Alfalfa grass: the father of all foods

Alfalfa rejuvenates the whole system by boosting your strength, vigour and vitality. It contains all the known vitamins (four times more vitamin C than citrus fruit) and minerals (a calcium content so high it’s off the charts), plus digestive enzymes, phytoestrogen (plant based hormones), flavonoids, amino acids and chlorophyll.

Alfalfa grass is most commonly used for detoxifying and enriching the liver, assisting weight loss, strengthening and purifying the blood, aiding digestion and as a general tonic, a real boost to the immune system. You can buy alfalfa grass powder in a health store. It also comes in tablets and capsules for ease of use.

Green barley grass: detoxer extraordinaire

Barley grass contains just about every nutrient required by the human body, except vitamin D. It’s very similar to wheat grass, and is easy to digest. It’s a deep green leafy plant containing nutrients similar to that of leafy green vegetables, but with many times the level of vitamins, minerals and proteins. It has as much protein as meat, and is packed with goodness. Barley grass has 11 times the calcium of cows’ milk, five times the iron of spinach, and seven times more vitamin C than orange juice. Barley grass is beneficial for all tissues and organs, especially the heart, lungs, arteries, joints and bones.

When it comes to the health advantages of barley grass, how long have you got? They’re almost too numerous to list but here are a few anyway. It helps protect against pollutants, radiation, cancer, ulcers and digestive problems. It’s a great energy booster, has exceptional anti-inflammatory and anti-ageing properties and strengthens your immune response. Finally, it’s a great all-round body strengthener, giving your heart and circulation a boost and helping lower cholesterol.

If you’re not managing to eat lots of green vegetables, then dehydrated barley grass is the convenient and nutritious answer. You can buy it from most health food stores. A 5g teaspoon is equivalent to 100g (4oz) of vegetables like raw spinach, kale, alfalfa sprouts or broccoli.

Wheat grass: power packed

The nutritional properties of wheat grass are similar to barley grass, but since the actual wheat grass is virtually indigestible, it needs to be juiced. You can buy a wheat grass juicer or simply take the capsules, powders or tablets now widely available. Be warned that the taste of wheat grass is rather pungent, almost medicinal. But the benefits are worth it. Research shows it’s an excellent source of calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and zinc. It’s even been referred to as ‘the richest nutritional liquid known to man’.

The health benefits of wheat grass are many and varied: principally, it provides exceptional nourishment, restores the endocrine system, enhances immunity, assists digestion and promotes weight loss due to its high enzyme content and cleansing effect.

Wild blue-green algae: the miracle superfood

You can buy wild blue-green algae in your local healthfood store in a palatable liquid form, where it’s mixed with apple juice. (It’s also available as a powder, capsule or tablet.) It’s perfect if you eat on the go, need to lose weight, feel tired all the time and so on. Even if you think you’re healthy, I recommend it as a complete source of everything your body needs. Wild blue-green algae contains virtually every nutrient going: vitamins, minerals, amino acids, live enzymes and protein (60 per cent protein, a more complete amino acid profile than beef or soya beans), and is the best food source of beta carotene, B vitamins and chlorophyll. Algae can help you think better and improve your memory – tests have shown that children do better at school on it and it’s also been linked with reversing the progression of Alzheimer’s. It can strengthen your immunity, and help with viruses, colds and flu.

Spirulina: the dieter’s friend

Spirulina is a cultivated or farmed micro-algae, with one of the richest protein contents of all natural foods. It contains 60 to 70 per cent complete protein. Meat, on the other hand, consists of only about 25 per cent complete protein. It’s thought spirulina can help control blood sugar and cravings, so is a key food for dieters and can be used to assist weight loss and as a general nutritional foundation. Mix 1 teaspoon in juice first thing in the morning for a refreshing wake-up call.

Chlorella: cholesterol curber

Chlorella is a fresh water algae. It is rich in a number of nutrients including: protein, vitamin Β12, zinc and iron, chlorophyll and essential fatty acids. Studies have shown that chlorella can boost your immune system, reduce cholesterol and prevent hardening of the arteries, which can lead to heart attack and strokes. It is also available in supplement form of liquid and tablets or capsules.

Bee superfoods
The bee by-products, essentially those substances produced by bees, have exceptional healing powers. They include royal jelly, bee pollen and propolis.

Royal Jelly: the rejuvenator

The Queen Bee lives almost exclusively on royal jelly; and lives about 40 times longer than the rest of the bees. It’s packed with a wonderful range of nutrients essential for boosting energy levels and combating stress.

Researchers have discovered royal jelly contains an antibiotic almost a quarter as active as penicillin, but without the side effects. They also found that royal jelly halts the growth of bacteria that cause spots and stomach bugs. I prescribe royal jelly for patients wanting to conceive a baby. And boy has that been successful! It comes in liquid and capsules or royal jelly paste.

Bee pollen: the crème de la crème

This is the Rolls Royce of the bee by-products, and is one of the finest natural remedies around. This gold, powder-like substance is produced by flowering plants, gathered by bees and is a powerhouse of nutrients. It can be used to help fight allergies (particularly hayfever and sinusitis), chronic infections, prostate enlargement and nutritional deficiencies. It comes in pellets, capsules and powder form.

Propolis: the natural antibiotic

When you see bees busy at work in your garden, this is what they’re collecting. They use it to coat the outside of the hive for sterilization. Any predator entering their domain is stung to death, and embalmed with propolis to prevent decay. Propolis prevents bacteria from multiplying in an organism, so can strengthen our immune system. Propolis also maintains and enhances the essential healthy bacteria. It is used to improve acne, skin ailments, cold sores, and even arthritis because of its anti-fungal, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory qualities. You can get propolis lozenges and tablets, or in liquid form.

1 Astragalus – Energy Body Tonic

This is an all-round immune booster which improves digestion dramatically. It’s a favourite with my patients, not just for its cold and flu fighting capabilities, but for its use in weight management and fighting fatigue.

2 Nettle – Bowel Buster

A cup of warm water followed by a cup of nettle tea first thing in the morning will get you going in the bowel department. Nettle also cleanses the liver and helps keep infections at bay. You can eat young nettle leaves in spring – they are rich in vitamins and minerals. Cook and use in the same way as spinach and use in salads – once cooked, they no longer sting. When you’re picking young nettles, remember to choose an area well away from roads and other pollutants. Alternatively drink 2 cups of nettle tea daily or take as a tincture. It’s a superb pick me up in the middle of the day. For men with prostate problems, start drinking 2–3 cups daily.

3 Aloe vera – Digestion Reliever

I use aloe for digestive disorders, bloating, gas and flatulence. Take approximately 1 tablespoon daily or follow directions on bottle. Mix with apple or other fruit juice for a more pleasant taste.

4 Siberian Ginseng – Stress Combatter

Ginseng is one of the oldest known herbal remedies, having been used as an energizing tonic for thousands of years. It’s a rejuvenative herb that works by nourishing tired blood and helping the body adapt to stress. In clinical practice, I have found this ginseng particularly beneficial to patients during or after illness and just after surgery for its restorative and anti-infection qualities. It is also excellent for preventing or alleviating jet lag. Drink as a tea, 1 cup daily, or in capsule or tincture form.

5 Echinacea – Lymph Mover

Now available everywhere due to its soaring popularity in recent years, echinacea is a household name when it comes to warding off the common cold. The reason that I like it so much is because it moves the fluid inside the body called lymph. Lymph runs parallel to the bloodstream and carries toxins out of the body. Unless you exercise daily, lymph won’t move enough. Echinacea can come to the rescue. Take in liquid or capsule form, for 2–3 week periods, then take a break.