1 Honey bee queens are raised exclusively on which of the following substances, responsible for the queen's longevity and remarkable fertility?
2 A food product labeled "100% Natural" means it:
3 In the past decade, milk allergy in infants has:
4 Which of the following nutrients has been shown to influence a child's risk of schizophrenia and autism when the mother is deficient during pregnancy?
5 Marjoram is closely related to and often confused with:
6 Which of the following dietary fats is most harmful to human health?
7 Which of the following is not considered crucial for healthy aging?
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/24/week-59-health-quiz.aspx
0 Comments
Pine trees are often adorned with festive decorations and set up as a focal point during the Christmas season, but did you know that their fragrant and pointy foliage can also be a source of a valuable essential oil known as pine oil? Read on to find out more about pine oil, how it benefits your health and how you can make it at home. What Is Pine Oil?Pine oil is a colorless to pale-yellow essential oil that may have a fresh, balsamic or turpentine-like odor, depending on its source.1 It should not be confused with pine nut oil (also referred to as pine seed oil), which is a vegetable oil commonly used for cooking. Pine nut oil is derived from the seeds of the pine tree,2,3 whereas pine oil is extracted from the needle-like foliage of pine trees through steam distillation.4 Several species of pine are used to extract pine oil, some of which include:5
5 Benefits of Pine OilPine oil has antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal,6 antiseptic and antirheumatic properties.7 It works as a good decongestant and expectorant for respiratory ailments as well.8 Pine oil is also valued for its ability to help:
Pine oil is also a natural analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent,14 which makes it a potential substitute for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that come with many side effects. Checkout my NSAIDS: The Painful Truth Behind Painkillers infographic for more information on NSAIDs. 4 Uses of Pine OilPine oil is not only valued for its health benefits, but also for its practical uses. This essential oil can be used as:15
Composition of Pine OilPine oil is composed primarily of terpene alcohols. Its major component is a-terpineol, but it also contains the monoterpenes carene, a-pinene, β-pinene and limonene. It also has dipentene, a-terpinene, borneol, borny acetate and camphene, among others.19,20 How to Make Pine Oil infusionPine essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of fresh pine tree twigs and needles. Sometimes sawdust from the hard wood is also used. 21 For a simpler mixture, however, you can make an infusion oil. To make your own infused pine oil at home, follow this easy do-it-yourself guide from Leaf:22 Procedure
Keep in mind that homemade essential oils should not be ingested. You should also discard homemade pine oil after 10 to 12 months. How Does Pine Oil Work?The most common ways to administer pine oil are orally, topically and through inhalation. In aromatherapy, pine oil is indicated and used for cuts, lice, excessive perspiration, scabies, sores on the skin, arthritis, gout, muscular aches and pains, asthma, bronchitis, common colds and flu, and fatigue.23,24 ,25 If you're going to use pine oil topically as a moisturizing oil to improve skin condition or as a liniment for muscle pain relief, I recommend doing a skin test before applying it to large portions of your skin. It should also be diluted with a carrier oil. Is Pine Oil Safe?Pine oil is generally safe except for isolated reports of sensitizing reaction in some individuals. Dwarf pine oil is a common cause of contact dermatitis, although this is only true in oxidized oils.26 This is why you should make sure you only buy pure, high-quality essential oils from trusted sellers and manufacturers. Discard old and expired bottles of pine oil. If you are planning to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding your child, I advise against taking pine oil or any kind of essential oil without the consent of your doctor. Side Effects of Pine OilWhile pine oil has low risks of toxicity in humans, inappropriate dosage, improper application or use of low-quality and oxidized variants may cause skin rashes, eye irritation, gastrointestinal issues, severe aspiration and respiratory distress.27,28,29 As a safety precaution, do not integrate pine oil or any type of essential oil in your treatment protocol without seeking expert medical opinion. Consult your holistic health care practitioner about this matter, so you can be guided accordingly. Again, for simple dermal applications, I recommend doing a skin test first. Apply pine oil on a small area of your skin. Wait for 24 to 48 hours to see if redness or any sign of irritation will occur before using it on larger parts of your body. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/24/xdjm18-herbal-oils-18mcsa-pine-oil.aspx
Between 50 and 80 percent of the American population are deficient in magnesium. If you're one of these people, then chances are you're taking (or planning to take) a form of magnesium supplement. Magnesium plays a significant role in human health. In fact, researchers have detected 3,751 magnesium-binding sites on human proteins, according to an analysis published in the journal BMC Bioinformatics.1 Since it's highly reactive, magnesium exists in nature as a compound, which is why it's available in various forms. The substances that it's combined with affects its absorption rate.2,3 When searching for the right type of magnesium supplement to take, one of the most common formulations you may encounter is magnesium oxide. However, medical studies suggest that this form of magnesium does not really deliver the optimum health benefits that you may expect.4 What Is Magnesium Oxide?Magnesium oxide is a common type of magnesium supplement available in pharmacies all over the country. One of the reasons behind its popularity among supplement manufacturers is its low manufacturing cost.5 Nowadays, magnesium oxide is easily and inexpensively obtained through the calcination of naturally occurring minerals.6 Moreover, the magnesium oxide formula contains around 60 percent elemental magnesium — the highest among all types of this mineral supplement.7 This high percentage may lead people into thinking that this type of magnesium supplement is the best of them all. However, just because it has the highest elemental magnesium does not mean that it's the best form to take. Keep in mind that magnesium oxide is nonchelated, which means that it's not in a form that's easily absorbed and metabolized by the body.8 Studies have shown that magnesium oxide only has a 4 percent absorption rate, which is relatively poor compared to that of the other magnesium supplements.9 What Are the Sources of Magnesium Oxide?Magnesium oxide is obtained by burning magnesium in pure oxygen. However, this process is costly, as metallic magnesium is an expensive material. The cheaper way to produce magnesium oxide is by subjecting naturally occurring minerals, particularly magnesium salts, to a process of thermal treatment called calcination.10 There are two magnesium salts that may be used for this process: magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.11 The possible sources of these magnesium salts are:12
The source of magnesium salt has a great effect on the quality of the calcined material, and this is also the factor that will determine the proper application of the produced magnesium oxide.13 If you're still considering this supplement, then you should be aware of its other medicinal applications to verify if it's indeed the right supplement for your needs. 3 Possible Uses of Magnesium OxideAside from increasing magnesium levels, magnesium oxide may help ease the following conditions:
