August 20, 2010
This is a syndicated post
Millions of folk have experienced some symptoms of depression all though their lives, from the wierd winter blues to outright clinical depression. Anyone can experience depression at any age, but fortunately it isn’t generally serious, and there are natural cures to raise your mood. While this is an alternative not regularly selected by many folks, natural mood lifts work on almost all cases of depression. A few individuals do not even have a sort of depression till they spot a commercial that lists some symptoms. While this at-home diagnosis might be of use for some people, it can cause issues in the depression area.
One of the most respected natural lifts is St. John’s wort, a yellow-flowered plant containing many chemical compounds. Studies have proven the results of St. John’s wort in even significant cases of depression. Many experts believe it is the best natural remedy for fighting depression, though others dispute this.
If using St. John’s wort for your depression, a standard dose is between nine hundred and 1,200 mg daily, for 1 to three months. There are irrelevant side-effects linked with this natural mood lift, but they regularly affect folks who are taking other herbal and prescribed drugs. It is thought to sometimes lower the effect of other medicines, and you should always consult with your doctor if you are taking any other medications.
Another often substance for fighting depression symptoms is S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine, or SAMe. Test results aren’t as decisive as St.John’s wort, but SAMe has been shown to reduce symptoms in mild cases. It’s marketed as a supplement in the US, but as a prescription drug elsewhere (such as Russia.)
Possibly the most natural mood lifts include exercise and daylight. Due to the mood-enhancing endorphins released during running, exercising is a fast, straightforward and safe natural mood enhancer. Daylight is also endorsed for certain depression cases because it’s been shown to raise the levels of vitamin-D in our bodies, which can raise our moods.
If you enjoyed this article check out many more articles related to health and wellness at HealthyLifeNow.com an Independent distributor of Herbalife products.
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August 19, 2010
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When you think of spearmint leaf, Wrigley’s gum probably comes to mind. It has been around since 1893. It is actually flavored with spearmint oil. Half of all spearmint oil is used to flavor gum and most of the rest is used in toothpastes. Did you know that 13,000 sticks of chewing gum contain one pound of mint oil? Obviously, a little goes a long way!
Officially Spearmint is Salvia sclarea, but other common names are spearmint, mint, brown mint, garden mint, Our Lady’s mint, sage of Bethlehem, menthol mint, silver mint, spiremint. There are many different kinds of mint, including catnip, peppermint, apple mint, orange mint, lavender mint. and Scotch spearmint. We are told the US produces 70% of the world’s mint supply, and Washington and Oregon are the leading producers.
Though spearmint is not as popular as peppermint, it does have its own unique flavor. Spearmint plant has a creeping root and unequally serrated and smooth leaves. It is a herbaceous plant with branching, quadrangular, smooth stems, that grow to 2 ft. high. The leaves are the only part of the plant used.
Spearmint is native to the Mediterranean region and has a long history. Writing of spere mynte in 1568, herbalist John Gerard said it, “rejoiceth the heart…” Even before this, the Bible mentions mint in Matt. 23:23 and Luke 11:42, both speaking of religious leaders tithing the leaves. In the Middle Ages it was one of the strewing herbs. It was scattered on the floor to give health, a beautiful scent, and to get rid of rodents.
Spearmint was shipped to America during the Colonial period. Because mint was untaxed by the English government, it became a popular tea substitute during the American Revolution.
Spearmint then became a significant cash crop in Connecticut. Its popularity flourished during the American Civil War when imported black tea was hard to get. It was used as a cleansing tonic and to help purify drinking water. Dog bites, wasps and bee stings were treated with a mixture of salt and mint applied directly to the wound.
What makes it effective? Spearmint contains volatile oil, caffeic acid, rosmaric acid, the flavonoid thymonin, carvone, and limonene. The aromatic compounds relieve smooth muscle spasms, increase the production of digestive fluids and enzymes, promote sweating, increase blood circulation, relieve pain, and are antiseptic. It has been used to treat indigestion, morning sickness, flatulence, nausea, menstrual cramps, flu, muscle aches, and vomiting. Spearmint contains astringent compounds that shrink inflamed tissues. Ice cubes of mint tea are great to soothe the pain of canker sores.
