What is it about clove that makes it an Autumn favorite? It just smells and tastes like a cooler month’s season!
Antioxidant
Milk Thistle…not just a weed
“Milk thistle’s benefits derive from silymarin and silybin. Silybin belongs to the flavonoid group called flavonolignans, which have strong antioxidant properties that reduce proinflammatory mediators through modulation of a variety of cell-signaling pathways.”
Some of you are like đ, while others of y’all are like. I get it. If this were something written about computer technology, you’d have lost me too! That is why we are all gifted uniquely!
So, if that was a foreign language, let me translate for you đ.
God made plants with capabilities to heal.
Milk thistle is literally a crazy obnoxious weed in our farming world. And it is loaded with thorns, which makes it hard to handle without gloves.
This large obnoxious stickery weed just also happens to be a potent antioxidant ( something that fights free radicals in the body. Excessive free radicals in the body are linked to diseases like diabetes, cancer, heart disease and others). Milk thistle also happens to have anti inflammatory and anti fibrotic effects (fibrosis of any organ is not a good thing). This wayward weed also appears to reduce insulin resistance and decreased fasting insulin levels. Kinda cool, right?
Mostly tho, I’m pleasantly surprised to find this article in a Big Pharma journal… Ya’ll, plants heal. Don’t underestimate the power of plant juice đ.
xoxo~ liz (your friendly pharmacist purveyor of plant juice and plant juice information.)
#knowbetterdobetter
#plantjuiceisgoodmedicine
#onemansweedisanothermansmedicine
#whatsinthegardenisbetterthanwhatsinthela
#ThanksYL
Health Clues from Your Eyes -part 5
*Iris clues. Are you ready to dive a little deeper down this fascinating rabbit warren of information? If you are just now joining in this portion of detective work, Iâd highly suggest a quick look at last weekâs post before proceeding-Health Clues from Your Eyes – part 4.
đNoting the changes within your eyes may be likened to the notification lights on the dashboard of your car. If you know something is wrong early enough, you often have time to correct that which is setting the signal off. The iris manifests clues marking changes within the body that warrant correction.
Depending upon how the clues manifest themselves, they may indicate acute, recovery, chronic, or degenerative situations within the body.
Acute – active inflammation. During this time, the body is using its resources rapidly in an attempt to gain control of the inflammation. The iris âwarning signsâ will look like white ribbons in the areas corresponding to the inflamed tissue. Other corroborative clues may include noticeable mucus production somewhere in the body, or visibly inflamed or swollen tissue. Detoxification is occurring, but often itâs not fast enough. Consider giving your body all the nutrition support you can. Add in Young Living’s Master Formula and NingXia Red for added support.Â
Sub-Acute- Once the initial rapid inflammation has tapered off, the white ribbon like areas start to become darker. This is suggestive that nutrients have been depleted and need to be restored. If a sub-acute state is left unattended and the body continues to be exposed to either nutritional or physical stress, a chronic state of inflammation may result. Don’t stop supporting your body!Â
Chronic- In this state, toxins and waste are not eliminated properly, cellular activity has slowed down considerably, nerve impulses are impaired, and conditions become ripe for chronic illness or dis-ease to set in. The iris will manifest the chronic condition state with the appearance of various sized âblack holesâ in the netting of the iris fibers. This will ultimately lead to further degeneration if positive changes are not made to a personâs lifestyle in an effort to reverse the course of dis-ease or illness. The black holes may get larger and multiply as more body systems are affected.Â
*About â
of the way away from the iris lies the autonomic nerve wreath. The autonomic nervous system is broken down into two subsystems. The parasympathetic nervous system is for basic housekeeping within the body and it controls the body while we rest. The sympathetic system is also commonly referred to as our âfight or flightâ response. The nerve wreath is not always uniform in shape.. The more this wreath shape deviates from a standard roundish type shape, the more suggestive it is of a system off balance. Additionally, the color of the autonomic nerve wreath should match the color of the rest of the iris. Any increase, decrease, or change in color in this area suggests disharmony within the body. To recap, color and shape of the wreath are important cluesđ!
What about colored spots within the iris? These are called psora, and are typically considered to be an indicator of toxin loads within the body. If you watch your eyes closely, you may notice that these colored spots often change locations over time. This suggests the toxin load (including drug deposits) has moved to another portion of the body. Sometimes these spots show up in different colors: red yellow, and orange are not uncommon. They are most often seen in Zones 1 thru 3 in the irises.