It's important to consider magnesium oxide's laxative property if you're planning to use it because this may cause you to take more trips to the bathroom than usual. If you're simply taking it to increase the magnesium levels in your body and you're not really aiming to manage any of the conditions mentioned, then chances are you'll reach your bowel tolerance long before your body has absorbed a sufficient amount of magnesium. 8 Side Effects of Magnesium Oxide That You May EncounterThe most common side effects of magnesium oxide supplements are abdominal cramping and diarrhea.18 These may be avoided or reduced by eating a meal before taking the supplement. If these symptoms become bothersome, then you should consult your doctor immediately. You should also talk to your doctor if you experience any of these serious side effects:19
Considering all the possible side effects that magnesium oxide may cause, it's really questionable whether the benefits of this supplement really outweigh its risks. Studies Confirm the Low Efficiency of Magnesium OxideThere have been a number of studies conducted on magnesium oxide over the past years, and some of these are focused on its bioavailability and solubility. To give you a background, bioavailability is the actual amount of mineral utilized by your body when you take a particular supplement,20 while solubility is the ability of a substance to dissolve in a particular solvent.21 Both of these factors are very important when determining the efficiency of any medicinal drug. A study conducted by the Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research compared the solubility of magnesium oxide to another common type of magnesium supplement known as magnesium citrate. The result shows that magnesium oxide is practically insoluble in water whereas magnesium citrate had a high solubility rate.22 Another study also confirmed the poor bioavailability of magnesium oxide compared to other magnesium supplements available in the market, including magnesium chloride, magnesium lactate and magnesium aspartate.23 The inferior bioavailability and solubility rate of magnesium oxide are the primary reasons why it's not as effective as other magnesium supplements when it comes to optimizing your magnesium levels. Magnesium Oxide Versus Magnesium CitrateIf you're looking for a supplement that's as cheap as magnesium oxide but more effective, then magnesium citrate is something that you should consider. Magnesium citrate has lower elemental magnesium content compared to magnesium oxide, but its absorption level is significantly better, with a water solubility rate up to 55 percent.24 This means that your body can absorb more magnesium out of this supplement without increasing the recommended amount of intake. It's important to note that magnesium citrate may also help stimulate bowel movement, so it's not recommended to take if you have diarrhea,25 hemorrhoids and/or anal fissures. Magnesium Threonate: The Magnesium Supplement That I RecommendAside from magnesium citrate, another promising magnesium supplement that's slowly gaining recognition in the market is magnesium threonate. I personally prefer this magnesium supplement because it has the ability to penetrate the mitochondrial membrane, effectively boosting energy levels. It may also help improve your memory by penetrating the blood-brain barrier. What's more, magnesium threonate does not act as a laxative. In fact, it's formulated for optimum absorption. This makes it an ideal supplement if you want to increase your magnesium levels without affecting your bowel movement. 6 Natural Alternatives That Help Increase Your Magnesium LevelsPlease note that taking a dietary supplement should not be your first option when it comes to improving your body's magnesium levels. In fact, you can boost your levels through your diet. There's a variety of magnesium-rich foods that you can add to your meals, which include:
Consider Other Nutrients to Optimize Your Magnesium LevelsRemember that some vitamins may affect the efficiency of a magnesium supplement. If you're planning to increase your intake of magnesium, then you should increase your calcium, vitamin K2 and vitamin D as well to achieve a balanced nutrient level. The calcium to magnesium ratio should always be 1-to-1, since this nutrient can help balance the muscle-relaxing effect of magnesium. The increased intake of calcium may cause arterial calcification, but you can prevent this by increasing your vitamin K2 levels. Vitamin D, on the other hand, helps improve the magnesium and calcium absorption of your body.32,33 Keep in mind that balancing your nutrient levels not only helps you make the most out of your magnesium supplement, but also reduces any possible side effects that it may have. Frequently Asked Questions About Magnesium OxideQ: What is magnesium oxide used for? A: Magnesium oxide may be used for increasing the magnesium levels in your body. But keep in mind that it's a poor source of magnesium because of its low absorption rate, so it's not really effective when used as a supplement. It is also used by some people as an antacid and laxative, though, to relieve constipation and stomach discomfort caused by excess acid.34,35,36 Q: What is magnesium oxide made of? A: Magnesium oxide is basically a combination of magnesium and oxygen, but it may also be obtained from magnesium salts, such as magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide.37 Q: Is magnesium oxide acidic? A: No. Magnesium oxide is a basic oxide with a pH level of 9.38 Acids have a pH level of less than 7.39 Q: How long does it take for magnesium oxide to work? A: Similar to other magnesium supplements, magnesium oxide takes effect on the body shortly after it's taken. The signs that it's taking effect include diarrhea and abdominal cramping.40 However, if you're using it to increase your magnesium levels, then you should expect it to work slower than the other types of magnesium supplement because of its low absorption rate.41 Q: How do I take magnesium oxide? A: Ideally, you should take a magnesium oxide supplement orally with 8 ounces of water. Be sure to take it regularly at the same time each day.42 from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/23/xdjm18-vitamins-supplements-18mcsa-magnesium-oxide.aspx The Triage Theory Prolonging Healthy Aging by Optimizing Intake of Longevity Vitamins and Minerals12/22/2018 In this interview, Bruce Ames, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of California Berkeley, currently senior scientist at the Children's Hospital Oakland Research Institute, discusses the importance of vitamins and minerals for longevity and explains his "triage theory" of nutrients. Ames was born two weeks after my dad, who passed away earlier this year, so he is 90 years old. He developed the famous and widely used Ames test, which tests the mutagenicity of compounds. In recent years, he's shifted from his work in mutagenicity to focusing on nutrition for healthy aging. He recently published a paper1 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on this topic. Nutritional Requirements for Disease Prevention Are Not the Same as Those for Longevity OptimizationIn that paper, he proposes the recommended level of many vitamins may be insufficient for longevity. In other words, the levels required to diminish disease may not be the same as the levels required to optimize longevity. Ames explains:
In 2006, he published a purely theoretical paper2 in which he postulated that when a cell becomes short on a vitamin, it starts to ration it, favoring protein enzymes essential for immediate survival over those that help prevent long-term diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Each vitamin is found in many proteins. Zinc, for example, is in 2,000 proteins; magnesium is in 300. Biotin, which is in the fewest number of proteins, is in only five. Now, from the time that this nutrient rationing starts occurring, it could be a decade or more before cancer or heart disease (or other chronic ailment) actually develops.
