Category: Beneficial Herbs

To clear up any confusion from the start, the wild yam is not the one served at Thanksgiving or Christmas (that is a sweet potato), nor is it a yam (a tuber of a tropical vine indigenous to Africa and Asia, not at all related to the flavorful sweet potato), neither is it a Mexican yam (otherwise known as a jicama – a member of the Fabaceae, pea family).

Now that we know what it is not, let’s find out what it is!

The wild yam which grows best in flooded freshwater marshes and swamps is known as (Dioscorea villosa), and it is native to eastern North America. Indeed, it is a wild variety of the more common sweet potato; with 600 varieties, only a dozen are considered edible and it is quite rare that you would discover it on your own, though native American Indians have long used this relaxing root to treat colic in infants and to reduce hot flashes in women.

You won’t find wild yams for sale in the supermarket, however you will encounter them as an herbal supplement, often in the form of a dried root powder, as a capsule or tincture.

Wild yam for balanced hormones

Wild yam contains complex compounds that are very similar to the female hormones progesterone and estrogen, it also contains a natural steroid, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which is believed to improve your sex drive and fight the effects of aging. The human body reaches its production peak of DHEA in the mid-20s, from there it declines with age. Often in an effort to fight time, we wish to stall aging by increasing our hormone levels. We would all love to improve our memory, build bone and muscle strength, support our adrenals and strengthen our immune system, but life is not strictly about supplements, so exercise caution when searching for the fountain of youth.

Moving onto its healing properties, it is the biochemical diosgenin that makes wild yam so special. Diosgenin is a phytoestrogen, a plant-based estrogen such as in soy, that mimics estrogen, and at the same time acts as an estrogen antagonist. So, while not essential in the human diet, know that phytoestrogens can influence your health, good or bad, and it is important to monitor your usage of them.

Wild yam has both antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties and is often recommended by herbalists when a woman is suffering from chronic pelvic pain or troublesome menstrual cramps. In reproductive health it supports uterus functionality more efficiently during menstruation, relieving cramps and spasms – this supports the folk and historical application of the herb, in using it to ease the pain of childbirth and in restoring hormonal balance after delivery.

Benefits of wild yams

For both men and women, wild yams are reported to treat gallbladder problems, prevent osteoporosis and increase sexual desire. They also:

• Reduce signs of aging
• Relieve symptoms of PMS
• Prevent infertility and miscarriage
• Control blood sugar levels
• Relieve nausea and mood swings
• Aid in treating diverticulosis
• Improve cholesterol levels

Many herbs are widely studied and can be trusted to provide relief when you need it most. With wild yam, please consult an herbalist or doctor if you are facing infertility, currently pregnant or taking birth control pills. Use herbal supplements wisely and embrace your health the natural way!

Cheryl Magyar

https://forestcreekmeadows.com/

 

犀利士
left;”>     Nearly everyone has been stung by a nettle at some point in their lives, most of us have drunken a refreshing tea from their leaves, and a few of us even add the steamed greens to wonderfully nutritious dishes. But, what about the roots below the ground? They must be good for something too, right? Many roots host an abundance of minerals that are all too often depleted in modern diets.

We all recognize the simple underground parts and roots of onions, turnips, radishes and garlic, though if you take the time to discover the amazing world under the soil you’ll find roots of burdock, dandelion, mugwort, wild yam, Echinacea and gentian that can enhance your health, aid your digestion and give you much needed energy for life.

Nettle root and prostate health

Nettle root (Urtica dioica) is first and foremost associated with relieving symptoms of enlarged prostates (benign prostatic hyperplasia) especially when taken in combination with saw palmetto. Symptoms of this condition range from frequent urination, to the inability to urinate, or even leading to complete loss of bladder control. As with all aspects of health, prevention is key to a healthy, wholesome life, but when illness takes hold, there are a multitude of herbs you can rely on.

Women can take advantage of the benefits of nettle root too. Not only does it assist in increasing the overall function of the endocrine system, nettle root enhances sexual activity, boosts the immune system, prevents gallstones and colon cancer, as well as frees up many of the debilitating symptoms of menopause. It is increasingly more common for herbalists to treat polycystic ovarian syndrome/disorder (PCOS or PCOD) with nettle root. And, as modern herbal awareness slowly and gradually grows, people will begin to turn to plant strengtheners and stimulants once again.

The reason nettle root provides relief for so many ailments is the presence of Beta-Sitosterol, a plant sterol ester. Not surprisingly, this bioactive compound is also present in saw palmetto (Serenoa repens).

