Vocabulary Of Herbal Effects On The Body

Adaptogen – herbs that improve the body ability to withstand both physically and emotional stress.
Alterative (Depurative) – herbs that help the body cleanse itself of waist materials.
Analgesic (anodyne) – herbs that reduce pain
Anthelmintic – herbs that treat intestinal parasites by preventing their reproduction and removing them from intestinal walls.
Anti-catarrhal – herbs the reduce mucus secretion
Anti-depressant – reduce feelings of depression by activating the central nervous system.
Anti-diarrhoel – herbs that stop diarrhea.
Anti-inflammatory – reduce inflammation.
Anti-microbial (bacteriostatic/antiseptic) – herbs which act against micro – organisms that cousin diseases.
Anti-spasmodic – herbs that decrease muscle contraction by either acting on the muscle or nerves and reduce pain and stress.
Anti-pyretic (febrifuge) – herbs that lower fever
Anti-viral – herbs that prevent reproduction of different viruses
Astringent – herbs that draw together and constrict body tissues. They are helpful in treating bleeding and diarrhea.
Bitters – bitter herbs cause secretion of digestion juices and increase appetite.
Carminative – reduce digestive gas.
Cholagogue – herbs that awaken proper flow of bile from the liver and gale bladder.
Choleretic – herbs that improve production and secretion of bile in the liver.
Demulcent – herbs rich in mucilage which can help sooth and protect irritated tissue.
Diaphoretic – herb that help cause the body to sweat.
Diuretic – herbs that increase urination.
Emmenagogue – herbs that help to regulate a women’s menstrual cycle.
Estrogenic – herbs containing phetoestrogen.
Expectorant (anti-tussive) – herbs which promote the extraction of mucus from the lungs.
Hypotensive – herbs which help to lower high blood pressure.
Immunostimulant – herbs that strengthen the immune system.
Laxative – herbs that cause diarrhea.
Nervine – herbs that strengthen the nervous system.
Sedative – herbs that calm the nervous system.
Vulnerary – herbs that help to heal wounds.

Cupping & Olympic Swimmers

Old practice – New fad
This years summer Olympic games brought a whole new life to a medical practice that has been around since 3000 B.C.
People were questioning the circular bruises of the swimmers in this year summer Olympic games. It turns out that Olympic swimmers have discovered the ancient medical practice of cupping to be helpful in speeding up muscle repair.
Traditional cupping is done by using a flame to create a vacuum in a glass cup and quickly attaching the vacuum to the body. The vacuum then lifts the skin and other tissues increasing blood flow to the area. This added blood flow help to repair muscles faster.
In addition to the effects on muscle tissue cupping is a useful practice for other symptoms. Cupping helps to relax people and reduce stress. It is useful in treating skin diseases of different kinds. Cupping can be used to help treat digestive disorders like irritated bowl syndrome. Cupping can also be used to treat respiratory issues and colds

Herbal Remedies For Ear Infections

As a father of four I have had extensive experience with ear infections. From what I have learned most times ear infections are proceeded by some form of a cold symptom like a stuffed nose. The first thing I always do for a ear infection is I make a quick garlic oil and apply it to both ear as often as possible.
Cut up or crush a few cloves of garlic and heat them in olive oil over a low flame. I use a small frying pan for this but any small pan will do. Be careful not to burn the garlic, that would harm the active ingredients that we need.
Heat the garlic in the olive oil for about three or four minutes and let cool before use.
In addition I always use herbs that are effective in treating respiratory tract problems.
My five best herbs for this are:
Yarrow
Chamomile
Linden
Catnip
Elder (flowers and berries)
Use equal parts of each herb and make a cup of strong tea with one heaping table spoon per cup of boiling water. Let the herbs steep for ten minutes. Drink three cups of this tea per day.

Herbal Remedies For Eczema

Eczema is a drying and information of the skin some times with clear puss and bleeding.
What happens is that for some reason the lipid layer which covers the outer cells of the skin surface is broken down and this causes moisture to escape creating the drying of the skin. Then once the skin is dried out it tends to brake is more easily effected irritants such as bacteria.
Having a strong digestion is the first step in treating eczema. In addition one of the most important supplements to take if you have eczema is omega 3. Omega 3 helps to reduce inflammation and strengthen the skin.
Try a formula of cleansing and anti inflammatory herbs along with herbs for strengthening the digestive system.
Cleansing herbs:
Dandelion root
Burdock root
Yellow dock root
Oregon grape root
Anti inflammatory herbs:
Echinacea leaf and root
Sarsaparilla root
Red clover flowers
Licorice root
Herbs for strengthening the digestive system:
Ginger root
Bitter lettuce
Cardamon seed
Artichoke leaf
Gentian root

Herbal Remedies For Fibrocystic Breast

Fibrocystic breast is when there are cysts and lumpiness in the breast. Whenever you are uncertain about a lump in the breast you should seek a diagnosis from a physician.
Breast lumps can occur from stagnation in the lymphatic tissue.
Use calendula flowers, mullein leaf, nettle leaf and cleavers herb to help to cleanse and stimulate the lymphatic system. You can also use a compress from the tea of any of these herbs.
Also try using herbs that help to dissolve mucus and phlegm. This is because this condition is viewed by herbalists as a stagnation of phlegm and mucus. Use herbs such as fennel seed, anise seed, licorice root and blood root. Remember that blood root is very strong and should only be taken when diluted.
Herbal formula for fibrocystic breast.
Simmer one teaspoon of each echinacea root, mullein leaf and red clover flowers in three cups of water for twenty minutes. Add one teaspoon of fennel seed and let steep for fifteen minutes. Drink one cup of the tea three times a day.
Also you can apply Castro oil to the cyst morning and evening.

Herbal Remedies For Fevers

Treating a fever with herbal remedies
A fever is a natural part of the body’s immune response to a bacterial or viral infection. Natural medicine recommends taking diaphoretic herbs to help the body get rid of waste materials and lower the fever instead of taking n.s.a.i.d’s such as aspirin or acetaminophen.
Drinking teas from calendula flowers, chamomile flowers, elder flowers, yarrow herb, chrysanthemum flowers, lemon balm herb, feverfew herb, meadowsweet, white willow bark can help to naturally work with the body to bring down a fever.
Try this formula to naturally bring down a fever.
Add one table spoon of peppermint leaf, yarrow flowers and elder flowers to three cups of boiling water and let steep for twenty minutes. Drink one cup of the tea three times a day.
Remember that a fever is also the body’s way of telling us that it need to relax and recover, so try not to just take a pill and keep on running. Listen to your body and give it the time that it needs.

Herbal Remedies For Periodontal Disease (gum problems)

Try to find a toothpast or a mouthwash with bloodroot in it. This will help to protect your gums and teeth against bacteria. Also myrrh gum can help to tighten the gums.
Add a drop of myrrh gum tincture, diluted bloodroot tincture and a drop of peppermint oil to your toothpast before brushing your teeth.
Also keeping a strong immune system helps.