Benefits of Rose Water

A close friend asked me to post about Rose water & it's benefits - so here goes.

Rose water is a staple in Lebanon. It's a must in the house whether to be used for baking or as home remedies for skin irritations & more.

Rose water is a by-product of Rose Oil.  During the preparation of Rose essential oil, a distillation process is used & the oil is separated from the water - making both a Rose Oil & Rose Water. Both the rose oil & the rose water contain a beautiful scent & natural healing properties.  Rose water contains a variety of nutrients and vitamins; one vitamin that is highly available in rose water is Vitamin C (a must in everyone's diet). Vitamin A can also be found in rose water, as well as antioxidants - such as flavonoids (Quercetin - allergy suppressant, gallic acid, malic acid, citronellol geraniol and more.

Rose is a natural astringent (contracts tissues and canals of body, diminishes blood or mucus discharge) with anti-inflammatory properties.  It has hydrating & rejuvenating affects on the skin.

BENEFITS 

Please note that these benefits are only found in genuine natural rose water - some manufacturers produce synthetic rose water which have no therapeutic value. It is important you obtain the right product to see results

Astringent -Contracts tissues -Diminishes blood/mucus discharge	Relieve Eye Irritation & Infection	Applied by cotton swab, dab eye lid & around the eye area to relieve eye irritation Also helps reduce puss due to conjunctivitis or bacterial infections of the eye. Antiseptic. Apply throughout the day, especially before bed and after waking up.  Anti-inflammatory
	Facial Toner	Helps absorb excess Oils Helps in controlling Acne
	Diminish Wrinkles & Pores	Tightens pores Reduces appearance of fine lines
	Soothes Headaches	Dab on temples and eye area to ward off or soothe headaches.
	Reduces Skin Redness	Diminishes the redness caused by enlarged capillaries.
	Bleeding	May help reduce or stop bleeding in minor cuts & wounds Cleanses cuts & wounds
Aperient  -Laxative -Purgative	Constipation	Helps in relieving constipation & gas
Carminative -Relieves Flatulence	Gas / Flatulence	Helps in relieving constipation & gas
Refrigerant -Cooling effect	After Shave	Reduces irritation after shaving
	Hives Rashes  Chicken Pox Eczema	Mixed with Corn Starch - Reduces Irritation & diminishes Itch
	Sunburn Soother	Soothes & cools sunburned skin slightly disinfects skin to help in preventing infection & irritation
Cardiac Tonic -Stimulates & Strengthens Heart Metabolism	Heart Health	Aids in Circulation used in treatments for heart disease Anti-inflammatory
Other Properties	Make-up Setting Spray	Add it to spray bottle Spritz lightly over your face.   It will set your makeup and gave you a dewy finish for hours.
	Body Mist	Add it to spray bottle Spritz lightly.  (Add a couple drops of Rose oil to enhance smell)
	Hair	Add to shampoos to give refreshing smell & help soften & condition hair. Pour over head while showering - can reduce inflammation of the scalp,  Can increasing blood supply to the scalp and promotes hair growth.
	Natural Cleanser	With the addition of a few drops of Rose Oil, you could make a natural cleanser.
	Make-up Remover	With a cotton swab, you could use Rose water as a make-up remover. apply in a circular motion (take note not to press hard, so as to not irritate the skin)
	Balances skin pH	Helps in controlling dry & oily skin Soothes dermatitis conditions ie. eczema
	Hot Bath	Add to a hot bath for relaxation help Helps in trapping moisture - making skin smooth & firm Relieve fatigue Improve your mood  Reduces stress and depression
	Emotional & Psychological	Mild sedative and anti-depressant Improves Mood Reduces stress Relieves Nervous tension
	Air Freshener	Just as a body mist, this natural remedy can be used on both the body & in the home. Spritz Rose water (with a few drops Rose oil) for a refreshing scent
	Cooking	Rose water is used in many desserts & baking recipes. Some use it as a substitute for vanilla extract

Cough be Gone!

