Asparagus, specifically green asparagus, is beneficial to one’s health. Green asparagus cleanses the kidneys and is used to treat various kidney problems, however, in the case of kidney inflammation, one should not eat asparagus.

Green asparagus also contains a lot of Vitamin A, which is important for vision and maintaining the health of the mucous membranes that line the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts. Vitamin A also helps cells reproduce normally.

Note: Steamed asparagus with lemon, fresh ground pepper, a bit of garlic, and olive oil is very good.

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Cinnamon, which originally grew in southern Asia, is an evergreen tree of the laurel family. Cinnamon is from the bark of the tree. It is most often used as a powder and usually as a culinary spice, but it also beneficial to good health.

Cinnamon is a carminative, expelling gas from the stomach and bowel, and is used to aid digestion and also to relieve vomiting. But be careful, too much cinnamon can induce vomiting. Boil a small amount of cinnamon in water and drink (after it has cooled ). Don’t start off with too much cinnamon . . . you don’t know how your body will respond to it. Cinnamon also helps break down fats in the digestive system.

It is also an antiseptic, killing many decay and disease causing bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Cinnamon “flavored” toothpastes and mouthwashes aren’t just for the taste. After washing a minor cut or scrape, try sprinkling some cinnamon powder on it to prevent infection. It also has some anesthetic properties, so it should relieve pain as well.

Warning: Do not put cinnamon oil on the skin because it may cause redness and burning. Also, do not ingest cinnamon oil. It can cause nausea, vomiting, or even kidney damage.

Athletic activity uses up a lot of energy. Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade are the usual drinks for people when they are exercising, or participating in athletics. And they do work, but, these drinks, along with the swiftly multiplying energy drinks, are loaded with sugar, often caffeine, artificial color, often artificial flavor, and preservatives.

Try the natural way . . . next time, instead of grabbing a gatorade, powerade, or other sports drink, mix honey in water. The sugars in natural honey are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. Honey also has naturally occuring vitamins and minerals. No artificial colors or flavors and no additives or preservatives. It’s all there from the beginning. You could prepare the “honey water” ahead of time by heating/boiling the water so that the honey will mix in easier, or you can even get honey powder (try http://www.blossomland.com) and mix that with water.

If you just need a quick energy boost every once in a while, buy some honey sticks and keep some with you wherever you go.

Mint is a great household herb to have. It grows quite easily, but keep in mind that it will spread like crazy (if planted in the yard vs. a pot). Peppermint is the most effective, however, I have had success with spearmint too . . . but peppermint is more potent.

Mint is a stimulant. Try drinking a strong cup of peppermint tea instead of coffee in the morning. It strengthens the heart muscles and is generally cleansing and strengthening to the whole body.

Mint helps stomach or digestion problems in adults and children. Next time you’ve got a stomach ache, drink some peppermint or spearmint tea, or chew on some peppermint or spearmint leaves (after they have been washed of course ). If you’re son or daughter has a stomach ache, give them a little bit of peppermint or spearmint tea to drink, or a leaf or two to chew. Drinking mint tea or chewing on the leaves will also help with cramps (including menstrual). Mint is a harmless herb, unless you are allergic, so feel free to eat the leaves . . . you don’t have to spit them out after chewing on them. Drinking a cup of peppermint tea also helps with flatulence (farting).

You can put crushed fresh peppermint leaves on the forehead for a headache. You can also apply crushed mint leaves on insect bites or stings.

Also, next time you have a sore throat, try gargling with spearmint tea . . . after gargling, swallow a spoonful of honey.

Note: If you are trying to get rid of mint from your garden, wet the dirt where the mint is and let it soak for about an hour to soften the dirt. Then pull out the mint, roots and all. Just cutting them won’t do it.

If you’ve got dry skin, try using shea butter or cocoa butter . . . or both . Both are highly moisturizing and relieve dry, itchy skin. Don’t be afraid to glop it on, as long as you will be wearing clothing over the area so you don’t get shea or cocoa butter on everything. Keep in mind that either will be greasy, since they are butter.

A great website where you can find shea butter is www.africansheabuttercompany.com. They have tons of great shea butter products, including shea oil. They used to have cocoa butter too, but I don’t think they carry it at the time being. As far as cocoa butter goes, I use the 100% Cocoa Butter stick made by “Queen Helene.” I found it at Rite Aid . . . don’t know if it is carried anywhere else. You can also find shea and cocoa butter products at Whole Foods Market (”Jason” products are very good).

If your muslces are tired after a long day, or sore from a hard workout, try taking a eucalyptus bath. As the bathtub fills with warm/hot water, put up to 20 or 30 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in the water. Grab a small towel and make a support for your neck and then just soak in the tub for a while. If your muscles are very sore, you might want to do this for a few days in a row.

Just a reminder . . .

As I am not a licensed professional in natural medicine or herbology, please be aware that, although the information is well researched, I cannot be held responsible for personal outcomes. Like all types of medicine (and foods), different people react differently to certian plants (and foods). And so . . . use at your own risk.

Garlic, part of the onion family, isn’t exactly perfume or cologne, but its characteristic smell comes with several healing properties. It purifies the blood and eliminates toxins from the body. Garlic reduces blood pressure, cholesterol, and clotting. It also helps remove stagnant food from the intestines.

Garlic is antibacterial and antiseptic. Its juice (after being crushed and grinded) can be used to disinfect wounds by washing the wound with it.

Garlic also helps cure the common cold and some flus. Holding a clove of garlic in the mouth, between teeth or in the cheeks, (for 15-20 minutes) and then eating it (yes, raw ) will help get rid of a cold, or even a sore throat.

Garlic alleviates respiratory problems. Next time you are congested and have trouble breathing, crush some garlic and inhale the smell in long deep breaths.

Garlic powder is a remedy for athlete’s foot. Sprinkle the powdered garlic on wet feet and let it dry (don’t put socks on until dry).

Do your pets have intestinal worms or other parasites? Try feeding them a clove garlic with their food everyday (for a small pet, try 1/3-1/2 a clove). Garlic has been shown to get rid of worms and parasites in pets, and in people. Garlic, when given with your pet’s food, will also help keep fleas off. Also, if your pet is sick and doesn’t want to eat, put a little garlic in their food . . . they like the strong smell and should eat. Just be careful . . . too much garlic can give your pet an upset stomach.

And, if you don’t mind smelling like garlic, eating raw garlic everyday will help keep mosquitoes away.

Note: For the healing properties of garlic to be potent, the garlic must be used raw. Also, a whole lot of garlic is not always a good thing . . . some say it can damage the liver when eaten excessively.

The stomach is most active between 7 and 9 a.m., and so breakfast should be eaten in that time. One should not eat before 5 a.m. because the digestive organs need rest and the other organs are involved in metabolic functions which should not be interrupted with eating.

You can eat breakfast whenever you want, but this is good to keep in mind.