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NATURAL - Ancient Wisdom - Dental Care!

8/23/2017

I don’t like going to the dentist! If you follow my blog you will remember that in my post of July 8th I talked about the terrible toothache I had and the visit to the dentist that resulted in the removal of the tooth and a dental bill of just under $1,000.00!

The dentist bill hurts as much (or more) than the tooth did! Right away I knew I needed a new way of taking care of my teeth, so I tossed out the Crest and began a new NATURAL way of taking care of my teeth.

I have been so happy with this method that I knew I just had to share it with all of you.!

As luck would have it there is now a huge sale on this information so I wanted to get this blog post up as soon as I could so that each of you could go and check this incredible info out for yourself.

I know, from personal and recent experience that dental visits are always uncomfortable, sometimes rather PAINFUL, and frequently costs hundreds, even thousands of dollars. Plus, a visit to the dentist means we are exposing our bodies to a ton of toxins… and, potentially, antibiotic resistant bacteria.

For example, did you know:

In 2013, research showed that repeated dental x-rays without a neck shield puts you at risk of developing thyroid cancer?

Or that in 2016, 30 children in California contracted a bacterial infection from a dentist’s office?
(The contaminated water could create long-term health problems for these children because the infection often spreads to the gum and jawbone.)

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), outbreaks at dentist’s offices are rare. However, they do admit that even though there are recommended guidelines to prevent bacterial infections, many dentists do not properly follow these guidelines and procedures.

Plus, then there’s the fluoride:
There are many adverse effects of fluoride ingestion:

Brain. Scientists have found dementia-like effects, as well as lower I.Q. levels.
Thyroid. Fluoride is an endocrine disrupter, which can lead to problems with judgment and intellect, depression, and weight gain.
Bones. Fracture risks may increase with fluoride ingestion. There is also a recent study by Harvard scientists that found a connection between fluoride and a serious form of bone cancer in males under 20 years of age.
Kidneys. People with kidney disease have a higher risk of fluoride toxicity.

This is not even new information! Way back in 1951, the American Dental Association said, “there is no proof that commercial preparations … containing fluorides are effective in preventing dental decay.”

An Astonishing Fact:

The bottom line simply is that fluoride won’t keep your teeth healthy and could pose a serious health risk!

Plus, there’s:

Fillings made out of plastic, resins, and amalgam (metal).
Crowns and bridges that may contain cancer-causing nickel.
Dentures that can include the neurotoxin cadmium.
Implants that include titanium, known to cause headaches, migraines, and immunity issues.

… Even the polishers hygienists use have been shown to REMOVE tooth enamel! We are trying preserve and BUILD our enamel, right?

Again, this is just a 50,000 foot look at the potential toxins you’re exposed to at the dentist’s office.

With new dental products being released all the time, it’s impossible for DENTISTS to stay on top of the new developments, never mind us, average Joe & Jill Public.

That’s why I thought you’d be interested to learn about the 100% natural system of dental care I have started using myself…

With secrets for literally HEALING your teeth!

I am just a few weeks into using this system and already the results have been WONDERFUL! I love that these methods are completely NATURAL and do not include harmful toxins like fluoride!

And, I love that they empower you to consider reducing your visits to the dentist, not only saving money, but reducing your exposure to antibiotic resistant bacteria that are too frequently found in medical centers.

You learn how to HEAL cavities.
Get your teeth squeaky clean, just like a dental hygienist.
And even re-grow tooth enamel, the protective armor of your teeth!

Long time readers of The Phytonutrient Blog know that I rarely try to sell you anything (except for maybe my books which you can find here! - shameless plug!) but as someone who is interested in supporting your right to choose natural health care, I thought you might like to see this, too. It is far more affordable than even a single trip to the dentist and I know it works!

Click Here Now To Learn How
Your Teeth Can Heal Themselves

I know this really got MY attention when I learned that our teeth are alive… and, much like a cut on your arm, can be healed!

I hope you find this useful too.

Happy Gardening!!

UPDATE - I have just learned the following. These are screen shots right from the order page! Now You can get the Horsetail Herb FREE with the program! Sweet!

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Tomato Hornworm; a Tomato Terrorist

8/18/2017

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Have you ever walked out to the garden expecting to enjoy your lovely tomato plants only to find them completely defoliated overnight? If so you were hit by the tomato hornworm, or as I think of him, a tomato terrorist!

