Use these 5 powerful herbs to boost your immune system

It’s good to know more about simple herbs to protect us against infections as well as cure us from infections and disease. Some herbs can be consumed directly; some need to be made into teas or tinctures, while others are offered as essential oils or in capsules as supplements. Here are five choices linked to articles explaining in greater detail.

Garlic

This one is easy to use with food on a daily basis. The technical botanical term for garlic is Allium sativa. It has been used throughout history as an antibiotic. Russians have used it so often that they consider it Russian penicillin.

Recent research has discovered that it also boosts all other antioxidant activity in one’s body.

Garlic’s broad antimicrobial spectrum incorporates antifungal, antiparasitic, antiprotozoan, and antiviral attributes in one food source. Garlic is most potent chewed or crushed raw.

Cat’s claw

The best cat’s claw comes from Peru. Avoid Northern Mexico-Southern Texas cat’s claw. It lacks efficacy and is potentially poisonous. The Spanish name is una de gato. Scientifically it’s known as Uncaria tomentosa.

Cat’s claw has come into research prominence since the 1970s after centuries of use by Peruvian Indians for a wide variety of ailments.

Cat’s claw has been discovered to have anti-cancer properties that can be added to other natural cancer therapies .

Clove

Clove’s healing properties go beyond its popular use as an analgesic applied to gums for toothache pain. It is antifungal, antiviral, and antibiotic. It can handle some bacterial strains that medical antibiotics can’t touch.

It’s the main component of the legendary Four Thieves oil that helped some survive the great medieval European plague. Of course, Four Thieves oil is mixed with other essential oils.

But clove oils do exist alone, and the fresh organic buds can be used to make a powerful, antimicrobial pathogen tea.

Oregano

Oregano is most potent as an essential oil. Many consider wild Mediterranean mountain oregano the best. Oregano also combats a wide spectrum of pathogenic microbes. It has also shown the ability to fight off yeast infections, including Candida, especially in conjunction with clove bud oil.

Elderberry

The black elderberry, or Sambucas nigra, is easy to have on hand for colds and flus. It’s sold commercially as tinctures or syrups. It is more effective than pharmaceuticals, including Tamiflu, with absolutely no side effects and is much less expensive.

Of course, you can make your own tincture with a very long shelf life cheaply as well. Instructions are at the bottom of this article, along with curative test results.

Essential oils are very strong and potent. Use caution, especially with the multi essential oil Four Thieves. Follow the manufacturer’s advice closely by using it topically, aromatically, or ideally mix a few drops in fresh unsweetened juice to drink.

Consuming essential oils straight is at best unpleasant and at worst causes bad reactions. But diluted properly, it’s very effective consumed orally.

These five herbs can be used according to one’s health situation in conjunction with each other or most other herbs.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/035810_herbs_immune_system_garlic.html

Source: Use these 5 powerful herbs to boost your immune system

Herbs that help prevent nausea during pregnancy

Congratulations! You’re expecting. Welcome to the roller coaster ride that is pregnancy. For many women, fatigue is the first sign of pregnancy, followed closely by morning sickness. Morning sickness is most common between the fourth and fourteenth weeks of pregnancy and is most often experienced upon rising, thus the term, but one can experience nausea at any time of the day.

Roughly three quarters of women experience nausea during the first trimester. Half of all pregnant women have both nausea and vomiting, while one quarter experiences nausea alone, and one quarter lucks out altogether. In rare cases it can extend through much of the nine months, and even more rarely, result in hospitalization due to fluid loss and debility. Even for those not experiencing the extreme cases, prolonged nausea can be exhausting.

What causes it

The exact cause of morning sickness is not officially known, but the hormone cocktail bombarding your system is most likely to blame, along with heightened senses and sensitivities. Your body is on high alert so you have an enhanced sense of smell and sensitivity to odors. Hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and hCG rise rapidly during early pregnancy, and can have an almost toxic effect on your system. Some believe that carrying a daughter increases chances of nausea due to even more estrogen in the system. Women carrying multiples have even higher hormone levels and may experience worse bouts.

What you can do

You can’t control the hormonal roller coaster, but you can support and nourish your liver (which has to process all those hormones) and your reproductive system. In addition to lots of rest, water, and organic fruits and veggies:

• Avoid an empty stomach – you may not feel like eating, but an empty, churning stomach will only make nausea worse. Don’t wait until its so bad nothing will stay down.

• Avoid large meals – eat small, frequent meals.

• Eat crackers first thing in the morning, as soon as you get up.

• Take a whole food based prenatal vitamin (from a health food store, not a doctor) that includes vitamin B6 – a deficiency in this vitamin is a known cause of nausea. Be sure it also has zinc because you need zinc for B6 to work.

• Take pregnancy supporting herbs to boost nutrition – red raspberry leaf is rich in iron, tones the uterus, increases milk production, decreases nausea, and eases labor pains.

• Take herbs known to help with nausea: ginger, slippery elm (also helps with heartburn and vaginal irritations), and peppermint/spearmint (also helps with flatulence). Catnip and fennel tincture may also help.

• Apply pressure to points in the upper wrist to relieve nausea, relax, and promote sleep.

• Consider acupuncture to reverse the flow of qi, and insure it is going safely downward.

Also good to consider:

• Digestive enzymes are helpful because of a lack of stomach acid and slower digestion.

• Green drink or supplements such as alfalfa, kelp, spirulina, chlorophyl in a tea or capsules help balance the body by providing lots of nutrients.

• Pregnancy tea – herbal tea designed to support your pregnancy in many ways, including liver support, hormone balance, and uterine tonic. This is a good way to get a lot of these supplements in one place, without having to take pills.

• If experiencing nausea to the point of not being able to eat, try freezing the pregnancy tea or green drink in an ice cube try, and sucking on it.

This is supposed to be a happy time and it seems a bit unfair to feel sick all the time. Try to remember that the sensitivity of your digestive system is an ancient security system designed to protect you and your baby. For example, some women who have no problem consuming dairy products may find they are unable to during pregnancy, only to discover later that the child is lactose intolerant.

It’s not uncommon to actually lose a few pounds during the first trimester when morning sickness is at its height, and while you figure out what you are sensitive to. If it doesn’t ease by the second trimester, you can’t keep food down, or you lose more than five pounds, be sure to talk to your health care provider about the situation.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/035851_herbs_pregnancy_nausea.html

Source: Herbs that help prevent nausea during pregnancy

Try these natural foods and herbs for treating upset stomach, ulcers

If you are one of the millions of people that suffers from a stomach ulcer, or even if you just occasionally get an upset stomach after eating, there is hope beyond simply taking antacids or other pharmaceutical drugs, all of which merely address the symptoms of the problem rather than the cause. Instead, you may want to try incorporating one or more of these all-natural, stomach-healing foods and herbs into your everyday diet for lasting, curative relief.

Raw cabbage juice

A study dating back to 1949 found that ulcer patients who supplement with raw cabbage juice can heal — yes, heal — from their condition within as little as ten days. And numerous studies conducted after that, including a double-blind study out of California involving prisoners with duodenal ulcers, have confirmed these findings.

Raw cabbage juice contains a little-known compound called S-Methylmethionine, which is also sometimes referred to as “vitamin U,” that is particularly potent at healing gastrointestinal ulcerations. Instead of just treating ulcerative symptoms, vitamin U, as well as the many other probiotic and healing enzymes found in cabbage, help to literally repair damaged stomach lining, and restore proper digestive function.

Aloe vera

Though commonly used to help heal sunburns and other skin issues, aloe vera is a potent digestive aid that can also help heal gastrointestinal dysfunction of various types when consumed. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), for instance, a condition that leads to poor absorption of minerals and nutrients from food, can derive much benefit from supplementing with aloe vera juice, gel, or dried flakes.

The synergistic blend of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, lignans, amino acids, anthraquinones, saponins, fatty acids, and other amazing nutrients found in aloe vera have been shown to effectively heal damaged intestinal tissue. Drinking just a few spoonfuls of whole-leaf aloe vera juice or concentrate before or with meals, for instance, can help spur the release of pepsin, a stomach enzyme responsible for digesting food.

Bitter herbs

Consuming “bitter” herbs just before a meal can help promote digestive secretions which, of course, aid in proper digestion. According to The Herb Companion, herbs like gentian (Gentiana lutea), barberry root (Berberis vulgaris), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), and artichoke (Cynara scolymus) are all useful in helping to reduce gas, bloating, and other digestive discomfort associated with indigestion.

To go along with this, fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), dill (Anethum graveolens), cumin (Cuminum cyminum), caraway (Carum carvi), and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) all help warm up the digestive tract, which facilitates the easy digestion and passage of food through the digestive tract.

