Alternative Medicine therapies

What is Crystal Therapy? By Lee M Chan

2010-11-14T16:54:00.001-08:00

Crystal therapy is one way of healing problems in the body with the help of
external stimulus. In this way the energy flowing in your body gets affected. It
is also known as gemstone therapy. It is helpful in invoking changes in energy
levels in the body. Basically crystal therapy helps to stop any kind of pain.
Also, it is used for making the body aura pure. In our body, according to Hindi
psychology, there are seven energy centers commonly known as "chakras". These
"chakras" are the places which help to make our body pure. In this way our body
is made free from diseases and pains. The crystals are placed on these "chakras"
in order to heal the area.

The crystals are placed on different chakras depending on which part the
effect needs to take place. It is not compulsory that the crystals have to be
placed on the chakras. They come in different forms nowadays. They can be worn
and also they can be kept near you like bedside while sleeping, etc.

Nowadays crystal therapies are gaining popularity. These are used in
hospitals. Also nurses are taught how to use the crystal therapy. It is now
applied by doctors. The only drawback is that the doctors do not yet understand
the functioning of these crystals. Also it is available as "instant crystal
therapy solutions". Now it is no more considered as a myth. It is also taken as
a type of medicine. But still till date crystals are considered as a joke. No
one believes that it really works. The people who have been helped due to it
only are the ones who believe. Also, these are not medicines. These are much
more powerful than we cannot imagine. If wrong energy is passed on, it has got
the potential of taking one's life. This mostly happens when the therapy is
suddenly stopped. Hence, it can be very dangerous. It cannot be taken
lightly.

The origin of its use is still a mystery. But this has been working since
ages. Most of the people still think that crystal therapy is spiritual despite
knowing that people have been using it for ages. It has been helping man since
time immemorial. Also, doctors and scientists do not officially approve this as
a drug. Also the therapist who performs this therapy on a patient should make
sure that he is fee from negative energy. Or else, it may so happen that the
negative energy of the healer might get transferred to the patient. But because
of this fear, crystals' usage should not be stopped. In these cases, the
therapist should be personally found by you.

<> <> <> <>

To know more about quartz crystal and silica visit our website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_M_Chan

Applying Natural Cures In Your Life

2010-01-28T04:46:00.000-08:00

Applying Natural Cures In Your Life

Author: magtitinapa

Natural cures—these are the oldest healing methods used by our forefathers during the ancient times to treat diseases and ease physical pain. Natural cure is environment-based. It's basically composed of raw foods like herbs, prepared naturally without the use of any artificial process and chemical. This healing method is best for curing and preventing the onset of simple and chronic diseases alike.

Natural cure doesn't do away with formal medicine. Instead, it aims to work alongside this field. While very serious diseases like cancer will require medical attention, for instance, natural healing can be useful when it comes to the dietary requirements of people suffering from this kind of illness.

In which of your daily health needs can you apply and use natural cure? Well, let's start from the basic and the simplest cases to the more serious diseases:

Insect Bites

These bites are among the most common sources of discomfort not only because of the swelling that they cause but more so because of the combined itchiness and irritation on the skin. But, instead of reaching for your anti-itch ointment when you get bitten by bugs, you can easily find ingredients in your kitchen to reduce the itch and your scratching. Among those that you can use are warm water, salt, and vinegar. All you have to do is rub them on the affected area.

Stomach Problems (Diarrhea and Constipation)

Diarrhea and constipation are two opposite problems that have something to do with the stomach.

For diarrhea, the first step is to drink lots of water. For better effect, you can go for lemon juice, tea, grapefruit seed extract, or simply add honey to the water you're drinking. Aside from these natural liquid remedies, you can also go for the following rawfoods: banana, carrots (better when cooked), garlic, and apples with peelings (no apple juice, please).

For constipation, you'll need lots and lots of water and juices, plus milk before bedtime. Added to these, you must also increase the intake of foods rich in fiber such as fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains.

Eczema

This skin condition is characterized by dryness and redness of the skin, accompanied by itching. One of the factors said to affect the development of this disease is a person's diet. Therefore, one of the first steps to cure it is to go back on raw foods. Aside from that, you can also try other herbs like Tulsi and Palasha. Comfrey root and white bark are also among the ingredients you can use. And of course, an oatmeal bath is perfect!

Diabetes

Although natural cures will not be able to completely eliminate diabetes, they're known for controlling and managing high sugar levels in the body. Aside from the avoidance of foods rich in sugar, there are also certain foods that are best for diabetic people. Among these are onion, garlic, and cayenne pepper. Vegetables and plants like carrots, cabbage, coconut, spinach, and cinnamon are also ideal.

All these diseases, and more—natural cures are good remedies for different health maladies. And with their accessibility and affordability, you should have no problem using them.

Marilyn has been fascinated with the work of the Healthy Lifestyle Nutritionist and Guru, David Wolfe and has a blog which keeps up with the latest in the world of Healthy Lifestyles at http://HealthyFoodRawDiet.com/. See more about Natural Cures.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1122805_17.html
___________________________
Related
Natural Cures "They" Don't Want You To Know About
Prescription for Natural Cures
More Natural Cures Revealed: Previously Censored Brand Name Products That Cure Disease
Over the Counter Natural Cures: Take Charge of Your Health in 30 Days with 10 Lifesaving Supplements for under $10
Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth: The Surprising Unbiased Truth about What Treatments Work and Why
The Weight Loss Cure They Don't Want You to Know About
Alternative Cures: More than 1,000 of the Most Effective Natural Home Remedies
Cure the Incurable

Alternative medicine: Pressure Remedies that Heal you

2010-01-20T05:13:00.000-08:00

Alternative medicine: Pressure Remedies that Heal you

                                  Author: kyle stone

Alternative medicine is a recent term to something that has been a part of human existence from old. From the times of early man to the present day instinct and reason has taught humans many thing. The best advice for anyone wanting to adopt alternate medicine is
?    Understand the rationale and limitations of the type of alternate medicine you choose.
?    Natural used any place does not necessarily mean safe.
?    Body constitution differs from person to person. What works for someone else may not work for you. Do not get influenced by personal anecdotes from different persons.
?    If you are on other allopathic drugs then alternate medicine may have a harmful reaction. Some combinations of different medicines may be dangerous.
?    Consult your family doctor and few other learned/informed persons before embarking on an alternate healing remedy.

Pressure remedies of alternative therapy
Acupuncture: This is a procedure where specific body areas are pierced with fine needles for therapeutic purposes. The idea is to relieve pain or produce regional anesthesia.

Acupressure: Like acupuncture it is a traditional Chinese medical technique. They have the same principle. It involves physical pressure by hand, elbow or various devices for therapeutic value.

Fire cupping: This method involves applying acupressure by creating a vacuum next to the patient's skin. It is done by placing a glass, plastic, or bamboo cups on the skin and creating a vacuum with fire used to heat the air inside the cup. When the air cools it creates a vacuum at the acupressure point.

Moxibustion: A cone of dried wormwood leaves or ?Moxa? a traditional Chinese medicine is used to relieve pain. It is usually burnt close to the skin or on top of the acupuncture needle.

Reflexology: A method of massage therapy done on the feet that relieves nervous tension through the application of finger pressure. It is also known as zone therapy.

Shiatsu : This is a Japanese form of therapeutic massage in which pressure is applied with the thumbs and palms to those areas of the body used in acupuncture.

Acupoint therapy: This is an extension of Akupunkt Massage. The acupuncture points or meridians are stimulated with a therapy stick. It does not use needles or pressure that is used in shiatsu.

Chiropractic: A medical practice where the pressure on the nerves is relieved to treat some ailment. Exercise, application of heat, cold and light as well as massage and manipulation by hand is some techniques used.

Manipulative therapy: It is a mixture of therapies like massage therapy, osteopathy and chiropractic. Where massage is used for its physical and psychological benefits, it may be termed "therapeutic massage therapy" or manipulative therapy.

Among the host of alternative therapies like Chelation Therapy, Cognitive     Therapy, Gene Therapy, Heat Therapy,
Homeopathy , Crystal & Gem therapy, Flower Remedies, Hydrotherapy, Hypnotherapy, Music Therapy, Naturopathy etc. Some are new and has basis in science others are ancient and are being rediscovered by science.

