HealingFoodWorks

To control dandruff effectively, herbalists often suggest botanical remedies that work on the scalp itself as well as remedies taken internally (Note: if dandruff is persistent and your scalp is red and very itchey, see your doctor. You may need treatment for a fungal infection or for a seborrheic dermatitis, an inflammation of the oil glands.) While hair rinses control dandruff at the surface, herbalists also review skin problems like dandruff is a sign of impaired liver functions.

If your liver can’t effectively deal with the chemical by-products of the body’s metabolism, that is reflected in your skin. Some herbalists believe that the skin is called upon to elmininate more and more by-products. When it can’t keep up, problems like oily scalp and dandruff appear.

Foods like burdock tea has a historical reputation as a gentle blood and liver cleanser. Fresh grated root is the best, but it is only available in season which is generally late spring. Dried, organic roots are easier to find as well as botanical extracts in health food stores.

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Tags: healing foods for dandruff

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Bioflavonoids are reported to have numerous health benefits. They are the natural pigments in fruits and vegetables. There have been many scientific reports about bioflavonoids but none have produced firm reports that confirm this statement. Researchers have reported over eight hundred different bioflavonoids. Most of these are the yellow pigments found in citrus fruit as well as other fruits and vegetables, these are referred to as flavonoids.

Bioflavonoids are also referred to as vitamin P, a name that nutrition scientists object to because it has not been proved that they are essential to human nutrition and health. Many researchers are studying bioflavonoids and many reports have been given about their possible functions. Some researchers believe that bioflavonoids help maintain capillaries. Capillaries are microscopic blood vessels that allow the oxygen, hormones, nutrients, and antibodies to pass from the body’s bloodstream to individual cells. If a capillary’s walls are too fragile they will allow blood to drain out of the vessels and into the cells. The result of this is easy bruising, brain and retinal hemorrhages, bleeding gums and other abnormalities.

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Bromelain is a mixture of protein-digesting (proteolytic) enzymes found in pineapples (Ananas comosus). Pineapple has been used for centuries in Central and South America to treat indigestion and reduce inflammation. Bromelain, which is derived from the stem and juice of the pineapple, was first isolated from the pineapple plant in the late 1800s.

The German Commission E approved bromelain to treat swelling and inflammation following surgery, particularly sinus surgery.

Bromelain can be useful in treating a wide range of conditions, but it is particularly effective in reducing inflammation associated with infection and injuries.

Surgical Procedures and Sports Injuries

Although studies show mixed results, bromelain may reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain following surgery and physical injuries. It is often used to reduce inflammation associated with tendinitis, sprains and strains, and other minor muscle injuries.

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Citrus fruits, strawberries, broccoli, and other foods high in vitamin C. Vitamin C helps to stop the release of histamine, the chemical in your body that causes the wheezing, watery eyes and a runny nose. Vitamin C is a great nutrient for people who suffer with asthma. Foods high in Vitamin C also contain flavonoids, which work to block the release of histamines.  Vegetables like red bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, cantaloupe, grapefruit, kiwi, oranges, papayas, strawberries, sweet potatoes and tomatoes are all excellent sources of vitamin C.
Citrus peels contains limonene, a chemical that may helps reduce asthma attacks, especially those triggered by air pollution. Limonene may work by saturating the cells in your lungs to protect them against ozone. Folding a citrus peel between your fingers will release a small cloud of aromatic compounds that contain limonene. Grate lemon, orange or grapefruit peel into stir-fry, bread and cake batter to lighten the flavour and to add limonene to your diet. Use marmalade on your toast.  Other benefits of limonene have been linked to help preventing breast, colon, and prostate cancers.

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Tags: Asthma, citrus, vitamins

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Pineapples contain the compound bromelain which can be an effective method for treating a black eye.  Try adding some pineapple to your diet if you find a bruise not healing as quickly as you would like it to.

Blueberries which are rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids may help strengthen weakened capillaries and help prevent the blood that leaks after a bump. Both bioflavins and vitamin C help build collagen in the body. The quicker collagen is formed and the thicker it is the healing time tends to be shorter for a bruise.

For a healthy bruise fighting combination try eating some blueberries, which are a good source of both Vitamin C and flavonoid.  Blueberries contain the type of flavonoid called proathocyanidins, which are known to strengthen the walls of capillaries weakened by bruising.  Blueberries also have the capillary preserving compound rutin, eascin and hyperoside.  An easy way to add blueberries to your diet is to add them to pancakes.  If your pancakes are made with buckwheat, which is also a significant source of rutin, you will get two times the benefits when you add blueberries.

Citrus fruits are another excellent source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids.  You can boost your vitamin C intake by trying acai juice, which comes from an Amazonian palm fruit.  Or the camu-camu fruit, which is known as one of the richest sources of vitamin C.  Of course the more familiar foods, which are full of vitamin C, are citrus peel marmalade, guava, tomatoes, blueberries, and citrus juices.

Green leafy vegetables have been known to help and ward off bruising because of their vitamin K content.  For some reason, people who are deficient in this vitamin tend to get more bruises.  To get more leafy green vegetables in your diet eat spinach, kale, broccoli and brussels sprouts.

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