Prickly pear, also known as nopal cactus

A 2011 study published in the journal Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology found that extracts from the nopal cactus flower, also known as the prickly pear or the cactus pear, contain compounds that protect against stomach ulcers. Drinking nopal cactus juice or eating nopal cactus gel can also heal existing ulcers, as the mucilage compound found in the fruit soothes the stomach lining and fights stomach inflammation

Since it is high in fiber, prickly pear fruit also absorbs toxins from the gut, and aids in the elimination of waste from the colon. You can purchase nopal cactus fruit as a liquid juice or in capsule form, or you can juice it yoursel.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/035911_upset_stomach_ulcer_food_remedies.html

Source: Try these natural foods and herbs for treating upset stomach, ulcers

Super human strength created by superfoods and herbs

Imagine living life without (chronic) unwarranted fear and never having to experience degenerative disease. This is NOT just a silly idea – it’s reality for many people throughout the world. Epidemiological studies prove that the longest living (happy) people remain connected to the earth and thrive on whole, natural foods – filled with nutrients but low in calories.

Experience the life of your dreams! Eating spirulina, chlorella, goji berries, chaga mushrooms and ashwagandha can balance blood sugars, boost the immune system and help detoxify unwanted poisons from the body. Don’t miss the next NaturalNews Talk Hour for one of the most informative and inspirational (nutritional) programs of the year!

What’s the difference between spirulina and chlorella?

While both are considered “micro-algaes” – spirulina and chlorella are not the same. But, without getting too caught up in the details, both of these superfoods can out perform just about any other food on earth. When consumed on a daily basis – these foods have tremendous healing potential.

Spirulina is very high in vitamin B12, B-complex, iron, essential trace minerals, beta-carotene and gamma-linolenic acid. It is the richest source of natural antioxidants of any whole food and it has more concentrated vegetable nutrition than any other whole food.

Chlorella is a green single-celled micro algae that contains the highest concentrations of chlorophyll known (60 mg/serving). It has high levels of beta-carotene, vitamin B12, iron, RNA and DNA and protein. Chlorella is well-known for its ability to help remove heavy metals from the intestinal tract. Discover how these foods (plus many more) can help transform your life!

The healing power of Amazon herbs

Truth be told – healing herbs do NOT really fix health problems – they activate the healing forces within our body. Fresh herbs like Sangre de Drago, Cat’s Claw (Una De Gato) and Chanca Piedra provide essential nutrients and healing frequency vibrations which help the body to heal itself – without the risk of harmful side effects associated with conventional medicines. Consuming herbs will completely change your bio-terrain – making it more difficult for disease to develop in the first place.

In case you’re wondering – Sangre de Drago. better known as the “blood of the dragon”, has helped many people stop bleeding, overcome skin disorders and upper respiratory viruses. The compounds found in Cat’s Claw may help kill viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms that cause disease, and inhibit healthy cells from becoming cancerous. And, Chanca Piedra has been shown to help detoxify the liver and kidneys; relieve pain and inflammation and improve digestion. Nature trumps big pharma – every day!

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/036654_superfoods_herbs_strength.html

Source: Super human strength created by superfoods and herbs

Four bitter herbs heal the liver, gall bladder, and other ailments

Certain bitter herbs are considered liver herbs because they stimulate, cleanse, and protect the liver and gall bladder. While Western palates are not fond of bitter tasting foods, they do stimulate and support digestion. German research shows that bitter tonic herbs stimulate bile and hydrochloric acid production. They stimulate nervous system and immune system function, as well as combat fatigue and exhaustion.

Four commonly used bitter herbs which are used traditionally and in the medical community to support the liver, gall bladder, and other ailments are milk thistle, dandelion, Oregon grape root, and gentian root, from which gentian violet is manufactured.

Milk thistle protects liver cells

Milk thistle protects liver cells by coating them with phytochemicals. These chemicals heal damaged liver cells and protect healthy cells from becoming damaged.

The medical journal Phytochemical Research states that milk thistle, or Silybum marianum, is the most well-researched herb for the treatment of liver disease. The seeds and fruit in milk thistle contain the most silymarin, an antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, and toxin blocker.

In animal testing, milk thistle was able to reduce liver damage caused by acetaminophen, radiation, carbon tetrachloride, and other environmental toxins. Milk thistle has been demonstrated clinically to treat liver damage from alcohol, hepatitis, and other liver disease.

Dandelion stimulates digestion and bile action

Dandelion root and leaf is a classic bitter liver tonic herb. Along with Oregon grape root bark, gentian root, and wormwood leaves, dandelion stimulates digestion, stimulates the liver to produce more bile. This action cleanses the liver and gall bladder.

The International Journal of Molecular Science published an in-depth study in 2010 of the effects of dandelion root and leaf on cholesterol-fed rabbits. While one can never assume that an animal study will benefit humans, plenty of empirical evidence supports the idea that dandelion is beneficial for humans.

This study points out that dandelion has been shown to possess the ability to reduce cholesterol, rheumatism, oxidative stress which contributes to atherosclerosis, and acts as a diuretic.

This was a cross-matched study involving rabbits who were fed a normal diet, a high-cholesterol diet, a high cholesterol diet with dandelion leaves, and a high cholesterol diet with dandelion root.

The results showed that both dandelion root and leaves were able to positively change both the antioxidant activities and lipid profile in the rabbits. The conclusion was that dandelion could be used to help prevent liver and heart disease.

Oregon grape root is a favorite among dermatologists

Dermatologic Therapy noted the healing benefits of Oregon grape root in a 2003 paper describing herbs which are useful in the treatment of skin conditions. While the paper specifically mentioned Oregon grape root for acne, it stated that the herb has “anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and bile-stimulating properties.”

Gentian root supports liver function as well as being a fungicide

Gentian root extract is a fungicide, an immune booster, and possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Its bitter principles stimulate the secretion of both gastric juices and bile.

In an uncontrolled clinical study, a gentian root tincture in an alcohol base increased and prolonged gall bladder emptying. It also helped to enhance protein and fat digestion.

These four bitter herbs are particularly beneficial for people who have been exposed to environmental toxins, are in the habit of consuming alcohol, eat a large amount of meat, have high cholesterol levels or a “fatty liver.”

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/037460_bitter_herbs_gall_bladder_liver.html

Source: Four bitter herbs heal the liver, gall bladder, and other ailments

Top four therapeutic herbs for sciatic pain

Sciatic pain, or sciatica, occurs off and on with many people. Sometimes it’s mistaken for lower back pain or leg cramps. When it does, the tendency is to stay in bed and gulp down some ibuprofen or other OTC (over the counter) pharmaceutical.

But sciatica is a symptom of another problem that is pinching or creating pressure on the sciatic nerve. It’s not a diagnosed condition itself. The sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the human body. It runs down each leg from the lower spine all the way to the feet, providing movement, feeling, and strength to either leg.

Sciatica symptoms can include sharp painful burning sensations or cramping. Sometimes there can be tingling sensations and numbness in different areas of the buttock, leg or foot. The wording is singular because usually sciatica occurs on one side or the other, not in both legs simultaneously.

Pains and sensations are felt in some positions but not others. Walking may be painless after getting through the painful positions to get up and walk.

If the condition is chronic, it’s advisable to visit a chiropractor. The nerve pinch or pressure could be coming from dislocated vertebrae or a contracted spinal canal. Surgery may be required for a severely herniated disk between vertebrae. But that’s rare.

It’s not unusual for sciatic pain to come and go with the right pain relief remedy and sufficient rest.

Four herbs that should help you get through sciatic pain

(1) Jamaican dogwood has often been the top choice for relieving nerve pain. It’s powerful stuff. It is derived from the bark of the dogwood tree, and can be taken in capsule or tincture forms as well as a tea from the bark’s powder.

If you go to conventional medical site, you’ll see mainstream medicine agrees with its efficacy, but with all kinds of warnings to not use it without a doctor’s supervision because it can be toxic. However, herbal sites assert it is not toxic for humans, although too much can overly sedate.

It is appropriately advised that pregnant women or lactating mothers not use Jamaican Dogwood, and anyone with a congestive heart condition should avoid it also. If taking any other medication, determine if there could be contraindications or complications.

(2) Turmeric or curcumin, turmeric’s active ingredient, is a natural anti-inflammatory that can be taken as a tonic to minimize chronic inflammation. It’s best to heat turmeric in milk or ghee and coconut oil with some pepper, which contains piperine to help absorb nutrients.

Taking turmeric often is okay for sciatica. If you need a short cut, curcumin enteric coated capsules with piperine is suggested for optimal absorption and faster relief.

(3) Kratom is an herb that is both fast and natural for pain relief and unknown to most of us. Natural News readers were only very recently introduced to it by Jonathan Benson’s article.

Indonesians hooked on opium used kratom to help them endure opium withdrawal easily. According to legend, that’s why it was banned there. It was interfering with the opium trade. Maybe so, maybe not.

