Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) - Side Effects and Benefits

Botanical Name of Red Clover: Trifolium pratense L.

Other Common Names: Beebread, cow clover, meadow clover, purple clover, trefoil, wild clover.

Habitat: Red clover is a perennial herb that grows commonly in the wild throughout Europe, Asia and Africa and has been naturalised to North America. It is used as a grazing food for cattle and as a green manure as is a nitrogen–rich crop.

Description: Red clover is a member of the Leguminosae family. It can grow to approximately 1-2 feet and has purple-pink tubular flowers. Its name is derived from Latin: tres for three and folium for leaf and pratense for growing in meadows.

Plant Parts Used: Flower heads. Red clover is generally taken as a standardised extract in tablet form. Red clover leaves are eaten as a salad and the flowers are dried for use in teas.

Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Red Clover

* Red clover has a long history of traditional use in China, Europe and Russia for a variety of medical conditions including bronchial asthma, liver and digestive ailments, sore eyes and burns.
* It was thought to purify the blood by promoting urine, mucus and bile production and improve circulation.
* Traditionally red clover ointments have been applied to the skin to treat conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
* There is a history of use of red clover as a short-term cough medicine for children.
* Red clover is a rich source of the isoflavones; formonnectin, biochanin A, daidzin and genistein which are natural hormones
* Red clover supplements are promoted worldwide for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and the maintenance of health and welfare after the menopause.
* Clinical trials show that red clover extracts may provides some benefit for hot flushes associated with the menopause.
* It is also suggested that Red Clover may be of use for women experiencing breast pain.
* There is promising evidence for a positive role for red clover in the development of osteoporosis.
* Red clover extracts have been shown to have a positive effect on high blood pressure.
* Clinical studies have shown red clover to have no detrimental effect on the womb or breast tissue.
* In addition it’s natural hormonal components; Red clover contains many essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, chromium, niacin, phosphorous, potassium, thiamine, magnesium, and vitamin C.
* Red clover can be found in herbal combinations thought to be useful for women’s health.

Potential Side Effects of Red Clover

Side effects with red clover are generally mild and rare. They include breast tenderness, menstruation changes and weight gain. Red clover extracts have theoretically been associated with interactions with blood thinning agents e.g. warfarin and hormonal therapies but this has not been confirmed with actual case reports. Although there is no evidence for concern, it is advised that red clover extracts should be avoided in women with a history of breast cancer. Pregnant and breast feeding women should not take red clover.

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Morning Walks and Herbs

Collecting, Drying, & Storing Herbs

There is no better initiation into the therapeutic world of herbs than morning walks in spring or summer, when fields and hedgerows are everyone's herbal dispensary, open all hours. The sheer enjoyment of being in their midst and gathering leaves and blossoms, roots and barks for healing, can never be exaggerated.

Always pick herbs away from roadsides or cultivated land that may have been sprayed, and gather them at their most vigorous. Be careful not to over pick the same area, or gather from places where the plant is scarce, and avoid any plant that looks stunted or diseased. Be gentle in your handling of fresh herbs - do not bruise or crush them, or hold them for too long.

For most herbs in spring and summer leaves are at their best just before flowering, and flowers are at their best just as they are bursting into bloom. Bark should be harvested in spring as the sap rises, while roots and rhizomes should be left until fall/autumn.

Collect leaves and flowers on a dry, sunny day in the morning, once the dew has dried, as dampness will cause them to deteriorate-quickly. Bark, roots, and rhizomes are easier to pull after rain. Collecting, drying, and storing, as soon as you get home spread the plants out to dry in a single layer or hang them in small bunches. Choose a warm, airy, well-ventilated place in the shade, such as an attic or shed.

Wash and cut roots and rhizomes only and then dry them. Turn the herbs frequently over the next few days, and when dry, break them up into small pieces. Drying times vary depending on the plant and the part you intend to use. Generally, leaves should be brittle and break easily.

Stems and stalks should break and not bend. Flower petals should rustle but not crumble. Bark and roots should be dry enough to snap, or if they are thick, to chip with a mall hammer. Dried herbs should look, taste and smell like the fresh plant, but be about one-eighth the weight. Store the herbs in a dark, dry place, in brown paper bags, cardboard boxes or dark glass jars with cork stoppers - never in plastic because it encourages condensation inside the container.

Label the containers carefully. Aerial parts will keep for about a year; roots and bark for two. All those methods would be very useful in our daily lives.

