Researchers
maintain that we should get most of our nutrients from a well-balanced
diet. But they also say that there may be real benefits to some natural
remedies. Here we are going to mention some of the promising.
First of all, garlic, a member of the onion family, which has been used
as a medical herb since the time of the ancient Egyptians. European
studies show that in cultures where people eat lots of garlic there are
fewer incidents of gastric cancer, high blood pressure and high
cholesterol. Garlic appears to 'boost the immune system and help fight
infection by increasing the activity of immune cells'. It also has
antibacterial properties from a sulphur-containing compound called
allicin, formed when garlic is crushed or sliced. Cooking or processing
elim
inates allicin, but experts say that standardized garlic powders can
from allicin when consumed. Garlic has many beneficial compounds.
That’s why deodorized garlic tablets and extracts seem to work as well
as the raw herb in reducing cholesterol.
Secondly, Echinacea is a flowering herb which was, in great mother’s
day, found in many medicine cabinets. Echinacea fell out of favour with
the introduction of antibiotics, but now it's making comeback. The herb
has a mild protective effect against colds and flu, and in those who do
fall ill it seems to limit the duration and severity of the symptoms.
One study found that those with the lowest levels of white blood cells
got the most benefits, which supports the theory that Echinacea boosts
the immune system by coaxing the body to produce more of these cells.
Although it doesn’t work for everyone, Echinacea is safe to try when we
feel a cold or a flu coming on. However, unless directed by a doctor,
people with autoimmune disorders should avoid it.
In the third place, zinc is an essential trace mineral. Some of the
richest natural sources are shellfish and red meat. After sucking on
zinc lozenges, cold sufferers got better faster than those given a
sugar pill. The zinc group suffers coughing, headaches and nasal
congestion for four days: the persons who get a sugar pill stay stuffed
up for more than a week.
Last but not least, it is better to point the benefits of another
natural remedy: Pycnogenol and grape-seed extracts. While these two
herbal products come from different plants, each is a rich source of
flavonoids, antioxidants protecting against free radicals that damage
cells and tissue. Flavonoids, which occur naturally in fruit and
vegetables, work to keep cells healthy. Some doctors say that
Pycnogenol and grape-seed extracts seem to ease the symptoms of
inflammatory diseases and relieve allergies. And in a yet-to-be
published study on the effects of Pycnogenol on young smokers, it
reduced blood platelet clumping, a dangerous artery-clogging effect of
smoking.
maintain that we should get most of our nutrients from a well-balanced
diet. But they also say that there may be real benefits to some natural
remedies. Here we are going to mention some of the promising.
First of all, garlic, a member of the onion family, which has been used
as a medical herb since the time of the ancient Egyptians. European
studies show that in cultures where people eat lots of garlic there are
fewer incidents of gastric cancer, high blood pressure and high
cholesterol. Garlic appears to 'boost the immune system and help fight
infection by increasing the activity of immune cells'. It also has
antibacterial properties from a sulphur-containing compound called
allicin, formed when garlic is crushed or sliced. Cooking or processing
elim
inates allicin, but experts say that standardized garlic powders can
from allicin when consumed. Garlic has many beneficial compounds.
That’s why deodorized garlic tablets and extracts seem to work as well
as the raw herb in reducing cholesterol.
Secondly, Echinacea is a flowering herb which was, in great mother’s
day, found in many medicine cabinets. Echinacea fell out of favour with
the introduction of antibiotics, but now it's making comeback. The herb
has a mild protective effect against colds and flu, and in those who do
fall ill it seems to limit the duration and severity of the symptoms.
One study found that those with the lowest levels of white blood cells
got the most benefits, which supports the theory that Echinacea boosts
the immune system by coaxing the body to produce more of these cells.
Although it doesn’t work for everyone, Echinacea is safe to try when we
feel a cold or a flu coming on. However, unless directed by a doctor,
people with autoimmune disorders should avoid it.
In the third place, zinc is an essential trace mineral. Some of the
richest natural sources are shellfish and red meat. After sucking on
zinc lozenges, cold sufferers got better faster than those given a
sugar pill. The zinc group suffers coughing, headaches and nasal
congestion for four days: the persons who get a sugar pill stay stuffed
up for more than a week.
Last but not least, it is better to point the benefits of another
natural remedy: Pycnogenol and grape-seed extracts. While these two
herbal products come from different plants, each is a rich source of
flavonoids, antioxidants protecting against free radicals that damage
cells and tissue. Flavonoids, which occur naturally in fruit and
vegetables, work to keep cells healthy. Some doctors say that
Pycnogenol and grape-seed extracts seem to ease the symptoms of
inflammatory diseases and relieve allergies. And in a yet-to-be
published study on the effects of Pycnogenol on young smokers, it
reduced blood platelet clumping, a dangerous artery-clogging effect of
smoking.