The Benefits of Extra Hydrogen: Part II

If you haven’t read the previous post about the health benefits of extra hydrogen, be sure you do that first, since it contains important information about hydrogen and how drinking hydrogen-enriched water can positively affect your body in numerous ways, including increasing your energy and improving the health of your gums. It also mentions how inhaling hydrogen can have significant protective effects on ischemic organs and possibly help people who have suffered from stroke, cardiac arrest, or heart attacks.

Today’s Part II focuses on several more ways adding extra hydrogen (H2) to your daily routine could benefit your health…

*IMPROVE THE EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDENTS

Check out this video where Dr. Gellibolian, PhD in biochemistry discusses the difference and how molecular hydrogen, not alkalinity, is what gives us the health benefit:

*IMPROVE THE SKIN

Watch this 6-minute video to find out more about how using hydrogen water and gas can offer benefits to the skin:

FYI, you can also put hydrogen-rich water into a spray bottle and use it on your skin, cuts, scrapes, etc. Just be sure the bottle is glass and not plastic, which could leach into the water.

*MAY HELP WITH HEARING LOSS

Great news has come from a double-blind randomized controlled trial at six hospitals between June 2019 and March 2022 examining the effectiveness of H2 in treating hearing loss in sixty-five patients with ISSNHL (sudden hearing loss) showing the changes in hearing threshold were significantly better in the H2 group than in the control group.

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9731512/

*IMPROVE IMMUNE FUNCTION

Some food for thought from Dr Paul Barattiero about the benefits of hydrogen water:

“You need your immune function. You need your body performing at it’s peak and hydrogen is gonna do that within an hour…….And if your elimination pathways are not open, get the hydrogen water because it’s gonna open them and not have inflammation in the liver, the kidneys, the gallbladder, the pancreas, the whole pancreatic system……And ATP is critical and you want to have ATP. And the hydrogen water will get that mitochondrial function to peak really quickly, so you have energy. And also it reduces fatigue….There was actually a study on coffee versus hydrogen water, and the hydrogen water beat out coffee by 10% in it’s energy production ability in the body, but with no down cycle.

Oxidative stress and inflammation is the cause of cancer. And so, when you’re removing that, you’re removing all pathology and having the body be less susceptible. So, in many of these studies, 114 of them, it says hydrogen is anti-cancer. And so many of the studies, like in the colon cancer, it says hydrogen water can inhibit colon cancer. That’s a very strong language.”

And this is a great one to end on. It’s a story about a remarkable recovery due to inhaled hydrogen…

The case is of an 11-year-old boy with PVS caused by severe intracerebral bleeding in the left hemisphere following anticoagulation treatment. The patient’s PVS severity showed no notable improvement after 2-mo neuroprotective treatments and rehabilitation, including nerve growth factor and baclofen, hyperbaric oxygen, and comprehensive bedside rehabilitation therapies.

Then the doctors discussed and decide to provide the boy with daily inhalation treatment (4-6 h) where a high-concentration hydrogen (H2) gas (66.6% H2 + 33.3% O2) was provided. Surprisingly, the 11-year-old’s orientation, consciousness, ability to speak, facial expressions, and locomotor function were significantly restored, along with improvements in essential general health status, after H2 gas inhalation treatment, which was consistent with stabilized neuropathology in the left hemisphere and increased Hounsfield unit values of computed tomography in the right hemisphere. The patient finally recovered to a near-normal conscious state with a Coma Recovery Scale-Revised Score of 22 from his previous score of 3.

Research source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8855194/

As you can see from Part I and II, inhaling, drinking and soaking in hydrogen-rich water can have a positive effect on our health in a variety of ways, and there are a number of companies offering various types of hydrogen generators these days.

As I mentioned in Part I, I bought a device a number of years ago that made hydrogen-rich drinking water, but recently switched to the ION Bottle Pro 3000, because it offered several features my old one didn’t, including a nasal cannula inhaler attachment. It also has a self-cleaning option, features a carry handle, is lighter in weight (making it more portable), and not only has a 3 min. cycle, but also a 10 min. one that results in H2 up to 3000 ppb (therapeutic levels are 1.0 ppm/1000 ppb or greater), so you get a much higher concentration of hydrogen.

The Ion Bottles’ devices are designed to produce pure molecular hydrogen and they help your water maintain premium neutral pH levels, which they do with the help of electrolysis and the Proton Exchange Membrane inside. The Pro model also has a built-in down vent that expels the oxygen and ozone, and if chlorine or other oxides are present, it will filter those, too, leaving your water with 99.9% hydrogen up to 3.0 PPM, along with the H2O present.

FYI, hydrogen is the lightest molecule on earth, so it evaporates quickly, often within 10-15 minutes once exposed to air. But because the Pro 3000 has a more advanced membrane then Ion’s pitcher and original bottle devices, it will last upwards of 30 minutes in an open container. The beautiful part of a hydrogen generator is that, if the container has been open too long, you can always run another cycle to reinfuse more hydrogen, which isn’t the case with single use pouch and canned hydrogen water.

If you would like to order one of the ION Bottles devices, use this link and the code BETTERHEALTH4U for 10% off. Adding hydrogen water to your daily routine would be an easy way to “up” health quotient, AND would make a great health-promoting gift for friends and family!

