TEA

You've heard me talk a lot about green and white teas. But there's another tea few Americans know about, despite its reputation around the world. It's called hibiscus tea—and I suspect once word gets out, it will be front-page news.

Hibiscus tea contains powerful antioxidants, including anthocyanins, which help protect your cells from free-radical damage. Its best to find quality in health food stores

But what really caught my attention was its long history of traditional use for promoting cardiovascular health. And now new preliminary evidence is suggesting it can help promote healthy blood pressure as well. For these reasons alone I've added hibiscus to my health regimen, and encourage you to do the same.

Proof that you should not take doctor prescribed drugs

study concluded that one of the major causes of falls in nursing homes is the side effects caused by medications.
* Another study found that 97% of nursing home patients take at least one drug, with 17% taking 5 or more!
* Yet another study found that many drugs can cause Parkinson's-like symptoms and concluded that "drug-induced parkinsonism is frequent."

* And still another study listed 22 different categories of drugs that can cause symptoms that mimic Alzheimer's... plus 14 different over-the-counter drugs that can cause those symptoms!

Here's a typical scenario. A healthy person goes to the doctor for a checkup and is told his cholesterol or blood pressure is high. So he starts taking medication, which causes side effects. This leads his doctor to give him a second drug to treat those side effects. But, of course, that second drug causes new side effects. So the doctor prescribes a third drug to treat the side effects of the second one!

Before you know it, the person's health is spiraling downward and he soon needs people to take care of him. And everyone just chalks it up to "old age."

Except for the insurance companies. They know better. Recently, I spoke to a 72-year-old woman who was turned down by THREE different long-term care companies, even though she passed her physical with flying colors. The reason given? She was on too many prescription drugs.

Yes, the insurance companies know that if this woman continues to take her meds, it's only a matter of time before her health deteriorates. And they don't want to be the ones footing the bill when that happens.

But you can fight back against this system of medicine run amok. First of all, make sure you always try natural remedies first. Pharmaceuticals should be a last resort, not a first option. Secondly, if you have a loved one in a nursing home, talk to a naturally minded physician about possibly weaning them off the drugs. This single step may make a huge difference in their health and well-being.

OH TO HEALTHY AND YOUNG AND HAVE NO HEALTH PROBLEMS

hawthorn to help your heart
Last year I told you about a 2003 study in which more than 200 patients with chronic congestive heart failure (CHF) were divided into three groups to receive either 900 mg or 1,800 mg of hawthorn extract daily, or placebo.

After 16 weeks, maximum exercise tolerance increased significantly in the high-dose group compared to the other two groups, and heart failure symptoms improved in both of the extract groups, but not the placebo group. In an 18-month follow up assessment, patients who were taking the extract had a 20 percent reduced risk of CHF-related death compared to placebo.



Diabetes and how it is HELPED THROUGH USING BREWERS YEAST AND TAKING NIACIN AND B VITAMINS
For instance...has your doctor ever talked to you about brewer's yeast (#4 on Dr. Quillin's list of super foods)? Your mother probably used it to make her homemade bread. Well, believe it or not, taking just one tablespoon a day of brewer's yeast may substantially reduce your blood glucose levels. In the new book The Diabetes Improvement Program, you'll find out exactly how it works and how fast you'll see results.

Oils like Peppermind help Headaches and other cures

Cedarwood (Cedrus atlantica, Juniperus virginiana, or J. Mexicana)

Most “cedarwood” oil comes from juniper!

Healing Power: North American Indians used this scent to treat respiratory infections, and today it is believed to ease coughing and other cold and flu symptoms. It’s also an effective insect repellent.

For Best Results: Inhale or use as a compress. Causes skin irritation in some people. May increase menstrual flow. Avoid if pregnant.

Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)

Pressed from daisy-like flowers, it has a fruity aroma.
Healing Power: Known for its calming effects, it is thought to reduce inflammation and fight skin infections.

For Best Results: Use topically or add 6–10 drops to running bathwater. Low toxicity makes it particularly safe, even for children.

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)

Not to be confused with the common sage, Salvia officinalis.
Healing Power: Its antiseptic and astringent qualities help relieve skin inflammation, including acne. It also is used to ease tension headaches.

For Best Results: Mix up to five drops in about 10 ml of water and use in an aromatic oil burner. Do not use if drinking alcoholic beverages. Avoid if operating machinery or driving. Do not use while pregnant.

Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

Distilled from the cones of the cypress tree.
Healing Power: This aroma is said to build emotional and mental resolve. Inhaling it may help relieve the symptoms of throat and respiratory infections.


For Best Results: Place a few drops on a radiator or in a saucer of water and leave in a warm part of the house. May cause allergic reactions. Avoid if you suffer from high blood pressure.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)

Its head-clearing aroma is a key ingredient in Vicks VapoRub.
Healing Power: A powerful antiseptic and healing agent, it also is renowned as a treatment for respiratory complaints.


For Best Results: Massage mixed with a carrier oil onto the chest, or add three drops to the dust bag of your vacuum cleaner to repel dust mites and freshen the air throughout your home. Nontoxic externally, but internally it is very toxic—3.5 ml is usually fatal.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

A staple of Asian cuisine, ginger is used in Indian medicine to combat arthritis.

Healing Power: Noted for its warming and decongestant properties, ginger also helps fight off colds and flu and reduces fever by inducing perspiration.

For Best Results: Massage mixed with a carrier oil onto the chest, inhale, or add six drops to running bathwater. May irritate the skin if applied undiluted..

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)

The oil is taken from the fresh, blue flower spikes.
Healing Power: Alleviates stress and depression, induces relaxation and sleep, and promotes circulation.

For Best Results: Use topically or add 10 drops to bathwater. Sheets washed in water containing lavender oil may promote sleep. Nontoxic, but the scent may trigger nausea if too much is used.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Now wild throughout the United States, this plant is native to Europe and Asia.
Healing Power: Relieves pain when applied externally to sore muscles. Also fights fever and helps to ease headaches and respiratory infections.

For Best Results: To ease skin infections and inflammation, add three to five drops to bath water. For relief of respiratory ailments, add two drops to a bowl of steaming water and inhale the vapor for five minutes.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)

Products made with this plant have a menthol-citrus scent.

Healing Power: Widely recognized as a powerful tool against a variety of harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, and parasites.

For Best Results: Only a small amount of peppermint is required, whether used topically or in bathwater. Keep eyes closed when inhaling its scent and wash hands thoroughly after use. Keep away from the faces of small children; may cause wheezing or an involuntary gagging response.

.You eat mostly a typical Western diet of acid-forming foods: Meats, pasta, refined sugar, fast foods, starches, coffee and sodas—you get the idea...

...You take any prescription drugs...

...You don't exercise enough...

...You're under stress at various times...

...Your health is threatened by too much smog, bad indoor air, poor quality water or other environmental risks...

...You use artificial sweeteners or table salt...

...You drink alcohol, coffee and/or smoke.

But despite this invisible health threat, there's great news from medical science, including...
The natural miracle that helps flush away acid overload, supercharges your health and defies aging!

.You eat mostly a typical Western diet of acid-forming foods: Meats, pasta, refined sugar, fast foods, starches, coffee and sodas—you get the idea...

...You take any prescription drugs...

...You don't exercise enough...

...You're under stress at various times...

...Your health is threatened by too much smog, bad indoor air, poor quality water or other environmental risks...

...You use artificial sweeteners or table salt...

...You drink alcohol, coffee and/or smoke.

But despite this invisible health threat, there's great news from medical science, including...
The natural miracle that helps flush away acid overload, supercharges your health and defies aging!

Diabetes and Natural Help

Sugar isn't as sweet as it seems. A lifetime of eating a high sugar diet (most Americans are eating upwards of 20.5 teaspoons a day), and too many carbohydrates, is a real concern. And if you've noticed, we've been hearing a lot about blood sugar lately.

It used to be something you didn't pay attention to until late in life -- but given the typical American diet and lifestyle, it's now become something we all need to be aware of. I firmly believe we all need to pay attention to our blood sugar -- and it's never too early to start, especially if you're already dealing with glucose issues.

Here's what happens. The sugars and starches you eat are converted to glucose (blood sugar), which enters your bloodstream to be transported to the cells where it's burned for energy. This is where insulin comes in. It "unlocks" your cell walls so the glucose can enter, but in order for this to work, your cells need to be sensitive to insulin.

When your cells aren't sensitive to insulin, your body has to do something with the glucose. It converts some of it into fat, and the rest can become AGEs (advanced glycation end products) -- which can build up in the tissues, and affect cellular function. The bottom line is you want to be sensitive to insulin. To learn more, click here.

While diet and exercise are critical for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, I have found nutrients that can play a strong supportive role, and give you a real edge in blood sugar support

* Promote insulin sensitivity with cinnamon, vitamin D, and chromium.