INSAF

Believe it or not nature has supplied us with some very powerful tools for boosting our body's immune system.  One of the best ways to harness the healing potential of food is to grow it yourself, in your own garden. But, before you get discouraged, you do not need a green thumb to turn these six seeds into robust herbs and vegetables.  Important tip: To make the most out of their healing abilities, eat your produce whole, fresh, ripe and raw. 1. Garlic Packed with goodness:   This potent herb is anti-bacterial, antimicrobial and antifungal, and has been found to reduce inflammation too. Studies have also shown that garlic can reduce the risk of lung cancer, prostate cancer and osteoarthritis. According to preliminary findings, garlic may also lower cholesterol and blood pressure in people who suffer from hypertension. Use it to avoid the common cold . If you feel like you are getting sick, mince fresh garlic and let it sit for 15 minutes, then swallow it a

It's easy to eat your way to an alarmingly high cholesterol level. The reverse is true too — changing what you eat can lower your cholesterol and improve the armada of fats floating through your bloodstream. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and "good fats" are all part of a heart-healthy diet. But some foods are particularly good at helping bring down cholesterol. How? Some cholesterol-lowering foods deliver a good dose of soluble fiber, which binds cholesterol and its precursors in the digestive system and drags them out of the body before they get into circulation. Others provide polyunsaturated fats, which directly lower LDL, or "bad" cholesterol. And those with plant sterols and stanols keep the body from absorbing cholesterol. Here are 5 of those foods: Oats.   An easy way to start lowering cholesterol is to choose oatmeal or an oat-based cold cereal like Cheerios for breakfast. It gives you 1 to 2 grams of soluble fiber. Add a banana or som

Complementary medicine   is used together with mainstream medical care. An example, according to the National Institutes of Health, is using   acupuncture   to help with side effects of cancer treatment. When health care providers and facilities offer both types of care, it is called integrative medicine. Complementary medicine is growing in the U.S. Americans   spend about $34 billion annually   on treatments such as acupuncture and herbal supplements, reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics. But do they work? Study results are mixed, but a few are standing up to the scrutiny. For example,   a 2012 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine   concluded that acupuncture is an effective treatment for chronic pain. While the scientific community debates efficacy and sorts out the evidence, some physicians are incorporating acupuncture, naturopathic healing, herbs, homeopathy   and integrative medicine into their Western pract