Constipation is a health condition which quite commonly occurs both in adults and children. It is connected with certain problems with bowel movements, or, in other words, with inability to pass hard stools on a daily basis. Those who suffer from constipation usually have very hard stools  difficult to pass, so the person must strain. This health condition is linked to many serious health problems due to inability to effectively release toxins and harmful chemical wastes produced in the body.

The most typical causes of constipation include such factors as improper nutrition and bad eating habits, eating too much of fatty, processed or fats foods, irregular meals, digestive disorders, insufficient water intake, insufficient amounts of physical movement during the day, stresses and so on. Very frequently, constipation and irregular defecation are accompanied with such symptoms as indigestion, increased acidity, heartburn, heaviness and discomfort in the stomach, loss of appetite, bad breath, hemorrhoids, nausea, depression, insomnia, lumbago, varicose veins and others.

The first thing which a patient with constipation will most likely be recommended to do is to change his or her eating habits and nutrition. Adding to a daily diet such foods as plums, grapes, apricot, spinach, pears, guava, figs, oatmeal and other purgative foods will certainly help to get rid of constipation. Chewing properly, avoiding eating on feet and doing lots of physical exercises are a must. Drinking a glass of milk or a glass of warm water with lemon can also assist in easing constipation.

Aloe gel and senna are considered to be the best herbal remedies for constipation. Also, some like using corn syrup, olive oil, honey, buckthorn berries and other remedies as stimulant laxatives. Specialists in alternative medicine recommend using such herbal remedies for constipation as psyllium seeds, fennel seeds, flaxseed, cinnamon, ginger root, marsh mallow root, orange peel, hibiscus, kelp, dandelion, licorice root and others. Most of these herbs can be used in the form of herbal tea, but seeds and roots can be powdered and simply added to the meals.

Balsam Fir Essential Oil is one of the most beneficial essential oils used in modern aromatherapy. It is steam distilled from buds and leaves of Siberian Fir (Abies sibirica) or Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea). As it becomes obvious from the name of the tree, Siberian fir is used for producing essential oils in Russia and the Far East, and Balsam fir growth in North America and is used for producing balsam fir oil for the US.

This oil has a very clear fresh bright and uplifting aroma which can resurrect in our mind the greatest memories of our life: the memories about sweet Christmas times. Balsam fir oil consists mostly of two ingredients: terpenes and bornyl acetate. This essential oil has been known and used for centuries since the times of Ancient Egypt. In particular, it is believed that balsam fir oil was used for embalming and was found in King Tutankhamen’s grave.

Balsam fir essential oil benefits are numerous. This oil has clear anti-inflammatory, relaxant and coagulant properties. It is mostly used for massages and other types of aromatherapy for relaxing nervous tension, muscle tension, cramps and spasms. It is also a very effective natural remedy for relieving the symptoms of various respiratory problems, including chronic coughs, running nose, high fever, sore throat, and others.

In addition, balsam fir oil benefits embrace the properties of this oil to relieve swellings and aches related to arthritis, as well as as relieving low back pains and lumbago. It has very strong uplifting powers which make it an excellent remedy for depression, stresses, mental and physical fatigue and other related ailments.

Finally, some researches showed that balsam fir oil can inhibit Aggressive Breast Cancer cells formation, especially in conjunction with olibanum. Studies have shown that these two natural remedies can work together very well and help to fight against seven most common types of cancer. However, further researches are needed to understand the nature of these therapeutic effects of balsam fir oil. In the context of aromatherapy, balsam fir essential oil can be successfully blended with Lavender, Blue Chamomile, Myrtle and Lemon essential oils.

In our times, herbal medicine distinguishes specific needs of modern women and offers them great solutions for their specific problems, including PMS and menopausal disorders, menstrual cramps and irregularities, hormonal imbalances, as well as depression,  mood swings and other related conditions.

For a good health and vitality, a woman should follow a healthy diet (in particular, provide her body with sufficient amounts of zinc and iron), support her liver and badder health, get sufficient amount of sleep, rest and relaxation, do anaerobic and yoga exercises, as well as use the benefits of medicinal herbs for women, which promote health and normal chemical processes in female body. Below, you can see some of the most effective herbs for women.

• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca). It is one of the best known tonics for the urinary system and an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. Motherwort is a very valuable herbal remedy for those ladies who suffer from menstrual irregularities: it can assist in cramp relieving, regulating menstrual cycle and relieving stress.
• Nettle (Urtica Diocia). One of the most important medicinal herbs for women, nettle can provide a female body wit great amounts of iron and natural vitamins. It can be used to increase blood quality, stimulate blood flow, as well as enrich mother’s milk.
• Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium). It is another very effective herbal remedy to assist in avoiding menstrual delays and excessive bleeding, as well as for relieving spasms and cramps. For centuries yarrow has been used to support the function of urinary and digestive systems.
• Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus). This herbal remedy can play a role of great natural support for pregnant women, and regular consumption of raspberry leaf tea is linked to boosted urinary health. This herbal remedy is rich in vitamins A, B group, C and E, therefore, it helps to support the immune system. Also, it has alcaloids and a variety of minerals which tone the uterus and help to minimize the effects of losing too much blood during delivery.
• Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus). This herbal remedy is reported to have special relaxing and soothing effects linked specifically to reproductive systems and uterine. Cramp Bark tea should be used as an irreplaceable tonic and relaxant for those pregnant women who are under a risk of miscarriage.
• Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris). This medicinal herb is rich in flavonoids and is widely used in Ayrvedic medicine as a powerful natural heart and liver tonic. Mugwort is mostly recommended to young ladies who are looking for natural solutions to regulate their menstrual cycle.

It’s difficult to find someone who does not enjoy drinking fresh fruit juices in summer. Quite low in calories and extremely rich in all kinds of useful natural nutrients, fruit juices can not only refresh us and quench our thirst. They can boost our energy, improve our immune system and help in overcoming hot weather. In addition to that, they are tasty and healthy options to support our breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

So, why don’t we choose to beat the heat by drinking freshly squeezed juices every day? Note that we are talking here not about commercially produced bottled or packed juices (which are actually not less harmful and unhealthy than Sprite and Fanta), but about homemade fresh fruit juices. Check out the list of health benefits of fresh fruit juices.

• Orange  juice is packed with antioxidants and vitamin C which play a role in boosting the immune system. Drinking orange juice is linked to balanced metabolism, excellent blood pressure and lower bad cholesterol levels. However, do not forget to rinse your mouth with water after drinking orange juice as it is very acidic and can weaken your tooth enamel.
• Grape juice is very refreshing but a little high in calories. It helps to support great arterial health and lower the risks of many cardio-vascular diseases. Grape juice is rich in iron, that is why it is recommended to every woman. This juice can effectively provide us with energy, slow down aging processes and prevent Alzheimer’s diseases. However, beware of possible side effects of drinking this juice to those people who suffer from type 2 diabetes and other disorders.
• Pineapple juice is known for its effects to aid weight loss (due to a high content of bromelain which is a natural fat burner) and lower the risks of various heart problems. It has very powerful anti-inflammatory properties, can relieve sore throat, bronchitis and other related ailments. It is considered to be one of the best fruit juices for body cleansing. Rich in vitamin C, pineapple juice also has a property to stimulate our immune system, as well as promote wound healing and dental health. A high content of manganese makes this juice be good for joints and bones.
• Peach juice is rich in a vast variety of vitamins, including C, E, A and B group. It is a great source of iron, that is an excellent help to those who suffer from anemia. Peach juice can be used to lower blood pressure, calm down small digestive ailments, support normal function of liver and kidneys
• Mango juice is a source of carotenes, magnesium, potassium, selenium, phosphorus, copper, vitamins B, C and E. It can aid digestion, soothe stomach and prevent kidney stone formation. A high content of iron helps to improve cardio-vascular system function, avoid cramps, lower bad effects of stresses and nervous tension, and so on. In addition, mango juice has very strong anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory powers.

Wild Thyme (Thymus serpyllum) is a medicinal herb which is native to dry regions of Europe, especially high valleys of the Alps, plateaus, moorlands and so on. It is distinguished from Common Thyme and is cultivated separately for its high therapeutic values.  This medicinal herb has been used for a long period of time: in particular, in Ancient Greece its name was associated with power and high spirit. Also, it was used in Tibetan medicine as an effective tonic and relaxant.

Aromatic properties of this herb are used not only in medicine, but also in culinary, where this herb plays a role of taste enhancer for stews, red and white meat, soups and other dishes. To benefit from its curative properties, this herb is commonly used in the form of wild thyme tea, famous for its pleasant taste and delicate aroma. Wild thyme benefits include sedative, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, diuretic, calming, expectorant, emmenagogue, carminative and other powers of this herbal remedy.

This herbal remedy is rich in organic acids, carotene, flavonoids, vitamins D and C, thymol and cymol, as well as other useful nutrients and microelements. For centuries, wild thyme has been used to treat depression, mood swings, nervous tension, alcoholism, headaches and other related problems. Also, wild thyme tea or infusions can aid those people who suffer from respiratory problems of various nature: bronchitis, sore throats, coughs, sinusitis and so on. Wild thyme tea is recommended to everyone who has minor digestion problems like weak stomach, colic, spasms, gas, etc.

