Category: Beneficial Herbs

You long for vibrant health and for healthy, flawless skin, yet to nourish and balance the largest organ of your body it takes limitless patience and a pinch of trial and error to find what works best for you.

Dermatologists can work wonders for some of their patients, but true, long-lasting healing comes when natural treatments and herbal remedies become a part of your daily regimen. To restore your skin after years of mistreatment is no easy task, but Schisandra Chinensis, commonly known as either schisandra or schizandra berry, is ready and waiting to help you out.

To reduce signs of aging, there are many simple things you can do:

For starters, you can limit your time spent out in the sun – avoid sitting outside during the hottest part of the day and always cover up when necessary, forgo the chemical sunscreen with endocrine disruptors and opt for an alternative homemade solution with almond, coconut, carrot seed and raspberry oils along with shea butter.

It is also essential to get enough (quality) sleep, which may mean shutting off your Wi-Fi at night. You’ll also want to take steps to reduce your stress levels, consume foods rich in vitamin A and free radical fighting antioxidants.

Every bite of food you ingest, either nourishes you or takes away from your energy. And every commercially created cream that you apply to your skin either moisturizes or dries you out, other side effects may surface below the skin.

If you care deeply for the health of your skin, and your entire body working as a whole, you will eventually seek out “unorthodox” treatments.

Take a quick glance at Traditional Chinese Medicine and you will immediately discover the 5-flavor berry, schizandra, when searching for the path to flawless skin. With its anti-inflammatory effects, the schizandra berry promotes youthful skin, as it enhances skin tone and elasticity while deactivating those harmful free radicals that damage your liver cells. There is wondrous beauty in nature, feel free to use it on your face, hands and feet too!

 

Schizandra protects more than just the skin

The schizandra berries are also associated with improving mental function. They stimulate the central nervous system and promote mental clarity which helps immensely in the midst of a long day at work. In the body it acts similarly to caffeine, but without the side effect of nervousness – in fact, it gives you a sensation of calm as it helps you to fight off tiredness and fatigue.

Schizandra aids digestion as it increases the flow of bile, easing the digestion of fatty foods.

Most importantly, schizandra has become known for protecting the liver. It is believed that this miraculous berry can undo the damage caused by chronic hepatitis and that it can lower the levels of GPT in the blood. Because the liver is strongly tied to robust immunity, you must take care of it. Drink less alcohol, get plenty of exercise in nature, remove potential toxins from your environment and use a combination of milk thistle, dandelion and turmeric supplements, or teas, when necessary.It is also good to note that schizandra helps to promote a strong libido as well, making a positive impact on hormone production, estrogen included!

 

 

Cheryl Magyar

https://forestcreekmeadows.com/

 

 

       With every moment, time is passing and slipping away, we are all aging – some of us seem to age much faster than others. At some point we look in the mirror and wonder where our youth went. Where and when did we lose our energy? When did our sexual desires fall by the wayside? How did our metabolism slow to a near halt? Why does brain fog seem like an incessant condition that rarely goes away.

It is true that the body slows down with age, yet there are herbs we can take and lifestyle changes we can make to live a healthy and fulfilling life. If we are lucky, we can even manage to live pharmaceutical-free as people have done for centuries before us.

It takes a certain level of curiosity to learn about and try new things, so when your libido suddenly has you down, know that there is one herb you can count on – tongkat ali, Eurycoma longifolia, otherwise known as pasak bumi or Longjack. Tongkat ali is an exotic plant, native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It also grows in Vietnam and Thailand where it is valued for its roots, leaves and flowers. The root of the plant is utilized in the far Eastern part of the world, boiled in water to eliminate intestinal parasites, dysentery and diarrhea, yet is also serves as an aphrodisiac. Talk about a versatile herb!

