Herbal Beauty Tips

Herbalife Health Nutrition New Breakfast Products

2009-11-07T13:33:00.001+07:00

Herbalife came out with the ideal breakfast! It is easy to make, tasty and what?s no less important, is healthy. Thinks about all the time you have to spend making yourself a decent breakfast, I?m not even talking about the energy of the very preparation and the time spent thinking about what to make. Herbalife, as usually, makes our life easier.

All you need is nutritional shake mix. You get to choose between four flavors: chocolate, wild berry, tropical fruit and vanilla. The cocktails you make can be standard and simple, but they can also be the fruit of your own imagination and creativity. For example, in order to make the vanilla shake, you need only : 2 big spoons of formula 1 (vanilla flavored powder), 250-500 mm of low cholesterol milk, 1 spoon of honey, ice (if you choose) and shade it all up in a mixer. Seems too easy? In less than five minutes you can present yourself with a nice, healthy drink. It is easy to digest in the morning, yet although the food seems relatively light; it would keep you full for a much longer time than a regular meal would.

The drink is full with vitamins, minerals and healthy herbs. It is a great breakfast that consists only 200 calories. You can add yogurts to the equation; you can chop all kind of fruits, use soya milk ? then just throw it all into the mixer, and within a few minutes, a delicious breakfast is ready. Make your life healthier and easier. Now that it is so easy, everyone can do it! You can make a couple of different cocktail so all your family can enjoy something special that would keep you full until lunch. The drink actually contains the vitamins A, D, E, C, B1, B2, B3, B5 and many more. In short, it contains twice the vitamins serials have. Enjoy your breakfast, it?s not in vain called the most important meal of the day!

Our experts have executed a research to find the best nutrition and diet plans. Find the results on Herbalife health nutrition #1 source. Valuable nutrition info on Herbalife nutrition products on TiGilet.

Alternative Treatments For Headaches And Migraines

2009-08-10T23:39:00.001+07:00

There are now many alternative and natural treatments to help people who suffer from headaches and migraines. In this article, I write about these type of remedies and also recommend the types of food people should avoid if they are always suffering from headaches and migraines.

There are many causes of headaches including:

Excessive amounts of alcohol

Over eating

An incorrect posture

Too much stress

Problems with teeth

Problems with a person eyes

It is important that we learn to deal with stress and to become more care-free. A lot of people react to stressful situations by turning to alcohol. This can only add to their problems and can lead to even more headaches.

If the person drinks to excess they may wake up with a hangover. If this happens to you I would advise you to drink plenty of water as you are likely to be dehydrated. Vitamin C is also useful to remove the alcohol quicker from your body.

If you are unable to live a stress-free life, it may be worth looking at alternative treatments. These are the types of natural therapy I would advise:

Osteopathy

Acupuncture

Homeopathy

Yoga

Tai Chi

The Alexander Technique

There are also certain foods and drinks which are a must to avoid for people who have regular headaches. These include:

Citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruit

Chocolate

Cheese

Alcohol

Migraines

Headaches are annoying enough, however migraines can be severely painful. I have suffered with migraines for a number of years and have now studied the subject seeking a cure. I am determined to not have to live my life, having these migraines regularly throughout the year, as the pain is unbearable. Maybe I am a bit of a wimp, but they really do cause me a lot of grief.

There are a number of reasons or causes for migraines. These include bright lights, certain foods or loud noises. I have to say that I think my own migraines are caused by stress and anxiety. I have always been a worrier and have suffered with a low self-esteem for most of my life. There are many reasons for this lack of confidence, which I will not bore you with at this stage.

I decided that I needed to deal with my stress as well as learning about how to eradicate the migraines.

I am now able to relax and have accepted that no one person is perfect. I realise that I will make mistakes and as long as I learn from them, then that is OK. Worrying does not help me in any case therefore I have to stop doing it.

I have also used alternative health therapies to help me to reduce my stress including:

Herbal remedies

Meditation

Yoga

Tai Chi

I still have headaches as I have to admit that I do like to have a few beers around once a week. I have not however had a migraine for around nine months now. I am a lot happier in life and have learnt how to manage my levels of stress. I regularly meditate and use other natural remedies as mentioned above. This is what has helped me and I hope it helps you to.

Stephen Hill helps to promote a number of websites including:

stuttering treatments

guide to anti-aging

quit smoking tips

What You Should Know Before Taking Herbal Remedies

2009-05-18T19:33:00.001+07:00

Statistics show that thirty-three percent of Americans use herbal products each year. There are many people seeking herbal remedies to gain more control over the health decisions they face.

With all the publicity of both positive and negative reports on herbal remedies, it leaves one wondering who to believe. By taking heed to the following guidelines you can learn to be a wiser consumer of alternative therapies such as herbal remedies.

Did you know that nearly all vitamins have herbal origins? There are also many conventional medicines in use today that have herbal origins. Herbal plants have been used as medicine for centuries. But? on the other hand, everything that is natural is not necessarily safe.

Herbal remedies can be a valuable addition to your personal wellness. However, just as with conventional means, certain guidelines are advisable. Knowledge is the best defense against suffering from misuse of botanical blends.

One of the most important things to learn concerning herbal remedies is to always be sure to obtain them through reputable sources, such as a pharmacy, or a nutritional supplement company with high-quality and manufacturing standards. Be sure to look for other evidence that a manufacturer has quality control standards, such as lot numbers and expiration dates.

Many reported problems in relation to herbal remedies are due to poor quality products, overuse, misuse, allergic reactions, or adverse reactions when taken along with prescription and over the counter drugs.

Before using an herbal remedy make sure you read the supplement label and follow the dosage instructions. If you suspect a supplement is causing a side effect, you should discontinue using it immediately.

Most herbal remedies are generally regarded by the (FDA) Food and Drug Administration to be safe. These herbs can be used safely when taken in the appropriate manner. But these very same herbs may present risk to patients with certain conditions or who are taking certain kinds of medications.

That is why it is always a good idea to consult your physician before taking any herbal supplements especially if you have a chronic disease, or are taking any kind of drugs. Herbal supplements should not be taken by women during pregnancy, breast-feeding or in children under twelve, unless they are specifically recommended and monitored closely by your physician.

Another reason to discuss the use of herbal remedies with your physician is to avoid possible complications. There are certain drugs and herbs that should not be taken together because the herb may increase or decrease the effect of the prescribed drug.

Patients undergoing certain types of surgical procedures and/or general anesthesia should discontinue herbal therapy about two weeks before such procedures. If you are scheduled for surgery, tell the surgeon and anesthesiologist what you are taking. The reason for this is because some supplements can make you bleed easier, cause your blood sugar levels to fall too low, or intensify the sedative effect of anesthesia.

If you are faced with emergency surgery, remember to take your supplements along with all the drugs you take to the hospital to show the anesthesiologist. Your pharmacist will also need to know before filling your prescriptions so they can prevent possible drug interactions. Your pharmacist is well trained and knowledgeable of herb and drug interactions that can prevent complications.

Herbal Remedies have been given rave reviews by many people. But keep in mind that everyone?s makeup and genetic DNA is different. Herbs that work for 95 out of 100 people may not work for you. But that is also true for chemically manufactured drugs prescribed by your doctor.

Although herbs are natural- remember they are very potent, and their usage should be closely monitored. Hopefully with this knowledge in your arsenal it will put you one giant step ahead in your quest for optimum health.

Grab the free 26 week - Health 101 Alternative Health Solutions Newsletter& Discover 20 Healthy Strategies for Achieving Optimal Health Below Herbal Remedies Highest quality herbal remedies - 12 month guarantee.

Treatment for Depression and Anxiety: Is Taking Prescription Medication for Anxiety the Best Option?

2009-05-15T01:27:00.001+07:00

Here is the good news about anxiety disorders: They are treatable. There are a variety of treatments for anxiety, including behavioral therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques and medication. But the question more and more patients are posing to their doctors is: Is prescription medication the best treatment option?

Anxiety is complicated to diagnose because it is often found to be a symptom of other medical conditions or a side effect of other behaviors. For example, some people react to too much caffeine by exhibiting symptoms of anxiety disorders, including, occasionally, panic attacks. Other conditions that can be accompanied by anxiety are hypoglycemia, hyperthyroid, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome and, most often, depression.

When a patient who is suffering from depression is also suffering from anxiety disorder, doctors can often see it as a good sign. In general, it means that the person has not accepted or given in to their depressed condition, and is anxious about it. To alleviate the anxiety, doctors can recommend different types of therapy, each of which can work equally well. Most doctors recommend cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps the patient first to identify the cause of his anxiety, talks him through it, and then slowly and carefully exposes him to situations which make him feel anxious and teaches him how to cope.

In addition to therapy and learned relaxation techniques, doctors will sometimes recommend prescription medication for anxiety -- most often benzodiazepines like Xanax. These medications should not be taken for more than a few months at a time and should not be relied upon as a permanent treatment option. They can be highly addictive and can also produce disturbing side effects, which makes many examine them closely before agreeing to try them.

In many cases, anxiety can be treated without any medication at all. In cases where medication is recommended, there are also natural treatment options for those who are reluctant to begin a regimen that includes prescription medications. If you decide to pursue this route to anxiety relief, look for remedies that include ingredients like passion flower, which is also used to alleviate hypertension, insomnia and nervous tension. Other effective ingredients are lavender, which is one of the most popular panic attack treatments, and lemon balm, a natural anxiety treatment that also serves as a general tonic for the nervous system.

Whichever methods you employ, remember that there are many effective methods of treatment for anxiety and depression, and that patience and persistence will eventually lead you the healthy option that is best for you.

Webmaster: You are authorized to reprint this article providing the author bio/resource box is left completely in tact - including all hyperlinks.

Tess Thompson is a Homeopathic Practitioner, Reflexologist, Certified Aromatherapist, and Herbalist who contributes regularly to Native Remedies - where you can find All Natural Homeopathic and Herbal Remedies for many health conditions including natural treatments for anxiety and panic attack treatments.

The Easy Diet Patch Facts for Weight Loss

2009-05-12T15:57:00.001+07:00

The diet patch claims to work via transdermal delivery of chemicals that are created to suppress the appetite, increase metabolism or keep your body from absorbing fats in the food you eat. Transdermal delivery is viable and works because some molecules are so small they can be absorbed through the skin and directly to the blood stream. Up to 95% percent of a drug can reach the body's cells in this manner compared to a much smaller amount if a drug is taken orally.

It's important to remember that what makes the idea of a patch delivery system work is that the molecules in the drug must be small enough to be absorbed by the skin. Diet Patches contain the usual weight loss ingredients, caffeine, chromium, and hydroxycitric acid amongst other dieting chemicals.

Many marketers go overboard in touting the effectiveness of diet patches, in the process making outrageous promises and some have recently been sent to jail for using spam in their mass marketing campaigns. It's important to remember that diet patches contain the same ingredients as other delivery systems of weight loss products.

It's just that the diet patch can make it easier for the wearer to remember to take the diet products they are using. They don't have to worry about taking a bunch of pills before every meal and possibly be questioned by others about what the pills are for. Diet patches are a more discreet method of delivery for weight loss products and can deliver low doses of the drug over a continuous period of time. You should continue with your exercise program while using diet patches in addition to making good meal choices.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Here is a place for more info and great deals on the diet patch.

Arthritis is a Nutritional Deficiency Disease & Can be Reversed Using Arthritis Herbal Treatments

2009-05-12T15:51:00.001+07:00

What Is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a devastating, painful and degenerative disease of the joints that affects over 75% of all people over the age of 65. In the U.S. alone it is estimated that there are between 37 to 50 million people who suffer with some degree of arthritis.

The vast majority of arthritis sufferers have osteoarthritis which is a chronic, aggressive joint disease. This disease causes cartilage and other joint tissue to deteriorate. Cartilage begins to wear down, and slowly deteriorates to the point to which the surrounding bones begin to rub against each other making a cracking or grating noise. Severe pain and swelling often result, as well as limited movement of the joint.

When compared to arthritis herbal treatments and natural supplements, many doctors prescribe medication to ease the pain and this only serves to make the disease even worse. In fact cortisone (and other steroids) can actually speed up the rate of loss of cartilage. It gets worse - temporary pain relief without rebuilding the joint allows you to move the joint which in turn causes more pain and damage ? a lose, lose situation!

There are more than 100 different types of arthritis, and each has its own characteristic symptoms and its own course. Depending on the specific condition and how severe it is, arthritis can interfere with even the most ordinary activities, such as walking, dressing or bathing.

Most medical doctors will tell you that the causes are multiple and unknown, however the truth is that it is caused by a complex of nutritional deficiencies ? which can of course be reversed in many cases.

Note ? in the case of Rheumatoid arthritis the cause is most likely to be an infection by a bacteria and in addition to the natural and herbal arthritis treatments listed here, a simple antibiotic treatment such as minocycline prescribed by your doctor will help.

At the same time, bone spurs begin to appear at the same joints ? all signs of a calcium deficiency and also an early warning signal of osteoporosis.

Prevention ? A Natural Remedy for Arthritis

In addition to arthritis herbal treatments and supplements, a healthy lifestyle is essential as a natural remedy and for the prevention of arthritis. Following a few basic steps is an important part of providing a natural remedy. Here?s what you can do right NOW:

?Make sure you have a well balanced diet with plenty of green leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, eggs and dairy products ? these contain minerals, vitamins and amino acids essential for health.

?Exercise ? particularly ?weight-bearing exercises? ? many studies all agree that a small amount of regular weight bearing exercise can assist.

?Reduce the amount of meat, processed foods and carbonated drinks in your diet ? these are all high in phosphorous and this causes calcium to be lost.

?Stop smoking and reduce your intake of alcohol, caffeine and sugar - they limit your absorption of nutrients.

?Supplement ? you need to supplement with a good source of calcium and other minerals along with vitamins and essential fatty acids. You will make progress by supplementing with all 90 Essential Nutrients and an additional liquid calcium/magnesium supplement.

?Arthritis herbal treatments and cartilage supplements like glucosamine & chondroitin are required to assist with repair and rebuilding of the cartilage.

Arthritis Herbal Treatments & Supplements

To treat and reverse arthritis you need to follow the prevention guidelines and use arthritis herbal treatments and supplements.

You cannot expect natural cures for arthritis to take a few days. The disease is progressive and degenerative and has been present for quite some time ? however the good news is that these treatments work. The process will take from between two weeks to three months (2 to 3 months if you are older and/or suffer any problems with absorption)or don?t take these nutrients in adequate amounts.

Arthritis Health Supplements:

?Minerals ? supplement with a good source of calcium and minerals. Liquid is always best and only in a form which is organic and highly absorbable (plant derived colloidal minerals); minerals required include copper, magnesium, selenium and zinc and many trace minerals such as manganese and boron ? plant derived colloidal minerals are the best source

?Highly Absorbable Multi-Vitamins - Vitamins B6, D and E are required to build strong bones and vitamins C and E are required to build bone matrix and joints.

?Essential fatty acids from fish oil are also important for reducing the inflammation and rebuilding the fluid used to cushion the joints.

?Amino acids are involved in the construction of collagen and cartilage and you can find them in the multi-vitamin supplements we recommend.

?Liquid calcium/magnesium supplements are required for the support of healthy bones and joints ? liquids are always more absorbable than tablets.

?For pain relief, Cetyl Myristoleate Cream - a natural cream produced from essential fatty acids has been clinically proven to relieve pain and improve mobility.

Natural Pain Relief and Repair of Damaged Cartilage

?Two other arthritis supplements involved in rebuilding cartilage are glucosamine and chondroitin.

Clinical studies around the world have shown that supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin provide a natural remedy for arthritis and help the body build and repair damaged or eroded cartilage as well as reduce pain and inflammation. Gelatin is a natural form of collagen and when combined with glucosamine will be much more effective than glucosamine on its own.

?MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) & CM (Cetyl Myristoleate) - these two arthritis herbal treatments have shown in clinical and scientific trials to promote the repair of cartilage, relief of joint pain and related discomfort and significantly improve the mobility people suffering arthritis.

Pain relief and freedom of movement is a fundamental part of the natural remedy and cure for arthritis. Ease of movement is essential to keep the joint healthy and in time, the vitamin, mineral and cartilage arthritis herbal treatments and supplements will actually rebuild and repair the damage. A Win-Win situation!

Paul Newland is a health writer, sports training consultant and martial arts instructor and manages the Global-Longevity.com website. He is the author of numerous health information books and guides, including the Wellness Report, The Ultimate Antioxidant Report, The Selenium Report, The Bird Flu Report, The Ultimate Nutrient Guide and The Essential Fatty Acid Report and The Ultimate Sports Nutrition Guide - available Free (for a limited time) through Global-Longevity.com

Bitter Melon: The New Wonder Herb?

2009-05-05T19:48:00.001+07:00

Bitter melon is a plant that is grown in tropical areas, like the Amazon, Asia and the Caribbean as a food and medicine. It's a slender, climbing vine with a fruit that looks like a warty cucumber. Its Latin name Momordica means to bite, because the jagged edges of its leaves appear as if they have been bitten. Everything in the Momordica plant, especially the fruit, taste extremely bitter.

Medicinally, the plant has long been used by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon to treat diabetes, intestinal gas, as an antiviral for measles and hepatitis. It promotes menstruation and is also used to topically treat sores, eczema, leprosy and large wounds. It is used by tribesmen to heal hypertension, malaria, fevers and headaches. Taken internally, it is effective in expelling worms and parasites in adults and children

In numerous modern studies, all parts of the plant has been found to clinically demonstrate hypoglycemic (blood sugar lowering) properties and other beneficial properties against diabetes mellitus. The fruit's extract has shown the ability to enhance the body's glucose uptake and promotes insulin release. In other in vivo studies, the fruit and seed have been shown to reduce total cholesterol by significant amounts. Other in vitro studies have also demonstrated the anti-cancerous and anti-leukemic properties of bitter melon against liver cancer, leukemia and melanoma. Bitter melon,is also effective against numerous viruses, including the Epstein-Barr, herpes and HIV viruses. In one study, a leaf extract increased the resistance to viral infections while also increasing the abilities of our natural killer cells. In addition, the fruit and fruit juice have shown strong antibacterial properties, especially against E.Coli.

However, when extracts are injected intravenously in lab rats, bitter melon proves to be toxic and poisonous. The seeds of the fruit also have the ability to induce abortions in mice, as well as anti-fertility properties in female animals. It also produced sperm infertility in male animals. Bitter melon has also been traditionally used to lessen uterine activity; therefore, should not be used by pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers. Though bitter melon can lower blood sugar levels, it should not be used by persons with hypoglycemia. Even diabetics planning to take bitter melon supplements should check with their physicians first and always monitor their blood sugar levels because they may need to change their insulin medications.

Today, bitter melon capsules and teas have become more widely available in the Western world. Concentrated fruit extracts are now available in capsule form, as well as in powders and tinctures. It is also a suggested complementary treatment for diabetes, viruses, colds and flu, high cholesterol, psoriasis and certain cancers. The traditional method of making bitter herb tea is as follows: One cup of a standard leaf decoction taken two times daily, or 1-3 ml of tincture taken twice daily. The traditional South American remedy and the most potent way of using bitter melon for diabetes is to extract the juice of a fresh bitter melon fruit to be drank twice daily on an empty stomach. For seed or fruit extracts in capsules, make sure to follow the instructions on the label.

Michael Russell

Your Independent Herbal guide.

Why Losing Weight With Hoodia Gordonii Is Easy

2009-04-28T19:42:00.001+07:00

Made popular by such celebrities as Oprah Winfrey and by television shows such as 60 Minutes, Hoodia Gordonii is gaining widespread attention as an all natural weight loss supplement. But what exactly is Hoodia Gordonii and how does it aid in weight loss?

Understanding Hoodia Gordonii

Hoodia Gordonii is a plant very similar in appearance to the cactus which grows mainly in southern Africa. The six foot plant, which is native to the Kalahari Desert, has been used for hundreds of years by the indigenous people of Southern Africa to quench thirst and to suppress appetite on long trips across the desert.

In recent times, clinical trials done by drug giant Pfizer and others have emerged indicating Hoodia as a powerful weight loss supplement. In one such study conducted in the UK, one group of volunteers was given a placebo while another group of volunteers was given an extract of Hoodia Gordonii. Both groups were then sent home and told to go about their lives as they normally would. Two weeks later, results showed that the group that was given the Hoodia extract reduced their caloric intake by 1,000 calories per day with no extra effort whatsoever. This study, and others like it, concluded that Hoodia Gordonii helps dieters lose weight by suppressing the appetite.

How Hoodia Gordonii Works

Studies done on Hoodia shows that it contains natural substances which, when ingested, causes your brain to think that you are full and eliminates the desire to eat. This makes Hoodia a powerful appetite suppressant and an excellent addition to any weight loss program.

Why Hoodia Liquid Works Best

In order for Hoodia Pills to work they must go through your digestive system. Not only does it take the hoodia pills longer to reach your bloodstream then a liquid does, but your digestive juices attack the hoodia losing some of the potency. With a liquid the absorption rate is 95 ? 98%, while with pills it is only 2 ? 20% maximum. Pills are also sometimes hard to swallow but a liquid hoodia can be taken by putter a dropper full under your tongue or mixing in a glass of water or juice. Plus liquid hoodia also tastes good.

You can easily see why the hoodia liquid is clearly the better choice.

Making Hoodia Gordonii Part Of Your Weight Loss Program

While Hoodia Gordonii shows a lot of promise as a powerful appetite suppressant, it is important to note that there is no magical solution when it comes to weight loss. An intelligent weight loss program should be combined with sensible changes in your lifestyle that include moderate exercise such as strength training which builds strength and endurance.

Additionally, attention should be paid to your diet and care should be taken to avoid foods that are high in sugars such as potatoes, baked goods, candy and other types of sugar containing foods.

Healthy, wholesome foods should make up your diet which includes unsaturated fats from olive oil and canola oil, for example, and omega-3 rich oils found in fish and other seafood.

Moreover, healthy weight loss should never go over two pounds per week. If you are on a weight loss program that goes beyond that, it is likely to include loss of muscle and bone density. While it may be easier to lose muscle mass and bone density, it is a lot harder to gain it back. A loss of bone density can lead to fractures, injuries and more serious illnesses such as osteoporosis. It is for this reason, therefore, that most dieticians suggest that weight loss should not go over more than two pounds of body fat per week in order to avoid the loss of muscle mass.

Additionally, full hydration during any weight loss program is essential especially while taking a supplement like Hoodia Gordonii because, in addition to suppressing the appetite, it will also eliminate your thirst as well.

Patricia has been interested in Health & Fitness since the early 70's and knows how to separate hype from fact. Patricia's choice for Most Effective Hoodia Gordonii visit http://www.BestHoodiaGordonii.com

Melanoma Skin Disease and Skin Cancer Treatment ? You Need to Read This

2009-04-24T12:57:00.001+07:00

Skin cancer like melanoma is potentially fatal. Hence, it is imperative that skin cancer treatment is begun early. Skin cancer treatment may take on the conventional form or it may be along the lines of alternative medicine. Cancer treatment is progressing rapidly by the day and new treatment methods are in the pipeline.

Conventional skin cancer treatment encompasses a range of methods, like:

Surgery
Surgery is the oldest form of treating skin cancer. This treatment involves the removal of the tumor and some adjacent healthy tissues in order to stem the cancer spread. For some surface-based cancers doctors and surgeons have found skin peels like the TCA skin peel have been very effective (see the link below for more info on TCA peels for home use).

Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy aims at skin cancer treatment by introducing specific cancer-combating drugs in the body. These drugs kill the cancer cells by hampering their development and regeneration. To counter the side effects, chemotherapy is being molded along new lines.

Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses x-rays to kill the cancer-causing cells. This therapy can be applied to any part of the body. New radiation techniques like External Beam Radiation aim at focusing the radiation to the cancer cell and away from healthy tissue.