Spearmint can be inhaled to relieve tension headaches and to revive the memory. Externally the application of spearmint will heal chapped skin. Some dilute sugary juices with herbal teas such as mint.
Some women suffer from hirsutism, which is excessive hair growth in locations where hair normally does not grow. Spearmint’s anti-androgenic properties reduce the level of free testosterone in the blood, while leaving total testosterone and DHEA unaffected. Drinking two cups of spearmint tea a day for five days can reduce androgen levels in women with hirsutism. The dosage is 1 c. morning and evening during each of the 5 days of the follicular period (the five days leading up to ovulation) of each menstrual cycle.
There is no known cautions about spearmint. The recommended dosages are as follows: To make a decoction for bath, mix 3 tbsp. dried leaf in one cup of water. For a decoction, mix 2 tbsp. dried leaf in one cup water. Steep 10 min. Do not boil. Strain. To make an infusion mix 2 tsp dried leaf in one cup water. Steep for 10 min. Do not boil. Strain. Spearmint benefits are safe and useful for children and can be used to provide relief from colic and congestion. The gentle menthol content is also relaxing and warming to the esophagus and a mild anesthetic to mucous membranes of the stomach. Try it to ease motion sickness and to help restore the appetite.
Tags: spearmint leaf
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August 19, 2010
Have you ever heard of Indian tobacco? It is an old name for lobelia inflata (officially lobelia inflata). The herb was commonly prescribed by early North American doctors for healing respiratory ailments such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and coughs. The plant stem has only a few branches. It is smooth on top but rough and hairy down low. The lower leaves are about two inches long. They have stalks, but the upper, smaller ones do not. The pale green or yellowish leaves don’t taste or smell particularly good and the sparse flowers are pale violet-blue.
Lobelia consists of a bitter glycoside (lobelacrin), resin, gum, various alkaloids, a pungent volatile oil (lobelianin), chelidonic acid and fats. Lobeline is its most important ingredient. Others include nor-lobelanidine, lobelidine, nor-lobelaine, lobelanine, lobelanidine, and isolobenine. It also contains fourteen pyridine alkaloids.
Lobeline is a main ingredient of most all quit smoking treatments. This is because it works much like nicotine in its effect on the central nervous system without being addictive. The herb is used to treat spastic colon and muscle problems because of its relaxant qualities. Lobeline also dilates the bronchioles which helps breathing.
Lobelia’s target problems deal with the respiratory system, problems like bronchitis and pneumonia. It stimulates the adrenal glands to release epinephrine, causing the airways to relax. Lobelia’s strong relaxant qualities help to clear obstructions. It relaxes the stomach, a common need in asthmatic children. In fact, many use lobelia to stop asthma attacks instead of an inhaler.
Other practical ways to use lobelia’s qualities include these. Rub lobelia tincture or extract on the shoulders of a restless child; this is an excellent way to help him go to sleep. Rub the extract on the gums of a teething baby. Take it internally to expel mucus, remove congestion from the stomach, and to encourage the flow of oxygenized blood. A poultice can be applied for ringworm, bruises, and insect bites. Catnip and lobelia enemas are good for treating mumps in males. As a sedative it is said to rank somewhere between veratrum and aconite.
Lobelia is also useful in treating laryngitis in children and to get rid of barking coughs. Ellingwood recommended lobelia for the following problems: “spasmodic asthma, membranous croup, whooping cough, spasmodic croup, infantile convulsions, puerperal eclampsia, epilepsy, tetanus, hysterical paraxysms, diphtheria, hysterical convulsions, tonsillitis, pneumonia,” and several others.
In what form is it purchased? Lobelia is available as bulk herb, in a liquid extract form, and as tinctures for internal use. For external use it is available in ointments, lotions, suppositories, and plasters. To make the awful tasting tea, mix ¼ to ½ teaspoon of the dried herb in eight ounces of water and let it steep for 30 to 40 minutes. Drink two ounces of this four times a day. If you prefer the tincture, take .6 to 2 ml of each day. This quantity is based on a 150 pound adult. For children adjust the dosage proportionately by weight.
Because of the danger of lobelia poisoning, caution is in order. Signs of this may include weak pulse, difficulty breathing, weakness, heartburn, and collapse. People with tobacco sensitivity, high blood pressure, paralysis, heart disease, and seizure disorder should check with a doctor before taking it. Neither is lobelia recommended by some for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Because lobelia is an aggressive emetic, expect nausea and vomiting if a patient is highly toxic, even if it is given in small doses. Though this isn’t pleasure, it is good for the patient.
