How To Make Turmeric Juice: A Powerful Healing Beverage.

Turmeric is known to be one of the most powerful healing herbs. It is great for bones and joints as it has anti-inflammatory properties. It prevents metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

Turmeric’s also a natural liver detoxifier and a kidney cleanser, and it speeds metabolism and aids in weight management. Plus it heals and alleviates conditions of depression, psoriasis, damaged skin, arthritis and more.

For these reasons, turmeric is ubiquitous both in Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine.

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
5-7 inches turmeric
5-7 tamarind
2 lemons
raw honey
water
blender
strainer
bowl
mason jar(s) or other glass jar with lid
1. Peel turmeric. Your fingers will turn yellow. Don’t worry! All-natural dish soap gets it right out. If your cutting board or countertop get stained, slather on dish soap and rub it in. Let it soak in for 5 min or longer, then scrub with water and sponge. The turmeric stain will vanish!

1. Crack and open tamarind. Make sure you get all the inner roots off, too. We’re only going to use the inner fruit.

2. Fill a big pot with water, put peeled tumeric in and let it boil for at least 20 minutes until the water becomes a rich and vibrant marigold color.

3. While the tumeric water is boiling, get a pan and pour 1 inch of water in with the peeled tamarind. Move the fruit around with a wooden utensil, mix it in with the water so it can melt and dissolve into a jam like texture. More water shouldn’t be needed, but if it’s lookin’ a bit dry, pour water in as needed.

By this time, you should be able to see the little seeds coming out. When the texture looks soft, turn heat off and let it cool down.

1. Go back to the tumeric water. By now, the color should look ready. Pour a little bit of cold water to lower the temperature. Take the turmeric water and pour it into the blender with the tumeric. We boiled it so the root could soften and have more flavor, now it’s ready to buzz in the blender for even more flavor and richness! Blend, blend, blend. The color now should look like an extra extra fiery marigold.

2. Go back to the tamarind in the pan. Pour substance into the strainer that is placed on top of a small bowl to catch the tamarind. Swish the jam like substance around in the strainer with the wooden utensil– we only want to use the soft bits of the fruit. No seeds, no seed peels.

3. Pour the tamarind that has been caught in the bowl into the blender with the tumeric water. Buzz it around again.

4. We’re almost done. Squeeze your lemons into the blender. Now take the blender and pour your yummy juice into your mason jar(s). Add honey to taste, close with lid, shake it up to mix.

5. Store in fridge up to 3-4 days and drink daily!

Enjoy!

Herbs for energy

Constantly listless? Tired? Feeling your energy quickly being drained even before the day ends? Perhaps you, like many others, need energy boosting solutions. But rather than like the million others that often turn to coffee or energy drinks, you can resort to safer solutions like herbal remedies. Besides, much of these costly energy boosters sold in the market today are based on existing botanical remedies.

Moreover, kicking your energy with caffeine like coffee tends to strain your brain’s adrenal cortex by causing it to work harder than normal to boost energy. A 2010 study has also found caffeine-based energy beverages to be loaded with sugar and carbohydrates and are even erroneously marketed as reversing alcohol related impairments such as motor coordination and visual reaction time, providing consumers a false sense of control.

Given that the high caffeine spikes of energy drinks or coffee are perhaps not the best thing for you , what alternatives then may you have for improving energy? Whether to boost your immune system and fight infection or improve mental alertness and cognitive performance or fight signs of ageing and even depression, herbs are reported to be a natural source for restoring your energy. The herbs below are some of the common herbal solutions to move from being lethargic to energetic:

10 Energy Boosting Herbs

Ginseng

This herb’s Latin name, Panax which means “all-heal” speaks of the natural belief that ginseng could provide an all around remedy for just about any ailment including reducing stress, improving immune system and promoting youthfulness. These are all needed so you can draw more energy from your body for other activities than having it fight infections. [1] Scientists have long found ginseng to be an adaptogen which means unlike caffeine-rich beverages, ginseng actually nourishes rather than strains the adrenal cortex to allow it to produce energy the way your body is naturally designed to do so. [2] Consequently, one study in 2002 found ginseng to be helpful for increasing libido and sexual performance due to ginsenosides chemicals it contains. [1]

Garlic

Another “G” that is not only easily accessible but also hailed by herbalists as by far the most effective antibacterial plant to support the immune. [4] In a mouse model study, garlic consumption was shown to have positive effects on red blood cells which stimulate CO production, a compound said to be behind garlic’s many physiological effects including being pro-circulatory, neuro-protective and anti-inflammatory. [5]