Immunotherapy
Biotherapy or immunotherapy aims at treating skin cancer by enhancing the body?s immune system with doses of tumor vaccines, interleukin-2, or interferon-alfa. It involves fewer side effects than other methods.

Hyperthermia
The cancer cell is known to be sensitive to heat. Local hyperthermia is one method of cancer treatment where the whole body or the concerned area is subject to high temperatures to destroy or weaken cancer cells.

Photodynamic Therapy
A relatively new cancer treatment, Photodynamic Therapy, involves the injection of Photofrin so that when the cancer cell is subject to a laser beam, the drug is triggered into action. This treatment is relatively painless and entails less risks and side effects than other treatment forms.

Steering clear of these harsh methods are the alternative forms of cancer treatment like:

Nutritional Therapy
Here the cancer patient is put on an individualized diet in accordance with the specific dietary preferences and requirements to counter the ravages wrought by the disease and the treatment.

Pain management
Pain management aims to alleviate pain and distress either through drugs, surgery or psychotherapy.

Naturopathy
It is ?back to nature? in the realm of cancer treatment, with natural therapy. Naturopathy is an herbal treatment, which furthers your body?s innate ability to heal itself, combining a range of processes.

Psychoneuroimmunology
Another new form of cancer treatment is Psychoneuroimmunology. It believes that mind can wield enough control over the body to stimulate a healing process. Thus, this form of treatment engulfs a range of nutritional and medical issues to aid during the bodily healing and emotional and cognitive therapies like stress management and humor sessions to empower the mind.

Spiritual Support Therapy
Another popular form of skin cancer treatment is Spiritual Support Therapy, which takes care of the patient?s spiritual well being and a regimen of exercises and massages that forms the Physical Therapy, designed to abate stress and pain.

Skin cancer treatment is most effective when cancer is diagnosed early and the physician embarks on the best form of treatment.

David Maillie is a chemist with over 12 years experience in biochemical research and clynical analysis. He is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in biochemical synthesis for public, private, and governmental interests and manufactures various skin peels for plastic surgeons, medispas, and in home use. He can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: http://www.bestskinpeel.com

Cellular Nutrition The Herbal Way for Health and Weight Loss

2009-04-13T19:03:00.001+07:00

Optimum health can only be achieved through good nutrition. The trillions of cells that make up your body must be healthy and functional before you can expect to optimise your energy levels and overall sense of well-being. No long term weight control or life enhancement programme can work, unless your cells receive the vital nutrients needed from natural food sources or any additional supplementations.

YOUR BODY IS UNDER SEIGE EVERYDAY! You feel rushed, hungry, fatigued and stressed out. So you eat fast food for convenience, sweet, sugary food for a pick-me-up and take medicine to keep away the aches, pains, sleeplessness and general malaise. It's no wonder we're overweight and overwhelmed. In recent years, excess weight has been documented as the leading cause of many common ailments. It's become a serious health concern that shouldn't be overlooked or minimised.

Nourishing the body at the cellular level assists and maintains the growth, repair and rejuvenation of your body's cells, which is the basis of a healthy diet. Throughout your life, your body goes through amazing changes. Hormonal shifts, pregnancy, mood swings loss in bone density and weight fluctuations, to name but a few. If we lived in a world that was as pure and unspoiled as our ancestors did, eating balanced meals would be enough to put us on the path toward good health. Unfortunately, today we are faced with undesirale external challenges such as pollution and chemically processed foods. If we don't properly elimanate these toxins, which we absorb either through the air we breathe, or the foods we eat, feelings of low energy, bloating and poor digestion can result.

Even when you think you're doing everything right, trying to eat better, getting exercise and resting, you may still feel sluggish, run-down and out of sync. So what are we doing wrong? Unless you nourish your cells, you cannot sustain your ideal weight or improve your well-being. Optimal well-being can begin when you nourish your cells for proper metabolism, growth, repair, detoxification and reproduction. By using the highest-quality herbs and purest ingredients, it is possible to sustain a vital, more energetic-feeling you!

Ann Reilly is a Practitioner of Reflexology, Reiki and a Herbalife Independent Distributor. For more information on how to optimize your well-being visit http://www.youshapeup.net

The Best Way To Stop Smoking

2009-04-12T17:57:00.001+07:00

If you?re a smoker, then you?re probably panicking. Obviously you have come to this article because, on some level, you had a desire to stop smoking. But heck, as a former smoker myself, I know that you won?t be entirely comfortable with the proposition of never lighting up again. An emotional bond has been formed. Smoking is more than a habit to you - it?s like letting go of an old friend. So it?s only natural that you want to find the best way to stop smoking and, preferably, the easiest.

You?re going to be bombarded with a thousand ways to quit the habit. Your government?s health department will probably tell you to hit the patches. TV adverts will be promoting the nicotine gum. You may even have flirted with the idea of taking on herbal cigarettes as a means of breaking your ties with nicotine.

As a former 40-a-day man, and someone with a rather intimate knowledge on the profound effect smoking has on our psyches, I?d have to tell you to steer clear of all these smoking aids. There is an incredibly simple reason for this: if you take to patches instead of cigarettes, all you are doing is transferring habits. The bottom line is that you will still be taking nicotine, and you will still be addicted to a habit.

If we remain addicted to a habit, then we are slaves for a lifetime. It is the equivalent of locking the habit up in a box, but having to carry that box around your neck for the next 20 years. If you want to successfully quit smoking, then you have to let go physically and emotionally. You have to wave it farewell. You have to be at peace with yourself. As hippy-like as that sounds, it?s absolutely true.

To this extent, the best way to stop smoking permanently is to leave tobacco behind by your own choice. That means no patches, no gum, no herbal substitute. It doesn?t mean willpower, either. Smoking is primarily a psychological addiction, which leaves you with two choices - either tolerate the psychological wall as best you can, or knock the sucker down. By choosing to quit cigarettes through sheer willpower, you are essentially fighting your own mind. If you choose to tackle the psychological links you have with smoking, then your mind will be at peace and, consequently, you will be able to live a non-smoking existence in perfect harmony.

This is not a difficult task. There are many forms of hypnotherapy available to help you break down your psychological bonds with tobacco, coming in the forms of vis-?-vis consultations, CD?s and books. I managed to break a 10 year habit within four hours thanks to this method, and I didn?t even have to leave my own house. After nearly a hundred failed attempts using patches, gum and willpower, I?d say that was a pretty good result. So take inspiration, and always remember that the best way to stop smoking is to simply let the love affair go.

Jonty Smith is a former smoker based in the U.K.

After 10 years of smoking two packs a day, Jonty finally managed to quit in 2006. His story of how he managed to beat the habit is available for free reading at (http://www.How-I-Stopped-Smoking.com)

Herbal Medicine for IBS

2009-04-02T13:00:00.001+07:00

Herbal medicine for IBS may be included as part of a holist approach to IBS control. The medical community commonly states that there is no cure for the syndrome. It is a chronic disease and symptoms can flare up again and again over a person?s life because of stress and diet. A complete treatment plan or a holistic approach to IBS control will address factors like diet and stress. Prescription medications, over the counter products and herbal remedies for IBS can only be a part of a complete treatment plan. This article focuses on botanicals and herbal medicine for IBS relief and control, but they may not be effective if changes in diet and stressful lifestyle are not included as well.

If you are the type of person who prefers to use botanicals, plant remedies or herbs rather than chemicals to treat health problems and you suffer from IBS, then you will be happy to know that there are many botanicals, plants and herbal remedies for IBS. Slippery elm was recommended by Native Americans for indigestion and stomach ailments. While the term IBS was not used by them, herbalists have studied the effectiveness of slippery elm when looking for herbal medicine for IBS. Slippery elm can have side effects. It may have a laxative effect and may not be the best of the herbal remedies for IBS with diarrhea. However, it was used historically to treat both diarrhea and constipation. If you are taking a holistic approach to IBS with diarrhea, it is very important to look at your diet and the beverages you choose to drink. Caffeinated beverages including coffee, tea and sodas can all have laxative effects. Those who are taking a holistic approach to IBS with constipation should avoid these beverages as well, because they can slow down the digestive system and worsen constipation.

Aloe is commonly listed as an herbal medicine for IBS control. It was not used historically for indigestion, but to relieve the pain from burns and skin lesions and to reduce swelling. Modern herbalists have found that when purified and concentrated it is effective for the relief of many digestive problems. But, it can have a laxative effect and so may not be the best of the herbal remedies for IBS with diarrhea. As part of a holistic approach to IBS, keeping a symptoms diary may be helpful when you try herbal medicine for IBS. A symptoms diary can also help you determine what foods to avoid and what foods to include. You may also be able to see how a particularly stressful day can lead to a flare up of symptoms. Many people find that including meditation, particularly before eating, as part of their holistic approach to IBS control is helpful and may prevent symptoms completely.

Botanicals and herbal remedies for IBS control may work for some and not for others. People are different and so different plants affect them differently, just as different foods affect them differently. Foods that bring on symptoms in one person may not bring on symptoms in another person. Some people who claim to have a cure for irritable bowel syndrome are marketing books and products to consumers. It is important to remember that these eating plans may or may not work for you. A food and symptoms diary may help you design your own cure for irritable bowel syndrome, whether you have diarrhea, constipation or both. By noting what foods you ate at the last meal or possibly earlier in the day, you may be able to identify food sensitivities. Food sensitivities and even allergies can develop later in life, meaning that the food you ate with no problem once could be causing you problems now. Adding botanicals or herbal medicine for IBS control is an option and most are safe, but you should discontinue use and consult your doctor if symptoms worsen. A holistic approach to IBS should also include a stress management plan. While stress is not believed to cause IBS, it does worsen symptoms. If used alone, without a complete treatment plan, herbal medicine for IBS control may not be effective.

For more information about herbal remedies for IBS and general information about IBS and other digestive problems, visit www.digestive-disorders-guide.com.

Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience as a healthcare professional and currently writes informational articles for the Digestive Disorders Guide. Read more at http://www.digestive-disorders-guide.com.

Do Herbal Treatments For Acne Work?

2009-03-30T13:25:00.001+07:00

Acne is a common health complaint of not only teenagers, but also of adults.

Often, acne is not outgrown, and many adults suffer from the health issues and related emotional problems that acne produces in their lives.

Nearly 80% of people suffer from some type of acne. Although acne is not curable, it is a highly treatable health issue, and herbal treatments for acne are available.

The causes of acne are mainly two things, hormones and genetics.

Other things like stress, weather, and allergies can also trigger acne. Acne is basically a bacterium, and there are definitely herbal remedies that improve a person's health by removing harmful bacteria from the system.

Herbal remedies and herbal treatments for many different health problems have been around for hundreds of years.

For some people, herbal remedies are preferred because they are natural, for others, they turn to herbal remedies because nothing else has worked for them with their acne health complaints.

The thing to remember about herbal remedies is they can be very effective if they are used correctly, and they should be used as directed, and after doing some research about the most effective and safe way to treat acne.

Also, if after a month or so, if the herbal treatment is not improving the acne, it is time to try something else.

Some herbalists swear by herbal remedies that promote healthy liver functions.

The liver is for removing toxins and excess hormones that are known causes of acne.

Some of the herbal remedies suggested for healthy liver function include burdock, yellow dock, and dandelion root.

Other herbal remedies suggested for helping to treat the health issue of acne include green tea, and tea tree oil, allantoin, licorice root olive leaf and evening primrose oil.

Do any of these herbal remedies actually work to improve the health issues of acne or not?

Yes they do and some people swear by them.

Sources:
acne-review.com
health-care-information.org

'Discover more articles and information regarding acne and skin treatments', find some Acne Alternative Treatments

Herbal Sex Supplements

2009-03-29T19:58:00.001+07:00

There are numerous herbal supplements on the market today that increase sexual performance and satisfaction. How is one to choose which of these products is the right one to try? Trying to sort through the various descriptions can be time-consuming and frustrating. Therefore, when delving into the world of herbal sex supplements, it is important to know basic information concerning herbal remedies.

When looking for an herbal remedy, it is important to find one that states it falls under the category of herbal Se supplements. The Se stands for standardized extract, meaning the ingredients are carefully measured and formulated so that each tablet or capsule contains the exact same portion of ingredients. Some herbal supplements do not offer this imperative procedure; therefore, the doses will vary, even in the same bottle.

In order to gain such goals as penis enlargement, increased sperm count, or heightened sexual desire, the incorporation of herbal Se supplements is the key. With anything else, results will vary due to the variance in the dosages taken daily. When dosages vary, consistent results are much more difficult, if not impossible, to achieve.

A prime example of herbal Se supplements can be found by researching supplements such as the MacaEnhancer or Vig-Rx. There are numerous herbal Se supplements available, and finding which one is right for your needs is simply a matter of research. Maca root has become in an increasingly popular herbal sex supplement. When combined with amino acids, the mixture will result in not only enhanced sex, but also increased semen production. When shopping for herbal sex supplements, look for ones that contain those two key ingredients and try to find one that offers vitamins as well.

Getting the right ingredients from a supplement that utilizes a standardized extract procedure will ensure that you?re using a quality product, leading to the best results. When researching for the right supplement to use, the very first thing to look for is if the supplements being studied are herbal Se supplements. If not, then do not waste any time or money on them. There are simply too many other products available that are proven to work without wasting effort on those supplements that are made with less than quality standards.

About The Author

Dr. Michael Rodriguez is an innovator who has spent the past decade researching male sexual health.

See the only product that he endorses at: http://www.macaenhancer.com; macaarticles@abmarketers.com

Green Tea

2009-03-27T19:52:00.001+07:00

For many centuries people of China used green tea for treating various diseases. However with the advancement of time, today people of west use green tea, realizing its several benefits. Green Tea has long been esteemed in China for its involvement to good health. Fame of Green tea in the United States persists to develop, viewing that green tea is an innate foundation of antioxidants. These antioxidants aid defend the body from accelerating aging and augmented danger of ailments. Years of research reveal that green tea restrains the expansion of objectionable cell colonies, thus building it the healthiest tea obtainable.

Let us take a look at the benefits of green tea:

Green tea has many health benefits, and it can be used for avoidance of the diseases: Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, High Cholesterol, Cardiovascular Disease, cataracts, Infection, and Impaired Immune Function.

Green tea helps in weight loss course. The green tea leaves augments metabolism in the body there fore consumption green tea helps you burn more calories.

Green tea has the capability to fight bacteria and this can be counted as one of the chief benefits of green tea. This boosts your immune system thereby increasing the resistance power. It also helps kill bacteria that cause plaque and succeeding tooth decay. Green tea can help in fight food poisoning.

In addition, green tea can help lessening blood sugar level and cholesterol level in your blood.

Also green tea helps in getting rid of bad breath. Some element is present in green tea that stunts the growth of bad odor causing bacteria. Therefore a cup or two of green regularly can help in maintaining fresh breath.

If you are a chain smoker and also you consume around six cups of green tea a day then the propensity of risk caused due to the toxins emitted by cigarette smoke is reduced to a great extent.

Green Tea also contributes to maintain your beauty. With the help of green tea you can freshen up your face and apply around your tired eyes to get soothing feeling. If you have freckles or blemishes on your face you can apply the green tea to get rid of the spots. The green tea also has benefits for antiseptic purposes. It can be used to treat minor cuts, rashes and also can be treated to cure sunburn.

Green Tea is organically grown and the customary drying method used with Green Tea prevents the tea from the harmful effects of fermentation.

Products of green tea are available in different strength levels. Some supplements are comprised of low strengths of the active polyphones, whereas others go as far as using un-standardized green tea leaf powder.

It has been confirmed that green tea is stuffed with health benefits. It acts as a influential antioxidant, which has been identified to assist prevent cancer, pull through from the harmful cholesterol, and guard against harm caused by free radicals.

It has been reported by National Cancer Institute that Green Tea has Cancer avoiding aptitudes and components for fighting against insert fresh life to the market. People who have depended on costly anti-oxidant products are finding that Green Tea is very cost-effective and organic. Tea is one of the foremost selling fresh drinks, only after water.

However you manage to incorporate green tea in your diet, as well as it on a standard basis will help you receive utmost results. Put in green tea to a vigorous, balanced diet and exercise schedule for general fitness.

Rich Marsiglia, Natural Health Products at YourHealthyPlace.

Change Your Life With a Commitment to Weight Loss

2009-03-26T14:44:00.001+07:00

Anyone who has ever had to lose weight can attest to the enormous commitment the endeavor demands. Dropping pounds requires you to substantially alter your life style. Eating habits must be changed, physical activity must be incorporated and a general healthier approach to living must be embraced.

For many individuals, the promise of a thinner self is the inspiration to maintain a weight loss regimen. Losing weight can have not only a significant effect on your health, but also on your self-esteem.

Feeling good about your physical appearance benefits your self-esteem in many ways. For many people, not being proud of their body prevents them from attaining what they want in life. It is exciting to think of the many areas in your life that can potentially change when you lose the weight.

Changing Your Attitude about Weight Loss

Losing weight can give you the confidence you need to win the position at work that you have always wanted. When you are not positive about your appearance, it shows, and often your career is negatively affected. Knowing that you look and feel good results in a positive attitude and people will respond accordingly. It is not only your attitude that will change, but also the way you interact with people. Weight loss can help you be more assertive, direct and convincing- factors that can get you ahead in your career!

Visualizing a Thinner You

Undoubtedly, weight loss has the power to change your professional life, but it also has the ability to change your romantic life. Whether you are attached or single, a new thinner you will have more confidence in the field of love. Perhaps you will surprise your husband by wearing that sexy dress you had always thought of wearing but never had the courage to do so. Or, maybe you will finally ask that gorgeous librarian out on a romantic date. Losing weight not only sheds extra pounds from your body, but it also does away with feelings of fear and intimidation. Once you conquer weight loss, you will feel as if anything is possible, and it is!

When you start to feel as if you will never lose the weight and dieting is just too hard, think of the new thinner you that is just around the corner. Imagine the added energy you will have, the increased confidence and the overall feeling of well being. Weight loss is hard work, but the end result is well worth it!

Tammy Corbett is weight loss consultant and author of several articles on the importance of weight loss programs.

Drug Interactions? Wonder if Your Prescription Drugs Are Messing with Each Other? Check

2009-03-25T13:07:00.001+07:00

I found a great drug-drug interaction resource site today while in clinic. There is no reason why you cannot use the same reference. So many times people are on drugs, herbs or vitamins which interact with each other in harmful ways.

This drug interaction resource has the following types of drug interactions:

* Vitamin-Drug Interaction

* Herb-Drug Interaction

* Drug-Drug Interaction

* Alcohol-Drug Interaction

* Food-Drug Interaction

If you find something suspicious or not sounding that good, do not adjust your own medications. If you think you can, you cannot. If you change some prescription drugs too quickly, a serious side effect can occur causing death or a serious medical condition.

So - use this site as a reference - not to self-medicate and adjust your meds.

Drug Digest is an awesome easy to use tool that allows one to check two or more possible drug interactions. Simply search for a drug, vitamin or herb, add it to the drug interaction list and search for another. Keep doing this as needed. Once all drugs, herbs and vitamins are added to the drug interaction list, simply hit the button 'check interactions'

The drug interaction database will think for a moment and then spit out the possible interactions with explanations.

Again - do not self adjust your medications. Ever.

I discovered in clinic today that a patient's aspirin was altering his blood pressure medications. Aspirin works by limiting prostaglandin release and some blood pressure meds work by prostaglandins. Prostaglandins allow blood vessels to relax which is also what inflammation does. As aspirin decreases inflammation, this specific blood pressure med got affected. The outcome: he still had very high blood pressure.

Did I say don't adjust your meds? Good.

To give an example - if this patient did, he would be dead or suffer a large heart attack.

Here is the drug interaction website: Drug Digest

Enjoy the database. Tell your physician about it. They will love it.

In health,

Benjamin Lynch has a BS degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of Washington. Currently, he is obtaining his doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine at Bastyr University. Visit Ben's natural health product store, HealthE Goods where one can use our free health information service where one may ask specific health questions. We provide physician-grade non-prescription natural health products. Wholesale spa products are available to all that qualify. Do visit our Healthy Lifestyle and Wellness Blog. We are here to help serve the public with proper health information and effective products. Products described in the article are available at HealthE Goods.

Have a health question? Drop by and send me an email. Glad to help.

Forgotten Remedies and the Health Benefits of Aloe Vera

2009-03-24T12:16:00.001+07:00

Over the years we as a society have gotten away from tried and true herbal cures and other traditional remedies and dismissed them as being too folksy.

Once upon a time, we would turn to our parents or grandparents when something was different with our little ones. More often than not, now we turn to family clinician. But they were never taught what our grandmothers learned from their own mothers, techniques that have been tried and true for a very long time.

Sometimes we tend to rely too much and modern technology, there are times when we need to get back to basics.

In this regard we would certainly be well advised to take a cue from the Far East where such inexpensive herbal cures are the norm-and often more effective than the costly high-tech approach that we in the West rely so heavily upon.

Take Asthma, for instance. One largely lost remedy is a very simple one: Just apply lobelia (either in liquid form or else mixed with a carrier such as aloe vera or massage oil) to the chest and simply rub in.

Why is the Aloe Vera so helpful and important?

Well first off, it should be noted that Aloe Vera has been noted for quite some time for it's medical and wellness properties. It is a true health plant to be certain.

It can also be found in various supplements, liquids, drinks and so on. Ancient healers recorded the wonders of Aloe Vera in their written records. One such recorded benefit is it's great ability to promote a healthier skin.

Despite the fact that the majority of individuals know aloe vera mainly for its topical use, it has quite a few additional benefits as well. Manufacturers utilize the plant in a variety of different ways. Broadly speaking, individuals who injest aloe internally on a routine schedule often report a heightened feeling of euphoria and calmness of being.

Perhaps one of the best features of aloe vera is the strong support it gives for the absorption of certain crucial minerals and gives of itself to maximize whatever vitamins, minerals, antioxidants or nutritional supplements the body is trying to process.

Aloe Vera is also a superb anti-inflammatory substance, which is why it is used on cuts and burns as well as in various nutritional supplements. In addition to it's noted wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties Aloe is also known for it's important immune-stimulatory activities. Surprisingly, only a few aloe species out of more than three hundred total breeds are currently used in a commercial fashion.

One of the reasons that Aloe is so effective are due to important bioactive components called chromones.

The more you study it, the more you appreciate the natural wonder that is Aloe Vera.

Ryan Joseph is a writer/researcher. More health and Wellness Articles at http://www.thewellnessportal.com/articles.html

Low Carb Diet Products

2009-03-23T10:23:00.001+07:00

Low carb diet products are a big business in the United States. Many people believe that low carbohydrate products will help them lose unwanted weight. Low carb diet products are mainly prepared for diet programs focusing on dietary health and weight reduction, they advocate limited consumption of carbohydrates. These products mostly include items that are sugar free and rich in protein.

Today, consumption of low carb diet products has become a popular way to lose weight quickly and is the preferred lifestyle for thousands of health and weight conscious people. Generally, low carb diet products are more expensive than traditional food products. On the downside, many of these products, especially protein bars, have a pronounced aftertaste, as well as side effects like indigestion, nausea and bloating.

Low carb diet products are available in most stores in the form of snacks and crackers, protein bars, tortillas, sugar free candies, shakes, flax and nut crunchies, baked goods, sauces and pasta.

With the advent of the Internet, most of the companies dealing with low carb diet products offer them online. This helps users to purchase any product in the convenience of their home or office.

For whatever reason one might be using low carb diet products, it is best to keep in mind that the best approach to lose unwanted weight is to eat a balanced diet. Carbohydrates and fat are required in sufficient amounts to remain healthy. Regular exercise also aids in reducing weight, while at the same time maintaining a healthy body through exercise is essential.