The tomato hornworm, Manduca quinquemaculata, is much dreaded by vegetable gardeners, because they can devastate tomatoes and other members of the nightshade (Solanaceae) family. The tomato hornworm is three to four inches long at full size (likely to be the biggest caterpillar we see in our gardens) and green in color, with a black "horn" that projects from the rear of the caterpillar.

This pest is the larval stage of the hawk or sphinx moth, also known as hummingbird moths. The moths overwinter in the soil as dark brown pupae, then emerge and mate in late spring. They lay their eggs, which are round and greenish-white, on the undersides of leaves. The eggs hatch in four to five days and the hornworm emerges. It spends the next four weeks growing to full size, after which it will make its way into the soil to pupate.

Tomato hornworms are voracious pests, munching entire leaves, small stems and even parts of the immature fruit. While they are most commonly associated with tomatoes, hornworms are also common pests of eggplants, peppers, and potatoes. Most likely, you'll notice the damage before you notice the hornworms because their color helps them blend in so well with the plant foliage. But I have learned to ‘shine the light of science’ on this problem with great effect. When I hunt for these pesky ‘pillers, I do it in the dark of night, with a UV flashlight!

The flashlight pictured below cost me about six bucks at Walmart.

Creatures that glow in the dark might be scary in the movies, but when you come upon them in real life, they’re a treat. Think of fireflies winking at the edge of the lawn on a summer night, or the waves of light you stir up while swimming among phosphorescent plankton in the sea.

My favorite bioluminescent encounter was while making my way along a dark woodland road without a flashlight, when I spotted strange glowing patches among the trees. Something out of the Brothers Grimm? No, just foxfire, the light emitted by patches of luminous lichen on decaying tree bark. (By my guess, the name is a version of “folks’ fire,” as in fairies or “the little folk.”)

But here’s a new twist. The luminosity of some life forms appears to us only when light is altered in some way. I recently learned that tomato hornworms will glow if you shine a black light on them. Some of you might remember the black light as a gadget used to illuminate psychedelic artwork in the ’60s, by narrowing the light spectrum to the UV (ultraviolet) range. But it has broader uses in police work, including the identification of counterfeit money, which lacks a certain ultraviolet mark, and in medicine, for spotting and delineating certain pathogens that are visible in such light.

What’s interesting about the nighttime detection of the hornworm is that it’s extremely hard to see by day. This fat, four-inch-long caterpillar should be easy to find, but it has spent millennia learning how to resemble tomato stems and leaves. You don’t know it’s there until its plant-chomping damage is done. But armed with a black light, you can easily stalk your prey as it glows with a greenish color among the tomato vines. Bioluminescence is sometimes used by animals to frighten off a predator, which in this case is you. But be not unnerved. If you’re repelled by plucking huge, slightly squishy, neon-lighted worms off plants with your fingers, use tongs. But do it gently, because you have an important decision to make before you stomp on them or drop them into soapy water to end their lives.

Collect them, then examine them indoors under normal light, and if you see small, white objects, like grains of rice, lined up along a hornworm’s sides, put that one safely back in the garden. The white things are the pupating larvae of a braconid wasp, which are parasitizing the hornworm and will soon destroy it from within. Their offspring will do the same to other worms.

Tomato hornworms have natural camouflage that allows them to feed on tomato (Lycopersicum solanum) and other plant foliage without being disturbed by predators. The larvae are nearly invisible against the backdrop of tomato stems and foliage, despite their bright-green color, horn-like protrusion and 4-inch body length. Tomato hornworms glow green under a blacklight, so you can spot and eliminate them from your tomato plants before they devour the foliage. Another sign that your plants have an infestation of hornworms is the small black droppings they leave behind on lower plant leaves.

So how does one use the blacklight to hunt down the dreaded tomato terrorist? It is easy. Just follow these simple steps:

Take a blacklight flashlight outside when it's dark. Alternatively, put a blacklight bulb in a small desk lamp and plug it into an extension cord, if necessary, to reach the infested plants.
Fill a cup with water and about 1 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent to collect and kill the hornworms. Or just plan to drop them on the ground and stomp them. The make a very satisfying squish!
Shine the blacklight over the plant and examine all its parts, from the ground up. Look at the undersides of the leaves, since this is a common hiding place for hornworms. They'll glow under the light.
Pick off the hornworms from the plant that are not hosting the larvae of braconid wasps, and place them in the cup of soapy water or just squish them under foot. Dispose of the hornworms in the garbage.

