Improving Your Health with Parsley

If you thought that Parsley was just an inconsequential garnish to be thrown in the trash with the scraps of your meal, then you best think again because eating parsley has a wide range of health benefits that any diner would be crazy to pass up.

Normally relegated to the side of your dinner plate and Italian foods, Parsley is actually loaded with vitamins and minerals and is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb that has a variety of flavonoids which are reputed to help treat many illnesses as well as boost your immune system.

Parsley is said to help with cardiovascular problems because it helps your veins maintain their elasticity and discourages blood clots. This should be no surprise since Parsley has 153% of the US RDA of vitamin K which helps thin the blood. For this reason, if you are on blood thinning medications you want to talk to your doctor before eating a lot of parsley.

Traditionally, Parsley has been used as a liver and gallbladder tonic as well as a treatment for kidney problems. It is said to be able to help with kidney stones as well as gallstones and is a powerful diuretic which can help with urinary problems. It is also said to aid in digestion which makes it's presence on every restaurant dinner plate quite convenient.

In addition to the vitamin K, Parsley has a lot of vitamin C, vitamin A, folic acid, calcium, potassium and copper. The concentration of vitamins make this a powerful antioxidant that can help protect your body against free radicals which are thought to cause most disease and illness.

There are two types of parsley that one will find readily available in the grocery store. The Italian parsley or flat parsley and the curly parsley. It is said that the Italian parsley has more essential oils in it and is, therefore, more flavorful for cooking and perhaps more healthy for you as well. The curly parsley is actually what you often see used as a garnish but it does have a lot of health benefits also.

Of course, the best way to eat parsley is raw. When you eat raw foods, you get all the beneficial enzymes and none of the vitamins or minerals are diminished through cooking. What I like to do is chop up large amounts of parsley and include them in a salad. Parsley has a great fresh taste, and it can turn a boring lettuce salad into something with a little more zip and a lot more health benefits.

There are actually a lot of things you can do to work parsley into your daily eating plan. One thing it goes great in is smoothies especially those that include kale and other green leafy vegetables. It also goes pretty good when add it to any kind of salad dressing or mayonnaise as well as soups, sauces and even mashed potatoes. In fact, Parsley is such a versatile herb that you can add it to almost any dish so next time you're in the grocery store, be sure to pick up a big bunch of parsley - your taste buds and your immune system will thank you for it.

Next, find out more about the health benefits of parsley and get great healthy eating tips and recipes at http://www.healingfoodscookbooks.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins

Common Skin Rashes, and Pressure Ulcers

Common Skin Rashes

Whether it is used by patients or doctors, the word rash does not have an exact meaning or refer to a specific disease or kind of disorder. It's a general term that means an outbreak of bumps on the body that changes the way the skin looks and feels. Rashes can be localized to one area or else be widespread. The way people use this term, a rash can refer to many different skin conditions. Common categories of rash are

• Scaly patched of skin not produced by infection
• Scaly patches of skin produced by fungal or bacterial infection
• Red, itchy bumps or patches over the body, such as on the chest and back

Although rashes are seldom dangerous, self-diagnosis is not usually a good idea. Proper evaluation of a skin rash requires a visit to a doctor or other health-care professional.

 

Pressure Ulcers a.k.a. Bedsores

Pressure ulcers, commonly referred to as bedsores, are typically the result of pressure on small blood vessels that supply muscles, tissue and skin with essential nutrients. Often, this pressure occurs when a person is lying or sitting in one position for a prolonged period of time. The surface of the bed or chair presses against bones and compresses the blood vessels in the tissues in between. Deprived of nutrients, the tissues begin to die, resulting in ulceration.

Pressure ulcers can range in severity, but all must be attended to properly and promptly. People with pressure ulcers may experience pain and are at risk for infection. Those at greatest risk for developing ulcers have difficulty moving, impaired sensation and poor nutrition

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Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The main cause of skin cancer is the sun. Sunlamps and tanning booths can also cause skin cancer. Anyone can get cancer, but people with fair skin that freckles easily are at greatest risk. Skin cancer may be cured if it is found before it spreads to other parts of the body.

There are three types of skin cancers. Two types, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, grow slowly and rarely spread to other parts of the body. These types of cancer are found mostly on parts of the skin exposed to the sun, like the head, face, neck, hands, and arms, but can happen anywhere on your body. The third and most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. It is rarer than the other types, but can spread to other organs and be deadly.

Don't wait for the area to hurt.

