Garlic
Description:
Amazingly, the role of Garlic in human history could fill a book. As far back as the first century, Dioscorides wrote of Garlic’s ability to clear the arteries. Garlic poultices were used to prevent wound infections from Roman times through World War I. In World War II this potent herb was called “Russian penicillin”, which they used after running out of antibiotics.
After World War II, Sandoz Pharmaceutical company manufactured a Garlic compound for intestinal spasms, and the Van Patten Company produced a compound using Garlic, for lowering blood pressure. The Europeans use this herb as an all-around treatment for preventing atherosclerosis, the cause of heart disease and strokes.
Scientific studies found that certain forms of Garlic lowered blood pressure and total cholesterol levels. Early scientific studies propose regular use can help prevent cancer. Garlic is an effective antibiotic when it contacts the tissue directly. Garlic has also been suggested as a treatment for asthma, colds, and diabetes. Garlic suppositories work very well as a remedy for women experiencing yeast infections such as candida.
Grapefruit
Description:
Grapefruit is a wonderful source of vitamin C and potassium, and contains high amounts of lycopene, folate, iron, calcium, and other minerals as well. The pink and red varieties are rich in beta carotene and have anti-oxidant properties. Grapefruit is high in fiber and low in calories. This fruit has antiseptic, stomachic, tonic and diuretic properties.
Grapefruit Seed extract (GSE), is a wonderful herbal infection-fighter, which was first used by farmers to inhibit the growth of mold on their equipment. Later, cosmetic companies used it in their products as a preservative. In the early 1980s, claims that GSE could fight infections in people promoted interest within the dietary supplement industry, and GSE products started to appear in health-food stores. GSE is sometimes called citrus seed extract.
Grapefruit is high and pectin, a soluble fiber that helps lower blood cholesterol. It has also been promoted as a weight loss agent over the years, with claims that it can burn fat away. While there no substantive studies supporting its effectiveness, Grapefruit is a diuretic that works well in conjunction with a weight loss program. Grapefruit has also been used to loosen a tight cough and thick phlegm so that it can be more easily coughed up.
Some also believe that this fruit, when eaten daily, reduces the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory disorders. Preliminary studies have shown lycopene to be effective in reducing the risk of prostate cancer and in helping prevent many other diseases. Grapefruit Seed has been used primarily as a treatment for vaginal yeast infections caused by Candida, and the intestinal condition, Candida Overgrowth Syndrome, but it is also used to kill strep, staph, salmonella, E. coli, influenza, parasites, herpes, fungi and traveler's diarrhea.
Many forms of skin disorders such as dermatitis, poison oak, poison ivy, and cysts are being effectively treated with Grapefruit Seed Extract. Although doctors recommend GSE capsules, liquids, and powders for bacterial, viral, and fungal infections, including Candida Overgrowth Syndrome, there is no complete scientific research to indicate GSE can actually eliminate any infection in human beings.
Green Tea
Description:
Green tea is particularly rich in health-promoting flavonoids (which account for 30% of the dry weight of a leaf), including catechins and their derivatives. The most abundant catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), which is thought to play a pivotal role in the green tea's anticancer and antioxidant effects. Catechins should be considered right alongside of the better-known antioxidants like vitamins E and C as potent free radical scavengers and health-supportive for this reason.
Most of the research showing the health benefits of green tea is based on the amount of green tea typically consumed in Asian countries-about 3 cups per day (which would provide 240-320 mg of polyphenols). Just one cup of green tea supplies 20-35 mg of EGCG, which has the highest antioxidant activity of all the green tea catechins. The health benefits of green tea have been extensively researched and, as the scientific community's awareness of its potential benefits has increased, so have the number of new studies.
As of November 2004, the PubMed database contained more than 1,000 studies on green tea, with more than 400 published in 2004! Following is a brief summary of some of the high points of this most current research. Green tea drinkers appear to have lower risk for a wide range of diseases, from simple bacterial or viral infections to chronic degenerative conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, stroke, periodontal disease, and osteoporosis.