The Ames Triage TheoryHe dubbed this nutrient rationing theory the triage theory,3 from the battlefield term used by French doctors during World War I. Since they were short-staffed, wounded soldiers were divided into three groups: those who would survive without care; those who would die despite care; and those who might survive with care. The doctors treated the third group, where their time and energy could be of best use.
Many Are Deficient in Crucial Longevity NutrientsIn his paper, he rank-orders the nutrients in terms of importance, many of which people tend to be deficient in, based on the estimated average requirement (EAR). For example:
That said, the EAR criterion is not an optimal amount, even for disease prevention, as it does not take long-term health into account. Evidence now suggests an ideal vitamin D level, for example, is between 60 and 80 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), which means probably 85 to 90 percent of the population are deficient. Vitamin D is primarily obtained from sun exposure. It's called the sunshine vitamin because when ultraviolet (UV) light hits your skin, the cholesterol derivative is converted into active vitamin D. It's a really important steroid hormone that plays an important role in gene activation. Ames himself admits taking “lots of vitamins,” but has also eaten a healthy natural diet most of his life. Ideally, you’d get most of your vitamins and minerals from your diet. Magnesium, for example, is found in the center of the chlorophyll molecule, so leafy greens is a good source. Similarly, folic acid comes from the Latin word “folia,” which means leaf. “My mentor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) first isolated folic acid from 4 tons of spinach,” he says, adding the clarification, “Folate just means the salt, and folic acid is the acid.” Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio Is Important for Healthy AgingOmega-6s and omega-3 fats are also crucial for healthy aging. As noted by Ames:
The ideal ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats ranges from 1-to-1 to 1-to-5, but the typical Western diet tends to be between 1-to-20 and 1-to-50. Most people, especially Americans, are guilty of this lopsided omega-3 to omega-6 ratio, and to correct it, you typically need to do two things:
Other Important Longevity NutrientsAside from vitamins and minerals, Ames' paper also addresses a few other nutrients that appear particularly important for longevity, such as ergothioneine, an amino acid primarily produced in mushrooms, which he categorizes as "conditionally essential." He explains:
Other valuable longevity supplements (not all of which are included in Ames' paper) are:
More InformationAmes is currently working on a paper called "Latitude Mismatch," in which he discusses the importance of vitamin D supplementation for people with dark skin, as they're not making enough vitamin D at northern latitudes.
To learn more about vitamins and minerals required for longevity, I highly recommend reading through Ames' paper,6 "Prolonging Healthy Aging: Longevity Vitamins and Proteins." from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/23/longevity-vitamins-and-minerals.aspx With the holiday season fast approaching, now’s the right time to start scouring recipe books and cooking sites for healthy and delicious recipes to serve your guests. While there’s plenty of options available for main dishes, side dishes and desserts, very few are available for sidings like gravy. Keto Gravy Ingredients: Procedure:
The History of Gravy: Where Did This Holiday Staple Come From?The exact origin of gravy isn’t exactly crystal clear, with the terminology being attributed to someone in the middle ages misreading the old French word “grane” as “grave.” It eventually stuck, hence the modern use of the word “gravy.” Organic Chicken Broth for Your GravyUsing organic homemade chicken broth for this recipe can give you impressive health benefits, but make sure you’re using pasture-raised chicken to get the most nutrients in your broth. If you’ve ever been sick, you’re probably familiar with the healing effects of chicken soup. This is mostly thanks to the numerous minerals and amino acids in the broth. Some of the health benefits you can get from chicken broth include:
What Is Coconut Flour Good For?One of the essential ingredients of gravy is flour, which is responsible for its thick consistency. If you’re on the ketogenic diet, however, this might be a problem as processed flour is not only possibly filled with gluten, but is also high in carbohydrate content. , In fact, when adjusting to a ketogenic diet, flour may be one of the first things you eliminate from your meals. Grass Fed Butter Versus Regular ButterWhen it comes to grass fed meat versus meats from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO), the debate continues with dairy products. Most of the discussion is rooted in the differences in the nutrient content of grass fed versus CAFO meats and dairy, but it doesn’t stop there. Just as concerning is the possible contamination of antibiotics and other drugs used with CAFO operations. You Don’t Have to Give Up Gravy to Stay in KetosisStrictly following a ketogenic diet can be one of the hardest challenges during the holidays. The good news is that there are always healthier alternatives you can turn to, and this keto gravy recipe is one example, letting you enjoy your meals with no guilt. So instead of skipping the gravy altogether, try this and reap the benefits its healthy ingredients can offer you. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/23/keto-gravy-recipe.aspx For years, India has been hailed as one of the world's largest tea-producing countries. In fact, a 2015 report of the Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations stated that India is the world's second largest tea-producing country, right behind China. This can be attributed to a statistic from two years before — the country's tea production reaching a whopping 1.2 million tons in 2013.1 One of India's most-prized exports is Darjeeling tea. This type of tea fetches a high price around the world because of its impeccable flavor. If you want to know more about what Darjeeling tea is, why it's special and what it can offer for your health, then keep reading this article. What Is Darjeeling Tea?Darjeeling tea is a kind of black tea grown in a town of the same name, located in the state of West Bengal in India right below foothills of the Himalayan mountains.2,3 Darjeeling tea leaves are often derived from the upper leaves of the Chinese variety of Camellia sinensis var. sinensis,4 and cannot be grown or manufactured anywhere else in the world. Darjeeling tea, frequently called the "champagne of teas," has musky-sweet tasting notes that are similar to Muscat wine, although the tea may also exhibit delicate vegetal, mossy, fruity and citrus flavors.5 6 Darjeeling Tea Health BenefitsDarjeeling tea may offer health benefits that may improve your body's health and overall well-being:6 1. Provides antioxidant capabilities -- Darjeeling tea contains two complex antioxidants called theaflavins and thearubigins. These antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals, and potentially reduce free radical damage that can target cell membranes and DNA, and raise your risk for chronic illness. 