February 2015 - Root Clinic

Fight the Flu or Cold with Raw Garlic

For most of us, the idea of eating raw garlic likely brings to mind images of horrific unpleasantness. After all, it’s one thing to saute it, quite another to bite into, chew up, then swallow an uncooked garlic clove. But that’s exactly what I do whenever I feel a cold or flu coming on because it really works. Garlic is nature’s antibiotic…. it can stop a cold or flu dead in its tracks.

Garlic Therapy Dates Back to Ancient Times

Using garlic to treat respiratory, digestive and other health problems is a medicinal practice that dates back more than several thousand years to ancient Egyptian, Greek, Indian and Chinese cultures. Today, alternative doctors still rely on garlic to prevent high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease and to lower blood sugar. It’s also used treat colds, ear and yeast infections, sore throats, asthma and congestion. There’s even a study at the National Cancer Institute in the U.S. that suggests garlic can slow the growth of cancer cells and cause abnormal ones to self-destruct.

How Garlic Fights Bugs

So how does it work? Unlike blackstrap molasses, whose efficacy comes from being loaded with tons of healing nutrients, garlic’s potency comes from a compound called allicin that’s only produced when the bulb is crushed or chewed up. The compound works by stimulating the body’s immune system to fight off cold or flu bugs, but it can also kill a slew of different viruses and bacteria on contact. The key thing here is that garlic must be raw in order to be potent… it loses most of its healing power when cooked.

Next time you’re sick, and wondering whether to take the plunge and chew on some garlic or default to conventional meds, consider this: according to Paul Bergner in The Healing Power of Garlic, some traditional antibiotics may not be as effective as garlic and may destroy the good intestinal flora.

As for my two cents, I used garlic to fend off a cold before it set in. I came home and suddenly started sneezing and developed an itchy throat and post-nasal drip. So I chewed on a raw garlic clove and swallowed it. I did it again an hour later and went to bed. When I woke up the next morning all my symptoms were gone, and I felt fine. I’ve done this effectively before on several other occasions too.

Garlic Home Remedy

If you’re ready to ditch the meds and try one of nature’s most potent antibiotics, here’s how you do it:

You’ll Need

1 garlic bulb
A glass of water

Instructions

Simply use crush up a single clove of garlic into bite sizes, then swallow it like a pill. Chase it with juice or water. You’ll feel the burn as it goes into your system. That’s the allicin compound killing the itchiness or soreness in your throat along with any other viruses or bacteria. Repeat that dose if needed.

Before you try this, be sure to consult with your doctor first. Also, please share your own natural cold and flu or garlic remedies with me, by commenting below.

Here’s to good health!

Blackstrap Molasses: The Sweet Truth

What is Blackstrap Molasses?

Molasses is the byproduct refined sugar cane, which is rich in nutrients. In the process of refining the cane, the juice is pressed from the plant, then boiled to make refined sugar crystals. The crystals contain very few minerals. It’s the dark, syrup from the juice, known as molasses, that contains all the goodness absorbed by the plant. You have to boil the juice three times to unlock most of the sugar cane’s trace minerals and nutrients. This highest grade of molasses is known as “blackstrap”.

I include blackstrap molasses into my daily food regimen because of its high mineral content and it’s so inexpensive! It’s rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, selenium, manganese and lots of other minerals. Blackstrap is sweet, yet low on the glycemic index. It can help regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. It’s even been known to boost energy, color your gray hair over time, alleviate menstrual cramps, shrink enlarged prostates and heal a host of other ailments.

Blackstrap Works!

I told a friend to try taking Blackstrap molasses for his enlarged prostate. week later he called to tell me that after taking a tablespoon in hot water with some cinnamon every day, he noticed his frequent urination urges were greatly reduced.

I told another friend who had high blood pressure to start taking blackstrap molasses as a sweetener substitute in her tea. At the time, her doctor had increased her blood pressure pills to manage her pressure. She started drinking it as a tea. Months later, she told me that her blood pressure is now so low that her doctor has lowered blood pressure medication. She said she knew it was the molasses because that’s the only thing she changed in her diet! Blackstrap seems to work by filling in nutritional gaps that cause ailments as we age.

My Experience With Blackstrap Molasses

I like drinking blackstrap molasses tea as a nutritional supplement, instead of taking vitamin supplements. I’ve noticed that when I take it at night with hot water, coconut oil and a dash of salt, I sleep deeper and better. So now I use it to sweeten my smoothies too. Plus, it’s cheaper than raw honey.

If you decide to try blackstrap molasses, make sure it’s organic or unsulphured. Sulfured molasses are treated with sulfites, so much of its nutritional content is lost.

If you’re taking blackstrap molasses and you’ve noticed health benefits, comment below and share your story. I’d like to help others by sharing easy, affordable and holistic remedies, so please post your stories or share your remedies!