Siberian root has been used as an energy tonic in China for thousands of years, but the western world has only recently discovered the healing power of this herbal remedy. Siberian root has long been studied for its ability to reduce stress in men and women, and those taking it often report being better able to endure physical and emotional stress.

Siberian root is thought to also be quite effective at fighting fatigue and at curing a variety of ailments. This ability has led to quite a following for Siberian root, and many of the biggest enthusiasts find that it works best when used in the traditional Chinese way. The Chinese have historically used Siberian root to reinforce the vital energy of the body, known to Chinese medicine as qi. Others enjoy the power of Siberian root to ward off colds and flu, and to enhance memory functions.

The power of Siberian root
Siberian root is known to contain many unique compounds that can positively affect the adrenal glands. These small glands rest on top of the kidneys, and they are known to secrete hormones that are effective in fighting stress. Taking Siberian root is thought to enhance the ability of the body to handle physical stress and to enhance the disease resistance of the body as well.

Therefore, many believe the Siberian root may be able to prevent many diseases that are caused by stress. Users who take Siberian root have reported that they are better able to withstand the rigors of physical labor, and to work at greater speed and with greater accuracy. Siberian root is also said to allow people to adapt more readily to heat, high altitudes and low oxygen situations. Others use Siberian root to enhance their mental alertness and improve their concentration.

Siberian root and chronic fatigue syndrome
In addition, Siberian root is one of the few herbs that has been found to be effective against chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Siberian root is also thought to be effective against normal fatigue and many users report feelings of greater energy after taking this herb.

Some people even feel that Siberian root is able to increase both male and female fertility and to reduce male impotence. In traditional Chinese cultures Siberian root was often used as an aphrodisiac and a fertility enhancer, and modern medicine is studying these effects.

Traditional uses of Siberian root
Siberian root has also been used in traditional medicine to treat symptoms of menopause, and to relieve the symptoms associated with menopause. It is thought that Siberian root may also affect the hormone levels and tone the muscles of the uterus. These abilities may make it valuable for relieving menstrual cramps and other associated problems.

Siberian root is available over the counter in a number of different places, including health food stores, grocery stores and supermarkets and even on the internet. There are a number of online retailers of Siberian root, and they can provide some very competitive prices.

No matter where you buy your Siberian root, or what conditions you use it to treat, however, it is important to purchase high quality brands form manufacturers who use the most modern manufacturing methods. How herbs such as Siberian root are handled after harvest, and how they are processed, can have a profound impact on their therapeutic value.

Repetitive strain injury, or RSI, is a problem that many people across the world are unfamiliar with. Also referred to as repetitive stress injury, this type of affliction stems from the overuse of certain body parts while undergoing too much activity. For instance, one who plays the guitar in an overly stressful amount may begin to develop RSI. In repetitive strain injuries, the muscles and the tendons that are located in the arms and the back are aggravated due to overuse. It’s a disorder with many different names, and some refer to it as WRULD, which stands for work related upper limb disorder due to the area of the body which it tends to affect the most.
More often than not, assembly line workers tend to be affected the most by this disorder. Workplaces can act towards eliminating repetitive strain injuries amongst their work force by encouraging the use of proper posture, along with ensuring that stressful movements only occur for short times with regular breaks. For those who are already afflicted with a case of RSI, the condition can be improved by doing stretches and strengthening exercises, as well as massages. There are many different types of repetitive stress injuries, many of which you are probably familiar with. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Tendonitis, DeQuervain’s syndrome, as well as many other different individualized afflictions fall under the category of a repetitive stress injury.
If you think that you may be suffering from some form of repetitive stress injury, it’s important for you to speak to a doctor. Symptoms such as recurring pain in a localized area that you commonly use may denote a condition of RSI. Also, if you’re experiencing tingling or numbness in an area of your body that you regularly use, you may be afflicted. The muscles of the affected area may feel fatigued, and you may also find that you have a lack of strength present. It’s also important to note that symptoms may not necessarily mean that the problem lies in the area where you are experiencing pain or numbness. For instance, a numbness of the hand may be the result of pinched nerves in the shoulder.
Since there are many different types of RSI, there are many different treatments to help relieve the specific symptoms that you may be suffering from. Treatment options include physical therapy regimens that can help to strengthen the area that is afflicted, as well as possible surgeries in order to correct damage. Quick relief from RSI can usually be found via the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, which can bring down swelling and pain. Stretches and yoga have also been used in order to help the patient to regain a sense of muscular posture. Avoiding stressful movements of the affected areas is also advised when it comes to getting over a case of repetitive stress injury. Healing a case of RSI will take patience and hard work in order to make a full recovery, so be sure to put forth your best efforts.

