Juice It Up!

Taken from: A web page I can no longer find.

 

Vegetable juices

Which one of all vegetable juices is considered to be the best? Yes, it is a carrot juice. It combines well with almost all other juices. It contains many natural antioxidants, which slow down the aging process and prevent cancer. Carrot juice is the richest source of primary vitamin A or carotene, which stimulates protein synthesis and accelerates growth. It makes carrot juice indispensable for children who fall behind in physical development. The juice contains vitamins B, C, D, and E and also iron, cobalt,and copper. Carrot juice improves the appetite, digestion, metabolism and structure of teeth, elevates resistance to infections and protects nervous system. Adults can drink from ½ L to 2-3 L of juice a day, depending on the condition of a person. For children 100g of juice a day is enough. Some kids can develop an allergy to carrots.

Beet juice is the best juice for improvement of blood and formation of red blood cells. Juice can be prepared not only from root crops but also from young plant tops. The use of beet juice has well proved itself to remedy high blood pressure and other heart problems. Consumption of 50-100 ml of juice 2-3 times a day yields excellent results during menopause. Calcium, contained in beets, provides nourishment for the organism. Beet juice is a wonderful organic cleanser for liver, kidneys and gall bladder and stimulates activity of the lymph in the body. The juice improves memory, strengthens nervous system, clears blood vessels and plays an important role in treatment of hypertonic and anemia. It is not advisable to drink pure beet juice. Freshly prepared juice should be stored in fridge for few hours. Then, after removing foam, it should be mixed with carrot juice (1:4). Daily dose: 1-1 ½ cups of juice 2 times a day.

Cabbage juice is one of the best vegetable juices as it possesses an anti-ulcer effect and can be used for treatment of the stomach and duodenal ulcers. It normalizes lipometabolism and helps with atherosclerosis. Cabbage juice slows down the process of transformation of the carbohydrates into fats. This quality makes the juice irreplaceable in a struggle against excess weight. Juice can be stored in a refrigerator for no more than 24 hours. Daily dose: 1 glass of warm juice 3 times a day 30-40 min before meal.

Tomato juice contains strong elements which suppress the process of fermentation and rotting in intestines. Tomato juice improves the heart and stomach's conditions. Organic acids, that are present in tomato juice, elevate alkaline environment of blood. One glass of the juice contains half of the daily dose of vitamin C and carotene. A mix of tomato, apple, pumpkin and lemon juice (2:4:2:1) is often used in weight loss programs.

Cucumber juice is a good diuretic, but it also possesses some other good qualities: it improves hair growth, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and stabilizes the work of the heart. Drinking a mix of cucumber and carrot juice yields good results at the presence of rheumatic diseases. A high potassium level makes cucumber juice very useful in normalizing blood pressure. The combination of elements in cucumber juice plays a big role in the maintenance of healthy teeth, nails and hair. It has a positive effect on the nervous system and improves memory. Daily dose: up to 100ml of pure juice. The effect of cucumber juice amplifies in combination with other juices. For example: 2 parts of cucumber juice, 2 parts of blackcurrant juice, 1 part of apple and 1 part of grapefruit juices, or cucumber, tomato and garlic juices (20:20:1).

Parsley juice is good for boosting an energy level. It contains a big amount of carotene and vitamin C. The juice contains elements which are necessary for the oxygen exchange in the body, for the correct functioning of adrenal and thyroid glands and also for strengthening the walls of blood vessels. Parsley juice helps with bladder, gall and kidney stones and other kidney diseases. Many eye diseases are successfully treated by a mix of parsley juice with carrot juice and celery juice. Parsley juice improves breathing and the heart’s work. It is one of the strongest juices; therefore the one time dose of pure juice should not exceed 1 tbsp.

Green pepper juice contains a lot of silicon which is necessary for nails and hair. A mix of carrot and green pepper juices, where percentage of pepper juice is up to 60%, helps with the clarification of skin spots. It helps with intestinal spasms and gases.

Celery juice raises the general tone of an organism, improves appetite and has diuretic and laxative effects. It is good for people with a broken metabolism and fatigue. The juice contains vitamin C and vitamins of group B. It is also rich with organic combinations of sodium. It contains a big amount of organic potassium, calcium and phosphorus. The recommended daily dose of the juice is no more than 100 ml. Celery juice combines well with other vegetable and fruit juices. Most popular combinations are: carrots, beet and celery (8:3:5), carrots, cabbage and celery (1:4:5), carrots, celery and radish (8:5:3).

Radish juice is one of the few vegetable juices which should never be taken alone as it may cause an unwanted reaction. Combined with carrot juice it helps restore mucous membranes in an organism. Radish juice calms and clears the body of phlegm. It is especially effective if taken within an hour after consumption of horseradish.

Turnip juice contains a high percentage of calcium. This juice is very good for children and people who suffer from brittle bones. The mix of turnip and carrot juice is one of the most effective ways to strengthen teeth and other bone structures. Turnip leaves contain high levels of sodium and iron. The potassium in juice helps to increase the alkaline composition of an organism, especially in a mix with carrot and celery juice.

Asparagus juice is used as a good diuretic. Pure juice can induce a strong kidney reaction therefore it is used in a mix with carrot juice. Asparagus juice is very helpful with many kidney disorders. It yields good results at anemia and diabetes, when combined with other juices, intended for treatment of these illnesses. This juice is also useful at rheumatism. The mix of carrot, cucumber and asparagus juice helps with disorders of a prostate gland.

