For those people who are reluctant to rely on medical treatment or prescription drugs for their sleeping problems, they could go for insomnia herbal treatment. There are numerous herbal remedies for those who suffer from insomnia. However, despite the fact that many of these treatments are herbal, this does not necessarily mean that the herbs can be taken in large amounts, or any time he or she wants to. Sure, there are some herbal treatments for insomnia that have no adverse side-effects, but some herbal treatments can be hazardous when abused or consumed improperly. This goes to show that despite the name, not everything is completely safe. Certain precautions should be taken, and it is best to consult a doctor first, especially when the insomnia is severe.
Avena Sativa, an insomnia herbal treatment, is extremely safe. It is more commonly known as oats, and it is basically the same oats sold as oatmeal or rolled oats. Unless consumed as extracts or tincture, women should not use it during pregnancy or when breast feeding their child. Besides that, Avena Sativa has no adverse side effects. Oats helps people sleep by containing a mild sedative. Plus, oats are rich in vitamins and minerals (such as vitamin B and fiber). California Poppy, a perennial herb, does not contain any opium like its close relative. It does, however, have mild opiate effects. It aids people by relaxing the body, easing off anxiety and stress. It can have adverse effects when taken in large quantities by children or senior citizens. Celery seed is another insomnia herbal treatment that relieves a person from nervousness and anxiety. Celery stalks are more commonly recognized, but it is the seeds that have potent effects. Consumption of the seed, however, can make a person lose potassium, so replenishing the body with it is vital. If intake of this seed causes diarrhea or stomach pains, intake should be stopped.
Chamomile is another good herbal treatment that can give a lethargic effect. In fact, its flowers are even used as tranquilizer. It is also readily available in tea form. Hops is also considered as a sedative, and this is the same herb that gives a bitter taste to beer. People who suffer from depression are not advised to consume hops. Kava is another herb that can help people fall asleep, and it has a similar effect as alcohol. Besides being a sedative, it is also considered as an anti-depressant, although it can harm the liver. Lemon balm, usually consumed as a tea, is another tranquilizer-like sedative. It can also work as bath salts. People using thyroid medication should not use lemon balm.
Other herbs include Motherwort, Passion Flower, St. John Wort, Skullcap, Valerian, Wild Cherry and Yarrow. People who wish to consume any of these should research about the herbs first, or consult a doctor. Pregnant and breast-feeding women are not allowed to consume nearly all of these herbs because it can have adverse effects on their child's wellbeing. Also, no one herb is applicable for all people, so there is a chance that certain herbal treatments might not work.
Read More....
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Herbal Treatment for Herpes
The symptoms of herpes can be healed or prevented by using natural herbs. Some of the herbal treatments for herpes are essential oils, tinctures, and herbal teas. The herbal treatments can be used topically or orally and you don’t have to worry about any side effects. For decades now, these herbal treatments have been used by many people. Read on to find out what herbs are best used to treat herpes.
Melissa or lemon balm is quite expensive but you can easily find them in the market. To avoid oral herpes, add a few drops of the essential oil to the day cream you’re using. Lemon balm is also available in tea form and you can drink it everyday for more effective results. You can create your own tea by chopping lemon balm leaves. Use two teaspoon of lemon balm for a cup of water and boil it; brew it for another ten minutes.
Prunella vulgaris is another herbal treatment that you can use. This herb is also called ‘heal all’ or ‘self heal’. By mixing this herb with olive leaf extracts, lysine, and vitamin C. this mixture can suppress the outbreak of herpes.
You can also use Siberian ginseng or eleutherococcus to treat type 2 herpes virus. You can’t use this herb for treating the type 1 HSV though.
Oftentimes, herpes and cold sores are due to stress. Ginseng helps in dealing with mental and physical stress due to exposures to viruses, physical exhaustion, pollution, noise, chemicals, and other things. Ginseng can also stimulate the immune system thereby preventing outbreaks. However, individuals suffering from apnea, narcolepsy, and high blood pressure should not use Siberian ginseng. Breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women are also not allowed to use such herb.
