Chrysanthemum is excellent for dispelling heat and counteracting inflammation. Every part of the chrysanthemum is edible. Multiple Benefits Chrysanthemum is used as an antipyretic and as a treatment forvertigo, abscesses, fainting, lumbago, rheumatism, and intestinal gas. The juice from the leaves is often applied to wounds to alleviate swelling and pain. Such properties make chrysanthemum flower tea an ideal summer beverage, and it is popular among those who are prone to eyestrain due to long hours of computer usage. In addition, it is often drunk at meals because it aids digestion. Traditionally, chrysanthemum is used to relieve mild fevers and headaches and to soothe sore throats. What's more, it has antibacterial and antiviral properties and is believed to detoxify the body and purify the blood. The flower is said to improve vision and is used for a wide range of eye problems, such as sore eyes and eyestrain. The petals of chrysanthemum - which contain carotenoids, a type of antioxidant that can be converted by the body to vitamin A - are used to treat boils, dizziness, fever, and conjunctivitis. Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Research is demonstrating chrysanthemum's heart-protective effects. Flavonoids in chrysanthemum have been found to help lower high blood pressure and dilate blood vessels. Chrysanthemum also seems to help lower high blood cholesterol levels. Anticancer Effects Chrysanthemum's many health benefits may be due to its high levels of different phytochemicals with powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancereffects. These include chrysanthemum (cyanidin-3-glucoside), acacetin. luteolin, chlorogenic acid, and dicaffeoylquinic acids.
Q1: What is vitamin?
A1: Vitamin, is a class of substances that is crucial not only in maintain human life activities but also an important active substances that maintain human health. Although the amount of vitamin in our body is very very small, however, it plays an important role in human growth, metabolism, and also development process.
Q2: Can folic acid reduce cancer risk?
A2: Folic acid, closely related to folate, is a B vitamin. It may be found in many vegetables, soy, fruits, and whole grains. Lack of folic acid is said to increase the risk for colorectal and breast cancer. Scientists recommend taking folic acid from plant food sources to reduce cancer risk.
Q3: Can vitamin C reduce cancer risk?
A3: Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables and many studies have linked such fruits and vegetables with cancer prevention. However, studies on Vitamin C pills could not be linked with reduced cancer risk.
Q4: What is the difference between a wholesome plant food and vitamin pills?
A4: Vitamin pills are nutrient which artificial extracted and are not diseases-preventable. They contain only part of the plant nutrients, and can not be compared with the wholesome nutrition, thus overdose will bring side effects. Wholesome plant food, however, will not have any side effects. Inside the wholesome plant food, there are rich in phytochemicals, antioxidants, polysaccharides and other nutrients, all these are important substances which can be used to enhance the body's immune function.
Q5: Can vitamin pills replace a well-balanced diet?
A5: No, the best sources of vitamin intake is through a wholesome plant based diet. Replacing a balanced diet with vitamin pills can lead to a body's dependence on vitamin pills, and overdose can also lead to poisoning.
Q6: Can vitamin pills reduce cancer risk?
A6: Thus far, no evidence shows that vitamin pills can reduce cancer risk. Results of clinical tests linking vitamin pills and cancer prevention have been disappointing. Some studies have shown that vitamin pills reduce stomach cancer risk for the severely malnourished people of China and South America. However, when high dose of some nutrients were administered, results showed no benefits and even harm in some cases. Many experts maintain that whole foods are the best source of nutrients. They say that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other plant foods may reduce the risk of cancer as these foods may reduce the risk of cancer as these foods contain many healthy compounds such as antioxidants, phytochemicals, and polysaccharides, which are not found in a vitamin bottle. In many cases, scientists have not been able to isolate the exact compounds that give this beneficial effect.
Q7: What are the possible side effects of taking too much vitamin pills?
A7: Excessive amounts of vitamin A may lead to osteoporosis, fatigue, liver damage; excessive vitamin B may cause paralysis, depression; excessive vitamin C may lead to heart and liver disease; excessive vitamin D may lead to kidney disease; excessive vitamin E may slow down Immune function, leading to fatigue and so on.
Q8: Why excessing of eating plant food does not cause side effects like vitamin pill?
A8: Vitamins found inside plant are exist in the form of natural molecular structure, it is easily digested and absorbed by the body, thus there is no side effects. Once the vitamin is separated from the plant and is process to the form of pills, it is no longer a complete food, because the original balance has been destroyed, which turns it into a chemical, and it is possible to cause side effects. When the vitamin is present in an orange, it is an antioxidant; and after separation, it is no longer an antioxidant, on the contrary, it will create hundreds of millions of free radicals, which is extremely harmful to the human body.
American Ginseng (Panacis quinquefolis) root was once worth its weight in gold. Entrepreneurial Jesuit missionaries cultivated and exported the herb from North America to China in large amounts during the 18th century, selling it for an extraordinary profit. At that time, little was known about American ginseng except that Native Americans were using it to treat nausea and vomiting.