Here’s to being healthy & free in 2023!

p.s. Be sure to follow Self-help Health to receive helpful tips on a regular basis.  And check out my website’s To Your Health page for even more useful information and resources for creating better health and well-being.

The Benefits of Extra Hydrogen: Part I

Over the last couple of years devices that generate hydrogen water have given people an easy way to up their daily quotient of extra H2 (hydrogen), which seems to promote better health in a variety of ways.

Read about hydrogen and some of its many benefits below and you may just want to add it to your daily routine as well!

“Over 500 peer-reviewed articles demonstrate hydrogen to have therapeutic potential in essentially every organ of the human body and in 150 different human diseases.” – Molecular Hydrogen Foundation

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is a tasteless and odorless gas and has demonstrated various biological and therapeutic effects on many diseases, from acute illnesses, including ischemia–reperfusion injury, to chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases.

H₂ is non-toxic even when used at high concentrations and rapidly crosses different tissue barriers, including blood–brain barriers, and penetrates various organelles^4,5,6. H₂ interferes with reactive oxygen species (ROS) in living systems, a characteristic that supports its well-established antioxidant functions that lead to its frequent use to treat diseases associated with oxidative stress^3,7,8.

Molecular hydrogen is applied in therapeutics through various delivery routes, including hydrogen inhalation (HI), oral administration of hydrogen-rich water (HRW) or hydrogen tablets, and hydrogen-saturated saline injections. The concentration of H₂ in tissues after exogenous supply depends on the type of organ⁴ and the H₂ delivery route⁹. The liver is the organ that accumulates more exogenous H₂^4,9, which appears to significantly affect its homeostasis¹⁰. H₂ protected the liver against various acute and chronic injuries in animal models by suppressing excessive oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death^11,12. In addition to the liver, preventive and therapeutic effects were obtained for H₂ in various animal experiments of disease models^2,3 and clinical trials in humans^13,14,15. The preventive aspect of H₂ in disease models, its antioxidant effects^7,8, its function in aging^13,16, among many others^17,18,19, are paving the way for the use of H₂ in healthy people to improve body performance or as a preventive therapeutic strategy.

In a recent clinical trial that was evaluated in a cohort of young and healthy people, the effects of inhaling 4% H₂ 20 min per day for 7 days on exercise performance revealed ergogenic properties such as improved running performance and torso strength²⁰. Although Sim M. and colleagues had reported the beneficial effect of H₂ inhalation on the increase of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response in healthy adults²¹, other groups found that H₂ only reduced delayed-onset muscle soreness after running downhill²² or improved muscle function during exercise without any effect on blood oxidative markers²³. These data suggest that still little is known about H₂ performance under healthy conditions and therefore requires further research. As part of an effort to provide more data to help better understand the therapeutic functions attributed to the biological activities of H₂ in health conditions, our laboratory has initiated a study that evaluated the effect of long-term (6 months) hydrogen intervention on the physiological function of healthy rats²⁴. The study found that H₂ induces a time-dependent alteration of different biochemical parameters, among which liver injury markers such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bile acid (TBA) were significantly reduced in the serum of H₂-treated rats²⁴, suggesting that liver physiology and functions could be positively affected by prolonged exposure to H₂. In the present study, we used transcriptomic and metabolomic approaches coupled with biochemistry and micro-CT techniques to access the global effects of long-term H₂ treatment on the liver and its relationship with body conditions.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-07710-6?fbclid=IwAR0dCuc3kMCjvbgGz5YBb3wF7lruybL4bAGp4Qtl1I7-atEPznVTngZIhDc#:~:text=Molecular%20hydrogen%20(H2)%20is,diseases1%2C2%2C3

MORE interesting and exciting information about the benefits of extra hydrogen….

By 2019 more than 1000 studies had been carried out on humans and animals in regard to the effects of hydrogen, and by 2021 over successful clinical tests on 170 diseases had been conducted. AND supposedly 40% of Japan’s population uses it on a daily basis!

*INHALED HYDROGEN

Inhaled hydrogen gas (H2) has been shown to have significant protective effects on ischemic organs. Clinical trials abroad have shown promise that treatment of patients suffering from stroke, cardiac arrest, or heart attacks may benefit from inhaling hydrogen gas during the early recovery period.

Source: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04046211

PERSONAL NOTE: I read somewhere where doing 30 minutes of inhaled hydrogen is as good as drinking 15L of hydrogen water. If so, then it would be great to do even 10 minutes and feel like you’ve gotten what you normally get by making a number of batches of H2 water to drink!

*RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

In one pilot study, 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis drank 0.5 L/day of hydrogen water for 4 weeks. By the end of the study, all patients with early rheumatoid arthritis achieved remission and 20% became symptom-free.

National Library of Medicine – Published Study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23031079/

*GUM HEALTH

Drinking hydrogen water 4-5 times daily improved gum health in 13 patients with inflamed gums after 8 weeks. It also seemed to increase blood antioxidants and the effects of non-surgical treatment. No conflicts of interest were declared. However, this study was small and its findings have not been replicated yet.

But it seems like extremely positive news for hydrogen water benefits!

