Vaccinium Myrtillus for Greater Health

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) - Bilberry is a short, shrubby perennial that grows in the woods and forest meadows of Europe, western Asia, and the Rocky Mountains of North America. Bilberry bears edible fruits similar to those found on the American blueberry bush.

History: For over a thousand years, European herbalists have recommended bilberry fruits and leaves to treat many ailments. Bilberry's modern reputation as a healing plant was sparked during World War II, when British Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots noticed that after eating bilberry preserves, their night vision was sharper than usual. Later research revealed that bilberries are powerful antioxidants, capable of protecting cells in the eye and other parts of the body against damage caused by free radicals (unstable oxygen molecules).

Rich in: Bilberry fruits contain sugars, organic acids, essential acids; vitamins C, B1, B2, PP, and carotene; the minerals manganese and iron; tanning agents, pectines, and fibres. They contain neither fats nor cholesterol and provide only 80 Kcal per glass. Bilberry leaves contain tanning agents, organic acids, vitamin C, glycosides, and mineral salts.

Internal use: Bilberries are a truly anti-aging super-food, improving memory, slowing aging processes in a body, and improving coordination and balance. Bilberry fruits are beneficial for sore throat, diarrhoea, in treating night blindness, daytime vision impaired by glare, liver- and biliary problems, inflammation of the intestines, and gastric ulcers. Bilberries help prevent macular degeneration, a condition in which the light-sensitive area in the centre of the retina breaks down. It may also help slow the progression of cataracts, a clouding in the eye's lens, and lower the effects of diabetic retinopathy, a degenerative eye disease that affects people with diabetes. Bilberry fruits help prevent and even reverse some damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease. They are helpful for discomforts that are improved with enhanced circulation, like varicose veins, poor circulation, and haemorrhoids. Bilberries are packed with antioxidants that help prevent heart problems and tumours. Dried bilberries are beneficial in case of diarrhoea and stomach and intestinal problems. Bilberry leaf tea is helpful in cases of urinary tract infections, kidney stones, diabetes, and diarrhoea.

Good to know: The most exciting news about berries is their abundant anti-cancer and anti-aging benefits. Antioxidants found in berries help to fight damage caused to cells by harmful molecules called free radicals. Free radicals are unstable or highly reactive molecules that interfere with normal biological processes that are taking place in our bodies. When they interfere with the chemical processes, they cause damage to the body and are one of the main causes of degenerative disease. Scientists have found that berries have some of the highest antioxidant levels of any fruits, which makes them some of the most powerful disease-fighting foods available.

How to prepare: In case of diabetes, take 2 tablespoonfuls of crushed leaves, pour over with hot water, and let steep for 3-4 hours.

In case of catarrh in throat, gums or mouth, take 3 teaspoonfuls of dried bilberry fruits, pour over with ½ a litre of cold water, boil for 10 minutes, drain, and cool. Drink the tea several times a day. Do not swallow immediately; instead hold it in your mouth for a minute and then swallow.

As bilberry fruits are very beneficial to our health and are a preventative remedy against many diseases, we should eat one glass of bilberries a day while they are in season. You can crush the berries and add some honey or brown sugar. This makes them even more healthful and delicious! Yum!

External use: Bilberry leaf tea compresses help heal eczema and psoriasis.

When to pick: The leaves should be picked while the bilberry bush is in blossom because their medicinal value is the greatest then.

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Never Let Them See You Sweat!

Any attempt to artificially prevent perspiration is very unhealthy because perspiration is the Maker's method of safely cooling the body while excreting numerous toxins. Suppressing this natural sweat response in your underarms or other areas blocks the body's cleansing process and the natural flow of the lymphatic system. Interference in normal lymphatic function may increase the risk of breast cancer. The products most often used to stop perspiration contain forms of aluminum, which has been liked to Alzheimer's disease or other neurological problems; triclosan, an antimicrobial absorbed through the skin that poses some risk to the liver; and zirconium-based compounds that can cause underarm granulomas.

...so, keep away from Aluminum based deodorants! Information is by Jordan Rubin.

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