Health Benefits of Seaweeds

Seaweeds or sea vegetables are some of the most nutrient-rich foods. This is because they are constantly bathed in the mineral-rich waters of the sea. They contain high amounts of iodine, calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium and some are very high in protein. Seaweeds contain 10 to 20 times more minerals than land-grown plants do. Seaweeds are classified by colors: reds, browns, greens, blue-greens and yellow-greens. Because of variations in pigmentation, light exposure, water depth and temperature, and environment, the nutritive values vary.

Seaweeds offer many health benefits including increased metabolism, purification of the blood, help to break down fats, and improved joint flexibility. They also strengthen the kidneys and are beneficial for healthy hair and skin. Seaweeds are antiviral, antifungal, antibacterial and alkalinizing. Seaweeds remove radiation residue from the body, cleanse the lymphatic system, alleviate liver stagnancy, are beneficial to the thyroid and rejuvenate the lungs and gastrointestinal tract. They lower cholesterol and reduce fat in the blood.

“According to ancient Chinese texts, “there is no swelling that is not relieved by seaweed.”" So, they can be used to treat swellings, lumps, goiter, swollen lymph glands, edema, chronic cough, skin diseases and tumors.

Proper thyroid functioning

Seaweeds are very high in iodine. We all require iodine in our diets to promote healthy thyroid functioning. The thyroid is responsible for the body’s metabolism. Inadequate dietary iodine can result in the symptoms of chronic hypothyroidism. According to Endocineweb.com, symptoms of hypothyroidism include:

• Fatigue
• Weakness
• Weight gain or increased difficulty losing weight
• Coarse, dry hair
• Dry, rough pale skin
• Hair loss
• Cold intolerance (you can’t tolerate cold temperatures like those around you)
• Muscle cramps and frequent muscle aches
• Constipation
• Depression
• Irritability
• Memory loss
• Abnormal menstrual cycles
• Decreased libido

Other Benefits of Seaweeds

Seaweeds contain alginic acid, a compound that binds in the body with heavy metals, environmental toxins and other chemicals within the digestive tract and carries them out of the body through elimination.

Types of Common Seaweeds

Agar

Agar is rich in calcium, iron and phosphorus. Typically it is used in powder form as a substitute for gelatin in vegan recipes.

Arame

Arame is rich in iodine, iron and calcium. It is beneficial to the spleen, stomach and pancreas. It is excellent for relieving high blood pressure.

Dulse

Dulse contains high amounts of iodine and is rich in manganese, iron, beta-carotene and vitamin E. The heart and spleen benefit from ingesting dulse.

Hijiki

Hijiki contains high amounts of calcium, iron, and vitamins B1, B2, and C. It strengthens the intestines and enhances digestion and intake of nutrients.

Kelp

Kelp is typically used more as a seasoning. Kelp powder or granules is an excellent source of a high-mineral replacement for salt and is relatively lower in sodium over regular salt. Kelp is very rich in iodine, calcium, potassium, and vitamin B2 and C. Brown kelp (Laminaria) has the highest concentration of iodine out of all all the plants. Kelp acts as an anti-coagulant, fungicide, antibacterial, antibiotic, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, diuretic, emollient, nutritive and expectorant. It can be used to help treat enlarged lymph nodes or tumors. Kelp increases metabolism and can be used in weight loss. Kelp can be used to treat high blood pressure, arthritis, rheumatism, diabetes, heart pain, blood clots and anemia. It increases depth of breath and relieves coughing and asthma. Kelp is also effective in treating fungal and candida yeast overgrowths.

Kombu

Kombu can grow up to 1,500 feet long. It is high in calcium, iron, potassium, sodium and glutamic acid. The kidneys and reproductive system benefits for kombu. Cooking beans with a strip of kombu makes them more digestible and reduces their production of digestive gas. Kombu has the same healing properties as kelp.

Nori

Nori is sold in thin sheets and is the seaweed that sushi is made from. Nori is very high in protein (up to 48% dry weight), beta-carotene and minerals. It stimulates circulation, decreases cholesterol, aids digestion and provides energy.

Wakame

Wakame is high in calcium, protein, niacin and thiamine. It helps support the liver, nervous system and mental clarity.

Mountain Rose Herbs is a great supplier of organic seaweeds.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~Margaret Mead

Victory Gardens were a concept started during the W.W. II era as a means to help with the food shortages created from the war. Nearly 20 million Americans grew Victory Gardens during this period producing up to 40% of all that was consumed.

It’s time to bring back the Victory Gardens for multiple reasons, we can all make a difference.

