As winter starts getting closer and closer you will probably start stocking up on pharmaceutical products, but you will already have a lot of natural remedies in your kitchen cupboards. Believe it or not, a lot of fruit and vegetables, if combined correctly can cure you of simple problems. It's important to remember that this blog post is talking about fresh juice that you make at home with your juicer. We do not recommend buying store bought juices as it can often be unclear how processed the juices are.
Coughs
Coughs and colds can be the worst aspects of any season, and over the counter medicines can be expensive, plus you potentially risk getting a bad side effect. One of the most efficient ways to cure a cough is pineapple juice and honey. When mixed together these two ingredients have the ability to soothe a sore throat and reduce mucus. Pineapple is rich in bromelain which has inflammatory properties as well as bacteria fighting agents, and honey has a sticky texture which helps soothe a sore throat.
Recipe
1 cup of pineapple juice
1 tablespoon of honey
If you're feeling more adventurous you can add ginger and lemon.
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure can be a silent killer as one in for adults in the UK suffer from high blood pressure, but many people won't realise they have it. High blood pressure puts a strain on your organs and blood vessels, which can lead to heart problems. Making healthy changes can reduce the risk of high blood pressure, we believe juicing is a great way to start.
Beetroot is filled with nitrate and potassium which helps increase blood flow. We suggest incorporating beetroot into your everyday juices. Don't worry if you're not keen on beetroot as once juiced with other ingredients it can be undetectable, it will also give your juices a gorgeous vibrant red colour.
Recipe
1 1/2 beetroots
2 apples
3 carrots
1/4 cucumber
IBS
If you suffer from irritable syndrome you will want to see if juicing is right for you by starting slowly with juicing. We suggest using a couple of fruits and vegetables at a time and include digestion-friendly ingredients such as ginger, bananas and spinach. Juicing is great for your digestive system as it leaves you with a liquid full of nutrients and antioxidants.
Recipe
Juice the following:
2 cups of spinach
1/4 inch ginger
Blend together:
1 bananas (use a blender)
1 tablespoon almond butter
1 cup of coconut water
Add your juice to the above and blend for 10 seconds.
Urinary Tract Infections
If left untreated urinary tract infections can easily lead to kidney infections so you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. But we recommend juicing as one step to help prevent these infections, NOT to cure them. To help keep bacteria at bay, drinking plenty of water is important and practising good hygiene is also beneficial. Adding cranberry juice to your diet can help keep your urinary tract healthy.
Unsweetened cranberry juice has a good amount of vitamin C and quinine which helps to lift toxins from the kidneys, bladder and prostate.
Recipe
1 cup of cranberries
2 large oranges
1 cup of spinach
4 carrots
1/2 cup blueberries
Constipation
We will all go through constipation at least once in our lives, but if let untreated constipation can lead to serious illness. It's important to consult your doctor if you are not having regular bowel movements first before trying this juice recipe. There are certain fruits and vegetables that can help relieve the bloating that often comes with constipation. Spinach is a great cleanser for your intestine and watermelon helps neutralise any toxins in the colon.
Recipe
2 Carrots
1 green apple
1 cup spinach
1 papaya
1 orange
4 finger slices watermelon
A squeeze of lemon juice
Having a well balanced healthy diet can help protect you from getting some of the above problems, but juicing isn’t just to help relieve symptoms. It can be a really good way to see benefits in your energy, skin and immune system and should be considered as part of your diet. Always remember juice should not replace any of your meals, it should be added as a snack.
Disclaimer
If you suffer any problems from the above, always consult your doctor before adding juice to your diet as these recipes should not be taken as a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. The suggestions above are NOT an alternative to any medication you may be taking.