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CREATING AN AUTOMATED EMAIL WELCOME SEQUENCE IN CONVERTKIT

2021-10-15T04:00:00.005-07:00

“The energy of your business is directly tied to the strength of your email list.” Amy Porterfield has been giving us this advice for years—but how do you make sure your email list is strong? By “strong,” we mean that your subscribers are engaged in your emails, reading them and taking action on your suggestions and links. A foundational method for improving the strength of your email list is to start your subscribers off on the right foot with a useful email welcome sequence. (And if you haven't started an email list yet, then what are you waiting for?!) What Is an Email Welcome Sequence? A welcome sequence introduces the subscriber to you, your brand, and what you have to offer them. It shows them why it’s worth their time to stay subscribed to you. It’s your opportunity to show off the best of your past content and teach them how you would like them to engage with you and your content. In this post, I’ll walk you through both the how and the what of setting up your welcome sequence. First, I’ll show you how you set up the sequence. For demonstration purposes, I’ll be using our favorite email service provider, ConvertKit, but if you’re using a different ESP, the advice will still be helpful. [Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, we receive compensation if you purchase through this link.] Look for the “If you’re using a platform other than ConvertKit” for how to adapt this to your own email service provider. Then, I’ll walk you through what to include in your welcome sequence—which elements your emails need and what topics they should cover. Let’s dive in! How to Set Up an Evergreen Welcome Sequence To set up an evergreen welcome sequence in ConvertKit, we’ll start by using one of ConvertKit’s automation templates. If you are new to automations, these templates make getting started much easier, as ConvertKit sets up all of the elements that you’ll need. I walk you through the process in the beginning of this video. Once you are signed into your ConvertKit account, follow these steps: Go to the Automations section. Click on New Automation. Click on Browse Templates. Choose the automation template named Evergreen Newsletter. This will copy four elements into your automation: A sign-up form A tag (sometimes also referred to as a “link trigger”) << I’ll cover why for our purposes, we probably won’t use this option A sign-up landing page An email welcome sequence If you’re using a platform other than ConvertKit If you’re not using ConvertKit but your ESP has an automations builder (other terms to look for: workflow builder or recipe builder), you can recreate this template. Before trying to build this in your ESP, I recommend watching all of the videos in the rest of this post first, so that you’ll have an understanding of which options fit your purposes. If your ESP doesn’t offer an automations builder, check the settings for your sign-up form to see if you are able to send a multiple-email series after someone signs up. If this isn’t allowed, I highly recommend switching email service providers. [Full Disclosure: As an affiliate, we receive compensation if you purchase through this link.] Getting Subscribers into Your Welcome Sequence With the ConvertKit template we are using, there are three ways to get a subscriber in to your evergreen email sequence: A sign-up form A tag A sign-up landing page There’s an interesting nuance with Welcome sequences versus any other type of evergreen email sequence, and that is that a Welcome sequence is the very first batch of emails that you are sending after someone joins your email list. Because these are the first emails you’re sending, you are unlikely to use a tag as a method of getting subscribers into your sequence. If you are interested in the reasons behind this, I go into a lot more detail in this video. If the email sequence you’re setting up is not designed to be your subscriber’s first emails from you, then using a tag (or “link” trigger) may be relevant. See that video to learn how to use tags for this purpose. With that in mind, you can delete the tag from this automation. First, hover over the Trigger: Add to Newsletter item. You should see the Edit Step button appear (red circle in the screenshot). Click on it. In the editor, click on Delete Event (red arrow in the screenshot). This leaves us with opt-in forms and landing pages as the two methods to get subscribers into our sequence. Let’s talk about how to use each of them to get people to sign up for your email list so they can start receiving your welcome emails, and if you should use both methods or just one. Want to learn some simple email strategies that'll get you results? Join our free 1-hour training on Thursday, September 9th at 12 pm PT (3 pm ET). Customizing an Opt-In Form If you’ve been using ConvertKit for a while, you probably already have at least one email opt-in form set up. If so, there’s no need to build a new form just for this automation. Instead, you can update the automation to replace ConvertKit’s placeholder opt-in form with one of your choosing. First, hover over the Sign up form item. You should see the Edit Step button appear (red circle in the screenshot). Click on it. In the editor, click on drop-down box and choose your existing form (red arrow in the screenshot). Click Update Event to save your change. If you are new to forms, this video walks you through the process of styling your form—and I show you how to deal with a styling problem that can crop up when using ConvertKit’s automation templates. Once you have your form built, you need to configure your settings. Customizing a Landing Page A landing page is a good choice when you need a single, standalone page for your project. Maybe your website isn’t ready yet, but you want to start building up an email list before the launch—this is a great time to use one of ConvertKit’s landing pages. Another great use for these pages is to test the market—perhaps you have an idea for a new product and you want to see if anyone in your audience is interested in it. With one of ConvertKit’s landing page templates, you can quickly put together an interest form, without having to spend a lot of time stuck in web design. Now that you’ve configured your automation entry points, you can delete any that you have chosen not to use. If I were using this automation template, I would keep Sign up form and delete both the Tag and the Sign up landing page. To delete: Hover over the item and the Edit Step button will appear. Click it. Click on Delete Event. Not an actual ConvertKit screenshot Let’s move on to the fun part—writing and configuring your welcome email sequence! How to Build Your Welcome Sequence (and What to Include) The first thing you need to do is access the ConvertKit sequence editor by clicking on the email sequence. Okay, now you’re in. So what do you write about? That’s what we’ll tackle next. There are three common questions people have about their welcome email sequence: How many emails do I need? How often should I send emails? What should I write about? The first two questions are kind of linked. You want to send people emails often enough that they remember you, but not so often that they are annoyed by you and unsubscribe (or worse, report your emails as spam). And that balance can be a little hard to strike. I would suggest that initially you send a few emails right away, in the first week after they subscribe. This helps them remember who you are. After that, you may want to slow down the pacing of your emails to once or twice a week. You’ll need to experiment a little, though, and over time, you'll learn what works best for you and your audience. You can of course use ConvertKit to automate your email welcome sequence based on your chosen timing. Check out the rest of the video to learn how to use ConvertKit editor to build your welcome email sequence and set the pacing of your emails.

OVERCOMING CANCER BY STRENGTHENING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM

2021-10-12T11:04:00.002-07:00

Over the past 10 years, a new class of drugs has revolutionized cancer care. These medications, known as checkpoint inhibitors, unleash an individual’s own immune system on malignant cells, offering new hope to people with cancer. Before these treatments hit the mainstream, the immune/cancer connection may not have been apparent to the average person. This relationship is central to understanding cancer development. Immunosurveillance Our immune systems play a critical role in identifying and destroying aberrant cells before they become cancerous. This protective phenomenon, known as immunosurveillance, is led by dendritic cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and cytotoxic T-cells. Cancer develops in part because these cells fail to control abnormal growth. Individuals with immune deficiencies are known to be at higher risk of cancer, especially those caused by viruses. This predisposition highlights the critical anticancer role of our immune system. Immune deficiency cannot explain every diagnosis. Cancer is a master manipulator, dodging immune detection through a complex interplay of microscopic cellular receptors and chemical messengers. Malignant cells shield themselves in what is known as the tumor microenvironment, a toxic entourage of hijacked cells that promotes cancer growth, causes inflammation, and confuses the immune system. If detected, cancer cells can avoid destruction by stealthily changing their external appearance. While it may be tempting to blame immune dysfunction for a cancer diagnosis, the truth is that we are up against a formidable opponent. Immune attacks require immune treatments The newest treatments harness the power of the immune system, unmasking cancer and heightening the immune response. These include monoclonal antibodies (e.g., Herceptin), which “tag” cancer cells, slowing down their growth while making them visible to our immune system checkpoint inhibitors (e.g., Nivolumab), which dismantle the immune blockades set up by cancer cells adoptive cell therapy (CAR and TIL T-cell therapy), which arms our own immune cells with cancer-specific receptors to find and destroy malignant cells (experimental) Given the intimate connection between immune function and cancer, these therapies are the next logical step in care. Your food really is your medicine! Maintaining highly diverse gut flora is associated with the best outcomes from checkpoint inhibitors, a form of immunotherapy. Unfortunately, probiotic supplements may have the opposite effect, based on a new study showing lower efficacy in probiotic-popping patients on immunotherapy. Feed your flora with a wide variety of whole foods rather than through supplementation. High-tech treatments, low-tech support At first glance, the minute tools and targets of immunotherapy may smack of science fiction. In stark contrast, supportive therapies grounded in traditional medicines draw the focus back from the cellular level to that of the whole person and represent essential supports to quality of life during treatment. Acupuncture Acupuncture stimulates energetic meridians in the body using thin needles, pressure, electrical or laser impulses, and heat. This ancient therapy is well recognized for its ability to control nausea and vomiting during treatment, and it may also strengthen the immune system. Pain, including nerve pain associated with chemotherapy, may also be soothed by acupuncture. As pain can compromise quality of life severely during treatment, this approach can offer a lifeline to patients. Massage therapy Some professionals advise against massage, fearing this therapy will spread cancer. This erroneous belief may hinder access to a therapy that goes far beyond relaxation. Massage therapy can protect against nerve damage during chemotherapy, and at-home self-massage may help to ease constipation. People getting massages have a better life quality overall (surprise!) and might even see their immune system respond positively. Far from being harmful, massage can provide immense benefit to people with cancer. Using the mind to help the body Less tangible treatments can be equally powerful, engaging the mind as an ally for symptom management. Guided imagery uses descriptions of positive images to create a state of calm. This simple practice can reduce pain, thereby improving quality of life. The related field of hypnosis may also control pain by promoting relaxation in a trancelike state. Pain is one of the most common concerns of people with cancer. A cancer diagnosis can trigger anxiety, a fact that may be overlooked in the rush to identify genetic factors or treatment protocols. Hypnotherapy, meditation, and tai chi are all simple yet profound practices that can provide necessary support through the emotional challenges of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Movement and exercise Exercise is a well-known lifestyle strategy for cancer risk reduction. During treatment, it supports the heart and other muscles that can be weakened by some therapies. A simple walking plan can reduce the fatigue that so often accompanies chemotherapy and radiation. Gentle movement through qigong and yoga have broad benefits, improving fatigue, sleep, depression, and pain. Fasting Alongside exercise, food is an essential pillar of health and can be tweaked to be optimally supportive during treatment. The practice of fasting and the use of fasting-mimicking diets have received much attention recently, as they may reduce side effects, enhance quality of life, and improve a person’s response to therapy. Always consult your health care practitioner before fasting during treatment. Supportive supplements While supplements cannot be positioned as alternatives to standard therapy, specific adjuncts can provide important assistance during treatment. Vitamin D Efforts to understand the connection between vitamin D and cancer risk have been underway for many years. Cancers of the breast and colon may be linked with vitamin D insufficiency. These associations, alongside vitamin D’s ability to reduce complications in bone marrow transplants and improve response to some immune therapies, may be connected to the immune effects of this vitamin. Probiotics Probiotic supplements are packed with billions of the tiny bacteria that inhabit our guts. These miniscule micro-organisms have a big role to play in immunity, influencing how our bodies deal with infections, eczema, and digestive upset. Treatment side effects such as candida infections and diarrhea may be improved by probiotic use. Mushrooms One final natural supplement, medicinal mushrooms, deserves mention in any discussion of cancer and immune function. The coriolus mushroom, commonly known by the colorful moniker “turkey tail”, ticks a number of important boxes for people with cancer by improving quality of life, immune function, treatment tolerance, and survival. The immune-supporting lifestyle Meditate Cancer-fighting natural killer cells may be helped by meditation. Eat mushrooms Eating mushrooms such as shiitake can increase immune activity. Sleep! Untreated sleep issues decrease essential levels of natural killer cells. Get help with these conditions to bolster your immunity. Eat your fruits and veggies They help prevent nutrient deficiencies associated with sluggish immunity. Exercise Boost your immunity with regular moderate-intensity exercise.

HOW TO LEVERAGE TWITTER FOR BUSINESS GROWTH

2021-10-11T01:57:00.003-07:00

So how can you make the most of your business's Twitter presence? Like any other medium or platform, growth for your business on Twitter comes from publishing consistent, high-quality content! Namely, you’ll have an advantage if you are: Tweeting consistently Tweeting about a consistent topic (or related topics) Engaging in conversations around those same topics The median Twitter user tweets once per month, while the most prolific users tweet 157 times per month, according to Pew Research. In fact, the top 10 percent of Twitter users account for 92 percent of the tweets on the platform. One hundred fifty-seven tweets per month would be about five tweets per day … doable, but a lot! The point is, even if you’re tweeting once or twice per day, you’re standing out to the Twitter algorithm. The more you tweet, the more impressions you’ll receive, and the faster you’ll grow! You’ll get more impressions the more your tweets are “retweeted.” The retweet is much more powerful than a “like” from your followers. And the more you tweet, the more likely you are to create something that resonates! Another recent change to the Twitter algorithm is expanding the reach of tweets beyond someone’s followers. Twitter will now display tweets from accounts that people you follow have engaged with – even if it wasn’t a retweet. This is a huge opportunity for your business, because it means more exposure to people who are not yet following you on Twitter. But, again, the key is consistency in what you talk about about frequency in creating new tweets. The Twitter “Community” Opportunity One of the best ways to consistently engage in conversations around your topics of interest is by integrating into different Twitter Communities. You'll likely read references to “Marketing Twitter” or “Community Twitter” or “VC Twitter.” These phrases refer to Twitter “Communities” that are ideas but not official things to follow or engage. These communities tend to form organically as individuals identify themselves as interested in certain topics and discussions. “Community Twitter” refers to the people on Twitter talking about Community-related topics. These communities are all relatively small, and you can find yourself inside the community simply by following the accounts actively tweeting about that topic. Sometimes, people create Twitter Lists of the key accounts active in communities. By following a reputable List, you'll quickly experience what that Community is like. And by ingraining yourself in a community, you’ll build relationships and credibility within that space. Creating Your Own Business Twitter Community A recent Twitter trend involves helping create community and showing belonging through the use of emojis. This was made popular in the 2020 US Presidential race when candidate Andrew Yang encouraged his followers to use the blue hat 🧢 emoji next to their names to show they were supporting the campaign. We’ve seen this enter the business world too, and the team at Morning Brew encouraged their team to add a coffee mug emoji ☕️ to their names. Now, when you’re scrolling Twitter and see the coffee mug emoji, you may start to assume that the account is a Morning Brew employee. But we see it in communities too. Recently, Dickie Bush created a 30-day writing community called Ship 30 for 30. As part of his onboarding to the program, he encourages people to add the ship 🚢 emoji to their names to show that they are participating. These visual cues are a powerful way to create community, connection, and belonging.