Horseradish juice is not usually used. Instead of juice a paste of horseradish with addition of lemon juice is applied. This mix helps with the disintegration of mucus in the body without damaging mucous membranes. Also it is a good diuretic and is useful at dropsy. The mix of 150g of horseradish with the juice of 2-3 lemons brings good results. Daily dose:1/2 tsp 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

Rutabaga contains sugar, fiber, vitamins C, B1, B2, and pectin. It is a good source of iron for the body. The juice of rutabaga has expectorated action. It is used at anemia with iron deficiency, atherosclerosis and inflammatory lung diseases. Rutabaga juice contains elements that have anti-bacterium action. It is also used externally at burns and for treatment of pustulous diseases of skin.

Pumpkin is an excellent diuretic. It contains salts of potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron, as well as sugar, carotene, fiber, protein and vitamins C, B1, B2, PP. Pumpkin seeds are well-known and are popular anthelmintic and have been used for generations to rid the body of worms. Pumpkin is especially useful at heart and kidney diseases, obesity, cholecystitis, hypertension and constipation.

All of these vegetable juices have different benefits. Use them for a healthier you.

The Six Steps of Healing

Taken from: http://medicineofthefeminine.com

In the late 1970s, after studying scientific medicine, herbalism, various diets, homeopathy and more, herbalist and author Susan Weed became increasingly confused--in regard to healing--about what to do first.  Once she phrased her question, she realized the reply:  First, do no harm.

Weed began to group healing techniques and remedies based on the likelihood of a technique or remedy harming or even killing us.  In her books, including Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year and The New Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way, she describes The Six Steps of Healing, which outline a way to increase health and decrease harm.  The Six Steps encourage us to connect with our body's wisdom and healing mechanisms and to address problems at their root.  Here they are applied in the context of menstrual cramps:

Step 0: Do nothing. Weed describes this as "a vital, invisible step."  She explains, "You must actively do no-thing." Essentially, Step 0 is about taking time for yourself.  Unplugging your phone and your TV, meditating and resting are included in Step 0.

Step 1: Collect information.  Talk with friends and health care providers, read, search the internet.  Learn Fertility Awareness and chart your fertility signals--your waking temperature and cervical fluid.  Keep a record of your questions and observations (e.g. Does eating less sugar affect my menstrual cramps?).
 
Step 2: Engage the energy.  Notice what emotions come up around menstruation.  Attend to your dreams.  Write out a conversation between your period and you.  Find out what it wants; find out what you want from your period and see if there's a happy medium.  Take a bath or try a homeopathic remedy.  Give thanks for your interest in your own wellness.  Pick one remedy from Step 2, and set a time limit for working with it.  Weed says it's vital to set time limits for every step.  If your problem worsens, try another Step 2 remedy, or go on to Step 3.

Step 3: Nourish and tonify.  Feed yourself well.  Replace processed, sugary, fast-foods and drinks with freshly made, nutrient-rich meals.  Prepare herbal infusions (which you can learn about from books or an herbalist).  Keep your body and mind toned with regular physical activity.  Take a yoga class.  Grow some of your own food.  Go for a walk.  If your problem worsens or is not relieved within your time limit, add another Step 3 or go on to Step 4.  Muse's note:  I include MAM in Step 3 rather than Step 4 because of the strong emphasis on self-care.

Step 4: Sedate and stimulate.  Acupuncture, chiropractic, massage, and most herbal tinctures fall into this category.  Susan Weed cautions that "There is always risk of developing dependence on Step 4 remedies.  Be aware of the frequency, dosage and duration of your treatments--and your time limits."

Step 5-A: Use supplements.  In this step, Weed includes all concentrated, extracted, and synthesized substances--including vitamin and mineral supplements, standardized herbal tinctures, and all herbs in capsules.  (Supplements can be synthesized or, if made from foods grown with pesticides, include concentrations of pesticides.)

Step 5-B: Use drugs.  Over-the-counter and prescription drugs as well as all hormonal medications (including progesterone creams) are included in this step.

Step 6: Break and enter.  Besides surgery, Weed includes psychotropic drugs, "fear-inspiring language," shots, diagnostic tests such as laparoscopy, and surgery in Step 6."  If all other steps fail and you are a woman with severe menstrual cramps," she says, "a hysterectomy is a reasonable choice."

Susan further explains, "When you do nothing, collect information, engage the energy, and nourish and tonify (Steps 0-3), then functioning and joy increase: you build health.  True healing takes place in these early steps.  Whether your problem is chronic or acute, Steps 0-3 (along with realistic expectations of the time healing takes) are worthy of your attention.

"Although the impulse in our culture is to jump to Step 4 or 5, each step up increases the possibility of severe side effects.  While healing can and does take place with the aid of drugs and surgery, once you get to Step 5, you can damage or destroy health.  Drugs might get rid of menstrual cramps, but they don't address the cause or nourish your body.  Drugs mask symptoms.  Even common over-the-counter drugs like aspirin can injure health.  In the Wise Woman Tradition, symptoms are not enemies to be destroyed but cherished messengers who encourage us to take good care of ourselves."

Muse's note:  These steps can be used when dealing with deep-seated, chronic conditions as well as acute situations.  It is important to set a reasonable time limit for trying each step before proceeding to the next.  If you are dealing with a chronic imbalance you can spent days or even weeks on Step 0.  If you are having severe symptoms you may only take moments, minutes, or hours to assess and move on.  Follow your intuition and do what is appropriate for you.

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