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How to Stop Hair Loss with Fenugreek Seeds

There are few things more devastating to a woman than losing her hair. Whether you’ve watched it fall out in clumps or noticed a gradual thinning, the whole experience can be stressful and emotionally traumatizing. Compounding the problem is that many products that claim to treat hair loss have side effects, show only modest improvement (if any), are expensive and require permanent use of the product to work – the minute you stop using it, you’ll start losing your hair all over again.

My Experience with Fenugreek Seeds

So when I noticed my own hair thinning, I did some research and looked into Ayurvedic remedies that were tried and true. That’s how I found out about fenugreek seeds (aka “methi” seeds), which is a common spice you’ll find in many Indian grocery stores. Turns out fenugreek has been used for centuries as a traditional remedy for hair loss, plus it’s known to make hair grow thick and shiny.  And when I gave it a try… I was shocked to discover after about a month that my hair was shedding less and… getting thicker!

Here’s Why Fenugreek Seeds Work

Fenugreek seeds are very high in protein which fights baldness and nicotinic acid, which stimulates hair growth. It’s also rich in Vitamin C which boosts you immunity, iron for blood circulation and potassium which fights grey hair. Fenugreek also contains large amounts of lecithin, which moisturizes hair and strengthens it from the roots and hair follicles. The lecithin is also known to bring back shine and luster to dull, damaged and dry hair… like who doesn’t want that?

How to Prepare a Fenugreek Hair Mask

  • Soak 2 tablespoons of fenugreek seeds to 12 ounces of water and leave it overnight for up to 10 hours or more
  • Leave the seeds in the same water and grind them into a past. This will make the water slimy, but the slime is what gives your hair shine! Then refrigerate.
  • Apply it on the roots of your hair and leave it for 20 minutes. Massage a little on the scalp before rinsing your hair with a mild shampoo.

Note: You can add a few drops of peppermint and rosemary essential oils to the paste. I’ve also added a whole scotch bonnet pepper (you can use any super hot pepper) to the paste. The heat from the pepper will make the fenugreek seeds work even better.

I used to apply the paste as a leave-on conditioner, but the smell was a bit too much. When I switched to doing a washout conditioner, it worked just as well and without the curry smell. If you’ve tried this and have any cool modifications to preparing this, just comment below to share your remedy.

 

 

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The Many Benefits of Peppermint Oil

I love pure essential oils. I use them interchangeably for their healing benefits and in my skin care regimen instead of chemical perfumes. But the oil I find myself indulging most frequently (and almost daily), both for the therapeutic benefit and the aroma, is peppermint. There’s something quite special about the scent and flavor of unadulterated 100% peppermint oil that I find stimulating, cool and invigorating.

Peppermint is an herb that is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint, and use of the herb dates back to ancient Egypt for variety of ailments.  From a nutritional standpoint, peppermint is a good source of vitamins A and C, iron, potassium and fiber. And because of its flavor profile and cooling sensation, you’ll find it in many cosmetic and hygiene products ranging from toothpaste, to mouthwash and soap. Regardless of how you use it, peppermint has a number of benefits:

Peppermint’s Healing Benefits

  • In extract or leaf form protects you from harmful organisms such as fungus and intestinal worms.
  • Promotes good lung and respiratory function and has been shown in studies to boost lung function during exercise, likely due to increased oxygen.
  • Well-known as a strong digestive aid. Studies show peppermint tea is beneficial for relieving indigestion, and may also help with symptoms of IBS (including abdominal discomfort, gas, and diarrhea).
  • Excellent natural remedy for headaches. It has a wonderful soothing effect and is recommended by holistic practitioners for relieving feelings of stress and anxiety.

