Thread: Frugal Health

7 Healing Herbal Teas Recipes & What Ailments They Help

How To Brew 9 Different Types of Tea To Maximize Health Benefits
By Trina Remedios

We’ve all heard claims about green tea being good for weight loss and chamomile tea reducing stress, but what are the other kinds of teas and how do we maximize their health benefit claims? We take a look at the flourishing tea market, its vast and interesting varieties and the health benefits of different kinds of tea available to us today.

How to brew oolong tea:

- Bring water to a boil and use this water to rinse and heat up the tea cups.
- Add the oolong leaves to the tea pot and add boiling water to it.
- Cover the tea pot for max three minutes.
- Serve the tea while it’s hot.
- Tip: You can reuse the leaves a couple of times too

Health benefits of oolong tea: This tea is partially fermented and is fast catching up as a weight loss remedy. Besides this, oolong tea is beneficial for lowering bad cholesterol, healthy for type 2 diabetics, patients with heart diseases, reduces high blood pressure, prevents tooth decay and improves your skin thanks to antioxidants.

The research on these claims are in the preliminary stages, so there is no hard hitting evidence to prove these facts. Some brief research results (keep in mind that these are inconclusive):

-Oolong tea blocked oxidation by 50% over 15 days.
-Primary research suggests that oolong tea increases metabolism, burns fat and blocks fat absorption. But the extent is not yet clear.
-Research says that this tea reduces cholesterol and increases plasma adiponectin levels which saves you from the epidemic of obesity.
-When it comes to skin disease like eczema, a study reveals that if you drink one liter of oolong tea, your skin will show moderate improvement after a month.
-Another study claims that oolong tea prevents the formation of enzymes that cause ‘plaque’ on your teeth.

How to brew peppermint tea:

- Take fresh sprig of peppermint, use only the leaves and make them into small bits.
- Let dry for 24 hours in the sun, making the leaves crispy.
- In a vessel, bring the water to boil and add two tablespoons of peppermint tea.
- Let it boil for 20 minutes and add a twig of fresh mint to the water.
- Strain the leaves in a pot and add sugar to taste.

Health benefits of peppermint tea: Don’t get flustered by peppermint tea, it simply means pudina tea, essentially tea brewed from pudina. This is herbal tea and peppermint has medicinal properties for an upset tummy, or so the claims suggest. A point to note, peppermint oil has been clinically tested and it has shown relaxation effects on gastrointestinal tissue. The tests also mention that peppermint oil builds immunity and is beneficial for cancer patients for its ‘chemopreventive potential’. Peppermint oil can also be used as an antioxidant, based on research.

How to brew Parsley tea:

- Boil the water and remove it from the heat
- Chop some parsley leaves and add to the hot water.
- Let steep in the water for 20 minutes.
- Strain the water and you do not have to add sugar to it.
- If you want to warm it up again, let it heat up but do not let it boil.

Health Benefits of parsley tea: Parsley has two major properties: antioxidants and vitamin C. Hence parsley can reduce free radicals giving you ageless skin and it can reduce inflammation that is a symptom for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. So far research hasn’t linked parsley tea to these health benefits. There is no way of asserting how much parsley tea is needed to reduce osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and skin damage.

How to brew Chamomile tea:

- In a pot, add Chamomile tea flowers and then add hot water.
- Let steep for three minutes.
- Strain the flowers and add honey or a few drops of lime juice.

Health benefits of Chamomile tea: We may be aware that Chamomile tea has magical properties that relax and calm you. But did you know chamomile tea can reduce menstrual cramps and control your cold? However, researchers are still trying to determine these health benefits of chamomile tea.

One research reveals that chamomile tea increases immunity of the body while the other says that this tea increases amino acids that relieve muscle spasms. This could be the answer for fighting the common cold especially during the monsoon.

How to brew Matcha tea:

- The tea powder should be at room temperature.
- In a bowl, add a teaspoon of matcha tea and add one fourth cup of hot water.
- Whisk the tea and try to dissolve the matcha. One rule while whisking, move the whisk in a vertical direction without touching the bottom.
- When it turns light green, it is ready to drink.

Health benefits of Matcha tea: This is a Japanese tradition, where the monks used matcha tea to relax, but that’s not all. Believers claim that matcha tea is a good antioxidant, in fact – even as good as dark chocolate.
-It is also believed that matcha has the ability to fight carcinogens or cancer causing cells. Matcha tea also claims to reduce bad cholesterol and weight loss.
-It is also a detoxifying agent that is rich in fiber.

