February 2022

Hello, and welcome to this edition edition of my Natural Alternatives Newsletter!

I hope you will enjoy reading this issue.

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“The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.” ~Hippocrates

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IN THIS ISSUE:

1) 'KING' CHAGA: A BIRCH TREE FUNGUS THAT BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

2) FROM RELIEVING CONGESTION TO IMPROVING HAIR HEALTH : THE MANY BENEFITS OF DRINKING HOT WATER

3) COLD SORES: FOUR NATURAL REMEDIES TO SOOTHE PAINFUL LIPS AND SOFTEN SKIN

4) UPCOMING NO COST ONLINE EVENTS: YOUR TOOLS FOR BETTER HEALTH AND BETTER LIFE

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1) 'KING' CHAGA: A BIRCH TREE FUNGUS THAT BOOSTS YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
This article is copyrighted by GreenMedInfo LLC

These bitter mushrooms act as parasites on birch trees, but they're revered for their medicinal properties, including immunomodulatory, antiviral and antidiabetes effects.

Chaga mushrooms aren't the most attractive fungi on the block, and they're not the tastiest either, but when it comes to medicinal value, chaga mushrooms are king. Typically consumed in tea form due to their bitter flavor, chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a tree parasite that slowly decomposes tree trunks.

Most often found on birch trees, the black-brown fungus typically infects 30- to 50-year-old trees and may grow on their trunks for another 80 years, producing a conk -- a growth that resembles rust-colored charcoal. Chaga mushrooms have been valued since ancient times, when Hippocrates used chaga infusions to wash wounds.

During the 12th century, chaga was valued for its anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic and gastrointestinal properties, and was recommended for heart and liver diseases. Later, chaga became revered for its anticancer and antitumor effects, which are still being explored today, along with potent antibacterial, antioxidant, immune stimulant and antiviral functions.

Top Four Health Benefits of Chaga Mushrooms

Even if you're not a fan of mushrooms, you can reap the benefits of this medicinal wonder by adding chaga powder to your tea or coffee, or mixing it into a smoothie. Chaga is also available in extract and supplement form, providing an impressive array of health benefits. At GreenMedInfo.com, we've compiled 71 diseases that chaga may influence along with 63 of this mushroom's pharmacological actions.

1. Boost Your Immune System

Polysaccharides in chaga mushrooms have broad biological activity, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antioxidant effects, as well as being immunomodulatory. Chaga mushroom may modulate immune response by helping to regulate the secretion of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in immune cells as well as antibody production.

Chaga's water-soluble polysaccharide ISP2a, in particular, has been found to enhance the immune response of mice with tumors, while also enhancing white blood cell proliferation and increasing production of tumor necrosis factor, a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. It's believed that ISP2a may act as a natural antitumor substance with immunomodulatory activity.

2. Ward Off Viral Infections

Chaga has powerful antiviral activity and was found to suppress the infectivity of pandemic influenza virus in mice as well as the antiviral drug Tamiflu. It's also effective against multiple feline viruses and the human viruses herpes simplex virus 1, HIV type 1 and hepatitis C.

In one study, at the highest concentration, chaga extract completely stopped, or significantly inhibited, the reproduction of hepatitis C virus, with researchers noting, "The presented studies confirm the antiviral effect of I. obliquus and indicate its potential use in the treatment of diseases associated with viral infections."

3. Anticancer Effects

It's due to chaga's potent immunomodulatory effects that it shows promise as a cancer fighter. Due to its antitumor and immunologic effects, many people with cancer use chaga mushrooms as a complementary therapy, and its extract is known to induce autophagy, which is your body's way of clearing out damaged cells and making room for new ones.

Chaga extracts have been found to inhibit proliferation of, or are cytotoxic to, human gastrointestinal tumor cell lines as well as human breast, lung, colon, myeloid leukemia and cervical cancer cell lines.

While decreasing tumor cell proliferation and motility, chaga produces no or low toxicity to normal cells, and in a study on mice, continuous intake of chaga extract suppressed cancer progression, reducing tumors by 60% and, in metastatic mice, reducing nodules by 25% compared to the control group.

In another study, which found extracts of chaga mushroom and bamboo leaf had strong antitumor activity, it was suggested that its anticancer effects may be the result of activation of innate immunity.

4. Help for Diabetes

Chaga polysaccharides have notable antidiabetic effects, with animal studies finding they can reduce fasting blood glucose levels, improve glucose tolerance and ameliorate insulin resistance. In one study, chaga extract at a dose of 250 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight in mice had "obvious antidiabetes effects," while a dose of 500 mg/kg "was the same as that of [diabetes drug] metformin."