Diet Products provides detailed information on Diet Products, Low Carb Diet Products, Herbal Diet Products, Raw Diet Products and more. Diet Products is affiliated with Diet Pills.

Comfrey

2009-03-22T16:40:00.001+07:00

(Symphytum Officinale)

Medicinal Parts: Rootstock, leaves

Description: Comfrey is a perennial plant common in moist meadows and other moist places in the U.S. and Europe.

Properties: anodyne, astringent, demulcent, emollient, expectorant, hemostatic, refrigerant, vulnerary.

Comfrey is truly one of nature?s miracle cures. The root produces a high amount of a gummy material called mucilage, and the root and leaf are both high in allantoin, a substance that helps with cell proliferation. Comfrey is excellent for reducing the swelling around a fracture, thereby allowing the union to take place with greater facility. And according to herbalist John Gerard, ?A salve concocted from the fresh herb will certainly tend to promote the healing of bruised and broken parts.?

My midwife first introduced me to Comfrey after the birth of my first child. To put it mildly, it was not an easy delivery. All of those little joys after childbirth were making me very uncomfortable. You know, the tearing, bruising, stitches, etc. The midwife instructed me to steep Comfrey leaves in hot water and add it to my sitz bath. The results were phenomenal. It relieved the discomfort almost instantaneously.

Today, any time I attend a baby shower, I make up a gift basket stocked with comfrey. I wrap a generous handful of comfrey leaves in cheesecloth, then tie it closed with a ribbon. The packets can then be tossed directly into a pot of water to steep. Recipients always think I?m a bit odd at first, but usually I receive a heartfelt thank you note a couple of weeks after the baby is born. This is one gift any mother-to-be will appreciate.

Comfrey is not always easy to find. If you don?t have a health food or herb supplier in your area, please visit us at http://usingherbs.com/herbs for direct links to online purveyors of organic herbs.

M.K. Welty hosts an informational website on herbs, herbal remedies and herbal gardening. For more great tips on Using Herbs and Herbal Gardening visit, http://www.UsingHerbs.Com

Herbal Acne Treatments: Why Choose This Natural Method?

2009-03-21T22:12:00.001+07:00

Fact: Accutane is expensive and has some possibly devastating side effects. Another fact: Most people don't have the time or the inclination to keep up constant visits to the dermatologist office, let alone pay for each visit, and pay an arm and a leg for their acne medication - whether it is accutane or any other acne medication! This is precisely why herbal acne treatments are coming on strong and don't show any signs of slowing down in the world of acne treatment and alternative medicine.

Herbal acne treatments are now some of the most sought after alternative acne remedies on the market today. A lot of people might wonder why that is, but I think I have the answer. Think about how many people have been scared off by bad press of the most popular and widely known prescription acne wonder pill - Accutane.

This wonder drug, while capable of performing near miracles on some individual's acne ravaged skin, wreaked literal havoc on many peoples lives. Problems ranging from severe depression to birth defects have left a permanenet scarlet letter on this once heralded acne cure.

With the newer herbal acne treatments coming out, proposing to cure your acne just as well, if not better than the modern marvels of science and pharmaceutical medicine, many people suffering from mild, moderate and severe acne took notice - for a reason. People started to see some pretty amazing results on these alternative acne pills. Not only that, people were not suffering any harmful side effects, and if anything, were gaining the additional benefit of herbal, botanical and vitamin nourishment that most of these herbal acne treatments offer.

With the added advantage of ingredients such as DMAE, a known antioxidant and anti aging compound, Vitamin C and E, also powerful anti oxidants, and skin clarifying agents, and other natural, herbal and vitamin packed substances, people were not only gaining the benefit of cleared up, pristine skin, but they were also noticing more tone, definition, clarity and improved texture and color as well.

What's to Come for Herbal Acne Remedies and Other Alternative Acne Treatments?

You'll be hearing more and more on herbal acne treatments in the upcoming years, and probably years to come after that. Herbal medicine in general is really making a name for itself. People are fed up with being over medicated, over charged, and put in jeopardy just for the sake of cosmetic or health reasons. Hence the switch over to herbal medicine and the migration to a more natural approach to healing and treatment of common human conditions, whether they are physical conditions or cosmetic imperfection.

Danna Schneider is the founder of Alternative Acne Treatments. Visit Herbal Skin Care Products for information on an advanced natural acne medication for adults and adolescents, as well as other natural skin care for skin conditions such as wrinkles and rosacea, as well as skin supplements for an added glow and tone.

Alternative Medicine Using Herbal Remedies

2009-03-17T14:11:00.001+07:00

Alternative Medicine (also known as complementary medicine because people often use it alongside traditional Western medicine) is becoming more and more popular, as people have begun rejecting the idea that they need to take particular drugs or medications for the rest of their lives (particularly synthetic ones). Instead, the focus has turned to ancient remedies and those which have been passed from generation to generation.

One form of alternative medicine which is increasing in popularity involves the use of herbal remedies. As herbs are natural products, many people are more comfortable taking a herbal mixture rather than something prescribed by their doctor that comes in shiny white (and obviously synthetic) pills. Unfortunately, too many people have the idea that natural equals safe although we should all know better! Marijuana is natural; is it safe? Tobacco is natural; is it safe? In fact, most of the deadliest poisons known today come from nature!

Should this put you off using herbal remedies? No. But it should make you a little bit more wary about what you're putting into your system. Fortunately, most herbal products that you can purchase from your pharmacy or health food store have been designed to comply with current regulations. Nevertheless, it's important to be aware that some herbal products can have side effects (and shouldn't be taken by people with particular conditions as a result) and some can be toxic in large quantities. Just because something is herbal doesn't mean it isn't chemical (all herbs are composed of different chemical constituents, some of which have been used and modified to create many of the medicines we're prescribed by our doctors).

Before choosing a herbal remedy over your prescribed medication, it's important to do your research, and it's also a good idea to visit an alternative practitioner who has expertise in the area of herbal medicine. Most medicinal herbs have been studied extensively by scientists in recent years, so it's often not difficult to find out whether or not a particular herb has been shown to be efficacious for a particular condition, or whether or not a particular herb has any detrimental or toxic side effects. It's also very important to see your doctor if you plan to take any herbal medication if you're already on prescription medication, as combining the two can sometimes be deadly.

Alternative medicine can be just as effective (sometimes even more so) than traditional medicine, but it's still important to be aware that all medicines (whether synthetically or naturally derived) contain chemical compounds which possess certain physiological effects. The wrong amount of these chemicals, or the wrong combinations of these chemicals, can spell disaster. Always visit a qualified health practitioner (whether traditional or alternative) before taking any medication (especially if you're already taking particular drugs), and remember to do your research.

Fiona Shearer-Hann has been interested in herbal remedies and alternative medicine for many years. She currently owns the website The Herbal Healing Guide and enjoys learning as much about herbs and other alternative medicines as she can.

A Workout Without Weights

2009-03-15T19:03:00.001+07:00

Strength training in one form or another is one of the best ways to not only burn fat but it also, according to experts helps boost your metabolism.

According to some researchers the more muscle mass you have the better your body burns calories so if you want to lose weight quicker and get more tight and toned the simple answer is to begin strength training.

It's always imperative that you check with your doctor before beginning any diet or excercise program but after your doctor has given you the ok to go ahead with it you might want to consider a workout without weights.

Often to join a gym can be costly and time consuming and if you buy a personal home gym it can equally be just as costly if not more.

One thing I have found very helpful in the battle against the bulge is to do excercises such as push-ups, situps and the like. This way you get the benefit of resistance training only you are using your own body weight for the resistance.

I would certainly recommend that you at least begin to do some kind of resistance training such as push ups and situps to begin to work the muscles of your body as this will promote more effective calorie burning. Again check with your family physician first.

Bill Vlass is not a doctor and does not even claim to be a weight loss expert. Bill at one point however lost 110lbs and he did it by using the methods he writes about in his articles.

You can visit Bills website at http://www.instantehealthinfo.com

Bill always encourages anyone beginning any diet or excercise program to check with their local physician first.

Natural Cures for Depression: Exploring What Works When It Comes to Herbal Remedies for Depression

2009-03-15T12:44:00.001+07:00

At any given time 9.5% of the population is suffering from some form of depression. Many of these people never seek treatment or are unaware that depression is in fact treatable. While not everyone experiences the same symptoms, if you are suffering from depression, you may feel consistently sad or empty, experience feelings of guilt or helplessness, lose interest in things you once enjoyed, suffer from insomnia and decreased energy, or have thoughts of suicide.

There are many potential causes for depression, and cases vary from person to person. Depression can run in families, which leads some researchers to believe that the condition can be inherited. In some cases, people who have experienced trauma or are suffering from severe illnesses will also develop a depressive disorder, suggesting that depression can be caused by psychological or physical changes in one's life as well. Depression is more common in women than men, and can sometimes be caused by hormonal changes in the body, which women are more prone to.

Any diagnosis of a depressive disorder should be accompanied by a physical evaluation and conducted by a doctor. There are some viral illnesses, as well as other medications, that can cause symptoms of depression, and these should be ruled out. Once a diagnosis is obtained, your doctor should work with you to develop the best treatment for you.

Depression can often be treated with therapy alone, but some patients do decide to try prescription medication. The most commonly prescribed medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), tricyclics, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). It can take a while to find the right medication or combination of medications for each person, but all prescription depression medications have a risk of minor, or occasionally major, side effects.

If prescription medications aren't working as well as you'd like them to, or if you're unhappy with the side effects and risks that accompany them, you may decide to explore herbal remedies for depression. There are many natural cures for depression available in the marketplace, but it's best to look for ones with a few key ingredients:

St. John's Wort is one of the most effective natural ingredients for treating depression. In fact, in some countries like Germany, St. John's Wort outsells many of the major prescription anti-depressive medications. The active ingredients in St. John's Wort are believed to naturally boost serotonin levels, which helps lift spirits and ease depression.

Passion flower is a natural ingredient that is often used to treat sleep disorders and anxiety. It helps to soothe and calm, and when combined with St. John's Wort can be a wonderful aid in treating depression naturally.

Depression is a life-consuming condition, but you do not have to suffer quietly. If you think have a depressive disorder, seek professional help to find the treatment options that are best for you and your condition, whether they include prescription medication or natural remedies for depression, and remember to explore a variety of options before making a decision.

Tess Thompson is a Homeopathic Practitioner, Reflexologist, Certified Aromatherapist, and Herbalist who contributes regularly to Native Remedies - where you can find All Natural Homeopathic and Herbal Remedies for treating depression naturally and natural remedies for depression.

Rosemary

2009-03-12T20:53:00.001+07:00

Rosemary
(Rosmarinus Offinalis)

Medical Parts: Leaves, flowering tops.

Description: Rosemary is an evergreen shrub which originated in the Mediterranean area and is now widely cultivated for its aromatic leaves and as a kitchen seasoning.

Properties and Uses: Antispasmodic, cholagogue, emmenagogue, stimulant, stomachic. The stimulant action of rosemary helps promote liver function, the production of bile, and proper digestion. It also acts to raise blood pressure and improve circulation. Because of the genuine danger of poisoning, however, rosemary is more often used externally.1

As popular as rosemary is today, its? place in herb lore is what I find most fascinating. Rosemary flourishes in the Mediterranean area. Near the sea, there are veritable hedges of rosemary stretching as far as the eye can see, filling the air with its pungent, heady aroma.

In ages past rosemary was associated with female dominance; or as the old saying goes, ?where rosemary flourishes the misses is master.? So prevalent was this belief that men were known to come home late at night, pruning sheers in hand, to cut back the rosemary bushes near their front gate, before the neighbors started to talk.

In herb lore, rosemary was considered a useful remedy for headaches, upset stomach, to ward off disease or calm the brain. It was thought a sprig of rosemary placed beneath a child?s pillow at night would keep away nightmares; and rosemary was often woven into the bridal bouquet as a symbol of fidelity.

Today, rosemary is as common in most spice cupboards as salt or pepper. While it may have lost some of its mystery over the intervening years, it has lost none of its usefulness. Rosemary is a common ingredient in many shampoos and conditioners, hand creams and cosmetics. (For a great hair tonic recipe please refer to my article on Nettles).

While dried rosemary can be purchased at virtually any grocery story, there is something immensely satisfying about growing the herb yourself. People often have difficulty growing rosemary, primarily because they treat it far too kindly.

Rosemary grows best in the temperate climate of the Mediterranean, but it does so in the highly acidic, sandy soil of the region. When planting rosemary, ignore the specialty packages of potting soil and fertilizers. If you happen to live in a region with very poor, sandy soil, you?re definitely in luck. Stick the plant directly into that lousy sand, in a sunny location, water it generously, and then leave it alone. The less attention and care it gets, the better it will do.

Rosemary will also do well in a pot near your front gate (a fun way to torment your husband). Just remember to give it lousy soil and lots of sun. Rosemary does not do well if over-watered. It is also extremely difficult to get rosemary to grow well indoors. Not even my grandmother, raised in the Mediterranean and a rosemary enthusiast, could keep hers alive indoors.

I have had some success keeping rosemary alive through a mild winter by heavily covering the roots with a dense compost, then wrapping the entire plant in burlap. But if you live in a northern climate, you will probably have to settle for replanting each spring. Don?t worry; with lots of sun, rosemary will grow quite rapidly.

1. The Herb Book, by John Lust. Benedict Lust Pub., May 1974

M.K. Welty hosts an informational website on herbs, herbal remedies and herbal gardening. For more great tips on Using Herbs or to locate purveyors of organic herbs and herbal remedies, Please visit us at: http://www.UsingHerbs.Com

If you are interested in learning the art of creating your own handmade herbal soaps, please visit our new site at: http://www.youcanmakesoap.com

Supplements to Help With PMS Address Nutritional Deficiencies And PMS Symptoms

2009-03-12T17:45:00.001+07:00

It?s a treatment sought after by just as many men as women! Conventional medicine has never really provided much help, other than pain relief so natural treatments and herbs may provide a better alternative.

Supplements to help with PMS include essential fatty acids, and supplements formulated specifically for women's needs containing a mix of vitamins, minerals and herbs such as black cohosh, soy, green tea and natural antioxidants.

Conventional medicine has never really provided a great deal of help in this area and historically used hysterectomy as a ?treatment? for more severe cases! More recently with the advent of the ?pill?, many girls are put on the pill to alleviate the symptoms of severe PMS. This is not a great reason to start taking the pill when you can improve the situation more naturally with supplements to help with PMS.

Some of the symptoms of PMS include irritability, headache, bloating and water retention, fatigue, breast tenderness, fragile emotions, poor skin, anxiety and severe pelvic cramping.

Supplements to Help with PMS

A great deal of research is ongoing in this area, however it is safe to say that deficiencies of minerals (particularly calcium and magnesium), vitamins (vitamin A and vitamin E) and essential fatty acids are involved. A base line nutritional program will contain all of these supplements to help with PMS, including highly absorbable plant derived liquid minerals. Calcium and magnesium are thought to have a role in hormone production and regulation. Magnesium is found in dark chocolate and this may explain the chocolate cravings.

The American Journal of Gynaecology also published an article showing that calcium supplementation was an effective treatment for PMS.

An additional source of supplemental calcium and magnesium will assist ? these are best when taken in a highly absorbable liquid form.

Essential fatty acids are required for hormone production ? particularly the anti-inflammatory hormones - and these may have a role in reducing the symptoms of fluid retention, irritability and depression. Essential fatty acids may be found in supplements to assist with PMS and in natural form as flaxseed oil and from oily fish.

Vitamin A (taken as beta carotene) and vitamin E may also have beneficial effects.

Other herbs such as black cohosh, antioxidant nutrients and specific vitamins in some supplements can provide help with the emotional symptoms.

Progesterone creams can assist with regulating hormone levels ? you would apply such creams in the last half of the cycle and they would be best absorbed in areas where the skin is thin such as inside the upper arms and legs, or on the back of the neck, for example.

Lifestyle

?Regular exercise including some specific yoga exercises may reduce many of the symptoms of PMS

?Reduce your intake of alcohol, sugar and caffeine

?Reduce your intake of ?bad? fat (fried foods, margarine in particular)

?Diets should be high in fibre and fresh green leafy vegetables

?Heat packs can be of great benefit to soothe and alleviate cramping

The Energizer Energy Pills for Weight Loss

2009-03-11T14:31:00.001+07:00

Energy Pills are very similar to those fat burning tablets we see on the market today. Both work to speed up your metabolism by providing chemical stimulants, some of which are naturally made in the human body. What separates the fat burner from the stay alert energy pill is that there's an addition of fat burning chemicals which raise your energy levels to the point of burning fat.

Most of the ingredients in energy pills are converted into caffeine or ephedrine in the body which speeds up your metabolism and gives you more energy. Caffeine works in the body by blocking adenosine from binding with adenosine nerve cell receptors. Adenosine is part of what makes you feel drowsy. Caffeine stops this by binding with the adenosine receptors instead. Also, the pituitary gland will notice that your nerve receptors aren't binding with Adenosine and slowing down so it thinks that something is wrong and initiates your 'fight or flight' response by releasing epinephrine into the blood. This makes you feel excited and raring to go.

The properties that make Ephedrine effective in keeping you alert aren't well understood. It's structurally related to amphetamines which themselves add to the natural abilities of the neurotransmitters of norephinephrine and epinephrine. Ephedrine has been shown to stimulate blood pressure and increase heart rate.

Most energy pills contain Kola Nut, Guaruana extract, Bitter Orange Extract, Gotu Kola, Ma Huang (Ephedra Plant) and Ginseng root. Kola Nut contains caffeine and interestingly is one of the original ingredients of the first 'Cola' drinks. Guaruana contains an agent called guaranine, which is identical to caffeine. Bitter orange contains many chemicals called amines which stimulate the body's metabolism. Gotu Kola contains three chemicals, triterpene glycoside, brahmoside/brahminoside and madecassoside. It's been shown to aid the circulatory system. Ma Huang contains ephedrine.

How to Cure Asthma

2009-03-10T14:37:00.001+07:00

What is the difference between God and a Doctor? God doesn?t think that he is a doctor. How do you tell the difference between a Doctor and a banana? If the banana doesn?t go rotten in 14 days then it isn?t a doctor. According to your doctor asthma is incurable, or as your Doctor learned after 8 years in University envying the number of women chasing the quarterback, who your Doctor in a jealous and drunken rage referred to in his secret diary as a ?hairy Neanderthal?, asthma is a ?chronic (permanent) inflammatory condition of the lungs.? The medical schools and the big drug companies and the big corporate executives have pawned off this deadly myth for so long that now even they believe it.

20 million Americans suffer from asthma. Does this mean that we should lay the blame for asthma on our creator? Did God not know how to create a functioning lung? Are we just prototypes in God?s vast laboratory? Perhaps without inhalers all of the asthmatics would die off and then the human gene pool would be freed from this genetic defect and then future generations would evolve into a species with perfectly functioning bronchial tubes. In the interest of future generations perhaps you should throw out your puffer and just choke to death sacrificing your life for the common good. This may get you into heaven in case you forgot to put your $5 into the collection plate last Sunday. Did Jesus have asthma? Did Jesus ever cure an asthmatic? Did Jesus know that asthma was incurable? Did Jesus go to medical school? Did Jesus play football? Was Mary Magdalene a cheerleader for the Jerusalem University Keepahs?

The reasons that the environmental organizations are going nowhere are myriad. One of them is that the word environmental is a combination of the words enviro and mental. No one knows what the word enviro means which leaves us with the word mental. People just think that these people are mental. George Bush?s father referred to them as ?the spotted owl crowd?. His son George proclaimed that there is no evidence that global warming exists. Jesus referred to the leaders of his day as snakes, blind guides, leading us all into the fire. The United States which likes to think of itself as the role model for a world which thinks of the U.S. as the black sheep of the family is the highest per capita polluter in the world. The reason that pollution groups are going nowhere is because people don?t understand the meaning of the word pollution. The world is like a giant Jonestown filled with people believing that poison cannot kill them because some Bible writers, scribes, and who Jesus referred to as snakes spewing their deadly poisonous lies into your Bibles (Matthew 23) wrote this baloney in your Bible 2,000 years ago beside ?The Earth does not move and it never will? three times. If God wrote your Bible then not only can he not create a functioning lung but he is also very poor at astronomy. Your Bible has 2,000 pages of God?s Word and no cure for asthma? Perhaps if the George Bushes had paid a little less attention to their Holy Bibles and checked out the Greenpeace website a couple of times, Greenland, Antarctica and the Arctic would not now be melting into the world?s 1 ocean which will shortly cause the sea level to rise 50 feet leaving nothing left of the United States except the peaks of Vail, which will be prime beachfront property.

In the Holy Bible God commands the cutting away of the foreskin, not the foresight. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure especially when there is no cure for asthma. The pollution, the particles of poison in the air which we breathe into our lungs, like deadly airborne cyanide, hemlock and snake venom gets into your lungs when you breathe the air, it inflames your lungs and you have asthma. If you want to get away with poisoning children?s lungs with deadly poison chemicals so that they cannot breathe then give your poison a name that no one understands, like a ?carcinogen?, a cancer causing chemical coming out of the exhaust pipe of your car like a bullet which hits its target and then explodes 10 years later in your own lungs and then slowly eats you alive in an excruciating prolonged death. It was announced yesterday that in Beijing, the site of the next Olympics, where the smog is so bad that more car accidents are caused by low visibility than msg, over 100,000 Chinese people died last year from the indoor air pollution in their skyscrapers from the chemicals gassing off from their carpets, furniture, and poor ventilation. Who would want to open a window in Beijing even if the office buildings did have windows? The air in Beijing is so filled with poison gas that the 100 yard dash at the 2008 Olympics has been shortened to 10 yards. What is the big deal searching for a cure for Aids in Africa? If everyone remained a virgin and then only had sex with their spouse there would be no sexually transmitted diseases. Is this a secret being deliberately held from the African people? You cannot break the laws of nature but if you do it will break your back.

Mold is a fungus, a tiny airborne animal that can only be seen when magnified through the lens of a microscope. Some molds exist in nature and we breathe it in all the time in small amounts and our bodies can handle it. However in larger amounts, or in people with immune systems weakened by all of the poison we breathe in every day, these molds which we breathe in, that multiply in our lungs and digestive tracts, these molds cause allergic reactions, aka tightening of the airways, aka chronic asthma, chronic bronchitis and chronic emphysema leading to death. The end of chapter 14 of the Book of Leviticus recommends that in some cases when these molds get into the wooden walls and stones of your house, you must tear down your house and rebuild it.

Doctors, i.e. allopathic doctors will treat the symptoms of your asthma and not the causes. Allergists will diagnose you with mold allergies and inject you with mold for 5 years of useless and painful treatment. Respiratory specialists will give you cortisone inhalers which cause thrush, candida, yeast, mold, fungus in your throat which your bloodstream then carries to every organ in your body including your lungs thereby aggravating the problem and making the doctors and the drug companies rich. Jesus commanded that everyone sell all of their possessions and then give all of their money to the poor. Are there any Christian doctors? Are there any Christians?

