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Sunday, June 10, 2012

What Are Some Natural Anti Inflammatory Herbs?

There are different plants and anti inflammatory herbs which you can find all over the world. These herbal medicines can be used as treatments for inflammation. Inflammation is the reaction of your body to an irritation, infection or injury. Actually this is considered as a helpful response because it shows that your body's defenses are working properly. However, the body will over rely on this response. It means that it keep on responding even if it is not already needed or responding even when there are already no substance to fight off. Improper inflammation can be dangerous because it usually causes arthritis, cancer, diabetes and more. Inflammation can result to several health problems due to the inflammatory response that is unpredictable and unspecified. Fortunately, there are numerous effective anti inflammatory herbs which are valuable in curing a lot of inflammatory based conditions.

Some of the Best Anti Inflammatory Herbs
  • Turmeric is an excellent herbal remedy for inflammation including tendonitis, arthritis and other types of auto immune disorders. All you need is to take between 400 and 600 milligrams of extracts from turmeric at least three times a day. Turmeric is also available in capsules and tablets. The best way is to take the whole turmeric. Sometimes a good effect can be observed after two months therefore you should be patient. You can also obtain turmeric from curry mixtures therefore you should take lots of curried dishes if you want.

  • Another excellent herb is ginger. You can take at least one to two capsules twice a day along with your food. Another alternative is to make a ginger tea or use ginger on your foods. You should be patient if you want to see its benefits.

  • Boswellin is a natural herb which is a good against inflammation specifically for conditions such as fibromyalgia. You can take two capsules at least twice a day or you can read the dosage on the product label.

  • Arnica is a commonly used herb to remedy inflammation aside from being a reliever for sprains and bruises. Be sure to use it as directed.

  • Bromelain is an enzyme which is also an effective anti inflammatory remedy. Usually you can obtain this from pineapples therefore you should eat lots of fresh pineapples. You can also eat papaya since it is also rich in enzymes. You can also choose to purchase chewable bromelain or papaya tablets.
Other Types of Anti Inflammatory Herbs and Spices

Here are other types of herbs which show some experimental and clinical usefulness as anti inflammatory herbs and spices. You can use these natural anti inflammatory remedies as herbs and spices for your dishes or you can take them as supplements. These are black pepper, angelica, rosemary, cardamom, cinnamon, basil, cilantro, garlic, chives, cloves, parsley and meadowsweet.

By choosing these herbs and spices against inflammation in our system, we can continue to take care of ourselves the natural way. It is also the best way of preventing and correcting our health conditions.

For more info on natural anti inflammatory, visit http://natural-anti-inflammatory.org

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

Hair Loss Herbs - Natural Herbs and Vitamins That May Help Fight Hair Loss

Losing your hair can be devastating. According to experts, approximately 50% of men are plagued with genetic hair loss (i.e. male pattern baldness). And unfortunately in our youth-and-beauty-obsessed culture this can affect everything from the women you attract to the salary you earn.

So what can you do? The good news is that you don't have to go bald. There are lots of options including hair transplants, hairpieces, drugs and even hair loss herbs.
If you don't want the negative side effects of drugs - and can't afford an expensive transplant or hairpiece - you may be interested in which herbs help combat hair loss. This article will outline some herbs, vitamins and other foods that have been rumored to be effective with male pattern baldness:

#1 Saw Palmetto

This herbs is made from the berries of the palm tree native to South Atlantic coast. You can often find it in health food stores in capsule or liquid tincture form. It comes by itself (which can be expensive if you're buying a lot of it). You can also usually find it in a good hair loss herbal formula.
Saw Palmetto reportedly works in a similar fashion to drugs like Propecia and Proscar by indirectly blocking the conversion of testosterone to DHT (which causes genetic balding). So you get similar benefits of these drugs - but without the side effects.

