Digestive Health Archives - Jovanka Ciares

Five Tropical Fruit with Medicinal Properties

Eating fruit is a healthy habit, so it is important to include it in your daily diet.

Are you one of those who consumes fruit every day and you like to try different flavors, tastes and types? If so you’re in luck! In today’s video you will find some varieties of tropical fruit and their medicinal properties. Check them out!

Why are fruit good for ya?

Mineral salts, vitamins, simple sugars, fiber … these are just some of the beneficial nutrients for our well-being that tropical fruits provide us. Therefore, they are considered a fundamental element in the diet to prevent diseases and stay in shape.

The World Health Organization in its recommendations on diet, physical activity and health, highlights some interesting facts about the habit of eating fruits every day and some data that makes its importance very clear: On average, almost two million lives could be saved each year thanks to a regular consumption of fruit and vegetables.

Beyond the nutrients and fiber that fruits provide us, some have active principles that can improve people’s quality of life. Let’s discover the ones from just my favorite 5!

1 Pineapple

It is a tropical fruit that, due to its properties and flavor, has also become very popular in less warm areas. It is rich in vitamins of group A, B, C and vegetable fiber. In addition to being characterized by its low caloric intake, it is appreciated for its digestive properties.

Pineapple is rich in bromelain, an enzyme that promotes digestion. In addition, due to its high fiber content, it is slightly laxative and produces a feeling of satiety.

2. Coconut

Coconut water has rehydrating properties. The oil from the coconut is used as food and is potentially good for people with nutrient absorption problems. For its emollient and moisturizing properties, it is also highly valued by the cosmetic industry. It is traditionally used as a natural anti-asthmatic remedy. The pulp is rich in fatty acids, proteins and vitamin D.

3 Papaya

Papaya is a fruit rich in fiber, which improves intestinal transit and helps relieve the feeling of constipation. In addition, it contains mineral salts, beta-carotene and vitamins.

Its nutritional properties are very valuable, but the active medicinal principles in this case are found in the latex extracted from green fruits. This substance is rich in papain, a protein with more than 200 amino acids that have digestive, antiulcer and anthelmintic properties.

4. Mango

Mango stands out for its nutritional properties:

It is rich in mineral salts such as magnesium, which protects the nervous system and muscles.

It contains high percentages of fiber that helps improve intestinal transit. It provides good amounts of vitamin A, C, E and K and other valuable nutrients that strengthen our immune system and give us energy.

5. PassionFruit

Rich in vitamins of group A, C and K. It also has valuable mineral salts such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and copper and has a high-water content. Thanks to its nutrients, it is an ideal tropical fruit to rehydrate the body and recommended for its antioxidant properties.

How To Get Rid of Intestinal Parasites… Naturally

There are home remedies that are prepared with botanicals like peppermint, rue and mugwort, which have anti-parasitic properties, and are very efficient in eliminating parasites and intestinal worms.

These can be used every 6 months or in small doses on a regular basis to keep the intestine clean, but can also be used after confirmation of the presence of pinworms as a way to complement the treatment indicated by the doctor. It is important to remember that in the case of pregnant women, nursing women or children, it is important to first consult a doctor before ingesting them.

Here are 5 home remedies with anti-parasitic actions traditionally used to manage intestinal parasites. They are:

1. Rue tea with papaya seeds

The home remedy with papaya and rue is optimal in the treatment of worms, since rue is a powerful anthelmintic.

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon of papaya seeds;

1 tablespoon of dried rue leaves;

1 cup of water.

Preparation mode

Place the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Then it should be strained and drunk warm, during the day.

2. Turmeric tea

7 home remedies to kill parasites and intestinal worms

Another good home remedy to treat intestinal parasites is turmeric tea (curcuma longa), because this root has curcumin as an active principle, which according to some studies, inhibits the growth of some pathogens, including helminths and protozoa. In addition to this, turmeric is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Ingredients

12 ounces of water;

1 teaspoon of turmeric powder.

Preparation mode

Boil the water and add the teaspoon of turmeric, let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day between meals.

3. Olive oil with garlic

7 home remedies to kill parasites and intestinal worms

Garlic is optimal for the elimination of intestinal worms and can be consumed raw, but it can also be consumed daily as a flavored oil, as it maintains its anthelmintic properties.

Ingredients

16 ounces of olive oil;

1 branch of rosemary;

3 cloves of peeled garlic.

