The World's Healthiest Foods

[olgraybear]

The World's Healthiest Foods
130 foods that can serve as the basis of your Healthiest Way of Eating.

I have a compiled list of information from a health foods website, as a personal use, as I was concerned that this information would not stay available for future use. It always seems to me that something beneficial never does stay available anyway.

This is one of the sites,

http://www.whfoods.com/foodstoc.php

I have other links and info for anyone who wants it..

:o


I hope it is beneficial and of use to all who want it.

[Caren]

'Thank You' olgraybear, very kind of you. :)

[MorningSong]

Thank-you so much for this e-book! Definately worth having.... and memorizing!

[olgraybear]

I have researched and experimented with many a recipe for healthy bread.
Here attached also is a recipe for a healthy bread called Ezekial Bread, some call it Bible Bread, and it is very delicious. Please feel free to contact me with any questions if you have any problems with this.

[MorningSong]

WOW! That recipe sounds absolutely wonderful! And quite nutritious by itself! Thanks, again!

[Connecting with Sauce]

I have avocado for breakfast now as it has essential fats and is a morning food as it grows on trees... and it's green so it good for my heart :)

Solar nutrition:
http://www.marcellavonnharting.com/yes-no-maybe.cfm
http://www.amazon.com/Yes-No-Maybe-Chronobiotic-Nutrition/dp/0971068429/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[olgraybear]

These are things that your body system will love and soon you will feel the effects of how your system will "crave" or let you know what it needs and wants. It is a good thing.
Good for you !:thumb:

[TraineeHuman]

That's quite a good list, olgraybear. However, the "Healthiest Foods" title is misleading. Particularly if you look at certain types of eaters. For instance, these days about 25% of the population over 40 apparently has type 2 diabetes, or an early stage of it. As many people may know, it's almost impossible to get a heart attack, and some types of strokes, unless you already have type 2 diabetes. For Anybody who does have that type of diabetes, it's very important (sometimes life-saving) to keep their glycemic index (their level of blood sugar) down always. And the category of foods that has been proved to raise the glycemic level the most is grains. And yes, whole grains are even worse for this. That's why anybody with diabetes or pre-diabetes ideally should only eat sprouted grain bread as far as breads go, and should also avoid flour, pasta etc. Two of the "grains" on the list are actually not grains but are fruits or vegetables. I'm referring to millet and buckwheat. They're OK for diabetes. It would be much better for everybody's health if these were the "grains" put in mueslis, because they are alkaline-forming whereas the other grains are acid-forming.

[witchy1]

it's almost impossible to get a heart attack, and some types of strokes, unless you already have type 2 diabetes.

And the category of foods that has been proved to raise the glycemic level the most is grains.

Hi TraineeHuman, can you give me the links to these please - I like to keep abreast of this type of thing as am RN and this is not what I understand to be the case.

Cheers
W

[DawgBone]

The World's Healthiest Foods
130 foods that can serve as the basis of your Healthiest Way of Eating.

Great stuff, OGB.

Thanks!

[olgraybear]

Your very welcome DawgBone, thank you too.....

[olgraybear]

Hello TraineeHuman,

I don't know if you happened to have noticed that also on line 2 of the Title it did note - The World's Healthiest Foods
130 foods that can serve as the basis of your Healthiest Way of Eating.

Sorry if this information perhaps doesn't provide a basis for your needs or lifestyle. As with any information your free to use,.....all.....or.....none , .... your choice :rolleyes:

I also would like to read your links on your information, would you have them available?

be well,

[Virgo]

my wife has prepared several recipes from the TWHF's web site. there are 100 or more recipes listed at http://www.whfoods.com/recipestoc.php#recipes everything has been delicious so far. I've ordered several books to give as gifts to friends and customers.

thank you for your thread olgraybear.

[rgray222]

I put this post together sometime ago for one of my websites and thought that it would be appropriate here.

SUPERFOODS......FOODS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT!

Superfoods

Imagine a superfood -- not a drug -- powerful enough to help you lower your cholesterol reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer, and, for an added bonus, put you in a better mood. Did we mention that there are no side effects? You'd surely stock up on a lifetime supply. Guess what? These life-altering superfoods are available right now in your local supermarket. Read on until you see a pattern emerge. Blue, yellow, orange, gold, red etc are strong colors that have strong health benefits. Make no mistake about it you can benefit from supplements but the amount and quality will not even come close the real thing. Cuisine Manager is happy to bring you some of the best super foods that are readily available!

