Why the Institutions of Western Finance and Western Medicine are Both Doomed to Fail

 General  No Responses »
Sep 302008
 

No, this article is strictly speaking not about herbal household remedies, but it spells out reasons why we all better wise up quickly on how to survive, medically and otherwise, when the system has crashed.  Be prepared.

Via: NaturalNews

Here at NaturalNews, we’ve been publicly predicting the fall of Western Medicine for nearly five years. During that time, we’ve also covered the increasingly precarious financial situation, warning readers in 2005 and 2006 about the impending housing bubble crash and the implications for the entire financial system.

In covering these two topics (western medicine and western finance), I’ve come to recognize many strong parallels between the two. This article explores the common threads of deception that characterize these two powerful institutions.

Full Story

 Posted by at 8:29 pm  Tagged with: ,

Stop sneezing! Natural ways to combat allergies

 General  3 Responses »
Sep 232008
 

If you haven’t tried Dr. Garber’s Natural Solutions for Allergy yet, it might be a good way to go.  Or try the all natural advice given in the article below.

Via: ColoradoDaily.com

Achoo!

Lately, sage has been high. Grass, ragweed, tumbleweed and molds are moderate. And pine’s a bit low, according to Boulder Asthma and Allergy Clinics P.C.

If you suffer from allergies, chances are you already know this.

Bad news. Those over-the-counter allergy medications could end up worsening the symptoms over time.

Karen Falbo, the nutritional program coordinator for Vitamin Cottage’s 27 stores, says the medicine is just suppressing immune substances in the body, not allowing it to have a normal reaction.

“Pharmecuetical medications are more suppressive by nature, versus many herbal or natural remedies,” Falbo says. “In fact, most people will actually get worse . . . because it doesn’t fix the problem.”

Good news. Instead, Falbo says the best bet is going with natural, homeopathic, herbal therapies and enzymes to actually treat the symptoms — not just cover them up.

“A homeopathic remedy has the potential to reduce (allergies) over the long term,” Falbo says.

But there’s a big but. In addition to natural remedies, a good diet and proper functioning organs and glands may be the most important factor.

What does this all have to do with sneezing?

Full Story

 Posted by at 6:18 pm  Tagged with:

Rational Use of Herbal Therapies: the 5 most commonly used herbs

 echinacea, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, St John's Wort  2 Responses »
Sep 192008
 

Via: Baltimore Health Examiner

Americans love herbs. Consumer use of herbal therapies increased 380% from 1990-1997, and it continues to rise. Many people, especially those wary of pharmaceuticals, believe that herbs are safe and free of side effects. Others appreciate the control that herbs offer – no visits to the doctor are required.

Americans use herbs to treat acute problems such as colds and more chronic problems such as depression and memory loss. Five of the most common herbs are:

1. Echinacea
Generally used at the first sign of a cold as an immune system stimulant. It isn’t appropriate for long-term use and shouldn’t be used by people on immunosuppressants.
2. Ginseng
Gineng is used for many purposes, often relating to alertness, energy and mental functioning. Some people believe that it can stimulate the immune system and possibly even decrease the risk of cancer.
3. Garlic
Garlic is often used to decrease cholesterol and high blood pressure. It may also thin the blood and can interact with other blood thinners. There is some evidence that regular use of garlic may decrease the risk of cancer.
4. Ginko Biloba
Ginko is generally used for memory loss and dementia syndromes such as Alzheimer’s disease.
5. St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort is sometimes thought of as ‘mini-Prozac’ and is used for mild depression.

Herbs are popular and generally safe, but some cautions are appropriate. Since many herbs are biologically active, they can have side effects and interact with other medications. Before using any herb, be sure to educate yourself about its use. There are many internet resources with excellent information about commonly used herbs. Two good ones are The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and AltMD.

One of the problems with herbal therapies in the U.S. is that they are not closely regulated by the FDA. Consumer protection studies have been done to evaluate the correlation between stated contents and actual contents in various herbal formulations and the results were disturbing. Many pills had less of the active ingredient then stated, and some actually contained none of the listed herb at all.

There is no definite way to determine which companies are most reliable, but common sense can help a bit. Don’t buy herbs from a deep discount store and be wary of small internet companies. If you find a product that works for you, try to stick with the same brand. And if you tried one brand of an herb but had no result, you could consider trying another brand before giving up.

If you don’t feel confident choosing an herbal plan yourself, there are resources to help you. You could ask your physician for help however, while some physicians are knowledgeable about herbal therapies, many are not. Consider visiting either an Integrative Medicine physician or a Naturopath. We have both available in Baltimore.

Be well.

 Posted by at 9:44 am  Tagged with:

Natural Remedies and Repellents for Biting and Stinging Insects

 General  No Responses »
Sep 152008
 

Via: NaturalNews

It’s summer time and not only is the sun out in abundance, so are the bugs — and some of them come with a bite (or a sting). The good news is that there is plenty of natural relief for such annoying bites and stings.

First, however, a bit of caution is in order: make sure that the person bitten/stung does not have abnormal swelling or otherwise show signs of a serious allergic reaction. If they do, call 9-1-1, because some people can die from bites/stings if they are not treated immediately.

For most common insect bites or stings, the following suggestions should do the trick and provide fast relief and healing:

* Tea tree oil or tobacco. If you are stung, remove stinger if there is one. apply tea tree oil liberally in a circular motion surrounding the entry point — be gentle touching the point of entry! Let dry and the pain and swelling should ease in two to three minutes. Re-apply if needed. As a last resort, use some wet chewing tobacco, or wet cigarette tobacco and apply the same way to the affected area. Make sure the tobacco is juicy before you rub it on. Tobacco contains a mild analgesic and should ease the pain.

