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PUMPKIN Emperor of the Garden

Pumpkin (Curcurbita pepo) Gigantic Gourd…Guardian of Health

FACTS: Pumpkin is the largest species of fruit…

Pumpkin seed oil is high in essential fatty acids…

Pumpkin seeds are a safe and effective worm expellent..

Pumpkins grow on a creeping vine which have very large, dark green leaves. They are the largest known species of fruit and are often referred to in the Caribbean as “hundred weight gourds.” Individual specimens can exceed a circumference of six feet and weigh over 500 pounds! The orange color of the flesh of the pumpkin is due to its high content of various carotenoids and vitamin A. Native Americans grew pumpkins as a staple along with beans and corn and taught early European settlers to rely on pumpkins as a source of nutritious food.

The pumpkin is referred to as “Emperor of the Garden” in China and is considered a symbol for health and fruitfulness.

More than Just for Pumpkin Pie…

Chunks of pumpkin can be boiled or baked and served as a healthy vegetable, or it can be mashed and added to soups, stews and baked goods.

In the United States, the pumpkin has become reknown for its role as the Jack-O-Lantern on Halloween. Many a child stares wide eyed as the pumpkin is carved into a scary Jack-O-Lantern. A candle is then placed inside, lighting up the pumpkin face with an eerie glow.

Pumpkin seeds can be gently oven roasted into a delicious, nutritious, crunchy snack. Lay the seeds out one layer thick on a lightly oiled cookie sheet. Bake for half hourat 250 degrees. You can add a little sea salt to taste, if you so desire. Sprinkle some cayene pepper, garlic powder and tamari prior to baking for a delicious, high protein and nutritious snack.

For a variation on pesto, try pumpkin pesto. Use the raw pumpkin seeds as a replacement for pine nuts. This enhances the nutritional value and flavor of this delicious cuisine.

Pumpkin Seeds are Good “Male Medicine”….and More!

The pumpkin seed is respected in many parts of the world as a remedy for prostate problems and impotence in men. Research has found pumpkin seeds to be high in zinc and other minerals needed for a healthy male reproductive system. Pumpkin seeds are also a mild diuretic.

Another well known medicinal use for pumpkin seeds is as a vermifuge or worm expellent. The action of the rare amino acid cucurbitin, found in pumpkin seeds, is probably responsible for this effect. Eat a handful of pumpkin seeds, or grind the seeds into a powder and mix into warm soy or almond milk. This was often followed with two tablespoons of castor oil to facilitate the expulsion of the parasites. This “worm medicine” is safe for children and pregnant women when other vermifuge treatments may be too harsh.

Pumpkin seed oil is excellent to use externally to help heal burns, dryness and chapped skin because it is high in healthy linolenic and linoleic fatty acids. A poultice can also be made from the flesh of the pumpkin and applied directly to irritated skin.

As we see, pumpkins are much more than an autumn decoration. Use them for their versatility, nutrition and medicinal value in ….The Natural Medicine Chest.

Ellen Kamhi PhD, RN, The Natural Nurse®, is the author of several books, including THE NATURAL MEDICINE CHEST. Dr. Kamhi has been involved in natural health care for over 4 decades. She offers consults in person or by phone, and will be teaching a course at Century Village entitled Natural Remedies, Jan-Feb 2015. Dr. Kamhi www.naturalnurse.com 954-418-2388.

Natural Cures for Arthritis with Ellen Kamhi , The Natural Nurse

In this episode of The Functional Medicine Radio show with Dr. Carri, Ellen is her special guest where they talk about arthritis and inflammation, and natural remedies to halt arthritis in its tracks.

Main Questions Asked:

Causes of Arthritis
Stealth pathogens – whats the connection?
Herbs and supplements for inflammation

Key Points Made By Ellen:

“cure” refers to the reversal of symptoms, pain elimination and reversal of blood indicators
Inflammation can be linked directly to leaky gut.
Take responsibility for the causes.
Toxins and food allergens can trigger an inflammatory response.
Eliminate packaged foods with words you cannot pronounce
Cleansing diet is key
Natural remedies, self responsibility, exercise
Stress reduction mind-body work, massages, try rubbing a tennis ball on the bottom of your foot.
Take active action in your life.
Herbs to support liver are milk thistle, dandelion and burdock root.
Stealth pathogens are microorganisms that can encase themselves and hide, such as lyme disease.
Overuse of antibiotics causes the development of resistant strains.
Some natural remedies such as berberine actually down-regulates the MDR pump- its an excellent natural antibiotic which doesn’t cause resistant strains.
Either you change your lifestyle and the initiating factors or the disease will continue to advance- your choice
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to bring down the pain of arthritis help temporarily- the problem is they actually increase leaky gut syndrome and in that way they make the disease process worse over time!
Curcumin– well-proven to have anti-microbial, anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Increased absorption If combined with piperine (from black pepper)
Other herbs to help with the inflammation of arthritis are boswellia, white willow bark, external topical agents such as ginger compresses.
For autoimmune types of arthritis, the best combo is rehmannia, rosemary or rosmarinic acid, and cordyceps. These all help deactivate the autoimmune response, and are found in T Cell Balance.
https://www.restorativeformulations.com/Our-Products/RF-All-Products/T-Cell-Balance-Px_US