“Today our food travels an average of 1500 miles from farm to table. The process of planting, fertilizing, processing, packaging, and transporting our food uses a great deal of energy and contributes to the cause of global warming.

“Planting a Victory Garden to fight global warming would reduce the amount of pollution your food contributes to global warming. Instead of traveling many miles from farm to table, your food would travel from your own garden to your table.

“Our current economic situation is other good reason to start a Victory Garden. Every time that food is shipped from the farm to the store and your table, gasoline is used. As gasoline prices rise, food costs rise.” ~ From: Revive the Victory Garden

Growing a garden offers many health benefits as well. Because of the long distance our food travels before reaching the stores and the time and procedures involved in processing and shipping, much of our food has lost its vital energy. Fresh grown and picked fruits and vegetables are full of vibrant energy which we absorb into our bodies, providing a higher nutritional value and goodness as well. If grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers, we are able to eliminate some of the toxic chemicals that enter our bodies through our food.

Taking the time to grow our own gardens is not only satisfying but reduces stress as well, just the connection with nature provides that. It really doesn’t take that much. Fruit, vegetable and herb plants can be grown in containers or mixed in with other plantings. Take the time to watch the following video… it’s amazing what CAN be accomplished!

HOMEGROWN REVOLUTION – Radical Change Taking Root

Like Victory Gardens of yesteryear, start your own homegrown revolution, grow your own food in your back or front yard — for more information visit the urban homesteaders at PathtoFreedom.com

Here are some great gardening resources:

• Richters Herbs: Offering a huge selection of Herb Plants, Seeds, More!
• Gardens Alive!
• Click here to order a Free Nature Hills Nursery Catalog
• Gardener’s Supply Company
• Herbkits.com- Indoor Herb Growing Kits
• Burgess Seed & Plant Co.
• Gurney’s Seed and Nursery

Today is it hard to avoid having toxins and chemicals in our system because of our lifestyles and the environment. However, our bodies are quite remarkable and have been built in such a way as to protect itself from these harmful intruders. Although our kidneys, liver, skin, and even the lungs often need to work a little harder to separate, neutralize, and dispose of these toxins. When toxins accumulate in our body it causes a release of some form of chemical. This can gradually mutate into cancers or other degenerative diseases of the body.

We need to be selective as to what we put into our bodies because we can never take it back. Sometimes changing your lifestyle is the only way you can improve the proper functioning of your body processes. A detox program can be very helpful in getting rid of body impurities. As with any detoxification program, they are designed to flush out free radicals, increase cell renewal, and strengthen your body’s immune system. Ridding your body of toxins will make you feel so much better. Even the 3-day detoxification diet can help in eliminating damaging toxins.

There are many detox diets our there. One must realize that not all detox diet programs are suitable for everyone. A 3-day detox diet just might be wise to start with to test the diet program and it is also a milder way of detoxifying your body. If you are interested in a longer detox program you may want to consult your doctor first before you begin. This is especially important if you are underweight, malnourished or have a chronic disease such as cancer, kidney and liver disease, ulcerative colitis, iron-deficiency, anemia, as well as others. This is always a good idea when considering any type of diet program.

As mentioned above, there are various detox diets, however, the 3-day detox diet is a good quick start program toward detoxification. Each morning for the three days drink a cup of warm water and ½ lemon squeezed in it when you get up. This is to stimulate your gastric juices. Drink the lemon water instead of your usual cup of coffee or tea. When planning your meals for the day you should include one cup of whole grains like brown rice, buckwheat, amaranth, and at least three servings each of fruits and vegetables. One of the servings of vegetables, at least, should be raw vegetables such as carrots, celery, or cauliflower. Choose the vegetables you enjoy. You could also fix yourself a salad made of fruits and vegetables. However, for dressing your salad, use vinegar or any of the natural virgin oils. Natural oils can include olive, coconut virgin oils, or fish oil.

In addition to the changes in your meals you will also need to take two doses of a kidney and liver tonic over the 3-day detox diet period. Not two doses a day. Just two doses over the three days you’re trying to detoxify your body. You can choose from the following kidney and liver tonics: two cups of dandelion, a clove of fresh garlic, chamomile or fennel tea. Other choices include pure vegetable juice like carrot or beetroot, a medium bunch of black grapes, or two cups of parsley or yellow tea. On a daily basis you will need to drink 8 glasses or more of water as well. It’s a good idea to make this a habit anyway. Fresh fruit juices such as apple and orange can be counted as part of your water intake. And lastly, before you go to bed drink a cup of herbal tea. The whole idea is to increase your fluid intake by ingesting more water, juices, fruits, and vegetables to flush out harmful toxins and waste.