How to brew Rooibos tea:

- In a pot add, Rooibos tea and then add hot water.
- Let steep for three minutes.
- Strain the flowers and add honey or a few drops of lime juice to it.

Health benefits of Rooibos tea: Rooiboos tea is gaining popularity and is becoming a hot favourite with fitness enthusiast.

The claims are almost alike with other teas; rooiboos tea also claims to slow down aging, builds immunity, relaxes the muscles, is excellent for skin ailments and reduces cramps. Apparently, red rooiboos tea is a good source for calcium, therefore it strengthens your bones. Rooiboos tea can also reduce stress, something most of us need at the end of the day.

How to brew Hibiscus tea:

- Add the shoeflower or hibiscus to boiling water and add a cinnamon stick. If you want stronger flavour add the flower to the water but do not let it steep for more than 20 minutes. It will turn bitter.
- Add honey and a few drops of lime to it.

Health benefits of Hibiscus tea: What makes this tea different? Well, it is made from flowers and it’s a growing trend. When it comes to health benefits, there’s not much that separates this tea from the rest. This tea also claims to reduce blood pressure, lowers cholesterol and reduces sugar absorption in the body.

How to brew Pu erh tea:

There are two ways to brew this pu erh tea: The Western way and the Chinese way. The Western method involves the same steps as brewing hibiscus tea. While the Chinese method of brewing involves several steps from rinsing the leaves with hot water to steeping the leaves in a particular temperature.

Health benefits of Pu erh tea: In China, this is known as medicinal tea, but it is apparently a good hangover cure as well. Pu erh tea also claims to increase metabolism, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, improve digestion and detoxify the body.

How to brew Barley tea:

- You need roasted barley
- Boil the water with the barley seeds.
- Strain the water and add few drops of lime

Health benefits of Barley tea: This will remind you of barley water, which is a refreshing drink in the summer. But in Japan, barley tea is called mugacho. The biggest difference is that this tea can improve the flow of the blood. Along with other health benefits, barley tea is an antioxidant and reduces tooth decay.

http://truththeory.com/2012/07/18/ho...alth-benefits/

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Great Reflexology Chart for Hand Points!



Press with thumb for 5 seconds&release for 3 seconds, in the affected point. Repeat for 2-3 minutes for 5 to 10 days. You will get relief....don't forget to share...it costs nothing..it may be useful to some one.
For daily health tips Visit here: www.humanNhealth.com

Can’t Fall Back Asleep? “Sleepy Dust”
—An Unconventional Nutritional Remedy for Insomnia



Very interesting article from Butter Believer on how to stop waking up in the middle of the night. I have this problem so much and so often I am usually more tired in the morning than when I went to be.

Some nights I wake up 3 or 4 times and even if you don’t get out of the bed it still leaves you feeling tired. I am so going to try this recipe for sleepy dust and see if it will help me get a full nights sleep.

I don’t like to take those pills from the store because they always make me feel groggy the next day. I hope this will help and knew others might like to try it too.

Independent health researcher, Matt Stone, explains how this works in his book, Eat for Heat:


“The salt and sugar mixture is an absolute must for nighttime stress events. For wakeups between 2-4 am, accompanied by a feeling of excess adrenaline circulating through your system (adrenaline peaks at this time), salt and sugar under the tongue is the only way to go. You don’t want to be chewing anything, wandering around the house looking for food, opening the fridge and looking at bright lights when hoping to fall back asleep, and so forth. You want to remain as unstimulated as possible. Keep the sugar/salt mixture by the bedside for easy and thoughtless access until you stop having middle-of-the-night wakeups.”

How to Make Sleepy Dust

•5 Tablespoons organic cane sugar (I like this kind as it’s not bleached or heavily refined, and is fair-trade)

•1 Tablespoon sucanat/rapadura (this is completely unrefined sugar cane juice, with all minerals intact)

•2 teaspoons real sea salt

Put the mixture in a baggie or a small container, and shake well. The sucanat has a tendency to separate from the rest, which is why you can’t use only sucanat and salt—the salt sinks to the bottom and doesn’t “stick” with the sucanat granules. But it does add a nice flavor, and a little boost of minerals, too! You can add more salt, if you can handle it. Matt recommends a 1:5 salt-to-sugar ratio, but I find that that’s too much salt for me. Experiment to see what works best for you.

