Sunday, June 19, 2011

Canker Sores (Aphthous Ulcers) – What are they and how can we treat them with Natural Medicine


Canker Sores are small areas of inflammation that developed on the inside of the mouth. They can appear on the inside of the cheeks and lips as well as on the tong and gums. The inflamed area then turns into an ulcer, which lasts anywhere from four to twenty days. They can range in size from that of a grain of sand to the size of a grape.

The exact cause of these canker sores is no known for certain. They may be brought on by irritation to the tissue of the mouth, viral infection, stress, weakness of the immune system, trauma and fatigue. They may also be linked to deficiencies of iron, lysine, vitamin B12 and folic acid.

Nutritional supplements that can be helpful if you suffer from canker sores.

  1. Acidophilus
  2. L-Lysine
  3. B-complex Vitamins
  4. Vitamin C with bioflavonoids
You could also apply lavender oil directly to the affected area 2-3 times a day. This helps with the pain immediately and also speeds up the healing process.

To avoid getting canker sores in the first place it is important that you maintain a balance of minerals, acidity and alkalinity in the body.

If you are repeatedly getting canker sores you should get a blood test to check for nutritional deficiencies.

How to Treat Nausea using Herbs


I learnt how to treat my motion sickness because I always try to make the best use of all my time. And at a point in my life when I was traveling a lot by bus I wanted to be able to read and study on the bus. But the problem was I would get crazy nausea when I would read. So here is what I figured out works.

Number one best thing that I found was dry ginger candy. It has a very strong taste but it would do the job. The reason that for me the ginger candy was best was because I was traveling and I could just keep it in my bag.

But if you are at home you could make yourself a cup of ginger tea and that would work well also.

Mint is another great herb for treating nausea. You can make a tea or use one drop of mint essential oil in a cup of water or on a sugar cube to sort your stomach out.

So don't puke just yet. First try some ginger and mint and if they don't help, then you can go ahead and hurl.

Astragalus - Monograph


Common Name – Astragalus

Botanical Name – Astragalus Membranceus

Chinese Name – Huang Qi

Parts Used – Roots

Active Compounds - flavonoids, polysaccharides, triterpene glycosides, amino acids, and trace minerals.

So what is Astragalus good for?

Astragalus is known to help strengthen the immune system, protect the body during chemotherapy, help with the prevention and treatment of colds and flu and help the body recover from blood loss or blood deficiency.

Dosage

Tincture -30-100 drops three times a day.

Capsule form – as directed on the label.

Decoction – 15 grams of dried root per day.

How do you make a decoction of Astragalus?

Boil fifteen grams of Astragalus root in three cups of water for five minutes. Strain out the used herb and drink throughout the day.

Contraindications

Should not be used in cases of excess yang and yin deficiency.

Clinical Studies

Astragalus-Based Chinese Herbs and Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials


 


 

Panax Ginseng – Monograph


Common Name – American Ginseng

Botanical name – Panax Ginseng or Panax Quinquefolius

Active Constituents – Ginsenosides

So what is American Ginseng good for?

Ginseng both American and Asian are considered to be adaptogens. Adaptogenes are herbs that help the body to adapt to changes. Ginseng is known to help the body cope with stress both mental and physical. Ginseng has been found to help lower sugar levels in diabetics and also help alleviate fatigue in cancer patients. Ginseng has also been found to have cancer preventing qualities.

If you are working hard and feeling stressed out ginseng may just be the right thing to help give you some more energy.

How should you take ginseng?

Ginseng is usually given as part of an herbal formula. It can be taken in pill form on its own to help with fatigue and stress, follow the directions on the label.

Tincture – 30-60 drops twice a day not at night.

You can make a ginseng decoction or ginseng tea by boiling a piece of ginger about the size of the top section of your thumb in one and a help cups of water for a half hour. You should drink two cups a day preferably between meals.

Contraindications

People with insomnia or high blood pressure as well as people taking anti-depressants should not take ginseng.

Clinical studies on health benefits


 The cancer-preventive potential of Panax ginseng: a review of human and experimental evidence.

  Effects of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng (Panax ginseng CA Meyer) extract on male patients with erectile dysfunction

 


Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng) improves glucose and insulin regulation in well-controlled, type 2 diabetes: Results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of efficacy and safety

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Saturday, June 18, 2011

Aluminum Toxicity – what is it? And what can be done about it.


Aluminum is the most abundant metallic element in the earth's crust. Aluminum toxicity can lead to a large range of symptoms such as rickets, gastrointestinal problems, poor calcium metabolism, anemia, extreme nervousness, decreased liver and kidney function, headaches and even Alzheimer's like symptoms. Aluminum on its own is not able to pass through the Blood brain barrier but when it attaches itself to potassium it can then pass through. The scary thing is that aluminum is in almost every food that we eat. Many municipal water suppliers are treating their water with alum (aluminum sulfate). This is one reason why it's a good idea to do a detoxifying program every so often, so that our body can have a chance to rid itself of excess toxic material such as aluminum.

Here are some supplements that can help to protect the body from aluminum toxicity.

  1. Apple pectin
  2. Calcium magnesium supplements
  3. Coenzyme A
  4. Kelp
  5. Lecithin (granules or capsules)
  6. L-Glutatione

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Classic Chamomile Tea treatment for Stomach Ulcers


This treatment method can be very effective. All you need is some chamomile tea and 20 minutes longer to lie in bed in the morning.

Prepare a strong cup of chamomile tea before you go to bed and put it next to your bed.

When you wake up in the morning before you get out of bed, drink the cup of chamomile tea. Now right after you drink the tea lay on each of your four sides for five minutes. That's five minutes lying on your back, five on your stomach, five on your right side and five on your left.

The healing powers of the chamomile will help to ease the pain and repair the damaged tissue caused by the ulcer.

This is not a silver bullet, if you do this just once it may help for that day but not long term. Also this will work best when done along with lifestyle changes to help heal the ulcer.

Vitex Agnus-Castus – Chasteberry - Monograph


Common Name – Chasteberry

Botanical Name – Vitex agnus-castus

Parts used – Fruit

Active Constituents -Iridoid glycosides (aucbin and agnoside) and flavonoids (casticin, isovitexin and orientin).

So what is Vitex good for?

Vitex is a herb that can help to bring balance to the female reproductive system. It can be used to help treat irregularities of menstruation and PMS.

Vitex can be beneficial during menopause.

Vitex can help to balance the body after the use of oral contraceptives.

Vitex may help control acne in female and male teenagers.

Dosage

Tincture – 20 drops three times a day

Tea – three cups a day

How to make chasteberry tea?

Add one teaspoon of the dried ripened fruit to one cup of boiling water and cover the cup. Let it steep for 15 minutes and strain out the used herb.

Contraindications

Vitex should not be taken by pregnant women. Weak and anemic women should use caution when taking this herb.