Essential elements of the Digestion and Chinese medicine

In Chinese medicine, the digestion is essential for health and the good immunity. It is important to remember that it is not only what we eat, but also what we digest which is important for the vitality. For a moment imagine your belly as a cauldron with a flame providing heat bellow to break food until then all these essential nutrients can be absorbed. The strength of this metabolic process depends on the intensity of the fire. If our digestive fire is weak we are not able get what we need our food. Furthermore, incomplete digestion results in metabolic waste, known as moisture or Chinese medicine phlegm.

Here are some guidelines to consider.

* Reduce or eliminate the foods that are difficult to digest or are known allergies - particularly refined sugars and oils, dairy products, sweeteners and wheat products. Seeing as a block of the North American diet includes these elements, it may take some work to find appropriate alternative solutions. Good sweeteners include extracts of Stevia (found in most health food stores), syrup, barley extract of malt and small quantities of maple syrup or of raw cane sugar natural juice of rice. Alternatives to wheat products include the rye bread, cakes of rice, oats, millet, corn, or brown rice pasta. Alternatives to dairy products include organic soy milk or almonds, goat or sheep and cheese milk rice.

* In general focus on fresh, organic vegetables, slightly cooked or steamed. Small amounts of lean based animal protein and pulse should be cooked completely in stews or soups. Also include modest amounts of whole grains such as brown rice or Qinoa, millet and oats for fiber.

* Avoid eating raw foods especially in winter. -Feeding raw is very cooling and can extinguish fire digest when consumed in excess quantities. It is recommended that light steam or cook your vegetables to preserve natural enzymes. Simmered dishes, the gruels and soups are easy to digest.

* Avoid eating or late-night meal - rule eat be 2/3 full. Dining beyond this point probably will you feel sleepy and lethargic. According to Chinese medicine, the digestive system is lower at this time. If you can take your last 3 hours meals before you go to bed.

* When you eat, eat. Try to avoid distractions like TV, work, arguments, when you eat. Take the time to enjoy your food and the company you are with that.

* Tune in how you feel before and after meals - this will help you make more conscious food choices. Instead of feeling guilty for eating too much candy, any notice you feel afterwards. Over time you will naturally want to eat foods that make you feel well, rather than be motivated by guilt or shame to eat better. Often the food choices are dictated by the unconscious or gratification comfort rather than a need for food again. Bring these unconscious patterns to light will finally be dis-empower them.

* A note on the combination of food - some food base directives: are keeping sugar and distinct fruit of proteins during meal hours. The more complex that the meal is with many of the ingredients and the forms of the protein more difficult, that it will be to digest. Try to keep your simple meals as possible, to focus on fresh vegetables and lean or legume based proteins.

* Get out and move your body - light physical exercise, especially walking improves peristalsis and assist the process of digestion of the traffic.

* Wake your IM system the morning - drink a cup of hot water of lemon, first thing in the morning half an hour before breakfast. This prepares your digestive system to your daily meals.

Useful products

Probiotics – probiotics create good intestinal flora which are essential for the assimilation of the nutrients in our food. This is particularly important after a course of antibiotics. Acidophilus and probiotics based spores as b. laterosporus and L. Sporogenes. Products such as the Nature and Primal Defense Biotics eradicate yeast, and parasites. Double natural factors (10 billion active cells) is also effective. Take probiotics before bed or first thing in the morning.

Digestive enzymes - digestive enzymes help the assimilation of nutrition and metabolic waste. A digestive enzyme of full spectrum is recommended to take at each meal.

Recommended food Super Green - Green food super harmonize the acidity of the body and are very clean. Thus the Greens are high in essential nutrition that feed and restore the normal functioning of the cell. Chlorella, grass barley, alfalfa, Wild algae blue - green and the examples of useful green Spirulina. Green food may be taken with meals, 1 - 2 times per day.

If you are a person who has difficulty with chronic digestive disorders and you live in Victoria BC consider booking a consultation of health free 20 minutes today to discuss how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can help you - Essentials of grand Digestion

Silas Rosenblatt, R Ac
South Island Stress clinic

5 Aloe Vera Juice Recipes That Make You Feel Great

Why Raw Juice?

We all know it's about fresh, raw, natural, organic, tasty, invigorating, nutrient and vitamin-rich goodness when it comes to juicing at home. However, what you may not know is adding a little fresh Aloe Vera Gel to your daily fresh juice can give you a fantastic boost of energy (and not just short term), as well as turn your tasty treat into a downright health tonic you won't want to miss out on. You can easily make-your-own juice in minutes in your own kitchen from the freshest produce you can get your hands on.

Raw juices of fruits and vegetables are extremely rich in vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes and beneficial phytochemicals (plant chemicals). These juices act as cleansing agents eliminating toxins and other unwanted morbid matter from the system immediately. Raw juices are easily digested and absorbed and are also superb for those with a poor appetite, nausea, digestive problems or an inflamed stomach or intestines. They have proved to be effective in the treatment of a number of disorders and diseases including Liver, Heart, Kidney, Colds, Flu, Arthritis, Acne, Colitis, Diarrhea, Insomnia, Obesity plus many more.

Raw juices are absorbed by the blood-stream within about 10 minutes after ingestion, making you feel alert, wide awake and refreshed. It is the most perfect fuel because it's easily assimilated and tends to cleanse and nurture the body while supplying it with a full range of essential nutrients. Fresh juice naturally detoxifies and heals the body by stimulating and healing the elimination and detoxification organs such as the gallbladder, liver, intestines and kidneys. Fresh fruit and vegetable juice as well as Aloe Vera Gel are also highly alkalinizing, thereby impeding the growth of harmful bacteria and virus in the body.