My need for heat has come again. I've just spent a wonderful month with my twin niece and nephew, along with my brother and sister in law. Now the fun is over, and back to work. Unfortunately, in this cold weather we all came down with a cough. So I decided to remedy all with a little bit of Apple cider vinegar and cayenne pepper. The worst thing about a cough is how it lingers, especially when you're trying to sleep. Throat tickles, and once you cough once, you just can't stop.

This remedy I find, beats halls, or any cough drop remedy. And the good part is, you're doing your body good, without taking in any strong synthetic formula. Even better, it helps build your immunity, gets your blood flowing and stabilizes your pH. Not only can this be a remedy for coughs, but it could be a weight loss solution.

This recipe calls for:

½ cup Apple Cider Vinegar
½ cup Water
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
4 tsp Natural Honey

HOW TO:
Take one tablespoon on the onset of a cough attack. Moreover, take one spoon before bedtime.

I used to take 2 tablespoons at one time to speed the healing process. If you can tolerate the two spoons, you can by all means do that as well. Don't feel the need to restrict your intake of this in just the times I mentioned. You can take a spoon before or after meals - This can aid in digestion.

This Mix (minus the honey) is a great remedy for acid reflux or stomach ulcers as well. Both Apple cider vinegar and cayenne are helpful in the process.

SPRING into Liquid Life

Post a Water Spring - lets Drink away our diseases.

Hi everyone... with my craze of being healthy I came across a website that puts all fresh water springs on the map.

I thought of my hometown Lebanon (and specifically 3ammatour) and the many springs it has.  Since I don't live in Lebanon and I'm not very familiar with it, I thought some one in this group may know better as to where the 3youn or Water Springs are.


The site is http://www.findaspring.com/submit-a-spring/  here you will be able to put info & pictures of the 3ain (Spring) and put Lebanon on the map. Please note - the water should be good to drink.  Lets start drinking clean healthy mineral rich water... it keeps our body happy & healthy.  

Let the earth give to us as it is intended. Happy Drinking!!

Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar


It's probably the last thing one might think of regarding a healthy diet; but apple cider vinegar goes a long way in helping us to sustain our bodies. It's a great aid for weight loss, it improves heart health, eliminate heartburn or acid reflux and, even helps your liver.




Digestion, Weight-loss & ACV:

• Apple cider vinegar helps control cravings by reducing ghrelin (the 'hunger' hormone that's produced due to an empty stomach). 
• Keeps you feeling full for longer. By having the ability to delay the gastric emptying time, ACV allows you not to get hungry as quickly.  
• ACV can also improve nutrient absorption - helps specific digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria.
• Helps in breaking down fat.
• Fixes your pH balance.

Cardiovascular 'Heart' Health:

• Helps in reducing the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
• Also helps in reducing high cholesterol and hypertension, without any side effects.
• It has also been reported that a daily dose of apple cider vinegar in water has high blood pressure under control in two weeks! 

Gatorade be Gone.. Electrolyte Boost

•  Apple Cider vinegar has the same effects as all those thirst quenching drinks. Its full of electrolytes.  

Sore Throat? :

• Gargle with two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and a quarter cup (pre-boiled) lukewarm water. It kills what you don't want. Try it and notice the difference.

 Diabetic? Perhaps Apple Cider Vinegar can help:

• Helps in lowering body's need for insulin. By slowing the release of sugar from your food into the bloodstream, ACV can aid in controlling & stabilizing blood glucose levels, in turn affecting insulin production and taking stress off your pancreas. 
• When your blood sugar is balanced, you are less likely to crave carbohydrates.

Protect thy Liver... you need it!!

• The acetic acid present in apple cider vinegar may have the ability to protect our liver cells.

Nausea, Heartburn, Indigestion, Upset Stomach..... oooh

• Apple Cider Vinegar is almost always an immediate relief for all the above. The upside to ACV (as compared to the tums and pink fluids) is that it helps treat and potentially cure long term. While most heartburn relief medications are a cover up that mask the problem, this vinegar also improves nutrient absorption. helps specific digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria (pro-biotic).