Influenza is a deadly disease that kills hundreds of people each year, and one that has killed tens of millions in the past. So how come you don’t know so much about it? If you want to beat such a deadly illness, you might want to read on. Here are five facts about the flu that you need to keep in mind.
Number One: The Flu Is Dangerous to Your Health
You may not think that it is, given today’s present state of medical development. The flu is often taken to be something that happens as a matter of course, especially if you have not taken a flu shot. Although hundreds of thousands of people die each year of the flu worldwide, we might even be perversely thankful for that. A little less than a hundred years ago, tens of millions of people were dying from the flu, in what was dubbed the Spanish flu Pandemic. As recently as 40 years ago, one million people died in Hong Kong because of an outbreak of the flu.
So the next time flu season comes along, don’t just shrug it off. It’s not much of a stretch to say that the flu has killed fifty million people in the past century. With such a deadly killer on the loose, you would be remiss not get your annual flu shot. After all, don’t you want to stay away from something so dangerous?
Number Two: The Flu Has Many Symptoms 
The flu causes your body to exhibit a number of symptoms, none of them particularly pleasant. These symptoms include muscle aches, tiredness, headaches, runny nose, stuffed nose, stomach problems, fever, and many others. It lowers your powers of resistance and can exacerbate other conditions, especially those that involve the heart, the lungs, and the kidneys.
Number Three: The Flu is Contagious
Current strains of human influenza are transmitted through a variety of ways, but mostly by contact with airborne viruses. When infected people sneeze, talk, and even spit, the virus is transmitted. Accordingly, people who have the flu should stay away from other people, and other people should stay away from someone who is infected. 
Number Four: The Flu Is Changing
Influenza strains are constantly in a state of mutation. This means that each year, they are at least slightly different from the preceding year. To combat this, a different vaccine mix is prepared each year. The fact that flu viruses change from year to year can be a cause for concern: there might come a time when our vaccines no longer work against it.
Number Five: The Flu Can Be Prevented 
The flu is dangerous, true, but it can be prevented. An annual flu shot is usually the best course to take to avoid its ill effects. The flu shot, which is covered by most insurance policies, contains the virus strains that scientists and medical practitioners believe to be currently spreading among the population. These viruses are weakened and “fed” to your immune system, which soon envelops, destroys, and becomes more efficient against the invaders.
 

Flu pandemics occur on a relatively predictable ratio of 3 per century, as the flu virus has “pattern cycles” which last around 40 years. For that period of 40 years, the virus will slowly evolve into newer strains, however when the pattern cycle is over, it will form an almost radically different strain of the virus, which is harder to combat by the body and easier to transmit. Since the last great pandemic was the 1957-1958 Asian Flu (there were a couple of other epidemics after that, however they were quickly quelled and did not reach the status of a pandemic) it is predicted that we are on the brink of a new flu pandemic threat. This theory has been confirmed in 1997, when bird flu triggered a shockwave in the scientific community as the disease killed thousands of flocks of birds all over the world and infected several humans.

It must be noted that the H5N1 virus is not yet capable of starting a new pandemic. In order for a virus to be a pandemic threat, it needs to fulfill three conditions: it needs to have the properties to cause a lethal condition, it needs to have an efficient way of passing from the carrier (birds in this case) to humans and it needs to have a quick way of spreading from human to human. At this point, the H5N1 virus only fully completes the first condition, of being deadly to humans.

The virus itself is not deadly, however it can cause several other conditions that are highly dangerous. The most common one produced by the H5N1 virus is the SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome. This syndrome blocks air paths and affects the lungs quickly after the body has been infected and is in most cases lethal. If found on time, SARS can be treated but in most cases, the infected person will not realize he has the syndrome until it is too late.

The second condition, of the virus being transmittable from the carrier to a human being is not yet entirely fulfilled by the H5N1. Although the first few cases of bird flu in humans have been reported as early as 1997, the total number of documented cases remains under 300 on a world scale. The number itself is not alarming, however the rate with which the infections increased with each flu season is. Whereas in 2004 only 25 cases were documented, by January 2005 the 100 mark was hit. By April 2006 200 cases were reported and this summer the 250 mark was hit.

Lastly, the final condition for triggering a new flu pandemic is also not entirely complete. The H5N1 virus cannot transmit itself from human to human with ease and until a few years ago it was considered impossible for the virus to do so. And although only a handful of human-to-human spread cases are documented, it is alarming that the virus found a way to do so.