Tags: herb, lobelia, lobelia inflata, lobelias
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August 15, 2010
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Despite the early beginnings of healing herbs and herbal remedies, herbal healing is just starting to become very popular in the United States. A variety of natural healing herbs and herbal cures can be utilized in order to keep you and your family healthy. Chinese medicine treats the whole person, as a distinctive individual, and it is complete medical system capable of dealing with disease in all its forms and with a traditional view, placing great importance on preventing disease.
Alternative therapies like herbal treatments are now being recognized by medical professionals and in some medical institutions. Holistic health care consists of alternative natural health remedies, like herbal healing, and a variety of herb-based health and wellness products. An example is Stevia a natural sweetener that is extracted from Stevia Rebaudiana a herb under the Chrysanthemum family which is a small shrub located in South America. One herb that is utilized to treat stomach problems is peppermint.
Moreover, a plant known as the evening primrose oil opens in the evening which is the time where these plants emit healing oils that contain gamma linolenic acids a known anti-inflammatory agent. Garlic is a natural healing herb that cleanses the blood and boosts the immune system, reduces blood pressure, and cholesterol, keeps skin clear helps stop cold or flu viruses.
Another herbal healing wonder – Ginseng enhances mental capacity, memory and mood, helping to reduce stress and fatigue. Ginseng fortifies the body, and is documented to increase fertility and sexual endurance.
TCM or traditional Chinese Medicine has used plants to cure and prevent diseases for over five thousand years. During this procedure many theories, methodologies and systems have been recorded. While many Western medical educators and professionals are just now beginning to study some of these techniques, they have been used with positive results throughout Asia for hundreds of years. Ancient Chinese herbal healing can be integrated with Western scientific techniques to prevent disease just before it occurs.
It is through many thousands of years of utilizing herbs, that Oriental medicine has gathered a wealth experience about different herbs. Based on experience we can say that some herbs are indeed beneficial for the body as well as the microsystems. Together with this understanding is the fact that some side effects can result from using some of the herbs.
Chinese herbal healing can be integrated with sophisticated modern scientific methods. A technological innovation that helps increase the bioavailability of plant extracts is the nanomicroencapsulation engineering. With the use of various approaches each ingredient is then prepared. There are certain methods utilized in order to extract little molecular compounds and macromolecules from specific herbs. For example, there is a new revolutionary herbal healing supplement that supports healthy glucose levels and repairs pancreatic function to help avoid diabetes.
Nowadays, healthcare is globally of primary concern, and more and more people are recovering their health by adding Chinese herbal healing medicines to their health care options. Multicultural health and complementary medicine are taking hold, and more and more care givers are dealing with ailments preventatively.
Tags: herbal healing
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August 14, 2010
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The Horsetail grass is also known as horse willow, toadpipe
, bottle brush, Corn Horsetail, Dutch rushes, Quyroughi, Atkuyrugu, and Shavegrass. It is a perennial flowerless plant whose value is found in the hollow, jointed stems. First recommended by the Roman physician Galen, several followed his advice to treat for kidney and bladder troubles, arthritis, bleeding ulcers, and tuberculosis.
The Chinese still use it to cool a fever and as a remedy for eye inflammations such as conjunctivitis and corneal disorders. They also use it to treat dysentery, flu, swellings, and hemorrhoids. The fresh or dried green stems of horsetail are collected in summer.
The horsetail is one of the most diuretic species in all the plants. This means it is effective in eliminating water from the body. The secret is in the chemical ingredient equisetonin and because of it horsetail can actually increase urination up to 30%. Therefore, it is often used in products for weight loss. Equisetonin and potassium are also beneficial for this and calcium, magnesium, ascorbic acid and caffeic acid also contribute to this diuretic ability.
Horsetail is also able to help knock out bacterial diseases of the lower urinary tract and flush out bladder and kidney stones. Slowly healing wounds are speeded up with horsetail because of the quantity of silica in the plant. This also helps repair bony tissues by helping to fix calcium. Then the body can store a greater quantity of calcium and this results in stronger bones or tendons. Try it if you are dealing with osteoporosis.