VIRTUAL MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME

2021-10-01T04:49:00.001-07:00

Lately, it seems everyone and their neighbor is a small business owner. That’s not an exaggeration. According to a study referenced in The New York Times, people in the US started 4.4 million new businesses during the pandemic. Even my TikTok ForYouPage (FYP) is flooded with self-proclaimed small business-owners eagerly listing all the reasons why you should ditch the desk and join their be-your-own-boss lifestyle. And look, as someone who is technically an entrepreneur himself, I totally get it. Between having the freedom to set your own schedule, work from wherever you want, wear whatever you want, owning your own business seems like a dream come true. At the same time, for as many #myownboss #entrepreneurs there are willing to share general advice on “how to make it,” it seems there’s a lot of mystery over exactly how internet entrepreneurs actually make their living. It also doesn’t help that when you sometimes click on their TikTok videos that claim they’ll tell you exactly you how you can do the same, there’s a good chance you leave with nothing more than a list of empty buzzwords like “drive, ambition, and mindset” and 60 seconds of your time you can’t get back. But while many entrepreneurs would argue their business is their one full-time job, the truth is they’re probably earning money from multiple income streams. In fact, most of the business owners and creators you see online — whether it’s on Youtube, Tiktok or Instagram — probably get income from at least five different sources, if not many more. And contrary to what many people may lead you to believe on their channels, earning money online through some of these potential sources requires more than just pure *manifestation* or *hustler mindset.* But that doesn’t mean it’s a total pipe dream, either. With a bit of strategic planning and an internet connection, anyone can start earning money on the internet as soon as this week. And sure, tapping into the internet economy may require some extra effort up-front. But in the end, creating additional revenue streams will certainly help you achieve your financial goals much faster, which will ultimately benefit you and your business in the long term. Keep reading to find out what strategies digital entrepreneurs follow to earn money online, and how you can get started doing the same: 1. Selling digital-first products. As a business owner, it’s much more beneficial in the long run to develop practices that allow you to generate money continuously, rather than sell an item that earns you a one-time profit. One of the easiest ways to do this is to sell digital products, like downloadable prints, templates, and worksheets. All you have to do is design whatever it is you want to sell, find a place that will host it, and let the money come to you. Another approach people use to earn money this way is by uploading designs to certain websites (Zazzle, Etsy, RedBubble) that will sell customized physical merchandise featuring their work. With these sites, creators earn a small percentage of each sale made featuring a product with their design. And though the profit margin may be small, the fact that you don’t have to actually build any physical items makes it a pretty painless way to earn extra money. And if you’re not a professional designer, don’t worry. Selling digital products isn’t just for artists or creative types. Pretty much anything that can be considered a resource to improve people’s lives can be monetized into a product. If you’re in the field of career coaching, for instance, some examples of products you can design online are downloadable resume and cover letter templates, as well as productivity worksheets. (I myself have purchased a few of these from several small businesses.) If you’re a teacher, you might consider uploading classroom worksheets. I even know a personal trainer, who sells downloadable packets with different workout routines listed on them. Basically, if you can make it into a visual, you have something worthy of selling. Remember, the best part of digital products is that they live entirely online, so you never have to worry about printing a shipping label or ever running out of stock. In fact, overall, it’s a pretty green way to earn money. Pro-tip: While your product doesn’t necessarily have to be directly related to your business (I know an HR manager who earns money from selling tumblr layouts as a side gig), selling a design that features your brand’s name or logo is also a clever way to market yourself while also making money. 2. Generating passive income by starting an online course. When you’re a small business owner or freelancer, you likely earn most of your money through individual projects or services you provide for someone else. This is called active income. You get paid only each time you do a certain action. Once the labor stops, the payment stops. And because you only have so many hours in a day to commit to work, it can be incredibly difficult to earn additional revenue this way. But what if there was a way to keep the money flowing without having to do the initial work again? There is: And it’s called passive income streams. You can basically think of it as money you earn that isn’t directly tied to a set time or task commitment. One of the most profitable ways entrepreneurs are generating passive income today is by creating paid online courses. Course creators on the online course platform Thinkific, for instance, are projected to earn an estimated $550M in revenue in 2021 alone. Beyond the potential profits, another benefit to creating a revenue stream like this is that it allows for so much more growth and flexibility. Unlike traditional one-on-one tutoring, consulting, or coaching sessions, which require you to always be present (aka active income) for regular sessions, an online course only requires you to develop the initial recording, filming, or typing of your teaching material one time while granting you the opportunity to indefinitely earn money from different people. This means more freedom for you to focus your time and energy on your primary business, while still earning semi-regular income on the side. And before you say, But wait, I’m not qualified to teach, I don’t have specific teaching credentials, I’m gonna stop you there. Because you actually don’t need a fancy certificate from any place in order to teach. All you need is knowledge, the ability to communicate it clearly with others, and a platform. And Thinkific’s all-in-one course platform makes it incredibly easy to design and sell your own courses. No web design or coding experience required! It’s also worth pointing out you don’t have to develop courses that are based on hard skills like mathematics or coding (though if you have a knack for simplifying either of those subjects into digestible bits for people like me, I assure you there’s definitely a market for that, and I am definitely part of it!) If you’re a small business owner or freelancer, there’s a good chance you are highly knowledgeable in multiple fields and skills. Are you good at conflict resolution? You can teach a course on that. Are you a pro at motivating people due to past experience from managing a retail sales team? You can make a course that helps people be better coaches. Remember, your hard-earned experience and expertise is valuable. Why not transform it into something that helps others and earns you money? 3. Hosting exclusive, virtual events. One of the other great benefits of the internet (and Zoom specifically) is not just the fact that we can reach people thousands of miles away. It’s that we can fit 100 people in a room without having to rent out any space at all. This opens up so much potential for earning more money for things people would have been paying for anyway in-person, like special speaking events or lectures. Whether you work in personal finance, wedding planning, or wellness, you’re likely connected to at least some other people in your field through your immediate and extended network. Why not bring them together for a special, one-time, exclusive, paid event where they can connect with other like-minded professionals, and potentially share knowledge with aspiring people they can mentor? You can easily do this on Zoom and sell the tickets through your own website. Attendees get the benefit of connecting with other like-minded professionals and making new contacts, while you get the benefit of earning extra money and connections. Plus, If you’re already hosting courses online, virtual events can serve as a nice supplemental bonus material for people in your course community. In addition, they can function as a teaser for people who are curious about what you have to offer, but have not yet fully committed to purchasing your courses. Hosting an event also establishes you as a credible, knowledgeable source in your industry. And while you certainly don’t have to charge for every event, demonstrating that you know your worth can signal to people that you understand what you have to offer is valuable. You also don’t have to charge a ton of money, either. Think about it like this: You charge $7 per attendee and 80 people attend, that’s $560 dollars just for you to talk with people. And if 400 people attend? That’s $2800 in your pocket. 4. Utilizing brand partnerships. Do you have a blog? Social media profiles? Any kind of following? Great. You’re a potential candidate for partnerships.Once you’ve established an online presence for your brand, whether through a blog or social media profiles, you’ve opened up the door for potential partnerships with our businesses. For many entrepreneurs, this can be one of the most stable and lucrative ways for them to earn money. You may already be familiar with this as #sponcon, a personal favorite of the influencers, which usually takes the form of curated Instagram posts that feature a visually-pleasing product placement that a brand pays for. USually, those occur when a brand offers an individual or a business a single sum (or free product) up-front to feature their product on their page or feed. Of course, earnings definitely vary from person-to-person, but, Insider reported last year that the average TikTok user was charging brands .01 to .02 cents per view for a sponsored post, or about $1.00 for every 100 views. But there are actually many different ways entrepreneurs can earn revenue through advertisements. For bloggers, there’s potential to earn money with pay-per-click ads, which is when a business hosts their ad on your site and pays you for every click the ad receives. Lately, an increasingly popular way for people to earn money with online partnerships is through affiliate marketing. Basically, this is when an individual creator or entrepreneur (aka the affiliate) markets a product that isn’t their own to an audience for a commission. In order to earn said money, you usually have to place a link to the product somewhere in your content or website. You get paid when someone uses your specific link to make the purchase. While this can be a pretty easy way to get some extra money with minimal effort, know that your potential profit can vary greatly depending on the company, your following, and several other factors. Some people report earning as little as $10 in an entire month to as much as a few hundred dollars in a single day. Nevertheless, it’s still one of the easier ways you can earn some extra money, without having to create any new product yourself. Just be wary that many of these affiliate marketing programs can look a lot like pyramid schemes. So be sure you really research a company before deciding to partner with them. 5. Create exclusive content with a subscription model. As a content creator and above all, consumer, one of the things I’ve noticed that sets the most successful online entrepreneurs apart is they understand their brand isn’t just for them. Everything they do is for the entire community they’ve built around their brand. They know who they’re selling to and why their product is valuable to them. But they also go beyond just “targeting” an audience of people in a generic or pandering manner. They interact with their followers on social media. They create social media groups or spaces for people to talk and ask questions. And while this may seem like a lot of extra work, it’s these steps that allow them to earn money through something that may be considered good as gold for any creator: premium content. By premium content, I’m talking paid streaming events, access to special forums and blogs, and newsletters. In addition to courses, this is probably one of the best ways to earn a semi-regular stream of income because they often rely on a subscription model. People usually sign-up to have the money automatically deducted from their account, which guarantees you that money unless they opt out. The beauty of this is that it guarantees most of your income is coming from people who genuinely believe in what you do and want to support you enough to do it financially. No ad revenue is required, though you could always use a newsletter to plug your online course. It also doesn’t have to require a ton of effort on your part. One writer I know puts out a single newsletter every weekend and charges just $5 a month for their subscription, but earns several hundred extra dollars per month by doing so with their 120 or so paying subscribers. The bottom line is if you’re already creating free content, it may be worth your while to consider strategically making some of your content premium. Because let’s be real. You’ve likely invested years and money into earning your expertise. Why not try and earn some return on that investment? While there’s no one magic button that guarantees you’ll become a viral star or money-making machine on the internet overnight, following some of the above tips can help you earn extra money without having to sacrifice too much more of your time. And take from this entrepreneur, I know that’s your most precious resource. *****

EVENT MARKETING STRATEGY FOR DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURS

2021-09-28T03:23:00.004-07:00

There are lots of marketing strategies out there. So why does event marketing stand out to online entrepreneurs? What even is event marketing?? Where do I even begin??? Don’t panic—we've got you. Let’s dive into exactly what event marketing is, what it’s good for, and how to get started. First Things First: What Is Event Marketing? Event marketing uses events to raise awareness, generate leads, and convert customers. Events give your customers the perfect way to directly engage with your brand, product or service. If you’re someone who: Wants to grow your audience Wants to activate a customer population through your network Wants to serve an existing community Is keen to position yourself as a thought leader in your space Is passionate about a particular subject, cause, or product Wants to get yourself out there 🎷 Then event marketing is your jam. 🎷 What Is Event Marketing Good For? Short answer: lead generation, cross-pollination, passive income streams, partnerships, and nurture. But you want to know why, don’t you? Let’s go. Lead Generation When you launch events, you activate your online community. Or help to build one. Giving your audience a space to thrive also gives them the mic to spread the word about themselves. Cross-Pollination Hosting an event often means recruiting speakers. And recruiting speakers means cross-pollination. Cross-pollination is when business leaders combine their talents to extend their reach. When you recruit a speaker to your event, you give them the opportunity to speak directly to your audience and those of their fellow speakers (if you have several). In turn, you get access to their audience. It’s a win-win! Or a win-win-win if you’ve got two speakers. Or a win-win-win-win if you…well, you get the idea. Speakers are absolute beacons of lead generation. What better way to lead people to your brand than having speakers bring their audiences straight to you? And if all that wasn’t enough, when you bring your entrepreneurial peers together, you establish yourself as a connector and thought leader in your field. Cross-pollination is one of the most impactful time savers in marketing, and event marketing is the most efficient way to do it. Passive Income Streams We’re not shy here—let’s talk money. Event marketing is a great way to generate new streams of revenue. Most virtual events don't happen live. They’re pre-recorded or ongoing. Even if they do happen live, they’re easily recordable. That makes every virtual event you launch forever available as a stream of passive income after your initial launch date. Running weekly recorded events, for example, creates both an active revenue stream and an entire series of passive streams. Securing Partnerships and Sponsorships Events are ideal for securing and working with partners and sponsors, because you’re given so many opportunities to showcase them. In the lead-up to your event, you can showcase your sponsors and partners on your landing pages, social media posts, and website. You’ll thank and advertise your sponsors during your event, and you’ll give your partners and sponsors a spot in post-event communication with attendees. If you have a community, whatever its size, and you’re not giving partners and sponsors the opportunity to work with you at events, you’re missing out on a whole lot of revenue and lead generation. Customer Engagement & Nurture Events give your audience the perfect opportunity to interact with each other and your brand. When you host weekly, biweekly, monthly, or even yearly events, you keep your community talking and growing. With HeySummit’s live chat feature, you’re free to talk directly to your audience and they’re free to chat with each other. Let Me at It! How Do I Start? You know how this stuff goes, embarking on a new marketing strategy takes work. But there’s no reason to make it harder than it has to be. We cannot stress this enough: You do not need a big team behind you to launch a virtual event. A common misconception that puts people off event marketing stems from the idea that you need a big team behind you—you absolutely don’t. At HeySummit, we’ve seen virtual events of up to 10,000 attendees run by a team of two. It’s absolutely possible, even commonplace, for one person to manage tens of speakers in a large virtual event catering to thousands of attendees. Naturally, your goal, objectives, and existing audience come into play here, but event marketing is by no means out of reach for you if you don’t have a large team. All you need is the right platform. Obviously, we’re biased, but there are a few great platforms that help you plan, manage and run successful events—like SPI is doing for their upcoming summit. Interested in hosting your first online event? Check out HeySummit with a 14-day free trial. HeySummit offers customizable landing pages, email templates, and attendee analytics to help streamline your event marketing strategy.

A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO CONTENT CREATION

2021-09-27T07:06:00.000-07:00

As an entrepreneur, you need to be a jack of all trades—developing business ideas, marketing, public speaking, mastering finances and cash flow, and much more. But there’s one area that often leaves business owners paralyzed with fear: Writing. How do you create content if you’re not a writer?! As we all know, these days being a “content creator” is a requirement for building your online business. Providing value through creating useful content helps to grow your audience, builds trust with your audience, establishes you as an authority in your industry, and invites people into your ecosystem. This type of content, also called content marketing, is all about creating content that will invite people to come to you because of the value you offer, instead of just pushing out a message through advertising or traditional marketing. Content marketing includes blog posts, email newsletters, social media, podcasts, YouTube videos, and other content that people actually want to consume. This content doesn't involve the “hard sell” you put in your marketing and advertising efforts. Content marketing is more about offering help, building relationships, building trust, and building your community of superfans. Content marketing is great, but it also requires a lot of writing, even if you're creating a YouTube video or podcast. So . . . what if you’re not a writer? What if you’re just not good at it, or don’t like doing it? What if you just don’t have the time? Don’t despair! Here are some hacks that you can employ that will help you create great written content that will help you build your business. Hire a Writer This is a no-brainer, right? If you have the means to hire someone else to do your writing for you, then, by all means, hire away! This will allow you to focus on what you do best. So how do you go about hiring a freelance writer? Ask around and see if anyone in your network can recommend a writer. Post a message on LinkedIn, or visit one of these platforms that can match you with a freelance writer. Fiverr is a great website where you can find writers who have experience with just about any kind of writing, whether it’s articles/blog posts, white papers, sales and marketing copy, or ebooks. You can also hire editors and proofreaders. An example of some of the help you can find through hiring a freelancer on Fivver. On Fiverr, you can browse the profiles of freelance writers available for hire, and see which one may be a good fit for your needs. UpWork is a similar website. Don’t be afraid to hire someone to help, even if it’s for only a few hours a week, or one project at a time. If the writer is a good fit, you may even eventually want to ask them to come onto your team full-time. Hiring freelancers is a great way to get to know someone before you hire them. But what if you don’t have the money to hire someone? Tap Your Team If you have a team, even if they’re not in an official “writing” role, tap them to see if they will contribute. You might be surprised that there are good writers out there who aren’t in an official writing role. So see if team members can focus on a specific topic they have expertise in, and ask them to contribute on a regular basis. At SPI, we have several people on our team who write content, including me; our senior writer, Ray Sylvester; our co-CEO Matt Gartland; Sara Jane Hess, and David Grabowski from our podcasting team; and Jillian Benbow and Jay Clouse, from our CX team. If you have someone on your team who is good at editing, you can also record an audio “brain dump.” This is where you record your thoughts and ideas for a blog post, and then have someone else edit the content into a cohesive article. Repurpose Existing Content You probably already have content that you can repurpose to make blog posts, email content, and even social media posts. Do you have an online course? If so, take one module, or chapter, of that course and edit it down to create a blog post. At SPI, we recently did that with this blog post on how to nail your business idea. We took one chapter from the Smart From Scratch course, and we turned it into an article. You might think, “What if people know the blog post is taken from course content? That’s cheating!” No, it’s not. It’s providing your audience with valuable information through more than one medium. Blog content is free. So offering free content from a paid course is adding value. Just be careful not to give away too much content for free, or that will devalue your paid content. But a slice here and there is a smart way to reuse content and serve your audience. You can also reuse content from your podcast, if you have one, and YouTube videos. Take the transcripts, evaluate them to see what content will work best in a blog format, and edit them down. Strategically reusing content is smart and efficient. Invite Guest Bloggers to Contribute Is there someone in your network who can write valuable content on topics that will benefit your audience? Reach out to them and see if they would be interested in writing guest posts. Ideally, these would be people who have a somewhat substantial audience, so you’re killing two birds with one stone—you’re providing content for your audience, and when a guest blogger promotes the post to their own audience, you’ll get some new eyes reading your content. Make sure the guests know your audience and the types of topics you cover on your blog. Suggest topics they can write about, or collaborate to come up with topics. When their post is published, suggest ways the guest can promote the post to their own audience so you can get more traffic to your website. At SPI Media, we frequently invite guests to write for our blog, including this one from our friend Heather Osgood, founder of True Native Media, on how to turn your podcast into a profitable business. Curate Content Whether it’s for a blog post or your weekly newsletter, curating content is another option for providing value to your audience without having to personally churn out a 2,500-word original article. Curating content is simply putting together several pieces of content that you have found interesting and think your audience will like. For instance, a blog post could consist of a list of articles (with links) from other publications that you’ve found helpful on topics related to your industry. Again, this may seem like a cop-out. But it's not! People like convenience, and having links to several articles all in one place saves them time and effort. Survey Your Audience Enlist your audience to help you write content! You can do this by surveying them and using their answers to create blog posts. At SPI Media, we typically use a Typeform survey to ask our audience a question. Then we gather the answers and put them together in a blog post. This is a great way to provide interesting information, and also connect with your audience. Last May, early in the COVID pandemic, we surveyed our audience and asked them, “What’s giving you hope?” Several people responded to our survey, and we compiled their answers in this powerful blog post. Leverage the Power of Lists A list of tips or recommendations is an easy way to pull together content that doesn’t require a lot of research and writing. About once a month, our podcasting team puts together a list of their favorite podcasts. They write a paragraph about each one, and tell readers why the podcast is good. Sounds easy-peasy, right? You could do this for anything. What are your top ten recommended online business tools? What are the best business books you’re reading right now, and what do you like about them? What are the top five things that helped you start your business? Giving people advice through a list is a great way to create valuable content. Interview Experts If you’re good at asking questions and being curious, then you will probably be good at interviewing. Interview an expert on a topic that you think will help your audience. At SPI Media, we regularly interview entrepreneurs who are doing amazing things. Interview people in your audience who have found success, and write a success story for your blog. People love to read about people just like them who are succeeding. Interview a mentor or someone you look up to. Ask them for advice, and create a blog post with the answers. If you record a video of your interviews, it can be used in many different ways: for a podcast, a video for your Tube channel, as a blog post. You can get a lot of mileage from just one interview! If you want to learn more about creating content, here are some tips from Pat about how to create content when you're a busy, beginning entrepreneur.