2. May help maintain cardiovascular health -- Results from a 2014 PLOS One study revealed that consumption of four to five cups of black tea daily may assist in reducing blood pressure levels and cardiovascular disease risk.7 3. May help reduce risk of obesity and promote weight loss -- Drinking black tea may promote development of microbial metabolites that may assist in regulating energy metabolism. The tea may also promote weight loss and lower obesity risk. 4. May help improve gut health -- Research indicated that black tea may stimulate the proliferation of various good gut bacteria8 and lessen the risk for bacterial infection.9 5. May help address gastric ulcers -- A 2014 Journal of Natural Medicines study highlighted that L-theanine, an amino acid in Darjeeling tea, possessed protective effects toward an NSAID-induced gastric ulcer.10 6. May help lower diabetes risk -- Various studies confirmed that consumption of black tea (which Darjeeling tea falls under) resulted in a decreased diabetes risk.11,12,13 Is There Caffeine in Darjeeling Tea?Yes there is, just like a cup of coffee. There are roughly 50 milligrams of caffeine in darjeeling tea, although this amount may vary depending on the strength of the tea.14 However, remember that there are consequences linked to consuming excess amounts of caffeine (more on this to come later). Learn How to Brew and Serve Darjeeling TeaHarvesting of Darjeeling tea leaves runs from mid-March through November. Darjeeling leaves are freshly plucked, withered overnight, rolled and fermented or oxidized before being fired. The tea bushes progress through four seasons called "flushes," with each flush offering a distinct flavor: first flush, second flush (summer), monsoon flush and autumn flush. As such, Darjeeling tea is often sold not only by single estate, but also by flush.15 Darjeeling tea may also be classified according to the size of the leaves, namely:16
To brew your own cup of Darjeeling tea at home, grab some tea leaves and follow this recipe:17 Quick Darjeeling Tea Recipe Ingredients: • 8 ounces high-quality filtered water • Darjeeling tea leaves Procedure: 1. Heat your water to a boil, or just below a boil. You can inspect how oxidized your tea is first, Reduce the heat more for darker teas, and lower, to around 185 degrees Fahrenheit, for less-oxidized or earlier-season teas. 2. Preheat the vessel or kettle and rinse with a little hot water. Add a tablespoon of Darjeeling tea leaves per 8 ounces of water. 3. Steep the tea for three to five minutes depending on your taste. Try tasting it to check if you are satisfied with the flavor. You can add grass fed milk or sweeteners like raw honey, stevia or Luo Han to taste. While Darjeeling tea is best without milk, some people prefer drinking milk with the tea, and especially when tasting Autumn flush.18 Just remember that dairy may diminish the potency of some of the antioxidants in the tea. How to Store Darjeeling TeaIn order to prolong the shelf life of your Darjeeling tea, take note of these reminders:19
Darjeeling Tea Side EffectsThere have been some side effects linked to Darjeeling tea. Caffeine present in Darjeeling tea can cause the following:
Excess caffeine consumption may also:20
When taken in excess, tannins in black tea, which contribute to the drink's slightly bitter flavor,21 can lead to an upset stomach or trigger nausea and vomiting.22 It has also been said that tannins may interfere with iron absorption of non-heme iron, although more research is needed to fully determine this link.23 However, an article published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that drinking tea isn't linked to an iron deficiency unless you're already anemic or at a high risk for a deficiency.24 Before drinking Darjeeling tea, talk to your doctor to check if you can drink this beverage without triggering side effects. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, limit your intake of caffeine from drinks like Darjeeling tea as much as possible.25 The Dark Side of Darjeeling Tea ProductionAlthough this tea is highly valued and fetches a hefty price tag, the profits aren't felt in Darjeeling, India. Most workers earn as little as 1.70 euros or $1.98 a day, which is barely enough to cover basic expenses. They live in slums at the city center, where unemployment and poverty rates are alarmingly high. Furthermore, picking tea leaves is a labor-intensive and literally backbreaking process. Workers begin their day as early as 7 a.m., harvesting leaves and gathering them into a basket suspended from their forehead and placed across their back. As heartbreaking as this sounds, this is the reality for some of the people responsible for this type of tea. Learn more about the harrowing state of tea production in Darjeeling by reading "The Dark Side of the Global Tea Industry." Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Darjeeling TeaQ: What does Darjeeling tea do? A: Because of its links to various health benefits, Darjeeling tea can be good for you. Darjeeling tea was shown to help: • Promote cardiovascular health • Reduce obesity risk • Alleviate gastric ulcers • Aid in combating diabetes Q: Is Darjeeling tea caffeinated? A: Yes. Darjeeling tea contains caffeine. An 8-ounce serving usually has 40 to 70 milligrams of caffeine, although the amount may change depending on the strength of the tea. Q: Where can you buy Darjeeling tea? A: If you're fortunate to go on a trip to India, you can try going to the town of Darjeeling itself to buy authentic Darjeeling tea, which is considered a very prized souvenir.26 However, if this is not possible, try looking for a reputable website online that sells good-quality Darjeeling tea. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/22/xdjm18-teas-18mcsa-darjeeling-tea.aspx It may be difficult to keep your fingers out of cookie dough as you're making holiday and birthday treats throughout the year, but that's exactly what the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)1 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)2 advise you do. Baking cakes and cookies has become a tradition in some families, often centered on specific celebrations. It’s common for parents to give children small bits of cookie dough to keep them occupied, or so they may form their own cookies. However, despite opinion pieces to the contrary,3 saying no to raw dough is likely the healthiest option. The argument that Americans routinely engage in risky behavior — motorcycles, skiing and eating at restaurants where you haven’t inspected the kitchen — as a reason for eating foods potentially contaminated with dangerous bacteria is not based in sound reasoning. Instead, it is wise to heed warnings to avoid raw cookie dough and cake batter, as they may contain dangerous bacteria that can make you and your family sick. While you might imagine raw eggs to be the root of the problem, raw flour is another ingredient triggering foodborne illness. Say No to Raw Dough!Senior adviser at the FDA Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Jenny Scott, warns eating raw dough or batter from bread, cookies, pizza or tortillas could make you sick. The ingredients in raw cookie dough, such as raw flour and eggs, pose a risk as they may harbor E. coli and salmonella. Foodborne illnesses affect 1 in 6 Americans every year, resulting in 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths.4 Meat is a common culprit, but most recently romaine lettuce has been recalled and alerts sent by the CDC a few days before Thanksgiving advised discarding any you might have on hand and avoiding eating romaine lettuce until further notice.5 According to the CDC, lettuce grown in greenhouses or hydroponically was likely not affected6 as the probable source of the contamination was manure runoff from a nearby concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO).7 Wheat fields contaminated with animal manure may have also been the source of an outbreak of E. coli in people eating and handling raw flour. Flour is typically not treated to kill bacteria like E. coli before being sold at the store. The grain flour is made from may be contaminated while in the field or during other steps as the flour is being produced. Although cooking flour kills these bacteria, they are present in the raw form, which is why the CDC and the FDA warn against eating raw cookie dough. In a four-year period from 2005 to 2009, there was a foodborne outbreak of E. coli affecting over 360 people attributed to eating raw cake mix, cookie dough and flour.8 A study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases9 analyzed the results of infections from 77 patients during this period. Researchers believed it was the first reported outbreak associated with consuming ready-to-bake commercial cookie dough. The researchers wrote:10
