Migraine isn’t just limited to a severe headache. You may experience aura, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms that take you out for a day or two. The last thing you want is for your migraine symptoms to pop up when you’re trying to enjoy your vacation. From giving yourself a break from sightseeing to keeping your sleep routine on track, there are things you can do to reduce disruptions. Here are some tips to help you avoid triggering your migraine symptoms when on vacation. Migraine attacks aren’t typical headaches. You may experience pounding pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound. When a migraine attack or episode occurs, you’ll do almost anything to make it go away. Natural remedies are drug-free methods of reducing migraine symptoms. These at-home treatments may help prevent the onset of migraine attacks or at least help reduce their severity and duration. Keep reading as we take a look at 15 natural remedies that may help you manage migraine symptoms. Note that migraine attacks may require treatment with prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medication. Speak with a doctor about a treatment plan that works for you.

Acupuncture involves injecting very thin needles into certain parts of your skin to stimulate relief from a wide variety of health conditions.

A 2020 randomized controlled studyTrusted Source found that 20 sessions of manual acupuncture along with usual care was more effective at preventing migraine in people with a history of episodic migraine without aura than sham acupuncture along with usual care. Sham acupuncture is a treatment where the needles are not inserted as deeply.

A 2016 review of 22 studiesTrusted Source also found moderate evidence that acupuncture may reduce headache symptoms. In the results summary, the authors explain that if people had 6 days of migraine per month before treatment, it would be expected that they would have:

• 5 days with usual care
• 4 days with fake acupuncture or prophylactic medications
• 3 1/2 days with real acupuncture

You’ve watched all the documentaries, listened to the interviews and have read the articles, but you’re still not convinced on the raw food movement.

The reason for this is probably because going raw means cutting out dairy, meat, and cooking! Three things that have become quite habitual in a modern person’s diet and routine. The trick to going raw and staying raw is to know which fresh foods you adore and to make sure they are always on hand.
In Summary, Going Raw Involves…

The basis of the raw food diet is all about eating mostly or all unprocessed and uncooked foods in an attempt to provide your body with all of the nutrients without the dangerous additives commonly found in our modern food.

To thoroughly enjoy going raw food, we encourage creativity in the kitchen and being open to experiment with new flavors. This will ensure you aren’t dining on a plate of raw carrots for dinner.
Why Go Raw?

The goal of eating more raw foods is to obtain plenty of nutrients in an easy-to-digest manner; one that our bodies are naturally suited for.

You may also be surprised to hear that cooked foods are usually harder to digest than raw foods; plus cooking nutrient-dense foods tends to destabilize some of their valuable enzymes and destroy certain antioxidants and vitamins. Raw foods also help alkalize the body, reduce acidity, and have less of a chance of fermenting in the gut and causing inflammation/autoimmune reactions.

Let’s take a look at the key principles and guidelines to going raw.
The Guidelines For Going Raw

You can eat raw fruit, raw vegetables, raw nuts & seeds, fresh herbs, and spices.
Drinking lots of filtered, alkaline, or distilled water is key!
You can only drink water, herbal teas (no green, black, or white teas), freshly made juices, or homemade smoothies.
No meat, meat products, dairy products, processed foods, wheat, refined sugar, alcohol, soda, coffee, grains, eggs, or anything with a shelf life.
You can have extra virgin olive oil, virgin coconut oil, or raw apple cider vinegar, as well

Evidence Suggests…

Raw foodism has been around since the 1800’s, and both studies and anecdotal evidence show the benefits of a raw food diet include:

Lowering inflammation
Improving digestion
Providing more dietary fiber
Improving heart health
Helping with optimal liver function
Preventing cancer
Preventing or treating constipation
Giving you more energy
Clearing up your skin
Preventing nutrient deficiencies
Lowering the amount of antinutrients and carcinogens in your diet
Helping you maintain a healthy body weight

So are you ready to take part in the raw food revolution?