To listen to the interview, click the player below. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestion, please use the comment section under this post or contact Ellen Kamhi here.

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Natural Cures for Arthritis with Ellen Kamhi , The Natural Nurse

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Natural Nurse Books: Herbs, Weight Loss, Arthritis – A Look Inside

The Natural Nurse, along with Dr. Eugene Zampieron, ND has produced radio shows, offered private consultations, formulated nutraceuticals and written many books over the years, on topics surrounding Herbal Medicines, Weight Loss, Sexual Health, Arthritis, and the Cycles of a Woman’s Life.

As a professional Nurse Herbalist, Ellen Kamhi has years of personal experience in teaching others to be able to employ natural health techniques for themselves. Whether it is learning how to apply an Edgar Cayce Castor Oil pack, making your own dandelion root tea, or preparing homeopathic remedies, The Natural Nurse will guide you step by step on how to connect with nature to enhance health.

Preparing for disasters can also be fun, as The Natural Nurse shares how to forage, recognize and process wild plants into food and medicine. Using common household spices such as ginger as tea or a topical healing pack is explained in easy to follow instructions, but is also supported by scientific literature.

Perhaps you would like to focus on weight loss strategies such as creating a fast and easy grab and go healthy food cabinet, or taking lemon juice with aluminum free baking soda to support alkalinity, Natural Nurse Tips will open immediate access to lifestyle enhancing health strategies for yourself your cells and your family!

The Natural Medicine Chest: Herbs to Keep You and Your Family Healthy

Weight Loss: The Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide –

Arthritis: The Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide– Pain free living the natural way, herbs, foods, fasting, enemas, colonics, natural anti-inflammatories,exercise techniques- all supported with mainstream evidence based literature references

In this video Ellen Kamhi PhD RN, offers an ‘inside look’ at her books.

For more information on Ellen Kamhi’s books, please visit the Books page on this website.

These books are available at Amazon.com

10 Top Supplement Tips

If you are taking a variety of nutritional dietary supplements, you may think that all supplements are 100 % safe, and the ‘more the merrier.’ Actually there are many issues that you should be aware of when choosing dietary supplements.
The BEST way to proceed it to seek supervision from a health care practitioner who is knowledgeable in natural remedies. They can offer you a blood test that analyses YOUR individual levels of important nutrients. Then you can make a science based decision about what you might actually be missing from your diet. You can then increase consumption of foods which contain the nutrients you need more of, and THEN consider using additional supplements appropriately. Life Extension Institute offers nutritional evaluation testing without a prescription from a health practitioner.

Here are 10 Top Supplement Tips:

1. Supplement drug interactions: If you are taking any prescription drugs, its important to check with your physician before taking any supplements. For example, if you are taking coumadin, or any other blood thinner, and you ALSO take an herb such as ginger or ginkgo biloba, your blood may get too thin.

2. Too much calcium:Many people misinterpret the recommendation to take calcium. For example , if your doctor says you should get 1500 milligrams of calcium a day, that means that is the TOTAL amount you should take including foods- not the amount you need to take in a supplement.

3. Loaded with unhealthy fillers:
Many commercial brands of supplements actually contain fillers that are suspected of having harmful health effects. READ YOUR INGREDIENT LABEL- especially OTHER INGREDIENTS. If you see words such as Butylated Hydroxytoluene; FD&C Blue No. 2; FD&C Red No. 40 ; FD&C Yellow No. 6 ; Polysorbate 80; Sodium Benzoate; leave it on the shelf and choose another brand. You may need to visit your health food store to find supplements that do not contain these fillers.

4. Don’t take supplements 7 days a week:Natural health practitioners traditionally recommend that you get most of your essential nutrients from whole foods, rather than supplements. Allow your body a one day a week rest from supplements.

