Posts tagged ‘Olive oil’

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May 29, 2012

Clove essential oil

Clove essential oil is invaluable to have on hand for good dental health and to treat any dental, gum pain and discomfort.  Clove oil is best known for its pain relieving eugenol constituent used to treat toothaches, sore gums, mouth infections, and bad breath. Always use clove oil diluted in an edible carrier oil like olive oil, it is strong, and numbing.

Directions:

Dilute clove essential oil 50/50 in olive oil to carry with you to treat in transit. 

Put carrier oil like olive oil on a Q-tip with a drop of clove essential oil and put directly on affected mouth areas.

Clove buds

Clove is an evergreen tree with red flowers. It is one of the five noble spices along with cinnamon, nutmeg, black peppercorns and ginger.

Clove is one of the ingredients in the Indian spice blend garam masala and masala chai, which is a tea beverage drink. 

Clove comes from the Latin word ‘clavus’ meaning nail, because the dried clove buds look like little nails.

COMMON NAME CLOVE
Latin Name Sygyzium   aromaticum
Family Myrtaceae
Country of Origin Indonesia, Philippines, Madagascar,   West indies
Volatility Middle note
Extraction steam distillation or CO2   extraction from the dried buds
Colour pale yellow to clear
Aroma spicy, pungent, rich, strong
Caution Contraindications Use sparingly, hot stimulant. Skin irritant. Do not use during pregnancy or with   children. Always use diluted.Not recommended for massage. 
Primary Uses Digestion:spasms, parasites, gastritis,   spasms

Immune: stimulant, colds, flu, viral   infections,

Cardiovascular:circulatory stimulant,

Skin: fungal infections, shingles, warts,   localized treatment only  

*****Toothaches, dental problems, gum infections, sore gums, bad breath/halitosis

 
Properties Local anaesthetic, analgesic, anticatarrhal,   antiemetic, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral,   anti-parasitic,   antioxidant, astringent, antispasmodic,   anti-inflammatory, warming carminative, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, digestive   stimulant, male aphrodisiac,  nervine relaxant, stomachic, vasodilator
Constituents  Esters:18-25% eugenyl acetateSesquiterpenes:4-8%  caryophyllene

Phenylpropanoids:

70-80% eugenol

 

 

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March 13, 2012

Unhealthy Oils and Fats

Unhealthy Edible Oils and Fats

Hydrogenated oils: Hydrogenation is an industrial manmade process that turns liquid oil into a semi-solid.  

Margarine: made from hydrogenated oils and partially hydrogenated oils which make it spreadable for convenience sake, margarine remains semi-solid at room temperature and is spreadable even when refrigerated. Margarine is a new food and they dyed it yellow at first to distinguish it from butter.

Hydrogenated oils and trans-fats destroy healthy cells to the point where exercise and diet change cannot repair it. Always avoid because these fats raise bad cholesterol, cause serious cardiovascular disease, obesity, and are carcinogenic. The body does not know how to process these processed oils because the chemical structure has changed and it turns toxic and permanently destroys cells.

There have been tests done where people have put out butter and margarine and ants, bugs and animals do not touch the margarine and eat the butter instead. You decide.

Saturated Fats

Animal Saturated Fats: beef, pork, lamb, poultry,

Eating a lot of animal saturated fats like lard, chicken and beef fat is implicated in serious cardiovascular disease, obesity, bad cholesterol, and cancer.

Dairy saturated Fats: yogurt, butter, cheese, milk

There are lots of dairy low-fat varieties available today, but these foods should still be moderated. Dairy is a serious allergen that affects over half of the world’s population. Many people remain unaware of their dairy allergy and put up with digestive symptoms.

Yogurt: Don’t be fooled by yogurt that contains sugar, gelatin, additives and thickeners. For a healthier choice strain plain yogurt and add your own fruit.

Butter: Butter blended with 50% olive oil is a healthier choice than hydrogenated margarines.