It’s also possible that you will fall in love with this odd creature and not be able to destroy any of its kind. While not an issue for me, I’ve known it to happen to the best of gardeners. In that case, just encourage beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings to patrol your garden, by keeping the yard poison-free. These and other insects prey on hornworm larvae before they grow to monstrous size.

Ladybugs can be purchased at most plant nurseries, and a black light that emits only UV light can be found online for about $7. After tomato season, you might find other ways to put the black light to use too. For example, you can shine it around your kitchen sink and counters, in the dark, and locate any E. coli bacteria that may be present.

Now that’s scary. Happy Gardening!!

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Companion Planting Fact or Fiction?

8/13/2017

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Every October, before I start decorating for Halloween, I plant my onions, and my biggest challenge is keeping them weeded as even during our winter months, weeds can find a home in a Texas garden.

Last year, I planted arugula seed between the short rows of onions, and the leafy, fast-growing arugula rocketed up and overpowered any weeds that dared to show their heads. The arugula grew relatively pest-free too! The arugula was ready to harvest just when the onions needed room to grow. In a eureka moment, I realized that I had discovered a vegetable companion-planting partnership that I could use year after year to make my garden healthier and more productive. Cool! The arugula helped the onions by keeping the weeds at bay and the onions helped the arugula by keeping the pests away.

“Companion planting” has been around for thousands of years, during which time it has become so sullied with bad science and metaphysics that many gardeners aren’t even sure what it means nor if it really works at all. Let’s talk about that.

Companion planting is little more than knowing that certain plants can benefit others when planted in near proximity. It is literally defined as “the establishment of two or more plant species in close proximity so that some cultural benefit (pest control, higher yield, etc.) is derived.” Scientifically speaking, companion planting embraces a number of strategies that increase the biodiversity of agricultural ecosystems, which basically means it works well in the garden. In layman’s terms, though, it is simply two or more plants helping each other out in some fashion.

While companion planting has a long history, the mechanisms of beneficial plant interaction have not always been well understood. In most cases they are formed out of oral tradition, family secrets, and front porch recommendations. Despite historical observation and horticultural science, companion planting is practiced because they are functional methods of planting that allow veggies and herbs to grow at their maximum potential. They keep bugs away. They keep the soil healthy. And they make the food taste better. What more could any gardener ask?

It’s helpful to think of building good plant communities when planning your garden. This is the most important concept behind companion planting. Time-tested garden wisdom holds that certain plants grown close together become helpmates for each other, thus making the gardener’s work easier. Plants need good companions to thrive. Except for growth and fruiting, plants are relatively idle objects. They are rooted in one spot and don’t seem to have much control over their environment. In fact, however, relationships between plants are varied - similar to relationships between people. In plant communities, certain plants support each other while others, well, just don’t get along. Plants, like people, compete for resources.

Science confirms that some plants bully others. Certain plants grow rapidly, crowd others and take more than their fair share of water, sun and nutrients. Some exude toxins that retard plant growth or kill plants. A common example of this is the Black Walnut tree that produces hydrojuglone to kill off competitor plants around itself. Other plants are upstanding citizens and do good by their neighbors, adding nutrients to the soil, drawing beneficial insects into the garden or by confusing harmful insects in search of their host plants.

As a gardener, you’re both the mayor and the city planner for the city that is your garden. By growing plants with good companions, you bring peace and prosperity to your town. Plants, like people, want good neighbors.

As in city planning, the way you lay your vegetable garden out is crucial. Avoid planting vegetables in large patches or long rows and interplant with flowers and herbs. Large groupings of one type of vegetable serve as a beacon, calling out to any nearby problematic pests. If, however, you mix in flowers and herbs, it becomes more difficult for pests to find your veggies. The scent of flowers and herbs, as well as the change up in color, has been shown to confuse pests. Certain flowers and herbs attract beneficial insects to your garden. Plus adding flowers to a veggie garden or adding vegetables to the flower bed is a quick and easy way to add beauty and interest to your yard.

Almost any article on companion planting references the Native American “Three Sister Planting System.” This age-old grouping involves growing corn, beans and squash – often pumpkin - in the same area. As the corn stalks grow, beans naturally find support by climbing up the stalk. Beans, as all legumes, fix nitrogen in the soil, which supports the large nutritional needs of corn. Squash grows rapidly and the large leaves shade out weeds and serve as natural mulch, cooling the soil and slowing evaporation.

Many long-time gardeners swear that growing certain plants together improves flavor as well. While science hasn’t found support for some of the benefits of companion planting, there is support for the above information.