Flour Contains Foodborne Pathogens More Often Than Previously BelievedThe prepackaged cookie dough used pasteurized eggs in an effort to reduce the risk of foodborne pathogens.11 However, the flour was not pasteurized, although the technology to heat the flour high enough to kill bacteria exists.12 Rana Lustyan, founder of Edoughble, a ready-to-eat cookie dough company, warns gluten-free products are not any safer and are not meant to be eaten raw.13 Heat-treated bags of flour are not typically available at the grocery store. Following the E. coli outbreak in 2009, Nestle began using heat-treated flour for their refrigerated cookie dough, but continued to advise against consuming raw dough or batter. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine14 evaluated an outbreak of E. coli linked to consumption of raw flour, finding the problem may be more common than previously suspected. In fact, flour has been implicated in outbreaks of foodborne illness in the U.S. and Canada. Over a two-year period 63 cases were identified spanning 24 states in the U.S., finding the infection was significantly associated with the use of General Mills flour and with tasting the unbaked dough or batter. The researchers wrote that in addition to E. coli, other pathogens including salmonella have been detected in raw flour and implicated in investigations of infectious outbreaks. This suggests although flour is a low moisture food, it is a potential vehicle for foodborne pathogens and a potential source of infection. This particular outbreak resulted in the hospitalization of more than 25 percent of the patients who presented with food poisoning. One developed hemolytic uremic syndrome — kidney damage that may lead to life-threatening kidney failure.15 Bacteria Not Evenly Distributed in Flour BagsAlthough consuming raw or undercooked dough or batter has been discouraged as there is a known risk of salmonellosis from consuming raw eggs, it is now apparent raw flour may also be a vehicle for foodborne pathogens. Kristi King, a senior clinical dietitian at Texas Children's Hospital, told CBS News:16
This outbreak followed a similar one in Canada where 30 people became ill after eating raw flour. It was the first time this particular strain of E. coli had caused an outbreak in Canada. The non-0157 strain of E. coli is an understudied strain as most labs have only recently started testing for it. According to a CDC spokesperson:17
The bacteria are not uniformly distributed throughout a bag of flour. This means you may not experience any effects in your first one or two batches of cookies, but get significantly ill from the next. Lead researcher Samuel J. Crowe from the CDC commented:18
Eating raw eggs presents another opportunity to contract a foodborne illness. Although eggs are one of the most nutritious and economical foods, it's important to take special care as even when they appear normal, eggs can contain salmonella.19 This bacterium can make you sick when the eggs are eaten raw or lightly cooked. Although the CDC recommends considering purchasing pasteurized eggs or egg products,20 a much better option is purchasing pastured, organically raised eggs from a local farmer. Keep these refrigerated at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder at all times and discard any cracked or dirty eggs. However, even with these precautions, salmonella bacteria can contaminate the inside of the eggs before the shell is even formed. Therefore, it is wise to avoid eating raw eggs no matter where they are sourced. Factory Farmed Meats Carry a Greater Risk of ExposureAlthough health agencies point the finger at unsterilized foods such as raw organic milk, or uncooked flour and eggs, the food associated with the greatest number of foodborne illnesses is factory farmed chicken. According to the CDC,21 there were 5,760 reported foodborne outbreaks between 2009 and 2015, resulting in 100,939 illnesses, 5,699 hospitalizations and 145 deaths. Of these, chicken was responsible for the most outbreak-associated illnesses — 3,114 illnesses (12 percent), followed by pork and seeded vegetables, each of which was responsible for 10 percent of illnesses. Over the years, food testing shows chicken is particularly prone to contamination with dangerous pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Salmonella contamination is of special concern, as data suggests multidrug-resistant Salmonella has become prevalent. Raw chicken is a notorious carrier of Salmonella, Campylobacter, Clostridium perfringens and Listeria bacteria.22 Contaminated chicken and turkey also cause the most deaths from food poisoning.23 Large-scale factory slaughterhouses magnify the risks, as animals from multiple CAFOs are processed in one area, allowing infection in a single animal from a single farm to contaminate very large batches of meat — and any number of processed foods into which those contaminated meats are included. Chicken isn't the only food prone to salmonella infection. Factory farmed eggs are another high-risk food as the bacteria are often deposited in the egg before the shell is formed in the chicken's body. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are also found in plant foods that absorb the bacteria found in agricultural soils, typically deposited via contaminated manure and/or biosolids (toxic sewage waste frequently passed off as organic potting soil)24 — and this is yet another route for harmful bacteria, including drug-resistant strains, into the food system. Pay Close Attention to Symptoms of Food PoisoningSymptoms of food poisoning from foodborne pathogens may differ depending upon the bacteria you ingest. Symptoms of E. coli will vary from person to person but often include severe stomach cramps, bloody diarrhea and vomiting. E. coli usually triggers symptoms within three to four days after ingesting the food infected with the bacteria.25 Most people recover within a week; however, young children, the elderly and those with immune deficiencies may suffer significantly worse symptoms. Some also develop a serious kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome, a condition affecting the blood and blood vessels.26 As a result, blood platelets are destroyed and kidney failure ensues due to damage to the small blood vessels in the kidney. Symptoms may include diarrhea and reduced urine output. Other organs dependent on microvasculature may also suffer damage, including the brain and heart. Symptoms of salmonella infection occur more rapidly, often in six to 48 hours after eating contaminated food.27 In most cases, symptoms last four to seven days but most will recover with supportive care at home. Symptoms can include diarrhea, food and abdominal cramps. However, some may experience diarrhea many times a day for several days, resulting in dehydration requiring hospitalization for treatment. Older adults, infants and those with a weakened immune system may experience more serious illness that may be life-threatening. You should contact your health care provider if you have:28
Safe Food Handling ProceduresAny time you're cooking or baking with raw ingredients it's important to follow safe food handling practices. This reduces your risk of contracting a foodborne pathogen. No matter how tempting raw cookie dough or batter may look, in order to avoid illness it's important not to eat it. The CDC also recommends:29,30,31
