Gastrointestinal complaints, arteriosclerosis, liver problems – these ailments affect millions of people in Germany, which is why they take a lot of medication. But that doesn’t have to be the case, says Franziska Rubin. The doctor supplements conventional medicine with naturopathy and sees nutrition as a remedy.
“Everyone already has something in the fridge against most ailments,” says Rubin in an interview with FOCUS Online. “Certain foods can do a lot for our health, both internally and externally.”
For her book “Healing with Food – My Top 10 Against 100 Diseases” she selected the ten food groups that can do the most. She is convinced: “With these ten foods, you can save on most medication.” Because “if someone comes from a good physical situation, they can treat everything with home remedies. The body is stimulated to heal itself”. This is not only easier, but also cheaper than medicines from the pharmacy.
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Of course, there are limitations such as chemotherapy or surgical interventions for which there is no alternative. It is also an exception if people are already ill and dependent on certain medications such as beta blockers.
Eating better with simple foods is good for everyone. In addition, many have a positive effect on the psyche.
Franziska Rubin gives an overview of how the ten foods help against common diseases – internally and externally.
“The oats should be pulled out of the closet,” says Franziska Rubin. Because the grain is so versatile that it kills several birds with one stone. Oats have few calories, lower cholesterol and blood sugar and oat bran is considered to prevent colon cancer due to its high fiber content. Oats also soothe an over-regulating immune system as a side effect.
Internally: oats have a very calming effect on the intestines. Grains, especially bran, lower cholesterol levels. This is primarily due to the fiber, the beta-glucans. Just a few spoonfuls in muesli are enough to arm yourself against metabolic syndrome – the so-called “deadly quartet” of increased fat and blood sugar levels, obesity and high blood pressure.
Externally: oats soothe the skin – scaly or dry areas, for example, in baths or pads. That is why oat straw is particularly suitable for neurodermatitis sufferers.
Incidentally, oat tea warms the soul at the same time, as it has an anxiolytic and relaxing effect.
Order “Healing with Food” by Franziska Rubin here on Amazon
“In honey, the disinfecting methylglyoxal (MGO) is particularly healing for our body,” explains physician Rubin and advises: “You should always buy honey directly from the beekeeper or make sure that it bears the stamp of the German Beekeepers’ Association, otherwise it is usually heated the active ingredients have been lost.”
Internally: scratchy throat? “Simply grating horseradish and mixing it with honey is at least as effective as medicine from the pharmacy when bronchitis begins,” says the expert.
Externally: A honey dressing helps with joint problems caused by gout or arthrosis. Honey has a detoxifying and anti-inflammatory effect. “Honey will also soon be indispensable in wound care,” Rubin is certain. “Wounds that are difficult to heal can be treated more quickly, especially with Manuka honey.”
Good to know: Manuka honey is particularly disinfecting, its MGO content varies between 30 and 1000, normal honey has an MGO content of up to 20.
Franziska Rubin is a doctor, moderator and medical journalist. Her heart beats out of conviction for naturopathy. As a TV presenter, she presented the MDR health program “Hauptsache Gesund” for 17 years.
“For me, there is no winter without ginger tea,” reveals the TV presenter. It has a warming effect from the inside and is also good for the digestive system. Ginger promotes blood circulation, is blood thinning and lowers cholesterol. This prevents heart attacks and strokes.
Internally: “Ginger is good for anyone who wants to do something for the heart and blood vessels,” recommends Franziska Rubin. In addition, if you drink ginger water daily, you will stabilize your blood sugar.
Externally: Ginger wraps free your kidneys – and at the same time something with your psyche, because they have an anxiolytic effect.
“Potatoes aren’t fattening foods, they’re healthy foods.” Franziska Rubin is enthusiastic about the tuber, which has been demonized for far too long. “It can do a lot more than we think, has few carbohydrates and is very filling.” Potatoes lower blood pressure, are draining and anti-inflammatory.
Internally: Anyone who wants to do something good for their bile should have one day off with potatoes per week – for example jacket potatoes with low-fat quark (no chips or fried potatoes). This gives the body important proteins and minerals that it can easily absorb. Potato juice also helps against heartburn.
