Archive for the ‘Herbal’ category

Damiana

November 3rd, 2009

Damiana is a shrub that grows mainly in Mexico and other areas such as South and Central America; the shrub has aromatic leaves that smell similar to chamomile and the plant itself produces fruit that tastes much like figs. The popularity and application of the damiana herb can be traced back to the time of the Mayans where they used it as an aphrodisiac and as a treatment for the digestive track, nervous system, depression, sexual function and other nerve related disorders such as paranoia and “figiting” or general restlessness.

One of the biggest allure to damiana is because of its effects on the body’s hormones in that it works to balance them and promote sexual desire and pleasure during intercourse. It has been speculated that the mild aphrodisiac effects that the nervous system experiences works in unison with the ability of damiana to balance the hormones in order to heighten sexual experience and pleasure.

Uses of Damiana

Damiana was, and still is, traditionally also used in Mexico and Mayan times to treat gastrointestinal disorders and upset. It has been found that damiana contains mild antibiotic agents that have proven to be effective against eliminating gram positive and negative bacteria which possibly help the body to remove these toxic bacteria and allow the body to restore itself to a better state of balance, especially a healthy presence of “good” bacteria in the intestines.

The main benefits of damiana are still in the departments of helping to treat sexual and nervous related conditions of the body. Those who are highly stressed, depressed, over anxious, moody or even suffering from headaches have all gravitated towards damiana because of its ability to act as a mild aphrodisiac that helps to calm nerves and help those who consume it find a sense of tranquility. Still, for most people the effects felt during sexual intercourse are most desirable, and for most others, damiana leaf helps to build desire and potency.

Because of its effects on the hormones of the body, this herb has also been used to help with symptoms of PMS and menopause.

Types of Damiana

Damiana can be found readily available in a few different forms such as damiana tea, damiana extract, alcohol and “whole herb” or pill form. The most potent part of this plant is the leaves, so before you buy damiana it is always best to check and make sure that the product you are purchasing contains the leaves of the plant or is called “whole herb” meaning the entire plant is used to make the product.

In some locations around Mexico and California damiana in alcohol form, such as margaritas, is actually one of the most popular beverages of that type you will come across. It should be noted that while damiana is being used in alcoholic beverages it has been proven that many of the beneficial medicinal effects of the important damiana leaves are lost in this form.

The suggested dose is about 450-850mg once or twice per day and about one half to a full teaspoon once or twice per day if taking it in liquid form. In the case for those who have a way to get fresh leaves, you can grind or crush the leaves down and add about a teaspoon of them per cup of tea you want to consume to boiling water and then continue to proceed as normal while preparing any other tea.

Damiana Side Effects

Those who are taking medication for diabetes should avoid this herb because it has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels and may interfere and aggravate this condition. It is advisable for those who suffer from any forms of dementia or nerve damage to avoid damiana or any other individuals who are suffering from any other kind of nerve disease; the one exception might come to fibromyalgia since studies have shown damiana can help alleviate the pain associated with this condition. This herb may also interfere with the body’s ability to absorb iron creating the possibility for anemia – those already taking iron supplements for anemia should consult their health care professional. If you are already on any medications you are intending on taking this herb to help with you should always seek medical advice before beginning.

If you are pregnant you should not take this herb in any of its forms since the hormonal effects on the placenta are not known at this point.

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Essiac Tea – Is It Right For You?

November 3rd, 2009

Essiac tea is a highly controversial tea in the sense that it is aggressively argued by its users and supporters to have some fantastic benefits and uses, however, no major medical or clinical trials have been conducted on essiac tea to any extent to scientificially back and warrant these claims. I must admit, during my introduction and following research on essiac herbal tea I began to see a pattern developing here theat really embodies the spirit of herbal and alternative medicine and treatment options; there are so many people using this supplement (one study says 15% of Canadian breast cancer patients were taking essiac tea for it) despite the absence of sound scientific research – to me, it shows that sometimes the renown that some herbal products gain over time becomes infamously well-known throughout a wide region and just spreads like wild fire. I believe in order to understand why so many people favor this supplement, we need to turn to its origins.

