The next time you are feeling under the weather or have some aches and pains, you don’t necessarily have to turn to the drugstore or the doctor. Instead, open up your cupboard!
These 6 ingredients are all wonder foods when it comes to healing your body, and most you either already have in your cupboard, or you can easily get at your local natural food store.
Ginger
This fiery addition you’ve seen in many Asian dishes is a great natural solution to upset stomachs and poor digestion. It helps soothe stomach cramps and can be great for reducing nausea. Brew it into a tea by grating 1-2 tablespoons into water and simmering it on the stove for 15-20 minutes before drinking, or use it in fresh juices combined with cucumber, spinach, apple, fennel and celery for a great tonic to ease your stomach that will also give you a boost of nutrients and enzymes.
Turmeric
You have probably already heard of this superfood and the role it can have in your diet and improving your health. It is the spice that is the bright yellow colour, known for its impressive levels of antioxidants, which help fight free radicals within the body. It’s main claim to fame though is that it is a natural anti-inflammatory within the body. Turmeric contains high levels of curcumin, the ingredient that gives it that yellow colour, and it is also this ingredient that allows it to fight inflammation. This is important for individuals suffering from inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and asthma, but also as maintenance for those not suffering to help reduce inflammation from poor digestion or food choices, and especially for athletes in terms of inflammation from training.
Coconut oil
Is there anything that coconut oil can’t do? The list is pretty long of all the things you should use coconut oil for, making it a top ingredient to always have on hand. To start off, it has a much higher smoke point than olive oil, making it far superior for cooking with since it doesn’t go rancid and release free radicals as easily. It’s hydrating properties make it great to rub on your skin, hair and nails, and it is great for soothing hot sunburns, especially when mixed with some aloe vera. Use coconut oil to oil pull and look after your teeth and gums, and even turn it into toothpaste or body butter if you wish. Let’s not forget though, that coconut oil is a healthy, saturated fat and consuming a tablespoon daily can aid in digestion, improve skin complexion, help with brain function and aid in satiety.
Activated charcoal
This fine, black powder, available at your local health food store is a great detoxifier for the body. It acts to bind to toxins via chelation and then moves them through the digestive system so they can be eliminated. It is especially good to use when you are doing a cleanse and trying to eliminate any residual toxins within your body that may not have been forced out via regular digestion and elimination. You can also use charcoal to make your own toothpaste and it shows you exactly where your brushing has been lacking!
Fermented foods
The holy grail for gut health, fermented foods should be consumed daily to ensure the health of your intestinal flora. These foods provide a source of probiotics – good bacteria – for your gut, as well as prebiotics – food for the good bacteria – both of which are essential for good digestion, proper elimination, the production of many vitamins and minerals and just to make sure you are feeling your best. Good sources include kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi.
Garlic
This common kitchen ingredient is good for more than just adding flavor to your pasta dish, or for making garlic bread. One of nature’s best healers, garlic is anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-viral. In other words, it is a great natural medicine fro everything from a cold to an infestation of bad gut parasites, to simply maintaining good skin. Aim to consume garlic daily, and if you find yourself with a flu or cold, make yourself a tea using 2-3 cloves of garlic and some lemon, and then drink your tea and eat the cloves!
By: Laura Peill – (Check out her blog Chronicles of Passion & Facebook)
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