Blueberries

Naturally blue food is an anomaly, indicating that there is more to these berries then meets the eye, they are one of the healthiest foods you can ever eat. Researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging have discovered that blueberries contain one of the highest levels of antioxidant activity among almost all fruits and vegetables, even higher then most other types of berries. Blueberries are suspected to help prevent or slow down the following problems and diseases. More studies need to be done and dosage amounts need to be determined but a helping of blueberries everyday is proven to be healthy!
Slowing the aging process
Provide a great bacteria blocking process
Guard against urinary tract infections
Prevent anti inflammatory problems
Reduce the risk of heart disease
Prevent of slow down certain cancers
Improved brain function
Help prevent Alzheimer's and dementia
What is an antioxidant..............Antioxidants are self sacrificing super cops of the body. As free radicals (harmful molecules) circulate in the body available antioxidants attach to them, rendering them harmless. If free radicals are left to roam, they eventually destroy body cells. As we age the danger of free radicals becomes more serious, and a diet rich in antioxidants becomes more important!

Turmeric

Turmeric, a food that is as good as a drug and possibly much better for you and oh yes it taste great! If you eat Indian food on a regular basis you probably recognize the tastes of the spice turmeric and recognize it brilliant yellow-orange color. The health benefits of turmeric are making it a rising star in the world of herbs and spices. It has been used as a medicinal agents since 600 B. C. where it was used in Asia to treat a variety of health problems. Turmeric has both strong antioxidant as well as inflammatory properties, these properties are being investigated for some chronic diseases. More studies need to be done and dosage amounts need to be determined but suffice it to say that a small amount of turmeric on a daily basis can be beneficial. Possible benefits from turmeric are:

Gastrointestinal problems
Rheumatoid arthritis
Potential cancer prevention
Inflammatory bowel disease
Cholesterol lowering effect

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes are a delicious member of the dark orange vegetable family, which lead the pack in vitamin A content. Substitute a baked sweet potato (also loaded with vitamin C, calcium, and potassium) for a baked white potato. And before you add butter or sugar, taste the sweetness that develops when a sweet potato is cooked -- and think of all the calories you can save over that loaded baked potato. If we eat more foods like sweet potatoes that are rich sources of potassium, and fewer high-sodium foods, we can blunt the effect of sodium on blood pressure and reduce bone loss. Other dark orange vegetable standouts include pumpkin, carrots, butternut squash, and orange bell peppers.

Wonderful source of vitamin, C, Calcium, Potassium
Lower blood pressure
Anti inflammatory problems
Possible cancer prevention
Reduce bone loss

Honey

The fact is, researchers are turning up more and more new evidence of honey's medical benefits in all directions. The benefits of honey don't just stop at satisfying the palate. Medicinal benefits of honey have been know for a long time but some of the science is just beginning to emerge.
Did you know that there is only one food on the planet that never goes bad, you guessed it honey!
Eating for health has never been sweeter.

Incredible antiseptic, antioxidant and cleansing properties for our bodies
Eye conjunctivitis
Athletics foot
Healing of cuts
Fights infections and aids tissue healing
Reduce inflammation and scarring
Treats digestive problems such as diarrhea, indigestion, stomach ulcers and gastroenteritis.
Beauty treatments in the dozens
Great substitute for sugar, corn starch and sweeteners in almost all recipes
Treatment for colds
Helps with stomach upset

Tomatoes

Studies involving the tomato have cropped up all over the world of medical science. There are more health benefits derived from eating a tomato than the scientific community is able to print, at least yet.
These studies have proven to be beneficial preventing:

