Are you Making Mistakes with Herbal Remedies?

Are you Making Mistakes with Herbal Remedies?

When it comes to taking herbs, you may actually be unwittingly making a mistake that could potentially harm your health. Here is a look at one of the biggest mistakes that you could be making when it comes to taking herbs.

Are you drinking chamomile tea without really knowing what types of medications it is capable of interacting with?

Most people think that chamomile tea is simply harmless, but the truth is that this seemingly harmless tea can have some pretty serious side effects when it is combined with specific types of medications, and so it is important for you to be aware of these potential interactions so that you can avoid them.

Here is an example: There was a case that was published in Canadian Medical Association Journal in the April 2006 issue that describes how a 70 year old woman was being treated by her physician with a drug called warfarin, when she was simultaneously using chamomile. She ended up being admitted to the hospital because she had internal bleeding, and it turned out that she had been using chamomile body lotion and chamomile tea as a means of self treating some cold symptoms that she had.

There is actually a pretty extensive list of drugs and medications that are capable of interacting with chamomile. It is important that you speak to your physician before you take chamomile, or tell your physician that you are taking chamomile if he or she plans to put you on a new medication so that you can prevent a completely unnecessary interaction from happening between your medications and your herbal supplements. A little bit of forethought can go a long way in ensuring your good health and overall safety.

Filed Under: Ancient Practices, Herbal Tagged With: ,

How to Use Lemon Balm

Lemon balm herbal tea

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How to Use Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is also known as Melissa officinalis, and it is an herb that is used fairly regularly for the treatment of stress and anxiety. This essential herb is actually a member belonging to the mint family. It contains what are known as terpenes, and these are chemicals that are thought to be capable of producing a relaxing effect. There are a number of potential uses for this lemon balm herb. Some of the common health claims that lemon balm is applied to are going to include the prevention or the treatment of the following conditions: Heartburn, indigestion, genital herpes, cold sores, insomnia and anxiety.

There have not been very many scientific studies to date that have focused on any health benefits that are associated with lemon balm. Despite this, findings from the currently available research are suggesting that this herb is definitely showing promise in the treatment of a number of things. Because of its antiviral properties, lemon balm can be used to treat cold sores for example. Lemon balm may also be capable of benefiting people that are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, at least according to a study from back in 2003. Additionally, lemon balm has been recommended for the treatment of insomnia, anxiety and a number of other conditions as well. Lemon balm is generally going to be considered to be safe, but it can interact with some medications and so you should not attempt using it as a supplement without first speaking to your physician.

You can generally purchase lemon balm in a capsule, tincture or tea form depending on personal preference. Make sure when making lemon balm tea that you keep the steam in, because it is thought to contain all of the therapeutic aromatic oils of the herb.

Filed Under: Ancient Practices, Herbal, Traditional Medicine Tagged With: ,

Chinese Herbs – Yohimbe

Yohimbe is a substance that can be found inside the bark of evergreen trees that are located in Western Africa. The specific species of evergreen tree in which this herb originates is called pausinystalia yohimbe, and is nearly extinct due to pharmaceutical companies over harvesting their natural habitat for the erectile dysfunction remedy the herb provides. The yohimbe provides many additional attributes that have yet to be researched effectively enough, however.

For hundreds of years, the yohimbe bark has been used to battle fevers and disease in Cameroon. Addtionally, it was used often in tea form for various marriage and mating celebrations, as well as ingested by warriors prior to a nearing battle for an energy boost.

The small amount of yohimbe that has been restricted by cultivation in West Africa has allowed research to be conducted on this mysterious herb. Thus far, findings present themselves as proving the yohimbe herb can: improve overall sexual function, particularly in men, reduce and even prevent heart attacks, assist in the reduction of anxiety and improve muscle function while simultaneously building muscle mass. The enhancements this herb provides are extremely promising and scientists are optimistic that further research will bring to light a barrage of additional benefits.

