If you regularly suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause, infertility, or irregular periods, vitex, also known as chasteberry, may help. Historically, vitex has been a proven folk/herbal remedy for these issues, and newer research confirms this. Vitex is not only for women with hormonal issues; rather, recent studies found that it exhibits anti-tumor properties in different human cancer cell lines. 

What Is Vitex?

Technically, vitex is the name for the largest genus in the Verbenaceae family, comprising 250 species. The most common variety used for medicinal purposes is the chase tree, which is a small plant with berries that are similar in size to peppercorns. Native to the Mediterranean and Asia, vitex also goes other names, including lilac chastetree, Abraham’s balm, and monk’s pepper. 

Scientists are in pursuit of finding all of vitex’s biologically active compounds. After investigating more than 20 vitex species for chemical and biological properties, 18 beneficial compounds have been in the vitex fruit. An additional 200 compounds, including flavonoids, steroid, terpenoids, iridoids, and lignans, have been found in the 20 vitex species. Continue reading to learn how this plant can benefit female health. 

May Improve Female Fertility

According to research, vitex has demonstrated an ability to improve fertility, particularly in women with luteal phase defect (shortened second half of menstrual cycle). These women have trouble because their ovaries do not release enough progesterone. One trial consisted of 48 women between the ages of 23 and 39. They were diagnosed with infertility and took chasteberry once daily for three months. During the three-month trial, seven women became pregnant and 25 women experienced normalized progesterone levels. 

Another study evaluated 52 women with luteal phase defects from hyperprolactinemia (higher than normal levels of prolactin in the blood). Each woman received a dose of 20 milligrams (mg) of vitex or a placebo every day during the course of the study. After three months, women treated with vitex exhibited a reduction in prolactin release. Their shortened luteal phases were normalized and deficits in the luteal progesterone synthesis were eliminated. 

May Help Treat Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines the uterus grows beyond the uterine cavity. The lining of the uterus grows on ovaries, fallopian tubes, or the pelvic tissues in a woman with endometriosis. Medical experts are not fully aware of the exact cause, but some contributing factors include genetics and hormonal imbalance. Although you cannot do anything about the genetics part, you can help balance hormones with vitex. Some researchers suggest taking chasteberry or vitex for 12 to 18 months for maximum effectiveness. 

Helps Relieve PMS Symptoms

People who want to help naturally remedy PMS symptoms, especially cramps, often turn to vitex. It is one of the top herbal remedies for PMS relief. One study found that 93% of the participants who were treated with vitex for three consecutive menstrual cycles reported a decrease in the number of symptoms, or a complete end of symptoms. Additionally, vitex may help treat some menopausal symptoms and hormonal acne. 

An increased production of prolactin may contribute to cyclic breast tenderness, which is another PMS symptom. Vitex works well at reducing PMS symptoms because it helps suppress the release of prolactin from the pituitary gland. Various studies indicate that vitex may also reduce headaches, irritable mood, and breast tenderness, all of which can be PMS symptoms. One review found that five out of six studies concluded that vitex extracts were superior to a placebo for treating PMS symptoms. 

Vitex or chasteberry is available in many forms, including dried, ripe, tea, or extract. It is one of the prominent ingredients in two Dherbs formulas that are in The Female Cleanse, which can help provide essential nutrients for female health and support overall wellness.

SHARE:

The post Vitex: The Female-Friendly Fruit For PMS appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

In essence, coffee oil is a concentrated, aromatic oil that comes from green, non-roasted coffee beans, or roasted coffee beans and grounds. Coffee is a significant commodity in many parts of the world, with many new and historic trade routes. In fact, coffee’s history can be traced back to the 15th century, when cultivation and trade started to flourish along the Arabian Peninsula, with the first coffee houses established in Mecca and Constantinople.

Just like today’s coffee houses, those historic coffee houses were places to meet, socialize, listen to music, discuss the news, and enjoy performances. They just didn’t have people watching Instagram stories on their phones or working on their laptops. Since those times, coffee has made its way around the world. Today, Brazil remains the most prominent coffee producer in the world. 

It’s important to note that all fine specialty coffees come from Coffea arabica, which produces about 70% of the world’s coffee. Coffee that is of this variety usually exhibits superior flavor and quality when compared to other principal commercial coffee species. 

What Is Coffee Oil?