Keep Reading:

#healthy-swaps #weight-loss #beauty #organic #health-tips #diabetes #lifestyle #detox #films #healing

1. Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes or Yams

Keeping potatoes in cold temperatures can turn the starch into sugar, which will affect their texture and also cause them to taste sweet once cooked. More importantly, The Food Standards Agency explains that when cooked, these sugars combine with the amino acid asparagine present in the potatoes and produce the cacogenic chemical acrylamide. Potatoes need to be stored somewhere cool and dry in paper or canvas bags. Keep them unwashed and well-ventilated; if you wash potatoes before storing them, the moisture can spark decay. It’s also important to keep your potatoes separated from onions as potatoes give off gas and moisture that can make onions decay.

2. Tomatoes

Cold air prevents tomatoes from ripening and ruins the tomatoes’ taste and consistency. Tomatoes love the heat and dislike the cold, and even once they have been harvested, they still hold their aversion to cold climates. According to Mercola, placing tomatoes in the fridge changes their chemical structure and reduces the amount of volatile compounds in the fruit, which affects their flavor. Stored in temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius breaks the membranes inside the tomato walls, which means you end up with a soft fruit with a mealy texture.  They may still be good for cooking, but not the best for eating fresh.
Store tomatoes on the counter at room temperature out of direct sunlight and enjoy when they are ripe.

3. Tropical Fruits

Fruits like bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and papayas are very sensitive to the cold. Low temperatures weaken their tissue and cancel out the enzymes that allow them to mature, causing them damage on their surface, and a loss of flavor. Instead, these fruits can be kept on the counter until they ripen where they will retain the most nutrients, says the Canadian Produce Marketing Association. When it comes to bananas, placing green bananas in the fridge will halt the ripening process and the fruit will remain green for a very long time. Bananas have no natural defence against the cold in their cell walls. These become ruptured by cold temperatures, causing the fruits’ digestive enzymes to leak out of the cells, which is what causes the banana’s skin to turn completely black. Even when you remove green bananas from the fridge, they will not ripen easily. Bananas are always best left at room temperature. Taking a quick look at melons, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) found that melons lost some of their antioxidant (lycopene and beta-carotene) content when refrigerated. Melons are best stored out of the fridge to maintain their nutritional content.

4. Avocado

Avocados don’t start to ripen until after they’re picked from the tree. When you purchase an avocado from the store, it will most likely be hard and solid, and will require a considerable amount of time to ripen properly before being ready to eat. Storing avocados in the fridge will completely stop the ripening process. Store avocados at room temperature until they soften and are ready to eat. If you have a perfectly ripe avocado that you’re not ready to use, storing it in the refrigerator may work to your advantage by prolonging your window of opportunity to use it before it becomes overripe.

5. Olive Oil

It’s best to keep olive oil in a dark, cool place to prevent any changes in flavor and texture. Cold temperatures will condense and harden the oil, giving it the consistency of butter. To keep your olive oil in a state that is easy to use and maintains its full-bodied, fresh flavor, keep it out of the fridge.

6. Honey

The Canadian Beekeepers’ Association says that honey should be kept in a tightly closed container at room temperature in a dry place. Honey’s acidic pH and sugar content keeps any spoiling microorganisms at bay. Refrigeration can cause crystallization, making it hard to pour or spread. Honey will store in your cupboard for an indefinite period of time as honey is a naturally preserved food and will maintain its freshness for decades.

7. Onion

Much like tomatoes, onions tend to become incredibly mushy or moldy if left in the fridge for too long. Onions don’t come out of the ground with their protective papery skin. To develop and keep that dry outer layer, they need to be “cured” and kept in a dry environment. Onions also require good air circulation and are best stored away from potatoes, which, as mentioned above, give off gas that will quickly spoil onions. According to the National Onion Association, the only times onions should be kept in the fridge is if they are bought peeled or pre-cut. Onions that have been cut can be kept in a sealed container for up to seven days in the fridge.