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Guarana - Side Effects and Benefits

Botanical Name of Guarana: Paullinia cupana

Other Common Names: Guarana kletterstrauch, guaranastruik, quarana, quarane, cupana, Brazilian cocoa, uabano, uaranzeiro.

Habitat: The guarana plant thrives in the lush Amazon rainforest. It requires tropical temperatures and plentiful rainfall to flourish.

Plant Description: Guarana is a creeping shrub that can grow to 12 meters in height. The bright red fruit is round and grows in clusters. When ripe the fruit splits, revealing black seeds. The seeds are surrounded by a white arils, giving them an “eyeball” appearance.

Plant Parts Used: The seed and the fruit of the guarana plant are used.

Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Guarana

* Guarana’s use by South American native tribes predates the discovery of Brazil. These tribes recognized its stimulant effect and used it during times of fasting as well.
* Traditionally, the native tribes of Brazil and the surrounding countries have used guarana to treat many ailments. Included in this list are diarrhea, hypertension, fever, migraine, neuralgia, and dysentery. It has also been used to treat pain, overcome heat fatigue, combat premature aging, detoxify the blood. It has been found useful to control intestinal gas, obesity, dyspepsia, fatigue, and arteriosclerosis
* Guarana’s effect on the central nervous system, most specifically as a stimulant, has caught the attention of many athletes and dieters. The metabolism boosting and energy producing effect make this a popular supplement with those trying to boost performance or losing weight by increased caloric burning.
* Guarana has a higher percentage of caffeine than the coffee or cacao beans. For this reason it is often used in energy drinks and soft drinks. Some people even dry roast the seeds and produce a paste that can later be made into a drink or used in foods.
* Guarana is also used as a cardiovascular health aid. It is used to tone, strengthen and balance the heart. It is also used to cleanse the blood and keep it from becoming “sticky” and forming clots.
* Guarana has also found favor as a means for preventing heat stroke and other heat illnesses. It lowers body temperature and supports the body’s exchange of electrolytes.
* The stimulant effect also helps with focus and mental acuity. Sharper focus and better control of mental faculties is a positive effect of the stimulation of the central nervous system.
* It has also been shown to be an analgesic (pain-reliever), nervine (tone and calm nerves), and a neurasthenic (reduce nerve pain.) These factors support its use as a pain reliever.
* Guarana is often added to herbal weight loss supplements to increase the themogenesis and help control appetite.

Dosage and Administration:

Guarana may be found in many herbal combinations or in capsule form by itself. In these forms the manufacturers recommended dosage should always be followed. For fresh preparation 1 to 2 grams of the fresh seed may be ground and added to 1 cup of water and boiled. This may be consumed 3 times per day.

Potential Side Effects of Guarana

Anxiety, jitters, difficulty falling asleep, palpatations and increased blood pressure may all result from use of this supplement. Urinary frequency and dehydration may also be experienced. Any person allergic to, or with previous adverse effects associated with, caffeine should avoid this supplement due to its high caffeine content. Pregnant women should avoid high doses of this supplement

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Alien writes for Natural herbs . He also writes for herbs and asthma home remedies

Garcinia Cambogia - Side Effects and Benefits

Botanical Name: Garcinia cambogia

Other Common Names of Garcinia Cambogia: Brindle berry, brindall berry, garcinia, malabar tamarind, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), citrin, gambooge, gorikapuli, uppagi, garcinia kola, mangosteen oil tree.

Habitat: India and South East Asia.

Description:Garcinia cambogia is a flowering evergreen tree, with drooping branches. The fruit is yellow, oval in shape and resembles small pumpkins. Garcinia is part of the same family as mangosteens; the fruit is harvested, dried and ground into a powder.

Plant Parts Used: Fruit rind.

Therapeutic Uses, Benefits and Claims of Garcinia Cambogia

* Garcinia cambogia, with its distinctly sour sweet taste, has been used for centuries in South East Asia to make meals more filling.
* The active constituent in this herb is called Hydroxycitric acid or HCA and is gaining a reputation for assisting weight loss through appetite suppression and by reducing the body’s ability to form adipose(fatty) tissue during times of overeating.

The mechanism for garcinia’s weight loss ability is still being understood; but is believed to be through inhibiting the body’s ability to convert carbohydrates to fats. This leads to an increase in glycogen in the liver, which sends a message to the brain indicating satiety, and in turn reduces appetite.