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4665424

*LIPIDS & GLUCOSE METABOLISM

Supplementation of hydrogen-rich water improves lipid and glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance. For more information, check out the following link:

Source: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19083400/

A more comprehensive list of possible H2 benefits includes:

*Improve athletic performance

*Reduce disease risk

*Promote cardiovascular health

*Improve cognitive function

*Anti-inflammatory properties

*Reduce side effects from radiation therapy

*Reduce stress and anxiety

*Slow down visible signs of aging

*Boost natural ATP energy levels

*Improve post-workout muscle recovery

*Reduce muscle fatigue

And here’s some info about the H2 device I recently started using….

As you can see from this post and the upcoming Part II, there are a number of ways to take in extra hydrogen and numerous positive effects on our health! And there are a number of companies offering various types of hydrogen generators these days, but that wasn’t the case several years ago when I bought my first device.

Recently I switched to the Ion Bottle Pro 3000 because it offered several features my old device didn’t have, including a nasal cannula inhaler attachment, a self-cleaning option, carry handle and lighter weight (for easier portability), and not only a 3 min. cycle, but also a 10 min. one for making super concentrated hydrogen water.

The Ion Bottles’ hydrogen generator ionizers are designed to produce pure molecular hydrogen, as well as help your water maintain premium neutral pH levels. They do this with the help of electrolysis and the Proton Exchange Membrane inside. There are two plates separated by this membrane; the bottom plate does not come into contact with the water, and pressure inside the membrane pushes oxygen O2 downward while allowing the light H2 gas to flow upwards. The bottles produce a negative ORP level down to negative -500 mV. Actually I’m not sure what that last part means, but I think it’s supposed to be a good thing. HA!

Ion offers several different devices, including the original 1600 model, which can produce up to 1600/1.6 ppb, while the Pro 3000 can produce up to 3000 ppb with its 10 minute cycle. Also, the Pro 3000 uses a new advanced membrane, it has a longer 1800 mAh battery, as well as the cannula attachment in the lid for inhalation therapy. The Pro model has a great built-in down vent that expels the oxygen and ozone, and if chlorine or other oxides are present in your water, it is designed to filter those, too, leaving your water with 99.9% hydrogen up to 3.0 PPM, along with the H2O present.

FYI, since hydrogen is the lightest molecule on earth, it will evaporate quickly. There’s many factors that influence evaporation rate, including water temperature, ambient air temperature, and if you are using ice or not. Ion’s tests show hydrogen in the original and pitcher models lasts anywhere between 10-15 minutes when opened. In the Pro 3000, since it has a more advanced membrane than the pitcher and original bottle, it will last upwards of 30 minutes in the water once the lid is opened. The beautiful part of a hydrogen generator is that you can always reinfuse more hydrogen if it’s been exposed to air too long, compared to single use pouch and canned hydrogen water competitors

FYI, there are also strict water ionizing machines on the market; these are larger units that require connection to your water outlet. While strict ionizer machines will slightly increase the molecular hydrogen, the goal of those machines is to increase or decrease the pH levels creating acidic or alkaline water, so it’s a whole different “ball game.” 🙂

If you would like to order one of the ION Bottles devices, use this link and the code BETTERHEALTH4U for 10% off. Adding hydrogen water to your daily routine could be an easy way to “up” your health quotient, AND could make a great health-promoting gift for friends and family!

p. s. Part II of the benefits of extra hydrogen is now available at this link, so be sure you read about how H2 can improve skin, antioxidant activity, immune function and more.

Here’s to being healthy & free in 2023!

p.s. Be sure to follow Self-help Health to receive helpful tips on a regular basis.  And check out my website’s To Your Health page for even more useful information and resources for creating better health and well-being.

5-Minute Energy Routine Challenge To Start Off 2023

Here’s a quick post to let you know about another great way to start off the new year! Donna Eden, who has been a pioneer in the field of energy medicine for decades, is hosting a week-long “challenge” to get people in the habit of doing her famous 5-minute energy routine on a regular basis. I used to do this series of exercises almost daily, but hate to say I haven’t done it for awhile, even though I always felt better when I did. There’s also a longer version, which is what I used to do, that includes some massage of the lymph, which I think is a great add-on.

Anyway, the challenge starts TODAY and Eden Energy Medicine didn’t get an announcement ahead of time, so sign up asap, if you’re interested. I will include a link at the bottom of this post to today’s first video that will allow you to jump right in. I just finished doing the routine myself and my body feels really happy I did! 🙂

Join us for the 7-Day Daily Energy Routine Challenge!

Let’s all start off January 2023 with the best ENERGY possible. Healthy underlying energy supports: A pain-free body that is more resilient to disease and can participate fully in all life has to offer! A clear and calm mind that can handle life’s challenges with more creativity and ease. An inner state of joy that comes from within and can sustain itself no matter what is going on around you. One of the best tools that we have to help with all of the above (and more) is Donna’s Daily Energy Routine! When done repeatedly, your body begins to establish healthy energy habits that, over time, will activate your body’s innate self-healing abilities. It’s a simple, yet powerful routine and we’d love for you to do it with us, every day – starting today! The 7-Day Daily Energy Routine Challenge Jan 9th-15th, 2023 Follow Along with a Free Video Every Day Sign Up for Daily Email Reminders HERE

p. s. Here’s the link to the Day 1 session on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyHp8uUqgS8

1/12/23 UPDATE: So far I can tell a difference from doing the challenge the last few days, and I was happy to see that in Day 4 Donna added in how to do the lymph massage that I used to do back when I first started practicing the routine years ago. It’s a really good add-on to know about! You can access it here.