#2 Dong Quai

This herb contains phytoestrogens that work by blocking androgen-receptor sites and reducing the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.
#3 Flaxseed Oil
Flaxseed oil (and flax seeds) provide lignans for your body which helps fight bacteria, viruses and fungi. Flaxseed oil boosts the health of your hair and even helps your body to detoxify and improve circulation to your scalp.

#4 B-Complex Vitamins

These can help, especially with stress-induced hair loss (even though you may genetically susceptible to losing your hair, stress can speed up the process).
B vitamins have also been reported to reduce the oily buildup in the scalp and strengthen the hair itself. Another vitamin that may help is vitamin C as it helps you deal with the stress hormones that circulate in your body and can cause temporary hair thinning.

#5 Chamomile

This has been reported to help in the hair growth process and you can get it in Chamomile tea, shampoos, conditioners and even hair lotions.

#6 Vitamin E

This is a powerful antioxidant which helps produce free radical damage and fights premature aging (i.e. hair loss). It also helps promote healthy skin and hair.

Other hair loss herbs:

Rosemary, nettle and horsetail are said to promote hair growth by increasing blood circulation to the scalp and unclogging the pores so the nutrients from the herbs can get to the hair follicle easily. You can find them in shampoos lotions and even sometimes in teas or tinctures.
So those are some of the best herbs for hair loss. I'm not saying any of these herbs/vitamins are a complete solution for male pattern baldness.

Everyone is different and you have to research to find the right solution for you. Just be aware however that in this day and age, you don't have to suffer with the embarrassment of losing your hair. There are solutions out there that have helped a lot of guys - including herbal and natural options!

Chris Waters writes for Hair Transplant Review - a site offering tips and info on hair transplants and transplant alternatives.

For a review on the best natural hair loss supplements visit Hair Loss Supplements

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

Aloe Vera For Sunburn And Different Natural Herbs

Aloe vera for sunburn is one of the most common known uses of this plant as well as for treating minor burns and skin irritations too. Using the gel of this plant by breaking the stems off soothes irritated and painful sunburns and helps promote faster healing. These plants are easily found in garden centers and even in some grocery stores.

A common mistake many people make when it comes to being burned by the sun is to put lotions or some types of ointments on the affected areas right away. This will make the pain and blistering worse as the heat will be trapped within your skin and locked there.

Wait for the skin affected to cool down first before applying these. Here are some tips to get it feeling better. You may take pain medication or aspirin for the first 48 - 72 hours to help you rest better. Aloe gel or juice works the best for sunburn but there are other options to consider as well.

To get the heat cooled down you should invest in a bottle of spray vitamin E oil or even the capsules. Spray vitamin E on affected areas or puncture and squeeze oil from capsules onto them. A paste made of water and baking soda placed on areas also is an old helpful tip to help with the pain and decrease blisters.

Believe it or not, herbal tea is actually used in the soothing of sun burned skin as well. Combine peppermint, calendula and lavender leaves that are dried and make a tea. Then you should let tea cool and soak a thin cloth in it wringing out slightly, you want to keep as much of the wetness in cloth as possible.

Lay on affected skin for relaxing and cooling feeling. This specific home remedy has been used for a very long time. Oatmeal soaked in hot water is another little known home remedy. Let the oatmeal cool until it is cold then carefully place on the skin which is hurting.

The oatmeal helps healing occur more quickly thanks to the mega-B vitamins it contains and is also very great for nourishing the skin too. For less severe burns you can slice up some chilled cold cucumbers and place on the skin, this works as a cooling agent and will make your skin feel better pretty quick.

You can also use plain yogurt and buttermilk applied with cotton balls or gauze, gently sponging onto your skin. The one thing you should remember about this though is that you should shower it off later in the day or you will end up smelling of curdled milk.

Aloe vera for sunburn is the simplest and most common to find. Prevention and sun smarts are still your best plan of defense though. Always wear sunscreen if you are going to be out in the sun for prolonged periods and for convenience keep some aloe plants in your home as they work well for minor kitchen burns as well.