In recent years studies are focusing on the most effective form of HCA to take for maximum therapeutic benefit. What is significant is that a recent Japanese study, using an animal model, indicated that during exercise the regular use of HCA promotes fat burning and spares carbohydrate utilization at rest and during exercise. Giving garcinia an indication for endurance exercise.
* Garcinia has also been historically used to treat gastric ulcers. A 2002 study indicates this herb works primarily through the action of one of these plant’s constituents, garcinol. Garcinol is known to lower acidity in the stomach and protects the gastric mucosa.
* The rind of garcinia cambogia is also astringent, which is why it was also historically used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentry as well as having the added benefit in the treatment of gastric and duodenal ulcers.
* The ability for Garcinia’s component, HCA, to reduce blood lipid levels and lower blood cholesterol is another feature of this amazing natural medicine.
* More recently, it has been proposed that Garcinia cambogia has a hepato protective ability against external toxins, such as alcohol. A recent study showed that Garcinia prevented liver cells from becoming fibrotic and stopped cell damage caused by high blood lipid levels.

Potential Side Effects of Garcinia Cambogia

There are no known side effects for using this herb, however, it is not recommended for diabetics or people suffering any dementia syndrome, including Alzheimer’s; and in pregnant and lactating women. Garcinia cambogia does have contraindications with certain medications, and it is important to discuss this with your health care professional.

Therapeutic Dosages

Supplements are available in various forms including tablets, capsules, powders, extracts and even snack bars. Garcinia cambogia medications are usually standardised to contain fixed percentage of HCA. The usual dosage for garcinia is 300 to 500mg tablets three times daily taken half an hour before meals with water.

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Alternative Medicines - Rotavirus Diarrhea Remedies

Rotavirus is one type of virus that causes diarrhea, especially in young children. Infection is caused by group A rotaviruses, which are wheel-shaped viruses. . Rotavirus diarrhea usually lasts from 4 to 6 days, but may last longer and cause intermittent diarrhea in children who have compromised immune systems. Rotavirus infection usually occurs during the winter months. Some children have no symptoms of rotavirus infection while others may have severe vomiting , watery diarrhea, and fever. In some instances, there may also be a cough or runny nose. Rotavirus infections are responsible for approximately 3 million cases of diarrhea and 55,000 hospitalizations for diarrhea and dehydration in children under 5 years old each year in the United States. Although these infections cause relatively few deaths in the United States, diarrhea caused by rotavirus results in more than half a million deaths worldwide every year. Rotavirus infection is very contagious. Viral Gastroenteritis is caused by a variety of agents. Noroviruses, adnenoviruses, astroviruses and many others may be responsible for diarrhea.

This is especially true in developing countries, where nutrition and health care are not optimal. Rotavirus spreads very easily. The virus is transmitted by hand-to-mouth contact with stool from an infected person. The virus can be passed from one person to another by touching a hand contaminated by the virus. The virus can also be transmitted by merely touching a surface or object that has been contaminated by an infected person. Children with a rotavirus infection have fever, nausea, and vomiting, which are often followed by abdominal cramps and frequent, watery diarrhea. Children who are infected may also have a cough and runny nose. The seriousness of infection generally decreases with the number of infections. First infections tend to be the most severe. Some children who become dehydrated need to have fluids replaced through a vein (intravenously) in the hospital. Children can become infected if they put their fingers in their mouths after touching something that has been contaminated by the stool of an infected person.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children in the United States. Rotavirus accounts for more than 500,000 physician visits and approximately 50,000 hospitalizations each year among children less than 5 years of age. Rotavirus is a non-enveloped virus of the family Reoviridae. It derives its name from its wheel like appearance when viewed under an electron microscope, from the latin rota, meaning wheel. Rotavirus can infect people of all ages, as well as many other animals, however, in humans its primary targets are infants, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems, as is seen in AIDS. It is a seasonal disease in the United States, with most of the disease occurring in the winter and spring. Rotaviruses are transmitted by the fecal-oral route. Only 10 to 100 infectious virus particles are needed to cause infection.

Rotavirus Diarrhea Treatment Tips

1. Wash raw vegetables thoroughly before eating.

2. Avoid unpasteurized (raw) milk or foods made from unpasteurized milk.

3. Wash hands, knives, and cutting boards after handling uncooked foods.

4. Avoid getting fluid from hot dog packages on other foods, utensils, and food preparation surfaces.

5. Do not eat soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, and Camembert, blue-veined cheeses.

6. Do not eat refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads. Canned or shelf-stable pâtés and meat spreads may be eaten.