Ditch the Cookie Dough for a Chocolate Powerhouse TreatSometimes what you’re looking for is a rich, sweet treat. But, since adding sugar and carbohydrates to your diet spikes your insulin and inflammatory levels and increases your risk of insulin and leptin resistance, consider these chocolate fat bomb truffles instead. Chocolate truffles are a popular type of confectionery composed of a chocolate coating and ganache, a filling made by mixing chocolate and cream. The ingredients are mixed together and rolled into balls, which are then served as treats. 33 Their name comes from their similar appearance to truffles, a type of mushroom prized in the culinary world for its unique aroma and flavor.34 However, most chocolate truffles sold contain lots of sugar, which can wreak havoc on your health. I believe it’s far better to make your own chocolate truffles using raw, organic ingredients providing a multitude of health benefits and satisfying your sweet tooth. This chocolate and avocado truffle recipe by Jennafer Ashley of Paleohacks is a great example of a healthy, delicious and easy to prepare treat. Tasty Chocolate and Avocado Truffles RecipeCook Time: 10 minutes Ingredients
Procedure
from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/22/eating-raw-cookie-dough.aspx Most people realize Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens was one of the most influential artists of baroque tradition. Yet when they look at his paintings of unclothed women they are likely to see "fat." Fat bodies have become so associated with lack of health and lack of self-control that the myths have become separated from the truth. Let's make an effort to separate them. First, dietary fat serves many important functions and is good for the body when the right fat is consumed. Secondly, having excessive adipose tissue — body fat — does not denote that a person lacks self-control or will power, but is the result of an inappropriate diet. Homo sapiens evolved with a "famine reflex" that caused metabolic changes to conserve fat and ensured survival when food was scarce. The women depicted in Rubens' paintings were probably fairly healthy because they lived before the damaging fats of today had come into existence. They lived before industrial vegetable oils and seed oils became the norm in most processed food, and before our intake of processed omega-6 linoleic acid doubled or tripled, while our intake of omega-3s from plants and marine animals fell tenfold. Luckily, we can eat in a way to avoid these damaging trends. The key is to reduce your omega-6 intake and to consume undamaged, unprocessed omega-6 in the form of plant seeds and tree nuts, not vegetable oils, while simultaneously increasing your omega-3 intake, especially marine-based omega-3. As a general recommendation, aim for 3 to 4 grams of omega-3 EPA and DHA, and 1 to 2 grams of whole food-based omega-6 linoleic acid per day. Humans Have Evolution to Thank for Their Tendency to Store FatHumans have greater fat stores than most other mammals and there are several reasons for this, say evolutionary experts in a film done for Slate.1 First, early man had to find shelter and colonize in hostile environments such as caves that were cold and areas beset with predators. Secondly, unlike other mammals whose offspring reach maturity quickly, human children have very long childhoods. A human child is essentially helpless for many years. Evolutionary experts think the ability for women to store fat stems from their likely need to care for and nurse several helpless children at once, even when food sources were scarce. A woman living in prehistoric times might well have had a newborn baby, a 2-year-old, a 4-year-old and other young children with no assurance that food would be forthcoming anytime soon. The Famine Reflex Also Explains the Tendency to Store FatMany thin or normal weight people are judgmental about the plight of their more rotund peers. “Why don't they just lose weight?” they ask. But the truth is, it is no easier for a fat person to lose weight than a thin person. The famine reflex, also called the starvation response, is a set of adaptive biochemical and physiological changes that reduce human and other animals' metabolism in response to a lack of food. Ordinarily, during short periods of a food shortage, to provide the brain the glucose it requires, humans will burn free fatty acids from their body fat stores and even small amounts of muscle tissue. However, after long periods of food shortages and starvation, this changes. After we begin losing weight, our body will revert to our ancestral fast-and-famine need to conserve energy and our metabolism will slow to accommodate for the reduction in calories.2 While this may have protected our ancestors, it can make losing weight difficult and even impossible for some people. This is how Livestrong describes the phenomenon:3
There Was No Diabetes in Hunter-Gatherer DaysThe reason that hunter-gatherers did not become fat or develop diabetes is obvious. Until the agricultural and industrial revolutions, it was a rarity to obtain enough food to develop these conditions. According to our evolutionary experts, if hunter-gatherers would have had access to abundant food sources as we do today, or labor saving devices, they would have acted exactly like us — and developed the same problems.4 Human biology has not changed; what has changed is our circumstances, and not for the better. The Debut of Damaging FatsThe debut of damaging dietary fats can be traced to the invention of the cotton gin in the late 1700s in the United States. While the production of cotton greatly increased thanks to the gin, so did the production of cottonseeds, only a small percentage of which were needed to plant new crops.5 Flash-forward to the early 1900s when a German chemist discovered if a catalyst and heat were added to a vegetable oil and the hydrogen was removed, the liquid was converted to a solid. This process was called partial hydrogenation, and its effect on modern eating habits has been huge. The immediate commercialization of partial hydrogenation was by Procter & Gamble with the creation of Crisco in 1911. Soon, through aggressive marketing, often in defiance of actual benefits of the product, Crisco became a first choice in American homes for cooking and baking. Sixty million pounds of Crisco were sold soon after the product debuted, and Procter & Gamble gained medical respectability by donating $1.75 million to the American Heart Association (AHA), today the leading cardiovascular group. To this day, the AHA and the dietary guidelines for Americans recommend we consume at least 5 to 10 percent of our calories as processed omega-6 fats which, as I have often written, are among the most harmful when consumed in excess. Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils Were an Unlikely Success StoryTo understand the success of Crisco and the partially hydrogenated vegetable oils to follow (soy, canola, corn, peanut) you have to remember the particularities of the war years. First, refrigeration was not yet widespread and many households still had iceboxes, not refrigerators, making the nonperishable Crisco handy. Secondly, households had been using lard — animal fat — for cooking and baking and lard was earmarked during the war years for the military and heavily rationed to American families. Finally, Crisco was considerably cheaper. But producing such oils, many of which were originally industrial oils, was anything but natural. Multimillion-dollar machinery was and is required to get the oil out of the seed, and the seed has to be deodorized because it’s so toxic. When the product reaches human consumers, it is highly oxidized and damaging. Why Are Heated Vegetable Oils Damaging?Heated vegetable oils create harmful oxidation byproducts, especially when heated to high temperatures. More than 100 dangerous oxidation products have been found in a single piece of chicken fried in vegetable oils, says Nina Teicholz, author of “The Big Fat Surprise: Why Butter, Meat, and Cheese Belong in a Healthy Diet.” Among the most harmful of these oxidation products are aldehydes, which are highly inflammatory and may promote heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease. As early as the 1940s, says Teicholz, a number of experiments conducted on animals revealed concerning results. Animals eating heated vegetable oils not only developed cirrhosis of the liver and enlarged livers, but they would also die prematurely. What Fats Should We Eat or Avoid?While omega-3 fats are crucial for