Milk: There are many varieties of milk; the milk with the highest saturated fat content is whole cow’s milk and cream. Seed and nut milks like almond milk are a better choice. Coconut water is very healthy.

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March 13, 2012

Edible Oils

Edible Oils

Edible oils are used in salad dressings, sauces, baking, cooking and frying food. Buy oils that are cold-pressed and chemical free.

Heat can change the chemical structure of oil and turn it rancid and it becomes an unhealthy trans-fat. Saturated fats are more stable for cooking but are not a healthy choice, except for coconut oil which is a vegetable saturated fat. High heat is not recommended for most oils because it changes the chemical structure which makes it difficult for our body to process and may turn carcinogenic.

Eating deep-fried food regularly is not healthy but if you are going to fry food once in a while use oil that can stand the high heat and maintain stability without turning into rancid trans-fats. Choose high heat oils like grape seed oil, rice bran oil or coconut oil.

Coconut oilHealthy Edible Oils

Plant polyunsaturated:  grape seed oil, soybean, corn, safflower, sesame, sunflower, cottonseed, peanut oil, rice bran.

These vegetable oils reduce blood cholesterol levels and improve ratios of LDL (low density lipids) and HDL (high density lipids) cholesterol which reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. These oils are rich in essential fatty acids.

Essential fatty acids also known as Vitamin F are Linoleic, Linolenic and Arachidonic acids. They are important for the maintenance and lubrication of our cells, tissues and entire body. Fats also transport fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and keep our skin soft, supple and youthful looking.

Corn and soy oils have been genetically modified and now have an allergy alert rating. Peanut oil has an allergy alert. It is from the pea family and it is not a nut, nuts grow on trees.

There are raw and roasted varieties of Sesame oil but always buy hexane free. Use raw sesame for massage because there is no strong odour.

Vegetable monounsaturated fats: olive oil, canola oil, almond oil

Olive oil can stand a little heat for light sautéing but should never be used for high heat frying. Use olive oil uncooked and add it to cooked foods afterwards or in salads as salad dressing to get the most health benefits.

Canola (rapeseed) oil is popular, but being relatively new, it has been genetically modified and altered.

Vegetable Saturated Fats: coconut, palm

Coconut and palm oils are healthier choice of a saturated fat because they are plants. Coconuts are a perfect whole health food. You can eat the flesh, drink the water and use the oil. The oil remains stable at high heat and has antibacterial, antiviral and nutritive properties. Coconut oil promotes weight loss and lean muscle mass unlike its saturated meat counterparts. Coconut oil can have an SPF of up to 7. My dog loves it! I give her a half of a teaspoon once in a while in her food. I use coconut oil for massage and hair and skin treatments.

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October 26, 2011

Basil Herb

BASIL

Basil is a must grow in my herb garden! Even though it is an annual and must be planted every year, it is worth it to eat it fresh. Basil is easy to grow from seeds, which is good because I like to eat alot of it! I love making all kinds of pesto. This time of year the climate is getting too cold for basil, which likes it hot and sunny…. so harvest time it is! If I grow too much, which is unlikely, I make pesto and put the leftovers in ice cube trays to freeze them, and then pop them out and store them in the freezer for later use.

Here is a basic PESTO recipe: Serves four

2-3 cloves of garlic
1-2 cups of basil (You can add 1 cup spinach 1 cup basil for spinach basil pesto)
1/2 cup of parsley
1/3 cup of pine nuts or walnut pieces
1/4 cup – 1/2 cup of olive oil
1/2 cup of grated parmesan or romano cheeese
squeeze of lemon juice (optional for lemon basil pesto and use lemon basil)
sea salt and pepper

Mix all ingredients in a blender or food processor and stir in cheese last.

Add to pasta, toast, potatoes, roasted vegetables, fish or chicken.

Tastes like summer! YUMMY!@!

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