Disease Prevention Archives

Three Medicinal Mushrooms You Should Know About | The Power of Mushrooms

Three medicinal mushrooms you should know about – the Power of Mushrooms

I’ve been learning about and becoming obsessed with mushrooms for the last couple of years. I’m truly in love with these powerful products and wanted to share at least 3 that you should consider trying and adding to your healthy foods arsenal.

First of, it’s important to know that mushrooms (or fungi) are neither part of the vegetable world nor part of the animal world. They are their own kingdom, the fungi kingdom! There are tens of thousands of mushroom types out there, with a few dozen considered edible and beneficial to our health. We still don’t know all of them so chances are we may learn about a new mushroom or two and its benefits in the very near future.

For now, let’s look at 3 that are among the most popular and with the strongest known health benefits.

Reishi

Traditional Chinese Medicine has been using reishi for hundreds of years. It is considered the “longevity” mushroom in many parts of the world.

There is strong evidence that reishi can help:

Boost your immune system
Have anti-cancer properties
Fight fatigue
Protect your heart
Can help control blood sugar levels
Provide antioxidant protection

It is mostly used in powder form (capsules or loose powder) but can also be found in tea and tincture form

Chaga

This mushroom has been used for centuries in Siberia, Scandinavia and parts of Northern Canada to help improve overall health. It is so powerful indeed that a single cup of chaga tea can provide almost all of the antioxidants you need in a day.

In addition to antioxidants, evidence shows that chaga mushrooms can help you:

Prevent cancer
Lower blood sugar levels
Lower cholesterol

Shiitake

This is a yummy edible mushroom. I’m particularly obsessed with them because they have a smoky flavor when oven roasted and are incredibly tasty in soups, stews, salads other dishes.

There is strong scientific data showing how shiitake can help:

Boost health
Protect against cancer
Reduce inflammation
Increase circulation

Now, have you tried or are ready to try these magical ‘shrooms? Have you tried others that you love? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

Three Oils That Protect your Respiratory System

The US Surgeon General said in an interview last week: “… we would rather prevent disease than treat disease”. The worldwide struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic has made this more evident than ever before.

You have been seeing my IG Lives and YouTube videos where I am sharing various ways to keep your body healthy, strong and have yet another line of defense against preventable diseases like the cold, the flu and the coronavirus.

Essential oils are another way in which we can keep our immune system strong and ready to fight pathogens. Here are 2 essential oils (to be used topically) and one oil-based infusion (to be used internally) that my family has been using for generations.

– EUCALYPTUS: This highly anti-oxidant oil can help you relieve cold symptoms, break down congestion in the chest, clear your nasal passage and promote relaxation, helping you sleep at night.

My mom used to put a few drops in our chests before bed when we were super congested. I still remember those moments fondly.

– THIEVES essential oil: a blend of oils

The blend includes herbs like cloves, cinnamon and rosemary and is believed to help boost the immune system. It has antimicrobial activity and can help you fight nasal and sinus congestion. It is also good at promoting respiratory health and energizing the mood.

My sister would put 3-4 drops on my little nephew’s hands right before dropping him off to school every morning. He rubbed his hands together and smell the oil before rubbing it on his temple and neck. That first year of use, he avoided the cold when most kids in his school got it at least once.

– OIL OF OREGANO: This is a natural antibiotic and antioxidant with antiviral properties. It contains various potentially healing compounds that can also help reduce pain and symptoms of the cold and flu.

I often use it at the first sign of symptoms, adding 3-4 drops of the oil blend (NOT the essential oils but the oil infused in a carrier oil) in a cup of tea, 3-4 times a day. You can also take it in small caps.

Herbal Tonic for the Cold, Flu, Other Respiratory Illnesses

This powerful tonic can be used by people who are perfectly healthy and trying to stay healthy and those with the cold, the flu and other symptoms.

If you have a fever, aches and pains, and are concerned about getting sicker, this can help shorten your symptoms, reduce inflammation, rest easier and feel better a little sooner.

You can do this with just 5 ingredients:

2 inches of ginger root (boiled in 16 ounces of water)

1 cap full of raw apple cider vinegar

½ lemon juice (freshly cut)

1 dash of cayenne pepper

1 tsp of raw honey (avoid if you’re a vegan)

You can also add a couple of other ingredients, to create a one-two punch of protection:

20 drops of reishi tincture

10 drops of oil of oregano

Take this 12 ounce drink once a day as a protective tonic and 3-4 times a day if you’re fighting a cold, the flu or something else!

How to Make Hand Sanitizer at Home

In light of the continued spread and worldwide struggle with the coronavirus (COVID-19) and the CDC’s directive to practice social distancing and other guidelines, many of you have asked if alternative practices like herbal medicine can help add an extra layer of protection to your health and immunity.

In the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing with my community simple herbal and other home-made remedies to help you stay strong and supporter through this world-wide pandemic.

In this post, I’ll show you how to make WHO and CDC approved hand sanitizer at home with just 4 ingredients.

I tried it at home and showed you the process here.