5. Unrealistic expectations:Many people run to purchase the ‘supplement of the day’ that is mentioned by TV “Gurus”. This often leads to unrealistic expectations. Supplements are meant to be part of an overall program of healthy eating, exercise and stress reduction, that can help with overall wellness over time. After the TV Guru’s endorsement, people expect to get immediate, overnight results simply from taking a pill, and will most likely be disappointed with the results.

6. Purchasing overpriced products through Multi Level Marketing Companies:
Products marketed through multi level marketing schemes are ALWAYS overpriced. You can regularly find similar products at ½ the cost (or less) at your local health food store. Look at the INGREDIENTS in the supplement fact box on the Multi Level product, and match it up to a similar formula.

7. Inferior FORM of specific nutrients:Become an educated health consumer and research the best form of each nutrient. For example, vitamin E comes in many forms. “dl tocopherol” is a chemical, while “mixed tocopherols” are naturally occurring as would be found in food.

8. Too much of a good thing -Megadosing on supplements:When it comes to supplements, just because a small amount may be good for you, taking more is not always better, and can be dangerous. Examples include Vitamin A in high amounts can cause birth defects if used during pregnancy, and Vitamin B 6 , if taken in doses higher than 250 mg per day, can cause neurological problems.

9. Relying on Supplements instead of healthy food.
The word ‘supplement’ means that these substances can help to ‘fill in’ if sufficient nutrition is not provided by the diet. However, pills cannot replace healthy food.

10. Taking supplements to ‘Loose Weight’ Although certain substances such as Green Tea and Glucomannon can help the body metabolize fat, there is still only ONE WAY to loose weight: take in less calories than you burn: that means healthy eating and exercise!

Ellen Kamhi PhD RN, The Natural Nurse® , www.naturalnurse.com, co-author of The Natural Medicine Chest , medical school instructor, radio host, provides medical consults in private practice.

Organic Food, Still the Best Choice- read studies for yourself!

Discretion is a virtue! Multi Media marketers are convinced that the American Public is swayed by headlines, and that they do not have the interest or intelligence to scratch below the surface. A case in point follows. On Sept 3, 2012, just as everyone was getting serious in terms of returning to school, making plans to head back to Florida for the winter, and ending summer frivolities, the following headlines were splashed across all news media, including The Washington Post, WebMD, Associated Press, Reuters, CNN, ABC, CBS and others:

“Organic Foods no Healthier than Conventional Food”
”Organic Foods- are they worth the extra cost?”

My immediate reaction to these kinds of headlines, is to go to the source and actually read the full article. You can read the abstract for yourself: “Are Organic Foods Safer or Healthier Than Conventional Alternatives?: A Systematic Review”, conducted at Stanford University and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Read the abstract here: (https://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1355685 )

The conclusions based on this literature review include:

Consumption of organic food may significantly reduce exposure to pesticide residues by 30 % vs consuming conventional food

Consumption of organic food significantly reduces the risk of exposure to anti-biotic resistant disease causing bacteria by approximately 33 %

“Literature lacks strong evidence that organic foods are significantly more nutritious than conventional foods”

Simply by using these exact conclusions, the headlines COULD have said,

“Organic Food Great Asset in Maintaining Health- less pesticide, less bacteria!”

Instead, the headlines did not mention the positive health enhancing aspects of organic foods, and blew up and actually twisted the results to obscure the obvious superiority of organic foods! After thinking about why anyone would want to put forth incorrect information, I came to the conclusion that the timing of the release of this study coincided with the current movement in California to pass Proposition 37. Proposition 37 is actually on the ballet in California, and is also known as THE RIGHT TO KNOW ACT (www.carighttoknow.org ) . If passed, this would require food in California to be labeled in terms of containing ingredients that are genetically modified (GMO). If this passes in California, it will hopefully lead to labeling in all 50 states within the next few years. I personally have been working staunchly against the proliferation of GMO foods since they were being developed in the late 1960’s! Let me pose this question, why would ANYONE be against the labeling of GMO foods? Labeling would not stop anyone from choosing to eat them if they wanted to- but it would allow those people who do not want to eat them ( like everyone in Europe) , a chance to choose! Right now, with no GMO labeling, one of the ONLY ways to be sure that you are not ingesting GMO food, is to choose organic food ! I was also interested to learn from Natural News, that one of the authors of the Stanford Study, Dr. Ingram Olkin, was deeply involved with the Tobacco Lobby, and helped to promote pseudo- science that downplayed the negative health effects of smoking. (www.naturalnews.com/037108_Stanford_Ingram_Olkin_Big_Tobacco.html) Dr. Olkin also has known ties to big business players in the GMO proliferation industry, who, of course, are working hard to stop the passage of Proposition 37, since all of the foods they sell are tainted with GMO’s.