Besides, regular consumption of this herbal remedy is linked to better muscle tone, lower occurrence of cramps and spasms, relieving discomfort and pains caused by mastitis, and other effects. Wild thyme benefits include external use of the infusion to treat cuts, insect bites, wounds and other physical damage of skin. Unique aroma of this herbal remedy can be applied for treating headaches, nervous agitation, migraines and nightmares. In aromatherapy, in order to achieve excellent relaxing effects, wild thyme is commonly mixed with rosemary or other calming essential oils.

Everyone of us heard about ginseng root and its miraculous effects as a powerful natural aphrodisiac and tonic. Ginseng is a nutritious herb, which grows in many countries of the world and has a variety of types. There is Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus Senticosus), Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng),  Jiaogulan or Southern Ginseng (Gynostemma Pentaphyllum), Japanese Ginseng (Panax Japonicum), Indian Ginseng (Withania Somnifera), Brazilian Ginseng (Pfaffia Paniculata), Peruvian Ginseng (Epidium Meyenii), American ginseng, etc.

This herbal remedy is most commonly used in the form of ginseng tea, ginseng tincture, ginseng extracts or capsules.  Health benefits of ginseng embrace analgesic, tonic, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, adaptogen and other properties of this herbal remedy. For centuries ginseng has been used to treat a series of ailments and diseases, including infertility, impotence, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart problems, Lyme disease and others. Health benefits of ginseng include the following:

• Improving endurance and restoring energy.
• Reducing physical and mental stresses, anxiety and nervous tension.
• Improving abilities to focus and memory.
• Acting as an effective sleep aid.
• Assisting in relieving chronic fatigue syndrome
• Stimulating appetite and improving digestion
• Bringing relieve for stomach ulcers
• Helping to lower bad cholesterol levels in blood
• Relieving the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory problems
• Relieving swellings and arthritis aches
• Reducing risks of cancer
• Stimulating the function of the immune system
• Lowering blood sugar levels and aiding people with type 2 diabetes
• Lowering the risks of coronary heart disease
• Lowering the risks of Alzheimer’s disease
• Lowering blood pressure in improving blood circulation
• Relieving menopausal symptoms
• Improving sexual function as an excellent natural aphrodisiac.

To enjoy these numerous health benefits of ginseng, you can buy a dried out ginseng root (whole or sliced), a ginseng supplement or any type of ginger tea in herbal store. This natural remedy is considered to be quite safe, but pregnant and breastfeeding women are recommended to avoid using it. Consume ginseng tea on a regular basis, and you’ll feel stronger, more energetic, more focused and healthy!

It turns out that tart cherries are not only a refreshing and very delicious summer food. This wonderful useful berries are available throughout the world year round, fresh or dried, and health benefits of cherry juice include a vast variety of therapeutic properties, starting from blood enrichment and ending with slowing down body fat formation. But nowadays, the whole scientific world is talking about one more interesting power of cherry juice: it seems like it holds the key for a good night sleep.

It was known before that tart cherries contain melatonin, a powerful hormone of sleep. Based on this fact, an extensive group of the specialists from University of Rochester, VA Center of Canandaigua and University of Pennsylvania carried out a series of very simple experiments. Two participant groups were formed, and all the members of the group one were offered to drink a glass of fresh unsweetened cherry juice twice a day, in the morning and in the evening before going to bed. The trial lasted for two weeks.

The results turned out to be very promising. Every participant who was using tart cherry juice reported about certain improvements in sleep quality, as well as prolonging usual sleep cycle for about 17 minutes in average.  One of the team leaders, Dr Wilfred Pigeon of University of Rochester, comments on the results as the following: “This trial suggests CherryPharm, a natural juice, improves sleep in individuals with insomnia. Given the side-effects of some medications, it is encouraging to have a natural alternative.”

Insomnia is a very serious problem of our times, and according to the statistics, every one of four people suffers from insomnia regularly. At that every one of five people regularly sleeps less than 5 hours a day. That is why a great number of people are looking for powerful natural solution and sleep aids. The results of this study which were published recently in the Journal of Medicinal Food, give us a good hope for receiving a good effective sleep promoting medication shortly, based on the discovered wonderful properties of cherry juice.

Burdock, or great burdock (Arctium lappa) is a herb with giant leaves which grows all around in Europe and especially the Mediterranean region. This plant is known for its purple blossoms, surrounded by prickly burrs, which are very sticky and can gasp and hold fabric, clothing etc. very firmly. For centuries  burdock root, leaves and stems have been used as the ingredients of various herbal remedies, supplements and preparations, and the burdock root benefits are immense.

Burdock root is the most frequently used as a very beneficial natural remedy rich in such elements as calcium, potassium, iron, copper, chromium, inulin, resin, flavonoids, mucilage, chlorogenic acid, lactone, a series of vitamins and so on. Long ago it was used for its excellent cleansing and purifying properties. It contains special types of essential oil which facilitate toxin elimination in our body. Traditionally, it was used to treat various viral diseases, like measles, tonsillitis and other respiratory problems. But nowadays, the most promising and developing way to utilize burdock root is oncology, while the studies are still on.