Here is the good news. Go to your naturopathic doctor, your doctor of naturopathy. Take the best from what both traditional and naturopathic doctors have to offer. Actually naturopathic doctors should be called traditional doctors since they are the doctors who are using herbal remedies which have been used and are tried and true since before biblical times, which are recommended in the Bible. In the numerous cases of asthma which are caused by breathing in airborne mold, there is a herbal remedy which can cure it. Oil of oregano has been clinically proven to kill bacterial infections which penicillin cannot kill, viruses which ?nothing? can kill, molds, yeast and fungus. Many drugs are synthetic preparations of herbal remedies, plant medicine put on earth by God to save your life. Oil of oregano with sage and cumin taken in capsules will kill off the mold, and remove the root cause of the asthma, tiny animals eating their way through your lungs like they eat through wood and stone no matter how much you clean the surface. Your bloodstream will take the Oregacyn capsules (oil of oregano, sage and cumin ? search ?oregacyn?) which you can buy over the internet or in your health food store to every part of your body including your lungs and kill the mold and cure the asthma. It is also good to take non dairy acidophilus, the healthy bacteria in our bodies which beats back the mold, and NutriBiotic grapefruit seed extract tablets which also kill the fungus. Years ago Doctors accused the naturopaths of practicing voodoo medicine and the Government threatened to ban herbal remedies as being unsafe. (Some are unsafe. Check with your naturopath and your doctor and your health food stores to see which ones.) Today many drug stores look more like health food stores than drugstores. In the fight for power, control and money in medicine and in religion, it is always the patient who ends up the big loser. If the 200 countries on Earth decided to make World Peace they could do it overnight at the United Nations. Unfortunately your Holy Bibles and your religious leaders forbid it. Also, the weapons manufacturers own and are pulling the strings of the politicians, and they will never allow World Peace, until nuclear world war III causes the extinction of all life on earth forever in the near future, which will also put an end to asthma once and for all. Think of it as radiology theology coming to your rescue.

Karen Fish is a writer currently living in Los Angeles California. The Temple of Love http://www.thetempleoflove.com/ The World Peace Religion

The Benefits of Natural Medicine

2009-03-09T01:06:00.001+07:00

It is important to know what you're getting yourself into when you decide to purchase any form of medicine. Whether it is produced by a giant pharmaceutical manufacturer such as Merck or Pfizer, or obtained from your local Chinese herb shop, being in the know is what is best for you. In this day and age of the internet, lack of information is not an acceptable attitude.

If you take any medicine too often or for the wrong ailment, you could be putting your health in jeopardy; however, there are some medicines that are considerably less risky. It is a well known fact that a person should visit their doctor on a bi-yearly basis if they are taking a number of prescription medicines. The reason for this is that the normal doctor, busy as they are, does not generally take the time to review each medication you arte taking at your timer of regular visit. Perhaps you are going in for treatment of the complaint of gout, for example, and your doctor treats you for this ailment at that time. But the doctor, usually distracted and in a hurry, does not review your current list of meds to determine that what he prescribes you for gout may interact with the medication that he has you on arthritis or rheumatism. It is the patient's responsibility to discuss these concerns with the doctor at time of visit.

Natural health medicine has been documented to have less or no side effects when compared to its chemical counterparts. That is because natural health medicine is generally made with products taken out of nature without being refined. They have generally been used for decades by different cultures, with little or no side effect. The medicine is made out of natural ingredients that will work in conjunction with the body, whereas their refined counterparts might have an adverse affect. One must also consider too that the compounds and inert substances used to bind prescription drugs may cause an interaction in the system. At the very least, the body cannot process naturally these agents.

These natural ingredients are normally plant and root extract, which have been used for centuries by countries such as China, which is known for its herbal medicines. That is why it is evidently clear that natural health medicine is good for the body, particularly when it comes to strengthening your immune system.

When you use natural health medicine, you know that you are getting the best of both worlds. You are getting help from Mother Nature as well as man through the extraction and compilation of these products. And you get the benefit of a medication that has been tried and tested sometimes for centuries. (Think Vioxx) The American culture has a bad habit of treating the symptoms, not the underlying cause. Hopefully, this will be addressed in the future, as more and more people become aware of what they are introducing into their bodies.

Any attempt to improve your health should always include natural health medicines. If you have an illness, then the effects of natural health medicine will work faster, as it will provide your body with all the vital ingredients it needs to combat the illness without seriously damaging or impairing it in the process.

You feel better faster and can resume your way of life without being held down by your illness. That is indeed the best way to tackle and handle the winter cold and flu.

In addition to all of the other benefits, natural health medicine will also boost your immune system, which will make you less prone to contracting any illnesses in the future. As always, one should carefully research any medication, and make every attempt to determine if there are side effects, adverse reactions to other drugs, or complications from allergic reaction. A search of the internet will reveal over 2,660,000 websites utilizing the keyword natural herbal remedies. The information is out there...

Be sure to visit our website, http://www.naturesherbalremediesonline.com for timely and relevant information on natural herbs, teas, and remedies.

Alden Smith is a published and award winning author who has built the website http://www.naturesherbalremediesonline.com to inform and educate the person wishing to learn more about natural remedies. He has spent time in the countries of China, Japan, Viet Nam and the Far East, and is an accomplished martial artist who now focuses primarily on healing and cures in the traditional naturopathy way.

How To Decrease Your Weight Just As Easily As You Increased It!

2009-03-08T02:09:00.001+07:00

Yes, it?s always the same? You look in the mirror and you say to yourself ?Oh yeah, it?s OK! Could be worse?? and then a tiny little voice in your head starts whispering ?C?mon? Darn it! That?s awful! There?s at least the weight of one big, juicy watermelon too much!? And then, maybe you say to yourself ?Yes, I know? but, after all, it isn?t so bad?? and maybe you plan to change your eating habits and to exercise more? or to begin with. And the best is, you are really willing to do it but then this great meal crossed your way and besides, no one who would be in his right mind would have rejected this little, yes almost tiny piece of delicious chocolate cake in the afternoon? and so, days go by and nothing really changed, except your weight but not in the way you wanted?

After some time you think maybe you would be too weak to lose weight or that being overweight might be your destiny, that the weight would be a part of you and that you would never be able to lose it forever. You even proof this to yourself. Maybe you followed countless diets, tried to exercise but, either you stopped after a short period of time or you lost some weight, only to put it on again later.

Now, here?s the good news: This can change! You can change your weight! You already proved it in increasing it. Now, let?s do the opposite and decrease it. Yes, it works. It?s all about your mindset. ?OK? you may say, ?sounds good, but please tell me how to do it! And, however, increasing it is much easier than decreasing it??

Well, I don?t think so? There might be a reason why you keep your weight or constantly increase it. This reason why you need your weight is located in your subconscious mind. If you are overweight, and I mean any weight that you don?t want for yourself (regardless what other people might say), then there is a purpose for this weight. When diets not work then there is a reason for this. And this reason is mostly located at a much deeper level than diets are able to go. That means, when you find the reason why you keep yourself at this weight or why you increase your weight then you have the key to your ideal weight. And then, changing your weight becomes much easier because you don?t work against yourself anymore. You may not know this reason on a conscious level and it even is not necessary to know it. But when losing weight is endless difficult and becomes a struggle, then you are on a battlefield ? you against yourself.

All this does not happen on a conscious level. There are many subconscious programs running all at the same time and some may produce results that you want, others don't. The key is to change the programs that produce results you don't want.

That?s the reason why diets may work for others. These people resolved the root cause for their weight without knowing it. This is possible, because all this is a natural ability anyone possesses. Once the root cause is dissolved, losing weight becomes very easy.

But what about you? Why diets did not work for you? Maybe because in your subconscious mind there is still a program running that wants to keep you overweight for a certain reason, a certain purpose. Once you dissolved this reason, your subconscious mind does not have a reason anymore to keep you overweight and losing weight becomes easy and your new body image allows you to keep the lost weight off ? forever!

Here is what you might help you: changing the undercover running programs by dissolving the root cause for your overweight. How? Very easily: with Hypnosis.

?What? Hypnosis?? you might say. ?Isn?t it dangerous? I don?t want give someone else power over me?? Be assured, these reactions are normal. Very few people know what hypnosis is all about. But one thing is sure: it can help you not only to lose weight on a natural and healthy way but to keep the weight off, and this for your lifetime!

Phil Brull lives in Belgium and works in the field of personal development and spiritual growth. As a former EMT he has seen many times people with cruel strokes of fate. Very often those people had the same underlying limiting believes which made them sick and unhappy. Phil strongly believes that anyone has the internal power to achieve every single dream. He is involved for quite some time in the ancient Polynesian Wisdom known as Huna as well as in many powerful life changing techniques. Visit http://www.weightlosshypnosis101.com

The Power of Medicinal Herbs

2009-03-07T02:40:00.001+07:00

For centuries people around the world have been using medicinal herbs to treat all kinds of conditions and diseases, as well as promote general health and wellbeing. In recent years, herbal remedies have seen a resurgence in popularity, even making their way into the world of conventional medicine.

Herbs have been used over the years to treat depression, high blood pressure, cancer, nausea, joint pain and thousands of other afflictions, to varying effect. Although ancient cultures swore by these natural treatments, it is only in the last decade or so that modern science has accepted medicinal herbs as viable treatments for a number of health conditions.

One of the most intriguing aspects of herbal medicine vs. conventional medicine is that most of the information on medicinal herbs shows that they are generally without side effects. Almost all of the prescription medications on the market, since they are not natural, cause side effects, and sometimes they can be quite serious.

In addition to headaches, stomach issues, allergic reactions and other relatively mild effects, pharmaceutical drugs can cause heart attacks, sexual dysfunction, strokes and even death. Herbal remedies are all natural, usually consisting of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, extracts and other nutrients that can not only treat certain health problems, but also prevent the condition from returning.

What makes these herbs medicinal are the powerful compounds found within the extracts of leaves, stems and roots. These can have an anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal or other effect, depending on the particular herb. This offers a natural treatment option for many different conditions, and can oftentimes be more effective than conventional medications.

Many people unaware of the dangers of prescription drugs, or unaware of the options that exist when it comes to treating a certain ailment or just promoting general health. As such, it is important to learn as much as possible so that you are prepared in case you are faced with a health problem.

Your doctor may be able to recommend another professional or resource to learn more about medicinal herbs and their therapeutic properties. In the mean time, do a little research on your own...you'll be amazed at what you find.

David Bloom is an avid health enthusiast and a regular contributor to a variety of health websites. You can find out more about Medicinal Herbs as well as other nutritional supplements on the Herbal Supplements Guide website.

Lose Weight Put An End to Late Night Eating

2009-03-07T00:49:00.001+07:00

When I first began losing weight (110lbs to be exact!) one thing that I did was to make sure that I did not eat past 7 o clock pm. It didn't matter to me how hungry I was I would not eat after that time each night.

Today I'm not nearly as strict on myself as I was when I weighed a whopping 287lbs. Here are some ideas however when it's late and you just have to have something to eat or if you get an occasional sweet tooth.

1. Have a coke

I know they are filled with sugar and empty calories but they have 0 fat grams. Eating too much fat can often lead to weight gain and you can bet that the worst time to eat a high fat meal is a few hours before you go to bed. Have a coke instead it may be just what you need to curb your appetite.

2. Have a piece of fruit

Ahhh. If there are any doctors reading this I can hear them saying Now that's better! Fruit is good and good for you. You can choose whatever type of fruit you like, watermelon, mangos, a bannana, an orange, an apple, etc.

3. Have a big glass of water flavored with lemon juice

Often when you feel hungry it's not that you are hungry as much as you are thirsty so instead of reaching for that leftover bowl of spaghetti sitting in the fridge drink some water instead.

4. Have a fat free piece of candy

A small piece of candy won't hurt you weight-wise before bed time and it may be very beneficial if it keeps you from binging before you hit the sack.

5. Think about the next day

Oftentimes we make decisions without prior thought to their ramifacations. Think about what it will be like to wake up in the morning, weighing a little less and also about the nice breakfast you are going to have upon rising. Sometimes this is enough to cause you to forgo the late night meal and wait until morning when you can enjoy your breakfast knowing that you are still right on track.

These are just a few things you can do to help alleviate the urge for late night eating. Late night eating will pack on the pounds quicker than just about anything so avoid it as much as possible. Be sure to remember that before implementing any of these dieting strategies to check with your family physician first.

For example: If you are on a special diet that restricts you from having sugar then don't start eating sugary foods just because you read it here. Always and I do mean always follow your doctors health advice.

Bill Vlass is not a doctor and does not even claim to be a weight loss expert. Bill at one point however lost 110lbs and he did it by using the methods he writes about in his articles.

You can visit Bills website at http://www.instantehealthinfo.com

Bill always encourages anyone beginning any diet or excercise program to check with their local physician first.

Anxiety Disorder Treatments: The Best Herbal Remedies for Anxiety

2009-03-06T21:34:00.001+07:00

Anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental health disorders and affect the lives of millions of people every year, including approximately 19 million in the U.S. alone. If you are one of them, you may wonder if your symptoms are standard, and if there are behavioral and medical treatments that might be effective for you. While everyone experiences anxiety in some form -- perhaps before giving a public presentation or in the midst of major life changes -- those with anxiety disorders experience it unusally often and irrationally.

There are many different types of anxiety disorders, each of which have unique features, but all of them share the symptoms of dread and excessive fear. Five common types are panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. As with most disorders, each individual will experience symptoms slightly differently, and response to treatment will vary as well. While there are prescription medications for anxiety, for those who are wary of the side effects there also exist natural treatments for anxiety which contain herbal ingredients that can produce equally positive effects.

Passion flower (or Passiflora Incarnata) is a natural ingredient that is often used for anxiety relief, as well as to treat hyperactivity, insomnia, nervous tension and even Parkinson's Disease. Passion flower helps to calm and soothe and is believed to be able to reduce nervous tremors and lower high blood pressure.

Lavendar (or Lavandula Augustifolia) is one of the most popular natural ingredients for treatment of a variety of conditions, including anxiety disorder. Lavendar is a general tonic for the nervous system and is well-known for it's calming properties, making it among the most effective of natural panic attack treatments. The active ingredients in lavendar are tannins, flavinoids, coumarins, triterponoids and volatile oil.

Lemon Balm (or Melissa Officinalis) is a natural ingredient that is used as a resorative for the nervous system and also calms the digestive system and reduces blood pressure. Lemon Balm has also been used to treat Grave's disease (hyperthyroidism), and to treat depression and insomnia.

There are no quick fixes for anxiety disorder and anxiety disorder treatments should usually focus heavily on behavioral therapy. No matter how many times you might hear that you worry too much or that you should relax, your symptoms are not character flaws but indications of a serious disorder that is not your fault. Anxiety disorder is caused by biological, physiological and genetic factors, and may make your life seem stressful and difficult. There are many others like you who have found effective treatment through therapy, medication, herbal remedies for anxiety or some combination of the aforementioned, and you too have the ability to overcome your disorder to lead a happier, healthier life.

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Tess Thompson is a Homeopathic Practitioner, Reflexologist, Certified Aromatherapist, and Herbalist who contributes regularly to Native Remedies - where you can find All Natural Homeopathic and Herbal Remedies for many health conditions including natural Anxiety treatment and herbal remedy for Depression.

Exercise & Diabetes

2009-03-06T02:17:00.000+07:00

You are no doubt aware that exercise can help prevent the serious complications that often come with diabetes and heart disease. Research has repeatedly shown that regular physical activity helps reduce the likelihood of having a heart attack or a stroke, aids in weight loss, and improves mood.

But do you know that exercise can also help you reduce your blood glucose levels?

That's right. In people with type II diabetes, exercise may improve insulin sensitivity and assist in lowering elevated blood glucose levels into the normal range.

Here's how. When you exercise, your body uses more oxygen -- as much as 20 times more -- and even more in the working muscles, than when you are at rest. So the muscles use more glucose to meet their increased energy needs.

At the same time, exercise improves the action of insulin in the peripheral muscles, making it more efficient, so you get more out of the insulin your body is producing.

In older people with diabetes, the decrease in insulin sensitivity that comes with aging is also partly due to a lack of physical activity. So regular exercise benefits you now, and for years to come.

Sometimes, it may seem easier to pop a pill or even take a shot than to put on your walking shoes and hit the trail. But the truth is that exercise, in combination with a healthy diet, is one of the best things you can do to take care of yourself if you have diabetes.

Why exercise?

Exercise burns calories, which will help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

Regular exercise can help your body respond to insulin and is known to be effective in managing blood glucose. Exercise can lower blood glucose and possibly reduce the amount of medication you need to treat diabetes, or even eliminate the need for medication.

Exercise can improve your circulation, especially in your arms and legs, where people with diabetes can have problems.

Exercise can help reduce your cholesterol and high blood pressure. High cholesterol and high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Exercise helps reduce stress, which can raise your glucose level.

In some people, exercise combined with a meal plan, can control type II Diabetes without the need for medications.

Sources: National Diabetes Data Group. Diabetes in America, 2nd edition. NIDDK.

Jayachandran.R

http://www.aayurmart.com

Using Your Fresh Herbs In Infusions Herbal Teas or Decoctions As An Herbal Medicine

2009-03-06T01:33:00.000+07:00

Recently it has been shown that high herbal tea and quality teas have many health benefits, especially Black and Green Tea. With all the news on Black and Green Tea lately, you may be considering adding it to your daily diet regime. If that is so, only use the best quality and freshest tea available for the maximum health benefits. Also consider the health benefits of herbal teas using fresh herbs. Think of these as herbal medicine.

Millions of people all of the world have been drinking tea and infusions for centuries specifically for herbal medicine. In America, it has been considered a cheap convenient drink for soothing the soul and stimulating the senses. Yet there is a far more important reason that people drink tea more than any other beverage: the tea leaf has potent health-enhancing powers. The Japanese have known this for thousands of years and the modern West is just catching up to the remarkable health benefits of drinking tea.

To make a tea or infusion you must steep the fresh herb in boiling water. Many think of teas and infusions as the same, but there is a slight difference.

When making teas or herbal teas you are brewing it and you don?t leave it steeping for very long. An easy way to brew it is to place the tea bag or fresh herbs into a measuring cup with 8 ounces of water. Microwave for two minutes and you have a cup of tea. Fresh herbs make a marvelous cup of tea and are considered essential in herbal medicine.

Infusions on the other hand stay in the boiling water longer, anywhere from 10 ? 20 minutes. Obviously the longer the fresh herbs steep the stronger the brew will become and it will become a more potent herbal medicine. Infusions should be used immediately after brewing to reap the most out of this herbal medicine, especially when using fresh herbs. Rule of thumb is to use 1-2 teaspoons of dried, crushed, or powdered herbs. If you want to get the most out of this herbal medicine use fresh herbs and double the amount to steep. After the steeping time your infusion will be at room temperature. It is okay to warm it back up if you prefer it hot.

Infusions can be therapeutic as well as being considered herbal medicine. While your infusion is steeping bend over the container and breathe in the steam. This will act as a decongestion when you are suffering from colds or allergies. Close your eyes, try to envision this herbal medicine as attacking the germs in your system. Visualizing the fresh herb infusions attacking the malady will help to fight illnesses quite well, according to some published studies. It is like the grounding technique used in yoga. Here again, fresh herbs make the best infusions in herbal medicine.

There is a problem with infusions as they tend to be quite bitter. And of course, if you can?t drink the infusion then it will not be an advantageous herbal medicine. To make it taste better try adding honey or sugar. If you still can?t get it down, try a different infusion. There are many different fresh herbs to try when brewing your herbal medicine.

Decoctions are a different story as they don?t use strictly fresh herbs. Here you would use the dried roots, flowers seeds and barks for their medicinal purposes, not fresh herbs. To get the most from your mixture heat will be used since it is more difficult to extract their active chemicals. Start by boiling the roots and allow them a good head start. Next add the bark, the seeds, the flowers and any spices in that order. Allow a few minutes of simmering after each addition. Then simmer the herbal medicine slowly for 10 to 20 minutes.

Now you have another use for your fresh herbs. This gives you yet another excuse to plant a beautiful herb garden

Happy Healthy Gardening!

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at http://www.GardeningHerb.com, http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com, and http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com

Is A Subscription To A Natural Health Magazine Really Worth The Price?

2009-03-05T22:35:00.000+07:00

If you want to get healthy and stay healthy, then yes, almost any natural health magazine is worth the subscription cost. The magazine issues will contain everything you need to know about naturally-orientated food and nutrition, different health practices that you can try; and even tips on exercise and self care.

These magazines usually start at a low price so that you can try the magazine first. If you like the magazine, you can keep the subscription going and keep enjoying the magazine.

Getting a subscription for a natural health magazine also helps you provide the best you can for your family. You need to be aware that natural health is not about a adopting a temporary lifestyle, but instead making a lifetime commitment to your family and your own health.

A natural health magazine will help you make that a reality; and you can be proud to know that you are helping your growing children on their way to healthier, happier life.

Because those are the benefits of having a natural health lifestyle.

You will be achieving the best for your body. You will be using natural health foods that will help you in your everyday living by injecting your body with energy and clarity of thought.

A natural health magazine also helps you make the best of your time. As you will not be only learning about physical health but also mental health.

They will also help you to understand the benefits of different foods on your mental health. And therefore it cannot be stressed enough just how important it is to incorporate a natural health magazine into your natural health lifestyle.

It is about you and taking care of yourself. Your body gets run down and you can help it stay at its best by providing the best care there is.

And it is often better to use natural products and foods when you are doing that. You will only be helping yourself and your family stay naturally healthy.

Emmanuel Aubrey The Information Generator
My website is http://www.emmanuelaubrey.com
If you want more information on health topics visit my website.
My email: emmanuel@emmanuelaubrey.com

Beauty Products

2009-03-05T18:12:00.000+07:00

People have always strived to become more beautiful, and the modern beauty product industry has put this within the reach of most of us. If you wish to truly change your look, you need to visualize specific changes. Most women enjoy experimenting with varieties of beauty products as a way of expressing themselves and relieving stress. And with modern beauty products, anyone can afford to add a bit of glamour to their lives.

A wide variety of products are available on the market today, which can help enhance your physical attributes to make you feel younger and more glamorous. Beauty products range from skin care products such as soaps, bath salts, creams, exfoliating scrubs, and face and body packs, to hair care products such as shampoos, conditioners, hair colors, and various perming solutions, to overall body-care products such as moisturizers, cold creams, deodorants, nail care, and accessories for bubble baths. Each product helps revitalize your body, build your self-esteem, and erase imperfections.

Today, science has allowed for better analysis of the ingredients of beauty products. Harmful ingredients such as chemicals are easily absorbed by the skin, which is why it is wise to replace them with natural and herbal ingredients specially formulated to protect the skin and provide added benefits, such as the lightening of acne marks and uneven pigmentation. In addition, certain beauty products are known to smooth wrinkled skin and delay the signs of aging.

Many cosmetic companies have adhered to regulations to provide us with better and more effective products. Their products cater to every need and mood, and are suitable to all skin types.

Fortunately for those who cannot afford expensive products, easy-to-make recipes are available at book stores and on the Internet. Ingredients are found in almost every kitchen and market. So do not despair, but take control of your own beauty regimen.

Beauty Products provides detailed information on Beauty Products, Discount Beauty Products, Natural Beauty Products, Herbal Beauty Products and more. Beauty Products is affiliated with Beauty Salon Equipment.

A Guide to Herbal Sleep Aids

2009-03-05T02:07:00.001+07:00

Difficulty sleeping can affect many aspects of life. People who don't get the recommended amount of sleep for their age groups can have a myriad of negative affects.

Daytime crankiness, difficulty concentrating, frequent illness, depression, and accidents are all common problems associated with poor sleep habits.

For some people, getting more sleep is not as easy as going to bed earlier. If you suffer from insomnia, you know how wearisome it can be to lie in bed, unable to sleep.

Doctors can prescribe medication to help, but these medications have undesirable side effects. Stomach problems, dizziness, daytime drowsiness, difficulty awakening, accidents, and poor coordination are all common.

Not only do prescription sleep medications have negative side effects, they also don't cause healthy sleep. They cause sedation or unconsiousness--not the restful, healing sleep you need.

But you don't have to choose between sleep deprivation and unwanted medication--nature has provided us with many natural remedies for sleeplessness.

Whether you want a little help falling asleep occasionally or a long-term supplement that will help restore your body's natural sleep rhythms, you should be able to find an herbal sleep aid that will work for you.

