Guarana: A Unique Energy-Boosting Herb

Guarana

Guarana is a South American plant that has very unique energy boosting properties.  Aside from being a natural energy-booster, guarana has many other health benefits.  Historically, the Amazonian Indians used guarana just before entering the jungle in order to sustain themselves during long periods of hiking.  They would also use the herb medicinally, to combat fever, headaches, and pain. 

What makes guarana different than other natural energy boosters like coffee?

Guarana contains guaranine, which is similar to caffeine but differs in a few key ways.  Guaranine is released slowly, over as much as six hours, making the energy boost it provides long lasting rather than short-lived.  This is very different than caffeine, which provides a short energy burst but overexcites the body.  Guarana's effect is revitalizing and relaxing rather than stimulating and depleting.  This is because guarana contains other components that modify the activity of this substance.  Note, however, that when guarana is over-consumed, it produces the same undesirable effects that caffeine does (like insomnia, anxiousness, etc.). 

Research indicates that Guarana gently stimulates the adrenal system to alleviate fatigue without producing harmful adrenaline shots.  In contrast, caffeine consumption does produce adrenaline shots that can damage the adrenal glands over time.  This is the reason the continuous use of caffeine can lead to chronic fatigue issues. 

Guarana also contains theobromine- the stimulant and euphoriant substance found in chocolate.  Its theobromine content adds depth to guarana's uses as an herbal medicine.  Just like raw chocolate, it is useful for improving mood and sharpening your mental faculties. 

In summation, guarana is useful for: 

- providing a natural energy boost
- reducing fatigue
- stress related conditions including anxiety and depression
- improving mental and physical stamina
- use as a general tonic and stress reliever
- assisting with illness recovery
- slowing or reversing aging
- as a natural diuretic, to rid the body of excess fluids
- to relieve menstrual pain
- as a non-addictive natural anti-depressant
- as a natural appetite suppressant
- aiding in smoking cessation
- providing natural pain relief

A good starting dose of guarana is 1/8 tsp. powder, which can be mixed with fruit juice, punch or herbal tea.  I recommend cold-processed guarana rather than heated varieties.  Daily intake should not exceed 3 grams. 

* Guarana is not recommended during pregnancy.  Check with your physician before adding herbal remedies to your health regimen. 

References:

http://www.mazatecgarden.com
Moritz, Andreas.  Timeless Secrets of Health and Rejuvenation.

Morning Citrus Tonic with Blue Green Algae

Orange Citrus Tonic

Ingredients:  

3 freshly squeezed oranges

1 freshly squeezed grapefruit

1 tsp. blue green algae

For extra cleansing power and flavor:  add a few drops of Citrus Fresh essential oil to the mix

Variation:  For a Goji-Citrus infusion, add 2 T. goji berry juice (like Ningxia Red from Young Living) to the mix.  Keep the blue-green algae in or leave it out!

This orange-citrus is a wonderfully cleansing and energizing drink that works well in the morning or on an empty stomach anytime of the day.  The blue green algae is excellent for boosting your mood in the morning and phenomenal for increasing mental power and agility.  Citrus, including and especially citrus essential oils, keep the lymphatic system flowing- which is key to the health of every single cell in your body!  Naturopathic Doc. Robert Morse has a video series on YouTube detailing the significance of the lymphatic system in health: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-R2JMbXCLY


What is Citrus Fresh?

Citrus Fresh™ is a relaxing, calming blend loved by children and adults alike. Rich in the powerful antioxidant d-limonene, it supports the immune system and overall health* while bringing about a sense of well-being, creativity, and feelings of joy.  It is available from www.youngliving.com.  Kindly use my distributor number, 820049 when ordering or signing up.  Goji berry juice, with essential oils, Ningxia Red, is also available from Young Living. 



 
The Culture of Life store carries a recommended brand Blue Green Algae:

Juicing's Health-Transformative Power

A Delightful Green Juice to Begin the Day!

Juicing as a regular health practice energizes you at a cellular level and helps your body deeply detoxify.  In short, its therapeutic value has the power to transform your health from the inside, out! 

What is juicing?
The type of juicing I am referring to involves the extraction of juice from raw, organic fruits, vegetables, greens, and fresh herbs, in a variety of combinations. 

Juicing makes it easy to consume a lot of fresh produce at once, which gives your body a concentrated infusion of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, antioxidants, enzymes, and biophotons. 

Biophotons are a newly discovered "light" component of foods.  Research by Professor F.A. Popp and Dr. H. Niggli shows that light energy (biophotons) is an important factor in food value.  The more light a food is able to store, the more it is capable of energizing cells by supplying fuel for the mitochondria. On a practical level, this means a person feel more energized and their metabolism revs up after eating biophoton rich foods such as raw juices.

Most foods require digestion in order to make energy and nutrition from the food available to your body.  However, juicing breaks down the cell walls of foods to liberate their nutrients for nearly instantaneous digestion.  Your cells receive this nutrition within 15-20 minutes of you drinking the juice.  Without having to expend energy on digestion, the body uses the extra energy for healing and rejuvenation. 

Juicing and Weight Release

As a result of modern living and the consumption of unfit foods, most people have a great deal of toxic matter stored deep in their tissues.  This matter not only causes health issues, but it causes the accumulation of "impossible to lose" weight.  The alkaline nature of juices, especially those that include chlorophyll-rich greens, magnetizes this
toxic matter from deep within the tissues of your body.  The more deeply detoxification occurs, the healthier a person becomes and the more easily their body lets go of extra weight. 

