Did you know?
One of the many small farms located at the foot of the Sierra Madre, near La Descembocada in Western Jalisco State, Mexico. The fertile soil, long growing season, and balance of rain and sun throughout the year make this an almost perfect environment for a multitude of crops.
The Healing Power of Plants
Ricardo Mazcal, Herbalist and Nutritionist
Chronic Inflammation Relief, Naturally
Inflammation is classified into two main types:
· Acute - occurs for about two weeks
· Chronic - slower, less severe and lasts longer than six weeks
What is Inflammation? It is part of the body's innate immune response against damaged cells, viruses, bacteria, etc. It removes harmful or foreign invaders and heals itself. Without inflammation, wounds would just aggravate, and infections could be deadly.
What does the inflammation process look like? First, chemicals from white blood cells are released into the bloodstream to guard your body against foreign substances releasing chemicals into the area of injury or infection. This increased blood flow leads to redness and a feeling of warmth in the affected area. The chemical release can also trigger fluid leakage in surrounding tissues, which causes swelling. Nerves are often stimulated during this process and can cause temporary pain. Inflammation can be mistaken for infection, but the two are quite different. Infection can cause inflammation due to harmful substances, and inflammation is the body's response to infection. In this way, inflammation is mostly good. Acute inflammation often occurs because of an injury to the external body or skin. Symptoms include:
Immobility
Heat (affected area feel warm to the touch)
Pain
Redness
Swelling
Symptoms and signs of chronic inflammation:
abdominal pain
chest pain
fatigue
fever
mouth sores
rash
joint pain
Chronic inflammation can cause
enlargement and loss of kidney function
swelling and loss of blood vessel function and muscles
The leading causes of inflammation are a poor diet, stress, food allergies, and a sedentary lifestyle leading to weight gain. Being overweight can mean a state of long-term, low-grade inflammation. Negative personality traits like smoking, eating unhealthy foods and a lack of exercise encourage inflammation. Harmful bacteria produce microbiome problems and contribute to inflammatory conditions like arthritis, depression, and neurological ills.
Inflammatory Diseases include:
Acute bronchitis
Asthma
Crohn's disease
Chronic peptic ulcer
Hepatitis
Ingrown infected toenail
Heart disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lupus
Sinusitis
Sore throat due to a cold or flu
Periodontitis
Ulcerative colitis
Foods that can cause inflammation in the body:
Sugar, sucrose and fructose.
Saturated fats found in fast foods and fried products, processed snack foods, frozen breakfast products, cookies, donuts, crackers and margarine.
Omega-6 fatty acids are essential in moderation, but excess consumption produces pro-inflammatory chemicals found in oils from corn, safflower, sunflower, soy, peanut and vegetable, mayonnaise and salad dressings.
Refined carbohydrates/white flour products including bread, rolls, crackers and cereals, are brutally lacking in nutrients and are advanced glycation end (AGE) products that trigger inflammation.
People with celiac disease should avoid gluten.
Casein
Aspartame
Alcohol - excessive intake is harmful to the liver.
Corticosteroids, such as cortisone and prednisone, are prescribed for chronic inflammation like arthritis and asthma. When used on a short-term basis, side effects include fluid retention, increased appetite, weight gain, insomnia, and mood changes.
Long-term effects include osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, infections, cataracts, glaucoma, muscle weakness and thinning of the skin.
Natural Anti-Inflammatory Foods, Herbs and Spices
Ensure your diet is loaded with foods high in antioxidants to reduce levels of LDL "bad" cholesterol and lowering the risks of heart disease, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and cancer.
Vegetables - three servings/day of beets, carrots, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and kale), dark, leafy greens, onions, peas, salad greens, sea vegetables and squashes.
Fruits - three servings/day of apples, all berries, nectarines, oranges, pears, grapefruit, pineapple, plums, pomegranates.
Water - at least two liters/day.
Beans and Legumes - two servings/day of black beans, black-eyed peas, chickpeas or lentils.
Healthy Fats - five servings/day of avocados and extra virgin olive oil.
Herbs and Spices - unlimited!
Protein - organic eggs, grass-fed meats, healthy cheeses, organic poultry and cultured/raw dairy.
Green Tea - an excellent natural anti-inflammatory, three cups/day.
Red wine contains quercetin, a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antiviral; also, resveratrol reduces inflammation and oxidative stress while also acting as a neuro-protectant. Drink no more than two drinks/day.
Herbs and Spices that Combat Inflammation
· Ginger
· Garlic
· Turmeric
· Cardamom
· Black pepper
· Ginseng
· Green tea
· Rosemary
If you have any comments or questions, contact me right here on WhatsApp or the email link provided in the contact section of this website.
Naturally Mazcal Products: Organic coffees, turmeric tincture, honey. Also, Ceylon cinnamon, apple cider vinegar with the Mother, probiotics and prebiotics Maz-mix, moringa leaf and herb powder, tinctures, herbal supplements and all products mentioned in this article.
If You Love to Cook!
With these great herbs and spices come some absolutely delicious and flavorful meals. Some of the products we offer may not readily be available in many markets in your area. (Remember we can have any of these to your front door in a matter of a few short days). We want to share some of our favorite recipes that bring out the best in nature's great flavors and hope you try some. The sources of these recipes are from well known chefs who we believe have the best combination of ingredients and the simplest recipe to prepare. All of these have a preparation time of around thirty minutes which will keep you away from the kitchen, but leaving everyone who ate these thinking you spent the entire day cooking.
Coming Soon!
Our Favorite Flavorful Herb Recipes
Brunch | Lunch | Dinner | Appetizers | Beverages | Desserts | Snacks
Achiote
Pollo Pibil
This beautiful, Marinated Achiote Chicken Recipe, also called Pollo Pibil, is juicy, succulent, and full of rich, deep Mexican flavors.
Achiote Pollo Achiote Marinado (E) 25/4.5 Recipe courtesy of Valentina Wein Cooking On Weekends
Prep Time 35 mins Cook Time 45 mins Marinating Time 3 hrs Total Time 4 hrs 20 mins
Anise
Pan De Muertos
This is a bread that is commonly made during the celebrations of Day of the Dead the last week of October and first week of November, but can be served anytime. It is slightly sweet flavored with anise, a hint of orange, and glazed crusty surface sprinkled with sugar.
Anise Mexican Bread of the Dead Courtesy of Sabores De Mexico
Basil
5 Star Beef Short-Ribs
Though this recipe contains a fairly large number of ingredients, it is easy to prepare and can slowly cook for four hours. The wait is worth the time for these incredible 'melt in your mouth, off-the-bone' flavors.
Basil Five Star Beef Short Ribs Courtesy of Gigi’s Cucina @gigi_cucina 4 hours
Black Cumin
Birria de res Con Consomme'
Birria is a delicious, flavor and not to forget very popular Mexican dish. The traditional birria was made popular in Jalisco, Mexico and typically prepared with goat. Since many people prefer beef and goat is not easy to come by, beef is an excellent substitute.
Black Cumin Birria-de-res-con-consome-beef-in-consomme Mexican Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes Total Time: 5 hours Servings: 8
Black Sesame
Black Sesame Brownies
Chewy, fudgy black sesame brownies have the soft texture of brownies, a little less sweet, and are delicious when combined with the smoky flavor of black sesame seeds.
Black Cumin Black Cumin Brownies Dessert 1 hour
Caraway Seeds
Fajita Soup with Chicken
A mildly spicy Mexican soup with lots of flavor and can also be prepared without chicken for a vegetarian meal. Serve with warm tortillas or jalapeno cornbread.