Some herbalists say that herbs are much more useful when taken in liquid form. Any kind of tea can ease the HSP type 1 symptoms since the falvenoids and polyphenols boost the immune system. Some studies also show that the HSV type 2 can also be suppressed by drinking tea regularly. Once the immune system is stimulated against viruses and bacteria, it will inhibit the occurrence of the two types of HSVs.
White and green teas are quite effective and you must take it regularly. Some individuals say that by applying the tea bags or brewed tea on the infected area, the healing process is faster which can only take 4 days.
Tea tincture is also good for healing herpes. It would be best to choose teas without caffeine for best results.
There is another herb that you can use, it is called thyme. This herb is an antiseptic and you can use it internally or externally. It promotes the production of leucocytes and can prevent herpes outbreaks. Each day, you can take thyme tea by boiling a cup of water with one tablespoon of thyme. You can even use thyme as a tonic and you must take it regularly. There are no side effects and it’s quite effective. Even pregnant women can use this herb. For those taking anti inflammatory medications, try to ask your doctor about it first.
As you can see, there are many herbal treatments for herpes. If you know how to use the herbs properly, herpes can be prevented. Use the herbs as instructed to see best results.
Read More....
Melissa or lemon balm is quite expensive but you can easily find them in the market. To avoid oral herpes, add a few drops of the essential oil to the day cream you’re using. Lemon balm is also available in tea form and you can drink it everyday for more effective results. You can create your own tea by chopping lemon balm leaves. Use two teaspoon of lemon balm for a cup of water and boil it; brew it for another ten minutes.
Prunella vulgaris is another herbal treatment that you can use. This herb is also called ‘heal all’ or ‘self heal’. By mixing this herb with olive leaf extracts, lysine, and vitamin C. this mixture can suppress the outbreak of herpes.
You can also use Siberian ginseng or eleutherococcus to treat type 2 herpes virus. You can’t use this herb for treating the type 1 HSV though.
Oftentimes, herpes and cold sores are due to stress. Ginseng helps in dealing with mental and physical stress due to exposures to viruses, physical exhaustion, pollution, noise, chemicals, and other things. Ginseng can also stimulate the immune system thereby preventing outbreaks. However, individuals suffering from apnea, narcolepsy, and high blood pressure should not use Siberian ginseng. Breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women are also not allowed to use such herb.
Some herbalists say that herbs are much more useful when taken in liquid form. Any kind of tea can ease the HSP type 1 symptoms since the falvenoids and polyphenols boost the immune system. Some studies also show that the HSV type 2 can also be suppressed by drinking tea regularly. Once the immune system is stimulated against viruses and bacteria, it will inhibit the occurrence of the two types of HSVs.
White and green teas are quite effective and you must take it regularly. Some individuals say that by applying the tea bags or brewed tea on the infected area, the healing process is faster which can only take 4 days.
Tea tincture is also good for healing herpes. It would be best to choose teas without caffeine for best results.
There is another herb that you can use, it is called thyme. This herb is an antiseptic and you can use it internally or externally. It promotes the production of leucocytes and can prevent herpes outbreaks. Each day, you can take thyme tea by boiling a cup of water with one tablespoon of thyme. You can even use thyme as a tonic and you must take it regularly. There are no side effects and it’s quite effective. Even pregnant women can use this herb. For those taking anti inflammatory medications, try to ask your doctor about it first.
As you can see, there are many herbal treatments for herpes. If you know how to use the herbs properly, herpes can be prevented. Use the herbs as instructed to see best results.
Read More....
Monday, March 2, 2009
Acid Reflux Herbal Treatment
There are many different kinds of acid reflux herbal treatments you can use in order to treat acid reflux naturally. One of the best things about using an acid reflux herbal treatment in comparison to other medications prescribed by your doctor or which you can purchase over the counter of your local drug store is they do not cause unwanted side effects.
