Maca

Due to its exceptional nutritional profile and  that it contains many essential elements, maca is considered by many to be a superfood. This tuberous root plant grows in the Andes mountains of Peru and Bolivia. Research has shown this herb to have high levels of potassium and more calcium than is found in cow's milk. Because the plant is a natural hormone balancer, it can be of benefit to both men and women. It has more than 55 naturally occurring phytochemicals and contains an amazing combination of amino acids, glucosinates, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. One of its beneficial characteristics is that of being an adaptogen - it helps the body adjust to it by working through the adrenal glands. It is this property that helps us to fight stress, infection, fatigue and trauma.
Maca isn't a medicine, but it is considered to have many medicinal benefits. For women, the relief form menopausal problems is often cited as a very important benefit. Maca can dramatically decrease the feeling of inconvenience due to hot flashes and mood swings. It can relieve you of your pains whether you are on your peri-menopausal, menopausal, or post-menopausal stage. This supplement will regulate your hormones and restore them back to their natural levels.
Both men and women can prevent osteoporosis from getting worse or even stop it from occurring by taking maca supplements. Maca has high levels of calcium and minerals which can make your bones stronger. Menopausal women are susceptible to osteoporosis because of their decreasing amounts of estrogen. On the other hand, the male hormone testosterone keeps the bones of men healthy. Taking maca supplements will induce the body to keep on producing these important hormones.
Taking maca supplements will also strengthen your thyroid glands and make them work more efficiently. Your thyroid glands control the rate at which your body converts nutrients into energy. The alkaloid extract of maca will activate your calcitonine hormones (that is produced by your thyroid) which regulates the metabolism of calcium and phosphorous in your blood.
One of the most popular maca benefits is the improvement in your sexual functions. Through several experiments, maca has been found to act as a sexual stimulant. In an experiment, participants showed an increase in sexual desire after taking maca for 8 to 12 weeks. It may also effectively treat erectile dysfunction and enhance fertility for both men and women.

Black Cumin Seed Oil

Black seed is a plant. People have used the seed to make medicine for over 2000 years. It was even discovered in the tomb of King Tut.

Historically, black seed has been used for headache, toothache, nasal congestion, and intestinal worms. It has also been used for “pink eye” (conjunctivitis), pockets of infection (abscesses), and parasites.

Today, black seed is used for treating digestive tract conditions including gas, colic, diarrhea, dysentery, constipation, and hemorrhoids. It is also used for respiratory conditions including asthma, allergies, cough, bronchitis, emphysema, flu, swine flu, and congestion.

Other uses include lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol levels, treating cancer, and boosting the immune system. You may read that a patent has been issued to cover the use of black seed to improve immunity, but don’t be misled. The presence of a patent doesn’t mean black seed has been shown to be effective for this use.

Women use black seed for birth control, to start menstruation, and to increase milk flow.

Black seed is sometimes used in combination with cysteine, vitamin E, and saffron to ease the side effects of a chemotherapy drug called cisplatin.

Some people apply black seed directly to the skin for joint pain (rheumatism), headache, and certain skin conditions.

In foods, black seed is used as a flavoring or spice.

