Herbal Medicine

To Help Cancer With TCM

2009-08-13T17:34:00.001+07:00

Disease cancer, to the grasp of the soul is the highest in the world. According to medical science the causes of cancer are genetic changes in cells the human body, and related to the offspring and the food is consumed.

According to TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) is a cause of cancer humid changed the type of toxin, into the channel Medien and organs the human body to cause the cancer cells. Data from hospitals, cancer 8% at the end to reach the stadium resulted in death threats.

Help of many options but for all cancer patients and families can have a problem and take the most useful method, the association with anti-cancer Chinese hospital Chong San and Chinese TCM experts to join a cancer therapy using the experience of killing toxin ala Chinese TCM experts. Effort that is applied through the help of herbal ingredients, herbal ingredients in the glue dots Meridien, and Chinese herbal concoction to drink that blood flow through the flow channels also Meridien, so the body can be absorbed by the patient and can kill cancer cells and the toxin is in the the patient can be pressed out so that cancer cells over time and disappeared.

TCM is good therapy for people with early cancer stages and end of the stadium. Therapy with 3 to 14 days, the disease can be expected to decrease cell cancer does not spread. This method is used and distributed in China, Korea, Russia, Indonesia, and the result is very good. (ACA) doctoryantcm.com

Power of Herbal Medicine

2009-08-06T17:59:00.001+07:00

Natural Herbs - Power of Herbal Medicine

Executive Summary about Natural Herbs by Tanya Turner

Natural herbs can be used to cure many health problems. Many uses of natural herbs. People use herbs differently to improve their ways of life. For instance, you may find diet herbal supplement, as well as body creams and lotions with medicinal herbs.

Medicinal natural herbs are mostly found in Asia. It is also traditional way of living, using healing herbs as natural remedies. Most commonly use natural herbs are Aloe Vera, Tee Tree, chamomile, Rosemary, Sage and St John's wort.

Why people prefer alternative herbal treatments to conventional drugs?
Even though natural herbs are harmless, selecting the right herbal remedy is important, because there are no magical "cure all" herbs. Taking any medicine including medicinal herbs without doctor's advice is really not a good idea, because healing plants are still medication. Locating your natural herbal remedies
Than discuss it with your doctor and you will be on the path to curing your diseases with natural herbs.

Herbs for Depression - Natural Depression Cure

Herbs that help with depression are no exception - you can find many Chinese medicinal herbs to cure depression and relieve stress. Why should you use herbs for depression?

Natural herbs to cure depression almost always will obtain the results desired but won't show the results immediately. Medicinal herbs need to be taken as prescribed just like traditional drugs. Many medicinal herbs are advertised to help with depression. Two herbs that help reduce depression for sure are Amoryn and St. John's Wort. Most effective natural depression remedies contain pharmaceutical-grade St. John's Wort extract.

Benefits of herbal medicine
People who search for alternative and safer treatment for depression use herbs because of the many benefits herbal medicine offers. Remember your depression won't go away, if the herbs are not taken properly. Best way to find right herbal treatment for depression.

To discover what herbal treatments are available for your condition collect info about what herbs can do for your health.

Prostat Cancer

2009-07-27T15:37:00.000+07:00

Health is very expensive, so they must always be guarded. Health conditions in childhood often carry the impact on the health of the elderly. Usually the phase in which they are already, automatically tend to be more vulnerable physical disease.

One of the mandatory be watchful for adult men, especially aged over 40 years is prostat cancer. Prostat gland is a gland in the male plays an important role in the process of reproduction. If a malignant tumor on the gland can become seeds early prostat cancer.

Based on WHO data, in 1998 there are 56 thousand cases of deaths in Europe caused by cancer prostat. At that time there were no preventive action strategies, so that many patients who eventually died.

According to Xu Han quan, Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinic of San Chong, there are several symptoms that divided in several categories including:

1. Energy is not smooth, this is making people listless and is not flushed and there is a black spot on the tongue.
2. Hot and humid in the body, marked with the bottom of the swollen belly, and waist to knee stiff, the tongue felt thick and there is a white coating.
3. Kidney is weak, which caused the people often dispose of the water conditions at day or vice versa. There is blood in the urine, and the tool body movement increases feet and hands cold.
4. Liver is weak and kidneys, in this condition will decrease the quality of vision, vertigo, anxiety and insomnia.

