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Foods for Sweet Dreams and Pain Relief (Part Two)
By Suzi Franks
Are you one of the MILLIONS who search the internet to find a natural remedy to help you sleep or to help relieve your chronic pain, if you are then you have come to the right place...
Many people are troubled by lack of sleep, have disturbed sleep patterns or cannot get to sleep and if this was not enough, many of these people also have a chronic pain condition, like fibromyalgia, rheumatism or arthritis.
Mother Nature’s Secret Weapon
The majority of people are not aware that Mother Nature has provided us with the fruits, herbs, flowers, plants and nuts which have special properties that soothe our pain and calm the anxious mind and induce our bodies to sleep. She provided us with compounds called ‘phyto-nutrients’ which have multiple healing actions, but the main one is, reducing inflammation resulting in a reduction of pain and they also have a tranquilizing effect o the body and mind.
Foods for Helping You Sleep and Reducing your Pain
Apples
The humble apple is slowly gaining recognition as a natural healer and the old saying ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ happens to have some degree of truth in it.
Apples work in several ways to reduce pain and induce sleep:
• They happen to be one of the best dietary sources of the mineral boron, which primarily has bone building properties but also helps reduce inflammation. Low levels of boron in the body have been associated with many of the chronic pain conditions mentioned above.
• They also contain a good source of pectin, a naturally occurring fibre which regulates blood sugar levels which in turn regulates the bodies production of serotonin. When circulating blood sugar levels are low so is the amount of serotonin created and maintained by the body and vice a versa. (Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which has calming effects on the body.)
• Apples also have a unique action, in which the pectin fibre binds itself to the natural sugars and minerals making them more easily absorbed by the bloodstream so as a result the body gets maximum nutrition and can utilise it for longer. Celery
Celery is generally known for it’s diuretic properties which are also beneficial in healing these conditions as it flushes the build up of toxins out of the joint areas and out of the kidneys, this toxic build up is a major factor in intensifying pain in many chronic pain conditions. Celery has other natural healing qualities which include:
• Anti inflammatory
• Antiseptic
• Calmative
• Antispasmodic
• Sedative actions Celery’s secret to healing pain and curing insomnia lies in the seeds and the edible stalks both contain a sedative compound called ‘phthalide’ and the seeds also contain a potent volatile oil called ‘apiol’ which helps intensify the natural healing and antiseptic actions of this over looked vegetable. Chilli
Chillies contain an amazing phyto-chemical called ‘Capsaicin’ which gives it the infamous ‘fire’, the higher the levels of capsaicin the hotter the chilli, this fantastic phytochemical is mainly concentrated in the seeds and the white ‘ribs’ found inside the chilli. Capsaicin has significant anti inflammatory actions and has been found to be a naturally potent painkiller. Psychologists believe the brain releases a group of pain killing hormones called ‘endorphins’ in response to the ‘heat’ provided by the capsaicin. Endorphins are secreted in the brain and work via the bloodstream on the central nervous system by activating the body’s opiate receptors resulting in a significant analgesic response. Oats
Oats and oat straw in particular are high in calcium, potassium and magnesium, all of which act as a mild tranquilizer having a sedative effect on the brain and central nervous system. The calcium in oats also have a relaxing effect on the muscles so reducing stress on the body and act as a tonic for the nerves which have significant benefits for conditions like stress, chronic neurological pain and insomnia. For insomnia, it is thought that oats stimulate sufficient nervous energy to support an over-stressed nervous system making sleep possible. Oats also have an antidepressant effect by gently raising energy levels and lifting spirits. Apricots
Stress is a major side effect of insomnia and chronic pain and has been linked to and inadequate production and release of the ‘feel good’ hormone serotonin. Apricots, especially dried ones can help reduce stress in two major ways: • They are rich in magnesium, a mineral that has been found to be a natural muscle relaxant and is effective at lowering stress levels in the body by relaxing the muscles of the heart, reducing the build up of blood pressure and reducing the resulting heart palpitations that are associated with stress.
• Apricots also supplies the body with the amino acid ‘tryptophan’ which triggers the release of the hormone serotonin. Apricots also help regulate the levels of serotonin by their vitamin C content and natural sugars which regulate blood sugar levels, a link has been found between low blood sugar levels and low levels of serotonin. So maintaining constant normal blood sugar levels helps maintain therapeutic levels of serotonin. Cantaloupe melon, Mango and Papaya
All have high levels of vitamin C and beta carotene which has been shown to help repair the oxidation damage done to the cells of joints by free radical damage. And like apricots, the vitamin C helps regulate blood sugar levels which in turn controls the production and release of serotonin. Vitamin C is also responsible for the production and regulation of the bodies own natural ‘steroid’ called ’Cortisol’ by the adrenal cortex. Steroids have a natural anti inflammatory and analgesic effect. Green Vegetables
Especially Spinach and Broccoli contain high levels of magnesium (the benefits of which have been discussed) and beneficial B vitamins and potassium, which all help reduce stress by their natural processes and help sustain and support the body during times of chronic illness and stress resulting form these.
Writer’s Disclaimer
This article has been written for informational purposes only and I would like the information presented here to be used as such enabling you to be aware of the facts and be able to make an informed choice.
This information is in NO way, shape or form meant to replace professional medical advice or treatment provided by and prescribed by your healthcare professional.
Herbs can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care provider. Author’s Note
I have personally had great relief from the pain and discomfort of fibromyalgia and complex regional pain syndrome by using many of these natural remedies. As former nurse, I trusted Western medicine to help me when I had an accident two years ago, injuring my back. But, sadly, Western medicine could not help me, but, I have been changed forever by the conventional pain medications I used, which have altered my neural pathways robbing me of memories, conversations and words.
A former ER Nurse with over 15 years experience is now a healer of The Earth. I have now dedicated my life to tending my piece of paradise and returning the chemical torn landscape back to its former glory with lovingly applied organic principles and tender loving care. I am on a quest to help share my knowledge of organic vegetable growing, so you and others may feel the goodness of Mother Nature and eat her bountiful gifts.
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 | | Ishak Mt Som appreciated this intel. Mar 9, 2011 |  | | adac appreciated this intel. Mar 13, 2011 |
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Wow Suzi... excellent intel! Definitely ***** stars!
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thank you your kindness is appreciated:) I wanted to spread the word that Mother Nature has provided!
Ditto what ladyd said! I love it that everything we need is found in nature, in natural form. The more I learn the more in awe of nature I am. I find it unbelievable that we have gotten to the point of thinking that taking pills is the way to relieve our pain and insomnia. As you mention the phytonutrients are so important. We really have no idea how important the synergistic effect of these phytonutrients are, and pills lose out on that as they focus on the macronutrients almost exclusively. How did we get so far from nature to think that pills are better and could ever replace the natural food we eat?
Very seldom do I have any trouble sleeping. A friend is concerned that I plan to take an overnight trip by air and to sleep on 3 different planes to get there and an hour or two in stop-over airports. I don't expect to have any trouble. All of the foods you mention are among my favorites and I don't go near the kinds of food that most people I know consider "normal" like donuts and soda pop and hot dogs and that sort of thing. Maybe that is part of the reason why.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
I believe you are so right, the saying 'you are what you eat' is so true and it's a mission to turn this junk food culture into a healthy one:)
The copyright for this content entitled "Foods for Sweet Dreams and Pain Relief (Part Two)" has been specified by the contributor as:
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http://organicsuzi.qondio.com/
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