Sunday Supplements Archives - Journey With Healthy Me

Peppermint Tea Benefits

It’s seems fitting to close the year with a post about peppermint tea benefits. Although this distinctive herb flourishes in the summer months and it is available year round, many associate peppermint with the holidays. Think of gingerbread houses with peppermint candies adorning them. Or imagine steaming mugs of hot chocolate with a stick of peppermint as a stirrer.

For the more health conscious, avoiding sugar, peppermint leaves make a flavorful hot tea that pairs well with healthy treats. The herb does so much more than contribute flavor, however. It offers healing benefits as well.

Peppermint Nutrition

Spearmint and peppermint are members of the mentha family. Peppermint has a higher level of menthol than spearmint, which has a sweeter flavor. The plant originated in Asia and the Mediterranean and has been used for thousands of years medicinally and in teas and cooking.

Nutritionally peppermint offers vitamins A, B and C, iron, manganese, calcium, folate, protein and fiber. It also contains small amounts of phosphorus, potassium, zinc and copper.

Mint is extremely easy to grow in gardens and containers. In fact, the plant is considered invasive. I grow peppermint and spearmint in my herb garden, off by itself where I can limit the spread of the plants.

Peppermint Tea Benefits

Add peppermint into the diet for the following health benefits:

• Aids digestion. Improves hydrochloric acid levels in the stomach and soothes intestinal spasms. Peppermint calms and cleanses a spasmodic liver, reducing liver heat brought on by toxins. It also helps the liver rebuild its glucose and glycogen storage reserves. (From Liver Rescue by Anthony William)

• Soothes an upset stomach, easing nausea and indigestion, and calms the entire digestive system. Peppermint is especially beneficial for those experiencing irritable bowel syndrome, a condition that causes abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, bloating and cramps.

• The menthol in peppermint relieves congestion and eases the symptoms of colds and flus.

• Powerful anti-microbial properties freshen the breath and kills off bacteria in the mouth.

• Just inhaling the aroma of peppermint enhances brain function and memory and increases alertness.

• Balances hormone levels in women, easing a condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome.

How to Make Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is available as an essential oil or a tincture. Dried peppermint leaves are available in bulk form for tea or it is easily found packaged in teabags. Use 2 – 3 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves in a cup of hot water. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Use teabags in hot water and steep for the same amount of time. Sweeten with raw honey if desired.

My favorite way to enjoy peppermint tea is to pick a few sprigs of the herb from my garden. After lightly rinsing the leaves I add them to very hot water, cover and steep for 15 minutes. Peppermint leaves can be combined with a variety of other fresh herbs for a hot drink that not only blends flavors but boosts health benefits.

Tonight I walked into the herb garden, with a flashlight. The garden sleeps in the cold, crisp air. In late fall I cut back the mint plants however, hope spurred me on this evening as I peered closely at the ground. I found them…tiny peppermint leaves pushing upward out of the rich soil.

Those tiny fresh leaves created one perfect cup of hot peppermint tea. I am savoring it.

Check out my Amazon Storefront for Liver Rescue and other Anthony William books, and for peppermint tea.

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Schisandra Berry

Have you heard of schisandra berry? I had not. I learned about this medicinal berry, used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, in Liver Rescue, by Anthony William. Anthony included schisandra berry in his most recent book because its powerful antioxidants protect the liver.

There are other amazing benefits as well.

What is Schisandra Berry?

Schisandra…Schisandra chinensis…has been used for thousands of years along with other ancient herbs like ginseng, goji berry and reishi. In the 1960s it was recognized as an “adaptogen agent”, following the discovery that the berry helps fight adrenal fatigue, heart disease and the negative effects of stress.

Schisandra’s name comes from the fact that the berries have a unique taste. They contain five distinct flavors: bitter, sweet, sour, salty and hot. That’s why schisdanra is often called “the five-flavored berry.” In traditional Chinese medicine, the flavors are important for understanding the way schisandra works. It’s said that the five flavors represent five elements that work in multiple meridians within the body to restore health.

This complex herb is high in vitamins C and E, and a host of phytochemicals.

Health Benefits of Schisandra Berry

The powerful antioxidants in schisandra berry promotes health in the following ways.

• Increases the liver’s adaptogenic abilities and protects liver cells from excess adrenaline damage and toxin overload. Helps increase oxygen to the liver and reduces toxic liver heat.

