Bentonite Clay comes from the Earth's volcano's. It is formed when volcanic ash has weathered and aged with  water present.   It holds a very strong negative electromagnetic charge.  This charge becomes activated once water is added to the clay and, in turn, whether we ingest it or use topically, the clay acts like a magnet and pulls metals and toxins to it. (If you choose to use it as a drink, use a teaspoon of powder in a slightly warm glass of water, followed by two more glasses of water.)  The clay will work it's way through your digestive track, attracting all the positively charged toxins, heavy metals, GMO toxins, fluoride, candida yeasts, parasites, gangrene, bacterial infections and even radiation poison!  This is then excreted from the body.  Because clay is not absorbed into the bloodstream and doesn't stay in the system, it is considered non-toxic. Drinking plenty of water is key! You want to clay to keep moving and not get stuck.  A detox method to use would be 4 weeks of 1 tsp bentonite clay with plenty of water, every day.  Take a week break, then back on for 4 weeks of 2 tsp bentonite clay with plenty of water, every day.   This powerful detox method can be used with bentonite clay or diatomaceous earth. 

​Not only is Bentonite clay a great way to detox  heavy metals and toxins from the body, but there's a high amount of calcium, magnesium, silica, iron and potassium.  Clay, literally, absorbs toxins and pathogens, while depositing  minerals into your body. There is concern of the small trace amounts of lead found in clay, but this lead is never released into the body, it is excreted alongside the other heavy metals found in the body. 

Benefits Of Bentonite Clay
​*Removes heavy metals, pathogens, toxins, fluoride, viruses, candida yeasts, bacterial infections, gangrene, GMO toxins and even radiation
*Promotes healthy gut flora
​*Heals and revitalizes damaged cells & tissues
​*By reducing stomach acidity, it balances the body's pH levels
​*Promotes healthy hair, skin, nails, teeth, bones and joints
​*Naturally boosts energy
*Adds oxygen to your cells by pulling excess hydrogen, allowing oxygen to take it's place
​*Boosts probiotics in the gut
​*Relieves constipation
*Boosts immunity
*Purifies water when combined with magnesium by removing fluoride

​With all of the benefits that this detox brings, coupled with the essential minerals we need to sustain our body's, this detox ranks high on my list for best internal cleansing!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2904249/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20462694

One of the best ways to heal up a scratchy throat and cough is to drink freshly juiced pineapple juice. For several years now we have juiced a pineapple every time we get a cough or have a sore throat.  And every time it heals us up rather quickly!  It usually only takes about 1-2 glasses of fresh pineapple juice to send a cough on it's way out the door. There have been several articles make the statement that pineapple juice is 5 times more effective than cough syrup, and I can confirm, that this is most definitely the case!  In fact, one study performed by the Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Meerut Institute of Engineering and Technology in India, confirmed that fresh pineapple juice, with honey and pepper added, was found to be extremely helpful in dissolving mucus of the lungs in tuberculosis.  

The pineapple's super-power lies within it's naturally occurring enzyme, bromelain, which reduces inflammation.  This soothes the irritation of the throat and relieves the coughing. Bromelain is also a proteolytic enzyme, which means it digests protein. It also contains high amounts of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Magnesium, all of which boost the immune system, which in turn helps ward off colds and illness. By triggering the body's production of substances that reduce swelling and fight pain, Bromelain is able to soothe and heal irritated coughs. 

• Cataract prevention via Vitamin A & C, which both play a key role in protecting vision
• High amounts of Manganese which is an essential nutrient that helps protect cells against free radicals and strengthens bones and teeth  
• Very high fiber content helps with constipation and cleansing toxins from organs
• Bromelain reduces inflammation, which in turn soothes pain and swelling
• High Vitamin C content that is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all body tissues.  Also helps absorb minerals, maintain immune system, maintains teeth, bones & cartilage and helps in forming collagen.
• Drinking fresh pineapple juice helps remove intestinal worms
• Acts as natural diuretic and helps detox the body of toxins
• Helps in removing dead cells from the skin
• Contains antioxidants that fight skin damage and reduce wrinkles
• Boosts fertility via antioxidants that fight free radicals, which cause damage to reproductive organs
• Facilitates the healing of wounds by quickly repairing cells and tissues
• Helps digestion by providing the enzymes to break down protein, that in turn helps absorb nutrients that are eaten
• Contains copper, the mineral essential for healthy red blood cells. Copper increases cognitive abilities and helps maintain neural pathways, helping prevent neural disorders 

These benefits will be most enjoyed when drinking fresh pineapple juice, right from the juicer.  If you must buy store bought, make sure you get Organic, Not From Concentrate, No Sugar Added,  and all that jazz pineapple juice.  But you will reap the rewards of pineapples most from freshly squeezed juice! 