8. Garlic

Storing garlic in the fridge or in plastic bags will cause it to spoil quickly. The best way to store garlic is to keep it at room temperature in a dry, dark place that has ample air circulation and with little light to avoid the bulbs sprouting. Keeping garlic in the fridge will also leave you with rubbery textured cloves. The changes are not visible to the eye due to the garlic skin; it is only when you remove the skin you will be confronted with discoloration or mold. To be safe, keep your bulbs out of the fridge.

9. Basil and Aromatic Herbs

Like tomatoes, basil loves the heat, so extended periods of time in a cold environment like a refrigerator will cause it to wilt prematurely. Basil is best stored on your counter and treated as you would fresh-cut flowers. Fresh herbs also love to absorb smells around them, and when in the fridge, they will quickly lose their beautiful natural aroma and original flavor. You can try wrapping them tightly in newspaper or placing them in an airtight container if they must be in the fridge, yet room temperature is always preferable.

10. Coffee

In its ground or bean form, coffee should never be stored in the fridge. Coffee very readily and eagerly will absorb any smells around it, so if placed in the fridge, the coffee will begin to absorb different aromas and will never return to its original arabica flavor. The instant change of temperature in a fridge also causes moisture to leach out of the coffee, which desaturates the flavor right out of the bean. Ground coffee and beans need airtight containers and a cool, dry and dark space to retain their flavor and freshness.

Usually occurring at the worst timing for you, bloating can be caused by common triggers such as stress, food sensitivities, and a lack of digestive enzymes, among other things.

The good news is that there are plenty of steps we can be doing each and every day to help reduce bloating while helping to improve our digestive health. Here are 8 steps you can start doing today:

1. Mindful Eating

You may have heard about the two parts that make up our nervous system – the sympathetic, which is needed for our ‘fight or flight’ response, and the parasympathetic, which is also known as ‘rest and digest’. We need to be in a relaxed state, or without sympathetic dominance, to be able to digest our food optimally. Eating mindfully means that we are relaxed enough for our parasympathetic nervous system to do its enormous job of digesting food and absorbing its nutrients.

2. Eat Fermented Foods – But Don’t Overdo It!

Fermented foods are those that have been through a process called lactofermentation. Once foods go through this process, the end result is full of B vitamins, omega-3’s, and various strains of probiotics. When we eat too much sugar, processed foods and alcohol, the good and bad bacteria can become imbalanced. Consuming things like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchee and other fermented vegetables will introduce live beneficial bacteria into the digestive system to help rebalance this. Although these foods change the state of our digestive system in a positive way, some people do have reactions such as bloating or flatulence when introducing these foods – so introduce them slowly and be mindful of how they make you feel.

3. Fiber

Fiber has many jobs to aid in digestion and bowel function. Insoluble fiber is able to pass through the digestive system with minimal changes. This is beneficial because it can bind to waste to be excreted from the body, eliminating toxins and ensuring a good bowel motility. Eating fiber from natural sources such as wholegrains, vegetables and fruits means you’re going to get the vitamins, minerals and other wholefood benefits – so opt for this rather than the processed fiber sources.

4. Identify Food Intolerances and Food Sensitivities

Food allergies and intolerances are different types of reactions, but both are important to treat mindfully by excluding the reactive foods completely from the diet. Intolerances are more common, and often include lactose, gluten and fructose.  If we continue to consume foods that cause a reaction in our body this can cause inflammation, gradually heighten the response to it, as well as potentially cause permanent damage to your digestive system. This can lead to intestinal permeability, or leaky gut, which may inhibit the ability to digest and absorb nutrients.  Approximately 20% of people have reported reactions to certain foods, although this seems to be on the rise – possibly due to a reduction in food quality, increase in preservatives, additives and insecticides, and food processing practices.

5. Ensure Adequate Hydration

Aiming for 2.5L of water per day can improve the health of your digestive system by improving bowel motility and preventing constipation. Dehydration can slow the transit time of your bowel movements, as well as prevent adequate flushing of toxins. The amount of water intake changes depending on exercise patterns, size of the person and the weather. As a general rule I recommend to aim for 2.5 L/day.

