Fit Women Over 40

Change Your Diet & Stop the Aging Process

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Add Herbs to Your Diet & Stop the Aging Process

Herbs are often added as an after thought to “spice” up meals and add some flavor. But did you know that many common herbs have some pretty incredible properties, like helping to keep your brain fit and preventing dementia?

The special abilities of Herbs have been known to humans for centuries and here are a few that seek to hold back the ravages of the aging process.

Ginkgo ( Ginkgo biloba) There’s good European research that it helps improve blood flow to the brain. Some studies suggest it helps with Alzhemer’s and other forms of dementia. In Europe, many older people reg. take a standardized extract of this herb to help keep them mentally fit. It improves alertness, memory and the ability to concentrate, it elevates mood and it relieves tinnitus, ( ringing in the ears) dizziness and anxiety.

American Ginseng & Asian Ginseng. The Chinese & Koreans revere ginseng as the Fountain of Youth. They regard it as a tonic for the elderly because it tones the skin and muscles, helps improve appetite & digestion & restores depleted sexual energy. Ginseng is slowly gaining supporters among American physicians. One big booster is Andrew Weil, M.D., herb advocate, professor and author of Natural Health, Natural Medicine. He frequently recommends ginseng to help strengthen people who are weakened by old age or chronic illness.

Echinacea. This herb is native the Great Plains and its America’s best herbal immune booster. German research has shown its antimicrobial action helps prevent & treat cold, flu and all sorts of other viral, bacterial and fungal infections.

Evening Primrose. The seeds of this lovely night flowering blossom contain an oil rich in gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) a substance that has excited a great deal of research interest in the past few years. GLA seems to help alleviate several conditions that cause itchy, red scaly patches, diabetic polynauropathy, and even alcoholism and obesity. It also shows promise against heart disease and cancer.

Garlic. Besides being a potent antibiotic and antiviral herb, garlic reduces high cholesterol levels and lowers high blood pressure. A Japanese study suggests that garlic helped slow physiological ageing and age-related memory loss in experimental animals.

Gotu kola. It is widely used in India to improve memory and extend longevity. Add a fresh leaf or 2 or a teaspoon or dried herb to tea. You can also use a few fresh leaves in salads.

Milk thistle. The liver processes drugs & environmental toxins, so its under constant assault in the modern world. Anyone who drinks alcohol, takes drugs or comes in contact with any pollutants might benefit from this herb.

Peppermint. Its ability to relieve indestgestion and gastrointestional distress. It also contains antioxidants that help prevent cancer, heart disease and diseases associated with ageing.

Purslane. Exceptionaly rich in antiox. It is rich in a combination of the antiox. Vitamins A, C, and E. Its also rich in Glutathione, which is both a powerful antioxidant and an immune system booster.

Thyme. Add a handful of dried herbs to hot baths. Thymes’ aromatic oil helps soothe back spasms.

Willow. The bark of willow trees was the original source of aspirin. It can be made into a tea that relieves headache, toothache, arthritis and other painful conditions. It also helps to prevent heart attack, stroke and colorectal cancer.

Camomile. Is a mild tranquilizer with anit-flammatory constituents that may help relieve arthritis.

Horsetail. With age & declining hormonal activity, levels of the mineral silicon decrease in the arteries and skin. Silicon also plays a role in the repair of bone, cartlage & connective tissues. Horsetail, a good source of silicon, is a longtime folk remedy for fractures, torn ligaments and related injuires. I take it only rarely, not yet convinced of its anti ageing properties.

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