Author:
http://www.alternateheals.com is a site that is comprehensive in major alternate medical   remedies Chelation therapy , Cognitive therapy, gene therapy etc. are some of the few described on the site.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_98922_17.html
_______________________

Links
Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide (2nd Edition)
Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine: The New Approach to Using the Best of Natural Therapies and Conventional Medicine (Mayo Clinic, Book of Alternative Medicine)
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised Second Edition
Mosby's Complementary & Alternative Medicine: A Research-Based Approach (Mosby's Complementary and Alternative Medicine)
Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, Updated and Expanded
The American Holistic Health Association Complete Guide to Alternative Medicine
Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine
Alternative Medicine Definitive Guide to Cancer (Alternative Medicine Definitive Guides)
Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines (PROFESSIONALS HANDBOOK OF COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE)

A Homeopathic Solution To Yeast Infection

2010-01-07T15:01:00.000-08:00

Author: John Barnhart

Homeopathy is fast becoming more popular as an alternative medicine primarily because of its zero side effects nature. These days, homeopathy is being employed to treat many issues. You can tap the benefits of homeopathy for dealing with thrush too. There are several homeopathic ingredients that may be used to treat yeast infection. Let us take a glance at them.

Borax is one of the commonly used ingredients of homeopathic medicine meant to treat yeast infection. The substance is particularly effective in curbing vaginal yeast infection and treats outlandish vaginal discharge associated with the disease. It also helps with reducing proof of itching or shooting pains in the ass for men.

Yet one more homeopathic ingredient that may provide effective relief from yeast infection is kresotum. This substance is not only effective against the problem of yeast infection, but is similarly capable of treating other conditions that comes with yeast infection. It helps you lose itching as caused while pissing, fatigue, weakness, redness and burning of eyes and such like.

Another kind of yeast infection that has effects on many is oral thrush. For this problem too, there's a homeopathic cure in form of Echniacea Augustifolia. Oral thrush constantly makes you suffer with the problem of mucus in the throat. Accumulation of mucus can be evaded using this homeopathic substance. Moreover this ingredient can provide you with liberty from the difficulty of vicious yeast infection that comes on an exceedingly frequent basis.

Cinnabar is also a particularly effective homeopathic ingredient when it comes to treating yeast infection. It is also known by it's systematic name of Mercurius Sulphuritus Ruber helping cure heaps of the indicators of the sickness. It treats heat and swelling of the face and the eyes and also redness. It may also effectively remedy joint or abdominal pain.

Adding to the list of homeopathic cures of yeast infection is another substance going by the name of Sulphuricum acidum. This ingredient is useful in treating yeast infection in all regardless of sex. If utilized by men, it puts an end point at the itching that occurs in the glans. While in females it helps combat the issue of hot flushes and vaginal discharge. This ingredient is also advantageous in restraining the shock that one feels in the body while struggling with yeast infection.

Each of the above debated ingredients can help fight yeast infection effectively and without side effect. few of the OTC yeast infection brands essentially use these homeopathic substances in their products. Instead many of them are made from tricky medical actives which can end up in further unpleasant side effects.

But, there is product that utilizes the advantages of homeopathy to the maximum and i.e. Yeastrol Yeast Infection Treatment. Yeastrol is the sole homeoapthic OTC yeast infection product available. All Yeastrol ingredients are a hundred p.c. homeopathic and have been chosen punctiliously by gurus. It is the homeopathic nature of this product that makes it a zero side effect solution for yeast infection.

So , if you have been plagued by yeast infection and need a good and side effect free medication to address it- look no further then the Yeastrol yeast infection treatment.

To know more about Yeast Infection Treatment and Yeastrol Review visit:http://www.yeastrol-review.com/

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1334028_23.html
________________________
Related Links and Products
Boiron Homeopathic Medicine Yeastaway Suppositories for Yeast Infections, 7-Count Boxes (Pack of 2)
Nelsons Homeopathic Medicine, Yeast (84 Pellets)
Vaginitis - 100 - Tablet
Yeast Powder, Nutritional 16oz (1 Pound)
Candida Yeast CAP (84 )

Natural Laxative

2010-01-02T13:41:00.000-08:00

Natural Laxative

Author: Darryl Marsh

Natural Laxative Click Here

Prolonged constipation has been related to increased risk for a variety of major medical Problems, including colon cancer. More than 4 million americans have persistent constipation resulting in 9,000,000 consultant visits yearly and in addition lead to above 92,000 hospitalizations yearly.

Chronic illnesses can happen as a result of autointoxication. Even those who experience regular bowel movements may also need to clean the colon.

Water

Drinking the right amount of water helps optimize the gut's efficacy. Drinking adequate water daily is said to be a constipation treatment. Drinking 10 to twelve cups of pure water every day helps promote a healthy bowel and is a natural way to relieve bowel problems. You may go for liquid juices like vegetable and fruit juices.

Exercise

Exercise can make an enormous difference in how frequently you become constipated. Many people eating unhealthy food also tend not to exercise. Thus hard stools can be a a factor of having an unhealthy way of life. Exercise is great, whatever if a person wishes it as a trots relief or not, so there is no reason not to start ( and continue ) exercising.

Fruits

Vegetables and fruit are one case of diuretics natural. These foods are awfully rich in fiber which can help you avoid having bowel problems.

Fruits contain lots of fiber together with distilled water and are easy to digest. Some of the finest fruits to help relieve constipation include apples, bananas, papayas, avocados, pineapples, plums, mangos, figs and grapes. Along with your increase in the eating of fruit and vegetables try and cut back on any sorts of meat and dairy foods they make a contribution to bowel obstruction.

Herbal

Herbal remedies are truly effective for a wide selection of conditions. Herbal cures can also work for the squits. A herbal cleaner together with the things already mentioned can be the easy steps you need in order to shed your hard stools issues. In truth, the Chinese custom believes the herbs help promote regularity and balance in the body.

Many Herbalists recommend drinking aloe vera juice or eating aloe vera gel in order to experience its benefits. aloe vera is not always effective for everyone.

Purgatives

Purgatives aren't built to loosen the impacted fecal matter that has amassed on the colon walls. Although they provide transient relief for constipation ; they do have several deadly side effects.

Laxative sales top the annual sales of digestive remedies at $900 million, yet, constipation is, by far, the most typical protracted digestive problem.?

Conclusion

It is far better to stay with a natural program i.e. Drinking lots of water, eating lots of fresh vegetables and fruit, controlling stress, etc, than to allow the body to get in a situation of constipation. However if in truth you finish up needing a remedy...it is much better to go with a herbal purgative than a chemical diuretic.

What Hawthorne Can Do For Your Heart
How Hawthorne Berries Can Help Your Heart

.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1319368_23.html

About the Author: Visitf http://www.constipationrelief.org/, and read up on some great info .

http://www.constipationrelief.org/
________________________________
Related
Vitabase Cape Aloe Lax 90 Capsules - Colon Health & Natural Laxatives
Prunelax/Ciruelax - 60 Tablets "Effective Yet Gentle Natural Senna Laxative"
Little Tummys Laxative Drops for Infants and Children, Natural Chocolate Flavor, 1-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 3)
Vitabase Parasite Complex 60 capsules - Colon Health & Natural Laxatives
Aboca/GAIA Herbs USA Natural Laxative - 90 Tablets
Swiss Kriss Natural Herbal Laxative Flake Form , 1.5 Ounces (42.6 g) (Pack of 6)

Yes, You Too Can Lower Blood Pressure Naturally

2010-01-01T15:56:00.000-08:00

Author: Samuel

In early June 2003 the American Journal of Hypertension published that over 80% of the doctors prove that Hypertensive’s can successfully lower blood pressure through and often overlooked everyday activity and adjusting minor lifestyle changes.

If you are one of the 60 million people in US only missing out on this vital link to lower blood pressure chances or are you confused and even frustrated over how to get lower blood pressure naturally.

It’s sad to see so many people are diagnosed with increased blood pressure. Too often they are convinced that it’s just due to temporary stress and they can take care and lower it without taking medications.

They cut on alcohol, smoking and even engage to some relaxing techniques as yoga just to discover after month or two that blood pressure still is creeping up. Frankly, high blood pressure is almost a personal insult to your lifestyle and too often it’s obvious lifestyle-related hypertension.

With about 30 pounds overweight, eating all that junk food, drinking sodas and snacking in front of TV, a little “lifestyle modifications” can do wonders with your hypertension.

And then you are so threatened with medication, you become determined to improve your health condition and get healthy and consider starting doing regular exercise. However, even with all that superhuman effort when you manage to turn things around, eating better, exercising regularly and shedding weight still in the next check-up no improvement is absorbed.

So the only way is… taking medications, maybe even for life. It’s sad to see that in all those cases people are missing out on one vital concept… important mechanism that affects every system of the body and especially blood pressure.

It’s never enough to make healthy lifestyle changes, dieting and even doing all the exercising – all these good things can’t pay off in time... and they can’t save you from high blood pressure and its medications if you miss this simple but vital concept.

The key to the success in any activity in life is doing it correctly. When you do one activity you add to other benefit and then all little changes you are doing add up into harmony that finally your blood pressure responds to.
Zona Plus Hypertension Relief Device - Lower Blood Pressure Naturally
What I mean is, even if your hypertension isn’t related to your lifestyle the systematic approach and carefully designed step-by-step plan will work for you to help overcome your medical condition.