Preparation mode

In a bottle of approximately 700 ml place the peeled and gently crushed garlic cloves and then add the oil and the rosemary branch. Close and store in a dry, moisture-free place for at least 10 days. Use this oil to cook food and to dress salads or soups.

See all the health benefits of garlic.

4. Mugwort tea

Mugwort is excellent for eliminating intestinal parasites due to its antiparasitic properties, its scientific name is mugwort vulgaris.

Ingredients

20 g of artemisia leaves;

32 ounces of boiling water.

Preparation mode

Add the leaves to the boiling water and let it rest for 5 minutes. Strain and drink when hot 3 times a day.

5. Anise tea

Anise tea also has anthelmintic action, being useful to complement the treatment against intestinal parasites.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon of anise seeds;

1 cup of boiling water.

Preparation mode

Place the seeds in the boiling water and let it rest for 8 minutes. Strain and take after meals. Learn more about anise and its properties.

Herbal Blends for Gallbladder Stones

The presence of gallstones causes symptoms including vomiting, nausea, and pain in the right side of the abdomen or in the back. The size of these stones is variable, and can be like a grain of sand up to the size of a golf ball.

Gallstones that are very large can only be removed with shock wave therapy or surgery, but small stones can be removed through the intake of medications and / or with the use of some natural treatments, plant under the doctor’s guidance.

An excellent home remedy to eliminate small stones from the gallbladder is to drink 100 mL of water every hour until you can ingest 2 liters of water throughout the day. This will allow the gallbladder to relax, thus reducing the swelling and painful sensation caused by gallstones.

Other excellent home remedies to remove small gallstones are:

1. Black radish juice

Black radish is a root that has substances in its composition that prevent the accumulation of cholesterol in the gallbladder, helping to prevent and eliminate the stones that form on this site. It can also be used to reduce fat accumulated in the liver and as an antioxidant agent, reducing the effects of aging.

Ingredients

3 black radishes;

1-2 glass of water;

1 teaspoon of natural sweetener

Preparation mode

Wash the radishes and blend them together with the cold water and honey, until all the ingredients are well incorporated. Then serve the juice in a glass and drink up to 2 times per day.

2. Dandelion Tea

Dandelion is a plant known to combat digestive problems, acting mainly on the liver and the gallbladder, because it has choleretic effects, that is, it promotes increased bile flow by helping to expel stones from the gallbladder.

Ingredients

3 Tbsp of dried dandelion leaves;

16-20 ounces of water.

Preparation mode

Boil the water and place the dried dandelion leaves, cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. Next, you must strain the infusion and drink warm. It can be ingested 3 times a day.

3. Artichoke

Popularly, artichoke is a plant used to treat various health problems such as anemia, hemorrhoids, rheumatism, and pneumonia. Some studies show that it is also a plant used to eliminate stones in the gallbladder because it stimulates the production of bile, helping not only the gallbladder but also liver function.

Ingredients

2 to 5 mL of artichoke tincture

12 of room temp. water

Preparation mode

Dilute the artichoke tincture in water and drink the mixture up to 3 times a day.

4. Peppermint essential oil

The essential oil of peppermint can help to eliminate stones in the gallbladder, 0.2 mL of this oil should be taken, once a day, to cause the desired effect. However, it is possible to prepare peppermint tea, because it is also recommended for the treatment of these types of health problems.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons whole or crushed dried peppermint leaves or 2 to 3 fresh leaves

16 ounces of boiling water

Preparation mode

Place the peppermint leaves in a teacup and fill it with boiling water. Let the infusion rest for 5 to 7 minutes, strain and drink 3 to 4 times a day, preferably after meals.

5. Milk thistle

Milk thistle, also known as Silybum marianum, is a natural remedy widely used to treat liver problems and gallbladder stones, because the main compound in this plant is silymarin. In general, the extracts of this plant can be bought in pharmacies or in natural stores in the form of capsules, but milk thistle fruit tea can also be used.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon of crushed milk thistle fruits;

1 cup of water.

Preparation mode

Boil the water and place the crushed milk thistle fruits, let the infusion rest for 10 minutes. After this time, you should strain the infusion and drink 3 to 4 cups of tea per day.

Your Gut Health Questions Answered with Dr Mary Pardee

Today, I have Dr Mary Pardee functional medicine doctor and Naturopathic Medical Doctor specializing in integrative gastroenterology and gut-brain health to some of the most popular questions I hear from folks about gut health.