Gotu Kola

Research shows that dried leaves of gotu kola are a rich source of vitamins and minerals that stimulate the circulatory system. This enhanced blood circulation has been found in clinical trials to improve functioning – from the brain to delay mental degeneration, improve memory and learning abilities—down to the functioning of the legs. [1]

Ginko Biloba

Like gotu kola, ginko is an effective memory and energy aid that improves mental clarity due to increased blood and oxygen flow to the brain. [1]A neurobiology lab in Switzerland has discovered that ginko extracts boost mitochondrial activities within the brain and reduce oxidative stress levels which can slow the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. [6]

Green tea

Like ginseng, green tea is known for its many beneficial effects. Recent studies show that apart from being anti-cancer and helping you slim down, the antioxidants in green tea also prevent premature ageing to leave you with more energy. Like coffee, it may contain caffeine but unlike coffee, has potent anti-bacterial properties that combat infection. [1] Also, if you take matcha, you benefit further from the nutritional content of the “solids” in the tea leaves.

Licorice

This herb is also known to boost one’s energy level, endurance and stamina. Studies show that it works by regulating the production of hormones from the adrenal glands. These hormones are said to be associated with some chemical, emotional and physically-induced stress. As you may have already known, stress is a crucial factor that triggers issues on endurance, stamina and fatigue. [7]

Cacao

Chocolate is said to be a good energy booster. But do you know what makes chocolates effective in boosting one’s energy level? It’s its cocoa content which is derived from cacao. Cocoa actually contains compound theobromine that stimulates the central nervous system of the body. This stimulant creates a similar yet less powerful stimulating effect than caffeine. [8]

Rhodiola Rosea

If you are feeling low and less energized during the day, then rhodiola can be of great help to you. Known as an excellent remedy for stress, rhodiola is believed to be effective in strengthening the body, and make it more resilient to physical and emotional challenges that lie ahead. In addition to its ability to improve exercise performance, rhodiola is also claimed to be effective in increasing one’s capacity for different types of endurance exercise.

One research showed that rhodiola works by increasing the oxygen-carrying capacity of the red blood cell, which results to improved energy level, stamina and vitality especially in times of stress. Research revealed that this herb offers additional protection to the central nervous system of the body against oxidative stress. Furthermore, rhodiola is thought to help in relieving anxiety, improving sleep quality and quantity as well as in lifting depressed mood. [9] It is also thought by some to be aphrodisiac.

Ashwagandha

This is probably one of the most popular energy-boosting herbs available today. Along with ginseng, reishi mushroom and astralagus, ashwagandha is one of the herbs that promise to increase the body’s endurance, vitality, stamina and energy. Better known in the Orient but becoming popular in the West, ashwagandha is also considered effective in promoting longevity as well as in strengthening the body’s immune system. [10]

Reishi Mushroom

Known to boost the body’s immune system, reishi mushroom is a powerful herb that is claimed to be effective in enhancing one’s energy level. In addition to that, reishi mushroom is widely believed to be beneficial in promoting general well being.

Some researchers believe that reishi mushroom contains powerful compounds that make it effective in dealing with insomnia, asthma, fatigue, coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, chronic hepatitis B, rheumatoid arthritis and certain types of cancer. [11]

As always, this article is not medical advice. If you are on medications or have other health concerns, please consult a qualified health professional before starting a course in herbs.

References:

[1] http://www.herbalremedypro.com/energy.htm

[2] http://www.naturalnews.com/035888_herbs_energy_boost_natural.html

[3] Problematic use of energy drinks by adolescents. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20682226

[4] http://www.herbnet.com/ask%20the%20herbalist/asktheherbalist_herbs_for_energy.htm

[5] Garlic accelerates red blood cell turnover and splenic erythropoietic gene expression in mice: evidence for erythropoietin-independent erythropoiesis. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21206920

[6] Ginkgo biloba extract ameliorates oxidative phosphorylation performance and rescues abeta-induced failure. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20808761

[7] http://www.naturalnews.com/031120_licorice_root_adrenal_fatigue.html

[8] http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/the-nutrition-of-cocoa-nibs.html

[9] http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/dec2007_report_nutraceutical_01.htm

[10] http://www.planetherbs.com/specific-herbs/ashwagandha-wonder-herb-of-india.html

[11] http://www.3fatchicks.com/the-benefits-of-reishi-mushrooms/

• See more at: http://www.herbs-info.com/herbs-for-energy.html#sthash.xoO96qNG.dpuf

Consumer Alert: Most Common Vitamins Contain GMOs

July 31, 2013

 

A Natural News investigation reveals that an alarmingly large number of multivitamins and individual nutrient vitamins are formulated with ingredients derived from genetically modified corn.

