Friday, April 3, 2009
Banana
20 Fascinating Facts About the Natural Healing Power of Bananas
Here is a story that even a monkey would go ape about. A professor at CCNY for a physiological psych class told his class about bananas. He said the expression 'going bananas' is from the effects of bananas on the brain. When compared to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. No wonder monkeys are so happy all the time!1. Energy Boost: Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
2. Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
3. PMS: Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.
4. Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.5. Depression: According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
6. Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
7. Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.
8. Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.
9. Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.10. Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school (England) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.
11. Constipation: High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
12. Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
13. Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
14. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.15. Quit Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
16. Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
17. Strokes: According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
18. Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!
19. Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
20. Overweight at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.BONUS: Shoe Polish - want a quick shine on your shoes? Take the inside of the banana skin, and rub directly on the shoe. Finish with dry cloth. Amazing fruit!
So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. Perhaps it's time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A banana a day keeps the doctor away!'
PASS IT ON TO YOUR FRIENDS
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Right MasterCard Commercial
Cost per year to achieve basic health and nutrition for the entire world: $13 billion
Amount spent on perfumes each year: $12 billion
Clean water for all the world: $9 billion
Amount spent on cosmetics in the US: $8 billion
Basic education for the world’s children: $6 billion
Total amount the US spends on Christmas each year: $450 billion (or 16 years worth of food, water, and education for the world)
Initial cost of the US Government bailout of failing financial institutions: $700 billion (or 25 years worth of food, water, and education for the world)
Coming to grips with the alarming disconnects of our consumerist society: Priceless
Monday, December 1, 2008
Using regular playing cards
HEARTS
CLUBS
DIAMONDS
SPADESHEARTS: Emotional, symbols of pain and suffering.
Deep Breathing
- Empty your lungs completely by pulling in your stomach while you exhale.
- Take a deep breath in.
- Hold for twice as long as it took to breathe it in.
- Exhale for 4 times as long as it took to breath it in.
- Do this 10 times.
- Enjoy the rejuvenation!
Weekly Exercise Regimen
Monday
- Deep Breathing Exercise (Morning, Afternoon, Evening).
- 30 minutes Walking at brisk pace.
- 5-10 minutes stretching.
- One balance pose.
Tuesday
- Deep Breathing Exercise (M,A,E).
- 45-60 minutes Yoga.
Wednesday
- Deep Breathing Exercise (M,A,E).
- 30 minutes walking with alternating 3 minute power bursts/3 minute moderate pace.
- 5-10 minutes stretching.
- One balance pose.
Thursday
- Deep Breathing Exercise (M,A,E).
- 30-60 minutes Pilates.
Friday
- Deep Breathing Exercise (M,A,E).
- 30 minutes walking.
- 5-10 minutes stretching.
- One balance pose.
Saturday
- Deep Breathing Exercise (M,A,E).
- 30 minutes walking.
- 20 minutes strength training.
- 5-10 minutes stretching.
- One balance pose.
Sunday
- Deep Breathing Exercise (M,A,E).
- 45-60 minutes Yoga
5 easy pieces
5 easy pieces to piecing together your purpose in life
In the film Five Easy Pieces starring Jack Nicholson, the main character played by him, works in an oil field for many years after failing to achieve the dream of being a pianist; a dream
Figuring out what you were put on this Earth to do can sometimes be like putting together a jigsaw puzzle when the pieces are spread around the world. Some people don’t complete their puzzle because they often don’t have the patience, desire, or they’re just fearful. However, the five pieces needed to complete the puzzle of your life’s purpose are actually quite easy to find.
Here are the five easy pieces to piecing together your purpose in life.
1. Recognizing your talents and passions
This is probably the easiest and most common way for people to discover their purpose in life. So we’ll start off with it.
Following you talents and passions will lead to fulfillment, happiness, and even money to pay the bills (or even a lot more). Natural born or acquired talents, it doesn’t matter; you were given them by someone or something for a reason.
