Thursday, April 23, 2009


Native to the Congo, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Gabon, this tall and possibly endangered evergreen provides a wide variety of medicinal benefits. The bark of the yohimbe was used originally to treat problems including leprosy, fever, and coughs by West Africans. It has also been used to dilate pupils, as an anesthetic, as a way to prevent heart disease, and as a hallucinogen and an aphrodisiac.

During the rainy season from May to September, Yohimbe bark is harvested. This is the time that it has the greatest alkaloid content. Yohimbe trees usually die after they have been stripped of their bark requiring the planting of numerous new trees. Yohimbe trees grow quickly and sometimes sprout from dead trees.

The alkaloid yohimbe is the main chemical in the yohimbe’s bark. Yohimbe is said to prevent various depressive disorders as it inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO) and dilates blood vessels. Yohimbe also stops alpha-2 adrenergic receptors that belong to the sympathetic nervous system. Today yohimbe is frequently used to treat erectile dysfunction. No research has been completed that supports yohimbe’s medicinal uses.

Dosage and Administration

15 to 30 mg daily of yohimbine is recommended to treat most conditions including erectile dysfunction. 5-10 drops three times daily of yohimbe bark tincture is a common supplementation.

Precautions & Side Effects

Side effects while using yohimbine and yohimbe may include nausea, increased blood pressure, dizziness, anxiety, rapid heart beat, and insomnia. You should not use yohimbe if you are pregnant, have peptic ulcers, or suffer from kidney disease. Because yohimbe can cause anxiety disorders, children and adolescents should not use it. No more than 40 mg should be taken daily or serious side effects could result.

Yohimbine and yohimbe can possibly cause birth defects or miscarriage when ingested by pregnant women. Breast-feeding women and children should not take either because they might cause anxiety disorders. Those with high blood pressure, prostate hyperplasia, or kidney diseases should refrain from taking yohimbe products because they can heighten these conditions. Schizophrenia and depression can be aggravated or triggered by yohimbine and yohimbe.

Feverfew


Feverfew is thought to alleviate pain related to menstrual cramping, arthritis, and migraines and is believed to increase appetite and cure asthma. Feverfew contains nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, niacin, and Iron.

Benefits of Feverfew

Historically feverfew has been used to manage and treat fevers as will as lessen inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. Research has recently been conducted to find if feverfew can stop migraines. Early evidence is suggesting that feverfew may prevent the severity and occurrence of migraines. However, feverfew does not seem to affect migraines that have already started. Researchers used to think that a single compound found in feverfew was what helped migraine prevention. Now research is supporting several compounds in feverfew combine to prevent migraines. Fresh feverfew is believed to be more effective than dried feverfew.

Dosage and Administration

In the past people consumed feverfew similarly to chewing tobacco, receiving nutrients from chewed leaves. This method can cause stomach and mouth irritation. Today feverfew is usually ingested in the form of extracts, capsules, and tablets made from dried feverfew; these forms do not cause irritation. Various dosages exist; clinical studies used 50 or 100 mg daily to prevent migraines. Up to 250 mg of feverfew can be taken without causing side effects. To prevent migraines, feverfew needs to be ingested for a minimum of four to six weeks.

To make feverfew tea, place one teaspoon of the dried leaves in 5 to 8 ounces of water. Boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the leaves from the tea. Drink as much tea as preferred. The tea can also be applied to the skin to work as an insect repellent.

Dandelion Root


Traditionally, dandelion has been used to cure breast illnesses, bloating, disorders of the gastrointestinal system, aching joints, and skin conditions. The leaves have large amounts of numerous vitamins, including A, C, D, and B-complexes, as well as minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon.

General Information

For many people, dandelions are simply a yard pest. However, dandelions are very rich in nutrients. Traditionally, the roots and leaves of the plant have been used as medicines for breast maladies, bloating, digestive disorders, aching joints, fevers, and skin disorders. The leaves of the plant are very rich in vitamins, including A, C, D, and B-complex. They also have high levels of minerals like iron, magnesium, zinc potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon. The most active ingredient in dandelions, eudesmanolide and germacranolide, are found only in dandelions.

Dandelion Uses and Health Benefits

The leaves of the plant are very nutrient-rich, and so they make good supplements for women who are pregnant or elderly women. Dandelion can also be used as a gentle diuretic and can decrease serum cholesterol in some people. The root can be an appetite stimulant and it can treat some digestive disorders. Today, many herbal doctors use dandelion to purify the liver and gallbladder of toxins. Research indicates that dandelions can treat pneumonia, bronchitis, and other respiratory disorders. Dandelion can improve general health, and is beneficial to the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, stomach, and other organs. Dandelion is also recommended for the treatment of tinnitus, tonsillitis, osteoporosis, abscesses, anemia, boils, mammary tumors, cirrhosis, water retention, hepatitis, jaundice, rheumatism, and warts. Dandelion may also be effective in eliminating or averting age spots. Some people also use toasted dandelion root as a healthier alternative to coffee.