My Own Experience with Peppermint Oil

One of the best benefits of peppermint oil is that it circulates the blood where applied. This is important because when your blood is flowing freely, it delivers nutrients to cells which in turn helps the body heal itself. While caring for a relative at a home, I noticed one of the caregivers was limping badly. She told me she had an arthritic knee causing severe pain. I got my peppermint oil from my car, unsure if it would even help. All I knew was that it stimulates blood circulation wherever it’s applied. I poured some castor oil into her hand and added several drops of the minty oil and told her to rub her knee with it. I was shocked when few minutes later she practically ran past me to help another resident. She turned around excitedly shouting “It worked! Thank you!” The oil had created circulation which didn’t just ease the pain, it stopped it!

Another way that I use peppermint oil is to boost my energy on mornings. I inhale a few drops and the cool minty fumes stimulate my throat and lungs. It feels like I inhaled the scent of 100 mint trees! I also use the peppermint fumes to make my eyes water. I place a drop or two inside each hand and cup my eyes, keeping them wide open. The fumes make my eyes tear up for several minutes, but afterwards, my tires eyes feel refreshed, renewed and energized.

Do you have a peppermint oil healing story to share? Please comment below so we can share your message with others.

 

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Aloe Vera for Skin Care, Joint Pain and More

Something you should know about me… I‘m a sucker for a good kitchen-counter remedy that’s easily accessible, and aloe vera fits that bill. Aloe vera has some amazing therapeutic benefits. So I was pretty excited to stumble across a patch of it growing wild in my yard.

Aloe’s Healing Power

Aloe vera is loaded with healing minerals and earth elements that our bodies need. It contains zinc, sodium, potassium, calcium, copper, manganese, and chromium, to name a few. So it’s not surprising aloe vera has been linked to treating diabetes, fibroids, psorasis and even cancer.

What I really like about aloe is it’s natural ability to help your body adapt to stress to resist disease. In other words, it tells your body to produce more or less of specific enzymes to get you back to normal.

Topical Wound Ointment

Aloe’s healing capability is linked to it being a plant that stores moisture in its leaves. The thick gel you see when you cut open a leaf is where the “magic” happens. And our ancestors knew all about this. They knew that for skin wounds, the juice quickly seals the wound by promoting blood flow to the local area, which starts the healing process. And we’re not talking minor wounds either. There are proven studies that show aloe is effective in treating third-degree burn victims and it heals burned skin, faster. So it’s easy to understand how using it for eczema and psoriasis and other skin disorders can be a good natural alternative.

Treating Arthritic Pain

Aloe has amazing anti-inflammatory properties that make it ideal for relieving arthritis pain, and is reported to work on contact. The gel reportedly has an instant cooling effect.  You can apply the juice from the gel topically, or you can drink the juice to have it relieve inflammation over time from the inside out.

Stimulates Hair Growth

Believe it or not, there’s an enzyme in the plant that’s beneficial for stimulating hair growth. Plus, aloe promotes local blood circulation, so when applied to the scalp it can be beneficial, which is probably why it’s found in all sorts of hair products, including shampoos and conditioners.

It’s for all these reasons why I regularly cut a slice from my plant and add a little gel into my smoothies. I also use a couple leaves and put the slimy gel into a blender to make an excellent detangler for my hair.

Have you used aloe vera for skin wounds, joint pain, arthritis or any other condition? If so, comment below and share your story to help others!

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Firewater: Jamaica’s Mineral Springs for Natural Healing

In Jamaica located in St. Ann’s Bay, you’ll find a mysterious phenomena known as Firewater Mineral Springs, or simply “Firewater”, as the locals call it. Firewater’s origins are said to date back to slavery. The mineral waters are said to be so healing, the locals come at all hours  just to soak in it.  And there’s something else about this relatively unknown springs… fire burns easily in the water!

My Experience at Firewater Mineral Springs

I first discovered Firewater on a trip to Jamaica with my mom. Another traveler at our hotel whom we befriended had heard amazing things about the springs. The few people who’d heard of Firewater told anecdotal stories of miraculous healing after people had soaked in the springs. The mystique surrounding Firewater had me intrigued, and I managed to convince my mom that we had to experience this.