brain and heart health, fighting inflammation, decreasing liver fat and overall obesity, and possessing many other positive actions, the damaged omega-6 fats found in processed industrial vegetable oils may do more harm than good. You do need omega-6, but as mentioned earlier, it should be in the form of whole foods (seeds and tree nuts), not vegetable oils. Bottles of vegetable oil on shelves have been exposed to light 24/7, which oxidizes them, and when you cook with it, the oil oxidizes even further. Moreover, the natural vitamins and minerals and antioxidants found in the coatings of whole seeds and nuts, which protect them from oxidizing in your body, are absent. When you consume these isolated oils, even if it’s a cold-pressed omega-6, the acid in your stomach will still oxidize it and create unwanted lipid hydro peroxides and aldehydes. These components encourage inflammation and other damage in your body. Between 1959 and 2008, the linoleic acid concentration in subcutaneous adipose tissue in Americans increased by about 136 percent,6 from 9.1 percent to 21.5 percent. Since the half-life of linoleic acid is about two years in adipose tissue, this is a reliable marker of intake, and this rise in linoleic acid intake parallels the increase in prevalence of both obesity and diabetes, suggesting the advice to eat more vegetable oils is an unwise one. Omega-3 Fats Make You a More Efficient Fat BurnerAccording to James Nicolantonio, Pharm.D, author of “The Salt Fix” and coauthor of my latest book, “Superfuel,” omega-3 fats upregulategenes that activate beta-oxidation in your liver, which means it improves your ability to burn fat. Omega-6 fats, on the other hand, are primarily used for energy. Taken from a transcript of a recent interview I did with him, he explains:7
Why Is Linoleic Acid Damaging?Before the omega-6 linoleic acid is even oxidized it damages the endothelium — the tissue that lines various organs and cavities of your body — as well as blood vessels and lymphatic vessels. It also causes an increase in penetration of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Once linoleic acid is oxidized it becomes even more harmful. It produces advanced lipoxidation end-products such as aldehydes that can actually crosslink proteins and create neurofibrillary tangles that are present in cases of Alzheimer’s disease. This, in my opinion, is contributing to the epidemic of neurodegenerative diseases we are now seeing. Fat Performs Important Actions in Your BodyFat was once thought to have few if any functions in the human body. Now, fat cells are recognized as affecting major organs in the body from the brain and heart to major systems like those governing sexual function and blood sugar/insulin resistance. One example of how fat signals the reproductive and sexual systems is seen in women of childbearing age and their weight. It is well documented that when young women lose too much weight through dieting, anorexia or excessive exercise, their menstrual periods cease. The periods resume when sufficient fat stores are gained. We now know that cells must be saturated with omega-3s-related DHA, a fatty acid found in the meat of cold-water fish, to exert antiplatelet effects. The fatty acid also lowers triglycerides and creates a more buoyant LDL. The Ketogenic and Paleolithic Diets Often Need To Be Enhanced With Specifics on FatsMany people just summarize the ketogenic and Paleolithic diets as being simply high-fat. While that is accurate to a point, it’s really not the full picture. If you choose the wrong fats, you’re actually going to run into more problems as we have seen in this article. In fact, damaged fats are so deleterious to the human body, there is less danger in eating processed carbohydrates. That is something to think about the next time you’re confronted with a food product made with processed vegetable oils. As noted by DiNicolantonio in a 2016 editorial in BMJ Openheart,8 the importance of balancing your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio for the prevention and management of obesity cannot be underestimated:
DiNicolantonio also notes that by acting directly on your central nervous system, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids influence your food intake and your body’s sensitivity to insulin and leptin — but again in opposite directions. While omega-6 has been shown to increase insulin and leptin resistance, diabetes and obesity in both rodent and human models, omega-3 has the converse effect, and can help “reverse the dysregulation of this system, improve insulin sensitivity and control body fat,” DiNicolantonio writes, adding “It is therefore essential to return to a balanced dietary omega-6 to omega-3 ratio based on data from evolutionary studies.” from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/22/what-fats-should-we-eat-or-avoid.aspx Clove is a pungent spice used worldwide in a variety of foods and beverages. Its uses extend to other areas as well, particularly due to its well-known analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Let's take a closer look at these dried aromatic flower buds that have the appearance of small nails. While you may enjoy cloves in a hot beverage like spiced apple cider, they also feature prominently in pumpkin pie and speculoos — those crispy gourmet spice cookies that are a symbol of the Christmas season in Belgium, Germany and other countries across Europe. Cloves Give a Pungent Punch to Foods and Beverages WorldwideCloves (Syzygium aromaticum or Eugenia cariophylata) are the aromatic flower buds collected from evergreen trees of the same name. Clove is a tree of medium height (averaging 25 to 40 feet tall) that is populated with large green leaves and crimson flowers grouped in terminal clusters. Distinctive due to their nail-like appearance, cloves feature a long calyx adorned by four spreading sepals. They are topped by four unopened petals that form a small central ball. Native to Indonesia, cloves are also harvested in countries such as Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Cloves have long been used as a food and for medicinal purposes. This pungent spice has also been used to make clove cigarettes, also known as kreteks, which have been linked to a number of lung-related health problems.1,,sup style="font-size: 10px;">2 With respect to the history of cloves, authors of a 2012 study published in the journal Molecules noted:3
Cloves have long been used to enhance a variety of foods and drinks. Certain types of meat dishes, curries and marinades benefit from the unique punch delivered by cloves. In addition, cloves play prominently in spiced cider and other hot beverages, as well as dishes like arroz con leche (rice pudding), which is popular in Mexico and other Latin American countries. Eugenol Is One of the Most Valuable Compounds Found in ClovesResearchers note cloves are one of the richest sources of phenolic compounds such as eugenol, eugenol acetate and gallic acid.4 As such, they suggest cloves possess great potential for agricultural, cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical applications. Notably, eugenol, a major volatile constituent of clove essential oil that is obtained through hydrodistillation of buds and leaves, has been incorporated into numerous products. About eugenol, authors of the Molecules study stated:5
Furthermore, the researchers note, while eugenol has been identified in other aromatic plants such basil, cinnamon and nutmeg, clove is considered to be the principal natural source of this bioactive compound because it represents between 45 and 90 percent of the total oil. On the other hand, they assert commercial eugenol preparations are mostly derived from clove bud/leaf oil, cinnamon leaf oil or basil obtained through steam distillation, which is then further refined. Besides eugenol, other phenolic acids found in clove include caffeic, elagic, ferulic, gallic and salicylic acids. Flavonoids like kaempferol and quercetin are also found in clove in lower concentrations. 7 Health Benefits of ClovesAs noted in the video above, due to its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, as well as the other pharmacological activities associated with this spice, clove can benefit your health because it:
