This could be the prettiest salad/slaw you make throughout the winter. It is very crunchy, crisp, refreshing, and slightly tangy. Filled with purple cabbage, carrots, pears, and pomegranates, there is no shortage of nutrients in this slaw. Plus, the vitamin C-rich citrus vinaigrette keeps you coming back bite after bite. If you love a dish that has texture and different levels of flavor, this is the slaw that will satisfy your taste buds. All other slaws will bow to this one!

A slaw is very versatile because you can enjoy it as an entree salad, side dish, or put it on sandwiches. Because of the sweet and slightly tart flavors, this slaw complements numerous entrees and sandwich toppings. As a quick note, the sandwiches are only for people who are not cleansing! This slaw may be cleanse-approved, but a sandwich is not. That said, you could roll up this slaw in a collard leaf to make a raw vegan wrap. Use one of our many nut meat mixtures or nut cheeses in the wraps for for added sustenance.

The slaw is as tasty as it is beautiful. The sweetness of the pear goes great with the tart and juicy pomegranate arils and slightly bitter purple cabbage. The citrus vinaigrette takes it to another level, though. In the words of Guy Fieri, “You could put that on a flip flop!” It’s so good that you could drink it! Save the dressing recipe because you may want to use it on other salads in the future. And as a last piece of advice, you can let the slaw sit in the dressing for an hour or two before serving so that the ingredients can soak up that citrus flavor.

SHARE:

The post Crunchy Winter Slaw appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If you are looking to support the health of your skin, joints, and hair, you will need collagen. Many people purchase collagen powders or supplements and add them to their teas, coffees, smoothies, and more. Although collagen products are incredibly popular, most people are unaware of what collagen does and how they can preserve it. 

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant structural protein in animals. A structural protein makes up the structure or framework of both cells and tissues. There are 28 types of collagen, but type 1 collagen accounts for nearly 90% of all collagen in the human body. Collagen is mostly composed of the amino acids proline, glycine, and hydroxyproline. These amino acids form strands that make up the triple-helix structure characteristic of collagen.

The body naturally produces collagen, but collagen production starts to decline some time during your twenties at a rate of about 1% per year. UV exposure, inflammatory diets, lack of sleep, harsh products, and stress can exacerbate this decline. For this reason, many dermatologists encourage a skin care routine that helps preserve collagen. Use vitamin C serum, experiment with retinol if the skin can tolerate it, and wear sunscreen if you go outside. 

Although there are things you can do to help protect collagen, one of the best ways to care for it is through a healthy diet. The food you eat can influence collagen production. Certain foods, especially those with antioxidants, can help protect the skin from free radicals and support the skin barrier. Continue reading to learn about five antioxidants that help keep the skin firm.

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a carotenoid phytonutrient and powerful antioxidant that has demonstrated an ability to protect skin cells. Other studies confirm that astaxanthin can help preserve the collagen layer because it has impressive photo protective and anti-inflammatory properties. Researchers note that astaxanthin’s free radical fighting powers are five times more powerful than beta-carotene. It’s about 6,000 times more potent than vitamin C! Although vitamin C, which we will get to next, is a powerful antioxidant, it should not be the only one you rely on to encourage collagen production.

Vitamin C

You cannot talk about the skin without having vitamin C in the conversation. Vitamin C is a cofactor in the collagen production process. The skin’s fibroblasts rely on vitamin C to synthesize collagen. According to many studies, fibroblasts cannot effectively make collagen when vitamin C levels are low. Vitamin C works to stabilize the collagen molecule and preserve existing collagen by neutralizing free radicals. For this reason, researchers believe that ingesting vitamin C is the best way to support overall skin health. 

Blood Orange Extract

Blood orange is not in season all year, but it’s very popular during the winter months. What is even more popular, especially in the world of skin care, is blood orange extract. It contains numerous antioxidants, including anthocyanins and flavanones, vitamin C, and hydroxycinnamic acids, which are non-flavonoid phenols. That means that you get all of the benefits of those compounds in one extract. Due to the antioxidant power of blood orange extract, it helps reduce oxidative stress, which causes collagen breakdown. A 100-milligram dose of blood orange extract is effective at reducing proinflammatory levels of cytokine TNF-a in the body. Additionally, one study found that it was able to improve skin elasticity by 5.9% in just 14 days, and 13.9% in 56 days. 