However, it is essential that if you are someone who regularly suffers from acid reflux and taking acid reflux medication, you should discuss matters with their doctor first before taking any kind of herbal remedy.
When it actually comes to deciding what is the best way of treating the condition using only natural ingredients, it is best to read as much as possible about the various treatments available. Plus it may well be advisable to seek out the assistance of a herbalist or naturopathic doctor who will provide you with those herbs that will best help to treat acid reflux.
One of the most effective ways of treating acid reflux is through herbal teas. Herbal teas for acid reflux ensures that the body can actually absorb the properties contained within the herbs much faster. Today you have the choice of either buying teas which have already been prepared or you can make up your own one instead. There are loads of places on the internet today offer various different recipes for making a herbal tea which can help to treat acid reflux.
As well as using herbal teas, another well known herbal treatment for acid reflux is chicory root which can also help to treat other digestive problems as well. This particular herb can easily be found in either your local health food store or grocery store as well as being available for purchase online.
One other kind of acid reflux herbal treatment that you may want to consider using if you suffer from this problem is chamomile. This is readily available in many grocery and health food stores around the country as a tea drink. This particular herb is especially effective for those people who suffer from acid reflux at night as it helps the person to relax.
Read More....
However, it is essential that if you are someone who regularly suffers from acid reflux and taking acid reflux medication, you should discuss matters with their doctor first before taking any kind of herbal remedy.
When it actually comes to deciding what is the best way of treating the condition using only natural ingredients, it is best to read as much as possible about the various treatments available. Plus it may well be advisable to seek out the assistance of a herbalist or naturopathic doctor who will provide you with those herbs that will best help to treat acid reflux.
One of the most effective ways of treating acid reflux is through herbal teas. Herbal teas for acid reflux ensures that the body can actually absorb the properties contained within the herbs much faster. Today you have the choice of either buying teas which have already been prepared or you can make up your own one instead. There are loads of places on the internet today offer various different recipes for making a herbal tea which can help to treat acid reflux.
As well as using herbal teas, another well known herbal treatment for acid reflux is chicory root which can also help to treat other digestive problems as well. This particular herb can easily be found in either your local health food store or grocery store as well as being available for purchase online.
One other kind of acid reflux herbal treatment that you may want to consider using if you suffer from this problem is chamomile. This is readily available in many grocery and health food stores around the country as a tea drink. This particular herb is especially effective for those people who suffer from acid reflux at night as it helps the person to relax.
Read More....
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Garlic and Hearth Health
Garlic, believed by experts to be one of the oldest cultivated plants in history, carries with it an extensive list of diseases it is thought to be helpful in relieving. A major player in herbal medicine throughout the world, it has been used for a wide variety of conditions including dysentery, tuberculosis and influenza for at least five thousand years.
These days, however, we've "rediscovered" it for the treatment of two common, modern-day maladies: hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and related conditions). Both of these conditions contribute to an elevated risk for heart disease and strokes.
In truth, there are great medications available by prescription for both hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Those individuals severely afflicted probably need to be on one of them rather than relying on garlic or any herbal product to be effective enough to control their conditions. But many people have mildly elevated blood pressure and/or cholesterol, just the kind of condition for which garlic should be considered as an alternative to expensive prescription medication.
Scientists have studied garlic fairly extensively as it relates to the treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia and it seems to be effective in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol in individuals who take it on a regular basis. The active component of garlic is an amino acid called alliin which is further converted to allicin and other active metabolites. Any garlic you purchase should be standardized in the amount of allicin it contains.
As I mentioned, the studies on garlic as treatment for the above conditions are very good , however it is important to know that they didn't just use your average cloves of garlic off the grocery store shelf when conducting these studies. In fact, many of the clinical studies were done using Kwai, an encapsulated form of garlic containing standardized amounts of allicin. What this means is that it's difficult to say whether or not a couple of cloves of fresh garlic taken daily in your diet will be adequate to achieve the kind of results you may be looking for.