Dandelion Benefits also include:

  • It is a gentle diuretic
  • It can purify the bloodstream and liver, and it can stimulate the manufacture of bile
  • It can decrease the amounts of serum cholesterol and uric acid
  • It can maximize the performance of the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, and stomach
  • It is very beneficial to menopausal women
  • It is effective in treating abscesses, anemia, boils, breast tumors, and cirrhosis of the liver
  • It may avert the development of age spots or breast cancer
Dandelion Nutritional Content

Lactupicrine, a bitter principle, tannin, inulin and a latexlike substance, polysaccharides, carotene

Side Effects/Interactions

Some individuals experience stomach pain because of hyperacidity. It is safe to use with other drugs.

Slippery Elm Bark


Elm trees are native to the Appalachian Mountains of eastern North America. Skin washes and tea were created by drying elm leaves. Natives ate the inner bark because it is high in carbohydrates and can be easily digested. The inner bark was also used to waterproof canoes, baskets, and places of living. Elm was used by colonists to make pudding, to thicken jelly, to preserve grease, and as a survival food on long trips. It was used medicinally to treat toothaches, skin injuries, gout, arthritis, stomach aches, intestinal worms, and coughs.

Uses and Indications

Slippery elm is used to relieve gastrointestinal conditions, sore throats, ulcers, and respiratory irritations today. External uses include treatment of skin conditions, vaginitis, and hemorrhoids. It can be used as a cough medicine or as a skin smoother and softener.

Dosage and Administration

500 mg capsules can be takes three times daily by adults. A decoction can be ingested with 4 to 16 ml three times daily, 5 to 20 ml one part to ten parts water taken as needed, or one part slippery elm powder from bark to eight parts water. It can also be added to oatmeal or juice. An infusion is recommended for nutritional supplementation; add 4 g of powdered bark to 500 ml of boiling water and take three times daily. For a poultice, add coarse powdered bark to boiling water. Apply topically.

Find the correct dose for a child by using their weight. Herbal dosages are generally calculated for a 150 lb adult. If a child weighs 50 lb, the correct dose is 1/3 of the adult dosage.

Do not use herbal product on children before talking to their physician. The same is recommended for adult usage.

Garlic


Garlic is grown in many areas throughout the world and is considered by herbalists to be one of the most essential and useful herbs used for medicinal purposes. Various cultures have benefited from using garlic in medicines and foods for centuries.

The Miracle of Garlic

Garlic has been used for many years to prevent health problems including colds, flu, menstrual pain, high blood pressure, coughs, gastrointestinal problems, atherosclerosis, and bronchitis. Garlic has been proven to kill various fungal infections, viruses, bacteria, and intestinal parasites. Also labeled as an antioxidant, garlic may help prevent certain cancers such as colon cancer and can improve the effectiveness of the immune system.

Garlic is most popular for its effectiveness of cardiovascular wellness. Garlic is effective treating atherosclerosis, high cholesterol, respiratory infections, and triglyceride levels.

Alliin is the primary ingredient found in garlic. This chemical is similar chemically to cysteine, an amino acid containing sulfur, and possesses no odor. After garlic is crushed, alliin is to converted into allicin, the compound that gives garlic its strong smell and numerous health benefits.

Side Effects and Possible Interactions

Garlic supplements are said to have to side effects other than the strong odor.

The combination of using garlic and warfarin may result in a greater risk of bleeding. Large doses of garlic should not be ingested when using warfarin, indomethacin, dipyridamole, aspirin, or other medications that thin the blood.

Dosage and Administration

Garlic is most commonly taken daily in capsule form containing between 1000 and 3000 mg. 0.03 to 0.12 mL of garlic oil can be taken three times a day.

Goldenseal


Goldenseal is used to ease the symptoms of problems such as indigestion, stomachache, constipation, diarrhea, ulcers, canker sores, sore throat, gingivitis, sore mouth, vaginal irritation, mild conjunctivitis, colds and flu, and earaches.

Description of Goldenseal

Goldenseal is native to forested areas of the eastern United States, mainly in the region of the Ohio River. Today it can still be found there, but is also grown in the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Goldenseal looks similar to the daisy and has a red berry that resembles a raspberry.