Cancer
Heart disease
Lowers cholesterol
Reduce the risk of macular degenerative disease
Acts as a natural sun blocker
The good news is even ketchup is good for you, especially organic!
This is really exciting information. The health benefits of tomatoes are becoming more and more documented every day as we learn new uses of this amazing fruit.
Cancers such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, rectal cancer, and cancers of the stomach, mouth, pharynx, and esophagus have all been proven to be staved off by high levels of Lycopene.
Researchers introduced Lycopene into pre-existing cancer cell cultures and the Lycopene prevented the continued growth of these cultures. This is pretty powerful evidence that the health benefits of eating a tomato are really quite phenomenal.
It takes as little as 540 milliliters of liquid tomato product to get the full benefits of Lycopene. This means that a daily glass of tomato juice has the potential to keep a person healthy for life.
Tomatoes are equally as nutritious fresh as they are in other variable forms. When tomato products are heat processed the bioavailablity of the Lycopene actually increases rather than the anticipated decrease.
Even with all the plentiful research that has gone into the health benefits of tomatoes, there is still more research being conducted as the medical science community understands that we have not fully tapped into the potential presented by a tomato just yet.

[Pamela]

On the light side...This past weekend I made a Mac & Cheese (with whole grain pasta) and pureed carrots for the kids for Thanksgiving. When one of them asked how I made the carrots soft, I told him I put them in a food processor. He replied, "I thought processed foods were BAD for us"! Can't help but love those kids!

[Banshee]

Avacados. Must eat avacados.

[olgraybear]

Cumin's Effect on Health
Cumin is a seed that has been used since antiquity. It’s health benefits and medicinal uses were well known even then. Today, this seed of a small flowering herb of the parsley family might not be used quite as much in food preparation as it was 5000 years ago, but it’s healing properties are still valued and used in natural and Ayurvedic healing.

This traditional herbal remedy has many uses. I is a stimulant as well as a great herb for digestive disorders and even as a antiseptic of sorts. The seeds themselves are rich in iron and are thought to help stimulate the secretion of enzymes from the pancreas which can help absorb nutrients into the system. It has also been shown to boost the power of the liver's ability to detoxify the human body.

Recent studies have revealed that cumin seeds might also have anti-carcinogenic properties1. In laboratory tests, this powerful little seed was shown to reduce the risk of stomach and liver tumors in animals.

The health benefits of cumin for digestive disorders has been well known throughout history. It can help with flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, morning sickness, and atonic dyspepsia. In this case, the seeds are boiled in water to make a tea of sorts - 1 teaspoon seeds to 1 glass water. Mix with salt and a teaspoon of coriander leaf juice.

Cumin is also said to help relieve symptoms of the common cold due to it’s antiseptic properties. Again, you’ll want to boil the seeds in a tea and then drink a couple of times a day. If you also have a sore throat then try adding some dry ginger to help soothe it.

Cumin can also be applied topically and is said to be a good salve for boils. Make a black cumin paste by grinding seeds with water and apply to the affected area.

Cumin makes a great tonic for the body even if you don’t have a specific ailment to cure. It is said to increase the heat in the body thus making metabolism more efficient. It is also thought to be a powerful kidney and liver herb and can help boost your immune system. Though the appropriate studies have yet to be conducted, some believe black cumin seeds may even be able to help treat asthma and arthritis.

So the next time you are offered a bowl of chili - go ahead and eat it. You may get something that tastes great along with the many health benefits of cumin.

Folklore
Superstition during the Middle Ages cited that cumin kept chickens and lovers from wandering. It was also believed that a happy life awaited the bride and groom who carried cumin seed throughout the wedding ceremony.




http://www.indepthinfo.com/cumin/health.shtml

[TraineeHuman]

Ol’graybear: As far as the GI (glycemic index) of foods is concerned, I’ve seen many, many different lists claiming to give an exact number for the GI rating of various foods. A typical example would be at the following website: www.lowgihealth.com.au (http://www.lowgihealth.com.au)
The interesting thing is that no two sources ever seem to agree exactly on these ratings. In all the cases I’ve come across, the majority of the group of foods rated as “high GI” are made primarily of flour or grains or potato. Most of these sources also agree that most grain foods are certainly at least medium GI rather than low GI.

I’ve also seen a number of statements by health authorities and other supposed experts (sorry, but I don’which have listed the categories of food diabetics (including type 2 diabetics) should avoid, and in each case “grains” were listed as the supposedly worst overall category. Of course, the effect of any food does vary to some degree with each individual. But if you know anybody with type 2 diabetes, you'll be aware they need to carefully watch the quantities and types of carbohydrates they eat.

