The Healing Power of Chlorophyll

The ‘blood’ of Plants

Chlorophyll is at the beginning of the food chain. Without chlorophyll all animal life on earth would become extinct. Why is chlorophyll necessary for humans? Interestingly, this ‘blood’ of plants is structurally similar to hemin, the protein portion of hemoglobin that carries oxygen through the body. The main difference between chlorophyll and hemin is that the latter is bound by an atom of iron, while chlorophyll is bound by magnesium. Severely anemic rabbits made a rapid return to normal blood counts once chlorophyll was administered. * Somehow the body is able to substitute iron and rebuild the blood, in effect giving the anemic patient a “transfusion”. The chlorophyll in wheatgrass juice elevated blood platelet counts when it was fed to hospitalized patients. #

Wound Healing

Chlorophyll has long been famous for its ability to heal ulcerated wounds. It has been used for healing bleeding gums, canker sores, trench mouth, pyorrhea, gingivitis, even sore throat. Unlike many drugs chlorophyll has never been found to be toxic at any dose.

What is Wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is a popular juice available in juice bars and natural food stores nationwide. Unlike common vegetable juices, it is taken in one ounce “shots”. Wheatgrass and barley grass are grown especially for nutritional purposes. These grasses are some of our finest sources of chlorophyll, but that’s only the beginning. They are abundant in carotenoids, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Barley Grass’ Super Anti-oxidant

Dr. T Shibamoto of the University of California discovered a powerful, new antioxidant in barley grass called 2”-0-GIV. According to Shibamoto, 2”-0-GIV is more potent than vitamins E and C but when taken with them, the effects are profound. Barley grass has all three nutrients in good quantity.
When we drink fresh plant-based juices we can benefit from a wide range of vitamins that have yet to be discovered by science. This is why some people choose to supplement their diet with fresh juices rather than vitamins in pill form.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects

Both wheat and barley grass are abundant, inexpensive sources of superoxide dismutase (SOD). This powerful anti-oxidant and anti-aging enzyme is a proven anti-inflammatory or arthritis, edema, bursitis and gout.

Why Drink Wheatgrass

• Purifies and Rebuilds Blood
• Increases Hemoglobin Production
• Alkalinizes Blood
• Cleanses the Colon
• Purges the Liver
• Neutralizes Toxins
• Oxygenates Cells
• Heals Wounds
• Is Bacteriostatic
• Detoxifies Cellular Fluids
• Heals Intestinal Walls
• Raises Enzyme Activity
• Chelates Heavy Metals
• May Protect from Low-level Radiation

How to Take Wheatgrass

Juicing wheatgrass at home requires a wheatgrass juicer. Only certain juicers can extract juice from its woody pulp. I purchased a Samson 6 in 1 juicer a few years ago so that I could juice grasses. Samson now has an advanced model that does a better job with wheatgrass or if your budget allows, you could opt for the Green Power twin gear juicer which is even better in some respects.

Always drink any kind of grass on an empty stomach and wait 30-45 minutes before drinking anything solid. Wheatgrass has a strong cleansing effect on the digestive tract. If you take too much you may find yourself running to the bathroom. The secret to drinking wheatgrass is to gradually increase the dose until you become accustomed to it. If it’s too strong tasting, you can dilute it with other juices such as celery or other green vegetables.

Samson Advanced Wheatgrass Juicer Ivory $259.00




If you have any questions about other models of juicers, please let me know. I can help you choose a juicer based on your nutrition goals and needs. I have other types, colors and models available. As I mentioned, my juicer is a version of this one that is a little cheaper at $229.00. I can have this model shipped to you as well. Contact me at consultations4health@gmail.com.


*Chlorophyll and Hemoglobin Regeneration after Hemorrhage, by J.H. Hughes and A.L. Latner. Journal of Physiology. Vol. 86, 1936 University of Liverpool
# Gary’s platelet count rose every day for seven days from 61,000 to 141,000 and the only thing we did differently was administer wheatgrass. That’s phenomenal and it’s fully documented on the hospital record. –Leonard Smith M.D. Cancer Sugeon
References: Juice Fasting & Detoxification- Using the Healing Power of Fresh Juice to Feel Young and Look Great – The Fastest Way to Restore Your Health by Steve Meyerowitz

Disclaimer:
This information has not been approved by the FDA and is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease whether physical or mental. Consult your physician for all medical concerns.

Arthritis and Inflammation

Rheumatoid arthritis affects the whole body, not just certain joints. Antioxidant nutrients, essential fats, and herbs such as boswellia, curcumin, and certain hop extracts, reduce inflammation. B vitamins and vitamin C support the endocrine system, which controls calcium balance. Vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and boron support bone health. Glucosamine and MSM help build healthy joints.


