Tag Archives: Antioxidants

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Vitamin E

Useful For:  Decrease in risk for hayfever, supports healing, good for skin and hair, increases heart health, regulates blood pressure.  As an antioxidant, it helps to protect against cancer.  It can also assist with lessening the effects of female hormonal issues (hot flashes and difficult menses).

Herbal Sources:  Alfalfa, Bladderwrack, Dandelion, Dong quai, Flaxseed, Nettle, Oatstraw, Raspberry Leaf, Rose Hips

Food Sources:  Wheat germ, whole grains, expeller-pressed vegetable oil, nuts and seeds, dark green leafy vegetables, sweet potatos, and brussel sprouts

Warnings:  High dosage Vitamin E (600-800 IU) should not be done without the oversight of a medical professional if you are on blood-thinners, have a bleeding disorder, or a Vitamin K deficiency.

 

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Rose (Rosa rugosa)

Name:  Rose

Latin:  Rosa rugosa, Rosa canina, and others…

Other Common Names:

Family:  Rosaceae

Parts Used:  All

Vitamins/Minerals:  Vitamin C, antioxidants

Used for:  Heart disease, cancer, mental decline.  Immune system booster/strengthener.  Rose can also act as a hormonal balancer, and are useful for mood issues.  Due to the nutritional content of roses, this is almost a must for sickness and toxicity.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

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Hawthorn (Cratageus Oxacantha)

Name:  Hawthorn

Latin:  Cratageus oxacantha

Other Common Names:  Whitethorn, Ladies’ Meat, Quickthorn, Maytree, Mayblossom

Family:  Rosaceae

Parts Used:  Leaves, flowers, and fruit

Vitamins/Minerals:  Antioxidants

Used for:  Due to the antioxidants found in this herb, the medicinal uses for it are fairly expansive.  It is anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, supports the immune system and the liver.  However, hawthorn’s particular strength is in what it does for the heart.  It has both a strengthening and a regulatory action, making it useful for a wide variety of heart conditions:  aging, weakened, damaged, angina, hypertension, arrhythmia, heart valve disease, arterial spasms, etc…  It can also be used to regulate blood pressure, aiding with both high and low.  It can help to prevent miscarriage.  It can also lessen the chance of strokes.  If used as a poultice, it has good drawing out properties.  The broad range of benefits and the fact that there is no overdose of it for practical use, when combined with the tasty flavour, makes this one of my favorite ingredients for teas.  Historically, hawthorn is an herb thought to increase longevity, and that is quite understandable, given the conditions it fights and the systems it supports.

Use in tandem with:  Oatstraw, Rose

Directions & Warnings:

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Capers (Caparis spinosa)

Name:  Capers

Latin:  Caparis spinosa

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:  Berries

Vitamins/Minerals:  Antioxidants

Used for:  These are usually found pickled, and seem to one of those foods you either love or hate.  They are antioxidant rich, and contain compounds that decrease histamine response.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

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Tea

Name:

Latin:

Other Common Names:

Parts Used:  The leaves

Vitamins & Minerals:  Tea is an excellent source of antioxidants.  Also contains quercetin and Vitamin C.  Tea is a natural stimulant, rather like coffee, but adds more nutrients to the mix.  The longer you steep the tea, the more nutrients will be extracted, but some teas become unfathomably bitter if you let them steep too long.

Used for:  General bone and heart health.