Herbal Medicines for Canker Sores

Several herbs are useful in the treatment of cranker sores. Most of them contain tannins and have other wound healing properties. Tannin, the common name for tannic acid, is a constituent of many plants and gives foods an astringent taste.

Description: Most people know that they have a developing canker sore when they notice a slight stinging sensation somewhere inside their mouth-usually on the cheek or tongue, but sometimes on the gums or soft palate. A few hours later, a sensitive red bump appears. By the next day, the bump becomes an ulcerated and painful sore.

Also known as aphthous ulcers, these sores which strike women slightly more often than menusually make their first appearance when you are between the ages of 10 and 40. The sores may never come back again, or they may recur periodically over the course of your life. While canker sores are ordinarily more of an annoyance than a health hazard, extremely severe attacks can be accompanied by fever, listlessness, and swollen glands.
At this time, the specific cause of canker sores is unknown, though there appears to be a hereditary disposition toward them. (If your mother or father suffers from recurrent bouts of canker sores, you may, too.)

There also seems to be a connection between canker sores and physical irritation-from braces or dentures, for example. Food allergies are also a suspected cause of the condition. Some women even get canker sores before their menstrual periods. Some people are susceptible during times of extreme stress or fatigue; others are prone due to deficiencies of vitamin B12, iron, of folic acid.

Signs and Symptoms: -Small, white or yellow sores with red borders that appear on the inside of the mouth-on the tongue, gums, soft palate, or the inside surfaces of the cheeks and lipsSores may appear singly or in clusters
-Pain at the site: Conventional Medical Treatment: With good mouth hygiene (make sure to brush your teeth and tongue regularly and floss daily), canker sores usually disappear within 7 to 10 days. Refrain from touching or picking at the sores, since these habits can cause irritation or even a secondary infection. While the sores heal, you also may want to avoid spicy and acidic foods (such as tomatoes), which can easily irritate them. To relieve pain, consider trying over-the counter topical analgesics, such as benzocaine (Orajel).

If the sores become infected or last for more than 2 weeks, contact your physician or dentist, who may prescribe antibiotics.

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Herbal Medical Kit

Herbs do not have to be grown in a garden; you can grow some of the herbs we mention in window boxes or even indoors.

Growing herbs organically is a great way to have some natural remedies at hand for a number of complaints and you will be amazed at how well they can work.

As with everything herbal apply common sense and always consult a medical practitioner when necessary.

Basil

(Ocimum basilicum) How to grow it: Basil is an annual herb, which means it needs to be planted anew every year. Grow it in direct sunlight and a night temperature of 60 degrees. In the garden give basil at least a foot of room and remove flower stalks as they grow.

Benefits: Basil is a natural antiseptic and great for soothing insect bites as well as the leaf providing a powerful antioxidant agent in your food. It is also believe to have mild anti-depressant properties.

Chamomile

(Chamomilla recutita syn. Matricaria recutita) How to grow it: Another annual that can be grown from seed in a sunny location. Harvest the flower heads and dry for use. Benefits: Wonderful painkiller. Soak the dried flower heads in warm water over night then use to bathe sties. Make infusions to sip to ease digestive problems.

Parsley

(Petroselenium crispum) How to grow it: Very easily, perfect for window boxes as well as the garden. Make sure it gets plenty of sunlight and is well watered. Benefits: Good antioxidant as well as digestive aid and diuretic. Helps eliminate toxins from the body.

Sage

(Salvia officinalis) How to grow it: Grow from cuttings, likes lots of sun and good drainage. It's an outdoor plant growing to about 3 feet. Benefits: A strong antiseptic and astringent. Make an infusion of sage leaves to gargle to ease bleeding gums, combat bad breath, and sooth sore throats. Sage tea is good for the nervous and digestive systems.

Echinacea

(Echinacea angustifloia & E. purpurea) How to grow it: This is a perennial plant that needs to be planted in well-drained soil in a sunny location. Harvest in autumn. Benefits: Great immune system stimulator, can also be used as an anti-inflammatory and as an antibiotic using a tincture of the roots (must be at least four years old to do this).

Horseradish

(Armoracia rusticana syn. Cochlearia armoracia) How to grow it: Grow from root divisions in partial sunlight. Needs to be grown outdoors. Harvest roots in the Autumn. Benefits: Brilliant for treating colds and fevers, sinus and chest problems as it acts as an expectorant.

Rosemary

(Rosmarinus officinalis) How to grow: indoors and outdoors. Rosemary is a quite a hardly little perennial. However, it does not like dry forced heat and does like lots of moisture and good drainage. Dry branches during the winter. Benefits: Excellent tonic, good for stimulating circulation and the lymphatic system. Bathe in it to relieve muscle aches or rub it on your templates to ease headaches.