 

Saw palmetto for natural prostate support

Not a root this time, but a deep purple berry that helps to support normal urinary flow, at the same time limiting inflammation in the prostate gland. Saw palmetto also inhibits the conversion of testosterone into DHT – this benefits hair growth (limits hair loss), strengthens urinary organs and is a natural remedy for kidney stones.

It seems that many times we are relying on exotic herbs to cure our health problems, and although the saw palmetto is native to the West Indies, it also grows in the warmer climates along the southeast coast from South Carolina to Florida. When you approach health in a holistic sense, you’ll soon find that pharmaceuticals leave the picture, and herbal ones (coming from near or far) enter, with fewer, if any, noticeable side effects.

When taking herbal supplements it is likely that your quality of life will increase, if only for the very simple reason that you are providing your body with essential vitamins and minerals that can only be found in plant form.

If your desire is to naturally increase testosterone and improve the health of your prostate, then nettle root and saw palmetto, alone or in combination, may be exactly the herbs you are looking for.

Cheryl Magyar

https://forestcreekmeadows.com/

Staying healthy and maintaining our energy level is about so much more than what you eat, and as we age, it becomes more and more of a concern. Naturally, if you are thinking about health in the holistic sense, you may have already cut out refined sugar (one of the main causes of inflammation) from your diet and noticed a remarkable difference in your overall bodily performance. Once you have cut down, or eliminated, that sweet dependence, you may even consider going dairy-free or gluten-free too. After all – life is too short to spend your days sick or unwell with a lack of energy.

You have work to do, kids or grandchildren to play with, places to travel, and new hobbies to explore. If you love life, and you do, you’ll discover the importance of maintaining a healthy water intake, along with exercise and herbal supplements to support your entire body and reverse the ill-effects associated with a modern diet.

Let’s start first with water – the source of life.

Without it we struggle, with it we thrive. Clean, pure water is essential for your well-being. How much you drink per day is entirely up to individual needs, though it is recommended to consume 1.5-2 liters, or half a gallon, of water per day for an adult. Of course, if you are exercising, hiking or gardening, you will need much more depending on your level of activity, as well as the weather conditions at the time. Pay attention to what your body is telling you and remain aware of how you feel if you drink too much or too little.

Warning signs of dehydration

• Lingering headaches
• Lack of energy
• Brain fog
• Weight gain
• Weakened immune system, susceptibility to colds and flu

There are numerous ways to get enough moisture into your diet besides drinking plain water. The most obvious way is to drink herbal teas which also provide a boost of nutrients; think nettle, alfalfa, dandelion root, and piñon pine (Pinus Edulis) needle tea.

Another fun and healthy way to keep hydrated is to eat more fruits and vegetables. Choose your favorite from watermelon, tomatoes, berries, cucumber, bell peppers, citrus fruits, and celery; consume them raw, fermented or add them to smoothies and soups. Yes, you can stay hydrated by eating the right things too!

Staying hydrated leads to exercise. Sweating is good for us as it helps to maintain our core body temperature, expel toxins and keep our livers healthy. Movement increases our circulation, which in turn improves our electrolyte levels allowing the body to absorb more nutrients into our cells. Bottom line: stay fit by walking, hiking, swimming, doing cardio, biking, whatever it is that calls you to keep moving.

The use of herbal supplements in staying healthy

A natural, organic lifestyle is being nurtured and cultivated by people today, more than ever, beginning to seek alternative treatments to their ailments. Not only do herbal remedies often cost less than their conventional pharmaceutical counterparts, in many cases they are more effective too. They may be chosen when science-based medicine has failed to cure the problem, or in the avoidance

of chemicals and man-made substances altogether.

Herbs vs. drugs is a big debate, so read up, explore the incredible possibilities and know that the final choice is yours tomake.

 

 

Cheryl Magyar

https://forestcreekmeadows.com/

     Citrus fruits are widely known to be beneficial for healing inside and out – we love to eat them fresh, slice them up in a salad, or squeeze a little lemon into our morning glass of water, yet there is a hidden side to these fruits that many of us have not realized. Ground into a powder, citrus fruits take on a life of their own.

The uses of citrus powder are not limited to food consumption

In the pursuit of a holistic life, we must think about the entire system, the whole fruit. In this case, choose organic citrus as you will be using the peel along with the insides. If you are not eating the amazing citrus powders that you blend, then you can add them to homemade cleaners for the kitchen and bathroom, you may even toss some into your shampoo and body products for healthy, glowing skin.

4 citrus powders to add to your spice rack

Lemon – dried lemon peels contain 5-10 times more vitamin power than the juice itself: vitamins A and C, beta carotene, calcium, and magnesium. Why not include them in your health-giving routine of life? More wonderful than their zesty flavor, perhaps, is the ability of lemon powder to fight cancer on all fronts.