Now, keep this handy by your bed where you can easily reach it in the middle of the night. You can use it before you go to bed to de-stress and get ready for sleep, and when you wake up in the night.

To use it, just keep a small spoon nearby and scoop a tiny bit out, then let it dissolve under your tongue, to get it straight into your bloodstream. You really only need a small pinch. I’ve even skipped the spoon and just stuck a wet finger into my little sleepy dust container and licked it off, and that works, too. Puts you back to sleep in no time!


http://butterbeliever.com/how-to-fall-back-asleep/

Natural Painkillers In Your Kitchen

Homemade “Vicks Vapor shower disks”

Have you seen the commercials for the Vicks Vapor shower disk thingies? You put one of these disks in your shower, and voila thanks to the vapors in it, you're magically healed, your cold is gone, and your face is shockingly free of snot. I always used to watch the "Noxema girl" splashing water on her face and wondered how she was able to wash her face without being completely overrun with boogers. I'm the only one? Yes? Ok, moving along then...

Regardless, Vicks makes these things and I'm sure they're super expensive for something that is just going to wash down your drain.

You know where I'm going with this, right?

Yep.

I made them myself.

The idea started a few weeks ago when my sweet little nephew Parker came down with Croup for like the 1,438th time. My sister mentioned that they were taking long steamy showers with him to try to clear out his lungs. My brain started churning and I thought "surely there can be something they could add to the shower to help him even more". Homemade Vicks Vapor shower disk thingies were born.

And they couldn't be any simpler.

Sarah's Homemade Vicks Shower Disk Thingies
-Baking soda
-Water
-Essential oils: eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender.
-Muffin tin
-Muffin liners

1) Add baking soda to a mixing bowl. Updated to add - I don't really measure. Maybe 2-3 cups?


2) Slowly add water until you've made a thick paste. Updated to add: add just a little water a time. You'll want the mix to feel like putty.


3) Add 15 drops of each essential oil.


4) Spoon in to a muffin tin, and let sit out for 12-18 hours. You can also bake these, but I just left them out overnight.


5) Pop these suckers out of the paper liner, plop it in your shower, and let the essential oils steam away your stuffy nose. Edited to add: put them anywhere on the floor of the shower; it doesn't matter where!

Added 4/7/12 - for anyone who is having issues with these being "crumbly", try using 1 cup of baking soda and 1/3 cup of water (plus maybe a few tbslp more) and baking for 20 minutes at 350. THEN add a few drops of each essential oils to the cooled "puck". That was a suggestion from a commenter and I tried it this morning with great success! I'm a quick shower taker (less than 5 min), and my "disk" was only about 1/3 gone at the end of the shower.

Additionally, I'm not a doctor (nor a butcher, baker, or candlestick maker), so if you have any medical conditions, contact a medical professional.

Added 10/2/12 - if you're not using a silicone muffin tin, remove the liners before the pan has completely cooled. And yes, you need to remove these from the liners in order to use. You can store these in an plastic container, mason jar, etc.

http://beingfrugalbychoice.blogspot....wer-disks.html


Storing them is simple, use a cool dry place and a paper lunch sack. I own a small handmade soap business and we make bath bombs that are similar. As for using them in the bath, I wouldn't suggest it. That is quite the high levels of oils to use in a single bath. Essential oils are wonderful but can be harsh on your skin in high amounts, Try this recipe for the bath, it is very similar the the bath bombs I make and sell and get lots of positive feedback about. The citric acid does cause a fizzing effect in the bath but most, especially children, enjoy it. http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/style/make-bath-bombs.htm

You can get bath bombs at a lot of drugstores, and many companies produce some great nearly-natural bath bombs. But they're fairly easy to make, and if you have a scent or skin sensitivity, this is the perfect solution for you.

You'll need:

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)

Citric acid (fine)

Witch Hazel

Essential oils

Molds (max. diameter 2 inches)

Rubber gloves (optional)

How to Make Your Own Bath Bombs:

To make bath bombs, blend one part citric acid and two parts sodium bicarbonate (baking soda). If you love sea salts or Epsom salts in your bath, you can also add one part of either salt, just be sure it's a fine grain. Make sure these dry ingredients are blended well, otherwise your bath bomb may be a dud.

Once the dry ingredients are blended, add in your essential oils for scent. Essential oils are derived from plants, so many people who are sensitive or allergic to synthetic scents can handle the real thing. If you have pollen allergies, steer clear of oils from flowers and opt instead for herbs. There is no limit on your creativity here. You can add just one oil, such as lavender, or a personal blend, such as rosemary and mint.