* Baking soda. Mix baking soda with water to form a paste. Apply the paste and cover with a gauze bandage or paper towel and tape. Leave on for one half hour or more until pain is gone.

* Relieve the itch from bug bites with an onion. The sulfur in onions neutralizes the chemicals that cause the itch. Simply slice a yellow onion in half and rub one of the cut sides on the bite. The itching should stop immediately. Refrigerate the onion in a sealed container to use again if the itching resumes. Make a fresh slice before reapplying it.

* Vinegar. Good for spider bites too. Soak a cotton ball in vinegar and place it over the spider/bug bite. If you get bites on your hand or foot, put the soaked cotton ball in a bag and put your infected hand/foot in the bag over night. Make sure that the bag is not tight around the wrist/ankle. As an alternative, you may hold the soaked cotton ball in place by a band aid. By morning, the swelling and/or soreness should be gone as if you had hardly been bitten at all.

* Other insect bite/sting remedies include mustard, ammonia, tomato slices, potato slices, and fresh garlic pieces or minced.

Brown recluse bites

Brown recluse bites are not your ordinary bite and can be very dangerous. If you get a bite that swells like a boil, with a red center that quickly hardens over, Do Not try to squeeze or press on the swollen area or pick at it — you will only end up spreading the poison.

* For such bites, mix ground bromelain (or pineapple pulp), fresh garlic juice, tea tree oil and MSM together into a paste and apply to bite area and surrounding area liberally. Cover with a bandage and keep covered all day, changing as often as needed to keep the medicine on the area.

* Also take 250 mg bromelain capsules two to three times per day, drink plenty of water, and eat plenty of raw garlic.

* A good homeopathic/herbal medicine to use is ledum pallustre. Continue all treatments until redness and swelling are gone. If swelling and redness continue to grow, seek medical attention.

The above regimen was used successfully twice by the author with superior results to the mainstream medical treatment he received with a previous brown recluse bite.

To help keep pesky bugs at bay, here is an all natural insect repellent recipe from herbalist Debra Nuzzi-St. Claire:

* 1/2 ounce citronella oil

* 1/4 ounce lavender oil

* 1/8 ounce pennyroyal oil

* 1/8 ounce tea tree oil

* 1/8 ounce jojoba oil

Do not use this blend undiluted on your skin. For use on the skin, follow these instructions for diluting:

* To make an insect repellent oil that can be used on your body, add 16 ounces of jojoba or almond oil to the base oil mixture and blend thoroughly.

* For an insect repellent spray, add 16 ounces of vodka to the base oil mixture, pour into a spray bottle, and shake before using.

For more natural and home remedies, see: (http://www.tbyil.com/remedies.htm)

Live long, live healthy, live happy!

 Posted by at 11:32 am  Tagged with: ,

Study: Surgery does not help knee osteoarthritis!

 omega-3  2 Responses »
Sep 122008
 

Via: foodconsumer.org

The routine knee surgery neither provides any pain relief nor improves knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis, according to a new study published in the Sep. 11th issue of the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.

“This study provides definitive evidence that arthroscopic surgery provides no additional therapeutic value when added to physical therapy and medication for patients with moderate osteoarthritis of the knee,” said study co-author Dr. Brian Feagan, Clinical Trials Director at the Robarts Research Institute and professor of Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry at The University of Western Ontario.

Osteoarthritis affects an estimated 27 million Americans and one in every ten Canadians. Knee osteoarthritis leads to 418,000 knee replacement procedures annually and in 2006 accounted for 496,000 hospital discharges and spent $19 billion in hospital charges, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study followed for two years 178 men and women at an average of 60 who lived in London, Canada and had moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee. All patients received physical therapy and medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen and 86 percent of them also received surgery consisting of lavage and arthroscopic debridement.

The researchers found all patients improved their condition with regard to joint pain, stiffness, and function. But surgery did not offer any additional benefit.

Full Story

 Posted by at 2:35 pm  Tagged with:

Debating Alternative Medicine

 General  1 Response »
Sep 102008
 

For those who are interested in the book they are discussion I put a link to it into the sidebar.

Via: WBUR and NPR’s On Point with Tom Ashbrook

Millions of Americans are turning to acupuncture, homeopathy and herbal remedies to treat everything from headaches to constipation to cancer. Alternative medicine is a multi-billion dollar global business — offering the promise of natural healing and a comforting antidote to the cold bed-side manner of those white smocked MDs.

But a new book by a pair of skeptics is fueling a raging debate about its value. They say most treatments are unproven and untested — no better than a placebo at best, and potentially crippling at worst.

This hour, On Point: “Trick or Treatment” — the facts about alternative medicine.

Read More

 Posted by at 8:24 pm  Tagged with:

Fish Oil Could Save 70,000 Lives Each Year

 omega-3  No Responses »
Sep 102008
 

Via: BASIL & SPICE

(…)
Even though the two fatty acids in salmon, DHA and EPA, are among the most important compounds in human nutrition, they’re not technically essential fatty acids. Why? Because the body actually can make them from another omega-3 fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid, which is essential. But what the body can do and what it actually does do are two different things. Even if you’re taking in plenty of alpha-linolenic acid from flaxseed (which most people aren’t doing to begin with), very little of the alpha-linolenic acid actually converts to DHA and EPA, so you wind up noticeably lacking in these two incredibly important nutrients. And that’s not a good thing at all.