Discover more details on the healing powers of Aloe Vera and the use of Aloe Vera for sun burn at Aloe Vera benefits.

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

Natural Herbal Supplements for Liver Health

One of the largest glandular organs, the liver is very important in the vital functions within the body and is thought in Ayurvedic medicine to be the center of the dosha, or constitution, known as Pitta.

Essentially, the liver performs important functions such as changing plasma to blood and storing energy to be released into the system as glucose for maintaining blood sugar levels. Harmful toxins are recognized by the liver and are eliminated prior to entering the bloodstream. There are natural detox remedies available that may help to improve basic liver functioning.

Whenever the liver becomes overrun with toxins it loses the ability to recognize and then remove them from the body. Several factors may contribute to a build-up of toxins in the liver, for example eating a high fat diet or consuming too much sugar, alcoholic beverages and processed foods. Additionally, food items containing pesticides, preservatives and chemicals may also lead to toxic overload within the liver.

In order to function well, the liver must be able to process toxins properly and effectively every day. Not only are toxins derived from the foods consumed, but additionally from the various products used on the skin, and the actual air that is breathed. Although consuming alcohol excessively frequently is to blame for liver damage, many medications, both over the counter and prescription, can have harmful effects as well.
The liver is vital in processing toxic substances as cellular waste such as urea synthesis; a by-product of metabolized proteins that the liver sends into the bloodstream.

A Healthy Liver

The Pitta dosha controls the liver with the element of fire being the principal component. When the Pitta dosha in the liver becomes imbalanced, many issues such as skin irritations, infection or surplus acidity can result. Scientific studies have proven the liver to be vital for the proper processing of digested foods into a more effective form. Similarly, Ayurveda contains the enzymes needed for digesting the five elements contained in foods. These five sense organs-eyes, nose, ears, skin and mouth are nurtured by the five elements.

Toxic materials may be recognized by the liver not just for their potentially harmful effects, but their ability to heat the body as well. Ayurveda indicates that alcohol, along with greasy and processed foods, has the ability to heat the body.

Everyone may find helpful benefits when using natural detoxification supplements and other remedies to maintain a healthy liver. Additionally, keeping a well balanced Pitta dosha by consuming a limited amount of foods that may irritate the Pitta is beneficial. People who are Pitta predominate should try hard to balance their Pitta dosha given that they naturally tend to burn hotter than other dosha categories. When Pitta requires increasing for other types, the introduction of healthy Pitta fire sources such as cardamom, cinnamon, cumin, or black pepper may help.

Ayurveda greatly suggests performing a natural detox remedy after each season change; spring being considered the best time. When the liver is detoxified during the spring, the body is allowed to get rid of the toxins that were built up during the winter. Also, the time between summer and fall is a prime period to take on a natural detox so the body can once again eliminate the toxins built up over the warmer months.
The liver is the base for the emotions governed by Pitta, and therefore an imbalance of Pitta will frequently manifest in mood swings, anger, impatience and irritability. Yet, on the other hand, a well balanced Pitta dosha creates healthy feelings of courage, ambition and confidence. Anytime the emotions such as fear or sadness are suppressed the liver can be damaged as badly as when alcohol or processed foods are eaten.

Herbs and Supplements for Liver Health

There are many natural herbs for detox that will improve liver function and create a balanced Pitta. Some of the ways that natural supplements and herbs positively affect the liver are bile production, balancing Pitta and cleaning and detoxification.

Bhumyamalaki - A basic herb intended for both stimulating and supporting liver function.
Sharapunkha - Utilized for improved bile secretion, blood purification, as well as inflammation reduction. Additionally, Sharapunkha maintains general liver health.