The next step is a bit tricky. Using a spray bottle, spray witch hazel into the mixture while blending continuously. As soon as the mixture starts to stick together when you press down on it, you need to get it into the molds.

Most bath bombs are spherical, but you can also use rubber ice-cube molds to make more festive shapes like hearts, four-leaf clovers and even Santa Claus. Be sure to firmly pack the mixture in the ice-cube molds.

Making a sphere is a little more effort, but absolutely worth it if you're gifting the bath bombs. Simply pack the mixture into two dome molds, heaping extra mixture on top, then squeeze the open ends of the molds together to create a sphere (don't worry if some of the mixture spills out at the seam? spillage means the mixture is dense enough so that the bath bomb won't crumble when it hits the water).

After a few minutes, gently tap the bombs out of the molds and allow bath bombs to dry on a towel for at least a few hours, but preferably overnight. Wrap bath bombs in plain tissue paper and store in a plastic, airtight container until you're ready to use them. Don't store the bombs in metal containers, and don't rest them on metal between baths, as the ingredients will react with the container.

Each bath bomb should last at least a couple of baths, if not more—it really just depends on the size of the bomb...and how long you soak in the tub!

Winter Sore Throat "Tea".



Make sure you have some of this ready...great recipe for sore throats and chest colds makes about 2 cups

◾
2 lemons thoroughly cleaned and sliced
◾2 piece of ginger about the size of your pointer and middle finger together sliced into coin size pieces
◾Honey (about 1 cup-maybe more)

In a 12-16 oz. jar combine lemon slices and sliced ginger. Pour honey (organic is best) over it slowly. This may take a little time to let the honey sink down and around the lemon and ginger slices. Make sure when the honey has filled in all the voids, there is enough to cover the top of the lemon slices. Close jar and put it in the fridge, it will form into a "jelly".

To serve: Spoon jelly into mug and pour boiling water over it. Store in fridge 2-3 months

I have no idea how much of this is based in fact and how much is wishfull thinking ...

Cinnamon and RAW Honey

Drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on RAW Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mix of honey and cinnamon CURES most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus.

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack.

Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder....who knew?

CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses, and it's delicious too!

UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS: Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS: Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.

Picture of Homemade Energy Drink

I started out with the intention of coming up with a recipe for a homemade version of the store bought energy drinks, but after doing some research and discovering how unhealthy they are for you, I decided instead to try and design a less sugar/caffeine fueled way to help myself through the workday afternoon sleepy slump.

What I landed on was a system of three drinks and some energy boosting ideas that are going a long way to helping me keep my energy up all day long! Here's the good on the drinks:

The Fire Hydrant (left) - 3-4 8oz glasses throughout the day

filtered water
1 slice lemon
1 pinch cayenne pepper

Other than getting 7-8 hours of sleep a night, staying hydrated is the most important thing you can do to help keep your body functioning at optimum levels. So this drink is just water with a squeezed lemon slice and a pinch of cayenne pepper. The lemon not only tastes good, but is also super alkaline* which helps your body maintain a healthy pH level. The cayenne pepper helps raise energy levels naturally and provides protection for your heart by helping to maintain proper cardiovascular movement throughout the body. Combining this with 4-5 glasses of regular water will bring you up to your recommended 8 glasses of water per day!

*For an explanation of lemons' miraculous transition from acidic outside of the body, to alkaline once ingested, visit this link: http://phbalance.wikispaces.com/Lemons+Alkaline%3F

The Quick Fix (center) - as needed, during the day
(I don't recommend drinking it at night as it might keep you up)

hot water
1 1/2 - 2 tsp honey (to taste)
1 inch of fresh ginger root
1/4 tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp tumeric

Cut off two thin slices of ginger and place in your cup or mug.
Use a garlic press to juice the remaining ginger into your mug.
Add both spices and fill your mug with hot water and stir.

This is the closest thing I found to a non-caffeine/refined sugar pick me up! And I find it pretty delicious. Ginger speeds up metabolism and increases circulation. It also aids in the digestive process which can help stave off the post lunch coma that contributes to the afternoon slump. Turmeric, a cousin of ginger, also helps speed things up in the body, including energy levels! And Cardamom has long been valued medicinally for its ability to increase circulation and improve energy. Honey is mother nature's equivalent of an energy shot and is one of the best kinds of sugars for your body.