Unfortunately, with the over emphasis on this herb as a modern cure for impotence, pharmaceutical companies might bring the yohimbe tree to extinction before research can reveal all of the health benefits of the yohimbe herb. The latest research of this mysterious herb has placed an emphasis on the prospective heart health attributes it presents. However, one finding has implied that yohimbe vastly increases blood flow to the extremities which can be a flawless way to improve brain function, heart function and help prevent heart disease; but this effect ironically, can be dangerous for people with pre-existing heart conditions due to the sudden changes in blood pressure.

Filed Under: Herbal, Traditional Medicine Tagged With: ,

Chinese Herbs – Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a mushroom that grows on the backs of caterpillars in the Northern Chinese Plateaus. Chinese studies and extensive research has found that the cordyceps to be among the most effective and potent revitalizing and health herbs in existence. However, there is a great deal of skepticism revolving around these claims due to the fact very little research has been done on it abroad, and American researchers are just getting their hands on this prospective wonder herb. However, Chinese findings are extremely exciting.

After making its way to the Western world, research has been strenuously conducted on the cordyceps, and thus far, many claims from the preceding Chinese studies hold true. Some of the more important findings include that the cordyceps: helps to improve the function of the liver, lungs and kidneys, improve the intake of oxygen for patients who have breathing disorders or lung infections, maximize muscle repair and enhancement, neutralize erectile dysfunction as well as reinforce the immune system. Thus far, the findings have been extremely promising, and research will continue at the excited and rapid pace in which it is currently being carried out.

Due to the current findings of the cordyceps in the important ailments and body health attributes it assists in, it is very difficult to find the herb; and if you can find it, it tends to be extremely expensive due to the difficulty of cultivating it in the wild. Currently, there are unique cultivating methods being conducted in growing the herb in fungus form on the surface of soybeans. Once this cultivation method is complete, it will be much easier to obtain. However, as more results from research is released in terms of just what this wonder herb is capable of, the price may very well continue to rise despite the ease of finding it.

Filed Under: Chinese Medicine, Herbal Tagged With: ,

Chinese Herbs – Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba is an herb that has been a part of the Chinese culture for centuries. This majestic herb has been a common treatment for a wide array of illnesses that have plagued people throughout Asia. Over the past decade or so, the ginkgo biloba herb has made its way into the American mainstream. Studies are still being extensively done on the ginkgo herb, and new astonishing things are being discovered about it’s seemingly un-Earthly healing properties.

With over 1000 published studies done through research on the ginkgo herb, it is one of the most well known and documented herbs in existence. Ailments in which the ginkgo herb is known to assist in consist of: improving lung functionality in asthma patients, improving heart health in cardiac patients as well as neutralizing allergic inflammations. Additionally, ginkgo assists in improving and strengthening blood circulation throughout the body, particularly improving functionality in patients prone to blood clots. Additionally, increased blood flow poses overall health benefits pertaining to most diseases and infections is it promotes more extensive tissue repairing properties.

As studies for this wonder herb have continued to commence, there has been an emphasis put on the ginkgo’s ability to stimulate blood circulation. What makes the blood circulation aspect so important is that is also applies to blood flow to the brain. This is a vital breakthrough in the mental health area of medicine, as a source with the ability to increase blood flow to the brain helps to increase memory maintenance and even assist in the neutralization of the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia.

While in fact the ginkgo herb has been around for hundreds of millions of years, and used by the Chinese for centuries, there is still a slew of information to be found out about it. As studies commense on this wonder herb, the possibilities are endless in what will be discovered next.

Filed Under: Herbal Tagged With: ,

Accupuncture

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, good health is associated with the balance of yin and yang within the body system. Yin is identified with the life force of blood and yang is associated with energy. Disease is believed to be caused by the energy within these systems being blocked or out of balance. The practice of acupuncture uses needles inserted in specific areas of the body. Acupuncture is used to treat illness and provide therapy. Many practitioners support the use of acupuncture for treatment of disease, pain and infertility. The practice of acupuncture is considered an alternative type of medicine.