• Fights free radical damage and lowers inflammation. Lowering inflammation reduces the risk for diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. It halts hardening of the arteries, balances blood sugar and brings the body into balance.

• Supports the adrenals, which helps the body deal with the effects of stress.

• Eases stomach disorders and ulcers. Helps to heal a fatty liver.

• Protects the skin from the damaging effects of wind, sun exposure, allergic reactions, dermatitis, environmental stress and toxin accumulation.

• Improves mental clarity and function. Protects against neurological and psychiatric disorders, including neurosis, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, alcoholism and Alzheimer’s.

How to Use Schisandra Berry

Schisandra is available in a variety of forms. It can be purchased as a tincture, powder or capsule. Dried berries can be brewed to make a healing tea.

Add 2 – 3 teaspoons of dried schisandra berries to a cup of very hot water. Steep 15 – 30 minutes. Add other health boosters such as ginger, turmeric, cinnamon or licorice root.

You can order schisandra berry products below.

Visit my Amazon Storefront for supplements, Anthony’s books, and other helpful products!

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Or order dried schisandra berries by clicking link below.

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Oregon Grape Root Benefits

Oregon grape root is a flowering perennial, related to the barberry plant. I learned about this herb in Liver Rescue, by Anthony William. Join me in discovering the healing benefits this plant offers, naturally.

Oregon Grape Root Info & Nutrition

Oregon grape is native to western North America and it is especially prevalent in the Pacific Northwest, as the name suggests. The herb is bushy, with shiny holly-like leaves. It is commonly found in mountainous regions and adapts more easily to its environment than the barberry herb does.

The plant reaches two to six feet in height and produces small blackish-blue berries that resemble tiny grapes. Oregon grape berries are edible but not palatable, possessing an intensely tart flavor. It’s the golden yellow root that’s used medicinally. The herb is often substituted for goldenseal, as the two have similar properties.

Like goldenseal, the Oregon grape plant contains the same powerful alkaloid, berberine, making it an herbal antibiotic.

Benefits of Oregon Grape Root

Include this supplemental herb in the diet to receive these healing benefits:

• Improves liver health by killing viruses and bacteria inside the liver and preventing them from invading the heart. Oregon grape root improves bile production and reduces pathogenic activity in the intestinal tract, which allows nutrients to be absorbed better.

• Heals skin irritations and conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.

• Strengthens bone marrow and assists chemotherapy and radiation patients in their recovery.

• Soothes the digestive tract. The bitterness of this herb has a positive effect on the digestive system. It soothes and sedates the smooth muscles lining the digestive tract. Because it stimulates the flow of bile as well, the herb’s properties loosen wastes in the intestines and help prevent a myriad of complications such as constipation, stomach cramps, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids, gallbladder disease, and irritable bowel syndrome.

• Fights infections resistant to antibiotics, such as MRSA. Oregon grape root is effective in treating eye infections, skin wounds and urinary tract infections.

Using Oregon Grape Root

As a supplement Oregon grape root can be purchased dried to brew tea, and in tincture and capsule form. Use in the same way as goldenseal, for a couple of weeks at a time, with at least three weeks between use.

Order Oregon grape root supplements through the links below.

Check out my Amazon Storefront to order Oregon grape root or other supplements.

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Or order through this link:

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Goldenseal Health Benefits

Although I’ve only recently discovered the healing properties of Goldenseal, this plant is one of the top selling medicinal herbs in the United States.

Native Americans used it for years as a treatment for skin disorders. Goldenseal is now appreciated for a variety of health boosting reasons.

What is Goldenseal?

This perennial herb is a member of the Buttercup family. The sprawling plants grow low to the ground, preferring rich shady soil in the forests of North America. Goldenseal’s name comes from the yellow-gold scars that form on the base of a stem when it gets broken. The scars resemble a gold wax letter seal, hence the name.

The plants have fuzzy stems with five to seven jagged, lobed leaves. Its small white flowers turn into raspberry-like red berries. Goldenseal roots are bright yellow or brown, twisted, and have a sharp, bitter taste.

The underground stems and roots of the herbaceous plant are dried and used to make teas, tinctures and capsules. Goldenseal’s powerful healing benefits are due to the alkaloids berberine, canadine and hydrastine. These phytochemicals produce an astringent effect on mucous membranes, reduce disease-causing inflammation and have antiseptic properties.