Horsetail is an excellent herbal source of silicon, magnesium, calcium, iron, chromium, manganese, and potassium. Because of this mineral content horsetail is recommended for anemia and general debility. Try it also in treating lung damage such as tuberculosis or emphysema, as well as prostatitis, enuresis, urinary tract infections and muscle cramps. Horsetail nourishes the body’s connective tissue as well as nails, hair, skin, and bones.
Horsetail is effective in treating BPH, the benign enlargement of the prostate gland. Its toning and astringent action help to treat incontinence and bed-wetting in children. Recent research shows that horsetail is able to help remove lead accumulations in the body.
Gargle horsetail tea as a mouth rinse for sore throat, mouth ulcers, or bleeding gums. Apply a compress to help heal fractures and sprains, sores, wounds, and skin problems. Swallow it to stop bleeding from ulcers or diminish heavy menstrual bleeding.
Externally make a compress with 10 grams of powdered herb in 1 liter of water. If you take horsetail internally, drink plenty of water. An average daily dose is 6 grams of the stem a day. To make horsetail tea, pour boiling water over 2 to 3 grams of the herb, boil it for 5 minutes, and then strain the mixture after 10 to 15 minutes. Drink some several times a day between meals.
Overuse of licorice with the horsetail grass (and too much alcohol) may deplete potassium in the body and cause a risk of cardiac toxicity and thiamine deficiency. Because of its potency, some advise people with these conditions to avoid horsetail: pregnant, breast-feeding, those with impaired heart or kidney function, with liver problems, those taking a cardiac glycoside, and who have a history or potential of thiamine deficiency. The plant contains equisetic acid, which is nearly identical to aconitic acid. This can be a heart and nerve sedative that is poisonous when taken in excessive amounts.
Tags: hemorrhoids, horsetail
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August 13, 2010
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In America, there are 57 million grown ups who are 20 years old and older who are pre-diabetic – a condition where though the glucose levels are more than normal, it is not quite diabetes. And even more threatening is the fact that 1.6 million new cases of diabetes are being reported every year. (Source: National Diabetes Education Program – NDEP).
Glucose, a form of sugar, is our body cells’ essential source of fuel, and insulin is what allows glucose in our blood to enter the cells. For people with diabetes, either the body doesn’t produce adequate insulin, or the cells are resistant to the effects of insulin. Instead of going into the cells. The cells become deprived of energy, and when excessive blood sugar levels in your blood remain, it may damage the heart, kidneys, nerves or your vision. Diabetes is serious and if it’s not correctly contained, it can also be dangerous.
Some natural treatments are being researched to treat type 2 diabetes. If you are contemplating a natural therapy along with general treatment, be sure do so only under the close guidance of a qualified physician. Also tell your medical practitioner about any herbal supplements or natural interventions you are using, since several may interact with the medications you happen to be taking.
One type of alternate medicine for the a lot of healthy people who are still in danger of diabetes are herbal supplement, as this will help them in handling their sugar levels. The problem is choosing the right herb. Look at the number of diabetes herbal supplements online or inside your nearby health food store and you will probably find many products, from cinnamon to aloe. Every one says that they’re able to sustain glucose levels, so which one really works?
Due to being diagnosed with pre-diabetes, numerous individuals are changing their eating and exercise habits, and they will say that along with alternative therapies and a fitter lifestyle, their well being has improved. They now feel greater, look better, and do more than ever before. If you take steps to control your glucose levels through diet and exercise, you can delay, and in a lot of cases, prevent the disease and its problems.
From fenugreek seeds to licorice to ginger, these herbal supplements have attributes that could help in watching blood sugar levels. They might be able to help you separately, however when used together and in the correct mix, they can aid your pancreatic functions so that it’ll have a substantial impact on your blood sugar levels.
Tags: blood sugar levels, diabetes
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August 13, 2010
While hair loss is only nature working most people attempt anything and everything to restore their hair. Or at least some of their once full locks. Although it might be wrong to assume that you will develop an entire head of glorious hair comparable to your youth it would appear that occasionally herbal treatments have promoted hair re-growth.