The Heavy Lifter (right) - 1 glass in the morning

1 ripe banana
1/4 cup raw almonds or 2 tbsp almond butter
1 scoop of high quality whey protein powder (low sugar content)
2 washed kale leaves
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tbsp ground flax seeds
1 cup milk of choice (I used unsweetened almond milk)

According to Dr. Oz, sixty percent of women don't get enough protein in their diets and that is often the number one reason for fatigue! A morning protein shake is a really easy and delicious way to make sure that you're starting the day off well fueled. Pair this with a piece of whole grain toast and you have everything you need to give you a solid energy foundation for the day.

The next steps are energy booster tips that I find, when done along with the drinks, help me keep on keeping on all day long!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Homemade-Energy-Drink/

How to Make Cayenne Salve
by Rosalee de la Forêt
Today’s recipe is a super simple salve that can be made up very quickly and bring big-time pain relief.



For this recipe you’ll need...
1/2 cup olive oil
Two heaping teaspoons of cayenne powder (or 15 grams).
(Just pick this up at the market if you don't have any.)
1/2 ounce of beeswax
(Available at Mountain Rose Herbs, along with cayenne)
Double boiler (Don't have one? Try a local thirft store.)
Cheesecloth (Available in supermarkets.)

Begin by infusing the cayenne into the olive oil over a double burner.

I heat the oil and cayenne until it is warm, turn off the heat and let it sit (warmly) for about 20 minutes, then turn the heat on again.

I do this for at least one hour to a couple of hours, you could do it for 24 hours if desired.

Once the cayenne and olive oil have been infused, strain off the powder through a cheesecloth. Reserve the infused oil.

Heat the beeswax until it is melted. Stir in the infused oil until the beeswax and oil have been thoroughly melted together and combined.

Immediately pour this mixture into jars or tins. (Makes roughly 4 ounces).

Let it cool and then label it.

/\/\/\/\

Using your cayenne salve

This cayenne salve can be used on aches and pains, from sore muscles and joints to bruises and even nerve pain.

It is best for closed wounds and may sting a bit on open wounds. Even on closed skin you may feel a bit of burning or heat in the area where it is used. It should be applied externally only and used within 6 months for the best results.

If using it for arthritic pain it may take up to a week or two to see results. In this case you want to use it daily to decrease chronic pain.

Caution: When cayenne comes in contact with your mucosal membranes or eyes it will burn! Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after touching cayenne or use gloves to apply the salve to the desired area. If you are using the cayenne salve on your hands, consider applying it at night and then sleeping with gloves on.

We’d Love to Hear From You!

Do you use cayenne for pain relief? We’d love to hear how it works for you in the comments below. Or perhaps you are using cayenne in some other way. Please feel free to share!

~Rosalee http://www.learningherbs.com/news_issue_92.html


Every two months we feature a different herb on HerbMentor.com so that we can really dive into learning particular plants on a deeper level.

During this cold and dark time of the year we are learning more about one of the hottest and most popular spices in the world: cayenne.

The health benefits of cayenne are truly astounding!

From its heart-protective qualities to boosting the immune system, it will even stop bleeding from a cut or wound!

If you master only one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper.
It is more powerful than anything else. —Dr. Richard Shulze

In this article we are going to look at one of cayenne’s many benefits: easing pain.

History of cayenne

Cayenne comes from the Capsicum genus that also includes bell peppers, chilies, paprikas and habaneros. This genus is from the Americas and has been cultivated for use for at least 7,000 years. Some of the early european explorers brought the seeds from South America back to Europe and they quickly spread around the world.

The etymology of the word Capsicum is believed to have been derived from Greek, meaning “to bite”.

What makes it bite?

Cayenne has a hot and acrid taste. This “bite” or heat is caused by the constituent capsaicin. The more capsaicin a pepper has the more heat or bite to it. This amount varies greatly between species and varieties.

One method of measuring this bite or heat is the Scoville heat units (SHU). Cayenne has around 30,000 - 50,000 SHU. In contrast, bell peppers have 0 and habaneros have more than 100,000.

Cayenne for Pain

Cayenne is famous for reducing many types of pain. It works by effecting your nervous system. Substance P is a neurotransmitter that relays information and results in what we call pain. Capsaicin, a major constituent of cayenne peppers, blocks substance P and therefore reduces pain.

When cayenne is used topically it can relieve many different types of pain, from diabetic neuropathy, shingles, migraine headaches, back aches, arthritis, menstrual cramps and bruises.

thanks a lot of cool ideas