Berberine is the compound found in goldenseal that produces medicinal characteristics. This compound can kill various germs and has anti-bacterial effects against parasites including giardia and tapeworms and can fight yeast infections. Berberine is suspected by researchers to have the ability to activate white blood cells, helping them fight infection better. It is considered as an internal and external disinfectant.

Dosage and Usage

In capsule form, 4-6 grams daily is often recommended. 2-4 ml of goldenseal in liquid form can be taken three times each day.

A standardized extract can be taken three times a day in the amount of 250-500 mg per dose. The extract should contain 8-12% alkaloids. Use of this extract should not occur for more than three weeks. Usage should stop for a minimum of two weeks before using again.

Ginseng Root and Herb


This famous Chinese herb has been used for over 5,000 years. It was worth more than gold to the Qing Dynasty of ancient China.

Ginseng is used in thousands of formulas to provide vivacity and energy. Ginseng is used more than any other herbal remedy.

Ginseng contains nitrogenous compounds, minerals, vitamins, fat-soluble compounds, and carbohydrate compounds in its stained root. The herb is costly and not easy to produce and takes six years to reach maturity. Researchers today label ginseng as a strong immune system tonic that can uniquely affect the entire body.

Various types of ginseng include Japanese ginseng (Panax japonicum), Asian ginseng (panax ginseng), Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), and American ginseng. Asian ginseng is the most popular and grows in China, Korea, and Japan. Siberian ginseng is native to Korea, China, Japan, and Russia. America ginseng can be found in forested areas from Quebec to Minnesota and south to Georgia and Oklahoma.

American and Asian ginseng, both similar in chemical composition and appearance, are the types recognized for having healing powers. Ginseng grown in North American is often thought of as the most favorable and costly. It is grown and exported from Wisconsin, British Columbia, and Ontario.

Chamomile


Related to the daisy, chamomile is indigenous to regions of Europe and western Asia. One type of the herb, German chamomile, is the type that is most often used as an herbal remedy. Chamomile had been used for centuries to treat many disorders of the gastrointestinal system. Chamomile is still used today.

Chamomile had been used by numerous ancient peoples, including Rome, Greece, and Egypt, who used chamomile to treat many maladies including fevers, stomach pain, and stroke. Chamomile is very popular in Germany, where it is called “the cure-all cure.” In America, chamomile is also very commonly used to soothe, relax, and aid sleep. German chamomile is also very commonly used to treat problems like bloating, nausea, or stomach pain.

Other benefits include soothing colds, helping wounds or abscesses heal, reducing gum inflammation, treating skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema, and treating ulcerative colitis. Chamomile can also be taken as teas, soaks, or ointments to treat children’s maladies like chicken pox, diaper rash, and colic. Generally, chamomile is taken as soon as symptoms manifest themselves. If it is taken for ulcers, heartburn, or other serious problems and symptoms persist, see a professional as soon as possible.

German chamomile consists of 1-2% volatile oils like alpha-bisabolol, alpha-bisabolol oxides A & B, and matricin (usually converted to chamazulene), and other active ingredients like apigenin, luteolin, and quercetin, which are flavonoids. All of these make chamomile effective in treating inflammation, muscle pain, spasms, and as a relaxant.

Dosage and Administration

1-2 milliliters of the glycerate type of German chamomile can be used 1-2 times per day as an antispasmodic or anti-inflammatory. When it’s taken for ulcers, stomach disorders, heartburn, or gas, 2-3 grams of German chamomile can be brewed into a tea by steeping in boiling water for 10 minutes. The tea can be taken regularly, up to four times per day.

To soothe lungs in extremely cold temperatures, add a few drops of essential oil to boiling water and breathe deeply.

To treat hemorrhoids, wounds, skin disorders, or insect bites, pour a quarter-pound of dried blossoms into a bath and soak. Or, use alcohol extracts of chamomile in the bath.

Side Effects and Precautions

Chamomile can be used internally or externally, but keep it away from the eyes.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Acne Herbal Remedies