In recent years numerous well-respected studies have proved beyond a shadow of a doubt that natural techniques may be as effective as potentially dangerous drugs. Blood pressure can be lowered without medications and now this approach gained solid scientific and medical validity.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1318793_23.html

About the Author:

http://www.naturaltreatmentforhypertension.com
_____________________________________
Related Links
Zona Plus Hypertension Relief Device - Lower Blood Pressure Naturally
Hyperzosin Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally & Safely 60 Count Bottle
RESPeRATE Duo FREE TRAVEL POUCH
How to Lower Your Blood Pressure and Reverse Heart Disease Naturally
Resterol 90 Cap Lower Cholesterol Naturally
25 Natural Ways To Lower Blood Pressure

Detoxification Diet Programs- The Sign of Good Health

2009-12-27T06:18:00.000-08:00

Author: Govindan

Ever wondered how your life would be if you had a beautiful body? Tired of trying different weight loss programs that yield futile results? Not to worry, by following the detoxification diet programs , you can be assured of getting the body you have always dreamt of.

Natural Detoxification, Updated and Expanded Edition

Diet Programs- Introduction

A detoxification program is a program that helps you to get rid of all the impurities in your body. Indulging in a detoxification program can help in improving the overall health of your body and also enhance your mental state by reducing stress and other psychological issues.
When you undertake a body detox program you need to be on a diet of fresh fruit juices, meat, fish and also reduce the overall intake of calories. This might prove to be difficult in the beginning, but once you get adjusted to the routine it will become easy.
You might also want to state away from smoking and alcohol consumption since this can produce harmful toxins in your body, which in turn can lead to dangerous infections or diseases.

Who Can Engage in a Body Detoxification Program?

Body detoxification programs are not for everybody. You might want to consult your doctor if you are suffering from any health issues so that they can guide you in selecting the appropriate detox program.
Moreover children, pregnant and nursing women should not indulge in any type of detoxification diets. People who are anemic, have low blood pressure are also advised not to go in for such diets.
In the beginning, you might experience some side effects like headaches. These happen if a person has suddenly stopped intake of caffeine. This is the reason many doctors recommend to start a detox program during vacations or leave.
In order to get quick and fast results you might want to indulge in a 10 day detox program. These programs can be found on the internet with the prescribed routine and instruction to perform them properly.
Some of the other side effects that you might experience are diarrhea, dehydration, constipation, irritability, stress and even weight loss.
All these will reduce when your body slowly gets adjusted to your new routine. In such case if you are not sure why you are facing these symptoms you might need to consult your doctor whether these are due to the detoxification programs or other health conditions.
Some of the body detox benefits include enhanced blood circulation, fairer and clearer skin, normal bowel movements and improved resistance against diseases and infections.
GliSODin Skin Nutrients Advanced Detoxification Formula

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1313927_23.html

About the Author:

http://www.makefreeinternationalcalls.com
__________________________________
Related Links
The Detox Book: How to Detoxify Your Body to Improve Your Health, Stop Disease, and Reverse Aging, 2nd Edition
Pharmax Liver Support & Detoxification - 60 Vegetarian Capsules
Super Cleanse: Detox Your Body for Long-Lasting Health and Beauty
Detoxification: A Natural Approach
Missing Link Recovery/Detoxification, 1 lb
Portable Herbal Steam Sauna SPA Detox Ion Essential Oil

Improve your Sporting Performance with the Alexander Technique

2009-12-25T00:52:00.000-08:00

Author: Carla Radford

Whatever your chosen sport, and whether you play for fun or are a dedicated professional, the Alexander Technique can help to improve both your performance and enjoyment.

How You Stand, How You Move, How You Live: Learning the Alexander Technique to Explore Your Mind-Body Connection and Achieve Self-Mastery

It’s not just another exercise regime or sports therapy, but a method of helping you to become more consciously aware of your body and how you use it. This can lead to:

•   improved balance and coordination
•   reduced stress and strain
•   better mobility and efficiency of movement
•   improved breathing
•   less risk of injury
•   faster recovery

Most people stand, walk, run and perform other physical movements automatically. If you want to move from A to B you can do so without thinking about precisely how to move each joint or noticing the exact position of your limbs. You will also be unaware of any postural bad habits you have picked up over the years and how they are adversely affecting your ability to win races, score goals or hit that elusive hole-in-one.

But you will notice the pain and discomfort caused by constantly putting undue strain on some parts of your body. Many people discover The Alexander Technique when they are looking for a cure for backache or other joint pains.

The Alexander Technique: First Lesson

The Alexander Technique is a self-help system. A qualified teacher (check that he or she is a member of the Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique) will guide you to identify the harmful tensions and stresses within your body and help you to explore ways of correcting them. The experience is often enlightening in several ways. As well as learning how to prevent pain, the Technique can alter the way you think about and approach all physical movement. It re-educates you to use your body as nature intended.

One aspect of the Alexander Technique that can be especially useful for sportsmen and women is breaking the habit of ‘end-gaining’. This means concentrating on the desired outcome of movement without noticing how that movement is being performed. A runner will imagine crossing the finishing line; a tennis player will be looking at the spot where the ball should land. Learning to shift attention to how you are moving rather than why can make the difference between success and failure.
Guided Lessons For Students of The Alexander Technique
If you want to get maximum enjoyment out of sport, while minimising the wear and tear on your body, The Alexander Technique can be of great benefit. It is suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels, from teenagers hoping for professional football careers to those taking up golf in retirement.
Voice and the Alexander Technique
Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1314479_23.html

About the Author: Carla Radford is a Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique qualified Alexander Technique teacher with vast experience in teaching people to identify and prevent harmful physical and mental habits and release unwanted muscular tension that can cause ill-health. Anyone in Hornchurch, Elm Park, Upminster or Cranham suffering from back, neck or joint pain or any form of posture, tension or stress related problems should visit info@alexanderforhornchurch.co.uk for more information.

http://www.alexanderforhornchurch.co.uk

Gotu Kola - The Arthritis Herb

2009-12-24T04:26:00.000-08:00

Author: Linda Thompson

According to the National Center for Health Statistics there were 45.8 million adults with diagnosed arthritis in the United States in 1993. Although the term literally means joint inflammation, arthritis really refers to a group of more than 100 rheumatic diseases and conditions that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints.

Herbs to Relieve Arthritis (Keats Good Herb Guide)

The two most common forms of the disease are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Alternative Health & Herbs Remedies Arthritis, 1-Ounce Bottle (Pack of 2)

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, especially among older people. Sometimes it is called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis. Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects the cartilage. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another. It also absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement. In osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the bodies own immune system mistakenly attacks the synovium (cell lining inside the joint). This chronic, potentially disabling disease causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function in the joints.

Today more and more people are seeking an alternative treatment to combat the pain of arthritis. One such treatment that may hold promise is the use of the herb Gotu Kola.

Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) also known as Indian pennywort, marsh penny and water pennywort is a creeping Perennial herb, native to tropical and sub-Tropical Asia, some South Pacific islands, coastal and central Africa. It has been used for centuries in both Ayurveda and Chinese medicine and was first accepted as a drug in France in the 1880's.

Although treating arthritis is not the most common traditional use of Gotu Kola, down under in Australia Gotu Kola is commonly known as Pennywort "The Arthritis Herb" where the fresh leaves are used to treat arthritic conditions and has become extremely popular. Frequent reports of its efficacy have prompted the Herbal Medicines Research and Education Centre to start a research project to investigate the popular use of Pennywort (Centella asiatica) for the treatment of arthritis.

Natures Way Gotu Kola 100c, Bottle (Pack of 3)

Numerous reports have emerged from the general public that eating 2 leaves each day is said to relieve the pain of arthritis and even plant nurseries in Australia sell the plant as 'the arthritis herb'.

Gotu Kola Formula 108 Capsules

Note: Gotu kola should not by taken if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or taking certain medications.

Gotu Kola Herb 100 Capsules

Before taking any alternative treatment talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have any other medical conditions, allergies (especially to plants), or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements.

Discover more information and articles on Herbs and Herbal Medicine by visiting http://www.herbs4medicine.com

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_60975_23.html

Detoxification Diet Programs- The Sign of Good Health

2009-12-23T13:50:00.000-08:00

Author: Govindan

Ever wondered how your life would be if you had a beautiful body? Tired of trying different weight loss programs that yield futile results? Not to worry, by following the detoxification diet programs , you can be assured of getting the body you have always dreamt of.