This is especially tragic because it’s so simple to get enough DHA and EPA. They’re packaged together in one tidy food: salmon. DHA and EPA work together brilliantly. And their combined benefits to your health are beyond stunning. Hundreds of studies show that the omega-3 fatty acids found in salmon benefit the heart and the brain, improving both mood and behavior.

Full Story

 Posted by at 8:03 pm  Tagged with:

Antibacterial Cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa: A Structure

 marijuana  No Responses »
Sep 052008
 

It is a legitimate question to ask: Why do so many governments insist on marijuana being a dangerous drug and therefore illegal ? The benefits of this herb are probably underestimated considerably.

Via: Activity Study

Marijuana (Cannabis sativa) has long been known to contain antibacterial cannabinoids, whose potential to address antibiotic resistance has not yet been investigated. All five major cannabinoids (cannabidiol (1b), cannabichromene (2), cannabigerol (3b), Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (4b), and cannabinol (5)) showed potent activity against a variety of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains of current clinical relevance. Activity was remarkably tolerant to the nature of the prenyl moiety, to its relative position compared to the n-pentyl moiety (abnormal cannabinoids), and to carboxylation of the resorcinyl moiety (pre-cannabinoids). Conversely, methylation and acetylation of the phenolic hydroxyls, esterification of the carboxylic group of pre-cannabinoids, and introduction of a second prenyl moiety were all detrimental for antibacterial activity. Taken together, these observations suggest that the prenyl moiety of cannabinoids serves mainly as a modulator of lipid affinity for the olivetol core, a per se poorly active antibacterial pharmacophore, while their high potency definitely suggests a specific, but yet elusive, mechanism of activity.

Download the full text as pdf or html here

 Posted by at 2:59 pm  Tagged with:

Conquer effects of celiac disease with smart diet

 General  No Responses »
Sep 032008
 

Via: statesville.com

Celiac disease — a genetically inherited digestive and autoimmune disease — affects an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. It is the only autoimmune disease of which the trigger is known. That trigger is dietary.

An autoimmune disorder, by definition, is a condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. There are more than 80 different autoimmune disorders. Examples of other autoimmune disorders include type 1 diabetes, lupus, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

In the case of celiac disease, the dietary trigger is the consumption of foods with wheat, rye or barley (in particular, the proteins in these grains called prolamins). These grains are in most mainstream types of spaghetti, bread, cereal, crackers, flour, beer, imitation fish, seasoned chips, soups, soy sauce, french fries, communion wafers, cookies, pizza crust and more. There are many obvious sources of prolamins, while others may be more hidden such as in vitamins, medicines, envelope adhesive and condiments.

On a side note, the word “gluten” is generally used to identify the prolamins in wheat, barley, rye and triticale (a cross between wheat and rye), even though the gluten protein itself is only found in wheat.

When the gluten source is from an unsafe grain, it must be avoided by those with celiac disease.

Full Story

 Posted by at 8:56 am  Tagged with: ,

Low-Carb Diets Better Than Low-Fat

 General  No Responses »
Sep 022008
 

Via: Epoch Times

By Dr. John Briffa

In the world of nutrition, not everyone shares the same opinion. Perhaps the most stark and common example of this concerns the relative amounts of carbohydrate and fat we should have in our diets.

The conventional view is that the diet should be low in fat and high in carbs. Fat, we are told, makes us fat, so eating less of it is the sure-fire way to keep lean and healthy. On the other hand, some argue that it’s not too much fat that makes us fat, but too much carbohydrate. Such individuals will advocate a low-carb diet, which may (but may not) end up being quite rich in fat.

In this column I have referred to studies that show that low-carb diets outshine low-fat ones in the weight-loss stakes. I’m not aware of one single study that found a low-fat diet to be superior in this respect.

Those that cling to the idea that low-fat is the way to go will very often resort to claiming that low-carb diets are unhealthy, often on the basis that their sometimes high-fat content will put people at risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart disease and stroke. I have to say I’m unmoved by this argument for two main reasons.

Full Story

 Posted by at 1:14 pm  Tagged with:

Taking care before and after surgery

 arnica, General  No Responses »
Sep 022008
 

Via: North Island Midweek

By Ingrid Pincott

The word is getting around that naturopathic physicians offer pre- and post-surgery care.

Sometimes surgery is unavoidable or highly desirable and patients want as much support as possible to speed the healing time and make the experience as painless as possible.

This care is also very effective for dental procedures and surgery.

1. The first goal is to aid with pain management. The two homeopathic remedies that provide great support are Arnica and Hypericum.

Arnica is a well-known remedy used to treat trauma of any kind including emotional trauma. Hypericum is a great remedy to help with nerve trauma and pain and is used commonly after dental surgery.

Another remedy I use with good success is a natural anti-inflammatory composed of a mixture of bromelain, curcumin and quercitin.

This remedy is usually only required in therapeutic dosages for the first few weeks post operatively.

2. The liver is the major blood filtration organ of the body. It takes quite a hit from the anesthetic drugs used during surgery.

Providing liver supporting herbs such as milk thistle and chelidonium will increase the metabolism of these drugs for speedier recovery. For some the most traumatic part of surgery is getting over the anesthetic. I suggest that people take these remedies up to two weeks before surgery as well as afterwards for several months.