Those who are learning about hair loss may also begin to realize that there are a variety of reasons for hair loss. This includes a variety of factors that relate to the problem of thinning and baldness. One of the common problems that are often spoken of is called diffuse hair loss. If you are experiencing some hair loss, determining what type it is and how to help solve the problem, will allow you to approach the hair loss problem accordingly.

Diffuse hair loss is when you begin to lose your hair from the scalp region. It is often considered to be a temporary condition that is related to a disease or other factors. If you have been diagnosed with diffuse hair loss, you can consider a variety of things that may be related to it. This will then help you to realize what needs to be done in order to treat your hair and get back to normal.

Depending on the person, you will lose your hair at a different frequency. One of the defining signs of hair loss is that it will cause your hair to leave your scalp, but you will not go bald completely. It is closer to a thinning of the hair, than a complete baldness or loss of your hair. This thinning then defines diffuse hair loss. However, it may be attributed to a variety of factors.

When you have diffuse hair loss, each one of your hairs will begin to lose their pigmentation. This can be related to age, a different balance of nutrients or hormones or a variety of other factors. Diffuse hair loss may also be related to a disease or to other more serious conditions in the body that is reflected by the hair. When you speak to a health care provider, be sure to ask what the diagnosis of your diffuse hair loss is related to.

One of the things to consider with diffuse hair loss is that each of the hairs will eventually grow back and be replaced. As soon as the scalp is able to move past the disease, rebalance in the body or replace pigmentation, then the hair will be able to produce the same amount of protein and pigments in order to help the hair to get back to normal thickness and length.

If you have been diagnosed with diffuse hair loss, then you can easily get over the problem by waiting for your body to rebalance. If you are unsure of what this problem is related to or why it is happening, then you can ask your physician about the diagnosis. One of the factors to consider with diffuse hair loss is that you will have the ability to re-grow your hair after your body changes again. It is also important to remember that diffuse hair loss will not lead to baldness. Keeping this in mind will help you to begin to look into the problem and find ways to solve it. You can be sure that you are not alone in your hair loss. Many people suffer from this same disorder.

Menopause, also known ominously as “the change,” is a difficult time in most women’s lives. Most women experience many of the difficult symptoms of menopause, which can include night sweats, hot flashes, vaginal dryness, loss of sex drive, memory loss, depression, and sudden mood swings. Many women also experience weight gain during menopause. Many women decide to go with hormone replacement therapy in order to deal with the most trying symptoms of menopause. Most women feel that hormone replacement therapy is their only choice during menopause. But there are many herbal and natural therapies that can help women ease menopausal symptoms. Here are just five easy to use herbal remedies that can help ease some of the most common symptoms that women experienced during menopause.

Chasteberry: This herb is often overlooked, especially when it comes to treating the difficult symptoms that many women experience during menopause. Chasteberry has long been thought to help have a profound effect on the body’s hormones. Many traditional herbalists and naturopathic doctors believe that chasteberry can make a profound difference in the lives of women who are currently suffering from the most difficult symptoms of menopause. Many herbalists believe that chasteberry can actually help reverse the vaginal changes that are generally a part of menopause. Chasteberry is also thought to reverse the effects of a lowered libido that many women experience during menopause. Many practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine also believe that chasteberry can help reverse many of the most difficult symptoms that women are apt to experience during the course of the menopause process.

St. John’s Wort: This is a popular herb that is recommended to menopausal women for its ability to help treat the symptoms of anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. St. John’s wort is believed to be even more effective in treating depression than traditional antidepressants that are prescribed for mild to moderate depression. Most herbalists and naturopathic doctors recommend taking 100 to 300 milligrams of St. John’s wort supplement each day. Make certain that the St. John’s wort supplement is standardized for 0.3 percent hypercin three times a day.

Ginkgo biloba: This is another popular herb that is thought to help increase and improve blood flow to the brain. Ginkgo biloba is also popular antioxidant. Ginkgo biloba is recommended to menopausal women who are experiencing memory loss. Most herbalists recommend taking 40 to 80 milligram capsules three times each day.

Valerian: Many menopausal women find that they have a difficult time falling asleep. This is where valerian comes in. Valerian is a safe and nonaddictive herbal remedy for getting a good night’s sleep. Herbalists recommend taking 300 to 500 milligrams of valerian each night, at least one hour before bedtime.

Lavender Essential Oil: Another natural and safe way to achieve a peaceful night’s sleep is through the use of lavender essential oil. Lavender essential oil is an easy way to integrate aromatherapy into your menopause herbal therapy. Simply drop a few drops of lavender essential oil onto your pillow for a restful night’s sleep.

The goji berry just may be the most powerful of all anti-aging foods on the market. More and more people are discovering the power of the goji berry, also known as lyceum barbarum.