To discover more about your passions and talents, think of:
- What makes you cry with joy.
- What makes you and others smile.
- What people sincerely say you’re good at.
- What makes you and others laugh.
- What keeps you up all night because you’re so fired up about it.
2. Look to your past
It’s difficult sometimes to reflect on our pasts. There are plenty of events I would like to erase from my memory, but I think it’s foolish to do so. Instead, we should use it to move us forward and to make sense of where we are now.
Looking to our pasts to get a sense of our purpose has its own puzzle pieces:
- What circumstances were born into?
Perhaps you were born into poverty. Then your purpose may be to rise above impoverished surroundings and to lead others by example.
- What major mistakes and vices did you parents battle?
Were they abusive, addicted to drugs/alcohol, or did they engage is something else destructive? Well your purpose is not to continue the cycle. You have to break free and again, lead by example.
- What have you failed at?
Failure should never be permanent. It’s only there to separate those who want something more than those who don’t. If a failure of something affected you so much that you couldn’t stop thinking about it, then your purpose is to get back in the game, approach it differently and succeed.
- Who affected you the most in a positive way?
Was it a teacher, author, actor, director, a president, or a local hero? If they changed your life, then perhaps you should carry on their mission as well.
3. There are 4 purposes that unite us all:
1. Be as happy as possible.
2. Live life the way you desire.
3. Change the lives of others. (It often doesn’t take as much as you think)
4. Leave the world a little better than when we were born into it.
And yes to all the negative Nancys and Neds: not everyone will fulfill these purposes, but everyone can.
4. Be open to multiple purposes
Many of us have multiple purposes, but often we have one main mission in life, and then other smaller reasons for existing. Perhaps someone is supposed to be a great parent, but also change the world in another way.
Other times, two different purposes can form into a larger one. I’ve been told that I was pretty good at writing and I should think about turning it into a career, but I always brushed it off. One thing I always wanted to do was change the world. So I decided one day to just combine the two and change the world through my talent of writing.
Our purposes can also vary depending on our age. Commonly it’s materialistic in nature when we’re younger, but not so much when we get older.
This leads me to the fifth piece of the puzzle…
5. Find out what your purpose in the now is
What you’re on this Earth to do today is more important than what your purpose later in life is. Today is guaranteed, tomorrow isn’t.
If you think your purpose it to share your art with the world, then start today! If you feel you’re supposed to be a social entrepreneur, then get going now! You may find something that’ll give your life meaning until the end.
We wait for the perfect moment, but it doesn’t exist. Concentrate on your purpose for today, tomorrow, next month, and for the next few years at the most. Life is now, not tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Thar She Blows
When I sent this picture to my friend, Richard, he said "...I initially thought a motorcyclist had exploded. But then I noticed the subtle background-whale"
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
MATH
1. Multiplying by 9, or 99, or 999
Multiplying by 9 is really multiplying by 10-1.
So, 9×9 is just 9x(10-1) which is 9×10-9 which is 90-9 or 81.
Let’s try a harder example: 46×9 = 46×10-46 = 460-46 = 414.
One more example: 68×9 = 680-68 = 612.
To multiply by 99, you multiply by 100-1.
So, 46×99 = 46x(100-1) = 4600-46 = 4554.
Multiplying by 999 is similar to multiplying by 9 and by 99.
38×999 = 38x(1000-1) = 38000-38 = 37962.
2. Multiplying by 11
To multiply a number by 11 you add pairs of numbers next to each other, except for the numbers on the edges.
Let me illustrate:
To multiply 436 by 11 go from right to left.
First write down the 6 then add 6 to its neighbor on the left, 3, to get 9.
Write down 9 to the left of 6.
Then add 4 to 3 to get 7. Write down 7.
Then, write down the leftmost digit, 4.
So, 436×11 = is 4796.
Let’s do another example: 3254×11.
The answer comes from these sums and edge numbers: (3)(3+2)(2+5)(5+4)(4) = 35794.