ADVANTAGES OF VIRTUAL EDUCATION

2021-09-23T04:14:00.003-07:00

If you’re looking to master a new skill and improve your employability, you’ll no doubt be weighing up the pros and cons of home learning. Although virtual learning has historically been considered a second-rate way to study, there’s been a seismic shift in how remote learning has been viewed in recent years. Virtual learning is not just more accessible, it’s also incredibly flexible and more affordable. A Direct Line Of Communication With Tutors One of the biggest drawbacks of learning in a traditional classroom or lecture hall is that students aren’t able to connect directly with their tutors. If you’re pursuing education in a conventional setting, tutors will be time-poor and unable to commit to any follow-up questions. The infrastructure of online learning has redefined how students can communicate with their tutors. If you’re pursuing one-on-one virtual learning, you have the benefit of immediate feedback that is completely tailored to you. Live chat functionality and email correspondence are also hallmarks of virtual learning. Improved Concentration And Focus Provided you’ve a quiet space to work in, learning online can be much more rewarding than conventional study in a classroom. With less distractions to contend with, you can fully commit to a syllabus and gain a far better understanding of what you’re aiming to study. Improved focus is particularly crucial if you’re looking to pursue online language study. Learning online is no longer a compromise. If you’re looking to take charge of your further education with a flexible solution that fits around your schedule, it’s arguably a more worthwhile alternative than traditional learning models. What’s more, online learning establishments are no longer frowned upon in favour of qualifications obtained from bricks and mortar institutions. An Affordable Alternative Even if you’ve secured financial support in the form of student loans, grants and bursaries, the overall cost of pursuing further education in a traditional setting can be expensive. Online learning avenues have made pursuing advanced qualifications and advanced skills more affordable and accessible to all. It’s not just course costs where you make a saving either. Consider the multitude of other expenses involved in traditional study. With virtual learning, you won’t need to shell out for regular travel costs, while everyday expenses are also greatly diminished. Beyond course costs, the only real investment involved in home learning includes a computer and reliable internet access, along with any course-specific software that may be required to undertake your studies. Flexibility Although many of us would like to boost our career prospects by pursuing further study, busy schedules are often a barrier to doing so. If you’re currently in employment, you may find it impossible to free up enough time in your daily schedule to visit an evening class or training establishment. Online learning not only negates you having to venture to an establishment far from your home, it also tends to be fairly flexible when it comes to those looking to pursue studies outside of conventional working hours. Many online tutors specialising in one-on-one training will be highly flexible with their own schedules, meaning you’re not locked into an ironclad arrangement with fixed starting times.

WHY YOU SHOULD CUT DOWN ON CONSUMPTION OF WHITE FLOUR PRODUCTS

2018-11-26T02:07:00.001-08:00

Many Africans have a wrong conception of development. We have been brainwashed to think of development only in terms of ‘catching up with the West.’ The problem is not in catching up, but in the fact that we seem to be catching up only with the wrong things: consuming western goods, western products, western culture, western food, western clothes, western theories while throwing away ours.

Take the case of fast-food joints and the fast rate at which they are springing up everywhere. These food joints sell processed foods loaded with artificial spices and sweeteners. Even in the semi-rural areas, trees are being cut down to make space for the building of fast-food joints. Houses that were once inhabited by human beings are being turned to shops for selling of soft drinks, biscuits, snacks,bread, juices, etc. These products have one thing in common: they are products made from wheat flour and sugar. The variety of juice drinks are enormous. They come in various bottle shapes and sizes, colour and flavour, all made of water, sugar, colouring, and flavours. Parents prepare their children for school by loading their school bags with these snacks: canned drinks, chin-chin, biscuits, sweets, bread, etc.

It is strange that no one in the government circle is talking about the health risks of this trend which people associate with ‘development.’ The Nigerian government does not even have an agency (or is there any in existence?) that certifies the hygiene, safety, and quality of these foods. Neither are there agencies that inspect the environment and kitchen conditions of the countless restaurants and fast-food joints springing up every day, which is the practice in the so-called developed countries that we are trying to imitate.

Some people may argue that there is nothing wrong with eating bread. However, in the past twenty years, modern science has altered the genetic structure of wheat, in the bid to make then grow quickly and more commercially viable. This species of wheat has now been introduced into all processed foods. The bread of the 1960s to 1980s was made from a healthier species of wheat, while the current strains are products of genetic alteration. They have adverse effects on your health: It is no wonder that cases of diabetes, cancer and hypertension abound today in our society, both in the cities and in the villages. Well, that is the price we pay for ‘development.’ Let me warn you. If you suffer from diabetes, asthma and epilepsy, wheat and wheat products are the most dangerous food you can ever eat. Stay away from them, until you are sure that your wheat is grown organically.

Recently, research in the UK concluded that children of poor parents are now fatter than rich ones. It was observed that over the past decade, the rich have started to slim down, while the poor got bigger. Why is this so? It was discovered that fast-food shops are often filled with schoolchildren from poorer families, where they get cheap, spicy and tasty junk foods, which make them put on weight. These foods are tasty but contain very little nourishment. It is hard to escape unhealthy food in the poorer neighbourhoods, the research stated. Posters in supermarkets and on bus-stops display deals for fizzy drinks and burgers. Newsagents’ doorways glitter with packets of sweets and crisps. Even a church, converted from a bingo hall, has a snack-dispensing vending machine in its lobby. The children of Camberwell Green, a London suburb, it was noted, are among the fattest in England. Half of ten- and 11-year-olds there are overweight or obese (meaning that a boy of average height would weigh over 40kg). By contrast, in Dulwich Village, a few miles south, where household incomes are twice as high, only a fifth of children are in that category, one of the lowest levels in the country. The reason is that the rich and well educated are best placed to act on the knowledge of the benefits of natural and organic food. They have more time to cook healthy meals at home and are more likely than poor folk to live near green spaces, join sports clubs and patronise organic foods shops. The rate at which fast-foods spread in the poorer areas is three times higher than in, the more affluent areas.

In many of Nigeria's cities and semi-urban areas, you will notice a high growth of fast-food joints and supermarkets in poorer suburbs and even slums. The target is poor customers, who want cheap and tasty food: biscuits, chin chin, popcorn, burns, doughnuts. Delicious they are, but healthy they are not. So even among the so-called poor in Nigeria, obesity has become a problem. In fact, the paradox now is that the rich are getting slimmer, while the poor are getting fatter. If your health is important, stick to the old village wisdom of cooking your own food and stay with the traditional delicacies like pounded yam, garri, amala, fufu, local rice, beans, palm oil, coco-yam, sweet potatoes, green vegetables and local spices. Replacing our traditional food with french fries, pizzas, pies, wheat, semolina, cornflakes, sweets, ice-creams, chocolate and other processed food is bad for your health.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR PROSTRATE PROBLEMS

2018-11-26T01:53:00.001-08:00

Are herbs useful in managing prostate problems? What kind of prostate problems can be handled with herbs? Prostate problems are common among men of over 40 years. Three problems are associated with the prostate. They are Prostatitis, enlarged prostate, and prostate cancer. Prostatitis is an Inflammation of the prostate, sometimes caused by infection. Enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), affects virtually all men over 50. BPH is the most common cause of prostate enlargement. As a man ages, BPH becomes more common. About half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 develop it, and up to 90 per cent of men over age 80 will have it. The third type of prostate problem is Prostate cancer. Most prostate cancer grows slowly and initially stays within the prostate gland, but it can spread to local lymph nodes, bones or more distant areas.

There are many herbal remedies for prostate problems. Since we are in the season of corn, let us begin with corn. The silk from corn has been used for generations as a remedy for the symptoms of prostate enlargement. When fresh corn is in season, cut the silk and spread them to dry in an open, airy place, but not directly under the sun. When corn silk is thoroughly dried, they turned dark brown and can be kept for up to a year. Ensure to store them in a brown paper bag, rather than in a glass container, to allow some air inflow. Add a little of the dried silk to a glass of hot water and allow to infuse for 30 minutes before drinking. It suffices to do this once a day. After a few days, you will notice that your urine flow is freer and regular, without any feeling of retention. Corn silk is especially useful for prostatitis and BPH.

The leaves of pigeon peas are very good for prostatitis and BPH. A woody shrub that reaches only up to 4 m high upon maturity, Pigeon Pea or Cajanus cajan is grown in Nigeria and around West Africa and other tropical climates. It is short-lived and believed to be one of the earliest of cultivated plants. It has deep tap roots hence it can tolerate drought and poor soil conditions. Edible parts of pigeon pea plants are the seeds, seedpods, leaves, and young shoots. Botanically, it is called Cajanus cajan. In Igbo, it is called Fiofio while Yorubas call it Otiili. The plant produces hard peas that are cooked and eaten like other beans. Pictures of many of these useful plants can be found in my new book on ‘Medicinal Plants of Nigeria.’ Unlike other beans, pigeon peas have hard shells which explain why it takes thrice as long time to cook than other beans. Pigeon peas contain high levels of protein and the essential amino acids methionine, lysine, and tryptophan. The leaves are also used for the treatment of coughs, bronchitis, diarrhoea, haemorrhages, sores, and wounds.

Tomatoes are good for management of both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (Cancerous) tumours. Learn to add more tomatoes to your diet. Studies have shown that as little as four balls of tomatoes, either eaten raw or cooked daily can help men reduce their risk of prostate cancer by half. Ripe tomatoes are full of lycopene, an antioxidant compound that helps fight cancer. Researchers have found that men who consume more than ten tomatoes each week reduce their risk by about 20%.

Cancer experts recommend eating a balanced diet which is high in fruit and vegetables and low in red and processed meat, fat and salt. In fact, do not eat processed meat at all. You can eat goat meat and local chicken. Local chickens are those fowls that move freely in the village or fenced compounds and are fed with corn and natural foods, not with poultry feeds. Men should still eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy weight and stay active.

Watermelon seeds are excellent remedies for prostate problems. Watermelon is rich in vitamins A, B6, C, calcium, magnesium, protein, potassium, niacin and thiamine. However, lycopene, which is also present in tomato, is the most well-known phytonutrient present in watermelon. Watermelon is made up of 92% water, has little or no fat, is low in sodium and also low in calories. Fruits like watermelon allow the human body to function optimally because of the high contents of antioxidants. Antioxidants are excellent protection against cancer, arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure, while Amino Acids boost the body’s immune system, thereby protecting against all forms of diseases. Lycopene, which is also present in tomatoes, grapefruits, and guava, is beneficial for a healthy heart, healthy bone, and helps to prevent prostate cancer.

Pumpkin seeds are used to treat painful urination that accompanies an enlarged prostate that is not cancerous. The seeds contain diuretic properties and plenty of zinc, which helps repair and build the immune system. The tastiest way to enjoy pumpkin seeds is to eat them plain. Remove the shells and don't add salt. You can also crush the fresh seeds and soak a tablespoon in a glass of hot water and allow to cool, before drinking.

MAINTAINING A SOUND HEALTH WITH GINGER

2018-11-26T01:50:00.000-08:00

Zingiber officinale is one of about 1400 species in the Zingiberaceae family of herbs. A native of Asia, ginger grows well in the tropical countries of the world. Ginger is widely cultivated in West Africa, especially in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Of the over 1400 species of aromatic herbs in the Zingiberaceae family, ginger is the most powerful and the most well-known. The perennial tuberous rhizome is mistakenly referred to as root. Just as one does not call yam tuber root, so also one should not call the ginger rhizome ‘root’. The rhizome is ginger. Because of differing climatic conditions, each variety of Zingiber has its own unique aroma and flavour. Ginger grown in China is often mild in flavour while ginger in Africa is hot and peppery. Jamaican ginger often has a powerful aroma.

The botanical name for ginger was given by a Swedish botanist named Linnaeus. It comes from the Sanskrit word ‘singabera’, which means ‘shaped like a horn’. The term officinale simply means that it is commonly available. Indeed, ginger is a common feature in the cooking pot of cooks as well as the concoction jars of herbalists.

In China, it is called Sheng Jian, where it was used as long 5000 years ago, that is, 3000 years before Christ was born. Ginger was mentioned in Emperor Shen Hung’s ‘Pen Tsao Ching’ [The Classic book of Herbs] which he wrote in 5000 BCE. Ginger was also mentioned in the Ayurveda, the Hindu manual of medicine written in the fifth century BCE. The Roman physician, Dioscorides, mentioned ginger in his book: ‘De materia medica’.

In the Koran, it is written that among the richest in heaven ‘are passed vessels of silver and goblets of glass…and a cup, the admixture of which is Ginger’. In England in the middle ages, a pound of ginger spice was held to be equal in value to a sheep and can only be afforded by the rich.

HOW TO PRESERVE GINGER

Take a walk to the nearby local market and asked for ginger. It is always readily available in the market. The fresh ginger can last up to two months in a refrigerator. The dried powdered ginger can last up to one year. The whole dried ginger can last up to two years. It is not advisable to store ginger in the refrigerator. It is better to dry it and grind it into powder. Some people use powdered ginger to season their food. They simple sprinkle a teaspoon of powdered ginger on their food. This adds taste to the food as well as strengthens the system.

MEDICINAL USES OF GINGER

Ginger contains Phenols, resins and many volatile oils, such as borneol, camphene, Citral, eucalyptol, linaol, andzingiberol. Ginger is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins. In middle-age Europe, ginger was an important food and medicine. Ginger’s warming, aromatic properties have long been used to treat colds and flu. Ginger promotes beneficial sweating that helps to eliminate toxins from the system and may be taken as a tea with honey and lemon at the first sign of a chill. The fresh or dried also stimulates the circulation and is helpful for cold hands and feet. It aids the digestion of food. It has a calming effect on the digestive system.

It is not possible to list all the medicinal effects of ginger on the body because ginger affects most of the body’s organs. Ginger acts on the musculoskeletal system by reducing inflammations. Therefore, it is useful for treating rheumatism, arthritis, gout and appendicitis. In the digestive system, ginger inhibits the growth of toxic micro-organism while allowing the useful bacteria to grow. This is a quality which is never present in synthetic drugs. Ginger acts on the circulatory system preventing the formation of thromboxane, a substance that causes blood platelets to aggregate, which eventually forms blood clots that leads to hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. It is scientifically proven that ginger is as effective as aspirin in preventing the formation of blood clots in the arteries, with the added advantage of having no side effect.

1. FEVER: Ginger has been an ancient African remedy for fever. It stimulates the body to perspire, lowering the body’s temperature. Just soak one teaspoon of ginger powder into a glass of hot water, then drink.

2. JAUNDICE/HEPATITIS: Ginger is an excellent remedy for jaundice and hepatitis, especially when combined with bitter kola. Mix five or ten tablespoons of powdered ginger with an equal quantity of powdered bitter kola. Pour one teaspoonful into a glass of hot water and allow it to infuse for five minutes before adding two tablespoonfuls of honey. Take a glass every day. Please do not exceed the dosage, because it may lead to over-stimulation of the liver, which is dangerous in hepatitis. Some herbal scientists have even suggested that those who suffer from hepatitis should not take ginger at all. But there is no need for such extreme caution. Follow the dosage above, and you will be safe.

3. COUGH/ SORE THROAT

Ginger is one of the most active herbs against cough and sore throat. In this case, the fresh, raw ginger is more effective. Just tear off a finger of ginger and chew, then swallow the juice. Do this twice daily. You may not like the taste at the beginning, but you will soon get used to it. Taste is merely a matter of choice. To those who are not used to it, the beer tastes awful. But to those who are addicted to it, it is either beer or nothing.

4. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND STROKE

As mentioned above, ginger is good for hypertension and stroke. This is due to the presence of gingerol, an antiplatelet chemical that has inhibits the formation of thromboxane. Add a teaspoon of dried, ginger powder to a cup of hot water and allow it to infuse for ten minutes. Take a glass twice daily. You need to take this preparation for as long as three months to be able to experience its full benefit.

5. CANCER

For the treatment of cancer, follow the same recipe as for stroke above and take a glass three times daily. Ginger has a vital role to play in the fight against cancer.

6. GENERAL HEALTH

The most essential quality of ginger is the fact that it is beneficial for the whole-body systems. It is therefore recommended that everybody makes a habit of taking ginger regularly.

WALNUT AS A NATURAL SEX ENHANCER

2018-11-16T05:20:00.000-08:00

Are you suffering from low sexual confidence? Walnut may be a fruit for you to patronize. Some people have a constantly low libido, whereas others experience episodes of loss of libido. Common contributors to low libido include sexual familiarity/boredom, tiredness, stress, hormones, many commonly prescribed drugs, the children, illness, too much alcohol, too much food and too many other things that need to be done.

Working on Oneself

Some of these contributory problems can be worked on to put your love life back into a more prominent. This entails working on your self-image, keeping an eye on your alcohol intake; prevent terminal exhaustion; exercise to increase sex drive as well as eat a good balanced diet including some 'aphrodisiac foods'. One of such is meat. Meat, including Oysters, is high in the amino acid, Arginine and minerals such as Zinc and Iron that are essential for sexual performance. Bee pollen is food for sex. Bee pollen can help boost your sperm count and sexual function. The pollen is made from millions of particles of a semen-like substance. Almonds, avocado and asparagus are naturally rich in the minerals such as Zinc, Manganese and Copper. The minerals are precursors for the antioxidant enzyme that is essential for sexual potency. Coffee can boost your libido. Coffee boosts dopamine. a major neuro-transmitter that is correlated with keeping the level of blood testosterone from dropping. Similarly, hot chocolate can both serve to both stimulate and sedate. Chocolate, cocoa liquor and a glass of wine was considered to be aphrodisiac by the Aztecs and later on by the Spanish conquistadors.

Sex Life Enhancement

Yogurt is high in calcium and phosphorus, two minerals that help to build your muscles' energy reserves and boost libido. Calcium also helps to make your orgasms more powerful, since the muscles that control ejaculation need calcium in order to spasm and contract properly. Many herbs can serve the same purpose, just like viagra. Horny Goat Weed and pumpkin seeds are some of these. They are known to boost libido and testosterone levels. They similarly give you stronger ejaculations and increase semen volume. A study by researchers at the Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL), Idi Araba, Lagos, identified 10 local plants that have been successfully used in South Western Nigeria as aphrodisiac. The root of Carpolobia lutea is regarded as Ogun Aleko, that is an invigorating tonic or aphrodisiac. Water in which the root of Cassia sieberiana (Aridan, Tooro, Ifo, Idotoro in Yoruba) has been soaked for a week is drunk as an aphrodisiac.