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an oil-soluble antioxidant that helps support vitamin C inside the body. Vitamins C and E have a synergistic relationship, with one study confirming that vitamin E increased vitamin C’s efficacy eightfold. On top of that, vitamin C regenerates vitamin E after vitamin E scavenges for free radicals in the body. Finally, vitamin E can help protect against collagen cross-linking, a process during which collagen becomes hard and stiff. That process can cause the skin to appear hard and stiff, and it contributes to accelerated aging. 

Polyphenols

Polyphenols are plant compounds that are types of antioxidants commonly found in fruits and vegetables. According to research, polyphenols can help boost digestion, improve brain function, and protect against several chronic diseases. Additionally, polyphenols have proven effective at helping the skin manage UV exposure. That is particularly important because UV damage is one of the leading causes of collagen breakdown. Although sunscreen is the most effective way to protect the skin, eating more foods rich in polyphenols will help that process.

SHARE:

The post These Antioxidants May Preserve Your Collagen appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Taste the flavors of fall in this unique spiced orange cranberry smoothie! The spices are aromatic and perfectly complement the tartness of cranberries, sweetness of pear, and acidity of fresh oranges. Although this smoothie only contains fruit, it packs a serious nutritional punch. It offers lots of antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber, healthy fats, and protein. Because of the impressive nutrient content, this is a great smoothie to enjoy post-holiday meal. It really helps kickstart the digestive process after the big holiday feast!

If you have frozen cranberries, you can use them instead of fresh cranberries. That said, fresh cranberries have a limited window of availability in grocery stores, so we encourage you to get your hands on them while they are in stores. Save some other cranberries for a homemade cranberry sauce (click here for recipe). What we don’t want you to do, however, is use frozen orange juice from concentrate. You need freshly squeezed orange juice, but you also need to peel an orange, separate the segments, and freeze overnight. This will enhance that orange flavor in your smoothie.

Since there are some tart flavors in this smoothie, feel free to add some raw agave nectar or maple syrup for sweetness. If you use a ripe pear, though, the natural sugars will help balance the tart cranberries and oranges. Please enjoy this refreshing and unique smoothie that represents autumn to a T!

SHARE:

The post Spiced Orange Cranberry Smoothie appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Do you care about the food you put into your body? We hope you do! If you truly care about the effect food has on your physique and physical performance, then you most likely have your macros figured out. By macros, we are referring to the macronutrients: protein, carbohydrates, and fats. What about your micros (micronutrients), though? Vitamins and minerals are necessary for overall health and quality of life. They also work to optimize your energy levels and enhance exercise performance. 

Consuming micronutrient-rich fruits and vegetables can benefit the body in more ways than you think. The great thing about fall is that you can enjoy a variety of fruits and vegetables that contain a wide variety of micronutrients. In fact, diversifying your intake of micronutrients can help boost exercise performance. Start incorporating the following three fall produce items into your diet and feel the difference. 

Winter Squash

Yes, it is still fall and not winter yet. Don’t let the name fool you because winter squash come into season during early fall. These squash varieties are rich in potassium, fiber, magnesium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The most interesting micronutrient, in terms of winter squash, is pectin. Pectin is a form of soluble fiber, which helps to regulate blood glucose levels, which are already in a healthy range. By regulating these levels, pectin may help you sustain energy for a lot longer. You’ll be able to squash any mid-workout fatigue if you include a little butternut in your diet. 

Pro tip: Save the seeds when you clean your squash out before you prepare it. Much like pumpkin, you can roast squash seeds, so long as they are large and plump. You don’t want to burn them during cooking, either! Rinse and dry them before roasting them in an oven with some olive oil and sea salt for about 15 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Beets

Although beets are not the most attractive produce item, they pack a serious nutritional punch. Beets are naturally rich in potassium, fiber, folate, vitamin C, and nitrites, which help to lower blood pressure. Potassium is also a key electrolyte that is essential for muscle contractions and nerve signaling. Beets have a natural ability to enhance the delivery of oxygen and other nutrients to working muscles. That’s why it beats out others in terms of boosting exercise performance. The dietary nitrites have a positive impact on oxygen demand while you are engaging in physical activity. 

