Chinese Herbs For Menstrual Pain Relief

June 20th, 2009

It is a gentle art, a fascinating science, and an extremely effective form of therapy that has carved an impressive niche in the field of alternative medicine. Many studies have been done in relation to the effectiveness of this wonder method called Reflexology. Reflexology is the practice of strategically applying pressure to areas of the feet and hands as they correspond with specific body organs.  By stimulating nerves on specific areas of the feet and hands, it can stimulate blood flow and eliminate toxin buildup in the corresponding organs and systems of the body.

Reflexology is an art because much depends on how skillfully the practitioner applies his or her knowledge, and the dynamics that occur between the practitioner and the recipient. And because it is based on physiological and neurological study, it is also considered a science. Reflexology is a holistic healing technique. The term “holistic” is derived from the Greek word “holos”, which means “whole.” The goal of reflexology is to treat the individual as a complete entity, incorporating and healing the body, mind and spirit.

Research has found that reflexology is not only beneficial as a tool for relaxation and stress relief. It has been established that it is also an effective device for improving circulation, relieving pain, and speeding up the body’s process of detoxification. Reflexology is also good for people who are recovering from surgery due to its positive stimulating effect on the immune and nervous systems. In fact, many people with illnesses such as allergies, acid reflux, migraines, pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS), menopause, insomnia, fertility problems, and even arthritis have been helped tremendously by reflexology treatments.

Because reflexology works to put the body in a state of well-being, it is beneficial to every system in the body. It has been shown to relieve many common pregnancy complaints including headache, nausea, backache, sleepiness, fatigue, constipation, swollen ankles, and digestive problems. However, a lot of practitioners have been giving this holistic approach for most cases to patients to treat anxiety.

From side effects of chemotherapy to pain and depression, symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment can impinge on quality of life almost as much as the disease itself. No equipment needed nor invasion of privacy are some of the ease of reflexology which can be applied in a medical environment which makes it convenient alternative treatment.

In 2006, a team of medical school researchers at University of Udine, Italy, reported positive results for the use of reflexology foot massage to treat anxiety in patients admitted to an oncology unit for a second or third round of chemotherapy. And, in yet another recent study, to treat anxiety for breast and lung cancer patients, the reports said that the patients experienced relief after reflexology. The breast cancer patients also experienced a decrease in pain. Furthermore,the study also claimed that women that had at least 10 reflexology sessions showed reduced labor times and complications than women who did not have the treatments.

Studies have also shown that patients that received reflexology treatment after surgery experienced far less pain than the patients that took painkillers alone. Moreover, reflexology was shown to be more effective than catheterization in patients with retention of urine after surgery.

Reflexology is safe, non-invasive, and effective therapy for everyone that can and should be used throughout a person’s lifetime. In a society that relies heavily on chemically laden prescription drugs for remedy, reflexology is definitely showing a lot of promise as an effective alternative treatment.

Posted in Womens' Secrets | 3 Comments »

Basil – The King Of Herbs

May 8th, 2009

One of the most popular herbs is Ocimum basilicum commonly called sweet basil.  Often called the ‘king of herbs,’ basil can be grown indoors or out.  Sweet basil has inch-long, oval-pointed, dark green leaves and a clove-pepperish odour and taste.  Sweet basil makes a handsome, bushy small plant, growing to a foot or more indoors.  A purple-leafed variety, ‘Dark Opal’ is decorative, makes a lovely houseplant, and is equally useful in cookery.  Do not let basil bloom, or it will go to seed.  Instead, pinch out the plant tops and they will grow into compact little bushes.

Basil is an annual and grows 12 – 24 inches (30 – 60 cm) as the height varies according to the variety.  Cultivation requirements for growing basil: full sun; light, well-drained, nutrient rich, slightly acidic soil; frequent watering (don’t waterlog); will not tolerate cold; pinch off flower stalks for a longer season of leaf production.