Many people who have tried to lose weight through calorie restriction and exercise without success find that juicing, along with a clean diet high in raw foods works for them.  An excellent documentary that goes more deeply into this science is available on Netflix, called "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead."  It documents the progress of several people as they turn to juicing and fresh foods to assist their bodies with shedding extra pounds and recovering from painful health conditions. 


*  I recommend drinking fresh juice on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning before any other food is taken.  This allows the juice to most effectively alkalize your blood and detoxify your body. 

Sources: 
Raw Food Diet Study http://www.iowasource.com/food/lenkastudy_0806.html Accessed April 22, 2011.
McDonald’s and Biophoton Deficiency http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/cienci/ciencia_industryweapons78.htm Accessed April 22, 2011.

Six "Rawmazing" Juices & Their Uses

picture from:  www.lifeforcejuice.com

1.  Carrot Juice:  Carrot makes a great juice base, with its sweet and neutral flavor.  Carrot juice is a potent liver detoxifier, and its beta carotene content keeps your skin clear and healthy.  It boosts the function of the liver, kidneys, and digestive system.  And, it is a remedy for fluid retention, bloating, digestive sluggishness, and the general feeling of fatigue that follows a period of unhealthy eating. 

2.  Cucumber Juice:  Cucumber is another great juice base as it has a smooth, refreshing taste that pairs well with many other fruits and vegetables.  Cucumber juice is a superb source of silica, which improves your complexion and contributes to the health of connective tissue throughout your whole body. 

3.  Spinach Juice:  A few ounces of spinach in a glass of juice adds a ton of healing nutrition!  Spinach contains several nutrients linked to weight loss, including calcium and iron.  It also gives you an instant energy boost due to its high content of chlorophyll. 

4.  Apple Juice:  Apple juice improves intestinal, cardiovascular, liver, and kidney health.  It is beneficial for people suffering from rheumatism or arthritis.  If that weren't amazing enough, apple juice also lowers your risk of asthma, dementia, and cancer.

5.  Lemon Juice:  This juice detoxifies the liver and boosts its function.  Further, lemon juice improves the efficiency of the digestive system, which prevents weight gain that occurs as a result of poor digestion.

6.  Beet Juice:  Beets are rich in biotin, a water-soluble B-vitamin that plays a key part in metabolizing proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.  Beet juice cleanses the intestines and liver.  Beets, including the tops, are full of iron and have traditionally been used to naturally boost energy, as well as to relieve anemia-related fatigue.
 

The following juice is delicious and incorporates all six of the aforementioned rawmazing juices!

Ingredients-

12 carrots
3 cucumbers (or 2 large)
3 apples
2 lemons
4 handfuls of spinach
1 small beet

Juice in a fruit and vegetable juicer and drink first thing in the morning.  (Allow 20 minutes between finishing your juice and eating breakfast or lunch.) 


Interested in juicing but lacking a juicer?  Good juicer brands to consider include: 
Hurom, Omega, Jack Lallane, and Juiceman


References: 
http://www.naturalnews.com/033765_apples_brain_power.html#ixzz2QmRicCJ6
http://www.drgranny.com/2010/05/19/top-10-health-benefits-of-apple-juice/
Owen, Sarah.  The Top 100 Juices.

Mineral-Rich Molasses Cookies (Gluten Free)

 

Servings: 25-30 cookies
Preparation Time: 15 minutes

    * 3/4 cup coconut oil
    * 1/4 cup molasses
    * 1 cup organic whole, raw cane sugar or raw coconut sugar
    * 1 T. flax mixed with 2 T. water
    * 1 1/2 cups brown rice flour (sprouted brown rice flour is even better!)
    * 1/2 cup coconut flour
    * 2 teaspoons baking soda
    * 1/2 teaspoon salt
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
    * 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
    * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Mix coconut oil, molasses, sugar and flax mixture together with a fork.

Mix the brown rice flour, coconut flour, baking soda, salt, cloves, ginger and cinnamon in a separate bowl and mix well.

Combine the 2 mixtures and mix with a spoon to form a dough. Chill dough in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Roll into 1-inch balls and dip in sugar (optional). Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment. Bake for about 8 minutes in preheated oven.

Adapted from a recipe from www.tropicaltraditions.com.

According to the World's Healthiest Foods Organization:
 

Blackstrap molasses is a sweetener that is actually good for you. Unlike refined white sugar and corn syrup, which are stripped of virtually all nutrients except simple carbohydrates, or     artificial sweeteners like saccharine or aspartame, which not only provide no useful         nutrients but have been shown to cause health problems in sensitive individuals, black strap     molasses is a healthful  sweetener that contains  significant amounts of a variety of minerals (including iron!) that promote your health. 

Springing into Salad Season with a Cheezy-Zucchini Salad!

The Cheezy-Zucchini Salad Extraordinaire

Welcome back, Springtime and Sunshine!

Since the Equinox, I have felt the unmistakable urge to eat more GREENS.  The liver is naturally in detoxification mode during the Spring, and chlorophyll aids the liver's efficiency during this process.  There are many ways to give your body more green during this time, and eating this salad is one of them.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

A bed of Arugula
Zucchini, thinly sliced and halved
Gently thawed frozen organic corn kernels (or fresh raw organic corn if you can get it)
Red onion, thinly sliced into rounds
Avocado, cubed
Raw pitted Kalamata olives, sliced
A generous flurry of nutritional yeast 
Honey mustard vinaigrette

Directions:  Layer the aforementioned ingredients onto your plate in the amounts that you desire, finishing with a drizzling of the honey mustard vinaigrette.  Freshly ground black pepper is always an option on this salad, as is diced jalapeno peppers if you are a heat-seeking diner like myself!