Chamomile

Chamomile is one of nature's oldest and gentlest herbal sleep aids. It is most often drunk as a tea, which has a mild and pleasant taste. In addition to promoting calm and restfulness, chamomile is also used in cases of stomach irritation.

The benefits of chamomile works when taken occasionally, and is mild enough that it can be used daily for extended periods of time. It doesn't cause dependency, and has no side effects. It may, though, be an allergen for people who are allergic to daisies.

Experts are not sure how chamomile works to induce sleep. US Pharmacist reports that apigenin, a flavonoid in chamomile, may help to promote sleep, but that other components are probably also involved.

Valerian

Valerian is a root that has long been used as an herbal sleep aid. It has a characteristic smell, like old socks, which comes from isovaleric acid. Valerian can be used to help occasional sleeplessness, but is also particularly helpful taken long-term.

Many studies have shown valerian root to be an extremely safe and effective way to promote sleep. Patients who take valerian report that they feel less anxious and nervous, and have better rest at night.

Clearly, there are many benefits of valerian, and it causes none of the negative effects on concentration and alertness that prescription medications, thereby making it an excellent choice for people who suffer from chronic insomnia. Very high doses may cause certain side effects such as nausea, headaches, and dizziness.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a hormone that the body produces at night. It is sometimes called the sleep hormone because it is so important to healthy sleep. People who are blind, who suffer from jet lag, or who live in places with extended sunlight hours may have trouble sleeping because their bodies do not produce enough melatonin.

Patients looking for a short-term sleep solution may be helped by taking melatonin supplements, as will persons whose natural wake/sleep cycles have been disturbed. Melatonin is also helpful to people who are trying to wean themselves off of sleep medications.

SAMe

SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine) is an amino acid derivative, and is found normally in the body. It is typically used as an antidepressant, but is also commonly used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome or as an herbal sleep aid. Its actions in the body help to promote healthy sleep cycles, especially when taken daily for several weeks.

Mario Kyriazis, M.D, author of The Anti-Aging Plan (Element, 2000) explains that SAMe helps to promote sleep by increasing serotonin, a nerotransmitter important to sleep and mood. SAMe also works with the hormone melatonin to harmonize the body's natural day/night rhythms. SAMe is extremely safe, with no known serious side effects. Minor possible side effects in high dosages may include nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort.

Tryptophan

Tryptophan is an amino acid that is a precursor to seratonin. Low seratonin levels can cause irritability, anxiety, and sleeplessness, so adding more tryptophan to your diet can help you relax and will promote healthier sleep patterns.

Many foods naturally contain tryptophan. Increasing the amount of turkey, cottage cheese, peanuts, soy, brown rice, or milk in your diet will help your body to manufacture seratonin. Tryptophan supplements are also available.

Choosing your supplement

With all of the natural and herbal sleep aids available, it can seem tough to choose one. The choices don't have to be overwhelming, though.

Some supplements are meant to be used only occasionally, while others work better when used long-term. Many supplements have additional benefits, so it's often easy to pick one supplement to meet several needs. Naturopathic physicians, dieticians, and herbalists can help you choose the best herbal sleep aid for you.

References:

Cauffield, Jacintha S., Pharm.D., BCPS. Supplements Used to Treat Sleep Disorders. http://www.uspharmacist.com/oldformat.asp?url=newlook/files/Comp/sleep.htm&pubid=8&articleid=729

Kyriazis, Marios, M.D. Depression and SAMe. http://www.smart-drugs.com/depression-SAMe.htm.

Dan Ho is chief editor of Nutritional Supplement Info Spotlight, which offers unconventional and unique solutions for common health issues. Claim your FREE subscription to his newsletter now at his Nutritional Supplement and Herbal Supplement Guide Site

Should You Take Herbal Supplements?

2009-03-04T02:27:00.001+07:00

Herbal supplements are now within the reach of almost everyone worldwide. You can find herbal supplements on the Internet, in a health food store, in a beauty supply store, or in a vitamin shop.

Each of the herbal supplements you see will make claims about what enhancements it can make to your health. Do not take these claims at face value. It is important for you to research herbal supplements independently. Even herbal supplements that deliver on their promises are not needed by everyone. Take only those herbal supplements that match your needs. If you are on any medications, be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbal supplement.

What are herbal supplements?

Consumers may commonly ask questions like %u201CWhat are herbal supplements?%u201D and %u201CWhy are herbal supplements prescribed?%u201D once they find out about them.

Herbal supplements are basically just ways to supplement the body with anything that your lifestyle may be depriving it of having that will promote proper bodily function. The United States Food and Drug Administration considers herbal supplements to be dietary supplements. Although these supplements are derived from natural sources, they should be used with caution, particularly in concentrated forms such as extracts.

Similar to drugs, many herbal supplements contain active ingredients that can affect how the body functions. So once again, be sure to check with your doctor before starting on an herbal supplement. Don't take a supplement simply because it says it will do something good for you. Only take a supplement because you have a problem that it may help remedy.

Before you take herbal supplements

An expert such as a pharmacist can help provide you with invaluable information and help you decipher often ambiguous product labels. A doctor who is educated in natural remedies or a pharmacist should be able to tell you of the possible side effects of a given herb or of possible interactions the herb may have with drugs you are taking. And, only a doctor can properly diagnose if you have a condition that requires treatment and if taking herbal supplements can treat your condition.

Just because an herbal supplement is popular does not mean it is right for everyone. Each person has unique needs and reactions. Just a like a drug, an herb can be dangerous for some people under the wrong circumstances. So if you're currently taking an herbal supplement or thinking of taking one, consider finding out more information about whether you really need that herbal supplement and whether that herbal supplement fits in with any medications you may be taking.

By Paul Ghossain

For more indepth information on the herbal nutrition supplement as well as the benefits and risks associated with it, please feel free to visit http://www.vitaminsect.com/herbal-nutrition-supplement.html

A Guide to Wrinkle Cream

2009-03-03T22:30:00.000+07:00

Most wrinkles develop as the body ages, collagen production slows down the skin loses its elasticity and begins to crease and sag. Or, you develop wrinkles from environmental factors or even from years of smoking. There are lots of UV blockers on the market to prevent sun damage to skin, which causes wrinkles. As for smoking you should simply stop if you're concerned about developing wrinkles.

If you have wrinkles you are probably thinking about finding a good wrinkle cream to treat them. Many wrinkle creams on the market promise to reduce, remove and prevent age-related wrinkles but not many can provide a long term effect. It seems you just can't stop time. There are quite a few products that can provide temporary help in toning the skin and puffing out those saggy wrinkled areas.

Retinoic acid or Retinol is popular and widely available. It is basically a form of vitamin A applied to the skin which causes it to swell and puff up slightly to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, once the Retinol wears off the skin returns to its normal wrinkled state. Retinols can dry the skin out after a couple of uses so you may want to use it sparingly or use it in combination with a good moisturizer. It also helps the skin create new skin tissue.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids are also used to reduce wrinkles. The three most commonly used types are, Glycolic Acid from sugar cane, Lactic Acid from milk and Citric Acid from citrus fruit. In fact most wrinkle cream products on the market list a bunch of chemicals as ingredients that come from plants. Other simple ways of reducing or preventing wrinkles are to drink lots of water, exercise, stop smoking if you currently are, and supplementing your diet with foods rich in Vitamins A, C, E, and Omega-3 fatty acids.

Natural Arthritis Treatments Your Way to Prevent and Even Reverse Arthritis and Osteoporosis

2009-03-03T17:54:00.000+07:00

Diseases like arthritis and osteoporosis affect more and more people and natural arthritis treatments and health supplements are delivering the results people want. One look at the recent heart and cancer scares involving some commonly used arthritis drugs should also be enough for anyone concerned about their health to take a good look at natural alternatives.

Joint Pain, Arthritis and Osteoporosis

Before discussing natural arthritis treatments and health supplements, it?s important to understand how our bodies develop these problems in the first place.

Bone is constantly being broken down and built up every day. This process is regulated by hormones and involves the laying down of calcium and over 20 other minerals onto a bone matrix made up of collagen, the mineral copper, and vitamin C; vitamin D is also heavily involved in this process. As we get older the levels of these hormones begin to drop and if we don't have enough calcium, other minerals, vitamins and protein in our diet, then we start to break down more bone than we build.

As the calcium starts coming out of our bones it makes its way into the lubricating tissues between our joints and we eventually develop arthritis. This lubricant is made out of collagen and essential fatty acids (EFA) and the condition gets even worse when not enough collagen is being made or there aren't enough essential fatty acids in the diet to keep making joint lubricant. And arthritis is a warning signal that you have a raging osteoporosis!

The conventional alternatives are usually extremely painful joint replacement surgery which, if you're lucky, will last you for only 5-10 years; and anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs which can lead to kidney problems and worsen the condition - you have the pain for a reason! Other treatments like prednisone reduce pain and inflammation but interfere with the building of bone matrix. Talk to your doctor about alternatives. The other side-effects may include thinning skin and diabetes!

Arthritis Treatments - The Natural Approach

Natural osteoporosis and arthritis treatments work to prevent and reverse these conditions because you replace the minerals and vitamins which are lost and also rebuild the joint with proteins and essential fatty acids. Mineral health supplements such as plant derived colloidal minerals contain calcium, magnesium, manganese, boron, silica and many others in a form that is over 98% absorbable.

Additional calcium, magnesium, vitamins, collagen and other nutrients can be obtained from some of the better liquid calcium supplements available.

Omega 3 essential fatty acid supplements in fish oil form are also effective natural arthritis treatments because they reduce inflammation and help to rebuild the lubricating fluid.

Joint support and collagen supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin also help build bone matrix and lubricating fluid and are excellent arthritis and osteoporosis treatments.

Another recent and exciting discovery is CM or Cetyl Myristoleate. It is a natural complex derived from a combination of a fatty acid and an alcohol molecule and forms naturally inside the joint tissue and has been clinically proven to reduce pain, inflammation, and improve mobility.

Digestive Enzymes will help to improve absorption of these nutrients - particularly after we reach 40 and the amount of stomach acid we produce starts to decrease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most crippling form of arthritis and is thought to be an autoimmune disease by conventional medicine.

It's actually caused by a virus, bacteria or heavy metal and the clue here is that when it 'flares' most people get sick all over - not just at the site. In other words, the body is reacting to this 'bug' in the normal way by trying to kill it - hence the fever and sickness.

In addition to the arthritis treatments mentioned, a great deal of success has been had by treatment with a broad spectrum antibiotic such as minocycline. Talk to your health care practitioner about this and don't be afraid to get a second opinion.

This has relatively few side affects compared to modern antibiotics - however you should ensure that you look after your 'good' stomach flora so you can digest and absorb food. A quality pro-biotic supplement will help.

Diet and Exercise

Diet and exercise have an important role to play in natural arthritis and osteoporosis treatments. Here are some guidelines:

?Full-range of motion weight-bearing exercises such as walking, light weights, yoga etc can be very helpful

?Avoid foods containing sugar, caffeine and especially stay away from carbonated drinks - these will increase your loss of minerals, reduce your absorption and make your condition worse

The Best Herbal Remedies and Natural Treatments for Acne

2009-03-02T22:44:00.000+07:00

If you suffer from a skin blemish then you already know that acne is a problem that plagues millions of consumers all over the world on a daily basis. The fact is the person that develops a way to prevent acne would become a very wealthy and extremely popular person. Individuals that suffer from zits, pimples, blackheads and other acne associated problems would pay a good bit of money for a cure. This is proven on an everyday basis judging by the amount of acne skin cleansers, solutions and exfoliation masks that are sold. Unfortunately no acne fighting solution is the Holy Grail to curing an outbreak 100% of the time.

Although there are many companies that offer herbal and natural remedies for acne the most popular treatments continue to remain ointments, lotions and soaps. The big question that needs to be answered is, do these products work?

The companies that manufacture these acne control products claim that their products do in fact work at eliminating acne outbreaks. In fact, you can easily find many testimonials from seemingly satisfied customers. Unfortunately, there is very little scientific data to support these heart-warming testimonials. A lack of a governing body to provide validity to these claims is unfortunate and the main cause of the problem. However, the absence of legislative oversight does not have to be a deciding factor in your usage of these products. You really must also consider whom you ask and what you believe when it comes to controlling skin blemishes and eliminating blackheads, zits and pimples.

There is no doubt that in ancient times, herbal and natural remedies were the only options that earlier civilizations had. These herbal and natural remedies were used for nearly every ailment they encountered. In fact, drugstores and neighborhood pharmacies, where you can find a remedy for any ailment you may have, are a very recent development.

Currently, many of us eat foods with processed ingredients, harsh pesticides and many other ingredients, which could potentially be dangerous. In earlier civilizations, these factors were not present. Although these individuals had shorter life spans and lived more difficult lives, scientific evidence has proven and made it clear that they were overall very healthy. Many people attribute this to the fact that they were eating much more natural food, which they raised themselves, and therefore absent of many if not all of the dangerous and harmful ingredients in our foods we currently include in our daily diets.

The best way to decide if herbal remedies and natural treatments are going to work for you is to research the issue. Determine which natural ingredients and herbs have been proven to be effective in fighting acne and then find products that use or incorporate these ingredients. Naturally, the best way to determine if they work is by using them for a trial period in order to see and measure the results yourself.

If you have been diagnosed with acne by a dermatologist, he or she may recommend an antibiotic, since bacteria are known to be a main cause of acne. You could ask your dermatologist if there are any natural products on the market that have been shown to reduce acne and if so what recommendation does he or she have. Echinacea, Witch Hazel and Tea Tree oil are three commonly used natural products that have been shown to fight bacteria and therefore help those suffering from acne, skin blemishes, zits, pimples and irritating blackheads.

There are many other natural products on the market, such as facial peels, clay masks and gentle abrasives. In order to find one that works you have to be willing and mentally prepared to read labels and do other research. If you are inclined and motivated to do this, you will be able to find plenty of natural products and herbal remedies for treating your acne.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Clear-Skin-Solutions.com He provides more acne clearing solutions, tips and herbal remedies and natural treatments for acne that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Know Your Asthma Treatment

2009-03-02T16:46:00.000+07:00

?Let your doctor know if you are taking any other types of medication. Some medication types can affect the actions of asthma medications when combined.

?Before preparing or taking medications you should make sure your hands are clean.

?Double-check the instructions on the asthma treatment medication before taking it.

?Store the asthma drugs according to given instructions.

?The best asthma control can be achieved if you follow your asthma chart. Following the guidelines set by your doctor will increase the effectiveness of asthma inhalers and asthma medication

?Ask your doctor to describe medication side effects, although these are rare and of reduced danger.

?Make sure to always have sufficient supplies of medication nearby.

?Check out the links below for more relevant asthma control medication

There are two main components related to asthma that you can use specialized medications for: the airway inflammation and the constriction of the air passage muscles. Asthma medication is mostly used to prevent inflammation, thus reducing the negative effects of the condition and eliminating chances for asthma attacks. Here are the main types of asthma medications:

Asthma control medication

This sort of medication has to be taken on a daily basis for extended periods of time. Getting control of asthma is now possible, but only if the asthma treatment is carried our consciously and without interruptions. Persistent asthma can be subdued is the right medication is prescribed for the patient. Activity impairing asthma attacks are less frequent when the proper asthma medication is used, a fact that determines many patients to follow their asthma treatment continuously. Among long term asthma medications you will find anti inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, beta agonists and bronchodilators.

Asthma attack medication

Most quick relief medications are also very efficient during asthma attacks. Short acting bronchodilators and beta-agonists are some of the drugs commonly used to relieve asthma symptoms. Some systemic corticoids are also found in asthma medication designed for attack stoppage.

More relevant asthma information is available below:

Asthmaxpert

Arthritis treatment information

Depression Treatment Expert

Learning How to Treat Anxiety Disorders and Finding Natural Panic Attack Remedies

2009-03-02T01:19:00.001+07:00

With over 19 million adults affected by them, anxiety disorders are the most common of all mental illnesses in the United States. There are many different types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and panic attacks, to name a few, but all of them produce symptoms of excessive fear and dread and can be debilitating to those who suffer from them. Learning how to treat anxiety disorders requires time, practice and patience because in almost all cases, anxiety is best treated by behavioral therapy and not by prescription medication.

Panic attacks are a particularly disabling kind of anxiety disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Panic Disorder is characterized by repeated episodes of intense fear that occur frequently and without warning. Panic attacks can last anywhere from a couple of minutes to over a half hour. Most people who suffer from panic episodes usually experience sweating, trembling, rapid heart beat and shortness of breath, and can sometimes also experience chills, cramps, hot flashes, nausea and dizziness.

Panic Disorder is most effectively treated with a combination of psychotherapy and learned relaxation techniques. Many researchers believe that panic attacks are tied to the body's natural fight-or-flight response to danger, and learning to recognize the physiological sensations that accompany this response is an important first step in anxiety relief. Therapy can also focus on identifying the irrational fears that produce attacks (fear of dying, fear of embarrassment...etc) and teaching coping skills. Relaxation and imagery techniques are also commonly taught to help those who suffer from Panic Disorder to alleviate symptoms of panic attacks while they are experiencing them. In all cases, exercises and techniques taught in therapy must be practiced daily in order to be truly effective.

While prescription medication is not usually an appropriate treatment for Panic Disorder, there are natural treatments for anxiety which have been used safely and effectively for centuries to treat symptoms of anxiety. Lavender (or Lavendula Augustifolia) is on of the most popular popular panic attack remedies and is used for its calming properties and its role as a general nervous system tonic. Passion Flower and Lemon Balm are other excellent natural anxiety and panic attack treatments.

If left untreated, Panic Disorder can intensify to a crippling degree and leave some sufferers fearful of even leaving home. Professional help and a true commitment to battling the disorder are necessary components in your ability to overcome your anxiety and to begin to lead a less anxiety-ridden, healthier life.

Webmaster: You are authorized to reprint this article providing the author bio/resource box is left completely in tact - including all hyperlinks.

Facial Skin Care Products

2009-03-01T22:33:00.001+07:00

Facial Skin Care Products are available for a range of skin types and purposes. The most common skin types are Normal, Oily, Dry and Combination. It is important to pick a facial skin care product that won't aggravate the type of skin you have causing irritation, inflammation and redness.

Facial skin care products are available to treat specific or combinations of conditions. There are products with astringents like witch hazel in them to help tighten skin, Alpha-Hydroxy Acids to help the skin's sloughing process, Antioxidants for the encouragement of new skin growth, and UV blockers to protect the skin from the Sun's damaging rays and other types of skin care products. There are some skin care products made solely for the eyes. Since the skin is a sensitive area with thinner skin it is prone to its own special problems, wrinkles, bags and darker areas.

A big problem can be sinking of the eye and skin around the eye as you age. There are also products that help to puff up skin that starts to sag as the collagen production in the skin slows down. Acne skin care products are cleansers or lotions meant to be placed on the skin right after washing and they usually involve continual treatment of skin even after the acne goes away. Some acne products are Benzoyl Peroxide, Resorcinol, Salicylic Acid, and Sulfur. Each is designed to attack a specific cause of acne, excessive oil production, clumping of skin cells, and acne causing bacteria.

A clay facial mask once a week removes impurities and draws oils and bacteria out of the skins pores to leave the skin cleaner. It also helps to soothe the skin reducing redness and dry patches and lifting away dead skin cells. You can finish with a little astringent Witch Hazel to help close up the pores.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Here a place for great deals on facial skin care products.

Natural Skin Care Products Are The Answer To Your Skin Care Problems

2009-03-01T19:42:00.001+07:00

These days many consumers treat synthetic ingredients in their skin care as potentially harmful, and so they should.

If you are asking yourself whether natural skin care products are the answer to all your skin care problems? The answer is a definite Yes. I have not come across a single skin problem that cannot be addressed equally well using natural skin care products as using any other types. Admittedly, I?ve only been in practice for just over 20 years, however, so far I have yet to see a skin condition that cannot be treated using a natural approach, excluding of course emergency medical conditions such as severe 3rd degree burns over large parts of the body, etc.

In an article I can across recently, entitled ?Are Natural Skin Care Products the Answer To All Problems??, the author asks the following questions:

So, are natural skin care products the answer to all of our problems? What if a natural skin care product is not available for the treatment of a particular skin disorder? Are the synthetic skin care products so harmful that they should be banned?

The answer is No natural skin care products do not fix all of our problems. Maybe the author should have asked ...so, are natural skin care products to answer to all our skin care problems? - then the answer would have still been No, and neither do any other skin care products on the market today - natural or otherwise.

Not all skin problems can be treated using some topical application - Many diseases such as measles, chickenpox, herpes and many more are diseases, which as part of their symptomatology, have a skin component. To think that using natural skin care products or for that matter a synthetically formulated skin care product could treat this types of conditions is ludicrous.

Sure, combine your internal medication (natural or drug-based) with a good quality, natural skin care product to address the itching, irritation and redness, etc., but don?t think for one moment that a skin care products is going to effect the chickenpox virus or any other infectious disease.

Similarly, skin problems just like any other long-term disorder have a multi-faceted complexity and require a systemic approach to treatment.

If on the other hand we are simply referring to dry, oily, mature or sensitive skin, than there is no need for synthetic chemicals. Nor is this the case in the treatment of dermatitis, psoriasis or similar conditions, unless they are of a genetic origin - then there is very little that can be done other than symptom control, which natural skin care products can do just as well as any synthetic equivalent, if not better.

You see most mass-produced skin care products, whether they are 100% natural skin care products or have a synthetic component, will not work on any condition that has an internal disease process involved. For example a hormonal imbalance may cause acne. This acne will persist until the hormonal imbalance is corrected.

Similarly, viral infections can cause skin rashes and they will persist until the viral infection has been addressed. Again, sure use a topical ointment or cream for the rash and yes, make sure it is a natural skin care product, because you don?t need to introduce more chemicals into the body, which it may have difficulty in utilising and/or eliminating.

In the same article, the answers to the above questions states:

Different people have different answers to these questions. However, the reality is that due to presence of synthetic preservatives, it?s really tough to find a natural skin care product that is 100% natural. There are natural skin care products that have natural preservatives, but their cost might be detrimental. Moreover, such natural skin products have a shorter shelf life and hence are not preferred by the manufacturers of natural skin care products.

Firstly, 100% natural skin care products are really not hard to find. There are dozens of companies that produce good quality, natural skin care products and they can be found using Yahoo, MSN or Google without much difficulty. Yes, they can be expensive, but they are no more expensive than similar, products containing synthetic chemicals produced by major brands such as L?Oreal, Lanc?me, and others. In fact, most are a lot less costly.

Secondly, just because a natural skin care product has a natural preservative does not make them any more expensive. I should know, as we make a large range of natural skin care products and have done so for over 20 years. We supply customers all over the world, as well as our own patients, and over 80% of our customers have been long-term customers. Some of our products use natural preservatives such as Grape seed Oil or Wheat Germ Oil and neither of these oils are very pricey.

In addition, Essential oils are some of the most powerful antiseptic substances around, some are also have powerful antibiotic properties and if used correctly, they will preserve natural skin care products for at least 2 to 3 years without any trouble. Furthermore, many of our natural skin care and personal care product contain herbal extracts. Herbal extracts are by nature alcoholic and alcohol is a very good preservative. So you see, good quality natural skin care products do not need to have preservatives (synthetic ones) added to them.

This author further states:

Some people carry a wrong notion that since natural skin care products are natural, they cannot cause any harm to the skin. The suitability of a skin care product is not based on whether it is synthetic or natural. An unsuitable natural skin care product can harm you in almost the same way as a synthetic one. So, use natural skin care products, but be open to synthetic ones too (you might need them when a natural solution is not available)

Sure, we all know that nature produces powerful substances and some of these are the most potent killers if we are exposed to them - strychnine is an example that comes to mine, but any substance found in nature has the potential to create problems, some more serious than other. Why else would herbalist have to be trained for years if you could take any old tea and drink it to your heart?s content?