One more example, this one involving carrying: 4657×11.
Write down the sums and edge numbers: (4)(4+6)(6+5)(5+7)(7).
Going from right to left we write down 7.
Then we notice that 5+7=12.
So we write down 2 and carry the 1.
6+5 = 11, plus the 1 we carried = 12.
So, we write down the 2 and carry the 1.
4+6 = 10, plus the 1 we carried = 11.
So, we write down the 1 and carry the 1.
To the leftmost digit, 4, we add the 1 we carried.
So, 4657×11 = 51227 .
3. Multiplying by 5, 25, or 125
Multiplying by 5 is just multiplying by 10 and then dividing by 2. Note: To multiply by 10 just add a 0 to the end of the number.
12×5 = (12×10)/2 = 120/2 = 60.
Another example: 64×5 = 640/2 = 320.
And, 4286×5 = 42860/2 = 21430.
To multiply by 25 you multiply by 100 (just add two 0’s to the end of the number) then divide by 4, since 100 = 25×4. Note: to divide by 4 your can just divide by 2 twice, since 2×2 = 4.
64×25 = 6400/4 = 3200/2 = 1600.
58×25 = 5800/4 = 2900/2 = 1450.
To multiply by 125, you multipy by 1000 then divide by 8 since 8×125 = 1000. Notice that 8 = 2×2x2. So, to divide by 1000 add three 0’s to the number and divide by 2 three times.
32×125 = 32000/8 = 16000/4 = 8000/2 = 4000.
48×125 = 48000/8 = 24000/4 = 12000/2 = 6000.
4. Multiplying together two numbers that differ by a small even number
This trick only works if you’ve memorized or can quickly calculate the squares of numbers. If you’re able to memorize some squares and use the tricks described later for some kinds of numbers you’ll be able to quickly multiply together many pairs of numbers that differ by 2, or 4, or 6.
Let’s say you want to calculate 12×14.
When two numbers differ by two their product is always the square of the number in between them minus 1.
12×14 = (13×13)-1 = 168.
16×18 = (17×17)-1 = 288.
99×101 = (100×100)-1 = 10000-1 = 9999
If two numbers differ by 4 then their product is the square of the number in the middle (the average of the two numbers) minus 4.
11×15 = (13×13)-4 = 169-4 = 165.
13×17 = (15×15)-4 = 225-4 = 221.
If the two numbers differ by 6 then their product is the square of their average minus 9.
12×18 = (15×15)-9 = 216.
17×23 = (20×20)-9 = 391.
5. Squaring 2-digit numbers that end in 5
If a number ends in 5 then its square always ends in 25. To get the rest of the product take the left digit and multiply it by one more than itself.
35×35 ends in 25. We get the rest of the product by multiplying 3 by one more than 3. So, 3×4 = 12 and that’s the rest of the product. Thus, 35×35 = 1225.
To calculate 65×65, notice that 6×7 = 42 and write down 4225 as the answer.
85×85: Calculate 8×9 = 72 and write down 7225.
6. Multiplying together 2-digit numbers where the first digits are the same and the last digits sum to 10
Let’s say you want to multiply 42 by 48. You notice that the first digit is 4 in both cases. You also notice that the other digits, 2 and 8, sum to 10. You can then use this trick: multiply the first digit by one more than itself to get the first part of the answer and multiply the last digits together to get the second (right) part of the answer.
An illustration is in order:
To calculate 42×48: Multiply 4 by 4+1. So, 4×5 = 20. Write down 20.
Multiply together the last digits: 2×8 = 16. Write down 16.
The product of 42 and 48 is thus 2016.
Notice that for this particular example you could also have noticed that 42 and 48 differ by 6 and have applied technique number 4.
Another example: 64×66. 6×7 = 42. 4×6 = 24. The product is 4224.
