Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (340 page)
Read Gillian McKeith's Food Bible Online
Authors: Gillian McKeith
Herbal teas can be very effective at relieving many stress symptoms. These teas are derived from the flowers, leaves, seeds, stalks, stems, and roots of plants. They contain natural substances that nourish the central nervous and glandular systems. Find which of the following work best for you: lemon balm, hops, oatstraw, kava, ginseng, chamomile, passionflower, skullcap, licorice, valerian.
The body’s feel-good hormones, serotonin and norepinephrine, can also be made from trytophan and L-phenyl alanine, amino acids present in certain protein foods. Algae contains approximately 60 percent protein and is derived from all eight essential amino acids. Studies have shown improved academic results and coping skills when children take algae.
SUPPLEMENTS
Take B
5
pantothenic acid, vitamin B
12
, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, and essential fatty acids to aid adrenal function.
The following vitamins are critical in the support of your adrenal glands. There’s plenty of evidence to show that levels of these key nutrients plummet during times of stress. And these nutrients are also needed for the enjoyment of sex: vitamin C, panthenic acid, vitamin B
5
, vitamin B
6
, zinc, magnesium, vitamin B
12
and folic acid.
Take the amino acid tyrosine when under prolonged significant stress.
EXTRA TIPS
Avoid foods containing additives, preservatives, and other chemicals. Additives place a huge stress on your body because it has to work harder to deal with them, with the result that energy and valuable nutrients are spent when they could be used for more profitably, for example, in boosting the immune system.
Get plenty of exercise.
Yoga, visualization, and meditation can all be beneficial for stress relief. Check out the exercise regimens of tai chi and qi gong.
TONSILLITIS
(see Sore Throat, page
372
)
Tonsillitis literally means inflammation of the tonsils. There is usually a streptococcal infection present, though sometimes there may be a viral infection. Symptoms include sore throat, inflamed tonsils, fever, and pain on swallowing. You may have bad breath, too.
Children’s tonsils used to be whipped out at the first signs of throat problems, but that is no longer the case. Once you have lost your tonsils, you are without a piece of your anatomy that is an immunity defender. Tonsils filter bacteria, thus supporting the immune system.
If your child is always getting sore throats, take a look at how much milk he or she is drinking. There may well be a connection.
CAUSES
Chronic tonsillitis may indicate that the organs of elimination (bowel, liver, kidneys, and lungs) are clogged up. This can lead the lymphatic system, including the tonsils, to become overloaded.
Action plan
You need to boost your immunity.
EAT/DRINK
Organic vegetable juices. These are packed full of nutrients needed by the immune system to fight infections. They will also aid cleansing of the system.
Soups and fruits to allow the body to cleanse and heal without being challenged further.
Garlic.
AVOID
Dairy products, sugar, refined foods, salt, and saturated fats. These can all create mucus and can clog up the system, thus preventing healing from taking place.
HERBS AND SUPPLEMENTS
Drink slippery elm tea to soothe the throat.
Gargle with sage tincture to fight the infection locally.
To prevent recurrence, take three drops of thuja tincture in warm water every evening.
Chamomile tea and cleavers tea help to reduce inflammation.
Drink cups of warm water with half a teaspoon of vitamin C powder, 20 drops of echinacea tincture, and 10 drops of astragalus tinctures every three hours.
Take vitamin C with bioflavanoids. Vitamin C has antibacterial and antiviral effects.
Take zinc to help the immune system to fight infections and aid healing.