Diet Programs- Introduction

A detoxification program is a program that helps you to get rid of all the impurities in your body. Indulging in a detoxification program can help in improving the overall health of your body and also enhance your mental state by reducing stress and other psychological issues.
When you undertake a body detox program you need to be on a diet of fresh fruit juices, meat, fish and also reduce the overall intake of calories. This might prove to be difficult in the beginning, but once you get adjusted to the routine it will become easy.
You might also want to state away from smoking and alcohol consumption since this can produce harmful toxins in your body, which in turn can lead to dangerous infections or diseases.
Natural Detoxification, Updated and Expanded Edition

Who Can Engage in a Body Detoxification Program?

Body detoxification programs are not for everybody. You might want to consult your doctor if you are suffering from any health issues so that they can guide you in selecting the appropriate detox program.
Moreover children, pregnant and nursing women should not indulge in any type of detoxification diets. People who are anemic, have low blood pressure are also advised not to go in for such diets.
In the beginning, you might experience some side effects like headaches. These happen if a person has suddenly stopped intake of caffeine. This is the reason many doctors recommend to start a detox program during vacations or leave.
In order to get quick and fast results you might want to indulge in a 10 day detox program. These programs can be found on the internet with the prescribed routine and instruction to perform them properly.
Some of the other side effects that you might experience are diarrhea, dehydration, constipation, irritability, stress and even weight loss.

The Detox Book: How to Detoxify Your Body to Improve Your Health, Stop Disease, and Reverse Aging, 2nd Edition

All these will reduce when your body slowly gets adjusted to your new routine. In such case if you are not sure why you are facing these symptoms you might need to consult your doctor whether these are due to the detoxification programs or other health conditions.
Some of the body detox benefits include enhanced blood circulation, fairer and clearer skin, normal bowel movements and improved resistance against diseases and infections.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1313927_23.html

About the Author:

http://www.makefreeinternationalcalls.com
The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan: A Program for Greater Energy, Health, and Vitality

Yoga to cure Backpain

2009-12-22T04:19:00.000-08:00

Author: santosh011

The most usual medical complaint reported by the persons among the age group of 25 to 45 is back pain. Back pain is generally caused because of the biomechanical imbalance in spinal structures. However, it can result from many reasons too. It can happen from a slip disc or a damaged muscles or tore ligament. Back pains can also result from infections, tumors or bone spurs.

However, back pain can be treated or can be reduced at most level by performing Yoga india. It serves as a blessing in disguise for people experiencing from back pain. Even renowned chiropractors and back experts have recognized that yoga is much more useful than all other ways or homeopathy medications.

When people perform the yoga Ashram poses, his backbone is stretched and strengthened which outcomes in the decrease of back pain. Since most of the back pain experiences since the spine of anyone is compacted and the back muscles tight and weak, the yoga poses are aimed at strengthening the spine and stretching the muscles. The yoga postures united with a number of researchers breathing methods work systematically on the lumbosacral area. The relaxing breathing methods decrease tension on muscles and joints and helps in the relocation of tendons and muscle fibers. This is why in the lack of any efficient action for back pain; yoga is the nearly all sought after ‘drug.

However, before starting with the yoga pose for back pain, it is should talk to expert doctor about this and best position. One also has to keep in mind that yoga is not an immediate relief source; the results come gradually and progressively and hence you should have to keep patience.

Now, the most significant thing: Allyoga poses do not reduce back pain. Actually, some of them can worsen the existing pain. Hence, when you do yoga, it must be under the management of a proper teacher whether the instructions come in person.
Yoga For Every Body (With Over 35 Routines)

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1304891_23.html

Beginner Yoga and the Various Benefits from It

2009-12-18T14:22:00.000-08:00

Beginner Yoga and the Various Benefits from It

Author: beginneryogabo

If you want to get fit not only physically, but also spiritually and mentally, then beginner yoga could possibly be your answer. Before beginning the yoga though you need to comprehend that it involves a lot of things. Yoga while it looks easy takes a good amount of work. The benefits you can get both mentally and physically from it makes the work worth it though.

The main thing you need to be aware of for yoga is that there various kinds of it. Each type of yoga has its individual characteristics because each separate on emphasizes different things. As an example, certain styles of yoga will concentrate more on posture, breath, philosophy, aerobics, or several of these combined. Whichever style you decide on luckily there are beginner classes to help get you started. It does not matter what your age or level of fitness, there is a yoga style that will fit your needs.

You possibly already have learned the numerous benefits from yoga. The beginner yoga sessions will even start to tone you muscles and make them stronger. As you do yoga you will also see that your posture gets better gradually over time. Your circulation, digestion, and stamina will all improve. There have been those people who have seen their breathing disorders, cholesterol problems, blood sugar issues, and heart conditions improve too by even doing beginner yoga.

You can also get mental benefits such as a better centered attention, a better ability to relax your mind,increased concentration, and a freedom of spirit. With many much good coming from taking even the beginner yoga classes, you should not hesitate to try one to exercise your body and mind.

Meditation is also something that you might get into. While not all styles of yoga insist on meditation, there are some that make it part of their main focus. It is important to make sure that you are looking over all of the various beginner yoga styles out there to make sure that you are starting one that is suitable to your needs and interests.

You should setup time everyday to do your beginner yoga. The wise thing to do is practice the yoga in sessions of around 30 - 45 minutes each day so that you can feel the complete benefits from the yoga. Very quickly you will have more energy, feel much healthier, and be able to deal with the world on your terms.

Article Source: http://www.articlealley.com/article_1304536_23.html

Cleanse Yourself And Do Body Detox For Better Health

2009-08-20T05:53:00.001-07:00

There’s fastfood and processed food and practically a deluge of preservatives in the food we take in these days. Our awareness on healthy lifestyle, particularly healthy eating started at the height of the uproar over the use of genetically-modified organisms of fastfood chains like McDonalds.

People are starting to be more aware of their food intake, starting a new hype over the need for detoxification. Detoxification is the process of removing toxic substances from the body. Primarily referred to as a treatment for alcohol and drug dependence, body detox can also refer to the use of diets, herbs and other methods to remove toxins from the body for general health.

So, are you thinking of cleansing your body? Here are a few tips for healthy and wise and effective detoxification.

Go for a non-toxic lifestyle. This means going for natural food, drinking lots of fluids, especially water, exercising regularly and avoiding toxic food like junkfood, canned good, and other processed food. At the same time, you can try out a Detox Diet that will cleanse your body and give relief to body aches, allergies, digestive problems and other related concerns.

If you’re on a detox program, take as much fresh fruits and vegetables as possible, nuts, beans, rice and grains. On the other hand, take note not to indulge in sugar, caffeine, yeast, alcohol, chocolates and other food rich in additives and preservatives.

Plan your detox program. You can do a weekend fast. It is good to start on a Friday, with the weekend giving you the transition in and out of your detox program. Likewise, make sure that your detox plan is something that you can follow. Detoxifying does not mean starving yourself.

Appreciate nature. Exercise outdoors. The fresh air can do wonders for your lungs and circulation. If you live near the beach, it’s always good to take a walk or sprint early morning by the seashore. Have a balanced schedule of activity that will give you time for work and fun at the same time. Try yoga or pilates. Skip rope or walk in your neighborhood. Do anything to keep that body of yours up and running and always on the go.

Go for the spa. Take a shower and do skin brushing to help you detoxify. Rubbing your skin improves circulation and helps you shed off those dead skin layer.

Make sure that you have a regular bowel movement. Eat food rich in fiber. There’s also tea and other herbs which can help aid bowel movement. When you’re detoxifying, bowel movement is important as it lessens the possibility of toxins being absorbed into the body.

Be positive. A healthy mind means a healthy body. Rid yourself of all negative thoughts. They’re added toxins to the body. Smile and have the will and the commitment to your detox plan.

It’s never too late to start cleansing yourself, especially your body. With our hurried lifestyle in this up and busy and polluted world, we’re all entitled to some personal pleasures as simple as taking care of our health. Body detox may be as simple as ridding yourself of your negative thoughts by taking a walk in the park and letting the fresh air wash over your thoughts. Or it can be as complicated as following a strict detox diet to eliminate toxins in our deigestive system. Whatever it is, the important thing is, you find a way to cleanse yourself.

How to Avoid Acne Vulgaris and Pimples

2009-06-18T04:32:00.000-07:00

By Ryan English

Acne Vulgaris is known as common acne. It is the inflammation of the sebaceous glands of the skin. It consists of red, raised areas of the skin that could develop into pustules and even further into cysts that cause scarring.

This condition occurs mostly on the face, neck, and back in most teenagers and young adults. Acne vulgaris and pimples results in over stimulation of the skin caused by androgens, but bacterial infection also plays a role in this condition.

Symptoms of acne vulgaris and pimples can be characterized by whiteheads and blackheads on the face, neck, chest, back, and shoulders. While most acne can be mild, it can also become severe causing scars.

Learning how to avoid acne vulgaris and pimples can really help change the overall appearance of the skin, and alleviate the pain, and scarring associated with this condition.