3. The adrenal glands are the major organ to help deal with stress and of course surgery is a very stressful event for the body. These glands can take longer than the liver to recover post-operatively.

There are many very effective remedies for the adrenal glands including the wonderful Russian herb, rhodiola. However vitamin C can be a simple and useful remedy to aid the adrenal glands and healing in general when taken post operatively in therapeutic dosages for months at a time.

Sue, 45, was heading in for microscopic surgery to remove her gallbladder. I outlined the remedies (mentioned above) for her and also suggested that she make up ginger juice to help with the nausea and digestion after surgery.

Two cups of raw ginger are boiled in one gallon of purified water for one hour then consumed either hot or cold with a little stevia and lemon or lime to flavour. This can also be mixed with organic gingerale.

If her appetite was low I suggested she use the Greens First Smoothie mixed with a protein powder to provide her with the antioxidants equivalent to 10 cups of fruits and vegetables.

Once Sue recovered I added a bile supplement to her nutritional program to take the rest of her life.

This aids the production of bile by the liver, now that she no longer had the gallbladder where the bile is stored for fat metabolism.

Several months later I suggested a two-week cleansing program to further aid the function of the kidney, liver and bowel.

She told me her surgeon was delighted on how quickly she bounced back and she was glad that she was one of those patients who felt a lot better having her gallbladder removed.

 Posted by at 12:34 pm  Tagged with:

Ask the Experts – Menopause

 General  No Responses »
Sep 022008
 

Via: redOrbit

Q I’m 53 and have reached the menopause. My periods are lighter and less frequent, and I feel tired most of the time because my sleep is disturbed by several hot flushes during the night. I’m also irritable, forgetful and often feel anxious. What can I do to help myself get through this?

A What you are experiencing are normal symptoms of the menopause – that time in our lives where hormone levels decrease and periods eventually stop.

Your symptoms will improve naturally as your menopause progresses, but to help you along there are a number of things you can do.

Treat yourself with herbs that contain phytoestrogens.

Phytoestrogens are plant compounds similar to the oestrogen and progesterone produced naturally by the body.

They will not act as quickly as synthetic hormones, but they do have lasting effects and will help in balancing out lowered hormone levels. Red clover, chaste berry, Chinese angelica, wild yam, Motherwort and Schizandra are just some of the herbs available.

Try Motherwort or chamomile for anxiety. Oats are also useful and can be easily incorporated in the diet as muesli, porridge or flapjacks.

Passion flower, valerian or Californian poppy are all helpful where sleep is a problem. Try any of these herbs, taking a dose just before you go to bed. If you are using a tincture, then 5ml to 10ml at bedtime should be enough, but you can repeat the dose once in the night if needed. A few drops of essential oil of lavender on your pillow will also help relax you and assist sleep.

On a practical note concerning flushes: Low blood sugar can also make hot flushes worse, so eat regularly throughout the day, avoiding food high in sugar.

Eat foods that will slowly release sugars, such as nuts, fruit and whole grains; Stress can affect flushes, so reduce levels by taking regular exercise and include time for relaxation. Exercise is also essential for maintaining strong bones; Summer can make flushes worse, so avoid tight clothes and wear layers to allow you to remove some clothing when you get hot.

 Posted by at 12:16 pm  Tagged with: ,

Honey Is a Natural Alternative to Harmful Cough Medicines

 honey  No Responses »
Aug 292008
 

Via: NaturalNews

By Jo Hartley
Wife, Mother of 8, and Grandmother of 2

With the current call for a ban of all cough medicines for children age 6 and under by an expert panel of the FDA, it’s helpful to understand why these cough medicines are being reevaluated and to explore alternative remedies.

The cough medicines are being recalled because they don’t work well and the incidences of drug overdose for the children who use them are too high.

The good news is that there are effective alternatives. One of the best home remedies for a variety of issues is honey. Honey has been shown to be a safe natural remedy.

Researchers at Penn State University conducted a study on honey’s effectiveness for treating coughs in children. Children with cough symptoms were divided into three groups. One group was given nothing, the second group was given a cough suppressant containing dextromethorphan DM, and the third group was given a spoonful of honey before bed. Honey was found to be significantly better for quieting coughs, compared to the DM or no treatment groups.

Honey is a rich source of antioxidants and anti-microbial compounds that are very beneficial for healing. Honey also soothes the throat by coating the area that is irritated. Honey has the added benefit of tasting good!

Dosage: Children ages 2 to 5 can have a half teaspoon; ages 6 to 12 can have a teaspoon; and ages 12 and over can have two teaspoons. It may be helpful to follow the honey with warm decaffeinated tea.
Honey also contains strong natural antiseptics that can be both eaten and used topically on wounds. Many countries recognize the healing properties of honey, including England, France, Japan, Austria and New Zealand. Their practice is to keep honey available as one of the best home remedies.

You can spread it on scraped knees and administer it whenever a sore throat is felt to be coming on. It’s used to control ulcers by preventing the buildup of H-pylori in the stomach. It’s used for acid reflux as an effective remedy. It’s even been touted for its ability to heal leg ulcers in patients with diabetes.

New research is also revealing the unusual antibacterial activity unique to honey. This has led to a greater understanding of the capability of honey to kill certain bacteria through different mechanisms.

* Honey has even been effective against many different drug resistant bacteria, including E. coli.

* Honey has been observed attacking E. coli bacteria in ways that render the bacteria defenseless.

* Honey has been able to kill not only the E. coli bacteria, but other types of bacteria as well.