Is Chaga Suitable as a Daily Tonic?

There's some debate over whether chaga mushroom should be used as a daily tonic or reserved for specific health conditions. Anecdotal reports of improved digestion and mental calm have been reported from using chaga and other mushrooms daily, while some herbalists suggest it's best used as an adjunct therapy when required.

There's also concern that this medicinal treasure could be overharvested, as it only reproduces after the death of the host tree. Harvesting chaga conks prior to this time may threaten its ability to reproduce. In Alaska, a lax limit of 10,000 pounds of chaga and other conks per person per year exists, but it's reportedly being exploited.

At this time, however, The Global Fungal Red List classifies chaga as a fungus of "least concern," meaning it's still abundant in many areas with no evidence of decline.

*WARNING: Always consult a medical herbalist or your health care practitioner when using both natural and pharmaceutical medicines for any diagnosed condition. This article is for informational purposes only and not intended to be used as medical advice.

The GMI Research Group (GMIRG) is dedicated to investigating the most important health and environmental issues of the day.  Special emphasis will be placed on environmental health.  Our focused and deep research will explore the many ways in which the present condition of the human body directly reflects the true state of the ambient environment.

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2) FROM RELIEVING CONGESTION TO IMPROVING HAIR HEALTH : THE MANY BENEFITS OF DRINKING HOT WATER

"Traditional and alternative streams of medicine have often linked hot water to better health, so perhaps it’s time to make the switch." Ayurvedic expert Dr Nitika Kohli said

It goes without saying that consuming an adequate amount of water in a day is quintessential for good health. Around eight to 10 glasses of water must be consumed every day to keep the body’s metabolism and health in check. While water in itself keeps you healthy and hydrated, the benefits further increase when it’s hot!

Experts note that drinking hot water regularly can result in incredible benefits for your overall health. “Traditional and alternative streams of medicine have often linked hot water to better health, so perhaps it’s time to make the switch.” Ayurvedic expert Dr Nitika Kohli said.

Dr Kohli shared the many benefits of drinking hot water:

Congestion Relief

Having a stuffy nose can be extremely annoying and uncomfortable. It’s one of the worst things about catching a cold. “A cup of hot water could help you with decongestion,” she said.

Constipation Relief

According to Dr Kohli, dehydration is one of the main reasons for constipation. “Drinking water of any temperature is a good way to get your bowels moving again.”

Improves Hair Health

Drinking hot water prevents dry scalp, which, in turn, improves hair health.

Alevites Menstrual Pain

Menstrual pain is difficult to control but hot water can help. “Using a warm compress in the abdomen and also drinking hot water at regular intervals provides relief during painful menstrual cramps,” Dr Kohli said.

Skincare

Hot water can do wonder for your skin too. According to the expert, “It slows down the process of skin ageing and clears acne and blemishes”.

Improves Digestion

Drinking hot water in the morning aids digestion. It cures bloating, acidity and gas.

Detoxifies The Body

“Drinking hot or warm water detoxifies the body and cleanses the system by flushing out foreign elements and toxins,” she said.

Source: indianexpress.com

3) COLD SORES: FOUR NATURAL REMEDIES TO SOOTHE PAINFUL LIPS AND SOFTEN SKIN
By Aimee Robinson

COLD sores can crop up at any time of year, but during the winter months, they are even more common. While a number of over-the-counter remedies are available, there are some natural substances that may also return your lips to their former health.

Though cold sores are caused by a form of the herpes virus (HSV), the winter weather can provide the perfect environment for them to thrive. Harsh, dry winds and a drop in temperature can result in dry skin on your lips, perfect for cold sores to make themselves at home.

Although the lip sores are harmless, they can be irritating and in some cases painful.Their appearance can also be rather undesirable, and the sore itself is actually contagious even while it is healing.Outbreaks can be tackled with a number of over-the-counter lotions and medicines and may help to limit how transferable the sores are.

The NHS points out that cold sores "usually clear up on their own within 10 days, but there are things you can do to help ease the pain."

There are a number of home remedies that you can apply to the area at home to help soothe the sore and restore your lips to their former softness.Despite anecdotal evidence of natural remedies and their potential pain-reducing abilities, it is important to note that these likely do not reduce the spread of the virus.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil can be used topically for a number of things, including headache, muscle aches, joint pain and itching.Among its uses, though, is apparently its ability to soothe the pain associated with a cold sore.