Of course there are dozens of juicing recipes around, which can all have a dash of Aloe Vera Gel added. You won't need much to get started on your Aloe Vera juicing journey, just some great fresh fruit and vegetables of your choice, or those I have suggested below, a juicer (available at most good department stores), an aloe vera plant (bought from a reputable nursery to ensure it is actual Aloe Vera also known as Aloe Barbadensis), and you're on your way.

Recipe To Make Your Own Aloe Vera Gel

Firstly get a nice size Aloe Vera plant from a reputable plant nursery. Cut a few thick fleshy leaves at the base near the stem. Rinse the cut part of the leaf thoroughly, peel off outer layer of skin. Rinse the remaining gel to get rid of any latex residue. Put the gel into a blender and add a little Vitamin C powder or Citric Acid powder to stabilize the gel. If it is too thick to blend, just add a little purified water.

Please take note: for internal use of Aloe Vera make sure you rinse off the brown exudate, called latex, from the open cut of the leaf as well as the gel, as this can have a strong (and usually unwanted) laxative effect. If done properly you shouldn't have a problem. I have been using Aloe Vera from my garden for years now, and by being meticulous about rinsing it properly I haven't had an issue with it. Usually keeps in the fridge for a few weeks, depends on your fridge of course.

5 Aloe Vera Juice Recipes:

1. Carrot-A-Licious

This one is a definite family favourite. Easy to drink, sweet and downright yummy.

2 Carrots 2 Green Apples (or any apples you have)

1 Orange (peeled)

Put ingredients though a juicer, add 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel, drink immediately.

2. Pineapple Paradise

Seeing as I live in the tropics, I'm very partial to this combination. I also sometimes add a few tablespoons of Coconut Milk to increase the anti-bacterial and anti-viral content. This is a must-try.

1 to 2 Cups Fresh Pineapple

1 Carrot

1 Green Apple

Put ingredients though a juicer, add 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel, drink immediately.

3. Zippy Zinger

If you love the tropics, you'll love this one. Easy on the tummy.

A small piece of Ginger (to taste)

2 Carrots 2 Pears

Half a small Red Papaya (known as Pawpaw in Australia)

Put ingredients though a juicer, add 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel, drink immediately.

4. Beetroot Bliss

A great pick-me-up tonic. If you are unfamiliar with beetroot juice go easy at first, use just a small wedge. It can be a little overpowering. Tastes rich and earthy.

One quarter of small beetroot

2 large carrots

1 stalk of celery

Put ingredients though a juicer, add 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel, drink immediately.

5. Cranberry Quencher

For those of you lucky enough to have this powerful fruit available to you fresh, I have included this recipe. Genuine cranberry juice is a powerful weapon in fighting colds and flu as well as being renowned for it's benefits to kidney function. Fresh cranberry juice is far superior nutritionally to the bottled on-the-shelf variety.

As Cranberries have a heavy acid content, when juicing, use one or two handfuls in a glass. Fill the rest with freshly juiced apple, otherwise it will be too tart. Put ingredients though a juicer, add 1 tablespoon Aloe Vera Gel, drink immediately.

A Bit About The Raw Ingredients

Apples: A good source of Vitamin A in the form of Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C, vitamin K and Folate, plus smaller amounts of Vitamin B1 (thiamine), B2, B3, Biotin and Vitamin E. A note on Apples Pips/Seeds: Apple pips contain small amounts of Cyanide. While you would need to eat an awful lot of apples to suffer any ill effects, I like to remove the apple cores along with pips when juicing.

Beetroot: A good source of Folic Acid and Vitamin C, plus they contain small amounts of Vitamins B1, B2, B3, and Vitamin A in the form of Beta-Carotene.

Carrots: Very high in Vitamin A - this comes in the safe form of Beta-Carotene which the body is able to convert to Vitamin A as required. Also contains Vitamin K and Vitamin C, plus smaller amounts of the B complex vitamins and Vitamin E.

Cranberries: Rich in Antioxidants and the chemical Quinine which is used to treat arthritis.

Ginger : Stimulates circulation and aids digestion it can also ease motion sickness and nausea.

Oranges: As well as being an excellent source of Vitamin C, orange juice contains Vitamin A, Potassium, Calcium, and Phosphorous. It even contains small amounts of all the essential amino acids which the body can use to make and repair healthy tissue and muscles.

Papaya: Known as "the medicine tree" in Africa, rich in Beta-Carotene and Soluble Fibre, while papain, an enzyme extracted from papaya, aids digestive problems.

Pears: Promote cardiovascular and colon health. The Copper in pears stimulates white blood cells to fight infections.

Pineapple: An excellent source of Vitamin C, Folate, Vitamin A, vitamin K, and B complex vitamins (not B12) and Bromelain which is a powerful digestive enzyme that can destroy bad bacteria and parasites, help digest protein, and may prevent the formation of blood clots. It is also a natural anti-inflammatory and is known to reduce swelling and inflammation in the body, beneficial for arthritis suffers, and to promote healing after injury.

The above recipes are not recommended to replace medical care and attention, they are intended for general use only. If you have health concerns or are on any medications please consult your health care professional before attempting to use any of the above recipes.

5 Aloe Vera Juice Recipes That Make You Feel Great are just to get you started, go ahead and experiment with your own favourite fruits and vegetables and don't forget the Aloe.

Anne Edwards has maintained an active interest in health for over 20 years, researching and finding natural remedies that actually work. She gained her broad knowledge base through necessity while battling a number of debilitating illnesses throughout her life. As a qualified Counsellor, she also has a special interest in mental health issues. You can find her website at: http://www.freehealthxchange.com

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