The cause of cancer prostat factors other than the descent, as well as environmental factors. For the environment may be caused by foods and beverages that contain a lot of coloring, preservative and nuts that are moldy.

Prostat cancer diagnosis can be made through the gut axis examination, USG, blood examination with tumor mask PSA, Biopsy to last through the inspection network. American Cancer Society recommends that every man since the age of 40 years of tread should routinely conduct inspections once a year. And if in the younger age are experiencing the symptoms above, you should immediately consult the doctor. Detect the self since the beginning, is expected to help to prevent the coming of prostat cancer, and participated lualitas prolong life. (AJG)

Herbal Treatment For Diabetes

2009-07-21T18:00:00.008+07:00

Diabetes has been recognized by western medicine since the early 1800's as being one of the most prevalent and controllable conditions affecting a large portion of the population. However, Asian cultures have recognized this fact much earlier and and have developed and been using herbal treatments for diabetes for centuries. These treatments are widely regarded as effective, even today.

It must firstly be recognized that most of the herbal treatment for diabetes are not recommended for those requiring insulin treatment. This is because the majority of the herbs being used have proven effective in helping to restore the body's ability to control the blood sugar level by boosting the effectiveness of the body's own insulin. If the body is not producing insulin there is nothing to boost and, research suggests, the use of these herbal treatments will not have the needed effect.

This has obviously produced the skeptics who claim that the proponents of herbal medication are in the business simply for the money and find argument against the use of herbs in medicine. Conversely, the herbalists claim is that since the drug companies cannot patent herbs and other herbal treatments for diabetes, they cannot make money from their use therefore they condemn them as ineffective.

There Is Still No Cure For This Treatable Disease

Despite decades of research there is no known cure for diabetes and none is on the horizon. It is essentially the body's inability to regulate the amount of blood sugar in the system. While in many cases medicine to help dissolve and reduce the blood sugar offers dramatic improvement, it is still necessary for some patients to require insulin injections to keep it under control. Owing to the lack of research,There are few arguments that indicate that herbal treatments for diabetes may not be effective.

As most herbal treatments for diabetes are shown to improve the reduction of blood sugar levels by helping insulin do its job, it stands to reason that for those who's bodies don't produce insulin herbal treatment cannot provide that help.

Possibly one of the best ways a person with diabetes can help himself or herself is through a proper nutritional diet, regular exercise and monitoring their blood sugar level. Fortunately, testing equipment is readily available and is typically done through blood samples with many home testing kits offering accurate readings and can be done numerous times throughout the day.

As soon as a person is diagnosed with diabetes, and their doctor starts them on a prescription regimen they should not eliminate the medicine in favor of a herbal treatment for diabetes without consulting their physician. It is very important that They increase the monitoring of their blood sugar level and notify their doctor of any change, good or bad.

Many diabetes sufferers can dramatically improve their blood sugar levels and consequently improve their overall wellbeing by cutting out the fatty, sweet elements of their diets by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables and getting into a regular routine of exercise.

More info on diabetes at http://www.diabetesadvisory.com

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans)

2009-07-21T17:58:00.001+07:00

Nutmeg and mace are both the fruit of the nutmeg tree, a large evergreen native to the Moluccas, or Spice Islands, in Indonesia. Mace is the red aril or casing of the fruit and nutmeg is the interior seed. Both can be hallucinogenic and toxic if used in high amounts.

In Chinese herbal medicine the nutmeg is used for intestinal problems, especially for diarrhea. In India, nutmeg is believed to increase sexual stamina and has an enduring reputation as an aphrodisiac.

Nutmeg has a long history as a magical spice. It is included in many herbal mixtures to promote prosperity. One such ceremony involves the sprinkling of the ground spice on to burning green candles.

Nutmegs are carried as a simple good luck charm and to ward off rheumatism, cold sores, neuralgia, boils and sties. A nutmeg hung from a string around a baby's neck is supposed to assist in the baby's teething.

To guarantee faithfulness on the part of your lover, cut a nutmeg into four pieces. Bury one quarter in the earth, throw another off a cliff, burn the third and boil the last in water. Sip some of the water and take this last piece of nutmeg with you everywhere, even to bed. This will ensure that no one will tempt your beloved.