6. Look After Your Mental Health

It’s been found that there is an association between stress and digestive upset such as IBS. This comes back to point #1 – if your body is in sympathetic dominance you don’t have the energy to adequately digest your food and absorb its nutrients. Psychological and digestive health go hand in hand – your serotonin (your ‘feel-good’ hormone’) actually lives in your digestive system. So it’s fair to say that an unhappy digestive system may be partly responsible for an unhappy mood.

7. Consume Herbal Medicine That Has Actions On The Digestive System

Many plants contain active components that have the most incredible effects on our health. Some of the most easily accessible herbs are of the most beneficial: peppermint and fennel reduce gas and bloating, whereas licorice root helps to soothe the lining of the digestive tract and reduce any inflammation. Chamomile is a favorite for IBS patients whose symptoms worsen with stress as it helps to both nourish the nervous and digestive systems, encouraging them to work together in harmony.

8. Take Probiotics After A Course Of Antibiotics

This is because, unfortunately, antibiotics aren’t selective with what they’ve been set out to kill off once they enter your digestive system. Anti-biotic means they wipe out bacteria, even the beneficial bacteria. This good bacteria is a very important part of your microbiota, which is your own little community of microorganisms that help to balance your digestive, nervous, endocrine and immune systems.

1. Tulsi (Holy Basil) – Ocimum Tenuiflorum

The Indian herbal plant Tulsi has a lot of significance in the Hindu religion. The term “Tulsi” is used in the context of one who is absolutely incomparable. Tulsi has a lot of reverence for the Hindus. In fact, people worship Tulsi every day in the morning as well as evening time. Most homes will have a plant and it’s considered sacred, not least because of its many medicinal qualities.

I am now using this exceptional herb in my clinic – as it has only very recently become available as a tincture – with wonderful results. I wonder why Tulsi isn’t more popular in the West as its medicinal properties are incredible, and varied. Tulsi is rejuvenating, immune boosting, helps restore our body’s negative reaction to stress, removes fluoride from water, has a wonderful effect on the adrenal glands and cardiovascular and nervous systems, and is anti-fungal, so it’s a great herb to treat a candida overgrowth.
Traditionally, many an Indian Grandma relied on a tea made from the leaves of Holy Basil to relieve indigestion and headaches. Now the firsts test are showing it might also inhibit breast cancer.  A tea made of Holy Basil shrunk tumors by reducing their blood supply and stopping their spread. To aid in breast cancer treatment, drink the tea daily. (It must be ‘Holy Basil’, not another variety of basil.) Pour 2 cups boiling water over 10 to 15 fresh holy basil leaves and steep 5 minutes Remove the leaves before consuming. Or get it as a liquid tincture.
If you grow it yourself at home, add the fresh leaves to your salad, stir fry, curry and smoothies. You probably won’t find Tulsi seeds or plants at your local nursery so ask them to order it for you, or look online. You’ll find it in health food stores as a supplement, tea or liquid tincture.

2. Saffron – Crocus sativus

Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the “saffron crocus”. Saffron crocus grows to 20–30 cm and bears up to four blossoms, each with three crimson stigmas (threads), and it takes over 150,000 blossoms to produce a kilo of saffron spice. The amount of labor involved in harvesting, which saffron insists on being done by hand – is why it is considered one of the world’s most expensive spices. The plant’s beauty is striking not only for its color but also its shape and style. Saffron’s use as a medicine has been documented since antiquity.
The important antioxidants saffron contains can help protect our bodies from oxidant-induced stress, cancers, infections and they also act as immune modulators. It’s been known to have many therapeutic applications in traditional medicines across the world as it acts as an antiseptic, antidepressant, antioxidant, digestive aid and anti-convulsant.
Saffron has traditionally been used for respiratory complaints such as coughs, emphysema and asthma, and also for loosening phlegm. Saffron is effective when treating insomnia, gas, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, fright, shock, pain, heartburn, and dry skin. It’s also a good liver tonic, is used to treat diabetes, to help reduce the withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, and a good cardio tonic.
Women have used saffron for centuries to ease menstrual cramps and PMS, while men use it to treat premature ejaculation and infertility. For this reason, saffron has the reputation of being an aphrodisiac. To use at home, make the dried stigmas into a tea and drink daily or you can get as a liquid tonic from your health food store. Add the threads to your cooking to impart a sexy and unique flavor.

