THE FRONTAL LOBE AND THE VALERIAN ROOT.

The Frontal Lobe, as its name indicates, is at the front of the brain, that we use nearly everyday. It controls a very important cognitive skills in humans, such as emotional expression, problem solving, memory, language, spontaneity, judgment, social and sexual behavior. It is, in essence, the "Control Panel" of our personality and our ability to communicate. The right hemisphere of the Frontal Lobe controls the left part of the body, and vice versa.
There are important asymmetrical differences in the Frontal Lobe. The Left is involved in controlling language related movement, whereas the Right plays a role in non-verbal abilities. Together they are involved in nearly all behavior. Disturbance of motor function is typically characterized by loss of fine movements and strength of the arms, hands and fingers.
The Frontal Lobe is also responsible for primary motor function, or our ability to consciously move our muscles, and the two key areas related to speech (to speak fluently and meaningful).
The Frontal Lobe is larger and more developed in humans than any other organism. It is considered our emotional control center and home to our personality. It is also the most common and vulnerable place for brain injury to occur, due to their location at the front of the cranium.
Damage to the Frontal Lobe can create changes in personality, limited facial expressions or movements, the use of a few spoken words (Left Damage) or excessively (Right Damage), and difficulty in interpreting one's environment, such as not being able to adequately assess risk and danger.
One of the most common effects of Frontal Lobe damage is a dramatic change in social behavior. A person's personality can undergo significant changes after an injure, especially when both sides are involved. Left usually manifests a pseudo-depression and Right a pseudo-psychopathic behavior.
An interesting phenomenon is the insignificant effect it can have on traditional IQ Testing. The tests typically assesses convergent rather than divergent thinking. Frontal Lobe damage has an impact on divergent thinking. Also it shows interference with attention and memory even after a process of good recovery is done by the individual.
Valerian, is the most common Andean Herb made from the root of the plant, which is dried under the Sun, and used to treat individuals that live on the Central and Southern Andes affected by this condition. It seems to act like a sedative on the brain and nervous system.
Valeriana, in the Central and Southern Andes of Peru, grows at 3, 700 meters high, in which ligneous plants, with shining leaves nearly disappear. The species of Valerian have been on the continent for some time, is a perennial and prefers sun or partial shade and the plant can reach 5 or 6 ft tall. The stem is hollow, and the flowers are small and pinkish/white with a sweet smell.
Most of us have heard the tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Germany who played his flute and led the rats out of town forever. Many feel the Pied Piper must have been familiar with Valerian and put it in his pocket or rubbed himself with it. Rats love the smell, and it may have been the smell not the music, that enticed the rats to follow him.
The ancient Greeks would hang bundles of Valerian roots in their homes, especially in their windows, to keep evil entities from entering.
Valerian was generally regarded as a feminine element. Its powers were believed to be love, sleep, purification, and protection.

CHANCA PIEDRA, A VERY POPULAR PERUVIAN HERB.

CHANCA PIEDRA (Carry-me-seed; Gale-Wind Grass; Quinine Weed; Stone-Breaker) is a Peruvian traditional medicine herb. It grows in a wild way that looks like weeds and are small in height (30-40 cms). They are annual, and edible. Their habitat is in the rainforest of the Amazon. It belongs to the family of "Euphorbia-ceace-phyllanthus, and to the species of "Niruri-Amarus.
Chanca Piedra contains many ingredients that work together to produce the desired medicinal effect and also to lessen the chances of side effects from any one of them. The type of environment (climate, soil quality) in which the help grows helps to develop its natural components, as much as how and when it is harvested and processed.
Chanca Piedra is a rich source of plant chemicals. The main ones include alkaloids, astragalin, brevifolin, carboxylic acids, corilagin, cymene, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, gallocatechins, geraniin, hypophyllanthin, lignans, lintetralins, lupeopls, methyl salicylate, niranthin, nirtetralin, niruretin, nirurin, nirurine, niruriside, norsecurinines, phyllanthin, phyllanthine, phyllanthenol, phyllochrysine, phyltetralin, pepandusinic acids, quercetin, quercetol, quercitrin, rutin, saponins, triacontanal, and tricontanol.
It has a long history in herbal medicine, also called Botanical or phytomedicine, in the Andes. The plant is used for the treatment of numerous illnesses which includes colic, diabetes, malaria, dysentery fever, flu, tumors, jaundice, and dyspepsia. It also is considered as analgesic, and as an aperitif, carminative, digestive, and laxative. It expels worms, stones from kidneys, increase urination, relieves pain, protect liver, reduces inflammation, and treat viral infections. It aids digestion, reduces blood sugar, lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol.
It is also known for its antimicrobial activity activity against "Helicobacter Pylori" and different strains of lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus.
Chanca Piedra possesses Aldose Reductase Inhibition properties. They are substances that act on nerve endings exposed to high blood sugar concentration and can lead to diabetic neuropathy and macular degeneration. The herb inhibits these substances preventing some of the chemical imbalances that occur  and thus protecting the nerve.The ellagic acid content of the plant is the main ingredient that act in the prevention.
The high phenolic and antioxidant profile of the herb have shown its inhibitory potential against key enzymes relevant for hyperglycemia and hypertension.
The natural remedy is prepared by an infusion or weak decoction of the whole plant or its aerial parts.
Chancapiedra plants usually are collected and dried under the sun and then packaged in convenient small packages. It is then used as if preparing tea.
Use 1/8 of the package and 4 cups of water and boil it with pineapple peel or quince during 20 minutes in low heat. Then add honey and lime juice and cool. Drink it after meals.