Many people have allergies to all sorts of chemicals (I mean naturally occurring ones as well as synthetic ones). However, that is not the product?s fault, these people unfortunately for them have a hypersensitivity to particular substances and their immune system needs to be treated. DON?T use a synthetic substitute - the natural substances are just as powerful as synthetic chemicals, why do you think is it that modern medicine still uses morphine-based drugs to treat severe pain? - there is no synthetic substitute that is more powerful a pain killer.

Natural skin care products that have been properly formulated to target a specific skin care need, are safer, usually more effective and cost no more than their synthetic counter parts.

When ever you choose to buy a new product which you use on your skin be it a natural one or not, you should consider the following:

Always look at the ingredient list and see if there are any to which you may be allergic.

Before you start using a product apply a small area of your skin first to see if you have any undesirable reaction. You may be allergic to something in the product, which you are not aware of and this may or may not be a natural substance.

Know what the product does and what it is indicated for before you buy it.

Choose products to suit your skin type and your skin?s needs.

If you are not sure, ask the manufacturer, write them an email or ring them up and ask them to explain or help.

Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you. Join our Natural Skin Care Newsletter ? it?s fun, free and Informative and you receive a free eBook on natural skin care.
? Wildcrafted Herbal Products 2004 - 2005

What is a Supplement?

2009-03-01T15:59:00.001+07:00

Supplement ? what is it?

Supplement is a term that means products made of one or more of the fundamental nutrients, for example vitamins, minerals, and proteins. It provides you with some specific (or a mix of) vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, amino acids, metabolites, etc. You can purchase supplements that contain separate vitamins or minerals, or some kind of mix of vitamins and minerals.

Supplement ? quality products.

Consumers who are using some type of supplement need to always read supplement product labels, follow all directions, and pay attention to all warnings. Consult with your doctor to make sure that you use the right supplement. Nowadays you can purchase some type of supplement without the prescription in health food stores, grocery stores, drug stores, or through mail or Internet. You can also get a good discount on some supplements.

Supplement ? be careful.

You need to be careful when you are shopping for some type of supplement. There are many fake supplements that are sold nowadays. But that doesn?t mean that all the supplements are fake. The majority of supplement manufacturers are responsible and careful, FDA's Yetley says. Consumers should still do the search for the right supplement with care, making sure they have the necessary information and consulting with their doctors and other health professionals.

Supplement ? claims.

According to FDA, manufacturers can use structure-function claims without FDA authorization. They base their claims on their review and interpretation of the scientific literature. These claims must be accompanied with the disclaimer This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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Learn about supplementation at http://www.liquid-vitamins-4u.com

Natural Skin Care What About It?

2009-02-27T12:49:00.003+07:00

Consumers are turning to wholesome and therapeutic elements found in Mother Nature for skin care therapies and beauty treatments. There is an awareness of the potentially harmful effects associated with the long term use of synthetic chemicals found in many formulas. To name a few - 1,4-dioxane, a cancer causing contaminant found in cosmetic products; silicone emollients which coat the skin and trap anything beneath it - not allowing the skin to breathe; formaldehyde, cancer-causing vapor that can cause allergies, irritations to eyes, nose and throat, headaches and chronic fatigue.

Few people realize that skin is a ?dynamic tissue?. Up to 60% of the skin products that we apply are absorbed into our bloodstream! Cosmetics, lotions and creams are an important part of life but we need to be aware of the damage chemicals have on our system. The only way to correct this is to find something less harmful. Natural and organic herbal skin care is the answer - grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and genetically engineered seeds.

Vitamins
In the last few years many manufacturers have begun to add vitamins and antioxidants to their formulas. Look for vitamin A to assist in preventing roughness and dryness. C and E are the simplest forms of antioxidants and will help in the prevention of sun damage and in fighting premature wrinkles.

There is some evidence that vitamin C may pass through the skin?s top layer and heal tissue that has been damaged by a burn or an injury. A study recently showed that applying topical Vitamin C, 15 to 30 minutes after UV exposure, sunburn cells decreased and repair to the damage had begun. The one problem of this vitamin is that it is unstable when left open to the air. Research is continuing to optimize this but one consistent way is to use an anhydrous (no water) base cream.

Vitamin D interacts with sunlight to form in our bodies and is considered an antioxidant and an anticarcinogen. Although it can be toxic in large amounts, sunbathing won?t result in an overdose.

Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a soothing plant and the base of many natural cleansing formulas, offering exfoliation, moisturizing and protection. This ?miracle? plant dates back to the time of Cleopatra but was lost for years. It was rediscovered during the Second World War when it was used for treating burn victims. It is now used as an ingredient that will help with antiaging, in the healing of wounds and sun damaged tissue. Apply aloe gel several times a day and watch the redness of a sunburn disappear without peeling.

Topical use of a cream containing 0.5 percent aloe vera extract three times a day for four weeks shows a high cure rate of lesions in psoriasis patients. Further research suggests that this plant may have a mild analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect with no known adverse reactions. The problem of eczema can be addressed with specific ingredients such as aloe vera which provides soothing, cleansing and healing.

A great idea in using natural formulas is to do-it-yourself. To prepare an aloe vera home recipe, take the slippery part from inside the plant, puree in a blender and keep refrigerated. Apply a coat of the gel for 5 minutes and rinse. Over time watch for spots, acne and scars to disappear.

Jojoba Oil
Plant and animal species around the world were being identified and quickly outlawed for hunting and harvesting. The use of products derived from these sources was banned. The endangered sperm whale produced waxes that were greatly valued for their function in cosmetics. During the 60?s and 70?s a liquid wax (jojoba oil) found in the deserts of California, Arizona and Mexico was discovered by scientists. It not only replaced the prohibited wax from the sperm whale but appeared to actually be superior.

This jojoba oil is an excellent moisturizing agent and has spreading and lubricating properties. It leaves a rich non-oily velvety feel and enhances flexibility and suppleness. Studies done at the University of Michigan demonstrated that it is quickly absorbed. Because of this, pores and hair follicles remain open maintaining their proper functioning ability.

Applied directly and as often as required it is known to reduce wrinkles and bring relief to sensitive skin. The desert peoples of Southern California and Mexico had long been using it to treat rashes and cuts because of anti-bacterial qualities.

Many companies and name brands are introducing their all natural skin care lines and in many cases, samples are available to try out their product.

But you, the consumer, needs to realize that any product, natural or chemical based may have side effects. It is most important to read and study the information on your product of interest, know your skin type and what effect you want to achieve.

With so many choices in skin care and beauty products, it becomes confusing as to what is the best value for the money. No one has all the answers. But I do have the time to check out and make myself knowledgeble about what is out there. Many consumers are busy with other things and may not have the time to do the research. I attempt on my sites to give them some answers, or at least point them in the direction that will give them some answers. My sites are http://www.skin-care-n-cosmetics.com and http://www.perfume-n-cologne-shop.com

Healthy Diet For Your Child

2009-02-27T12:49:00.001+07:00

It is the belief of most parents that children are eating a relatively healthy diet, but if not, they throw up their hands and give up. Children are then plied with multivitamins. Though this is not a bad thing to do, many children think they are candy especially now that they come in gummi candy, gumballs, and cute animal and cartoon characters.

This is extremely serious because if they are with a kids reach, they could be taking more than you know about. If there is the remotest chance your child has ingested too many, immediately call Poison Control and get them to the emergency room.

If your child overdoses with multivitamins with iron your child could become seriously ill or die. All manner of medications must absolutely be kept out of the reach children. If you think your child needs them generic multivitamins are fine but for the most part, children get a lot of their vitamins in their diets.

If your child is either allergic to dairy products or won?t eat them, calcium will need to come from other sources. A consultation with your child?s pediatrician is important. One vitamin daily is all a child needs even if his diet has been questionable for that week.

The absorption of other vitamins could be blocked if there is too much of any one vitamin. For example, too much calcium can prevent the absorption of other vitamins such as iron. Healthy food choices are not a child?s priority you can expect to be giving your child vitamins well into their teens.

Before buying vitamins you should know that opinions about vitamins with iron for children vary greatly. One belief is that you should, in fact, be giving vitamins with iron. Another philosophy is that never should a child be given vitamins with iron in them.

In infancy my own child showed signs of iron deficiency as an infant. Always check with your child?s doctor; my child?s doctor put him on iron fortified vitamins and he is healthy now. A disease called Hemochromatosis is caused by too much iron in the blood.

The iron becomes unusable by the body and it is not washed out of the body easily. It is almost always a fatal disease and can cause serious health issues. Calcium helps build strong bones and muscles and is a very important part of your child?s diet.

Calcium is a mineral. Kids who eat ice cream, yogurt, and cheese or who drink milk usually get enough calcium from their diets. Some do not like dairy products, still others are allergic to them. Children can be assisted in getting what they need by consuming calcium fortified juices, cereals and vitamins.

Drinking fluoride treated tap water and bottled water and/or using fluoridated toothpaste is enough for most children. Your child should not be given fluoride supplements without checking with your pediatrician. Your child?s teeth could be permanently stained if they get too much fluoride.

This defeats entirely, the purpose of the treatment of water and the use of toothpaste meant to protect your child?s teeth. Infant multivitamins in liquid form is available and usually administered with an eye dropper.

The drops contain vitamins A, C, and D and may have added iron. Also they may have other vitamins and minerals such as thiamin, niacin, riboflavin and vitamin B-12. Chewable children?s vitamins are available in the forms of cartoon characters and/or animals. Now vitamins are available in gummi candy and gumballs.

Try buying gum ball vitamins or cartoon characters if your child is difficult about taking vitamins. Your child should always be supervised while he?s taking his vitamins. My son never gets to take his vitamins on his own, I give them to him.

He may or may not take it or he could take too many. Children?s vitamins could be a very good thing but too much of a good thing could be fatal. They should not be left in the reach of children. Eating what is right is not your child?s top priority so giving him vitamins may offset some of that.

Adjustments to child?s diet should always be discussed with your child?s pediatrician, it?s better to err on the side of caution. It?s fine to have fun shapes but your child could think they are candy and they should be kept out of reach of children or locked in a cabinet.

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of products which includes Vitamin C and Herbal Supplements, and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

Alternative Treatment for Depression: Learning How Herbs Can Aid in Treating Depression Naturally

2009-02-27T12:39:00.001+07:00

If you are like many of the 20.9 million adults in the U.S. who are suffering from depression, you have probably debated the pros and cons of taking prescription antidepressants. While depression can often be combated with therapy alone, some professionals do recommend medication for certain cases. The right type and dosage of a prescription medication can sometimes meet with success for a patient, but many experience side effects that outweigh the benefits.

Side effects vary between the different types of antidepressant, but the most commonly prescribed medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft are all SSRIs, and often produce side effects such as sexual dysfunction, nausea, diarrhea and headaches, and in some cases thoughts of suicide. In order to avoid these, more and more people are deciding instead to explore natural remedies for depression.

Among those who know, St. John's Wort is almost unanimously agreed upon as the alternative treatment for depression. Many believe that it is more effective at treating depression than many prescription medications but with fewer risks. The active compounds in St. John's Wort help naturally reduce feelings of sadness, anxiety and worthlessness, and many who take it also report less exhaustion and fewer headaches. Best of all, this herb often produces no side effects, although some might experience sensitivity to sun or other minor side effects.

Ginko Biloba is a natural ingredient that improves circulation in the brain, which often in turn improves memory and also alleviates some symptoms of depression. It is not as effective as St. John's Wort, but it can be taken in conjunction with other natural ingredients as an overall mood-booster.

Siberian Ginseng aids the balance of essential neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Taking Siberian Ginseng regularly can lead to improved feelings of general well-being.

Passion flower is another natural ingredient that can help treat depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. Passion flower is a natural salve that helps to calm and soothe. When it is combined with St. John's Wort, it can be very successful in treating depression naturally.

These and many other herbs are helpful in alleviating many of the symptoms of depression, and as with anything you put into your body, each person will react differently to them. It is important to allow a trial period in order to feel the effects of the natural medications, as some will take several weeks to take effect. As always, you should seek a doctor's advice before you decide to stop taking a prescription medication, and you should avoid combining prescription medications with natural medications. Hopefully, you will find a safe, healthy combination of natural ingredients helps you to feel consistently better over time.

Tess Thompson is a Homeopathic Practitioner, Reflexologist, Certified Aromatherapist, and Herbalist who contributes regularly to Native Remedies - where you can find All Natural Homeopathic and Herbal Remedies for treating depression naturally and natural remedies for depression.

Shaving and the Adolescent Male

2009-02-27T00:34:00.001+07:00

The most obvious way around it is to use a good quality electric shaver. Usually this resolves the problem of cutting pimples and causing unnecessary pain and injury. However, you will need to follow a good skin care regime to remove the dead skin cells which build up on you skin, in order to promote healthy growth of new skin cells. We?ll discuss exfoliation later.

Make sure you use skin care products for sensitive skin when acne pimples are many and inflamed. It?s important to get the skin type right too. Dry, normal or oily skin, requires different approaches and in many cases there will be a couple of different skin types in any one individual.

For example, you may have a combination of dry and oily skin, or normal and oily skin. Usually with acne there is a component of oily skin ? the nose, forehead are often oily, while the cheeks and chin areas are either normal or dry. You will need to keep this in mind in order to effectively treat your acne and shave without causing additional problems.

There are some basic principles that all you men should know about their skin and how to best conquer the shaving process.

It sounds easy enough, hey just put some shaving gel on your face and using a razor, take it off again, simple, how hard could it be?

The problem is not that the act of shaving is in itself difficult, it?s not, but unfortunately the skin can very much be a problem. If shaving is not done correctly, you could end up looking a bloody mess and have blotchy irritated skin and that is not a good look with which to impress the girls.

To start with, young men, and for that matter even mature men don?t realise that the beard hairs grow in different directions? The key is not to shave against the direction of the growth. In order to get a close shave, it is very important that the preparation stage for shaving is done correctly if a close shave is desired.

Shaving against the growth of the hair will give you a closer shave, but you increase the risk of nicks and cuts many fold and if you have acne, this can get rather bloody.

So, here?s how to get it right from the start.

Before we start, shave in the shower. The warm water will open the facial pores soften both the stubbles and the skin and this promotes a better, closer shave. Also, there is less risk of nicks and cuts if your skin is warmed by the hot water in the shower.

Ok, let?s get stated:

Step 1 ? Use an exfoliant; this gets rid of dead skin cells, which lifts your stubble and gives a closer shave, leafing your skin smooth and looking well groomed.

Wildcrafted?s Skin Renewal Gel is perfect for this job, because the herbs and essential oils contained in this product help not only to remove dead skin cells, but also nourishes the skin and provides nutrients the skin can utilise.

Step 2 ? Prepare the canvas; use the Vitalising Shaving Gel. This product combines pre-shave oiling of the skin and a shaving cr?me. Not only do you provide lubrication so the razor glides easily over the skin, but the essential oils in this product have antiseptic properties, so you reduce the risk of infections in the event of nicks or cuts from shaving. This helps you to get a smooth shave and the lubricating oils prevent nicks and cuts. Once you have applied the Vitalising Shaving Gel to your face, work it into lather and then start shaving.

Step 3 ? Shaving; the best razor is one that lets you use a light stroke and you don?t need to push down too hard. Gillette?s M3 fits the bill, but there are other?s of similar quality. Using a brush to apply the Vitalising Shaving Gel will help lift the bristles and allow you to shave even closer, but your hands will do the job just fine.

If you use an electric shaver, it is still to your advantage to shave after you?ve had a shower, because the skin is warm, softer and the stubble are easier to shave off. Some of the newer electric shavers you can now use under the shower too ? so take advantage of that and use the benefits of the ?hot water?.

Step 4 ? Nicks and cuts? The Vitalising Shaving Gel, which leaves a residue on your skin even after you have finished shaving, contains essential oils which disinfect and help repair the skin. Just leave it on your face while you finish having a shower and then rinse it off.

Step 5 ? Moisturise. This is a must. After you have finished your shower, apply the Ginseng Hydrator specific for your skin type ? remember you may need to use more than one if you have two different skin types. If you have a shiny skin, use the Ginseng Hydrator for Oily skin, if it looks dry and or dull, use the Ginseng Hydrator for Dry skin, else use the one for Normal skin.

Step 6 ? Restore; once or twice a week, use a natural clay mask to help your skin heal from the taxing process of shaving. The Earth Medicine Facial Clay range contains soothing minerals and oils to calm shaving irritation. It also helps to remove toxins that build up in the skin, especially if you suffer from acne.

If you are using an electric razor, all the steps except for Step 3 still apply. Using an electric razor can cause your skin to be quite itchy and using a moisturiser that sooths the irritated skin is very important.

So there you have it. Shaving can be easy and painless, as long as you follow the steps above, you should not have any trouble getting your stubbles under control. Remember, use the shower to shave, it really does help immensely as well as save you time, and it helps you to do a better job.

About The Author

Wildcrafted Herbal Products' natural skin care range is suitable for men and women and contains only pure, natural ingredients, formulated according to Naturopathic and Aromatherapy principles.

Join our Natural Skin Care Newsletter ? it?s fun, free and Informative and you receive a free eBook on natural skin care.

Herbs Thought to Slow Down Hair Loss

2009-02-25T00:54:00.001+07:00

Herbs have been embraced for centuries. Herbal remedies offer solutions to many different types of symptoms in the body. From the common cold, to acne, toothache, and even baldness?herbs can enrich our overall well-being and appearance. For years many men and women have relied on herbal remedies to prevent premature hair loss and stress-induced hair loss. The following remedies are some of the most popular around the world:

Green Tea: Drink several cups a day, as this tea contains the enzyme 5 Alpha Reductase. What does it do? It converts male testosterone into DHT. Men who have pale pattern baldness swear by this natural remedy. Seeing is believing, what do you have to lost? Drink up. Cheers!

Ginko Biloba: By increasing circulation to the brain and skin?with this herb, you can deliver more well-needed nutrients to the hair?s natural follicles. Spread 120 - 160 mg of the dry extract onto the scalp in a period of three dosages.

Saw Palmetto: The hair loss Treatment of choice by males. It protects a man?s prostate from cancer and studies show it encourages hair growth. Take it in capsule form twice weekly. It?s most potent taken in its natural form (extracted from berries?not dried berries).

Stinging Nettle: Known to prevent hair loss, men rely on stinging nettle at the first sight of thinning, or slight balding. Take a capsule which contains 50-100 mg a day to keep hair loss away.

Pygeum: If used properly (60-500 mg per day in capsule form) the effects of Pygeum are much like those of green tea. Use this herb for treatment of male pattern hair loss or prostate problems.

He Shou Wu: Embraced by the Chinese, this herbal remedy has been known to reduce the effects of hair loss, as it?s been said to delay the process. This herb can be taken in tea-form or in a capsule.

Before scientists started creating hair loss topical ointments in laboratories, these herbal remedies were relied on by many men (maybe even an ancestor of yours!). While there are many sceptics, who say that herbal treatments are laughable, others beg to differ. What does it come down to? What works for some, may not work for others. Herbs are safe and practical if taken in their proper dosages. Perhaps this is why many men are eager to experiment with them. Inhairit some of these and other only high quality herbal ingredients in it?s unique formula designed to slow thinning hair.

Jen Carter is staff writer for Inhairit - a hair loss treatment program designed to slow thinning hair in men and women. Visit http://www.inhairit.com today.

Herbal Tea Benefits

2009-02-25T00:46:00.001+07:00

When you think about what hot drinks you want to have at the morning, or for that matter, at any other time of the day, consider this: caffeine can seriously affect your health. Now it is no secret that some of the tea companies use caffeine in their products; you can of course choose those that don?t ? for example, let us take Wissotzky tea: Black tea has 60 - 70 mg of caffeine, Green tea has 15 - 20 mg while Herbal Tea would have no caffeine at all.

The variety of tastes is quite large: Raspberry Tea, Peach Tea, Nana Tea, Lemon Tea, Cherry Tea ? and most importantly ? no side effects. It may appear surprising that drinking something like tea should cause anything at all, yet it is important to know the facts. As turns out, caffeine may act upon our moods ? especially if you have a tendency towards depression ? be aware ? consuming caffeine may depress you even more.

To those of you with depression tendencies ? avoid caffeine at all cause! Especially when mixed with white sugar, it operates on the brain and may make you feel worse than you did before (brown sugar is better anyway). As you have surely by this time realized ? coffee may be your biggest enemy. Black coffee consists 150 mg of caffeine and Instant coffee 120 mg. If you?re a ?heavy drinker?, do the math. And let us not forget Coca Cola. This same drink that has conquered the world so fast is another host of caffeine. It is not in vain that caffeine is compared to drugs ? indeed, some of us are real Cola-addicts! (I confess, I used to be one myself)

Please, don?t be depressed by this, my intention in precisely the opposite one: my solution was simply not drinking it anymore. There are plenty of other delicious drinks that consist of herbs, and work to improve you daily nutrition. I know that simply refusing something you like may sound hard to do, yet it is quite simple when you try.

Our experts have made a research to find the best nutrition sources. Find the exclusive results only on Herbal tea and nutrition #1 website. More valuable nutrition content on Herbs and Nutrition on TiGilet.

Home Remedies for Itch Indigestion and Insomnia

2009-02-20T22:26:00.001+07:00

Indigestion, insomnia and itching are very common ailments in everyday life. So common in fact that we don't even take them seriously and they tend to be left untreated. The problem is, when left untreated, they often blow up into something far more serious. So when one is feeling a little down and out due to these conditions and not up to getting dressed and going to the pharmacy to load up on medicine, there are a lot of home remedies that are easy and simple to make.

Itching

Itching can be caused by a lot of things. It may be due to allergies from food or plants, insect bites, stings, or even poor hygiene. You can either scratch away and leave scratch marks and wounds on your skin or you can try this. An old and trusted home remedy is using a weak carbolic acid lotion or mixing up a solution of bicarbonate of soda (commonly known as baking soda) and applying it over the itchy part.

Indigestion

Common home remedies for indigestion are peppermint and ginger. These are also popular in treating other digestion problems. Apple and tea are also used, as are Epsom salts. Another effective way to relieve indigestion is drinking the juice of a raw potato or an egg white. Cloves are also considered treatment for indigestion. Other herbs that help relieve the discomfort that comes with indigestion are meadowsweet and lavender. In traditional medicine, the use of feverfew, fennel and dill as cures for indigestion is common, as well as thyme and speedwell.

Insomnia

Insomnia, or the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, is very common from working individuals with hectic schedules to people in their old age. It is a nagging problem and can cause severe health and work-related side effects. Sleeping pills can be very scary and dangerous to take. So before popping the pill, here are a few tricks you can try.

A good and well-known cure for insomnia is very simple - honey. This can be taken in a lot of ways. One teaspoon of honey a night is actually enough to treat insomnia but this can also be taken in a lot of ways too. You can take it with cider vinegar. A popular mix is adding honey to milk with a little cinnamon or nutmeg and drinking this before going to bed. A strange but effective treatment is eating onions during bedtime. This is known to induce sleep. Using either stewed Spanish onions or the garden variety of onions will do. Two or three of them are taken. If you cannot stomach this, turning them into onion soup or onion jelly is a recommended alternative. Onion soup is simple. Onion jelly on the other hand is made by shredding onions and simmering them in a little stock until tender. And then the onions are added into a pot of boiling water with a squeeze of lemon. These are all cooked together.

Other sleep-inducing herbs were used in folk medicine. In the Middle Ages, hops were commonly used. In the earlier days, poppy and valerian were used, as well as woodruff and skullcap. Popular also were dill, peppermint and dandelion. Hawthorn and rosemary induce sleep and are old folk treatments for sleeplessness. Chamomile, lavender and lemon balm are famous for their relaxing effect and were regular cures for insomnia then and now.