As part of your 3-day detox diet be sure to include a 30-minute walk within the program period. Exercise with any diet is ideal for weight loss and improved health. After the third day, you will feel rejuvenated and have more energy and should have dropped a few pounds. You may want to do the 3-day detox diet again either consecutively or the following month. To have better health for the rest of your life, a change of lifestyle is always better than a few days of dieting.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/detoxification-with-the-3day-detox-diet-244596.html

About the Author:

Denise Duncan is an author and editor for a number of health related websites. For more information on weightloss and body detox go to NewBodyDetoxCenter.com .

“What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Many of our local weeds contain valuable healing properties. As the warmer weather approaches, weeds will be filling our gardens and as time permits, these same weeds will be pulled out and discarded (hopefully at least composted). This article will highlight some of the usefulness of our most common “weed”.

One of our most invasive garden weeds is the common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). The common name is derived from the French “dent de lion” or lion’s teeth, because of the shape of its spiked leaves. As we all have have noticed, the dandelion is one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring and also lasts the longest into the fall season. Because of this long season, dandelions are an important source of food for the bees and honey production. The physical structure of the plant is interesting. Dandelion has a long central root (tap root) with its leaves arranged to catch water and direct it downwards to the root. Medicinal plants that have a long root system have the ability to pull valuable minerals and nutrients out of the soil and into the plant itself. The bright yellow of the flowers attract bees and just under the flower head are leaf-like petals (bracts) that help deter ants and other bugs from damaging the flower or acquiring the pollen and nectar. It’s also amazing to note that as wide-spread as dandelion is, the plant is not native to North America.

The first mention of the medicinal qualities of dandelion date back to Arabian physicians of the tenth and eleventh century. The genus name, Taraxacum, is derived from the Greek taraxos (disorder) and akos (remedy) due to the plant’s recognized healing actions. The species name, officinale, means, “used in the office or the workshop.” Both the roots and leaves are used medicinally.

Dandelion is most commonly used as a diuretic (increases the flow of urine), hence its English nickname of “pissabeds”. Medicinal plants contain a balance of properties and constituents whereas pharmaceuticals provide just the required chemicals to create the desired effect (and in many cases, side-effects). Pharmaceutical diuretics deplete the body of necessary minerals and nutrients, especially potassium. The dandelion plant is very high in potassium and other minerals so the body is not being robbed of vital nutrients when dandelion is used as a diuretic.

Dandelion is a very safe, valuable and useful plant with many medicinal uses. It is considered a tonic (tones the body), reduces water weight gain, a mild laxative, helps to eliminate toxins from the blood, promotes healthy digestion and will soothe an irritated stomach, acts as an anti-rheumatic, helps support the liver and kidneys, keeps the bowels in a healthy condition, stabilizes blood sugar, reduces blood pressure, has shown anti-tumor properties and clears the skin of impurities.

The milky juice from the stems and leaves acts as a fungicide and has antibacterial properties. The juice has been shown to be effective in the treatment of warts, corns, stings and blisters.

The dandelion plant contains one of the highest levels of vitamin A of all greens and also contains high concentrations of vitamin C, iron, calcium, potassium and electrolytes.

Although dandelion is considered a “bitter”, and it is bitter, acquiring a palate for the flavor is easy. The roots take on a kind-of nutty flavor when used as a tea. It is important to note that bitters provide their healing qualities from being bitter, they get the gastric juices flowing starting at the mouth downward. To provide the most benefit, herbs considered as bitters should not be sweetened or taken in capsule form.

The young leaves can be used as salad greens or cooked as you would spinach, the roasted roots as a healthy coffee substitute or raw as a tea. Dandelion root tea is made with one ounce of root to one pint of boiling water and steeped about 15 minutes. The flowers have been used throughout history to make dandelion wine, they can be stir-fried as an interesting and colorful change of vegetable or added raw to a salad. Dandelion flower tea with a little honey can provide relief for headaches, menstrual cramps, stomach aches and mild depression.

When collecting any wild plants, there are a few pointers to keep in mind. First and foremost, make sure you have positively identified the plant. A valuable reference for identification is a good field guide such as “A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs of Eastern and Central North America” (Peterson Field Guides) by Steven Foster and James Duke. Do not collect plants from areas where fertilizers or pesticides have been applied and do not collect close to roadsides as car exhaust creates toxins in the plants.

This article may not help with your weeding woes, but hopefully you look upon dandelion a little differently now and maybe even give it a try for its health benefits.