Crohn’s and Colitis Diet

February 4th, 2011

FOODS TO INCLUDE:

  • Distilled water, herbal teas, pure juices
  • Fresh, non-acidic vegetables such as broccoli, kale, spinach, carrots, celery, garlic, turnips, cabbage, Brussels sprouts or better yet, juice your veggies!
  • Peeled fruit (raw or juiced). Peeling helps to remove hard to digest fiber.
  • Alfalfa – anti-inflammatory
  • Garlic – overall cleanser
  • Peas, beans, lentils are great sources of protein.
  • Brown rise, millet, quinoa, kamut, spelt (if tolerated)
  • Olive, hemp, flaxseed oil – soothing and anti-inflammatory
  • white poultry meat (skinless) and fish

**Fresh fruits and vegetables help to improve bowel function, provide essential immune-boosting properties and helps to eliminate toxic build-up. Peel fruit and try to juice vegetables.

FOODS TO AVOID:

  • All wheat products
  •  dairy products
  • red meats and pork
  •  chocolate
  •  corn
  •  nuts
  •  eggs
  •  foods with artificial additives/preservatives
  •  spicy foods
  •  vinegar products (pickles)
  •  fried and processed foods
  •  saturated fats, sugary foods (refined sugars)
  •  soft drinks
  •  alcohol and caffeine.

During an acute attack, try juicing all fruits and vegetables for 2-3 days.

NOTE: If bleeding occurs, Strauss Immune Plus capsules may be necessary. If constipation persists, Strauss Natura-Lax capsules are very effective.

Herbs to soothe the colon: Slippery Elm powder. Mix 1 tsp of slipper elm powder to a cup of boiling water and consume before meals.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

  • Incorporate the “All Time Best Diet” into your lifestyle.
  • Choose a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Make your plate colourful!
  • Drink plenty of pure water daily.
  • Avoid all genetically altered foods
  • Avoid the use of microwaves
  • Choose stainless steel or glass cookware instead of aluminium.

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Immune Support

February 4th, 2011

During the cold and flu season people are compelled to buy immune supplements. However, with the increase in ‘autoimmune’ diseases such as the H1N1 influenza in 2009, we are beginning to actively seek protection for ourselves and our families, regardless of the season. When our immune system is under constant challenge that knows no holiday, supplementing the immune system everyday makes sense. As powerful as it is, our immune system cannot fend off all germs by itself. One of the most important and easiest thing people can do to protect themselves from infectious diseases is to properly wash their hands at every opportunity. While living naturally healthier means getting more exercise and sleep and less saturated fats and refined sugars, it has also led people to consider immune support supplements. The ingredients in Strauss Immune Plus provide year round immune health protection.

Strauss Immune Plus has medicinal ingredients that are used in traditional herbal medicine to fight infectious and inflammatory conditions of the digestive and upper respiratory tracts.
Myrrh gum has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, disinfectant and astringent properties. It is believed to help fight harmful bacteria in the mouth making it effective against bad breath and periodontal disease. Myrrh has also been used traditionally for skin disorders, ulcers and healing wounds. It also helps support the immune system. If you think back to the story of the birth of Christ, Myrrh was given to the baby Jesus by the three Wise Men.

Golden Seal root is believed to be a potent antibiotic and one of the best infection fighters and ranks high as one of the best general medicinal aids in the herbal kingdom. It can soothe irritated mucous membranes aiding the eyes, ears, nose and throat. It may be used to help relieve congestion and loosen phlegm which in turn makes it easier to expel excess mucus. This makes it beneficial for people with asthma.

Cayenne is said to be unequalled for warding off disease and equalizing blood circulation. It is called a “supreme and harmless internal disinfectant” and is used to treat hemorrhaging, both external and internal, making it particularly helpful for Crohn’s and Colitis sufferers. It has the ability to rebuild tissue in the stomach and heal stomach and intestinal ulcers. It is said to be a catalyst, carrying all other herbs quickly to the part of the body where they are most needed and increases their effectiveness. Cayenne can help digestion, improve circulation and stop bleeding from ulcers. Cayenne has also been traditionally used to help ward off colds, sinus infections and sore throats.

Strauss Immune Plus is great to take along while traveling. There are many situations that can expose us to viruses while traveling: contaminated fruit peels, confined spaces such as airplane cabins, and questionable water sources. We recommend taking Strauss Immune Plus 3 times a day as a preventative measure while traveling. Not only is Strauss Immune Plus excellent as an immune support supplement but it can also be used in so many other beneficial ways.

  • For those suffering from eczema, we suggest taking 6 Strauss Immune Plus capsules and mixing them into a jar of Strauss Eczema ointment. This mixture can then be massaged into the affected area.
  • For sore throats, open 4-5 Strauss Immune Plus capsules into 1/2 cup of warm water, gargle with the solution and swallow.
  • For cuts and scrapes, mix 1 Strauss Immune Plus capsule with enough olive oil or alcohol to make a paste. Apply this paste to the wound.
  • For hemorrhoids, first cleanse the area thoroughly. Mix 3 capsules of Strauss Immune Plus with water or olive oil. Gently apply paste to the affected area. To reduce hemorrhoid flare-ups, eliminate dairy products from your diet.
  • For receding gums, mix 2 capsules of Strauss Immune Plus in 1/2 cup of warm water to make a mouthwash. Swish in mouth and swallow.
  • For heartburn, take Strauss Immune Plus capsules as needed for stomach pain.