Cloves Shown to Possess Anticancer PropertiesScientists conducting a 2014 study published in Oncology Research found clove extract slowed the growth of multiple types of human cancer cells, including colon cancer. The researchers called out oleanolic acid as one of the constituents in cloves with antitumor potential. They stated:
In another study, the cytotoxic activity of clove extract on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells was evaluated. In lab tests, the researchers found that clove essential oil and ethanol extract of clove were both toxic to breast cancer cells. Noting the well-validated anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiseptic properties of cloves, the researchers concluded, "Cloves are natural products with excellent cytotoxicity toward MCF-7 cells; thus, they are promising sources for the development of anticancer agents." Earlier research published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention called out eugenol for its anticancer effects. The study authors commented:
Clove Influences Diabetes and ObesityA body of 2014 research evaluated the effect of clove bud powder on lab rats with diabetes. They noted blood sugar levels were lower in rats that received the clove powder compared to those in the control (no treatment) group. They also observed:
About the outcomes, the researchers said, "The results suggest that the clove bud diet may attenuate hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in the Type 2 diabetic condition." Beyond this, research published in the Journal of Medicinal Food asserts clove extract and nigericin, a component of clove extract, reduced insulin resistance in mouse muscle cells (myoblasts). Diabetic mice that consumed nigericin had less insulin resistance and showed improvements in glucose tolerance, insulin secretion and beta cell function. Cloves have also been investigated for their potential impact on obesity. In a 2017 studying using a mouse model, researchers found an alcohol extract of clove (AEC) reduced the incidence of obesity resulting from a high-fat diet. Specifically, mice who received clove extract had lower body weight, less abdominal fat and less liver fat than those in the control group who received none. The study authors also found AEC could regulate triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/21/clove-health-benefits.aspx Sweet marjoram (Origanum majorana) is an aromatic herb native to the Mediterranean region known for its aromatherapeutic and culinary uses. Its botanical name means "joy of the mountain" in Greek, and was used to make wedding wreaths, as Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, was believed to wear wreaths made with marjoram.1 Marjoram is classified as a perennial, and can grow as high as 2 feet tall, and sometimes a little bit higher. It has woody square stems, an upright appearance and opposing pairs of leaves.2 It's closely related to (and often confused with) oregano, because of their similarity in appearance. To make things even more confusing, their botanical names defy logic. Origanum vulgare, which is commonly known as the common oregano, is also known as wild marjoram. It can be very tricky, so thorough research must be done first before you purchase either of these plants. Also keep in mind that oregano and marjoram will cross-pollinate, so if you grow them near each other, you’ll end up with a cross that will make proper identification near-impossible. Top 5 Health Benefits of MarjoramMarjoram can be used in cooking, or in aromatherapy in its essential oil form. The herb also has a long history of use in folklore medicine for gastrointestinal, ocular, nasopharyngeal, respiratory, cardiac, rheumatologic and neurological disorders, just to name a few.3 Its pharmacological activities include antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-platelet, gastroprotective, antibacterial and antifungal, antiprotozoal, antiatherosclerosis, anti-inflammatory, antimetastatic, antitumor, antiulcer and anticholinesterase inhibitory activities.4 Oregano, meanwhile, is known for its antioxidant and anticancer activities, with the highest antioxidant activity found in Oregano fulgare ssp. Hirtum, and the lowest in Oregano vulgare L.5 Depending on how it's used, marjoram is known to provide the following health benefits:6,7
The Various Uses of MarjoramThe beauty of marjoram is that it can be added to various dishes that use different cooking methods, such as:
Adding marjoram to your garden can reap benefits as well. Not only does it create a beautiful atmosphere, but it also helps attract butterflies and other insects that feed on pests and decomposing matter, and help pollinate plants.12,13 Oregano can be used as a substitute for marjoram if you don't have it in storage at the moment. Just remember that although these two plants are very similar in appearance, they do differ in flavor. Oregano has a stronger pine taste, while marjoram is sweeter and milder. If you want to use oregano in place of marjoram, only use small amounts to mellow out its strong taste.14 How to Grow MarjoramMarjoram is quite easy to grow in the comfort of your own home. It can be placed in an indoor container, window box or outdoors in your garden. For basic instructions, see the video above. While marjoram can grow in almost any type of soil, for best results, use sandy and fast-draining soil, as the plant only requires minimal watering. If the soil is too wet, the quality of the plant will suffer.15 Plant marjoram seeds during the late winter or early spring, because the extremely cold temperatures will damage the plants and may even cause seedlings to die out.16 If you're just starting out, plant indoors first and when the snow has melted, transfer the plants to your outdoor site. Make sure the location has plenty of sunlight. When grown in shade, the plant tends to lose its flavor.17 Start planting seeds by placing them just beneath the surface of the soil. As the seedlings grow, thin them out so that they’re spaced about 10 inches apart. The plants are ready for harvesting once they reach a height of 3 inches. To get the best flavor, harvest before the flowers start to open. Once picked, dry the plant to seal in taste and aroma. An easy way is to simply group several stems together in a small bundle, and hang it upside down in a dark room with good ventilation. Once dry, remove the leaves from the stem. Crush or grind the dry leaves before using.18 Try This Healthy Recipe: Spicy Roast Chicken With Tomatoes and MarjoramThis recipe from Bon Appétit19 uses marjoram to provide the chicken with a wonderful aroma and flavor once it's roasted. With the addition of tomatoes and red pepper, this dish is not only delicious, but warm and inviting as well. Spicy Roast Chicken With Tomatoes and MarjoramIngredients
Procedure
Marjoram Essential Oil Has Unique Benefits, TooMarjoram oil happens to be popular among aromatherapy enthusiasts, and is known for providing a warm, spicy, woody and camphoraceous scent that can provide a vast array of benefits, such as:20
Before using marjoram essential oil (or any essential oil), you need to be aware of any potential allergic reactions. If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or are pregnant, it's important to visit your doctor first and let them know of your intention to use marjoram essential oil. Once you've gotten permission from your doctor, do a skin patch test on your arm. Place a drop of the oil on your arm and check for any allergic reaction or irritation. Should something occur, stop using the oil immediately. from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/12/21/marjoram-health-benefits.aspx |
Nia Pure NatureThe Provider of premium Quality Health Products To Live Better Lives Archives
March 2022
Categories |