There are myths about things to avoid eating to help reduce acne breakouts but research has found that, for the most part, food does not play a role in the cause of acne. Doctors of natural medicine have, however, linked food allergies with the condition of acne.

Vitamins also can help you avoid acne vulgaris and pimples. In trial tests on acne, a topical application of four percent niacinamide gel was applied twice a day for two months. The result was significant improvement of those patients with acne. Further study has shown that taking this vitamin orally does not produce the same results. In yet another study, zinc was used as an oral-antibiotic and produced effective results in clearing up acne. Doctors suggested use of this mineral is to take 30mg, two to three times a day for a few months, then only 30mg once a day thereafter. It takes about twelve weeks for any improvement to show. When taking zinc long term, you must also add 1-2mg of copper to prevent copper deficiency. Taking large quantities of vitamin A also shown results. Suggested amount to be used was 300,000 IU for females, and 400,000-500,000 IU for males. It was further found with this method that once the vitamin A was discontinued, the acne returned.

Another method to help avoid acne vulgaris, and pimples was the use of herbs. Tonic herbs such as burdock has been shown in the use of skin conditions. This herb is known for it properties to have a cleansing action when taken orally. Other herbs that can be added to the burdock root to further the effectiveness include, yellow dock, red clover, and cleavers.

Another holistic approach is the use of acupuncture. Acupuncture is the use of tiny needles at certain strategic points on the body to focus energy to areas that need healing. Another useful means is a treatment called, cupping. Cupping is the use of cup-shaped instruments used to apply suction to the area in need of healing.

Lastly, another method that can be used in the avoidance of acne vulgaris and pimples is hypnosis. In one study, a patient was told to say the word, "scar" instead of picking at her face, and the scratch marks were resolved. This treatment, however had no effect on the underlying surface of the skin.

Top Rated Acne Treatment Products

How Diet Affects Acne

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_English

The Alexander Technique

2009-03-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

The Alexander Technique was invented by a man named F.M. Alexander. He lived from 1869-1955. He was an actor, touring Tasmania and Australia with a Shakespearean troupe. He began to have problems with his voice, and the rest is history.

When Alexander's throat became extremely hoarse, he made the rounds of all the doctors where he was at any given time. None of them could help him. They could not find any physical reason for the problem. The Alexander Technique came about because the man would not take no for an answer.

Since there was no one to come to his aid, Alexander began watching his every move. He spent much time looking into mirrors, trying to determine what he might be doing wrong. Over a period of nine years, he came up with a solution: the Alexander Technique.

The system Alexander designed did the trick of restoring his voice. This was nothing short of a miracle for him. His voice was of utmost importance to him as an actor. He did not name the system the Alexander Technique, though. He named it primary control.

The hypothesis of the Alexander Technique is that the head, neck, and torso are the primary factors in determining function, movement, and posture. In other words, these body parts control these features of the human anatomy.

Through his observations, he learned that by compressing these body parts, the body did not work in accordance with its design. In his case, this led to poor posture, which resulted in the hoarseness of his voice. For others, he saw that there were other problems that the Alexander Technique, or primary control, could help.

Primary control, as Alexander used it was the correct positioning of the head, neck, and torso so that the body worked normally. Now, the Alexander Technique is being used in clinics around the country. It is taught to people who are young and people who are old. It is taught to anyone comes to be taught.

Alexander Technique practitioners usually work with people on an individual basis. Groups can sometimes be taught the Alexander Technique, but this is not standard practice. The key is for the practitioner to employ physiotherapy techniques and education to help the person to use their body better and function better overall.

The idea of the Alexander Technique is to provide a physiotherapy that will allow muscles to become relaxed. This is said to give people back the posture they should have had all along. The body is worked with the human form as a whole, and so doing the Alexander Technique is said to have effects for all parts of the body.

The Alexander Technique is a highly specialized area of physiotherapy. This technique addresses issues that are related to posture only, albeit there are many problems that are. It is generally not used for people with major disabilities or illnesses. Other forms of physiotherapy are better for those patients. However, for people with minor problems, the Alexander Technique has been known to work wonders.

"Relaxing with a Mental PDA" Your 5 minutes daily program to Stress management

2009-03-21T15:09:00.001-07:00

We all have this favorite expression when it comes to being stressed out, and I wouldn't bother naming all of them since it may also vary in different languages. But when it comes down to it, I think that it is how we work or even relax, for that matter that triggers stress. Ever been stressed even when you're well relaxed and bored? I know I have.

Since Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. is unavoidable in life, it is important to find ways to decrease and prevent stressful incidents and decrease negative reactions to stress. Here are some of the things that can be done by just remembering it, since life is basically a routine to follow like brushing your teeth or eating breakfast. You can do a few of them in a longer span of time, but as they say-- every minute counts.

Managing time

Time management skills can allow you more time with your family and friends and possibly increase your performance and productivity. This will help reduce your stress.

To improve your time management:

· Save time by focusing and concentrating, delegating, and scheduling time for yourself.
· Keep a record of how you spend your time, including work, family, and leisure time.
· Prioritize your time by rating tasks by importance and urgency. Redirect your time to those activities that are important and meaningful to you.
· Manage your commitments by not over- or undercommitting. Don't commit to what is not important to you.
· Deal with procrastination by using a day planner, breaking large projects into smaller ones, and setting short-term deadlines.
· Examine your beliefs to reduce conflict between what you believe and what your life is like.
Build healthy coping strategies

It is important that you identify your coping strategies. One way to do this is by recording the stressful event, your reaction, and how you cope in a stress journal. With this information, you can work to change unhealthy coping strategies into healthy ones-those that help you focus on the positive and what you can change or control in your life.

Lifestyle

Some behaviors and lifestyle choices affect your stress level. They may not cause stress directly, but they can interfere with the ways your body seeks relief from stress. Try to:

· Balance personal, work, and family needs and obligations.
· Have a sense of purpose in life.
· Get enough sleep, since your body recovers from the stresses of the day while you are sleeping.
· Eat a balanced diet for a nutritional defense against stress.
· Get moderate exercise throughout the week.
· Limit your consumption of alcohol.
· Don't smoke.

Social support

Social support is a major factor in how we experience stress. Social support is the positive support you receive from family, friends, and the community. It is the knowledge that you are cared for, loved, esteemed, and valued. More and more research indicates a strong relationship between social support and better mental and physical health.

Changing thinking

When an event triggers negative thoughts, you may experience fear, insecurity, anxiety, depression, rage, guilt, and a sense of worthlessness or powerlessness. These emotions trigger the body's stress, just as an actual threat does. Dealing with your negative thoughts and how you see things can help reduce stress.

· Thought-stopping helps you stop a negative thought to help eliminate stress.
· Disproving irrational thoughts helps you to avoid exaggerating the negative thought, anticipating the worst, and interpreting an event incorrectly.
· Problem solving helps you identify all aspects of a stressful event and find ways to deal with it.
· Changing your communication style helps you communicate in a way that makes your views known without making others feel put down, hostile, or intimidated. This reduces the stress that comes from poor communication. Use the assertiveness ladder to improve your communication style.

Even writers like me can get stressed even though we're just using our hands to do the talking, but having to sit for 7 or 8 hours is already stressful enough and have our own way to relieve stress. Whether you're the mail guy, the CEO, or probably the average working parent, stress is one unwanted visitor you would love to boot out of your homes, especially your life.

Organic skin care

2009-03-20T15:47:00.000-07:00

“If it can be done naturally, why go for artificial means” - this is the basic premise on which ‘organic skin care’ works. Organic skin care is the most natural way of ‘skin care’. In fact, ‘organic skin care’ was probably the first one to be used by man when it first woke-up to the needs of his skin. ‘Organic skin care’ is not only friendlier to skin, but also inexpensive. If exercised in the right way, organic skin care can prevent the occurrence of a lot of skin disorders and can help keep your skin healthy and young-looking for a much longer time.

Organic fruits and vegetables are the most popular things on organic skin care routines e.g. cucumber is very common in organic skin care routines. Turmeric, apple, papaya, ginger are others that find a wide use in organic skin care routines. These organic materials have a very refreshing and vitalizing effect on your skin. Almost every skin care book/guide has section on organic skin care (including the actions of various fruits and vegetables on skin). So choose the ones that are more suitable for your skin type and start experimenting with them until you finally select the ones that are most suitable for inclusion in your organic skin care routine. It’s important that you use fresh organic fruits/vegetables. Don’t try to utilise the rotten ones for your skin, their only place is the garbage bin.

Milk is known to posses good cleansing properties; in fact, the name of some skin care products contains the word ‘milk’ in them. A combination of milk with ground oatmeal acts as wonderful cleanser.

Ground oatmeal is especially good for oily skins and is a popular ingredient in organic skin care regimen. It is used in various combinations e.g. with egg, honey, milk and fruits, for preparation of organic facial packs.