Externally: A pad of hot potatoes wrapped in a cloth keeps the heat for a very long time – it relieves constipation, relaxes bladder infections or helps with arthrosis against the daily stiffness.
Depending on the variety, the plants have different focal points. “Most types of cabbage speed up the passage through the intestines,” explains Rubin, so they stimulate digestion. “Many act as anti-inflammatory and prevent cancer due to the mustard oils they contain.”
Internally: Kale in particular can be good for the eyes. “The contained carotenoids are a good prevention against macular degeneration – and if the disease is already present, they can support the treatment,” says the naturopath.
Externally: wraps with cabbage leaves can be used, for example, to treat tennis elbow – or to alleviate the inflammatory symptoms of wrist arthrosis. The doctor advises: Cut away the middle panicles of the cabbage leaf (nicely cold from the fridge), tap it a little and simply put it on your hand in the evening, fix it with cling film and put it in front of the TV so that the juice can penetrate the joints.
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The spice from Southeast Asia has risen to become a true superstar. “And there is a good body of studies on its mode of action – this includes, above all, the anti-inflammatory effect,” says Franziska Rubin. “Since it works against all inflammations in the body, it prevents cancer, which is also caused by inflammatory processes in the body.”
Internally, turmeric works best when three factors come together – pepper, fat, and heat. If you incorporate one or two teaspoons a day into your diet, you get your dose of curcumin (the yellow coloring of the spice and the main active ingredient).
Externally: A turmeric honey mask reduces the inflammation caused by acne and improves the complexion. Possible yellowish traces can be washed off with milk.
“We should use more oil than we do,” says medical doctor Rubin. Depending on the variety, it has many talents, so everyone should look for their own oil. Cardiovascular patients should eat a teaspoon every day to protect their blood vessels.
Internally: Linseed oil is good for arthritis sufferers because it has a strong anti-inflammatory effect – and it also helps against phlebitis. Pumpkin seed oil is said to be effective against prostate problems.
Externally: Thyme oil wraps help against emerging bronchitis due to the bronchodilator effect.
“We all need salt. It doesn’t work without it,” explains Franziska Rubin, who appreciates the strong disinfecting effect in particular.
Internally: Slightly salted warm water is particularly effective when gargling in the throat and throat area. If you are plagued by gout, salt socks (socks soaked in brine) help, for example, for pain in the metatarsophalangeal joint.
Externally: “If you rinse your nose with salt water every day, you won’t get sick in winter,” the doctor is convinced. “As soon as you notice that your nose is getting blocked, use brine instead of nasal spray.”
What very few people know: “The vitamin C in lemons has a good effect on the skin,” explains Franziska Rubin. In addition, the sour fruit is highly antioxidant and antibacterial. “A lemon is part of the daily meal.”
Internally: A classic is coffee with lemon for headaches. The juice is added to the (no longer hot) tea to combat coughs.
Externally: Due to the acid effect, the lemon is ideal for calluses – whether on elbows or feet.
The main representatives of this category are onions and garlic. They lower blood pressure because they dilate blood vessels. This in turn protects the vessels and thus against heart attacks and strokes.
Internally: “You can boost your immune system with garlic,” says doctor Rubin. “At the same time it is anti-cancer because it is anti-inflammatory.” One to four grams of garlic per day is the preventive dose against arteriosclerosis.
Those who suffer from cystitis enjoy onion soup – if only to enjoy the antibacterial effect.
Externally: Onions also help with bruising: A pad changes the lymph flow and thus reduces the swelling in the affected areas.
In short, Franziska Rubin thinks: “Anyone who wants to prevent diseases or treat them quickly should always have all these foods at home.”
More from the expert: Sleep is not wasted time, but our energy filling station. The fact is: If you sleep better, you are not only more awake, but also more relaxed and healthier. Sometimes it’s not so easy to get a good night’s sleep because the stress of the day is still in your bones. Read about it: 1 in 3 people have sleep problems – TV doctor Rubin: Invest 7 minutes in the evening and sleep healthier