Historically, North American and European gardeners based many of their attempts with companion planting on widely published charts, which were mostly derived from funky chemistry experiments using plant extracts in the 1930s. But it turns out many of the plant partnerships listed in these “traditional” companion-planting charts don’t actually work well. Reaping the benefits of companion planting is possible, though, as long as you look to time-tested crop combinations. I’ve tried to make this easier for you by making available my “Ultimate Guide to Companion Planting” at this link.

Since most companions must be planted very near one another in order to be helpmates, companion planting is especially well-adapted to small gardens where plants are grown in close proximity and space is at a premium. Gardens that use raised beds, wide rows, or intensive square foot gardening methods make natural candidates for companion planting. It is also a natural ally for organic gardeners, since much companion planting is designed to benefit the garden naturally and without chemicals.

Where a conventional vegetable garden creates a series of small monocultures (all the lettuce is grown together over here, all the tomatoes there, and never the twain shall meet), companion planting encourages a carefully planned and densely planted mix to take advantage of the many possible relationships mentioned above. The mix alone tends to repel many flying insect pests, which actually get confused and give up if they don’t find what they’re looking for soon enough.

As for me, I love companion planting for its ascetic value, while I find any garden beautiful (yes, even my great granddad’s plowed rows), I find nothing more appealing than a multitude of plants growing in a small community of nature.

Happy Gardening!!

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10 Antiviral Herbs For Natural Cures

8/7/2017

73 Comments

There’s no need to explain the dread and exhaustion that comes with fighting a virus. Whether it be the common cold or the flu — the nausea, congestion, and other symptoms, can almost be too much to bear.

These symptoms usually result in fleeing to your doctor, in search of a pill, to make it all go away as fast as possible. And while there is definitely a time and place for prescription medications, have you paused for a moment to consider a prescription from nature?

According to the American Medical Association Journal, over 100,000 Americans die in hospitals every year due to side effects from regularly prescribed medications. Throughout America, a huge amount of medication is prescribed on a daily basis. The medical community openly acknowledges that fact that it does not have any cure for several common diseases that affect people.

Most over the counter or prescription medicines have side effects that can range from mild to severe. The reason for this is that most of these pharmaceuticals contain chemicals that have toxic properties as a part of there make up. Who needs this when you are already fighting off a cold or flu?

Unlike prescription medicines, whose list of potential side effects are often longer than their list of benefits, antiviral herbs often have little to no side effects. These herbs can be traced back to as early as Ancient Egypt and China, where they were also used as natural remedies.

Many, like licorice root, are also so effective that they are being considered for use as broad-spectrum, non-prescription antivirals.

By sticking with these antiviral herbs, you can stop viruses in their tracks, boost your immune system, and avoid the chemical toxins found in prescription drugs.

1. Oregano - It turns out that this fragrant herb offers far more than a zesty flavor. Oregano, and specifically oregano oil that has been extracted from the plant, contains significant antiviral properties. Studies show its active component, carvacrol, can inactivate viruses like human norovirus (sometimes referred to as the “vomit bug”) within one hour of contact.

Oregano has the power to “inactivate” the human norovirus within an hour of contact. In addition, Mexican oregano oil has been shown to be effective against viruses like acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1 and human respiratory syncytial virus.

Keep in mind, that while it’s great to cook with oregano, you might need to go the oil route to get the most antiviral benefits.

2. Echinacea – Echinacea, or Purple Cone Flower is one of the most popular antiviral herbs on the market when it comes to fighting viruses and bacteria, and for good reason.

Not only does it have the ability to boost your immune system by stimulating the production of cells to help fight infections, but it also contains phytochemicals that fight and help reduce infections once they occur.

3. Garlic – Not just for warding off vampires anymore! From ancient India to the medieval streets of Europe, garlic has a long history of use when it comes to infections. Some of these uses included using garlic as a treatment for leprosy, parasitic infections, and as an antibiotic for infectious diseases.

Today, garlic’s reputation as a potent antimicrobial is well-known. Studies have shown that it has the ability to combat the flu virus, the common head cold virus, HIV, and pneumonia, to name a few.

4. Elderberry - If you’re suffering from the flu, elderberry should be your go-to for relief. Studies have shown that people infected with influenza virus A and B experience 91 percent improvement after taking elderberry for seven days, while also reducing their fevers and increasing their feelings of improvement.
If you’ve got the flu, reach for some elderberry. It’ll boost your immune system while eradicating the virus.

Elderberry is commonly taken alongside echinacea to boost your immune system, while at the same time eradicating the flu virus.