3. Turmeric – Curcuma longa

Turmeric is part of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is native plant in southwest India, and needs temperatures between 20 and 30°C and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive. Turmeric has a peppery, warm and bitter flavor, and a mild fragrance slightly reminiscent of orange and ginger.  And while it is best known as one of the ingredients used to make curry, it’s looking like this golden spice may be a whole lot more than a pretty color. For starters, it may prevent colon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, and it’s a good general immune system booster due to its high antioxidant capacity – mopping up nasty free radicals.
In India, where turmeric is widely used, the prevalence of four common U.S. cancers – colon, breast, prostate and lung – is 10 times lower. Thanks to its strong anti-inflammatory properties and its positive effect on the liver, turmeric can help calm digestive trouble and get your stomach feeling good again. Mix a teaspoon of dried, or a tablespoon of freshly grated turmeric into about 30 ml or so of warm water. Add a little sweetener like raw honey or maple syrup, if you like. Grow it yourself in the more tropical climates, or buy the rhizome fresh from your Farmers’ market or green grocer, or take a capsule. Turmeric is used to make up Jamu Asih Kinasih, the Indonesian love potion that is said to bring a whole new meaning to the words ‘love making’.

4. Cumin seeds – Cuminum cyminum

We’re now realzsing that these little seeds, often seen in Middle Eastern, Indian and Mexican recipes, are more than just tasty. They are a good source of iron, which is essential for energy production and metabolism. Cumin is also a key mineral in keeping our immune system healthy. The benefits to digestion have long been known but only recently being proven scientifically.
Research is now also showing that cumin may stimulate the secretion of pancreatic enzymes, compounds necessary for proper digestion and nutrient assimilation. Cumin seeds may also have anti-carcinogenic properties, especially liver and stomach. This may be due to cumin’s potent free-radical scavenging abilities. It may also increase the liver’s detoxification enzymes, which in itself means it will have many ways to heal as the more effective our liver is at detoxing, the healthier we will be. Use the organic seeds or powder in your cooking by adding them to your dips, roast veggies and slow-cooked meals like curry, soups and casseroles.

5. Cinnamon – Cinnamomum cassia

Most people are aware of cinnamon’s role adorning a donut or French toast, but its uses stretch far beyond this. (Powdered cinnamon is often mixed with white sugar, ground walnut shells, galanga rhizome.) Cinnamon is recommended for those with type 2 diabetes as studies have shown that taking cinnamon extract daily successfully reduced blood sugar by about 10%.  It also reduces heart-related risks and is now looking like it may also lower bad cholesterol by 13% and triglycerides by 23%.
To control blood sugar, take 1 gram capsules of standardized cinnamon extract daily, or 1 to 6 g daily when treating high cholesterol.  Apart from this, it has a good effect on the stomach and nervous system, and is capable of drying up Mother’s milk. The tincture is useful for heavy periods, or indeed absent periods. It has primarily been used in the West to assist and flavor other drugs, and is helpful in diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and to relieve flatulence.

