The following Foods can be used as Healing Agents

Honey:  To disinfect a wound, pour a dab of honey on a cut before covering it with a bandage. Studies show that honey has powerful antibacterial properties.

Corn Oil:  Repair dry skin, baste yourself.  “try rubbing a small amount of corn oil over dry skin on your hands or feet, to add moisture and seal it into the area”

Milk:  Treat poison ivy, got itching, get milk.  Soaking a rag in cold milk and then holding it on your skin will dry out the rash of poison ivy and help ease the itch.

Dry oatmeal:  Soothe a sunburn, to stop the itch and burn, mix together a bit of dry oatmeal and cool water.   Make it slightly slushier than if you were going to eat it, and spread the mixture carefully on your sunburned skin.  This will relieve the pain and help reduce swelling.

Grapes, A Weapon against Metabolic Syndrome

Men who have metabolic syndrome can help protect their hearts by eating grapes, according to new research published in the Journal of Nutrition. Researchers found that men who ate grapes reduced blood pressure, improved blood flow and reduced inflammation. Natural components found in grapes, known as polyphenols, are thought to be responsible for these beneficial effects.

The randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study conducted at the Department of Nutritional Sciences of the University of Connecticut, recruited men between 30 and 70 years of age with metabolic syndrome. The study is believed to be the first to look at the impact of grapes on metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together – increased blood pressure, a high blood sugar level, excess body fat around the waist or low HDL (the good cholesterol) and increased blood triglycerides – significantly increasing the risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is a major public health concern, and is on the rise in the United States.

In this study, participants were randomly assigned to consume grapes, in the form of a freeze-dried whole grape powder, or a placebo powder, for four weeks. Then, following a 3-week "washout" period where neither grapes nor placebo were consumed, individuals were allocated to the alternate treatment. This powerful study design allowed investigators to compare the response of each individual to consumption of both the placebo and grapes.

The study results showed that for each of the study's subjects, grape consumption resulted in significant decreases in blood pressure, improved blood flow (greater vasodilation), and decreases in a compound associated with inflammation.

"These results suggest that consuming grapes can improve important risk factors associated with heart disease, in a population that is already at higher risk," said principal investigator Dr. Maria Fernandez. "This further supports the accumulating evidence that grapes can positively influence heart health, and extends it to men with metabolic syndrome."

Garlic and Onions, Weapons Against Flu

Flu season is here and if we want to stay healthy the natural way, here are some good news. Nature's medicine cabinet provides a delicious and potent cornucopia of immune-boosting, flu-fighting foods.

And unlike the flu vaccine, which can cause a wide range of side effects (from narcolepsy and permanent neurological damage to the flu itself), the potent flu fighters found in nature don't require a jab and are side-effect free!

Here are two super-foods that will help us sail through flu season sniffle-free.

Potent members of the Allium family, garlic and onions have long been regarded as healing foods and recent research shows they can help fight the flu.

Garlic helps "stink out" the sickness with the help of allicin - a natural antimicrobial and antiviral compound. One study published in Advances in Therapy found that people taking a high potency allicin supplement daily had 64% fewer colds and recovered 70% faster than people not taking allicin.

Onions are also potent flu-fighters. In a recent study, a phytonutrient in onions called quercetin was found to negate the dip in immunity that comes with physical fatigue. And that "dip" is the window of opportunity for viruses and bacteria to take root and hold you hostage until they have run their course.

When it comes to garlic and onions, fresh is best. Add alliums to soups and stews at the end of cooking, or mix in to salads, dressings and sauces.

Foods to Take to Combat Seasonal Allergies

If sneezing and itchy eyes are affecting your day-to-day routine, you may have seasonal allergies. The following natural approaches may have beneficial effects on your symptoms - give them a try:

1.    Eliminate dairy and any products that contain casein (to avoid immune-system irritation).

2.    Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids - they help combat inflammation caused by allergic reactions. Wild Alaskan salmon, freshly ground flaxseeds, and high-quality fish oil supplements are good choices.

3.    Eat foods rich in quercetin. This bioflavonoid can help prevent the release of histamine. Citrus fruits, garlic, parsley, apples, broccoli and tea all contain quercetin.

4.    Eat plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits, such as berries and cherries, to help modify the body's inflammatory response.

5.    Try nasal douching with a warm saline solution by using a Neti pot.

6.    Drink plenty of water to keep nasal passages hydrated and to help flush out your system.

Cherries for Pain Relief

Cherries are summertime treat, but they can also help relieve the aches and pains that occur with age, or prevent them altogether. Not only are they among the top 10 foods in antioxidant activity, they’re also powerful anti-inflammatories (particularly the sour variety). In fact, a study at Michigan State University found that eating tart cherries could relieve inflammatory pain as capably as aspirin or ibuprofen, but with less potential irritation. In addition, at just 51 calories per cup, cherries are harmless to your beltline, and they go a long way toward satisfying your daily requirements of five servings of fruits and vegetables.