Depression and anxiety are growing problems in the United States, and unfortunately many people who suffer from these serious illnesses are resistant to seeking professional help. Fortunately, there are a number of natural remedies, including St. John’s Wort, which show great promise in treating depression and anxiety without the use of drugs. St. John’s Wort has been shown to improve mood in many people, and there are those who swear by the positive effects of this herbal medication.

The history of St. John’s Wort
The herb we know today as St. John’s Wort is know scientifically as Hypericum perforatum, and it gets its name in honor of St. John The Baptist. St. John’s birthday was thought to be in June, and it is in June that the golden flowers of this herb begin to bloom. The word “wort” translates to “plant”, therefore St. John’s Wort is St. John’s plant.

This herb grows as a perennial, meaning it will grow back year after year on a single planting. St. John’s Wort grows wild like a weed, and it has grown abundantly in Europe for thousands of years. The history of using St. John’s Wort also goes back thousands of years, and it has been used as a safe and effective herbal medication for at least 2400 years. The founder of medicine, Hippocrates, was known to prescribe St. John’s Wort for relief of such common ailments as hemorrhage, jaundice, dysentery, tuberculosis, colds and insomnia.

In European countries, St. John’s Wort has been studied for many decades, and scientists have discovered that it contains a combination of compounds, the most important of which is hypericin. These compounds are thought to react with certain chemicals in the brain, thereby providing emotional comfort, a calming element and freedom from depression. As a matter of fact, St. John’s Wort is thought to work much the same way as many common prescription antidepressants.

St. John’s Wort and depression
In Europe and other places around the world, doctors have been prescribing St. John’s Wort for the treatment of depression for many years, and the therapeutic effects of this herb have been shown to include relief from mild to moderate depression, relief from anxiety, relief from insomnia, and even increased cardiac circulation.

In the United States, St. John’s Wort is available over the counter in a number of preparations and a variety of strengths. When taken orally St. John’s Wort is often prepared in capsule formula, at a standardized dosage of 300 mg. With a 0.3 hypericin concentration. The suggested dosage ranges from 2 to 12 capsules per day, depending on the condition being treated and its severity.

St. John’s Wort is also available in tea form. The tea is prepared by mixing 2 teaspoons of dried herb with hot water and letting it steep for 10 minutes. After the tea has had time to steep, it is strained, and mixed with sugar or honey to make a tasty drink.

In addition to these common forms, St. John’s Wort can be infused into olive oil and used as a massage oil to relieve joint pain and inflammation. This massage oil is also thought to be effective against bruises and wounds.

The pomegranate has been a much loved part of the diet of many cultures for thousands of years, and scientists have recently begun to take a look at its possible health benefits, over and above those derived from the vitamins and minerals it contains. Some studies have suggested that the juice of the pomegranate contains nearly three times the antioxidants found in such foods as green tea and red wine. In addition, the pomegranate contains substantial quantities of such important minerals as potassium, such important vitamins as vitamin C and niacin, and significant amounts of fiber as well.

Traditional uses of the pomegranate
The pomegranate has long been used in traditional folk medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including sort throat, inflammation and rheumatism. These folk uses of the pomegranate are common throughout the Middle East, Iran and India, where the fruit is common.

The pomegranate has a touch rind which is either dark red or brownish in color, and it is similar in size to an apple or an orange. The edible part of the pomegranate is the juicy red pulp.

The history of the pomegranate
The name pomegranate is derived from the Latin term for “fruit of many seeds”, due to the many seeds the interior of the fruit hold. From ancient times onwards, the pomegranate has been associated with fertility, and this fruit often makes appearances in the folklore of ancient Egypt and in Greek mythology as well.

Eating a pomegranate can be a labor intensive experience, as the edible seeds must be eaten one at a time to avoid the bitter membrane that encases them. There are a number of varieties of pomegranate available throughout the world, and one of the best ways to distinguish between these types is by the color of the seeds, which range from light red and dark pink through a deep scarlet color.

What to look for
When buying pomegranates, it is best to choose those with the best color, and those which feel heavy. Pomegranates that are dry looking and wrinkled, or which have a cracked rink, should be avoided. Pomegranates will keep at room temperature for two or three days, and in the refrigerator for up to three months.

In most parts of the United States, the pomegranate is typically available from September through November. Availability of fresh pomegranates varies by region of the country, however.

A typical pomegranate contains only about 100 calories, making an excellent food for dieters. Most nutrition experts recommend eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and pomegranates are an excellent addition to anyone’s daily diet.

In addition to fresh pomegranates, pomegranate juice is another popular way to enjoy this popular fruit. Pomegranate juice can be used to make a wide variety of products, including jellies, sauces, marinades and vinaigrettes. In addition, the seeds of the pomegranate are often sprinkled over salads and desserts, or used to garnish meats, poultry and fish.

With all these things going for it, it is no wonder that the pomegranate enjoys such long lasting popularity. While it is not in season for very long, adding a fresh pomegranate or two to your late fall diet can be very rewarding.

Gingko biloba is one of the herbs with the longest history, and it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. For almost 2800 years, gingko biloba has been used to treat a number of illnesses and ailments.

Where does gingko biloba come from?
Gingko biloba is derived from the tree of the same name, and it has been used for such varied things as:
? Maintaining normal blood circulation
? Maintaining normal function of blood vessels
? Maintaining the levels of oxygen and glucose in the brain
? Preventing capillaries from becoming fragile and leaking
? Helping to maintain a normal blood flow
? Reducing tissue damage caused by improper blood flow

Ginkgo biloba is known to contain a number of important antioxidants, including the very valuable flavonoids. These antioxidant nutrients are vital to combating the damage done by free radicals in the body. In addition, flavonoids like the ones found in gingko biloba are thought to strengthen capillaries, which may lead to increased blood flow the brain and greater memory and brain health.

The importance of quality
It is important that gingko biloba be processed properly, and that the extract process fully removes the toxic element of the gingko leaf, which is known as ginkgolic acid. It is important that processed gingko biloba contain no more than 5 parts per million (ppm) of ginkgolic acid. Most of the high quality gingko biloba extracts on the market today are well below this upper limit.

There is no doubt that ginkgo biloba is a very valuable herb, and it has shown real promise in treating a wide variety of conditions. Taking a quality ginkgo biloba supplement on a daily basis can be a great way to improve your overall health and fitness level.

The effects of gingko biloba
Ginkgo biloba is known to act as a blood thinner, and it can therefore increase circulation to all the tissues of the body, including such vital organs as the brain and the heart. Gingko biloba is thought to interfere with the platelet activating factor, or PAF, which may be implicated in causing asthma, heart disease, problems with hearing and skin conditions such as psoriasis.

Ginkgo biloba is also thought to improve the function of the brain, particularly memory functions, and to help improve overall health and vitality. Part of the effectiveness of gingko biloba may lie in the fact that it has strong antioxidant qualities, and that it is an excellent free radical killer.

In addition to these issues, gingko biloba has also been used successfully by many people to treat such common ailments as anxiety and tension. For some people, gingko biloba appears to act as a mood booster and energy restorer.

Gingko biloba preparations are available in a wide variety of forms, including tablets, pills, soft gels and capsules. In addition, gingko biloba is one of the most widely manufactured herbal supplements on the market, and it is produced by many companies, both large and small. When shopping for gingko biloba supplements, either at the local health food store or on the internet, it is important to buy only from quality, reliable manufacturers, and to make sure that only the finest and purest ingredients are used in the manufacturing process.