“Scurf rim”đ is another clue on the outermost zone (7) of the iris. Is the area darkened? This is suggestive that the skin (remember, itâs an organ!) is not able to function effectively in the detoxification process, and toxins and metabolic waste are having a hard time being released from the body. An accompanying clueđ might include not sweating easily.
At the very top of Zone 7 (roughly 10pm -2am on a clock) look for an arc that often has fuzzy edges with a whitish tint. Though this used to be a mark of old ageđ”, it is becoming more and more common in younger peopleđ©đš. Presence of this arc is suggestive of poor oxygenation and blood perfusion in the brain.
Now look for a solid white ringđ on the periphery of Zone 7. This suggests a chemical imbalance of some sort in the body. Western medicine also recognizes this ring as an indicator of probable excessive cholesterol and triglycerides in the body. Not surprisingly, further digging (with lab work and testing) often reveal poor calcium metabolism which contributes to plaque in the arteries (arteriosclerosis) and joints (arthritis), and subsequent higher blood pressure.
Zone 6 sometimes houses cloudlike spots đresembling a string of pearls. If the spots are very white, these spots suggest acute inflammation. Yellowed or brownish pearls suggest that the inflammation has moved to a chronic state.
Check yourself for other clues. Do you also produce a great deal of mucus elsewhere in your body or have swollen lymph glands? Dry brushing, lymphatic massage, and regular exercise are all excellent ways to mediate impaired lymphatic function.Â
Nerve ringsđ may appear anywhere in the pupil.. They look much like growth rings found in a cross section of a tree. These rings suggest long term stress in one or more parts of the body, and are most often seen in chronically stressed individuals. Shouldnât we all be huffing our Stress Away whenever the moment requires it? We have so many blessed tools at our fingertips to help support our bodies during times of stress. These nerve rings are similar to an SOS smoke signal. Pay attention to them!Â
Check your eyes for dark lines đradiating out from the pupil. These lines (called radii solaris) suggest a slower moving digestive tract and a subsequent toxin load. If you are not offloading the poo my friends, the toxin load will be there. ! This clue might also be suggestive of a parasite load.
Weâve just barely skimmed the surface of the cluesđ the eyes can give us, but if youâre ultra curious, keep digging on your own. Dr Bernard Jensen is considered to be the modern âFather of Iridologyâ, and his work is an excellent place to start!
Iâll leave you with this cool factoidâŠ. Did you know that you may be able to change the color of your eyes? Brown discolorations in blue/green eyes are suggestive of digestive system dysfunction, a gallbladder weakness, or liver dysfunction. Cleaning up these problems with clean eating habits and restoring health to the digestive system just might make your brownish eyes blue! The next time you think someone might be full of itđ©, check their eyes…. You just might be right!đ
 xoxo~ liz
#sharingiscaring
#supportyourlocalpeepers
#goodmedicine
#ToxinFreeIsTheWayToBe
#goodmedicineisproactiveinsteadofreactive
#ThanksYL
Health Clues in Your Eyes – part 3
đEYE CLUES PART III: KEEPING YOUR PEEPERS HEALTHYđ
âI canât wait to lose my eyesight.â…… said no one ever.Â
We tend to take our eyesight for granted, yet neglecting eye care /health is arguably an epidemic. Statistically, one in six American adults over the age of 45 will suffer from one or more eye conditions that increase the risk of vision loss or impairment with aging.Â
Genetically, I know that I am predisposed to Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD). I watched my grandmother (an avid đ reader) slowly go blind from AMD. Two of her children have also been diagnosed with the same. Yet, I also know that epigenetics (the role our environment plays on the expression of genes) is about 90% of the equation. While I cannot control my genes, I have a tremendous amount of control on my environment and am doing âall the thingsâ as well as working to avoid âall the other things â ïžâ that may wake those darn AMD genes up.Â
*Eye health is often a direct reflection of what we have eaten over the years. Foods rich in vitamins C, A, and E, Zinc, lutein, zeaxanthin, and omega-3âs are crucial to protecting eyes against future age related vision loss. What would an eye supportive diet like this look like?