Coffee oil can be made from green, non-roasted coffee beans, or from roasted coffee beans. Roasted coffee bean oil can actually be burned like incense to deodorize a room. The aroma can help lift your mood and alleviate stress. Green coffee oil, on the other hand, is typically used in skincare products. That said, both oils contain high levels of caffeine, flavonoids, and antioxidant compounds. When combined with other oils for topical application, coffee oil has many positive benefits for the skin.

Benefits Of Coffee Oil

The active chemical components in coffee oil are responsible for its invigorating, refreshing, and aromatic qualities. Some of these compounds offer impressive anti-inflammatory properties, which help relieve soreness in the muscles. The flavonoids provide protection against free radicals, while simultaneously increasing immunity. These flavonoids may also help restore moisture to the skin, reduce puffiness under the eyes, and improve collagen production. 

Coffee oil’s flavonoids and fatty acids include palmitic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid. We’ll detail their benefits below:

• Palmitic acid: Offers anti-inflammatory and emollient properties. May help reduce dryness and accelerate the healing of rashes or insect bites on the skin. It also helps remove excess oil from the skin. 
• Linoleic acid: Known to add moisture to the skin and improve the appearance of damaged skin. It may also promote skin regeneration and help older skin appear slightly younger. 
• Oleic acid: Works to soothe and calm the skin, while helping to balance and repair existing skin damage. 
• Stearic acid: Helps to soothe damaged skin and stabilize the texture in skin care products. It also offers cleansing and emulsifying properties.

How To Make Coffee Oil

Ingredients:

• Organic roasted coffee grounds
• Organic carrier oils (non-comedogenic, preferably)

Instructions:

• There are two methods to make your own coffee oil: hot infusion or cold infusion. Cold infusion takes more time and hot infusion is ready within an hour or so. 
• For the heat infusion, add one cup of your carrier oil of choice to the top of a double boiler. Mix in a half-cup of coffee grounds and leave over low flame for one hour, stirring occasionally. 
• Strain the oil through a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve once the infusion process is complete. Store the oil in a jar until ready to use. 
• For the cold infusion method, add one cup of your carrier oil of choice to a jar and mix with a half-cup of coffee grounds. 
• Mix well, screw on the lid, and then store the jar in a cool, dark place for one month. Remove from the jar’s hiding place after a month and strain the oil using a cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve. 

SHARE:

The post How To Make Your Own Coffee Oil appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Get your fall palate ready because your taste buds are about to go crazy for this delightful homemade vegan pear butter. This is a smooth and creamy spread that captures the essence of fall in every spoonful. It goes great on toast, mixed into yogurt, or as a topping for pancakes. You can even incorporate some into your chia pudding or overnight oats. It’s a simple yet luxurious treat crafted from ripe pears, which you simmer slowly with warming cinnamon and sweetened to perfection with maple syrup.

What you end up with is a velvety butter that is not only delicious, but also versatile. This vegan and naturally sweetened pear butter is a great way to preserve the flavors of fall, utilizing seasonal pears, which are not a prominent ingredient in a lot of recipes. Pears are great to enjoy raw in salads and smoothies, but you can also cook them down. You just want to use ripe pears to avoid a tart flavor. By eating pears, you can reap some of their impressive health benefits, which include:

• Pears are naturally rich in dietary fiber, which is an essential nutrient for optimal digestion. Researchers note that a high-fiber diet can help maintain healthy weight, lower cholesterol levels, and prevent constipation.
• Pears contain flavonoids and vitamin C, which are antioxidants that work to combat oxidative stress in the body. Antioxidants work to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, in addition to benefitting immune function and cell health.
• According to researchers, regular pear consumption has been associated with improved heart function. The fiber content of pears, in addition to the antioxidant properties, works to support healthy cholesterol levels and reduce inflammation, two things that reduce the risk of heart disease.

SHARE:

The post Homemade Vegan Pear Butter appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

These days, there is so much information about various diets benefitting specific organs or systems in the body. Researchers note that the Mediterranean diet promotes longevity and helps reduce inflammation. The DASH diet helps to optimize heart function, while the keto diet puts the body in a state of ketosis to help use fat for energy, which ultimately promotes weight loss. 

If you are trying to adopt dietary habits that promote brain health, the MIND diet may be right for you. A new study, however, states that you can adopt small changes to encourage better brain function. How do you do that? Start by consuming half of a serving of flavonoid-rich foods every day. Sounds simple, right? Continue reading to learn more. 

What Are Flavonoids?