Initially viewed as a highly prized traditional medicine, the nutritional value of American ginseng root is gradually finding scientific explanation and credibility. It is packed with fiber, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, vitamin C, B vitamins, and other less common nutrients such as ginsenosides.
Ginsenosides
Ginsenosides are a group of phytochemicals that are present only in ginseng. They are the most active components of ginseng, and although they have similar molecular structure, they have different function. The amounts and types of ginsenosides in each type of ginseng vary, For example, ginsenosides Rf is present in Asian ginseng but not in American ginseng, and American ginseng has more Rb1 than Asian ginseng. It is possible that ginsenosides that appear to have no function help to make "active" ginsenosides easier for the body to absorb.
American ginseng extract contains more than 30 ginsenosides, including Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rg1, Rg2, Ro, and F2. Of these, Rb1 and Re make up more than 75% of the total ginsenoside content in American ginseng. Rb1 is an antioxidant that can prevent ulcers, help the body to cope with stress, and increase rates of learning. It also enhances nerve regeneration.
In addition, Rb1, Rg1, and Rh1 acts as weak phytoestrogens in the body. Phytoestrogens are plant hormones that encourage healthy cell growth while inhibiting tumor growth. By binding to cells where human estrogen typically binds, phytoestrogens mimic the positive roles of human estrogen without harmful side effects. Hence, American ginseng has often been recommended for relieving menopausal symptoms.
Rb1 suppresses and Rg1 stimulates the central nervous system. Such combinations of opposing functions within this wonder herb contribute to American ginseng's use as an adaptogen that normalizes bodily functions to balanced states.
Wondrous Immunity-building Properties
American ginseng is not just an energy herb. It also helps to strengthen the immune system in a variety of ways, one of which results from its polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are long chains of sugars that help balance the immune system and enable tit to destroy existing cancer cells and viruses.
A study reported that polysaccharides in American ginseng may stimulate multitasking immune cells called macrophages to secrete cytokines, chemicals that summon immune cells to deal with bacteria and viruses. American ginseng also builds immunity by stimulating the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), an immune chemical used in fighting viruses.
American ginseng may be good news for people prone to colds. Researchers discovered that by consuming American ginseng root extract in a moderate dose over four months reduces the number of colds, the severity of colds, and the number of days they last, possibly preventing respiratory tract infection. Studies also show American ginseng to have potential protective effects against breast and ovarian cancers.
Completing the Package with Antioxidant
There is more antioxidant activity in American ginseng than in Asian ginseng. The free-radical scavenging activity of American ginseng can reduce oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), otherwise known as bad cholesterol. LDL that has gone through oxidation contributes to atheroclerosis, which may cause heart attacks. The antioxidant property of American ginseng can also slow down again because its antioxidants reduce free radical damage in some tissues.
Vitamins, vitamins, vitamins. Whether we get them from our daily diet, from sunshine, or from store bought capsules or liquids, vitamins are vital to our health and to the proper functioning of our bodies.
Vitamin deficiencies lead to a wide range of problems spanning from anorexia to obesity, organ malfunction, confusion, depression and fatigue.
However, whether or not our vitamins are hurting us is another story. What people are not aware of is all vitamins are not created equal, and most are actually synthetic.
What is a "Synthetic" Vitamin?
The type of vitamins that are the most beneficial is up for debate. A healthy, organic diet should provide a good amount of nutrients that the body needs, but supplements can help ensure that we are getting a healthy serving of specific vitamins.
The problem is that many vitamin and mineral supplements are manufactured synthetically with chemicals and do not come straight from their natural sources.They are made to mimic the way natural vitamins act in our bodies. Natural vitamins are derived directly from plant material containing the vitamin, not produced in a test tube.
Many synthetic vitamins lack the transporters and co-factors associated with naturally-occurring vitamins because they have been "isolated." The Organic Consumers Association emphasizes that isolated vitamins cannot be used or recognized by the body in the same way as the natural version.
The natural form come in packages with other vitamins, enzymes and minerals that control the way the body recognizes, metabolizes and uses them to make what it needs.
Isolated vitamins can’t always be used by the body, and are either stored until we obtain or create the nutrients required to use them effectively or are excreted. Synthetic vitamins are also devoid of necessary trace minerals and must use the body’s own mineral reserves which may lead to dangerous mineral deficiencies.
What’s the Big Deal About Synthetic Vitamins?
Synthetic versions of vitamins contain chemical compounds that were not meant for human consumption and do not occur in nature. Evolution has dictated that we eat the food we can gather from the earth, not the food we create in a lab.
Fat soluble vitamins in their synthetic form are especially dangerous because they can build up in our fatty tissues and cause toxicity. The reason that the synthetic form is more dangerous is because we get a high, concentrated serving of the vitamin rather than the amount that we would get from a food-based form.
Vitamins A, D, E and K are all fat soluble
Fat soluble vitamins are found naturally in butter, fish oils, nuts, and green leafy vegetables
Excesses of fat soluble vitamins are stored in the liver and fatty tissues
Most people do not get sufficient amounts of fat soluble vitamins from their diet
How do I know if the vitamins I’m buying are synthetic or natural?