Here’s to being healthy & free in 2023!

p.s. Be sure to follow Self-help Health to receive helpful tips on a regular basis.  And check out my website’s To Your Health page for even more useful information and resources for creating better health and well-being.

Another Free Qigong Class!

Steven Washington is offering another one of his free Qigong classes and I love that he always provides a replay for those who can’t catch it live. PLUS, he breaks it out into sections where you can pick which part(s) you want to focus on….pilates, calming Qigong, Mindful Meditation, or “all of the above”…..

Join Steven for this upcoming FREE Class!

January 24th, 2023

at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 6pm UK

Extraordinary change can start with one small step… and this fun, free class with Movement Master Steven Washington is an easy way to get started/stepping toward a happier and healthier 2023!

Here’s what’s included:

• 30 minutes of Pilates strengthening and stretching exercises
• 30 minutes of energy-igniting and calming Qigong movements
• A peaceful Mindful Meditation
• Replay of the full class plus short and Qigong-only versions.

Also, Steven recently shared a new short 5 minute video to start off the new year. In it he briefly and humbly talks about a part of his past when his life was run by addiction, and how he found recovery and was able to become grounded, peaceful and courageous. At the 2:05 minute mark he teaches an easy to do flowing Qigong exercise to circulate the energy within your body and bring about emotional balance,….. something we can all use more of these days!

Here’s to being healthy & free in 2023!

p.s. Be sure to follow Self-help Health to receive helpful tips on a regular basis.  And check out my website’s To Your Health page for even more useful information and resources for creating better health and well-being.

Jin Shin Jyutsu ‘Mediator’ For Harmonizing Emotions And Alleviating Fatigue, Allergic Reactions, Achy Shoulders And More!

I don’t know about you, but the last couple of months have seemed especially tough on my nervous system and my emotions have been all over the place. So I was happy to be reminded in an e-mail from Astrid at FlowsForLife.com of this wonderfully easy JSJ energy routine to help bring a greater sense of balance and harmony to my body, mind and spirit!

Jin Shin Jyutsu Mediator

Something happens or someone says something and I find myself reacting badly. Or I overreact. I just can’t help myself! Not only that: insignificant things become big issues, and I am left feeling mentally, emotionally and physically drained. The good news is that harmony can be restored with this Jin Shin Jyutsu Mediator self help exercise.

But first: A bit about the ‘Trinity’ energies

Mediator energies are very closely related to the Trinity. These are Main Central and Left and Right Supervisor energies.

Main Central is the energy that connects each one of us to the Universal Source of Life. It flows down the front and up the back of the body in an oval, keeping us harmonized with source energy. I often describe it as the trunk of the tree. Because of this, it regenerates all of our other individualized energy functions. To harmonize Main Central you can simply do the Main Central Exercise.

If Main Central is the trunk of the tree, then the Left and Right Supervisor are the two main branches. The Left Supervisor ‘supervises’ the left side energies. It flows down the front and up the back of the left side, also in an oval pattern. The same happens on the right side of the body. There is a simple exercise to harmonize the Left and Right Supervisors.

So again, Main Central along with the Left and Right Supervisor form The Trinity.

On to the Diagonal Mediators

The Diagonal Mediator Energies ensure that the left and right side energies of the body are in balance. In essence, they ‘mediate’ between the two sides, making sure that left and right side are also in harmony with Main Central.

Mary Burmeister wrote: “It is of vital importance to keep [The Mediator] functioning properly for the total supply of energy to the whole man.”

What happens when Mediator is not harmonized?

Mary also said that ‘this energy is the cause for disharmony in the body’. Let’s look at that in more detail.

Fundamentally, attitudes are at the root of all disharmony. By attitudes I mean Worry, Fear, Anger, Sadness and Trying To’s (or Efforting).

These attitudes are born at the level of the Mediator energy.

The way I see it is that we all experience emotions such as Worry, Fear, Anger, Sadness and Trying To’s – we are human after all. It’s when we get ‘stuck’ in one of these emotions that they become an ATTITUDE.

How does that feel, to get ‘stuck in an emotion’? Well, I feel angry all the time. I am reactive and I overreact. I worry all the time and I just can’t stop. I’m anxious about everything. The smallest thing makes me cry. Life isn’t fair! Life isn’t fun! And on and on. You get the picture.

It’s pretty draining, isn’t it? Can’t think straight, let alone find the energy to function optimally from day to day.

Exhaustion is also a good indicator that mediator is overloaded.

Jin Shin Jyutsu Mediator also helps

So apart from balancing the emotions, it also helps take fatigue out of the body. Great for allergic reactions, especially if they affect the nose and eyes. Use it when your shoulders are tight and achey.

Self help exercise to harmonize Mediator energies

The following self help exercise harmonizes Left and Right Diagonal Mediator energies. Practice it every day for a few minutes or for as long as you like! Start with the side that you feel is the most tense. If you don’t know which side that is, then start with the left Mediator.

I find it really comfortable to do this exercise while lying in bed and placing pillows and cushions where I need them.