Punarnava - Beneficial for eliminating any toxins deeply entrenched inside the liver cell walls.
Chiretta - Promotes bile secretion while stimulating the liver and producing glycoside to protect the liver.
Indian Barberry - Helps increase bile flow and is a great natural ingredient for correcting liver function.
Liver Balance is a product to improve digestion and clear blocked channels while cleaning the liver. Elim-Tox-O may be used to provide gentle body cleansing and liver support. This product cleans the body and liver, can be used long term for regular cleansing and does not result in over heating of the body.

At minimum, individuals should perform an annual cleansing fast via one of the various natural detoxification supplements and remedies recommended by Ayurveda. Keeping the liver functioning properly will guarantee a healthier outlook on life.

The liver must be carefully maintained for proper health and vitality. Stay away from foods that irritate Pitta and remember to find healthy ways to deal with emotions while enjoying liver friendly foods.

Consider taking supplements that will naturally support and detox the liver in order to not only restore Pitta balance but remove the harmful toxins that result in dangerous toxin excess.
Natural detox remedies and supplements for liver health with Maharishi Ayurveda at Get Balance.

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

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Maintaining a Healthy Immune System and Antiviral Herbs

At this time of the year most people in the northern hemisphere are thinking more about the warmth and sunshine of the coming summer than the colds, flus and other common viruses that tend to attack us in the colder months, but for many unfortunate people, a so-called summer cold may strike at any time, and even flus are not unheard of at this time of year.

Having a healthy diet and lifestyle are the best possible ways to keep your immune system functioning normally (if you are an averagely healthy individual), but even the best defences can become vulnerable when we are feeling tired, rundown or overworked.

Every second of every day, our bodies are being bombarded by potential pathogens (disease-causing organisms or virus particles) that are present upon our skin, in our mouths, inside our bodies, in the air we breathe and the food we eat - in fact almost all around, within and upon us. Thankfully, most pathogens we encounter are not able to attack us - either because they are unable to get to the part of the body where they can cause a problem, or because our immune systems neutralize them before they do any damage or are able to reproduce to dangerous numbers.

The immune system really is an incredible thing. In essence, your immune system 'remembers' encounters with pathogens, so under normal circumstances, any single type of cold or flu virus that you have previously had cannot make you ill again (there are a few exceptions but to cover them would take us well beyond the scope of this article).

Unfortunately, the viruses that cause colds and flus mutate rapidly. This means that their methods of attacking and entering your cells are changing all the time. It is a bit like a continual game of cat and mouse, with your body defeating one pathogen, only to be attacked by a mutated descendant a few weeks or months later. This constant, rapid mutation of viruses is the reason why there will probably never be a single cure for the common cold, and why pharmaceutical companies and countries' medical authorities must take (a very educated and precise) gamble as to which strain of flu will be the dominant one, come the winter season, and spend months producing tonnes of vaccine in the hope of protecting the vulnerable from infection.

For most of us, colds and flus are an inconvenience that we can do without. Being ill makes us feel bad, makes us less productive and of course none of us want to pass on an illness to an elderly, frail or otherwise vulnerable person, for whom a simple cold may become more than an inconvenience.

By maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle we can keep our immune systems operating effectively, and ensure that our bodies have the energy and resources they need to fight any infections that may take hold. We can also take supplements that contain antiviral herbs such as Echinacea and Elderberry extract that help to optimize and support the immune system, as well as acting as antiviral agents.

Flu Defence is a powerful antiviral supplement that contains high strength extracts of Echinacea and Elderberry, plus Vitamin C and zinc, to boost your immune system and help neutralize viruses. To find out more visit antiviral herbs now.

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

Strengthen Your Immune System Naturally With Antiviral Herbs

The human immune system is a complex process that guards our health and provides protection from viruses, bacteria, microbes, parasites and toxins. Antiviral herbs support the body's natural ability to stay in healthy balance and strengthen the immune system naturally, which is the first line of defense against illness and disease.

Conventional antibiotics are not an effective defense against viruses, and if used unnecessarily can actually be counter productive.

