Some of the most powerful alternative remedies are so common you more than likely have an entire “powerhouse of healing” hiding your home already! Let’s explore some of these here and help you to use them properly.

Turmeric Spice
Turmeric is the Indian spice that gives curry its yellow color. In addition to its flavor power, it’s been used in India for thousands of years as a medicinal herb. Various studies highlight the health benefits of turmeric’s active compound – curcumin. The studies are so profound that it’s been said that turmeric could replace as many as 80 different prescriptive medications – offering the same or better results with little to no side effects. Its healing power is rooted in turmeric’s power to reduce inflammation. As you more than likely know by now, inflammation is one of the main roots of a wide range of ailments.

Eating or taking Turmeric capsules often doesn’t give you the health benefits you seek and that’s because curcumin makes up only 3% of turmeric by volume. If you add cracked black pepper to the turmeric you can ensure you are absorbing more of the curcumin. The same is true with fats like coconut, ghee, butter, olive, or avocado oil – they all increase your body’s ability to absorb the curcumin. The best way to ensure you are getting maximum curcumin is to take a supplemental form that uses curcumin as its main ingredient (Max Living’s Daily Defense contains 225mg of pure curcumin extract. It’s called Daily Defense as it defends against daily toxic insults that often result in inflammation.)

Apple Cider Vinegar
Acid reflux isn’t caused by too much acid. In fact, it’s due to too little acid – which leads to delayed emptying and increased fermentation of food solids within the stomach. Apple cider vinegar, and its acidic nature, can be used to reduce the pH of the stomach and naturally promote enhanced digestion. It’s so powerful many people who rely on OTC or prescriptive reflux pills often notice they can switch to ACV before they eat each meal to remain symptom and medication-free!

Apple cider vinegar’s acids can be harsh on your teeth, tongue, and esophagus if taken directly – it’s best consumed diluted in water by simply adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar to 1/2 cup of filtered water swallowed 10-15 min before you consume a meal with fats/proteins or carbs.

Coffee Grounds
Once you finish preparing your morning coffee, do you toss the grounds? If yes, think twice as you are missing one of the most powerful therapies for dull, flaky, or dry skin! To make a regenerative skin scrub, simply take used coffee grounds and fill a mason jar to 1/2 then add 1/4 cups of olive oil and shake well. The coffee grounds act as scrubbing exfoliant and help remove dead skin. Olive oil helps to both hydrate and moisturize skin. When doing this, use gentle circular motions which will activate your lymphatic system promoting detoxification.

Ginger Root
This simple root is loaded with multiple medicinal properties – mostly due to its active ingredient, gingerol. Ginger can be consumed in multiple ways: raw, dried spice, pickled, juiced, tea, or as an essential oil extract. Drinking “ginger water” made by dropping slivers of fresh ginger into warm water can help strengthen your digestive system and prevent indigestion, heartburn, nausea, and other digestive discomforts. You can also try chewing on a small piece of raw ginger or placing 4-5 drops of ginger oil into a veggie capsule and swallowing it directly. Traditionally ginger is known for its anti-nausea properties – aiding in motion sickness and even morning sickness associated with early-stage pregnancy.

Black Tea
Did you know black tea is an exceptional soother for sunburned skin! The tannic acid in black tea is excellent for skin soother. If your skin gets burned this summer, try taking three or four bags of organic black tea and adding to a pot of boiling water, letting it steep for 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature, transfer the tea to a spray bottle and store it in the fridge. Saturate the affected area in the shower or while outside for easy cleanup, but don’t rinse it off! Let the tea sit on the skin as long as possible for maximum benefit.

Avocado
If the skin on your face needs some TLC, try mashing half an avocado into a paste and applying it directly to your face as a mask for 30 minutes. The vitamin C, E, and carotenoids in this fruit will calm inflammation and moisturize your skin better and faster than many of the expensive name-brand regenerating or moisturizing creams. You can even pop open a capsule of activated charcoal (BIND) and mix it into the avocado mash. Yes, it will turn black/brown, but charcoal will help to pull various impurities from your skin. Impurities like dirt, oil, and pollution can build up on the surface of your skin, leaving your complexion looking dull. This avocado charcoal mask can help draw this buildup out of your skin.