Looking more deeply at the positive properties of organic farming, there are studies that DO show that organic food is more nutritious. One example of this is “Organic Food Has a Higher Nutrient Content”. In an interview with Charles Benbrook, Chief Scientist for The Organic Center, Dr. Benbrook points out that higher levels of Vitamin C and antioxidants have been measured in organic foods. (www.bioneers.org/programs/food-farming-1/articles-interviews/organic-food-has-a-higher-nutrient-content-an-interview-with-charles-benbrook ) In addition to increased health benefits from eating organic foods, as well as the fact that taste tests demonstrate that they often come out ahead in freshness and flavor, there are many environmental benefits, such as less pollution, less toxic water runoff, less development of resistant strains of plant pests, better soil quality, increased bio-diversity, increased crop yield, increased worker health, and many more! In terms of cost, organic can also save you money, especially if you factor in the health benefits of avoiding the many health issues that are linked to exposure to endocrine-disrupting toxic chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides. Another way to save is to seek out farmers markets and local small growers, who often cannot afford organic certification, but grow all of their crops naturally! In either case, labeling of GMO’s would increase your knowledge, so that you can be a more educated consumer!

Ellen Kamhi PhD RN, The Natural Nurse®, can be heard on radio at https://ehearit.com

She is the author of several books, including The Natural Medicine Chest. Dr. Kamhi has been involved in natural health care for over 4 decades. She answers and offers private patient consultations. www.naturalnurse.com 954-418-2388

CUCUMBERS – More than a salad veggie!

Cucumbers have a long history of use as both a food and healing plant. Scientists agree that this fruit originated in India, and has been grown by humans as a cultivated plant for at least 3000 years. Are you surprised to see cucumbers referred to as a fruit? The truth is, that it actually IS a fruit, just like tomatoes, since “Fruit” is the part of the plant that contains the seeds- although, both tomatoes and cucumbers are often thought of as vegetables. Cucumbers have been grown in the United States since the 16 th century, quite possible as a result of Christopher Columbus bringing cucumbers to Haiti in 1494. Cucumbers are mentioned in the Bible in Numbers 11:5, as a food that was available to the Isrealites in Egypt. Other foods mentioned along with cucumbers are leeks, onions, melons and garlic, so it might be fun to put all of these together in a delicious, nutritious biblical salad! Some early medicinal uses of cucumber include treating insect bites and eye problems. That’s interesting because to this day, putting cucumber slices over the eyes is a well recognized cooling and relaxing spa treatment that can be easily and inexpensively used at home! An interesting fertility ritual included tying a cucumber around the waist to help induce pregnancy. It does not take a giant leap of visualization to see how cucumber can be a phallic symbol!

Today, cucumbers have been scientifically studied to determine the nutrients that they contain. Cucumbers are high in silica, which is an essential mineral that is part of the skin, ligaments, bones, muscles and cartilage tissue. In addition to silica, cucumbers are also a rich source of Vitamin C, magnesium and potassium. Cucumbers contain specific phytonutrients known as cucurbitacins. This family of nutrients are under scientific investigation for their role as cancer cell signaling pathway inhibitors. This can help the body offset the development of cancer. Cucumbers also contain compounds such as secoisolariciresinol, pinoresinol and lariciresinol, which are known as lignans. Lignans may offer the body defensive mechanisms against prostate, ovarian and breast cancer, as well as cardiovascular health issues.

Cucumbers are included in many topical preparations. They contain nutrients such as naturally occurring ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, which aids in decreasing swelling due to water retention, by drawing out excess fluids. It can also offset the inflammation associated with sunburn and other skin irritations.

Since Cucumbers are grown by conventional methods they may be sprayed with a variety of toxic chemicals, such as pesticides. The BEST thing to do is grow your own, if possible. If bugs are an issue, make a strong garlic tea and spray the plants for nontoxic pest control. If you cannot grow your own, choose ORGANIC at your local health food market, or visit a local Farmers Market or Farm Stand and ask if the vegetables are sprayed. If you can only get commercial cucumbers, peel them well, since some of the pesticide residue will remain on the waxy covering, rather than the soft inner part.

If you make your own vegetable juice- highly recommended in any optimum wellness program- cucumbers are great! They make the juice making process go faster, since each cucumber contains a lot of water and makes a lot of juice! Also, the alkaline pH of cucumber juice is great to help with detoxification.

Try this delicious and nutritious Natural Nurse® Cucumber Salad-
Cut up one peeled cucumber and mix with diced tomato and red onion. Add chopped cilantro and sprinkle with lemon juice and a splash of apple cider vinegar- great healthy snack or side dish!