Walking Meditation

Meditation is  deeply rooted in the Buddhist culture and traditions. In the twentieth century, the concept of Vipassana meditation was altered in order to come up with modern meditation practices which are commonly followed by the socially engaged Buddhists of our times. The term engaged here implies that the need for both mental and physical involvement is present in order to reap the maximum health benefits of meditation. This is where the concept of walking meditation comes in, which is in essence a contemporary visual art belonging to Southeast Asia.
The primary goal of meditation is to enable an individual to gain insight in order to achieve a calm mind. Walking meditation is a type of meditation practice that engages the individual's body and enables the mind to focus primarily on breathing. It is worth mentioning here that every type of meditation places prime importance on breathing being a meditation object. Achieving discipline in one's life is directly linked to a person's capacity to control his/her breathing in meditation. While different meditation positions maybe used by an individual, this discussion shall focus on walking meditation for self-care. Typically, it is performed via a labyrinth which is a unicursal continuous path. A labyrinth is in indication of a sacred place in various cultures and has been used in various regions and times across the globe. It is representative of one's spiritual journey, where walkers are able to connect with their inner selves and their past and future. Walking meditation is a whole-brain activity which allows individuals to walk a non-linear path, taking them gradually from one level to the next in order to open up greater solutions to life. A labyrinth used in walking meditation may either be designed as a labyrs, a rosette or lunation.
Walkers are urged to set their own rhythm, choosing their preferred natural pace and style. The movement, thus produced is somewhat of a sacred dance that allows one to view walking as not merely a physical exertion or an activity conducted to reach a particular destination but one that helps search answers to different problems and to understand the true meaning of life. Walking meditation, is very similar to sitting meditation as it helps evoke the same spiritual and physiological outcomes.
Walking meditation consists of three phases, namely: releasing, receiving and returning which are followed in the same order. For many walkers, the release phase may either refer to releasing stress or to the release attained through emotional expression such as crying. The second phase called receiving is normally experienced by either sitting or standing in the centre of the labyrinth for a considerably longer time period. The last phase, dubbed as returning is experienced when the walker returns from the centre to the everyday realm. Walking meditation places aggressive focus on various experiences gained from the environment, including colors, sounds and light.

Facts about Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that keeps your nerves and red blood cells healthy. It is responsible for the smooth functioning of several critical body processes.

It is possible for the body to develop a vitamin B12 deficiency. This deficiency is usually reported with symptoms of fatigue.

Strict vegetarians, heavy drinkers and smokers, pregnant and breast-feeding women, and the elderly usually require vitamin B12 supplements. Sometimes our body, mainly our digestive system, is not able to absorb this vitamin well. This can happen when a person has pernicious anemia, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, bacteria growth in the small intestine, or a parasite. People suffering from these conditions may need vitamin B12 supplements as well.

A deficiency in vitamin B12 can result in a host of illnesses like anemia, fatigue, weakness, constipation, loss of appetite, weight loss, depression, poor memory, soreness of the mouth, asthma, vision problems, and a low sperm count. However, vitamin B12 deficiency is rare as the liver stores enough reserves to last a couple of years.

The top 5 health benefits of vitamin B 12 are:
It is needed to convert carbohydrates into glucose in the body, thus leading to energy production and a decrease in fatigue and lethargy in the body.
It helps in healthy regulation of the nervous system, reducing depression, stress, and brain shrinkage.
It helps maintain a healthy digestive system. Vitamin B12 also protects against heart disease by curbing and improving unhealthy cholesterol levels, protecting against stroke, and high blood pressure.
It is essential for healthy skin, hair, and nails. It helps in cell reproduction and constant renewal of the skin.
Vitamin B 12 helps protect against cancers including breast, colon, lung, and prostrate cancer.
Make sure that your body is getting enough vitamin B12 by incorporating these foods in your diet: liver, meat, eggs, milk, cheese and some varieties of fish

Helping Swollen Ankles

Swelling of the feet and ankles is sometimes caused by a serious condition of either the heart, kidneys, of blood vessels.
Some other Causes are:
Eating a lot of salts and carbohydrates
Overusing laxatives
Overusing diuretics
Overusing drugs
Taking birth control or hormone therapy drugs
Pregnancy or PMS
Sodium retention
Allergic reactions
Trauma
Symptoms
Swelling or tenderness in an area of your body
High blood pressure
Headaches
Increased urination
Heart palpitations
Puffy or swollen eyes
Increased weight gain
Home Remedies for Swollen Feet Or Ankles
1. Leg Elevation

This is the quickest way to reduce swelling. Put your leg up in front of you so it is elevated and apply an ice pack to the swollen area, or a bag of ice wrapped in a clean towel. This will help to control the swelling.

2. Vinegar

This will help to relieve any pain you have. First, heat up equal amounts of vinegar and water in a pot. Soak a towel in the fluid and wrap your foot or ankle in the towel. Leave it there for about five minutes. Repeat the entire process about three or four times.

3. Cucumber

This will help to absorb the fluid and decrease your recovery time. Get a slice of cucumber and place it on your foot, wrapping it with a cotton cloth or a bandage.