Wheat germ is another ingredient in organic skin care procedures. It is rich in vitamin E and is known for its exfoliation as well as moisturising properties. Wheat germ, in various combinations with other organic materials, is used to prepare facial masks for normal and dry skin types. Wheat germ oil is another way in which wheat germ is used for organic skin care.

Yogurt and sour cream are other organic materials that are popular for their exfoliation and moisturising properties.

Use of organic honey is also popular in organic skin care procedures. It helps in retention of moisture and helps impart a glowing look to skin.

Rose water takes its place as a toner in organic skin care routines. Lavender water is popular too.

‘Organic skin care’ uses combinations of various organic materials that complement each other and enhance each other’s effectiveness. Moreover, these combinations are also helpful in over-riding the harmful effects (if any) of various organic materials that form them.

Organic skin care is really an art that, once perfected, can give wonderful results in a very cost effective manner.

Your Recommended Daily Allowance for Relaxation

2009-03-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

Stress is the curse of living in modern times. Everyone suffers from stress. And the stress we suffer takes a heavy toll on our bodies, emotions and minds.

Feeling stressed out, worn out by fatigue or just simply having a miserable day, the best thing to do is relax.

Watching television may be a form of relaxation for some, but is not a recommended method by experts. When we watch TV we are bombarded with commercials, ads, sounds and images. So how do we achieve relaxation? If there are thousands of ways we can get stressed, one of them is not meeting deadlines, there are also many ways we can relax.

In recent studies, experts have determined that heart disease is linked to anger and irritability is linked to mental stress. Too much stress brings about ischemia that can lead to or cause a heart attack. Relaxation takes on added importance in light of this matter. Managing your anger and attitude is significant to heart health, and relaxation can help you manage stress.

One way of relaxation is transcendental meditation. Recent studies have also shown that this method might reduce artery blockage, which is a major cause for heart attack and stroke. People practice transcendental meditation by repeating uttering soothing sounds while meditating, this is to achieve total relaxation. The researchers found that practitioners of transcendental meditation significantly reduced the thickness of their arterial wall compared with those who didn't practice transcendental meditation.

Another study on another method of relaxation, acupuncture, seems to reduce high blood pressure by initiating several body functions for the brain to release chemical compounds known as endorphins. Endorphin helps to relax muscles, ease panic, decrease pain, and reduce anxiety.

Yoga is also another method for relaxation and may also have similar effects like acupuncture. In another study, participants were subjected to several minutes of mental stress. Then they were subjected to various relaxation techniques, such as listening to nature sounds or classical music. Only those who did Yoga significantly reduced the time it took for their blood pressures to go back to normal. Yoga is a form of progressive relaxation.

Breathing is one of the easiest methods to relax. Breathing influences alamost all aspects of us, it affects our mind, our moods and our body. Simply focus on your breathing, after some time you can feel its effects right away.

There are several breathing techniques that can help you reduce stress.

Another easy way to achieve relaxation is exercise. If you feel irritated a simple half-hour of exercise will often settle things down. Although exercise is a great way to lose weight, it does not show you how to manage stress appropriately. Exercise should also be used in conjunction with other exercise method.

One great way of relaxation is getting a massage. To gain full relaxation, you need to totally surrender to the handling and touch of a professional therapist.

There are several types of massages that also give different levels of relaxation.

Another method of relaxation is Biofeedback. The usual biofeedback-training program includes a 10-hour sessions that is often spaced one week apart.

Hypnosis is one controversial relaxation technique. It is a good alternative for people who think that they have no idea what it feels like to be relaxed. It is also a good alternative for people with stress related health problems.

Drugs are extreme alternatives to relaxation. They are sometimes not safe and are not effective like the other relaxation methods. This method is only used by trained medical professionals on their patients.

These relaxation techniques are just some of the ways you can achieve relaxation. Another reason why we need to relax, aside from lowering blood pressure in people and decreasing the chances of a stroke or a heart attack, is because stress produces hormones that suppress the immune system, relaxation gives the immune system time to recover and in doing so function more efficiently.

Relaxation lowers the activities within the brains' limbic system; this is the emotional center of our brain.

Furthermore, the brain has a periodic need for a more pronounced activity on the right-hemisphere. Relaxation is one way of achieving this.

Relaxation can really be of good use once a relaxation technique is regularly built into your lifestyle. Choose a technique that you believe you can do regularly.

Exercise and Arthritis

2009-03-20T10:03:00.001-07:00

Your bones hang out in a lot of joints. Knee joints. Hip joints. The joints in your fingers and the joints in your toes.

Wherever bones meet, there is also cartilage, a rubbery, protective layer that ensures your joints bend smoothly and painlessly. But even cartilage cannot do this tremendous job alone. A thin membrane called the “synovium” provides fluid that lubricates the moving parts of the joint. When the cartilage wears out of the synovium becomes inflamed, the result is generally a case of “osteoarthritis” or “rheumatoid arthritis.”

In osteoarthritis, the cartilage can be eroded so much that bone does rub on bone. Thos type of arthritis develops gradually over a lifetime as a simple result of the wear and tear placed on your joints over the years. Very few people escape some degree of osteoarthritis, though the severity varies a great deal.

As a matter of fact, if you are over the age of 50, you are likely to have at least one joint affected by osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis affects men and women equally and is by far the most common type of arthritis, with almost 16 million Americans in the list.

In rheumatoid arthritis, damage to the synovium is at the source of trouble. Doctors and researchers are not absolutely sure what causes it, but most think that rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system actually attacks certain tissues in the body, including those that connect the joints and the synovium.

Rheumatoid arthritis begins with swollen, red, stiff, and painful joints, but it may progress until scar tissue forms in the joint or, in extreme cases, until the bones actually fuse together. Almost 75% of the 2 million people with rheumatoid arthritis in the United States are women. The disease can hit as early as teen years.

Exercising Your Prevention Options

Investing a little time in developing a good weight-bearing low-impact exercise and stretching plan can add up to great results when it comes to staving off arthritis pain. Strong muscles help protect the joints from wear and tear, and the movement keeps joints flexible.

That is why the quest for fitness is at hand, even if you are 50 years and over. However, most Americans over 50 are still right where they always were sitting back and watching others jog by. Most of them contend that that is just for people who have been athletic all their life, or some say exercise is for young people and engaging into exercise will do them more harm than good.

There are still some that insist on excusing their selves in exercise routines because they do not just have time or they have less energy than ever before. These are all lame excuses. Hence, it is time to start to get rid of those pains. Start exercising.

Consequently, preventing arthritis is not an exact science, but physicians have discovered a few ways to lower your risk. Here is how:

1. Do not weight around

The single most important measure anyone can take to prevent osteoarthritis of the knee is to lose weight if they are overweight. Extra weight puts extra stress on your knees. If you are 10 pounds overweight, for example, you put 60 pounds per square inch of extra pressure on your knees every time you take a step. That extra pressure can slowly but surely erode the cartilage in your knees, leading to arthritis.

A study has clearly supported the theory that weight loss weighs in on the side of prevention. In the study, overweight women who lost 11 pounds or more over a 10-year period decreased their risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee by 50%.

2. Stretch those muscles

Any kind of stretching is good as long as you do not bounce, which can lead to a muscle pull. This is according to some of the professors of clinical medicine in New York City.

Try to hold a slow, steady stretch for 15 to 20 seconds, then relax and repeat. It is best to flex up by stretching before any exercise, especially running and walking. But it is also a good idea to stretch each day. Ask your doctor to teach you stretches that focus on potential arthritis trouble spots, such as the knees or the lower back.

3. Walking is always the best exercise

Take a good long walk at least three times a week or participate in a step-aerobics or low-impact exercise routine maximum results. There is no proof that running is bad for the joints, but remember, it may aggravate an injury if you already have one. Just remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program.

The bottom line is that of all the healthful habits, exercise is the most important. This is because people are designed to be active. Hence, it is really important for people to exercise in order to stay healthy and keep those joints free from wear and tear.

Just keep in mind that the unexercised body, even if free from the symptoms of illness or problems like arthritis, is not at its full potential. Hence, start exercising right now!

5000 Year-Old Medical Secret Unearthed!

2009-03-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

When you get sick, you go to the doctor. And the doctor will, of course, prescribe medicines. You will go and buy medicines. You take them, and hopefully, you get well.

This is how the health profession goes on nowadays – a cycle of diagnosis and prescription.

If anyone were to give you herbs for medicine, you would probably say that that person was a quack.

But nowadays, studies are being conducted to see if there are really is any merit to what is called natural medicine.

Natural medicine is the use of natural methods, herbal medicines, and traditional practices to heal ailments. Every culture has a form of natural medicine. In ancient cultures, village medicine men served as the doctors of the community, passing on medical knowledge to the apprentices that followed them.