QUINOA, THE ANCIENT GRAIN OF THE ANDES

This wonderful Andean grain is an ancient natural wonder and now the world's most popular "Super Food"that grows in the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes Mountains at an altitude of 13,000 feet.
Quinoa is loaded with Protein, Fiber, and Minerals, and it does not contain any Gluten. It is an edible"seed" which is prepared and eaten similarly to a grain. These days Quinoa products are found all over the world.
Quinoa has been consumed for thousands of years in the Andes of Peru. It was a very important crop for the Inca Empire. They referred to it as the "mother of all grains" and believed to be sacred, because it represented, symbolically, the mother of all the ancestral cultures that were born in the High Lands of the Andes.
There are 3 main types of Quinoa: White, Red, and Black.
Quinoa contains a large amount of Quercetin and Kaempferol. They are interesting molecules called Flavonoides with potent plant antioxidants which have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-cancer and anti-depressant effects. The Quercetin content of Quinos is even higher than typical High-Quercetin foods like cranberries.
Another important benefit of Quinoa is that it is high in Fiber (17-27 grams/cup of uncooked). More than twice as high as most grains.
Quinoa is naturally free of gluten and using it instead of typical gluten-free ingredients (refined tapioca, potato, corn and rice flour) can increase the antioxidant and nutrient value of a Gluten-Free Diet.
Proteins is made out of Amino Acids. Some of them are termed "essential" because we can not produce them and need to get them from the Diet. If a food contains all the essential amino acids, it is seen as a "complete" protein. The problem is that many plant foods are deficient in certain essential amino acids, such as Lysine. Quinoa is an incredible exception to this, being particularly high in all the essential amino acids. For this reason, Quinoa is an excellent source of Protein. It has both more and better Protein than most grains. With 8 grams of high quality Protein per cup of cooked Quinoa (4.5g/100g), Quinoa is an excellent plant-based Protein Source for vegetarians and vegans.

ANDEAN MACA

MACA is a Peruvian plant used by the Andean people from very early times. The use was related to the effects of high altitude habitat and their diet. Since the human body requires and regulates a very precise and specific balance of oxygen in the blood, maca was a powerful ingredient in the diet of the Andeans in order to maintain a good balance in their metabolic performance.
The dehydrated maca root has fed families in Peru's high plateaus for more than 10,000 years.
Maca is a root of a Lepidium Meyeru (Brassicaceae) Peruvian plant that grows in the Central Andean Region of Peru between 4000 and 4500 meters of altitude.
Dry Maca has the following composition: 59%carbohydrates, 10.2%proteins, 8.5%fiber, 2.2%lipids, among a few other compounds.
Maca also contain a significant amount of amino acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B12, C and E, and minerals including potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, and iron.
Maca is a natural substitute for the anabolic steroids used by the athletes to increase the ability of body performance. It also helps the elderly to increase the body's vitality and prevent bone diseases.
Maca use has to be exercised with caution. The recommended dose is one teaspoon of the powder mixed with water or milk before breakfast, every day. The body works perfect with such amount. The excess promote the blocking of other vitamins and minerals needed to the body's processes in the metabolization of food.
Maca can be used in baking and in the preparation of smoothies of any flavor. Just add one teaspoon of it, whichever the case.

ANDEAN GARLIC AS A POWERFUL HEALER.

The use of Garlic was very common to ancient Andean cultures. From the past to the present, the plant has been cultivated at extreme high altitudes, surviving extreme temperatures.
It is acknowledged that the existence of a well organize agriculture based on an appropriate use of the environment and the continuous improvement of herbs, food plants, and roots, to maintain the wellness made the garlic one of the most powerful plants in the highlands.
Radiation is the major challenge that the highlanders have to deal with. It is in the Andean sunlight.
Fortunately they have a way to defend from it. Garlic is the magic wand used to permeate the body against the UV rays.
The sulphur-containing compound, Allicin, found in fresh garlic has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. The bulb also has long been used to combat high blood sugar in the diabetics and enhancing the body's antibody responses to common infections.
Because garlic is known now as an all-around tonic, because of its enrichment with vitamin B1, B2, B3 and B6, folate, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc, many people take it literally as whatever ails them. Unfortunately, indiscriminate garlic use can cause problems. The abuse can occur when individuals who do not need garlic tonic take it, or when the dose ingested is overly high, or when it is taken for a long period of time. Because each individual's response to any herb is unique, it is important to be alert for potential signs of garlic abuse. Symptoms include feelings of euphoria, hypertension, insomnia, morning diarrhea, rashes and/or shortness of breath.
The average westerners gets two or three colds and one share of flu each year. If an individual suffer from more than this, there is a chance that the person may have a poorly functioning immune system which increases the susceptibility to infectious diseases. Some people are born with weak immune systems, while others undermine their immunity with heavy drinking, poor diet, recreational drug use, smoking, or chronic stress. Garlic boats immunity-boosting powers. It enhances the activity of the white blood cells that are the ones in charge of the detoxification of blood and lymphatic system by destroying bacteria, viruses and other waste matter. This, in turn, increases the body's defense system.
During cold and flu season, enjoy 1/2 to 1 teaspoon a day of garlic tonic every eight hours. To prepare it use three smashed cloves dissolved in the juice of one lime and a pinch of salt.
For diabetics, mix the three cloves with the juice of one small onion and the juice of one lime. The tonic  lasts three days.
COOKING RICE: Just fry one or two cloves with one teaspoon of oil add 1 cup of rice and 1 1/2 cups of water and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.