One of the strongest and most effective kinds of honey is manuka honey (made from the manuka flower). This honey has proven itself the most effective cure for acid reflux. Clover honey and other honeys are effective as well, but to a slightly lesser extent. Researchers have even discovered that manuka honey has been shown to prevent and fight some of the super bugs currently invading hospitals.

Not only does honey possess significant antibacterial qualities, it is also effective in promoting healing by directly stimulating cells necessary in immune response for disease fighting and wound healing.

Honey is the one sweetener that offers not only life-giving qualities that are unique, but also a sweetness that is absolutely natural.

 Posted by at 9:47 am  Tagged with:

A closer look at natural sleep remedies

 General  No Responses »
Aug 292008
 

Via: nbc.com

From prescription drugs to over the counter, it seems a lot of people take something to help them get to sleep.

Many natural food stores promise they have products that will help you get a good night’s rest without the risk of side effects or dependency.

Jennifer Simpson-Green has been using natural sleep aids for more than five years.

She’s a nutritionist and massage therapist at New Life Natural Foods on Washington Road in Augusta.

“I tried everything from melatonin and then I started adding chamomile and passion flower for sedation,” said Green.

Melatonin is a natural chemical our body uses to help us sleep better.

Green said you can use it alone, but she uses Sleep Assure… a natural combination of valerian root, chamomile, passion flower and melatonin.

“Within 15-20 minutes after I take it, you start to feel like you just got done working out and you’re kind of tired and then after that, you realize your mind isn’t racing quite so much,” said Green.

Green said you don’t get that groggy feeling or hangover effect that some sleep aids cause.

She said they can also take a toll on your body.

“A lot of medication has a synthetic base to it and that gets trapped in your lymph system and if your lymph system can’t process naturally then you have a side effect from that,” said Green.

The Lymphatic System helps with removing fluid from the body, circulation and helps with your immune system.

Green said since natural remedies are usually made up of chemicals already in our body, they’re easier to digest.

Doctors say if you’ve been on a sleep medication for a long period of time, you should check with them before going off of it. And you should always consult with your physician to see what works best for you.

 Posted by at 7:32 am  Tagged with:

How to Dry Herbs

 General  No Responses »
Aug 292008
 

Via: informativepost.com

By: Willow Sidhe

Drying herbs from your garden or herbs that you have gathered from the wild is extremely easy and will help preserve vital properties and nutrients. Herbs should be dried as soon as they are picked to prevent loss of beneficial properties.

When gathering herbs to dry, it’s best to pick them early in the morning but after the dew has dissipated. Do not gather herbs to dry after the sun has become too hot. The optimal time for gathering is around 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Make sure the herbs have not been sprayed with pesticides or poisons of any kind. This will diminish the healing properties of the herbs. Also, check to be sure the herbs are free of disease or insect infestation.

If the herbs are dirty, it’s best to brush them with a soft bristled brush to remove excess dirt. However, if a brush won’t do the job, you can rinse them quickly in cool water and immediately pat dry with a clean cloth.

To dry herbs by hanging them, gather about five to ten stems of one herb and bundle them together. Secure the ends together with a piece of twine, string or a rubber band. Do not dry more than one type of herb in the same bundle. Hang the bundles upside down in a well-ventilated area. Do not expose them to direct or bright light or too much heat. The temperature should be kept somewhere between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal drying conditions. Leave at least one foot of space between each hanging bundle to promote good circulation of air and enhance the drying process. If you are not completely certain you’ll know which herb is which after drying, you might want to label the bundles to avoid confusion.

The amount of time needed to dry each herb depends on the herb. Some take longer than others. It may take as little as three days or as much as three weeks. You’ll know the herb is sufficiently dry when the leaves or petals are brittle but not so brittle that they shatter upon touching. Avoid over-drying herbs as this can lessen the healing properties of the herb.

Although drying herbs by the hanging method is recommended, if you are short on space you can also dry them on screens. Remove the leaves and/or petals from the stem of the herb and spread them out in a single layer over a screen. Make sure you leave enough room between the pieces to allow for circulation of air. Do not dry more than one type of herb on a screen. If using this method, you’ll need a separate screen for each type of herb or use something as a barrier between different types.

Again, the time required to dry herbs on screens will vary. Check to see if they are brittle before storing the herbs. And, avoid over-drying. Once your herbs are sufficiently dry, store them in lidded glass containers in a cool dry place. Shelf life will vary depending on the herb but dried herbs generally last between six months to one year.

 Posted by at 7:24 am  Tagged with: ,

Herbal Products Sold Online Contaminated in 20 Percent of Cases

 General  No Responses »
Aug 272008
 

See, this is why it is so important to grow your own herbs and not to rely on what you can buy in the store, but to remember Grandma’s old-time remedies and pass the knowledge on down the generations.

Via: Bloomberg.com: Science

By David Olmos

One in five herbal products used in so-called Ayurvedic medicine and sold over the Internet contain harmful levels of toxic metals, a study found.

Herbal pills, powders and liquids are the foundation of Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient system of health care that originated in India. It has become more popular in the U.S. as interest in yoga and alternative medicine has grown.

Almost 21 percent of 193 Ayurvedic products purchased online contained amounts of lead, mercury or arsenic that exceeded one or more U.S. safety standards, according to the research published by the Journal of the American Medical Association found. In a finding that surprised the researchers, products manufactured in the U.S. were slightly more likely to contain contaminants than those made in India.