This is the “dirty little secret” of the vitamin industry, but it’s not one the mainstream media will touch because they refuse to admit GMOs are a problem to begin with. Those in the know, however, realize that eating any ingredients derived from GMOs may expose them to the BT insecticide chemicals found in GM corn.GMOs are truly “hidden” in vitamins because the GM-derived ingredients are so heavily processed that all DNA is destroyed in the process, thereby destroying any footprint of genetic modification. Genetic ID tests, in other words, require particles of the food to remain relatively intact so that PCR lab equipment can replicate genetic sequences. Heavily processed ingredients such as high-fructose corn syrup, maltodextrin and ascorbic acid have no genetic material remaining, thereby sweeping their origins under the rug.This is one reason who so many vitamins sold today are formulated with GMOs. This includes virtually ALL the popular multivitamin brands sold at grocery stores and pharmacies, by the way.

List of ingredients that are usually GMO

The Non-GMO Project Verified website lists these ingredients as commonly harboring GMOs:

Amino Acids
Aspartame
Ascorbic Acid
Sodium Ascorbate
Vitamin C
Citric Acid
Sodium Citrate
Flavorings (“natural” and “artificial”)
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Lactic Acid
Maltodextrins
Molasses
Monosodium Glutamate
Sucrose
Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP)
Xanthan Gum
Vitamins
Yeast Products (such as yeast extract)

From this list, you can hopefully realize that:

• Nearly all “vegetarian” foods are GMO (loaded with yeast extract and soy).

• Nearly all sodas and soft drinks are GMO (HFCS, aspartame).

• Nearly all storable “emergency” food sold on the market today is GMO. (TVP, soy, MSG, yeast extract)

• Nearly all canned soups are GMO. (MSG, yeast extract)

• Nearly all children’s meals and snacks are GMO. (HFCS, MSG, soy, corn)

In other words, just about everything the consuming masses are eating is contaminated with GMOs.

Here’s a closer look at some of the more common GMO ingredients in vitamins and health products:

GMO ingredient #1 – Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a powdery, starch derivative of corn. It is used everywhere in the nutritional supplements industry, as a “filler” for fruit powders and drink mixes, as a “sweetener” for low-sugar health foods, and as a flow agent for vitamin capsules.

Unless it is certified as non-GMO, all maltodextrin should be assumed to come from GMO sources. The maltodextrin manufacturing supply chain isn’t even geared up to provide non-GMO maltodextrin, as the large-scale factories that produce the material run so much GM corn that there would be significant cross-contamination even if they tried to pull off a non-GMO run.

The few companies that offer non-GMO starches and sweeteners are increasingly gaining attention across the industry. I’m aware of one company called Austrade, Inc. that offers a full line of non-GMO corn-based starches and sweeteners, including non-GMO maltodextrin.

According to the company, they were the first producer to receive “Non-GMO Project Verified” approval for non-GMO maltodextrin.

Non-GMO maltodextrin is also making its way into health products such as “Ultima Replenisher,” a healthy replacement for those junk sports drinks made with GMO corn syrup, salt and low-grade minerals. Ultima Replenisher is completely GMO-free, relying on a non-GMO maltodextrin from certified sources.

A small company named Allergaroo.com also makes non-GMO microwaveable foods that are designed to be free of common allergens such as casein, soy, wheat, peanuts, dairy, GMOs, etc. (Although I have to wonder about the whole microwave concept…)

GMO ingredient #2 – Ascorbic acid

In the delusional world of western thinking on nutrients, ascorbic acid is called “vitamin C.”

It isn’t vitamin C, of course. Real vitamin C is a broad spectrum of synergistic compounds, never just an isolated, homogeneous molecule. But don’t tell that to doctors, scientists or journalists, because they’ve all bought into the “ascorbic acid is vitamin C” delusion.