A final example: 86×84. 8×9 = 72. 6×4 = 24. The product is 7224
7. Squaring other 2-digit numbers
Let’s say you want to square 58. Square each digit and write a partial answer. 5×5 = 25. 8×8 = 64. Write down 2564 to start. Then, multiply the two digits of the number you’re squaring together, 5×8=40.
Double this product: 40×2=80, then add a 0 to it, getting 800.
Add 800 to 2564 to get 3364.
This is pretty complicated so let’s do more examples.
32×32. The first part of the answer comes from squaring 3 and 2.
3×3=9. 2×2 = 4. Write down 0904. Notice the extra zeros. It’s important that every square in the partial product have two digits.
Multiply the digits, 2 and 3, together and double the whole thing. 2×3x2 = 12.
Add a zero to get 120. Add 120 to the partial product, 0904, and we get 1024.
56×56. The partial product comes from 5×5 and 6×6. Write down 2536.
5×6x2 = 60. Add a zero to get 600.
56×56 = 2536+600 = 3136.
One more example: 67×67. Write down 3649 as the partial product.
6×7x2 = 42×2 = 84. Add a zero to get 840.
67×67=3649+840 = 4489.
8. Multiplying by doubling and halving
There are cases when you’re multiplying two numbers together and one of the numbers is even. In this case you can divide that number by two and multiply the other number by 2. You can do this over and over until you get to multiplication this is easy for you to do.
Let’s say you want to multiply 14 by 16. You can do this:
14×16 = 28×8 = 56×4 = 112×2 = 224.
Another example: 12×15 = 6×30 = 6×3 with a 0 at the end so it’s 180.
48×17 = 24×34 = 12×68 = 6×136 = 3×272 = 816. (Being able to calculate that 3×27 = 81 in your head is very helpful for this problem.)
9. Multiplying by a power of 2
To multiply a number by 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, or some other power of 2 just keep doubling the product as many times as necessary. If you want to multiply by 16 then double the number 4 times since 16 = 2×2x2×2.
15×16: 15×2 = 30. 30×2 = 60. 60×2 = 120. 120×2 = 240.
23×8: 23×2 = 46. 46×2 = 92. 92×2 = 184.
54×8: 54×2 = 108. 108×2 = 216. 216×2 = 432.
Monday, November 26, 2007
27 Medicinal Plants Worth Your Garden Space
- Aloe Vera
- wounds
- cuts
- burns
- eczema
- reducing inflammation
- ulcerative colitis (drinking aloe vera juice)
- chronic constipation
- poor appetite
- digestive problems
- Marsh Mallow
- inflammations and irritations of the urinary and respiratory mucus membranes
- counter excess stomach acid
- peptic ulceration
- gastritis
- bruises
- sprains
- aching muscles
- insect bites
- skin inflammations
- splinters
- Great Burdock
- boils
- rashes
- burns
- bruises
- herpes
- eczema
- acne
- impetigo
- ringworm
- bites
- Pot Marigold
- bites
- stings
- sprains
- wounds
- sore eyes
- varicose veins
- Gotu Kola
- ulcers
- skin injuries
- decreasing capillary fragility
- stimulation of the lipids and protein necessary for healthy skin
- treat leprosy
- revitalize the brain and nervous system
- increase attention span and concentration
- treat venous insufficiency
- Camomile
- Globe Artichoke
- improve liver and gall bladder function
- stimulate the secretion of digestive juices
- lower blood cholesterol levels
- treat chronic liver and gall bladder diseases
- jaundice
- hepatitis
- asteriosclerosis
- early stages of late-onset diabetes
- Chinese Yam
- tiredness
- weight loss
- loss of appetite
- poor digestion
- chronic diarrhea
- asthma
- dry coughs
- uncontrollable urination
- diabetes
- emotional instability
- ulcers
- boils
- abscesses
- Echinacea
- Siberian Ginseng
- menopausal problems
- geriatric debility
- physical and mental stress
- treat bone marrow suppression caused by chemotherapy or radiation
- angina
- hypercholesterolemia and neurasthenia with headache
- insomnia
- poor appetite
- increasing endurance
- memory improvement
- anti-inflammatory purposes
- immunogenic purposes
- chemoprotective purposes
- radiological protection