The left Mediator flow:
Place the right hand over the left shoulder and place the left thumb over the left ring fingernail.  At the same time, bring the knees together. Relax the hands. Hold for 3-5 minutes, or longer, until you feel relief.

Tip: When lying in bed and knees are together, I like to flop my feet out to the side. It’s easier to keep my knees together that way.

The right Mediator flow:
Place the left hand over the right shoulder and place the right thumb over the right ring fingernail. At the same time, bring the knees together. Relax the hands. Hold 3-5 minutes, or longer, until you feel relief.

Mary Burmeister, a foremost teacher of this Universal Art said: “Happiness is the measure of our HARMONY.”

Astrid says you may also like:

In the Flow: Hands-on Self Help Mini eCourse

See my Jin Shin Jyutsu Online Resources

And if you’re new to JSJ, check out my original Self-help Health post on the topic:

Jin Shin Jyutsu – One of my favorite self-help health tools!

Here’s to a healthier you in 2022!

p.s. Be sure to follow Self-help Health to receive helpful tips on a regular basis.  And check out my website’s To Your Health page for even more useful information and resources for creating better health.

“Cucumber Redeux”

Too funny! I just saw a post on Facebook about interesting uses for cucumbers and was going to do a post on them when I did a search here and realized I’d already featured the information in a 2013 blog I’d completely forgotten about. It was perfect timing to be reminded of all the unusual uses because both my bedroom and bathroom doors recently developed squeaks and I don’t have any WD-40, so I was thinking about trying coconut oil as a remedy, but now I think I’ll go the cucumber route.

Anyway, I figured, with cucumber season just around the corner here in the southeast, it was time to remind myself and others of the health benefits and versatility of this underappreciated “warty green wonder.” And btw, one of my favorite healthy things to drink is made by throwing a chopped up organic cucumber into the Vitamix, along with a couple of organic celery stalks and some lemon or lime juice and water. Simple and very light and refreshing!

Cucumbers belong to the same botanical family as melons (including watermelon and cantaloupe) and squashes (including summer squash, winter squash, zucchini and pumpkin) and are made up of 96 percent water, so they are a great source of hydration for the body. They are also loaded with Vitamin A, which protects the body from free radicals and lowers the risk of various cancers and illness due to damaged cells. Vitamin A also has many other important functions, including aiding normal bone growth, white blood cell development and normal blood cell functioning, and eye health.

Cucumbers are also a good source of Vitamin K, which is mainly responsible for making some of the proteins the liver requires for blood clotting. It plays a role in building bone and other tissues of the body, as well. And a 100 g serving (around 3.5 oz.) of cucumber contains approximately 150 mg of potassium. This mineral aids in metabolic functions and plays a role in the development of muscle tissue. Adequate potassium is also necessary for maintaining normal electrical activity of the heart. Cucumbers also contain other beneficial minerals, such as calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

Cucumbers have not received as much press as other vegetables in terms of health benefits, but this widely-cultivated food provides us with a unique combination of nutrients. At the top of the phytonutrient list for cucumbers are its cucurbitacins, lignans, and flavonoids. These three types of phytonutrients found in cucumbers provide us with valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits.

ANTIOXIDANT & ANTI-INFLAMMATORY BENEFITS

Cucumbers are a valuable source of conventional antioxidant nutrients including vitamin C, beta-carotene, and manganese. In addition, cucumbers contain numerous flavonoid antioxidants, including quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol. In animal studies, fresh extracts from cucumber have been shown to provide specific antioxidant benefits, including increased scavenging of free radicals and increased overall antioxidant capacity. Fresh cucumber extracts have also been shown to reduce unwanted inflammation in animal studies. Cucumber accomplishes this task by inhibiting activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes like cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2), and by preventing overproduction of nitric oxide in situations where it could increase the likelihood of excessive inflammation.

ANTI-CANCER BENEFITS

Research on the anti-cancer benefits of cucumber is still in its preliminary stage and has been restricted thus far to lab and animal studies. Interestingly, however, many pharmaceutical companies are actively studying one group of compounds found in cucumber—called cucurbitacins—in the hope that their research may lead to development of new anti-cancer drugs. Cucurbitacins belong to a large family of phytonutrients called triterpenes. Cucurbitacins A, B, C, D and E have all been identified within fresh cucumber. Researchers have determined that several different signaling pathways (for example, the JAK-STAT and MAPK pathways) required for cancer cell development and cancer cell survival can be blocked by activity of cucurbitacins. Eventually, we expect to see human studies that confirm the anti-cancer benefits of cucumbers when consumed in a normal, everyday meal plan.

A second group of cucumber phytonutrients known to provide anti-cancer benefits are its lignans. The lignans pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol have all been identified within cucumber. Interestingly, the role of these plant lignans in cancer protection involves the role of bacteria in our digestive tract. When we consume plant lignans like those found in cucumber, bacteria in our digestive tract take hold of these lignans and convert them into enterolignans like enterodiol and enterolactone. Enterolignans have the ability to bind onto estrogen receptors and can have both pro-estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects. Reduced risk of estrogen-related cancers, including cancers of the breast, ovary, uterus, and prostate has been associated with intake of dietary lignans from plant foods like cucumber.

Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/317043-health-benefit-of-eating-cucumbers/

And here’s a great little list of 13 Uses For Cucumbers by Matt Agorist, at REALfarmacy.com…

Cucumbers are very easy to grow and make for a delicious treat. But did you know they can prevent hangovers, or clean the kitchen sink? Below is a list of tips and tricks you can do with cucumbers that you do not want to miss!

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon? Put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemical in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don’t have enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don’t have time for a massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber will react with the boiling water and released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown to reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don’t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath; the photochemical will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a ‘green’ way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but it won’t leave streaks and won’t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing; also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls!

And check out this great little recipe for fat flush water that uses cucumber:

Fat Flush Water And Fat Flush Tea

Here’s to a healthier you in 2022!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and check out my website’s To Your Health page.

Free Live Long Qigong On-line Event

I just received an e-mail about this workshop from The Shift Network and immediately signed up, Thought some of you might be interested in it, too…..

What if growing older didn’t have to be synonymous with a decline in physical health or mental acuity?

What if there was an ancient wisdom system that’s just as impactful today  — full of practices that provide the path to a meaningful, disease-free, graceful life?

During the recent Qigong Summit, celebrated master Robert Peng introduced Jieqi Qigong, which is associated with your vertebrae, and offered a simple movement and meditation practice to improve your spinal health.

On Saturday, April 16, you can join Robert for an energizing one-hour workshop, where he’ll share how Qigong’s 8 Cycles + 312 Meridian Healing Protocol can become your secret weapon…

… helping you age with energy, strength, clarity, and grace — and unlocking your own fountain of youth.

Qigong’s 8 Cycles Movement is a series of gentle Qigong exercises you can safely practice to energize your body, calm your mind, activate your energy centers…

… and massage your internal organs — leaving you feeling nourished and invigorated so you can live a healthier, more vibrant life.

In this free online video event, Live Long Qigong: Uncovering Hidden Connections Between Your Movement, Health & Longevity, you’ll:

• Be guided in the movement practice of Playing the Tai Chi Ball (one of the 8 Cycles Movements), to improve balance between your brain and body, harmonize your yin and yang energy, ease inner emotional turmoil in times of crisis — and nourish your body, mind, and spirit
• Explore the physical, mental, and energetic disconnections that result when the left and right brain hemispheres are out of balance — and how Qigong can empower you to restore this balance
• Discover the Hegu acupressure, part of the 312 Meridian Healing Protocol — and explore how a simple acupressure exercise can ease pain in your head, face, neck, and shoulders
• Learn Qigong’s secret for easing stress, cultivating inner joy, and experiencing contentment, calm, and peace
• Discover how to cultivate and nourish your Qi to achieve balance in your 3 energy centers (or dantians) and your central meridian — the “Four Golden Wheels” that represent the wisdom, love, vitality, and harmony in your life

These modalities can help you feel more connected to others and the world around you, more content with yourself, and more hopeful for the future.

It’s free to attend when you RSVP — here.

Here’s to a happier, healthier you in 2022!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional/your inner knowing before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Jin Shin Jyutsu to Relieve Fatigue, Restless Sleep, Allergies, Balance Your Energy and More

Boy, I sure wish I’d come across this particular Jin Shin Jyutsu article by Astrid from Flows For Life a few days ago! Recently I’ve had several middle of the night spells where I couldn’t get back to sleep, plus a sudden bout of extreme fatigue earlier this afternoon, so it would have really come in handy. I actually learned this routine several years ago when I was studying JSJ, but had forgotten about it. It’s so simple to do and helps with a number of things. AND with the world in its current state, it’s great to have something easy and quick as a way to help keep our energy balanced, so be sure and give it a try!

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I remember the first time I really felt the power of this self help. It’s difficult to describe the kind of exhaustion I felt; I didn’t know what to do with myself. Unfortunately, I wasn’t at home where I could lie down either. I needed to come up with something to get me going again, and I had to do it fast!

A gem of a self help hold

When I placed my hands in the proper position, I immediately felt comforted. Forty minutes later, I was back to feeling myself again, only better. This self help hold really did beat my (temporary) fatigue!

Since then, I have used this hold to help with many projects.

If I wake up in the middle of night and can’t go back to sleep, I will get into this position and that’s the last I am aware of until morning. It’s like a lullaby that lulls you to sleep.

The self help exercise

To clear the right upper body and left lower body (shown):
Place the left hand on the right upper arm and place the right hand on the left inner thigh

To clear the left upper body and right lower body:
Place the right hand on the left upper arm and place the left hand on the right inner thigh

Use it to balance energy

You can also use this self help when there is too much energy (waking up at night) or not enough energy (finding it hard to get up).

Mary Burmeister says of this self help hold: “It is supremely powerful. Use with humility and awe.”

Use it to help so much

Use this Jin Shin Jyutsu self help hold if you have a tight chest, shortness of breath, allergies, hay fever, cough, heart discomforts, sudden fatigue, to clear congestion in the breast area…in short, this is what Mary Burmeister, who helped introduce JSJ to the US, calls ‘the most important self help.’

Furthermore, it is said that Mary never really preferred any one hold above another, but she did call this one ‘a little gem.’