Many categories of the healing methods fall under natural medicine. Among these are traditional medicine, complementary medicine, and alternative medicine.

Usually, natural medicine refers to medical practices that were in place before the advent of modern medicine.

This includes herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, which is prevalent in Chinese, Ayurvedic(or Indian), and Greek medicine.

Upon the advent of modern medicine, many professionals discarded the use of herbs in favor of man-made medicine. The fact that these treatments are based on the healing properties of some herbs was forgotten.

For example, opium, digitalis, quinine, and aspirin all have their roots in traditional medicine.

Natural medicine can be considered as a lost art. This does not mean that it has lost efficacy over time. In some cases, natural therapy is actually better than modern medicine. This leads some doctors to seriously consider and study the possible uses of natural medicine

Before we continue, it is important to stress that not all the natural remedies are legitimate. It would help to only try those remedies which have been thoroughly studied and are relatively risk free.

Take herbal medicine for example. There are many well-documented and studied herbal remedies available. However, only those that deal with minor ailments such as cough, colds, fever, skin rashes, and its ilk are likely to be recommended by health professionals. These remedies are sometimes superior to synthetic medicine. This is because herbal medicines are less likely to cause negative side effects.

Currently there are numerous organizations that study the effects and advocacy of natural medicine – among which is herbal medicine. Some governments and health agencies openly advocate the use of natural methods since they are inexpensive and relatively risk-free.

As their studies compile, more herbs and treatments are added to the list of accepted medicines. However, many herbs and treatments have been proven to be bogus medicine. This represents a challenge for both the user and the agencies because they have to ascertain that the treatments they either use or advocate are legitimate.

There exist today many alternative medical treatments that fall under natural medicine. However, not all of them have been proven to be effective. You could mention homeopathy, aromatherapy, acupuncture, and other alternative medical treatments. It would pay to consult the experts as to the legitimacy of these treatments.

Natural medicine should also be thought of as an accompanying medicine. Right now, the current collective medical thought suggests that natural medicine be used only to supplement accepted modern medical practices. In that case of minor ailments your expert we actually advise you to take natural therapies instead.

The practice of modern medicine revolves around diagnosing an illness and prescribing treatments for such. Natural medicine is helpful because it suggests that treatment be not necessarily given only when sick. Natural medicine strives to make each patient practice good health habits. These habits include good diet, healthy living, and the regular natural treatment.

It is this same line of thought that leads our parents to tell us to eat our vegetables. Yes, a healthy lifestyle and will do no harm to our well-being. And this is the foundation of natural medicine – may it be massage, herbal medicine, aromatherapy or others.

It is funny but true that science, in its quest for excellence, is studying the knowledge of sages past. This, surprisingly, leads us back to the remedies nature offers. The possibilities of finding remedies to everyday illnesses in natural medicine are encouraging. So staying tuned to studying these remedies is worthwhile until we can verify that these therapies are truly helpful to our health and our society.

Enjoying Yoga to Live Healthy Aging

2009-03-18T06:32:00.001-07:00

Yoga is a sort of exercise. Yoga assists one with controlling various aspects of the body and mind. Yoga helps you to take control of your Central Nervous System (CNS) and more. Enjoying yoga on a daily scale will build you up, which you will notice changes (Good changes), such as a boosted self-esteem. Your body will feel stronger also. For more than 5000 years, people have enjoyed yoga. Yoga derived from the India nations, which many believed that the act has helped millions of American citizens take control of their body and mind. Yoga has proven to reduce stress, which promotes the nervous system helping it to stay strong. Yoga when enjoyed on a regularly scale is a great method to help you with many pressures. Yoga combines spirituality, exercise, positive thinking, breathing and so on to help you enjoy healthy aging.

The Pros and Cons in Yoga:
Yoga is a valued practice for many people worldwide. Yoga incorporates fitness, health, gymnastics, and training in a set of rules. Yoga helps you to maintain or loose weight. Yoga is a stress reducing machine. Yoga will train your mind, since it teaches you to control your thoughts through meditation and breathing. Breathing right is essential to yoga’s creators. When you practice yoga, it keeps you in contact with your inner self. You learn to balance your mind and body, which leads to good health. Your emotions are controlled as well, which means fears, doubts, and other negative influences will not take control of your life. Rather you will have control. As you practice yoga, you will feel comfortable with you and the people around you. The world will become yours, since you learn to communicate effectively and stop sweating the small stuff. The cons in yoga, includes that some types of yoga training is not right for everyone. Another con inside yoga is that you sometimes have to modify the workouts to benefit your body type and to withhold the workout suited for your strengths. This is not a con necessarily, but it can be if you have to figure out where beginners start.

How to get started:
The first thing you should do is see your family doctor. Make sure you are able to enjoy the type of yoga you choose. When your doctor approves of your choice of yoga steps start out slowly. Guide your way into mediate exercising. Yoga will put you in connection with your spiritual side, so prepare to find a new you. When you first start yoga, perhaps you would benefit from joining groups that practice yoga. The group sessions may inspire you to continue your journey to healthy aging. Having support is essential for all of us, which yoga groups can become your support team. If you cannot find a group in your area, visit your local library. You can also purchase books that train you how to enjoy yoga. Videos are available as well.

Where do I go after I’ve trained in yoga?
After you have taking the steps to get started, you will need to find a quiet area that makes you feel comfortable. You want to avoid interruptions while practicing yoga.

When will I notice the change in me?
Like everything in life, you will not notice a change in you right away. It takes time to notice or feel the changes. If you do this like your suppose to do on a regular basis you will see some changes gradually. Keep in mind that yoga is teaching you how to control your mind, body and emotions. Work with yoga and yoga will work with you.

What is Natural skin care?

2009-03-17T14:05:00.000-07:00

Put simply, ‘natural skin care’ is caring for your skin in a natural and chemical-free way. ‘Natural skin care’ advocates enabling the skin to take care of itself (without any assistance from synthetic materials/ chemicals). ‘Natural skin care’ is about inculcation of good habits in the way you lead your day to day life. A lot of natural skin care measures are actually the same as those for body care in general.

So let’s see what these natural skin care measures are.

Well the first and the foremost natural skin care measure is – ‘Drink a lot of water’. Around 8 glasses of water is a must everyday. Water helps in flushing out the toxins from the body, in a natural way. It helps in the overall upkeep of the body and promotes good health for all organs (not just skin).

General cleanliness is another inexpensive way of natural skin care. Daily shower, wearing clean clothes and sleeping on a clean mattress/pillow are all part of general cleanliness. After all, clean skin is the key to keeping the skin disorders at bay.

Regular exercise is the next thing on the cards. Exercise increases the flow of blood that helps in getting rid of body toxins and keeping you healthy. Exercise also helps in beating stress which is the worst enemy of good health.

Healthy food and eating habits are also recommended for natural skin care. Some type of food (e.g. oily food) is know to cause acne and should be avoided as much as possible. Your diet should be a healthy mix of various nutrient providing foods. Raw fruits and vegetables are known to provide freshness to your body and help in getting rid of body toxins.

A good sleep is also instrumental in maintaining good health and in beating stress. As a natural skin care measure, a good sleep delays slacking of skin.

Beating stress is another natural skin care therapy. Stress causes overall damage to body and health. Drinking a lot of water, getting a sound sleep and exercise has already been mentioned as stress busters. Indulging in a warm bubble bath, listening to music and playing your favourite sport are also good ways of beating stress. Yoga is yet another way of beating stress; it is fast gaining popularity amongst the masses.

Avoiding excessive exposure to sun (by wearing long sleeved clothes, hat and umbrella etc), is another natural skin care strategy. Sunscreen lotions are also recommended as necessary.

A lot of traditional and home made natural skin care products/ measures are also known to be very effective. Such measures are not only natural and easy-to-follow, but also relatively inexpensive.

Besides that, a lot of natural skin care products are available in the commercial market. These include things like lavender oil, aloe vera etc., which don’t have any side effects.

Benefits of Fish Oil for Fitness and Health

2009-03-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

When the words oils and fats are mentioned, health-conscious individuals tend to run for cover. What they fail to realize is that there are good fats and bad fats. Complete avoidance of intake of oils and fats would actually be detrimental – rather than beneficial – to their health.

The Truth about Fish Oil
Essential fatty acids must always be part of our daily diet – without them, we take one step closer to our deaths. Essential fatty acids are divided into two families: omega-6 EFAs and omega-3 EFAS.

Although there are only very slight differences to distinguish the two groups of essential fatty acids from each other, studies have revealed that too much intake of omega-6 EFAs can lead to inflammation, blood clotting and tumor growth. The good news, however, is that the opposite is true for omega-3 EFAs. Omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils while omega-3 EFAs can be found in fish oils among other foods.