Ellen Kamhi PhD RN, The Natural Nurse®, can be heard on radio daily. She is the author of several books, including THE NATURAL MEDICINE CHEST. Dr. Kamhi has been involved in natural health care for over 4 decades. She is available for consultations. www.naturalnurse.com 954-418-2388

Skin Health Naturally

Skin ailments, such as Acne, or other skin issues afflicts as many as 70 million people. Although acne occurs most often during the teenage years, adults can experience it as well. Skin outbreaks can occur on the face, back, chest, shoulders and neck.

There are several root causes of skin outbreaks, including overproduction of oil, irregular shedding of skin cells, buildup of bacteria, stress and liver toxicity often caused by prescription pharmaceuticals.

Changes in hormone levels also cause skin problems, which is often seen around puberty, but also in the golden years when hormone levels are once again in flux. Hormones regulate the activity of the sebaceous glands, which is located at the base of the hair follicle. The sebaceous glands produce an oily substance called “sebum”. Under
normal conditions, “sebum” combines with keratinous cells, traveling along the hair follicle to the surface of the skin. Acne occurs when the flow of sebum is restricted, leading to a build-up of sebum and cell debris, which contribute to the growth of bacteria.

There are many natural topical therapies for addressing skin conditions. Most treatments are designed to reduce surface sebum: Facial cleansing using mild surface
active agents including exfoliants ( almond seed) , digesters( papaya enzymes), anti-inflammatory ( white willow) and anti-bacterial ( oil of oregano) ingredients are useful.

Natural protocols for healthy skin recognize the interplay between spiritual, physical and emotional factors that all play a part in the cause and treatment of this condition. Although conventional medicine does not recognize the role that diet and food allergies have in skin conditions, natural healers believe there is a direct correlation.

It is wise to focus on a diet low in milk products, wheat and animal fat, and high in organic leafy green vegetables, whole grains, and Omega-3 oils, such as flaxseed and hemp oils. Herbal remedies for skin care fall under the category of herbs known as “Alteratives”. The Eclectic doctors at the turn of the century referred to Alteratives as ‘Blood and Lymphatic cleansers. ‘ Alteratives are non-toxic herbs which assist the organs of detoxification and elimination (liver, bowels, kidneys, skin, lungs, and connective tissue, by removing deleterious substances such as environmental toxins as well as those generated internally by the body.

Many botanicals have been historically used for helping to promote clean and healthy skin.

Arnica Flower (Arnica montana) is an emollient and contains
sesquiterpene lactones, the chemical constituents responsible for the herb’s anti-inflammatory properties. Arnica is helpful for promoting healing and reducing general skin irritations.

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) root is commonly used in herbal steams and poultices. It is helpful for treating blemishes and reducing scaly skin.

Chamomile Flower (Chamomilla recutita) is well-recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties. Herbal steams and poultices help reduce puffiness, cleanse pores of impurities and abscesses and both strengthens and heals tissues, naturally.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a mild potassium sparing diuretic, that helps the detoxification organs, such as the liver and the kidneys. When these organs are functioning optimally, it enhances the clarity of the skin.

Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea) has been recognized for its healing actions. It is also a natural anti-inflammatory. Key chemical constituents responsible forthe herb’s healing actions include glycosides, eichloric acid,
chlorogenic acid, isobutylamines, alkylamides, phytosterols and sesquiterpene esters.

Goldenseal Root (Hydrastis Canadensis) is a native American medicinal herb introduced to the early settlers by the Cherokee Indians, who used it as a natural “wash” for the skin. The active chemical constituents, hydrastine and berberine
deliver antibacterial support.

Lemon Peel is high in natural bioflavonoids which enhance healthy skin cell growth, and also has mild astringent properties. It refreshes the skin and tightens pores.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)is used in herbal steams and poultices for addressing inflamed or swollen skin. It is also applied to red veins on the neck and face. Witch Hazel is styptic and contains natural cleansing properties; an exceptional astringent.

Incorporate healthy fats into your diet to increase the strength and health of skin membranes. These include avocado and Coconut Oil. Choose unrefined, organic coconut oil in a glass jar. This is readily available at most health food stores. Take 1-2 tablespoons a day of the coconut oil, or allow it to melt on steamed vegetables for a healthy coconut flavoring. Also apply the coconut oil directly to the skin for increased strength and to offset dry skin.

Ellen Kamhi PhD RN, The Natural Nurse®, can be heard on radio daily. She is the author of several books, including The Natural Medicine Chest.. Dr. Kamhi has been involved in natural health care for over 4 decades. She is available for group presentations, and has a consultation private practice. 954-418-2388