Video of self help hold to beat fatigue

SOURCE: https://www.flowsforlife.com/self-help-hold-to-beat-fatigue-and-more/

Also check out the archives for a number of other Self-help Health posts featuring more useful Jin Shin Jyutsu routines, including this initial post: Jin Shin Jyutsu: One of My Favorite DIY Health Aids

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Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional/your inner knowing before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

Be Sure To Give Yourself A Hug Today!

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I just finished reading part of yet another article about the devastating effect lockdowns and social distancing are having on the mental and emotional well-being of many people,….. sometimes more detrimental than the virus itself.

But great synchronicity was at work, because right after that article I received an e-mail with this Jin Shin Jyutsu hold/flow. I feel this could actually help alleviate feelings of disconnection and depression, plus what’s great about JSJ it’s so simple to practice and every hold has multiple benefits, so you always get more than you bargained for.

Hopefully you’re in a position to get real hugs on a regular basis, but if not, put this to work for you. As they say, a hug a day keeps the doctor away!

p. s. Do a search on this blog for more JSJ routines. 🙂

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Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwiUBe50_GI&feature=youtu.be

And try these easy JSJ finger holds to relieve stress, worries and a sense of insecurity and help relax the body:

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIe1DbtARgI

See this Self-help Health post to get a more in-depth understanding of JSJ and finger holds: Jin Shin Jyutsu: One of my favorite DIY health aids!

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Salud, and have an inspired and inspiring holiday season!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional/your inner knowing before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.

DIY Vanilla Extract + Acupressure Video + Must See Documentary

 

Okay, full disclosure upfront…..this is one of those recipes I’m posting so I’ll always know where to find it, BUT I’m hoping there will be some of you out there who like to save money and are big fans, like me, of almost anything  vanilla flavored. If so, this should be right up your alley, plus, I found the article to be a very entertaining, insight-filled read and one of the best on DIY vanilla extract I’ve come across…..

Aromatic homemade vanilla extract on wooden table, closeup

How to Make Gourmet Vanilla Extract … for Pennies on the Dollar

(by Scott Sexton) 

We’ve all been there. You’re at the grocery store choosing between vanilla extracts. The artificial one is cheap, but it’s just chemicals mixed up in a food lab. The real vanilla is much better, but it’s expensive. And the gourmet stuff is ridiculously expensive. What’s a shopper to do?

Skip the store. Make your own!

You can make the ultimate, high-quality vanilla extract right in your kitchen. Yes, the gourmet stuff. Since you’ve made it yourself, you know it’s free of artificial colors, flavors, or other impurities. And it costs a tiny fraction of what you would pay at the store:

• Vanilla extract = $18.19 per cup
• Gourmet vanilla extract = $43.60 per cup
• Homemade, gourmet vanilla extract = $8.74 per cup

Step #1: Gather Your Materials

You will need scissors (or a knife), a mason jar with a lid, alcohol (35%–50%), and vanilla beans.

Selecting the Right Vanilla Beans

Vanilla beans aren’t standard fare in most produce departments or farmer’s markets. You may need to get these online. Consider the following varieties of vanilla, to customize your gourmet creation:

• Madagascar/Bourbon: This is the traditional vanilla you’re familiar with.
• Tahitian: More floral and fruity
• Mexican: Sweet and woody with a hint of spice
• African/Ugandan: Smokier and bold

And these aren’t your only options. You can also explore Indian, Tonga, and Indonesia vanilla beans.

As you browse the selection, you may notice that vanilla beans are given an A, B, or C grade. Grade A beans are more expensive and are meant for cooking. They work fine in extracts, but the increased cost won’t yield much difference in your finished product. Grade B vanilla beans cost less and are intended for use in extracts.

You can often buy grade B beans for around $1.50 to $2.00 each, depending on how many you buy at once.

What Kind of Alcohol Should You Use?

Next, you’ll need to select an alcohol. Alcohol extracts the vanilla flavor and prevents spoilage. You’ll want something that’s between 35%–50% alcohol. Around 40% is ideal.

There’s no need to spend your money on a high-dollar alcohol. It’s the quality of the vanilla beans, not the alcohol, that makes great vanilla. So go ahead and get the cheap stuff. Most people choose an alcohol with a mild flavor, but you could also select one with a complementary flavor. Spiced rum, for example, could make your vanilla quite exotic.

Step #2: Assemble Your Ingredients

Use your scissors or knife to split the beans lengthwise and place them in the jar. If they’re too long, just cut them so that they fit. Then pour your alcohol over the vanilla beans.

For “better-than-supermarket” vanilla extract, use 2–3 beans for each cup of alcohol. For gourmet vanilla, use 5 beans per cup of alcohol. And for mind-blowing, legendary, sell-it-to-put-your-kid-through-college vanilla, use 7–8 beans per cup of alcohol. Any more than this and the FBI has to come and haul you away.

Cap it, shake it up, and put it away in the cupboard. Come back every few days to shake it up again. It really likes it when you do that. Tell it that it’s a good vanilla—a pretty vanilla. Sing it a little song. (You think I’m joking.)

Now comes the hardest part. Waiting.

How long do you have to wait? That depends. Do you want good vanilla, great vanilla, or life-altering vanilla?

