Monday, March 28, 2011

Worms, Anyone??

I recently read an article in a magazine at my sister's house.  I found it very interesting. I will warn you, you need to have a strong stomach to read it though.  It's called, "You've Got Worms"...see what I mean?  But on the other hand I know how easy it is to pick up a parasite.

When I was around 12, I went on a missions trip to Costa Rica.  It was a GREAT week.  We had lots of fun and learned lots of new things.  I even got a "souvenir" to take home with home with me...but I didn't realize it until I got home....  In 3 days I lost so much weight that it was visibly noticeable.  But the weird thing was, I was eating more, and I mean a LOT MORE than I had ever eaten before.  I was starving.  I would eat...a LOT, and then fifteen minuets later I'd be hungry again.  To make a long (and really gross) story short, I had a tape worm that was probably picked up in the water I had been drinking in Costa Rica.  After about 5 days on medication, I was back to normal and more than ready to move on...MORE than ready.

I told that story to say this: I knew I had a parasite because I had symptoms of one.  But many times people don't have symptoms, or maybe they don't know what their symptoms are from.  In either case it's a fact that over 85% of people have a parasite of some kind and don't even know it.  Like I said, parasites are really easy to pick up.  You can get them from drinking infected water, other people or animals, dirt, air we breath, ticks and other insects.  It's very easy to pick up a parasite.  The medication I was given worked and I didn't get any side affects from it, but depending on the type of parasite the medication a doctor may prescribe could be toxic, so I recommend that you used herbs to rid yourself of any toxins and other...undesirables.

For more information on what a parasite is, what they can do to you and your children, and how you can get rid of them you can go here to read the article I read. 

Other herbs that will help rid you of parasites are (there is more information in the article provided.):
  • Garlic
  • Pumpkin Seeds
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Goldenseal
  • Sage
  • Thyme
  • Fennel
  • Cranberry Powder
  • Grapefruit Seed Extract
  • Apple Kernel
  • Olive Leaf Extract
  • Apple Seeds
  • Vitamin C
  • Grapes and Grape Juice
  • Echinacea
**The herbs in bold print are the ones that can (or should be) be eaten or used in cooking on a regular basis.

1 comment:

  1. hey angela i've got a good herb for tension and anxiety
    Lemon Balm is a native to southern Europe and northern Africa and has been cultivated for over 2000 years. It has a long history as a healing herb and was also part of a drink that ensured longevity. The branches were strewn on floors to freshen a room,The Arabs introduced it as medicinal herb, a tea that was taken for anxiety and depression. Melissa tea is still known in France today as a remedy for fatigue and headaches.The Greek physician Dioscorides wrote about it being used for scorpions stings and insect and dog bites.
    Herb Description
    Lemon Balm is a citrusy and fresh scented herb. It is very prolific and easily grown
    Fresh or dried leaves are used.
    Preparation and Storage
    Fresh leaves can be stored in plastic bags in the fridge for a few days or they can be frozen. Dried leaves should be stored in an airtight container. To dry leaves, avoid exposure to light or heat, spread out on newspaper or hang in bunches in a dark airy place. The leaves lose some of their flavour when dried. Dried leaves can be used as an ingredient in pot-pourris.
    Culinary Uses
    Because of its delicate lemon flavour, lemon balm has a wide culinary potential. Apart from using fresh leaves as an attractive garnish, Chopped fresh leaves can be used to to add zest to sweet or tangy dishes. It combines well with allspice, bay leaves, mint, pepper, rosemary and thyme. Fresh herbs with essential oils, however, are less potent and should be added at the end of cooking. A wonderful addition to fruit salads, green salads, herb butters, fruit drinks, sorbets. It can also be used in egg dishes, custards, soups and casseroles. It works well in stuffings for poultry,lamb or pork. Its subtle flavour is a perfect for sauces and marinades for fish. Lemon balm and chervil are also good combination.
    Attributed Medicinal Properties
    Lemon balm tea was known to have powers of longevity. Today the tea is taken to treat colds and flu, lower blood pressure and for insomnia and indigestion.
    Balm is an excellent carminative herb that relieves spasms in the digestive tract, and is used in cases of flatulent dyspepsia. Because of its mild anti-depressive properties, it is primarily indicated where there is dyspepsia associated with anxiety or depression, as the gently sedative oils relieve tension & stress reactions, thus acting to lighten depression. . The volatile oils appear to act between the digestive tract and nervous system. It may be used effectively in conditions of migraine that are associated with tension, neuralgia, anxiety induced palpitations, and/or insomnia.This is a safe herb for children, and it tastes very good.
    Fresh leaves can be used to sooth insect bites, and a linement made with lemon balm will help heal cold sores

    Other Names
    Balm mint
    bee herb
    Sweet balm
    Garden balm
    Honey plant
    Melissa

    Lemon Balm infused oil
    1 cup of oil
    1/2 cup of fresh herb
    let stand 4-5 days at room temperature and the herbs will settle to bottom. Put into clean jars, discard the herbs and store in the fridge for up to 6 months

    Lemon Balm Tea
    (with fresh or dried leaf)
    1heaping tablespoon of dried leaves
    2 tablespoons of fresh leaves for each cup of boiling water
    (or make sun tea by placing herbs and cool water in covered jar in the sun for a few hours)
    strain add honey and, or lemon.

    ReplyDelete