My friend tracked down the same driver who’d taken her friends to Firewater the year before. This was key because at the time, few people we’d asked even knew this place existed. Plus, the mineral springs were almost impossible to find, even for a Jamaican, if they haven’t been there before. It’s nestled deep in a rural community, and it’s literally off the beaten path. We took winding dirt roads with only trees for landmarks to get there, but the trip proved to be well worth it.

Expert Spa Therapy

The rastafarian guide who greeted our group at the gate was kind and friendly. We had an option to soak only, or soak and get hot towel massages, so we chose the massages. There were several people who did the spa massages and they were expert! While we soaked, one of the massage therapists struck a match and lit a small portion of the water on fire… and it stayed lit! We soaked in the warm mineral springs and watched in utter amazement as the flames danced around us in the water without burning us. It made for an incredible heat therapy.

While I soaked, one of several massage therapists doused a towel in flames, flanked it out, then put the piping hot towel on my mom’s back! The heat penetrated deep into my mom’s back without burning her skin. These guys were experts. Within a few minutes of the hot towel massage, the massage therapist had my mom loosened up like Gumby! Somehow, the combination of water, heat, minerals and therapy relaxed her arthritic muscles like never before. I watched as her massage therapist easily stretched her body into Circque-du-Soleil type positions for maximum flexibility. It was beyond incredible. We each had our turn being stretched out like rubber bands. I’d never had a massage therapy like that, like ever. The massage and stretching techniques used by our masseurs felt more like functional physical therapy. My guy loosened out kinks I didn’t even know I had.

No More Eczema!

While we got our spa therapy, the guide told us about the history of firewater. Apparently, runaway slaves would make their way to the Firewater springs and would soak in it to heal their bodies before heading on. At the end of our spa session, we were asked to take a leap of faith and walk through the water where the flames were burning. We each did it without getting burned. For me it was scary, but exhilarating when I finally did it. I felt a little heat but nothing serious. My aunt who was with us had rheumatoid arthritis in her knee. She later told me her knee never bothered her again for years after she left.

As for me, I had a very bad case of eczema on my wrists, and I used to wrap them in colorful bandanas to hide the unsightly rashes. When I asked if the water might help the itching, the guide rubbed wet sand onto my darkened wrists for a few minutes. He told me the sand from Firewater Mineral Springs has powerful healing minerals that have cured many ailments from eczema to cancer. The next day the raised bumps started to diminish. By the time I left Jamaica days later, the eczema had all but stopped itching, and the bumps had flattened out. Within weeks, the eczema was all gone and to this day, it has never returned.

I’ve been back several times and have referred friends who also enjoyed the experience. Firewater is one of Jamaica’s hidden gems and is truly something special.

Getting to Firewater Mineral Springs

The next time you visit Jamaica, be sure to go to Firewater Mineral Springs. You can stay in beautiful Ocho Rios, and you’ll be 15 minutes away from St. Ann’s Bay – that’s where Firewater is located. You’ll also need to find a driver who can get you there. Try checking out Trip Advisor for driver recommendations from those who have been there. My advice is to go during a weekday to avoid any wait time. If you go on the weekend and have to wait, you can play a lively round of dominoes or sip some Jamaican beverages there too. The community of people there are kind and loving and the kids will gladly entertain you, if you have to wait.

If you have chronic ailments and are planning a visit to Jamaica, give Firewater a try. It cured my eczema!

 

 

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Cayenne Pepper: The Heat that Heals

Did you know that one of nature’s most potent medicinal herbs may be as close as your kitchen spice cabinet?

That’s right! Cayenne pepper packs some serious heat, and if you’ve ever accidentally bitten into one eating stir fry, you’ve no doubt felt the burn when the heat explodes, opening all your senses at once. Liken it to a heat bomb going off in your mouth. If you’re not ready for it (and even if you are), it can make you break into a sweat while the heat blazes a path down your throat to your stomach. Nice, eh?