[olgraybear]

Something for everyone if they wish to research and determine for theirselves,

Sacred Basil
Organic Sacred Basil - The Hindu people of India worship this plant as “Tulasi”, the incarnation of the goddess. Similar in looks and growth habit to culinary basil, Sacred Basil sets itself apart with its pungent aroma. A largely undiscovered herb, Sacred Basil deserves serious recognition for its many medicinal properties. It has been used as an adaptagen, expectorant, diaphoretic, antidote to poison, anti-inflammatory, liver protector, stomach ulcer preventative, immune stimulator, air purifier, and oxygenator of the brain, therefore improving memory. (Oscimum sanctum)

Days to maturity: 75 days

http://www.highmowingseeds.com/organic-seeds-sacred-basil.html


There are several other site with information and further explanation of uses and benefeits. Enjoy !

[Pagan]

Thank you very much olgraybear!!! :)

[Constance]

Something for everyone if they wish to research and determine for theirselves,

Sacred Basil
Organic Sacred Basil - The Hindu people of India worship this plant as “Tulasi”, the incarnation of the goddess. Similar in looks and growth habit to culinary basil, Sacred Basil sets itself apart with its pungent aroma. A largely undiscovered herb, Sacred Basil deserves serious recognition for its many medicinal properties. It has been used as an adaptagen, expectorant, diaphoretic, antidote to poison, anti-inflammatory, liver protector, stomach ulcer preventative, immune stimulator, air purifier, and oxygenator of the brain, therefore improving memory. (Oscimum sanctum)

Days to maturity: 75 days

http://www.highmowingseeds.com/organic-seeds-sacred-basil.html


There are several other site with information and further explanation of uses and benefeits. Enjoy !


A very aromatic species that is used as an incense and for flavouring. Also known as Holy Basil. The herb is warming, has antiseptic qualities, reduces fever and inflammation, clears bacterial infections and strengthens the immune system. It is considered to be a tonic and adaptogenic. A very useful herb. Native to India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka. A sub-species also occurs in Australia. The species name appears to have changed and is now Ocimum tenuiflorum.

There are several types of O. sanctum recognised, this one is 'Rama Tulsi' and there are 1-2 'Purple Tulsi' types, being grown at Hindu temples. Has a different habit and essential oil composition to Krishna Tulsi.

Care and cultivation Sow seed in spring just beneath soil surface. Rich, light, well-drained soil in full sun. Pinch out tips to encourage bushiness and delay flowering (this can be used with all Ocimum species and is a useful technique to keep your culinary basil producing heaps of leaves).

http://www.herbalistics.com.au

[TigaHawk]

Chinese Parsley!

Bah, i go to google for it and all i can find is normal parsley :(

It's great for helping you're body remove flouride :)

[olgraybear]

Chinese Parsley!

Bah, i go to google for it and all i can find is normal parsley :(

It's great for helping you're body remove flouride :)

I'll see what I can find for you....

[Nader]

I am all for the classic combination of fermented cod and/or skate liver oil taken with high vitamin butter oil. Green Pasture carries both on their website.

Other wonderful foods that are absolutely worth looking into:
- Goji and schizandra berries
- "He Shou Wu"
- Wild-harvested Gynostemma pentaphyllum
- Chia seeds
- Nettle
- Organic tree-ripened lemon, which simply has no equal.

[olgraybear]

I am all for the classic combination of fermented cod and/or skate liver oil taken with high vitamin butter oil. Green Pasture carries both on their website.

Other wonderful foods that are absolutely worth looking into:
- Goji and schizandra berries
- "He Shou Wu"
- Wild-harvested Gynostemma pentaphyllum
- Chia seeds
- Nettle
- Organic tree-ripened lemon, which simply has no equal.

Your spot on with that info Nader, I have some Goji planted and going on my place, one of the superfoods, good stuff.
Thanks for the input, its great.....

[Nader]

My sincere pleasure :)

I also benefitted a lot by reading the book "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon. With a tagline such as "The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats," you can't go wrong!

[conk]

it's almost impossible to get a heart attack, and some types of strokes, unless you already have type 2 diabetes.

And the category of foods that has been proved to raise the glycemic level the most is grains.

Hi TraineeHuman, can you give me the links to these please - I like to keep abreast of this type of thing as am RN and this is not what I understand to be the case.

