Silica is a necessary trace element in the human body. As a main component of collagen it is essential for building bones, tissues, hair, skin, and nails.
It is critical for the formation of joint cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone and lung tissue and blood vessels, as well as skin, hair and nails. Silica provides structural stability and strength to body tissue. It converges in calcification sites in bone tissue, helping with the uptake of calcium. Silica is very valuable as an anti-ageing agent. When silica is deficient in skin it shows as sagging skin devoid of elasticity.
We are born with adequate silica in our bodies which declines with age. Hair may become thicker and fuller, nails strengthen and grow faster, and skin show a noticeable reduction in wrinkles within an approximate three-month period from supplementing with silica. The possible signs associated with a deficiency in silica include premature ageing skin, poor hair and nail quality and osteoporosis. Silica-rich foods include oats, oat-bran, brown rice, rice-bran, wheat-bran, and vegetables.
This, however, greatly depends on the level of silica in the soil at growing time. The over-refining and processing of our grains and cereals are causing valuable nutrients such as silica to be lost. Nettles are a good source of silica, but best of all is the wild weed ‘horsetail’ which many consider a nuisance in the garden. It is the most valuable source of silica as the roots travel many feet into the ground absorbing a variety of nutrients from the soil.
Silica from horsetail is available in capsules, tea, and also juice. The juice is valuable for those suffering stomach complaints as it coats the lining of the whole digestive tract easing discomfort and aiding healing.
For further information contact Susan in Au Naturel, Irishtown, Athlone on (090 ) 6487993.
