The most effective way to achieve proper nutrition is to eat wholesome and natural plant foods. Plant foods are most suitable because they equip us with nutrients in a natural way unlike chemically extracted vitamins or tonics.
There are however, many misconceptions about plants. Although plants are natural, not all of them are safe or healthy enough to be consumed as a plant food. For example, tobacco leaves, coca leaf (the source of cocaine), hemp (the source of marijuana) and opium poppy (the source of heroine and morphine) are unsafe natural ingredients.
Plant are, therefore, available in two varieties: plant foods or food herbs that do not give harmful side effects and medicinal plant or herbs, which can bring harm when formulated or used incorrectly. Below are some examples of plants to avoid:
Caffeine-Rich Plants
Tea is a very popular beverage worldwide. But Camellia leaf, the ingredient most widely used in many types of commercial teas, contains three-and-a-half percent caffeine by weight – that is about one percent more caffeine than popular coffee beans. From Nutritional Immunology perspective, this makes tea leaves natural but unsafe.
Tea is a very popular beverage worldwide. But Camellia leaf, the ingredient most widely used in many types of commercial teas, contains three-and-a-half percent caffeine by weight – that is about one percent more caffeine than popular coffee beans. From Nutritional Immunology perspective, this makes tea leaves natural but unsafe.
Caffeine is consumed as a “pick-me-up” because of its stimulating effects on the nervous system. But caffeine can cause undesirable side effects like anxiety, insomnia, irregular heartbeat, addictiveness and even death in those with high blood pressure. There are strong signs that caffeine affects the liver and pancreatic function, it can lead to blood sugar imbalance and as a result, chronic fatigue. As yet, there is no direct link between caffeine and cancer. But caffeine can obstruct DNA repair – a process that can lead to cancer.
Ephedra
Ephedra is also known by its Chinese name, Ma Huang. It contains the active ingredient ephedrine, which is found in some diet pills. By claiming that ephedrine “enhances energy” and “burns calories the natural way”, weight loss pill makers mask the potentially deadly effects of this herb.
Ephedra is also known by its Chinese name, Ma Huang. It contains the active ingredient ephedrine, which is found in some diet pills. By claiming that ephedrine “enhances energy” and “burns calories the natural way”, weight loss pill makers mask the potentially deadly effects of this herb.
Clinical studies show that ephedra can cause heart attack, blood toxicity and bleeding stroke. The FDA has also collected over 150 ephedra-linked death reports. Neurology, the official publication of the American Academy of Neurology, says that just 32 milligrams of ephedra per day can increase stroke risk. Nevertheless, ephedra pill labels suggest taking up to 100 milligrams a day. The US federal government has now banned the use of ephedra as a dietary supplement.
Guar Gum
Guar gum is a weight-loss ingredient that was banned in the 1990s. Guar gum is a complex sugar that swells when wet, creating a feeling of fullness when eaten. However, it side effects include frightening instances of stomach, throat and intestinal blockage.
Guar gum is a weight-loss ingredient that was banned in the 1990s. Guar gum is a complex sugar that swells when wet, creating a feeling of fullness when eaten. However, it side effects include frightening instances of stomach, throat and intestinal blockage.
White Willow Bark
White willow bark contains salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. The FDA says that this herb is sometimes used in child medications that are labelled aspirin-free. White willow bark can induce internal bleeding in aspirin-sensitive adults. The National Council Against Health Fraud cautions that using white willow bark for childhood chicken pox or influenza can lead to Reye’s syndrome, a disease which affects all organs of the body, but most lethally the liver and the brain.
White willow bark contains salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin. The FDA says that this herb is sometimes used in child medications that are labelled aspirin-free. White willow bark can induce internal bleeding in aspirin-sensitive adults. The National Council Against Health Fraud cautions that using white willow bark for childhood chicken pox or influenza can lead to Reye’s syndrome, a disease which affects all organs of the body, but most lethally the liver and the brain.
Ignorantia salus non excusat!
(Ignorance
of health excuses no one!)
Thanks & Warmest Regards,
Raine Tan
Your Excellence Lifestyle Coach
+6598006016 🌎