Benefits of burdock root also embrace excellent diuretic properties of this herb. Due to a high content of inulin in this herb remedy, drinking burdock root infusion is recommended to stimulate appetite and digestion, soothe digestive system and treat various stomach conditions, aid liver cleansing, etc. Such burdock root benefits as its antifungal and antibacterial powers are used to treat urinary infections, skin ulcers, acne and so on.

Besides, burdock root products can be used to calm down arthritis pains and to stimulate the immune system. In Traditional Chinese medicine, burdoch root was known as an excellent natural aphrodisiac which had great powers to treat infertility and impotence. Benefits of burdock root also include its effectiveness for hair loss prevention and dandruff as burdock root can be used as a remedy to stimulate blood flow to the scalp, this way to assist in nourishing and strengthening hair follicles. Burdock root infusion can be applied internally to treat eczema and psoriasis.

Using this herb is believed to be generally safe but one should avoid unwanted side effects of burdock root. Those include slow heart rate, dry mouth, extreme changes of sugar levels in blood and contamination. It is recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women to refrain from using burdock products because of its highly active diuretic action. Also, in order to avoid being affected by allergies and side effects of burdock root caused by interaction with other medicines or herbal remedies, talk to your health care practitioner or a specialist before starting any treatment involving burdock extracts or products.

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a herb which is widely popular is the Far East for its pleasant flavor and sweet taste. Chicory root is used for preparing a tasty natural healthy beverage – chicory root tea, a cheaper and much healthier substitute for coffee. The leaves of the herb are used as an ingredient for vegetable salads. Chicory is a relative of both lettuce and dandelion, though it does not look like any of these plants. Some specialists believe that chicory can actually belong to sunflower family, but it is really hard to say anything from the way the herb looks!

One way or another, chicory is an excellent source of natural nutrients, including phosphorus, calcium, iron, potassium, as well as niacin, inulin, vitamins A, C and other useful microelements. Chicory root tea is totally caffeine-free, therefore using ground roasted chicory root instead of coffee beans is a solution for those who have personal sensitivity to caffeinated drinks. But the taste of the beverage is quite similar to coffee, and even more roasted. In addition, consuming this type of coffee is linked to a number of chicory benefits, which we can’t normally receive from our usual coffee.

Therapeutic powers and health benefits of chicory have been known for centuries. Chicory root tea is considered to be one of the most effective natural remedies for body cleansing. It not only aids harmful toxin removal from our intestines, it also assists in blood cleansing, as well as controlling the levels of sugar in the blood. That is why this herbal remedy is highly recommended and beneficial to those who suffer from type 2 diabetes.

In addition, chicory root tea can be used to reduce the risks of kidney stones, jaundice and other liver diseases. Chicory benefits also include anti-infalmmatory properties of this natural remedy, which can also relieve pains of arthritis and headaches. Being a great source of vitamin A, chicory has positive effects on our vision and the function of our nervous system.  Chicory root tea goes perfectly well with such herbal remedies as peppermint and chamomile, which balance the flavor and add more health benefits of chicory.

Cinnamon is one of the most common spices used frequently for sprinkling on our apple pies, ice-creams or cappuccinos. This amazing spice originates from the Middle East and has been used in culinary for centuries. Those who want to shed some pounds are recommended to use various supplements and extracts from cinnamon. Weight loss is achieved by cholesterol lowering and regulatory properties of this natural remedy.

Cinnamon is rich in useful microelements like iron, manganese, calcium and others, along with antioxidants and polyphenols. Health benefits of cinnamon include its soothing and calming effects on our stomach and digestive system, that is why cinnamon is used to prevent ulcers, as well as intestinal infections. It was proven that cinnamon is one of the most effective herbal remedies for improving our memory and brain activity, boosting our cognitive function and so on. Cinnamon has very good anti-inflammatory powers, it can prevent urinary tract infections and yeast infections.

In addition, cinnamon has blood sugar lowering properties which make it a remedy for those who suffer from type 2 diabetes. However, facilitating weight loss is certainly one of the main health benefits of cinnamon. Specialists say that cinnamon products have a property to stop the process of fat accumulation in the body in a natural way, without any hormonal shifts or other unwanted side effects.

For preparing an effective homemade weight loss remedy, cinnamon can be used as powder, but it is especially recommended to combine cinnamon powder with such natural product as honey. It is very easy to prepare this cinnamon weight loss remedy: mix 1 teaspoon of honey with 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder, boil in 200 ml of water. Use 100 ml in the morning and 100 ml before going to bed. In order to achieve great results, this effective natural weight loss aid should be used in conjunction with lots of physical exercise and outdoor activities.