Calendula

(Calendula officinalis) How to grow it: Like Basil, Calendula is an annual herb. You can grow it from seed outside in a sunny, protected spot, it can also be grown in doors but be warned it can grow to over two feet high. Benefits: Calendula petals have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that are excellent for mild burns, dry skin, rashes and varicous veins. Use an infusion as a douche for yeast infections.

Common Sense with herbs

Herbal medicines are very safe when used correctly, yet can have powerful effects. Each person is different, and the way someone reacts to a particular herb may be significantly different from another. You should always seek the advice of a healthcare practitioner before taking any dietary, nutritional, herbal or homeopathic supplement, and inform your pharmacy of its use if you are taking other medicines.

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I work with the Green Directory http://www.guidemegreen.com and the Ethical Directory http://www.getethical.com to promote a greener and healthier lifestyle. I also promote eco friendly Jobs and Employers at http://www.jobs.guidemegreen.com

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Mistakes When Taking Herbs - Herbs Information

Herbs can help make improvement and adjustments to physical and emotional well being and herbs will always be a part maintaining an effectively functioning body but they can not substitute for a poor diet or sedentary lifestyle that is full of distress and discomfort.

Herbs are one of the tools used by a natural therapist to bring about a restoration of health. The role is to empower the person, with knowledge, skills and attitudes so that they are able to make decisions regarding their own health and wellbeing. Herbs can indeed make many wonderful improvements, but they work best when they are supported in their endeavors with other lifestyle changes.

Herbs can do so much more than add flavor and zest to the food you eat. Many herbs have medicinal properties. In fact, many people use herbs regularly for their medicinal value. Many people make the mistake as seeing herbs as a substitute for medical drugs and they also make the mistake of not making the necessary changes to their lifestyle and other habits. The natural approach used by herbalists is to treat the whole, integrated person that is their mind, body, emotions and environment. When herbs you're taking, are you unwittingly making mistakes that could harm your health.

You take herbs, supplements, and/or drugs that together may enlarge your risk of bleeding. Anticoagulant drugs such as aspirin or warfarin prevent the formation of blood clots inside arteries, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease. You quit your coffee or soda habit in favor of lots of yerba mate and energy beverages. Energy drinks, such as Red Bull, Monster Energy Drink, Full Throttle, contain caffeine and a slew of vitamins and herbs. One of the biggest concerns is that we just don't know enough about the combined effects of these ingredients. Many ingredients are believed to work synergistically with caffeine to boost.

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About the Author

Juliet Cohen writes articles for http://www.healthatoz.info/, http://www.health-disease.org/ and http://www.health-care-articles.info/ .

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Alternative Treatment for Depression: Learning How Herbs Can Aid in Treating Depression Naturally

If you are like many of the 20.9 million adults in the U.S. who are suffering from depression, you have probably debated the pros and cons of taking prescription antidepressants. While depression can often be combated with therapy alone, some professionals do recommend medication for certain cases. The right type and dosage of a prescription medication can sometimes meet with success for a patient, but many experience side effects that outweigh the benefits.

Side effects vary between the different types of antidepressant, but the most commonly prescribed medications are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Paxil, Prozac and Zoloft are all SSRIs, and often produce side effects such as sexual dysfunction, nausea, diarrhea and headaches, and in some cases thoughts of suicide. In order to avoid these, more and more people are deciding instead to explore natural remedies for depression.

Among those who know, St. John's Wort is almost unanimously agreed upon as the alternative treatment for depression. Many believe that it is more effective at treating depression than many prescription medications but with fewer risks. The active compounds in St. John's Wort help naturally reduce feelings of sadness, anxiety and worthlessness, and many who take it also report less exhaustion and fewer headaches. Best of all, this herb often produces no side effects, although some might experience sensitivity to sun or other minor side effects.

Ginko Biloba is a natural ingredient that improves circulation in the brain, which often in turn improves memory and also alleviates some symptoms of depression. It is not as effective as St. John's Wort, but it can be taken in conjunction with other natural ingredients as an overall mood-booster.

Siberian Ginseng aids the balance of essential neurotransmitters like serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Taking Siberian Ginseng regularly can lead to improved feelings of general well-being.

Passion flower is another natural ingredient that can help treat depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. Passion flower is a natural salve that helps to calm and soothe. When it is combined with St. John's Wort, it can be very successful in treating depression naturally.

These and many other herbs are helpful in alleviating many of the symptoms of depression, and as with anything you put into your body, each person will react differently to them. It is important to allow a trial period in order to feel the effects of the natural medications, as some will take several weeks to take effect. As always, you should seek a doctor's advice before you decide to stop taking a prescription medication, and you should avoid combining prescription medications with natural medications. Hopefully, you will find a safe, healthy combination of natural ingredients helps you to feel consistently better over time.