5. Astragalus Root – This is one of my wife Holly’s “go to” natural medicinals! Astragalus root is more well-known as an adaptogen herb whose role is to help improve your body’s reaction to stress. However, research has shown this root also contains powerful antiviral properties.

One study revealed that astragalus root is effective at inhibiting the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), while another showed that it inhibits RNA replication in some virus strains. In simple terms, astragalus root could be your best friend whenever you’re looking to stop a virus from multiplying and getting worse.

6. Olive Leaf - Olive leaf, which indeed hails from the olive tree, is another fantastic antiviral.

It’s main compound, oleuropein, has been shown to inhibit the spreading of viruses by not allowing them to attach to healthy cells. In addition, studies have shown that exposing certain viruses to oleuropein in their early stages reduced their infection potential by 10 to 30 percent.

Other studies have even shown that olive leaf can inhibit certain antiviral effects on HIV by inhibiting replication.

7. Ginger - Not only is ginger an excellent remedy for the nausea and stomach upset you might feel when fighting a virus, but it also wages war against the virus itself.

It does this by blocking the attachment of viruses to areas that are commonly infected first, like your airways.

Keep in mind that many of the studies showing ginger’s effectiveness use fresh ginger rather than dried.

8. Licorice Root - Licorice root has been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine for its antiviral effects. Modern studies have caught up, and now conclude that compounds in the root called triterpenoids are extremely effective when it comes to viral immunity. It has been shown to have antiviral effects against viruses like the herpes virus, SARS, HIV, and influenza, and is being recognized as a potential broad-spectrum antiviral.

9. Cat’s Claw – First be sure to catch you cat while it is sleeping to make removing it’s claw easier. Just kidding, folks, Cat’s claw, hailing from a woody vine in the Amazon rainforest, is another herb with spectacular antiviral properties.

Specifically, cat’s claw works to supercharge your immune system, while simultaneously repairing damaged DNA and boosting your virus-fighting white blood cells.

Cat's Claw flower is pictured above but the vine is pictured below - bet you can see how it got its name!

10. Calendula - Calendula, also called pot marigold, is mainly used throughout the Western world as an ornamental plant. However, calendula’s flowers have been shown to fight viruses like rhinovirus and vesicular stomatitis by reducing their multiplication.

Calendula, aka pot marigold, is more than just a pretty flower. It can heal infections, ulcers and ear infections! Calendula is also recognized as a cleansing herb that helps treat chronic infections and reduces inflammation, as well as helping heal ulcers and eradicate ear infections.

How to Use Antiviral Herbs

Teas - Try steeping any of these antiviral herbs into a tea. Add 1 tablespoon of your favorite herb to 1 cup of hot water, and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
Alternatively, you can purchase pre-packaged teas such as ginger, licorice, elderberry, etc.
Oils - Combine 1 to 2 drops of antiviral essential oils with a carrier oil (like coconut oil or jojoba oil), and rub them onto your chest or feet, or add 2 to 3 drops to a warm bath.

Diffusers and Steams - Another way to use antiviral herbs, in their essential oil form, is to add around 7 drops to an essential oil diffuser, if you have one.
Alternatively, you can make an antiviral steam treatment by adding an oil to just-boiled water and inhaling the steam. This method is great for head colds and upper respiratory viruses.
Supplements - If you’re short on time, purchasing these antiviral herbs in supplement form might be your next best option. Many of these can be found in your local health food shop in standalone capsules, or in combination as part of an antiviral blend.

I am a big time believer in the benefits of herbal tea. I drink several cups of a number of different herbal tea every day. Herbal teas make for wonderful, low calorie and relaxing drinks.

Apart from having a beneficial effect on our health, herbal teas are fragrant, appealing, tasty and relaxing - all very good things!

Check out the graphic below for some of my favorite herbal tea remedies.
And I want to offer a special thanks to my friends over at theindiaspot for this great infographic!

Happy Gardening!!

73 Comments

The
Phytonutrient Blog!

NATURAL - Ancient Wisdom - Dental Care!

Tomato Hornworm; a Tomato Terrorist

Companion Planting Fact or Fiction?

10 Antiviral Herbs For Natural Cures

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Phytonutrient
Blog

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The Phytonutrient Blog!

NATURAL - Ancient Wisdom - Dental Care!

Tomato Hornworm; a Tomato Terrorist

Companion Planting Fact or Fiction?

10 Antiviral Herbs For Natural Cures

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The
Phytonutrient Blog!

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