Diet Advice

Follow an anti-inflammatory diet. Any words ending in "itis" indicate an underlying inflammatory condition and may be improved by following an anti-inflammatory diet. For information on the anti-inflammatory food pyramid, visit www.drweil.com. Visit my website: www.consultations4health.com under diet tips as well for information on this topic. Be sure to avoid: tea, coffee, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. Drink plenty of water and herb teas (made with purified water). Check for allergies, and have hair mineral analysis done to determine your mineral levels. Sometimes these specialized tests are available from a Naturopathic Doctor.


Supplements

• 2 X multivitamin and multimineral
• 2 X antioxidant complex
• 2 X essential omega-3 and omega-6 oil capsules
• Joint support complex
• Bone mineral complex


Natural Painkillers

Turmeric, boswellia, ashwagandha, hop extract, and ginger all help reduce the overproduction of leukotrienes that cause pain and inflammation.

The bright yellow pigment of the spice turmeric contains the active compound curcumin, which has a variety of powerful anti-inflammatory actions—trials in which it was given to arthritic patients showed it to be similarly effective to the anti-inflammatory drugs, without the side effects. You need about 500mg 3 times a day.

Frankincense has the botanical name of Boswellia serrata, and it is also known as Indian frankincense; it proving to be a very powerful anti-inflammatory agent,

Ashwagandha is a promising natural remedy that has been used for hundreds of years as part of Ayurvedic medicine in India. The active ingredients of this powerful natural anti-inflammatory herb are “withanolides”. In animal studies, ashwagandha has proved highly effective against arthritis.

One of the most effective natural painkillers of all is an extract from hops called IsoOxygene. It works just as well as painkilling drugs but without the associated gut problems. You need about 1,500 mg a day.

Ginger is also anti-inflammatory, as well as rich in antioxidants. In one study, supplementing with ginger reduced pain and swelling in three-quarters of those with arthritis. Take 500 to 2,000 mg a day.

Glucosamine and MSM

Glucosamine is an essential part of the building material for joints and the cellular “glue” that holds the entire body together, although joint cartilage contains the highest concentration of glucosamine. The mechanism by which glucosamine appears to reverse joint degeneration is by providing the body with materials needed to build and repair cartilage.

Scientist originally thought that glucosamine just helped reduce the pain of arthritis, but recent research in Belgium has proven that it actually helps rebuild cartilage, thereby reversing joint damage. So if you do have any joint problems from injury or arthritis, glucosamine could well help you repair the damage as well as relieve the pain. Usual dosage for glucosamine is 500 mg three times daily. Glucosamine hydrochloride works better than glucosamine sulfate.

MSM is a source of the essential mineral element sulfur. Sulfur is involved in a multitude of key body functions, including pain control, regulation of inflammation, detoxification, and tissue building. Extraordinary results are starting to be reported in terms of pain relief and relief from arthritis from supplementing around 3 g of MSM daily.

A natural anti-inflammatory regimen to try is combinations of omega-3 fats, boswellia, hop extract, hydroxtyrosol from olives, glucosamine, and MSM. Look for combinations of these nutrients and herbal extracts.


Allergies

Food allergies and sensitivities play a role in an enormous variety of health problems. They can be inherited from one’s parents or they can be caused by intestinal infections, medications, or even stress. Once food allergies begin, the chronic inflammation they cause in the intestinal membrane and the leakage of food proteins into the blood stream can cause severe health problems. A detoxification program is helpful but to really heal it’s necessary to determine which foods you are allergic or sensitive to and eliminate them from your diet for four to six months. During this time, your immune and digestive systems can recuperate; afterward, some of the foods might no longer bother you.

True food allergies are mediated by a type of anti-body called IgE. People tend to know about these allergies based on experience—hives immediate diarrhea and so on.

Food sensitivities, on the other hand are also known as delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Delayed reactions are precisely that: You eat something today but tomorrow you have a migraine headache or wake up feeling groggy and tired with bags under your eyes. These delayed reactions can underlie an enormous variety of symptoms and health conditions (for example, arthritis); many that you would never suspect were related to food allergies. Delayed reactions trigger antibodies called IgG. The IgG antibodies stimulate the immune system and create inflammation in many parts of the body.

It’s important to be tested for both IgE and IgG antibodies, so that you’ll know to which foods you are truly allergic and to which ones you are sensitive. Most physicians test only for IgE.

Almost everyone who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis has food and chemical allergies or sensitivities that make their symptoms flare up. The most common are allergies to wheat, (gluten and gliaden protein) and dairy products, (especially casein, and lactose intolerance). Chemical sensitivities include gas and car exhaust fumes. Strictly avoid these for one month to see whether or not they are contributing to your symptoms.