Tongkat ali and women’s health

Modern life sees women with their fair share of hormonal imbalances. There are exposures to toxins that didn’t exist a hundred years ago. Cosmetics have been developed to make us feel beautiful and better about ourselves, yet we are learning that sometimes the combination of nail polish, dyed hair, shampoo, conditioner, hair spray, eye liner and mascara fights against us. It is an overload of chemicals that not only harm our personal health, but pollute our water too. As we grow older we also grow wiser, and natural remedies along with health-supporting herbs become part of our lives. Tongkat ali helps to balance your low energy levels and at the same time increases your metabolism. Weight gain and fatigue don’t have to be a part of aging! In order to combat them you must stabilize your hormones – it works equally well for men too.

Mood support. We all need a bit of that these days. In a life that is beyond hectic, it is wonderful to have an herb that keeps you, and your attitude, in check. Tongkat ali reduces everyday stress, tension and anxiety by lowering cortisol levels in the body. It is a great natural treatment in combination with an anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise and aromatherapy that promotes relaxation. Benefits of tongkat ali for men and women As a natural libido enhancer, tongkat ali works its magic by boosting testosterone levels. Again, in gathering years of life, you may not be the same person you once were. If you are looking to increase your libido and your sexual performance, experience fat loss and muscle gain all at once, this may be the herbal supplement to try. Whether you are a man or a woman, also know that increased testosterone levels help in the fight against osteoporosis, so your bones can thank you too!

 

Cheryl Magyar

https://forestcreekmeadows.com/

   

        Eating well and treating yourself naturally is one of the first steps to take in adopting a holistic, healthy lifestyle – and if you haven’t begun your natural healing journey yet, now is the best time to get started!

Soon enough, however, you will discover that even the most wholesome foods don’t always provide the required amount of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need and crave. In part, this is due to modern agriculture and soil degradation, it is also about losing our traditional medicines and intuitive wisdom, in favor of taking multi-vitamins (synthetic or plant-based) for our multiple mineral deficiencies caused by the modern diet.

In order to absorb ancient wisdom, it is said that food and medicine should come directly from the land. This is the very point where beneficial herbs, cactus powder and invigorating pine pollen come in.

Western medicine often leaves people in wonder when it ceases to work, or simply misses the problem to be solved altogether. No single treatment for any disease is foolproof – yet when we look at treating the body as a whole, inside and out, we find that inviting diverse herbal elements into our lives not only makes us happier, it’ll increase our quality of life.

Goji berries – the exceptional anti-inflammatory super fruit

You may have seen goji berries on a health food store shelf before, little reddish-orange oblong berries, often labeled as wolfberries. On occasion they may even be advertised as “the healthiest fruit on Earth,” but have you actually tried them?

You should. Here’s why: legend has it that monks, long ago, in the Himalayan Mountains steeped goji berries in hot water for increased health, energy and vitality. It aided their focus in meditation and boosted their stamina in life. All of those benefits are ideals that we strive for today.

Goji berries can be consumed raw, dried or freshly juiced, and being a food high in antioxidant, they are an excellent source of vitamins A, C and B2, as well as selenium. They contain 18 amino acids and a whole suite of phytochemicals including lutein, beta-carotene, lycopene and zeaxanthin. Their smallness in size makes it quite convenient to get your recommended daily dose of vitamins, in a natural form.

Health benefits of goji berries

Besides their amazing flavor, goji berries are wonderful for your entire body.

• Improves your immune system with high levels of cancer fighting antioxidants
• Promotes healthy, glowing skin with elevated levels of beta-carotene
• Aids eye health – goji berries are a natural treatment for macular degeneration
• Helps to detoxify the liver
• Boosts fertility and assists in regulating ovulation
• Raises your energy levels

Goji berries have been cultivated in China for more than 2,000 years. Now it is time to apply that ancient wisdom and herbal knowledge to modern life.

How to get enough goji berries in your diet

The slightly sweet and sour flavor of goji berries will have you hooked in an instant! Use them instead of cranberries and add them to your cocoa-maca smoothie, toss them into your trail mix or your bowl of crunchy granola and, of course, never skip the loaded walnut and cocoa truffles – just in case you needed a few more ways to eat your vitamins, also known as goji berries.

Cheryl Magyar

https://forestcreekmeadows.com/