Flavonoids are antioxidant compounds in colorful, plant-based foods, such as oranges, bell peppers, apples, blueberries, strawberries, leafy greens, carrots, and more. Researchers point out the mounting evidence that suggests flavonoids are crucial compounds that may protect the brain as you get older. The results from different studies excite researchers because simple diet changes may prevent cognitive decline. 

How Do Flavonoids Support The Brain?

At Harvard University, researchers observed about 50,000 women with an average age of 48 years old. They also looked at upwards of 27,000 men with an average age of 51. Over the course of the 20-year study, participants answered different survey questions about their food intake. That data was used to determine how many and which flavonoids the participants consumed on a daily basis. 

Researchers also asked the participants to evaluate their cognitive abilities twice over the course of the entire study. This was to observe how their brain function and memory changed over time. At the end of the study, researchers noted that people who ate half a serving of flavonoid-rich foods every day experienced a 20% lower risk of cognitive decline. Of the flavonoids that participants ate, flavones and anthocyanin offer the most protective properties. They were able to lower cognitive decline by 38% and 24%, respectively. Flavones are found in most yellow and orange fruits and vegetables, while anthocyanin exists in blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, and cherries. 

How To Add More Flavonoids To Your Diet

“Flavonoid” may seem like an unfamiliar word, but you already consume this antioxidant if you consume fruits and vegetables. The participants in the study who experienced the best cognitive function at an average of half a serving of orange foods, celery, peppers, grapefruit, apples, and pears. There are other phytochemicals in those foods that also assist flavonoids in their brain-support efforts. Flavones and anthocyanins, as mentioned in the previous paragraph, seemed to promote long-term brain health, though. 

You can snack on these flavonoid-rich fruits and vegetables and you can also include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet. The more colorful your diet is, the better, so long as you aren’t consuming artificially-colored packaged foods. Those foods will harm your brain, not help it! 

You might want to know when you should start eating for a healthier brain. New habits can seem overwhelming to start, but it’s never too early and never too late. Start enjoying your flavonoid-rich foods today for a healthier tomorrow! Boost your brain health with diet today!

SHARE:

The post A Diet Rich In Flavonoids May Slow Cognitive Decline appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Although the famous saying is, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” many people take apples for granted. They are available year round, so why are they so special during fall? Depending on the variety, of which there are more than 2,500, apple season ranges from late July through early November. Gala, McIntosh, and Macoun varieties are ready in September, while other varieties like Pink Lady, Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Fuji are ripe in October. 

Nutrition Facts

On average, a medium apple contains 72 calories, three grams of fiber, and 11% of your recommended daily intake (RDI) of vitamin C. Apples are also rich in a variety of flavonoids, including quercetin and phloridzin. Through various studies, researchers identified that these plant compounds help fight against heart disease and certain types of cancer. Apples are also rich in beta-carotene, which is a powerful antioxidant that is primarily concentrated in apple peels. Finally, apples contain phytochemicals that give them their anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties. That makes these fall fruits an excellent on-the-go snack or addition to recipes. 

Nothing beats a crisp apple that bursts with juicy flavor, especially if you can pick it fresh from an apple orchard during fall. But apples are so much more than just a healthy snack! Use them in the following eight recipes and let us know how you like them in the comments below. 

Cranberry Apple Pecan Smoothie

Another delicious smoothie that you should try this fall! This cranberry apple pecan smoothie embraces the sweet and spicy flavors of the season.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Carrot Mango Apple Smoothie
With Chia Seeds

Get your daily dose of vitamins A & C, fiber, omega-3s, and more when you drink this carrot mango apple smoothie with chia seeds.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Apple Pie Energy Balls

You can have your snack and enjoy it guilt-free now that you have these apple pie energy balls. It’s like dessert in healthy snack form!

Click here to make the recipe.

Avocado, Apple, And Walnut Endive Cups

You have to get creative on a raw vegan diet, and these avocado, apple, and walnut endive cups with a rustic dressing are truly to die for.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Kale Blueberry Apple Salad

This kale blueberry apple salad with pistachios is crunchy, slightly tangy, and comes together in about 10 or 15 minutes.

Click here to make the recipe.

Granny Smith Raw Vegan Applesauce

This healthy, raw vegan applesauce is made from Granny Smith apples and comes together in minutes in a food processor. It’s a great snack!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Apple & Brussels Sprouts Slaw

Brussels sprouts and apples are two of fall’s best produce items. Get ready to enjoy the ultimate fall slaw that’s nutty, sweet, and savory.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Apple Pie Chia Pudding

With the arrival of fall comes a lot of special seasonal dishes. If you love apple pie, then you are going to love this chia pudding!

