Steam Away Stress    
Stressed out and don’t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams. 

Great Yellow Gentian  
The great yellow gentian root is a bitter herb used to treat digestive disorders and states of exhaustion from chronic diseases. It stimulates the liver, gal bladder and digestive system, strengthening the overall human body. Internally, it is taken to treat :   
The great yellow gentian root is a bitter herb used to treat digestive disorders and states of exhaustion from chronic diseases. It stimulates the liver, gal bladder and digestive system, strengthening the overall human body. Internally, it is taken to treat :   


• liver complaints    
• indigestion      
• gastric infections.

Sage    

Salvia, the Latin name for sage, means ‘to heal’. Internally, the sage is used for :  


• indigestion       
• flatulence      
• liver complaints   
• excessive lactation 
• excessive perspiration   
• excessive salivation ,     anxiety   
• depression      
• female sterility     
• menopausal problems      
  On the other hand, it is used externally for : 
  
  • insect bites     
  • skin infections    
  • throat infections    
  • mouth infections   
  • gum infections  
  • skin infections     
  • vaginal discharge.
  •  

Agnus Castus  



Beneficial to female hormonal system, the agnus castus seeds and fruits are used to rectify hormonal imbalances caused by an excess of estrogen and an insufficiency of progesterone. It acts upon the pituitary gland, reducing the production of certain hormones and increasing the production of others, shifting the balance in favor of the gestagens, hormones that ‘secure’ pregnancy. Thus it has a wide application of uses in malfunctions of the feminine reproductive system and has been used with great effect in :


• restoring absent menstruation 
• regulating heavy periods
• restoring fertility caused by hormonal imbalance
• relieving premenstrual tension
• easing the transition of menopause.

What Beans Can Do for You;  
Beans are a super healthy, super versatile and super affordable food. Beans are high in antioxidants, fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc. Eating beans regularly may decrease the risk of diabetes, heart disease, colorectal cancer, and helps with weight management. Beans are hearty, helping you feel full so you will tend to eat less.
As we get older, we need fewer calories and beans are a great way to boost the nutrition power of your meal without boosting the calories. A half-cup of beans has only about 100 calories.
All legumes such as kidney, black, white and red beans, chick peas and lentils confer health benefits.

• Including beans in your diet several times a week may decrease the risk of colorectal adenomas (polyps), which may in turn lower the risk of colorectal cancer.
• The Shanghai Women’s Health Study looked at the legume consumption of over 64,000 women and their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that consumption of legumes, particularly soybeans, was inversely associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes. The more legumes these women ate, the lower their risk of getting type 2 diabetes.
• Eating beans regularly may lower the risk of coronary heart disease.

Okra Nutrients-  Quick Facts Okra is rich in fiber, both soluble and insoluble. Half its fiber content is soluble and is in the form of gums and pectin. Soluble fiber helps to lower serum cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. The other half is insoluble fiber which helps to keep the intestinal tract healthy decreasing the risk of some forms of cancer, especially colorectal cancer. The fiber also helps stabilize blood sugar level by delaying sugar absorption from the intestines. Okra has abundant mucillage, giving it a slimy texture. While many dislike this slime, this mucillage provides some important health benefits. The slimy mucillage binds and inhibits the absorption of cholesterol, bile acids, and toxins. The mucillage in okra also helps alleviate the irritation, swelling, and pain in the throat associated with the common cold and cough.     A decoction of okra prepared by boiling okra in water has been found to be very useful in treating the itchy throat and persistent dry cough when you have a cold. Fresh okra has also been found useful in treating cystitis (inflammation of the urinary bladder). Other health benefits of okra are in the vitamin B6 and folate it provides. Half a cup of cooked okra provides nearly 10% of the recommended levels of vitamin B6 and folic acid. Because of it's high folic acid content, which promotes fetal development, okra is one of the prenatal vitamins recommended for pregnant women. Like yogurt (curds, dahi), okra propagates good bacteria in the intestines that help digestion. Okra is also rich in essential nutrients like vitamin C and iron. All these nutrients in okra can help reduce common ailments. Knowing the science behind these vitamins and their effects takes a proper education, like the masters degree from Saint Peters University Online. Okra seeds contain protein and edible oil that is as nutritious as many vegetable oils. Apart from all these health benefits of okra, this vegetable is also ideal for weight-loss as it is extremely low in calories and fat-free. - See more at: http://www.vegrecipes4u.com/health-benefits-of-okra. 

Grapefruit; 

The grapefruit is a large citrus fruit related to the orange, lemon and pomelo. Grapefruits are categorized as white (blond), pink or ruby. However, this terminology doesn't reflect their skin color, which is either yellow or pinkish-yellow, but rather describes the color of their flesh.

Grapefruits usually range in diameter from four to six inches, with some varieties featuring seeds while others are seedless. The wonderful flavor of a grapefruit is like paradise, just as its Latin name Citrus paradisi connotes. It is juicy, tart and tangy with an underlying sweetness that weaves throughout.

Health Benefits of Grapefruit ;

• Acidity: Although grapefruit has a sub-acid taste, its juice actually has an alkaline reaction after digestion. This has a profound effect in the treatment of acidity in the digestive system that causes a host of other health problems.
• Atherosclerosis: Pectin in this fruit has been found to be effective in reducing the accumulation of arterial deposits, and the vitamin C helps to strengthen and maintain the elasticity of arteries.
• Breast cancer: In another study, the bioflavonoids found in grapefruit was discovered to even halt cancer cells from spreading in breast cancer patients, by ridding the body of excess estrogen.
• Common cold: A common cold is usually your body telling you that you are overworked. A regular drink of grapefruit during a stressful period gives your immune system the boost needed to prevent it coming on.
• Cholesterol: A certain compound found in grapefruit helps reduce the excessive production of cholesterol from the liver.
• Diabetes: A diabetic can safely eat a grapefruit. In fact, more consumption of this fruit will help reduce the starches and sweets in the system. If you have a tendency towards diabetes, consume more grapefruit juice to prevent it.
• Digestive disorder: This juice helps to promote digestion by increasing the flow of gastric juices. Eat the fruit together with its rind for its extra fiber that aids bowel movements.
• Fatigue: At the end of a long and tiring day, drink a glass of grapefruit juice with lemon juice in equal parts with a little honey, to dispel all fatigue and tiredness.
• Fever: Besides drinking plenty of fluids, also drink grapefruit juice to reduce fever.
• Insomnia: A drink of grapefruit juice before bedtime, helps to promote sleep and alleviates insomnia.
• Pregnant woman: The bioflavonoids and vitamin C help to reduce water retention and swelling of the legs during pregnancy.
• Sore throat: Drinking a freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice helps relieve sore throats and soothes coughs.
• Stomach and pancreatic cancer: The anti-cancer agents in grapefruit (especially in the rinds) are particularly protective against these cancers in the digestive system.
• Weight-loss: This fruit has a fat-burning enzyme and can help to absorb and reduce the starch and sugar in the body. It is widely consumed by people who are trying to lose weight. If you don't fall under the category of people mentioned below (look at "Caution" colum), then take a glass of grapefruit juice twice a day and eat normally.