Showing posts with label lowers blood pressure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lowers blood pressure. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Lemon Thyme for Relief from Congestion

Lemon thyme is one of my favorite herbs. It has soooo many uses, but I will only take time to mention a few. The most powerful use of this fragrant herb is relief from chest congestion. We grow this wonderful herb in our garden every year and dry some of it for use during the winter months when colds and flu seem to be everywhere. Because of its awesome antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antioxidant properties, it is very useful when fighting a respiratory infection of any type. Simply boil a few cups of water, put some fresh or dried lemon thyme leaves in (I use about 2 cups water to 1 tablespoon of thyme), let it seep till the water starts to change color. Add a teaspoon or so of raw local honey, then sip on it to relieve congestion. Also adding it to a big pot of boiling water, and then placing a towel over your head to create a steam tent, you can breath in the fumes and find amazing relief! It opens up and moisturizes the lungs. It is my go to for asthma as well.
Another way to use this herb that is very beneficial is for anxiety or tension relief. Feeling tense can come and go, but when it prevents you from sleeping, or gets so severe that your stomach feels funny, maybe it's time to do something about it. Don't worry there are many things you can do that can relieve tension without taking a drug. I personally have tried and found it to be true that the oil from the leaves of a lemon thyme plant can relieve tension. Just take some fresh leaves off of your plant, crush them between your fingers until the oil is released, and then rub the oil behind your ears or where ever you can smell it. I like to use it behind my ears as my ears are usually related to the feelings I am experiencing. It has calmed vertigo for me several times, relieved nausea, and calmed me down. I am sure it can be used in more serious ways if purchased as an essential oil, but I have not as of yet needed to try it in that way.
Of course, the most logical way to use this powerful herb is to season or enhance food dishes. I love the lemony taste it gives, as I am allergic to lemons themselves and can not enjoy them. I have personally used it to season fish, lamb, and several vegetable dishes. It has a mild peppery taste with a citrus hint. It smells so much like lemon that you may be fooled at first. It works well with seafood.
This herb can also be used to thin blood, fight yeast infections, lower blood pressure, regulate blood sugar, relieve indigestion, relieve bloat, encourage digestion and elimination, and treat sinus infections. Seriously, there are soooo many ways to use this wonderful herb. If you haven't yet, you should consider adding it to your indoor or outdoor herb garden!
Here's to the medicine God created--natural herbs, food, vitamins, and minerals.
Have a Happy, Healthy, Gluten Free Day!
~Gluten Free Em~

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Nature's Substitute For NSAIDs (also known as...Ibuprofen, aspirin, Motrin, etc.)

You've been doing some research. You found that heavy use of medications can wreck your body. You learned it can create more disease down the road, but you are desperately trying to treat your high blood pressure, headaches, joint pain, etc. You know there must be another way than popping pill after pill. Just look at the list of possible side affects on the label. I'm telling you what you already know...you need other options! So what do you do? You can't function properly without some kind of relief!
There are so many options out there, even for people like me who have multiple food and chemical sensitivities! I stopped taking NSAIDs like Ibuprofen, aspirin, Motrin, and all their off brands when my body decided after 10 plus years of regular use that it wouldn't except it anymore. I used it for crippling menstrual cramps, severe headaches, joint pain, swelling, low grade fevers... I used it at least 7 days out of the month but usually much more. At that point in my life, I began to have swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing anytime that I tried to take it, so I quit.
Out of desperation I looked for other things to help with the pain. Thank God, I came across some information that told me garlic in its raw form taken orally can lower blood pressure, block pain, reduce inflammation, kill bacteria and viruses, and thin your blood. At first, I was skeptical. I mean, like, everyone uses it to cook with, but can something so little really have such a powerful affect? All I had in the house at that time was dried garlic powder. It didn't do the job, just left my breath smelling worse than ever. But I wasn't ready to give up just yet. The next payday, when we went shopping, I picked up a bulb of fresh raw garlic. That night, I tried it as my headache was worse than ever. I minced some up and put it on a piece of buttered gluten free bread...The results were amazing!!!! Not only did it help the headache, but I slept better then usual that night (probably because it lowered my blood pressure).
For the last 7 years, this has been my go to for pain relief. It also helps with congestion if you are fighting a cold or asthma. The only side affect that can sometimes be a problem is it lowers my blood pressure. (I fight with chronic low blood pressure anyway.) And of course, the bad breath. :) LOL. Which can be fixed with peppermint oil, or chewing gum.
Are you tired of popping pills for high blood pressure, headaches, pain, and swelling??? Give garlic a try! (If you are currently taking medication for blood pressure, start with a small amount of garlic to see how your body responds. Your medication dosage will probably need reduced, but always consult your doctor first as it must be done gradually.)
I am not a doctor...this is for informational purposes only, and I can not be held responsible for any adverse effects caused by consumption of garlic.
~Gluten Free Em~