Anti-oxidant that enhances Libido

Dioscorea cayenensis is used as an aphrodisiac preparation by the Yorubas and normally eaten boiled. The root is called Igangan (Yoruba), Ikpen (Edo), Dooyar kudu (Hausa), Akpaana (Ibibio), Ji oko (Ibo), Ole (Isoko), Okpen (Urhobo), Iyogh (Tiv), Akpana (Efik). Mucuna pruriens (Werepe in Yoruba and Agbala in Igbo) has been found to contain L-dopa about 40 milligram/gram of the plant. L-dopa is used to make dopamine, an important brain chemical involved in mood, sexuality, and movement. It has also been shown to have antioxidant properties. Commonly called cowitch, cowhage, velvet bean, cow-itch, buffalo bean; Mucuna pruriens belongs to the plant family Leguminosae (formerly known as Fabaceae). In one study, oral intake of the seeds in 56 human males was able to improve erection, duration of coitus, and post-coital satisfaction after only four weeks of treatment. The seed also has fertility promoting and spermatogenic effects (induces formation and development of spermatozoa) in human males, being able to improve sperm count and motility.

Walnut Research Findings

Besides this, walnut is also being touted as an aphrodisiac. The omega-3 fatty acids in walnuts are helpful in protecting the body from cardiovascular diseases by preventing erratic rhythms in the heart, making the blood less likely to clot inside the arteries, and improving the ratio of good to bad cholesterol. Walnuts are rich in protein, and high in potassium and other minerals such as zinc and iron. Researchers just announced they have produced a Viagra alternative from it too. The tablet called N-Hanz, the team of researchers at University Malaya (UM were able to show to have potentials as a local alternative to Viagra. Prof. Kim Kah Hwi, who headed the team of researchers, said he was inspired to look into walnuts after reading about their use in history and so far 40 volunteers had tried the tablet containing walnut extract and responded positively. Prof. Kim said the new pill was comparable to Viagra as well as safe, although a person would have to consume about 3.3kg of walnuts for the same effect as one tablet. He said, it takes about an hour for the effects to set in and it will last for about four hours. Furthermore, because it is not a drug, he said it is safe for those with hypertension or diabetes, or (those) who have recently had heart by passes, adding that some of the volunteers had undergone bypass surgeries.

Prof Kim said the active ingredient was arginine, an amino acid that is absorbed into the body and converted into nitric oxide known to help to enlarge blood vessels and enhance blood flow to the penis. All these foods that have aphrodisiac properties are within easy reach, including walnut, and so low libido should no more be a dilemma.

THE HEALING PROPERTIES OF GINGER

2018-11-16T05:07:00.001-08:00

Zingiber officinale is one of about 1400 species in the Zingiberaceae family of herbs. Native of Asia, ginger grows well in the tropical countries of the world. Ginger is widely cultivated in West Africa, especially in Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Of the over 1400 species of aromatic herbs in the Zingiberaceae family, ginger is the most powerful and the most well-known. The perennial tuberous rhizome is mistakenly referred to as root. Just as one does not call yam tuber root, so also one should not call the ginger rhizome 'root'. The rhizome is ginger. Because of differing climatic conditions, each variety of Zingiber has its own unique aroma and flavour. Ginger grown in China is often mild in flavour while ginger in Africa is hot and peppery. Jamaican ginger often has very strong aroma.

The botanical name for ginger was given by a Swedish botanist named Linnaeus. It comes from the Sankrist word 'singabera', which means 'shaped like a horn'. The term officinale simply means that it is commonly available. Indeed, ginger is a common feature in the cooking pots of cooks as well as the concoction jars of herbalists.

In China it is called sheng jian, where it was used as long 5000 years ago, that is, 3000 years before Christ was born. Ginger was mentioned in Emperor Shen Hung's 'Pen Tsao Ching' [The Classic book of Herbs] which he wrote in 5000 BCE. Ginger was also mentioned in the Ayurveda, the Hindu manual of medicine written in the fifth century BCE. The Roman physician Dioscorides, mentioned ginger in his book: 'De materia medica'.

In the Koran, it is written that among the richest in heaven 'are passed vessels of silver and goblets of glassÃ¢â‚¬Â¦and a cup, the admixture of which is Ginger'. In England in the middle ages, a pound of ginger spice was held to be equal in value to a sheep and can only be afforded by the rich.

HOW TO PRESERVE GINGER
Take a walk to the nearby local market and ask for ginger. It is always readily available in the market. The fresh ginger can last up to two months in a refrigerator. The dried powdered ginger can last up to one year out of the refrigerator. The dried whole ginger can last up to two years. It is not advisable to store ginger in the refrigerator. It is better to dry it and grind it into powder. Some people use powdered ginger to season their food. They simple sprinkle a teaspoon of powdered ginger on their food. This adds taste to the food as well as strengthens the system.
MEDICINAL USES OF GINGER
Ginger contains Phenols, resins and many volatile oils, such as borneol, camphere, citral, eucalyptol, linaol, and zingiberol. Ginger is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, minerals and vitamins. In middle-age Europe, ginger was an important food and medicine.

Ginger's warming, aromatic properties have long been used to treat colds and flu. Ginger promotes a beneficial sweating that helps to eliminate toxins from the system and may be taken as a tea with honey and lemon at the first sign of a chill. The fresh or dried also stimulates the circulation and is helpful for cold hands and feet. It aids the digestion of food. It has a calming effect on the digestive system.

It is not possible to list all the medicinal effects of ginger on the body, because ginger affects most of the body's organs. Ginger acts on the musculo-skeletal system by reducing inflammations. This is why it is useful for treating rheumatism, arthritis, gouts and appendicitis. In the digestive system, ginger inhibits the growth of toxic micro-organism while allowing the useful bacteria to grow. This is a quality which is never present in synthetic drugs. Ginger acts on the circulatory system preventing the formation of thromboxanes, a substance that causes blood platelets to aggregate, which eventually forms blood clots that leads to hypertension, heart attack and stroke. It is scientifically proven that ginger is as effective as aspirin in preventing formation of blood clots in the arteries, with the added advantage of having no side effect.

FEVER: Ginger has been an ancient African remedy for fever. It stimulates the body to perspire, lowering the body's temperature. Simply soak one teaspoon of ginger powder into a glass of hot water, then drink.

JAUNDICE/HEPATITIS: Ginger is an excellent remedy for jaundice and hepatitis, especially when combined with bitter kola. Mix five or ten tablespoons of powdered ginger with an equal quantity of powdered bitter kola. Pour one teaspoonful into a glass of hot water and allow it to infuse for five minutes before adding two tablespoonfuls of honey. Take a glass every day. Please do not exceed the dosage, because it may lead to over stimulation of the liver, which is dangerous in hepatitis. Some herbal scientists have even suggested that those who suffer from hepatitis should not take ginger at all. But there is no need for such extreme caution. Follow the dosage above and you will be safe.

COUGH/ SORE THROAT
Ginger is one of the most active herbs against cough and sore throat. In this case the fresh, raw ginger is more effective. Simply tear off a finger of ginger and chew, then swallow the juice. Do this twice daily. You may not like the taste at the beginning, but you will soon get used to it. Taste is simply a matter of choice. To those who are not used to it, beer and stout taste awful. But to those who are addicted to it, it is either beer or nothing at.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND STROKE
Ginger is good for hypertension and stroke. This is due to the presence of gingerol, an antiplatelet chemical that has inhibits the formation of thromboxane. Add a teaspoon of dried, ginger powder to a cup of hot water and allow it to infuse for ten minutes. Take a glass twice daily. You need to take this preparation for as long as three months to be able to experience its full benefit.

CANCER
For the treatment of cancer, follow the same recipe as for hypertension as described above and take a glass three times daily. Ginger has an important role to play in the fight against cancer.

GENERAL HEALTH
The most important quality of ginger is the fact that it is beneficial for the whole body systems. It is therefore recommended that everybody makes a habit of taking ginger regularly.

MEDICINAL VALUE OF PLANTAIN

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Plantain, musa paradaisica, is a household plant. Both adults and children alike know it. Even though people are familiar with the plantain plant, and enjoy its fruit, they do not pay attention to its other uses. The plantain plant, which is rich in Inulin,alkaloids and noradrenaline, is a beauty to behold. The leaves are evergreen. The trunk is soft and contains a lot of fluid.

The green leaf of plantain is very useful for treating diabetes. Just boil the fresh leaves in water. Drink a glassful twice daily. However, pregnant women should not take this preparation, as it is capable of stimulating the uterus, thus promoting miscarriage. The whitish fluid that shows when plantain leaf is cut is beneficial for treating wounds, especially fresh wounds. The juice stops the flow of blood very quickly.

Perhaps the most medicinal part of plantain is the sap. The sap is present in every part of the plant. By piercing any part of the plant, especially the trunk, one can collect the sap.

HOW TO COLLECT PLANTAIN SAP

Cut the trunk of plantain into pieces. Pound the pieces in a mortar. Then squeeze out the juice. What you have is a potent herbal juice that can be used for varieties of illnesses. Mix one bottle of the fluid with half bottle of honey. Henceforth, this preparation will be referred to as Plantain solution [PS]. This knowledge is one of the hidden treasures, which many of our knowledgeable fathers and mothers keep close to their chests. The simplest things in nature are often the most important. How often do you see a banana tree and pass by without even taken a second look? So often, we are so busy pursuing one material thing or the other, forgetting that happiness consists in opening ourselves to the hidden wisdom in nature. Human beings are busy seeking happiness and beauty. Yet, right there in front of them is paradise. Wake up from your slumber o man and woman and stop taking things for granted. Let the beauty of nature permeate your being and reflect through you!

The juice of plantain can be used for the following illnesses:

NERVOUSNESS:  PS offers quick relief for nervousness and even hysteria. It calms the system and promotes sleep. Drink two tablespoons of PS twice daily.

EPILEPSY: PS offers great hope for those who have epilepsy. It effectively hinders electric discharge in the brain, thus preventing epileptic fits. The dosage is two tablespoons of PS thrice daily.

DYSENTERY: Drinking two tablespoons of PS twice daily will bring relief to those suffering from dysentery as well as diarrhoea, constipation and indigestion.

ULCER: For intestinal ulcer, drink two tablespoons of PS twice daily. For chronic external ulcers, use cotton wool to apply PS to the wound twice daily.

SKIN INFECTIONS: Apply PS to the skin in cases of burns, skin rashes and insect bites.

THE USES OF PLANTAIN ROOT

      Plantain root is beneficial for some illnesses. Cut some plantain roots into pieces, and then pound in a mortar. Press out the juice and throw the chaff away.  Mix half bottle of honey with one bottle of the juice. Once again, what you have left is a potent herbal solution, henceforth referred to as PRJ [plantain root juice].  PRJ is effective for the following complaints:

PROSTATITIS: prostate cancer is on the increase every day. Orthodox medicine has nothing to offer except surgical operation, which is of little value. Does it mean that there is no hope? Well, there is always hope. There is no hopelessness in nature. PRJ is of great help in reducing prostate tumour, retention of urine and other related ailments. Drink three tablespoons of PRJ thrice daily.

KIDNEY PROBLEMS: For all forms of kidney problems, PRJ offers great hope. It promotes the flow of urine and helps in metabolism.

DIABETES: PRJ has proved helpful to people with diabetes who are lucky enough to know about it. The dosage is two tablespoons thrice daily.

GONORRHOEA/SYPHILIS: If you are one of those many people who suffer from any or all the various forms of venereal diseases, such as staphylococcus, gonorrhoea or syphilis, then I have good news for you. PRJ is the hidden solution to your problem. Drinking three tablespoonsful of PRJ for two months will eradicate chronic gonorrhoea and staphylococcus. For Syphilis, continue the medication for four months. Venereal diseases take time to cure, so don’t expect that you can eradicate them overnight. And beware of herbalists who claim that they can cure gonorrhoea or syphilis in a week or two. Never hurry nature. Allow the body to repair itself. That is a natural way.

OTHER USES OF PLANTAIN

1.THE LEAVES: Plantain leaf is useful against skin rashes and burns as well as convulsions. Grind some plantain leaves into powder. Mix four tablespoons of the powder with half Coca-Cola bottle of palm-kernel oil or vegetable run and apply to the affected parts. In cases of convulsion, apply to the whole body.

2.THE PEEL: The peel of both ripe and unripe plantain is a cure for a stomach ulcer. Dry the skins and grind to ashes. Mix one teaspoon of the powder with some honey, then lick. Do this twice daily.

3. THE FRUIT: Roasted plantain fruit is good for men with weak erection and low sperm count. Make a habit of eating one or two roasted plantains daily. If you wish, you can eat it with vegetable soup. Enjoy yourself while you improve your health the natural way. The ripe plantain fruit can be used to treat indigestion. Mash some ripe plantain to make a paste. Add three tablespoons of honey to eight tablespoons of the paste. Take one tablespoon twice daily.

NATURAL REMEDY FOR KIDNEY FAILURE

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The Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located close to the back. Although this pair of organs is relatively small, they are responsible for ensuring that the blood circulating in our body is free from harmful organisms, waste products and excess water. Your kidneys work extra hard to ensure your continued well-being. Every day, 20% of the blood pumped by the heart or approximately 200 quarts of blood passes through your kidneys for cleansing purposes. Every day, at least 2 quarts of unwanted waste materials are sifted from the blood before it is even allowed to return to general circulation.

Each of these tiny organs is composed of about a million tinier units called "nephrons". Inside these nephrons, a tiny blood vessel ("glomerulus") is intertwined with a tiny urine-collecting tube (tubule). As blood passes through these nephrons, a complex interaction occurs between the glomerulus and the tubule which results in the elimination of wastes in the blood. These waste materials then enter the urinary tract and end up being excreted in the urine.

Aside from sifting the unwanted materials from the blood, the kidneys also take charge of the following functions:

Regulation of the composition of the blood. Maintenance of the ideal concentrations of vital substances and ions in the blood
Sustaining the proper volume of water in the body
Eliminating toxic wastes from the body
Maintaining the acid-base concentration of the blood
Normalizing blood pressure
Promoting the production of red blood cells
Maintaining the ideal calcium level in the body

Despite the numerous tasks performed by the kidneys to ensure our safety, it is sad to note that there are a lot of people who neglect to take care of their kidneys properly.

World Health Organization (WHO) statistics reveal that the death rate from intrinsic kidney and urinary tract disease was one million in the year 2002; ranking twelfth on the list of major causes of death In sub-Saharan Africa, and indeed also in Nigeria, hypertension and diabetes mellitus are among the leading causes of end-stage renal disease. By 2020, the burden of diabetes and cardiovascular disease will have increased by 130% in Africa alone.

TYPES OF KIDNEY DISEASE
Glomerulonephritis
This refers to diseases that damage the glomeruli structures (inflammation) within the kidney responsible for the filtration in the kidneys. Diseases that are not properly treated help the body to produce antibodies and the kidneys in a bid to deal with them may get overburdened.

Analgesic Nephropathy
This does damage to the kidneys as a result of wrong or misuse of analgesics without proper prescription over a long time. Bleaching Creams and soaps containing heavy metal (mercury) may overburden the kidneys.

Polycystic Kidney Diesease
An inherited kidney disease that causes large fluid filled cysts to develop in the kidney. These cysts may eventually crowd out normal kidney tissues, thus reducing its effectiveness or even or even cause its functions to cease. Other diseases may include:

Sickle Cell Disease
Through reduced blood flow and oxygen, which will stress kidney functioning.

Drug Nephropathy
Damage to the kidneys because drugs and use of medications have destroyed the kidneys. Indiscriminate use of anti-malaria drugs can damage the kidney.

Other Causes
Kidney disease also has other causes, which include collagen vascular disease such as lupus, cancer, congenital defects.

CAUSES OF KIDNEY FAILURE
Kidney failure may show no symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage. However, some identified causes include:

Hypertension
Is the leading cause of kidney failure in Nigeria. This refers to a higher than normal amount of blood pressure. It may cause no symptoms until it is advanced. This is why it is often referred to as a Ã¢â‚¬Å“silent killerÃ¢â‚¬Â. Because hypertension causes no symptoms and medications are expensive and may cause unwanted side effects, many find compliance with required treatment difficult and this further compound the problem of hypertension related kidney disease.

Diabetes
This is the second leading course of kidney failure in Nigeria. This in general means that blood glucose levels are excessively high.
Type I diabetes occurs when the body's immune system destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreases. Type II diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use insulin properly.
Tiny amounts of proteins in urine are an early sign of kidney damage in patients with diabetes.

HIV/AIDS
This is fast becoming one of the major causes of kidney failure in Nigeria. HIV/AIDS will increase load on the kidneys and may lead eventually to its failure.

Prevention
So, what can we do to prevent this from happening? We need to start taking care of our health and to pay attention to our kidneys as well. To avoid developing kidney troubles, it is therefore necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. You may start by considering the following tips:

Drink plenty of fluids.
We've all heard that drinking eight to ten glasses of water each day promotes better health, but do you know why? Although the kidneys act as more of a filter than a reservoir, toxins can build up if there isn't enough water pressure to push them through to the urinary tract for excretion.

Avoid caffeine.
Don't get hooked on drinking multiple cups of caffeine beverages each day. Your kidneys will be forced to work harder and pump out fluid and a toxin when they become dehydrated by caffeine's purging effect and more active by its metabolism-boosting powers. If you find that you are urinating several times a day more than you used to, try cutting back on caffeine products to see if that helps. Too much caffeine isn't good for your body in many ways, and kidney stress is one of them.