External Use - Cleanse your body:

• Use apple cider vinegar for acne, or even to cleanse your face.
• Soak in a tub of water and some apple cider vinegar to balance your body's pH.
• Can help in reducing dandruff

Be Clean & Green - Household Cleaner:

• With it's anti-viral properties both inside and outside the body - ACV has also proved itself worthy on counter tops too. Replace chemical cleaners (that can be fatal to our hormones) for apple cider vinegar and water to kill bacteria and viruses that can linger on surfaces. Sometimes it may shock you, but these natural product cleaners can sometimes outdo the chemical cleaners. Give it a try!

Although I usually like to write short and sweet, it's a shame not to include all the other known benefits of apple cider vinegar. So here what else it can benefit you with:  cures for allergies (including pet, food and environmental), sinus infections, acne, high cholesterol, flu, chronic fatigue, candida, acid reflux, sore throats, contact dermatitis, arthritis, enhances appearance of complexion, eczema, and gout.

 HOW TO:

Salad Dressings, Marinades, Sauces, Dips, Juice, or take it as a shot of alcohol (with water).

DRINKS

Recipe 1: My top recipe is a couple tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water
Recipe 2: Variation of recipe one is to do my D'tox drink: full lemon squeezed in cup of water with 2tbsp acv.
                   (you could add honey to taste, but it's better without - opt for natural sweeteners like stevia )
Recipe 3: ACV Cocktail - 1 tbsp  apple cider vinegar + 1 cup Sparkling water + ½tsp maple syrup

SALAD DRESSINGS

Recipe 1:  Mustard-Shallot Vinaigrette

1 tbsp minced shallot
1 teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon dry granulated garlic
¼ cup raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil (more or less depending on how thick you make the vinaigrette)
sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 

Recipe 2:  Pizzeria Style Vinaigrette
¼ cup raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
½ teaspoon dry granulated garlic
½ teaspoon dry mustard
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil – more or less as you like it
sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Recipe 3: Sun Dried Tomato dressing
11/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1/2 lemon - juice
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 tsp honey
1 tsp mustard (powder or liquid)
2 tbsp mixed fresh or dried herbs (choose from basil, rosemary, dill, chives, dried onion bits, thyme, sage, parsley)
2 - 3 cloves fresh garlic chopped
5-6 drops of hot red pepper sauce (or to taste)
2 tbsp. sun dried tomatoes.
Optional:  add 2 tbsp. capers

 

Don't take Apple Cider Vinegar on it's own, the acid can be too harsh on the throat. Mixing & diluting it with a little bit of water is all you need.

Remember Apple Cider Vinegar has a strong taste, if you're not used to it yet, you could always start with a lower dosage, and work your way up.  If you can't go without adding some type of sweetener then opt for something natural. Please avoid the artificial sweeteners at all costs and if possible least for the white sugar last.

Benefits of Paprika

Paprika is a mild spice produced by grinding the fruits of the family of capsicum annuum plants which include red bell pepper and chili peppers. Paprika however has a very minimal dose of capsaisin, the compound that produces a sensation of burning. Capsaisin is one of the main compounds in the pepper family that provides health benefits - due to the lack of capsaisin in paprika, health benefits aren't as strong (as cayenne or chilli powder). If you can't stand the heat of cayenne pepper, then opt for Paprika - get the benefits without the heat.

Paprika, however, is also said to be extraordinarily high in Vitamin C and is rich in carotenids which are red and yellow pigments found in vegetables and herbs that impart health benefits.

It has anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful in medicine as a topical analgesic.
But while paprika abundantly contains these healthy constituents, it is not particularly known for its medicinal benefits as a stand-alone spice. However, it does contribute to an overall healthy diet when used as a seasoning in dishes.
The following are the paprika benefits that may be derived from consuming this herb:

• Paprika helps to regulate blood pressure.
• Paprika may help improve blood circulation.
• Paprika may help assist digestion by normalizing acid in the stomach.
• Paprika as an antibiotic.
• Paprika has anti-inflammatory properties.

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