Are you Making Mistakes with Herbal Remedies? Pt 6

Are you Making Mistakes with Herbal Remedies? Pt 6

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 making sure that you are taking your herbal supplements every single day, or otherwise on a consistent basis?

It is vitally important that you take your herbs and your supplements regularly as is recommended by the manufacturer in order for you to assess if they are actually working for you or not. One of the biggest mistakes that people make is that they begin to take an herb or a supplement, then they skip a day, and then they skip two days, and then after a while they believe that they have not seen any improvement and so they either stop taking the supplement all together, or they add other supplements in because they believe the first one was not working.

The fact of the matter is, you have to be consistent in taking your herbal remedies and supplements in order to tell whether or not they are actually working for you. One of the best ways that you can achieve this is by purchasing a daily pill organizer so that you can tell whether or not you have taken your supplement for the day. This will ensure that you stay on track. Keeping a pill organizer within reach will ensure that you really, truly benefit from the vitamins and supplements that you buy.

Are you Making Mistakes with Herbal Remedies? Pt 5

Are you Making Mistakes with Herbal Remedies? Pt 5

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 being honest with your doctor about the herbs and the supplements that you are taking? One of the biggest mistakes that people make is that they take supplements and herbs directly before or directly after having surgery without telling the surgeon about them. Your surgeon absolutely has to know about any herbs and any supplements that you are taking in order to prevent any complications from occurring. These types of herbs and supplements can actually interact with your anaesthetic, and it could potentially cause an excessive amount of bleeding.

There are certain herbs and supplements that you are simply going to want to stop taking at least two to three weeks before your surgery, including the following: Vitamin E, valerian root, licorice, St John’s Wort, kava kava, chamomile, goldenseal, ephedra, ma huang, feverfew, danshen, omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, flax seed oil, saw palmetto, coenzyme q10, glucosamine, ginger, chondroitin, ginseng, ginkgo and garlic.

Above all else, it is vitally important that your physician always know what you are taking in terms of herbs and supplements so that he or she can help you choose the right treatments and the right medications accordingly. It is important always to be honest with your physician about what you are taking to ensure that you are always in good health.

Are you Making Mistakes with Herbal Remedies? Pt 4

Are you Making Mistakes with Herbal Remedies? Pt 4

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.

One of the biggest mistakes that you can make pertaining to herbs and herbal remedies is taking dieter’s teas and herbal laxatives thinking that it is going to induce regularity in your bowel movements. The herbs that are found in products such as these are known as anthranoid laxatives, and they include buckthorn, senna, aloe, rhubarb and cascara sagrada.

People that use these products can actually become unnecessarily dependent, and may end up using them for days, weeks, months or years longer than they are supposed to. Stimulant laxative chemicals like senna should never be used for a period longer than a week, unless you have express permission from your physician or some other licensed health care provider. When you use products such as these for an extended period of time, then it may cause your bowels to have difficulty moving all on their own. People who have taken these laxatives for too long a period of time have ended up with chronic diarrhea issues along with irregular heart rhythms, muscle weakness, liver impairment and kidney impairment.

Make sure that you talk with your primary health care provider about being able to wean off of laxatives in a gradual manner so that you can recover your normal bowel function again. The big key here is going to be to go about the process slowly, typically combined with taking a fiber supplement and making sure that you also get enough fluids as well.

Are you Making Mistakes with Herbal Remedies? Pt 3

Are you Making Mistakes with Herbal Remedies? Pt 3

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.

There are herbs, drugs and supplements that when you decide to take them together, you may actually be putting yourself at risk of bleeding. Certain types of medications known as anticoagulant drugs like warfarin and aspirin are blood thinners. What this means is that they are designed to keep blood clots from forming inside of your arteries. Their purpose is to reduce the risk for developing heart disease or a stroke. However, it is vitally important that you understand that when you combine these medications with supplements and herbs that are also capable of promoting the anticoagulant effect, then you can significantly increase the risk of bleeding and causing serious harm to your body.

Some of these herbs and supplements include willow bark, fish oil, dong quai, devil’s claw, goji, saw palmetto, ginseng, gingko, ginger, garlic, feverfew, danshen, coenzyme q10, chamomile and aloe vera. While these are all natural supplements that are generally healthy for you, they can cause a bad reaction when mixed with anticoagulant drugs. If you happen to be taking more than one of the aforementioned herbs, or if you are taking an anticoagulant drug, then you are going to want to consult your physician so that you can determine the best course of action from here on out. Make sure that your physician always knows what herbal remedies you are taking when a new medication is prescribed in order to ensure your good health.

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.

How to Use Lemon Balm

Lemon balm herbal tea

Image via Wikipedia

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chinese Herb Guide: Dandelion

A dandelion flower
Image via Wikipedia

Dandelion is an herb that is used in a variety of different herbal remedies, especially when it comes to premenstrual bloating. Dandelion may also be capable of providing anti-inflammatory results. The best way to enjoy dandelion is as a tea. You can create a dandelion tea by steeping half of an ounce of dried dandelion leaf in a cup of hot water for a period of ten minutes. You can have as many as three cups of tea with dandelion in it per day.

For a lot of people, the dandelion is a yard pest. The truth is, the dandelion is particularly rich when it comes to nutrients. The roots and the leaves of the dandelion plant have been used for a variety of different medicines, including treatments for gastrointestinal system disorders, skin conditions, aching joints, bloating and breast illnesses. The leaves of the dandelion contain a number of vitamins including B-complex vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D and minerals such as magnesium, zinc potassium, copper, manganese, iron, choline, silicon, calcium and boron. The primary active ingredients in the dandelion plant are called germacranolide and eudesmanolide, and they are compounds that can be found only in dandelion plants.

The dandelion plant offers numerous other benefits. For example, it has diuretic properties and is useful in purifying the liver and the blood stream. The dandelion plant can decrease the body’s concentrations of uric acid and serum cholesterol. The dandelion plant can maximize how well your pancreas, kidneys, stomach and spleen perform in your body. The dandelion plant can treat anemia, abscess, breast tumors, liver cirrhosis and boils, and can also avert the development of both breast cancers and age spots. The dandelion is also effective in treating menopause in women. It offers numerous benefits and is well worth adding to your daily regimen accordingly.

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