6.  Rosemary – Rosmarinus officinalis

This gorgeous smelling herb likes little attention in the garden. Giving it lots of love is not the answer here. Ignore it and it will thrive. It likes dry, well-drained soil, which is why you see it growing wild on cliffs in the
Mediterranean. Its medicinal uses are many and varied. The two main ingredients that give this herb its therapeutic qualities are caffeic acid and rosemarinic acid – both being potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents. These two acids reduce the inflammation associated with asthma, and improve liver function and heart health. It’s also a rich source of Vitamin E, another potent antioxidant that contributes to free radical fighting powers, and again improving heart health.
It helps prevent the brain aging and is now proving an important defense against cancer, as research has found that rosemary extract can significantly help to protect DNA against free radical damage. By blocking estrogen, rosemary helps prevent breast cancer. Its other benefits are in reducing age-related skin damage, and acting as a mild diuretic to help reduce swelling. Rosemary is also thought to stimulate our adrenal glands to provide energy while lifting our mood and relieving stress. So as you can see, it’s more than an accompaniment to your baked spuds. Take as a capsule, liquid herb from a herbalist, or drink the fresh leaves in a tea.

7. Ginger – Zingiber officinale

Ginger is your go-to spice to prevent nausea, no matter the cause – be it pregnancy, motion sickness, food intolerances, anxiety or chemotherapy. A powerful antioxidant, ginger works by blocking the effects of serotonin, a chemical produced by both the brain and stomach when you’re nauseated. It also stops the production of free radicals, another reason we might feel nauseous. It also can decrease your blood pressure if it’s too high, and is useful for preventing cancer and arthritic pain, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. These same ant
i-inflammatory powers help powdered ginger kill ovarian cancer cells as well as, or better than, traditional chemotherapy, at least in the test tube. Ginger helps to regulate blood flow, which may lower blood pressure and decrease blot clots during menstruation. Ginger extract has been proven to significantly reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. It’s easy to include fresh ginger in your diet. Simply grate it in with your onions and garlic when you’re making soups, stir-fries, curry or dahl, or put it in your smoothie with turmeric and add it to your tahini dressing and hummus – pretty much anything. For a therapeutic dose take capsules from your health food store or the liquid extract from a herbalist or Naturopath.

8. Sage – Salvia officinalis

Sage is one of my favorite herbs, and for so many reasons. It’s antihydrotic, which means it’s a very effective treatment when dealing with menopausal hot flushes or excessive sweating. Try drinking the tea or get the liquid extract for more severe flushing. To whiten your teeth, pick a fresh leaf and rub it over your teeth a few times each week. It also helps to regulate your menstrual cycle, is a natural deodorant, sore throat tonic (when gargled), antiseptic and astringent. It’s wonderful to use sage as a healing scalp tonic (make it into a tea first), it calms the nerves, aids in healing burns, reduces nausea and flatulence, improves liver issues, kidney stones, gallstones, mouth and gum lesions and it’s a nice antidepressant. When mixed with rosemary, it can darken graying hair. Make a tea and rinse though your hair and leave it on, a few times a week. Raw sage has traditionally been used to treat warts, skin cancers and tumors. Yes, a pretty fabulous herb.
Dried sage has played an integral part in ancient, as well as current ceremonies. Many Native American Indians, because of its effect on purifying energy, hold sage sacred. It heals by bringing the patient back into ‘balance’ by cleansing the body and mind of negative spirits and impurities. When burned, the smoldering smoke offers various remedies for many physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental imbalances. I use white sage to regularly ‘smudge’ my home and clinics. You’ll find this at some health food stores, or easily online. Opt for these beautiful herbs and spices when you’re in need of some potent healing, and feel your aches, pains, and ailments vanish.

No matter who you are, where you live or what diet you follow, drinking celery juice will be an extremely beneficial practice to incorporate into your life. Here are 5 reasons why:

1. Heals The Gut

Celery contains special nutrients in its fibers which are realized when the vegetable is juiced. These nutrients promote optimal functioning of the digestive tract by acting as a natural laxative and relaxing the nerves that have been damaged by unhealthy lifestyle and food choices.

Celery juice is soothing and cooling to the digestive tract, which aids any inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. This is perfect for anyone with IBS, Crohn’s, colon cancer, etc.

The exceptionally high percentage of natural sodium in celery can really help you absorb and utilize the rest of the food you consume throughout the day. The enzymes in celery work to raise the hydrochloric acid in the stomach so that food digests easily and doesn’t ferment.