4. Lecithin Seeds

This is an effective treatment for chronic or long term foot swelling. Take 3-4 tablespoons of these seeds every day for about 2-3 months. It should help immensely.

5. Soaking Your Foot

This relates directly to those with foot swelling. Soak your foot in cold water for about 15 minutes. This will help to decrease the swelling and relieve any pain you may have.

6. Mustard Oil

It has shown that massaging your foot with warm mustard oil will help to relieve swelling and pain in the feet and ankles.

7. Apple Cider Vinegar

Applying this to the affected area will help to reduce the excess of fluid in your foot or ankle and relieve swelling and pain in the affected body part.

8. Epsom Salt

This will help to reduce swelling. Place your foot in a pan of warm water and pour in 1/2 a cup of salt to jumpstart the swelling reduction process.

9. Exercise

This will help by taking pressure off the leg and reducing any swelling you may have. It is recommended to rotate your ankle 10 times every 30 minutes to encourage blood flow in the affected area.

10. Magnesium Sulfate Water

This will help to reduce any swelling. Take a pinch of magnesium sulfate powder and drop it into a bowl of cold water. Let it dissolve and then soak a cloth or towel with the water. Dab the area until the towel dries and then repeat this process for twenty minutes, twice a day.

11. Drink plenty of water!

This will help to remove any salt that is in your urine and in turn will help to reduce swelling in your foot or ankle.

12. Molasses and Saunf Drink

Boil one or two glasses of water with a half teaspoon of molasses and a tablespoon of saunf. Boil this down to about half. Drink this 2-3 times a day and this will help to relieve foot or ankle swelling!

Colloidal Silver

Early 20th Century western medicine used silver as a prime antibiotic and anti-fungal until the 1930s. Then antibiotics became a major source of money for Big Pharma. .

As more and more antibiotics were created, the pathogenic microbes began evolving into resistant strains to them. The health dangers imposed by antibiotics by destroying friendly gut flora needed for digestion and immunity were disregarded.

Antibiotic use lowers immunity by destroying the good bacteria along with the bad. Lately, some fluoroquinolone based antibiotics have even permanently and painfully crippled those who had been prescribed them
.Here are some popular uses of colloidal silver:
- You can spray it onto burns to prevent infections and promote faster healing without scarring.

- You can also spray or dab it onto ringworm, boils, herpes sores, and warts for faster healing.

- If you're having bronchial problems or walking pneumonia, you can put some colloidal silver in a nebulizer and breathe it into your bronchial area and lungs directly.
- Small amounts taken daily as a tonic will give what some call a second immune system to guard against flues and colds. Easy and inexpensive if you make if you make your own.

- Colloidal silver drops can be used for ear infections without any harmful side effects. Some use it for eye and nasal infections as well.

- It can be applied topically for vaginal yeast infections or oral thrush (yeast infection). Could be useful for chronic jock itch as well.

- It can be taken early with the onset of a cold, flu, or bronchitis to get over it quickly without harming beneficial bacteria. Antibiotics kill good and bad bacteria.
- Colloidal silver can be used successfully to combat MRSA infections. MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a staph infection that can be fatal and is now resistant to antibiotics. It usually occurs during hospital stays, but has become rampant enough to originate outside hospitals .
- There has been some success using colloidal silver with AIDS patients. It adds a layer of needed additional immunity while destroying existing pathogens.

Shrinking thyroid nodules

Modified Citrus Pectin - For two weeks, take six capsules, three times a day.
Zeolites - For two weeks, take two capsules every six hours and then slow down to two-four caps a day. Later bought the powder and now add a scoop to my smoothie in the morning for maintenance.
Selenium - Increased intake by eating four-five Brazil nuts several mornings each week. I routinely take one 200mcg capsule of selenium per day.
Stopped eating gluten and dairy (with the exception of a few slips) and reduced sugar intake.
Added a daily breakfast porridge of pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds, cashews, coconut and cinnamon.
Daily smoothie with coconut water, scoop of green powder (such as Tonic Alchemy), blueberries, banana, one dropper for goji berry and schizandra berry drops, one dropper for reishi mushroom extract, 1/2 tsp of maca powder, and stevia. It's delicious and energizes me through the whole morning and early afternoon.