Acupuncture is based on the belief that blocked or insufficient energy can be unblocked and provided by the placement and manipulation of needles along the meridian path of the body. The energy path of the meridian locations are believed to be the points that are areas for healing using acupuncture. The points chosen along the meridian path are based on mystical Chinese beliefs. The main acupuncture points used are the twelve main meridian pathways and two of the eight extra meridian paths.

A visit to an acupuncturist will include an examination and discussion with the practitioner. Based on the results of the examination the acupuncturist will decide which pressure points to treat. Modern acupuncturists will utilize fine diameter stainless steel needles for the treatment. The depth of insertion will be dependent upon the style of treatment used. Warming an acupuncture point with herbs prior to insertion into a pressure point may be used as a supplement to the treatment. A large majority of areas require acupuncture needles to be sterile, disposable to be used only once and then discarded.

A majority of people beleive that accupuncture is an effective form of treatment and would visit an accupuncturist. A large number of insurance plans cover the cost of acupuncture treatments making it an available option for many.

Filed Under: Acupuncture, Healthy Tips, Herbal, Traditional Medicine Tagged With: , , ,

Do Coffee and Cigarettes Just Naturally Go Together?

Tobacco smoke in an Irish pub before a smoking...
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Some would say yes, that you simply cannot have one without the other. These, however, may be the ones who are the most affected by cigarette smoking restrictions or even outright bans in workplaces and other public areas. For them, the decision may be between having coffee or a cigarette, as it may be very difficult for them to do both.

For these people, an electric cigarette may be the answer. An electric cigarette does not produce real tobacco smoke that contains the tars, nicotine, and other chemicals that are found in regular tobacco products, nor is there the lingering odor of cigarette smoke. Further, an electric cigarette does not produce any ash and the “smoke” that is produced is simply exhaled water vapor.

If smokers are in the workplace, they may ask their supervisor if smoking an e-cigarette in designated non-smoking areas is allowable. They can explain that the “smoke” is simply water vapor, perhaps scented with menthol or other flavorings.

They can also explain that the water vapor is not the same as “secondhand smoke” that is produced by a regular cigarette. There are no tars or other chemicals, and the nicotine liquid itself has been filtered through the water vapor.

If the e-cigarette smoker is told that it is all right to smoke an e-cigarette in designated non-smoking areas, and if co-workers do not object (some may be sensitive to even the “smoke” caused by the water vapor), then the pairing of coffee and a cigarette can occur again. If, however, the answer is no, or there is objection from co-workers, the e-cigarette user may have to make the decision of which one is more important—the cigarette or the coffee.  Hopefully they all choose the coffee, as it is nowhere near as dangerous as a regular cigarette!

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Filed Under: Healthy Tips, Herbal, Herbal Food Supplements, Treatments Tagged With: , , ,

The Growth of Online Health Degree Programs

The Ward Building at the Northwestern Universi...
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With the swift advance of technology, online education has steadily grown in the last decade. With increased accessibility, online university programs allow working students and professionals the access they need to schools and programs they may otherwise be unable to attend. This makes it an ideal opportunity for those wishing to seek a degree but have been unable to do so due to time constraints.

While distance and online learning degrees are more and more prevalent, most people are surprised to see the abundance of online health degrees being offered by universities and colleges around the globe. Many people fail to realize that course work from top university programs in physical education, health administration, health care management and allied health sciences are readily available at their disposal online. There are many prestigious universities, such as Vanderbilt University, Northwestern University, and Ohio University, offering exceptional online health degree programs.

There are also several prestigious institutions, such as the University of Maryland, offering graduate health study through online access. Central Michigan University boasts one of the few online doctorate programs in health administration in the United States.

While online degrees offer increased accessibility, they are not necessarily easier to get into. In fact, online programs sometimes have increased requirements and stipulations for students, due to the fact that they will be responsible for the majority of their coursework on their own. The fact that most online students exceed the performance of on-campus students reiterates that the goal of online health degree seekers is education rather than the typical college experience.