Well, it would include lots of leafy green veggies, carrots, red peppers, yellow squash, tomatoesđ
, fatty fishđ such as salmon, tuna and sardines, eggs, lemons, grapefruits, oranges, apricots, kiwiâs, mangoes, eggs, nuts, and beans. I eat nearly all of these foods regularly, but certainly not on a strict schedule daily. Knowing that, I choose to supplement DAILY to ensure proper nutritional support of my eyes.
NingXia Red and NingXia Wolfberries provide excellent natural support throughout the body, and are especially beneficial for eye health. Zeaxanthin, carotenoids, Vitamin C, zinc, magnesium and taurine are all beneficial nutrients within NingXia Red.
NingXia Wolfberries are rich in zeaxanthin and lutein which are eye protecting carotenoids, defending the eyes from free radical damage. 100grams (roughly a handful of wolfberries) contains 27,800 mcg of zeaxanthin. By comparison, egg yolks are a common food with one of the highest levels of zeaxanthin and have only 1,253 mcg per 100grams. Additionally, the type of zeaxanthin in the NingXia Wolfberry is unusual. For the science guys and gals, itâs an esterified version (zeaxanthin dipalmitate) making it 2-5x more bioavailable than what is normally found in most supplements.
Diets that are deplete of zeaxanthin and lutein trigger the same damage leading to AMD and/or cataracts.
Weâve already spoken a bit about Young Livingâs eye supplement, IlluminEyes, and it warrants saying againâŠ.. Go check out the ingredient list on the bottle! YL did their research and have given us an excellent tool for supporting eye health.
*Other supplements to consider include OmegaGize or MindWise for a clean source of Omega3âs, and Super C Chewables.Â
Do you drink Young Livingâs yummy (and beneficial) Slique Tea? Donât throw those bags away after first use. I can usually get two cups of tea out of each bag, and then I throw them in the fridge. When I have two bags (usually in 2 days), I use them over my eyes during a 20 minute prayer/ downtime during the day to help mitigate computer eye fatigue. The caffeine remaining in the bags causes blood vessels to constrict, and tea itself has antioxidant properties, and also contains astringent-like compounds which may help tighten skin around the eyes. Iâm sure it doesnât hurt to have that added exposure to the frankincense in the tea bag too!đ
Other ways to support optimal eye health include:
đWear sunglasses that block UV rays
đAvoid excessive exposure to computer (and phone) screens and/or use blue light blocking glasses during extended screen time exposure.
đDonât smoke. Just donât.
đGet regular eye exams and be vigilant about recognizing any changes in eye performance or visible changes in the eye.
đMake sure you are getting plenty of fresh air and oxygen. Â
đUse quality skin care products and makeup. #ThanksYL ! Our toxin load matters, even in eye health!Â
đStay well hydrated (the eye is about 95% water, so you may imagine how chronic dehydration could affect eyesight and eye health).
I Often hear the argument that eating well and supplementing is just too expensive. My response will always be this: We can pay for our health proactively or reactively by paying the farmerđ©âđ§ up front, or the pharmacistđ©ââïž later⊠but either way, we will pay. If the choice is to âwait and seeâ, it will likely become more than only financial burden. I plan to enjoy my golden years doing all the things I love to do instead of spending time in doctor and therapy appointments, taking medications that may inhibit living a fully vibrant life, and consenting to someone else managing my personal health. The choice is ultimately ours to make.
xoxo~ liz
#sharingiscaring
#supportyourlocalpeepers
#YouAreTheCEOofYou
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisproactiveinsteadofreactive
#thanksYL
#Godgaveusallweneedinthegarden
Health Clues from Your Eyes – part 1
âPeopleâs eyes tell me more than their mouths.âÂ
Eye diseases affect millions of people in the USA. Just like the age old, âWhich came first?â question about the chickenđ and the eggđŁ, we might also want to ask the question about diseases of the eyes. You see (pun intendedđ!), diseases of the body may first present themselves as clues within the peepers or eye diseases may result because of dysfunctions within the body⊠Some of these clues discussed over the next few weeks will be easy to spot by looking in the mirror, while others may require help from a friend, and others may only be seen by your favorite eye care professional.