In the kitchen, nutmeg is not only appetizing in sweet foods, but enhances the flavor of meats, vegetables and the contents of stuffed pasta, especially a cheese and/or spinach stuffing. It is excellent sprinkled over hot or cold milk drinks, eggnog and mulled wine. Use it in making cakes, cookies, doughnuts, pies, pastries, muffins, waffles and coffee cake. Whether added to the filling or poured over as a sauce, nutmeg glorifies apple or mincemeat pie, apple dumplings, steamed puddings and gingerbread.

For a refreshing finale to a meal, try sprinkling some grated nutmeg and brown sugar over well-chilled orange slices.

Here are two simple culinary applications for nutmeg, one savory and one sweet:

Baked Acorn Squash with Nutmeg

· 1 acorn squash, cut in half and seeded

· 2 tsp. butter

· 2 tsp. brown sugar

· 1 tsp. grated nutmeg

· Juice of ½ lemon.

Spread the butter in the cavity of each half squash and sprinkle evenly with the nutmeg and brown sugar. Place in a baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. About 10 minutes before serving, pour the lemon juice over each half squash. Some people prefer to cook the squash covered with just a little water in the bottom of the pan for the first 30 minutes or so. This will keep the squash moist, but be sure to remove the cover for the last 15-20 minutes to brown the squash.

Nutmeg Sauce

· 1 egg yolk

· ½ cup of brown sugar

· 1 cup of milk (or substitute such as nut milk or coconut milk)

· 1 tsp. ground nutmeg

· 1 tsp. arrowroot (optional)

Beat together the egg yolk, sugar and milk. Slowly bring to the boil, stirring constantly. Remove from the heat and add the nutmeg. If you desire a thicker sauce, make a thin, smooth paste by mixing the arrowroot with one tsp. of water. Pour this slowly into the sauce and continue stirring until it has become thick.

This recipe will make just over one cup of a sauce, which is delicious over apple pie or any pudding style dessert.

Nutmeg wonderfully enhances the flavor of pumpkin and other squashes. The following soup is full-bodied and creamy and is great to serve on a cold autumn day:

Pumpkin Rosemary Soup with Nutmeg

· 3 cups of fresh pumpkin, diced

· 1 cup of milk (or substitute such as nut milk or coconut milk)

· 4 cups of vegetable or herbed bouillon

· 1 onion, diced

· 4 cloves of garlic, minced

· 1 Tbsp. olive oil

· 1 tsp. ground nutmeg

· ¼ cup of fresh, chopped rosemary

Sauté the onion in the olive oil until translucent. Add the garlic, the pumpkin and stock and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until the pumpkin is tender. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Add the rosemary and nutmeg and then puree in batches until smooth. Return to heat and add the milk, stirring continually. Heat thoroughly and serve.

How to control diabetes with diet natural

2009-07-21T17:46:00.000+07:00

Diet for diabetes is essential in the regulation of blood sugar levels. It's been said many times that the right diet, along with exercise and medication, is key in controlling diabetes.

Why is there a need to control diabetes in the first place? Although diabetes itself is not life-threatening, control measures are necessary so as to prevent complications like kidney problems and heart failure either which can ultimately lead to death. Such being the case, regulating blood sugar levels should therefore be the primary goal of every diabetic treatment plan.

You must know that certain foods trigger abnormal spikes of your blood sugar levels. Thus, it may be necessary to embark on the right diet for diabetes. There are foods that are highly recommended for diabetics to eat; at the same time there are also those that they must avoid.

Ideally, diet for diabetes should comprise of the following:

fiber-rich foods
whole grains, bran, brown rice
vegetables
fresh fruits
nuts, seeds, legumes
fish

Whereas, the following foods should be avoided or at least limited:

foods rich in fat
salty foods
sweets

There is what is called the diabetes food pyramid that clearly illustrates the ideal diet for diabetes. The bottom of the pyramid represents foods that you must eat plenty of, and this includes starches or whole grain starches in the form of bread, cereals, pasta, corn, and potatoes. The next level of the pyramid are vegetables and fruits; next in line are milk, meat and meat substitutes, while at the top of the pyramid are fat and sweets, and these you should very well limit your intake of.