We will talk about over the counter remedies, those pesky, gassy, smelly symptoms you struggle with and more. Tune in!

Living with chronic conditions like diarrhea, acid reflux, constipation, gas, or bloating can leave you feeling drained and hopeless, not to mention embarrassed. You shouldn’t have to scan every restaurant menu before going out to eat, or avoiding restaurants altogether. Your gut should be nourishing you, not causing stress and discomfort.

And let’s face it: none of this is all that fun to talk about. But facts are facts: The health of your body is largely affected by the health of your gut.

It’s time we talked about poop.

And probiotics.

And all things gut health.

Check out today’s interview, you’ll learn a TON today!

Stop Emotional Eating with Hypnosis

Today I have a very special video, talking to my friend and renowned hypnotherapist Grace Smith. After so many of you shared that you are “eating your emotions” and “stress eating”, I wanted her to share with all of us how her work can help us all stop behaviors that can become highly destructive and downright unhealthy.

You see, Grace’s work has helped thousands around the world stop emotional eating, lose weight more effectively than ever before and fall in love with their magnificent bodies where it matters most… inside your subconscious mind.

Because if your conscious mind wants something (to lose weight) and your subconscious mind wants something else (to stay the same), the subconscious will win every.single.time.

It will sabotage success from the inside out until things return to the status quo…

Unless you learn how to access and upgrade your subconscious mind directly.

Grace’s BRAND NEW BOOK “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” will teach you exactly how to do just that.

Her book will also teach you:

✔️Magical Meal Prep + Motivation to Keep Going ⠀

✔️The Fundamentals: Chew, Hydrate, Stop! ⠀

✔️Limiting Beliefs That Have to Go ⠀

✔️Intuitive Eating ⠀

✔️Train Your Brain to Crave Exercise ⠀

✔️Freedom from Emotional Eating ⠀

✔️Overcome Eating When Bored ⠀

✔️ Upgrade How You Reward Yourself ⠀

✔️ The People and Places That Trigger You ⠀

✔️ Putting the Law of Attraction to Work⠀

✔️ How to Cope with Unwanted Attention ⠀

✔️ Overcome the Fear of Success ⠀

✔️ Learning to Love Yourself for the Long Run ⠀

Due to the fact that we’re all more isolated than ever, there are two ways that you can enjoy “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” and the wisdom inside that will help you to transform your relationship to food and your body, for the long term.

Option A: Self-Study

Purchase your copy of “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” here today and make your way through the book, it’s daily journal pages, and it’s accompanying digital resources website on your own, in your own time.

Option B: Group Study

Enroll in Grace’s 90 Day Live Weight Loss Challenge (launching on May 1st) and join a community of like minded souls from all over the world who are committed to making their way through the 12-week journey laid out inside “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight,” TOGETHER. You’ll receive additional bonus videos each week, live Q&A chats with Grace each week, and most importantly, you’ll receive ACCOUNTABILITY. Click here to learn more about the Group Study option!

You’ll see me inside the Group Study program myself as I’ll be providing you all with a bonus lesson on the meal plan that I created for “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight”…

That’s right! Grace asked me to create the official “Close Your Eyes, Lose Weight” meal plan and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it and for me to walk all Group Study participants through it in even greater detail <3

If you have any questions feel free to reply to this email.

Otherwise, give yourself the gift of freedom from emotional eating during this time of heightened fear and uncertainty by choosing either the Self-Study option or the Group Study option.

Upset Tummy Be Gone | How To Soothe Your Tummy

We’ve all been there: a squeezy feeling in the pit of your stomach, and gas bubble that feels trapped and causing pain, a bloated stomach that makes you look 4 months pregnant (even the boys), the funny butterflies that are neither cute nor sexy.

What to do? If you’re feeling that combination of physical discomfort and emotional stress that manifests in discomfort, pain and distention on the belly, I got some herbal blends for you! Check out the video blog and the written list below the video!

