The thyroid is one of the most important glands in the body. It’s vital for hormone production, playing a role in the development of the human body and metabolism regulation. Over time, however, stress, diet, and more can cause unnecessary strain on the thyroid and the entire endocrine system. When the thyroid starts to decline, it’s easy for the body to experience low energy levels, sluggish metabolism, poor digestion, and loss of appetite. 

What Is The Thyroid? 

The small butterfly-shaped gland in the base of the neck is known as the thyroid. It produces hormones that help to regulate metabolism and heart rate control. The two primary hormones, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), it produces affect every cell in the human body. They travel throughout the bloodstream and deliver energy from food to your cells. This process regulates metabolism at a cellular level. 

One thing to keep in mind about the thyroid is that it’s possible to experience many thyroid issues. For example, one person may have an underachieve thyroid (hypothyroidism), while another person may have an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). The supplements that help one person with a thyroid issue may not help another person with a similar or different issue. One thing is for certain and it is that adaptogens are beneficial because they build adaptive reserve to help the thyroid. Keep reading to learn more about great herbs and supplements for the thyroid. 

Selenium

While selenium is a necessary nutrient in everyone’s diet, it is especially beneficial for optimal thyroid function. It works to assist with the metabolism of thyroid hormones. In fact, the body requires selenium to produce the T3 thyroid hormone. According to clinical studies, selenium can help reduce the levels of antibodies against thyroid peroxidase in people with hypothyroidism. This enzyme plays a role in thyroid hormone production. Selenium is present in Brazil nuts, shiitake mushrooms, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, cabbage, lima beans, brown rice, and spinach.

Reishi Mushroom

Known for its anti-cancer benefits, reishi mushroom is one of the most popular medicinal mushrooms in existence. Working to establish balance in the body, reishi mushroom is an adaptogen that helps the body adapt and respond to stressors. It contains triterpenes, glycoproteins, polysaccharides, and beta glucans, all of which support overall wellness. Since stress can affect thyroid function, the belief is that reishi mushrooms help reduce stress and invite balance in the body. Additionally, reishi mushrooms are great sources of selenium.

B-Vitamin Complex

Anyone with hypothyroidism can benefit from taking a B-vitamin complex supplement. B vitamins work assist with thyroid function and hormone regulation, according to many studies. It’s best to take a B-complex nutritional supplement so that you don’t neglect any of the B vitamins. These nutrients also encourage optimal energy levels, healthy nerve cells, cognitive health, and neurological support. 

Ashwagandha

This is another adaptogen, which is typically used to help lower stress levels in the body. It’s known for balancing cortisol and DHEA, which people commonly refer to as the “healthy aging hormone.” According to studies, high stress levels lead to lower levels of T3 and T4, both of which are important thyroid hormones. Ashwagandha also stimulates the endocrine system, helping to optimize thyroid function.

Iodine

If the body doesn’t have iodine, it cannot make thyroid hormone. The recommended daily intake of iodine for the average adult is 150 micrograms per day. People with hypothyroidism should discuss iodine supplements or foods with their health care professionals, specifically because iodine can adversely affect hypothyroidism in some cases. Additionally, too much iodine can increase the risk of Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune thyroid disorder. Since the body cannot make iodine, you need to consume it via diet in responsible amounts. Great food sources of iodine include kelp, sea moss, and brown seaweed. 

SHARE:

The post 5 Of The Best Natural Thyroid Supplements appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Medicinal mushrooms have taken the health world by storm. You can eat mushrooms in their raw form, but the new trend is powder, and they go far beyond portobellos, buttons, and oysters. Nowadays, you can find supplements and functional powders that consist of medicinal mushroom blends. Some of the most popular varieties include lion’s mane, reishi, turkey tail, chaga, and cordyceps. 

What Are Mushrooms?

Health experts consider mushrooms to be in a tier above common superfoods like kale, avocado, or acai. Nothing against those delicious foods, but mushrooms are in a class of their own: functional foods. They contain nutrients that help energize the body and even assist with fighting common diseases. Not all of these mushrooms are appetizing, or readily available in stores, which is why they are available in dried, dehydrated, or powder form. 

What Is Mushroom Powder?

The use of medicinal mushrooms is far from a new trend. Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to mushrooms as the “elixir of life.” People brewed mushrooms into teas in the past, but modern convenience allows manufacturers to create mushroom powder blends that contain a high concentration of super nutrients. After drying out mushrooms, they are ground into a powder. Once the mushrooms are in powder form, it’s easy to mix them into various food preparations. The most common and trendy way to consume mushroom powder is in coffee or tea, but it’s possible to take them as supplements as well. 