The fact that it also makes you feel good, helps overcome depression has caused a stir in the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). The state of Indiana has banned kratom.

But it is available online in all other states and in most other countries. You can find out more about it here:

(4) Arnica with DMSO combines a homeopathic topical cream with DMSO as an adjunct to give fast pain relief from sciatica. Adding DMSO speeds and deepens arnica’s topically applied efficacy while adding its own pain and inflammatory relief.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/037907_sciatic_pain_herbs_Jamaican_dogwood.html

Source: Top four therapeutic herbs for sciatic pain

Manage your blood sugar and diabetes with these four herbs

Modern medicine may have its place in emergency care, but when it comes to the prevention or management of chronic illness, many conventional treatments are lacking. In the case of diabetes, the battle is loudly proclaimed to be one of blood sugar regulation. “Check your sugar, and take your drugs as prescribed,” seems the tired message of most industry doctors to a steadily increasing number of diabetics.

But where modern medicine falls short in its rigid symptoms-only approach, alternative healing can help to bridge the gap. Instead of measuring success by glucose levels in the blood while simultaneously blaming the poor pancreas for what is more likely a whole-body deficiency, holistic applications can help restore the body’s ability to heal itself – to maintain homeostasis. Where a healthy person’s body converts carbohydrates from food into glucose and also produces insulin to convert that glucose into energy, in diabetics, the body cannot produce enough insulin to make possible that conversion of glucose into energy. As a result, the glucose builds up in the blood and can lead to any number of very serious conditions, like blindness, kidney failure, neuropathy and coma.

From a scientific perspective, what we call “diabetes” actually has less to do with controlling blood sugar and more to do with the body’s regulation of the hormones, insulin and leptin, or how well the body makes use of energy. “Diabetes is the end point of deranged sugar and carbohydrate metabolism,” according to Dr. Larry Wilson, M.D. In fact, the term “diabetes” (irrespective of Type) may be further purported to be a superficial label for a cluster of symptoms not yet fully understood by medical science, whose true origins lie more deeply within than even a microscope can see.

While some approaches are more spiritual than others, in order to facilitate the healing process under circumstances as serious as diabetes, full detoxification and dietary programs are often recommended and can prove most beneficial in helping to rid the body of toxins while also supplying it with deficient minerals and other essential nutrients. But the busy pace of stressful lives can make changing course all at once rather difficult. That’s where the following herbs and natural remedies may help, thanks to research demonstrating their natural proclivity for easing the burden of diabetes management.

Gymnema Sylvestre

Known by its Hindi name as the “sugar destroyer,” this plant is regarded as one of the most powerful herbs for the regulation of diabetes, Types 1 and 2. Besides reducing cravings for sweets, studies show Gymnema can actually stimulate the body to produce more of its own insulin, by regenerating insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas. Though more extensive studies are pending, the herb has demonstrated no side effects and assumes its sugar-lowering role only in cases of diabetes, at a typical dosage of 200-250 milligrams twice daily.

Ginseng

Chinese medicine has made regular use of Asian ginseng for thousands of years, thanks to its demonstrated ability both to amplify the release of insulin from the pancreas and to elevate the number of insulin receptors present. One study indicated that 200 milligrams of ginseng extract per day over an eight-week period improved mood, blood sugar control, body weight and energy levels in Type 2 diabetics. A separate study on the North American variety indicates the herb significantly prevented oxidative stress and may even help diabetics to protect against kidney disease.

Gingko biloba

Because of its effective increase of blood flow to areas such as the brain, the limbs and the extremities, ginkgo is regarded as an important element in the treatment of vascular insufficiency – especially as it relates to diabetes, where poor circulation can have severe consequences. Clinical studies have shown the herb can prevent diabetic retinopathy in diabetic rats and may, therefore, be similarly effective in humans. For these purposes, a typical dosage of Ginkgo extract is 40-80 milligrams (at a concentration of 24 percent ginkgo flavoglycoside) three times daily.

Nopal leaves

Studies show the profound effects of this Mexican herbal remedy on everything from improved blood sugar and cholesterol levels, to the prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Traditionally served with eggs, in salads or as part of a stir-fry dish, the nutritive richness of this otherwise unusual morsel is earning it greater recognition as a “functional food” by health enthusiasts. Just a one cup serving is packed with fiber, pectin, antioxidant vitamins A and C, trace amounts of vitamin K and folate as well as several essential minerals, like calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorous.

Other nutritive solutions for managing diabetes include eating more onions and garlic, whose sulfur-containing allyl propyl disulfide (APDS) helps the body to make better use of insulin (which is also a disulfide) by competing with it for insulin-inactivating sites in the liver. The result is that the body has more free insulin available for use in the glucose-to-energy conversion process, and blood sugar levels decrease.

Carefully supervised food-based magnesium and chromium supplementation may also prove beneficial, as deficiencies of both minerals are common in people with diabetes. Studies suggest that appropriate levels of these minerals may help to improve insulin and overall metabolic function.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/037585_blood_sugar_diabetes_herbs.html

Source: Manage your blood sugar and diabetes with these four herbs

Antibiotics are proven ineffective for coughs: Try Chinese medicine and herbs instead

As more research is done regarding so-called “non-traditional” healthcare, doctors and scientists are rediscovering “old” treatments that are increasingly supplanting today’s standard treatments for a number of conditions.

That includes coughs that often accompany the flu or mild chest infections, according to a recently published study in the journal Lancet.

About 2,000 patients from across 12 European countries were tasked with keeping an “illness journal,” the BBC reports. Researchers from the University of Southampton, led by Prof. Paul Little, found that the severity and duration of symptoms in those who were treated with antibiotics were no different than those who took a placebo (experts did say; however, that if pneumonia was suspected, patients should still be treated with antibiotics because of the severity of the condition).

Antibiotic effectiveness has been reduced because of over-prescribing

“Using the antibiotic amoxicillin to treat respiratory infections in patients not suspected of having pneumonia is not likely to help and could be harmful,” Little said.

“Overuse of antibiotics, dominated by primary care prescribing, particularly when they are ineffective, can lead to the development of resistance and have side effects like diarrhea, rash and vomiting,” Little continued. “Our results show that people get better on their own. But given that a small number of patients will benefit from antibiotics the challenge remains to identify these individuals.”

Earlier research into whether antibiotics were actually beneficial in the treatment of chest infections that included symptoms of weakness, high fever, shortness of breath, fatigue and coughing, produced conflicting conclusions, especially in older adults where chest infections have the potential of causing additional complications.

Researchers randomly assigned and divided patients into two groups – one that received an antibiotic for their cough and one that received a placebo – three times daily for seven days.

The study found little measurable difference in the severity and duration of symptoms that were reported from each patient group. Similar findings occurred in older patients as well – those who were aged 60 or older, a demographic that accounted for one-third of the entire study population.

Additionally, those who took antibiotics reported having more side effects, including nausea, rash and diarrhea, compared to those taking the placebo.

The study is particularly important, given the growing human resistance to antibiotics being seen all around the globe.

Fortunately, there are alternatives to treating mild forms of chest infections and cough, and it’s a treatment that has been around for centuries.

“Traditional Chinese medicine is especially effective in the treatment of coughs because of its careful differentiation of the various types,” write Bill Schoenbart and Ellen Shefi for Discovery Health.

For instance, they note, coughs due to heat produce a sticky phlegm that’s difficult to expectorate, so it is treated with cooling, moistening herbs and acupuncture directed at specific points on the body which clear heat from the lungs.

By comparison, “cough due to cold is accompanied by chills and copious mucus; it is treated with warming, drying herbs and the application of moxibustion,” a traditional Chinese medicine therapy using moxa, or mugwort herb, they wrote.

Here are two more treatment options for cough:

– Treating a dryness cough caused by wind: Usually contracted due to overexposure to a dry environment, symptoms are a dry, non-productive cough accompanied by a sore throat with a ticklish sensation. The focus is to repel the dryness; a typical formula includes Sang Xing Tang (pronounced sahng shing tahng), which helps moisten the lungs and repel the “dryness pernicious influence,” Schoenbart and Shefi said. The treatment should be accompanied by a diet of soups and plenty of liquids, and follow-up treatment should include American ginseng daily for two weeks.

– General acupuncture therapy: Acupuncture therapy in general is an ideal way to treat coughs from a number of causes. “Needling a point on the Conception Vessel meridian (an extra meridian) just above the sternum can quickly calm a cough and assist breathing. Moxa therapy is used typically in the cold, damp type of cough, since there is a need for warmth in that pattern,” Schoenbart and Shefi wrote.

Most Americans tend to use over-the-counter elixirs to treat coughs, but many of them prove ineffective. Chinese therapies can help.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/038582_antibiotics_Chinese_medicine_coughs.html

Source: Antibiotics are proven ineffective for coughs: Try Chinese medicine and herbs instead

Live longer and better with these five immortality herbs

Answers to the mystery of immortality may already be growing in your home garden. The very same herbs that help in the healing of innumerable diseases, infections and chronic illnesses can also help us to live longer, healthier lives.