Here are some of my favorite tummy soothers:

1. CHAMOMILE

-aromatic and carminative bitter

-loved by kids & elders alike

-great for occasional gas and bloating

-relieves nausea and occasional heartburn

2. GINGER

-warming carminative

-soothes upset stomach and nausea

-supports sluggish digestion

-rekindles digestive fire and reduces gas/bloating

3. PEPPERMINT

-cooling carminative

-smooth muscle of the digestive tract

-soothes the nerves & a nervous stomach

4. BURDOCK

-bitter stimulant

-maintains healthy gut flora

-keeps microbiome in balance

-stimulates digestive secretions

Copper Vessel Water Benefits

Storing water in a copper vessel creates a natural purification process. It can kill all the microorganisms, molds, fungi, algae and bacteria, present in the water that could be harmful to the body and make the water perfectly fit for drinking. In addition, water stored in a copper vessel for a few hours acquires some quality from the copper. Copper is an essential trace mineral that is vital to human health. It has antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps neutralize toxins.

Unlike some nutritional elements, the body cannot synthesize copper, so you need to get it from dietary sources. The best dietary sources of copper include seafood, organ meats, whole grains, lentils, nuts, seeds, chocolate, cereals, potatoes, peas and some dark green leafy vegetables. Or you can drink water stored in copper.

According to Ayurveda, drinking copper-enriched water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach helps balance all three doshas (Kapha, Vata and Pitta). This also ensures proper functioning of different organs and several metabolic processes.

In addition to that, here are 10 reasons why drinking water from a copper vessel is beneficial for you.

1. Helps the digestive system perform better

2. Aids weight loss

3.Helps heal wounds faster

4. Slows down aging

5.Helps reduce high blood pressure

6. Can reduce the risk of cancer

7. Protects you from infections

8. Helps arthritis and inflamed joints

9. Boosts skin health and melanin production

10. Beats anemia

Drinking 2 to 3 glasses of water that has been stored in a copper vessel is another easy way to supply your body with enough copper.

Have you tried this or think you would? Let me know in the comments below!

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):

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!

Home Made Colon Cleanse

At any point in the year, a homemade colon cleanse can be very helpful to help flush out some of the toxins in your body. These toxins can be a contributing factor to your GI troubles and other symptoms, including constipation, lack of energy and more.

This is super easy to do: Just plan a day when you do not need to leave home and allow the colon cleansing process and your body to adapt to each other, especially since you’ll be eliminating a ton of waste and detoxing in the process.

Check out the video with instructions here and the ingredients below the video:

Homemade DIY Colon Cleanse

INGREDIENTS:

½ cup apple juice (organic and with no added sugar)

½ cup filtered water

½ teaspoon ginger powder or paste

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

½ teaspoon sea salt

HOW TO

Mix the water and apple juice together.

Add the lemon juice, salt and ginger paste and mix thoroughly

You can drink warm or chilled, although do not put it in the fridge for hours. This is meant to be drank immediately.

Drink 8 ounces first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Drink again with lunch and again in the afternoon, before dinner.

WHAT TO EXPECT

You should have a bowel movement from 30-90 minutes after each drink. You should not feel crampy or a bad urge, just a fullness and a need to empty your bowels.

Do not drink this after dinner or you might end up getting woken up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.

This cleanse is safe for most and should not present any issues. But, as always, it is a good idea to check with your doctor if you’re ill, pregnant or are under medical care.

Coaching Session And Colitis Herbal Blends with Vince Lia

Today I’m featuring a new client, a friend, who also happens to be a great wellness warrior and vegan YouTuber… Vince Lia!

Vince mentioned that he was struggling with colitis (a type of severe bowel inflammatory disease) for years and recently had a bad flare-up caused by stress.

I of course jumped at the opportunity to help a fellow wellness seeker and we agreed to do an herbalism health coaching session.

If you ever wondered what a session with me looks like, this will give you a great insight into what it is to work with me (a full session involves other steps not shown in the video but you’ll definitely get the picture).

Check out the content of the video:

Vince’s story – 1:22

His transition to veganism – 5:35

Holistic Approach – 9:15

Herbs for Colitis – 12:00

Herbal Remedy for digestive issues – 14:55

And the herbs I recommended Vince include:

Gingko Biloba

Get It Here

Boswellia

Get It Here

Have you heard of them? Plan on trying one or another? Let me know in the comments below the video.

6 Perfect Home Diarrhea Herbal Preparations

Diarrhea is the watery or loose stools that happen three or more times a day.

It is important to note that diarrhea is not a disease but a symptom of different disorders such as food poisoning, celiac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, lactose intolerance (sugar in milk), Crohn’s disease, gastroenteritis, ulcerative colitis, intestinal parasites , etc.

