Introduction:

 

I think all of us have been exposed to natural remedies at one time or another in our lives, and I truly feel we are returning, to this more natural way of living.  Natural healing and the use of natural remedies, is not meant to shun modern medicine.  Instead, it is a safe and oftentimes harmless first defense, against life’s constant barrage of both minor and major threats to our health and well-being.

 

The promise of modern medicine, actually of the pharmaceutical industry, was that there would be a drug available for every disease.  They’ve certainly kept to that promise, and there is no question, that there have been some miraculous pharmaceutical discoveries.  Unfortunately, it has also led to the corruption and misuse of pharmaceuticals, and the public is all-to-aware of all the harsh side effects and consequences, long-term use of pharmaceutical drugs can bring.  The drug manufacturers are never content with their inventory of drugs they already have for every major ailment. They are constantly creating new drugs for the prevention of diseases, however minute and unlikely, and pushing them onto the public irresponsibly.  Drug trial results are commonly misrepresented, and instead of educating the public on prevention, via natural nutrition and lifestyle, the drug companies mode of operation, is to instead fill your head with the thought that there is a pill you can take for anything your heart desires, consequences be damned.  And, the drug manufacturers, with the help from not-so-ethical lobbyists, will often warn the public against the ‘dangers’ of using natural remedies.  It doesn’t take a genius to figure out why that is.  Keeping those high profits rolling in is serious business.

 

Using natural remedies is not meant to discourage your use of pharmaceutical drugs, in the event that you truly do need them.  Instead, natural remedies are encouraged to be used as a means of preventative health measure, as well as a means of less caustic and effective ways to reverse both internal and external health imbalances.  Additionally, using natural remedies in adjunct with pharmaceuticals can help prevent your body from experiencing the many side effects that often occur when using pharmaceutical drugs. 

 

Using natural foods both internally and externally is how our bodies were meant to survive and thrive.  Our bodies naturally know how to assimilate nutrients and medicinal compounds found in foods, vs. synthetically manufactured ones, and unlike their lab-made counterparts, natural remedies have far less incidence of side effects.  Typically, any side effects realized when using natural remedies, is a result of a food allergy, or irresponsible use by the end user.  And, just as is the case with pharmaceutical drugs, more is not better, and you always want to use what is known as MED, or minimum effective dose.

 

With all the foods listed in the book, it is always highly recommended that you use organic options as much as you possibly can.  I can’t overstate enough how dangerous the constant accumulation of chemical herbicides and insecticides is to both your mental and physical body.  These chemical residues can never be completely washed off, no matter how good or natural the produce wash solution is.  And, the majority of these chemical residues tend to stay saturated in the peels and rinds of both fruits and vegetables. So, if you can’t find or afford organic produce, at least always remove and discard the outer peels and rinds from non-organic, commercial produce.

 

And, for remedy recipes that include honey, always only use raw honey.  Not ‘natural’, or ‘pure’ honey, but 100% raw honey only.  Raw honey is unfiltered, unpasteurized and unadulterated in any way, leaving all the nutrients and live enzymes intact.  All other types of honey have been processed in some way, and as a result of this processing, it destroys the nutrients and live enzymes that give honey its medicinal value.  In fact, recent studies have exposed that almost 80% of commercial honey sold in stores, is actually a processed mixture of honey and corn syrup, displaying another sad example of the corruption found in the commercial food industry, and that is not corrected by the so-called consumer advocate group, the FDA. 

 

And finally, please realize that while natural remedies are highly effective, one size does not fit all.  Every one of us is a unique human being, with very unique metabolic nuances.  These unique metabolic nuances are constantly changing, and are the combined results of our diet, any past or present injuries, illnesses or disease, past and present drug and supplement use, and of course, genetic factors.  In other words, no one natural remedy will yield the same result for every single person who uses it.  One person may find grand success at dissolving warts from one particular remedy, while another may have to do a little bit of trial and error to find the natural wart remedy that works best for them. 

 

Please also always take into consideration any possible food allergies that you may have, and do not use remedies that call for a particular food that you have (or may have) an allergy to.  The same warning applies to those who have certain health conditions that would be further aggravated by the consumption of certain foods, as would be the case of someone with diverticulitis.  These persons would not want to consume any natural remedies with foods that contained tiny seeds, such as are found in strawberries.  In cases where the natural remedy calls for external use, then the same precautions may not be necessary.  Just always use good judgment, and always be sure to discuss any questions that you may have about natural remedies, with a qualified health practitioner.