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About the Author

Tess Thompson is a Homeopathic Practitioner, Reflexologist, Certified Aromatherapist, and Herbalist who contributes regularly to Native Remedies - where you can find All Natural Homeopathic and Herbal Remedies for treating depression naturally and natural remedies for depression.

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Benefits of Brahmi: Increase Memory and Mind Alertness

Brahmi is one of the valuable herbs that help in memory boosting and promoting mind alertness. This article emphasizes the benefits of Brahmi and its medicinal properties. This herb is a proven natural cure for number of ailments.

Brahmi is a world renowned herb for its effectiveness in memory boosting and promoting mind alertness. It is also commonly known as Indian pennywort and Bacopa monnieri in Latin. It is widely used as an antioxidant and in improving the brain cell functions. It helps in increasing mental capacity and decreasing mental stress. It is believed that due to the memory enhancing property of brahmi, it has been promoted as a brain tonic by ancient gurus in India, to make there disciples (students) learn and retain all the knowledge given to them by heart.

Benefits of Brahmi

• It helps in improving intelligence level and mind alertness

• It maintains mental calmness and is effective in treating mental imbalances, emotional disturbances and also in the prevention and cure of geriatric mental problems such as amnesia and Alzheimer’s.

• It is also helpful in increasing mental concentration level

• It also helps in improving mental performance and increasing learning capacity

• It is also given to the patients suffering from insomnia. It helps in relieving them from all their stresses and makes them feel good and relaxed. Brahmi, vacha and amalaki powders are mixed in equal proportions and given thrice a day in the dose of one teaspoon to the patients to get them relief from sleeping disorders.

• It helps in decreasing anxiety and mental fatigue and promotes freshness in mind• It is also useful in maintaining normal body temperature thus relieving body from hyperthermia and fevers

• It is also very effective in treating menstrual disorders and painful menses

• Brahmi oil is extensively used to cure hair loss and dandruff problem. Its antioxidant properties help in the proper nourishment of the hair roots and thus promote their growth. The oil also prevents split ends and discoloration of the hair.

• It is useful in the treatment of epilepsy. The juice of the plant is extracted and used in the preparation of the medicine. In the treatment of epilepsy, brahmi is traditionally used in conjunction with vacha.

Other popularly known ayurvedic herbs that are traditionally known to improve memory are Shankapushpi and Gotu Kola. All these herbs including Brahmi are medhya herbs, which mean they improve the coordination between dhi (learning), dhriti (retention) and smriti (long-term memory). Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

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Read more about the Benefits of Brahmi. Also know how Amla helps in boosting our immune system. Visit http://www.natural-cure-guide.com for easy and effective home treatment for common ailments.

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Hoodia Gordonii – The Weight Loss Herb

Hoodia Gordonii has burst into the marketplace as one of the amazing weight loss herbs that actually work. It is a natural appetite suppressant, so necessary for a diet to be successful. It is a completely natural and safe herbal diet pill for weight loss.

Hoodia Gordonii was introduced to the United States in 2004 as a weight loss herb. It has been around for thousands of years and has been used by the San people in South Africa for its ability to be an appetite suppressant while hunting. The Hoodia Gordonii plant looks like a cactus but is really a succulent that grows in the high areas of the Kalahari Desert. It is the weight loss herb for anyone looking to diet without hunger. Hoodia Gordonii is not a drug, it is an herb. It is a completely natural and safe herbal diet pill for weight loss that will not cause any stimulation.

There are many pharmaceutical firms that are trying to make a synthesized version of the Hoodia Gordonii plant, in order to patent it. But from all the research that has been done you must consume the plant or powder causal to achieve the weight loss you desire.

Since this weight loss herb has become so lucrative people are digging up anything that looks like Hoodia. Because of the high demand for Hoodia Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa have placed this herb on the Endangered Species list. This enables them to control the harvesting and exportation of Hoodia Gordonii.

To be sure you are purchasing only natural Hoodia, check if the company has two things that will guarantee it. First make sure they have a C&A, which is a Certificate of Analysis. This tells you that the substance has been analyzed and it is pure Hoodia Gordonii. The next piece of information you want to have about this herb is if the company has a CITES certificate, it is the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of the Worlds Fauna and Wildlife. The second line on the certificate will say "valid until (date)", make sure it is still valid. These two pieces of documentation let you know that you are buying real Hoodia Gordonii. While there are several species of Hoodia, only Hoodia Gordonii is the herb with the appetite suppressant.

Hoodia Gordonii has a molecule that acts much like glucose on the nerve cells. It is an herb that tricks the brain into feeling full. In some trials it has reduced the appetite by hundreds of calories each day. The Hoodia molecule has been found to contain 10,000 times the molecule as glucose. The molecule goes to the hypothalamus in mid brain and fires the cells that signal your brain that you have had enough. This herb actually takes away your desire to eat.

