Good Mood Food

Ailment

Food

Acne

Cabbage and all it's relatives aren't rich in sulphur. fennel stimulates the liver and improve fat digestion. garlic is antibacterial.

Agitation

basil and rosemary provide calming essential oils. starchy foods such as pasta, rice, bread and potatoes offer brain soothing tryptophan.

Anaemia

Chicory is a good source of iron and the bitter flavour is an exelent appetite stimulant. Watercress contains iron and betacarotene and is highly cancer-fighting. Dates are a good source of iron for vegitarians. Red meat provides the most easily absorbed source of iron

Anxiety

Basil, chamomile, lavender and rosemary all contain soothing natural plant chemicals.

Asthma

Onions, leekes and garlick all contain powerful natural chemicals which improve breathing and releive congestion in this destressing condition. Avocado is a rich source of vitamin E, essential for proterctor of the lungs.

Bloating

Celery and parsleyare both cleansing and diuretic. Mint eases flatulence and improves digestion.

Blood-sugar problems

Carrots and potatoes, oats and beans all supply slow-release energy from the complex carbohydrates they contain. dried fruits produce instant energy from their rich supply of fruit sugars, and a slower-release supply through the complex cabohydrates in apricot fibre

Catarrh

Onions, leekes and garlick all contain powerful natural chemicals which improve breathing and releive congestion Watercress is a powerful natural proterctor of the lungs. Oregano's pungent aroma helps clear the sinuses and releive catarrh

Cholesterol

Garlick, chives oregano help eliminate cholesterol and should be eaten regularly. Oats are rich in soluble fibre to keep cholesterol low. Apples and pears are also rich in cholesterol-lowering fibre. all dried beand are a good source of protein, fibre and energy.

Chronic fatigue

Basil, bay, lemon balm and sage help to improve mood and generate mental energy, the first stap on the road to recovery. The next essential is the physical energy that comes from complex carbohydrates found in cereals, pulses and root vegitables. Protein from meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products is the final ingerdient

Circulation problems

basil, chives, chorriander and sorrel all contain vitamins and phytochemicals which help stimulate circulatiion. Ginger and chilli have simmilar actions. only fish contain omega-3 fatty acids, nuts and seeds provide vitamin-E both essential for a healthy heart and circulation.

Colds

Garlick, chives and leekes have antibacterial and mucus-clearing benefits. Rosemary, sage and thyne are all powerful antibacterials and protectors of the mucus membranes. Cinnamon and cloves help releive coughs. pumpkin seeds and shellfishprovide zinc to boost the immune system

Concentration problems

Livers iron and b vitamins protect against anaemia. Garlick reduces cholesterol and improves blood flow to the brain.sage enhances mental performance. Dried fruits quick and slow-release sugars to maintain a constant supply of essential sugar to brain tissue

Cystitis

Basil helps the anxiety that often accompanies depression. Oats are rich in B vitamins. Bannana's, liver and chocolate help increase levels of tryptophan, a gentle mood-enhancer.

Exzema

Pumpkins, red and yellow peppers, broccoli and sweet potatoes supply healthy masses of betacarotene- essential for healthy skin. wholegrain cereals offer B vitamins to help reduce stress. Only fish provide anti-inflammatory essential fatty acids.

Fever

Elderflower tea is particularly good for reducing temperatures during the daytime, while teas made from thyme, sage, oregano majoram all have antivbacterial and antiviral properties t5hat are useful in fighting fever. Garlick crushed with ginger and lemon juice is an exelent general remedy for fevers. Chamomile is one of the best anti-fever remedies for children - make a weak tea sweetened with honey and give two or three cups during the day and one at bedtime. An onion baked in it's skin for 40 mins, then finely chopped and mixed in equal parts with honey, makes an effecticve remedy take a teaspoon or two every two hours.

Fluid retention

Parsley is one of the effective natural diuretics; add generously when cooking, as a garnish and in salads. It is also excelent as a tea; take two or three cups daily but not late at night as this causes sleep disruption. Celery is also gently diuretic as well as raw or in recipies.

Frigidity

Assuming that there are no underlying phsycological or serious medical problems, many foods may help: avocados, nuts and seeds for vitamin E; fish and shellfish for iodine; eggs for iron and B vitamins; tropical fruit for sexually enhancing enzymes; corriander, ginger and cayenne as traditionally sexually arousing herbs and spices

Gastritis

Sage is astringent and cleansing to the gut; drink two cups of sage tea daily. Mint is an effective antacid and helps settle the stomach; use generously in cooking and drink as tea after meals. cereals such as rice, couscous and oats are all soothing to the entire digestive tract. Live yoghurt contains beneficial pro-biotic bacteria, which improve digestion

Hair problems

Hair problems are always distressing and can be helped by improving circulation to the scalp. Horseradish can be taken grated in a sandwich. Liver and red meat supply enourmous ammounts of iron and B vitamins which help with stress. Fish and shellfish are good sources of iodine for the thyroid (sometimes an underlying cause of the problem) and also many of the trace minerals required for healthy hair.

Halitosis

Fear of halitosis is a common cause of anxiety and withdrawal. mouth problems are the most common cause, but indigestion and chest infections may also be a factor. Fresh, raw foods like apples, pears, celery and carrots all help to protect against gum disease, thanks to their fibrous nature. All citrus fruits supply vitamin C for gum protection. Herbs such as fennel, dil, mint and star anise are breath fresheners. plenty of live yoghurt maintains good digestive function.

Headache

Headaches and good moods don't go together. two common causes of headache are stress and low bloodsugar levels. Garam masala, rosemary, mint and basil are all traditional remedies for the releif of stress and it's accompanying headaches. Liver provides iron and B vitamins - both stress busters. Eating regularly will help maintain blood sugar on an even keel and prevent headaches caused by hypoglycemia

Heart Disease

Garlick is a powerful weapon against heart disease, as it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol as well as reducing the stickiness of the blood. eat at least one clove daily in food. Ginger, chilli and all curry spices contain phytochemicles which improve circulation. Wholegrain cereals and all dried beans also protect the heartby lowering cholesterol. Oily fish provide heart-protective fatty acids.

Heartburn

Mint is the most effective remedy of all. A glass of mint tea sweetened with a little honey after each meal and at bedtime will help to relieve heartburn almost instantly. Rice is a traditional remedy for all digestive problems.

Hypertension

Garlic is a poweful weapon against heart disease, as it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol as well as reducing the stickiness of the blood. Eat at least one whole clove daily in food. A cup of parsley tea two or three times a day is a good diuretic, which helps eliminate excessive fluid and thus lowers blood pressure

Impotence

The minerals zinc and selenium are vital, and oysters, pumpkin seeds and brazil nuts are some of the richest sources. Ginger, chilli tobasco sauce, cloves, tumeric and all curry spices improve peripheral circulation which is vital for male sexual function.

Indegestion

Mint is the most effective remedy of all. A glass of mint tea sweetned with a little honey after each meal and at bedtimewill help relieve heartburn almost instantly. Fennel and anaise seeds are both exelent remedies for indigestion; use them to make tea and drink a cup after each meal. Rice is a traditional remedy for all digestive problems.

Infertility

Men should follow the advice under impotence, but both men and women need an abundance of vitamin E. Eggs, oily fish and shellfish are all good sources of other nutrients important for female fertility, and the volatile oils in corriander also play an important role.

Influenza

Lavender helps relieve headaches associated with flu. Keeping up fluid intake is essential, and a mixture of hot mint and ginger tea with honey is an all round soother. Tumeric and chilli both stimulate circulation and boost recovery. Live yoghurt, with it's beneficial pro-biotic bacteria is a mood booster. wholegrain cereals and oats provide B vitamins which help avoid the normal depression that follows flu.

Insomnia

Lettuce provides natural plant chemicles that help induce sleep. Milk, starchy foods, turky and oily fish offer soporific tryptophans. Nutmeg contains the mild hallucigen, myristicin. Lime-blossom tea is a natural relaxant.

Lethargy

Basil, bay, lemon balm and sage all help improve mood and generate mental energy, the first step on the road to recovery. The next essential is the physical energy that comes from complex carbohydrates, such as cereals, pulses and root vegitables. Protein from meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products is the final ingredient.

Myalgic eucephalo- myeltis (Me)

Basil, bay, lemon balm and sage all help improve mood and generate mental energy, the first step on the road to recovery. The next essential is the physical energy that comes from complex carbohydrates, such as cereals, pulses and root vegitables. Protein from meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products is the final ingredient.

Memory loss

Rosemary the herb of remembrence, is an ancient remedy. Dried fruits and complex carbohydrates provide slow release sugar. Oily fish and pumpkin seeds offer eessential fatty acids which are vital for brain function

Menstrual problems

Sorrel is rich in iron. Celery and parsley are both gentle diuretics and overcome fluid retention. Oily fish provides the anti inflamatory effect of fatty acids. Dates offer extra iron. Bannanas yeild cramp-releiving potassium and vitamin B6, which help relieve PMS

Mouth ulcers

These ulcers are nearly always the result of physical or emotional stress. Basil and rosemary provide calming essential oils. Starchy foods such as pasta, rice, bread and potatoes offer brain soothing tryptophan

PMS

Sorrel is rich in iron. Celery and parsley are both gentle diuretics and overcome fluid retention. Oily fish provides the anti inflamatory effect of fatty acids. Dates offer extra iron. Bannanas yeild cramp-releiving potassium and vitamin B6, which help relieve PMS

Restless legs

A common cause of insomnia and fatigue, often the result of iron-deficiency. Chicory is a good source of iron. Watercress contains iron, betacarotene and is highly cancer fighting. Dates are a good source of iron for vegitarians. Red meat gives the most easily absorbed form of iron

Seasonal affective disorder

Basil helps the anxiety that often accompanies depression. Hops are a powerful calmative and improves sleep quality; use them to make tea, or put dried hops sachets inside your pillow case. Oats are rich in B vitamins. Bannanas, liver and chocolate all help increase levels of tryptophan, a gentle mood enhancer

Stress

Basil, chamomile, lavender and rosemary all contain soothing natural plant chemicals Meat and poultry provide iron and a plentiful supply of B vitamins, which help combat the debilitating effects of stress

Tired all the time syndrome

Basil, bay, lemon balm and sage all help improve mood and generate mental energy, the first step on the road to recovery. The next essential is the physical energy that comes from complex carbohydrates, such as cereals, pulses and root vegitables. Protein from meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products is the final ingredient.

Thyroid problems

One of the most common undiagnosed problems in women. Underactive thyroid may be caused by a lack of iodine in the diet. All seafish and shellfish are good sources.