As you must know not every diet for diabetes works effectively for all diabetics. Each one has different sets of needs and requirements, the reason why it is highly recommended that you see a diabetic dietician to help you come up with the right meal plan based on your body weight and needs. This way, you will not have to eat too much of anything that you shouldn't, and not too little of those that you should.

Indeed, a diet for diabetes can certainly be palatable, too, and since you are basically using natural products, you can be sure that it will give you loads of health benefits.

You'll be surprised that this dietary regimen not only regulates your blood sugar levels naturally but makes you feel a lot healthier in the process. So even if you are not a diabetic, you can most certainly achieve better health with this diet for diabetes.

Warning signs and the first Diabetes

2009-07-21T12:01:00.001+07:00

Diabetes is a serious medical condition. It is a life threatening and lifelong problem.
Most people are diagnosed with diabetics when they visit the doctor to treat some other ailment. The key to prevent diabetic complications is early detection of this problem. These are the first signs of diabetes that alarm the person of the upcoming problem.

Frequent Urination: When the level of sugar in the bloodstream increase to a certain level the amount of blood flowing through the kidneys also increases. Normally people start experiencing this problem of frequent urination as they get older. Sometimes people ignore this first warning sign of diabetes and think it is because they are growing older. If diabetes is the cause of increased urination it must be diagnosed. As if left untreated it can lead to kidney failure.

Excessive Thirst: A person feels thirsty as excessive water is flushed away through kidneys. To replace that water brain gets the signal of being thirsty.

Extreme hunger: This first sign of diabetes is normally experienced when the body becomes energy deficient. This shortage in energy is because of insufficiency of insulin in blood. The brain then receive the signal that cells and body are hungry.

Sudden or Unexplained Weight Loss: When the body of the person is not getting enough energy from cell, it starts to break muscle and fat mass to replace the lack of energy. This substitution results in sudden weight loss.

Fatigue or Tiredness: Tiredness and fatigue are also the result of decreased level of energy.

Irritability and Mood Swings: Irritability and mood swings are also the outcome of lack of cellular energy.

Blurred Vision: Blurred vision is also the warning sign of diabetes. Excessive blood flow towards eye leads to the swelling of eye's lens. So listening to the warning signs of diabetes is essential as if left untreated it can cause blindness as well.

Numbness or Loss of Feeling: Numbness or loss of feeling in legs, feet, arms or hand area is also one of the first signs of diabetes. These feelings in any part of the body symptoms diabetes.

If you are experiencing any one of the above first sign of diabetes, there are three things you can do

1. Visit the health professional

2. Visit Warning Signs of Diabetes

3. Gather as much information on diabetes as you can.

As you must know that diabetes is not a disease that will go by itself rather you have to take steps to manage it.

Herbal Medicines in Dentistry

2009-07-21T11:42:00.002+07:00

Learn How to Manage Pain and Tooth Decay With These Modest Herbs

Herbal medicines have been used for many years. Their history can be rooted from ancient civilization wherein their role as a primary source of medication is evident. Although today only a few of these many herbs have been approved for their commendable medicinal properties, a large majority of naturally occurring herbs are only considered as food supplements because of the lack of a randomized controlled clinical trial. However, this isn't to say that herbal medicines have no future at all in the field of medicine. Currently many studies are presently being conducted to know these herbs in depth. Many are hopeful about these natural substances for if ever approved, they are going to be cheap and affordable for all.

What are Herbal Medicines?

Herbal medicines for them to be considered as such should be naturally occurring and with therapeutic compounds to our bodies. As said earlier, they are considered supplements rather than drugs because manufacturers of these alternative medicines do not have the budget to conduct randomized controlled clinical trials (in layman's terms are experiments done to prove or disprove a product's efficacy to a particular disease).

In contrast to drugs, which have a lot of criteria to satisfy before they can pass the standards of drug regulatory commissions, herbal medicines are required only 4 criteria that is safeness, efficacy, affordability and acceptability.

Accessible Herbal Medicines

There are a lot of herbal medicines that are found right in your fridge. For example garlic has been shown to reduce cholesterol in the body thus may play a role in lowering your blood pressure. It also contains an antibacterial compound called Allicin which is known to be effective in preventing wounds from progressing into worse infection. What is even better is that past tests show positive results in the treatment of AIDS. So we have a lot of hopes for our modest garlic.