A great number of the most effective herbs are known as adaptogens, which assist the body in its natural task of maintaining homeostasis – the delicate state of balance necessary to survival and healing. A body out of balance is considered to be in “negative homeostasis,” a condition in which the restorative (anabolic) and degenerative (catabolic) systems of the body may not function properly,eventually leading to experience symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, depression, insomnia, weight fluctuation and impaired libido. But adaptogens help the body adapt to and compensate for change. In a person with high blood sugar, for example, an adaptogenic herb might help to lower glucose levels in the body; whereas, in a person with low blood sugar, the herb would help to raise them.

Because of this ability to improve the body’s stress response, adaptogenic herbs can literally add years to a person’s life. Here are a few you should know:

Holy basil

Believed to be a sacred incarnation of divinity by many Hindus, the holy basil plant (a cousin of sweet basil) is also called tulsi, or “the incomparable one.” This name refers to its seemingly unparalleled abilities to reduce stress, increase energy and encourage longevity. It is most often recommended for cardiovascular conditions, hypertension and diabetes. Doubling too as an insect repellent, this incredible plant is easy to grow and may be served either fresh or dried.

Reishi

Known in Taoist tradition as the “mushroom of immortality” and considered by traditional Chinese medicine to be a “superior herb,” red reishi is the most common variety used medicinally. It helps to increase energy while also improving conditions of coronary heart disease, immune disorders, cancers as well as high cholesterol and arthritis. It is ideally served cooked in soups but may also be taken either in extract or powdered form.

Jiaogulan

Similar to ginseng in its chemical composition, this miracle herb is literally called “the immortality herb” by the Chinese. One of its primary features is that it increases the fat-burning rate by assisting the liver to move carbohydrates and other sugars into the muscles, rather than storing them. In addition, its effects on cardiovascular health have earned it the nickname of “herbal heart defender.” Not only does it help to regulate blood pressure and raise good cholesterol while lowering the bad; it also protects against heart attacks and stroke by helping to reduce arterial blockages. Jiaogulan is commonly served in the form of a tea.

Astragalus

Another of Chinese medicine’s healing marvels, astragalus has earned a reputation for its deep healing effects on the immune system. Working wonders on countless health conditions including seasonal allergies, cold and flu, fatigue, inflammation, blood pressure and circulation, heart disease, liver toxicity, diabetes, and cancer, the potent influence of this herb has grown in popularity to such a degree that even pharmaceutical companies are using parts of the plant as base ingredients for new prescription drugs. Particularly interesting is astragalus’ ability to slow the aging process by promoting the health of telomeres, which help hold chromosomes together. It is available in the form of an extract, powder or tablet supplement.

Sage

Sage stands alone on this list as the only herb not considered an adaptogen, but that doesn’t appear to diminish its ability to promote longevity. Of the nearly 900 varieties of sage known today, garden sage and Spanish sage are the two most commonly used for healing. Revered by the ancient Aztecs, this “herb of immortality” has an immediate calming and clarifying effect on congestion, making breathing easier, and even banishing headaches as it contributes to clearer thinking and enhanced memory. You may also find the quality of your sleep improves. In some cultures, those who drank sage tea were thought never to grow old. Sage oil has even demonstrated cancer-fighting, immune-boosting and heart-protecting properties.

Remember that medicinal herbs can have reactions with some medications and certain health conditions. Those who are pregnant, nursing or who have autoimmune conditions may be especially vulnerable to complications. Be sure to seek counsel from a health professional before you begin any new herbal protocol.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/038287_immortality_herbs_Reishi.html

Source: Live longer and better with these five immortality herbs

How to naturally boost your libido without drugs

There are many reasons why a person’s sex drive can suddenly start to wane unexpectedly — excess stress, rapid aging, poor nutrition, and chronic depression are just a few common causes of low libido. But resorting to those little blue pills to fix the problem in an instant should be a last resort option, as there are plenty of natural remedies for treating this common condition that address its root causes rather than its symptoms. Here are a few helpful ways to naturally increase your libido without the need for pharmaceutical drugs:

1) Supplement with adaptogenic herbs to fix your hormonal balance. For many people, and particularly men, low libido is a direct result of low testosterone, which is often caused by perpetual exposure to estrogenic foods and chemicals. The modern world is a rather unfriendly place for men, it turns out, as plastics, soy, fluoride, and other toxins deplete men of their vigor over time, and leave them feeling weak and uninterested, or even unable to effectively engage, in sex.

Besides eliminating these estrogenic exposures as much as possible, it is important for men to actively fight back against this anti-testosterone onslaught by supplementing with adaptogenic herbs like maca root, ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng, cayenne pepper, astragalus, damiana, and ginkgo biloba, to name just a few. Such herbs not only aid the body in holistically adapting to various exposures and stress, hence the name adaptogen, but they also help improve circulation, warm the body, and correct underlying hormonal imbalances that could be the cause of low libido.

“Specifically, adaptogens recharge the adrenal glands, which are the body’s nominal mechanism for responding to stress and emotional changes,” explains Dr. Edward C. Wallace, N.D., D.C., in an article on adaptogenic herbs published by Nutrition Science News. And it is this normalization that can help correct low libido in both men and women.

2) Get your liver, kidneys in working order. For some people, poor-functioning organs are responsible for a depressed sex drive, as the amount of toxins going into their bodies exceeds the amount being flushed out. Poor fat metabolism, digestive problems, nutrient malabsorption, blood sugar problems, weak immunity, neurological problems, and hormonal imbalances are all common symptoms associated with a toxic liver, for instance, which can eventually lead to renal failure. And urinary incontinence and kidney stones are associated with poor functioning kidneys.

If you ever hope to truly restore a healthy sex drive, you must regularly cleanse these and other organs. Coffee enemas are one great way to keep your liver in tip-top shape, as they not only cleanse and heal the colon, but also directly flush the liver, which is the body’s primary filter for collecting and eliminating toxins. Juice fasting, supplementing with probiotics, drinking plenty of clean, fluoride-free water is also helpful for cleansing both the liver and kidneys.

3) Exercise, practice yoga. If you spend a lot of time sitting throughout the day, whether it be in your chair at the office or on the couch at home, chances are you are not getting enough regular exercise to combat stress and promote healthy circulation, two factors in low libido. Whether you are a man or a woman, exercise plays a crucial role in promoting healthy sex drive, not to mention health in general.

If you enjoy sports, try joining a local pick-up team that meets several times a week. Particularly if you are a man, you might also join a local gym and sign up for strength training classes that involve shorter-duration, higher-intensity workouts to promote muscle building. Moderate strength training not helps build strength and stamina, but it can also help boost testosterone levels naturally

4) Take natural aphrodisiacs. Many of the herbs used in cooking ethnic or spicy dishes are also natural aphrodisiacs, which means they can help put you in the mood for sex by promoting relaxation, releasing inhibitions, inspiring passion, and sometimes even directly stimulating erogenous zones. By eating such foods on a regular basis, and particularly within the half hour before intimacy, you can help boost your sex drive more subtly by naturally stirring your senses, which is far safer than taking prescription drugs.

Common aphrodisiacs include anise seed, cardamom seed, cayenne pepper, cinnamon bark, cloves, coriander, cumin seed, curry, fennel, garlic, ginger, mustard seed, nutmeg, parsley, rosemary, sage, turmeric, and vanilla. Just be sure to seek out non-irradiated varieties of these herbs, as irradiation tends to denature nutritional quality and reduce potency.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/039445_libido_boost_hormonal_balance.html

Source: How to naturally boost your libido without drugs

12 Ayurvedic herbs that significantly slow down aging

Herbal anti-aging treatment is now being accepted by scientific communities with Ayurvedic treatment being the most well-known. Ayurvedic treatments concentrate on three areas of a person – Vata, Kapha and Pitta. According to Ayurvedic treatment experts, maintaining a perfect balance among these three aspects is the secret to staying young-looking and healthy.

One very effective ayurvedic treatment

One very effective Ayurvedic treatment is called Rasayana. Its two major faculties are what experts call Kutipravesika and Vatatapika. These may be very strange sounding names, but they can be understood easily with a simple explanation. For instance, Kutipravesika’s unique methodology is its requirement that the person being treated should stay in a small shelter that has only one door. There are holes around the shelter for air to pass through, but these holes are all very tiny.

The goal and the herbs

The goal of Ayurvedic treatments is not only to bring about the slowing down of the aging process but also to make the body work at its best and bring vitality and peace to individuals. The 12 types of herbs used in the treatment are the following:

Amla or emblica officianalis

This herb is specifically given special attention in the literature Charaka Samhita. This herb is full of natural vitamin C and therefore has the capacity to rejuvenate bodily systems.