Omega-6 vs. Omega-3
Physicians and scientists are of the same opinion that the cause behind increasing cases of heart disease, hypertension or high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, premature aging and certain kinds of cancer is none other than an imbalanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs.

As mentioned earlier on, omega-6 EFAs can be found in vegetable oils. This includes but is not limited to corn oil and soy oil, both of which contains high amounts of linoleic acid. Omega-3 EFAs on the other hand can be found also in marine plankton and walnut and flaxseed oils. It should be significant to take note that fatty fish and fish oils contain eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), fatty acids that have been observed to provide many benefits to the human body. In the early 1970’s, a study on Greenland Eskimos have revealed that one of the major reasons why they rarely suffer from heart diseases is because of their high-fat diet (mainly composed of fish).

The two essential fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are also helpful in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attacks, depression and various forms of cancer. Fish oil supplemented food have also proven to be useful in treating illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, Raynaud’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Other Benefits of Fish Oil
There are a lot more illnesses and situations in which intake of fish oil has proven to be significantly beneficial.

Making the Heart Healthier
The heart is inarguably one of the most important parts of our body and having an unhealthy heart means having to suffer a rather limited lifespan. Naturally, it’s in our best interests to keep our hearts happy and healthy and one way of doing that is eating food that contains fish oil.

In Athens, Greece, for instance, a study was made to show if there was a direct relationship between high fish diet and inflammation of blood vessels. The results revealed that those who ate more fish than the others had a lower level of C-reactive protein and interleukin-6, factors that are commonly used to measure likelihood of blood vessel inflammation. These benefits remained even when the various risks associated with high fish diet were taken into account.

Fish to Become Thin
In Perth, Australia, a study had revealed that fish consumption can be used against hypertension and obesity. Researchers of the UWA (University of Western Australia) have discovered that a weight-loss diet which includes a regular amount of fish consumption can be quite effective in reducing blood pressure and improving glucose tolerance.

Fish Oil to Combat Asthma
People suffering from respiratory problems like asthma tend to be perceived as unfit and unhealthy. They should now be pleased to learn that certain studies have revealed the benefits of fish oil for asthma-burdened-individuals. Statistics show that approximately 20 to 25% of children today suffer one form of asthma or another at a certain point in their lives. And certain evidence reveals a regular diet of food with high linoleic acid content as the reason behind it.

Researchers of UW (University of Wyoming) conducted a study by subjecting a number of children to a high-fish diet while others continued with their regular diet. Results revealed that the participants who ate more fish were less prone to asthma attacks and were able to breathe more easily as well.

Consult Your Nutritionist Now
Nothing is good when consumed or used excessively but complete avoidance of a particular food type is equally harmful as well. Ask your nutritionist for the right amount of fish intake for your age and health status.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

2009-03-11T09:36:00.001-07:00

Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: How A Deer Can Help Rebuild Cartilage And Cure Arthritis

By Joe Barton

Did you know that rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most debilitating forms of arthritis because symptoms make everyday tasks nearly impossible? Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition which causes the joints to throb and eventually become disfigured. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) include: inflammation; pain; little movement; and joint disfigurement.

Though the cause of RA is unknown, there is an effective natural treatment which allows arthritis suffers to reduce the pain, reduce the inflammation and rebuild the cartilage between the joints. If you suffer from arthritis, you should immediately begin simple remedies to reduce the symptoms and rebuild the cartilage.

Why You Shouldn't Choose Prescription Medications

It might be important to consider why you want to rebuild the cartilage between the joints. Normally, arthritis sufferers take some form of medication reducing the inflammation and eliminating the pain. However, the problem with this remains that the joint is still aching but the brain is not registering the pain. Therefore, the unaware arthritic patient goes on hurting the joints and cartilage more and more while severely damaging the joints and existing cartilage.

The equivalent of this would be putting a piece of tape over the car's 'check engine oil' light and hoping you can finish the road trip. Though you might make it back to your house, the engine will eventually blow up without oil. You must put oil in your engine and you must rebuild cartilage if you wish to use your joints the rest of your life.

And above all that, you might want to safe your liver from the harsh drugs?

How to Reduce Arthritis Pain and Rebuild Cartilage

If you have ever been around deer you might notice something miraculously astounding about bucks (male deer). The male deer can naturally regenerate its antlers in months! In fact, a deer will grind its antlers on a tree, and completely strip the velvet off. However, months later, the deer antler velvet regenerates itself completely.

This isn't the end of our science lesson though. Russian scientists discovered after isolating compounds in deer antler velvet; they could use the compounds to rebuild cartilage between human joints. In fact, this natural remedy has been used for hundreds of years first starting with Asian countries.

How does this relate to you? This is one simple natural treatment to cure arthritis and not hide the pain! Follow our link to discover how to find this natural supplement.

Other Simple Cures for Arthritis

Did you know that you can treat and cure arthritis with other simple cures? In fact, by eating a proper diet, drinking the correct fluids (water), doing the correct breathing exercises daily, getting an adequate amount of low-impact exercise, reducing stress and taking the correct vitamins and natural supplements you can actually eliminate almost 100% of arthritis NATURALLY (No Drugs and No Surgery Needed)! To discover what thousands of arthritis sufferers already have, please visit our Natural Cure for Arthritis Website.

About the Author: Joe Barton writes for Barton Publishing which is a leading natural health company specializing in treating arthritis naturally. To learn more about our 100% arthritis-free guarantee, please click below. http://www.www-arthritis.com/akarth

Source: www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=174851&ca=Medicines+and+Remedies

Alternative Medicine: Magnets for Health and Healing

2009-02-26T08:32:00.000-08:00

Magnets for Health and Healing: Fact or Myth? by Ellen Bell

Many studies credit the use of magnet technology for improved health and healing. However, there are just as many doctors and scientists who disagree with these theories, believe that magnet therapy is more of a myth than a fact. Do magnets have any impact on health and healing? While the scientific community is still unsure, we'll explore some of the various theories regarding how magnets may work to improve health or physiology.

There is a general agreement among scientists that magnets can improve blood circulation. Though scientists aren't exactly sure why, one theory is that because blood contains iron, the magnetic field aligns the iron molecules, thus allowing for improved blood flow through the veins and arteries. Another theory would suggest that magnets assist with the way information is transferred through the body. Nerves move information from every part of the body to the brain with minor electrical impulses. Magnets may have an effect on the way nerves transfer that information, promoting faster movement of brain stimuli to promote improved circulation.

Whatever the reason, magnets do seem to help with circulation, which is a major health benefit. Good circulation means that oxygen is moving efficiently to all parts of the body, including extremities such as hands and feet. Improved circulation also helps to remove toxins from the blood by transporting them to the kidneys and then the urinary tract. Magnets are believed to help the body with the removal of lactic acid, a toxin that is commonly associated with joint pain and arthritis.

In 2004, the British Medical Journal conducted a trial of magnetic bracelets for healing purposes. One group of individuals received magnetic bracelets, while another group received placebos. The study found that the group that received the magnetic bracelets saw more improvement in the condition of arthritis than the group with the placebos did.

In the United States there have been many studies on the health effects of magnets. Just to name a couple, in 1997, Dr. Carlos Valbona of the Baylor College of Medicine published a study indicating that magnetic therapy reduced pain in 76% of the patients studied. In January 1999, a study conducted by Dr. Michael Weintraub was published in the American Journal of Pain Management in which Dr. Weintraub found a significant improvement in diabetic foot pain among patients who wore special magnetic socks.

Today, magnetic therapy devices are licensed in Japan and throughout other Asian countries. Magnetic therapy is also finding a place in Russia, many European countries, and Australia. In the U.S. alone, it is estimated that over a billion dollars is spent annually on magnetic devices for health improvement. This, of course, has captured the inspiration of many business savvy entrepreneurs. There are literally hundreds of different magnetic therapy devices available on the market today, such as magnetic mattress pads and inserts, pillows, body wraps, belts, back braces, bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry. And now you can even purchase magnet therapy collars for dogs and cats, too!

These products are readily available online through a number of retailers. Undoubtedly, each supplier will offer a host of diseases that will be cured and just as many guarantees and testimonials as evidence. For those individuals who have been helped by magnet therapy, they are believers. Scientific studies such as the ones we mentioned, that support the evidence of magnet therapy for healing purposes, will only serve to build their case, and no amount of disagreeing evidence can sway their belief.

As for whether or not magnets can really improve health, no one is quite for sure yet. One thing is for sure, though, doctors and scientists will continue to evaluate this as a field of study, and new discoveries will certainly be made in the future. Until then, patients can make their own decision about whether magnet therapy is right for them or their loved ones.

Home Products 'n' More offers a complete line of magnetic sweeper and industrial magnet products, including rare earth magnets, all with free shipping.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Magnets-for-Health-and-Healing:-Fact-or-Myth?/752694