Cheers
Wthis is my understanding as well. Too many links to mention. Also years and multiple sources tell me that wheat (and other grains) raise insulin levels higher then most any other food. Alternative physicians Robert Rowen, Frank Shallenberger, Bruce West, Joe Mercola, David Williams, and Julian Whitaker all say that grains are bad news.

Quick, easy foods that can be taken as supplements are chlorella, spirulina, and chia seeds. Extremely beneficial and healthful. The blue-green algae foods have most all needed nutrients in them.

[K626]

Fresh corriander leaves.

Miracle food.

K

[Wings]

Other wonderful foods that are absolutely worth looking into:
- Goji and schizandra berries
- "He Shou Wu"
- Wild-harvested Gynostemma pentaphyllum
- Chia seeds
- Nettle
- Organic tree-ripened lemon, which simply has no equal.

Nettle .... the forgotten herb (perhaps because of its prickles, and therefore it is not very inviting) .... but useful .... like dandelion.
Organic tree-ripened lemons .... I do not know what store bought ones are like.
Add ginger to this list. I introduced this to my family (with a European background). It was not well liked initially but I persisted/insisted. It is now part of their diet on an almost daily basis. It has many benefits and is considered one of the super herbs.

[olgraybear]

it's almost impossible to get a heart attack, and some types of strokes, unless you already have type 2 diabetes.

And the category of foods that has been proved to raise the glycemic level the most is grains.

Hi TraineeHuman, can you give me the links to these please - I like to keep abreast of this type of thing as am RN and this is not what I understand to be the case.

Cheers
Wthis is my understanding as well. Too many links to mention. Also years and multiple sources tell me that wheat (and other grains) raise insulin levels higher then most any other food. Alternative physicians Robert Rowen, Frank Shallenberger, Bruce West, Joe Mercola, David Williams, and Julian Whitaker all say that grains are bad news.

Quick, easy foods that can be taken as supplements are chlorella, spirulina, and chia seeds. Extremely beneficial and healthful. The blue-green algae foods have most all needed nutrients in them.

Curious thought, I believe that most of the wheat that is commercially grown and harvested are now GMO, as with corn. Its extremely hard finding these items that have not been tampered with, here locally for me anyway, could this grain being GMO be a trigger that either created or interacts with diabetes? Just a thought,,,

There are several very healthy grains other than wheat, i.e., millet, quinoa which have been eaten thor thousands of years, what's your thoughts on these?

Here's a link that shows a breakdown of nutritional values, http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/10352/2
and http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/cereal-grains-and-pasta/5702/2
, these links show the "completeness" of nutrient and protein values.

[olgraybear]

Chinese Parsley!

Bah, i go to google for it and all i can find is normal parsley :(

It's great for helping you're body remove flouride :)

I'll see what I can find for you....

Tigahawk,
From what I have seen so far, Chinese Parsley, possible also called Yuen Sai, which appears to be is Coriander/Cilantro. Here's a link, which might help. http://www.bestcoolseeds.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=334 Please let me know if this helps, or if I may be of further help.
Blessings,

[conk]

Quinoa is a wonder food, yes. One problem is that it's recent popularity is causing shortages among the locals who depend upon it. too much of it is being shipped away to the Western markets. I say my prayers of gratitude and abundance every time I use it.

Millet and buckwheat are good, gluten free substitutes for wheat.

[olgraybear]

Other wonderful foods that are absolutely worth looking into:
- Goji and schizandra berries
- "He Shou Wu"
- Wild-harvested Gynostemma pentaphyllum
- Chia seeds
- Nettle
- Organic tree-ripened lemon, which simply has no equal.

Nettle .... the forgotten herb (perhaps because of its prickles, and therefore it is not very inviting) .... but useful .... like dandelion.
Organic tree-ripened lemons .... I do not know what store bought ones are like.
Add ginger to this list. I introduced this to my family (with a European background). It was not well liked initially but I persisted/insisted. It is now part of their diet on an almost daily basis. It has many benefits and is considered one of the super herbs.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nettle#Uses_and_medical_properties_of_nettles