Here is the mix/recipe:

4 ounces of isopropyl alcohol (91% or above)

1/2 tsp of glycerol or glycerin

1/2 tsp of hydrogen peroxide

1 ounce of water (boil the water, let it cool)

5 drops of tea tree oil

5 drops of lavender

*Add to a clean, empty bottle with a spray cap

Coronavirus: Can Herbal Medicine Help Protect You?

The coronavirus is wreaking havoc around the world, not just in the health of people but in our psyche and in the world economy as a whole. We don’t know as much as we’d like to about this virus and that is one of the reasons for the type of panic we’re seeing. If you don’t know an enemy, how do you fight it, right? In my practice as an herbalist, I’ve had a dozen people ask me if I could recommend botanicals that can protect them from getting the coronavirus. Check out my answer and my recommendations here:

Practical recommendations from the US Federal Government: coronavirus.gov In addition, please make sure to check for symptoms, like:

fever
dry cough
shortness of breath – less common

In Herbal Medicine we take a 3-step approach: 1 – Prevention 2 – Lessening of symptoms 3 – Strengthening the immunity The Botanical/Herbal recommendations for prevent and protect your respiratory and immune systems include: Respiratory:

garlic
elderberry
plantain leaf
echinacea
thyme

Immune System:

reishi/chaga mushrooms
oil of oregano
tea tree
ginger
eucalyptus

Five Chemicals Banned In Europe (Sold in the USA)

Did you know there are toxic food chemicals allowed to be used in the foods you consume and feed your children? And what’s even more shocking if that many other industrialized nations, especially in Europe, have tested some of these chemicals, deemed them unsafe and banned them from their food chains.

However, in the good ol’ USA, we have a totally different approach to food safety. Here, the Food and Drug Administration uses the “innocent until proven harmful” tactic, allowing ingredients into our foods sometimes for decades until and unless someone can show there’s a problem.

Some of these chemicals can cause symptoms from diarrhea to hormone disruption and some are suspected of causing life-threatening diseases like cancer.

So before you take another bite, check out this list (mean to be a starting point to your own research and self-empowerment with respect to the foods that you feed your amazing body):

rBGH and rBST – available in Milk
Olestra – available in packaged, highly-processed foods
BVO – available in soft drinks
Potassium bromate (bromated flour) – available in baked goods
DPA – available in Apples

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!

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!

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!

How To Manage Occasional Diarrhea

Ugh! We’ve all suffered from it at one point or another…. diarrhea… and all that comes with it:

Stomach ache
Feeling feverish and ill
Dehydration
Uncontrollable bowel movements
Frequent passage of loose and watery stool
Abdominal cramps
Stomach pain
Dry mouth

The reasons why we suffer from diarrhea as far and wide, from bacterial infection to serious autoimmune disorders. Whatever the reasons behind your loose and watery stools, one of these natural remedies might be able to help.

Check out the video below to learn my go-to remedies to treat occasional diarrhea.

Now, in the comments below, tell me: Have you used any of these? Have they been helpful?

Do you know of any remedies as effective to manage diarrhea symptoms? Let me know in the comments below!

What Does It Mean When You Crave Salt (And How To Stop It)

Do you feel like you crave salt regularly? Think you eat way too may salty foods? Or maybe not enough?

Yes, eating too much salt is bad, but eating too little is bad too.

Salt is necessary to control the balance of body fluids, provide vital trace minerals and is crucial for growth and reproduction.

So do you have cravings? Check out the video:

Do you Crave for salty foods.

Cravings for foods that have a lot of salt in them even if they don’t taste salty. Examples include bread, crackers, cookies, TV dinners, and canned foods?
Cravings for sausages, bacon, olives, seasoning blends
Do you have fatigue, low energy and mood swings.
Muscle cramps or slow recovery from exercise.

If so, here’s what I recommend you do:

Test your adrenals and hormone levels. Cortisol and other stress hormone issues may be affected by sodium deficiency so check with your doctor asap.
Pay attention to how you feel after eating foods with a lot of sodium. Listen to the cues of your body, maybe it is trying to tell you something!
Pay attention to exercise. If you sweat a lot, rehydrate with a mixture of water and himalayan pink salt.
Be present and celebrate where you are right now. This will help you reduce stress levels.
Add some Himalayan sea salt to a big glass of water during dinner. This will help you not go to the bathroom a thousand times per day or at night.

how to prepare for fall and winter, jovanka ciares

How To Keep Your Body Healthy During Fall/Winter

Fall is the time for reflection and fasting to prepare for winter, using cleanses and warming herbs to help maintain immunity during winter.

So here are some of the easy steps you can take in the next few days to prepare your body for the harsh winter, prevent diseases and staying strong and happy.

Do A Guided Fast

Every culture, every major religion fasts to help you purge from months of debris, toxins and excesses. Today, detoxes and fasts are really popular but you must be careful, especially if you’ve never tried one and your diet is not clean. You can check out my CLEANSE! Book for a guided 3 day juice fast or a 21-day food-based cleanse.

Massage Your Feet

Do you start to feel like your toes are cold even when the rest of you is warm? Massaging your feet before bed and first thing in the morning with sesame oil can keep your feet warm and it’s a great immune booster.

