These simple but highly effective natural health solutions can help you combat everything from the common cold to persistent, chronic illness. Many of these solutions have been used extensively in the food preservation industry, and can be extended effectively into natural health. They are surprisingly effective.
Citrus: Lemon Juice
Lemons are a preservative. Squeezed onto fruit, lemons prevent fruit from browning. Lemons also represent a natural way to combat microbial and fungus growth. [1][2][5]
Squeezed into your food or beverage, lemons enhance the flavor and serve an antibacterial and antifungal purpose. The acidic nature of citrus makes it resilient to certain bacteria and fungus. Lemon juice can also be dabbed on the skin to combat infection.
Important note: Lemon juice can cause burns. You should start with a small amount of lemon juice to make sure that you can tolerate this citrus fruit.
Lemons contain high levels of citric acid. Citric acid was first isolated from lemons by Carl Wilhelm Scheele, a Swedish cook in 1784. Unfortunately, not all forms of citric acid are made from citrus fruit. In 1917, James Currie identified the process of making citric acid from Aspergillus Niger, a mold that is believed to be toxic to humans [3][4] This form of citric acid became extremely popular and was endorsed by government agencies. Unfortunately, companies are not required to specify or label the origin of citric acid for consumers. As many individuals suffer from mold illness, they may be affected by the origin of citric acid, if improperly processed.
Vinegar
Vinegar (an acetic acid) was used as far back as 460-377 BC by Hippocrates to cure coughs. Currently, it is used extensively as a natural household cleaner. Vinegar can serve the same cleansing function for your body. Vinegar is cited as a possible treatment for warts, for feminine douches, and for gastric inflammation.[5][6][7]
Vinegar is another reason why it is important to eat salads (and salad dressing); the latter which usually contains substantive amounts of vinegar. Vinegar is used in pickled foods, sushi, and condiments such as ketchup and worcestershire sauce. Vinegar is a flavor enhancer and has many health benefits. Vinegar is best diluted rather than consumed in a concentrated form.
Rice vinegar and apple cider vinegar[8] are recommended.
Ginger
Ginger is an anti-inflammatory. It is believed to act by suppressing enzymes causing inflammation. Ginger can ease pain, cramping, discomfort, and swelling associated with inflammation.[10]
Ginger can be used in cooking (e.g. stir fry) or in beverages (e.g. ginger tea) for medicinal purposes. It is commonly used in Asian cuisine. It is safest to purchase unprocessed ginger from the supermarket and to prepare this for cooking yourself. Ginger is also believed to suppress nausea, motion sickness, and altitude sickness.
Ginger should be used in moderation. Excessive intake of ginger may lead to blood thinning and have other side effects. Consult with your doctor before making radical changes to your diet.
Salt (Sodium Chloride)
Salt is generally viewed as undesirable and a negative ingredient by modern medicine and by culinary circles. However, a more recent perspective on salt would enable us to appreciate that salt can has powerful medicinal properties.
Salt is used extensively as a food preservative. Salt is rubbed on food such as meat, fish, and vegetables to preserve food and to clean food. Scientists believe that salt is a desiccant[1] and is therefore an effective preservative, antibiotic, and antifungal as bacteria and yeast require water to survive. A diet that is high in salt can help reduce a yeast or fungus infection[8], for example.
You should consult with your doctor before changing the amount of salt in your diet. In particular, if you have high blood pressure or heart disease, high levels of salt can exacerbate these health conditions.[9]
Chlorine-based substances
Chlorine is commonly used as a disinfectant in drinking water systems and swimming pools. As such, it represents one of our primary means of cleaning contaminated water. Chlorine is effective against both bacteria and fungus. Chlorine is manufactured through the electrolysis of sodium chloride brine (salt). [10]
Chlorine is a hidden agent in many prescription medicines. Chlorine for example, has been integrated into medicines such as chloroquine (an antimaleria medicine), chlordiazepoxide (a tranquiliser), chlorcyclizine (an antihistamine), clospirazine (an antipsychotic)[10]. Chlorine can also be found in nutritional foods, food, beverages, water, and household cleaning agents.
Chlorine (bleach) by itself should not be consumed or ingested.
Swimming pool water should not be ingested or consumed.
Consult with your doctor to identify medicines and nutritional food that contain trace amounts of chlorine that may assist you on your road to recovery.
Important Note: We recommend consulting with your physician before making any changes to your diet.
