Blog Archives - Page 6 of 20

Fever Blister / Cold Sores Herbal Blend Suggestions

Have a fever blister? Those nasty, painful, ugly things you sometimes get on your lips, nose or even in your eyes (yikes)! The herbal world has a ton of alternatives to help you shorten the duration of a blister and help you feel better in a flash! Here are some natural herbal blends (scroll down, below the video):

No 1 Apply lemon balm

Mild, yet potent remedy

How to use: Apply ointment to the affected area several times per day (you can also drink the tea)

No 2 Take L-lysine

Amino acid that can help shorten the duration of a fever blister

How to use: Up to 3,000 mg. Follow the recommendation on the package

No 3. Oregano oil

Inhibit different animal and human viruses, including herpes.

How to use: Apply diluted oregano oil to a cotton ball and hold it on the affected area for as long as is comfortable.

No 4 Licorice extract

Licorice root is gaining popularity as a treatment for cold sores.

How to use: Apply diluted licorice extract with your finger tip.

No 5 Apple cider vinegar

Some people report benefits with this new remedy

How to use: Use a cotton ball and apply it diluted to the affected area

Now, on the comments below the video tell me, which ones of these have you actually used? Let me know!

Better than a XANAX… to help you RELAX & Good Sleep

These 2 substances can help you relax, reduce anxiety and sleep better without creating dependency or addiction. What am I talking about? Melatonin and Valerian root.

Check out this video to learn why I love them so and how to use them (see my notes below the video as well)…

Valerian Benefits

Insomnia

Anxiety

Pain Relief

Muscle Relaxant

Heart Health

Typical Use

Strong steeped cup about 2 hours before bed

Melatonin Benefits

Antioxidant

Reduce Reflux

Improve Relaxation

Reset Circadian Rhythm

May Reduce Seasonal Depression

Typical Use

Take 2-3mg, 2 to 3 hours before bed

THIS will kill a cold in a FLASH | Dragon’s Breath

Got a nasty call that lingers for days and days? Not feeling any better after a week?! Try this remedy when you have a lingering cold with chest congestion and phlegm that doesn’t move: Dragon’s Breath.

It is a blend of 4 plants/roots: ginger, garlic, cayenne pepper and lemon. Check out the video below and the recipe listed below the video.

This one has:
1 1/2 large lemons (juice only)
4 garlic cloves
2 inches of ginger root
1 tsp of cayenne

Blend and store in the fridge. It lasts about 5 days and you can take 1-2tsp per day.

HINT: to get rid of your dragon’s breath after taking it, eat apples!

5 Tips To Stay Healthy When Stress Is High

Let’s say you’re traveling, working crazy hours or overwhelmed with school. You’re running in a million direction and can’t really pay attention to your diet or your routine. What to do?

These super simple 5 tips can make the difference between getting sick as a dog or staying healthy in the face of high stress!

Food Poisoning? Try these 5 Tips At Home

Food poisoning is the worst! We’ve all been there: food is tasty but perhaps a little greasy and after a great now out things take a turn for the worse. Awful stomach cramps. Vomiting. Diarrhea. Chills, Fever feeling. Aches all over.

Yep, you are one of the estimated 37 million cases of food poisoning that take place within the United States every year.

Here are my 5 tips to deal with this awful condition (video below):

Hypnosis for Weight Loss and MORE

Do you know hypnosis? No, not the silly comedic skits you may have seen at college or the scary (and deeply untrue) thing that caused Chris to drop to the “sunken place” in the film Get Out.

Hypnosis is “meditation with a goal” as my friend, colleague and guest today, Grace Smith will tell you. It is a technique of deep and controlled relaxation that helps you access your subconscious mind and change deeply engrained behaviors that are hold you back and keep you from feeling great.

On today’s video, Grace, the author of the multiple No 1 Amazon best-selling book “Close Your Eyes, Get Free”, tells me how hypnosis changed her life (I tell my story with hypnosis too) and how it can help yours.

Grace also addresses the controversial use of hypnosis as a “mind-control” technique in the film Get Out (we love the film but man, did that do hypnosis – and the rest of humanity – a major disservice)!

AND, as an added bonus, we get to see Grace in action! We’ll do a short hypnosis session on air (check out timing below).

Affirmations start at 21:09

Hypnosis starts at 23:00

Get the #1 Bestselling Book “Close Your Eyes Get Free” here >>> https://amzn.to/2mKxAMj

Produce Market Visit

Today, my friend Raul and I went to a produce market to get fruit and veggies at dirty cheap prices….

No, not a farmer’s market. This is an outdoor produce market: the market in LA where restaurants and food markets get their produce. These types of markets exist on every major city (even mid-size cities) and it is a great place to discover amazing fruit and vegetables that you may not know about (or re-discover oldies but goodies).

Most of these markets sell in bulk and at less than wholesale prices (we got a box of 16 mangoes for $5 or about $.31 cents per mango. That’s 3-5 times cheaper than in a regular market.