The ginger family

The herbs of the ginger family are rich in anti-oxidative ingredients, ingredients that increase blood flow to the peripheries and ingredients that reduce inflammation at the cellular level.

Turmeric rhizomes

These substances in the form of curcumin, curcuminoids and tetrahydrocurcuminoids possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Galanga (also called chinese ginger)

Galanga contains gingerols, diarylheptanoids and essential oils. Diarylheptanoids are anti-arthritic. Pure Galanga extracts have the ability to fight oxidants, absorb UV radiation and inhibit tyrosinase.

Frankincense, boswellia

This herb also fights arthritis. Pure compounds from this herb are very much used in many anti-aging formulations.

The clove family

These herbs are used to relieve pain such as toothache and muscle pains. It is because they contain anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

Vitis

The anti-aging abilities of Vitis are attributed to the grape family members’ antioxidant properties. Procyanidins are concentrated in the seeds while resveratrol is concentrated in grapes’ skin.

Rosemary

The rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, amyrenones, rocciferone, seco-hinokiol, oleanoic acid, carnosol and diterpenes ursolic acid contained in the rosemary herb exhibit strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and tyrosinase-controlling properties.

Licorice

This herb contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has also been found to protect the skin from the harmful UV rays. Licorice’s active ingredients include liquiritins, glabridins, glabrol, glycyrrhetinic acid, and glycyrrhizin.

Neem

This herb is already recognized for its ability to control bacteria and insects. Found to have hypoglycemic, anti-malarial and wound-healing properties, neem is also known to have powerful free radical inhibiting and antioxidant properties.

Andrographis

Research suggests that the herb andrographis has a strong potential to control skin aging. This substance is taken from the Andrographis herb.

Pomegranate

This herb has punicalagins, punicalins, gallagic acid and ellagic acid. Although some of these substances are not yet used commercially, all of them have been found to be effective in neutralizing oxidants and free radicals.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/040581_Ayurvedic_medicine_anti-aging_herbs_aging.html

Source: 12 Ayurvedic herbs that significantly slow down aging

Five must-have herbs for healing your body and mind

Mental health and physical health are so closely intertwined that properly addressing the ailments identified in one often requires also addressing potentially unidentified ailments in the other. In many cases, the most effective way to restore optimal health to both body and mind is to supplement with adaptogenic and other herbs that help balance both systems simultaneously and naturally, without causing harmful side-effects. Here are five must-have herbs that may be exactly what your body needs to achieve optimal mental and physical health:

1) Turmeric. Turmeric, the primary active component of which is curcumin, is one of the most clinically studied herbs today that contains powerful mind-body healing capacities. A common healing herb in both traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric possesses a unique ability to ease and even cure systemic inflammation, which is a common cause of many chronic health conditions and autoimmune disorders that plague people today.

Because of its natural ability to normalize various bodily processes commonly aggravated by stress and other life factors, turmeric is considered to be one of the most powerful adaptogenic herbs that helps promote systemic balance and facilitate the healthy metabolism and assimilation of nutrients. By counteracting these disease-causing physical, chemical, and biological stressors, turmeric can effectively heal and protect against illnesses that affect both mind and body.

2) Ginger. Often under-appreciated because of its relative commonality as a food, ginger is another powerful healing herb that has been used the world over to prevent and heal diseases of all kinds. Some of ginger’s many benefits include its ability to settle a nervous or upset stomach, which for some people can lead to persistent mental anguish and disruption of other bodily functions. Raw ginger has long been consumed for its general calming effect, which can help promote general healing while staving off disease.

Ginger helps specifically improve digestion by aiding in the breakdown of proteins and fats, which in turn helps prevent gas, food buildup, and other negative conditions that can decrease immune function and trigger disease. Supplementing with ginger can also help lower blood pressure, ease morning sickness, and lower bad cholesterol levels.

3) Aloe vera. Like ginger, aloe vera possesses an incredible ability to ease nausea, improve digestion, cleanse the colon and digestive tract, and maintain healthy elimination and bowel function. Consuming aloe vera can also help ease inflammation and improve the oxygenation of blood, two benefits that for many people can make all the difference in promoting lasting health.

There are so many benefits to consuming aloe vera, in fact, that simply adding the gel or juice of this powerful, succulent plant into your daily dietary regimen can effectively remedy a whole host of physical and mental illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, arthritis, kidney stones, ulcers, high blood pressure, nutrient deficiencies, constipation, diabetes, candida and other yeast infections, skin disorders, and cancer.

4) Tea tree oil. Typically used topically to heal various skin conditions and infections, tea tree oil is considered by many to be “nature’s miracle healer.” A highly-versatile, all-purpose healing oil, tea tree oil, which comes from the Melaleuca tree, is an exceptionally powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antiviral, curative, bactericidal, fungicidal, insecticidal, stimulating, and sudorific herb capable of treating many different physical and mental ailments.

Drinking Melaleuca tea, for instance, especially when blended with other beneficial herbs like rosemary, passion flower, hibiscus, and ginseng, can help calm and soothe the nerves while providing sustained energy and motivation. Adding a few drops of tea tree oil to a diffuser by itself or with other essential oils can also help clear the lungs and airways of harmful buildup, promote alertness, and boost general feelings of health and well-being.

5) Holy basil. Another powerful adaptogenic herb, holy basil is known to help elevate mood and spirit while calming the mind. Like ginseng and licorice, holy basil is said to enhance the mind-body-spirit connection by addressing the underlying health conditions afflicting each of these important human systems. Besides generally relieving stress and boosting immunity, holy basil helps fight chronic inflammation, boost energy levels, promote clarity of mind and thought, and improve digestion.

Known more commonly as tulsi, holy basil is also recognized for its ability to fight various allergies and allergy symptoms, which often lead to feelings of “brain fog” and mental incapacity. Individuals that supplement with holy basil, particularly in conjunction with other adaptogenic herbs, have found that they are able to breathe better, digest food better, think better, and generally feel better, regardless of their particular health conditions.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/041085_healing_herbs_holy_basil_healthy_mind.html

Source: Five must-have herbs for healing your body and mind

Chinese herbal medicine is twice as effective for infertility as conventional Western drug therapy

In a review published in the December issue of the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine, women receiving Chinese herbal medicine treatments were twice as likely to get pregnant within a four-month period than those receiving conventional Western medical fertility drug treatment or IVF. The findings also suggested that the quality of the menstrual cycle – a key component in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis — appears to be crucial to the successful treatment of female infertility. Infertility is generally defined as an inability to conceive after a year or more of regular sexual activity without using birth control.

There is a long recorded history of Chinese herbs being used in the treatment of infertility. In fact, records indicating herbal treatment of infertility and miscarriage date back to 200 A.D., including mention of formulas that are still used for those same purposes today. The first book devoted solely to gynecology and obstetrics, “The Complete Book of Effective Prescriptions for Diseases of Women,” was published in 1237 A.D.

Alternative TCM treatments have become increasingly popular in Western countries as more and more couples find out firsthand how effective and safe they are. It is with good reason that more than a quarter of the world’s population regularly uses Chinese medicine as part of their health care regimen and that TCM is the only form of classical medicine that is regularly used outside of its country of origin.

Study methodology

The study examined abstracts in English of studies investigating infertility, menstrual health and TCM. Researchers then did meta-analyses of (non)randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or cohort studies and compared clinical pregnancy rates achieved with Chinese herbal medicine versus Western medicine drug treatment (IVF). In addition, they collected common TCM pattern diagnosis in infertility in relation to the quality of the menstrual cycle and associated symptoms. Eight RCTs, 13 cohort studies, three case series and six case studies involving a total of 1851 women with infertility were included in the systematic review.

Results

The results showed a 3.5 greater likelihood of achieving a pregnancy with Chinese herbal medicine therapy over a four-month period compared with Western medicine drug therapy alone. Average pregnancy rates were 60 ± 12.5% (60%) for Chinese herbal medicine compared with 32 ± 10% (32%) using Western medicine drug therapy. Meta-analysis of selected cohort studies showed a mean clinical pregnancy rate of 50 percent using TCM compared with 30 percent for IVF.

Why choose TCM over conventional fertility treatments?

While health is said to be the common goal of both TCM as well as conventional medicine, their ideas on the etiology of disease, disease in itself and the process used to recover and maintain wellness are decidedly different. The Western medicine physician learns that disease should be cured by prescribing medicine or using invasive and often dangerous surgical intervention. The physician trained in TCM, however, focuses on healing the patient not by treating the disease but rather by treating the whole person, taking into account the various combined attributes of an individual that account for that individual’s state of health. According to the tenets of TCM, a person is much more than their pathology; treating the pathology may produce desired results, yet, they are usually temporary.