Basil can be easily started from seed or can be brought indoors at the end of the growing season.  If you are bringing basil indoors, choose the most robust plants.  Before the first frost, dig them out of the garden and pot them up in fresh potting soil.  Basil can also be grown in pots outdoors and treated the same way when bringing them in for winter.  Check for insects and if there is an infestation, spray with a soap and water spray.  Gradually reverse the hardening off process by keeping the pots out of direct sunlight for about a week.  The plants will become acclimatised to the lower light conditions they will experience indoors.  Bring them inside and provide the conditions they need to continue growing.

Basil requires at least five hours of sunlight a day to stay healthy and flavourful.  If you are growing basil on the windowsill, turn regularly to ensure every side receives light.  Don’t let basil leaves touch the cold glass.  Basil grows even better under fluorescent lights in the winter.  Hang the lights 6 inches (15 cm) from plants and leave lights on for 14 hours a day.

There are many cultivars of basil.  Two that are particularly popular are: O. basilicum ‘Dark Opal’- only herb to win the All American Award of Excellence – can be used the same as sweet basil; O. basilicum ‘Citriodorum’- strong lemon scent – nice for tea and with chicken and fish.

In the garden, basil can be planted with tomatoes as it helps to overcome both insects and disease.  Basil also repels flies and mosquitoes.  In the kitchen, use basil in tomato dishes (both raw and cooked), pesto, sauces, salad dressings, soups, fish dishes, mushroom dishes, egg and rice dishes, mixed with other herbs, omelettes, pasta dishes, vegetables such as carrots, eggplant, cabbage, squash, and zucchini.  Use fresh leaves in salads and add fresh leaves to vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.  Basil can be used fresh, frozen, or dried.  Use basil with discretion, as it is one of the few herbs that increase in flavour when heated.

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Herbal Secrets for Hair Loss Treatment

April 10th, 2009

It is common for people to lose strands of their hair especially when it is wet or when they comb it very often. Experts say that there is a need for some strands of hair to fall so these can be replaced with a new set of hair strands. The average strands should at least be a hundred. Once there is excess in this estimate, then you might be suffering from hair loss.

If you think you are suffering from hair loss, the best way to deal with it is to visit an expert to ensure that he or she will give proper diagnosis. People who are prone to permanent baldness caused by genes or those that are caused by skin disorders, they should consult a doctor what treatment options are available.

But for those who are experiencing temporary hair loss, they can deal with it even if they are at home. The following home remedies can be used to deal with hair loss at home:

1. The wonders of massage.

Ancient people have proven that massage can help stop excessive hair fall because it makes the follicles of the hair stronger. Aside from that, it is also good because it aids hair growth by putting the right amount of pressure on the scalp. Usually, this is done manually. You can do it your self or you can ask somebody to massage your scalp at home. If you don’t have enough energy to do manual massage on your own scalp, you can opt for electric hair massage available in most wellness stores.

2. Hot oil treatments.

Experts say that people who are prone to hair loss can benefit so much from hot oil treatments because these can help prevent falling hair and can cure minor scalp disorders as well. To get effective results, at least three treatments are advised weekly. You can do this at home with the use of a shower cap. You can buy ready-to-use hot oil treatments that contain oils of several herbs such as sesame, olive, and coconut. For more relaxing hot oil treatment at home, opt for those that contain essential oils such as thyme, lavender, and others.

3. Aloe vera extracts.

Considered as a “wonder plant” aloe vera is popular to many people—especially those living in tropical countries—as a remedy for hair loss. Depending on the degree, aloe vera can be used as a shampoo by using fresh pulp that is directly applied on the hair and scalp, as a hair tonic along with other herbs, and a drink or oral aloe juice for the body to absorb its ingredients faster.

4. Mixture of cinnamon and honey.

Many people say that one of the effective home remedies for hair loss is the combination of cinnamon powder and honey with olive oil because these contain properties that make the scalp as well as the hair stronger. By coming up with a paste that can be applied directly to from the hair’s roots down to the scalp, people can make use of it before they use their favorite shampoo.

5. Extracts of ginger.

A piece of ginger, once chopped and directly applied to the area of the head that has bald spots, can be an effective hair remedy for hair loss because it aids the healthy growth of hair follicles. Since it can be smelly, you can also use its extract that is combined with fine lead powder to get best results.

