Saturday, June 9, 2012

"Cures" in the Country - Honey and Cinnamon

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The following information regarding Honey and Cinnamon came in an email forward from one of my sisters. She nor I lay claim to the validity, authenticity or reality of these concoctions, but I found these ideas interesting and wanted to pass them on to you. 
I believe there is so much we don't know about natural sources for healthy living and I feel strongly about utilizing/consuming as many natural products as possible; I abhor GMO's - genetically altered products - that we're finding in nearly every foodstuff , grain, seeds and so much more these days.  May I suggest that if you do choose to use some of these, you will be better served to consume honey that has been produced in your area.  Many people believe that honey has natural allergy fighting components when honey from local sources is used.
And now, here's that email:

Posted ImageHoney is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. What it will do is what some call 'turning to sugar'. In reality, honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will "crystallize". When this happens loosen the lid, boil some water and set the honey container in the hot water, but turn off the heat and let it liquefy naturally. It is then as good as it ever was. Never boil honey or put it in a microwave. This will kill the enzymes in the honey.
Cinnamon and Honey

Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around. Facts on Honey and Cinnamon: It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects for any kind of diseases.
Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES: Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply it on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, when they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.
ARTHRITIS: Arthritis patients may take daily (morning and night) one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain -- and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain. 
BLADDER INFECTIONS: Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder. 
CHOLESTEROL: Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.
COLDS: Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and, clear the sinuses.
UPSET STOMACH: Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from its root.
GAS: According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM: Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.
INDIGESTION: Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals
INFLUENZA: A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.
LONGEVITY: Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.
RASPY OR SORE THROAT: When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.
PIMPLES: Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.
SKIN INFECTIONS:Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.
WEIGHT LOSS:Daily in the morning one half hour before
breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.
CANCER: Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.
FATIGUE: Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.
BAD BREATH: People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.
HEARING LOSS: Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

Sunday, June 3, 2012

LIFE is SWEET in the COUNTRY


Country Spring is marching its way into Summer, and I've got my container garden started!  It's exciting to know that I'll enjoy the some great veggies (maybe even freeze a few?) later in the season.  I did have to put out some special bait to "feed" my slimy friends, the slugs (thanks to a special friend for that tip, or I may have lost all my plants) and yes, it's safe for veggies and an organic product.

gardening plant shovelSo far, I have 2 varieties of tomatoes, 2 varieties of chili peppers: hot New Mexico and mild, sweet yellow banana peppers, dill, rosemary, green and opal basil, green onions and 2 varieties of lavender.  Also, intermingled among the edibles on the patio are some mums, a Pansy that won't give up her winter ghost, 2 varieties of hens and chicks and a sweet little ground covering sedum.  I'm going to try a container of summer squash, too.  The Topsy-turvy will have to wait until next year as I'll be out of town for a full week and no one to water it.
A visit to a friend's home a couple of weeks ago reminded me of a beverage that I really enjoy in the summer.  Sweet tea is a staple in the south as much as cheese is in Wisconsin and grapes in the California vineyards.  Out west, one has to add her own sugar - in the south, if you prefer it, you have to specify UNsweet tea.  When I was still living west of the Mississippi, during a visit, my grand daughter ordered sweet tea in a restaurant. The waitress (obviously not knowing the genteel ways of the south) informed her, while pointing to an object on the table, "There's the sugar and you can sweeten your tea however you want it."
iced tea pitcherI digress, a favorite summer beverage:  Sweet Tea with Lemonade.  Frankly, I don't like really sweet tea, but I've gotten around that. While visiting in Arkansas some years ago, I discovered mixing my sweet tea with lemonade is the answer and the best of both worlds - I did this in fast food places where you dispense your own beverage and ordered this concoction in restaurants, alike. 
My simple recipe is to brew strong DECAF tea, enough for 2 quarts, and sweeten while it's still very warm.  Add 2 quarts lemonade.  Serve over ice  and enjoy.  Be sure to refrigerate the remaining beverage.  I like this so much better that iced tea with lemon.
Hope your week is great and I would love to hear from all of you; especially container gardeners.
© 2012 Cat Brennan