Garlic can even boost your immune system so that your body can fight off infections effectively. If you are feeling sick in the morning, you can swallow chopped garlic mixed with honey and you'll feel well after.

Another accessible herbal medicine is bitter gourd. I know it tastes, well, bitter, but they say only those vegetables which taste bad actually possess vital vitamins and mineral essential to our body's functioning. In the case of bitter gourd, research has been shown that it is effective in lowering blood sugar level as in diabetes. It is a good source of vitamins A, B, C and minerals such as iron, folic acid, phosphorus and calcium. Yes! It is that loaded!

Herbal Medicines and its Role in Dentistry: Pain and Mouthwash

Peppermint has anti-pain effects and is effective in alleviating body aches and even a simple toothache. It can be taken internally as a decoction or the leaves can be applied directly on the afflicted area.

Peppermint is also known in Spanish as Yerba Buena which means "good herb" in Spanish. This herb has been around and been consumed for centuries as tea. For a simple toothache, if you want to be all-natural, this is the herb for you. You might also want to consult your dentist if you think the pain is intolerable. This may mean that it is inflamed and you might want to drink an anti-inflammatory agent for this matter. For headaches, you can heat the leaves and place them on your forehead and wait for the pain to go away for good.

Guava can be used as an antiseptic and mouthwash to disinfect our oral cavities from oral infections such as gum infections. It can also be used to treat tooth decay. As an herbal medicine, the guava fruit, bark and leaves can be used. Aside from its antiseptic property, guava is also loaded with a high concentration of vitamin C.

The bark can also be used as a substitute for toothbrush if you happen to be stuck in a forest and you badly need to clean your teeth. What you can do is to peel off the hard covering of the bark and turn the inner portion of the bark into bristle like. This is a very effective alternative for our regular toothbrush plus it is packed with antiseptic too! In fact, in the Middle East, they actually manufacture guava barks and even packaged them into individual blister packs and sell it very cheaply.

What is important with these herbal medicines is that they are really good supplements for our bodies to survive the everyday pollution of this world. A lot of these alternative medicines are immune boosters and are essential for repair and regulation of our body's function. We should not underestimate these herbs and we should always remember that much of synthetic medicines today have been patterned from the actions of these modest and natural substances.

Tips For Finding the Fountain of Youth

2009-07-21T11:34:00.000+07:00

"Brooke start using medicinal herbs for skin now". This was the strong advice I gave to my 15 year old daughter. Why is it that we wait until the wrinkles, dark circles and crows feet show up before we decide to do something? The answer is that we're forever young at the age of 15.

The fact is that herbal skin care products are effective for the young and old. You can put off the results of aging and you can also remove some of these not so subtle reminders of age.

Medicinal herbs for skin are a natural, safe alternative to the toxic, synthetic chemicals often found in the most common, highly advertised skin care products.

The products you are most familiar with are marketed with huge budgets for advertising. Rather than great ingredients, they contain possibly toxic chemicals, alcohol and fragrances which are extremely irritating to facial skin.

The best organic herbal skin care products routinely contain natural herbal oils that are easily absorbed by the skin. They also possess enzymes that promote the manufacturing of collagen by your skin. Collagen is a natural healer of the skin reducing wrinkles and other signs of age.
Natural antioxidants are also a component of the best products and these work to tone and also heal damage done by the sun, aging or lifestyle. Lifestyle is important as late nights, drinking, smoking, and lack of exercise will all show up on the facial area sooner or later.

Certain oils such as macadamia and jojoba oil have been shown to nourish the skin without irritation. Facial masks made from medicinal herbs for skin are soothing and healing.

I have done a great deal of research into herbal skin care products and would like to share my product results with you. Please visit my site below for more tips and information on these products.

