Herbal Dietary Supplements – The Safer Remedy

Herbal dietary supplements contain herbs (a type of herb on its own or in a mixture), used for therapeutic therapies and remedies. Just because the ingredient of a dietary supplement is herbal, this does not mean that all herbal dietary supplements are safe herbal supplements. This article will enlighten you on the facts about herbal supplements.

Why Herbal Dietary Supplements

More and more people are turning to herbal dietary supplements as a holistic and natural way of treating and healing the body is more popular nowadays. People are encouraged to draw their own conclusions and opt for over the counter herbal remedies. There are herbal remedies available for nearly any condition nowadays. A few examples of the most popular herbal supplements are:

Astralagus

Astralagus root is said to enhance and stimulate the immune system, making it less likely for you to catch a cold or virus. Claiming to help people with a poor appetite and weight loss, fatigue and feverish chills. Relieving anxiety and insomnia this is one of the most popular herbal supplements.

Dong Quai

One of the moist important Chinese herbs for herbal medicine is the Dong Quai root. Powdered and dried the dong quai herb is used to clean the blood and regulate the menstrual cycle. The supplement is mainly used to balance the female hormones and helps to balance symptoms caused by Pre Menstrual Tension (PMT) and the menopause.

Evening Primrose

Evening primrose oil is another very popular herbal remedy offering relief (when taken daily) for symptoms and conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, breast pain, hot flashes, premenstrual syndrome, eczema, and other skin problems to diabetic neuropathy, cancer, high blood cholesterol levels, and heart disease. Evening primrose oil contains gamma-linolenic acid, balancing hormonal disturbances in the body. Some people suffering from diabetes, Multiple sclerosis or cancer have trouble producing this acid in their own bodies. They might benefit from taking these supplements too.

Flax Seed

Flax seed is a much-used herbal remedy for many ailments and flax seed oil benefits are widely known nowadays. The oil in flax seed, called alpha linolenic acid, is a fat of the omega 3 fatty acid type (and can for example also be found in fish such as salmon). Flax seed lowers cholesterol levels in the body and is beneficial to people suffering from high blood pressure. The oil keeps the platelets in the blood from ticking and clotting and thus reduces the risk of a heart attack.

Rhodiola

A tonic made from rhodiola extract used as a remedy against fatigue and stress and as an antioxidant to keep the blood clean and to promote a healthy heart. This remedy originates from China and it has gained importance now in the west

Calming Herbal Supplements

There are certain herbal supplements, which help to produce calmness in you when you are finding yourself impatient or not relaxed.

Kava Kava

The kava root produces a syrup (or powder that can be made into capsules) aiding relaxation, promote sleep and apparently increases sociability by making people more relaxed. The herb stems from the South Pacific region.

Valerian

Valerian is used to relieve anxiety and helps to relax enough to have good nights sleep. Valerian root also helps women coping with bad menstrual cramps to relax. Valerian comes in different treatment options, the dried herb can be used as a tea, and there are capsules and sugar coated tablets.

Herbs to Boost Immunity

The well known herb Echinacea helps to prevent the common cold and its symptoms like a sore throat or a blocked nose. Echinacea is a tested and safe herbal supplement and can even be taken once the first symptoms of a cold appear, this herb will stop you from developing a full-blown cold.

Goldenseal

This herb helps to prevent infections when the bodies’ immune system is low, and will keep a common cold from developing into an inflammation of the mucus membranes in the nose and throat. This herb also reduces the time that the cold will take before it disappears.

Kombucha

The kombucha mushroom is in effect not a mushroom but a fungus of which a tea is brewed, the tea boosts the immune system and help to upgrade your energy levels by allowing helpful bacteria and antioxidants to enter the body.

