Bring on the cabbage!
Cabbage soup may be one of the best foods to keep you healthy through the long winter months. I make a powerhouse cabbage soup, loaded with nutrients from every ingredient. This soup is healing and will get right to work on healing your gut and your health!
Cabbage is a wonder food that will help detox your body in more than one way. Because it is rich in sulfur, it helps aid the liver in breaking down toxins. Then it's diuretic properties help rid the body of excess water, flushing the broken down toxins out of your system! Cabbage also has an abundance of nutrients including vitamin C, K, B1, B3 (niacin), B6, protein, fiber, magnesium, calcium, potassium, selenium and iron. All of these nutrients are released into the broth as the soup is simmering, so drinking the broth is very important. 
These days I'm sure most of us know that eating healthy is essential to staying well. You can tell who eats the hamburgers in life and who eats the fruits and salads. People who eat the hamburgers and fries are sluggish, tired, have trouble focusing and can be easily irritated. Environmental toxins in combination with the toxins found in the foods we eat, produces a pretty heavy load of poison. When you weigh down your body with toxins, they don't just leave your body. A lot of the toxins absorb into the central nervous system, which in turn puts a strain on the digestive system. The livers function is to remove toxins from the body, but if your liver is overtaxed, it will take most of your energy to try to rid your body of said toxins. And, my friend, this will leave YOU fatigued and energy-less. (In other posts, I will share great ways to detox your body of these toxins, along with parasites. Hold tight..).
Here's why pineapple juice will help your sore throat.
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. Benefits Of Drinking Pineapple Juice For A Cough
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/
The aloe vera plant, Aloe barbadensis miller, has more healing properties than most other plants. The gel found on the inner leaf contains vitamins A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, niacin, B6 and B12. There are several minerals found in the aloe plant as well. Calcium, zinc, chromium, selenium, magnesium, sodium, iron, potassium, copper and manganese. All of these contribute to a healthy metabolism, activated cellular communication and help produce enzymes. They also contribute to strong teeth, bones and joints. A really simple and fabulous homemade toothpaste would be taking the gel from the leaf and mixing it with a drop of pure peppermint or spearmint essential oil. These two simple ingredients make a powerful, non-abrasive toothpaste that fights bacteria and strengthens the enamel.
The aloe vera plant is also anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. When taken orally (I advise drinking aloe vera juice, I just feel it works better than taking pill-form), it can help with digestion, strengthen the immune system, help with nutrient absorption, reduce inflammation, provides essential amino acids, help treat diabetes, heal stomach ulcers, relieve constipation, detox the body of toxins, parasites and candida and then some. This plant is powerful and a gem of the Earth! You can find aloe vera juice sold in stores and it's best to find pure, whole leaf organic aloe vera juice. That can get expensive though. An easy way to go about this is to buy an organic aloe vera plant to sit in your house, in some sunlight and water it everyday. You can then take a leaf and make your own aloe vera juice. Slice open a leaf and with a spoon, dig out the inner gel. Put the gel in a blender with a little bit of filtered or spring water and blend together. You can add fresh juice (lemon, orange) for added vitamin zing! Besides taking aloe orally, it can be used topically too. Because aloe has a neutral taste, smell and touch, it can be used in several different ways. In our house, we have healed pink eye three different times, in less than 24 hours. We have also healed ring worm. In fact, any time our boys have ever had a "skin issue" or irritation, we grab aloe, rub it on the skin and it's gone the next day. The important thing to remember when using a natural remedy like this to heal an infection or irritation, is to do it several times throughout the day. I cut open a leaf and open it up, then literally rub the inner gel right on top of the skin until ALL of the inner gel has been absorbed into the skin! You do this every few hours! This method has worked for us over and over for healing viral and fungal infections. Living in Texas and having a fair-skinned, redhead, I have also seen the aloe plant work it's wonders on sunburns. A part of the wonder is how quickly it heals! You can get an aloe vera plant at just about any store that sells plants or has a nursery. I picked up a handful of aloe plants at Home Depot and have them sitting around the house. I have two boys so there are a lot of scrapes, cuts, sunburns and a few of other childhood viral/fungal infections that have come through our house. Our favorite plant is the Aloe Vera plant, because it has helped us heal every single time! 
Easily Make Delicious, Immune-Boosting Elderberry Syrup at Home
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: Simmer the elderberries and seasonings in the water for 30-45 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/ Need Ingredients?
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AuthorKelly Cuip is a registered nutritionist, author, researcher, blogger and mother.   |
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