Michael Russell

Your Independent Herbal guide.

Aren't All Multi Vitamins Basically the Same?

2009-02-19T10:53:00.001+07:00

Multi vitamins can provide a convenient way to take a variety of supplemental nutrients from a single product to prevent vitamin or mineral deficiencies, as well as to achieve higher intakes of beneficial nutrients.

In the current state of the vitamin and nutritional supplement industry it can be difficult to decide which supplements will provide real health protection and improvement benefits and which are simply me too products designed primarily to ride the wave of public interest in preventative health.

To understand the need to be informed about vitamin and nutritional supplements, you must understand the regulatory environment that currently exists in the vitamin supplement industry in the United States.

Do Vitamin Companies Regulate Themselves?

In October of 1994, President Clinton signed into law the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA).

The DSHEA was written to help empower Americans to make choices about their own preventative health care strategies.

Under the DSHEA it was decided that nutritional supplements would continue to be regulated as a food product rather than the more restrictive regulations that drugs fall under.

While this made vitamin and nutritional supplements widely available it also allowed nutritional supplement manufacturers to practically regulate themselves, since there was no agreed upon standard of good manufacturing practice (GMP) and no government pressure to be true to the label on their products.

It was't until March of 2003, nine years after the DSHEA became law, that the FDA proposed new regulations to require current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs) in the manufacturing, packaging, and holding of nutritional supplements.

According to the FDA, this is what prompted the new regulation proposal:

In recent years, analyses of dietary supplements by a private sector laboratory suggest that a substantial number of dietary supplement products analyzed may not contain the amounts of dietary ingredients that would be expected to be found based on their product labels. For example...

Five of 18 soy and/or red clover-containing products were found to contain only 50 percent to 80 percent of the declared amounts of isoflavones.

Of 25 probiotic products tested, 8 contained less than 1 percent of the claimed number of live bacteria or the number of bacteria that would be expected to be found in such a product.

The proposed rule will, for the first time, establish standards to ensure that vitamin supplement ingredients are not adulterated with contaminants or impurities, and are labeled to accurately to reflect the active ingredients and other ingredients in the product.

The proposed new regulations will be phased in over the next three years so as not to disrupt the production of nutritional supplements.

While the DSHEA has helped ensure that dietary supplements remain easily accessible without excessive regulation, (doctors prescriptions, etc.), it also has created a wide open atmosphere for manufacturers who aren't yet in compliance with good manufacturing practices (at this time, GMP compliance is voluntary).

It's very easy for a supplement company to jump on the bandwagon of the latest fad and put together a product with little or no research and poor quality (and cheap!) ingredients, and then market it with over-blown, unsubstantiated claims and pure hype.

Some of the most common products that this formula is used for are weight loss, HGH (human growth hormone) and multi vitamins.

Supplement users are in the position of having to trust vitamin supplement manufacturers to regulate themselves. Although the dietary supplement industry has an excellent track record of safety, it's been verified by the independent product testing of consumerlab.com that some supplements do not contain what is stated on their label and are sometimes contaminated.

While some vitamin supplement manufacturers are working hard to meet the new FDA guidelines, not all are. At this time, you have to do your own research and take extra precautions to find high quality nutritional supplements.

Tips for Choosing Nutritional Supplements

Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients work best when they're combined in a way that mimics nature as closely as possible. Look for nutritional supplements that have nutrients combined to make use of the natural synergy between them.

Companies willing to give a full disclosure and description of their ingredients have usually put more effort and research into their product. For example, instead of just saying Calcium the label should be more detailed like this: Calcium (from 2430 mg Citrate, Malate, Ester-C). This description indicates that higher quality ingredients and more up-to-date research was used for the supplement.

Verify that the supplement was produced at a pharmaceutical GMP (good manufacturing practices) facility. Since compliance to GMP standards is voluntary it's important to do your own research to verify that macro-biological testing is done at every stage of production.

(This issue shouldn't be taken lightly - as mentioned above, studies by Consumerlab.com have shown that some supplements don't have the true amount of ingredients as stated on the label, or may harbor toxic contaminants.)

Pharmaceutical grade supplements (sometimes called nutriceuticals) are made for professional use in the health care field by natural health care providers and consumers who want the best.

In the past decade pharmaceutical grade supplements have become more availableto the general public and this type of nutritional supplement will provide the health benefits that you're looking for, often for a very reasonable price.

Max Wardlow is the webmaster of advanced-vitamin-formulas.com where you'll find current information and resources on the best vitamin supplements and natural health supplements for many common health issues.

Obesity is Big Business

2009-02-19T10:43:00.001+07:00

Obesity and overweight, weight reduction and weight management therapies, miracle weight loss pills are everywhere. Open the newspaper, switch on the T.V., pick up a magazine and you are sure to find ads and articles on the subject of weight loss and obesity.

Weight loss and obesity are big business. Here are some factors that can make you rich if you happen to start a business related to weight management.

Two thirds of America is overweight. Out of that, 50 % are obese.

300.000 premature deaths are caused by obesity. Obesity is the fastest growing epidemic in the world.

The world is hurling towards obesity at galactic speeds. Only 50 years back obesity was hardly hear of. Nearly 45 % of the world population is obese or overweight in 2004.

Weight loss related business that you can start and become rich.

Opening a weight loss counseling Centre

Become a nutritionist

Sell some good weight loss MLM products from herbal pills to weighing machines

Start researching and writing about weight management.

Start a campaign to fight obesity and become well known in your community or even in your city or country as a lose weight advocate. This will help you in any business you are planning. Start a weight loss Super store with every conceivable weight management related products and books.

Not to leave the healthier people you can start an obesity prevention centre

Start specialized Child Obesity Counseling centre

This is only an illustrative list of the opportunity provided by an obese and overweight world to make millions. Just look around and you will find an opportunity to encash weight management as a business.

However, remember you yourself must look slim and be healthy to be a success in the weight loss business.

This article is copyright ? of R.G. Srinivasan a Certified Trainer, Small Business Consultant, Writer and Author. He is passionate about alternative therapies and holistic health. Check out his herbal health blog at http://globalhealthnetwork.tripod.com/herbalhealth for more on the subject of health and fitness.

How To: Quick and Easy Natural Massage Melts

2009-02-19T10:31:00.001+07:00

Massage melts are a unique body product because they stay solid at room temperatures, but when applied directly to your skin, start to soften and melt due to body temperature. Their main purpose is to moisturize dry skin, as well as, relax and soothe tight muscles.

Essentially, massage bars are composed of natural butters and oils. Most recipes for this type of product call for the use of cocoa butter. Even though it has great moisturizing properties, I feel this butter produces too hard a product. Therefore, I recommend using such butters as shea and mango, which create a silkier, luxurious feeling to your melts.

For oils, I highly recommend using sweet almond and jojoba. Sweet almond oil is light and penetrates easily making it well-suited for dry skin conditions. Plus, it is effective on all skin types. Jojoba oil, which is not actually an oil but is a liquid wax, is similar in composition to the oil your skin secretes, which is known as sebum. Jojoba is a quickly absorbed oil that soothes the skin, as well as, extends the shelf life of other oils.

Other ?light? oils you can substitute, for the above, are apricot kernel, grapeseed, sunflower, safflower, or soybean. Rounding out the rest of the ingredients are beeswax, vitamin E, and essential and fragrance oils.

Beeswax helps formulations keep their shape, as well as, act as a humectant. Vitamin E oil protects your product from rancidity and is also a great natural antioxidant. Essential oils are natural ingredients that are the very essence of the plant itself. Extracted from the flowers, fruit, leaves, bark, and roots of the plant, the oils are used for scent and therapeutic purposes. A word of caution, due to their volatility, research any essential oil before use. Fragrance oils, though synthetic in nature, do provide an inexpensive and easy way to achieve a scent that might not be possible with essential oils.

Ingredients:
3 ? oz. of shea butter
3 ? oz. of beeswax
2 oz. of jojoba oil
2 oz. of sweet almond oil
? tsp. of Vitamin E

Equipment:
Mold(s) of your choice
1 digital cooking thermometer
2 Pyrex glass measuring cups
1 small digital postal scale
1 set of measuring aluminum spoons
Wax paper for measuring on the scale
Plastic wrap to cover Pyrex cups

Directions:
Step 1: Gather all equipment onto a clean, sterile surface. Place a sheet of wax paper over the small digital postal scale to measure out the shea butter and beeswax base. Place base in a Pyrex cup and cover with plastic wrap. Melt ingredients, completely, in the microwave.

Step 2: While the base is melting, use the second Pyrex cup for your jojoba, sweet almond, vitamin E, and essential/fragrance oils (if used). Mix, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside.

Step 3: Once the base has melted, mix thoroughly. Pour the Pyrex cup from step 2 into the base Pyrex cup, mix together, and pour into your mold(s). Set aside for a couple of hours to cool and set. When soft, transfer the melts to the fridge until they are really hard. They should just pop out of the molds easily. Massage into skin and let product become absorbed. Due to melting properties, keep unused portions out of direct sunlight and store in a cool place.

Note: If you plan on using essential and/or fragrance oils in your recipe, place a digital thermometer in the melted shea butter and beeswax base. Wait for the temperature to drop down to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything higher will burn off the fragrant oils. After the temperature has reached this point immediately dump your Pyrex cup from step 2 into the Pyrex cup with the base, mix quickly, and pour into your mold(s). Follow the rest of step 3 instructions.

Muscle Relief Essential Oil Blend
? tsp. of Eucalyptus
? tsp. of Peppermint (do not use if pregnant)
30 drops of Rosemary

Tropical Fragrance Oil Blend (Substitute shea butter with mango butter)
? tsp of Heliotrope fragrance oil
? tsp of Coconut Milk fragrance oil
30-50 drops of Tahitian Vanilla fragrance oil

All recipe ingredients, listed above, can be found by searching Google.com.

Mindy Schwartz is a writer for the handmade beauty industry, as well as, the owner of a handmade bath and body business called Grayson?s Apothecary of Beauty. For more information, go online to http://www.graysonsco.com.

Cure Your Heartburn Quickly and Easily!

2009-02-19T01:16:00.001+07:00

It may come as a surprise but more than 60 million suffer from heartburn in the US alone. And the list is growing by the day. Heartburn is a problem that causes severe pain in the stomach and chest.

Any cure for heartburn must begin at home. The cure should be a combination of changes in diet and lifestyle coupled with medications if necessary. By looking for an early cure to heartburn you can avoid aggravating the problem, which could lead to much severe complications.

For effective cure first identify hat causes heartburn in you. Observe the things that you eat. Fatty and spicy food could be the cause of heartburn in some individuals. Tomatoes and citrus fruits also cause heartburn.

Follow the following regimen for a lasting cure to heartburn. If you are a smoker, quit smoking immediately.

Alcohol also can lead to heartburn. Therefore reduce intake of alcohol as much as possible. Do not eat heavy meals. Eat in small quantities more frequently and at regular intervals. Do not lay die immediately after a meal. There should be a gap of a minimum two hours after meals and your nap.

Raise your bed by about six inches on the side where you rest your head.

Drink lots and lots of water. If you are feeling very uncomfortable after a meal, take antacid or a soda as this will relieve you of gas and ease heartburn.

If you experience heartburn during the night or at any other time, take a tablespoon of baking soda and add cup of water and drink the mixture. This may not rid you of heartburn permanently but will cure you of heartburn for at least 24 hours.

You can also take antacids that are available across the counter. The antacids and gels should normally give you relief in about two weeks. However, if there is no relief even after two weeks then you need to consult a doctor. A qualified doctor or gastroenterologist would be able to cure you of heartburn by prescribing some medicines and a diet.

Following some simple exercise you can cure your heartburn effectively.

Go for a walk everyday. Swimming is also one of the effective ways for cleansing the body and curing your heartburn. Do mild exercises that lead you to sweating. Sweating helps you to lose calories and this in turn will help you to lose weight. Obesity is one of the prime causes of heartburn. So by following some simple steps you can find an effective cure for heartburn.

Venkata Ramana is the writer of Heartburn Cure blog. Read his informative reports about Heartburn Treatment and get rid of Heartburn forever!

A Bit About Herbal Medicine

2009-02-17T18:34:00.001+07:00

Herbal remedies are a hot topic throughout magazines and other advertisements. We see St. John's Wort as a depression remedy, Echinacea to help ward off colds and chamomile to calm us down after a long, stressful day. Herbal preparations are popping up all over grocery stores shelves and your local pharmacy. There has been an influx of alternative practitioners that have sprung up in the last few years and even some doctors are prescribing herbal remedies to their patients.

What is herbal medicine? Herbal medicine is the use of herbs for their therapeutic or medicinal value. Some people call it plant or botanical medicine. This type of medicine is better used for keeping yourself in good shape so you do not get faced with a serious illness, even though there have been success stories of curing serious and chronic illnesses with plants. So what exactly are these plants called herbs? Herbs are plants or a plant part that has some sort of chemical substance that acts upon the body. Herbs can be taken in many different ways. They are found in capsules, teas, tinctures and other products like lotions and oils.

Believe it or not, the oldest form of healthcare known to mankind is herbal medicine. Before pharmacies ever existed, people used plants to cure and treat illnesses and injuries. Plants were one of the most important things to man millions of years ago. They helped feed him, shelter him, clothe him and provided healthcare. It is thought that people learned which plants were poisonous based on how the animals around them acted after eating the plant. Even today, according to the World Health Organization estimates, around eighty percent of the world's population, a whopping four billion people, uses herbal medicine for some form of their healthcare needs.

Many different alternative therapies such as acupuncture, oriental and homeopathy may have some sort of herbal component to them. Pharmaceutical companies use herbal components in some of their products as well. As an example, aspirin contains white willow bark. These companies know that plants have been in use for millions of years and that there must be a reason why, so they conduct large full-scale tests to see if they can use them in their products. One of the major areas that the pharmaceutical companies are looking at is the rainforest, as there are thousands of plants that have not yet been discovered. When there is destruction to the rainforest areas, we may never know if we have lost a plant that was a cure for a disease.

People are becoming more interested in herbs as medicines, because they feel these are safer alternatives to a lot of the pharmaceutical drugs which have so many side effects. The truth is, though, plants are powerful medicines and need to be respected as such. Before taking any herbal medicine, it is important to check with your doctor or herbalist; because some herbs can interfere with medicines you may currently be taking. Also, not all plants medicines may be right for your particular condition.

Herbal medicine will most likely be around for a long time, as long as we don't destroy all the plants!

Michael Russell

Your Independent Herbal guide.

Herbal Hair Loss Remedies For External Use

2009-02-17T18:14:00.001+07:00

In a separate article in this series we looked at some of the most popular herbal hair loss remedies for ingestion. Here we'll expand that theme to include some potentially useful herbal remedies for external use.

Aloe vera - some Indian tribes of Mexico attribute their thick, healthy hair to regular use of aloe vera gel which they rub into the scalp and hair each night. Herbalists believe that the herb activates the production of nitric oxide and contains an enzyme known as superoxide dismutane. Some experts feel that these two substances combine to stimulate hair regrowth in those suffering from male pattern type baldness.

Onion (Allium cepa) - this has a high sulfur content that is believed to have hair-healing properties. Some herbalists believe that rubbing the scalp with half an onion before washing hair encourages hair growth.

Red pepper (Capiscum) - a popular folk remedy that involves the application of a red pepper poultice to the scalp to act as a skin irritant. This draws blood and nutrients to the scalp and encourages the release of histimines to stimulate cell division and hair regrowth.

Safflower oil (Carthamus tinctorious) - Eastern health practitioners believe that safflower oil applied to the scalp acts as a vasolidator that dilates blood vessels. This allows more blood to deliver nutrients to the hair follicle thus creating an environment conducive to hair regrowth.

To find out more about these and other herbal hair loss remedies, please visit the site listed below.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the http://www.myhairlossadvisor.com website that provides information and guidance to those suffering from premature hair loss. Please go to Herbal Hair Loss Remedies to find out more about the issues covered in this article.

Weight Loss Pills ? Common Questions Answered

2009-02-15T16:52:00.001+07:00

Over weight troubles many a people in this world for it can invariably lead to serious health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, sleep apnea, depression, and osteoarthritis. The only way out of this problem is to rein in the increasing weights by following a healthy diet, supplemented by some good weight loss pills and a stringent fitness regime. Mostly, it is this combination that works for most people. But, this article concentrates on the weight loss pill - herbal phentermine ? and answers few common queries that most people tend to ask in an attempt to understand more about the drug. Hope you doubt also features in the answers below.

What is Herbal Phentermine?

Herbal Phentermine is a No Prescription Phentermine that is quite safe and natural. It is found to evoke few or no side effects in the user?s body. It achieves results by suppressing appetite and increasing metabolism, thereby burning away those extra calories.

What are the ingredients of herbal phentermine?

The standard ingredients of herbal phentermine are Acetyl L-Carnitine, Camellia Sinensis, Green Tea, Acid, Piper Nigrum, Bioperine, Alpha Lipoic, and Biotin.

What is the prescribed dosage of herbal phentermine?

One tablet in the morning and in the afternoon. If you develop any discomfort, reduce the dosage to one.

Are the results of herbal phentermine temporary?

To an extent, yes! While taking herbal phentermine, you won?t feel that much hungry, which often takes one to the level of craving for food. But, once the herbal phentermine intake is stopped, chances are there that the user may go back to the old habit of eating too much as the body again starts to respond to victuals like it used to before. Hence, if you stop herbal phentermine after losing some weight, better learn to control your instincts that beg for a stomach full every day.

What are the advantages of herbal phentermine?

The major plus with herbal phentermine is that it is free from harmful chemicals or compounds such as Citrus aurantium or Ephedrine. It is one of the safest natural diet pills available today.

We have made the most comprehensive research to find the best diet pills. Check it out on the Weight loss pills research. Find all about diets on http://www.911dietplans.com

Appetite Suppressant Supplements Self Control in a Bottle?

2009-02-14T00:54:00.001+07:00

Willpower From Popping a Pill? Well, Yes!

Appetite suppressant supplements are one of the most popular diet pills marketed and purchased today. Why is that you ask? Well, they actually help a lot of people to get back in line after periods of binging such as the holidays, by helping to decrease appetite and get back into a normal, healthy eating routine in order to lose weight or even just to prevent over eating.

Appetite suppressants are usually designed to help suppress certain hormones or even parts of the brain associated with appetite. They actually help suppress the receptors that carry hunger signals to the hypothalamus, the center of your brain which controls appetite. How do they do this? Well, it depends on the type of supplement you choose.

Hoodia Gordonii - The Latest Fad in Weight Loss and Hunger Control

Some supplements such as the much touted natural hunger suppressor Hoodia Gordonii, are said to contain an actual molecule named P57 that actually copies the effects of glucose in the brain and helps to prolong feelings of fullness and prevent hunger from even beginning in the first place.

Results with Hoodia have been mixed, but the general consensus is that it is a pretty good natural appetite suppressant and has worked to help people reduce their caloric intake and therefore lose weight with less effort and hunger than if they did not take the supplement.

The Less Talked About, But Perhaps More Multifunctional Appetite Suppressant - Herbal Phentermine

Another diet pill that acts as an appetite suppressant, but also doubles as a fat burner and thermogenic calorie optimizer (meaning it helps the body to burn more calories faster, and utilize them properly rather than converting them to fat and extra weight), is natural Fen-Phen, or herbal Phentermine.

Remember Fen-Phen and all of the negative publicity it received after causing several health complications and even deaths? It was pulled from the market, but its dramatic effects on weightloss and appetite control could not be forgotten.

Herbal companies came up with an herbal alternative to Fen-Phen, most of the time dubbed herbal phentermine or something to that effect, which was a safe and comparable supplement to the now FDA banned Fen-Phen. If you find a good herbal phentermine, you will find your cravings reduced and an overall decrease in appetite wihtout the jitters. It also helps to increase your energy levels, unlike Hoodia which is primarily used as a straight appetite suppressant. Herbal phentermine is also non addictive, unlike its prescription counterpart.

Supplements containing a high fiber content can also help to stimulate a feeling of fullness since fiber expands in your stomach, helping create and sustain the feeling of fullness as well as helping to sustain healthy blood sugar levels longer. If you drink plenty of water, this helps fiber to expand in your stomach.

The only thing I don't like about supplements with fiber or just taking fiber to control appetite is that if you take too much fiber, it can actually have a constipating effect rather than a cleansing effect. Fiber must be taken with caution and careful measurement - or must not be taken at all and instead incorporated into the foods you eat on a daily basis.

Whichever appetite control supplement you end up choosing, make sure it is made with high quality and purity standards - this way you get what you pay for and are not disappointed in the results you attain. One thing is for sure, appetite suppressing supplements are a great way to go to get yourself back on track and on your way to a healthy, sleek physique!

Visit DietingMagazine Appetite Suppressant and Diet Pill Reviews for more information on the most successful products in appetite suppression and weight loss. Danna Schneider is the founder of Dieting Magazine Diet Reviews and Information

Ayurveda Weight Loss Product

2009-02-12T03:42:00.000+07:00

Ayurveda is a holistic healing science which comprises of two words, Ayu and Veda. Ayu means life and Veda means knowledge or science. So the literal meaning of the word Ayurveda is the science of life. Ayurveda is a science dealing not only with treatment of some diseases but is a complete way of life.

Ayurveda aims at making a happy, healthy and peaceful society. The two most important aims of Ayurveda are:

+ To maintain the health of an healthy people
+ To cure the diseases of sick people

Ayurveda is a medical science practiced in India since time immemorial and is generally known today as the Indian System of Medicine. The way Allopathic or Western medicine is practiced all over the world today. Similarly Ayurveda was practiced and recognized not only in India, but also in other Eastern countries. Ayurveda is a well - developed and completely refined medical science of antiquity and it will not be an exaggeration to call it the 'Science of Life'.

Ayurveda deals with subjects like treatment of diseases (Roga - chikitsa), diet & behavioral regimen (Ahara - vihara), daily regimen (Dinacharya). Seasonal regimen (Ritucharya) and such. In a nut shell, it contains the complete knowledge of physical as well as mental diseases, methods of treatment and prevention of diseases, and equally important, methods of protection and preservation of general health.

'Swasthasya swasthya rakshanam aturasya vikara prashamanam'

This concept of giving as much importance to 'maintenance' of health than treatment has earned a place even in WHO (World Health Organization) as the 'only' appropriate definition of health amongst all medical sciences.

Health is the supreme foundation of virtue, wealth, enjoyment and salvation. So when fighting against diseases and premature death, man has drug as weapon. In the search of these drugs and preparing them in a variety way to suit the varied needs and tasted of man under varied circumstances there grew up the science of pharmacy and chemistry. It is firm belief of scholars of Ayurveda that human being is a part parcel of nature. Whatever material which constitutes the physical nature also contributes to the composition of human being.

Dravya Guna is a special and independent branch of Ayurveda which keeps its importance and existence separately. It deals with numerous drugs along with their wide range of therapeutic uses. The importance of this branch in today's globalising world is existing due to endurable effect and relatively safety.

Why Ayurveda?

For centuries together, Ayurveda has served a million of people by offering the complete medical therapy for a vast amount of acute as well as chronic diseases. Ayurveda, though neglected in the present scenario, has served as the origin of many minor alternative-healing therapies such as massage, Marma therapy, naturotherapy and many others.

Also, Ayurveda is the pioneer of the art of surgery, which has advanced at present as the curative therapy by using the most complex techniques. More than treating the diseases, Ayurveda firmly puts forward the theory to maintain health. For this purpose, Ayurveda has described in detail the daily regimen as well as seasonal regimen and ethical regimen.

For curing the diseases, Ayurveda insists on trapping the further development of disease right at its base, treating and eradicating the root cause of the ailment instead of satisfying the patient with symptomatic relief.