Sleep More

Yep, you need more sleep when the days get shorter. It’s not just you. Almost everything in nature, including animals and plants need more rest during Fall and Winter. Stop fighting it and get to bed at 10pm sharp and make sure to get 7-9 hours of sleep.

Use Warming Herbs

For your teas and food, use herbs that increase warmth to the body like pepper, cardamom, horseradish, cinnamon, garlic

Get Out

Sounds counter intuitive because it’s colder and you feel like staying in doors. Bundle up and do some hiking, get some crisp fresh air in your lungs and keep your body moving. Trust me, this was hard for me at first but now it’s an important part of my Fall cleanse routing.

Supplement with Vitamin D

In Fall and Winter you’re not getting enough sunlight so a supplement is necessary. I’d rather take a supplement pill than a fortified juice drink (to avoid the sugar intake)

This is the WORST protein powder EVER! – WHEY

Do you know where Whey comes from? It’s a byproduct of milk that is produced during the cheese making process. By definition, it is the waste of the cheese processing industry. It is a very popular supplement that many doctors consider toxic! So what is it and why is it bad for you?!

Check out the video below to learn more about this potentially dangerous substance!

Did you know it can cause serious problems? Let me know by leaving a comment or question below.

recovering from surgery the holistic way

Recovering from Fibroid Surgery the Holistic Wellness Way

As you know, I’ve been home with friends and family recovering from abdominal surgery to remove a pesky fibroid (myomectomy) that sort of died inside of me and was wrecking undo havoc in my life.

I’m getting stronger and feeling better every day and today I’m strong enough to write (not ready for video though) and I wanted to share here some of the alternative holistic treatments I’m doing from home to help speed my recovery.

My Diet

Major surgery that requires full anesthesia shuts down your system for hours and it could take much longer for those systems to wake up. Since we now know that digestion is at the cornerstone or your health and immunity, it is key that my diet is easy to digest, properly combined (to avoid constipation, indigestion, gas, bloating) and densely nourishing. Some of the things I’m eating include:

Kitchari – an Ayurvedic meal made with basmati rice and mung daal (yellow split peas)

Green Smoothies – Loaded with greens and fruit

Veggie Juices – A staple in my diet for years butternut squash11

Hearty Soups – lentil soup, butternut squash and root vegetable soups are my favorites

Acai Bowls – high anti oxidant content and really comforting and yummy.
The idea is to keep my digestion smooth and flowy and avoid the crazy constipation often associated with anesthesia and the pain medications.

My Supplements

The supplements I’m taking in the days and weeks after my surgery were suggested by my Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic practitioners and are designed to help the body reduce inflammation, prevent infection and purify the blood. Here are some of the things I’m taking:

Aloe Vera – awesome tonic to the reproductive system, digestive system and bladder

Oil of Oregano – powerful antibiotic, taken only for 5 days after surgery to prevent infections

Liquid Chlorophyll – a blood builder and purifier, taken as I had uterine surgery and had some blood loss

Aromatherapy – amazing to help manage discomfort, pain and energize your chakras (the amazing scents also make you feel really great)!

My Teas

Herbs have amazing medicinal properties and can help your body feel whole and energized without side effects. Here are the teas I’m taking while I recover:

Ginger – perfect to reduce inflammation in the belly, soothe your stomach and restore digestion

Fennel, Coriander, Cumin – this is a traditional Ayurvedic blend that also heals digestion, allowing you to prevent gas/bloating and helping you absorb nutrients more efficiently.

Red Raspberry Leaf – This plant is traditionally used to strengthen the womb and reproductive system in general. It was recommended to me by a friend who is also a doula.

Turmeric Tea – highly anti-inflammatory, from the first time I took it I started to feel the inflammation in the wound area start to decrease.

Alternative Treatments

I follow some of the principles of Chinese medicine and Ayurveda in my practice with clients and on myself. Surgery recover is no different. For my recovery, I’m using 2 specific treatments not very well known in the Western world but that people in Asia have been using effectively for hundreds of years.

Shilajit – A resin common in part of northern India and Asia known for its ability to accelerate and improve regeneration of tissue faster, making the healing process shorter and more effective. It is also known as an adaptogen, helping you cope with stress easier.

If you’d like to know more about it Click Here!

Moxi (or Moxabustion) – An herbal remedy commonly used in Chinese medicine used to increase circulation to a healing wound area or an area with inflammation, reducing inflammation almost immediately and speeding up the healing process. I plan on creating a video showing you how it’s done in the next week or so.

Tender, Loving, Care

And last but not least, TLC. Between mommy feet massages, sister feeding soups and friends bringing me an occasional coconut ice cream, I am blessed to have an incredible family and circle of friends. I amassed a small army of loving souls that without hesitation volunteered to help me in the first few weeks after surgery. I’m also sharing some of my process on social media to keep in touch with the outside world and in hopes that this experience can help others recover faster and better. surgery post 1

You can check out my Instagram and Twitter posts or follow me on Facebook to learn more!

I’ll be spending the next few weeks resting comfortably at home, allowing my mind to be present and working on a couple of amazing projects that will be birthed in early 2015.

I hope to share them with you very soon!

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