“The take-home message here is that current regulations in our country governing dietary supplements, in general, are inadequate to protect the consumer,” said Robert B. Saper of Boston University School of Medicine, the study’s lead author, said an Aug. 25 interview.

The highest concentrations of metals were found in a type of Ayurvedic product known as “rasa shastra,” in which mercury, lead, zinc and other metals are deliberately combined with herbs to produce a therapeutic effect, Saper said. Rasa shastra products, primarily made in India, were more than twice as likely to contain lead and mercury, the researchers found.

In the worst cases, some rasa shastra medicines from India contained lead and mercury levels that would be 100 to 10,000 times greater than the acceptable limit for a person to ingest,” the authors wrote.

Consumer Recommendation

Based on the findings, Saper said he would recommend that consumers avoid remedies labeled as rasa shastra products.

The report’s authors called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to establish and “strictly enforce” daily dose limits for toxic metals in dietary supplements, and require that suppliers submit to independent, third-party testing of products to ensure quality.

The finding on U.S.-sold herbs was surprising because their sale is generally unregulated in India, Saper said. In the U.S., dietary supplements, such as herbal products, are largely subject to the same regulatory standards as food, not the rigorous scientific testing that applies to prescription or over-the-counter drugs, he said.

 Posted by at 7:32 am  Tagged with:

The Importance of Plant Based Proteins and Omega 3’s to Stay Healthy

 omega-3  No Responses »
Aug 262008
 

Via: NaturalNews

This interview is an excerpt from Kevin Gianni’s Renegade Roundtable, which can be found at (http://www.RenegadeRoundtable.com) . In this excerpt, Jonny Bowden shares on plant-based proteins and omega-3s.

Renegade Water Secrets with Jonny Bowden, author of Living the Low-Carb Life: Choosing the Diet that’s Right for You, The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprisingly Unbiased Truth about What You Should Eat and Why and his most recent book is The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth: The Surprising Unbiased Truth about What Treatments Work and Why.

Kevin: We’re talking about protein and amino acids right now. So I had one question about a plant-based source of protein. A lot of people who are on this call may or may not be vegan and a lot of them don’t necessarily want to eat meat or have that sort of protein. What are your thoughts on plant-based proteins? What do you think are some of the better ones?

Jonny: Well, let me give full disclosure. I’m not a vegan or vegetarian. I find that a very difficult way to live and I am not convinced that that is necessarily the best way for our species to exist. I have all the concerns that many of the people on the call have about the quality of the protein that we eat and about factory farming for animals and the cruelty and not to mention the steroids and antibiotics and growth hormones and all of that other stuff in the milk that I’m eating. I certainly don’t recommend that to anyone, but I do think that in the long run, the human species does do well with some animal products in our diet. Maybe it’s once a week. Maybe for some metabolic types or some genetic types it’s three times a day. The human species has adapted to many different types of diets, but one diet it has not adapted to is the high processed food, high sugar diet.

Read the whole interview

 Posted by at 8:06 am  Tagged with:

Alternative Health Journal Unveils Online Destination for Natural Health Solutions

 General  No Responses »
Aug 262008
 

Via: MarketWatch

World’s First Web 2.0 Natural Health Community Offers Alternative to WebMD.

Alternative Health Journal today announced the launch of the Web’s first alternative health community with Web 2.0 functionality, directly competing with the well-known medical information site, WebMD. The new site, found at http://www.alternativehealthjournal.com, features original editorial and user-generated content focused on natural health news, information and alternative healthcare solutions for consumers. Editorial contributors for the new site include award-winning health blogger, Bob Condor, author of The Good Mood Diet and managing editor of health at MSN.com, renowned former NASA scientist Dr. William Judy, and Dr. Glen Halvorson, who worked with the U.S. Olympic team.

The new site offers visitors free access to timely information about alternative healthcare solutions and the latest in Web 2.0 interactivity. Alternative Health Journal also hosts one of the Web’s largest collections of alternative health articles, videos and vitamin-supplement glossaries, allowing consumers to make informed decisions about vitamins, supplements, herbal remedies, minerals, enzymes and other natural products not directly regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

Learn More

 Posted by at 7:49 am  Tagged with:

Zinc Lozenges for Common Colds

 zinc  No Responses »
Aug 252008
 

Via: Epoch Times

By Dr. John Briffa

Last week I wrote about the role that vitamin C may have in the treatment of cancer.
Of course, vitamin C may have other potential benefits. In high doses, vitamin C is sometimes said to be a useful remedy for the common cold. Another nutrient that has some reputation for potential benefit in treating colds is zinc.

In natural medicine, it is sometimes recommended that the individual suck zinc lozenges to hasten healing from the common cold. There is indeed some evidence to suggest that there is merit in this approach, which dates back more than 20 years.

I was interested to read about another study, this one published earlier this year, in which zinc lozenges were tried by individuals with the common cold. Here, zinc acetate lozenges (13.3 mg of zinc acetate per lozenge) were used (previous studies have tended to use zinc gluconate or zinc acetate). Individuals were randomized to suck on zinc lozenges or placebo lozenges every two to three hours while awake, starting within a day of developing cold symptoms.

Compared to the individuals taking placebo lozenges, those taking zinc lozenges:
• Had cough symptoms for a shorter period of time (2.1 days versus 5 days)
• Had nasal discharge for a shorter period of time (3 days versus 4.5 days)
• Overall, had cold symptoms for a shorter period of time (4 days versus 7.1 days)
Symptom-severity scores were lower in the zinc-lozenge-taking group, too.