Essiac tea was created by a Candian nurse by the name of Rene Caisse (Essiac is Caisse backwards, creative, eh?) for the treatment of cancer. It is suppose to have its roots in Ojibwa medicine, with the Ojibwa being a native American tribe around her region. Essiac tea consists of four main herbal ingredients: burdock root, slippery elm inner bark, sheep borrel and indian rhubarb root. These roots in total combine to make essiac liquid tea. This recipe was kept from the public eye until the 1970s when Rene Caisse decided to distribute it to universities all over the world so that it could be studied in an attempt to scientifically support and credit it.

Rene Caisse opened a free clinic in Canada in 1934 where she treated cancer patients using the benefits of essiac tea until it was closed in 1942 in a heat of controversy. As far as the success rate of the clinic and its ability to help cure its cancer patients, it goes the same as any other story in, all honesty, with people falling into two distinct camps: either they loved it and it worked, or it did not do anything for them. Rene Caisse’s clinic did excel for years, enough to the point where she appealed to the Canadian government to allow her to extend her right to practice throughout the entire country, but she was denied the permission she needed to do so by a small margin. Still, Rene was the original proprietor using essiac tea for cancer in a pioneering fashion outside of the Native American tribe that gave her the original essiac tea formula and essiac tea recipe she used in her clinic.

Before you buy essiac tea you should also understand some other essiac tea benefits that have also arised and associated themselves with this popular herbal remedy.

Essiac tea has also found a large following by those suffering from symptoms related to AIDS, HIV, diabetes and even esthma. It was also found that this tea has anti-inflammatory potential and those with arthritis, joint pain and even lupus have began to use it. Almost all essiac tea testimonials claim one major thing, and this is a reduction in tumor size in cancer patients. It should be understood that not enough scientific research has been conducted to back these claims, and they are only sustained by the integrity of those who give such claims, and that is always questionable depending on their source.

At the end of it all, there does not seem to be any known side effects of taking essiac tea and it has become so popular among its users it is tough to make the decision whether it is right for you or not, especially considering the lack of scientific research behind it. The only real thing you could make a decision off of its by the tea’s own legend in Canada, where I understand it is actually quite popular and and considered common knowledge.

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Dong Quai – What You Must Know

October 29th, 2009

Dong Quai

Despite the fact that dong quai does not have a strong presence in western medicine or practical use, it has been used in traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean medicine for thousands of years. This herb is closely related to the carrot and celery stalk and is called “Chinese Angelica”. Dong quai, also known as “female ginseng” is predominately used to help treat “womanly” issues such as PMS, menopause and a wide array of symptoms that arise from their occurrence in the female body. It is also believed to help regulate female hormones in the body and to treat women after child birth.

Dong quai literally translates into “return to order” because it is believed by its original oriental practitioners to help the body return to order by working with the blood stream, or the “xue” as it is known to the Chinese, to eliminate low vitality and the balancing of female hormones and reproductive symptoms. These dong quai benefits are widely acclaimed by its users.

Dong Quai Uses

Outside of the more strictly observed uses in females, the dong quai herb is also used to treat arthritis, heart disease, kidney disease and nerve pain. It should also be noted that it is also used in the treatment of conditions such as headaches and pelvic pain associated with PMS and menopause. Many women use this supplement to help balance their moods and help with extreme mood swings during their monthly cycles and menopause. While there has not been any kind of intense clinical research done with dong quai, its users have praised it for centuries and its practitioners reserve it as one of their best herbs available.

Dong Quai Side Effects

Before you buy dong quai you need to understand the potential health hazards and side effects of taking this supplement. It is known that taking dong quai during pregnancy can lead to miscarriages, induced abortions and other complications with the pregnancy – dong quai tonic is used before and after pregnancies and never during for these reasons. These side effects of dong quai need to be heavily weighed and taken into consideration during pregnancy. Many women do choose to use dong quai as a type of fertility drug when trying to conceive, but caution should be observed as it is difficult to known whether or not you have already conceived as this may conflict with the times you are actively taking dong quai.