Goldenseal Benefits

Include this herb in the diet for these healing benefits:

• Liver health. Destroys pathogens, both bacterial and viral, in the liver. Goldenseal expels bacterial debris, viral byproducts, neurotoxins and other pathogenic wastes. It also benefits the nearby lymphatic system.

• Natural antibiotic and immune booster. When combined with echinacea, Goldenseal enhances immunity by increasing antigen-specific antibody production. This powerful duo is a natural bronchitis remedy and aids in the fight against allergies, cold and flu.

• Fights cancer. The berberine in Goldenseal has been found to induce cell cycle death in cancer cells in multiple studies. Berberine also shows promise in destroying tumor cells.

• Improves digestive health. The herb’s bitterness stimulates appetite, aids digestion and encourages bile secretion. The berberine in Goldenseal relieves bacterial diarrhea and small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) symptoms.

It also helps to heal gastritis, peptic ulcers, ulcerative colitis, constipation and hemorrhoids. Goldenseal inhibits the growth of H. pylori, a type of bacteria that can cause gastritis, ulcers and stomach cancer.

• Heals mouth disorders. A tea can be made from the herb and used as a mouthwash to heal sore throats, gum irritation, and canker sores while reducing inflammation and bacteria in the mouth.

• Protects heart health. The berberine in Goldenseal helps to treat arrhythmias and congestive heart failure. It improves heart function and health in general by lowering bad cholesterol.

• Heals skin ailments. Thanks to its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, Goldenseal is effective against acne, eczema, dry skin and psoriasis. It can even help eliminate dandruff.

How to Use Goldenseal

The herb is available dried for teas, in tincture form and as capsules. Look for Goldenseal products in health stores and health conscious grocery stores or purchase online. See links below.

To brew tea, add 1 – 2 teaspoons of dried Goldenseal to one cup of hot water. Cover cup and let tea steep for 15 minutes. Add raw honey to sweeten, if desired.

It is recommended that use of this herbal supplement not exceed three weeks at a time. Use for up to three weeks and then take a break of at least two weeks between uses.

Check out my new Amazon Storefront, for Goldenseal and other supplements and products. Or order Goldenseal by clicking links below.

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Cardamom’s Amazing Benefits

This spice from India is often called the Queen of Spices. The seeds are aromatic and add a unique, spicy flavor to any food or drink. Cardamom is a versatile spice for culinary purposes. It has amazing health benefits as well.

What is Cardamom?

This warming spice originated in Southern Asia and India. A member of the ginger family, it is the seed pod that provides the spice. The plants were introduced to North America in 1670 by British colonial settlers. Guatemala is currently the largest producer.

Cardamom is rich in manganese, iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium, potassium and phosphorus. It also provides protein and fiber.

Health Benefits of Cardamom

Cardamom is a natural remedy for the following conditions:

• Eliminates bad breath. Chewing on cardamom seeds is effective for cleansing the breath, plus its antiseptic properties kill bacteria that cause cavities in teeth and infections in the mouth.

• Increases bile production and rejuvenates a sluggish, stagnant, overheated liver.

• Inhibits, delays or reverses cancerous tumors.

• Antioxidant properties lower blood pressure and support heart and kidney health.

• High manganese content prevents the onset of diabetes.

• Soothes gastrointestinal disorders such as acidity, flatulence, stomach aches and stomach cramps. Studies have shown that cardamom also has gastroprotective effects that help to prevent stomach ulcers.

• Dilates the bronchi and bronchioles, increasing airflow to the lungs. Cardamom helps to make breathing easier, which benefits anyone suffering from asthma or shortness of breath.

How to Use Cardamom

This spice may be purchased as seed pods or in powdered form. Most recipes that call for cardamom specify ground cardamom, which is readily available in the spice section at the grocery store.

Cardamom seeds may be purchased in health conscious grocery stores or online. See link below.

I keep both ground cardamom and the seed pods in my kitchen. Tonight I created a cardamom tea to enjoy.

In a small saucepan add 1 cup of water, 2 teaspoons organic honey, 1/2 – 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 6 cardamom seed pods (or 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom) and simmer for 10 minutes. While tea simmers, warm 3/4 cup non dairy milk, such as almond or coconut. Strain tea into a large mug. Add warmed milk and sprinkle cinnamon on top.