The history of the goji berry
The goji berry has long enjoyed a privileged place in traditional oriental medicine, and it has been used in traditional Asian medicine for thousands of years. For many in the modern world, however, the goji berry has remained a well kept secret.

Many in traditional medicine have noted that many of the longest living people in the world eat a diet rich in the goji berry, and this tiny red fruit may well be one of the most powerful of all anti-aging foods.

The first healers
Some of the first healers to recognize the power of the goji berry were the Himalayans. These traditional people shared their knowledge of the goji berry and it healing properties with the herbalists of Tibet, China and India. One of the most highly prized elements of these traditional herbalists were the fruits of the goji vine, which had flourished in the valleys of the Himalayas for thousands of years. Those herbalists took this powerful food back home with them, and they continued to spread the word about the power of the goji berry.

There are many varieties of goji berry, grown in many parts of the world, and as the popularity of this food continues to grow, more and more people are growing the goji berry for profit. The most powerful and nutrient rich goji berries, however, still come from plants grown in the valleys of the Himalaya mountains, so it is important for buyers to understand where there supplements come from.

What makes the goji berry so special?
The goji berry contains four individual polysaccarides, also known as phytonutrient compounds. These phytonutrient compounds work in the body to direct and carry instructions used by the cells of the body to communicate with one another. These polysaccharides are often referred to by scientists as master molecules, due to their ability to control many important functions of the body and its immune system.

The goji berries grown in the Himalayan valley exhibit a well balanced level of these various polysaccharides, and they have a greater nutrient density than berries grown elsewhere in the world.

There are many ways that the goji berry can be used in a healthy diet, including supplements, juices and the fruits themselves. There are many places to buy goji berries and goji juice as well, from traditional supermarkets to specialty and whole foods retailers. When buying goji berries, however, it is important to purchase them only from top quality suppliers who are as concerned about your good health as you are. It is also important to know where your goji berries or goji juice comes from, since the goji berries grown in the valleys of the Himalayas can be far more nutritious than those grown in other parts of the world. The goji berry is one of the most exciting and useful new food to be discovered by the modern world, showing how the wisdom of the ancient world is once again shedding new light on common health problems.

For over fifteen thousand years the human race has been using herbal remedies to resolve all their medical problems, but it has taken time to get the scientific world to take notice of the powers herbal remedies posses. Scientists have extensively tested a wide range of herbal remedies from around the world and found that many, if not most carry properties that may help conditions ranging from a small headache to cancer.

What aroused the scientist’s interest?

Herbal remedies have seen a revival of sorts in the western world, it seems that wherever you turn there is an alternative medicine store selling remedies ranging from the basic to the exotic. Due to the large interest in herbal remedies, scientists decided to embark on large-scale clinical trials to see how they work.

What did the scientist’s find?

What astounded the scientists was the way some of our every day foods were proven to have amazing qualities. Bee honey has shown to be a herbal remedy that does not capture the imagination, yet carries amazing anti bacterial qualities. Due to the large sugar content and low moisture levels, honey forms a natural barrier against nearly all bacteria, this is why honey never spoils. It was also found that some of the more exotic plants used as herbal remedies are actually dangerous to humans if large enough quantities are used, but in smaller quantities they can make an aggressive medication against the more threatening medical conditions.

Scientists have said the clinical trials were a success in proving that herbal remedies do work and that it really comes as no surprise. The reason why they were not surprised Mother Nature can supply a lot of natural medicinal treatments is due to the fact that our modern medicine is a distant relative of the herbal treatments used by our cave dwelling ancestors.

Moving forward

Scientists are looking further into the reasons why herbal remedies work to see if they can use the medicinal qualities in plants for the innovation of new medicines. There has already been talk of certain qualities in Chinese plants that could have an impact on lung cancer cells. It seems that modern medicine still has a lot to learn from its more natural predecessor, it is not surprising that pharmaceutical companies are willing to finance more exploration into the world of herbal remedy. Many pharmaceutical companies see natural substances as a great way of using the world around us for treatment purposes; this also fits in with their business model, as it is usually more cost effective, too.

Summary

If you are interested in finding out more about herbal remedies then it could be a rewarding experience, there are a great many people that have found positive effects from taking these natural substances. Herbal remedies have lasted since the dawn of man, and will still be used till the end of mans time on Earth; we need to harness the full power of the plant life and animal products around us so we can make the best benefits available for our bodies.

Whilst you may associate cellulite with those who are overweight, it is important to recognise that the characteristic lumps and bumps of “orange-peel” skin can afflict even the skinniest of people.