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Understanding of herbal medicine

2009-07-21T11:23:00.001+07:00

An herb is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavor or therapeutic properties. Herbal medicine products are dietary supplements that people take to improve their health. Many herbs have been used for a long time for claimed health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and fresh or dried plants. However, some can cause health problems, some are not effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking.
To use an herbal product as safely as possible
• Consult your doctor first
• Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends
• Take it under the guidance of a trained medical professional
• Be especially cautious if you are pregnant or nursing
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Home remedy for Acne

2009-06-08T15:25:00.001+07:00

Our skin is considered to be the largest organ in our entire body. The skin serves as the primary protection of the body from all viable sources of illnesses and diseases. With that in mind, it is of prime importance that people take good care of their skin. One of the most common problems in skin is acne. Regardless of what age, people can easily invite the presence of acne on their skin.

When a person has severe acne, this often causes psychological complexes for adults and teenagers. People, especially women, can feel depressed or can feel a notable lack of confidence due to their plaguing acne problem. If you are at home and want to find the best ways to prevent or cure your acne problem, here are some of the best home remedies for acne.

The use of lime or lemon juice as home remedy for acne is often regarded as one of the most effective for men and women. With the nutritional ingredients contained in lemon or lime juice, your skin will eventually experience a decrease of oil or sebum, nullifying the growth of acne. Softly apply this liquid on your skin for a good number of minutes. You will notice that your skin will slightly dry and the liquid will absorb any presence of oil. When using the substance on your face, be careful not to use a lot as this may also irritate the eyes.

Some individuals also make use of toothpaste when drying the skin from too much oil. You can apply the toothpaste to your pimples directly and let it stay for a number of minutes. Like lemon juice, this will also absorb the presence of oil on your skin and will add a cooling sensation to your pores.

Oatmeal can also be used to exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells so as to keep the pores clean. With the dead skin removed, this will cleanse your skin from other sources of acne or pimples.

There are also more ways that you can do home remedies for acne. A quick search on the internet will give you a thorough guide as well as specific mixtures that you can apply on your skin. You may also check on books dealing with acne problems for some helpful tips. Most of the materials used in these processes can be found in the comforts of your own home.

Herbal Therapy for Acne Treatment

2009-05-28T13:51:00.005+07:00

Because prevention is the best way to protect your skin from the scarring associated with severe acne, many dermatologists recommend that controlling problematic acne through diet, regular cleansing procedures, and herbal remedies, is the most effective way to combat the tendencies of skin that is prone to acne and acne-related scarring.

Treatments that accentuate the regulation of daily habits having to do with diet, physical exercise, mood control, and other activities, are known as holistic treatments. Holistic treatments often include herbal therapies.

Herbalists recommend the following herbal remedies for acne and scarring:

• Black currant seed oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.

• Evening primrose oil taken in 500-milligram capsules three times a day for three months or until acne is diminished.

• Teas made from a combination of echinacea, tea tree oil, goldenseal, nettles, or calendula.

• Teas made from lavender or chamomile, to help reduce acne-causing stress.

• Chinese herbs such as cnidium seed and honeysuckle flower.

• Teas made from cumin, coriander, and fennel, steeped for 10 minutes in hot water and consumed three times a day after meals.

Some alternative medicine practitioners recommend using diet as a way to combat acne and acne-related scarring. These practitioners believe that diets high in beta-carotene help to reduce the factors that contribute to severe acne. Orange and yellow foods such as carrots, pumpkin, and cantaloupe are loaded with beta-carotene and should be a regular part of the diet of anyone suffering from acne and scarring.

Another dietary recommendation for acne-sufferers is to consume many bland foods such as oatmeal, rice, brown grains, and applesauce. These foods should be eaten instead of spicy foods and fried foods, which are believed by some practitioners to stimulate the hormones and glands that aggravate acne conditions.

A daily practice of yoga is commonly recommended as a way to increase the flow of blood to the face. This helps to flush acne-causing toxins and to provide your facial skin with natural nutrients that help to decrease the formation of acne and to heal scar tissue.

People who suffer from acne should also take care to perform some simple daily rituals that can help to reduce the occurrence of acne and scarring.

Dermatologists and alternative medicine practitioners suggest that acne-sufferers should wash the area twice daily with mild soap. Washing should be gentle. Scrubbing or grating the skin will only aggravate the condition and lead to scarring.

Hair should be washed thoroughly and regularly and should be kept away from the face and shoulders.

Acne sufferers should also avoid shaving as much as possible. When shaving, take care not to run the blade over blemishes. Always use a new blade so as not to spread infection.

