Private Health Care Management: Herbalism

Showing posts with label Herbalism. Show all posts

Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Truth About Herbs

Have you taken echinacea to stay health through the winter, ginseng for more energy or valerian to ensure restful sleep? If so, you're not alone.

Have you taken echinacea to stay healthy through the winter, ginseng for more energy or valerian to ensure restful sleep? If so, you're not alone. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, more than 38 million Americans take herbal supplements. With more Americans using herbs to improve their health, it's important to know how to choose and use them safely.

"Herbs may play an important role in overall health and well-being, but many people are still learning what works and what should stay on the shelf," said registered dietitian Lynn Laboranti, M.S. "Consumers should do their homework and talk to their doctor about what herbs are right for them."

What do you know about herbs? To test your herbal IQ, Laboranti poses the following questions:

Q: Can echinacea boost immunity?

A: Several scientific studies have shown echinacea to be an effective, natural way to boost immunity. When taken at the first sign of not feeling well, echinacea helps stimulate the body's natural defense system. Echinacea should not be taken for more than eight weeks at a time.

Q: What does St. John's wort do?

A: Clinical and laboratory research has earned St. John's wort a growing reputation as an herb that helps enhance mood. It has few side effects, but may cause light sensitivity and decrease the effectiveness of some prescription medications. It's important to talk to a health care professional before using St. John's wort or other herbal supplements if you take prescription drugs.

Q: Does soy relieve menopause symptoms?

A: Soy contains naturally occurring isoflavones, which have been shown to help relieve menopause-related hot flashes and night sweats. Soy foods and soy isoflavones also help support hormonal balance in women during the menopausal years. Experts recommend 30 to 65 mg of soy isoflavones (5-8 ounces of soy milk or 1 to 2 soy tablets) daily to receive a full benefit.

If you choose to take herbs in tablet form, Laboranti recommends reading a product's label for additional safety and dosage information. Nature's Resource herbal supplements, found at drugstores like CVS and Walgreens, feature an extended, multipage safety label on the bottle. The booklet, called "Herbal ABCs," contains extensive information on the specific supplement, drug/herb interactions, contraindications, adverse effects, allergy warnings and special safety instructions.

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Herbal Remedies For Sinus Infections

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Sinus problems keep on increasing year after year. According to medical experts, once you’re afflicted with a sinus infection, there is no guarantee that you will not develop it in the future. Symptoms like stuffy nose and headache usually persist despite the medications given. For centuries, herbal remedies have been used to treat sinus infections because they are safe. There are no harmful side effects and the herbal preparations are easily prepared.

For sinus infections, use these herbs:

Licorice – for immune system stimulation, you can use the licorice roots; it is also effective in reducing the inflammation of the sinuses. Licorice is also used for ulcers so you have to choose the licorice capsules instead because it is aimed at boosting an individual’s immune system for better health.

Eucalyptus – sore throat problems are often treated with eucalyptus because of its antiseptic properties. Swollen or inflamed sinus passages can also be treated with eucalyptus. Throat lozenges are very convenient to use or if you want, you can also drink the tea form. You can also inhale steam with a few drops of eucalyptus to unclog your sinus passages.

Ginger – headaches can be relieved using ginger. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties which can help in reducing the inflammation or pain in the sinus passages. Capsule forms of ginger are now available and be sure to take them as directed.

Peppermint – like ginger, peppermint has anti-inflammatory properties. By taking peppermint tea or breathing its steam, the mucus membranes can be calmed. After taking it, you can breathe better.

Herbal supplements are now available in the market and some of these supplements can help in the prevention of sinus infections.

Lemon Balm – this herb is very effective in treating viral and bacterial infections. Get the dried leaves of lemon balm and steep it in hot water for 10 minutes. Strain it and make sure that you drink it while it is warm. You can also use it as gargle.

Vitamins – to manage the symptoms of sinusitis, take adequate vitamins, including zinc. This can help in shortening the duration of your colds. Lingering colds can cause sinus infections but if you take vitamins, you will get better soon. Lozenge and capsule forms of vitamins are widely available in wide range of prices. Take the vitamin supplements everyday for better results.

Echinacea – this can help in improving the health of your immune system. Viruses found in the respiratory system can be eliminated by using this herb. Capsule forms are Echinacea can now be bought in drugstores all over the world. When you have a sinus infection, increase the dose but after a couple of days, go back to the regular dose. If you’re allergic to ragweed, don’t use Echinacea.

Antioxidants can also help so make sure that you eat plenty of foods containing antioxidants. Eat cranberries, pomegranates, red beans, artichokes, and blueberries. Adding these foods in your daily diet will surely improve the condition of your immune system.

Before resorting to drug medications, why not try using herbal remedies first? Herbal remedies are cheaper and effective as well. If you want to cut down your medical costs, use herbs for treating the sinus infections. There are lots of information resources online about these amazing herbs. You need to ensure that you follow the directions properly so that you can create an effective herbal preparation.

The remedies available in the market today to remove moles, warts, and skin tags vary in terms of effectiveness. A certain remedy may work for one individual but it may not work for another. Perhaps the most effective method to remove moles, warts, and skin tags is through surgical methods. This is usually done in the clinic or in the hospital by a competent and qualified doctor.

The method is somehow painful because some methods employ local anesthetic while other methods employ general anesthetic. Moles, warts, and skin tags can occur in the different areas of the body. These skin lesions are commonly found on the face, hands, knees, and feet. Oftentimes, by employing the surgical methods, a scar is left behind. This is the main reason why some individuals resort to herbal or home remedies because they don’t want to end up with a scar that will always remind them of the skin lesion; not only that, home and herbal remedies are readily available at home and you don’t need to spend huge money unlike the surgical methods.

Another consideration is the pain felt during surgical removal of moles, warts, and skin lesions. Some individuals are scared to undergo any surgical method because they don’t want to feel pain. The home and herbal remedies will not make them feel uneasy because the remedies are not painful except in the case of plantar warts. Plantar warts are found on the soled of your feet. The plantar warts are quite painful especially if you’re treating them but the pain is tolerable. By choosing the home and herbal remedies, you still need to be aware of the possible risks.

Some individuals cut the skin lesions using scissors. This can be done but extra care should be observed. The scissors or any other cutting device should be sterilized to avoid infection and bleeding. You don’t have to make a big fuss about your skin lesions because you can easily remove them without undergoing any surgical method. One effective way to remove the skin lesions is by tying a string around the lesion.

Leave the string in place for day and you will notice the mole, tag, or wart turn bluish in color. When the skin lesion turns black, you can wait until it falls off or you can snip or cut it off. The blood supply is cut because of the tight knot and so the skin lesion eventually falls off. Did you know that by opting for the doctor’s solution the skin lesions are removed by using sharp blades and scissors?

If you’re scared of blades and other sharp devices, you can stick to the natural remedies. There are various herbs that you can use to remove the skin lesion however it could take a couple of months before you can remove them completely. You need to apply the herbs everyday for several times and you must do this religiously; otherwise, you won’t be able to rid your skin of the unsightly lesions.

According to some researches, there are some theories which explain how the moles, warts, and skin tags occur. Some studies even show that women are more prone to such conditions as compared to men. As you get older, you’re more prone to these unwanted skin lesions. Simply practice good hygiene everyday and when you notice any skin lesion, treat them immediately.

Private Health Care Management

Sunday, September 20, 2009

The Truth About Herbs

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Herbal Remedies For Sinus Infections

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