Cut back on bumpy road rides.
Long-distance truck drivers may have a higher incidence of kidney bruising or damage than people in other occupations. Until the possible link is confirmed or disproved, try to take long rides in comfortable seats, and stop for frequent breaks to get out of the vehicle and stretch your legs, which will be good for your back as well as your kidneys and other organs.

Eat cleansing foods.
Nigeria is full of good, nourishing foods. Water melon juice helps to reduce bacteria in the urinary tract by keeping it from sticking to tissues where it can build up and cause an infection. A few glasses of this refreshing beverage each week might be enough to promote better kidney health. Some practitioners claim that white rice is a good food for cleansing the body. You may want to include this in your diet on occasion, as well.
You will feel better about taking control of your health when you use tips like these to protect your kidneys.

Treatment

The typical renal patient has a 3 to 5 hour dialysis treatment; three times per week and dialysis can only replace only about 10% to 15% of the function of healthy kidneys. In Nigeria, each session of dialysis treatment will cost an average of N 25, 000.00 (twenty- five thousand Naira) or N 75, 000 per week or N 900, 000 per year, a cost much more than the average Nigerian worker can bear.

The incidence of kidney disease cuts across most ages and the prevalence is among patients aged between 20 and 50 years. This means that a significant number falls within the working population and may pose a serious threat to the future of Nigeria's economy. This means that something must be done now. All hands must be on deck to offer solutions to this problem.

Kidney failure or end stage renal disease is becoming a major issue in Nigeria due to increase in its incidence. Available statistics indicate that kidney failure is increasing world -wide by approximately 7% annually and incidence in Nigeria could be as high as 10 per million population.

A kidney transplant, which costs at least N 4.5 million, provides the patient with a healthy kidney from a donor but it often requires a lot more in terms of finances. When donors (which so far in Nigeria have been living relatives, spouses or friends) is found, their suitability for surgery is determined and they are tested to determine if their blood type and other issue factors match the patients. Some of these investigations are done abroad and this helps to compound the cost of the surgeries. After the surgery, transplant patients must take immunosuppressant drugs, which keep their bodies from fighting and destroying the transplanted organ and these drugs must be taken for life with a combination of other drugs, which are usually not in stock by regular pharmacists due to their high cost. When required, they are often imported specially for the patients' use.

Natural Remedies

Protein is restricted to decrease the protein load on the kidney and slow down the progression of kidney disease.
Sodium may be restricted to improve blood pressure control and to avoid fluid accumulation.
Potassium is restricted if it is not excreted effectively and levels in the blood are high. When you have too much potassium in your blood, dangerous heart rhythms may result.

When you have kidney failure, the amount of urine your body produces may decrease. The amount of fluids you can drink each day is based on the amount of urine you produce in a 24-hour period. Other considerations on whether fluid must be restricted are the amount of fluid you retain, the level of sodium in your diet, whether you use diuretics, and whether you have congestive heart failure.

Your diet will determine whether you survive kidney disease or not. Limit the amount of sodium [salt, common in canned food, fast-foods, processed cheese, and smoked meats. Instead, use lemon, herbs, and other spices to improve the flavor of your meals.
Kidney patients should limit the amount of protein they eat. Learn about the sources of protein. Most people know that meats, fish, and dairy products contain protein. They may not know that foods such as breads, cereals, beans and vegetables also contain protein. As a general rule, avoid processed food. Keep away from milk, yogurt, or ice cream. Avoid nuts, peanut butter, seeds, lentils, peas, and beans. Avoid drinks such as beer, cola drinks, and cocoa. Since the kidney is a sensitive organ in the body, consult your health care provider for prescription of herbal remedies. Self-medication could be fatal.

FOOD AND MEDICINAL VALUE OF MAIZE (CORN)

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Nature has perfectly fashioned seasonal foods in each geographical zones of the world to provide the inhabitants of the zones with the right kind of nourishment that will sustain them at specific periods of the year.

After rice, millet, and wheat, corn or maize is one of such seasonal foods (cereals) that have been known to most nations of the world right from the ancient times. Corn (maize) belongs to the family of grasses (graminaeae) and botanically it is called Zea mays. During its season, and depending on the nature of the soil, corn grows to a height of between 5 to 8 feet and is harvested within 70 to 90 days after planting.

The measure of a good diet is that:

The diet or food must be high in complex carbohydrates.
Very high in dietary fibers.
Low in protein and fats.
Analyses have shown that maize satisfies all the qualities of a good diet. In addition to be a rich source of complex carbohydrates, fibers, and small amount of protein and fats, Corn is also a source of B-Vitamins and Vitamin E. other phytochemicals found in corn include:
Allantoin (a chemical that allows cells to multiply normally).
Protease inhibitors which have been found to exhibit antiviral and anticancer activities? Unlike grains such as wheat, corn lacks gluten which makes it most suitable in the treatment of certain digestive diseases.Whole corn is better eaten (cooked or roasted) as soon as it is harvested from the farm. In this way the freshness, softness; sweetness and nutritional values are retained in tact.

Eating cooked fresh corn and drinking a glass of the water (in which the corn is cooked) with a spoon of pure honey, exerts a mild diuretic and tonic effect on the Kidneys and the Urinary System by:
- Increasing the flow of urine.
- Detoxifying the kidneys, and
- Preventing the formation of stones along the urinary tract and in the kidneys. For this purpose, fresh corn should not be boiled with refined table salt.
Taking a glass of infusion (tea) made from fresh corn seeds with pure honey is one of the best ways of combating bed wetting (nocturnal enuresis) in children.
The efficacy of this remedy is enhanced when it is combined with a tea made from a mixture of corn silk and phyllanrhus and given to the child to 3 times daily until the condition stops or improves.
Drinking corn seed infusion (tea) prevents nausea and vomiting.
Eating fresh corn helps in cleansing the teeth thereby lowering the risks of dental problems.
Whole corn provides most of the nutrients that are needed in building waste muscles and bones. Corn meal is therefore recommended for those that are recovering form severe illness as well as anemic and malnourished patients.
Unlike other cereals such as wheat corn meal lack GLUTEN (i.e a protein that causes inflammatory reactions in the small intestines) and because of this it one of the foods recommended for those suffering from:
- Poor absorption.
- Chronic digestive and colon disorders
- Over activity of the thyroid gland
Corn meal is also recommended for women who want to boot up their estrogen
(female hormone) activities.
Sweet corn is easy to digest and it adds bulk to food and yields high energy. As it forms bulk-laxative, it thereby promotes smooth bowel movements and helps in preventing constipation together with problems like piles (hemorrhoids), fissure (creaks in the wall of the rectum), etc.
The communities that eat corn regularly usually have a very low incidence of card non-vascular diseases like heart disorders, hypertension, etc. this is so because, corn have been found to lower high level of blood cholesterol.
Ground whole corn power is often added to some herbal preparations used in enhancing male libido or sexual stamina.
Taking 1-2 spoons of fresh corn starch dissolved in Ã‚Â½ a glass of cold water helps in stopping running stomach (diarrhea) and excessive uterine bleeding.
The fermented water extracted from raw cold corn starch commonly used in traditional medicine to boil herbs with the aim of enhancing the efficacy of such herbs.
Corn flour is very rich in attention (a cell proliferate) and it a very high emollient (i.e. Substance that softens soothes and protects the skin when they are applied externally).
Corn flour mixed with small amount of salt can be used as poultice on:
- Inflamed tissues
- Wounds and sore: Corn starch disinfects wound, and protect injured surfaces from bacterial infections
- Non-malignant tumors.
- Public and kidney regions to ease the pains of bladder infections (cystitis) and in the kidneys.
Cornstarch is often incorporated into many natural cosmetics because of it soothing and emollient activities.
Corn oil is one of the best cooking oil. It is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and therefore lowers cholesterol.
Dr. C. Jaris in his book Ã¢â‚¬Å“Folk MedicineÃ¢â‚¬Â (1958), recommended taking one tablespoon of corn oil with meals 2 time daily for about 2 months for the treatment of some chronic skin diseases, e.g.: dandruff, (scalp diseases), eczema, dry skin, e.t.c. He wrote that it is equally good for those suffering from Asthma and Hay Fever.

Using Corn Silk As Medicine

Corn silk is the silky, soft tassels found inside the husks of the Indian corn. The silk is cut off when the husks are fresh. It is dried in a warm and airy room or in a drying shed. The drying process takes approximately 1-2 weeks. The dried corn silk is cut and stored in an airtight container preferably in a dark glass container.

Corn silk loses its diuretic properties and becomes a laxative when it is stored inappropriately or when it is not properly dried.

Corn silk loses most of its healing properties after one year of storage. It is regarded as herb, not food.
Constituents:

Vitamins: B panthothenic acid, thiamin, beta carotene, vitamin C , and K.
Corn silk is rich in potassium, iron, silicon (silica), calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc.
The main constituents are maizemic acid, fixed oil, mucilage, resin, saponin, salicylic acid, oxalic acid, alkaloids, tartaric acids, flavonoids, tannins, thymol, steroids, etc.

Herbal Actions:

Alterative - Anti-inflammatory - Hypoglycemic
Anodyne - Diuretic - Litholytic
Analgesic - Demulcent - Hypertensive
Tonic - Mild Stimulant - Sedative
Stomachic - Antiseptic & Antimicrobial.

METHOD OF PREPARATION / DOSAGES

Infusion (tea): 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried herbs is infused for up to 10 minutes in a teacup of boiling water. This could be taken warm or cold 3 -5 times daily.
Alternatively:-30g of the herb is infused in a litre of boiling water.
Decoction: The silk from 3 ears of fresh corn could be boiled with 3 tea cups of water for 5minutes up to Ã‚Â½ - 1 cup of the decoction could be taken at time for up to 3-5 times a day.
Tincture of corn silk: (130g /500ml of alcohol) prepared as a standard herbal tincture.
Corn Silk capsules: Dried corn silk is powderized and capsulated. 2 capsules are taken 3 times daily with plenty of water at meal times.

Therapeutic Indications (uses) / synergism/ Compatibility:

Renal (Kidney) Problems: Corn silk combines diuretic and demulcent (soothing any inflamed surface), anti- inflammation action in one. For this reason it is very useful in the treatment of:
1. Nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). In this case, pure honey could be taken along with the cornsilk tea.
2. Profuse albumin in urine due to nephritic syndrome (Nephrosis), unsweetened corn silk infusion alone is excellent for this condition, especially in children.
3. Renal colic: Because of the sedative, anti-inflammatory and the analgesic actions of corn silk, the infusion or the decoction of the herb calms the pains of renal colic. It may be taken in conjunction with GARLIC.
4. Renal Lithiasis or Kidney Stones or Gravel: Pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, chemical and artificial additives and colorings and other chemicals can create a build up of waste materials which could be difficult for the kidneys to fitter out. Sometimes, these waste materials aggregate and crystallize and form GRAVELS OR STONES in the Kidneys a condition known as RENAL LITHIASIS. The intake of corn silk tea regularly is known to prevent the formation of kidney stones in susceptible patients.
  The tea also helps in dissolving Kidney Stones. In this condition, corn silk combines well with Plyllanthus nuriri (or cleavers). Corn silk tea may be taken in conjunction with Lemonade, Garlic/lemon juice mixture, Aloe vera / Coconut water mixture.
  In all the kidney problems mentioned above, drinking plenty of fluid (in form of spring water, fruits juices, etc) in addition to the herbal therapies, will help flush the kidneys, prevent the deposition of sediments and also prevent kidney infections.
5. Subpalpebral edema (Bag under the eyes): The kidneys play a major role in removing waste materials from the bloods. In achieving this, it works together with the liver, lungs, skins and the heart (links with emotional bodies).
  Negative emotion like unhappiness, fear of unfaithfulness, feeling of insecurity and jealousy in marriage upsets not only the activities of the liver, pancreas, stomach and ovaries; but most importantly, those of the kidneys.
- Bags under the eyes (subpalebral edema).
- Pimple face ( or skin blemishes) and
- Dark circle under the eyes are some of the external manifestations that may indicate that the kidneys require cleansing (flushing).
- Garlic/ Golden seal / Golden rod.
- Aloe vera gel / Coconut water, etc.

Take corn silk herbal infusion in addition to the juice extracted from Water Melon, Grape, Papaya, Carrot seeds, etc. The therapy may be taken along with herbs like:

Edema: Corn silk (tea, decoction, etc) is known to have a diuretic property (i.e. helping to eliminate water from the kidneys or water retentions in the body). It is also rich in vitamin K and does not result in loss of potassium (a problem common with synthetic diuretics). Because of these, corn silk is very useful in the treatment of:
1. Fluid accumulation in the heart and heart enlargement. In this case it may be combined with herbs like:
  -Garlic -Yarrow - Hawthorn berries -Chickweed -Dandelion - Swedish bitters.
2. Pedal Edema in pregnancy and fluid retention in Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). In these cases, corn silk may be combined with Yarrow, Nettle, Dandelion and Phyllanthus nuriri.
Hypertension: Studies have shown that corn silk infusion or decoction lowers high blood pressure. Also, it is a safe herbal diuretic for hypertensive patients. It is rich in vitamin k and prevents the loss of potassium.
NOTE: Kola nut, coffee, tea, cocoa and other caffeine-containing herbs exert diuretic effects (i.e. increasing the elimination of water from the kidneys).They may increase the diuretic action of corn silk, especially when taken at bed time. Like the chilled beer, all the above mentioned substances and herbs may aggravate the nocturnal urinary symptoms of Benign Prostate Hypertrophy (BPH).
Genitourinary Problems: Being a diuretic and urinary demulcent, infusion or decoction of corn silk, when taken, helps to soothe the irritation in the bladder and along the genitourinary tract which causes frequent burning and painful urination in cases of:
1. Cystitis (chromic / acute inflammation of the bladder) caused by infections e.g. E. coli. In this condition, corn silk combines very well with Rosalle (red sorrel), often called Ã¢â‚¬Å“TROPICAL CRANBERRYÃ¢â‚¬Â
2. Urethritis (Inflammation of the urethra) caused by STDs like N.gonorrhea, etc.
3. Prostititis (inflammation of prostate gland).
In all the above mentioned cases, corn silk is usually combined with herbs that have more antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, e.g:
- Phyllanthus nuriri
- Garlic (or Garlic /Onion /Wine)
- Golden seal root - Buchu - Lemon/Garlic
- Uva ursi - Yarrow - Onion (decoction)
- Couch grass - Hydrangea
- Golden rod - Colloidal silver, etc.
(iv) Corn silk infusion or decoction is equally useful in the treatment of:
(a) Bed wetting: In this case, corn silk combines well with herbs like:
- Phyllanthus nuriri.
- St. John's wort or St John's wort / Horsetail.
- A decoction of 2 chicken liver / cinnamon.
(b) Urinary incontinence (due to bladder weakness): In this condition, corn silk combines well with
- Phyllathus nuriri,
- A mixture of thyme /plantain.
- Small flowered willow herb.
Shedding of excess body weight: Regular intake of corn silk tea helps in shedding off excess body weight and fats. To achieve a good result, corn silk infusion can be taken daily for a long time.

NOTE: Corn silk is very safe for both children and the elderly; and the infusion can be taken over a long period of time, even in pregnancy.
For weight reduction, corn silk combines well with:
- Chickweed - Wild chicory
- Fennel seeds - Pineapple juice /honey
- Pawpaw seeds / Grape fruit juice
Diabetes mellitus: Studies have shown that taking an overnight cold infusion of corn silk exerts hypoglycemic (Blood sugar lowering) effect, especially in an overweight patient.
The oral intake of corn silk infusion or tincture helps in calming the mind and also" cheering up a depressed spiritÃ¢â‚¬Â. Because of its sedative action, corn silk is given in cases of restlessness and dysmenorrheal.
A mixture of corn silk and Phyllanthus nuriri, when taken as tea regularly, helps in the treatment and prevention of:
- sclerosis of the liver.
-Gall bladder stones and cholecystitis (gall bladder inflammation).
Removal of excessive uric acids: Uric acid is generated by the consumption of red meat (also ingested with the meat are the toxins like hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals which the muscles of the body absorb).
At the saturation point, these uric acids and other metabolites crystallize into a sharp needle- like points, especially in the joints, giving rise to the symptom of the painful gouty arthritis and other disease conditions like sciatica, neuritis and sometime weakness of the liver.

When taking regularly as decoction or infusion, corn silk eases the pains and discomforts associated with these conditions. This is so because the herb combines analgesic, anti-inflammatory, litholytic and lymphatic system cleansing properties in one. Apart from soothing the pains of inflammation, corn silk helps in removing excess uric acids and other toxins from the blood.

In these conditions, corn silk combines well with:

Lemon / Garlic Juice.
Pineapple /pawpaw mixture.
Pepperomia salad or decoction.
Infusion of common club moss.
Infusion of horsetail and Swedish bitters.

HOW NOT TO DIE

2018-11-16T04:29:00.000-08:00

The above is the title of a book by Michael Greger, a well-known American medical doctor, and nutritionist, writing mainly for his American audience. Greger argues that the vast majority of premature deaths among Americans can be prevented through simple changes in diet and lifestyle. He examines the fifteen top causes of death in America—heart disease, various cancers, diabetes, Parkinson’s, high blood pressure, and more—and explains how nutritional and lifestyle interventions can sometimes do better than prescription pills and other pharmaceutical and surgical approaches, freeing people to live healthier lives.