For female infertility, the key therapeutic factors in TCM are focused on re-establishing balance and reducing stress while regulating hormones and menstruation. TCM recognizes that many cases of infertility stem from a problem that may be more functional than structural. In contrast, Western medicine treatment techniques like IVF are not only invasive and expensive but are often stressful for the patients, and stress is not conducive to the achievement of a healthy pregnancy.

Fertility management has been extensively studied and well-developed in Chinese medicine. Doctors in modern China have reported up to a 70% success rate in treating both female and male infertility with herbs, and the results of large scale clinical trials are reported in Chinese medical journals. Hundreds of different herbs are used frequently in the treatment of infertility, often given in complex formulas comprised of multiple ingredients. Herbal medicine is often used in combination with acupuncture, massage, diet and lifestyle modifications for treating fertility. TCM fertility techniques are relatively non-invasive and can often offer a better success rate for significantly less cost.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/035436_Chinese_medicine_infertility_treatment.html

Source: Chinese herbal medicine is twice as effective for infertility as conventional Western drug therapy

Miracle herbal supplement proven to aid victims of cancer treatments

Big Pharma’s drugs have failed miserably in helping female cancer survivors deal with quality of life problems that can linger for years after chemo and radiation treatments are finished. But now there’s help on the horizon — and it’s all natural and appears to be free of side effects. Study results just presented at the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting in Chicago revealed a natural combination of nutrients and phytochemicals were healthy for female cancer survivors across the board with a wide variety of problems.

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center scientists were looking for a way to help women cancer survivors who often suffer from sexual problems following their chemo and other mainstream medical therapies. So the researchers tested a natural nutritional supplement (which has been marketed for the last decade to boost all around well-being and balance hormones); the supplement had already been shown in a small study conducted at Stanford University to improve sexual function.

The Wake Forest research team conducted a double-blind, placebo controlled study and found the all-natural supplement didn’t measurably improve sexual function in the cancer patients. But imagine the scientists’ surprise when the results of the study were analyzed. They found the herbal/vitamin blend produced incredible results in other areas of the women’s lives — reducing pain, relieving insomnia, stopping nausea and boosting energy.

The Wake Forest research, funded by the National Cancer Institute, used a supplement sold as ArginMax for Women which is made from a proprietary blend of L-arginine, ginseng, ginkgo, and 14 vitamins and minerals. Many of these natural ingredients have long been used in traditional medicine to boost energy and circulation and optimize hormonal balance.

For the study, scientists at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest Baptist, the Derrick L. Davis Forsyth Regional Cancer Center, and multiple other cancer centers across the country recruited 186 female cancer survivors who were at least six months past their last treatment for any type of malignancy. The trial was strictly controlled so that neither the research subjects nor the investigators knew who was receiving the supplement and who was being given a placebo pill.

At the start of the study and again at four weeks, eight weeks and 12 weeks after taking the supplement or placebo, all the women completed two standardized questionnaires that measured sexual function and quality of life. Dubbed the FACT-G questionnaire, it measures overall quality of life and has been used in research of all cancer types to evaluate physical, emotional, social and functional well-being.

Amazingly, every single cancer survivor who took the herbal/vitamin supplement was found to have a dramatic boost in measures of overall quality of life.

“The group taking the supplements experienced significant improvement in overall quality of life, particularly physical well-being,” Kathryn M. Greven, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Wake Forest Baptist and the lead investigator on the study, said in a statement to the media.

“Bothersome symptoms such as lack of energy, pain, nausea, and sleeplessness were all improved, as were measures of functional well-being, for example the ability to perform normal activities at home or work. Simply, they reported a greater enjoyment of life, without any additional side effects from the supplement.”

Edward G. Shaw, M.D., M.A., an oncologist as well as counselor and principal investigator for Wake Forest Baptist’s Community Clinical Oncology Program Research Base, was a co-researcher on the study. In the press statement, he noted that cancer survivors can suffer from persistent inflammation (also called chronic oxidative stress) for years after chemo, radiation and other mainstream medical cancer treatments. The result can be lingering fatigue that greatly reduces the quality of life. Dr. Shaw hypothesized that the herbal and vitamin ingredients in the supplement used for the study counteract this process.

“Beyond managing individual symptoms as they appear, the medical community has not been able to offer cancer patients more global symptom relief. This research is empowering for the community of cancer survivors,” he noted. “It is very exciting that we’ve found something that has the potential to affect and improve quality of life for female cancer survivors.”

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/032627_cancer_survivors_medicinal_herbs.html

Source: Miracle herbal supplement proven to aid victims of cancer treatments

Six medicinal herbs and spices that melt stress away

Many stress and anxiety symptoms are similar: Tension, emotional instability, loss of focus, heart palpitations and breathing problems are some. Many often resort to smoking, alcohol consumption, comfort food binging, or heavy recreational drug use (not to be confused with medicinal marijuana).

The major difference is that stressful causal situations are usually known: Hostile work environments, deadline pressures, relationship issues, or money problems.

Simply removing the stressful situation or circumstances, leaving them behind, or just doing something to correct the condition allows one to return to a more relaxed sense of being.

Anxiety differs from stress because it’s an overarching, vague sense of disaster that may consume someone’s life force chronically, even though there is no obvious and immediate causal factor.

Anxiety disorder includes a nagging dread of an unknown future, general phobias, or post traumatic stress despite even apparently pleasant current circumstances. In today’s upside down world, this is understandable.

Continual stress or anxiety builds up cortisone, which leads to a hormonal imbalance that results in serious health issues or chronic fatigue from depleted adrenals. Handling stress better or overcoming anxiety through exercise and/or meditation are becoming more popular.

Nevertheless, the question remains what to do when stress or anxiety inhibits even those fruitful activities? The usual pharmaceutical prescriptions and over the counter (OTC) remedies open a Pandora’s box of undesirable physical and mental side effects, including exacerbating the conditions that were treated.

There are better choices, all natural and mostly without side effects. Keep in mind that the effects from herbal remedies, though effective, are not always as immediate as pharmaceutical medicines.

Six herbal remedies for stress and/or anxiety

St. John’s Wort is perhaps the most well known herbal remedy for anxiety or stress. It’s been around for centuries and was widely used during the Renaissance and Victorian periods to relieve mental conditions. One recent study found it was as effective as Prozac for relieving depression.

It is a perennial flowering plant, and its extracts can be found in capsules, tablets, or tinctures.

Kava-Kava or kava root is a South Pacific herb that is very effective for moderate anxiety. Human studies have determined the kava root extracts to be as effective as pharmaceutical benzodiazepine drugs such as Valium and Xanax without side effects.

There is a rumor that kava root causes liver damage. But a 2001 Duke University study that determined kava root’s strong efficacy also concluded it was safe for the liver.

Passion flower is a recognized, powerful nervous system relaxant. It’s popular in the UK, and Germany’s Commission E has approved it for nervous conditions, sleep disorders, and anxiety. It also contains antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Quite the package.

Tulsi or Holy Basil is another herb with a wide range of powerful health benefits that include relieving stress and anxiety. The monicker Holy Basil was coined by Ayurveda practitioners at least 5,000 years ago.

It is an adaptogenic herb, meaning it helps relieve what needs attention and is able to handle many stressors. It confers a State of Non-specific Increased Resistance (SNIR) that helps the body resist stress. Another great package.

Licorice Root helps the body handle stressful situations, normalize blood sugar levels, and boost your adrenal glands. It is also thought to stimulate cranial and cerebospinal fluid to help calm the mind.

Valerian root, chamomile, and lemon balm teas are often used to help calm restlessness and resolve insomnia. They also have mild anxiety or stress reducing qualities and are very relaxing. They can be used with any of these other herbs listed if there is still a problem getting a good night’s sleep.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/037521_medicinal_herbs_chronic_stress_spices.html

Source: Six medicinal herbs and spices that melt stress away

These medicinal herbs make great additions to your herbal medicine or tea cabinet

Medicinal plants and herbs truly do put the “mother” in mother nature. Like good friends, herbs are always there for you to support your body and help put things right when you’re not feeling well. Medicinal herbs in nature can cure many ailments and truly do put effective, punctual and natural healing power right in the palm of your hands. Here are three herbs which can help you take charge of health.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Peppermint is one of the easiest choices to make when selecting herbs for your medicine cabinet or tea shelf. Peppermint, of the family Lamiaceae, is one of the most popular herbs around due to it’s powerful healing properties. Peppermint is high in volatile oils, such as menthol. Volatile oils trigger cells in the body that perceive cold, which is why menthol causes a cooling effect on the skin. Peppermint applied externally can help sooth sore muscles and can be used as a local anesthetic. Peppermint’s oils penetrate deeply to the nerves and muscles to impede stimulation in cells, blocking pain.

