Tropical Health

How Bone Broth Can Remedy Joint Pain and Make Your Skin Glisten

By Susan Patterson

I love the way a cup of bone broth tastes on a cool fall day. To be honest, I love the way it tastes anytime. However, it is not just how it tastes that brings a smile to my face but how it works in my body and builds my immunity and just gives me pure, natural energy. Bone broth is a staple in my home and I consume at least 4 cups a week, often more.

It’s traditional

Bone broth is as traditional as it gets, no matter what your heritage, our ancestors all consumed bone broth and one point or another. Broth or stock is still made today using every part of the animal including bones and marrow, skin and feet, tendons and ligaments. Since bone broth is simmered for a very long period, the bones and ligaments release healing properties including collagen, proline, glycine, and glutamine. All of these properties have the ability to transform your health.

According to nutrition researchers Sally Fallon and Kaayla Daniel, of the Weston A. Price Foundation, bone broths contain minerals that are easily absorbed by the body including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur, and others. In addition, broths contain chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, both compounds that are used in expensive supplements that reduce inflammation and joint pain.

Bone broth can chase away a cold

I am sure that you have consumed chicken soup when you were under the weather. According to University of Nebraska Medical Center, soup made from chicken is highly beneficial for colds and flu. Researchers found that the amino acids, that are produced when making chicken stock, reduce inflammation in the respiratory system and also help improve digestion. In addition, scientists have concluded that bone broth also boosts immune system function and can also remedy allergies, asthma, and arthritis.

Bone broth can reduce joint pain

I have quite a bit more joint pain then I had when I was younger. This is because as we age cartilage is reduced and is attacked by antibodies. Bone broth contains readily absorbable collagen

Why does that matter? As we age, cartilage diminishes as it gets attacked by antibodies (age-related degradation of joint cartilage). As bone broth simmers, collagen from the animal parts leaches into the broth and becomes readily absorbable to help restore cartilage.

Bone broth also contains gelatin, which cushions the bones and helps them “glide” without any friction. Gelatin also provides building blocks that are necessary to help form and maintain strong bones and helps take pressure off of aging joints.

Bone broth is good for the gut

Gelatin is helpful to restore the integrity of the gut lining and for reducing food sensitivities (such as wheat or dairy). Gelatin can also help with the growth of healthy bacteria and keep inflammation in the gut down. A report published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology found that gelatin is very gut friendly and supports intestinal health and integrity.

If you want beautiful skin you should drink bone broth

Collagen is necessary to form elastin and other skin compounds that help keep your skin looking and feeling young. Collagen reduces the signs of wrinkles, decreases puffiness and can also help fight off other signs f aging. In addition, many people report that they have a reduction in cellulite when they consume food with collagen because cellulite forms due to a lack of connective tissue.

Bone broth helps with detoxification

Each day we are exposed to a wide variety of dangerous environmental toxins, pesticides, artificial ingredients, and chemicals. Although the human body can detox on its own, it often has a hard time keeping up with the daily insult. Bone broth is a powerful detoxification agent that helps the digestive system expel waste and helps the liver’s ability t remove toxins, improves the body’s use of antioxidants and helps maintain tissue integrity. Bone broth also contains potassium and glycine, both of which support cellular and liver detoxification.

Make your own

You can choose to make your own broth or get it at your local health food store or online. Just be sure it is the real deal before spending the money!

-Susan Patterson

Nutmeg Essential Oil Can Alleviate Pain and More

By Susan Patterson

I love the fall, the leaves, the cool air, and especially all of the fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. These spices not only add a delicious flavor to special dishes like apple and pumpkin pie, eggnog and more, but they also have potent therapeutic qualities. Today I want to talk about the medicinal value of nutmeg and why you should eat more of it.

What is nutmeg?

Nutmeg is a seed that grows on the evergreen tree known as Myristica fragrans. It is native to islands near Indonesia. This spice is delicate and just slightly sweet. As mentioned earlier, it is valued for its culinary prowess but has become a popular go-to in alternative and herbal medicine.

Nutmeg is loaded with vitamins and minerals including, manganese, thiamin, folate, magnesium, copper, macelignan, vitamin B6 and dietary fiber.

Insomnia Buster

I don’t know about you but I struggle with getting a good night’s sleep sometimes. Nutmeg can help provide relief from chronic insomnia or sleeplessness. An animal study published in the International Journal of Molecular Science found that inhaling nutmeg essential oil reduced nighttime body movement. In fact, when comparing the aromatherapeutic potency of nutmeg to lavender oil — often used to induce sleep — nutmeg was even more potent.

I add a pinch of nutmeg to warm milk or a nondairy alternative. Nutmeg is a good source of magnesium, an essential mineral in the body that reduces nervous tension. It even stimulates the release of serotonin, which creates a feeling of relaxation or sedation.

Pain Reliever

Nutmeg contains a component that is similar to menthol and this makes it an effective pain reliever. When you add nutmeg to your cooking it can reduce pain caused by injuries, strains, wounds, and arthritis.

I add nutmeg as a spice to baked goods and savory dishes, you can help reduce chronic inflammation.  If you suffer from painful joints, muscle pain, and arthritis, ease pain naturally by rubbing nutmeg oil over affected areas.

Brain Health

Who wouldn’t want a healthier brain? Nutmeg contains myristicin and macelignan. Both of these compounds have been proven to reduce degradation and neural pathways as well as cognitive function. Studies have demonstrated that myristicin and macelignan help to keep the brain functioning at an optimal level. Research has also food that nutmeg can enhance your mood and fight off depression.

Oral Health

In old eastern medical applications, nutmeg was considered the king of spices when it came to oral health. Powerful antibacterial components help fight conditions such as halitosis. While it kills bacteria it also improves the immunity of gums and teeth.

Commercial toothpaste contains a cocktail of nasty chemicals. Fluoride, for instance, is linked to weakened bones, thyroid suppression, lowered metabolic and more. Try nutmeg instead. Due to its anti-bacterial compounds, it works to treat bad breath as well as halitosis naturally.

Detoxification

Nutmeg helps to eliminate toxins that are stored in the liver and kidney. It cleanses toxins from such things as alcohol, drugs, pollution and bad food. In addition, nutmeg helps to dissolve kidney stones and improve overall function and efficiency of kidneys and liver.

Digestive Aid

Nutmeg retains its fiber content when it is ground into a powder. In this form, it simulates the digestive process by encouraging the peristaltic motion in the smooth muscle of the intestine. In addition, it also encourages the secretion of intestinal juices that make digestion easier.

Grate a small amount of nutmeg into your soups and stews to boost flavor and improve gut health. Grinding nutmeg into powder retains the fiber content. Fiber also stimulates the digestive process by contracting smooth muscles of the intestine.

Libido Booster

Who would have thought that a little spice can actually spice up things in the bedroom? Research has uncovered that small doses of nutmeg can actual increase libido and sexual performance in men.

-Susan Patterson