For this reason, I feel uncomfortable recommending anything other than Kwai or a similar standardized preparation. Each capsule of Kwai contains 150 milligrams of concentrated garlic (the equivalent of 450 milligrams of fresh clove) standardized to 900 micrograms of allicin. A total of four capsules daily are recommended.
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are taking garlic as interactions between it and some blood thinners have been reported.
Read More....
These days, however, we've "rediscovered" it for the treatment of two common, modern-day maladies: hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and related conditions). Both of these conditions contribute to an elevated risk for heart disease and strokes.
In truth, there are great medications available by prescription for both hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Those individuals severely afflicted probably need to be on one of them rather than relying on garlic or any herbal product to be effective enough to control their conditions. But many people have mildly elevated blood pressure and/or cholesterol, just the kind of condition for which garlic should be considered as an alternative to expensive prescription medication.
Scientists have studied garlic fairly extensively as it relates to the treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia and it seems to be effective in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol in individuals who take it on a regular basis. The active component of garlic is an amino acid called alliin which is further converted to allicin and other active metabolites. Any garlic you purchase should be standardized in the amount of allicin it contains.
As I mentioned, the studies on garlic as treatment for the above conditions are very good , however it is important to know that they didn't just use your average cloves of garlic off the grocery store shelf when conducting these studies. In fact, many of the clinical studies were done using Kwai, an encapsulated form of garlic containing standardized amounts of allicin. What this means is that it's difficult to say whether or not a couple of cloves of fresh garlic taken daily in your diet will be adequate to achieve the kind of results you may be looking for.
For this reason, I feel uncomfortable recommending anything other than Kwai or a similar standardized preparation. Each capsule of Kwai contains 150 milligrams of concentrated garlic (the equivalent of 450 milligrams of fresh clove) standardized to 900 micrograms of allicin. A total of four capsules daily are recommended.
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are taking garlic as interactions between it and some blood thinners have been reported.
Read More....
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Herbal Help for Constipation
When the makers of Ex-Lax announced the arrival of a "new" formulation of the product a few years ago, herbal remedies took front-runner status in the treatment of common constipation. Of course, it wasn't exactly a hard-to-win competition. The main ingredient of Ex-Lax, phenolphthalein, was taken off the market by the FDA, leaving little choice but to change the formulation. Senna, an herbal stimulant laxative became the "new" Ex-Lax ingredient so that today it has become one of the leading remedies for constipation relief.
There are actually several herbal choices for the treatment of constipation. For the most part they can be divided into two categories: stimulant laxatives and bulk laxatives. Stimulant laxatives act by forcing contractions of the smooth muscle of the colon and by drawing water from the body into the interior of the colon, allowing for looser stools. Bulk laxatives, on the other hand, are products which expand inside the colon when mixed with water. Once expanded, they trigger the colon's natural contractions which attempt to expel the bulky substance. (The trick to bulk laxatives is that you have to drink a lot of water with the laxative product or it won't work.)
Herbal stimulant laxatives include senna, cascara, castor oil, buckthorn and dried aloe juice. Senna is the most readily available of these due to its popularity as an ingredient in brand-name products such as Sennakot and Ex-Lax. The active components of senna are called anthraquinones. All stimulant laxatives contain anthraquinone-like ingredients which give the herbs their cathartic effect.
Stimulant laxatives, whether herbal or not, all carry basically the same risks. When used daily for more than 1-2 weeks they can lead to "laxative-dependency syndrome". This means that the muscles of the colon become lazy and don't contract very well unless you take more of the laxative. Rebound constipation can result from stopping the product after prolonged use.