When used internally, peppermint acts as an antispasmodic; this makes peppermint ideal for treating digestive ailments such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, or upset stomach. Additionally, uses of the active compounds in peppermint include the following: immunostimulant (immune system stimulant), anti-inflammatory, fungicide, insectifuge (insect repellent), and aldose-reductase inhibitor (substance that prevents eye/nerve damage in diabetics).

Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium)

Oregon grape, of the family Berberidaceae, is a great addition to your herbal medicine cabinet. This is due to the herb’s capabilities as an effective antibiotic and a bitter tonic to improve digestive function. These healing attributes come from the medicinal alkaloid called berberine, which is found concentrated in Oregon Grape’s bright yellow bark.

Berberine works wonderfully as a natural antibiotic because of its ability to reduce bacterial adherence to cell walls. Oregon Grape therefore works effectively against infections of the bowels, throat and urinary tract. Additionally, Oregon Grape contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hypotensive (promoting low blood pressure) compounds.

Gotu Kola (Hydrocotyle Asiatica)

Gotu Kola is a low-growing member of the carrot, or Umbeliferae, family with origins in the tropical swamps of Asia. It has long been used medicinally to strengthen body tissues, heal wounds, improve memory and promote longevity. It is also used culinarily in Asian recipes, such as salads and curries. Gotu Kola has the ability to strengthen blood vessels and regenerate tissues.

Our bodies’ natural enzymes break down tissues daily as part of the metabolic process. But some people with conditions such as varicose veins or diabetes break down more tissues than usual. Gotu Kola is very effective for normalizing enzyme levels in individuals with these conditions, because it stimulates the body’s collagen-creating fibroblast cells to divide more rapidly.

Gotu Kola is very helpful for treating circulatory conditions; the triterpenes it contains help in treating venous hypertension, diabetes and atherosclerotic plaques. Additionally, Gotu Kola contains anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiulcer, antitumor and hypocholesterolemic (reducing cholesterol) compounds.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/042414_medicinal_herbs_herbal_medicine_tea.html

Source: These medicinal herbs make great additions to your herbal medicine or tea cabinet

Top five medicinal herbs that help fight influenza

Using herbal medicines to fend off sicknesses is a traditional practice that still lives on today. Experts debate about the effectiveness of these herbs in preventing influenza and other kinds of diseases because of a lack of evidence. On the other hand, others have no doubts about their efficacy. The fact remains that these herbs possess qualities that help the body become strong enough to fight off sickness. It is important; however, to consult properly with a professional before taking any of these herbal medicines.

Garlic

There are certain characteristics of garlic that make it effective at enhancing white blood cells, which is actually the body’s first defense against all sorts of infection and illnesses. There has actually been a research study published about the capabilities of garlic and it was included in the Journal of National Medical Association. The study was initiated by Dr. Tariq Abdullah.

According to Dr. Abdullah, garlic’s efficacy is proven at the onset of the flu. It is taken with honey and chewed in cloves. This way of consuming garlic helps with easy absorption. The fumes from garlic can make their way through the sinuses while swallowing it can be beneficial to the gastrointestinal tract.

Echinacea

This is another popular herbal remedy. It is well regarded for its ability to enhance the immune system. It also has unique properties that can help ease pain and inflammation as per the University of Maryland Medical Center. As a matter of fact, there are supplements now that come from dried Echinacea. There are certain precautions that should be observed; however, with taking this herb especially for individuals who are under immuno-suppressant medication. To avoid risks and reap only the benefits, the advice of a specialist needs to be sought after.

Slippery elm

This herb also has positive effects to the immune system. It specifically works to protect any damaged tissue. Slippery elm can also serve the purpose of protecting the esophagus, stomach, intestine lining and throat. This is achieved by the herb through supplying much needed nutrition.

Elderberry

This is another effective herbal medicine that works great in treating flu cases where the respiratory tract is involved. It helps relieve muscle pain and sore throats and it also works effectively at lowering fever. Elderberry has long been considered as a stimulant for the immune system and its extract should be taken as soon as the first symptoms of sickness are felt.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is quite effective at treating cough. It can also help relieve the common symptoms of cold and flu. The fresh leaves of Eucalyptus can either be used as a tea or gargled to relieve pain in the throat. It can also be applied as an ointment for relief.

There are other medicinal herbs regarded for their ability to help the human body fight off sicknesses such as influenza. But since these herbs may interfere with other medications, individuals are reminded against self-medicating. Health is at stake, so proper consultation with a specialist is critical.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/039141_medicinal_herbs_influenza_immune_system.html

Source: Top five medicinal herbs that help fight influenza

7 medicinal herbs and spices that help lower blood pressure

High blood pressure is an epidemic that is currently sweeping across America. The fast lifestyle of fast food, soda and stress is starting to catch up on the average American, so much so that an estimated one in every three Americans has high blood pressure. This puts them at risk of heart disease, stroke and even kidney disease. Moreover, this condition is costing the country 93.5 billion dollars in health care services.

Putting too much faith in the medical establishment to find a cure for your high blood pressure may no longer be advisable in the least. The number of prescription drugs on the market and the cascade of variations suggest that a cure for blood pressure is not in the offing anytime soon.

Despite all the consequences associated with high blood pressure, it is still a condition that is preventable and easily managed. Observing a healthy balanced diet and enjoying an active, healthy lifestyle can help avoid the risk of high blood pressure as well as reduce one that is already elevated.

High blood pressure – A package of woe

There is no one identifiable cause for high blood pressure. A combination of factors like stress, alcohol, smoking, weight and lack of physical activity seem to have to come together to produce this problem, which is further compounded by family history and age.

Although it is a condition that if left unattended could gravitate to something worse, high blood pressure is not a disease. Taking proactive measures in preventing heart diseases, stroke and even kidney disease by managing your blood pressure may be the best decision you can make today.

While the idea of drug-free high blood pressure management through the use of herbs and spices has slowly been gaining ground, it is still treated with skepticism by the medical establishment. The reliance on prescription drugs, however, has not in any way shown that high blood pressure could be cured through this manner. There are still reports by patients who are currently using drugs to manage their high blood pressure that their condition has not shown any improvement, nor their quality of life. Instead, they have to deal with side effects and drugs that are expensive to maintain.

Spice up your life

In a published study featured in the Journal of Medicine, it was revealed that common spices can protect from heart disease and the deterioration brought about by aging. In the said study, researchers discovered a connection between the phenol content of certain herbs and spices and their capacity to prevent glycation and formation of AGE compounds that are responsible for premature aging and heart disease.

As a way to manage your blood pressure, herbs and spices are a fantastic way to increase the medicinal value of your food. Below are some herbs and spices you may have been enjoying with no idea as to their value:

1. Garlic – Garlic contains allicin, a substance which has antibacterial, antioxidant, lipid lowering and anti-hypertension properties. In a pilot study made at Clinical Research Center of New Orleans on whether garlic could lower blood pressure, nine patients with severe hypertension were given a garlic preparation containing 1.3 % allicin. Sitting blood pressure fell with a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure only five to 14 hours after the dose. Moreover, it was proven in a 2009 study that fresh garlic has more potent cardio-protective properties than processed garlic.

2. Cinnamon – Cinnamon not only prevents heart disease, it can also prevent diabetes. The Center for Applied Health Sciences in Ohio conducted a study of 22 subjects, half of which were given a 250mg of water soluble cinnamon daily while the other half were given placebo. It was discovered that those who drank cinnamon had a 13 to 23 percent increase in antioxidants connected with lowering blood sugar levels.

3. Onions – Onions contain quercetin, an antioxidant flavonol found to prevent heart disease and stroke. In a research study published in the Journal of Nutrition, subjects with hypertension experienced a decrease in their blood pressure by 7mmHg systolic and 5 mmHg diastolic as opposed to those who were taking placebo.

4. Olives – This herb is a significant part of the Mediterranean diet, recognized to be one of the healthiest in the world. Oil made from olives has been found to reduce blood pressure. In a study conducted on the importance of olive oil, Dr. L. Aldo Ferrara, Associate Professor at the Frederico II University of Naples in Italy discovered that the daily use of 40 grams of olive oil reduced the dosage of blood pressure medication in hypertensive patients by about 50 percent. Polyphenols in extra-virgin olive oil was credited for the significant reduction of blood pressure.

5. Oregano – This herb contains the compound carvacrol which has been proven to be effective against blood pressure. In a study conducted on animal subjects, by researchers from Eskisehir Osmangazi University in Turkey, carvacrol was found to reduce heart rate, mean arterial pressure as well as the systolic and diastolic blood pressures.

6. Hawthorn - This herb has been traditionally used to treat high blood pressure. In one study conducted in Reading, UK, 79 type-2 diabetic patients were randomized to receive 1200 mg of hawthorn extract while another group received medication for high blood pressure. Results revealed that patients taking hawthorn by the end of the 16th week showed a reduction in their mean diastolic pressure.