• For good vanilla, let it extract for 8 weeks. Go ahead and sniff if every so often. Maybe take a tiny sample. It’s okay. I won’t tell.
• For great vanilla, let it extract for 6 months. Yes, 6 months. I know, I know. You want your vanilla now. But great vanilla takes time.
• For mind-blowing, life-altering, legendary vanilla, let it extract for a full year. I’ll pause now, while you finish cursing your computer screen. ( … ) All done? Good, because I have a compromise for you. Make 2 batches of vanilla—each one being enough for an entire year.

Use the first batch as the year goes by. It will get better with time because it will keep extracting. Then when it’s used up, open your year-old vanilla and let the good times roll! Just remember to start a new batch for the next year.

Cheaters Never Win?

The 2 main factors in flavor extraction are time and surface area. (The alcohol-to-water ratio is important too, but we’ve already got that covered.) We could think of this as a formula:

Surface Area x Time = Great Vanilla

If we want to reduce the extraction time without diminishing the vanilla flavor, we need to increase the surface area.

To increase the surface area, we could cut our vanilla beans into smaller and smaller pieces with scissors. But who has time for that? Time is exactly the thing we’re trying to cut down on! Let’s just keep on cheating instead.

Toss those beans into your blender. Pour in your alcohol. Then blend it like you’re trying to destroy evidence! You’ll notice that the liquid turns darker right away.

Go ahead and cap it, and shake it up every few days, just as you would with the slower method. Open it up every week to sample it. You won’t get a year’s worth of flavor maturation in a week, but it will move along much faster.

This method does have a few downsides. For one, it’s less visually appealing in the jar. Your friends will be more impressed with a jar of vanilla beans than a jar of cloudy bean powder. Also, it’s hard to filter out the little bean pieces, and you may get them in your food. But that could also make it look more authentic, so that may actually be a bonus. Lastly, vanilla bean powder can’t easily be repurposed for vanilla sugar.

Repurposing Beans

Can you reuse vanilla beans? Yes, but the resulting extract won’t be as strong. Feel free to try it. You might like it just fine. If not, just toss in a fresh bean or two, and let it extract again.

Some people also like to use a sort of “perpetual vanilla” system. Any time they use a little vanilla extract, they’ll top the container back up with alcohol and let it continue extracting. Depending on how often you use your vanilla, this system works fine, though it does yield a diminishing quality of vanilla over time.

Alternately, you can create vanilla sugar. Take out the used vanilla beans and let them dry. Place them in an airtight container and fill it with sugar. Then, let it sit for a couple of weeks. Use the sugar in baking, coffee, tea, or anywhere else you’d like a sweet, vanilla flavor.

Gourmet Options

You now know how to make gourmet-quality vanilla. But it’s still just vanilla. What about fancy flavors? What about creativity? Let’s do it!

First of all, a flavored alcohol can really take your vanilla in a fun and unexpected direction. Another option is to add spices or herbs into the mix. How about adding a little cinnamon or clove? How does lavender vanilla or vanilla mint sound? Just put them right in the jar and let them extract together.

For a sweeter vanilla, add honey or maple syrup.

The only limit is your creativity and your bravery for experimenting with new flavor combinations.

Other Extracts

We’ve cracked the code for vanilla extract, but that’s not nearly the end of the story. You can make any of the extracts you find in the store, plus a whole lot more! The basic process is the same for all extracts, but I’ll give you a few tips for special cases.

Almond Extract

The skin on an almond can cause an extract to turn bitter. Before using them, drop them into boiling water. After 1 minute, remove them and let them cool. The skins should slide right off. Roughly chop the almonds (minus skins) and place them in the jar. About 15 almonds are enough for 2 cups of basic almond extract, but I like to use twice as much.

Fruit Extracts

Fruits usually have a high moisture content. This will dilute your alcohol content. Either slice and dehydrate your fruit first or use a slightly higher proof alcohol. If using fresh fruit, use a 1:1 ratio of fruit to alcohol (by volume). If using dehydrated fruit us a 1:2 ratio of fruit to alcohol. These ratios are just guidelines, not rules. Feel free to experiment.

Source: https://thegrownetwork.com/how-to-make-vanilla-extract/

 

I watched this a couple of days ago and wish it was required viewing for everyone!

This documentary is entertaining, enlightening, inspiring and informative, as well as depressing and disheartening at times when you see how the powers that be (including the Girl Scouts organization!) are so resistant to what will liberate humanity and provide a better, healthier, more abundant world for everyone. You’ll get to know a “No to GMOs” super cute little powerhouse w/ an angel of a mom, a visionary farmer on a mission, and a brilliant inventor, way-shower and humanitarian w/ soul-filled blue eyes who creates things you usually only encounter in sci-fi.😊

You can watch for free thru today, Sept 14th, BUT if you at least sign-up to watch by the end of today, you will  get an extra 3 days for viewing. OR get unlimited access for only $7 and help support the cause here.

And go here for video from Michael Reed Gach, PhD demonstrating DIY acupressure points for toning the face, increasing circulation, clearing sinuses, releasing toxins and more.

 

Salud!

p.s. Be sure to subscribe to Self-help Health so you don’t miss any future posts, and tell your friends to do the same. Also check out my website’s To Your Health page and Evolution Made Easier blog for more helpful health tips, tools and information.

Disclaimer: Please note that any information here is provided as a guideline only, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your physician, nutritionist, trained healthcare practitioner, and/or inner guidance system. Always consult a professional/your inner knowing before undertaking any change to your normal health routine.