Quote from Wikipedia -

Uses and medical properties of nettlesSee also: Stinging nettle
Much historical evidence of use of nettles in medicine, folk remedies, cooking and fiber production relate to one species - Urtica dioica, but a fair amount also refers to the use of Urtica urens, the small nettle, which is preferred because it has more stinging hairs per leaf area than the more common species.[citation needed] It may be inappropriate and probably inaccurate to assume that all nettles exhibit similar properties in all cases, but where an action can be attributed to principles found in the species, such as histamine, choline, formic acid and silica, a rational basis for their use is still available.[citation needed] However, the fact that a medical action can be attributed to a single constituent does not imply that the entire plant will have the same action. Various types of Nettle have been studied for their effects on prostate hypertrophy, diabetes mellitus, rheumatic disease, hypertension, gastrointestinal symptoms, osteoarthritis, diarrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, pain,[3] constipation, gastrointestinal disease, headache, nausea, common cold, arthritis, asthma, bleeding, respiratory tract disease, allergic rhinitis, kidney disease, prostate cancer, skin disease and urinary tract disease[4]

[olgraybear]

Something for reference of that I have been studying on is Nutritional Yeast , or Yeast Flakes, perhaps if you have some intolerance to cheese or cheese products,


It is a source of protein and vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins and is a complete protein. It is also naturally low in fat and sodium and it is free of sugar, dairy, and gluten. Some brands of nutritional yeast, though not all, are fortified with vitamin B12. The vitamin B12 is produced separately from bacteria and then added to the yeast.

Nutritional yeast has a strong flavor that is described as nutty, cheesy, or creamy, which makes it popular as an ingredient in cheese substitutes. It is often used by vegans in place of parmesan cheese. Another popular use is as a topping for popcorn. It can also be used in mashed and fried potatoes, as well as putting it into scrambled tofu or eggs. Some movie theaters offer it along with salt or cayenne pepper as a popcorn condiment.


In Australia it is sometimes sold as "savoury yeast flakes." In New Zealand, it has long been known as Brufax. In the United States it is sometimes referred to as "yeshi," an Ethiopian name meaning "for a thousand." Though "nutritional yeast" usually refers to commercial products, inadequately fed prisoners of war have used "home-grown" yeast to prevent vitamin deficiency.[4] Nutritional yeast is different from yeast extract, which has a very strong flavour and comes in the form of a dark brown paste. Other strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are commonly used for making beer, wine, and bread.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nutritional_yeast

http://www.chooseveg.com/nutritional-yeast.asp

[Franny]

Hey rgray, great info and well put together, thank you. Just wanted to add that I read that a little regular black pepper combined with turmeric greatly boosts the efficacy of the turmeric by several times.




Turmeric

Turmeric, a food that is as good as a drug and possibly much better for you and oh yes it taste great!

[DianeKJ]

Thank you for all the amazing information :)
Namaste,
Di

[Wings]

Millet and buckwheat are good, gluten free substitutes for wheat.
Buckwheat is one of the best food sources to help maintain and repair the structural integrity of veins - so useful for any blood vessel fragility/capillary fragility – e.g. easy bruising, bleeding gums, nose bleeds, broken blood vessels in eyes, varicose veins, haemorrhoids.
Also good for people who suffer from chilblains, poor circulation and high blood pressure (with capillary bleeding).

[Wings]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nettle#Uses_and_medical_properties_of_nettles

Quote from Wikipedia -

Uses and medical properties of nettlesSee also: Stinging nettle
Much historical evidence of use of nettles in medicine, folk remedies, cooking and fiber production relate to one species - Urtica dioica, but a fair amount also refers to the use of Urtica urens, the small nettle, which is preferred because it has more stinging hairs per leaf area than the more common species.[citation needed] It may be inappropriate and probably inaccurate to assume that all nettles exhibit similar properties in all cases, but where an action can be attributed to principles found in the species, such as histamine, choline, formic acid and silica, a rational basis for their use is still available.[citation needed] However, the fact that a medical action can be attributed to a single constituent does not imply that the entire plant will have the same action. Various types of Nettle have been studied for their effects on prostate hypertrophy, diabetes mellitus, rheumatic disease, hypertension, gastrointestinal symptoms, osteoarthritis, diarrhea, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, pain,[3] constipation, gastrointestinal disease, headache, nausea, common cold, arthritis, asthma, bleeding, respiratory tract disease, allergic rhinitis, kidney disease, prostate cancer, skin disease and urinary tract disease[4]

As a herb it is mostly used to treat urinary tract problems.
As a food source it is one of the most nutritiously dense foods (so very good for someone who is run down). Cook it like you would spinach. It needs to be handled with gloves. I have some growing in my garden.
For arthritis - it is placed on the area that needs to be treated. This is not for the faint hearted, but it can relieve the pain for many weeks or months. Other herbs/foods that offer relief for arthritis - ginger, rosehip, fish/EFAs (anti-inflammatory), green lipped mussels.