One study found that consuming 16 ounces of beetroot juice per day significantly decreased oxygen demand during moderate-intensity activity. Additionally, researchers noted that the participants who consumed beetroot juice experienced an overall reduction in oxygen cost. Chugging 16 ounces of beetroot juice per day is not for everyone, though. Through other studies, researchers determined that eight ounces of beetroot juice per day can elicit exercise benefits. 

Pumpkin

There is no individual nutrient in a pumpkin that will magically boost your exercise performance. That said, this glorious orange gourd is beneficial for your gains. Don’t skip on the impressive amount of fiber, B-vitamins, vitamin A, and selenium. After you scoop out your pumpkin seeds to roast, you can use the pumpkin meet in myriad ways. You can make homemade pumpkin puree, which you can use in many recipes, or roast the pumpkin or even turn it into pumpkin hummus. Pie pumpkins tend to be on the sweeter (and smaller) side, just in case you don’t want to grab a huge pumpkin.

SHARE:

The post 3 Fall Vegetables That Can Help Boost Gym Performance appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

We truly love fall and winter! It is a magical time of year when stress levels are high because of family gatherings, end-of-the-year projects, and the inevitable gift-buying craze. Well, that’s not really why we love this time of year, although, we do believe that you can easily work through these things with the right mindset. The reason we love this time of year is because of the impressive seasonal produce items that arrive in grocery stores. We’re talking about blood oranges, cranberries, butternut squash, leeks, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and more!

This salad has quite the long list of nutrients, let alone flavors. It is colorful, textural, and highly addictive. Because of the use of kale, broccoli, and radicchio, it can last a lot longer than another salad that uses romaine or green leaf lettuce. The ingredients we mentioned are sturdier and hold up when dressed. This salad is especially rich in vitamin C, which gives your immune system a helping hand during cold and flu season.

You can enjoy oranges year round, but blood oranges are a special seasonal treat. They are visually stunning and offer a unique flavor that differs from your standard orange. Their subtle acidity pairs beautifully with the refreshing cherry tomatoes and sweet mandarins. The various fruits balance the more bitter kale, peppery radicchio, and broccoli. Speaking of broccoli, you don’t have to include big florets in your salad. You can chop it up so that eating it raw is easier and less crunchy.

SHARE:

The post Blood Orange Kale Salad appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Do you want to perk up tired skin? Give your skin a youthful glow by incorporating green tea into your skin care routine. Green tea, or Camellia sinensis leaf extract, is a popular ingredient in many toners, cleansers, and hydrating serums. The unfortunate reality is that many of these store bought products contain ingredients that are not conducive to skin health, such as toxic parabens and ethylhexylglycerin, to name a couple. 

Certain green tea serums incorporate ingredients like squalane, panthenol, allantoin, and peptides. All of those ingredients come with their own set of health benefits, but they can be difficult to source on your own. Fortunately for you, the ingredients for the green tea serum in this article are easy to obtain and highly beneficial for the skin. Continue reading to learn more about them. 

Green Tea

As the star of the brightening serum, it is only fitting to discuss this ingredient first. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, with the standout compound being EGCG. These polyphenols and antioxidant compounds help restore the vitamin C that the skin requires to make collagen. In doing so, you may help fight fine lines and improve overall skin tone and firmness. Some research indicates that the properties in green tea may soothe irritation and skin redness by calming inflammation. 

The caffeine in green tea also helps boost circulation to the skin. That’s why you see caffeine in eye creams, as it helps reduce under eye puffiness or dark circles. Caffeine may also reduce the appearance of cellulite by breaking up fat molecules in the skin. Although green tea may help in this regard, it will not undo the damage of an unhealthy diet. 

Apricot Kernel Oil

The other primary ingredient in this serum is apricot kernel oil, which is non-greasy and incredibly hydrating, making it a great option for all skin types. The high vitamin A and fatty acid content makes apricot kernel oil an excellent choice for improving skin elasticity. It is also rich in vitamin E, which may help protect the skin from UV rays, oxidative damage, and inflammation. 