- Great Yellow Gentian
- liver complaints
- indigestion
- gastric infections
- aneroxia
- Sea Buckthorn
- colds
- fever
- exhaustion
- stomach ulcers
- cancer
- metabolic disorders
- liver diseases
- inflammation
- peptic ulcer
- gastritis
- eczema
- canker sores
- general ulcerative disorders
- karatitis
- trachoma
- Tea Tree
- cystitis
- glandular fever
- chronic fatigue syndrome
- thrush
- vaginal infections
- acne
- athlete’s foot
- verrucae
- warts
- insect bites
- cold sores
- nits
- minor burns
- Lemon Balm
- colds
- fevers
- indigestion due to nervous tension
- digestive upsets in children
- hyperthyroidism
- depression
- mild insomnia
- headaches
- Peppermint
- reduce irritable bower syndrome
- against upset stomachs
- inhibit bacterial growth
- treat fevers
- flatulence
- spastic colon
- Evening Primrose
- multiple sclerosis
- premenstrual tension
- hyperactivity
- eczema
- acne
- brittle nails
- rheumatoid arthritis
- alcohol-related liver damage (alcoholics, this is for you)
- Ginseng
- stimulate and relax the nervous system
- encourage secretion of hormones
- improve stamina
- lower blood sugar levels
- lower cholesterol levels
- increase resistance to disease
- treat debility associated with old age
- treat lack of appetite
- treat insomnia
- Turkey Rhubarb
- chronic constipation
- diarrhea
- liver and gall bladder complaints
- hemorrhoids
- menstrual problems
- skin eruptions due to accumulation of toxin
- Sage
- indigestion
- flatulence
- liver complaints
- excessive lactation
- excessive perspiration
- excessive salivation
- anxiety
- depression
- female sterility
- menopausal problems
- insect bites
- skin infections
- throat infections
- mouth infections
- gum infections
- skin infections
- vaginal discharge
- Wu Wei Zi
- dry coughs
- asthma
- night sweats
- urinary disorders
- involuntary ejaculation
- chronic diarrhoea
- palpitations
- insomnia
- poor memory
- hyperacidity
- hepatitis
- diabetes
- Milk Thistle
- liver and gall bladder diseases
- jaundice
- hepatitis (liver inflammation)
- poisoning
- high cholesterol levels
- insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes who also have cirrhosis
- the growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers
- the effects of a hangover
- Comfrey
- bronchial problems
- broken bones
- sprains
- arthritis
- gastric and varicose ulcers
- severe burns
- acne
- cuts
- bruises
- sprains
- sores
- eczema
- varicose veins
- Feverfew
- Fenugreek
- encourage weight gain (take not, anorexics)
- inhibit cancer of the liver
- lower blood cholesterol levels
- treat inflammation and ulcers of the stomach and intestines
- drain off sweat ducts
- for body building
- for late onset diabetes
- poor digestion
- insufficient lactation
- painful menstruation
- labor pains
- freshen bad breath
- restore a dull sense of taste
- Slippery Elm
- Stinging Nettle
- cleanse the blood
- treat hay fever
- arthritis and anemia
- excessive menstruation
- hemorrhoids
- rheumatism
- skin problems like eczema
- nettle rash
- chicken pox
- bruises
- burns
- Agnus Castus
- restoring absent menstruation
- regulating heavy periods
- restoring fertility caused by hormonal imbalance
- relieving premenstrual tension
- easing the transition of menopause
The aloe vera grows only under the sun with well drained dry or moist soil. Although the plant tastes like turd, it’s still edible. The sap from aloe vera is extremely useful to speed up the healing and reducing the risk of infections for :
Apart from its external use on the skin, aloe vera is also taken internally in the treatment of :
The plant of which marshmallows are made of. The root is taken internally to treat :
Externally, the root is applied to :
The leaves are very edible, unlike the aloe vera. They can be added to salads, boiled, or fried. It is known to help out in the area of cystitis and frequent urination.