The authors of this study put the therapeutic properties of zinc in this context down to the mineral’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it may also be that zinc can exert benefits through an ability to inhibit the common cold virus (rhinovirus) [3], as well as through some ability to affect the immune response.

However they work, there is now quite a body of evidence that suggests that zinc lozenges have real value in the treatment of the common cold.

References and about the author

 Posted by at 5:37 pm  Tagged with: , ,

Expert to lecture on alternative remedies for menopause

 General  No Responses »
Aug 202008
 

Via: islandpacket.com

Diana McCoy never knew misery until she experienced night sweats, one of the dreaded symptoms of menopause.

“I’d wake up in the middle of the night wet with sweat,” said McCoy, who began “the change” at age 51. “It got so bad, I wasn’t sleeping three hours straight. The more sleep I lost, the more stressed I became, which led to more night sweats. It just spiraled until I couldn’t stand it anymore.”

Desperate for relief, she went to see her primary physician, Heather Hutchings, a doctor of osteopathic medicine specializing in women’s health issues. Rather than prescribing hormone replacement therapy, a controversial treatment now believed to increase the risk of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke and heart disease, Hutchings suggested McCoy change her diet, exercise, take an herbal sleep aid and relax.

“A lot of women will suffer through menopause because they’ve heard so many negative things about hormone replacement therapy,” said Hutchings, of Beaufort Memorial Coastal Primary Care in Hardeeville. “They don’t realize there are other options.”

Menopause causes such severe problems for so many women in the Lowcountry, Beaufort Memorial Hospital is bringing an expert from Duke University Medical Center, Dr. Tracy Gaudet, to town to discuss the most successful alternative remedies being used by women today.

Full Report

 Posted by at 9:52 am  Tagged with:

Salsa plus avocado equals lower cancer risk, and other healthy pairs

 cantaloupe, carrot, lemon, marjoram, olive oil, spinach, tea, tomato  2 Responses »
Aug 182008
 

Via: The News-Press

Salsa plus avocado equals lower cancer risk

While salsa alone is super healthy, this pairing helps you soak up four times more cancer-fighting lycopene and almost three times more immune-boosting beta-carotene, finds an Ohio State University study. You can thank the fat in avocado for the lift.avocado.jpg

Equally good: Use cubed avocado and salsa as an omelet filling for breakfast.

Iron-fortified cereal plus glass of orange juice equals more energy

Eating iron-fortified cereal can help enhance your energy, but consuming a half cup of orange juice along with it increases the amount of iron absorbed sixfold, says Joan Salge Blake, R.D., an assistant clinical professor of nutrition at Boston University.

Equally good: Mix one-half cup fresh orange juice, 1 tablespoon grated ginger and 2 minced garlic cloves; add iron-packed tofu and marinate for 30 minutes. Grill over medium heat.

Teaspoon of peanut butter plus glass of milk equals stronger bones

“Drinking milk while snacking on a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat like peanut butter helps you absorb as much bone-building vitamin D as possible,” says Susan Kraus, R.D., a clinical dietitian at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey.

Equally good: Mix 8 ounces skim milk, 1 teaspoon peanut butter, 1 cup fresh fruit and one-half cup ice in a blender for a bone-strengthening smoothie.

Cantaloupe wedge plus yogurt equals immunity boost

The vitamin A in cantaloupe helps ward off viruses, but “enjoying it with foods that are high in zinc, like yogurt, ensures that your body can utilize almost 100 percent of the nutrient,” says Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., author of The Most Effective Natural Cures.

Equally good: Mix 8 ounces nonfat plain yogurt, one-fourth cup unsweetened applesauce, one-half teaspoon cinnamon and one-quarter cup honey. Dip cantaloupe pieces in it for a snack.

Spinach, carrots, tomato, tablespoon olive oil plus marjoram equals healthy skin

Veggies need one tablespoon of full-fat dressing with olive oil in order for the body to absorb many of the antioxidants that are good for your immune system, skin and heart, says Bowden. To up the antioxidant capacity by 200 percent more, top with the herb marjoram.

Equally good: If you’re not into fatty dressings, put pine nuts, walnuts, avocado or a bit of blue cheese in your salad instead. They all offer the same benefits.

Mug of green tea + lemon equals heart help

Squeezing a lemon into green tea makes five times more catechin, a heart-healthy antioxidant, available for your body to use than if you sipped sans citrus, notes a Purdue University study. (Vitamin C slows the breakdown of catechins in the digestive system.)

Equally good: Add a 6-ounce can of lemon-juice concentrate to 12 ounces green tea, chill, and top with 12 ounces club soda, a lemon wedge and a few mint leaves.

 Posted by at 7:53 pm  Tagged with:

Natural sun protection

 General  No Responses »
Aug 152008
 

Via: Vernon Morning Star

(…)
Titanium and Zinc Protect You

Typically, the active ingredients in natural sun blocks are titanium dioxide, known for its high refractive index, and zinc oxide. Titanium and zinc oxides are inert minerals that sit on top of your skin and physically block the UV rays by reflecting them away from your skin. These minerals prevent the sun’s rays from burning and damaging the dermal and epidermal layers of the skin, thereby thwarting sunburn and skin cancer.