Likewise, it can be produced by some medications (antibiotics, blood pressure drugs and antacids with magnesium), since these can alter the normal balance of bacteria in the colon.

Diarrhea is usually accompanied by abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, general weakness and loss of appetite.

For the average healthy individual, attacking the diarrhea with herbal remedies can be very effective. Either way, you must go to your health care practitioner if your stools are soft for more than 48hrs so you can rule out any serious issues.

Here are my top 6 herbal preparations for this uncomfortable condition (check out the video and the full list below the video).

Remedy for Diarrhea #1 Wash a handful of fresh berries of red currant and place in a blender along with some water. Blend for a few moments and drink the juice obtained.

Remedy for Diarrhea #2 Put some salt on the navel and hold it with a band aid.

Remedy for Diarrhea #3 Wash and split a large lemon. Extract your juice and add it to 1 liter of warm water. Drink throughout the day.

Remedy for Diarrhea #4 Pour a handful of rosehip seeds into 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and let cool for 5 minutes. Drink 3 cups a day.

Remedy for diarrhea #5 Boil, for 10 minutes, 3 tablespoons of raspberry or blackberry leaf in half a liter of water. After that time, cover and let cool. Take throughout the day.

Remedy for Diarrhea #6 Place 1 teaspoon of black tea in 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and let cool. Drink a warm cup, without too much sugar.

Herbs to Ease Heartburn, GERD and Acid Reflux

Have you ever suffered from that awful burning sensation at the top of your stomach? Or what about stomach pain, stinging sensation in the throat and chest, and persistent throat sore throat!

If you have or know someone who does, do not despair. There’s one little herbal remedy that people have been using for decades to help relieve these symptoms and more (it’s great for ulcers too)!

Even my dad uses it to help manage his GERD.

What’s the magic ingredient???? Slippery Elm!

First things first: to get yours, Click Here

Secondly: Check Out the video below (more below the video)

Thirdly, a fun Trivia: Slippery Elm is one of the few herbs that’s FDA approved as a medication!

Fourth and finally:

Here’s the recipe:

Mix slippery elm, cinnamon, nutmeg and water in a small pot to form a smooth paste.
Add nut or coconut milk and stir over a low flame, gently heating the mixture and stirring constantly until there are no lumps.
Turn off the heat and add your sweetener of choice.

Enjoy and feel better!

Learn To Poo The Right Way

How are your bathroom trips? If you suffer from too much gas, bloating, indigestion, constipation or any other digestive issues, chances are there’s just too much “poo” or debris in your intestines.

The way you poo could be part of the problem. And the solution could be as simply as learning how to sit while in the toilet.

Check out this video to learn why I love Squatty Potty so much. And click on this link to get yours today!

Let me know what you think, in the comments below the video!

Top 5 Herbs that Help Digestion

In my experience as an herbalist and a patient suffering from fibroids and endometriosis, I’ve found that, creating a balanced environment in your gut can allow your hormonal system to work a bit more efficiently and eventually reduce pain and discomfort until your body returns to a balanced state.

Here are the 5 herbs I’ve used through the years to soothe my GI tract and also help balance my hormonal self.

*Chamomile – very popular and mild. Don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s common and wildly used. Chamomile increases gastric juices, helps you expel gas, reduce painful spasms and reduce inflammation. It is wildly used because it is mild so even people with IBS and other serious gastric conditions can use it.

*Hops (will help you sleep, sedative, nerving relaxant), but it revs up your digestive juices.

*Slippery Elm (Ulnus spp) – is used in lots of OTC’s. Slippery Elm is great for the mouth (soft tissue, canker sores, stomach walls). Awesome to sooth the gut when your hormones are causing LOTS of issues

*Yarrow: Yarrow leaf and flower can be added to food or used in tea. This bitter plant may be helpful in managing blood sugar, which is so important in maintaining digestive health AND regulating thyroid function, which is key in maintaining strong and balanced hormonal health.

*Triphala, an Ayurvedic combination of the fruits amalaki, haritaki and bibhitaki, is the classic herbal remedy for long-term digestive benefit. It tones the intestinal walls, detoxifies the system and promotes evacuation. Triphala has a high tannin content, so in low doses, it treats diarrhea (1 gram per day). In higher doses, it treats constipation in a slow, gentle way, toning the walls of the gut while it works.

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