Anthony Williams AKA Medical Medium states that celery is one of the best ways to alkalize the gut. The powerful varieties of sodium work together to eliminate toxins from every inch of your body, including your gut, helping to heal and regenerate your stomach lining. He states that drinking half a litre of fresh celery juice every morning on an empty stomach can transform your health and digestion in as little as one week.

2. Strengthens The Bones

Have you ever noticed that celery actually looks like bones? The Doctrine of Signatures conveys that the way a plant appears shows what part of the body it is particularly beneficial for. Is it coincidental that bones are 23% sodium and celery is also 23% sodium? I don’t think so!

Celery is very high in calcium and silicon which help to regenerate and strengthen damaged bones. Celery is also high in Vitamin K which plays an important role in bone metabolism and protection against osteoporosis.

The pioneer of vegetable juicing, Dr. Norman Walker, stated that calcium must be consumed organically and through vitally organic atoms. When food containing calcium is cooked or processed the calcium is automatically converted into inorganic atoms. This means they are not soluble in water and they cannot furnish the cells in our body with the nourishment they require for regeneration. So juicing fresh, raw celery is a perfect way to reap the bone-strengthening benefits.

A lack of natural sodium in your diet causes your body to pull it from your bones, making them weak and brittle over time. Nature has cleverly provided celery to help humans strengthen and replenish their body’s skeletal system.

3. Purifies The Blood Stream

Celery contains a particular compound called coumarins which promotes the activity of white blood cells and assists the vascular system. This helps the bloodflow, reduces blood pressure and purifies the bloodstream.

Many diseases of the nervous and blood systems are due to the inorganic elements and salts taken in by the body in the form of dead processed products. The sodium in celery also maintains the fluidity of the blood and lymphand prevents them from becoming too thick. Celery is rich in Vitamin A, C, iron, and magnesium. This combination helps to nourish and rebuild red blood cells and aids those suffering from rheumatism, high blood pressure, arthritis, and anemia.

4. Highly Detoxifying

This magical juice is extremely hydrating and alkaline, making it effective for balancing the body’s pH level and neutralizing any acidity in the body. This, in turn, helps protect healthy cells and balance essential mineral levels, lowering the risk of heart disease, protecting bone density, reducing inflammation, boosting the immune system, and helping to maintain a healthy weight.

The combination of sodium and potassium makes it a natural diuretic. It regulates the fluid in the body and promotes urine production. This makes celery incredibly good for flushing toxins out of the body while also enhancing weight loss. It has the ability to remove calcium deposits from joints and eliminate them safely through the kidneys.

Drinking celery juice by itself, compared to mixing it with other ingredients, simplifies digestion and elimination, helping the body to cleanse, detoxify and restore.

5. Anti-Inflammatory

Two special compounds in celery, polyacetylene and luteolin, make celery an anti-inflammatory powerhouse.

Luteolin is a potent bioflavonoid that has been shown to inhibit the effects of certain enzymes which activate genes responsible for inflammatory response. A study done by the Journal of Nutrition showed that brain cells exposed to this plant flavonoid showed a massive lowered inflammatory response. Luteolin shuts down the production of a key cytokine in the inflammatory pathway by a huge 90 percent!

Luteolin is a strong antioxidant helping to fight free radical damage and reduce oxidative DNA damage related to inflammation. Polyacetylene is also considered one of the best defenders against inflammation, working to lower levels of inflammatory tissues in the body.

Therefore, drinking celery juice can reduce symptoms associated with arthritis, osteoarthritis, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, gout and more.

TIP: Celery is on the dirty dozen list, which means it is highly sprayed with chemicals and pesticides, so I highly recommend you to purchase organic if you can.

“No, I’m not pregnant. I’m just bloated.” Has this ever happened to you?