7. Do not eat refrigerated smoked seafood, unless it is contained in acooked dish, such as a casserole.

8. Fruit juices and soft drinks can make diarrhea worse and should be avoided.

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Alternative Medicines - Mercury and human health

Mercury is a very dangerous poison. Basically, there are three forms of mercury: metallic, inorganic and organic. Although there is considerable debate as to which form is the most harmful, there is abundant evidence that indicates the inorganic form (also called ionic mercury) is the most dangerous. Ionic mercury is also the most difficult to remove from the body and in particular from the brain. Fortunately, few people are exposed to ionic mercury directly - most exposure is indirect. Unfortunately, a number of studies have shown that the other two forms are converted into ionic mercury within the tissues, especially in the brain. Therefore, any and all mercury exposure should be regarded as basically having the same potential.

Many people have suffered and died from mercury poisoning. The following are two incidents of mercury poisoning that gained the attention of the media:

* Mercury was dumped into Minamata bay in Japan from 1932-1968. Over 5,000 people suffered from mercury poisoning and 456 died. Children were born severely deformed and mentally retarded.
* In 1971 50,000 people in Iraq were poisoned and 5,000 died after they ate bread contaminated with mercury.

Although these were dramatic and tragic events the largest sources of mercury poisoning are:

* Dental fillings
* Contaminated fish
* Vaccines
* House paint

Almost 50% of dental fillings are the metallic form of mercury. The American Dental Society, until just recently, covered up the evidence that the mercury was released in vapor form and that 80% of that mercury vapor was absorbed into the body. Several studies have shown that blood levels of mercury rise several times when people with amalgam fillings chew or drink hot liquids. This is significant. Consider that in 1990, the EPA outlawed the use of mercury-filled interior latex paint because studies found that people living in houses covered in this paint had dangerously high mercury levels in their bodies. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) set the safety limit of mercury in the air at 50 ug per cubic meter (50 ug/m3). Measurements of the air in the mouths of people with numerous amalgam fillings have exceeded this level (reaching as high as150 ug/m3). This has particular implications for pregnant and breast feeding women.

Fish and other seafood are contaminated by waste from coal burning furnaces and pesticides and herbicides containing mercury. The sea floor also produces natural sources of mercury. As a result, a large number of previously safe seafood are contaminated with mercury. The mercury enters all sea creatures, but some are more toxic than others. Fish that eat other fish have the highest levels and in general the larger the fish, the higher the concentration. Certain fish should never be eaten, because of their extremely high methylmercury levels. These include:

* shark,
* swordfish,
* king mackerel and
* tilefish.

Select fish and other seafood that are low in mercury, such as salmon (from the Pacific) or pollock, or shrimp. However, Gulf shrimp is contaminated with a number of industrial chemicals as well as mercury, especially since Hurricane Katrina. Although most vaccines had their mercury removed as of 2001, the flu vaccines and the Rho immune globulin vaccine still contain mercury. Vaccines contain a special form of mercury called ethylmercury, which is found within the preservative and antiseptic thimerosal. Recent studies have examined ethylmercury and found that in fact it is much more toxic than methylmercury (the form found in fish). In the brain it is readily converted to the more toxic mercury ion. Vaccines containing mercury are strongly link to autism.

Toxic Effects of Mercury

Mercury is fat soluble and it accumulates in fat containing tissues such as the brain, heart, kidneys and liver. It reacts with a number of important structures and chemicals in the organs. Mercury concentrates in cell nucleus, and in even low doses it can cause damage to DNA. Damaged DNA can lead to cancer and degenerative brain disease. Changes, or damage, to DNA can be passed on to subsequent generations, so any children you have after the damage can inherit the problem or risk it produces.

The heart is especially sensitive to mercury toxicity. One study of people with an often fatal disorder called idiopathic cardiomyopathy found that their heart muscle contained a level of mercury that was 22,000 times higher than that seen in hearts of other people the same age. This disorder causes heart failure and people with the problem can require a heart transplant. The elderly with pre-existing heart disease, who receive yearly flu vaccines, are particularly at risk as the flu vaccines still contain mercury.

The brain is another organ that is particularly sensitive to the accumulation of mercury. Most of us have heard the old saying mad as a hatter. This saying originated from the felt hat industry during the 17th through the 19th centuries. It was commonly observed that people who worked in the industry walked as if they were drunk. They were also quite irritable and exhibited bizarre behavior. It was discovered that a form of mercury used in the manufacture of felt hats was to blame.