Skin cancer isn't usually painful. See your doctor right away if you have any of these signs. Check your skin regularly, like once a month, for things that may be cancer. Look for changes such as a new growth, a sore that doesn't heal, or a bleeding mole. Also, check moles, birthmarks, or other parts of the skin for the

 

"ABCDE's." ABCDE stands for:

A = asymmetry (one half of the growth looks different from the other half)

B = borders that are irregular

C = color changes or more than one

color

D = diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser

E = evolving, meaning changes in size, shape, symptoms (itching, tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or shades of color.

Skin Care and Aging

Skin acts as a waterproof, insulating shield, guarding the body against extremes of temperature, damaging sunlight, and harmful chemicals. With age your skin changes and it becomes thinner, loses fat, and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. Your veins and bones can be seen more easily. Scratches, cuts, or bumps can take longer to heal. Years of sun tanning or being out in the sunlight for a long time can lead to wrinkles, dryness, age spots, and even cancer. But there are thing you can do to help your skin.

 

Dry Skin and Itching

Many older people suffer from dry skin, often on their lower legs, elbows, and lower arms. Dry skin feels rough and scaly. There are many possible reasons for dry skin, such as:

 

• Not drinking enough liquids
• Staying out in the sun Being in very dry air
• Smoking
• Having stress
• Losing sweat and oil glands (common with age)

 

Dry skin also can be caused by health problems, such as diabetes or kidney disease. Using too much soap, antiperspirant, or perfume and taking hot baths will make dry skin worse. Because older people have thinner skin, scratching itches can cause bleeding that can lead to infection. Some medicines make the skin itchier. Itching can cause sleep problems. If your skin is very dry and itchy, see your doctor. Moisturizers like lo- tions, creams, or ointments can soothe dry, itchy skin. They should be used everyday. Try taking fewer baths and using milder soap to help your dry skin. Warm water is better than hot water for your skin. Some people find that a humidifier (an appliance that adds moisture to a room) helps.

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Getting Rid of Dry, Rough Feet

 

Dear Nurse, I'm tired of my rough dry feet. What can I do? Please HELP!

--Mr. Rough

Dry and scaly feet are a common problem. Feet are subjected to daily abuse, from undergoing the pressure from walking to being exposed to the elements. The best way to start this removal process is to soak your feet in warm water. Put a bit of mild soap in the water so you can clean your feet, and allow your feet to soak so the rough skin on your heels will soften up a bit. Once your feet are nice and soaked and soft, take out one foot from the foot bath, grab the file, and simply file the rough skin on your feet. Once you're finished filing your feet, take some heavy lotion and put it all over your feet. This will help the skin dry smoother, so rough skin won't be so quick to develop. Covering your feet with socks/footies (especially overnight) helps keep feet soft and hydrated. Another important factor is keeping your inside hydrated also. Lots of water. Items you can purchase to assist with this process include: pumas stone, callous re- mover, and any brand of baby gel or thick lubricant that is especially for feet. Another option that is always nice and relaxing are Pedicure. Note: Pedicures are not a "women only" thing. Enjoy your new set of feet

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The Importance of Water

Did you know that your tissues and organs are mainly made up of water? Drinking a healthy amount of water is vital to your health. You can never imagine just by changing this simple step, you gain tremendous health bene- fits, and sometimes you can even throw away your migraine medicine or pain killer.

Before you can appreciate the benefits of water to your health, let's review the role of water in human body. The human body is anywhere from 55% to 78% water depending on body size. A rule of thumb, 2/3 of body is consists of water, and it is the main component of human body. Note the following: 75% of muscle, 22% of bone and 83% of blood consist of water. Every cell in your body needs water from head to toe. That is why it is so important to drink enough fluid. Take for example, brain consists of 90% of water, if you do not supply enough water to your body, your brain cannot function well, and you will get headache or migraine. Hence, next time, if you feel fatigue and headache, it may be the sign of dehydration.

Signs of Dehydration

• Dark Urine-Yellow or Orange in color

• Dry Skin

• Thirst

• Hunger

• Fatigue

 

From the DRM Archives. For more information like this, please visit http://drmilc.com/

 

DRM Employee Sportlight

This month, Genesis Home Healthcare Providers recognizes Amy Murphy for her outstanding and creative service to DRM International Learning Center (DRM ILC). Amy is ILC's School Administrator and Genesis Home Healthcare's Nursing Supervisor. Amy enjoys helping students through the learning process and becoming one step closer to entering the exciting field of healthcare. In addition, Amy is also a Certified Teacher in the State of Michigan. Her consistent passion to teach is shown in her interactive learning and creative teaching style.

Thanks Amy for your Awesome work!

 

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