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Aloe Vera Juice Heals You Inside and Out

October 29th, 2009

Aloe Vera Juice? Really? We all know aloe vera as that miracle gel we greedily rub all over our body’s to alleviate ourselves from the painful after effects of sunburn or any type of burn or rash on our skins, but have you ever thought about drinking aloe vera juice? Anyone who has used aloe vera for burns on their body before topically know that aloe vera, when applied to the skin or hair, has unmatched rejuvenating and restorative elements that work, now let us find out exactly how it works and what it can do for our innards.

Aloe Vera Juice Benefits

The aloe vera plant, like many other medicinal herbal plants, contains a hearty and impressive amino acid profile and is also packed tight with other essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, zinc and sodium that our bodies need. The true healing powers of aloe vera juice and all forms of aloe vera are due to something called Polysaccharides that are used by the plant to store its own food. The general rule of thumb when looking for the highest quality aloe vera juice drink is that the more polysaccharides present in the product, the more potent it is. You want to find products that are called “whole leaf”, meaning that the entire plant is used to make the final aloe vera drink or gel that you will taking.

Once ingested, the aloe does not become digested by your stomach, instead it enters into your blood stream whereby it is delivered to the rest of your body and unleashes its wonderful aloe healing effect into your system. Once in the bloodstream, the aloe vera begins to penetrate deep into your skin and starts having beneficial effects on your other organs, much to the same as your skin benefits from having it applied topically.

Aloe vera juice has become almost the norm for those dealing with acid reflux, GERD, heart burn and indigestion because of its ability to soothe, heal and promote rejuvenation of these parts of your body, exactly in the same fashion it does for your skin. It is recommended that you take a bit of aloe drink before each meal to eliminate the pain caused by excess acid in your digestive track. After about a week or so of usage, your body will naturally begin to heal the damage done to the inner linings of your esophagus and stomach, pretty neat considering it has the same effects on your skin, right?

While we are on the topic of what aloe vera juice can do for you internally, it also functions to promote nutrient absorption and to eliminate the unwanted and harmful toxins that have accumulated in your colon and the rest of your lower G.I track that are cause for much sluggishness and lethargy experienced by so many. It is then no surprise to learn that those with Irritable-bowel syndrome also favor aloe vera juice since it helps to relieve the inflammation and promote the repairing of intestinal wall linings over a period of time.

The other known benefits of aloe vera juice are the following:

Anti-inflammatory – aloe vera is an excellent anti-inflammatory because it combats the internal tissue damage and breakdown caused by toxins and other substances in the digestive tract. Scientists believe that aloe vera works by inhibiting the inflammation sites internally before actually repairing the damaged tissue and restoring it back to a more optimal function.

Antiseptic, anti fungal and antibiotic – aloe vera juice contains forms of natural antibiotics and antiseptic properties

Restorative – the main lure for aloe vera is of course its ability to act as a skin rejuvenator and moisturizing source.

Aloe Vera Juice Side Effects

Here is the best part – there are no known aloe vera juice side effects! That means ZERO! Aloe vera is completely natural and the many uses of aloe vera can be continued until you find how it best works for you. Keep a practical mind and do not go crazy with the consumption of this product as even the best medications and healing herbs are toxic at high levels; there are just no known side effects of drinking this juice in good measure.

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Ashwagandha

October 23rd, 2009

What Is Ashwagandha?

Despite it’s phonetically unpleasant name, ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs used in Ayurvedic healing (a 5,000 year old Indian medical system) to this day. The origin of the word comes from the Sanskrit, meaning “horse’s smell” since the plant resembles the smell of a sweaty horse. The plant belongs to the nightshade family and is sometimes referred to as “Indian ginseng” not because ashwagandha is closely related to ginseng, but because it is believed that they share similar healing and rejuvenating properties and is used in Indian medicine as ginseng is used in Chinese medicine.