Acne Herbal Remedies - Not Magic, But Are Worth Trying Anyway

Since there are no known magical solutions available that will help to prevent an outbreak of acne, it has therefore become necessary to find suitable
and alternative treatment methods that will help ease the burden of suffering from acne. Some acne treatment formulae have now been developed that
have resulted in the creation of acne herbal remedies and these are worth looking into in some more detail. Giving acne herbal remedies a chance
may well prove to be one of the smartest decisions that you will ever make and it will in fact also be sure to provide a wonderfully effective alternative
to using Clearasil.
Different From Creams And Gels
Facial scrubs, gels, and creams that most people usually use to fight their acne are very different from herbal acne remedies. These natural remedies
do not contain harsh ingredients that can harm your skin.
Acne herbal remedies can remove dirt as well as oil from your face without much fuss or ado. Another endearing quality about acne herbal remedies is
that they act gently on the skin as well as the face, and if you have tried drugstore acne creams and gels without success, then there is no better
solution than these herbal remedies.
Fortunately, finding suitable acne herbal remedies is not difficult though you will need to choose a remedy that works well with your particular skin type
and which must also be natural. As long as you can avoid becoming discouraged and are willing to experiment, sooner rather than later, you should hit
on a suitable acne herbal remedies that will do the job for you.
There are many herbal acne treatment options available to you; you just have to decide which one to go with. For some people just washing their
faces with lime and milk works wonders for their acne. Pore-cleansing astringents can also be an effective form of herbal acne treatment.
You need not be too surprised if, after having used acne herbal remedies, you find that your skin has become a little parched because this can happen
and it only requires moistening the skin with the help of some Almond or Jojoba oil to overcome this minor problem.
Remember that there are ways to get rid of acne scarring besides just plastic surgery. Some at home acne scar treatments are very effective and can
help you make your skin look fresh and healthy. At the same time, you will be saving yourself lots of money on costly scar removal treatments.
About the Author
Are you looking for a natural acne treatment that actually work? Check out the Acne Squad website. You'll find plenty of helpful tips and advice for
dealing with acne problems.
Source: http://www.cothivalebooks.com

Which Herbal Remedies Work Quickly to Stop Bacterial Vaginosis?

It you are suffering by now you're wondering which herbal remedies work quickly to stop bacterial vaginosis. To kill off harmful organisms use garlic, tea tree oil, goldenseal, barberry and slippery elm. These ingredients are especially good in ridding you of your infection. They will disinfect the vagina and vulva and the astringent properties will dry the discharge up the same day.

Along with those ingredients, yogurt will help in conjunction with the herbal remedies working quickly to stop your bv infection. It will soothe the irritated areas and the Acidophilous will work to fight against the bad bacteria and bring your ph levels back to normal. And regularly eating yogurt will prevent the this from returning.

Never ignore any vaginal infection. Let untreated it can spread to the uterus and sometimes even work itself into the bloodstream.

Every woman has special immune cells designed to fight off infection but if your immune system is down those infection fighting cells stop working for you. So now that you're suffering from bacterial vaginosis you must learn to adjust your lifestyle and include some herbal remedies to work quickly and stop the vaginosis and prevent any recurrence.

A great herbal remedy to utilize is a tonic that can be steeped as a tea and consumed over a weekend to quickly eliminate the suffering.

Combine burdock root with Echinacea root and some fresh ginger with a quart of water and boil for a few minutes. Let it simmer and steep to bring out all the medicinal properties you need then drink 4 cups for 2 days. This herbal remedy can also be used as a compress to soothe an irritated vagina.

The next essential item we need is probiotics. Probiotics ward off so many problems that medical scientists are now furthering their research. However when women ask which herbal remedies work quickly to stop the bacterial vaginosis, probiotics are a staple ingredient.

Preventing re-infection is especially important for anyone who knows the embarrassment and frustration of dealing with bacterial vaginosis. While there are various options to choose from, the only one that will eliminate BV is natural home remedies.

If you're suffering from this infection and you're finally seeking herbal remedies that work quickly to stop the bacterial vaginosis, choose natural remedies that control it instantly.

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Bacterial Vaginitis Herbal Cure

Guidelines for the prevention of vaginitis do exist but, in reality, most women are going to have it treated if and when they get it. Bacterial vaginitis is simply in imbalance of different types of bacteria in the vagina, which can occur for a number of reasons, and is easily, quickly and cheaply treated using a herbal cure.

The use of antibiotics in the treatment of BV is now being discouraged by those at the forefront of medical research. It has been well known for some time that antibiotics have a short-term, and sometimes long-term, deteriorating effect on the body's immune system. So it goes that the less they are used, the better. A herbal cure is ideally suited to a problem area like bacterial vaginitis, so that is what is being promoted more and more.

Kate Sutherland, PR director for Ipsos Medical Journal, says:

Uptake of a herbal cure for bacterial vaginitis has never been greater in OECD countries. These are not ancient bush remedies which may have no place in modern medical science. Rather, they have undergone rigorous scientific laboratory testing. Promoters of these types of treatment normally have their own peculiar tweaks which they have tried and tested themselves, but almost all are based on the same scientific properties. This is alternative medicine at its best.