Avoid wearing make-up and facial cosmetics. If you must, take care to use make-up that is hypoallergenic.

In order to prevent scarring, do not pop or squeeze pimples. Popping and squeezing pimples is tempting, but can easily cause infection and the development of unwanted scar tissue.

While many of these holistic therapies can be easily performed at home, it is a good idea to speak with your dermatologist or alternative medicine practitioner about the best holistic measures to take as a way to help with acne and acne-related scarring.

Garlic and Heart Health

2009-05-07T13:09:00.005+07:00

Garlic, believed by experts to be one of the oldest cultivated plants in history, carries with it an extensive list of diseases it is thought to be helpful in relieving. A major player in herbal medicine throughout the world, it has been used for a wide variety of conditions including dysentery, tuberculosis and influenza for at least five thousand years.

These days, however, we've "rediscovered" it for the treatment of two common, modern-day maladies: hypertension (high blood pressure) and hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol and related conditions). Both of these conditions contribute to an elevated risk for heart disease and strokes.

In truth, there are great medications available by prescription for both hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Those individuals severely afflicted probably need to be on one of them rather than relying on garlic or any herbal product to be effective enough to control their conditions. But many people have mildly elevated blood pressure and/or cholesterol, just the kind of condition for which garlic should be considered as an alternative to expensive prescription medication.

Scientists have studied garlic fairly extensively as it relates to the treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia and it seems to be effective in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol in individuals who take it on a regular basis. The active component of garlic is an amino acid called alliin which is further converted to allicin and other active metabolites. Any garlic you purchase should be standardized in the amount of allicin it contains.

As I mentioned, the studies on garlic as treatment for the above conditions are very good , however it is important to know that they didn't just use your average cloves of garlic off the grocery store shelf when conducting these studies. In fact, many of the clinical studies were done using Kwai, an encapsulated form of garlic containing standardized amounts of allicin. What this means is that it's difficult to say whether or not a couple of cloves of fresh garlic taken daily in your diet will be adequate to achieve the kind of results you may be looking for.

For this reason, I feel uncomfortable recommending anything other than Kwai or a similar standardized preparation. Each capsule of Kwai contains 150 milligrams of concentrated garlic (the equivalent of 450 milligrams of fresh clove) standardized to 900 micrograms of allicin. A total of four capsules daily are recommended.

Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are taking garlic as interactions between it and some blood thinners have been reported.

History of Herbal Medicine

2009-05-05T18:43:00.010+07:00

Herbal medicine is the oldest form of healthcare known to mankind. Herbs had been used by all cultures throughout history. It was an integral part of the development of modern civilization. Primitive man observed and appreciated the great diversity of plants available to him. The plants provided food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. Much of the medicinal use of plants seems to have been developed through observations of wild animals, and by trial and error. As time went on, each tribe added the medicinal power of herbs in their area to its knowledgebase. They methodically collected information on herbs and developed well-defined herbal pharmacopoeias. Indeed, well into the 20th century much of the pharmacopoeia of scientific medicine was derived from the herbal lore of native peoples. Many drugs commonly used today are of herbal origin. Indeed, about 25 percent of the prescription drugs dispensed in the United States contain at least one active ingredient derived from plant material. Some are made from plant extracts; others are synthesized to mimic a natural plant compound.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 4 billion people, 80 percent of the world population, presently use herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care. Herbal medicine is a major component in all indigenous peoples’ traditional medicine and a common element in Ayurvedic, homeopathic, naturopathic, traditional oriental, and Native American Indian medicine. WHO notes that of 119 plant-derived pharmaceutical medicines, about 74 percent are used in modern medicine in ways that correlated directly with their traditional uses as plant medicines by native cultures. Major pharmaceutical companies are currently conducting extensive research on plant materials gathered from the rain forests and other places for their potential medicinal value.

Substances derived from the plants remain the basis for a large proportion of the commercial medications used today for the treatment of heart disease, high blood pressure, pain, asthma, and other problems. For example, ephedra is a herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for more than two thousand years to treat asthma and other respiratory problems. Ephedrine, the active ingredient in ephedra, is used in the commercial pharmaceutical preparations for the relief of asthma symptoms and other respiratory problems. It helps the patient to breathe more easily.