Ashwagandha Benefits and Medical Uses

This herb is used traditionally to strengthen the immune system, eliminate stress and its effects on the body, promote mental fortitude, combat depression, increase memory function, fight cancer and cancer cells, improve overall brain cell function and is especially used as an aphrodisiac that helps reduce anxiety and depression without the effects of intolerable drowsiness. This herb is also used as a diuretic, however, Ayurvedic healers prefer to use ashwagandha extract to treat memory loss, arthritis and as a way to increase and maintain brain health and all things associated with brain function such as response time, learning and even as a way to reverse the effects of minor brain damage or loss of function. Many people claim that this powerful herb also promotes sexual function and fertility among its users even though it is widely known to be an aphrodisiac.

Ashwagandha Uses

Outside of the strict medical uses, the benefits of ashwagandha can be had simply enough by those looking to relax or “unwind” without experiencing the harsher side effects of other substances such as prescription medications. One of the best things about this supplement is its unique ability to help an individual relax while still keeping them in a highly invigorated state which most notably is a result of the positive effects on the brain as mental clarity is heightened. The antioxidant capacity of ashwagandha is substantial which also contributes to its anti-aging and anti-cancer effects.

Ashwagandha Dosage

One of the primary concerns individuals have when taking this herb is over the proper dosage. The recommended dose is about 300 to 600 mg twice a day although those who experience more severe forms of stress, depression or anxiety should consider increasing the dosage to three times daily.

There are typical no known ashwagandha side effects but it is highly recommended to stay within the proper and suggested dosages.

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Maca

October 23rd, 2009

What is Maca?

Maca is a plant grown mostly in areas of South America but most notably in Peru where it is sometimes referred to as “Peruvian Ginseng” even though it is not even closely related to ginseng; the name instead comes from Maca being widely considered to be a herb with the special property to increase libido, sexual function, stamina and energy in those who consume it which is considered by some to be similar to the properties of ginseng. In reality, Maca is more closely related to the radish and the turnip.

Maca Benefits

The benefits of Maca have their origins rooted as far back as society in Inca, where the warriors would consume Maca herb before battle to increase their energy and stamina tremendously before attacking neighboring empires and villages. Eventually, legend has it that these mighty warriors had to stop taking the herb before going to war because the effects on their heightened libidos were proving to be too harmful to their enemy’s women after overtaking their cities. From the earliest use of Maca root up until today, one thing is well known in the eyes of the Incas as in those of the natives of Peru today – Maca provides a huge impact on energy, vitality, sexual function and overall constitution as a whole.

Maca works with the endocrine system as well as your brain, pancreas, nervous system, thyroid, ovaries and testicles to bring all of the hormones into a healthy and well balanced state.

How Does Maca Work?

Many people are afraid that some Maca side effects include hormone imbalances or other nasty and undesirable things, but this has proven, after extensive research, to be completely false. Maca itself does not alter any of the levels of hormones in your body, instead it works with your endocrine system by providing it with a wide array of essential nutrients that act as the fuel your endocrine system need to function at an optimal state. This high quality nutrition feeds your body all of the vital components it needs to then bring your body’s hormones into a natural state of harmony and balance without actually altering your hormones; instead, think of it as giving your body all that it needs to be able to more effectively and efficiently balance your hormones naturally while also regulating them.

Maca supplements work so well because they are providing your body with all of the nutrition it needs to bring itself into balance, fight off infections and strengthen the weakened parts of your body.

Maca Nutrition

Scientists have recently discovered that Maca harnesses very potent nutritional properties. Maca contains 19 different amino acids, many essential minerals important to supporting bodily function such as iron, calcium and magnesium. Maca is also high in protein and many other essential vitamins. All of these things work simultaneously to deliver the appropriate nutrition to various parts of your body, supporting healthy function.

Why Take Maca?

The main reason for the consumption of Maca is for its ability to increase the sex drive in those who take it (both men and women). The nutritional properties of this food, as said earlier, contribute into helping the body balance and increase the hormonal system leading to a pronounced increase in stamina and energy as well as vitality. Adding a simple amount of Maca extract to your diet is sufficient to see benefits within a few days.

Recent clinical trials have also proved that consuming Maca for fertility can improve semen quality and mobility which is another highly desirable effect and reason that people consume this potent root and include it into their diets.

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