The simple truth is that most doctors are good at treating acute illnesses but bad at preventing chronic disease. According to him, the 15 leading causes of death claim the lives of 1.6 million Americans annually. For him, this doesn’t have to be the case and can be avoided. Using wide sources of research materials, all of it backed up by peer-reviewed scientific evidence, Greger suggests which foods to eat and which lifestyle changes to make to make his readers live longer.

In Nigeria, the leading causes of death through diseases are cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure, Malaria and kidney diseases, among others. This is not an official list please, so don’t take it to the bank.

Do you have a history of prostate cancer in your family? Why not put down that glass of milk and add the bitter leaf to your diet. Do you have high blood pressure? Hibiscus tea can work better than many hypertensive drugs—and without the side effects. What about liver disease? Drinking tea made from orange leaves and lemongrass can reduce liver inflammation. Are you battling breast cancer? Consuming soy and coconut oil is associated with prolonged survival. Worried about heart disease? Switch to a whole-food, plant-based diet, which has repeatedly been shown not just to help prevent the disease, but arrests and even reverse it.

Plant-based diet means incorporating more plant products and plant proteins into your daily diet without completely eliminating animal products. Basically, plant-based can mean increasing your vegetable intake and reducing your consumption of animal products or removing certain types of animal products from your diet completely. Eating more plants and cutting back on meat is almost always a good thing, as research tells us consuming a plant-based diet can help reduce our risk of developing chronic conditions like diabetes, obesity and heart diseases.

Diets centred on a wide variety of plant foods offer affordable, tasty and nutritious options. Plant-based diets which are rich in beans, nuts, seeds, fruit, and vegetables. They also include essential fats, protein, vitamins, minerals and plenty of fibre.

Well, balanced plant-based diets, that are also low in saturated fat can help you manage your weight and may reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. However, as with any diet, plant-based nutrition needs to be planned. Most nutrients are abundantly available in plant-based diets, but if you are avoiding all or minimizing your consumption of animal-derived foods, there are a few nutrients that you need to pay attention to.

Calcium is essential for bone health, along with weight-bearing exercise and a healthy diet. An adult requires approximately 700mg per day. Dairy foods are rich in calcium but if you are not eating these make sure you obtain calcium from other sources like fortified plant-based dairy alternatives, dried fruit, e.g. figs, nuts such as almonds, leafy green vegetables, cowpeas, and plantain.

Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to be important for health and are commonly found in oily fish. However, if you are not eating fish, plant sources of omega 3 include walnuts, flax (linseed) and soya beans. Vitamin D is needed to keep bones, teeth, and muscles healthy and is made in our bodies when our skin is exposed to appropriate sunlight. Plant-based sources of vitamin D include sun-exposed mushrooms and vegetables such as waterleaf and bitter leaf.

Vitamin B12 is very important for optimal health. We need vitamin B12 for many reasons. Too little can result in fatigue, anaemia and nerve damage and increase homocysteine levels leading to cardiovascular disease. Most people get vitamin B12 by eating animal products such as kidney, liver, intestines of goat, chicken, lamb, and cow. To make sure you get enough vitamin B12, either eat fortified foods at least twice a day, aiming for 3mcg of vitamin B12 aday or take a supplement, 10mcg daily or at least 2000mcg weekly.

Iron and protein are vital for our health. Plant sources of iron include dried fruits, whole grains, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and seeds. The form of iron in plant foods is absorbed far less efficiently compared to iron from animal-derived sources such as meat and eggs. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C to help the iron to be absorbed, e.g. citrus fruits, strawberries, green leafy vegetables, and peppers. Plant-based sources of protein include lentils, beans, eggs, chickpeas, seeds, and nuts.

Herbal supplements are perfect for keeping the body in good shape. However, beware of imported supplements with high-sounding names, especially those imported from Asia.

THE HEALING PROPERTIES OF WATERMELON

2018-11-01T01:12:00.001-07:00

Have you ever wondered why so many people crave for watermelon and why it is a favourite fruit for many? It is because watermelon is a super nutritious fruit in every sense of the word.

Watermelon, botanically known as citrullus lanatus, is a native of Africa, originating in the Southern African region. It is a favourite fruit in Nigeria. Watermelon grows well in the temperate areas, which explains why it produces very well in northern Nigeria such as Plateau state where the climate is less hot. However, watermelon can be cultivated in any part of Nigeria if adequate soil moisture is maintained. It is said that watermelon grew wildly in the African forest over 1000 years ago, from where it was transported to Asia and America, and other parts of the world. Watermelon has been selected and produced as a hybrid, which has resulted in the bigger and sweeter variety that is popular today.

The outer rind of watermelon fruit is green, hard and thick and slightly sour in taste, while the interior is red or pink, succulent and sweet but not sugary in taste, and contains many seeds. Watermelon is most nutritious when it is fully ripe. For this reason, very ripe watermelon is best if one wants to get its full medicinal values.

Watermelon is known to be very high in Beta-carotene and lycopene when it is very ripe. The rind is also said to be edible, preferably after boiling. A lot of people have asked me if it is safe to blend the skin and seeds of watermelon and drink. The answer is yes, there is no harm in blending both the seeds and the skins of the ripe watermelon fruit. Note, however, that apart from the fibre and roughage, there are little nutrients in the skins. The ripe interior is the most nutritious and beneficial part of the fruit.

Watermelon is rich in vitamins A, B6, C, calcium, magnesium, protein, potassium, niacin and thiamine. However, lycopene, which is also present in tomato, is the most well-known phytonutrient present in watermelon. Watermelon is made up of 92% water, has little or no fat, is low in sodium and also low in calories. Fruits like watermelon allow the human body to function optimally because of the high contents of antioxidants. Antioxidants are good protection against cancer, arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure, while Amino Acids boost the body’s immune system, thereby protecting against all forms of diseases. Lycopene, which is also present in tomatoes, grapefruits and guava, is beneficial for a healthy heart, strong bone, and helps to

prevent prostate cancer.

To really maximize your lycopene intake, let your watermelon fully ripen. The redder your watermelon gets, the higher the concentration of lycopene becomes. Beta-carotene and phenolic antioxidant content also increase as the watermelon ripens. Watermelon seeds are also very nutritious, especially if they are sprouted and shelled. They are high in protein, magnesium, vitamin B and good fats. But do not substitute the seeds or the rinds for the fruit itself. Other benefits of watermelon are:

Treats Kidney Disorders

Watermelons contain a lot of potassium, which is very helpful in cleaning out the toxic depositions in the kidney.
Moreover, they are helpful in reducing the concentration of uric acid in the blood, thereby reducing the chances of kidney damage and the formation of renal calculi in that organ. In addition to this, being high in water content, watermelons induce frequent urinating, which is again helpful for cleaning of the kidneys. Also, the antioxidants present in watermelon ensure good health of the kidneys for a long time and reduce signs of premature ageing like wrinkles and age spots on the skin.

Prevents Heat Stroke

Watermelon is effective in reducing both your body temperature and blood pressure. Many people in tropical regions eat this fruit every day in the afternoon during summer to protect themselves from heat stroke. The high amount of water in watermelon also stimulates a release of excess liquid in

Regulates Blood Pressure

The amount of potassium and magnesium present in watermelons is very beneficial regarding lowering blood pressure. Potassium is considered a vasodilator, meaning that it releases the tension on blood vessels and arteries, thereby stimulating blood flow and reducing the stress on the cardiovascular system. The carotenoids present in these fruits also prevent hardening of artery walls and veins, thus helping to lower blood pressure and the chances of blood clots, strokes, heart attacks, and atherosclerosis.

Prevents Cancer

Watermelons have gained a lot of attention in recent years, primarily because of their impressive level of lycopene, a carotenoid phytonutrient compound that is increasingly being linked to cancer prevention. Lycopene has been shown to significantly reduce the risks of prostate, breast, colon, lung, and endometrial cancer. All in all, between the antioxidant potential of vitamin C and the impact of lycopene, watermelon is a great anti-cancer fruit!

Controls Diabetes

Diabetics, who are supposed to have low energy and low sugar diet, often complain about starving since they don’t get to eat their staple diets, which gives them the feeling of being half-fed. Watermelons can be a good supplement for them. In spite of being sweet in taste, a thick wedge will provide them with very few calories, since ninety-nine per cent of its total weight is composed of water and roughage. Moreover, the vitamins and minerals such as potassium and magnesium help in proper functioning of insulin in the body, thus lowering the blood sugar level. Arginine, another component found in watermelons, is very useful at enhancing the impact of insulin on blood sugar. Diabetics can also have curries, steaks, and salads made from watermelon rinds, which are even lower in sugar.

Heart Friendly

Lycopene, a carotenoid found in abundance in watermelon, improves cardiac functions. Beta-carotene, known for its excellent antioxidant and anti-ageing properties, keeps you young at heart and prevents age-related cardiac problems. The roughage in watermelon, with vitamin C, carotenoids and potassium (potassium cuts the risk of a heart attack), helps to reduce cholesterol and keep your heart safe from many dangerous conditions.

The best way to eat watermelon is to eat it. It’s as simple as that. Just make sure you go for the very ripe fruit. If you prefer to squeeze out the juice to drink, no problem. Some people prefer to blend the whole fruit: seeds and rinds inclusive, that is also good, provided you keep in mind that the fruit itself is the most nutritious and beneficial, not the seed or the skins. Want to give yourself a treat? Avoid the temptation to rush to the nearest fast-food shop. Go instead to the nearest local market where you can get yourself a healthy ball of watermelon, which is cheaper than a loaf of bread. Your body will be happy you did.

THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC

2018-10-30T01:28:00.003-07:00

There is healing in power in the sound you hear. In the beginning was Thought. Thought became Desire, and life came into being, for where Desire is, there is life. Where there is no Desire, there is no life. Desire became Allurement, and Love came into being, for where there is Allurement, there is Love. Where there is no Allurement, there is no Love. Love became Word. From Word came the primordial Sound by which the world was created and is sustained.

Creation Through Sound

The world was created through sound. The world can be understood only through sound. Sound is the master key to unraveling nature's mystery. The big bang theory of the evolutionist school of thought maintains that at the beginning, the world was a huge ball of fire. Then, suddenly, this ball of fire exploded with great ferocity. It was a tremendous bang. The ball of fire scattered in all directions. Thus the world came into being. This primordial sound still resounds at the heart of creation and is the fore behind the cosmos. The big bang theory of the evolutionist schools or the Creative Word of the creationist schools of thought are simply re-affirming the widely held idea that the world came into being through Sound.

For the Traditional African, the Drum is the carrier of the Word, the primordial sacred Sound by which the world came into being. The Drum is to the Traditional African what the Bible is to the Christian. The Drum is the supreme symbol of God's incarnation, of God among us, Logos. It is the sacrament of the Divine in the human, of spirit in matter, Sacred in the profane. Sound, for the African, is an emotive and creative force. We see this even in the infant responding to the lullabies of the mother, or of the snake or praying mantis swinging to the vibration of sound, or of the monkey swaying to tune. Through the medium of Sound, the African is able to evoke and manipulate potent psychic forces.

Word vs. Speech

In Yoruba language, there is a clear distinction between mere spoken words and potent speech. The former is called oro, common words used in conversation. The later is called Ofo. The Hebrew equivalent in Dahbar, while the Greek is Logos. Ofo refers to words, which have the power of becoming an event in life simply by being uttered. When an Ofo is uttered, it goes to actualize itself. This power of making events happen through utterance is what Yorubas call Afose. Fo means speak or utter with force. Se means to come to be, to make to happen: A-fo-se. when you remove the Fo, what you have I Ase. The Hebrew equivalent of Ase is Mi-sewah, which means commandment, incantation or authority. To give somebody Ase is to give him/her authority, power, force. In Igbo tradition, the Ofo is religious authority. The man who holds the Ofo is highly respected and feared, for whatever he says while holding the Ofo stick in his hand becomes Ase, potent psychic force, power, command, more powerful than gun shots.

Healing in Sound

When sound is organized into rhythm, it is called music. Music is a powerful tool. No one can resist the lure of music. Over the years scientists and mystics alike have researched deeply into the place of music in human life. The conclusion is that music is indispensable to promoting physical, emotional and spiritual health. It is scientifically proved that music influences the circulation of blood pressure to rise and fall. We now know that variations in blood circulation depend on the pitch, intensity and timbre of the sound around us. Music increases metabolism, directs muscular energy, increases or decreases respiration, controls blood pressure and influence emotions.

In some American companies, it is customary to have a cool and gentle music played throughout working hours on some working days. The managers of these companies noted that workers work with better concentration and productivity on these music days while lower productivity are recorded on days when no music is played. Clinical psychologists, psychiatrists and metaphysicians know how important music is to health.

Mental Disorders

I am of the opinion that music is necessary to the treatment of mental disorders in Nigeria. It has been noted that cases of mental illness is on the increase in Nigeria, especially among the youth. Our psychiatrists hospitals are filled with young men and women suffering from mental disorder. Many of them are students or graduates. This is a peculiar kind of mental disorder. The patient suddenly becomes absent minded. He/she talks to no one but simply stares into space. The patient does not accept that she has a problem. Some could argue so locally about their condition that one would be tempted to agree with them. These patients are given injections and chemical drugs.

However, the fact is that this type of mental illness cannot be treated just with drugs. This is a fact, which not many psychiatrists are willing to accept. What is the cause of this type of mental illness? The origin of this illness lies in what a French philosopher call “existential anguish”. This refers to a frustration with life because of the inability to find answers to the question of life. What is life all about? What is the meaning of the cosmos? What is the secret of life? Many of our youths are looking for answers to these fundamental questions. They look to the society for answers. But the answer provided by the society is too shallow and leaves them unsatisfied. The society say: be rich, acquire money at all costs, have pleasure and enjoy yourself, eat and drink, for you know now tomorrow. Not satisfied with this answer, the youth look up to religion for answer. But alas, there is so much confusion and discrepancy in the answers provided by religion. Each religion supplies different answers, perhaps to suit its own taste. Most young people are able to absorb these complexities of life and live a “normal” life.

But there are some, especially those of a more sensitive and subtle temperament, like the poets, the artists, who react by losing touch with reality. Medical examinations will not reveal anything wrong with them. Neither will drugs give them much relieves. They need a special and subtle kind of therapy. This therapy is music.
Our environment has been polluted not just with toxic wastes but also with unhealthy noise. We could hardly listen to pure sound. The music played in our churches is nothing more than cacophonies of organs, guitars and jazz bands, which give immediate gratification but does not satisfy.

The body is a living entity

Go off to the riverbank, to the forest, to the valley, away from the noise of television, radio, and could sit still in a secluded place and listen to your heartbeat, your breath and your circulation. You would note that your body is governed by a certain rhythm. Music permeates your being. You are nothing but music. The body is a living entity, an intelligent being with its own laws. The wisdom of the cosmos is reflected in the body. The body is a musical composition. The different forms of sound: the human voice, sound of nature, sound of music, carry waves for certain kinds of energy, which they impress on us. If these energies are negative, we become sick. If positive, we become harmonious. It is no wonder that today many people are sick. Medical examinations always reveal that nothing is wrong with them; yet, they feel tired, weak an sickly continually. Such people need a physician who would help them to discover and maintain a triangular equilibrium of their energies.

The Sound Effect

When sound is sustained, the vibration begins to create a corresponding pattern. This pattern is reflected in the mood and behaviour of people present. Sound affects the pulse, breath, blood pressure, body temperature and muscles and tissues of the listeners. Even if the ears do not perceive the sound, the skin and bone pick up the vibration and transfer it into the system. No one can make him/herself immune to the influence of sound. This applies to humans, animals and plants. Animals such as frogs, lizards, snakes, rabbits and snail are very sensitive to music. Even though snakes have no ears, they can perceive the vibration of sound through the skin.

Modern men and women need to re-discover the value of silence. It is only in silence that real communication can take place. True enough, we are in the age of information. But what we have is much information with little communication, because everyone is talking while no one listens. It is only when we learn to be silent that we can hear the creative Sound of creation, restoring us to harmony, peace and contentment, values that

THE HEALING PROPERTIES OF WATERLEAF

2018-10-29T02:05:00.000-07:00

Waterleaf, (Talinum triangulare), is one of those underrated and undervalued plants in Nigeria. Some even regard waterleaf as a nuisance, a stubborn weed that grows all year, though it flourished more during the rainy season. Like the grasses in the fields, we match over them, urinate over them, and uproot them from our gardens, in preference to other plants which we consider more important. However, the more we weed them out, the more they grow again, as if in defiance. If you are one of those who cares for your health, who are not satisfied with just being alive but being well, then you should read this write-up carefully.

I make bold to say that waterleaf is of the most valuable healing herbs in nature’s pharmacy. As is usually the case, the best and most useful things in life, are cheap, available and accessible. Name them: air, sunshine, sleep and good vegetation. Because they are cheap and readily available, we tend to take them for granted. As I have said on many occasions and will continue to say, if only to drive home the point, money is not the most critical factor in preventive healthcare. Most people think that rich people are healthy because they are rich. Money may help you to get better treatment when you fall sick, but it won’t prevent you from falling sick. To avoid falling sick, you need knowledge: knowledge of what to eat and not to eat; knowledge of the right combination of food and fruits.

Moreover, the best food and fruits are easily grown and available. The unhealthy food is, in fact, more expensive and more difficult to find. What I mean by having the right knowledge of what to eat is that even though fruits are good, not all fruits are good for everybody. Even though herbs are good, not all herbs are good for everybody. You must find out the right food and fruits for yourself.

Like most succulent plants, waterleaf leaves and stems (especially young ones) are easy to crush. It is also very sensitive to cold conditions, and its roots will rot when water is logging the soil. This tenderness often makes it appear growing wild as an annual plant. It thrives in humid conditions, in rich compost or acidic well-drained soil under partial shade. However, it can also grow under direct sunshine and fully exposed places, on pore sandy soils and in areas on elevations. Waterleaf can stand scorching sun, excessive heat and drought. It can be easily be propagated from seeds and cuttings and is ready to be harvested in less than two months. It spreads so easily from seed and in some places is classified as an agricultural weed.