If you have IBS or experience bloating, you may relate to the awkwardness of having a distended, uncomfortable stomach on show for the world to see.
Worse yet, bloating usually strikes when we really don’t want it. Often it’s during social occasions where we can’t control our normal food intake and our belly’s fluttering with nervous excitement.
Thankfully, there’s really no need to trade in your favorite LBD for a muumuu next time you head out! Check out these 10 handy tricks to keep bloating in check.

1. PEPPERMINT

This wonderful herb is naturally anti-spasmodic and can settle the stomach cramping that usually precedes bloating. Take it as a tea or in food-grade capsule form; even a little pure essential oil mixed in a carrier lotion can effectively drop tummy bloat.

2. CHARCOAL CAPSULES

Carry a little tub discreetly in your handbag for a natural, emergency remedy once you feel the bloating build. Charcoal effectively captures the gas and can also help with embarrassing flatulence. Just be careful not to use with certain medications (it can block absorption) or rely on charcoal for long-term use. It will also make your poop turn temporarily black!

3. KNEEL A WHILE

According to ancient Chinese acupuncture, we have powerful energy meridian lines which run along our shins and support digestion. If your knees and hips are okay, try kneeling with your shins folded under you for a while. The ground will naturally apply pressure to these digestive acupuncture points.

4. RUB YOUR BELLY CLOCKWISE

All day long, our digestive tract is making smooth, muscular movements called ‘peristalsis’. This propels food along our gut for digestion and ultimately, expulsion! You can, therefore, speed up the movement of gas through your gut by massaging your tummy in the same direction as peristalsis. Simply look down at your belly and use the flat of your hand to massage your belly in large, smooth, clockwise circles.

5. IF YOU CAN, EXERCISE GENTLY

Just like the trick above can support peristalsis, so do

es gentle exercise. Moving your abdomen and heightening your breath rate gently massages your internal organs and moves gas along. A kind word of warning – don’t engage in anything too extreme, as higher intensity exercise will temporarily divert energy away from digestion. Aim for something more gentle like walking or yoga.

6. GINGER

Juice it, chew it or drink it in a tea! Ginger is a powerful digestive aid and can provide relief from a wide range of gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting and bloating. You can carry powdered ginger capsules or crystallized ginger in your handbag as an on-the-go solution.

7. IBEROGAST

This herbal remedy is now even recognized by mainstream science for its efficacy in treating IBS! Comprised of nine medicinal herbal extracts, Iberogast can provide quick relief from bloating and other uncomfortable digestive complaints.

8. LIMIT FERMENTABLE SUGARS

If you are prone to bloating, it may be helpful to temporarily reduce your intake of foods that are naturally high in fermentable sugars. While this fermentation process is good for the gut under normal circumstances, it can produce excessive bloating if we are nervous, excited, out of our normal dietary routine or leaving longer periods of time between eating. You could experiment with limiting dried fruit, stone fruit, apples, garlic, onion, legumes and wheat before a big event and see if that makes a difference!

9. SKIP FATTY MEALS

Have you ever wondered why fatty meals make us feel so full? One reason is that fat sends delicious, “feel-good” and satiating messages to our brain after we eat it. Another reason is that fat delays gastric emptying or in other words, it slows down the speed at which food can leave the stomach and enter the small intestine. In fact, the stomach can take up to six hours to empty after a fatty meal! This plays havoc with digestion, so best to skip deep-fried or fatty offerings if you’re wanting to beat the bloat!

10. PROBIOTICS

Ultimately, you can thank the friendly little bugs in our gut for gas. These guys are little gas-pumping, fart-producing factories! All the fermentable sugars and dietary fiber that our bodies can’t digest form a buffet for the flora in our gut, and as these bacteria munch away they produce gas as a by-product. This in and of itself is a normal, healthy process that supports gut health. It’s just embarrassing or downright uncomfortable when excessive!

Many people find relief from bloating by restoring more ‘good’ bacteria to their gut with a good quality probiotic. However, a small minority find that probiotics actually make their gas worse – it all depends on your unique gut flora to start with. Therefore, this tip is probably best trialed before you head out for a hot date!