Check out our tour here:

I encourage you to find them in your home town and visit your local produce market. Get a couple of friends, pool your cash together and buy enzyme-filled, super yummy foods for a fraction!

Vegan Restaurant Outing

I went with my friend and fellow #vegan, Raul Ramirez, of VR Vegan to this super yummy Ethiopian Restaurant right on the heart of LA.

It had been well over a decade since I tried Ethiopian food (why did I wait so long) and Raul found this awesome place that offered a lunch buffet, so we decided to give it a go and take you along with it for fun.

What I loved about the experience (apart from the food) is how easy it was to find yummy flavors in foods that I (or you) may not regularly eat AND how easy it was to find different vegan food choices in this cuisine.

Come check out the video and let me know if you’ve ever tried Ethiopian vegan food and what has been your experience!

5 Surprising Reasons why I use Apple Cider Vinegar all the Time (And The Best Way To Take It)

Yes, we all know how amazing apple cider vinegar is but do you know how good? Here are the top 5 reasons why I take it all the time and the best way to take it!

(Hint: scroll below the video to see the benefits and get a discount code)

Weight Loss:Many people drink apple cider vinegar to help with weight management. Consuming it daily is thought to:

help reduce bad cholesterol
fight off cravings
reduce abdominal fat

Overall, it seems like apple cider vinegar is useful as a weight loss aid, mainly by promoting satiety and lowering blood sugar and insulin levels.

Can Kill Many Types of Harmful Bacteria

Vinegar can help kill pathogens, including bacteria. It has traditionally been used for cleaning and disinfecting, treating nail fungus, lice, warts and ear infections.

Can help manage blood sugar levels and even fight diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by high blood sugar levels, either because of insulin resistance or an inability to produce insulin.

However, high blood sugar can also be a problem in people who don’t have diabetes. It is believed to be a major cause of aging and various chronic diseases.

Can Reduce Candida

Candida is a naturally occurring bacteria in the body, often associated with yeast infections and negative bacterial overgrowth. The natural enzymes in apple cider vinegar can help the body get rid of yeasts associated with candida overgrowth in humans. Candida excess symptoms include foggy brain, excessive tiredness, poor memory, sugar cravings and others.

Can Lower Cholesterol and Improve Heart Health

Heart disease is currently the world’s most common cause of premature and preventable deaths. There are a few biological factors linked to heart diseases and those factors can be improved by consuming vinegar.

An observational study from Harvard show that women who ate salad dressings with vinegar had a reduced risk of heart disease.

But this type of study can only show an association, it cannot prove that the vinegar caused anything.

So, how do you take it, how much, for how long?

You can take the raw apple cider vinegar directly from a bottle (mixed with water) every day. But that is often hard to take for a lot of people because:

it has a harsh, acidity taste
can cause people to gag or even get nauseous
the acidity in the vinegar can damage your teeth enable in the long term

A better option is to take it in capsules, like the ones from Apple Cider Vinegar Superior

This one is infused with Spirulina and kelp and all you have to do is take 1 capsule with each meal (3 capsules per day).

If you’re interested in getting it, simply visit:

Apple Cider Vinegar Superior
Use Code JOVANKA15 for a 15% discount

How to Manage Gum Disease At Home

What are the best remedies to help maintain teeth and gum health, control gum disease, gingivitis, gum inflammation, bad breath, etc.?

Here are 5 amazing ways I use to keep my smile beautiful and my breath fresh. Check them out!

The remedies mentioned in the video include:

1. Clove gargles
2. Brush with coco oil and tea tree oil
3. Oil of oregano after treatment
4. Salt gargles
5. Floss like crazy

Go to the video to learn why they are so good for you and how to incorporate them!

6 Sugar Craving Hacks

Today, most of us struggle with sugar cravings and more than a few of us are downright sugar addicted! So what to do?

While there are a dozen options I can recommend, especially involving herbal remedies, I wanted to share here the top 6 hacks: quick and easy ways that are scientifically proven ways to help you reduce your sugar cravings in the short term and give you a chance to slowly learn to control and reduce your sugar intake.

Check them out here:

1. Breathe – activates parasympathetic nervous system
2. Raw Apple Cider Vinegar – Take it in pills or liquid (1 TSP in a glass of water)
3. Cinnamon spice – use in your smoothies, oatmeal, breakfasts and even soups
4. Shake around or walk around for just 5-10 mins drastically reduces your post meal sugar spike
5. Eat sour foods. When you crave sugar, eat foods that are sour and bitter. This helps to counteract sweet cravings. Include bitter ingredients like endive, dandelion greens and kale into your green smoothies or green juices. I also recommend drinking lemon-infused water daily.
6. Add fat to your meals – slows down your gastric empty

Do you know of any others? Let me know in the comments section below!

Detox Oil Massage (Abhyanga)

An Abhyanga Massage is a warm oil, self-administered massage that helps balance your physical constitution, moisturize the skin, helps the skin to release toxins, and is known to help tone muscles all over your body.