Waterleaf is called Gbure in Yoruba, Ebe-dondon in Edo, and in English is nicknamed Philippine spinach, sweetheart, flame flower Florida spinach etc. The leaves are excellent for diarrhoea, liver enlargement, and hepatitis. It is an excellent immune booster to those who often feel weak and tired, and those prone to frequent attacks of malaria. In many scientific studies and trails, waterleaf showed that it could inhibit the proliferation of cancerous cells and shrink tumours. Other studies have been focused on its cerebral-protective potential, and it indicates that consumption of waterleaf enhances brain activities and protect brain tissues. Waterleaf is also a good remedy for insomnia (sleeping disorder).

Waterleaf contains more proteins than cashew nuts, more pectin (a food fibre that helps digestion) than apples, and have a high level of vitamin B, essential amino acids, omega3-fatty acids, resins, iron, calcium, copper, lead, manganese and zinc. It is also a rich source of carotenoids, vitamin C, A, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, alpha and beta tocopherols.

The pounded waterleaf is applied to soothe inflammations. An infusion of the leaves is taken as a diuretic. For prostate enlargement, the roots are boiled. The dosage is half a glass twice daily. Waterleaf is good and safe for pregnant women and growing children, as it boosts their blood levels. Eating waterleaf regularly as soup helps to regulate hypertension and diabetes.

While waterleaf is very beneficial when it is taken as a vegetable, dried herbs and infusion. However, juicing is the way to go if you want the best out of waterleaf. What is juicing? Juicing is a process whereby you extract vitamins, minerals and liquids from fruits and vegetables. This is usually done with an electric blender or juice extractor. There are lots of such blenders in the market but ask advice from a knowledgeable technician about the right blender for your need.

To juice waterleaf, simply chop waterleaf, both stem and leaves, into pieces, in the same way as you do if you want to cook it. Then put two or three handfuls in the blender and add one litre of water. Blend in the same way as you blend your tomato or fruit. Sieve out the chaff, and you will be left with a dark green liquid, packed with vitamins and minerals. Ensure you drink and finish the whole drink within 10 minutes. This is one big mistake many people make. They blend fruits and vegetables and then store them in the freezer for days. If you do that, you have already lost 60% of the active ingredients in the juice. So, if you want to get a 100% benefit from your waterleaf juice, drink it within 10 minutes.

Do you feel tired and weak every time? Are you battling with diabetes, hypertension and arthritis? Are you prone to frequent bouts of malaria? Have you been diagnosed with cancer or you want to prevent it? Do you want glowing and youthful skin? I strongly recommend you take waterleaf juice twice a week. A trial will convince you.

THE HEALING PROPERTIES OF ONION

2018-10-26T02:00:00.013-07:00

The prevalence of fibroids, breast cancer and infertility among our women today is alarming. What do we do? Are we to fold our hands and watch our sons and daughters die in pain and desperation? Or are we to once again sit lazily and wait for western thinkers to help us find the solution?

Whenever I think of onion and its many health benefits, I cannot but wonder at the mystery of life. Onion is among the commonest vegetables around. It is available in every home all the year round. Have you ever heard of shortage of onions? And because our women can hardly cook without using onion, we take it for granted. It is time we overcome the sickness called ignorance. Blessed are you among other vegetables, Onion! Onion that is ever available. You that can make both men and women cry. Any wonder then that hired mourners use you to induce tears? Some house wives confided in me (please keep this to yourself o!) that whenever they needed a favour from their husbands; they would peel onion to induce tears so as to win the sympathy of their husbands! Onion is a common name for many plants of the genus allium of the lily family:

The true onion is allium cepa, wild onion is allium vineate, leek is allium ampeloprasum, garlic is allium sativum. Onions were originally grown in Iran and the Middle-East before they now spread to other parts of the world, especially the tropics. Onion is made up of 60% aflylpropyl disulphide, a volatile oil called sulphured glycosides. Onion also contains the following enzymes: sulphur, iron, potassium, magnesium, fluorine, calcium, manganese and phosphorus. It also contains vitamins A, B, C and E, flanovoids (anti-cancer) and gly-coquinine (anti-diabetic). Onion is regarded as a versatile vegetable because it can be eaten in many ways: raw, grated, boiled or pickled. It is used as flavouring or seasoning. The characteristic pungent taste of onion is due to the presence of the volatile oil, sulphurous.

THE MANY USES OF ONION ANTI-BIOTIC: Onion is one of the potent natural anti-biotics. It strengthens the immune system, thus helping to ward off common infections. For over nine years I have been recommending onion for many sick people and the results have been positive. Simply chew a bulb of raw onion every night. It's as simple as that. As a starter, you may take half a bulb instead of one bulb and gradually increase it to one bulb. Science has confirmed that Onion works powerfully against the following bacteria:

Escherichia Coli, which causes intestinal dysbacteriosis and urinary infections.
Salmonella Typhi, which causes typhoid fever.
Shigella Dysenteriae, which causes bacillus dysentery.
Staphylococcus & Streptococcus, which cause inflammation of the genital organs, damaged sperm cells, and skin infections and blemishes.

HYPOLIDEMIC: Onion has been proven to lower noxious cholesterol level in the blood. This is understandable when one considers the fact that Onion is rich in fibrinolytic substances that help to break up blood clots and to prevent coagulation. This makes Onion indispensable for many Nigerians who consume a lot of fat, palm oil and butter. Over-consumption of processed palm oil is partly responsible for cases of high cholesterol level in Nigerians today, thereby increasing the risk of heart problems. God has given us Onion as a remedy for this ailment.

ANTI-DIABETIC: Combined with other herbs, Onion has proved useful for lowering blood sugar. This hypoglycemic or anti-diabetic property of Onion is due to the presence of glycoquinine. Those who are afraid of developing diabetes because of the fact that their parents are diabetics should make friend with Onion, as it is a very good prevention against diabetes.

ANTI-TUMOUR: Onion strengthens the blood cells that protect the body against micro-organisms. If these cells are weak, the body becomes prone to viral infections, such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, pneumonia and cough. Onion also destroys cancerous cells in the body. In Nigeria, cases of cancer, especially of the breast, are increasing daily. I wish to suggest that our women should take Onion as much as possible.

Onion will act as a good prevention against cancer as well as help in dissolving cancerous tumours. The prevalence of fibroids, breast cancer and infertility among our women today is alarming. What do we do? Are we to fold our hands and watch our sons and daughters die in pain and desperation? Or are we to once again sit lazily and wait for western thinkers and scientists to help us find the solution? Is it not true that the best remedies to our health problems are those that come from our environment? The challenge before us is big indeed. I therefore encourage you readers to help spread the Gospel of Herbal medicine to our fellow brothers and sisters. We must continue to pray and reflect together and explore deeper ways of finding solutions to the problems of the world.

ISOMNIA/STRESS: In our so-called hyper-active world, it is not surprising that the most common complain of modern man and woman is stress. But it is not only human beings that are stressed; the plants are stressed. The animals are stressed. The cosmos itself is stressed. Science has exploited the world's energy field in such a way that we are being negatively affected. Everyday, we are bombarded with electro-magnetic stress such as radio waves, microwaves, organs of the body: brain, eyes, liver and kidney to stress. The result is constant stress, tiredness and headaches that defy any medication. Electric shavers, television, mobile phones, computers, etc produce rays that are damaging to the system when exposed to them for a long time. These rays are so powerful that they create electro-magnetic fields that negatively affect the brain and even change the human cells. This could result in the growth of abnormal tissues and cells, leading to cancer, fibroids, and other illnesses.

It is in this regard that I wish to recommend the use of Onion to you. This may sound commonplace, considering the fact that most of us take onion as spices very often. However, the quantity we take is not enough to effect significant changes in the body. The recommended dose is to eat one whole bulb of raw onion every night.

Alternatively, you could blend four bulbs of onions with one litter of honey. Dosage is three dessertspoons three times daily.

Immune Booster

Nowadays, we have a lot of forces to contend with. We have the forces of nature, viruses, bacteria and parasites. The air we breathe contains so many unseen viruses, but not enough to overpower the immune system of the . Our immune system is able to cope with these billions of unseen viruses and bacteria.

However, by our own device, we have systematically weakened our immune system and thus exposed ourselves to hitherto unknown ailments. The electromagnetic energy spectrum radiates through nature: the seas, mountains, plants, earth and rocks. By living close to the land and nature, we receive this energy into our own energy fields and so are energized. However, as we build more highways, manufacture steel cars, build bridges, and make electronic gadgets, all of which absolve a great percentage of the universal energy field, we become prone to hitherto unknown and strange illnesses. While our bodies vibrate at a frequency as low as 35 or 40Hz, the electrical gadgets we use have a frequency as high as 250 Hertz (A Hertz is a unit for measuring the frequency of sound waves). It is no wonder then that we are physically weaker than our ancestors.

As human beings become more complicated and adopt the so-called modern, sophisticated mode of life, so also do our illnesses such as persistent headaches that defty all medications, prolonged arthritis, nervous disorder, character disorder, persistent weakness and tiredness, low sperm count in men and general infertility in men and women. It is therefore necessary to put great emphasis on strengthening our immune system.

The best way to do this is to take a second look at our lifestyles. What do we eat, how do we eat, where do we sleep, which kind of water do we drink and what kind of thoughts do we think? All these are very important to our health. Eating one bulb of onion is a good way of keeping our immunity strong and healthy.

Other Benefits Of Onion

Onion purifies and strengthens the liver and the kidney and as well as cleanses the blood. Onion is a good remedy for hepatitis, which is becoming common in Nigeria these days. Do you suffer from resistant typhoid fever, inability to sleep well, low sperm count? Try Onion and see the difference it makes! Onion has been of help to men who experience weak erection or low libido. On many occasions I have recommended Onion to women who experience premature menopause and annovulation (inability to ovulate) and the results have been encouraging. Indeed, God has arranged nature to take care of all our needs. In cases of sickle cell anemia, onion has been of invaluable help. Onion is rich in enzymes, which helps in the production of blood. Onion contains iron and trace elements, which are often lacking in sicklers.

In summary, everybody who wants to look and feel healthy should make friend with Onion and take it everyday. Some people do not eat onion because of its pungent smell. However, Onion is less pungent than garlic and is more tolerated. Sometimes what we need to change are our attitudes to these gifts of nature. I pray that we may continue to make use of the blessings of nature for our own good.

HEALING PROPERTIES OF CHARCOAL

2018-10-26T01:55:00.001-07:00

Charcoal-eating is one of the earliest forms of medication in history. Charcoal has an incredible capacity to adsorb (bind monotoxins and endotoxins into itself). Charcoal can adsorb up to 200 times its own weight. Most animals eat charcoal, especially from recent bonfires. Monkeys are among the greatest consumers of charcoal in the animal kingdom. This is quite understandable when one considers the fact that monkeys eat a lot of Terminalia Catappa (Indian almond or fruit tree) and Mangifera indica ( Mango). These two plants have a high concentration of phenols and other toxic alkaloids, which could poison the monkey.

Wonder Charcoal

A person who drinks a high dose of the infusion of matured Terminalia or Mango leaves is in danger of being poisoned. But charcoal has the capacity to adsorb these toxins and deactivate them. In East Africa where elephants still live close to human habitation, it is not uncommon to hear of elephants invading a village or compound and carving away charcoals from their bonfire for consumption. Charcoal is a good remedy for food poisoning, infections and lack of vitality.

Animals Know Its Value Also

Note that the primary reason why animals eat charcoal is not to cure a sickness but to detoxify, that is, to prevent sickness. They eat charcoal to counteract the effect of toxins. They do not wait till they are sick. They instinctively eat detoxicants to avoid being sick. When rats are fed with pesticide, they eat clay and charcoal to counteract the effect. Once there is an imbalance in the body, the body sends signals by generating heat, shivering, vomiting, diarrhoea and sweating. All these are not sicknesses but signals that the body is battling against toxins. The most natural reaction, then, is to stop moving about, take a rest, stay off food and allow the process of rejuvenation to complete.

Food vs. Medicine

With the growth of civilization, there arose new views about the human body. The human body came to be seen as a machine which was meant to be used. If the machine is not working well, medicines are to be given to put it back to normal. Gradually, there came a sharp division between food and medicine. Food was now regarded as a separate entity from medicine. Symptoms like fevers and diarrhoea were now seen as illnesses which were attacked with synthetic drugs. Modern science began to invent more drugs to fight bacteria and infections. The emphasis shifted from prevention to cure, from pro-biotic to anti-biotic.

Is Anti-biotics the answer?

Although modern medicine has successfully battled with infectious diseases over the last fifty years through the use of powerful anti-biotics, the human body seems to be worst-off for it. Many of the infections and bacteria we thought were defeated are now coming back in a more aggressive form. Nowadays, infectious bacteria, such as streptococcus, staphylococcus, pseudomonas and enterococcus have become resistant to modern anti-biotics. The use of anti-biotics is based on the theory that micro-organisms are the cause of all diseases. Science then declared war on micro-organisms and invented anti-biotics to fight against them. What a mistake!

Both animals and human beings have within their bodies millions of micro-organisms. The human body alone has over 150 trillion micro-organisms. Some of these micro-organisms are harmful, some harmless while others are helpful to the body. Our immune system is able to coordinate, control and direct these organisms in such a way that there is a balance between the good, healthy organisms and the harmful ones. The immune system does not need an anti-biotic to do this. So long as we eat good, nourishing food, which means fruits and vegetables, and allow proper detoxification of the body, with adequate rest, we remain healthy.

Body Signs

When there is any imbalance between body micro-organisms, the system begins to reorganize itself. The body loses appetite. Lack of appetite is simply the body’s device to hasten recovery. The micro-organisms in our body need iron to survive. When these harmful bacteria multiply in the body, the immune system immediately makes adjustments to reduce the supply of iron to these bacteria. This is done by reducing the intake of food. If a sick animal or a sick person keeps eating, any iron in the food also feeds the micro-organisms. Lack of appetite is therefore the body’s way of re-activating itself to ward off infections. It is therefore wrong to force a sick animal or a sick person to eat. Left to themselves, sick animals stay off food for days until they recover from their ill-health.

Fever is another way the body uses to balance up the micro-organisms. The body produces heat to deter the multiplication of harmful bacteria. The best medicine is that which would not tamper with the immune system’s work but would allow it to do its work. But alas, we take medicines to suppress a fever and to improve appetite when sick. The result is that the infection will linger on for a longer time. One of the greatest mistakes of modern medicine is the creation of a dichotomy between food and medicine.

Conclusion

While anti-biotics fight against harmful bacteria, they also destroy the good ones, leaving the immune system weaker than before. It is no wonder that the most deadly diseases of today are those that arose due to the weakening of the immune system. Such illnesses are Cancer, HIV/AIDS, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis and general ill health. The time has come for us to re-examine the so-called scientific theories which we accepted without questioning and learn to tap from the abundant wisdom available in Nature, as provided by God.

HEALING PROPERTIES OF CARROT

2018-10-24T02:14:00.005-07:00

Carrot, daucus carota, is a well-known household vegetable. Carrot is native to Eurasia and northern Africa. It belongs to the umbelliferae family of plants, and grows up to 80cm high, with tiny leaves. Both the plant and the root are referred to as carrot. A biennial plant [lasts only for two seasons], carrot grows very well in its first season and stores a surplus of food in its root, which becomes big, fleshy and large and orange coloured due to the presence of carotene. In the second season the root becomes woody and less nutritious and delicious.

As early as 1500 BC, the skin friendly effect of carrot was well known. Carrot is the cosmetic herb per excellence. Its skin-friendly property is due to the presence of provitamin A. The root contains pectin, a glycosidic substance with absorbent and ant diarrheic actions. It also contains potassium, phosphorus and essential oil. Its peculiar aroma and vermifuge effect are due to the presence of essential oil. Carrot also contains vitamin B and C.

But what are vitamins? Vitamins are organic compounds needed by the body for sustenance of health, proper metabolism and growth. Vitamins are also needed for hormonal formation, building up of blood cells and for the sustenance of the nervous system. Though there are many vitamins, they all differ in physiology and chemistry. Each group of vitamins is therefore unique and different. Vitamins help to ginger important chemical reactions in the body, without which the body will lack vitality and force.

A lot of mystery still surrounds how vitamins operate and how they cause their endless chemical reactions in the body. Science has opened new frontiers in the human search for knowledge, but there are still so many mysteries surrounding human physiology and chemistry which science is yet to discover. Indeed, life is bigger than science and the human heart deeper than logic.

There are two classes of Vitamins, namely, fat-soluble vitamins and water-soluble vitamins. The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K. These vitamins are present in fat-containing foods and can be stored in the body's fat. The water-soluble vitamins are the eight B vitamins, and vitamin C. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins that can be stored in the body and so need not be consumed everyday, water-soluble vitamins cannot be stored and so have to be consumed daily or frequently.

Unlike plants which manufacture their own vitamins, human beings derive their vitamins from food, without which life cannot continue. The only exception is vitamin D which can be manufactured by the body, but even this cannot happen unless the body gets sustenance from other vitamins so as to function normally. Water-soluble vitamins are needed daily by the body and so need to be consumed as often as possible, since the body cannot store them. On the other hand, fat-soluble vitamins should be consumed moderately as they can be stored in the body's fat. Too much of them can neutralize the positive effects of other vitamins and can also cause poisoning. For this reason one should be careful about vitamin supplements. Indiscriminate use of vitamin supplements can cause a toxic reaction and poisoning in the body. {quotes}It is a fact that more deaths have occurred from wrong prescription of drugs by medical doctors and from wrong medication than death from accidents, cancer, and malaria fever put together, yet nobody is complaining, due to ignorance. {/quotes}On no condition should you hand over the responsibility for your health to medical doctors or to anybody whatsoever. You are your own best doctor, and the best way to stay healthy is to prevent illnesses and avoid misuse of nature's raw materials. A well balanced diet usually contains all the needed vitamins and there may be no need for extra, except for pregnant women or lactating women or a person on special diets who may need supplements to booster their health.