What makes apricot kernels unique is that they have the highest known concentration of vitamin B17. This vitamin, also known as amygdalin, is currently being studied for potential anti-cancer benefits. A 2023 review explored how vitamin B17 may kill cancer cells and inhibit their growth and spread rate. Currently, there is no conclusive evidence on apricot kernel’s anti-cancer benefits, but initial research is promising. 

Making Green Tea Infused Oil

For this recipe, you will need to infuse the green tea leaves into your choice of carrier oil. Preferably, select a carrier oil that suits your skin type, such as olive oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, or jojoba oil. The easiest method, which also takes the longest, is the solar infusion method. You add the green tea and oil to a glass jar, cover, and shake to combine. Allow it to sit in your window in the sun for four weeks, shaking every once in a while. 

You can also use the faster infusion method, which is detailed below:

• Add 1/2 cup carrier oil of choice and two tablespoons of loose leaf green tea to the top of a double boiler. 
• Make sure there is a couple inches of water in the bottom part of the double boiler. Gently simmer the water for three hours, refilling as needed. 
• Strain the green tea from the oil through cheesecloth or fine mesh sieve. Save in a jar and get ready to make the brightening serum. 

Green Tea Brightening Serum

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons green tea infused oil (see above directions)
• 1 tablespoon apricot kernel seed oil
• 8 drops orange essential oil 
• 3 drops ylang ylang essential oil

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a two-ounce glass dropper bottle, preferably one that is amber glass. Screw on the top and shake well to combine. 
• Store this serum in a cool, dry place and it will last about six to 12 months, depending on which carrier oil you use to infuse the green tea. 
• To use, apply a small amount to clean, dry skin and moisturize gently.

SHARE:

The post Brightening Green Tea Serum appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Get ready to take your raw vegan diet to the next level with these homemade pumpkin rosemary crackers. They are savory, 100% raw vegan, and entirely gluten-free. They are nutrient-dense and satisfy your craving for salty snack, whether you are cleansing or not. Unlike most flax crackers, these are not dense; rather, they are quite light and crunchy. The level of crunchiness will depend on how long you keep them in the dehydrator. The thickness of the paste you smear on the dehydrator sheets will also dictate how long you have to dehydrate them.

Fall is pumpkin season, so we love to incorporate raw pumpkin whenever we get the chance. In addition to providing a warming flavor, pumpkin offers a lot of beta-carotene, vitamin C, fiber, and other antioxidants. Two of the antioxidants in pumpkin, zeaxanthin and lutein, work to encourage healthier eyesight. If you do not have pumpkin, you can replace it with butternut squash, as it has a similar flavor, nutritional content, and texture.

Regarding the spices, this recipe calls for rosemary and thyme, which go great with the other ingredients. You can, however, use dill, basil, parsley, cilantro, or other Italian seasonings if you have those on hand. Make things easy for yourself, not more difficult. Lastly, this recipe does take some time to dehydrate (about 20 hours to be exact). Just make sure that you flip the flax mixture once about four to six hours into dehydrating to get an evenly crisp cracker.

SHARE:

The post Dehydrated Pumpkin Rosemary Crackers appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

Dried cranberries make for an excellent snack. Unfortunately, the dried cranberries that you find in stores almost always contain lots of refined sugars, unhealthy oils, and preservatives. These types of dried cranberries are common in salads, trail mixes, and dried fruit medleys. We advise you to avoid these sugary treats and buy some fresh cranberries to dehydrate instead. Plus, nothing quite indicates the holiday season like fresh cranberries, which are only available in stores for about two months.

These dehydrated cranberries may not taste as sweet as the packaged ones you are used to; rather, they offer a more complex and slightly tarter flavor. Plus, you get the benefits of enjoying fresh cranberries in their dehydrated state. Cranberries are some of the richest sources of antioxidants and provide lots of fiber and vitamin C as well. Regarding their antioxidant profile, cranberries provide the following:

• Peonidin: This antioxidant is responsible for the rich red color of cranberries and some of their health benefits. According to researchers, cranberries are one of the richest dietary sources of peonidin.
• Quercetin: This is the most prevalent antioxidant polyphenol in cranberries. Studies suggest that cranberries are one of the primary fruit sources of this antioxidant compound.
• Ursolic acid: Ursolic acid, a triterpene compound, is concentrated in the skin of cranberries. It is a common ingredient in many traditional herbal medicines and exhibits powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
• Myricetin: This is a natural bioflavonoid that offers antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-mutagenic properties. It may have therapeutic potential for people with cardiovascular diseases.