Traditional medicine has used herbal remedies for centuries to support health and vitality and the benefits of herbs have been confirmed by many clinical research studies. A few of these immune system enhancing herbs are:

Olive leaf extract (Olea europea) is known to provide support for healthy phagocytosis, the function of the immune system in which phagocytes in the bloodstream digest potentially harmful micro-organisms.

African Potato extract has been shown in research to have positive effects on the number of T-cells, which are involved in enhancing immunity.

Buchu supports the body's ability to get rid of harmful toxins through the urinary system.

Peppermint helps strengthen liver function by supporting the body's natural flow of bile. The oils of peppermint are beneficial in supporting a healthy immune system.

Goldenrod strengthens the natural protective ability of the body to fight infection and regulate the production of mucus.

European Mistletoe has been shown in research to support natural immune responses, as well as helping to maintain balanced fluid levels in the body, and strengthen capillary walls.

Hawthorn is highly respected in herbal medicine as a tonic to support healthy circulation. Research studies have demonstrated the ability of hawthorn to assist with heart function.

Wu wei zi (Schizandra sinesis) - Studies show that this Chinese herb can help to support healthy heart, liver, and kidney functions.

Milk-vetch is a Chinese herb which is known to have positive effects on immune system health and functioning.

You are most likely to get frequent bouts of cold, flu, and other minor infections if you have problems with immunity. Antibiotics may indeed be the wonder drugs but they should not be relied upon as a "quick fix.". And, as mentioned earlier, they are not effective against viruses.

Antiviral herbs work to strengthen the immune system so your body can easily and naturally protect itself against whatever you may come up against.

Max Wardlow writes about many different health subjects and manages a website about natural remedies where you can find out more about antiviral herbs.

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

Grow Your Own Medical Herb Garden

Today everyone is concerned about health and organic food. That is why herb kits have been very popular. Some question you might ask is: If it is worth the effort to grow your own fresh herb garden? Are fresh herbs truly that much better? One alternative to find out the answer is to make it a try. Many people also want to know which herb garden plants will grow best inside there homes. When you create a windowsill herb garden your plants are all in one place and may beset in easy to carry containers or pots. Organic herb gardening is a wonderful way to add beauty to your landscape or to your kitchen and sun room. With some basic knowledge about herb plants, you can get started to grow your own garden.

Echinacea is a member of the botanical family Asteraceae commonly known as Asters. And it is the plant that has been used by Native Americans for centuries to treat infections. The utilization of Echinacea on wounds, infections, snake bites, insect bites and stings are beyond the miracles of modern medicine. Echinacea has, for a couple of times now, been one of the most extended herbal supplements, and one of the easiest ways to take it is as a cup of tea. Echinacea is also one of the oldest health products and because of its powerful healing properties it is important to have the plant in your garden especially if you are using the herbs as medicine. Echinacea is also an extremely useful anti cancer herb.

If you decide to grow your own garden one suggestion is to plant Chamomile. Chamomile tea is used for insomnia and restlessness. It is also one of the oldest garden herbs.

Plants same as oregano is well suited for a windowsill herb garden because of its ideal size and awesome taste. Often known as a cooking herb, there is much more to oregano when it is used in essential oil. Civilizations have relied up on oregano oil as a therapeutic herb since antiquity. Oregano is known for its antioxidant and anti microbial properties.

Oregano, olive leaf extracts and Astragalus are typically used to support the lymphatic and immune system. Some of the best antiviral herbs include Astragalus, Schizamnia, Oregano, Garlic, Elderberry, Mullein, Licorice, and Green tea. Other herbs that are practical in treating a yeast infection include Barberry, Cinnamon and Olive leaf.

I hope this article encourages you to explore more about herbs and herb gardens, and eventually you will start your own project.

To read more about herbs go to http://www.goldmines24h.com/Herb/. Looking to find the best deal on Ginseng and learn more about Herbs and Herb gardens, visit http://herb.goldmines24h.com.

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