With more and more online degree options becoming available, it’s easy to see why online degree programs continue to grow. If you’ve been putting off getting a health degree because of time, now is your chance to take advance of online learning.

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Filed Under: General, Herbal Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Alternative Medicines and Therapies: Urine Therapy

human urine
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Seeing the term “urine therapy” certainly causes a degree of intrigue. Also known as uropathy, urotherapy or urinotherapy, urine therapy is the use of human urine for medical and cosmetic purposes.

Now I’m sure that intrigue has transformed into some expression of disgust.

However, don’t count urine therapy out just yet. While, scientifically, there has been little research done to fully support the effects of urine for medical purposes, there are other uses, like in the nitrogen-based chemical called urea, which is typically made from mammal urine and used as an ingredient in dish soap and as a stabilizer in nitrocellulose explosives

Another example is urokinase. High levels of urokinase in the urine appear to be correlated with the malignancy of a tumor. It is for this reason that researchers are looking into the creation of a drug that inhibits cancer cells. However, the American Cancer Society does not currently support the usage of urine as an anticancer agent, since research is still limited.

Though possibly a wives’ tale, there is some record of individuals using their own urine as an acne treatment, harvesting urine from early morning bathroom breaks, applying it directly to acne (including the face) with a washcloth or brush and then washing their face after it dries. There is no research to support the effectiveness of this acne treatment method.

Modonna has claimed to use urine therapy to help cure athelete’s foot that often occurs frequently in avid dancers. Dolores O’Riordan from The Cranberries claims that urine therapy aided in relieving calluses on her fingers when she first learned to play guitar.

In a September 2007 interview, British actress Sarah Miles claimed to drink her own urine over the past 25 years. She believes it helps her with allergies and has other health benefits. She’s not alone. Other celebrities that have claimed to drinking their own urine include MMA fighter Luke Cummo, author J.D. Salinger and boxer Juan Manuel Marquez.

It’s likely that urine therapy won’t become the next big trend among health fanatics any time soon, since most people can’t get past the smell.

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Filed Under: Chinese Medicine, Herbal, Herbal Food Supplements, Traditional Medicine Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Alternative Medicines and Therapies: Fasting

Modern medicine of the past
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Fasting is not just something mentioned in the Bible. Many view this abstinence from food, drink or both as not only a spiritual means of meditation, but also as an effective alternative medicine – a means of cleansing the body and starting anew with healthier eating practices.

What someone who is fasting abstains from can vary. While one individual might fast from all food, another individual may just fast from meat for a determined amount of time. Someone who fasts may also exclude certain types of drinks with the exception of water, or may substitute all food with a protein drink. Additionally, the time frame of a fast differs with each individual.

Fasting is sometimes a requirement for certain medical tests performed in modern medicine, but this is actually different from the more spiritually centered approach. In modern medicine, fasting refers to someone who has not eaten overnight (usually a period of 8-12 hours) or the state of the body after a meal is completely absorbed and digested.

Fasting for an extended period of time triggers the body’s “famine response.” The body depends on glucose as the primary source of fuel or energy. After a period of 4-8 hours without food in the body producing glucose, the body starts to glycogen stored in the liver for fuel. After approximately 12 hours of relying upon the glycogen in the liver, the body will start extracting glycogen from muscles. In order to preserve the muscles, the body will turn to fat as a fuel source after a few more days.

While most people end a fast long before complications begins to occur, fasting for too long will cause the body to break down proteins as it moves from the famine response to starvation. Fast-induced starvation can lead to medical problems such as electrolyte imbalance, cardiac arrhythmia and renal failure.

Despite this risk, medical research shows that there are benefits to a controlled fasting approach focusing more on calorie restriction, including decreased risk for cancer, heart problems, diabetes and immune deficiencies. However, experts recommend consulting a doctor before using fasting as diet regimen.

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Filed Under: Chinese Medicine, Healthy Tips, Herbal, Traditional Medicine Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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