  1. So why would anyone want to endure that? Simply put, because cayenne and other hot peppers have astounding health benefits linked to treating and preventing: strokes, heart attacks, high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers and even cancer! This may explain why some cultures who thrive on spicey diets tend to have lower rates of cancer. In fact, the late herbalist Dr. John Christopher documented his results from successfully having a number of his stroke patients drink warm water with a teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder mixed in it. Check out the book “Left for Dead” for more detail.

Feelin’ Hot, Hot, Hot!

Cayenne and other hot peppers contain a compound called capsaicin that’s responsible for the heat factor. Even though it may feel like you’re getting third-degree burns inside your mouth and in your body, you’re really only feeling the heat sensation of the capsaicin reaching your nerve endings. And the hotter the pepper, the better. According to Dr. Christopher, for capsaicin to be therapeutic, it should carry a heat unit (HU) of at least 100,000 HU.

How Hot Peppers Heal

The heat in capsaicin causes your blood vessels and arteries to dilate fast, opening blocked passageways so blood can flow freely and deliver nutrients to your cells. Once the capsaicin enters your system, it eats through plaque, cholesterol and other gunk that can build up in the blood, increase your pressure and block vessels which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.

Studies also show hot peppers have benefits that can heal stomach ulcers by reducing the amount of acid needed to break down food. And and Australian study finds that eating hot peppers reduces your body’s insulin requirements, which can help with diabetes.

For cancer, there’s exciting new research that shows capsaicin may cause cancer cells to die while leaving healthy ones in tact. Studies indicate the capsaicin may cause apoptosis (programmed cell death) in abnormal cells.

Get Your Spice On

Convinced about the benefits of eating hot peppers? Give it try and see for yourself. I make a hot cayenne pepper powder tea as my morning elixir, since I don’t drink coffee. The increased blood flow created by the pepper gives me a major energy boost and kills any hint of fatigue.

You Need:

  • ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder
  • 1 teaspoon of raw honey
  • ½ lemon, freshly squeezed
  • ½ cup of filtered or distilled hot water (make it “tea” hot, don’t boil it)

Instruction:

Pour your heated water in a glass jar. Add your pepper powder, raw honey to sweeten it and freshly squeezed lemon. This is ready when the flavor profile is right for you. Stir until the pepper powder dissolves fully and drink. If you experience a burn in your stomach (trust me… that’s not fun), then drink this after you eat breakfast, instead of on an empty stomach.

 

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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!

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Blackstrap Molasses: The Sweet Truth


I doubt too many people have a jar of good old fashioned blackstrap molasses lying around in their kitchen these days. But if you knew what grandma did, you’d probably stock up on it, big time. It’s a healing superfood.

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!

 

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Using Oil Pulling for Toothaches and Detoxing


I get excited about discovering natural healing remedies that work, which is what’s led me to post this blog about oil pulling. I’d never even heard of “oil pulling” before, until I developed a toothache. Being a home remedy enthusiast, I researched holistic dental care, which is how I stumbled across this Ayurvedic folk remedy.

What is “Oil Pulling”?

Oil pulling originated in India and is a ritual that’s used not just for dental hygiene, but to purify the body as a whole. Basically, you take about a tablespoon of sesame seed or coconut oil and swish it around in your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes first thing in the morning (and on an empty stomach) without swallowing it, then spit it out. You’re not gargling, you’re actually using your tongue against your teeth to create create a sucking or “pulling” motion with the oil.

So I decided to try it, since I had virgin coconut oil on hand. After swishing and sloshing the oil about in my mouth, I noticed my teeth felt polished and plaque-free. When I spit the oil out, my mouth felt squeaky clean. When I nudged my tooth with my tongue, it no longer ached! I had to really apply pressure on it to confirm it was the same tooth. Prior to the oil-pull, even the slightest pressure applied on my back tooth would have ached. So I’m sold! Here’s how oil pulling works.