Although every person is different of course and so might find different if any improvements, it would appear that herbal treatments could be worth trying when all else has fails and does appear to offer some hope. Here we take a look at some of the very popular forms of herbal medicine which have thought to assist with hair re-growth.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a very popular herbal remedy that is thought to help you with many problems, among them helping the circulation of blood to the brain and skin. The majority of herbalists who prescribe this for loss of hair do this thinking that the increase of blood to the brain and skin delivers more nutrients to the hair follicles and thus stimulates hair re-growth.
Green tea
Green tea is yet another popular herbal treatment it is believed that the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase is inhibited through the catechins found in the green tea. This herbalist’s claim help in lowering the chance of hereditary type baldness should you drink several cups each day. If you are fascinated to learn more on these benefits you can look into this French post on green tea (the vert) since it holds some useful point.
He Shou wu
He shou wu is an ancient Chinese herb that’s been used for centuries for hair loss and baldness. It is often available in both tea and capsule form and is one of the main ingredients found in many commercial remedies for the treatment of baldness.
Pygeum
Pygeum is obtained from the bark of the evergreen tree and functions in a very similar way to green tea extract. It has been used to treat problems with the prostrate for many years in China and can be taken in pill or capsule form.
Saw palmetto extract
Saw palmetto extract is a very popular choice among people with hair thinning; this is due to the fact that it also has the ability to protect the prostrate. Not only does it encourage the hair to re-grow it slows down premature hair loss.
Stinging nettle
Stinging nettle blocks the conversion of testosterone into DHT; this is the main cause of hair thinning in men. It is usually purchased either in pill or capsule form and is said to be more efficient when employed in combination with saw palmetto or pygeum.
Other natural treatments
Other herbal treatments may be used in the treatment of hair loss in a similar fashion to shampoo, by massaging into your scalp. The most popular varieties of external herbal treatments consist of onion and red pepper. Onion is thought to help you since it features a high content of sulfur. Sulfur is thought to be a hair healing mineral and it is believed that by rubbing one-half onion into your scalp or hair before washing can help promote hair re-growth. Red pepper is also thought to assist re-growth since it draws blood to the scalp because of irritation. It is also said to help encourage the discharge of histamines that stimulate hair re-growth.
Are you interested to learn more on this topic of stinging nettle? You can do so by having a look at our web site on ortie (ortie) (French text) since it holds some important point.
Tags: hair loss, herbal remedies
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August 12, 2010
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The adrenal glands are…
…two significant, but very small glands which are situated just above your kidneys. The adrenal glands are responsible for making numerous critical bodily hormones for your body including testosterone, estrogen, DHEA as well as cortisol. At the middle of the gland the output of adrenaline occurs and this is vital for your body’s response to stressors.
If your body is not properly obtaining the help which it demands from the adrenal glands, an individual may require some help from a therapy such as AdrenoBoost or perhaps yet another approach to support one’s body with creating these organic human hormones. In this article, we will review some natural options for strengthening the adrenals and getting that hormone support that your body needs.
Start With the Diet
One of the simplest factors that you could start with could well be your current regular diet. As much as feasible, you should try to shop for food which is organically harvested as well as free from any kind of additives or chemical compounds. Fresh and steamed fruit and veggies are usually a very good way to provide minerals and vitamins to your diet which could help combat some of the exhaustion which you may be coping with.
Give attention to food that have potassium and then try to stay away from food that have a lot of sodium. General healthy practices, such as decreasing sugar, salt, coffee as well as alcohol intake could also play a big part in Adrenal support. Concerning your daily diet, you may also discover that ingesting several small meals each day, instead of some big meals, can also assist to enhance your overall energy levels.
Hormone Remedies
A health care provider may recommend hormone remedies with regard to concerns related to adrenal weakness. Supposing that your doctor has tested your current hormonal levels to know which ones should be supplemented, you might need pregnenolone, progesterone, or DHEA.
Pregnenolone facilitates primary adrenal functioning and for best results should be taken before sleeping. Progesterone may be administered to the body as a cream. This particular hormone is often linked with a female’s sex drive, which may be reduced when it is not necessarily being developed properly. If your progesterone amounts tend to be low, its likely as a result of anxiety in which case the body will use progesterone to form the cortisol which it would need to combat the tension.
The adrenal hormone DHEA may also be recommended which is advantageous overall since it changes to most of the diverse human hormones that you might be short of so as to supplement adrenal weakness.