The Dangers of a Broken Heart

While the medical condition known as stress cardiomyopathy has been known to exist for long, it is only in recent times that it has been coined as the broken heart syndrome’. It was always suspected that stress can worsen or even result in a heart condition over time, however, the effect of stress on a healthy heart were not known. History is witness to the fact that emotional stress has often triggered a heart attack and that too in people who had no track record of any heart ailments.

The New England Journal of Medicine was the first to break the news in the U.S. Cases have been reported where a person faces a troubling or traumatic situation and experiences symptoms of a heart attack soon after. In reported cases, people had just experienced an event like a home robbery, earning disturbing news about a loved one’s health, an accident, and so forth. Johns Hopkins University doctors used different tests to show how the actual effect of the syndrome on the heart differed from a heart attack.

The attacks that took place in these cases were not mere panic attacks or heart palpitations but triggered a heart failure. The state is similar to that of a heart attack causing chest pain, shortness in breath and fluid fills in the lungs. Such attacks have proved to be fatal hence, confirming that stress can indeed claim a life.

However, with proper care people recover right away without long-term harmful effects. Stress cardiomyopathy is not a traditional heart attack but an unusual heart malfunction that temporarily stuns, not destroys, heart cells. The arteries are not blocked and there are no blood clots or other blockages. Sometimes minimal damage occurs in the heart muscle but everything else returns to normal with treatment.

Recent research suggests that women are more vulnerable to sudden emotional stress effects on the heart than men, perhaps due to hormones. One researcher measured adrenaline levels in 19 otherwise healthy people and found they were several times higher than what is seen in traditional heart attacks. Other stress hormones were found at extremely high levels. It is guessed that the high levels of stress hormones hit the heart and overwhelm it by contracting the heart’s small blood vessels.

This evidence sheds new light on people who are under extreme stress or grieving and suggests the complex interplay of the processes of mind and body. We certainly feel bad all over when our hearts are broken, and now we understand why.

Healthy Living With Peaches

Peaches are known to have originated from China and later on, found their way to other parts of the world. Peaches are a great source of carbohydrates, protein, dietary fiber, vitamin C and vitamin A. Having peach in your daily diet fights deadly diseases like cancer. It has good amount of boron which encourages the estrogen level in postmenopausal women, which is great boon for women. It also stimulates your brain and prevents the chances of osteoporosis. It is also known to lower your blood pressure.

Peaches are very useful for digestion due to its alkaline content so you can say goodbye to all our stomach problems. It is a good source of dietary fiber which works superbly for constipation problems. It helps to prevent hemorrhoids which can give lot of trouble. It helps to recharge your immune system which can prevent many diseases including shingles. If you have trouble with your heart, this fruit helps to put a stop to the heart strokes. You can also avoid any constipation problem by having this fruit. It is rich in potassium, sodium and calcium which can provide a good complexion. With 88 per cent water content it is known to be thirst-quencher.

It is a great way to clean your kidney and bladder due to its laxative properties. It can perk and energize you if you have good amount of peaches. Can you believe there more than 200 varieties of peaches and more than 175 varieties of nectarines. It also contains good amount of carbohydrates which has the ever essential phytonutrients (plant-based nutrients), anti-oxidants and carotenoids. The presence of carotenoids means, it would be very useful for your eyes. Lutein and zeaxanthin filter present in peaches protects your eyes from scotching heat. It also protects your eyes from other disorders related to your age like macular degeneration and cataracts. The anti-oxidants and nectarines helps you fight diseases which are related to aging.

Home Remedies

Eating peach along with its skin before going to bed, would help you with your constipation problems.

Dried peaches are rich in iron and are very useful for anemia.

Avocado Great For Skin Care

Avocado is also known as Alligator Pear originated in southern Mexico. It has become a useful ingredient for our daily skin care routine. It is rich in fat as well as protein. These fats are monounsaturated which is good for a healthy heart. The provision of vitamin E in avocado helps the heart to remain fit. It is also known to supply 60% more potassium in comparison to banana.