So nearly all the common “vitamin C” pills are nothing more than heavily refined ascorbic acid derived from GM corn. That’s why those pills don’t work, by the way. So when the mainstream media declares, “Vitamin C shows no benefit…” in clinical trials, what they are really saying is that heavily processed ascorbic acid isolated from genetically modified corn doesn’t improve your health, and that’s no surprise.

Look on the labels of your cheap, low-grade vitamins and multivitamins… you’ll see “ascorbic acid” listed there, meaning you are eating GMOs. Throw those away. They’re crap.

If you want real vitamin C, your best bet is to eat camu camu, which is the planet’s highest source of natural, full-spectrum, food-based vitamin C. (The full synergy of nutrients, not just isolated chemicals.) Click here to see high-grade, certified organic camu camu powder at the Natural News Store.

(By the way, as a side note, the FDA came to our warehouse and took a large number of samples of our camu camu to run lab tests in their Arkansas lab headquarters. They were obviously looking for heavy metals and pesticide residues. The lab tests, as we knew they would, came back 100% clear. That’s because we’re one of the few companies to actually test all the raw materials we import. So now we have official confirmation that even the FDA agrees that our products are clean. In truth, our own stringent lab test requirements are MORE STRICT than the FDA!)

There are also some vitamin companies making non-GMO vitamin C formulations. Expect them to be expensive because all non-GMO vitamin C must be sourced outside the United States. There is currently no U.S.-based producer of non-GMO vitamin C. (It simply doesn’t exist.)

GMO ingredient #3 – Sucrose (heavily used in children’s vitamins)

Take a look at almost any children’s vitamins and you’ll find they’re made with several GMO ingredients: aspartame, sucrose and often citric acid, too.

In fact, children’s vitamins are by far the most toxic because they’re usually formulated with a much higher concentration of toxic ingredients such as artificial sweeteners, artificial colors and GMO-derived materials.

Children should be eating superfoods or food concentrates, not toxic vitamin pills. Remember, too, that the low-grade vitamin pills are manufactured by companies largely owned by the pharmaceutical industry. They have every incentive to make sure their vitamins actually cause health problems rather than prevent disease. This boosts their long-term profits as sick children become Big Pharma customers for life.

MegaFood receives the first non-GMO certification in the industry

When it comes to high quality food-based nutrients in a pill format, nobody beats MegaFood, the supplier Natural News has chosen as its supplement partner.

MegaFood’s manufacturing facility is the first and only facility in the United States to be certified non-GMO. Certification of all the company’s products is under way, but I have personally been informed that the entire product line has been 100% non-GMO since 2007. (Actual certification takes time and will be announced when the process is complete.)

Consumers looking for truly non-GMO sources of health-supporting minerals can check out MegaFood’s Balanced Minerals formulation.

Those seeking thyroid support should take a look at MegaFood’s Thyroid Strength formulation.

And for non-GMO multivitamins made from real food rather than isolated chemicals, MegaFood offers a full line of daily multivitamins for men and women.

Join the call for GMO labeling on vitamins and supplements

As companies like MegaFood blaze forward in achieving non-GMO certification, they are going to force everyone else in the industry to follow suit (or lose customers). That’s because consumers don’t want hidden GMOs in their health supplements, obviously.

People take vitamins based on the belief that vitamins won’t poison them. Unfortunately, this is a false assumption given the dirty tricks played by the pharmaceutical industry in churning out harmful, synthetic vitamins loaded with toxic substances such as GMOs.

That’s why I support the mandatory GMO labeling of vitamins and dietary supplements. It’s also why my own brand of superfoods and dietary supplements — Health Ranger Select — is 100% non-GMO.

See, it’s not just about labeling GMOs in foods. GMOs need to be labeled (or ultimately, banned) in everything we eat, and that includes vitamins and dietary supplements.

Most health-conscious consumers already know to avoid GMOs in foods, but they fail to avoid them when selecting vitamins and supplements. So they’re taking in quantities of GMO-derived materials in their health supplements, and that defeats the whole purpose of being “health conscious” in the first place.

Until GMOs are labeled (or banned) on vitamins and supplements, you have to be vigilant in avoiding GMO-derived ingredients such as maltodextrin, sucrose, ascorbic acid, citric acid and others.

Unless the product is certified non-GMO or comes from a company that is diligently working on the certification process, there is a better than 99% chance that they contain GMOs.

And what happens when you eat GMOs? Just ask these lab rats, which were fed a combination of GM corn and glyphosate, the weed killer chemical often used on genetically modified crops: