BLUEBERRIES - A GIFT FROM THE NATURE

Traditionally in Macedonia, every year we have a blueberry picking season which begins on August 5th and lasts till 20th September. Blueberries are picked on the higher parts of the mountains and since 2013, one needs a special permission to pick blueberries (it costs about 10$). I myself have picked blueberries once in 2007 (I think) and I picked 15 kg  myself :) It was an amazing experience. Every year, only from the part of Pelister (above Bitola), are being picked about 200 tones of natural blueberries.
Blueberries are natural, healthy and strong medicine. This natural gift should be consumed regularly, because it is a natural aspirin that relieves pain, dilutes the blood and prevents inflammation.
Blueberries are the secret elixir of youth and health.
Blueberries contain blue or purple pigments, which increase the level of vitamin C in the body, reduce the fragility of the capillaries, neutralize free radicals, prevent collagen destruction and protect the water and fat parts of the brain from damage. Scientists believe blueberries may slow down the process of memory loss over the years, and repair motor skills. They contain vitamin C, E, B2 and B3. Vitamin B3 promotes the function of the digestive system, contributes to the health of the skin, nerve cells, blood vessels and reduces harmful cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides, and increases good cholesterol (HDL).

They also contain enzyme which activates the gene for burning fat. Bluberries also have high concentrations of magnesium, manganese and potassium.

Tea from blueberries treats diabetes
This tea is great for diabetics. It is made from dried peaks of young branches and blueberry flowers while there is still a resin on them. The branches are dried in a ventilated and dark place, and the process lasts for 15 days.
The fruits of dried blueberries retain all characteristics of fresh fruit if the drying process is properly performed, which means a constant temperature of 40 C degrees. Frozen blueberries are also good, and in order to preserve their properties, they mustn't be deep frozen. When so stored, they are healthy for consumption even in cakes and pies.

OREOVKA - WALNUT RAKIJA

Oreovka or so-called walnut rakija is an old folk remedy for thyroid problems, problems with digestion, but also for a good mood. Our grandmothers made it, our moms too and now we're making it.
So, first you need to take a walk somewhere in nature and pick at least 40 green small nuts.

The method of making is - for one bottle or a jar of 1 to 1.5 kg, you need:

• 40 green nuts, 
• 1 liter of homemade rakija and 
• 300-500 g of sugar (maybe brown sugar or honey, although honey will change the taste, but make it much healthier). 

 
Preparation:

1. The walnuts should be washed, dried and cut in several places (if they are larger, they can be cut in half). 
2. Put them in a bottle with a wide opening or in a large jar, add sugar or honey and fill with rakija.
3. Keep it closed and left for 40 days in the sun. 
4. Then you need to drain the brandy in another bottle and it's good to have a cup every morning. You can also drink it after lunch if you have a problem with digestion.

MADZUN - HEALTHY GRAPE SYRUP

Madzun, a concentrated grape juice, is a natural energy source which is rich in vitamins and minerals. It is obtained by thickening of squeezed grape juice. It contains natural sugar-glucose, which is immediately absorbed into the blood and then quickly in the body.

Grapes are a natural source of energy, a good laxative, thus, they’re toning the stomach and intestines and ease chronic cases of constipation. Grape juice is refreshing juice in patients with fever. It is also great for improving the immune system of children.

Grapes are rich in bioflavonoids, antioxidants that neutralize free radicals. They help the body fight cancer and heart disease. Therefore, it is recommended for the treatment of hepatitis, cirrhosis, depression, heart failure, anemia, strengthening immunity - the organism becomes resistant to diseases. Sufficient quantity of 30-50 ml of madzun is enough to maintenance immunity, and an amount of 100 ml for recovery and restoration of the organism.


Ingredients:

• 6 kg of black grapes (you’ll get about 1 kilogram of madzun)

 
Preparation:

1. Crush and strain the grapes through several layers of gauze in a big pot.
2. Boil the resulting juice on a medium heat until it obtains consistency of honey. Constantly collect the fluff from the surface of the juice using tea strainer. Be careful not to burn the juice.
3. Once it’s well cooled, pour it into sterilized jars or bottles.

In the past, our grandparents did not have sugar in abundance as today. The poor suffered for a grain of sugar, they hid it from the children, locking it in the old cupboards. They gave to the children to try just a bit of sugar and a little more for holidays. Sweets and cakes were prepared with madzun. Modern science has proved this diet extremely healthy. Over the years it thickens and turns into pure grape.

Prepare your vintage madzun in late summer and consume it during the whole year..

SYRUP FROM YOUNG WALNUTS IN HONEY - GRANDMA'S RECIPE FOR HEALTH

Young green walnuts in honey - amazing cure for many health conditions. This is a recipe that is very old and it's been prepared in my family for many years. My grandma used to make it, than my mom and now me. My mom used to give us 1 tbs in the morning every day when we were kids. We all had problems with sore throats and tonsillitis and this helped a lot. It saved me from removing my tonsils when I was a kid.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of honey
• 40 young green walnuts

Preparation:

1. First pick nuts with a length of about 1-1,5 cm. It's the best to find a tree that grows in the clean environment, where air, water and soil are not polluted. Wash and dry walnuts.
2. Put them in a jar and pour with honey. Close well jar and leave it in a light spot, but do not expose it to direct sunlight.
3. Every ten days, open the lid to air out the air which is a product of fermentation and stir the syrup.
4. After 40 days, strain the liquid and remove small nuts which are already dark and dry. Honey will darken and will become more liquid.
5. Take 1 tbs in the morning.

It's worth noting that it's the best to wear gloves during chopping the walnuts, because they emit black tint and then it's hard to wash your hands.
Young walnuts dipped in honey release a large amount of iodine which is easily absorbed in the body.
Young green nuts contain a lot of vitamin C and a whole wealth of vitamins and it's good for patients that suffer from anemia and for sickly children. This syrup also  has a positive effect in purifying the liver, stomach and blood.

It's good with problems in the functioning of the thyroid gland, throat diseases and respiratory tract especially in bronchitis, it's great for increasing immunity, suitable for climacteric complaints, obesity, and chronic respiratory disease, in establishing physical, mental and energy balance, increased hormonal activity, helps restore the cells, neutralizes the action of toxins.

9 FOLK REMEDIES FOR STOMACH ULCERS AND HELICOBACTER PYLORI

Many people, including me, are bothered with stomach problems and helicobacter. I have to say I've tried several of these treatments and they all work, you just need to be patient and persistent.

Treatment with egg white

Mix an egg white with 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. One tablespoon of this mixture should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach and not eaten anything the next hour and a half.

Treatment with kefir

Drink a glass of kefir where you add a tablespoon of olive oil every evening before bedtime. This mixture is also good for treating stomach ulcers. Treatment lasts 1.5-2 months.

Treatment with flax-seed

Put two tablespoons of flax-seed in a jar. Pour the flax-seed with two cups of boiling water. Close the jar and leave overnight. In the morning strain and drink on an empty stomach half a cup, 30 minutes before meal.

Treatment with sage and plantain (zalfija i tegavec)
One tablespoon of both herbs pour with two cups of boiling water. Leave covered for 2-3 hours and strain. The first 10 days drink half a cup once a day before meal and then drink half cup before meal three times a day.

Treatment with yarrow (ajducka treva)

One tablespoon of yarrow pour with a cup of boiling water. Drink half a cup of hot tea on an empty stomach in the morning during 4-5 weeks.

Treatment with linden honey (lipov med)
Dissolve one tablespoon of linden honey in a glass of lukewarm water. Drink it half an hour before meals, 3-4 times a day.

Treatment with aloe

Chew aloe leaves with a length of 4-5 cm on an empty stomach twice a day, 20 minutes before meals. Clean leaves, wash and chew until only fibers are  left in your mouth. The treatment lasts for 3 months after you make a pause of one month, so if the disease is not cured, repeat procedure again.

Treatment with vegetable juices

Drink freshly squeezed juice of carrot, cabbage and potatoes in the morning before breakfast every dat. The treatment lasts one week, followed by a pause of a week.

Treatment with potato water
 
Boil potatoes in shell without adding salt. Drink one cup from the liquid three times a day. This water cleans body and can be drunk longer.

ST.JOHN'S WORT OIL

In folk medicine, St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is used for treating many diseases for centuries. This venerable and favorite herb grows in pastures, meadows and rocky cliffs. Blooms from May to August, and has flowers in strong yellow color and is also recognized by bitterness and specific smell.

St. John's wort is rich in iron, essential oils, resins, carotene, choline and vitamin C. The most important ingredient is hypericin, which relieves inflammation, because it prevents the development of bacteria and viruses. It is excellent for the treatment of gastritis and ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, and against kidney disease, bladder, liver, spleen, blood pressure and heart disease. It is also used externally against burns, hemorrhoids and for healing wounds. Recent scientific studies have confirmed that it is a good remedy for reducing depression because it contains hyperforin. This compound prevents the breakdown of serotonin (hormone of happiness) and alleviates depression. Compared with antidepressants, St. John's wort acts the same and has less side effects. St. John's wort contains melatonin, which our body secretes during sleep, so this plant is used as an excellent remedy for insomnia.


Preparation:

St.John's wort oil is prepared from fresh herbs. The scale is 100 g of flowers per liter of oil. It is prepared with cold pressed quality oil, commonly recommended olive oil. Leave flowers overnight, then follow the procedure: 
 

1. Put flowers in transparent glass bottle and pour them with oil.
2. Cover the bottle with gauze and fasten it with rubber band.
3. Allow to stand for 40 days in the sun, occasionally checking if all flowers are covered with oil.
4. On the fortieth day, drain well the oil with flowers through gauze and press the flowers to release the absorbed oil.
5. Assemble oil in dark bottles and close them well.
6. Keep outside of refrigerator.

Quality St John's wort oil has a dark red color, sometimes with purple hues. For inside problems, take 2-3 tbs a day before meal.

SPRING BODY CLEANING

pring is ideal period for cleaning the whole organism. This recipe is recommended by one of the best heart surgeons in Europe, dr. Zan Mitrev. It cleans blood vessels, maintains the heart, enhances immunity, cleanses the liver, protects against heart attack and is thought that it also helps in cancer treatment.

Ingredients:

• 15 lemons
• 12 heads of garlic
• 1 kg of honey
• 400 g of wheat germ
• 400 g of walnuts

Preparation:

1. Get raw wheat and put it in a clean glass jar. Fill jar with water and let it stand for 10-12 hours. Cover with gauze, and after the required time passes, strain through gauze and wash the wheat well. One day later, will appear sprouts with size 1-2 mm.
2. Then, in a meat grinding machine grind together garlic, wheat sprouts and walnuts. Add to this 5 ground unpeeled lemons. Drain the remaining 10 lemons and add the juice to the mixture. Finally add honey.
3. Transfer the mixture to glass jars and store in the refrigerator. Leave to stand for 3 days then use. This medicine is useful for the whole organism and protects against many diseases.
4. Consuming:Take 1-2 tablespoons of this mixture 30 minutes before each meal (3 times a day). To treat cancer, take 1 spoon every two hours.