It is also rich in fiber, foliate (folic acid), vitamin B6, iron, copper and magnesium. Other than applying avocado on your skin, consuming it in salad form can also be beneficial for your skin. Avocado contains vitamins like A, D, and E which has penetrating qualities to improve your skin. Avocado oil is also very useful for skin care. The oil is useful to remove any sun damage or age spots. It also softens the skin and provides a moisturizing effect and can do wonders on damaged, undernourished and dehydrated skin.

Simple Recipes for Skin Care

Puffed Eyes
Cut avocado into slices and place it under each eye and relax with it for next 20 minutes. The changes would be remarkable.

Eye Cream
Make an eye cream by mixing 5 drops of almond oil in 3 ripe slices of avocado. Blend this mixture and dab it around your eyes. Keep it for five minutes then rinse.

Another method of making the eye cream is by using 1/4 cup avocado oil with 1/4 cup aloe vera gel. You could also use apricot kernel, grape seed or sesame oil.

Facial Mask
This facial mask is useful for dry skin. Mash half avocado and apply it leisurely on your face. Keep it for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.

Make a paste of ½ ripe avocado mixed with 1 tsp vegetable oil. Apply this paste on a washed and clean face. Leave it for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse it with warm water. This masque is very good for dry skin.

Smooth and Beautiful Hands
Make a paste by mixing 1/4 peeled & smashed avocado, 1 egg white, 2 tbsp. oatmeal and 1 tsp lemon juice. Apply this paste on your hand and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse it with warm water and pat it dry. You would be thrilled by the results by using it regularly.

Diet Fads

The more you understand about any subject, the more interesting it becomes. As you read this article you’ll find that the subject of Diet Fads is certainly no exception.

Knowledge can give you a real advantage. To make sure you’re fully informed about Diet Fads, keep reading.

It might be actresses such as Suzanne Sommers and Jane Fonda, or models such as Christie Brinkley or Kathy Ireland. It seems that a number of celebrities today offer their own weight loss programs. The programs are appealing because we see these various svelte celebrities and we want to have bodies just like them. The celebrities are also highly likable, so we have a predisposition to be accepting of their products.

However, did you ever stop to think whether these celebrities have any nutritional training? Do they have medical training? Is the information that they offer nutritionally sound? Or is it just a good sales pitch?

Nutrition experts Annette B. Natow and Jo-Ann Heslin, authors of the book Get Skinny the Smart Way, say that consumers should be leery of celebrity-inspired diet books. They point out that such books are often based upon nutritional fiction and that, while the diets outlined in these books may result in short-term weight loss, they can be far from healthy in the long run. Therefore, you might consider passing up the celebrity diet books and opting for those written by nutritional experts instead.

But celebrities aren’t the only ones preaching fad diets. For instance, there’s the so-called grapefruit diet which recommends consuming a grapefruit prior to each meal. Another fad is the cabbage soup diet, which requires you to consume all the cabbage soup you can handle. Other fads call for eating all the eggs you can…consuming only raw foods…or fasting every other day. Such diets are not only based on nutritional misinformation—they can also be dangerous.

For instance, let’s take a closer look at the cabbage soup diet. No major health organization has endorsed it. Moreover, the American Heart Association disapproves of it, noting that it can actually harm you. Promoters of this diet say that you can lose as much as 15 pounds a week by following it—what they don’t say is that most of that weight is water weight. Once you begin eating normally again, you will see your weight rise once more. Some of the side-effects of the cabbage soup diet include a feeling of weakness, stomach pains, and diarrhea.

Yet another questionable diet approach is what’s known as food combining. Such a diet assumes that you are overweight because you are not eating the right combination of food. The requirements of such a diet can seem quite arbitrary. For instance, you might be told that you can eat a banana only in the morning. This is rubbish, since your stomach can deal with a variety of different foods at one time. The idea behind such a diet is to eat food with fewer calories, but there are other methods you can use to accomplish the same goals.