Bulk laxatives, on the other hand, rely on the colon's normal muscle contractions and don't generally lead to dependency. Herbal bulk laxatives include flaxseed, psyllium and apple pectin. The first two of these are actually seeds and seed parts which swell with the addition of water to form a bulky mass inside the colon. Apple pectin does the same thing except that it's made from apple peels and not seeds. The main risk in using bulk laxatives is that of obstruction of the bowels which can occur when the product/water mixture can't get through. Again, the drinking of water with bulk laxatives is essential-without it, the laxative can become like a hard rock inside the colon. As you may imagine, rocks in the colon aren't easy to pass.
A general rule of thumb would be as follows:
If you suffer from chronic constipation, use a bulk laxative regularly (with water) to help train your system to have regular bowel movements without the use of stimulants. Save the stimulants for occasional use.
If you're still not sure which products to use or if your constipation is a new problem, see your healthcare provider for advice.
Read More....
There are actually several herbal choices for the treatment of constipation. For the most part they can be divided into two categories: stimulant laxatives and bulk laxatives. Stimulant laxatives act by forcing contractions of the smooth muscle of the colon and by drawing water from the body into the interior of the colon, allowing for looser stools. Bulk laxatives, on the other hand, are products which expand inside the colon when mixed with water. Once expanded, they trigger the colon's natural contractions which attempt to expel the bulky substance. (The trick to bulk laxatives is that you have to drink a lot of water with the laxative product or it won't work.)
Herbal stimulant laxatives include senna, cascara, castor oil, buckthorn and dried aloe juice. Senna is the most readily available of these due to its popularity as an ingredient in brand-name products such as Sennakot and Ex-Lax. The active components of senna are called anthraquinones. All stimulant laxatives contain anthraquinone-like ingredients which give the herbs their cathartic effect.
Stimulant laxatives, whether herbal or not, all carry basically the same risks. When used daily for more than 1-2 weeks they can lead to "laxative-dependency syndrome". This means that the muscles of the colon become lazy and don't contract very well unless you take more of the laxative. Rebound constipation can result from stopping the product after prolonged use.
Bulk laxatives, on the other hand, rely on the colon's normal muscle contractions and don't generally lead to dependency. Herbal bulk laxatives include flaxseed, psyllium and apple pectin. The first two of these are actually seeds and seed parts which swell with the addition of water to form a bulky mass inside the colon. Apple pectin does the same thing except that it's made from apple peels and not seeds. The main risk in using bulk laxatives is that of obstruction of the bowels which can occur when the product/water mixture can't get through. Again, the drinking of water with bulk laxatives is essential-without it, the laxative can become like a hard rock inside the colon. As you may imagine, rocks in the colon aren't easy to pass.
A general rule of thumb would be as follows:
If you suffer from chronic constipation, use a bulk laxative regularly (with water) to help train your system to have regular bowel movements without the use of stimulants. Save the stimulants for occasional use.
If you're still not sure which products to use or if your constipation is a new problem, see your healthcare provider for advice.
Read More....
Friday, February 27, 2009
Herbal Treatment for Diabetes : Fact or Myth
Herbal Treatment For Diabetes : Fact Or Myth.
Diabetes has been recognized by western medicine since the early 1800’s as being one of the most prevalent and controllable conditions affecting a large portion of the population. However, Asian cultures have recognized this fact much earlier and and have developed and been using herbal treatments for diabetes for centuries. These treatments are widely regarded as effective, even today.
It must firstly be recognized that most of the herbal treatment for diabetes are not recommended for those requiring insulin treatment. This is because the majority of the herbs being used have proven effective in helping to restore the body’s ability to control the blood sugar level by boosting the effectiveness of the body’s own insulin. If the body is not producing insulin there is nothing to boost and, research suggests, the use of these herbal treatments will not have the needed effect.
This has obviously produced the skeptics who claim that the proponents of herbal medication are in the business simply for the money and find argument against the use of herbs in medicine. Conversely, the herbalists claim is that since the drug companies cannot patent herbs and other herbal treatments for diabetes, they cannot make money from their use therefore they condemn them as ineffective.