Some of the qualities of Hoodia Gordonii are, losing an interest in food, longer periods of time before hunger returns, quickly feeling full, and a general over all good feeling. Plus the herbs added benefit is that there are no side effects.

There have been some people that say that their Hoodia Gordonii supplement works right away. Others have reported that it takes a two week regime of regularly using the herb for the appetite suppression to begin.

Hoodia Gordonii is not a miracle cure for obesity; I would be lying to say that. It will suppress your appetite, but use a little common sense. You should exercise, since it has been proven that diet and exercise go hand in hand. You should drink plenty of water to flush the fat and toxins from your body. Eating healthy will make your weight reduction much easier. Those items along with the weight loss herb Hoodia Gordonii will get you to your goal of a healthier lifestyle.

Here's to success with the weight loss herb Hoodia Gordonii.

For more information on Hoodia Gordonii visit my Gardening Herb website.

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

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About the Author

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. For more information on Hoodia Gordonii visit her website at http://www.GardeningHerb.com .
Mary has also published articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking so visit her other websites at http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com and http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com

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Herbal Remedies – Your Ultimate Health Solution

An herbal remedy literally means solution that is obtained from herbs and natural resources. These solutions are generally meant in health related situations. Thus it can be said that herbal remedies are the health solutions that are achieved by the use of herbal and natural resources.

These herbal remedies are preferred over other health solutions due to the fact that they are obtained from nature and also are far away from casting any side effects on our body.

No doubt today’s world is seeing tremendous advancements in the health industry and due to this substantial growth the expected life of a person has increased manifolds. The allopathic medicine no doubt helpful in treating many diseases that consumed lots of time to treat by contemporary medicines. But in contrast to this it also caused lots of side effects in the body and is the temporary solution to a problem.

With constant search for better health solution, we bent back to our roots. With the rediscovery of our roots and traditions we really got to know about the benefits that herbal remedies had on our life and are also very helpful in treating various ailments. These herbal remedies not only provide relief from the problem but also is effective in getting the cure of that ailment.

Below are some of the herbal remedies that will be very beneficial.

• Garlic and cholesterol control – because of the properties that garlic possesses has made it famous world wide. Garlic has wonderful properties that has made it most extensively used herb in maintaining the normal levels of cholesterol in the body. It is very effective in removing the plaque formation in the blood vessels there by reducing the dangers like heart attack and angina. It is also very effective in normalizing the blood circulation in the body.
• Brahmi for brain - Brahmi holds a very special place in ayurveda as one of the best memory enhancer. It is having wonderful results in increasing the memory skills and also enhances the grabbing power. It is helpful in increasing the mental concentration. It is also very effective in treating the mental disorders. Convulsions can also treated by use of Brahmi.
• Vidanga for worm infestation – vidanga (embelia ribes) is a widely used in treating the wormal infections in the body. It is helpful in suppressing the parasitic invasion in the body. It is also helpful in toning up of digestive tract. Mild laxative activities have also been in vidanga.
• Lemon for indigestion – lemon or nimbu is used in treating digestive disorders. It helps in maintaining the proper peristaltic movements in the gastrointestinal tract. It is also helpful in improving the taste of the mouth and is good in suppressing the wormal infection.
• Licorice for throat problems – licorice is widely known as mulethi or yasti-madhu. It is considered as blessing for people suffering from throat related problems. It helps in expelling out the extra amount of mucus that gets accumulated in the body. It is also effective in suppressing the infection in the respiratory tract. It is also helpful in improving the tastelessness condition of the body.
• Peppermint for acidity - peppermint is very effective in suppressing the acid reflux that occurs due to certain digestive disorders. It is helpful in suppressing the pain in the upper abdomen (epigastic region). It is also helpful in digestive problems.
• Ashwagandha for depression – Ashwagandha or withinia somnifera is one of the best solutions for treating depression. It is helpful in combating the depressive condition and also suppresses the negative thoughts that are the real cause of depression. It helps in gaining new enthusiasm in the body and also provides the physical and mental stamina to carry on the routine activities with new zeal and power.
• Arjuna for heart – Arjuna has recently emerged as one of the best cardio protector. It is very helpful in increasing the working condition of the heart and also tones up the heart for its best performance. It normalizes the heart rate and also helps in curbing any heart aliment that is a huge threat to our life.
• Bhumyamalaki for viral infections – one of the recent discovery by modern sciences that Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri) is very effective in suppressing viral infections. But it was known to ayurvedic physicians thousands of years ago. They used it extensively in treating various ailments that are caused by viral infections. It not only helps in curbing the viral infection but also increase the immunity of the body. It is very much effective in treating the liver related ailments and is very much helpful in normalizing situations like jaundice, hepatitis and hepato-megaly.

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About the Author

Read more about Ayurveda and Ayurvedic Treatments at http://www.ayurvediccure.com - World's Finest Portal on Ayurveda and Herbal Remedies

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