Some companies even claim that you can shed pounds while you dream. They say that, if you use their product right before bedtime, you will lose weight. In actuality, no company can make such a claim with any degree of credibility. It is impossible to burn a large number of calories while snoozing. In other cases, you may be tempted to try to lose weight by consuming special milkshakes or candy bars. In essence, these products are just milk and candy with certain vitamins and minerals added. However, one rarely feels satisfied after consuming these products. As a result, you may find yourself actually consuming additional calories during the rest of the day. While you might be able to theoretically lose weight in the short-term, you’ll find it difficult to maintain the weight loss over the long haul.

The fact of the matter is that there is a great deal of money that can be made through the sale and marketing of diet products. As long as America has a large contingent of overweight people, companies will try to make a profit off of overeating. It is up to you to be savvy enough to recognize a diet fad when you see it and opt for a different approach to losing weight. You’ll find that there are really no short-cuts to weight loss. Any successful diet program takes time, patience, and determination, along with a willingness to change your eating patterns.

Knowing enough about Diet Fads to make solid, informed choices cuts down on the fear factor. If you apply what you’ve just learned about Diet Fads, you should have nothing to worry about.

Yoga: The Most Effective Scoliosis Exercise

Before we understand about scoliosis exercise let us have a brief overview of what scoliosis is. Scoliosis is a back condition in which a person has side-to-side spinal curves in addition to the normal curves through which the lower portion of the human back curves inwards. This condition can result in severe deformity of the back and cause back pain. There are surgical interventions for curing this problem. But at times these surgeries results in several side effects which hinder the normal life of the patient and one has to look for other alternative remedy. The most effective remedy for such a condition is Scoliosis exercises. Although many exercises help in reducing the Scoliosis-related problems, yoga is improving the problem of uneven curves and it is considered the best Scoliosis exercise. Yoga postures are helpful for providing relief from scoliosis because they enable us to stretch our body and help regain the normal shape of the spine.

The most effective yoga exercises for the treatment of Scoliosis-related problems include the Crocodile twist, the Supine knee chest twist, the passive back arch and the one leg up-one leg out posture. These exercises are very helpful in raising one’s lowered shoulder and reducing the back pain.

The Passive back arch scoliosis exercise has been found to be helpful in not only reducing scoliosis-related pain, but also providing relief from the problems related to condition called pectus excavatum (sunken chest). Pectus excavatum is generally caused due to tight muscles across one’s chest and back and soft bones in the rib cage and spine.

The One leg up and one leg out scoliosis exercise have been found to be very effective in reducing muscular tension in legs.

The Seated twist is a good remedy for the treatment of thoracic twist. This exercise also helps to rectify the alignment of the body and is simple to perform.

The Joint freeing series of scoliosis exercises are particularly helpful for people suffering from scoliosis with tight shoulder muscles. The Head to Knee pose helps in maintaining the alignment of the body and straightening of the spine. The spinal and the abdominal twists result in the stretching of muscles in the shoulder.

For more Yoga fitness

Cure Bad Breath – With Simple Household Items!

What if you wake up one morning before an important meeting with a few of the big executives of your company and notice that you have a case of bad breath? In other word, your breath which usually smells nice and fresh all of a sudden smell so bad that you yourself can’t stand it. To be honest with you, most people would panic, I know I would panic too, but you have to keep our calm and composure and try to find the cause of that sudden case of breath problem. Or better yet, find a quick solution for now and find the cause later!

If you are superstitious you’d say that it is a bad omen and cancel the meeting. But you know better, the meeting with the big execs can mean a promotion for you and ultimately boost your career. Forget about cancelling the meeting and focus on how to get rid of that bad breath fast.

You now have less than 2 hours before the meeting and you have to carefully choose your options. Your best option now is to run to your local convenience store and buy some breath mints. It can be anything such as dentyne ice, dentyne fire, dentyne classic, clorets or whatever will do the job for the next three to four hours.