Mercury can alter how the brain functions, particularly the memory, concentration, motor control and behavior. Depression, memory loss, moodiness, irritability, a lack of interest in events, a desire to be alone, shyness and outbursts of anger are all signs of mercury poisoning. Low doses of mercury, even for short periods, can cause changes to brainwaves observed on an electrocortigram.

High mercury levels in the brain, blood or spinal fluid has been found in people with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer s and Parkinson s disease and Lou Gehrig s disease. Studies have found that people with Alzheimer s disease have blood mercury levels twice as high as those who were free of the disease. This would also explain the 10-times increase in Alzheimer s disease observed in elderly people who get annual flu vaccines for five years. Several studies have shown improvement in MS patients who had their amalgam fillings removed and subsequently went through chelation to purge them of mercury.

What You Can Do

* Try to avoid mercury as much as you are able, including in atmospheric pollution, dental fillings, contaminated seafood and avoid vaccines that contain mercury.
* If you have concerns you can have your urine, hair and stool checked for mercury levels. If the levels are high (above 10 ug/g of creatine) you can use a chelation agent to remove the mercury.
* Perspiration removes mercury. Exercising will increase the perspiration, but a new study found that exercise redistributes the mercury and this concentrates the mercury in the brain and heart muscle.
* Garlic extract neutralizes much of the toxicity and removes a great deal of the mercury from the brain over time. The advantage of this natural substance over drugs is that it can be taken all the time.
* A purified extract of the Chlorella plant have been shown to chelate mercury, and they can be taken daily.
* Vitamin and mineral supplements are useful. In particular, vitamin E protects DNA against mercury damage. Also alpha-lipoic acid, zinc and selenium have proven roles. Zinc and selenium play a major role in protecting the brain against mercury toxicity. It is thought that selenium protects fish from the damage caused by mercury.
* You need cleanse your body of toxic material, including mercury, so that everything is able to work effectively.

Conclusion Mercury is a dangerous toxin that should be avoided as much as possible. Avoidance is not impossible but does require attention to the sources of mercury discussed above. If you believe you may be suffering from mercury toxicity, possibly because you realize that you have had significant exposure and recognize that you have several relevant symptoms, I recommend you consult a naturopathic doctor who will be able to assess your condition and if necessary, order some tests and recommend appropriate treatment.

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Alternative Medicines - Garlic and Onion

Since ancient times, garlic and onion were always present in even the smallest herb gardens. Both were so widely cultivated for food and medicine purposes around the world, that the wild forms of these two members of the lily family are long gone.

Characteristic aroma and medicinal value of alliums (bulbous plants of the lily family, including: onions, garlic, chives, leeks and shallots) are brought about by sulfur and carbon compounds that neutralize harmful bacteria.

Garlic’s taste has just as many fans as garlic’s “repellant breath” (according to Pliny, Roman’s naturalist and author, 23/24-79 A.D.) has enemies. So much so that in ancient Roman times some of the temples would not let entering those who ate garlic. The fear of “foul odor” stretched as far as affecting the use – or the lack of use - of onion and garlic in fine urban cooking recipes.

At the same time, common Roman folk used both onion and garlic as cure-all in rural areas where both were also among important food staples.

On the other hand, alliums used as aphrodisiac were highly valued by ancient Romans and Greeks and were therefore widely used in love potions, mixed with some other herbs.

While wealthy Romans were picky about when, where and how to use garlic and onions, ancient Egyptians accredited them both with magical powers and swore oaths to onion and garlic as if they were equal to gods.

Nevertheless, garlic is a traditional remedy, used for all kinds of infections, especially before the rise of antibiotics. During the World War I soldier’s wounds were being dressed with garlic. Other uses for garlic have always been: chest and ear infections, colds and flu, digestive infections, rid of intestinal parasites, circulatory problems and strokes, lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, reducing blood sugar and even supporting conventional antibiotics and warding off their side effects.

Onion, milder in aroma, now grown and used as a vegetable, also has a long list of traditional medical virtues. Some are similar to those of garlic, but onion has also been used for preventing oral infection and tooth decay, and to stimulate hair growth and circulation. Onion juice, mixed with honey is a traditional treatment for colds.

The list of historically proven benefits of alliums is long. The smell, though, stays strong. Luckily, Mother Nature provided us not only with natural antibiotics but also with herbal solutions for “stinking exhalations”. One of them is raw parsley leaves. Chew – and sweeten your breath (especially after enjoying raw garlic or onion – for whatever reason).

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