Edit to add:

Nettles are useful for diarrhea because nettles are astringent and highly nutritious (if you're suffering from diarrhea you are in need of nutrients).
It's useful for allergic rhinitis (hayfever) because it's an astringent.
It's useful for bleeding because nettles contain iron (but you need to eat a lot), so for haemmorhoids, menstruation etc.
It also contains Vitamin C (if it is handled properly) so might be useful for some skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis and hives. Vitamin C reduces inflammation/mast cell production.
It is an amphoteric - which means it is normalising to both high and low blood pressure and also blood sugar levels, hence why it is useful for hypertension and diabetes.

[Franny]

I came across this article on Miso recently.

Miso soup, itʻs the breakfast of champions. I love it and am having it for breakfast right now. Little green onions and seaweed float on top. Yum.

A radiologist friend of mine has mentioned several times that he reads at least 6-8 thyroid images a week. The last time was while we were eating seaweed salad and Miso soup.

Since many places other than Japan are getting radiation in the jetstream, some people on the west coast of the Americas may want to add this to their diet along with kelp and seaweed, all very nutritious. Both contain iodine and some iodide that most people donʻt seem to get enough of, as well as trace minerals.



It may have been our fear of fallout from the impending nuclear holocaust or from nuclear power plant meltdowns that first attracted Westerners to miso. During the 60's, students of macrobiotics and Zen began hearing about Dr. Shinichiro Akizuki, director of Saint Francis Hospital in Nagasaki during the second World War. Although Akizuki spent years treating atomic bomb victims just a few miles from ground zero, neither he nor his staff suffered from the usual effects of radiation. Akizuki hypothesized that he and his associates were protected from the deadly radiation because they drank miso soup every day.

In 1972, Akizuki's theory was confirmed when researchers discovered that miso contains dipilocolonic acid, an alkaloid that chelates heavy metals, such as radioactive strontium, and discharges them from the body. However, the most convincing evidence demonstrating the protection miso offers to those exposed to radiation was published in Japan in 1989. Professor Akihiro Ito, at Hiroshima University's Atomic Radioactivity Medical Lab, read reports of European countries importing truckloads of miso from Japan after the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Ito reasoned that if people were protected from radiation by miso, then rats that were fed miso and radiated should develop less cancer than radiated rats that were not fed miso. Professor Ito was not surprised to find that the liver cancer rate for rats that were not fed miso was 100 to 200 percent higher than that of rats that were fed miso. Ito also reported that rats that were fed miso had much less inflammation of organs caused by radioactivity.

http://www.mitoku.com/products/miso/atomic_metals.html

I was just watching the youtube channel of dutchsinse who keeps up with the radiation distribution using several sites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w62ujVBVqOc&feature=channel_video_title

There is another fermented soy bean product called natto. Itʻs an acquired taste and texture that probably takes a long time to appreciate! But it seems to reduce cardio-vascular problems by removing plaque from the lining of blood vessels; the fermentation produces an enzyme that dissolves it. If you canʻt find the natto it can be purchased in capsules. Itʻs called nattokinase.

[conk]

Hey rgray, great info and well put together, thank you. Just wanted to add that I read that a little regular black pepper combined with turmeric greatly boosts the efficacy of the turmeric by several times.




Turmeric

Turmeric, a food that is as good as a drug and possibly much better for you and oh yes it taste great! Make the curcumin in Turmeric even more bio-available by taking it with a tsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Some nutrients are more fat soluable than others.

[Pavanpreet]

Why have you put meat on the list? From what i have learned in the study of the healthy eating that meat and most dairy is very unhealthy. We can see this by analysing the blood of people who have it in their diet. Most people dont realise that the meat is well putrid unless its eaten withing 4 hours of animal being killed. Sensible vegetarian. Clean blood=clean body=healthy vital living :)