You can use a variety of oils and Ayurveda, the science of life and Eastern medicine traditions in India, recommends sesame or almond oils for Vata types, coconut and sunflower for Pitta and corn and olive oils for balancing Kapha. However, if you don’t know your Ayurvedic type, do not despair: simply pick sesame and almond oils in winter and coconut or sunflower in summer.

The massage can be done in the morning before your shower, or in the evening before bed. I often do it once a week in the evenings.

Check out the video and the description on how to do another version of the Abhyanga massage below the video:

How to Do The Massage

Start by warming the oil to skin temperature, and drizzle a small amount of oil into the palms of your hands. (Warm the oil by holding the bottle under warm water, never use a microwave).
Massage the top of your scalp (on days when you wash your hair), pay particular attention to the circumference of your ears, and the soles of your feet.
Massage with long strokes on your limbs, and round strokes on your joints.
It’s best to leave the oil on the body for 20 minutes before washing it off in a warm shower or bath.
Try not to use a lot of soap, let the water rinse out the excess and the towel get rid of the rest. At the end of the shower, your skin should feel silky but not oily.

I hope you love it as much as I love it. Let me know in the comments below!

How Acupuncture Can Help Your Chronic Pain

Today I have such a treat! My friend, amazing vegan and acupuncturist / Chinese medicine man Raul Ramirez is here to show you how acupuncture can help reduce tension and chronic pain in your back, shoulders, pretty much everywhere you hurt!

I’ve been using acupuncture for well over a decade, to help with everything from balancing hormones, reduce pain and anxiety, heal and reduce inflammation.

Acupuncture is a science that’s been around for thousands of years. It comes from China and it is often part of what we know as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which includes herbal remedies, diet and other therapies to restore balance and help the body heal.

On this video, instead of needles, Raul will use known as “cups” to help bring circulation into the areas of my body who are in spasm and sore from workouts and bad posture.

Can’t wait for you to check out the video!

Have you tried acupuncture before? If so, what has been your experience? Let me know if the comments section below!

Your Best Skin Ever with this Eczema Salve

When dealing with eczema and any other inflammatory auto-immune condition, starting with the diet and supplementation could be critical. My clients with eczema are always advised by their doctors to consume anti-inflammatory foods, eliminate dairy to reduce symptoms and take an omega-3 supplement.

You can also follow some lifestyle practices like reducing the amount of baths you take, avoid harsh detergents and beauty products and do a cleanse/detox a few times a year.

As an herbalist, I also recommend a fantastic balm/cream to keep the skin moisturized with anti-eczema and anti-inflammatory properties.

Homemade Eczema Cream

Key Ingredient: Lavender

Lavender is known for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Other studies have shown its ability to combat fungal infections by destroying the cells of the fungus and killing it. Lavender also has an acceleratory effect on wound healing.

Key Ingredient: Shea Butter

Shea has been used by women in the African continent for centuries and I personally believe it is the main reason why African women have such incredible-looking, silky, shiny skin (I challenge you to find me an African woman whose skin is not smooth and healthy-looking). It is full of all-natural vitamin A, works as an anti-inflammatory and aids in numerous skin conditions.

How To Make Your Own Eczema Cream

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup raw shea butter

½ cup coconut oil

30 drops of lavender essential oil

8 drops of tea tree essential oil

1 Tbsp of Jojoba oil

1 Tbsp of vitamin E oil

DIRECTIONS:

Using a double boiler or something similar, melt the shea butter and coconut oil until they’re combined and fully liquified.

Once everything has melted, remove from heat and add the lavender, tea tree and jojoba oils.

Mix together with a spoon and let it cool slightly cool until mix begins to thicken, but keep it soft. Do not let it to harden too much.

Transfer to the mason jar or other container. Store at room temperature.

Important Note: Always test in a patch of skin first, to make sure you don’t have a reaction to any of the ingredients.

Once you have tested the product, simply apply once or twice a day over the affected area. Make sure to avoid eye contact.

Stay Healthy While Traveling | My Top 5 Travel Essential Products

I love travel! Visiting new places, learning about new cultures, people, ways of living. I especially love trying the local foods. Even as a vegan, I rarely run out of options because almost every culture and corner of the world has a ton of plant-based dishes to enjoy.

Yep, travel is amazing…. but it can have its drawbacks.

Jet lag, eating during off hours, indulging in a lot of process and sugary treats are all part of the experience but it can impair your immune function and make you feel ill. And that’s a perfect way to ruin an otherwise amazing experience.

So today, I wanted to share my top 5 go-to supplements and herbs I take with me everywhere I go. These are packaged in small container so that they are easy to travel with and take with you while on the road.

Check out the video below:

Here is the full list and a link where you can buy them:
1. Melatonin
2. Oil of Oregano
3. Wellness Fizz
4. I Travel Well drops
5. Organifi Go

Get them all at:
https://kit.com/JovankaCiares/travel-essentials

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