There Is Still No Cure For This Treatable Disease
Despite decades of research there is no known cure for diabetes and none is on the horizon. It is essentially the body’s inability to regulate the amount of blood sugar in the system. While in many cases medicine to help dissolve and reduce the blood sugar offers dramatic improvement, it is still necessary for some patients to require insulin injections to keep it under control. Owing to the lack of research,There are few arguments that indicate that herbal treatments for diabetes may not be effective.
As most herbal treatments for diabetes are shown to improve the reduction of blood sugar levels by helping insulin do its job, it stands to reason that for those who’s bodies don’t produce insulin herbal treatment cannot provide that help. (more info on diabetes at http://www.diabetesadvisory.com )
Possibly one of the best ways a person with diabetes can help himself or herself is through a proper nutritional diet, regular exercise and monitoring their blood sugar level. Fortunately, testing equipment is readily available and is typically done through blood samples with many home testing kits offering accurate readings and can be done numerous times throughout the day.
As soon as a person is diagnosed with diabetes, and their doctor starts them on a prescription regimen they should not eliminate the medicine in favor of a herbal treatment for diabetes without consulting their physician. It is very important that They increase the monitoring of their blood sugar level and notify their doctor of any change, good or bad.
Many diabetes sufferers can dramatically improve their blood sugar levels and consequently improve their overall wellbeing by cutting out the fatty, sweet elements of their diets by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and getting into a regular routine of exercise.
Read More....
Diabetes has been recognized by western medicine since the early 1800’s as being one of the most prevalent and controllable conditions affecting a large portion of the population. However, Asian cultures have recognized this fact much earlier and and have developed and been using herbal treatments for diabetes for centuries. These treatments are widely regarded as effective, even today.
It must firstly be recognized that most of the herbal treatment for diabetes are not recommended for those requiring insulin treatment. This is because the majority of the herbs being used have proven effective in helping to restore the body’s ability to control the blood sugar level by boosting the effectiveness of the body’s own insulin. If the body is not producing insulin there is nothing to boost and, research suggests, the use of these herbal treatments will not have the needed effect.
This has obviously produced the skeptics who claim that the proponents of herbal medication are in the business simply for the money and find argument against the use of herbs in medicine. Conversely, the herbalists claim is that since the drug companies cannot patent herbs and other herbal treatments for diabetes, they cannot make money from their use therefore they condemn them as ineffective.
There Is Still No Cure For This Treatable Disease
Despite decades of research there is no known cure for diabetes and none is on the horizon. It is essentially the body’s inability to regulate the amount of blood sugar in the system. While in many cases medicine to help dissolve and reduce the blood sugar offers dramatic improvement, it is still necessary for some patients to require insulin injections to keep it under control. Owing to the lack of research,There are few arguments that indicate that herbal treatments for diabetes may not be effective.
As most herbal treatments for diabetes are shown to improve the reduction of blood sugar levels by helping insulin do its job, it stands to reason that for those who’s bodies don’t produce insulin herbal treatment cannot provide that help. (more info on diabetes at http://www.diabetesadvisory.com )
Possibly one of the best ways a person with diabetes can help himself or herself is through a proper nutritional diet, regular exercise and monitoring their blood sugar level. Fortunately, testing equipment is readily available and is typically done through blood samples with many home testing kits offering accurate readings and can be done numerous times throughout the day.
As soon as a person is diagnosed with diabetes, and their doctor starts them on a prescription regimen they should not eliminate the medicine in favor of a herbal treatment for diabetes without consulting their physician. It is very important that They increase the monitoring of their blood sugar level and notify their doctor of any change, good or bad.
Many diabetes sufferers can dramatically improve their blood sugar levels and consequently improve their overall wellbeing by cutting out the fatty, sweet elements of their diets by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and getting into a regular routine of exercise.
Read More....
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