Striving4Zen

Saffron may help soothe your monthly beast, reports a study in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Women who suffered from PMS symptoms such as cramps, fatigue, irritability, and depression took either one 15-milligram saffron capsule or a placebo twice daily over two cycles. 75% of saffron-takers reported a 50% reduction in PMS symptoms. It works because depression and PMS share symptoms and the spendy herb works like antidepressants such as Zoloft.

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Labels: Chinese Herbal Healing, living holistically, PMS, saffron, spices

Herbs and spices are rich in antioxidants, and they are also potent inhibitors of tissue damage and inflammation caused by high levels of blood sugar.

When researchers tested extracts from 24 common herbs and spices, they found a direct correlation between antioxidant phenol content and the ability of the extracts to block the formation of compounds that contribute to damage caused by diabetes and aging.

Spices such as cloves and cinnamon have phenol levels that are 30% and 18% of dry weight, respectively, while herbs such as oregano and sage are 8 and 6% phenol by dry weight. Blueberries, which are widely touted for their antioxidant capabilities, contain roughly 5% phenol by dry weight.

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Labels: antioxidant, cinnamon, cloves, healing with food, healthy diet, phenols, spices

Your palate readily takes to the tang of turmeric, paprika and mustard. And so does your stomach -- i.e. digestive health -- it would seem. From killing bacteria to soothing cramps, the good ol' spice rack strikes back.

Here's what to stock:

-A dash of turmeric or saffron keeps stress (which diverts attention away from digestion) at bay.
-Cinnamon kills bad bacteria and lets good bacteria (that helps regulate your digestive system) grow.
-Add a drop of peppermint to tea to soothe menstrual cramps and diarrhea.
-Sweet-smelling cardamom, a staple in Indian and Middle Eastern dishes, prevents gas.
-All-star mustard seeds purify blood, neutralize toxins and monitor the digestive tract.
(No wonder Koff's Homestyle Mustard, made with turmeric, saffron, apple cider and vinegar, pleases taste buds and tummies, too.)

THANKS!

Labels: digestion, healthy living, natural health, spices