This is a wonderfully warming drink with just the right amount of spiciness, making it perfect for cold winter evenings. Enjoy the aroma and the flavor…and all the healing benefits!

Order cardamom seed pods below.

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Chicory Root Tea: The Coffee Substitute that Heals

I’m not a coffee drinker, although I know many people who are. There is plenty of information available, about whether this popular, and addictive, hot drink is healthy to consume, or not. I’m not going to take sides.

However, for those coffee drinkers who would like a healthy substitute, chicory root tea is a great option. Whether coffee is your thing or not, check out the healing properties of chicory root.

What is Chicory Root?

Chicory is a perennial herb, in the dandelion family. The plant has bright blue flowers. Many varieties are cultivated for salad leaves, which are called endive, but the roots are ground and used for baking and, most popularly, as a coffee substitute. Chicory root is fibrous and it’s not digested in the small intestine but instead maintains its form as is travels through the large intestine.

The chicory plant originated in Egypt. It’s thought that coffee mixed with ground chicory root began in Holland, becoming popular across Europe about 1801. In France it’s been a popular addition to coffee since the 19th century. Chicory root is used traditionally as a tea or in medicinal remedies to treat jaundice, liver enlargement, gout and rheumatism.

The roots are high in fiber and protein and contain vitamins B6 and C, along with manganese and potassium.

Healing Benefits of Chicory Root

Adding a cup of chicory root tea daily to the diet provides these benefits:

• Reduces stress by lowering caffeine levels. One of the main ingredients in coffee is caffeine, which aggravates symptoms of stress. Consuming less caffeine, by substituting chicory root tea for coffee, lowers epinephrine and cortisol levels during sleep and stressful life situations.

• Reduces inflammation throughout the body. Because it is the root cause of many diseases, lowering inflammation can stave off many health problems before they even have the chance to start.

• Cleanses and protects the liver and the gallbladder. Chicory root inhibits the formation of gallstones. It gently detoxifies the body without overtaxing the adrenal glands. And it contributes to many of the chemical functions that the liver is responsible for.

• Can prevent the onset of diabetes as well as improve bowel movements due to its fibrous content.

• Eases the pain and stiffness of arthritic symptoms, especially degenerative joint disease or osteoarthritis.

• Chicory root contains inulin, which is a prebiotic. Prebiotics promote the growth of helpful probiotics in the digestive system and enhance calcium absorption.

How to Use Chicory Root

This herbal supplement is available in capsule form, dried to use as tea, and roasted and ground as a coffee substitute.

Chicory is more water soluble than coffee, which means less is used when brewing it with coffee or in place of it. Start with 1/2 teaspoon of chicory in one cup of hot water, brew and adjust according to personal taste.

To brew basic chicory coffee, use 2/3 part ground coffee to 1/3 part chicory. Brew as normal in a drip coffee maker. Add spices such as cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg or star anise to chicory root tea or chicory coffee for more flavor.

Order chicory root by clicking links below.

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Amla Berry aka Indian Gooseberry

Although I’m familiar with gooseberries, I had not heard of Indian Gooseberries, also know as Amla Berries, until recently. These little fruits are rich in antioxidants that provide many health benefits, especially to the liver.

What are Amla Berries?

These berries, classified as a superfood, are native to southeast Asia and grow on deciduous trees. The trees range in size from small to medium and produce fruits that are round, greenish-yellow in color, with six vertical stripes.

High in fiber and vitamins C and E, Amla berries also contain micronutrients such as manganese, vitamin A and potassium.

The gooseberry taste is described as sour, strong and bitter. In India, it is often eaten with salt and red chili powder to enhance the flavor.

Health Benefits of the Amla Berry

Amla is used as a natural medicine thanks to its impressive nutrients and the wide array of health benefits that it has to offer.

• High in phytochemicals, which are plant compounds with antioxidant properties that fight off harmful free radicals in the body. Free radicals cause oxidative damage to cells and contribute to the development of chronic disease, aging, and age-related disorders.

• Protects the liver from old inherited toxins as well as new exposure to toxic substances. The berries’ high vitamin C content feeds the liver’s personalized immune system, protecting it from infection while helping the immune system seek out and destroy pathogens inside the liver. Amla berries improve liver function and help to restore glucose.

• Improves heart health and decreases the risk of coronary heart disease by reducing cholesterol levels in the blood and preventing the buildup of plaque.

