Technology has become one of the most worshipped by man in today’s society. It created a new world where the people connect each other despite having different cultures and backgrounds. Spirituality on the other hand, seems to be disregarded.
People have always been looking for cures for the problems they had. In almost all ancient cultures, medicinal herbs have had an important role, either in a medical or in another sense.
Throughout history, knowledge of herbal remedies and their applications, expanded slowly with time, so that today there is already a wast collection of information in favor of treatment by using medicinal plants.
Rheumatism or rheumatic problem is a relatively non-specific term for various medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue. Some of the most commonly occuring symptoms of rheumatism problems are chronic, widespread pain, fatigue, and heightened pain in response to pressure. Other symptoms may include prolonged muscle spasms, tingling of the skin, weakness in the limbs, nerve pain, chronic sleep disturbances, functional bowel disturbance and many other.
Some plants have developed various methods and chemical compunds to protect themselves from bacteria, fungi and other dangerous organisms. These compounds often serve to kill or deter the attacks. Just like the rose and blackberry have their thorns to protect them from large browsing animals, plants also conduct a secrete warfare on a molecular level to avoid getting eaten by miniscule attackers.
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to promote better the body’s health as well as the health of mind and spirit. Extracted from the roots, stems, branches, bark, leaves, fruit or flowers of a variety of plants, these oils may be used on the skin, in the bath, inhaled or released into a room through diffusion.
According to practitioners, aromatherapy can kill bacteria, ease pain and aid the body in cleaning out toxins. The process works by working on the olfactory bulb located at the top of the nasal cavity. This area exposes the central nervous system to our external enviroment.
Since sense of smell is our keenest sense and is strongly linked with memory, aromatherapist use this knowledge thorough the use of neuroassociative conditioning. This technique uses a blend of the essential while massaging the patient into a relaxed and unstressed state. When the patient goes home they can use these same fragrances to invoke that same feeling of relaxation.
Beyond the fragrance induced benefits of the essential oils some also provide a pharmacological effect. For example, frankincense oil extracted from the gum resin has antiseptic and anit-inflammatory properties.
Some of the most comman essential oils include:
Geranium which helps with hormone balancing in women as well as being an antidepressant.
Ylang Ylang is also an antidepressant and helps promote relaxation and reducing muscle tension.
Eucalyptus aids in treating respiratory problems and can help boost the immune system.
Peppermint is used in treating headaches, muscle aches, indigestion and flatulence.
Clary Sage is a natural pain killer and aid in dealing with insomnia.
Although generally thought to be safe, aromatherapy is a large unregulated field so it is important to consult an aromatherapist if able. In the very least due diligence should be taken on one’s part and with the internet there is no reason not to do your own research.
Detox diets may be of use if done with appropriate precautions. Knowing the ins and outs of a detox diet will help you avoid any harmful side affects of the diet. If you are considering this method, here are a few facts you should know.
To begin, detox diet programs are not intended to aid in losing weight but only to help cleanse your system. For the next few days, you will have to give up certain foods and take some laxatives to help clean out the intestine and liver.
During that time, you will eat lots of fruits and vegetables. In most cases, these are unprocessed and raw since cooking will remove essential minerals and vitamins. People who are able to successfully complete the program say they feel healthier and have increased levels of energy.
Detox diets are not for everyone. It is not recommended for people with certain health conditions especially patients suffer. The diet should also never be done by pregnant or nursing mothers.
Teenagers should also avoid using the detox diet because it will rob them of vitamins and minerals which are important for their rapid growth and development.
Detox diets ,if over used can lead to health problems such as eating disorders, heart conditions and even death. For these reasons, a detox diet should only be done once or twice a year. The diet may become addicting and has been compared to quilting smoking or drugs.
If you think going on a detox diet does not have side effects, think again because there are a few namely acne, headaches, fatigue, hunger and irritability.
You may also experience these when you decide to take detox supplements as most of the ingredients are actually laxatives. This means going to the bathroom frequently and as we all know, this could be messy. When this happens, you should drink lots of liquid to prevent dehydration, mineral imbalances or any other problems associated with the digestive system.
Since the detox diet will only last several days, you may feel that you lose weight but in reality, you only lost water and some muscle. You will regain what you lost when you end the program and begin eating regular food.
There have not been any studies which prove the effectiveness of the detox diet. In fact, there is no evidence which proves that such toxins were removed especially when your liver and kidneys are working properly even way before you started the program since you are able to excrete urine and stool regularly.
As you can see, there are some positive and negative statements when it comes to detox diets. Now that you know what these are, you can decide for yourself whether this is something you want to try or not. Do not forget to consult your doctor should you decide to go through with it because like it was mentioned before, there are certain people who should not try it based on their age and health condition.
Sunlight was and still is a great cure for illnesses and wounds and is rarely used today. Those that practice alternative medicine are looking to light therapy as a new and natural cure for many different types of problems with the physical and emotional body.
Current alternative medicine professionals are using the healing power of light in order to help their patients with the physical and emotional problems that they have. There are a few different techniques that are used and depending on how severe the problem is.
Some therapists use fluorescent bulbs next to their patients and have them sit by them for a few hours. Doing this procedure will help and the patient will be able to read so that they do not focus their attention on the lights.
Another good use is to cure the aches and pains that people have in the body with intense light with a smaller beam and have it shine on the part of the body that is in pain. This type of therapy may be useful in treating conditions such as acne.
Using light therapy is known to help cure several disorders but the most common is a winter type depression. This is a mental and physical condition of depression that occurs during the winter months. It is a theory that this depression will come because of the lack of sunlight and in may places during the winter months. Exposure to light will make up for this problem and it will hopefully get rid of the winter depression. This is just one idea that will show you how light therapy will work in the ideas of the alternative medicine world today.