The Herbal Alternative

Always follow a professional guide if you want to use a herbal cure for bacterial vaginitis. Most experts want around 30 dollars for their e-book, but it is money well spent. Plus, there is normally extra advice concerning diet, exercise and the like. Most offer a 60 day money back guarantee and come with additional alternative remedy books for other problem areas.

Herbal remedies are ideal for BV. The normal balance between the vagina's bacteria is quickly addressed. There are no side effects and the body's immune system is strengthened. As well as the infusions and tinctures, topical creams can be made to immediately dispel all the itchiness and stinging sensation. The herbs are cheap, typically $4 to $5 for a month's supply, and easy to buy from health shops or over the internet.

A good tip is to ensure that the herbs you purchase are pure. Always cross reference them with your guide and try to ensure accurate dosages. All the utensils needed should be found in any modern domestic kitchen.


Top Herbal Remedies

Are you one of the millions of Americans who struggle with either simple or complex medical conditions on a regular basis? Chronic conditions are abundant and vary from high blood pressure to obesity to diabetes. Often, if you have one or more of these conditions, you are simply prescribed some medication and sent on your way. Sometimes, you may be offered additional assistance with an organization dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyle education, as well.

What you will be unlikely to receive from your doctor is information on top herbal remedies. These so-called alternative therapies are not generally considered part of the mainstream western medicine process, so if you do not do your own research, you will not be likely to know much about them. However, alternative treatments for all sorts of conditions have been around for centuries and can often offer a lot of benefits for specific conditions as well as overall general health.

If you are not getting the relief you want or just want to learn more about different ways of taking care of your body, it pays to become informed about alternative treatments. Should you begin undertaking natural cures, you should definitely inform your doctor about any and all supplements you are taking.

Some top herbal remedies include: garlic vegicaps or other garlic products for high blood pressure, Echinacea for stimulating white blood cells and fighting the common cold, rosemary and St. John's Wort for assisting with depression, sage for improving memory, and clover for breathing difficulties.

This is by no means an all-inclusive list, and many herbs can be useful for more than one type of health concern. Whatever issue most plagues you, there is probably a treatment that can be beneficial, and although the majority of western medicine professionals will not regularly provide information about them, some definitely do, and there are other sources of information readily available. You are encouraged to do a little research and consult professionals in natural, homeopathic, or alternative medicine as an adjunct to traditional health care.

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Treatment For Acne 4 Herbal Aids

Treatment For Acne - 4 Herbal Aids By Ingrid Lihan

Treatment for acne that is more unusual may be considered by some to be old wives tales, often have a basis in fact. There is no doubt that herbal aids for most conditions, including the condition of acne have been around for a lot longer than the modern scientific marvels being used in acne treatments today. In most instances, the treatments under the heading of herbal aids are for external application. Here are some of the more unusual treatments that have been proposed and used over the years. These are herbal remedies in some instances have been found to be effective through scientific study.

Milk and Lime

One of the more unusual treatment for acne recipes provides for squeezing limes for the fresh lime juice and mixing the juice to a glass of boiled milk. This mixture can then be used as a face wash to be applied directly on cracked skin or where there are blackheads, whiteheads or pimples. While the mixture sounds thoroughly repulsive, there are probably some slight benefits to the mixture in the vitamin C in the lime juice especially since the juice is freshly squeezed. Boiled milk is obviously not going to contain bacteria so it could be considered a cleansing agent. The acidity of the lime also acts as an antibacterial agent.

Mango

Another little known treatment for acne is that of mango. Mangoes are useful as a dietary component to improve the bodies intake of vitamin C among other factors, but they can also be used in various ways as an herbal remedy in topical applications. For example, a pureed mango is often used as a cooling and soothing facial mask. The freshly prepared mixture is patted onto the skin. The mixture is removed through gentle rinsing after approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

Raw Potatoes

Raw potatoes make an unusual, yet supposedly effective treatment for acne lesions. The operational theory for this type of remedy is that there are enzymes that are contained in the pulp of the raw potato. When a potato is ground, shredded or grated and rubbed on the skin, it puts direct enzymes, starch and Vitamin C on the skin damaged by acne lesions and helps to cure the condition quickly. The number and size of pimples, whiteheads and blackheads is significantly reduced through the use of this acne remedy. Best of all, it only requires a short time to see a significant improvement when using raw potatoes.

Almond Oil

A popular treatment for acne dry skin is that of almond oil. The oil can be mixed with any of various other binding agents such as oatmeal, and used as a cleansing and healing mask to smooth on the skin of the face and shoulders. A few drops of almond oil applied directly on the skin is a beneficial and inexpensive aromatherapy tool. Since such a limited amount of the oil is needed to accomplish positive results, it cannot be blamed for clogging the pores as some other types of oil products do.