Now, that you know of that sudden little problem, which may not be a problem after all. It could have been something you ate the night before and your body or rather your breath is reacting to it. In anycase, you’ll have to focus and try your best to forget about it else you’ll be self-conscious and that can have a detrimental effect on the outcome of the meeting.

After the meeting and the big execs are satisfied with your performance, now would be a good time to concentrate and find the cause of that bad breath outburst specially if it has been lingering for a few days after the first eruption.

Know for your information that million of people throughout the world suffer from bad breath. That alone can break your confidence and self esteem and can cause severe depression.

Bad Breath Cause:

There are not one but many reasons that can cause it. Causes can be as varied as bad dental hygiene, bacteria in mouth, infection, diabetes, drugs, gum disease, heavy metal accumulation, liver disease, smoking, sulfur, and tooth decay. Plaque on the tongue can cause bad breath where bacteria can grow. If you do not clean your mouth after consuming alcoholic drinks, tobacco chewing, cigarette smoking, and foods like onions, garlic, etc., that too can contribute to bad breadth. A deficiency of vitamin B and/or zinc may be the cause of your bad breath. Try taking a supplement with the advise of your Medical doctor.

Bad breath Cure :

Brush your teeth regularly after every meal, specially after consuming milk products, fish and meat.

Wash the tongue with baking soda dissolved in warm water to reduce the acidity in your mouth making a less-friendly environment for the bacteria to grow.

Use Mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorine dioxide, sodium chlorite or zinc may serve as an antibacterial agent, that can control the number of anaerobic bacteria in mouth.

You can chew on Parsley, coriander, basil, rosemary, thyme, wintergreen, cardamom seeds, cinnamon bark, clove, fennel or anise seeds since they are great breath freshners.

Rinse your mouth before sleeping with a glass of water with the juice of half a lemon and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

After all, the sudden case of bad breath could have been the result of eating a bad pizza the night before. But it is always best to talk to your periodontist about it on your next visit.

Home Remedies For Halitosis (bad breath)

Body Lotion – Its Benefits

A body lotion generally contains a mix of various pure herbs and natural ingredients. It also contains a blend of natural and organic anti-aging skin care ingredients that provide long lasting moisture protection to dry, cracked or aging skin.

A body lotion will be without harsh chemicals, toxins or synthetic preservatives that damage the skin. It increases the softness and smoothness of skin. It makes skin far more supple and elastic, and the signs of aging will diminish.

Along with the above, body lotion gives the following potential benefits to its users

· Moisturizes and hydrates the skin
· Deeply penetrates the skin with its herbal and botanical extracts
· Helps to rejuvenate and regenerate the skin
· Sorts out minor skin problems
· Helps to increase circulation and sort out dry and flaky skin – even on the most dry and dehydrated skin
· Diminishes transient lines caused by dry and cracked skin
· Soothes and penetrates skin without oily residue
· Creates a protective moisture barrier to hydrate skin
· Provides anti-fungal and anti-bacterial protection
· Reverses free radical and environmental damage
· Prevents oxidative stress
· Restores your skin’s suppleness
· Increases moisturization and improves the overall appearance of your skin

Body lotion is a safe, gentle, all-natural alternative to chemical and toxin firming beauty treatments. Through the use of all natural body lotions rich in mineral salts and proteins you can enhance skin penetration, potency and water solubility. It keeps your skin healthy and makes you look more beautiful.

For Homemade Body & Hand Lotion Recipes

How Bird Flu Kills

The bird flu virus is supposed to be really affecting the birds only. However, because of the nature of flu viruses that can be able to mutate and transfer from one species to the other. The bird flu virus that has been killing birds has now been affecting humans as well.

The good news is that bird flu virus has only killed few humans as of the moment. That’s why health officials are working overtime to prevent bird flu from becoming an outbreak. How the virus works on humans is still a complete wonder. There are still more and more studies undertaken to fully understand this virus.

