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In these dark, cold days of August (isn’t it hard to believe it is summer?) tiny golden suns adorn our herb-garden at Herbal Tinctures Supplies. They bring a joyful blaze to the garden, and I am always amazed at how versatile these commonly-seen flowers are.
Marigold (Calendula Officinalis) is one of the most wonderful, and probably underestimated herbal remedies available. Skin inflammation, bruising, strains, cuts and wounds,minor burns and scalds,skin ulcers, all are healed safely and quickly with Marigold flower ointment or lotion, or, in the case of muscle-strains, with warm herbal poltices. For internal use, Marigold, taken as a tea or herbal tincture has excellent results with duodenal or gastric ulcers,indigestion, (if the stomach is very sensitive, a tea may be gentler to take than an alcohol-based tincture, or if a tincture is preferred, it is easy to ‘take the edge off’ the small amount of alcohol by adding the dose to a herbal tea, for example, peppermint, spearmint or camomile)
Marigold is also classed as a ‘cholagogue’. That means it stimulates the secretion of bile from the gall-bladder (which can have great beneficial effect in gall-bladder complaints.) And as a result, is mildly laxative, which aids detoxification of the whole system, gently and without side-effect.
It is known as an ‘emmenagogue’ (this means it tones the womb, and can help normalize menstrual irregularities.) n.b. please be careful when taking herbal remedies during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Seek professional advice.
And, most interesting of all, Marigold has anti-fungal properties, so is the herb which is most useful in cases of Thrush or Candida albicans. Taken internally, as a tea or tincture three times a day, it will help tremendously to banish fungal infections. For Vaginal Thrush, a douche made with a herbal infusion of Marigold is a natural way to help clear this uncomfortable problem.(1-2 teaspoonfuls to 1 cup of boiling water:steep 15 minutes: allow to cool to body temperature.)
It tastes quite bitter as a tea, but apparently the bitter taste affects a certain nervous system response which actually helps the herb to work! (Or that’s what we’re told in order for us to take our medicine!) As a tincture, it is much easier and more convenient to take.
Marigold contains Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which according to a study published in The American Journal of Nutrition, have a role in the prevention of degenerative eye problems, such as Cataracts and Macular Degeneration. It has also been discovered that Lutein lowers the incidence of Mammary Tumours (as a result of a study of laboratory mice.)
Wow! What a flower!
Still struggling with trying to control or generate some successful weight loss? Whatever your diet or women’s weight loss program might be, try applying these five essential keys to successful weight loss in women.
1. Eat Your Meals More Slowly
If you have an eye towards shaping up, toning down and generating fat loss to improve your looks and health, then consider this. You will derive more benefit nutritionally from what you eat, when you chew your food more thoroughly and eat more slowly. Why? It’s because your body more easily extract nutrients from finely chewed foods. It’s also true of foods that spend more time in the digestive tract where their value is extracted. “Wolfing down” your food serves no constructive purpose other than to make you prone to indigestion, upset stomach, and ulcers.
2. Avoid Excess Salt
In speaking of salt, the Holy Bible says, “Will tasteless things be eaten without salt?” (Job 6:6) Salt has many uses and is a seasoning that has been used for centuries. Used in excess however, and it quickly can turn against you. In moderation, it embellishes flavor and taste and enhances a multitude of foods. But use too much and tastes are strong, pungent, acrid and bitter. Too salty is a cooking error that can be difficult to correct. Salt also promotes water imbalances in the body, causing water weight gains in some, Diarrhea in others. An excess of salt in foods is the bane of weight loss in women. Avoid it.
3. Avoid High Saturated Fat, Processed Flour and Sugar-based Foods
From ancient China comes the saying, “Eat noodles for long life”, but it’s best to do so in moderation. Deep-fried foods, processed flour pastries and breads, and all manner of sugary or sugar-based foods and drinks are truly best avoided as much s possible for successful weight loss.
4. Increase Your Physical Activity
Move your body, exercise, enroll in a gym and go regularly for physical, aerobic workouts. You might consider practicing a physical sport like tennis or golf, bike riding, roller skating or ice skating, jogging on a path, trail or treadmill. How about taking ballroom dance, Tango or Salsa dancing classes? Just find a physical activity you enjoy, practice it regularly and experience successful weight loss as you do. Come up with some way to regularly move your body and exercise for continued weight loss, especially in women.
5. Watch Out for Holidays and Festivals
Holiday celebrations and seasonal festivals can represent some of the best and worst times of our lives. One reason why is that this is often a time for cooking special foods and preparing all manner of “sumptuous drinks” all loaded to the rim with things you just know you really shouldn’t have. Okay, so we’re all human. Enjoy your holidays. Remember to do so though, in moderation. Don’t fall, or jump, completely off the wagon. Recovering from an extensive holiday binge can take weeks if you’re not as careful as you should be. Be careful of and exercise some control over what you eat and drink during the holidays.
Stop struggling with trying to control or generate some successful weight loss in women by using these five helpful fat loss program suggestions.