It requires moist soil and can grow shadeless. The great burdock is the pretty famous in the area of detoxification in both Chinese and Western herbal medicine. The root is is used to treat ‘toxic overload’ that result in throat infections and skin diseases like :
The leaves and seeds can be crushed to poultice it to bruises, burns, ulcers and sores.
It grows in almost any type of soil condition. It has no problem with nutritionally poor, very acidic or very alkaline soils, just as long as it’s moist. Well known as a remedy for skin problems, the deep-orange flowered pot marigold variety is applied externally to :
Internally it is used to treat fevers and chronic infections.
The tea of the petals tones up circulation and, taken regularly, eases varicose veins.
Applying the crushed stems of the pot marigold to corns and warts will soon have them easily removable.
The gotu kola acts on various phases of connective tissue development and stimulates healing of :
Leaves are thought to maintain youthfulness. Crushed leaves are poulticed to treat open sores. The gotu kola can also be used to :
With a sweet, crisp, fruity and herbaceous fragrance, has long been used medicinally as a remedy for problems regarding the digestive system. It has a soothing and calming effect in the area of aromatherapy, used to end stress and aid in sleep. The entire herb is used to treat common aches like toothache, earache, shoulder pain and neuralgia.
A bitter tasting plant that requires a lot of sun, the cardoon has become important as a medicinal herb in recent years following the discovery of cynarin. The cardoon leaves, best harvested before flowering, helps to :
A type of yam that can be eaten raw, the chinese yam can be easily grown, succeeding in fertile, well drained soil in a sunny position. It is sweet and soothing to the stomach, spleen and has a tonic effect on the lungs and kidneys. It is used internally to treat :
Externally, it is applied to :
The leaf, on the other hand, is used to treat snakebites and scorpion stings.
One of the world’s most important medicinal herbs, the echinacea has the capacity to raise the body’s resistance to bacterial and viral infections by stimulating the immune system. It also has antibiotic properties that helps relieve allergies. Basically, the roots are beneficial in the treatment of sores, wounds and burns. It was once used by the red indians as an application for insect bites, stings and snakebites. The echinacea grows on any well drained soil, as long as it gets sunlight.
The siberian ginseng has a wide range of health benefits, mostly as a powerful tonic herb that maintains good health. It’s medicinal properties are used for :
The great yellow gentian root is a bitter herb used to treat digestive disorders and states of exhaustion from chronic diseases. It stimulates the liver, gal bladder and digestive system, strengthening the overall human body. Internally, it is taken to treat :
The sea-buckthorn has been used throughout the centuries in China to relieve cough, aid digestion, invigorate blood circulation and alleviate pain. The branches and leaves are used in Mongolia to treat gastrointestinal distress in humans and animals.
The bark and leaves are used for treating diarrhea, gastrointestinal, dermatological disorders and topical compressions for rheumatoid arthritis. Even the flowers are used as skin softeners.
The berries on the other hand are used together with other medications for pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiac, blood and metabolic disorders. Fresh sea buckthorn berry juice is known to be taken in the event of :
Even the aborigines have been using the tea tree leaves for medicinal purposes, like chewing on young leaves to relieve headaches. The paperbark itself is extremely useful to them as it serves to line coolamons when used as cradles, as a bandage, as a sleeping mat, as material for building humpies, as an aluminum foil, as a disposable rain coat and for tamping holes in canoes.