Carrot is one of the plants with the highest concentration of provitamin A or carotene. Carotene is the most active and valuable component of carrots. It is converted into Vitamin A in the intestine.

What is vitamin A? It is a yellow primary substance derived from carotene. Carotene helps in the formation and maintenance of skin, bones, tissues, teeth, vision and reproduction. A deficiency of vitamin A manifests itself in form of night blindness [not being able to adapt to darkness], skin dryness, inability of the body to secrete mucous membrane, which causes susceptibility to bacterial infection and blindness.

Vitamin A is therefore essential for the body. It can be got in two ways; either from carotene derived from vegetables such as carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, tomato and pepper; or from the consumption of animal parts or organisms rich in vitamin A. Vitamin A is found in milk, liver, egg yolk, butter and palm-oil. Excess vitamin A can lead to ammernohea [premature menopause], destruction of red blood corpuscles, growth retardation [in children], skin ailments [e.g. Skin cancer], and liver infection.

Vitamin A helps vision, tones the skin and helps in the production of blood and anti-bodies. Carrot is the number one choice in any case of vitamin A deficiency. Ailments such as, weak vision [hyctalopia] especially at night, dryness of eye, inflammation of eye-lids [blepharitis], conjunctivitis and keratitis [inflammation of the cornea] are symptoms of vitamin A deficiency. Please note carefully that carrot is good for the eyes only when it is due to a lack of vitamin A.

HOW TO APPLY CARROT THERAPY

Carrot is used both internally and externally for various health complaints. You can use carrot in three ways as explained below.
Method 1: Carrot juice drink: Cut 7 carrots into pieces and blend with two bottles [beer bottles] of water and one of honey. Drink half a glass [approx. 200ml.] morning and night.

Method 2: Grated carrot: Simple cut some carrots into shreds and add to salad or add to your meal. Alternatively, you can simply chew the carrot. This is the most convenient way as it does not require any preparation.

Method 3: Beauty cream: To make carrot beauty cream blend 5 carrots with a bottle of honey. Rub it on the face or body at night and leave it overnight. Wash it off in the morning. Do this every night for at least two months. You will be amazed at the transformation it will bring to your skin.
You want a youthful and healthy skin? You want your skin to take on a youthful glow and radiate beauty and health? You want a smooth, shinning and smooth skin? Then make friend with carrot. It is not an accident that carrot is so easily available everywhere in our society. It is true, and I agree, that one's state of mind matters a lot when it comes to physical appearance. Nevertheless, it is also true, as scientific evidence testifies that carrot makes the skin healthy and youthful. Do you suffer from skin dryness, wrinkles, atrophy or acne? Then make friend with carrot and you will see the difference. Carrot not only helps the skin but also strengthens the nails and hair and gives them a natural look. Such is the beauty enhancing qualities of carrot.

Carrot helps to prevent kidney stones and gall bladder stones. This it does by helping to balance mucosas, that is, the membranes that cover the interior of ducts and organ cavities. By strengthening the immune system, carrot helps to prevent sinusitis, cough and catarrh. Carrot also gives a quick relieve in cases of gastritis, ulcers and excess acidity.

Mothers should train their children to love carrot rather than coke or chocolate. As from six months onward, let your baby take carrot and watch to see the effect. It prevents diarrhea and anaemia, stimulate growth, help tooth growth and beautiful skin. Sickle cell anemia is still common in our society. But carrot is there to offer hope and solace. A sickle cell sufferer who takes carrot regularly can live a crisis-free life and grow up to ripe old-age. Carrots takes care of the complications associated with sickle-cell anaemia. Children who suffer from growth retardation and are so deficient that they can't walk, or talk or play, will benefit from carrot.

Carrot helps to expel worms or parasites due to its essential oil. For this, it is recommended that you eat fresh, raw carrot or grated. Two carrots on empty stomach for a week is effective. Note, however, that carrot is very sensitive to light. Carotene, which is the main active component of carrot, loses a lot of its potency when exposed to light for long. It is therefore recommended that you eat your grated carrot as soon as possible or better still, immediately. For diarrhea and colitis, boiled or grated carrot will be beneficial due to the presence of pectin. Boiling does not harm carotene, its major ingredient, but exposure to light does. So feel free to boil carrot with your yam or rice and enjoy yourself, naturally.

Carrot is invaluable in treating infertility. Drinking carrot juice is excellent for treating dysmenorhea [painful menstruation], ammernohea [premature menopause], annovulation [inability to ovulate] and hormonal imbalance. nervous depression.

Research has confirmed that carrot is one of the natural vegetables with anti-cancer properties. Carotene is said to react against cancer tumours and modulate the spread as well as strengthen the immune system to battle and overpower the cancer cells. I want you, dear reader, to spread this good news to your fellow brothers and sisters. Isn't it marvelous that carrot is so easily available all around us? Isn't it great that God gave us an overabundance of carrot to strengthen our immunity? Yet, how many of us avail of these wonderful blessings. For those who suffer from cancer, I want to suggest that you blend some carrot and tomato together, as described in method 1 above. The only difference is that you add 5 tomatoes and blend all together. Take half a glass thrice daily for at least five months. Remember that cancer is not malaria, so don't expect a cure overnight. Allow nature to take its course.

Are you addicted to smoking? Are you a compulsive drinker? Carrot offers great hope where many others have failed. The detoxification property of carrot is well known. It helps in addictions like alcoholism and smoking, as it eliminates nicotine and helps to reduce effect of smoking. Carrot has depurating action by alkalizing blood and thus compensates and eliminates toxins from the system. We thank God for giving us carrot and for imparting the knowledge of its health benefits to humanity. It is our duty to share this knowledge with our fellow brothers and sisters.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR DIABETES

2018-10-23T02:31:00.001-07:00

Diabetes is one of the commonest diseases in our society today. It used to be regarded as a disease of the rich and affluent. But now, it affects even the poor, no thanks to modern civilization and urbanization.

Symptoms of Diabetes

If you do not have the illness called diabetes, then be happy. And be sure you do all you can to prevent it, for prevention is better than cure. The symptoms of diabetes are many and varied. At the earliest stage, diabetes does not show any symptom. In many cases, the disease is diagnosed accidentally when undergoing check-up for other complaints.

The following are some of the symptoms of diabetes:

Poly-urea: This means excessive urination. This constant urination is the commonest sign of diabetes. Because of the high level of sugar present in the urea, it tastes very sugary. If you find yourself urinating very frequently, check if your urine is sugary. Do this by tasting the urea. If it is sugary, then watch out. This may not be enough proof that you have diabetes, but it may be an indication.
Polyphagia: This refers to the excessive hunger often experienced by diabetics. This abnormal hunger is only a reaction of the body to a lack of glucose, thus starving the body cells. The patient is tempted to eat more and more. And yet, the more food the more the glucose level rises
Polydipsia: Because of the high quantity of fluids lost through urine, the body experiences dryness of mouth and excessive thirst. The patient has an intense craving for water and yet is never satisfied.
Loss of Weight: Because the cells are starved of glucose the body begins to make use of stored fats so as to nourish the cells. When this continues for a prolonged period of time, the patient begins to lose weight.
Weakness and Tiredness: It is not only the fats that are used. The body also feeds on the proteins in the body, leading to general weakness and tiredness.
Itching: Persistent itching all over the body, especially in the genital parts is a symptom of diabetes. This is true especially of women. If a woman persistently experiences itching in her vagina, a medical check-up is advisable.

Herbal Treatment for Diabetes

In treating diabetes with herbs, the aims are:

to repair the pancreas
strengthen the kidney
eradicate the symptoms
prevent sugar or glucose from escaping in the urine
help the body to find its natural balance

Points to Note

The following points should be kept in mind when treating diabetes with herbs:

Juvenile diabetes or Insulin dependent diabetes is more difficult to cure than non-insulin dependent diabetes.
Those who develop maturity onset diabetes at age fifty or above respond more quickly to herbal treatment than those who develop the disease at age thirty or forty.
It is not recommended that insulin-dependent diabetics stop injecting themselves as soon as they begin herbal treatment. They will need to combine both medications for two weeks after which they will then reduce the volume of Insulin they inject to half its usual volume while they still continue with the herbs. It is only after four weeks that they can leave aside the Insulin injection but only on the condition that they check their urine and blood from time to time, so as to monitor their sugar levels. Consult a competent herbal scientist.

FORMULA I

Materials:

Cashew stem-bark (half small bucket)
7 green pawpaw leaves
1 medium size pot of bitter leaf
10 bulbs of garlic
10 fingers or pieces of ginger
5 bulbs of onions
10 pods of Capsicum frutescens
English - African red pepper or bird’s pepper (The tiniest pepper you find in the market. very peppery)

Igbo - ose oyibo

Yoruba - ata eiye

Hausa – barkono

Esan - Usira
15 pieces of Xylopia aethiopica
Igbo - Uda

Yoruba - Erunje

Hausa - Kimba

Esan - Unien
15 litres of water
2 bottles of honey

Recipe: Boil A to H together in I for 40 minutes. Allow it to stand for 24 hours before adding J. Stir well. Sieve and store in a container.

Dosage: One glass 3 times daily for two months

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR HYPERTENSION

2018-10-23T02:28:00.002-07:00

Blood pressure is the amount of pressure that is exerted on the arteries of the body as the blood circulates on the arteries of the body as the blood circulates round the system. The human body is so constituted that there must be a balance between the contraction of the left ventricle of the heart and the amount of blood pumped out into the aorta. When the pressure that the blood exerts on the blood vessels is consistently and abnormally high, it is called hypertension, when it is consistently and abnormally low, it is called hypotension.

The human blood pressure varies during the course of the day. The blood pressure goes up during physical exercise, or while doing serious brainwork or if one is excessively worried. The blood pressure is at its lowest during sleep. The only reliable way to measure the blood pressure is by using the sphygmomanometer. The best time to measure the blood pressure is in the morning, shortly after rising. A blood pressure of 135/70mmHg or 140/70mmHg is considered normal. A blood pressure of 140/90 is considered slightly high. A blood pressure of 150/90 or 150/100 is considered severe.

Causes

There are two types of hypertension, namely, Essential and Secondary hypertension.
Essential hypertension is that which has no apparent cause, it just occurs. This is the case in 80-90% hypertension cases.
Secondary hypertension is that caused by an underlying disease such as diabetes or kidney problems.

The following are some of the probable causes of hypertension.

Heredity
Opinions differ on the role of heredity in hypertension. From clinical observations, however, there is enough reason to conclude that hypertension runs in families. For example, in a family where both parents suffer from hypertension, there is a 60-80% possibility that one or two of their children will also develop the sickness. Some other opinions insist that what is inherited is the tendency towards the sickness, not the sickness itself.

Environment
We are products of our environments. Our dietary habits are conditioned by our social and cultural upbringing. Those brought up on high calorie diets are likely to develop hypertension. High intake of salt also leads to hypertension.

Mental Attitude
Negative attitudes to life, hatred, envy, anxiety, excessive worry, are unhealthy mental attitudes. Persons in these states of mind are prone to severe hypertension.

TREATMENT

Formula I

Material(s)

Talinum triangulare

English-Waterleaf
Igbo-Ntu Oka, ofe bekee
Yoruba-Ibure
10 litres of water

Recipe:

Cut the roots into pieces. Measure ten handfuls of the roots into B and bring to boil.
Dosage: ½ a glass twice daily for two months.

Formula II

Material(s)

10 bulbs of garlic
2 bottles of coconut water
4 bottles of water

Recipe:

Mix B and C together and blend with A
Dosage: 1 shot (60ml) thrice daily for 4 weeks.

Another highly effective remedy for hypertension is Ficus Asperifolia, called sandpaper tree in English, asesa in Igbo, Epin in Yoruba, Baure in Esan. Squeeze the fresh leaves in water (like bitterleaf). Drink a glassful thrice daily. This is one of the most effective hypertension drugs I know of.

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ARTHRITIS

2018-10-22T02:26:00.000-07:00

Arthritis is a disorder of the joints. The term "arthritis” comes from two Greek words, "Arthon" which means joint and "Itis", which means inflammation. Arthritis, then, means inflammation of the joints. There are over one hundred types of joint disorders, though they are all related. They are characterized by pain, swelling and stiffness and, at times, deformity.

Rheumatism is another word often used for arthritis. However, its meaning is rather vague and means different things to different people. In Nigeria, the term is used for various aches and pains in muscles and joints as well as for pains in general.

What is a Joint?

A joint is where two bones meet. There are two categories of joints, namely: Immobile and mobile joints.

Immobile joints:
These refer to the inflexible and semi-flexible joints of the body. These joints do not move much as they have no cavity, for example, the head and spinal cord. These joints are technically called Diarthrosis.

Mobile Joints:
These are the flexible joints of the body. For example, the shoulder, knee, wrist, toe, finger, etc. They all have a cavity. These joints are called diarthrosis.

Types of Arthritis

There are two main types of arthritis, namely osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

1. Osteoarthritis

This is the most common type of arthritis. It is degeneration or wearing out of a joint due to old age, over-exertion or injury. Osteoarthritis affects the mobile joints of the body.

Causes of Osteoarthritis
Let us differentiate two kinds of osteoarthritis: primary and secondary. Primary osteoarthritis occurs when joint degeneration sets on its own without any abnormal or apparent cause. Secondary osteoarthritis is that which has a known cause. The causes can be any or all of the following:

Heredity:
Osteoarthritis can be hereditary when parents pass on to their children genes, which dispose them to a certain degeneration of the joint

Excessive Stress:
If a joint is dislocated or injured and yet is still being exerted, arthritis may occur.

Previous Damage:
Untreated dislocation or half-treated fracture will eventually lead to arthritis. Athletes who engage in physical exertions are often tempted to manage a dislocation or fracture. The eventual result is arthritis.

Over-weight:
Accumulation of excess calories add more weight to the body. Extra body weight puts too much stress on the hips and knees. The result is arthritis.

Occupation:
One's occupation plays a major role not only in the development of arthritis but the quality of one's health in general. Those who stand for long hours every day are prone to pain on the knees. Those whose occupation requires lifting heavy objects or sit for long a stretch of time every day are prone to waist pain, technically called lumbago.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis

The second type of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis. It is an inflammation of the same joints on the two sides of the body. For example, the same pain experienced on say the right knee or shoulder is also experienced on the left. The symptoms tend to come and go.

Rheumatoid arthritis is very common these days of processed and artificial food and drinks. It affects both the young and old, even infants. It is more common between the ages of 25 and 55.

Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis

There is no uniform agreement about the causes of rheumatoid arthritis. Below are some of the possible causes, over and above the ones already mentioned.

Viruses:
Some scientists have proposed that rheumatoid arthritis can be caused by some kind of infection by viruses, leading to an inflammation of the joints. These viruses are peculiar and live in the body for a long time undetected before their influence is felt.
Immuno-deficiency Syndrome:
This refers to a condition whereby the anti-bodies that are meant to fight against foreign agents in the body begin to attack the tissues of the joint as well, causing inflammation and pain.

Symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis usually begins with pain and stiffness in one or two joints, mostly the hands and feet. Initially, the pain comes and goes. It is often worse on waking up in the morning but wears off during the day. Gradually the pain becomes intense with constant swelling and inflammation in the joints. Moving or touching the joints becomes painful.

Arthritis may soon spread to other parts of the body such as the elbows, knees, hips, waist, ankles, shoulders and neck. The person affected feels generally weak, tired, feverish and pale. The eyes become dry due to a reduction of tears. The mouth also becomes dry due to a reduction of salivary fluid, leading to a lack of appetite, followed by weight loss.

Managing Arthritis

In treating arthritis, the aims are:

To strengthen the bones
Repair damaged joint tissues
Strengthen the weak joint tissues
Strengthen the immune system against bacteria and viruses
Eradicate the symptoms.

To achieve these aims, diet is very important. Processed or refined food and drinks like sugar, biscuits and ice-cream must be avoided. Stop taking coffee. Smoking and alcohol of all kinds must be avoided.

Take plenty of water, especially on rising daily. Try to take nothing except water and fruits for breakfast.

Herbal recipes for Arthritis

FORMULA I

Materials:

A. One bottle of lime juice

B. One bottle of grape juice

C. One bottle of honey

Recipe:
Mix all together

Dosage:
1 shot twice daily for two weeks.

Side Effect:
Intestinal pain for ulcer patients. Should not be taken by ulcer patients.

FORMULA II

Materials:

A. Six handfuls Pineapple peel

B .Six handfuls Lemon peel

C. Six handfuls Peel of unripe pawpaw.

D. Ten bottles of water

Recipe:
Bring A, B and C to boil in D.

Dosage:
1 glass 3ice daily.

If you are too busy to prepare your recipes or you prefer to use our Pax products, I have recommended the three most important products here for you.

Paxherbal ASB Powder
It is an extract from three African plants. At Paxherbals, we do not hide the ingredients in our products.
Paxherbal Pain cream
This was first produced before 2003 (over 15 years ago), and we have a good record of its effectiveness.
The Paxherbal Logotine
A liquid painkiller and anti-inflammation medicine was first produced some 20 years ago and has helped so many people with painful joints, chronic arthritis and rheumatism.