The Benefits Of Mushroom Powder

Every single medicinal mushroom contains a signature blend of polysaccharides, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and enzymes that benefit the body. One polysaccharide, beta glucan, helps to balance immune function, instead of enhancing or suppressing it. Because of this trait, mushroom powder is a better alternative to cholesterol or anti-inflammatory supplements, which can occasionally trigger autoimmune responses.

Good For Your Heart

According to several studies, cordyceps mushroom powder may help reduce LDL cholesterol levels. High LDL levels increase your risk of heart disease, so lowering these levels can reduce damage to your heart. Cordyceps have also exhibited the ability to lower triglyceride levels in animal studies. More human studies are necessary for conclusive evidence. 

Balance Immunity

As we mentioned earlier, beta glucans and other polysaccharides help to support a healthy immune system. By balancing the immune system, you can avoid unnecessary autoimmune flare-ups. Chaga mushrooms, in particular, work to stimulate spleen lymphocytes, which work to regulate immune function. These lymphocytes help the body fight off bacteria, viruses, and other foreign invaders. 

Keep Yourself Young

Looking for the fountain of youth? We can’t promise that it’s at the bottom of a mug that contains mushroom powder tea, but mushroom powder may help fight early signs of aging. Mushroom powder contains a diverse mix of powerful antioxidants, which work to fight free radical damage and oxidative stress. Lessening the amount of free radicals in the body can help slow the signs of aging and contribute to better health. Some studies found that reishi mushrooms have the ability to extend life expectancy. Reducing oxidative stress and cellular damage helps boost longevity. 

Boost Your Brain

Boosting brain power and reducing the risk of cognitive decline has become a popular health trend. Many studies reveal the link between poor gut health and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Naturally, people want to be sharp as they age, so people turn to the power of mushrooms. Lion’s mane mushroom reigns supreme when it comes to boosting brain power! Several studies found that it helps to reduce the impact or neurodegenerative diseases. Mushroom powder may also mental clarity and improve your ability to focus. 

Anti-Cancer Properties

Both turkey tail and reishi mushrooms may potentially reduce the risk of the development of certain cancers. According to several reports, polysaccharide-K in turkey tail mushrooms is an acceptable prescription for cancer patients in Japan. A systemic review of reishi mushrooms found that people undergoing chemotherapy responded better when taking reishi supplements. Additionally, reishi mushrooms increase NK-cell activity to increase white blood cell activity to fight infections. 

SHARE:

The post Fungi Facts: The Superfood Benefits Of Mushroom Powder appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

The magical world of medicinal mushrooms has received a lot of attention within recent years. In case you haven’t noticed, there are supplements, teas, coffees, tinctures, and more that contain a variety of medicinal mushrooms. From their ability to improve lung diseases to their cancer fighting benefits, medicinal mushrooms can seemingly do no wrong. It’s about time that the Western health world caught on to the healing properties of fungi!

The use of medicinal mushrooms, like the reishi mushroom, is relatively new in the United States. In Asia, specifically China and Japan, these mushrooms have been added to standard cancer treatments for more than 30 years; although, the use of medicinal mushrooms in Asia dates back hundreds of years. In fact, there are more than 100 types of mushrooms with anti-cancer properties in Asia. The primary ones that people use in therapy include the Grifola frondosa (maitake), Coriolus versicolor (turkey tail), Lentinus edodes (shiitake), and the Ganoderma lucidum (reishi).

Reishi Mushrooms And The Immune System

Naturopathic doctors in Asia recommend reishi mushroom to people who require immune support. In Poland, reishi mushrooms are food supplements, which adapt to chemical imbalances in the body and corrects them. The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia recommends reishi mushroom for its ability to boost immune function. In fact, test-tube studies revealed that reishi can influence genes in white blood cells, which are crucial parts of the immune system.

According to research on cancer patients, reishi mushroom has the ability to increase the activity of natural killer cells (NK cells). NK cells work to fight cancer and other infections in the body. One study found that after ingesting reishi mushroom, the host increased NK cell activity and lymphocyte function, which also works to combat cancer and infections. While these studies proved that reishi consumption increases immune function and NK cell activity to fight cancer cells, future studies need to focus on long-term survival rates of patients after reishi supplementation.