What is known however is that there are 15 types of avian flu virus that affects birds. That’s why birds also have running noses as well, only theirs is a running beak (corny). The current outbreak of bird flu is caused by the H5N1 strain. This strain is very contagious and can cause rapid fatalities. This strain, unlike the others, can be transmitted to humans, which makes it deadlier.

Remember the SARS scare we experienced years back? Compared to Bird Flu, SARS is just an ordinary cold. Their symptoms are similar but the virus that causes them is completely different. SARS is also less contagious because the person infected can just be isolated.

There could be low pathogenic virus or high pathogenic virus that can affect birds. The low pathogenic virus can affect birds in minor ways only. Ruffled feathers and reduced egg production are some. Highly pathogenic virus cause severe diseases such as respiratory diseases. In domestic birds, when the symptoms appear, they die the same day.

Other symptoms of the bird flu on birds are: loss of appetite, nervousness like chicken little, coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, and depression. Yes, birds do get depressed and they might end up being suicidal, drinking your Prozac.

Just as in the birds, the highly pathogenic forms are the ones that greatly affect the humans as well. These highly pathogenic forms are what cause deaths in humans as well.

The incubation period of the bird flu on humans is still not yet known clearly. The ill effects might develop one to five days from exposure to the virus.

Sometimes, the only indication that a person has been infected is an eye infection or conjunctivitis. However, having conjunctivitis, you might only think that it’s ordinary sore eyes.

Then other symptoms that are common to flu are also developed. That’s why it really is hard to know that the person has been affected by the virus. Other symptoms include, cough, fever, and sore throat.

It will then develop to life threatening complications that include viral pneumonia, and respiratory failure and distress.

That’s why health officials and scientist are scrambling for ways to just make ways to prevent outbreaks. Because they would not want a person to have misconceptions that he or she only has ordinary flu, but is the already life-threatening bird flu.

Vitamins How to Get the Most From Your Diet

It’s not easy to eat right, but when you are going out of your way to eat healthy you should be sure that you’re getting the most from your foods. One important issue regarding vitamins is that some foods lose their vitamin content when they’re not handled properly.

Raw is better. It’s a simple fact of fruits and vegetables that cooking tends to damage vitamin content. If you have the choice between eating raw apples and applesauce, you’ll find that raw apples generally retain more of their natural vitamins. But are those raw vegetables and fruits always going to provide you with the vitamins you need? Not necessarily.

Read the label of processed foods. Many manufacturers fortify their processed foods with vitamins. In some cases, you may find that the applesauce actually has more vitamins and a higher content than a raw apple. It’s important to note that the vitamins you’re getting from the applesauce aren’t natural to the apple, but they’re present nonetheless.

It’s easy to tell the vitamin content of your favorite breakfast cereal, the fruit juice you had for a mid-morning snack or that granola bar you had on the way home from work. You tend to watch what you eat, so you also read those labels to be sure you’re eating snacks that are high in the vitamins you most need for your body. But what happens when you grab an apple? Most fresh fruits don’t come with a label so it’s sometimes difficult to know just what you’re eating. You’ll find some very helpful charts that list vitamin content of most fruits and vegetables, but keep some important facts in mind.

• Harvesting and handling matter. The harvesting time and practices may enhance or decrease the actual vitamin content of individual fruits and vegetables.
• Variety counts. An apple isn’t necessarily an apple. Different varieties have different vitamin content. The same is true of most fruits and vegetables.
• Cooking practices make a difference. Though fried vegetables will typically have a lower vitamin content than raw, the type of oil used to do the frying also makes a difference. Different oils have different vitamins and add (or detract) from the vegetables.

If you’re really looking to get the most from particular vegetables, fruits and other products, take time to do some research into the particular food you’re interested in or the vitamins you’re looking to increase. You may be surprised to find out that handling, cooking and choosing make a big difference in the vitamins you actually consume.