Natural Remedies
Natural Adrenal supplements may be one of the better ways to fight issues with the adrenal glands because they tend to be safe, effective as well as non-addictive. Herbal treatments like Huang Qi, Eleuthero and Borage are recognized for the effects that they can have on adrenal functioning as well as overall energy enhancing effects. Look for supplements that have the ingredients which aid wholesome hormonal levels and you should start observing the effects right after a regular regimen associated with taking the herbal remedies is in place.
If you’re somebody who is actually managing Adrenal concerns, you should not despair. Take the time to study and attempt many of these suggestions and tips to enhance your personal hormones as well as energy levels and you may be feeling more like yourself, once again.
Tags: adrenal glands, herbal remedies, herbal treatments
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August 10, 2010
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You’ve got to hate it when you find out that you went to a lot of trouble to kill a weed in your yard only to learn it was a goldmine of healing powers! Plantain is just such a weed. Unless it is winter, it is probably growing in your lawn right now. There are 200 species of plantain. You will recognize it by its cluster of rounded leaves with nubby spikes rising vertically from the midst.
In North America, Native Americans learned to use plantain to treat bites of all kinds. In fact, plantain was formerly used to heal the bites of “mad dogs, snakes, and venomous creatures.” A colonial American slave could win his freedom by teaching his master, at an urgent time, how to use plantain to cure rattlesnake bite.
In 1710 an article was published, listing the many benefits of plantain leaf benefits. The list sounded like it could have been written by a traveling medicine doctor as a promo for his elixir!
How did they apply it?
They took a few fresh leaves, crushed or chewed them, and applied them to a bleeding wound. Or they would use it to alleviate the pain and inflammation of bites and stings. Plantain can also be used this way to treat a wide range of skin disorders, including eczema, dandruff, or sunburn. Plantain is like a First Aid ointment growing right in your lawn! The leaf will also relieve the pain of a toothache by chewing on it. A cup of strong plantain tea will calm indigestion. In Europe they have confirmed that plantain is a valid treatment for sore throat, bronchitis, and cold symptoms.
An unfortunate encounter with Poison Ivy or Stinging Nettles will make you glad to have some plantain nearby. It will relieve inflammation caused by bee stings, insect and spider bites, and rashes. Dr. Christopher called Plantain, Jewelweed, and Hound’s Tongue “Nature’s erasers.” He further stated, “Stand anywhere within sight of Poison Ivy, and look about. You will always see at least one of these plants, placed by the hand of God to come to your aid, if you should need it.”
Plantain will help resist damage to the liver from chemotherapy drugs as well as protect the body against tumors. Millions of people around the world count on the fiber and mucilage from the seeds of the Plantago species to be their primary fiber supplement.
plantain leaves contains allantoin, an anti-inflammatory substance that kills germs, speeds wound healing, and stimulates the growth of new skin cells. It is listed as an active ingredient in many commercial cosmetic creams and lotions.
Plantain is a must in case of physical injuries because it is a contact healer. As such, along with cayenne, and comfrey, it is essential for emergency situations to stop itching and/or bleeding, kill infection, reduce inflammation, etc.
A Plantain Ointment
Try this: make a simple ointment with olive oil, extract of fresh plantain, and a little beeswax. Apply this to skin ailments, including diaper rash. You can rub fresh plantain leaves right onto the skin to treat bug bites, eczema, poison ivy, or other minor skin irritations. Another method is to make a soothing poultice of fresh, mashed leaves and a little cool water. This will sooth sunburn. You can purchase plantain as a liquid extract and in capsule form also. For bronchial symptoms the usual dosage is one teaspoon of liquid extract three times a day, or six grams in capsules per day.
Plantain is both good for you and safe. Though some reaction to excessive amounts has been reported, there are no known reactions to normal use. Just remember to keep it cool or frozen to preserve its value.
Tags: bee stings, plantain leaf
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August 9, 2010
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Not Just a Candy
Licorice always brings to mind the red or black confection by that name, although the candy actually contains little or no real licorice. Unlike the candy, however, the licorice root is rich in value. The name licorice actually comes from two Greek words meaning ‘sweet root.’ It is also called Chinese Licorice, Sweet Licorice, Sweet Wood, Kan-ts’ao, Gan Cao, Kuo-lao, and Yasti Madhu, and others. Used in proper doses, licorice is one of the most powerful herbs available today.