A 2003 lab study analysing HSV found that peppermint oil had the potential to calm some of the symptoms of the herpes strain.

Peppermint oil is most effective if it is diluted with water.Patients are recommended to apply the diluted solution directly to the cold sore.

Aloe Vera Gel

Aloe vera gel is often cited for its soothing abilities, typically used to remove the itch of a bug bite and the sting of sunburn.

Research on the effectiveness of aloe vera on cold sores, however, is still ongoing.But, aloe vera is generally deemed to be safe for topical use on the skin, and as it is a natural product, there is no worry if it gets in your mouth.

Every Day Health recommends dabbing a bit of aloe vera on your cold sore throughout the day to ease discomfort.

The gel can be kept in the fridge for an additional soothing sensation.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is derived from a herb in the mint family and is used both in medicine and in foods.

Past studies have concluded that lemon balm may help to speed up the healing process of HSV or reduce the painful symptoms.

A study of 116 people with the virus found that those who applied a lemon balm cream to their lip sores saw a significant improvement in redness and swelling.

Furthermore, a 2014 stud determined that lemon balm oil could inhibit the herpes virus' penetration of cells by as much as 96 percent in drug-resistant strains.

There are numerous lip balms and creams which have lemon balm infused within them.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is often cited for its ability to banish spots, but it might also work some wonders when it comes to bothersome lip sores.

In 2009, researchers concluded that tea tree oil had a "potentially antiviral effect" on HSV.However, this was only done on isolated samples, meaning the results were not enough to fully prove its effectiveness.
Source: express.co.uk

4) UPCOMING NO COST ONLINE EVENTS: YOUR TOOLS FOR BETTER HEALTH AND BETTER LIFE

I am excited to invite you to check out the following online events:

You can sign up even when the event is over or you are not able to attend. You will get access to the recording.

The Shift Network’s Breathwork Summit reveals the science, art, and power of full-spectrum breathing across a number of traditions and techniques. You’ll learn the history and science behind these practices, with time allotted to actually perform them under the guidance of breathwork pioneers and practitioners.

Discover Your Truest Self in the Sacred Space Between Sound & Silence: Sound Healing to Harmonize Body, Mind & Spirit

How to Live a Healthy & Illuminated Life Through Botanical Medicine & Its Spiritual Practices: An Overview of a Groundbreaking, Year-Long Immersive Herbalism Certification Program

Experience Deep Clearing EFT to Transmute Limiting Emotions & Align With Your True Presence

3 Keys to Unlock Your Powers of Mediumship: An Evidence-Based Path to Communicate With Your Spirit Guides & Loved Ones Beyond the Veil.  According to medium and author Suzanne Giesemann, the founder and teacher of The Awakened Way, anyone can learn to connect with the spirit world, because we all have the same “equipment” — a soul.

Discover Your Vagus Nerve as an Energetic Healing Pathway to Optimal Wellbeing: Experience a Simple, Potent Energy Medicine Exercise to Relieve Stress & Restore Your Mind, Body & Spirit: According to Melanie Smith, Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Energy Medicine Advanced Practitioner, you can rewrite the imprinted patterns that trauma and stress leave on your nervous system — as you reclaim your health and take back your personal power…

Conscious Breathwork to Break Through Resistance & Awaken Your Authentic, Luminous Self: On Saturday, December 4, world-renowned breathwork trainer Anthony Abbagnano will help you discover how conscious breathwork can help you get to the roots of stuck patterns — buried deep in your subconscious — and not only release their obstructive energies, but allow exciting new perspectives and possibilities to surface… as your deepest wisdom is revealed, integrated, and lived.

Demystifying the Herbal Formulas of Chinese, Ayurvedic & Western Plant Medicine for Enhanced Healing, Immunity & Resilience :October 30, David Crow, one of the world’s leading experts in botanical medicine and grassroots healthcare, will explore highly effective plant medicine formulas and how they serve different functions when they are consumed.  

3 Keys to Unlock Your Powers of Mediumship: An Evidence-Based Path to Communicate With Your Spirit Guides & Loved Ones Beyond the Veil. Suzanne will offer captivating insights and guide you in a process to help you open to your own innate gift

Supercharge Your Chakra Practice: How to Heal Your Energy Centers & Unleash the Full Power of Your Life Force.

For more information and to check out other upcoming courses and events go here. New programs are added frequently.

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PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!

Thank you for reading.

Livia
www.natural-health-and-healing.com

P.S. If you have a comment or suggestion, just reply to this e-mail. Your feedback is important to me.

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