a whopping 304 bananas every second! The problem is that bananas do have a heavy impact on the environment: most are grown near the Equator and are picked while they are still green and go into ripening rooms, where they are exposed to ethylene gas. They are then transported over long distances to grocery stores and then to home and from there, the peels usually wind up in a landfill, where they emit methane, a gas which has been implicated in the greenhouse effect. However, there are ways to reuse banana peels and keep them out of the landfills and hopefully have less impact on environmental quality. Below are 10 simple ways to reuse these helpful peels.
Tomato Plant Fertilizer
Wrap a banana peel around your tomato plants. The peel will slowly decompose and allow your tomato to gain nutrients from it throughout the growing season.
Indoor Plant Feeder
Soak a banana peel in an airtight jar of water, then dilute one part of the banana water to five parts regular water. Put in a watering can and use on indoor plants to feed and nourish them.
Compost Additive
Add banana peels to your compost pile. They break down quickly and will add a lot of nutrients as well as good texture to your compost so you can use it on your lawn and garden.
Itch Reliever
Rub a banana peel on a rash, insect bite, poison ivy reaction or even psoriasis to help calm and soothe the skin. It will help promote healing for many minor skin irritations.
Animal Feed
If you raise animals, banana peels that have been dried up and ground make an excellent supplement to animal feed and is safe for chickens, pigs, rabbits and other livestock.
Salad Dressing
The flavor of banana-peel vinegar makes it an excellent dressing for a number of fresh vegetables. The recipe for this vinegar can be found at sustainableamerica.org/bananas.
Meat Tenderizer
The next time you make a roast, add a banana peel to the roast pan to keep meat from toughening or drying out during cooking. It will keep the meat naturally moist and tender.
Smoothie Additive
If you boil the banana peel for ten minutes, then put it through a juicer or blender, you can add this to smoothies for extra nutrients, fiber and antioxidants.
Bird and Butterfly Attractor
Lay out ripe banana peels in the garden on a raised platform. Birds and butterflies alike will come flocking in, attracted by the sweetness. It can attract bees, too, so be careful!
 
Leather and Silver Polish
Banana peels make an excellent polish for leather clothing or furniture: just rub it on then buff with a soft cloth. It is also excellent for shining silver.
So even the humble banana peel can serve a number of different uses throughout the house. Using them can save you money on household expenses and can also save room in a landfill and keep our air just a little bit cleaner. Everybody wins!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Foods to Help You Lose Weight

Foods to Help You Lose Weight

Most people would be surprised by the fact that there are several food items that not only taste great but can also help you regulate your dietary intake and help you lose weight. While it sounds too good to be true but several common food items like yogurt and toast have been known to be excellent choices for diet, as they provide the required proteins and nutrients without the excess calories. These foods not only provide a balanced nutrition to the body but also help regulate the metabolism that helps you absorb the required nutrients and prevent fat accumulation. In order to be free from the worries of getting overweight, one needs to eat smart. Here’s a list of a few foods that are delicious and help you shed off those extra pounds.
  1. Eggs for Breakfast
Skipping your buttery pancakes for breakfast and eating eggs can certainly provide you with a delicious meal and keep those extra calories and sugar from putting on those extra pounds on you. It has been proven that eating eggs for breakfast can help you overcome any mid day food cravings before lunchtime. Eggs help you feel fuller for longer which will help you avoid eat any junk and processed foods during the day.
  1. Yogurt
One of the age old ways to prevent milk from going bad is to add a little bacteria and preserving it as curd. The creamy and smooth tasting yogurt is not just simply delicious but contains high amounts of calcium and proteins minus the fat from milk. Calcium is also known to hinder fat absorption in the small intestine which keeps you from putting on those extra pounds.
  1. Avocados
Also known in the native countries as alligator fruit, avocados have shown the best results to prevent the body from accumulating excess fat. The avocado contains unsaturated fats that help the body produce a special hormone call leptin that sends signals to the brain that help control those unnatural hunger pans.
  1. Olive Oil
Known to be an essential ingredient in continental cooking and salad dressings, olive oil contains a special fat known as oleic acid which again triggers your brain into eating less and feeling more full with a smaller diet.
  1. Whole Grain Foods
Whole grains provide one of the most important ingredients of your diet known as roughage or fiber. It not only helps you digest the food more slowly and effectively, but also helps in a more stable bowl movement. Several researches have shown more than 3000 people have lost their excess fat by replacing their refined grains with whole grains and whole wheat bread and pastas. Brown rice, steel cut oats, whole grain cereal etc. are few of the several whole grain foods that you can easily lay your hands on.
  1. Pistachios
While nuts have been known for their high fat content and have been a source of various types of cooking oils, eating them actually helps in reducing the excess fats. Pistachio nuts contain high levels of unsaturated fats and tons of hunger curbing fiber and protein. Eating pistachio nuts when you feel hungry between meals can help you provide your body with the required proteins and nutrients without the hassle of additional calories.
  1. Beans
Beans are filling and inexpensive and are one of the best sources of proteins. The beans are one of the best sources of fiber and take a slow time to digest. Slow digestion helps the intestines absorb the nutrients at a regulated rate and keeps you from gorging unnecessary amounts of food. For more information on healthy foods please visit gethealthygethot.com which is the best place to find tips and tricks to manage weight and keep fit.
  1. Dark Chocolate
Most people tend to eat a lot of chocolates when in stressful situations. It is scientifically proven that chocolates can help reduce depression and helps curb the irregular hunger pans. However, it must be noted that dark chocolates have proven to be more beneficial as compared to the milk chocolates in reducing stress and weight.
Eating smart is the best way to stay fit and healthy and this has been surely proven by the above food items. These food items are not just great tasting and perfect for a mid time snack but also keep you from eating gobs of fats and excessively sugary processed foods and drinks that provide bucket loads of unwanted calories in your body.