Reishi Mushrooms For Cancer Treatment

Cancer patients want to do everything in their power to fight off the cancerous cells or tumors in the body. If possible, avoiding radiation and chemotherapy is the preferred route to travel, but seldom do alternative remedies make this possible. Rather, things like reishi mushrooms get added to the treatment to boost immune function and reduce the amount of medical treatment required. Several test-tube studies found that reishi mushroom kills cancer cells. Another study examined 4,000 breast cancer survivors, and 59% of them consumed reishi mushroom in conjunction with their treatment.

According to a systemic review and meta-analysis of 5 controlled studies, cancer patients who took reishi responded better to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The review also found that reishi increased NK-cell activity and the percentage of CD3, CD4, and CD8-positive cells, improving overall immune response. By increasing white blood cell activity, reishi mushrooms work to both fight the infection and increase the quality of cancer patients’ lives.

Conclusion

As we detailed in this article, reishi mushrooms exhibited anti-cancer activity on several molecular levels. Lung, colorectal, and breast cancer patients positively responded to the addition of reishi mushrooms to their existing chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatments. We need more studies to determine whether or not reishi mushrooms alone can fight off certain cancers. The existing studies, however, prove that reishi mushrooms may help reduce the size of certain benign tumors and reduce the rapid spread of cancer cells. We can only hope for more studies that focus on this medicinal mushroom for cancer treatment.

SHARE:

The post The Anti-Cancer Benefits Of Reishi Mushrooms appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Meningitis is an infection that inflames the meninges, which are three membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Both adults and children can develop this condition. Meningitis can be bacterial, viral, or fungal. Bacterial meningitis can be life-threatening and is typically caught by coming in close contact with another person who has it. Viral meningitis is usually less severe and doesn’t require treatment. Fungal meningitis is a rare form of the disease and primarily develops in those with weakened immune systems. Early treatment of meningitis is the best way to attack the condition before it worsens.

What Causes Meningitis?

In the United States, most meningitis cases are caused by viral infections, followed by bacterial infections and rare fungal infections. Some bacterial infections can be life-threatening, which is why it is important to determine the cause if you develop meningitis. The bacteria typically enter the bloodstream and make their way to the brain or spinal cord, causing acute meningitis. When bacteria enter the meninges, you can attribute the cause to an ear or sinus infection, skull fracture, or as post surgery complication. Another common cause of meningitis is people with weakened immune systems because they are more prone to infections.

Natural Remedies

Eat Garlic

Allicin is the is the active ingredient in garlic, which is a powerful superfood that has been shown to be effective against diseases like meningitis. Garlic also contains other antioxidants and antiviral & antibacterial properties, all of which help to strengthen the immune system. Incorporate garlic into your daily meals to help with the elimination of the infection.

Use Cold Packs

Most people who contract meningitis often times experience a fever. Applying ice packs to the forehead and the back of the neck can be beneficial in reducing the fever, as well as decreasing inflammation in the head and neck area. Decreasing inflammation in the meninges gives your immune system a helping hand so that it can work on targeting the bacteria.

Get Some Rest

Getting sufficient rest is one of the best things you can do for your body when you have meningitis. The illness damages the immune system, and resting allows the immune system to recuperate. When you stay inside and rest as much as possible, you are less prone to the body being damaged by other pathogens and bacteria. Some cases of meningitis may also be contagious, which is another reason why staying indoors and resting is optimal.

Chlorella

Chlorella is one of the best natural remedies for meningitis. It is a small plant with a high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll has a remarkably similar structure to hemoglobin and works to boost red blood cell production, which helps to increase oxygenation and purify the blood.  Both of those things help accelerate recovery time and repair damage, which is caused by the disease.

Reishi Mushrooms

The use of medicinal mushrooms in natural healing has been prominent throughout history. Reishi mushrooms, which have a bright red color, may be beneficial for those with meningitis. The polysaccharides and triterpenes in reishi mushrooms help by boosting immune function and decreasing the inflammation, which is caused by the illness.

Drink Water

Hydration is key when it comes to naturally overcoming meningitis. Drinking water helps to flush excess waste, including bacteria and proteins, from the body, and keeps them from building up in your kidneys. It is recommended to drink half your bodyweight in ounces of water to stay sufficiently hydrated. If you weight 150 pounds and divide that by two to get 75, you should drink 75 ounces every day.  You may need to drink more when you have meningitis. Try to avoid juice because it contains a lot of sugar and can worsen inflammation.

SHARE:

The post 6 Natural Remedies To Help Those With Meningitis appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.