 

So, without further ado, let’s explore some of the wonderful natural remedies Mother Nature has to offer us for weight loss, health and beauty.

 

Bon Veggie Appetit!

Gina ‘The Veggie Goddess’ Matthews

 

Apples:

 

Apples are not only a favorite fruit amongst the vast variety of fruit available, they are also one of nature’s tried and true whole body detoxifiers.  Keeping the body cleansed of toxins, pollutants, chemicals and pathogens, is crucial for effortlessly maintaining a healthy weight, keeping illness and disease away, and helping your skin to stay smooth and youthful looking.  The unique thing about the shelf life of harvested apples is that even minor imperfections (cuts, tears, bruises, wrinkling) will speed deterioration, yet with proper storage, an un-marred apple can last a long time.  The very best way to store apples is to gently wrap them individually in newspaper, and stack them loosely in a crate or bin in a cool, dark location.  Apples will perish in freezing temperatures, as well as temperatures that are too high, so avoid storing in the garage.  If you take the time to store apples this way, you can take advantage of a large harvest or purchase, and your apples should stay fresh for 1-2 months.

 

1.      Apples are powerful infection fighters, and contain some penicillin-like properties. Eating a fresh, organic apple 3 times a day can knock out a stomach-flu, cold and other common viruses quick, having you back on your feet in no time.  If it is a flu you are suffering from, then consuming nothing but organic apples and water and tea will help to quickly neutralize and flush pathogens from your body, while supplying your body with much needed nutrients.  This is a much better alternative to consuming soda pop and crackers.

2.      Apples are very effective for remedying acute diarrhea, or ‘Montezuma’s Revenge’, which is often a common malady when traveling to other countries.  Take 1-2 large, ripe apples (preferably organic) and grate it, allowing the pulp to stand at room temperature for several hours until considerably darkened before eating.  The grated fruit develops oxidized pectin, and is the same base ingredient used in the popular pink anti-diarrhea medicine you find over-the-counter.  It is important for you to let the grated apple turn completely brown before eating, otherwise you will not get these same benefits. 

3.      To effortlessly reduce your caloric intake, shed excess pounds and maintain a healthy weight set-point, eat an organic apple 15-30 minutes before every meal.  This works better than any so-called magic diet pill that seems to come out on the market on an almost weekly basis.  The natural dietary fiber contained in apples will help slow the digestive process, which means you’ll feel fuller sooner and stay fuller longer.  Apples also have a high water content, and food high in water content not only fill us up faster, but they satisfy our hunger and prevent overeating and unhealthy food cravings.

4.      If you suffer from any type of digestive disorder, such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, heartburn, excess gas, etc., eating an apple prior to meals can greatly help to alleviate your symptoms.  Apples help to stimulate the flow of digestive juices which are necessary for the proper assimilation of the food and beverage you take in, while at the same time neutralizing harmful stomach and intestinal bacteria, making for a much healthier and effective remedy vs. over-the-counter indigestion and heartburn medications (which by the way, are designed to ONLY be taken for a maximum of 2 weeks, otherwise they will bring upon ‘rebound symptoms’).

5.      You can also use apples in the form of apple cider vinegar.  Never ingest white vinegar.  You only want to use organic apple cider vinegar that contains the ‘mother’, which is the active, live enzymes contained within the vinegar.  My personal favorite brand, which is extremely reputable, is Braggs brand apple cider vinegar.  Just a sampling of the extraordinary number of uses of apple cider vinegar include: Neutralizing a sunburn and healing damaged skin, when a soaked gauze is applied to the affected areas.  Instantly relieves the pain, swelling and itching of insect bites and stings.  Removes dandruff when used as a hair rinse after shampooing hair.  Eliminates body odor when used in place of underarm deodorant.  Remedies painful athlete’s feet, when feet are soaked daily in a 50/50 mixture of water and apple cider vinegar.  This will actually also rid feet of offensive odors as well, and is incredibly effective if your feet are hot and sweaty after a long day’s work.