Tips to Keep Your Bones and Joints in Good Health

• Keep fit and supple and see an osteopath or chiropractor once a year.
• Reduce your meat consumption and avoid excessive protein.
• Get out of the stress cycle and keep stimulants to a minimum.
• Make sure your diet is rich in minerals from seeds nuts and root vegetables.
• If you have arthritis, check out possible food allergies.
• If you have osteoporosis, consider natural progesterone (as a cream, not as HRT).
• If you have joint inflammation, take a daily supplement of 1,000 mg of EPA/DHA fish oil or cod liver oil and a natural anti-inflammatory formula containing ashwagandha, turmeric, boswellia, or hop extracts, as well as glucosamine hydrochloride and MSM

The doses given here are for adults only. Please check the precautions given for any herb you are considering to use.

For a consultation and diet help for arthritis, please contact me at www.consultations4health.com. For arthritis supplements, follow the link below to view formulas for joint and bone health.


Source:

The New Optimum Nutrition Bible
By Patrick Holford
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Disclaimer:
This information has not been approved by the FDA and is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease.
Those seeking help for specific medical conditions are advised to consult a qualified nutrition therapist, clinical nutritionist, doctor, or equivalent health care professional.
The recommendations given here are intended solely as education and information, and should not be taken as medical advice. Neither myself nor the sources mentioned accept liability for those who choose to self-prescribe.

Make Your Own Herbal Teas

Whether you’re choosing herbal teas for taste or health, there are a couple of different ways to go about making them. You can make herbal infusions or decoctions. When it comes to herbs, some of them require a variety of preparation methods to get the full benefits. This is why herbal decoctions are helpful. A slower process is needed to get what you need from barks, roots, seeds, and berries. They are made of harder material and need to be handled in a special way.

Some herbs just need a little water and heat to release the flavor and nutrients. Others can be used in a “raw” state without any preparation needed.

Look at a bark from a tree. Most barks are tough. In order to get all the bark has to offer, one has to decoct. Just a little heat will not do. More simmering time is required to get the most out of herbal "bark".

Some barks and flowers can be simmered from five to ten minutes. To decoct any tough herbs, you need to simmer it for at least twenty minutes and as much as forty-five minutes. This is different compared to mixtures that are included in teas. Standard teas steep for a few minutes. Decocting is a longer version of this process. The longer intense heat draws out the flavors and nutrients. Some recommend letting the herbs sit in the liquid for a few minutes before heating.

Remember that this should only be a simmer. Too much heat will destroy much of what you want and could even make the liquid taste very bitter.

Take into account the condition of the herb that you are using. Fresh herbs should be cut into smaller pieces. Dried herbs can be crushed. This will help the cells release their goodness.

Once the simmer is complete, strain the decoction. Press down on the strained pieces to extract even more from them. These are invaluable for attaining medicinal benefits from dried herbs. Infusions are made with flowers, while decoctions are more often made with roots.

Customizing Your Tea

Some herbs are very aromatic and will overpower other scents and tastes present in other herbs. Make sure you like the dominant fragrance and taste of the herbs you’ll use. Here is a recipe for an aromatic relaxing tea. To see just how many benefits are derived from these herbs, visit the mountain rose herbs link on this blog.

Time Out Tea

Lemon Balm
Lemon Verbena
Lavender Flowers

Mix equal parts of dried herbs together. Measure 1 tsp. per 1 cup of water or adjust the quantity to taste. As a guideline, decoctions are four times stronger than an infusion (regular cup of steeped tea). Boil herbs in a clay/glass or stainless steel pot for 5 minutes. Strain and Pour into tea cups with honey or stevia.

I’ve made a special tea just for my dad. It is a combination for men’s health. Some men may be concerned with inflammation, prostate health, and reducing arthritis pain. I put this combination together with these concerns in mind. If you’d like me to customize a tea just for you, visit my site for a consultation. www.consultations4health.com

Dad’s Tea

Dried Saw Palmetto Berries
Powdered Ginger
Lemon Balm
Stinging Nettles (Dried Herb)

Follow the instructions for making an herbal decoction from ehow.com or another tea site. Strain and serve with honey or stevia.

My Tea

This is my favorite tea that I’ve been drinking every morning for over 5 years. (This is just an infusion.) It all started when I went off coffee and black tea for a while. You may not like it as sickeningly sweet as I do, so maybe you’ll use fewer sweeteners. I love this tea!!!

Certified Organic White Peony (mountain rose herbs)
1 tsp. raw local honey (depending on wherever I’m living )
½ packet pure stevia
Brew as per instructions for tea on the package.


Go to reputable websites to learn about the safety and warnings of each herb you are taking. Herbs can be for external use only, etc. It’s very important to know facts about what herbs you’re taking.

Disclaimer:
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease whether physical or mental. Please consult a licensed health care practitioner for health concerns.