The thousands of simple prescriptions hidden and scattered throughout the ancient Ayurvedic Scriptures, still serve as home remedies for most of the common health problems even in the present times, irrespective of the vast change and increasing complexity in the life style of the people.

Ayurveda offers some excellent para surgical therapies, which serve the dual purpose of eradicating the chronic disease as well as avoiding the complex surgical procedures, such as KsharaKarma (Alkali Therapy), Agni Karma (Cauterization) and the procedures included in the Panchakarma therapy.

In contrary to the popular misbelief, Ayurveda is not a mere alternative therapy but a way of life, which, if followed religiously, can help one to attain a better physical, emotional, social and Spiritual life through which one can attain:

+ Dharma (One's duty towards one's own self and society)
+ Artha (Knowledge of all things and earning the required money)
+ Kama (Fulfilment of all the worldly desires)
+ Moksha (Salvation)

Dr. Dinesh Kacha, is a doctorate from GUJARAT AYURVEDA UNIVERSITY- a reputed and prestigious university of Ayurveda in World. He is a promising personality and provider of innovative drug discovery and developmental studies. As an experienced Specialist in the field of product development & formulation, his company has gained name in RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & FORMULATIONS OF AYURVEDIC REMEDIES.

He has a team of specialists and thus has advantage of co-ordination of best knowledge. He has tried to accommodate ancient knowledge of Ayurveda with today's modern science and has proved each of his products scientifically by lab testing and case study (on the bases of research, experiment and conclusion)

Experience is like a salt that not only makes dish mouth watery but healthy too and Dr. Dinesh has proved it very well. His years of experience and focused study has resulted in to a range of best effective products that effects -only positively. Also, Being a well-known consultant he has examined each reason of the disease and result of the product minutely.

How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids The Permanent and Natural Cure

2009-02-12T00:18:00.001+07:00

Hemorrhoids are an embarassing and often painful problem to endure. They can make sitting for long periods nearly unbearable, and cause itching and burning, which makes for extreme discomfort in what seems like the most inconvenient times. So, how can you help your body heal itself and get rid of them for good?

Often thought of as a symptom of pregnancy and excess weight, hemorrhoids are actually formed a lot more easily than some may think. Bearing excessive weight incorrectly can strain you in all the wrong places faster than you think, and the likelihood hemorrhoids will form by moving heavy objects, extreme and prolonged constipation and general physical strain becomes much greater with age, as our bodies tend to weaken and become more susceptible to bend and break.

A hemorrhoid, by definition, is an itching or painful mass of dilated veins in swollen anal tissue. There are several ways you can relieve the physical discomfort of hemorrhoids - getting rid of them is a different story. You can relieve the pain and discomfort by practicing the following:

1.) The use of soothing astringent herbs topically directly on the affected area. Astringent herbs have an uncanny ability to help tighten and tone loose tissue, which is essentially what a hemorrhoid is, as well as to stop bleeding and help promote a soothing and cooling effect on contact. These astringent herbs can be found in some top shelf herbal hemorrhoid compounds. These herbs are also known to help strengthen blood vessels and keep vericose veins in check.

2.) Get up and move. Inactivity is one of the worst things for hemorrhoids.

3.) Stay regular. Eat your fiber to avoid constipation.

Now, how can you actually get rid of hemorrhoids, not just relieve the inconvenience and discomfort of the symptoms?

1.) In the most extreme and stubborn cases, surgery is one way to go.

2.) If you don't need surgery, you should be able to treat your hemorrhoids with a good natural hemorrhoid remedy that is specially formulated to get rid of hemorrhoids beginning internally, at the source of the problem. You will definitely feel and see a good oral remedy working pretty quickly. An oral remedy should contain some of the ingredients about to be discussed - the more it contains, the better, as these natural ingredients are the key to healing and eradicating your problem by targeting swelling, inflammation and poor vein health and circulation internally.

Ingredients in a natural hemorrhoid remedy may include:

1.) Vitamin E - The antioxidant action of this vitamin protects against further free radical damage and helps to quell inflammation internally.

2.) Horse Chestnut - This herbal ingredient helps to strengthen and tone veins and alleviate swelling.

3.) L-Arginine - Helps relax muscles and prevent muscle spasms.

4.) Oat Straw - Raises energy levels, acts as a mild antidepressant and supports an overly stressed digestive system by promoting regularity.

5.) Plantain - Relieves itching and burning.

6.) Red Sage - A Chinese herb used for stimulation of circulation. Lack of circulation causes and prolongs the severity of hemorrhoids.

There are other herbs, vitamins, minerals and natural compounds that may be used to help get rid of hemorrhoids, but those previously mentioned are some of the key players in hemorrhoid treatment. Finding yourself the right hemorrhoid remedy will definitely lead you to freedom from discomfort and pain - for good.

Visit How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids for more information on an effective alternative to long term relief and treatment of hemorrhoids. Danna Schneider is the founder of Herbal-Therapeutics Effective Herbal Remedies.

Herbal Medication Versus Quackery

2009-02-12T00:11:00.001+07:00

By 1930, Dr. John R. Brinkley of Arkansas, Kansas had transplanted over 16,000 goat testicles into men who wanted to relive their youth. At $750 per procedure, he became a wealthy man. Needless to say, we would call his practice quackery at best.

The thing most people don't realize is that because of loopholes in the law, people can be legally duped in much the same way. You can take anything you want other than recognized poisons and illegal drugs, package it up and sell it as a food additive. The only restriction is that you cannot make claims of any medical benifit on the container itself. They can make as many claims as they want away from the container. As long as those claims are not made on the container itself, there is no regulation on the product in the United States.

One poor fellow that I saw in the emergency room had a terrible case of Rhus Dermatitis. That is the medical term for what is commonly called poison oak or poison ivy. He had started out getting a small area of rash on his arm. So, he went down to the local health food store and bought a poison ivy treatment.

After taking the 'cure' he proceeded to get profoundly worse. By the time I saw him he had a rash all over his body and was extremely miserable. I found the reason by carefully reading the bottle. The 'cure' was a naturopathic remedy that had poison ivy in it! How ridiculous is that?

The advertising that you see for some products makes it immediately obvious that the product is useless. Anyone trained in anatomy and physiology would know right away that the claims were false.

One good example is when the claims are contradictory. Rheumatoid arthritis and allergies are good examples of problems caused by overactive immune systems. Yet I have seen products claim that they not only help with allergies but they boost the immune system. You can't have it both ways folks.

The other thing that makes you go hmm... is when the advertising claims that the product causes specific physiologic changes in the body. Then they go on and claim that the product does not contain a drug. But, check the definition of a drug: 'A substance used in the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease'. Clearly, if you are claiming that your product can be used to treat or prevent disease, you are talking about a drug. If you say that your substance does not contain a drug, then you can't say it is preventing or treating a disease. Here again, you can't have it both ways.

But, you may say, what I am taking is just plant parts. When my father was in pharmacy school in the 1950's, virtually all drugs were made by collecting plants and mixing them in certain ways to prepare drugs. Now, people do the same thing, but they are able to sell them as food aditives because they make no claims about their properties 'on the container'.

Having said that, I have nothing against people using herbal remedies. In fact I'm all for it. But it is important to understand what that entails.

Let's look at an example. Digoxin. This drug once was commonly prescribed for heart problems. You don't see it as much any more because safer and more effective drugs have been found for most heart conditions.

Digitalis comes from the foxglove plant. Foxgloves are a beautiful flower found in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. My wife can remember people being paid to go out and harvest them so that drug companies could get digoxin from them.

Digoxin is rather peculiar because there is a very narrow range of the drug that can be safely taken. Take too little and it does nothing. Take too much and it can actually kill you.

Furthermore, different plants have different amounts of the drug. It depends on what type of soil the plant grew in. How much sun it got. Even if there were any insects or animals that had nibbled on it. The part of the plant that you tested would also reveal that there were vastly different amounts of the drug in the leaves as compared to the roots.

A good example of that is rhubarb. The leaves are poisonous. The stems are good in pies.

Unfortunately, the guinea pigs I had as a kid found out the hard way. But, I did have a nice funeral for them.

It might surprise you that in a recent study, a large percentage of the herbal remedies sold did not even contain the parts of the plant that had been shown to be useful!

My advice? First of all get yourself a good reference. There is one book that should be in the library of everyone planning to use an herbal remedy and every doctor too for that matter. That is the PDR for Herbal Medicine.

This book lists every herbal medicine that is know to have a real medicinal effect. It also tells you potential side effects, what part of the plant has the active ingredient and what the medicinal effect it.

Once you know what you want to use, the next step is obtaining it. The best method is to grow your own so you know exactly what you are getting. That way you can make sure the plant is healthy and you are using the part of the plant that will help you and not harm you.

If you cannot grow your own, the next best thing is to do a bit of research and find a company that is known for its integrity and quality control. Then stick with them.

Finally, make sure your doctor knows what you are taking. There is some possibility that your herbal medicine may interact or interfere with any medication that you are being prescribed.

With the proper knowledge and a good source, you should be getting some good benifit from your herbal medication. But, beware of the claims of those other products.

Dr. Ron McCluskey is an emergency room physician with over twenty years experience treating all types of medical problems. A firm believer in natural remedies, he also hates it when people get burned by rip-off artists. Eight Steps to Health is your best resource for getting straight answers for your health care needs.

"Herbal" Doesn't Necessarily Mean "Safe"

2009-02-11T00:31:00.001+07:00

The traditional use of many indigenous and exotic medicinal plants is the subject of important drug research. There is usually a trend in the usage of a certain plant. If a plant has been used in a specific way for a specific purpose for a long time and this recipe is replicated in different geographical areas, there is a need to take a closer look at it Ethnobotany is a rapidly growing industry that helps drug researches focus on often-used herbs first and what diseases they can successfully cure. Many modern disorders and old conditions have been matched with certain plants used in tropics and developing nations however, there has not been any strong medical claims that herbal plants have been clinically proven to absolutely cure or effectively treat these diseases.

Eighty percent of the world's population is estimated by the World Health Organization to still depend mainly on herbal treatments for their primary health care. Most indigenous people are credited with the discovery of the medicinal uses of more than three-quarters of the plant-derived medicines that we use today. Yet, most of the evolved drugs developed by large companies are still out of the financial reach of the working classes and the poor in who live in developing nations and in the rainforest areas. The sad truth is, pharmaceutical drugs are not exactly getting any cheaper. People in the Third World like the tuktuk driver who earns the equivalent of $40 U.S. monthly to support a family of five can no longer afford the sophisticated drugs and yet still has to face the same maladies as people in developed nations do.

It is natural, then, to turn to plant-based medicines and concoctions because they are often the most available and fitting treatments for a wide diversity of health problems experienced by most of the world's populations. Usually, these populations cultivate wild medicinal plants in and around their homes. In their village, there is a shared knowledge on how to go about treating common fevers, infections, respiratory problems, stomach troubles, body pain and even snake bites. People in tropical forests and in many of the poorer parts of the world have long ago learned to use the plants growing in their backyards as their primary health care system. Some archaeologists have even discovered the remains of dried plants used as medicine at sites in South America that date back to 8000 B.C.

In the upper regions of the Amazon alone, at least 1,200 species of trees and herbs have been used create drogas do cert?o or wilderness drugs to treat common illnesses in these regions today. So many of these drugs have proven to be amazingly effective, yet most of them still await scientific research and validation. True, many of them would rather pop a convenient aspirin or two for a simple headache instead of going through the tedious motions to harvesting some leaves, roots, or bark out of the still-dangerous forest before finally boiling it all into a headache remedy. Still, they have little choice in the matter as even aspirin is unavailable and still far too expensive for some village and forest dwellers.

If you are thinking about going the herbal route to treat an ailment, remember that just because traditional herbal medicine and remedies are often used by indigenous people, they are in no way intended to replace conventional medicine and drugs completely. Many people rely on herbal remedies mainly because of socioeconomic factors or simple unavailability of modern medicine.

It is never advisable to just use herbs and replace or avoid proper medical care altogether. Balance is important. Conventional medicine and traditional medicine should ideally complement each other for your benefit. One system does not substitute the other.

Always seek the advice and help of your health care professional if you are interested in a natural remedy no matter how unremarkable your condition may be. There are already many doctors with practical medical backgrounds as well as education and experience with traditional medicine. It is crucial that you and your doctor verify both conventional and complementary products and therapies. This is also true for future herbal supplements and recommendations that you plan to take. There are many books on natural medicine and there are plenty of good sites on the internet as well where you can do some research on your own.

Also, always remember that many medicinal plants have biological properties and active chemicals that should be treated with care and respect. Just because they are natural, it does not mean they are absolutely safe - some plants can be poisonous if taken in the wrong amounts. Some herbs DO have side effects and most have little research on them about their appropriate dosage and contraindications to drugs that your doctor has prescribed.

Michael Russell

Your Independent Herbal guide.

Try These Natural Cough Remedies

2009-02-03T21:11:00.001+07:00

For anyone suffering coughing fits (or listening to them) these natural cough remedies may help. Natural remedies include treatment for allergies, herbs, essential oils and vaporizers.

Coughs may be caused by a number of factors including allergies, vial infections and chemical infections. If there is a fever present, it may be caused by an allergy to milk.

In order to find out if you have an allergy, you can perform a pulse test on yourself ? after drinking milk, take your pulse at 15, 30 and 60 minutes and if your pulse rises by more tan 10 beats per minute, you may have an allergy.

If you have trouble sleeping, steam vaporizers may help with sleep at night.

Essential oils including black pepper, cardamom, cedar wood, cypress, Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus radiata, frankincense, Helichrysium, lemon, peppermint, pine, rosemary and sandalwood may all help. These oils may be diffused into a room, inhaled or applied as a rub.

Herbs may be very helpful including: English plantain, licorice, thyme, sweet chestnut and comfrey.

A mixture of ginger, honey and lemon as a hot mixture may be just as beneficial in place of cough syrup. Make it up as a tea by first boiling some water and pouring it into a small thermos (about a litre or a quart). To this add some grated ginger and then four tablespoons each of lemon and honey.

A moderate a moderate amount of exercise is always beneficial for natural cough remedies. ? don?t overdo it, particularly if the cough is in conjunction with a cold or fever.

If the cough persists, consult your health care practitioner.

Paul Newland is a health writer, sports training consultant and martial arts instructor and manages the Global-Longevity.com website. He is the author of numerous health information books and guides, including the Wellness Report, The Ultimate Antioxidant Report, The Selenium Report, The Ultimate Nutrient Guide and The Essential Fatty Acid Report and The Ultimate Sports Nutrition Guide - available Free (for a limited time) through Global-Longevity.com

Lemon: the Yellow Wonder

2009-02-03T12:42:00.001+07:00

The simple, garden-variety lemon is very much understated. Lemons are very common and we see them everywhere. We use them to make lemonade, mix them into our drinks to add a little zing, they remove hard stains, are an all-around deodorizer and air freshener and we use them in our cooking as both an ingredient and garnish. Maybe we should stop and take another look at this yellow wonder because it may change what you think of it. When the world gives you lemons, there's a whole lot more you can make with them than just lemonade.

In traditional medicine, the lemon is widely known for its healing powers and is used in many different ways. In fact, the lemon is so powerful that it was used by the Romans as their cure for all types of poison.

Although the lemon is often thought of as acidic, it is very effective in curing many digestion problems when mixed with hot water, including biliousness, nausea, heartburn, disorders of the lower intestines like constipation and worm infestations. It is even known to relieve hiccups. Water plus a few lemons becomes lemon juice. Lemon juice, when taken regularly in the morning, acts as a tonic to the liver and stimulates it to produce bile making it ready to digest the day's food. It is also thought to help dissolve gall stones. Because of its high vitamin C content, it is thought to help prevent and treat many infections, hastens wound healing and temper down high fever. Lemon juice also relieves symptoms of asthma, tonsillitis and sore throat.

Lemon is also a diuretic. This means it is good for people with urinary tract infections and high uric acid problems, such as those with arthritis or rheumatism because it helps flush out all the toxins and bad bacteria. When lemon is mixed with coffee, it is thought to help treat malaria. This concoction is also effective for headaches.

When externally applied, lemon juice that is poured onto a small piece of cotton wool and gently applied to the nostrils could stop epistaxis (more commonly known as nose bleeds) although this may sting a bit. This too when massaged gently into gums may also stop gum bleeding. Lemon juice with glycerin is effective when used on the lips to treat chapping. This may be a little strange but lemon juice applied on your skin can also help prevent sunburn.

Lemons are also used as balms in highly concentrated forms. Some may know them as cure-alls. Lemon balms are known for their ability to break fevers by encouraging the patient's body to perspire. Because of this, lemon balms are recommended for all fevers, no matter what the cause. Lemon balms are also popular treatments for cough and colds, even hay fever. Balms are also used in the treatment of flatulence and other digestive conditions. Menstrual cramps are relieved by lemon balms, as are dizziness, headaches and high blood pressure.

Psychologically, lemon balm is used to lift people's spirits, especially those who are undergoing menopause and are depressed, because it will calm anxieties, clear their minds and center their focus. It also supposedly improves memory storage and recall.

Michael Russell

Your Independent Herbal guide.

The Year in Diet Reviews

2009-02-03T07:26:00.001+07:00

Reviews of the Best Diets for a Lifetime of Weight Control

It seems everyone has a different opinion of dieting and which diets really work versus the short term weight loss diets. By short term weight loss , this refers to the phenomena where every pound that was lost comes right back on due to sheer hunger after starving your body for so long. Starvation diets are definitely not the way to go, but there are some excellent lower calorie diets that will leave you far from starving - and keep the pounds off for a lifetime.

Gone are the days of extreme starvation diets when an all vegetable or all fruit regimen were the rage to take pounds off quickly. Also gone are the extreme protein or carb diets. The straight Atkins approach has been booted in favor of more balanced high protein, low carb eating habits that emphasize carb monitoring and favoring healthy, high fiber carbohydrates over simple or refined carbs that offer little staying value since they burn off quickly and induce feelings of further hunger.

Interestingly, advocation of a low calorie diet has been around quite a while, it's only recently gained more media exposure since some modern popular diets such as the Zone diet and perhaps the more slyly marketed South Beach Diet have put forth a low calorie menu with about 1200 calories per day in the typical meal plan. What's even more interesting is that it is a scientifically proven fact that people who consume a low calorie diet consistently have much longer life spans, less disease and general illness, and tend to experience less psychological issues such as depression and anxiety.

Although the benefits of low calorie diets are known, the American philosophy of portion overload and bang for your buck still seems to be sticking around. Take for example, McDonalds Super Size options. Or the new Burger King Super Sized Giant Breakfast Sandwich. Hardly an exercise in moderation. And yet people still continue to buy these products because of the perception of value.

What many people forget when buying these types of products is the health sacrifices they are making for the sake of a perceived value. Problem is, it doesn't feel so good after it's all been eaten. Indisgestion, sluggishness, mental fog and other unsavory side effects are sure to come when we overeat. Not to say it's not okay to do it once in a while - we all do! These types of eating habits as a lifestyle are sure to lead to excessive weight gain, heart problems, other diseases, and feelings of despair and food reliance.

Sometimes the most difficult period of adjustment in dieting and losing weight is dwindling down your calorie intake fairly quickly. This is where a good appetite suppressing herb or supplement can really help. As long as you can get over that initial hump, you can usually do the rest fairly painlessly, since your body would have been adjusted to the lower calorie regimen for a few weeks.

What to Do When You've Over Indulged

If you really feel the need to over do it, you may want to try a good carb blocking supplement or fat burner that helps to burn off excessive caloric intake during these times. This trick may be especially helpful around the holidays when there seem to be carbs and fats lurking around every corner and the temptation to indulge is overwhelming. Another good trick to making the most out of your meals, and assuring your brain registers fullness with less food is to eat slowly, and chew your food 35-50 times before swallowing. This is a surefire way, even on its own, to reduce calorie intake and induces feelings of fullness faster.

One of the hands-down best diets today is the Zone Diet, by the famed Dr. Barry Sears. The now famous diet book and lifestyle came into the spotlight after it was well publicized that one of our favorite Friends Jennifer Anniston, and some of her castmates and other high profile Hollywood celebs, followed this diet lifestyle and achieved great success in both weight loss and maintenance. The Zone way of life preaches smart carb and fat consumption, a moderation of refined carbs, a low calorie menu, and moderate exercise.

The South Beach Diet is very similar to this, but featured a little more diverse and easily prepared menu with items that are readily available at the grocery store. The South Beach Diet even spawned it's own line of snack bars by Kraft that can be meal replacements, pre-made South Beach meals, and some other food products that are in line with the calorie and nutrient ratios recommended in their books. This diet plan is one of the most highly reviewed and talked about diets on the market today.

Body For Life is also another excellently reviewed, high quality and successful lifetime diet. I actually have friends that have seen great success with this system. They say they are not hungry and do not feel deprived. The other pro of this diet is that it gives you one well deserved day off per week. On this day off, you may eat what you like, but not gorge yourself.

The day off tends to really take the edge off of a diet and make it feel less restrictive. Let's face it - we all love food, and we like to celebrate the taste and abundance of food once in a while! Realistically, you could probably take a day off once every week to two weeks on any diet plan - you just need to choose your day wisely, and make sure the days off don't become too often of an occurrence.

The bottom line is that moderation is key, and that is what the three diets discussed promote, in one way or another. Moderation, common sense and smart food and dietary supplement selection will clear the path for a lifetime of physical fitness and health.

Visit Diet Reviews for more information on different diet methods, supplements and technology. Danna Schneider is the webmaster of Dieting Magazine Monthly Diet Updates

Finding Quality Essential Oils

2009-02-02T21:38:00.001+07:00

In his book, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy Salvatore Battaglia estimates that only 5% of all essential oils are produced specifically for the aromatherapy market. And the folks at Amrita tell us that the vast majority of essential oils are grown and produced for the food, perfume or pharmaceutical industries. Unfortunately, these industries focus more on a stable, predictable yield than the botanical purity of their oils. So how do you know you're getting a quality product? Here are some things to look for:

Botanical Purity--If you?re new to aromatherapy, it?s important to realize that the words ?aromatherapy? and ?essential oil? don?t guarantee that you?re getting a botanical product. Potpourri oils, for example, are usually synthetic fragrance products not intended for use on the body. Authentic essential oil will be labeled with botanical information stating both the common plant name and the official botanical nomenclature.
Specialization--Whether you buy at your local health food store or directly from an essential oil producer you should look for oils marketed specifically for use in aromatherapy. Though they?re almost certainly going to be more expensive, these oils are produced with their therapeutic qualities in mind.
Opaque Containers--Opaque containers protect your oils from damaging UV rays. Most essential oils are sold in amber or dark blue glass bottles but aluminum bottles are growing in popularity. Bottles should have tight-fitting hard plastic lids?essential oils should never be sold with permeable rubber bulb-droppers already attached.
GC Testing--If you're purchasing in bulk, especially if you?re purchasing directly from a grower, your supplier should make GC (gas chromatography) test results available. CG is a standard test--if a supplier balks at sending you this information or acts offended by your request, look for another supplier.
Full-Disclosure Labels--To assure that you?re buying from a supplier who knows what he?s doing, I recommend only purchasing oils labeled with the following:
- Common Name (for example, Peppermint)
- Botanical Name (for example, Mentha piperita)
- Plant Part Used (for example, Leaves)
- Country of Origin (for example, USA)
- Extraction Method (for example, Distilled)
- Lot Number (or production date)

Unfortunately, adulteration, dilution and outright fraud are far more common that many people realize. Buying from a reputable company (and as far up the supply chain as possible) is one of the best ways to protect your investment.

Lisa Barger is a traditional naturopath specializing in natural health education. To learn more about Ms. Barger's belief in Empowerment through Education or to take a free online natural health class see her website, http://www.LisaBarger.com