Bitter Melon - A Potent Anticancer Agent

Have you heard of bitter melon? Bitter melon is also known as bitter guard or karela, it is a tropical vine that belongs to the gourd family and is closely related to zucchini, squash, pumpkin, and cucumber. It's cultivated around the world as an edible fruit and has been widely used as a vegetable in Asian cuisine. The fruit and seeds are used to make medicine in Asia. Until recently, people started to pay attention to its amazing medicinal benefits.

Based on recent research, bitter melon is considered as an “anti-diabetic, anti-HIV and anti-tumor agent”. The specific phenolic and flavonoid compounds in bitter melon possess potent anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties, they also help reduce high blood sugar for diabetes, relieve respiratory issues, such as bronchitis and asthma and even treat skin issues such as psoriasis.  In traditional Chinese medicine, bitter melon has been used to reduce fatty liver symptoms, detoxify the blood and liver, it is truly an amazing healing food on your dinner table.

Cooked bitter melon is more delicious than the raw ones, but you can try fresh bitter melon juice to fully benefit from its medicinal values. If the taste of the fresh juice is too strong, you can add some raw honey to neutralize its bitter taste. The most popular dishes of bitter melon are made from stir-fry, it goes well with other vegetables too, such as mushrooms, tomatoes, and eggplants. Are you ready to give it a try?

For more information on TCM, holistic health, and natural remedies, please visit: https://optimalhealthsolutions.ca.

What is the BEST Medicine in Nature?

We just had Easter! From the ancient Babylon practice, the festival of Easter is intertwined with fertility, renewal, and the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. Easter represents the cycle of the seasons; the welcoming of spring; the fertility of the land. As we enter the spring, this is the time to harvest the sun energy to boost our health. According to TCM, our body also follows the cosmic cycles, spring is associated the wood energy, which is linked to the liver. The energy of the liver opens in the eyes, this is why green color can help boost the energy flow in the liver and benefits your vision, including the food with green colors, such as cabbages and leafy greens. If you have a weak digestive function, it is a good idea to reduce the food with a sour taste and replace it with some sweetness such as raw honey. For example, too many lemons or vinegar in your diet during this season may set off the balance between the liver and spleen meridians according to the Five Element Theory in TCM, which can trigger more stress on your digestive system. As a result, you may experience more bloating, acid reflux, and other digestive issues. Our body is such a delicate machine; prevention is the key. Many people are not aware that your thyroid gland functions like a radio station energetically. Sunbathing can help boost your thyroid function, which in turn enhances your metabolism.

Let’s enjoy this beautiful spring. It is time to renew our energy and embrace this great cosmic shift. The magnificent sun energy not only boosts our mood but also enhances many biochemical syntheses of enzymes and nutrients in the body. It is the best medicine for our body! Just list a few how sunbathing can enhance your vitality and prevent illness as follows:

• Reduce hypertension: Nitric oxide in the top layer of the skin under the sunlight causes blood vessels to widen, which allows the oxide to move into the bloodstream and lowers high blood pressure.
• Boosts your mood by making the brain produce more happy hormone –serotonin.
• Promotes the production of melatonin from the pineal gland that improves sleep quality and prevents cancers.
• Relieves skin disorders including acne, eczema, and psoriasis.
• Sunlight is the best source of vitamin D that strengthens your bone and boosts your immunity.

And much more in the post below. For more tips on holistic health, please visit our website: https://optimalhealthsolutions.ca.

Devil's Claw - A Natural Pain Killer

Have you heard of the Devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)? It gets its name from the tiny hooks that cover its fruit. The name refers to the hook-like structures on the seed meant to cling to animals, it is an adaptation of the plant to ensure its proper distribution. The plant was taken to Europe from South Africa in the 1800s and used specifically as a plant medicine. It is a beautiful flowering plant of the sesame family and the root packs several active plant compounds that have many medicinal benefits. Devil’s claw was originated from South Africa and it was long valued by the native people as a plant medicine to manage pain and reduce inflammation in the body.

In supplement forms, the devil’s claw is derived from the dried roots of the plant. It contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds called iridoid glucosides that help relieve chronic pain, such as back pain and arthritis. It also contains beneficial bioflavonoids and phytosterols that are plant-based antioxidants with antispasmodic properties for the relief of digestive issues, such as acid reflux and heartburn. It also helps regulates appetite and promotes weight loss, after all, the devil’s claw is not a devil at all, it is quite opposite. There are other surprising health benefits that this wonderful herb offers, please check my post below for details. I hope you enjoy the information, for more information on holistic health and alternative medicine, please visit: https://optimalhealthsolutions.ca.