đAccording to the National Eye Institute, the eye blood vessels (those we can see with our naked eye and those that a professional can see) often reflect the condition of brain blood vessels. Blood vessels in the eyes are similar in size, structure, and function to those found in the brain. Thus, inflamed or damaged vessels within the eye are often a predictor of future dementia, cardiovascular disease or stroke. It is very important to listen and make a point of understanding any abnormality your ophthalmologist may point out. Early intervention may make a difference between vision and blindness. Other clues within the eyes are often tied to disorders and dysfunctions occurring in the body. Additionally, many medications can lead to secondary eye diseasesâŠ. another reason to avoid a polypharmacy lifestyle whenever possible!Â
Cataracts, glaucoma, Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy are clues weâll start with, as they are extremely common eye diseases in the United States, affecting millions and millions of people predominantly over the age of 40. Youâll notice in our discussion that the damage likely began occurring many years earlier! #cluesyoucanuse
đCataracts affect more than 22 million Americans 40 years and older. Those who will be predisposed to cataracts will have a history of:
đDiabetes
đLong term steroid use
đSmoking
đExcessive alcohol intake
đRadiation treatment or exposure to the upper body
đBlood pressure medications (beta blockers and ACE inhibitors)
đPhotosensitivity causing medications that increase sensitivity of sunlight to the eyes (BCPâs, antihistamines, antidepressants, diabetes meds, NSAIDS are a few known to do this). Wear sunglassesđ if you are on these meds!Â
đLiving in an area with high air pollution. Letâs park here for just a second. We tend to think of air pollution as being something outdoors, generated by someone else. Yet in standard American households, poor air quality is inadvertently self induced with synthetic fragrance plug inâs, toxic cleaners, candles, aerosolized deodorants and hair sprays, and sprayed toxic air fresheners. Please do not do this to yourself or your family. If you havenât yet started, begin switching over to 100% natural alternatives beginning with Thieves Household Cleaner and a diffuser with a wide variety of Young Living clean fresh scents. Yaâll, take a moment and share your favorite fall/winter diffuser recipes in the comments!
đGlaucoma will be most prevalent in those who have a history of:
đLong term steroid use
đMedications used in the treatment of Parkinsons, epilepsy, depression, allergies, and prostate disorders. Additionally, NSAIDS, and antipsychotics have also been implicated. Birth Control Pills have been under close scrutiny in the last decade as possible purveyors of glaucoma predisposition. Eyes have estrogen receptors within them, and many scientists believe that healthy natural estrogen levels have a protective effect on the retina. Eye disease is often insidious and damage to the optic nerve is slow. A large study released in 2011 found that women who had used birth control pills for more than 5 years had a 25% increase in their glaucoma risk.Â
đGenetics, trauma, or injury
đMacular Degeneration is another sneaky eye disorder. Early diagnosis is usually the result of an attentive eye care professional who will recognize the telltale signs under the retina. There are some outward early clues for the potential ocularly challenged. Difficulty in judging distance when walking (making it harder to keep your balance) and slightly blurred central vision are two clues that indicate a visit to an ophthalmologist would be appropriate. đPrescription medications that may predispose someone to Macular Degeneration include beta blockers and certain other blood pressure medications. Genetics also tends to play a part. That said, remember that 90% of gene expression is environmental (epigenetics) and we have much control over our environment!Â
đDiabetic retinopathy is a complication usually resulting from poorly managed blood sugar. The longer blood sugar is poorly controlled, the greater the likelihood that this condition will develop. Symptoms are gradual (as with most chronic eye diseases), and include spots or âfloatersâ in vision, blurred vision, fluctuating vision impairment, dark or empty areas of vision, and ultimately vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness between the ages of 20-74 years old. It is no small problem, and affects an estimated 4 million people every year.
If youâve identified yourself in any of these possible scenarios, nowâs the time to add IlluminEyes to your Young Living shopping cart on the regular. We have much to talk about in the way of eye health clues and supportive measures to counter balance the stumbling blocks weâve all encountered in our walk through life. Eyes require certain nutrientsâŠ. Vitamins A, C, E, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin are key to optimal eye health, and IlluminEyes contains all of these. It also contains dried Wolfberry fruit powder which has a unique type of zeaxanthin that naturally boosts blood levels 2-5x higher than sources acquired elsewhere. Good stuff!
Support your eyes proactively. Once the damage is done, itâs often difficult (or impossible) to reverse. See you next week with more eye clues!
xoxo~ lizÂ
#sharingiscaring
#supportyourlocalpeepers
#goodmedicine
#goodmedicineisproactiveinsteadofreactive
#thanksYL
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