7. Cardamom- In one study published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 20 subjects newly diagnosed with primary hypertension were administered 3 g of cardamom powder. After the end of the 3 months, all the subjects experienced feelings of well-being without any side effects. Moreover, the study was able to demonstrate that blood pressure was effectively reduced. It also improved antioxidant status while breaking down blood clots without significantly altering blood lipids and fibrinogen levels.

Taking advantage of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of spices and herbs is an excellent way to boost your body’s health. Herbs have low calorie content, increase the medicinal value of your food and allow you to use natural forms of lowering blood pressure. Mix them up with your soups, salads, fish and meat and vegetable dishes. It’s a healthier and cheaper alternative to keeping bottles of prescription drugs and synthetic supplements.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/035689_medicinal_herbs_spices_blood_pressure.html

Source: 7 medicinal herbs and spices that help lower blood pressure

8 types of food to keep your immune system happy and working optimally

Everyone has to eat anyway, so relying on foods to give immune function a boost makes perfect sense. Here are some foods which can give anyone’s immunity a lift.

Natural whole foods

A well-balanced diet containing sufficient amounts of various essential nutrients forms a critical foundation of good immune function. According to Michael Murray, ND, “nutrient deficiency is the most frequent cause of a depressed immune system”. In fact, much research points to the fact that deficiency in just one particular nutrient can significantly affect one’s immunity.

For example, deficiency in vitamin A can result in lowered cellular immunity and an elevated infection rate, while vitamin C deficiency can lower phagocyte function and decrease cellular protection. Lack of vitamin E can reduce antibody production, while vitamin B6 deficiency can reduce cellular immunity. When one has insufficient vitamin B12, lymphocyte proliferation may be reduced, while lack of zinc can raise infection rates, reduce thymic hormone levels and lower T and B cell function. If copper is lacking, resistance to infection is depressed. The list goes on.

To minimize the risk of deficiency of any nutrient, consume plenty of natural whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, whole grains, nuts and seeds.

Green superfoods

Green foods such as spirulina, chlorella, barley grass, wheat grass, etc are packed with essential nutrients and antioxidants which enhance immunity plus improve various other aspects of health as well.

Cabbage-family veggies

Consume plenty of vegetables in the cabbage-family, including broccoli, cauliflower, collards, kale, Brussels sprouts, radish and turnip. They not only support immune function, but also help prevent cancer.

Colorful vegetables

Colored vegetables, such as dark leafy greens, orange and yellow carrots and yams, and red tomatoes and peppers, are rich in carotenes. Carotenes, as well as other antioxidants, boost immune function by protecting the thymus gland against damage.

The thymus is the major gland of the immune system which is responsible for numerous immune system functions, including the manufacture of T lymphocytes and the secretion of certain hormones which regulate several immune functions. When levels of these hormones are low, immunity is suppressed. The thymus gland is very prone to free-radical and oxidative damage from stress, chronic disease, infections, drugs and radiation. Carotenes not only protect this gland, they also boost the function of certain white blood cells and interferon.

Vitamin C-rich foods

When it comes to immune function, vitamin C is undoubtedly one of the most important vitamins. And a great dose of this nutrient resides in certain foods, including citrus fruits. These include acerola, bell peppers, cantaloupe, citrus and pineapples. Camu-camu, according to James Duke, PhD, is an Amazonian fruit which has the highest vitamin C content in the world.

Garlic and onions

Garlic has an extremely long history of medicinal use to fight infections. Many studies have shown the antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiparasitic and even anticancer properties of compounds found in garlic. Garlic has even been referred to as the “Russian penicillin”.

Onions are close relatives of garlic and have many similar antiviral compounds. Similarly, it can be used in broths and soups.

Mushrooms

Mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake and maitake contain compounds that enhance immune function and boost the body’s ability to fight disease and infection. Some even have anticancer effects.

Probiotic-foods

Yogurt made with large amounts of bifidobacterium lactis helps to raise the number of total helper and activated T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells in the body. It even enhances the ability of immune cells to engulf and destroy foreign invaders, as well as the ability of natural killer cells to kill tumor cells. Other probiotic-containing foods can help too.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/045027_immune_system_health_food_superfoods.html

Source: 8 types of food to keep your immune system happy and working optimally

Four foods that lower blood pressure

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 67 million Americans — approximately one in three adults — suffer from hypertension, or high blood pressure. In 2009 alone, high blood pressure was the primary or contributing cause of almost 350,000 deaths in the United States, which averages at 1,000 deaths per day. The disorder is, in essence, an epidemic in the Western world.

Though high blood pressure can be triggered by stress and other external factors, a poor diet remains its single greatest cause. Therefore, consuming foods that are proven to produce significant cardiovascular benefits is a great way to prevent and treat the disorder naturally. The best of these foods are listed below.

Foods that reduce blood pressure

1.) Garlic — This aromatic and pungent herb, which has been used for over 5,000 years as a medicine, is well known for lowering blood pressure. A pilot study published in Pharmacotherapy in 1993, for instance, found that patients who consumed a garlic preparation that consisted of 1.3 percent allicin (the sulfur compound responsible for so many of garlic’s benefits) experienced a reduction in sitting blood pressure 5 hours after the dose, and a significant increase in diastolic blood pressure between 5 and 14 hours after the dose. Moreover, a 2009 study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that garlic’s cardioprotective properties were stronger in freshly crushed garlic than in processed garlic.

2.) Hot chilies — Hot chilies are packed with capsaicin, an odorless compound that gives them their trademark heat. Capsaicin also happens to be a vasodilator, meaning that it can expand blood vessels and improve blood flow, and it is proven to treat countless cardiovascular issues — including high blood pressure. For example, a 2010 study published in Cell Metabolism found that long-term consumption of capsaicin could lower blood pressure in rats suffering from genetic hypertension.

Generally speaking, the hotter the chili, the more capsaicin it contains. Cayenne pepper is an excellent choice of chili for lowering blood pressure, since its capsaicin levels are high enough to be effective in this regard but not so high that it is unpleasant to consume.

3.) Cacao — This Central and South American superfood, which is usually consumed in powdered or nib form, is one of the most antioxidant-rich foods in the world and contains more than 300 phytochemicals. Given this nutritional power, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that the indigenous tribes of America considered cacao to be a medicine first, and a food second.

Cacao’s cardiovascular benefits, which are often attributed to its high concentrations of flavanols and magnesium, have been extensively studied. One 2011 study featured in Acta Medica Indonesiana showed that dark chocolate (of which cacao is the main ingredient) could decrease blood pressure in prehypertensive subjects after 15 days of consumption. Another 2011 study, published in Food & Function, found that cacao polyphenol extracts had a beneficial effect on arterial blood pressure among hypertensive rats.

4.) Turmeric — Turmeric is a warm and peppery spice that is rich in curcumin. Like the capsaicin found in chilies, curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory and vasodilator, and is great for treating cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure. For example, a study featured in Nutrients in March 2014 discovered that curcumin could prevent elevated blood pressure and vascular dysfunction among mice suffering from cadmium-induced hypertension. According to a review in the International Journal of Cardiology, curcumin can also “ameliorate the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure in animal models.”

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/045039_blood_pressure_healing_foods_curcumin.html

Source: Four foods that lower blood pressure

Recipe Success becomes Developer Application

The proliferation of mobile devices helped boost growth in the mobile app stores like the App Store application for iOS , Google Play Store for Android to Windows Phone Store . No wonder if the developers are racing to make the application .

However , it seems useless if developers have bothered to develop the application , but the application does not print successfully . Although the application is made is quite interesting , but without proper marketing , applications are made to feel useless if not widely downloaded .

Therefore , for the developers , it is important to promote and provide exact explanation of the application is to draw attention and satisfy the interests of users . Here are three ways to be successful so the application developer as reported Liputan6.com :

1 . Start with the free version

Do not immediately jump sell paid apps in the category , unless the user is never used before. Especially if you’re a new player , try to release the free version first. That way , users can get information about the application that you created . Ask for input from the user regarding the release of a free application that you are . Once known , you is fine launching paid version .

2 . Compelling presentations

Got a great app but if not how to display user interest also useless . A well presented application that will surely attract users . In addition , the media to promote the application should also be considered . If you are planning to promote the application for educational purposes , then it would be better if promoted in educational sites and other related platforms .

3 . Do not forget the application after release

One cause of failure in business is not managing the business well . This is natural , because the existing business still needs serious attention from its owner . Similarly, the release of the application , do not forget that after the application is launched in one of the app store .

Instead, try to routinely check the sale and use of data , as well as the input provided by the user . That way you know what features are so user likes and dislikes of the application . It would be very useful if you plan to release a version of improvement .

Source: Recipe Success becomes Developer Application