Cellulite affects women rather than men and it is a condition that affects the connective tissue of the body.

The problem of cellulite occurs when pockets of fatty tissue become trapped beneath the connective tissue of the body. Whilst the skeleton provides a framework for the body for support and protection, the organs and tissues of the body are held together by a network of connecting tissues called the superficial fascia that lies under the skin.

The skin is fairly elastic and it will tolerate an amount of expansion and contraction caused by fluid and fat level fluctuations. The connective tissue underlying the skin is no-where near as elastic and it will not tolerate such changes.

As a result fat cells become stuck beneath the connective tissue in nooks and crannies from which they cannot escape - and this is what causes the bumps and bulges on susceptible areas of the body.

Whilst calorie controlled diets will reduce levels of fat in the body, they do not affect cellulite and it is for this reason that even the very slim can be affected by this problem.

Even if the fat cells are eventually persuaded to dissipate whether through diet exercise or massage, the connective tissue will not revert to its former shape as it has no elasticity. It’s a bit like over-filling a plastic carrier bag and causing it to become mis-shapen – no amount of smoothing and folding will restore that carrier bag to its original shape and size.

There are particular parts of the body that are more susceptible to cellulite simply because these are the areas that are prone to storing more fat in the first place. These include the thighs, hips and buttocks – all areas designed to lay down stores of fat, in days when food supplies were not plentiful, to sustain the female during pregnancy, childbirth and lactation.

Unfortunately, the genetic programming of the female body has yet to catch up with modern day food supply levels.

In comparison to cellulite, fat is remarkably easy to shift from the body. This statement should give the reader an idea of how stubborn and persistent cellulite can be. For those who are overweight, the excess weight can conceal cellulite and it is not until this excess weight is finally lost that the cellulite is uncovered and revealed. Being thin can make the cellulite appear to be worse as it is far more visible.

To rid yourself of cellulite is a long process that requires resolve and determination. Starting with a complete detoxification; continuing with a cleansing diet that is high in fluid and nutrients and incorporating regular daily aerobic exercise and weight training.

A diet high in water rich fruit and vegetables is then required for life, to prevent the problem recurring.

Massage can help, although the jury is out on whether the various lotions that are now available really do help the condition. Just the physical action of massaging affected areas to stimulate circulation, improving oxygen supply to the cells and encouraging the elimination of toxins can do nothing but good. (Massage should be avoided in any areas where there are varicose veins)

So whilst cellulite may be caused by fatty tissue initially, the problem will persist even in the absence of fat. Dieting to reduce cellulite does not work.

You’ve probably heard of RSI, better known as repetitive stress injury, and know how painful it can be to someone who has it. You don’t want to get this condition yourself, so it can’t be emphasized enough how important it is to prevent this disorder. There are a few simple changes that you can implement in your office setup and your work habits that might be able to save you a lot of pain months or years down the road. If you ever do get an RSI, then you should be prepared for healing to be a long, frustrating, and drawn out process. Prevention is the key.

One thing you can do to help prevent an RSI is to type correctly. This is one of the best things that you can do. You should never contort your hands to do key combinations on your keyboard, like a shifted letter. This is one of the most common mistakes that people tend to make when they are typing. By making key combinations by contorting one hand, you could experience tingling and numbness or a loss of feeling in your pinky.

This is known as cubital tunnel syndrome or ulnar neuropathy. Instead of contorting your hand to do key combinations, you should use one hand to hit the letter key and the index finger of your other hand to hit the other key. It puts strain on your hands to twist them. If you rest your wrist on a wrist rest or your desk while you are typing, then you are forcing your hands to twist in order to reach some of the keys on the keyboard. It is better on you if you keep your hands moving freely above your keyboard and let the muscles of your arms to move your hands.

You should take frequent breaks from the computer and the keyboard. It is better for you to take several short breaks versus a few long breaks. You can take your hands off of your keyboard and let your arms drop to your sides, get up and move around for a few minutes, or whatever relaxes you a little. You should do this about ever half hour to forty-five minutes. Take the time to stretch and loosen up the muscles in your neck and shoulders. By stretching, you are helping to prevent yourself from injury. Before you begin typing, you should stretch your wrists. Also stretch them several times throughout the day.

When you are typing it is important for you to keep you wrists straight and flat. How you hold your arms, neck, and shoulders can also contribute to any problems you might experience. Sit in your chair with your thighs level and your feet should be flat on the floor or on a foot rest. Keep your back straight while you’re sitting and your shoulders should be relaxed. Your arms should be bent at a rough 90 degree angle and the top of your monitor should be at eye level. If you must make adjustments, then make them to the monitor and keyboard, don’t make them to your body.