Mango – also called amchoor or aamchur, mango powder is made from dried, unripe green mangoes. You’ll most likely be able to buy this citrus spice online, or in a market specializing in Indian cuisine. Used in cooking it adds a sour tang to dishes without adding moisture, you often find it in curries, chutneys and pickles, or as an enzymatic tenderizer for meats.

Orange – full of citric acid and abundant antioxidants, oranges are the perfect superfood for your skin. They fight acne, even out your skin tone, exfoliate to give you clear, smooth skin, and they moisturize and shrink your pores. If any of this has you thinking of an orange face pack, then you are headed in the right natural-beauty direction. Orange peels also contain polymethoxylated flavones, which help to lower your cholesterol levels – in this way you can add the benefit of well-being to your smoothie!

Pineapple – exceptional for the mind and body, pineapple powder is brimming with the enzyme known as bromelain. Bromelain reduces inflammation inside the body, and as a powder it can be topically applied on the skin to limit pain and swelling associated with arthritis. If a known pineapple allergy exists, please refrain from using this citrus powder.

 

If you are the DIY type, there are plenty of tutorials on how to make your own dehydrated citrus powders, you may even be inspired to dry and grind limes and kumquats! The process is simple – slice the fruit thinly, lay them out on parchment lined baking sheets, and dehydrate them in the oven at 150 degrees until completely dry, checking occasionally. Using a small coffee grinder, or spice mill, the citrus fruits can be ground until they reach the desired fineness, then sieved for more purity.

Now you can add a special tang to your favorite soups, salads, stews, smoothies, cakes or cookies. They also serve as wonderful dry rubs for seafood and chicken, creatively combine it with pine needle powder and you are in for a real treat!

Cheryl Magyar

https://forestcreekmeadows.com/

       Horny goat weed. To some it is considered a weed, like most green things that grow taller than three inches, hence the name, but the horny goat part? An ancient Chinese story tells that the male goats who ate this herb regularly, had greater sexual prowess – in other words, skill or expertise in this particular field…

Maybe you were thinking along these same lines after all. It does enhance sexual health, yet it also does us further service by naturally treating bone and kidney disease. In the botanical realm it is found in the genus of Epimedium, though the common names run the gauntlet from “barrenwort” to “fairy wings,” and from “bishop’s hat” to “yin yang hou.”

Like raw pine pollen powder, horny goat weed improves and enhances sexual health in men by greatly increasing testosterone levels. This is extremely important because low testosterone has a significant impact on overall health.

Horny goat weed and low testosterone levels

Low testosterone levels are often associated with reduced sexual desire, but it affects much more than that. In the process of restoring our vibrant health we need to look at the entire body, and we must realize that symptoms are often overarching and abundant. In the case of lowered testosterone, we are also dealing with insomnia, sleep apnea, risk of diabetes, heart disease, reduced muscle mass, increased body fat and in severe cases, even depression.

Improving testosterone levels helps men feel like men again. There are so many choices/remedies to do it naturally, that it only makes sense to eat well, exercise enough, get plenty of sleep and avoid toxic chemicals. Being and becoming healthy is all about making long-term changes to your diet and lifestyle, but fortunately, once you (re)gain your health, you’ll feel compelled to continue to opt for the health-promoting natural route.

Western medicine tries to treat the symptoms that cause us pain and suffering. Natural healing on the other hand attempts to discover the cause of the symptoms and find a suitable treatment from there.

Dealing with herbs is complex business, always find the most reputable seller, using only the purest ingredients, whether you are taking your supplement in tea, tincture or capsule form.

Icariin is the active component found in horny goat weed – a prenylated flavonoid. In essence, an antioxidant with anti-aging characteristics.

Horny goat weed is not only for men

Women can enjoy the benefits of this herb too. Elevated testosterone levels help in preventing bone loss, which is great news if you are diagnosed with, or at risk for, osteoporosis. It also increases estrogen levels in post-menopausal women by the means of phytoestrogens. It is a wonderful way to naturally deal with symptoms of hot flashes, mood swings, fatigue and insomnia associated with menopause. Keep in mind that horny goat weed is not recommended while pregnant or nursing.

Horny goat weed can not only be used to treat erectile dysfunction in men, in women it helps correct vaginal dryness – and, of course, it boosts the libido of both sexes.

As a side bonus, horny goat weed is also being explored for its anti-inflammatory powers, as well as the ability to aid memory, improve brain health and prevent dementia. If you are considering any natural aphrodisiac, let horny goat weed take the stage, increased muscle, bone strength and all!

 

Cheryl Magyar

https://forestcreekmeadows.com/