The art of acupuncture has been round for the past thousand years or more. It is a part of Chinese traditional medicine. With most things in life, there are a few basic concepts you will need to understand in order to learn the entire process known as “qi”. Anything negative that you body may go through, like disease or illness, is because your Qi is disrupted. An acupuncturist uses needles to heal or unblock your qi flow.
. The concepts of the qi is difficult for most beginners, but it can be broken into easily understand concepts that you can learn one at a time. there are five main types of qi energy:
Qi- Qi is roughly translated to “matter energy”. It causes the movements in the universe and is a vital part of your own good health. Sometimes Qi is equated to the soul.
Jing- Jing can partly be called “our health”. The closest literal translation in Western terms is “essence”. Jing is something that is inherited like DNA and we may create our own, by the foods we choose and through the air we breath. Since we genetically receive some health predisposition, our lifestyle choices effect our own health as well as that of our children.
Xue- Xue literally means blood. It is the liquid that flows in the blood and trough the Qi or the body’s energy. The health of the two is dependent of one another.
Jin Ye- Jin Ye equates to bodily fluids including saliva, milk, tears, genital secretions, sweat, stomach fluids.
Shen- Shen simply refers to the spirit of the body, traditionally located in the heart.
The body’s energies are important since they help us defend against illness, grow and develop and control the body’s blood and organs, and metabolism. Acupuncture is a great way to treat these energies and help create a healthy body. To get the most out of acupuncture, it should be done on a regular basis to release all of your negativity in your Qi.
Hemorrhoids, a common condition, form when pressure is placed on the veins leading up the rectal area. This pressure leads to varicose veins which in this area will cause the symptoms of hemorrhoids such as itching, swelling, bleeding and burning. External hemorrhoids form on the outside of the anus whereas internal hemorrhoids occur inside.
Relief for external hemorrhoids is sometimes easier than treating internal ones but at the same time, external hemorrhoids can prove to be very uncomfortable in some cases. Treatment should begin with attempting to reduce the swelling which can be accomplished using common household methods. One remedy would be to use ice packs. Apply ice packs to the rectal area several times per day and it should not only provide relief but reduce the amount of swelling of the hemorrhoids.
Another source of possible relief is by using a sitz bath treatment. This requires you place your buttocks in a few inches of warm water. Sitz baths have been known to help heal certain cases of hemorrhoids but some people have reported no change or even more irritation with this method.
Topical creams and gels can also be used treat external hemorrhoids. Look for natural treatments such as witch hazel. Witch hazel is a natural astringent that can be found in a few forms and will help heal skin irritations such as burns. It has been known to treat hemorrhoids as well. Aloe vera, another skin healing method, is also a top choice when it comes to the treatment of hemorrhoids.
Once your external hemorrhoids have healed it is important that you maintain a good diet to make it less likely that the hemorrhoids surface again in the future. This can be achieved with a diet that is high in fiber and liquids.
To learn more read the article Hemorrhoids and Your Diet.
Everyone has a variety of bacteria in their mouth. Some have more than others. This bacterium helps you by beginning the digestive process.
Excess bacteria in your mouth have now been found to cause more than tooth decay, gingivitis or gum disease. So, you need to know, even though you might not have gingivitis, how to control these plaque-building bacteria in your mouth.
Bacteria that create gingivitis live in your plaque and cause your gums to inflame, bleed, and separate from your teeth. You can also have bad breath when you have gingivitis. In more severe cases, your gums become sore, teeth hurt, gums recede, and teeth loosen.
To stop the inflammation and gum separation use this natural remedy to kill some of these bacteria and strengthen your gums in your mouth.
Here are the herbs and the formula you will need to make a remedy for a mild case of gingivitis:
2 parts white oak bark herb – powder
1 part myrrh gum herb – power or granules
3/4 part Peppermint leaves converted to powder
? part anise herb – power or seeds
1/8 part clove – powder
If herbs and leaves are not in powder form, grind them in a coffee grinder. Use this formula to make as much powder as you want.
Place the mixture into a small container. I usually use a small-unused vitamin bottle.
I usually mix a small amount and use a tablespoon as my measuring tool. For example, 2 tablespoons of white oak, 1 tablespoon of myrrh gum, ? tablespoon of peppermint leaves, and so on. The measurements do not have to be so precise.
How to use it:
To control bacteria in your mouth, use this power once a week. If you have gingivitis, you can use this 3 times a day. Place some powder on your toothbrush and brush your teeth and gums. After brushing spit out, a few time, the saliva and residue powder. Don’t rinse out your mouth since you want to keep the active herb powders in your month. You can swallow any that remains in your mouth with no problem.
This powder combination is bitter, but quite powerful and will get the job done. You can add more peppermint powder to make it less bitter, if you like.
For severe cases of gingivitis and toothaches, you can also moist some powder with distilled water and then place the paste all along the your teeth and gums – front and back. Leave the paste in your mouth as long as you can. Don’t worry about the herbs getting in between your teeth. This remedy works.
My wife was schedule for a root canal last year and a few weeks before her tooth started paining and couldn’t sleep. So I made this remedy. She just placed the powers around the painful area. It wasn’t long before the pain stopped and she was able to go to sleep.
There have been other clients that have used this remedy for a month and successfully avoided having the dentist apply gingivitis treatment. In cases of severe gingivitis, go see your dentist and at the same time use this remedy.
Rudy Silva is a natural nutritionist. He writes a newsletter called “Natural Remedies That work.” You can subscribe to his newsletter and read some of the back issues, which give you information of how to have better health.
[ Editor's note: Problems were found with the link provided with this article and was therefore deleted.]