Strauss Immune Plus can also help with symptoms of Chrohn’s disease, irritated bowel syndrome (IBS) and Celiac disease. We recommend taking 1 capsule of Strauss Immune Plus 3 times daily or 2 capsules, 2 times daily. Follow our Crohn’s and Colitis diet, found in our Healthy Living section. Take control of your immune health with natural products. Rather than using quick-fix, intervention-type strategies, we recommend Strauss Immune Plus along with healthy lifestyle choices such as proper diet and exercise.

Remember…everything our bodies need is provided by nature.

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Sauerkraut Recipe

June 29th, 2010

Ingredients (Yields 3-4 quarts)
- 10 lbs shredded cabbage
- 6 tbsp canning or pickling salt

Directions:
Prepare 5 lbs of cabbage at a time. Discard outer leaves and any insect damaged areas. Rinse heads under cold running water and drain. Cut heads in four wedges. Discard cores. Shred or slice to a thickness of a quarter.

Mix 5 lbs of shredded cabbage in a suitable fermentation container and add 3 tbsp of salt. Mix thoroughly, using clean hands. Pack firmly until salt draws juices from cabbage.

Repeat shredding, salting and packing until all cabbage is in the container. Be sure the container is deep enough so that its rim is at least 4 or 5 inches above the cabbage. If juice does not cover cabbage, add boiled and cooled brine (1 1/2 tbsp of salt per quart of water).

Add plate and weights. Cover container with a clean towel. Ferment cabbage. If you use jars as weight, check the kraut 2-3 times per week and remove scum if it forms. Fully fermented kraut may be kept tightly covered in the refrigerator for several months. A 5 gallon stone crock is the ideal size for fermenting about 25 lbs of fresh shredded cabbage.

Cabbage must be kept 1 to 2 inches under brine while fermenting. Insert a dinner plate or glass pie plate inside the fermentation container. The plate must be slightly smaller than the container opening yet large enough to cover most of the shredded cabbage. To keep the plate under the brine, weight it down with 2 to 3 sealed quart jars filled with water or a well-cleaned rock. Covering the container opening with a clean, heavy bath towel helps prevent contamination from insects and molds.

Fermenting Temperatures and Times

Read About The Benefits of Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut results from the fermentation of fresh raw cabbage. Cabbage belongs to the brassica family which also includes broccoll, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and mustard greens. Recent studies have shown that brassica’s possess cancer fighting compounds, helping prevent cancer of the breast, lung and colon. Research has found that this pickled cabbage blocks the action of excessive estrogen, a hormone known to fuel breast cancer.

The fermenting process of cabbage produces isothiocyantae compounds which have been identified as potential cancer fighting agents. Fermentation of raw cabbage produces organic acids such as lactic acid, which make cabbage easy to digest and also friendly bacteria that re-establish your inner ecosystem. Friendly bacteria helps maintain your enzyme reserve, eliminate toxins and strengthen the immune system.

Sauerkraut is a good source of vitamin C, B, K and dietary fiber which greatly enhances the digestion of protein. It contains large quantities of calcium, sulphur, chlorine and iodine in a natural form. One heaping tablespoon can relieve heartburn, indigestion and constipation. It is also a low-calorie, low-fat food, making it ideal for weight conscious people.

Note: There is a high content of sodium in sauerkraut. For those on a sodium restricted diet or those people just wanting to reduce sodium intake in their diet, simply rinse the sauerkraut in cool water to lower the salt content. Heating will result in loss of valuable enzymes and minerals.

Studies have reported that Polish women who moved to the US have a higher incidence of breast cancer. This may be due to the fact that in Poland, cabbage is a staple food and a larger amount is consumed than in America.

Sauerkraut is excellent for pregnant women, ensuring that their system is rich in friendly bacteria. Nursing mothers of colicky babies have found that when they ate fermented cabbage, the babies no longer suffered from colic problems.

Try to include sauerkraut in your menu everyday. We recommend eating 1 heaping tablespoon of sauerkraut (made with salt only, not wine or vinegar) 3 times a day on an empty stomach.

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LIVER

June 29th, 2010

Strauss Herb Company’s mission is to improve the quality of health in as many lives as possible. We will strive to do this through education and natural, unique herbal products that are proven effective and manufactured to the highest standards.

We hope to provide people with information on alternative health choices. We have to mention that all information provided here is for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional.

That being said, this blog will be about the largest internal organ and the one that is often the most neglected. The liver. Many of us don’t realize the amount of work that the liver does to keep us healthy and often, symptoms show up only after extensive damage has been done.

The liver has many functions. Among them are: fighting off infection, filtering harmful substances from the body, producing urea (the main substance of urine), manufacturing proteins and hormones, controlling blood sugar as well as helping to clot the blood. It also produces 80% of the cholesterol in our body.

The liver cleanses the body by secreting toxins from the system.  Skin conditions are often the result of these toxins being released through our skin. If excessive alcohol consumption results in a red nose or you experience other pimples or rashes, it’s a good idea to cleanse the liver at least once a year to help flush mucus from the system. This cleansing should assist in helping to clear up most skin issues.

As the body’s clearinghouse, the liver is vulnerable to the toxic consequences of consuming too much of any one substance.  Sometimes herbs can have an unintended effect when too much is taken.  Not so with Strauss products. Strauss Liver capsules use a combination of herbs to cleanse and help promote a healthy liver. Our goal is to offer properly formulated herbal products that provide increased effectiveness, safety and gentleness compared to a single herb product.

One way to safeguard against unintended effects is to utilize smaller amounts of many additive herbs with the same indication to achieve an intended affect. Small amounts of herbs used with a catalyst herb can produce excellent results. The end result of a properly formulated herbal product is better efficacy.

Holistic healing is the healing of a person as a whole. Utilizing complementary herbs in a formula allows the formula to assist the body in resolving the health issue while offering support to other organs or parts of the body while the body is healing. Strauss Liver capsules are a good example of how this is achieved. Dandelion root has a significant cleansing effect on the liver and is chosen to eliminate toxins. Milk thistle seed contains some of the most potent liver protecting substances know. This herb is chosen to support the liver through the detoxification process. Another herb, Mandrake root, is used to assist the body in moving the bowels and to remove the waste and the toxins from the body. The herbs included in our Strauss Liver formulation not only cleanse the liver but help to keep the spleen, pancreas and gall bladder in good shape as well. For a complete list of ingredients, please visit the ‘Products’ tab on the home page of our website. Our herbal formulas do not contain fillers, artificial ingredients or extracts; just herbs, the way Mother Nature intended.

For maximum effect, we recommend consuming 2-4 bottles of Strauss Liver capsules. Each bottle lasts approximately 1 month when taken as directed. Consume 3-5 capsules at one time either before or after a meal. You can expect an easy bowel movement. If you experience an upset stomach, reduce the dosage. Be consistent and remember that it is important not to skip a dose.

Keep in mind that health regimens involving Strauss herbal supplementation should be followed as directed and for many of our products, this process can take 3 months or more. The reward for vigilance in such a natural health regimen can be renewed health and improved quality of life.

Remember…everything our bodies need is provided by nature.

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All Time Best Diet

June 29th, 2010

There are many things you can do to improve your overall health. Remember, you are what you eat, so think twice before consuming non-beneficial foods. Try to follow this diet at least 80% of the time but don’t be too hard on yourself. It is understandable if you include other foods once in a while. Consider the following:

Beverages:  Non-chlorinated water, natural juices (preferrably freshly juiced), herbal teas.

Desserts:     Fresh fruit, stewed fruit, dried fruit (unsulfured), carob, black-strap molasses, pure maple syrup.

Fats:              Olive oil, flaxseed oil, sunflower oil. NO animal fats.

Fruits:          Pears, apricots, ripe bananas, cherries, grapes (with seeds), papaya, melons (with seeds),   nectarines, peaches, plums, oranges, tangerines. Eat one type of truit at a time and avoid ALL genetically altered fruits, ie: seedless grapes and some apples. What had seeds before should have them now. Always have fresh fruits and vegetables at your finger tips.

Grains: Kamut, spelt, millet, quinoa, brown rice and whole grains. Kamut and spelt are believed to be some of the oldest grains. They are nutrient dense, containing significantly more protein and fiber than wheat. They are also low in gluten, therefore easier to digest than other grains. We also believe that these grains have not been genetically altered.

Juices:        Fresh, pure fruit juices (one type of fruit only). Vegetable juices may be blended together. Be cautious as   some mixtures may cause bloating. Add ground flaxseed and oat bran for extra nutrients.

Meat:           Skinless chicken and turkey, white fish. Limit red meats.

Milk:             Rice, almond, coconut or organic soy milk. Minimize dairy products.

Nuts:            All nuts except roasted or salted.

Potatoes:     Baked, broiled or mashed. Scrub thoroughly and cook with the peel on.

Protein:        Peas, beans, lentils. Mix 1 tbsp of raw pinto bean flour into each meal.

Salads:          Shredded or finely chopped greens. Add fresh vegetables, legumes, and sprouts. Top with salt cured sauerkraut and a homemade salad dressing (flaxseed oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic and spices).

Seasonings: All herbs, spices, garlic, onions, chives, fresh lemon juice or sea salt.

Soups:            Homemade pea, barley, lentil, potato, bean and mushroom. Brown rice or millet can be added for extra nutrients and texture. Fresh garlic, onions and carrots can also be grated into your soup. Add your favourite herbs or spices for flavour.

Vegetables:  Juice, steam, bake or roast. Boost your vitamin and mineral intake by choosing a variety of fresh vegetables daily.

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