• Maintains normal blood sugar levels due to their high fiber and antioxidant properties. Fiber slows the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream and helps to prevent spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels. Gooseberries prevent high blood sugar and reduce the risk of diabetes complications such as kidney or nerve damage as a result of uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

• Affects cancer cells and potentially has the ability to prevent cancer.

• Decreases inflammation throughout the body, which lowers the risks for many diseases.

• Improves skin and hair health, and is often an ingredient in beauty products. Amla berries increase the production of collagen, the protein that is responsible for providing youthfulness and elasticity to the skin.

• Protects the digestive system and keeps it working efficiently while preventing problems such as gastric ulcers. The berries promote regularity to prevent issues such as constipation.

• Recent studies show that gooseberry extract increases memory retention and antioxidant levels in the brain while decreasing levels of acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

(Info from Anthony William and Dr. Axe)

How to Use Amla Berries

It’s rare in my area to find fresh Amla berries, however they can be purchased in Indian grocery stores, and sometimes in health conscious food stores, in cans or in the freezer section.

It’s easiest to buy dried or powdered berries online or look for the supplement in capsule form. Adults can take up to 2 capsules, twice a day, or add one teaspoon of dried or powdered gooseberries to water or a smoothie.

I’ll be checking out my Joplin health food stores and Natural Grocers, to see if they have Amla berry products in any form. I’ve already found capsules and powdered berries online. See links below.

I look forward to trying this new-to-me supplement and reporting back!

Order your supplements below!

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Manganese

This essential trace mineral is needed by the body, in small amounts. Manganese is connected to iron and other minerals, and plays an important role in numerous chemical processes, including the synthesis of nutrients like cholesterol, carbohydrates and proteins. Also manganese supports the formation of bone mass and helps to naturally balance hormones, which has a positive affect on nearly every aspect of health.

What is Manganese?

Manganese is a mineral that is found in foods such as nuts, legumes, seeds, tea, whole grains, and leafy green vegetables. It is also found in fruits and other vegetables, although whole grains are usually considered the best natural source. Wherever manganese is found, iron is usually present since these two work closely together. This mineral is stored in the body’s bones, kidneys, and pancreas.

Manganese is needed for many vital functions, including nutrient absorption, production of digestive enzymes, bone development and immune-system defenses. It also helps balance levels of calcium…fighting calcium deficiency…and phosphorus, all of which work together in many crucial ways.

Health Benefits of Manganese

Manganese most often works in connection with other minerals to keep the body operating at a healthy level. The mineral provides these health benefits:

• Supports the thyroid and pituitary gland.

• Improves bone health and prevents osteoporosis.

• Necessary for antioxidants that lessen inflammation, and for enzyme function, which aids bone development and digestion.

• Helps to maintain cognitive function, easing mood swings, depression, and mental illness.

• Lowers high blood sugar levels that contribute to diabetes.

• Supports lung and respiratory health.

• Reduces inflammation in the joints and tissues, especially the knees and lower back, easing pain and discomfort.

• Reduces PMS symptoms.

• Aids in weight loss by improving digestive enzymes and balancing hormones.

• Speeds up the healing of wounds.

• Prevents anemia by helping the body use iron.

• Helps to treat infertility by balancing hormones.

Taking Manganese

The best way to get enough manganese is by eating foods that are rich in it. Since the body only needs small amounts, including short grain brown rice, oats, legumes, spinach and other dark leafy veggies, nuts, seeds and fruits such as berries and pineapples to the diet is usually adequate. Using black pepper, cinnamon and cloves to season foods is beneficial. Black tea is also high in manganese, however the tannin in black tea can inhibit its absorption.

For those who are deficient in manganese, taking a daily supplement is helpful. Those with liver disease or anemia should consult a doctor before taking additional manganese.

This mineral is one of those vital nutrients that I was unaware of before becoming more health conscious. My favorite way of including manganese is by being aware of the foods that I eat. It’s simple to add pineapple, strawberries and raspberries to morning smoothies and create salads with spinach and other dark green leafy veggies. Hummus is a great way to include chickpeas in my diet and I add cinnamon sticks and cloves to a wonderful hot cider drink.

Higher awareness, and a little planning, keeps me at optimal health.

Order manganese by clicking link below.

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Astralagus Root

The root of this herb is considered one of the most powerful immune boosting plants available. And yet, many people, including myself until recently, have not heard of this supplement.

