Herbal Legacy Articles

by Yvonne Salcido, MH

HISTORY: Sprouts have been used for thousands of years. The Chinese have records of using sprouts 5,000 years ago for nutrition and healing. The Roman soldiers used them in the long journeys. In the Bible Daniel used pulse, which was a mixture of grains and sprouted seeds. This is how he and his companions increased their health and wisdom.

BENEFITS: Scientific studies have shown that by sprouting grains, beans, seeds, and nuts the nutrition levels of proteins, vitamins and minerals increased 300-1000%.  By sprouting you have released the protective coating of the grain so the digestive enzymes are released. This makes them easily digestible for babies and the elderly.

FACTS: By sprouting your grains and beans you can remain healthy and strong having fresh food with high protein, vitamin and mineral content.  If you are short on storage space you can have one 45 lb. bucket of sprouting mixture and have a year supply for one person.

Sprouting is easy and you can have fresh produce in 3-4 days!!!

HOW TO SPROUT: Place seeds in glass quart jar or sprouter.  Cover with water, let sit for 24 hours.  Then drain and rinse 3 times a day for 3 days. During this time cover with towel to keep in the dark for 2-3 days, then you can remove the towel and let them green up. They are good by the handful or in salads, sandwiches, or your favorite recipes.

Printable Version: http://www.herballegacy.com/Sprouts.pdf

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Did you know that a vitamin many people are lacking, Vitamin D, is vitally important to your health?  Here are just a few of the things that Vitamin D can help with:

• Cancer

• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

• Juvenile onset diabetes

• Tuberculosis

• Atherosclerosis

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Weight

To learn more about how Vitamin D can affect each of these and to learn:

• how to get your Vitamin D if you don’t live in a sunny climate or are a Vegan

• why Vitamin D fortified foods such as cereal and milk don’t help you get your Vitamin D

and much more, then listen to today’s audio article from Master Herbalists David and Fawn Christopher on their popular radio show, A Healthier You.  To listen to this segment, please click this link:

http://www.herballegacy.com/VitaminD.html

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October 2003

by Lindsay Wolsey, MH

Over a million Americans die each year of heart disease. The most common are those who die from congestive heart failure-coronary heart disease and high blood pressure. Each year 300,000 people die from heart attacks before they can make it to a hospital, or before the paramedics reach them. 10% of people who die from a heart attack die within 3 days. 1 out of 5 people who survive a heart attack will have another one within 4 years. Pretty grim, isn’t it? The good news is that we have the knowledge to prevent these conditions with proper exercise and nutrition.

The Nutrition Almanac has a list of nutrients that are especially good for the heart. They are:

Vitamin A, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B6, Choline, Folic Acid, Inositol,

Niacin, Panthothenic Acid, Phosphatidylcholine, Vitamin C and bioflavonoids, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Calcium, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Magensium, Manganese, Phosphorous, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc

That’s a long list.

So, where do we get these nutrients from? Try Vitalerbs. While Vitalerbs may not have every nutrient on this list, they have most of them. For example, Vitalerbs contains: Vitamin C, Bioflavonoids (Vitamin P), Biotin, Calcium, Carotene, Choline, Pantathonic Acid, Chromium, Cobalmin (B12), Cobalt, Copper, Fiber, Fluorine, Folic Acid, Inositol, Iodine, Iron, Linoleic Acid (Vitamin F), Magnesium, Manganese, Niacin (B3), Paba, Pangamic Acid (B15), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Phosphorous, Potassium, Protein (RNA), Pyridoxine (B6), Riboflavin (B2), Selenium, Silicon, Sodium, Sulfur, Thiamine (B1), Tin, Trace Minerals, Vitamins D and K, Zinc. That’s a good portion of the list, not to mention some others. For more information on Vitalerbs, click here or talk to your local health food store that carries the Dr. Christopher product line.

What to EatThe absolute best foods for the heart are those that are low in cholesterol. The absolute worst foods for the heart are those foods in the Standard American Diet-hamburgers, fries and a Coke. If you’re already leaning towards heart disease, you want to avoid anything that is going to add more cholesterol to your already overloaded system. Remember, fast food is not your friend.

What to Avoid:Meat (Red in particular)

Eggs

Dairy

Fried, Fatty Foods

So, what can you eat? Among many other fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds are:

Apples-Research in the Netherlands has shown that the phytochemicals in apples could help cut the risk of death from heart disease in half. Drinking 12 ounces of apple juice or eating two whole apples a day is beneficial. So an apple a day really does keep the doctor away.

Onions-Eating half a raw onion a day raises HDL (good) cholesterol an average of 25 percent in most people who have cholesterol problems.

Legumes/Beans-The fiber and other compounds present in legumes/beans can reduce cholesterol, blood clotting, and improve blood vessel function. These are also a great source of folate, which keeps homocysteine levels (an indicator of heart trouble) in check. One serving of dried beans/legumes a day can reduce cholesterol by up to 10%. They might not be fruit, but they are magic.

Oats-Oats contain beat-glucans, a soluble fiber. Eating about one-cup of cooked oatmeal a day significantly decreases blood cholesterol levels. A great way to get your oats is with Easy Breakfast.

Walnuts-Walnuts contain a type of fat called linolenic acid, which lowers cholesterol and prevents blood clots. Eating walnuts can decrease your total cholesterol level by 12% and LDL cholesterol level by 165. Nuts are part of the mucusless diet.

Olive Oil, Canola Oil-Of all cooking oils, olive oil contains the largest proportion (77%) of monosaturated fat and has powerful antioxidants, which lowers LDL cholesterol without affecting HDL levels.

Bananas-Besides being fat and cholesterol free, bananas are rich in vitamins, minerals, and soluble fiber.

Peanuts-Peanuts, long known to be rich in protein, fiber, and several vitamins and minerals, pack a significant load of reservatrol. That’s one of the heart-saving chemicals called phenolics. Phenolics are powerful antioxidants, which sop up cell-damaging free radicals throughout the body. These compounds seem to limit the harm done by cholesterol to artery walls and are thought to battle cancer, too. Other research has suggested a handful of the nutrient-filled nuts a day won’t hurt your waistline - and is enough to benefit your heart.

Don’t forget your green leafy vegetables and garlic!

Copyright © 2004 Christopher Publications. All rights reserved.

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