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Posted in Hair Loss, Herbal remidies for all problems | 4 Comments »

Herbal Secrets for Acne Treatment

March 2nd, 2009

Although there are many proven and effective commercial acne treatments available in the market today many people prefer to treat their condition the natural way. Natural or herbal treatments for acne are usually milder on the skin and cause fewer side effects than most of the chemical treatment options.

However, before choosing an herbal acne treatment you must research on the herbs and proper way to use it and also learn the proper way to utilize them.

Choosing the Right Herb

There are a quite a few common herbs that have been shown to have properties that can soothe and heal the lesions associated with acne. Some of these herbs work well on their own while others need to be combined with other herbs to produce the best results. Also, some herbal treatments call for the herbs to be applied directly to the skin or acne lesion, while others are intended to be taken internally or consume by water as per steps written on or prescribed by a doctor..

One of the popular combination herbal acne treatments is the blend of yellow dock, sarsaparilla, cleavers, and burdock herbs. These herbs are well known for their lymphatic cleansing properties and are thought to unclog the skin and allow for healing. This combination is meant to be taken internal and the recommended dosage is one half of a teaspoon and the combined herbs should be taken three times a day.

Other herbs that can be taken internally to heal acne include Echinacea, oregano, and basil. For proper dosages it is best to consult the labeling of each supplement before using it as a remedy for acne treatment. Best of all, each of these herbs can also be applied to the skin to boost healing results. Echinacea can be applied as is, but oregano and basil must be used in oil form for effective results.

For topical use witch hazel, tea tree oil, and Oregon grape root are popular choices. Witch hazel, also found in many commercial solutions, acts as an antiseptic to cleanse the skin and kill surface bacteria that can cause acne. Tea tree oil can be found in many preparations including gels, lotions, cleansers, and creams. This herb is well known for treating many ailments and is praised for its anti-microbial properties. Since the oil can kill bacteria and other harmful organisms it works to reduce inflammation and eliminate acne breakouts. Oregon grape root also has bacteria killing properties and is sold in a cream form for more effective acne fighting results.

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Herbal Secrets for Weight Loss

February 4th, 2009

Nowadays, the need for overweight teens to lose excess fat is increasing. The most important aspects they can improve on are their health and well-being. It will also literally lighten their load and improve their self-esteem.

Luckily for these teens, there are many options available to help them shed the extra pounds. These options include dieting, exercise and workout programs, dietary supplements such as herbal slimming pills and drinks, and even soaps. However, the best option is still the natural way. And that involves going herbal.

Even though taking herbal supplements may not yield fast results due to the subtle effects of these supplements, there is still a great demand for herbal weight loss

products. This is especially true for teens that prefer losing weight the natural way.

However, not all herbal products are as safe as they claim to be because they may cause harmful side effects. If you are thinking of taking herbal products, here are some information that you need to look out for:

1.  St John’s wort. This supplement may cause eye and skin irritation, leading to itchiness. It may also cause fatigue and mild gastric problems.

2.  Senna. This is an herbal laxative found in weight loss

teas. It stimulates the colon to increase bowel movements. The harmful side-effects are dehydration, and it is highly addictive. When addicted, users will suffer from bowel problems without it.

3.  Chromium picolinate. This is a nutrient that helps to regulate blood sugar level. The harmful side-effects include dehydration and damage to the chromosome if taken in high dosage.

Do scrutinize the ingredients of any herbal weight loss products you intend to purchase and make sure they don’t contain any of the above harmful effects which may affect you or your body in someway. Also, its advisable to do your own research about the effects of other herbal dietary products.

A better option to choose is organic food. Organic foods do not contain chemicals found in processed food products. So, they are healthier and safer for your weight loss diet. Another good option is green tea. Studies have shown that drinking green tea can increase your weight loss by 2 to 3 times. It also contains antioxidant which helps prevent cancer. So, include it in your daily diet.

You can also include a small amount of caffeine in your diet. Coffee keeps you awake longer, hence you stay active longer. This increases your metabolism.

Other natural herbal products which you can include are products containing apple cider vinegar and immortality herb. Both these supplements help to increase the rate of fat burning plus other health benefits like aiding blood pressure and blood flow etc.

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