Could There Be a Pharmacy in Your Garden?

Learning which foods can heal and make us healthier is a constant process. Eating healthy foods to keep our bodies in good shape is a lot cheaper than dealing with the diseases and illnesses that result from bad food choices, fast food choices and paying the price for those treatment drugs that come complete with some bad side effects. Could the road to good health be as easy as making the right food choices? Let's take a look st the healing possibilities of some foods.

Peppermint (relieves stomach cramps)

Peppermint is a carminative ( gets rid of gas and bloating in the digestive system). It works for nausea, indigestion and the stomach pain of IBS (irritable bowel) and it is used as a food and a flavoring. Some even use a teaspoonful of room-temperature tea to comfort a baby with colic. Peppermint is used in rubs to help reduce pain, and inflammation. Diluted peppermint oil can be used for relief of the itching of insect bites and eczema and peppermint is one of the easiest plants to grow in your garden. It is a prolific plant.

Celery (lowers blood pressure)

Used in Asian cultures for thousands of years as a treatment for high blood pressure, it has a phytochemical that is not found in most of the other vegetables, and it has no bad side effects.

Berries for a strong heart!

Dark-colored berries have antioxidants that help in reducing heart disease and cancer. They keep blood vessels healthier for faster healing of bruises and less swelling of the feet and ankles. Berries have compounds that help kill viruses and they're high in Vitamin C, potassium, and fiber. Start growing berries in your garden for a healthier you.

Apples (lower blood cholesterol levels)

Apples have a lot of pectin that helps to keep blood sugar levels even. They have certain chemicals that help keep cells from mutating. Put some apples in your juicer and have a fresh, cold glass of powered-up energy.

Sweet Potatoes (source of potassium and vitamin C)

Beta-carotene's antioxidant power in sweet potatoes helps the immune system fight off colds and flu.

Tomatoes (helps protect from cardiovascular disease and some cancers)

Tomatoes have a high amount of vitamin C. They are a good source of lycopene, that helps protect from cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Add some of your own organic tomatoes to the juicer and have some tasty vitamin C.

Always check with your doctor before adding new foods to your diet that could interact with certain drugs.

Sources:Nature's Pharmacy 2001 Publications International, LTD.Nature's Pharmacy 2001 - Publication reviewed by the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP)

The Complete Raw Juice Therapy by Susan E. Charmine 1977