Click here to make the recipe. 

SHARE:

The post 8 Apple Recipes To Make This Fall appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Did you have a few too many cocktails at the summer BBQ? Perhaps you ate a full bag of salty chips, a hamburger, and a long list of other fattening foods. What’s done is done and you cannot change the past. Don’t dwell on the past because the only way out of the depths is forward. One of the best ways to nurse yourself back to proper health is by following up all of that bad eating and drinking with a morning detox smoothie.

This detox smoothie is chock-full of nutrient-dense ingredients, including cucumber, ginger, and kale. Every detox eating regimen should include kale because it has a long list of nutritious benefits. Kale is an excellent source of fiber, which works to enhance digestive health and keep cholesterol levels down. Kale is also rich in quercetin and kaempferol, which are phytonutrients that may help neutralize inflammatory markers in the body.

Cucumbers help promote detoxification in a slightly different way. These water-rich produce items are advantageous for the liver because they aid in flushing out toxins and promote optimal liver function. Additionally, cucumbers contain flavonoids and beta-carotene, which may aid inflammation reduction and support the liver’s natural detoxification processes. Cucumbers, kale, and the other ingredients in this smoothie will not immediately fix your health, but it can kickstart the body’s detoxification processes and set you up for success.

SHARE:

The post Powerhouse Green Detox Smoothie appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

When you find something that you like, especially a smoothie, it can be hard not to stick to it. That’s how we feel about green smoothies, anyway. Most people struggle to find a green smoothie that they actually enjoy. A green smoothie that is too bitter or tastes like fresh cut grass doesn’t entice your taste buds to return to that flavor. Mix the right fruits with the right greens, though, and you’ll set yourself up for success.

The great thing about this detox smoothie is that it contains many beneficial ingredients that support the body in myriad ways. So as not to bore you, we are going to focus on two standout ingredients that aid the body’s natural detoxification processes: grapefruit and pineapple. Both of these ingredients aid the body in the following ways:

Grapefruit: This citrus fruit exhibits antiseptic properties and acts as a digestive tonic. Many studies have found grapefruit to be highly beneficial for the lymphatic system, as it boosts lymph gland activity. That can help remove lymphatic waste and prevent circulatory issues, allergies, fluid retention, breakouts, and even cellulite.

Pineapple: Pineapple is a great ingredient for your detox smoothie, particularly because it aids digestion and is full of nutrients. One cup of pineapple contains almost 75% of your recommended daily intake of manganese. Pineapples are naturally rich in carotenes, flavonoids, and polyphenols, all of which work to neutralize free radicals and aid the removal of toxins from the liver and bloodstream.

SHARE:

The post Pineapple Grapefruit Detox Smoothie appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Get ready for a little zing on your taste buds! This cucumber smoothie is packed with nutrient-dense ingredients, including avocado, spinach, hemp seeds, cucumber, and ginger. It is both light and creamy and avoids the common banana as a thickening ingredient. Plus, this smoothie helps incorporate a variety of ingredients that you may not otherwise use in a smoothie. That is just one of the reasons we love this smoothie! The more diverse your intake of fruit and vegetables is, the healthier you can be!

Cucumber is not an ingredient that typically shows up in a smoothie. It is, however, a common ingredient in juice because it has a high water content. Cucumbers offer some pretty amazing health benefits, including:

• Easing feelings of anxiety
• Reducing the risk of certain cancers
• Supporting optimal brain, digestive, and heart health
• Freshening your breath

Additionally, cucumbers provide a lot of water to help you meet your daily hydration needs. One medium cucumber contains 287 grams of fluid, or about 10 ounces of water. Cucumbers also contain dozens of antioxidants, including flavonoids that work to protect against heart disease. Flavonoids exhibit antioxidant properties that help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. That is the type of cholesterol that increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. It’s safe to say that cucumbers are health superstars!

SHARE:

The post Cucumber Ginger Smoothie appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Bright, and orange in color and sweet and slightly tart in flavor, orange juice is potentially the most famous breakfast drink. Some people like it with champagne, while others prefer it alongside a vegetable omelet. The big question is whether or not a glass of orange juice is good for you and which is the best type to drink? 

Consumed by both kids and adults alike, orange juice can provide nutrients that optimize bone, heart, and brain health. Is your orange juice actually healthy, though? That will depend on whether or not it is freshly squeezed, cold-pressed, or from concentrate with added sugars and preservatives. Sticking to 100% fresh orange juice in moderation can provide many micro and macronutrients. 

