Sensational Health Secrets from Around the World

Around the world, people have looked to their spice racks and open-air markets for all-natural, home-made remedies for a wide variety of ailments and disorders, like arthritis, back and muscle pain, allergies, asthma, bronchitis, cold, and flu. Everyday fruits, vegetables, sweeteners, spices, herbs and oils, like garlic, onions, honey, ginseng, ginger, fish oils and aloe vera, have long been considered healthy and curative in many countries around the world.

Native Plants and Trees that Heal

Around the globe, people fill their homes and community gardens with herbs and plants that help address symptoms of sinusitis, indigestion, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, fevers, and chronic fatigue. Worldwide, communities cultivate native plants and trees, in particular, that advance treatment of local disorders, disease and chronic health problems. These same communities have much to share with Western medicine as people search for new ways, especially all-natural approaches, to treat age-old problems.

Excellent Resources on Global Health Secrets

There are a number of excellent books and readings on global health treatments and healing like Folk Remedies from Around the World by John Heinerman (2000). Herb Companion is also a helpful magazine that teaches readers about the health benefits of various herbs and spices. Body and Soul also has a fair number of good articles on global health secrets and remedies.

Your doctor can also help. Check things out with a trusted health care professional before you try Chinese herbs and other supplements. Ask about the advantages and drawbacks of these various herbs and global treatments. You'll find that dosages and quality varies tremendously. Some Chinese herbs, for example, may not be combined with certain medicines. Best to be careful and well-informed before going it alone. Never take supplements or other natural remedies if you are pregnant or nursing until you talk to your doctor or other health care professional.

Health Secrets from Around the World

What are some of the Most Sensational Health Secrets from Around the World? Here are my all-time favorites remedies from around the globe. Sure to make a difference in your life as well.

Super Health Secrets from the African Continent

African Buchu Leaf. African Buchu has been used to treat urinary tract infections, prostatitis, urethritis, cystitis, and inflammations in the kidneys, bladder and colon, prostate, sinuses, gums and vagina. African Buchu seems to stimulate the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, improving digestion. African Buchu is even reported to stop coughs. Don't use African Buchu if you're pregnant or nursing.

Super Health Secrets from the Australia

Yarrow Root to heal scars and sooth skin. Yarrow root is prized for its anti-inflamatory and soothing properties. Yarrow extract has long been used by native and immigrant Australian women to prevent stretch marks, moisturize and smooth rough skin.

Super Health Secrets from China

Black Walnut to kill worms and paracites. Black Walnut reportedly has significant antifungal and astringent properties. The active constituents in black walnut are responsible for the herb's anti-parasitic and worm-killing effects. It has been used to expel a variety of intestinal parasites, along with worms, ringworm (fungal) and yeast.

Ginger to calm the stomach. Ginger is thought to be an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting. Ginger is the one of the oldest and most popular remedies for an upset stomach. How best to consume ginger? Drink a cup of ginger root tea which is easy to prepare and lovely to drink. Simply grate two teaspoons of fresh ginger and allow it to steep in hot water for about 10 minutes. Strain the tea and you're ready to go.

Garlic to lower blood pressure. Garlic, a member of the onion family, and ginseng are long considered effective in combination or alone as natural blood pressure cures.

Super Health Secrets from Chile

Red Grapes for beautiful, healthy skin. Chilean women credit the antioxidant powers of red grapes for their beautiful skin. They create a paste by adding 2 tablespoons of white flour to a handful of mashed grapes which is used as a facial mask. Leave on for 10 minutes. Wash off and there you have it: healthy, beautiful skin.

Super Health Secrets from Egypt

Milk Bath for soft, healthy skin. Milk baths are great for your skin. According to legend, Cleopatra's beauty routine also included taking long milk baths to soften her skin and remove dead skin cells. Taking a milk bath is just as easy today. Add two cups of dried milk to bath water, and you're ready to go.

Super Health Secrets from Greece

Fish in the diet for healthy mind, body and skin. The Greeks have long sworn by the Mediterranean diet of fish, olives and other fruits and vegetables which gives them a heavy dose of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins. They also assert that eating foods with olive oil results in beautiful skin.

Super Health Secrets from Japan

Physical fitness and exercise. Japanese men, women and children routinely walk or ride a bicycle on a daily basis for short trips to the market, school, or to the train station. This emphasis on physical fitness and daily exercise is one of the secrets to Japanese longevity and good health.

Vegetables as a main course. Meat is enjoyed in Japan, but only as a side dish. This is opposite of many Western countries where meat and potatoes take center stage. This emphasis on vegetables and fruits help Japanese people stay healthy and live longer than their Western counterparts.

Super Health Secrets from Latin America

Bananas to aid digestion. Bananas seem to act as a natural antacid to alleviate heartburn and indigestion.

Super Health Secrets from Mexico

Honey for overall health. Honey in Mexico is considered a natural antiobiotic and preventative medicine, great for heading off colds, flu and so much more. A teaspoon of all-natural honey is all you need to keep the doctor at away.

Mineral-Enriched Clay for overall cleansing and good health. Since ancient times, indigenous peoples in Mexico have used clay for medicinal purposes. Green clay is used for purification. Red clay is said to improve circulation and overall health and wellbeing.

Chocolate for healthy living. In Mexico, chocolate and cocoa have long been prized for its antioxident properties and healing qualities. Chocolate and cocoa can be eaten raw or added to sauces and other foods like chile.

Super Health Secrets from the United States of America

Foods High in Complex Carbohydrates. Pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, saltine crackers, and other foods high in carbohydrates food absorb acid in the stomach and may stop heartburn in its tracks. But, too many carbs spell big trouble.

Coca-Cola. No one really knows the formula for making Coca Cola. But, somehow drinking Coke does seem to relieve an stomach upset and is a staple in many American households during cold and flu season.

Camphor, Eucalyptus Oil and Menthol for colds and flu. There's nothing worse than having a bad cough. That's why Camphor, Eucalyptus Oil and Menthol are added to a number of products, including petroleum jelly, to sooth nasal passages and help promote healing. Vicks VapoRub, for example, is a great home remedy for coughs and flu. First manufactured as Vicks Croup and Pneumonia Salve way back when in the 1890s, Vicks VapoRub has since proven itself as the ultimate weapon in fighting colds and flu.

RESOURCES

Natural Health Secrets from Around the World
Glenn W. Geelhoed, Jean Barilla (Eds.) (1997)

Folk Remedies from Around the World
John Heinerman (2000)

Healing Teas from Around the World
Sylvia Schneider (2002)