Read on for the amazing benefits of astralagus root.

What is Astralagus?

This perennial flowering herb, also called milkvetch root and Huang-qi, grows up to 36 inches tall and is native to the north and eastern regions of China. The roots are harvested from 4-year-old plants and they are the only part of the plant that’s used medicinally.

Astragalus is a member of the Leguminosae (beans or legumes) family, with a long history as an immune system booster and disease fighter. Traditional Chinese Medicine has used the herb as an adaptogen for thousands of years. Adaptogen means it helps the body fight against stress and disease.

Astralagus Benefits

While its strength is preventing and protecting cells against cell death and other harmful elements, such as free radicals and oxidation, astralagus has other vital benefits as well.

• Reduces the inflammatory response connected to illnesses and conditions, from helping to heal wounds to easing inflammation in diabetic kidney disease.

• Saponins in the herb’s roots lower cholesterol, improve the immune system and prevent cancer.

• Slows and prevents the growth of tumors, especially in the liver.

• The flavonoids present in astragalus are antioxidants that help prevent plaque buildup in arteries and the narrowing of vessel walls. It reduces blood pressure and triglycerides levels, lowering the risks for heart disease, stroke, heart attack and hardening of the arteries.

• Has the ability to relieve insulin resistance and treat diabetes naturally. The herb’s collection of saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides are effective in treating and regulating type 1 and 2 diabetes. Astralagus increases insulin sensitivity, protects the cells in the pancreas that produce and release insulin, and acts as an anti-inflammatory.

• Fights free radical damage and prevents oxidative stress, slowing the signs of aging. Astralagus protects the brain as well, from age related disorders.

• Heals wounds and minimizes scarring.

• Has antiviral properties.

• Successfully treats chronic asthma.

How to Use Astralagus Root

Astralagus root is available in a variety of forms, including tinctures, capsules, topically in an ointment, or dried and used to brew tea.

Try including a cup of hot astralagus tea daily, during the winter months, to help ward off colds, flus, and respiratory ailments. It makes a soothing drink that offers warmth and powerful healing benefits.

Or order capsules by clicking the link below.

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Milk Thistle Benefits

I have a fondness for any type of thistle plant, with it being Scotland’s national flower. Milk thistle not only reminds me of that bonnie country, it also offers powerful properties that benefit my body.

What is Milk Thistle?

This flowering herb is native to the Mediterranean region and it is a member of the Aster plant family, which includes sunflowers and daisies. Milk thistle has been used medicinally for thousands of years. The Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides was the first to describe milk thistle’s healing properties back in the year 40 AD.

Milk thistle gets its name from the milky-white liquid that beads up on the plant’s leaves when they’re crushed. The leaves have a spotted white pattern as well that makes them look as if they’ve been dipped in milk.

Silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle, is an antioxidant that protects against the depletion of glutathione, which is a “master antioxidant” that’s extremely important in preventing disease. Glutathione helps fight oxidative stress that can lead to cancer, diabetes, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases. It also prevents damage caused by free radicals to important cellular components.

The typical American diet, pollution, toxins, medications, stress, trauma, aging, infections and radiation all affect liver function and also deplete glutathione in the body. Milk thistle increases glutathione levels by improving liver detoxification. Milk thistle also strengthens the liver cell walls, protecting them from toxins, and supports liver regeneration and glutathione formation.

Benefits of Milk Thistle

This herb offers the following health benefits:

• Detoxifies the liver by rebuilding liver cells while removing toxins from the body that are processed by the liver.

• Aids the function of the gallbladder, kidneys and spleen and helps to prevent gallstones by ridding the body of metabolic wastes.

• Controls blood sugar, which can help prevent diabetes.

• Slows the aging process due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which helps to prevent heart disease, cancer, liver and kidney disease, and age related vision problems. Milk thistle nourishes the skin and eases the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

• Lowers high cholesterol.

• Boosts the immune system and fights DNA damage

How to Take Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle is available in capsule form, as seeds, or dried for tea. To make tea, brew dried thistle in very hot water for at least 15 minutes. Sweeten with raw organic honey if desired.

Milk thistle is available in health food stores and health conscious grocery store and online. See links below.

While milk thistle is excellent for detoxing the liver and fortifying the immune system, it does my heart good as well. It’s very name transports me back to a country I dearly love. More thistle tea, please.

Order milk thistle by clicking the links below.

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