Orange Juice Nutrition

Fresh-squeezed orange juice contains a lot of vitamin C and B vitamins. One thing to note is that it is relatively high in calories and low in fiber. A one-cup serving of fresh-squeezed orange juice exhibits the following nutritional profile:

• Calories: 112
• Carbohydrates: 25.8 grams (g)
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Sugar: 20.8 g
• Total Fat: 0.5 g
• Protein: 1.7 g
• Folate: 74.4 micrograms (mcg)
• Thiamine: 0.2 milligrams (mg)
• Sodium: 2.5 mg
• Copper: 0.1 mg
• Vitamin C: 124 mg
• Potassium: 496 mg
• Magnesium: 27.3 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.1 mg
• Vitamin A: 24.8 mcg

Fresh-squeezed orange juice contains health-promoting compounds and nutrients, whereas processed orange juice does not offer the same quality ingredients. Fresh is always best, but consuming too much can dramatically increase your sugar intake. Limit your intake to a half cup of fresh-squeezed orange juice daily to avoid blood sugar spikes. Avoid orange juices with added sugars or flavors and you may experience the following benefits. 

May Improve Heart Health

Studies show that the consumption of citrus fruits can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and protect the body from heart disease. One study, in particular, found that enjoying citrus fruit regularly reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially stroke, in both men and women. Additionally, a 2022 systematic review found that chronic orange juice consumption in moderate amounts positively affected blood pressure in obese adults.

Provides Necessary B Vitamins

B vitamins help a variety of enzymes in the body do their jobs. These jobs range from releasing energy from carbohydrates and fat to breaking down amino acids and delivering oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. Orange juice is a great source of folate, thiamine, niacin, and pantothenic acid, all of which are B vitamins. They help optimize brain function, support heart health, and build stronger bones. 

Rich In Antioxidants

Oranges contain powerful antioxidants, including bioflavonoids like hesperidin and hesperetin. Many studies indicate that antioxidants neutralize free radicals, which helps reduce oxidative damage to cells. Antioxidants also work to reduce inflammation! A report found that the content of flavonoids in a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice is about 60% of the recommended daily intake of these compounds. 

Excellent Source Of Vitamin C

Although there are other fruits with higher amounts of vitamin C, oranges provide a sufficient amount. Vitamin C plays several roles, including protecting the heart and allowing the proper absorption of other nutrients. It also works to repair connective tissue and promotes the formation of collagen, contributing to healthier skin. Finally, most people know about vitamin C because it supports immune function. In fact, it has been shown to improve the outcome of various respiratory illnesses, even shortening the duration of symptoms. 

May Boost Gut Health

A 2019 study found that drinking fresh-squeezed orange juice positively affects the composition of gut microbiota. Orange juice may positively affect the metabolic activity of your microbiome, which increases the amount of beneficial bacteria in the gut. The study involved healthy women, who also experienced improved cholesterol levels and insulin sensitivity as a result of drinking orange juice.

SHARE:

The post Orange Juice: Is It Actually Good For You? appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

A sweet blend of ingredients, this cinnamon persimmon smoothie is not only fun to say, but also enjoyable to drink. We recommend that you start your day with this smoothie, as it provides the nutrients you need to satiate you until your your next meal. You may also experience a boost in energy and an immunity boost. Plus, the fragrant nature of persimmons makes this smoothie just as heavenly to smell as it is to drink.

The persimmon is a classic fall fruit that is replete with a diverse mix of nutrients, including fiber, vitamins A, C, E, K, and B6, copper, potassium, and manganese. Persimmons also contain a wide variety of plant compounds, such as flavonoids, tannins, and carotenoids, all of which contribute to better overall health. Although this recipe does not call for persimmon leaves, the leaves are excellent sources of vitamin C, tannins, and fiber. In fact, persimmon leaves are very common in therapeutic teas.

Working with ingredients that are in season is a beautiful thing. Persimmons arrive in early to late fall and stick around until the New Year. You should buy Fuyu persimmons when incorporating them into smoothies because they have a sweeter flavor profile. They are a little sweet when unripe and grow even sweeter as they ripen. Hachiya persimmons, on the other hand, are astringent when unripe and intensely sweet when ripe. Because of that difference, Fuyu persimmons are a safer bet for your palate!

SHARE:

The post Cinnamon Persimmon Banana Smoothie appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.