Natural sun blocks do not clog your pores or irritate your skin because they are petroleum and chemical free. They often contain vitamin E, licorice, and plant oils such as evening primrose and aloe vera that soothe, nourish and protect your skin. Even the most sensitive skin types do well with natural sun blocks.

sun.jpg

Just for Your Face

Another form of natural sun block formulated specifically for your face are natural mineral powders. They are colourless and can be applied underneath or on top of makeup. These hypoallergenic, translucent minerals are free of chemicals, oils, perfumes, talc and dyes. They’re easy to apply and are guaranteed for up to 80 minutes of swimming. Mineral powders also contain vitamin-rich organic fruits and herbs to keep your skin healthy and beautiful, and to fight signs of aging. Exercise, swim, and then go out in the evening; they stay on all day and don’t run. Not just for women, mineral powders are great for men and children too.

Full Article

 Posted by at 5:52 pm  Tagged with:

Wellness in a Minute: Benefits of antioxidants

 General  No Responses »
Aug 152008
 

Via: Evening Sun

Antioxidants are substances that may protect the cells in your body against the effects of free radicals.

antioxidants.jpgFree radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food, or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke and radiation. Free radicals can damage cells, and may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Antioxidant substances include beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, selenium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E.According to the National Cancer Institute, considerable laboratory evidence from chemical, cell culture, and animal studies indicates that antioxidants may slow or possibly prevent the development of cancer. The first large randomized trial on antioxidants and cancer risk was the Chinese Cancer Prevention Study, published in 1993. This trial investigated the effect of a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and selenium on cancer in healthy Chinese men and women at high risk for gastric cancer. The study showed a combination of beta-carotene, vitamin E, and selenium significantly reduced incidence of both gastric cancer and cancer overall.

When you think about antioxidants, fruits and vegetables usually come to mind. A study, which appeared in the June 9, 2004, issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, used updated technology to assess the antioxidant content of more than 100 foods, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, breads, nuts, and spices. Cranberries, blueberries, and blackberries were ranked highest among the fruits studied. Beans, artichokes, and Russet potatoes were tops among the vegetables.

But new research shows that herbs and spices also pack a powerful punch when it comes to antioxidants.

A USDA study looked at nearly 40 common herbs and spices to test their antioxidant activity. Oregano emerged as the leader of the pack. Researchers found that oregano has 3 to 20 times more antioxidant activity than the other herbs studied. In fact, it has more than many fruits and vegetables. Oregano has 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries. But that’s not the only herb or spice that can improve your health. The main ingredient in curry is turmeric, from which a spice called curcumin is derived. Sally Frautschy, Ph.D., a researcher from UCLA who has done extensive testing on curcumin says that “we accidentally found out that it blocks every single step in Alzheimer’s pathogenesis and it kills nearly every cancer cell in the lab.” In India, curry is part of the staple diet; they also have the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s disease in the world.

The McCormick Spice Co. has identified their “7 Super Spices” as cinnamon, rosemary, oregano, thyme, red pepper, yellow curry, and ginger due to their health benefits. All seven of these identified spices contain high levels of antioxidants and many of them have additional health benefits, such as the anti-inflammatory capabilities of ginger. The McCormick Web site, www.mccormick.com, is loaded with valuable information about these spices, as well as savory, “spiced up” recipes to try out.

The bottom line is that many foods that are high in antioxidants also taste great. So there is no excuse for not adding them into your diet and reaping the benefits.

Full article and information about the author

 Posted by at 5:41 pm  Tagged with:

Garlic Can Reduce Blood Pressure

 garlic  No Responses »
Aug 152008
 

Via: Epoch Times

Garlic is an oft-touted natural remedy, particularly regarding affairs of the heart. Regular garlic consumption has been said to improve cardiovascular health. In the past, one way it was believed to improve health was its ability to reduce blood pressure.A previous review found seven trials in which the effects of garlic (powder) were compared with placebo: Three showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (the higher blood pressure value), while four showed a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure (the lower blood pressure value). Overall, the results indicated that garlic had genuine blood-pressure-lowering potential.

Since this review was published, other evidence has come to light. Recently, scientists brought the state of the science on this topic up to date with a meta-analysis, which combined the results of eleven relevant studies.

The results demonstrated the following: overall, a statistically significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (an average reduction of 4.6) and overall, no statistically significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure. [Blood pressure is measured in mmHg.]

Full Report

 Posted by at 5:37 pm  Tagged with:

Grape Seeds May Combat Alzheimer’s

 grape seeds  No Responses »
Aug 152008
 

Via: Wine Spectator

Compounds commonly found in red wine and grape seeds may help treat and prevent Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research from the Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

The research, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, found that polyphenols derived from grape seeds during red winemaking (a family of compounds such as tannins, lignins and flavonoids) may be useful in fighting and preventing the degenerative disease, which attacks the brain. A four-month study, headed by Dr. Guilio Pasinetti, professor of neuroscience at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, discovered that the polyphenols repaired brain functioning in genetically modified mice.

Pasinetti and his team gave nonlethal doses of grape seed extract to genetically modified mice that had attributes of Alzheimer’s disease. In studying the cognitive functionality of the animals following treatment, the researchers found that the polyphenolic extract from grape seeds helped prevent the formation of a beta-amyloid, which can cause a blockage in the brain, or plaques that have been implicated in memory loss and Alzheimer’s. Tested animals modified with Alzheimer’s were found to retain their normal brain function after doses of the grape derivative.

Full Report

 Posted by at 5:35 pm  Tagged with: ,
 Older Entries  Newer Entries
© 2012 Herbal Household Remedies Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha