Stevia: Sweetest of the Sweetest Sweeteners, and Healthy Too!

For me stevia is the saving grace for all of us sweet-cravers as it contains zero calories, is totally alkaline, and has a plethora of healthful properties way beyond its ability to dulcify our foods and beverages!  

Coming from the chrysanthemum family, stevia grows wild in Paraguay and Brazil and is also cultivated in Japan, China, Mexico, California, and Southern England.  Used since pre-Columbian times to sweeten the native tea called mate, the Italian traveler Antonio Bertoni wrote about it much later in 1887 as the sweetener used by many native South American tribes.

Thirty times sweeter than sugar, stevia contains sweet glycosides that are not metabolized by the body, which means they won’t add extra calories.  Despite its highly sweet taste, in its unadulterated form stevia doesn’t adversely affect blood glucose levels and can even be used by diabetics and hypoglycemics!  Additionally, stevia actually helps to normalize blood sugar levels.  It will also lower blood pressure if you have this condition while not affecting normal levels if you don’t.   Here are some other health attributes of stevia:

·      Functions as a tonic to the entire body

·      Increases energy

·      Increases mental acuity

·      Inhibits the growth and reproduction of specific types of bacteria and other infections organisms

·      Helps prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and oral health in general (add to toothpaste or dilute with water for mouthwash)

·      Helps prevent the onset of colds and flu

·      Helps with weight management and loss

·      Reduces cravings for sweets and fatty foods (can be taken before meals to reduce hunger)

·      Helps restore lost hunger if obstructions in the hypothalamus and stomach exist

·      Improves digestion

·      Improves gastrointestinal function

·      Helps reduce cigarette and alcohol cravings

Stevia, Skin, and Hair

Stevia is also effective in maintaining healthy skin and hair.  It can be used as a facial mask by smoothing a paste made of the powder or crushed leaves and water over the skin and letting it dry for a half an hour or so.  Rinse it off and you will feel how it has tightened and softened the skin, smoothing out wrinkles and healing blemishes.  You can also place a few drops of stevia concentrate directly on a blemish, sore, cut, or scratch and impressive healing will occur.  Stevia is sometimes added to organic soaps and shampoos as it helps to eliminate dandruff and sooth scalp problems, making hair more lustrous.  You can add it yourself to your favorite shampoo.

An Abundance of Nutrients

The stevia leaf contains an abundance of nutrients such as proteins, fiber, carbohydrates, iron, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, rutin, vitamin A, vitamin C and an oil that contains a host of other healthful elements. 

Buying Stevia

Stevia, like most things, can be of poor or high quality.  The poorer the quality of the leaves, the more bitter it will taste.  A high quality manufacturer will make sure that stevia’s processing is minimal and done with consciousness.  In this regard it will taste slightly licorice-y.  I buy my stevia from a top-notch health food store in powder form.  It is a beautiful green and tastes divine and you only need a very tiny amount as a little goes a very long way! 

Stevia comes in tea bags, as a loose tea, in ground form, in tablets, or as a liquid concentrate.  Quality will depend on soil conditions, the amount of irrigation and sunlight, purity of the environment, farming and harvesting practices, processing, and storage.  Make sure you buy the most reputable brand to get the most out of the product.

Stevia and Cooking

Stevia doesn’t break down in heat like honey or artificial sweeteners do.  This means you can cook and bake with it and be sure that you are getting all the nutritional components you need.

The FDA vs. Scientific Research

Though the FDA has listed stevia as an unapproved food additive, it is allowed as a food supplement, but not as a sweetener.  That being said, researcher and physician Dr. Daniel Mowrey has said vis a vis his extensive research on the pros and possible cons of stevia:

"More elaborate safety tests were performed by the Japanese during their evaluation of stevia as a possible sweetening agent. Few substances have ever yielded such consistently negative results in toxicity trials as have stevia. Almost every toxicity test imaginable has been performed on stevia extract [concentrate] or stevioside at one time or another. The results are always negative. No abnormalities in weight change, food intake, cell or membrane characteristics, enzyme and substrate utilization, or chromosome characteristics. No cancer, no birth defects, no acute and no chronic untoward effects. Nothing."

So there you have it!

I say, let’s break the sugar addiction by turning to Stevia, the sweetest of the sweet, getting healthier in the process! 

Boosting Your Hormones and Sex Drive

Maca…. You’ve probably heard about it by now if you’re not already taking it.  I have a heaping tablespoon of the pulverized root everyday in my morning cereal or blended juice drink and am ready to take on the world!

Maca, or “lepidium meyeni” grows in the high altitude mountains of Peru.  It is a tuberous root and a member of the radish family.  Maca has been considered a nutritious food and a powerful medicament by indigenous healers and shamans for countless centuries, with its first recorded use by outsiders in the 16^th century when the Spanish discovered its healing properties. Used for its root only, maca’s active ingredients are “macamides” and “macaenes, “ which adapt to each individual’s metabolism increasing energy, vitality, and overall health in all aspects.

A Powerful Adaptogen

Adaptogens are plants that benefit organisms without causing negative side effects while working with the natural rhythms of the body. Maca’s adaptogenic qualities work to reinforce the immune system while flooding the body with needed nutrients that increase energy and endurance.  Because maca contains an extraordinarily high concentration of adaptogens, it is able to heighten our resistance to free radicals and toxins by strengthening and nourishing all of our bodily functions.

A Few of the Benefits

Some of the benefits of maca include assisting the digestive process, nourishing and calming the nerves, helping to build muscle mass, providing support to the adrenal glands, and strengthening bones and teeth.  Maca is a powerful anti-carcinogen and antioxidant and so provides specific assistance to the immune system.  The root additionally stimulates the circulatory system, which contributes to a healthy heart and glowing skin.

Chock Full of Nutrients

Maca contains many vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, sodium, iron, zinc, iodine, copper, selenium, manganese, tin, silicon, C, E, B1, B2, and B12, which is difficult to find in foods if you are a vegetarian. It also contains phosphorus, an essential building block for nurturing the cells. Maca additionally has one of the highest lipid contents of all roots, including linolenic, acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid. What is more, because maca is high in alkaloid content, it is fully able to assist the body in properly assimilating all of these nutrients. 

The amazing news is that a single maca root contains approximately 60 phyto-nutrients along with amino acids, fatty acids, sterols, vitamins, and minerals.  A spectacular powerhouse of health coming from one small, ugly Peruvian root!

 And Now…..Maca’s Greatest Claim to Fame!

With all of the incredible and aforementioned benefits that maca offers, the root’s real claim to fame is its ability to restore and regulate natural hormonal balance in both women and men, which reinforces and re-instigates (when necessary) sexual function. 

Maca exerts an extremely beneficial influence over endocrine function and the glands that produce chemical messengers known as hormones.  Hormones are the key to normal bodily functions, including metabolic function, energy reserves, and sexual development and performance. As properly functioning hormones flow throughout the blood stream and into the organs and tissues, they nourish and stimulate the adrenal, thyroid, parathyroid, and pituitary glands along with the hypothalamus, pancreas, thymus, ovaries, and testes.  

Interestingly enough, maca itself does not contain hormones, but rather the nutrients that power the entire endocrine system. By getting the glands to produce the necessary amounts of hormones our bodies are kept in balance on all levels.  The one thing maca does contain that I have not yet mentioned are potent aphrodisiac properties.  This, combined with its ability to release hormones, accounts for maca’s indisputable ability to increase sexual desire and correct and improve sexual function.  And as we all know, when all systems are in sync this is the surest way to not only physiological health, but to emotional health as well!

Purchasing Maca

When buying maca, look for brands that have harvested the root from the Andean mountains, for it is the high altitude that assures the greatest amount of nutrients. Make sure the maca is not cut with fillers like rice flower or maltodextrin, and that it is Certified Organic and processed accordingly.  It should also be gelatinized, which is an extrusion process that removes the starch from the root so that the powder mixes more easily into beverages and food, is easier to digest, and tastes good. Lastly look to see that the brand encourages fair trade practices that help to support traditional and sustainable harvesting methods.

Sprinkle maca over cooked or uncooked cereal or put a tablespoon in a blended fruit of vegetable drink.  Always use a non-metallic spoon such as plastic or wood when measuring maca.  Ingest and enjoy the results!

Healing Acne Without Medication

Radiant skin is what we all hope to achieve as it is a sign that our internal body is healthy and cleansed. When the skin is affected by breakouts it is generally because there is an overabundance of sebum, a waxy substance that helps to keep the skin moist. When too much sebum collects, it will clog pores causing skin inflammation as bacteria begins to build up in the area. When sebaceous glands are blocked, the ducts leading to these glands harden and any exposed area will fill with dirt, causing blackheads. When this debris cannot reach the ducts to be cleansed away, whiteheads are formed. If the skin retains these impurities, it becomes red, rough, and irritated even further, leading to what we call acne.

Acne is a condition that can be caused by a wide variety of factors such as allergies to foods and skin products, environmental toxins, poor diet, hormonal imbalances, and stress. When acne occurs, it can seriously affect one’s self esteem on top of being physically stressful and uncomfortable. But acne is completely treatable with a bit of consciousness, discipline, and patience. With a healthful diet that helps to keep the organs cleansed for effective digestion along with proper cleansing and the reduction of stress your skin can be as clear as a baby’s.

Eating Right For Your Skin

If you suffer from acne, the first step is to take a look at your diet, which always is the first place where things can go wrong.  Poor diet affects all of the organs. Fried foods, fast foods, fatty foods, pesticide-filled foods, sodas, and sugar are just some examples of foods that are unfriendly to the skin.  By changing the diet wonders are worked on and for the entire body.

When there are too many toxins in the system due to misguided eating habits,  the gastro-intestinal system cannot function properly, meaning it is unable to get rid of impurities. The body naturally wants to sweep waste material away and does so with the help or the liver, bowels, and kidneys. If these organs are blocked, the skin must work overtime to eliminate extra waste, which ultimately leads to blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, cysts, boils, and other evidences of acne irritation. 

Eating fresh, organic fruits and vegetables are essential for creating a healthy body and in turn a glowing skin free of blemishes.  Containing vitamins C and E, which help sweep out toxins, fruits and veggies should be eaten raw, lightly steamed, or combined in blender drinks. 

Orange and red fruits and veggies contain beta-carotene, a component that helps clear out impurities while strengthening the immune system and fighting free radicals. These include cantaloupe, berries, carrots, pumpkin, and red peppers.

Dark green leafy vegetables such as parsley, alfalfa, spinach, and kale contain the vitamins and minerals zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, chromium, and B6, which  help to fortify the skin’s ability to heal and remain healthy. 

Whole grains contain the vitamin Bs and when combined with lentils, garbanzos, or other beans create the protein needed to sustain energy and health. Tofu, a derivative of soybeans, is another food that acts as a good substitute for meat. Make sure you buy only organic tofu as these days soy is highly GM modified.

Seaweeds like kelp, kombu, hijiki, and nori are chock full of iron and iodine, which fight bacteria and regulate the thyroid gland, which is responsible for keeping the organs in balance.

Drinking lots of water throughout the day will help speed up the cleansing process along with healthful foods that provide necessary healing nutrients.  Try to avoid all meat during the cleansing period as it can be difficult to digest.

Juice Cleanse for Skin

Making a blended drink consisting of raw beets, carrots, and parsley or alfalfa is an ideal way to stimulate the liver, which is the organ that is often affected the most by a poor diet. As the liver is a big player in cleansing the system, it is important to keep it in the best condition possible. Add a teaspoon of cod liver, linseed, or borage oil for extra Omega 3 fatty acids, which also help to keep the liver nourished.

Hang In There As You Cleanse!

If you have been eating poorly, as you change your diet you may feel a bit under the weather for a while as the toxins begin to move and discharge. Don’t let this discourage you as this is natural. Many people misinterpret this feeling of ill health, thinking that it indicates something wrong in the cleansing theory. But common sense will tell you that as waste products move through the blood stream you are bound to feel them before they exit for good, and feeling slightly off-key is an indication of how toxic your system really is.

Herbs Against Acne

There are many herbs that work to clear the blood stream of toxins that block skin health. Antiseptic herbs such as calendula, echinacea and goldenseal work wonders to rid the body of waste. There are also particularly soothing herbs that can help reduce inflammation and dampen the effects of itching and other discomforts.  These include:

·      Nettle

·      Lavender

·      Chamomile

·      Licorice

·      Barberry

·      Honeysuckle flower

·      Gotu kola also heals broken skin and boosts the immune system.

• Sarsaparilla also rids the body of excess toxins and purifies the bloodstream.  
• Milk thistle also cleanses the liver.

Herbs can be taken on their own or combined to make a good cleansing tea or tonic for sipping throughout the day, warm or cool.

Herbal oils can be topically applied to acne for soothing inflammation.  They can be applied directly to the area on a saturated cotton ball. These include:

• Calendula
• Comfrey
• Evening primrose oil

Tea tree oil  is an especially effective antibacterial substance that penetrates the skin on a cellular level. It can be applied to the skin in pure form, or added to any neutral cream or moisturizer. 

Aloe vera is also effective when applied to acne, especially if the skin cannot  retain moisture due to temperature changes, allergic reactions, or sensitivity to the environment. Aloe also helps to remove dead skin cells so that new and healthy skin can form.

Red Clover

I want to take a moment now to write about an exceptionally potent herb for acne and that is Red Clover.

Its Latin name is Trifolium pratense, and it is also called Trefoil, Purple Cover, Cleaver Grass, and Cow Grass.  Red Clover grows all over the US, Europe, the Mediterranean, and Asia and is the actually state flower of Vermont!  With its long stalks, hairy stems, and reddish purple flowers, Red Clover has been used by the Native Americans for centuries due to its ability to purify the body and thus heal skin conditions, including acne.

Red Clover purifies the bloodstream by de-congesting the liver. The flowers also works as a diuretic, flushing out uric acid through the kidneys and bladder. An anti-inflammatory, red clover rids the chest and lungs of phlegm and mucus;  helps with the production of bile, which is essential in liver cleansing; and stimulates  digestive fluids to help eliminate toxins and restore the organs to health.

Red clover contains a wide range of necessary nutrients such as isoflavones, coumarins, flavinoids, lecithin, calcium, chromium, choline, magnesium, manganese, iron and vitamins B, C, and E.  It also contains a trace element called molybdenum, which helps eliminate nitrogenous waste that is often the cause of skin problems.  

You can eat red clover in salads or take the flowers as a tea, capsule, or tincture. Make sure you buy organic red clover to avoid any possibility of ingesting pesticides, which can further irritate the skin.

Homeopathic Remedies

Homeopathic medicine can be a highly effective way to reduce the effects of acne by the problems going on inside the body.  There are several formulae, all of which are best taken via a homeopathic doctor’s recommendation.  Some include:

·      Kali bromatum to help stop itching. 

·      Sulfur to help break down rough and hardened skin while also relieving constipation.

·      Antimonium tartaricum to help eliminate the formation of pus.

It is best to consult with a professional homoeopathist to get a correct diagnosis for appropriate treatment. 

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic medicine is based on ancient Indian medical knowledge. According to this protocol, acne is cause by an aggravation of an internal condition called Pitta-Disha and can be treated naturally by eating specifically bland foods such as oatmeal, natural apple sauce, and rice.  By eliminating fried and spicy foods as well citrus fruits, Ayurvedic healers believe the skin has a better chance to heal. Tea made from cumin, coriander, and fennel is considered to be very helpful in soothing the irritating sensations associated with acne.

An excellent panacea to take the sting out of acne is made by creating a paste of both course and fine natural oatmeal.  Leave it on the affected area to dry and then wash it off gently with warm water. Other healing pastes can be made with almond powder and goats milk or chickpea powder and water.

Here again, it is best to consult with an Ayurvedic doctor to get the right diagnosis for your skin.

Neem Oil

One of the most powerful Ayurvedic treatments for the skin is the use of neem oil. Written about in India’s ancient texts, neem is the ultimate anti-bacterial, blocking the growth of viruses, healing a myriad of skin ailments, and restoring elasticity to abused and poorly functioning skin.  Neem contains essential fatty aids along with vitamin E and can be applied topically to help heal the effects of acne and other skin eruptions.

Cleansing the Skin

One of the most important steps to take for your skin, whether you have acne or not, is to cleanse properly in order to keep your pores free of bacteria. In the case of acne, wash with natural soaps or gels that contain mild components like aloe vera or oatmeal. Look for brands that contain no additives, which can cause allergic reactions. Keep your hair shampooed regularly, again with natural and mild products and if you need to shave, use a fresh blade each time. Never, ever pick at, pop, or squeeze your skin, no matter how uncomfortable you may feel.

Using the above protocols over time will help to clear away your acne while creating a beautiful and healthful palette that shows the balance in your body through the clarity of your skin. Combine these habits with a daily regimen of deep breathing practices and meditation to lower stress levels and you have the perfect recipe for letting your inner beauty shine through for all to see!

Words to the wise:  Before embarking on a vitamin or herbal protocol, make sure to discuss your thoughts with your healthcare provider.

More ‘The Body In Form’ references for detoxifying the body:

Dandelion:  http://fastestwaylosebellyfats.blogspot.com/2011/05/digestive-health-detoxification-and.html

Health and Alkalinity: http://fastestwaylosebellyfats.blogspot.com/2011/04/health-and-alkalinity.html

Kidney Detox: http://fastestwaylosebellyfats.blogspot.com/2011/02/staying-in-top-form-detox-your-kidneys.htmlhttp://fastestwaylosebellyfats.blogspot.com/2011/02/staying-in-top-form-detox-your-kidneys.html

Bentonite Clay Detox: http://fastestwaylosebellyfats.blogspot.com/2010/10/detoxifying-body-with-bentonite-clay.html

Digestive Health, Detoxification, and More: Dandelion to the Rescue!

As I research the lowly plant that was once considered a pesky weed I am overwhelmed by a humbling sensation of respect and bow my head in abject apology for every vitamin-filled spiky leaf I weeded away from our family lawn when growing up.  Who knew that Dandelion, with its spiky leaves and bright yellow flower that turns into a magical puff that rides the wind, is perhaps one of the most interesting plants in nature’s encyclopedia of medicinals!

The Wise Ones Always Knew…

The ancients knew, as did all of the wise herbalists throughout the ages.  Officially known as  “taraxacum officinale,” dandelion was used as a medicinal by Arab physicians in the 10^th century and by the Welsh in the 13^th century as a way to diminish the devastating symptoms of a malfunctioning liver and gallbladder.  In the 16^th century, dandelion was called “omniboria” or cure all for its powerful ability to diminish the effects of a plethora of illnesses without causing side effects.  All throughout time, dandelion was placed in soups and teas and made into tinctures to treat people with a wide array of physical problems.

Now We Know Too…

Today dandelion is definitely and officially at the head of the list for boosting liver health and as a recognized treatment for jaundice, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and many other diseases.  The Federal Drug Administration in the United States has placed the plant on the list of safe foods and it is approved by the Council of Europe as an extremely viable medicinal plant. According to many nutritional surveys, dandelion ranks as one of the top four green vegetables for having the greatest overall nutritional value including beta-carotene, and is considered the third richest source of vitamin A of all foods.  Because of its high fiber content it helps with gastro-intestinal problems and with its high concentration of mucilage, it is also good for sore throats and congestion. 

Dandelion and Its Nutrients

Dandelion contains some very interesting compounds, including tarazacin, acrystaline, taraxacerin, which have medicinal properties. It also is high in  vitamins A, C, D, B complex, boron, calcium, choline, copper, iron, , magnesium, manganese, potassium, silicon, and zinc. Known as dente de lion or lion’s teeth in South America and other Spanish speaking countries, dandelion packs a powerful bite in terms of its wide range of healing benefits such as:

·      Encouraging normal digestion by stimulating the digestive glands

·      Eliminates excess acid in the system

·      Treats constipation

·      Reduces bloating

·      Helps produce bile to absorbs fats and nutrients and help eliminate toxins

·      Reduces toxins in the liver

·      Helps reduce symptoms relating to jaundice, cirrhosis, and hepatitis

·      Reduces toxins in the gallbladder

·      Helps remove gallstones

·      Reduces toxins in the kidneys

·      Detoxifies the body by stimulating urination

·      Replaces lost potassium due to excessive urination

·      Reduces side effects of prescription medicines

·      Treats infections

·      Reduces swelling, including edema and other forms of water retention

·      Reduces symptoms of pneumonia

·      Helps eliminate viruses

·      Treats anemia

·      Helps to purify the blood

·      Reduces cellulite

·      Cleanses and improves the skin, helping to discourage eruptions

·      Lowers serum cholesterol

·      Helps with weight control

·      Helps in cases of type 1 and 2 diabetes

Daily Dandelion Detox

Incorporating dandelion into your diet is a brilliant way to help maintain optimum health.  Fresh organically growth dandelion leaves in a salad or quickly steamed and eaten over grains make for a delicious meal.  Buy it as a loose tea and steep a tablespoonful in boiled water, or combine it with other medicinal teas such as malva, boldo, or milk thistle to make a powerful and soothing body cleansing potion.  Add honey if you need a sweetener, strain, and enjoy!  You can also take dandelion in tincture or vitamin form, ingesting according to directions. 

Word to the Wise: Though dandelion does not seem to have side effects, it is always essential to talk to your healthcare provider before beginning a protocol.  Pregnant and breast-feeding women should avoid dandelion due to its diuretic properties.