Natural Buckwheat Remedies: Gluten-Free!

Natural Buckwheat Remedies: Gluten-Free!
In this emerging Age of Whole Grains, poor buckwheat is coming late to the dance. What was once a major crop in the US has largely disappeared from our menus--it doesn't do well in industrially over-fertilized fields. Fortunately, buckwheat has long been a staple in parts of Asia and nutritionists are now recognizing that the antioxidants, B vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients in buckwheat make it a superfood.
Gluten-Free: Increasingly used as a gluten-free alternative to wheat, buckwheat is actually not a cereal like wheat but simply a seed that somewhat resembles wheat and which can be used in similar preparations. In fact, it is much more like a sunflower seed or sorrel. Its seed can be hulled and eaten much in the way oats are used or rice. It can also be ground into a flour for use in baking.
Natural Cures: Buckwheat is indeed much like wheat flour, but because it is not a true cereal it is rather low on the glycemic index and has much more protein than cereals like wheat and rice. For that reason, buckwheat is finding favor as a flour-alternative for those with Celiac Disease, Diabetes, and Candida. Additionally, a component flavonoid called rutin shows particular promise as a natural remedy for radiation exposure.
Two Final Notes: Please note, rarely some people are in fact allergic to buckwheat and can have a severe allergic reaction. This is rare, but something you should be aware of as you consider adding this superfood to your regular dietary habits. Also, vitamin C aids in the absorption of several buckwheat nutrients, so consider adding a splash of lemon juice or other vitamin C food source to your buckwheat meals!
Nutritional Profile on Buckwheat

Natural Brain Foods

Natural Brain Foods
Do you remember when you were a kid, and your parents said, "eat your vegetables, they will make you smarter?" Well, they were definitely on to something, even though they were just trying to make you eat your dinner. The brain requires many nutrients to process the information that our body requires to remain functional. Brain foods contain elements that can enhance brain development or cognitive function. Likewise, many foods that people ingest have a direct correlation to the brain's control of certain hormones. There are foods in every category of the food pyramid that have properties that would qualify them as a brain food. Also there are quite a few supplements and extracts derived from foods and plants that are considered brain foods. Many Earth Clinic users highly recommend some of the brain foods in this section to be very beneficial.Brain foods not only are for enhancement of brain development or cognitive function, but can also be a very useful home remedy for several conditions. Such foods have been shown to help enhance the secretion of many hormones which can positively affect conditions such as insomnia, depression, and energy levels.Please feel free to comment on any of the brain foods that are listed below!

Body, Mind and Spirit Remedies

Body, Mind and Spirit Remedies
Body, Mind, and Spirit Remedies form the basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda. Both traditional medical disciplines recognize the substantial role that the mind and our thoughts have on our general health and vibrancy. Natural cures can be brought about purely with the proper frame of mind and positive spirit, if you can activate the body's own immune and repair systems.Likewise, the body can experience pain and illness that the mind or spirit creates for itself, as a sign that the psyche or spirit is itself not well. We need to learn to listen to these signals from our body and mind, then find ways to go inward and adjust our own health for the better.Natural Cures: Meditation, talk therapy, positive thoughts, exercise, hypnosis, prayer, and many other natural therapies are available to help us harness the power of the mind and spirit to restore health in our bodies.

B-Complex Health Benefits and Side Effects

B-Complex Health Benefits and Side Effects
Among the most important nutrients for the body, B complex vitamins help the body produce energy and create red blood cells. Aside from supporting good health, these vitamins also function to treat and prevent certain health problems. A supplement that contains all eight of the B vitamins, vitamin B complex is especially important for general health and wellness.

What Is Vitamin B Complex?

Vitamin B complex is a dietary supplement that includes all of the B vitamins: B1 (thiamin), B2 (riboflavin, B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid, B6, B7 (biotin), B9 (folate) and B12. Each of the B vitamins is responsible for maintaining specific bodily functions; however, it is all together that the vitamins work most effectively.

B1 and B2 promote healthy functioning of the muscles, nerves and heart while B3 is responsible for regulating the nervous and digestive systems. Normal growth and development are dependent on vitamins B5 and B12. B6 provides immune support and aids in protein breakdown while B7 helps produce hormones. Vitamin B9 directs the production and maintenance of DNA.

Health Benefits of B Vitamins

Aside from supporting effective bodily function, vitamin B complex also supports the treatment of specific health conditions. Again, certain vitamins are important for specific conditions; however, the complex works together to establish the most effective functioning.

Specifically, B1 helps prevent kidney disease as well as reduce the risk of cataracts. B2 is used in the treatment and prevention of migraines while B3 helps lower cholesterol. Additionally, B6 protects against heart disease, relieves symptoms of PMS and eases nausea related to pregnancy. B9 and B12 are responsible for preventing several types of cancer.

Vitamin B complex is also important for treating a variety of other conditions. Many individuals take the complex to aid in the treatment of anxiety, depression, fatigue, cardiovascular disease, premenstrual syndrome and certain skin conditions.

While not everyone is in need of a B vitamin complex, common symptoms of B vitamin deficiency include tiredness, anemia, loss of appetite, depression, abdominal pain, muscle cramps, hair loss and eczema. A complex dietary supplement such as this one is effective for treating and preventing a wide range of health conditions.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda

Apple Cider Vinegar and Baking Soda
Continued from our main Apple Cider Vinegar Page...

As popular as the apple cider vinegar remedies are, for some of us this home cure can be even better, or at least easier to take, with the addition of baking sode to the ACV Tonic. Apple cider vinegar and baking soda in water offers all of the nutritional benefits of ACV in a less acidic form, thereby increasing even further the beneficial alkalizing effect that apple cider vinegar has for the body.

Our in-house medical expert Ted is a big proponent of an apple cider and baking soda tonic as an alkalizing agent and general health tonic, and he recommends it for a variety of health conditions.

Home Remedies: Like the ACV Tonic, the combination of apple cider vinegar and baking soda is enthusiastically recommended for GERD and Acid Reflux conditions. It is also well-regarded for pain and general inflammation throughout the body, as is consistent for alkalizing cures.