Our personal experience has always been that once we give pineapple juice, no matter how long the cough has been around, it usually tends to disappear in a day or two completely after being given a couple of glasses of fresh pineapple juice. Or anytime I notice one of my children getting a cold, a glass of pineapple juice will ward it off. I keep going with the pineapple juice too, we keep drinking it for a few days just to keep illness away.  Remember, natural remedies work best in strong bodies that aren't tainted with poisonous medications. 

And you know the best part about pineapple juice??  It tastes WONDERFUL!!!  My boys like the fresh pineapple juice the best, with a couple of ice cubes mixed in, so you're not drinking warm pineapple juice. It taste's delicious people, and it's so good for you!  Cheers!



Sources:
1. Bromelain treatment decreases neutrophil migration to sites of inflammation.
Publication: Clin. Immunol. 2008 Jul ;128(1)::66-74. :doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2008.02.015. 
Publication Date: 2008 Jul 
Study Author(s): Fitzhugh, David J;Shan, Siqing;Dewhirst, Mark W;Hale, Laura P; 
2. Oral Bromelain Attenuates Inflammation in an Ovalbumin-induced Murine Model of Asthma.
Publication: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2008 Mar ;5(1)::61-9. :doi: 10.1093/ecam/nel110. 
Publication Date: 2008 Mar 
Study Author(s): Secor, Eric R;Carson, William F;Singh, Anurag;Pensa, Mellisa;Guernsey, Linda A;Schramm, Craig M;Thrall, Roger S; 
Institution: Department of Immunology and Department of Pediatrics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.
3.  https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnme/2014/861659/
4.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4882156/

 Elderberries are an immune-boosting powerhouse! They've been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years to heal people of illness and to keep people healthy. In fact, black elderberries can be traced all the way back to Ancient Egypt, where elderberries were the main ingredient in several medicines. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, called this plant his “medicine chest” for all the ailments and illnesses it helped cure.

This elderberry syrup is extra potent, as I use 2 cups of elderberries, instead of the usual 2/3 cup or 1 cup. I also smash the berries for quite some time to get all the nutrients from these wonderful berries!  Below are the benefits of this nutritious plant!

Elderberries:
-Boost the immune system
-Protects against bacteria & infection
-Slows down the spread of cancer
-Moderates the digestive process
-Prevents the development of diabetes
-Reduces the pain & speed of autoimmune diseases
-Helps with weight loss
-Lowers blood pressure
-Alleviates allergies
-Contain vitamins A, B, & C
-Provide iron, potassium, phosphorus & copper
-Provide fiber & protein
-Are anti-inflammatory
-Contain antioxidants
-Aides digestion
-Increases gastrointestinal health
​

The other main ingredient of elderberry syrup is raw, unfiltered organic honey.  And made into elderberry syrup it is pure, yummy, deliciousness!  The raw honey is LOADED with nutrients.  There are over 80 different vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants found in raw, unfiltered honey!  The entire B-Complex can be found in honey, along with vitamins A, C, D, E and K.  The mineral content includes magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus, iron, calcium, potassium, iodine and manganese.  Raw, unfiltered honey is also an alkaline food, having one of the highest live enzyme contents of all foods!  To top it off, the honey is also antimicrobial and antibacterial!  As you can see, all of these nutrients, in combination with the nutrients from the elderberries make for a super, immune-boosting syrup!  Which is why it is so powerful at kicking the flu, and other illness, to the curb, where it belongs!  My recipe makes just a little over a quart.  And it will stay good for up to 3 months in the fridge.
​

Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe

​1 cup raw, unfiltered organic honey
2 cups whole organic black elderberries
1 tablespoon organic clove powder
1 tablespoon organic ginger root powder
2 cinnamon sticks or 1 tablespoon of organic cinnamon powder
4 cups water
(this recipe ^ makes just over a quart of syrup-to make 2 quarts, add 2 more cups of water, and one more cup of honey to the recipe above)
Instructions:
Boil the elderberries and seasonings in the water for 45 minutes. Let it cool and then mash the berries with a spoon, through a strainer and into a glass bowl.  Add the honey and stir. Store in the fridge. I mash the berries for 10 minutes, just to be sure I get all the goodness out of them.  Quart sized mason jars are perfect for storing the syrup.

Need to make Vegan elderberry syrup? Just substitute the honey with 100% pure, organic maple syrup. 

And How Will Elderberry Syrup Fight Off The Flu?...
Elderberries have antioxidants called flavonoids (vitamin P) which are extracted and contained in the syrup. These flavonoids stimulate the immune system and have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antihistamine properties. Elderberries also have compounds called anthocyanins that have anti-inflammatory properties. The anti-inflammatory compounds found in elderberries are believed to be what soothes aches, pains and fevers associated with the flu. 

Ingredients are available through my affiliate links below or locate and call a local, natural grocer to see if they carry black elderberries!  ​

​(please note, if you have any allergies or reactions to honey, any of the seasonings or the berries, for that matter, please do not use this recipe)

Resource: http://www.blackelderberry.info/clinical-summary/
                          https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848651/

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