How Oil Pulling Cures Toothaches

The oils mix with your saliva, and the action of “swishing” it in your mouth like mouthwash apparently activates the enzymes. This causes the oil to draw toxins out of your blood. If you try this, do not gargle or swallow the oil because it becomes toxic. As you continue to pull the oil through your teeth, the oil will become sticky and turn white. It’s supposed to take up to 20 minutes for the oils to pull toxins from deep from within your organs.  Once you’ve finished swishing, spit out the oil into a paper cup and discard it outside. Don’t spit it into the sink or the toilet or it could cause plumbing issues.

Oil Pulling for Gum Disease and other Health Issues

Now for the cool part… this simple procedure is believed to reverse gum disease, tighten loose teeth and heal a multitude of ills from toothaches, to female hormonal problems, heart disease, kidney disease, arthritis… and tons of others chronic ailments. Sounds like quackery, right? But it’s not. Oil Pulling has been researched and documented extensively in Indian medical journals, and the practice has been done for thousand of years. I’m going to incorporate this into my morning routine. If you have your own “oil pulling” success story, please add your comments below. I’d love to hear about it.

 Update: I also forgot to add that after you spit out the oil, you should brush your teeth and also gargle with sea salt water for an extra minute or so to ensure you rid your mouth of the toxins you just pulled from your body.

 

 

 

 

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Castor Oil for Cataracts and other Eye Issues

Do you remember growing up and having to swallow a spoonful of thick castor oil to keep colds and flu bugs away? If you’re like me, it felt like cruel and unusual punishment, but it turns out Mom was onto something.

Castor Oil Use Dates Back Thousands of Years

Castor oil comes from the castor plant which has the Latin name Ricinus Communis. It’s been used throughout the ages for eye infections, digestive issues, natural skin care and as an antibacterial agent. In fact, use of castor oil to treat a host of medicinal ailments dates back to ancient Egypt. Today, traditional healers still use castor oil for its potent healing properties.

Castor oil contains powerful antioxidants and has a broad range of nutrients. This combination makes an effective natural treatment for cataracts. It’s believed that cataracts is caused by advanced oxidation of the lens. Holistic healers like the late Edward Cayce used castor oil’s antioxidant properties to reverse cataracts and nourish the eye back to health.

How Castor Oil Works

Castor oil creates blood circulation wherever it’s applied on your body and helps to get rid of toxins. It’s also easily absorbed through your skin which stimulates your lymph nodes – that’s your body’s internal drainage system that helps keep you healthy. It can also have anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing effects. It’s for all of these reasons why castor oil packs are sometimes used as a homeopathic method of relieving menstrual cramps or sore muscles.

My Experiences with Castor Oil

I used castor oil on my aunt’s eye when she developed a stye. She had a painful white pimple inside her eyelid that caused some swelling. I used organic, cold-pressed castor oil and dropped 3 or 4 drops directly into each eye. I helped her do this each night before bed for several days, and the style went away in about 7 days! Her eyelid was no longer swollen and the white pimple had been reduced to almost nothing. The castor oil had effectively treated her eye infection, removing the inflammation and pink color.

A close relative of mine used castor oil to treat inflammation that developed in one eye from cataract surgery. The prescribed eye drops were expensive and didn’t work. After several refills of eye drops with no improvement (and at my urging), she decided to give the oil a try, and that’s when she finally got relief in the inflamed eye. After a week or so she noticed that the bump that appeared in the inflamed eye had finally started to diminish, so she could see more clearly in that eye. The oil did what the eye drops could not do – treat the inflammation.

Preventing Cataracts

For myself, I use castor oil at night for maintenance as often as I can remember to do it. I use a glass eye dropper and drop 2 to 3 drops of organic, cold-pressed and non-GMO castor oil into each eye just before bed, since I wear glasses. Your vision will be blurry for few minutes as the castor oil coats your eyes, so be sure to do this when you’re at home. This practice is said to help prevent the formation of cataracts. I’ve noticed that it helps sharpen my night time vision too. And another perk… I get a deeper, more restorative level of sleep when I do castor oil drops in my eyes.

Do you have a castor oil eye healing story to share? Please comment below and tell us your effective healing regimen so we can spread the word!