The leaves and twigs, eventaully made into tea tree oil, is anti fungal, antibacterial, antiseptic and deserves a place in every household medicine box. Tea tree oil can be used to treat :
The reason the plant is called lemon balm is because of the lemon minty scent of the leaves. The flowers, which appear during the summer, are full of nectar. The crushed leaves, when rubbed on the skin, are used as :
Infusion of the leaves with water are known to treat :
Peppermint is sometimes regarded as ‘the world’s oldest medicine’, with archaeological evidence placing its use at least as far back as ten thousand years ago. Pepeprmint are naturally high in manganese, vitamin A and vitamin C. Crushed leaves rubbed on the skin help soothe and relax the muscles. Infused peppermint leaves are used to :
The young roots can be eaten like a vegetable, or the shoots can be eaten as a salad. Poulticed roots of the evening primrose is applied to piles and bruises. Tea made from the roots have also been used in the treatment of obesity and bowel pains. However, the more valuable parts are the leaves and bark which are made into evening primrose oil, known to treat :
One of the most highly regarded medicines in the orient, the ginseng is reputable in it’s ability to promote health, general body vigor and prolong life. The roots are used to :
Known mainly for it’s positive and balancing effect upon the digestive system as a whole. Even children may use the turkey rhubarb as it is gentle enough. The roots act as an astringent tonic to the digestive system while larger doses are used as laxatives. Other than that, it is also known to treat :
Salvia, the Latin name for sage, means ‘to heal’. Internally, the sage is used for :
On the other hand, it is used externally for :
Low doses of the fruit are said to stimulate the central nervous system whilst large doses depress it, while regulating the cardiovascular system. The seed is used in the treatment of cancer. Externally, it is used to treat irritating and allergic skin conditions while taken internally to treat :
It protects and improves the function of the liver (take note, alcoholics). Taken internally, milk thistle helps to treat :
Comfrey contains allantoin, a cell proliferant that speeds up the natural replacement of body cells. It is reputed to have teeth and bone building properties in children. Safer to use externally than internally, comfrey is used to treat a wide variety of ailments ranging from :
A tea made from the whole plant is used in the treatment of arthritis, colds, fevers etc. It is said to be sedative and to regulate menses. An infusion is used to bathe swollen feet. Applied externally as a tincture, the plant is used in the treatment of bruises. Chewing 1-4 leaves a day has proven to be effective in the treatment of some migraine headaches.
Fenugreek seeds are nourishing and taken to :
The inner bark of the slippery elm can be ground into nutrient-rich porridge-like soup that serves as an excellent remedy for sore throats. Other than that, it can be used to soothe the digestive tract. The bark of the slippery elm was used as an abortion tool, moistened with water and inserted into the cervix, before it was banned by certain countries like the UK.
Long known as a nutritious addition to the diet and as a herbal remedy, the stinging nettle leaves have been traditionally used to :
Beneficial to female hormonal system, the agnus castus seeds and fruits are used to rectify hormonal imbalances caused by an excess of estrogen and an insufficiency of progesterone. It acts upon the pituitary gland, reducing the production of certain hormones and increasing the production of others, shifting the balance in favor of the gestagens, hormones that ’secure’ pregnancy. Thus it has a wide application of uses in malfunctions of the feminine reproductive system and has been used with great effect in :
A poem
Too lazy to be ambitious,
I let the world take care of itself.
Ten days' worth of rice in my bag;
a bundle of twigs by the fireplace.
Why chatter about delusion and enlightenment?
Listening to the night rain on my roof,
I sit comfortably, with both legs stretched out.
-- Ryokan
Self Improvement Advice from the Devil
2 - Half the people you know are below average.
3 - 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
4 - 82.7% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
5 - A conscience is what hurts when all your other parts feel so good.
6 - A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
7 - The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
8 - If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
9 - Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
10 - When everything is coming your way, you’re in the wrong lane.
11 - Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
12 - Hard work pays off in the future, laziness pays off now.
13 - I intend to live forever……so far, so good.
14 - Eagles may soar, but weasels don’t get sucked into jet engines.
15 - If at first you don’t succeed, destroy all evidence that you tried.
16 - A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.
17 - Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.
18 - The problem with the gene pool is that there is no lifeguard.
19 - The sooner you fall behind, the more time you’ll have to catch up.