The Organic Consumers Association has published an ingredient chart to help consumers identify natural vs. synthetic vitamins. Many vitamin producers want us to believe that we are getting a “natural product” because it seems more wholesome to take “natural” vitamins.
Unfortunately, vitamins can be labeled as natural if they contain as little as 10% of the natural form of the vitamin. This means that our “natural” vitamin could contain 90% of synthetically produced chemicals! B-Vitamins and Vitamin C are also usually synthetically produced.
Common Synthetic Vitamins to Avoid:
Look for clues on the vitamin’s label that offer insight into the origin of the vitamin.
People need to learn that their health is in their own hands. The fact is, they can be free of illness and brilliantly healthy if they choose a wholesome diet and lifestyle. On the other hand, an incorrect diet and poor lifestyle choices make people sick.
Below is a short video about the important of Wholesome Plant Foods compared to Synthetic Pills:
<Truth About Vitamins & Minerals Supplements>
Below table has some of the example of the vitamin source:
Below is the picture taken from the book
<Enjoying Health and Longevity with Nutritional Immunology> by Dr. Jau Fei Chen
Vitamin overdose could cause harm instead of benefits to our body.
Our diet should mainly focus on wholesome plant based foods, which provides us lots of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. These essential substances are crucial to our health.
Cactus
is amazingly strong plant that can survive in the harsh desert. The Mexican people
view it as a beautiful symbol of life and hope, and they use it widely for food
and medicine. Cactus is also highly regarded in traditional Chinese medicine
(TCM). Written during the Qing Dynasty, Beng Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi (A Supplement
to the Compendium of materia Medica) recorded that cactus has a mild taste and
is cold in nature, can promote the flow of qi (vital energy) and blood
circulation, is cooling and detoxifying, can reduce swelling and relieve pain, strengthens the spleen and
stops diarrhea, is soothing and a diuretic, and can be used both externally and
internally to treat many diseases. Moreover, it is low in calories and sodium. The
excellent nutritional value of cactus is recognized across different cultures around
the world.
Excellent
Nutritional Value
Cactus
extract is rich in nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium,
magnesium, calcium, and iron. It is also abundant in phytochemicals,
antioxidants, and polysaccharides.
Cactus
has high levels of amino acids, including proline and taurine. Prior to 2000,
when taurine was found to be in cactus, it had not been discovered in any other
plants! Cactus also contains essential amino acids not manufactured by the
human body such as histidine, isoleucine, etc.
Potent
Antioxidant and Toxicity Reducer
Research
indicates that the high levels of nutrients and antioxidants in cactus and
cactus fruit can help prevent DNA damage, and effectively inhibit and fight
against free radical formation. For example, cactus is abundant in flavonoids,
a group of phytochemicals that can help protect neurons against oxidative
injury. Beta-carotene contributes to the high antioxidant activity in cactus.
The antioxidant activity of cactus fruit is said to be seven times more
powerful than that of vitamin C!
Cactus
extract reduces oxidative damage and liver and kidney toxicity that occur as a
result of zearalenone, a toxin that occurs in high levels in many foodstuffs
such as crops and vegetable oils. In one study, supplementing with 500g of
cactus fruit daily for two weeks improved the oxidative stress status of
healthy humans.
Cancer
Fighter
Phytochemicals
in cactus protect the plant from UV damage and ensure its survival. These same
phytochemicals are also highly beneficial to the human body because they help
inhibit different tumor formation processes and nourish the immune system to
prevent disease. Antioxidants in cactus can inhibit the formation of free
radicals and enhance phagocytic activity. Polysaccharides can boost immunity,
increase NK cell activity, and inhibit tumor formation.
Cardiovascular
Health Benefits
Found
in cactus, proline and taurine, are of particular interest. Proline aids in
collagen formation, atherosclerosis prevention, and tissue repair. Taurine
helps to combat heart disease, protect against diabetes, lowering high blood
pressure, and decrease anxiety.
Furthermore,
cactus extract helps to decrease cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reduce
low-density lipoprotein (“bad” cholesterol), prevent high blood sugar levels, stabilize
diabetic’ blood sugar levels, and promote cardiovascular health.
Inflammation
Inhibitor
Cactus
contains beta-sitosterol, an anti-inflammatory phytochemical that aids in wound
healing. Scientists tested a topical application that consisted of 15% cactus
extract and found that phytochemicals in cactus accelerated tissue regeneration
by inhibiting inflammation, stimulating the creation of new blood vessels, and
stimulating fibroblasts (cells that aid in would healing) to move to the wound
area and speed up collagen formation.
Skin
Improvement
Research
shows that when applied to skin, cactus extract acts as a moisturizer and helps
prevent water evaporation from the stratum corneum layer, thereby improving the
skin’s barrier function. In addition, phytochemicals in cactus help to speed up
collagen formation.
Cactus
fruit is high in vitamins A, B1, B12, D3, and riboflavin. The fruit can help to
promote skin repair and regeneration, soften the skin, and significantly
improve the skin’s condition and appearance.