SHARE:

The post Homemade Dehydrated Cranberries appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

We are in the thick of cold and flu season, people! For this reason it is integral to enhance immune function, which is why we are providing you with some nutrient-dense recipes in this article. The unfortunate reality is that there is no magic pill or silver bullet that magically transforms the immune system into a forcefield that protects the body from everything. And the sad reality is that most immune-boosting recommendations seem boring. Hopefully, the recipes in this article are anything but boring to your taste buds!

Why Is The Immune System So Important?

In brief, the immune system protects the body from harmful substances, including germs, bacteria, fungi, and pathogens. As long as it is running smoothly, you don’t even notice the immune system’s existence. If it stops working properly, either because of aggressive germs or general weakness, you will get sick. Some germs may only make you ill the first time you encounter them, while others may cause sickness time and again. When the immune system is working properly, it:

• Activates and mobilizes to neutralize germs that can harm the body
• Ends the attack once the threat has been taken care of
• Distinguishes between cells that are yours and those that do not belong in the body
• Learns about germs after you have come in contact with them, and develops antibodies against them
• Sends out those antibodies to destroy germs that attempt to enter the body in the future

You can improve sleep hygiene, exercise regularly, spend time outside, and eat healthy foods to maintain healthy immune function. Rather than just giving you a list of foods to eat, we are providing you with tasty recipes that may contribute to more efficient immune function. 

Green Juice Shots

Feeling a little sluggish lately? Boost your energy, enhance immune function, and improve digestion with these green juice shots.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Carrot Ginger Soup

One of the best ways to keep your immune system strong is by focusing on immune-boosting foods, and this soup has a lot of them!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Vitamin C Immune Booster Smoothie

The best way to load up on vitamin C is by consuming foods that are rich in this nutrient. This smoothie is full of vitamin C, so drink up!

Click here to make the recipe. 

Fall-Spiced Persimmon Smoothie

Persimmons, ginger, mandarin oranges, homemade almond milk, and more come together for a tasty, autumnal smoothie.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Garlic Miso Soup

Roasted garlic is simmered with miso and kale to create a wonderfully fragrant soup that helps boost gut health and immune strength.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Kale Ginger Smoothie

A refreshing and filling kale, ginger, and mango smoothie that’s brimming with immune-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Click here to make the recipe. 

Lemon Ginger Sorbet

Obey the sorbet! Boost your immune system with a bowl of this sweet and tangy dessert. Ginger lemon sorbet is exactly what you need in life.

Click here to make the recipe.

SHARE:

The post 7 Recipes To Boost Immunity This Fall appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.

If ever there was a recipe that was focused on green ingredients, it’s this one. All but two of the ingredients are green, and the ones that are not exhibit some impressive health benefits. Before we get into the ingredients, let us first cover what wellness shots are. Wellness shots are essentially concentrated juices made from nutritious ingredients. You may have seen turmeric ginger immunity shots in health food grocery stores. You know…those little tiny bottles with orange-yellow liquid inside them? Think of these wellness shots as their green counterparts.

Why should you make your own wellness shots? As with any homemade item, you have full control of the ingredients. For these wellness shots, you can always switch up the ingredients based on the nutrients you want in them. Perhaps you would enjoy beets, carrots, apples, and ginger, or oranges, lemon, turmeric, and persimmons. The possibilities are endless, and you can use the natural sugars in the fruits you use as sweeteners. There is no need for added sugars, preservatives, or anything else that will help maintain shelf life.

The ingredients in these green wellness shots were selected based on their nutritional profiles. These ingredients contain a mix of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, digestive enzymes, water, and an array of antioxidant compounds. Both celery and cucumber are rich in water, which work to aid your hydration efforts. Finally, almost every single ingredient in these wellness shots boosts the immune system in one way or another. Drink one of these to start your day!

SHARE:

The post Green Wellness Shots appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.