The licorice plant can grow to over four feet with bluish purple and white flowers that resemble the blooms of the sweet pea. The plants are found largely in the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea. To process the root, the dried licorice roots are cleaned, ground, and then boiled until the mixture is curdled. The strong tasting extract is dried again. This is given natural flavors, then dissolved in water and formed in molds.
It Goes Back a Long Way
Licorice has been used medicinally for centuries, even millennia.
- The ancient Hindus believed it increased sexual vigor when prepared as a beverage with milk and sugar.
- Licorice has been discovered in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs, including that of Tutankhamen.
- In ancient Greece and Rome, licorice was employed as a tonic and also as a remedy for colds, sore throats, and coughs.
- As much as 3000 year ago the Chinese maintained that licorice root tea would give them strength and endurance.
- On this side of the ocean, in North American folk medicine, licorice was used as a cough suppressant, laxative, expectorant, and treatment for various cancers. Native Americans also used it to help with the pain in childbirth.
- Early pharmacists used licorice as a flavoring and sweetening agent in many of their syrups and lozenges.
- Today, licorice extracts are used in sugar free sweeteners for diabetics and those suffering from hypoglycemia.
- Recently a licorice sample dating from 756 A.D. was analyzed and found to still be potent.
- In Pontefract, Great Britain, local residents still celebrate a licorice harvest festival.
Lots of Good Chemicals
Licorice is an antibacterial immune system stimulant, but it also causes other herbs to reach their potential as well. Licorice contains the substance glycyrrhizin that is 50 times sweeter than sugar. Besides sweetening, glycyrrhizin also seems to stop the growth of many viruses such as influenza, as well as bacteria. Licorice is especially powerful against immune suppression radiation treatment, mucous membrane infections, cancers, or general fatigue.
Licorice extracts are used extensively in tonics, cough drops and syrups, laxatives, antismoking lozenges, and other preparations. They are also used as flavoring other undesirable tastes in certain medicines. This is good enough reason to have licorice on hand when your children get sick.
Glycyrrhizin is not the only potent medication in licorice. Hundreds of other healing substances have been identified in licorice. Some are flavonoids and various plant estrogens (phytoestrogens). They stimulate and regulate the adrenal glands and the pancreas. This helps control insulin. Licorice acts as a natural cortisone or as a cortisone substitute. Licorice helps injured voice muscles and improves the voice when hoarseness or throat damage occur. Licorice works for the good of the intestinal tract. It acts as a mild laxative. It also strengthens the heart and circulatory system.
More Uses for Licorice
Licorice is best known to some for its estrogenic effects, which make is a useful herb for menopause. Its antiulcer activity make it an herb of choice for both stomach and duodenal ulcer problems. Because it stimulates expectoration and heals mucous membrane systems, it has a long history of use for upper respiratory infections.
Licorice is used in treating many ailments, including (in alphabetical order) arthritis, asthma, athlete’s foot, baldness, body odor, bursitis, canker sores, chronic fatigue, depression, colds and flu, coughs, dandruff, emphysema, fungal infections, gingivitis and tooth decay, gout, heartburn, HIV, liver problems, Lyme disease, menopause, prostate enlargement, psoriasis, shingles, sore throat, tendonitis, tuberculosis, ulcers, viral infections, and yeast infections.
How to Take It
You can partake of licorice in several ways. It makes an excellent tea and tincture. Of course, it can be used in other forms. For instance, you can put ground licorice root in capsules. It can also make other treatments more palatable. Feel free to add it to dishes in small amounts so as to add nutritional value without changing the flavor.
Licorice is one of many herbs available as bulk herbs. It’s a powerful herb, therefore it should be taken with caution. Licorice interacts with many prescription drugs, if you are on other medication, consult your doctor before taking licorice.
The best way to take licorice is combined with other herbs. Licorice could cause water retention and, especially with prolonged use, could raise the blood pressure. It also can cause adrenal stimulation when you don’t want it. Finally, avoid using larger amounts of licorice internally during pregnancy or nursing.
Tags: licorice herbal, licorice root, licorice roots, licorice supplement, sore throats
Posted in Licorice, Post by: SyndicateKahuna, 1 Comment »
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