Hair loss can be an embarrassing but sometimes all-too natural process of aging. However, you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on chemically charged products that boast too good to be true promises. Most commercially available remedies make big promises about stopping hair loss, but the results are usually disappointing, if not downright dismal. If you want to try something besides the expensive commercial hair loss formulations, there are plenty of herbal remedies that have been traditionally used for treating hair loss. As with most hereditary conditions, the results of using natural herbal remedies will vary according to each case, but most of these herbal-based remedies are so inexpensive and easy to use that they are an accessible choice for just about anyone suffering from hair loss.

Saw Palmetto: This is perhaps the most common herbal treatment for men experiencing male pattern baldness. Male pattern baldness is believed to be caused by a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a by-product of testosterone. DHT works by shrinking and killing hair follicles. It is believed that the herb saw palmetto works by stopping DHT from binding to receptor sites right at the hair follicles. For some people, saw palmetto may even help reverse baldness. Most herbalists recommend that patients take a 160-milligram dose of saw palmetto each morning, and another dose in the evening. When choosing a commercial saw palmetto product, look for one that is described as ‘concentrated’ or purified.’ This will help ensure that the herb is at its maximum potency.

Nettle and Pygeum: Pygeum is a well-regarded African herb that is thought to help block one of the enzymes that is believed to cause male pattern baldness. Nettle is an herb that is thought to help enhance the effects of pygeum. To receive the recommended 13 percent of beta_sterols, most herbalists recommend taking 50 to 100 milligrams of nettle in conjunction with 60 to 500 milligrams of pygeum everyday.

Green Tea: Green tea is thought to help inhibit the 5-alpha-reductase_enzyme that is thought to be responsible for most cases of hair loss. Most naturopaths recommend taking one to three cups of green tea every day to help counteract the effects of the 5-alpha-reductase hair-killing enzyme. For women who are experiencing hair loss, there are also many natural herbal remedies that can be used to help counteract this often-embarrassing problem.

Gotu Kola: This traditional herb can be used to help slow the process of hair loss. Simply follow the directions on the label of the herbal supplement you choose.

Sesame oil: Use sesame oil to give yourself a hair-saving scalp massage. This is a traditional herbal remedy used in Ayurveda medicine. Simply massage the sesame oil into your scalp for a few minutes and rinse.

Fenugreek: Use fenugreek powder (most likely available in the spice section of your local supermarket) to create a hair-saving paste. Simply mix half a teaspoon of fenugreek powder with three-fourths cup of unsweetened coconut milk and make a hair paste. This paste is thought to contain hair-energizing properties that can help counteract the effects of hair loss.

The flu is quite a problem all on its own. The sneezing, coughing, fever and headache that one may experience when they are suffering from the influenza virus can cause considerable damage to your day-to-day activities. Sometimes people take the flu with a grain of salt due to how often it infects people, but few realize that the flu can actually cause some life-threatening complications. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the problems that can arise when the flu takes hold.
First, it’s important to consider your risk for flu complications. The flu tends to be a problem that is easily overcome by those who have a healthy immune system, and young adults are most likely to recover quickly. Young children and the elderly may be at more of a risk for the complications, and for that reason, they should exercise extra care when it comes to influenza preparations. You may want to consider getting a flu vaccine in order to eliminate the possibility that you will fall victim to the flu. Also, you may want to consider getting preventative medications such as antiviral treatments or Tamiflu in order to ensure that you’ll be protected in case the virus strikes within your household.
The most common complication that is of a dire nature when it comes to influenza is the threat of pneumococcal pneumonia. Pneumococcal pneumonia is an infection of bacteria within the lungs, and it can lead to death if untreated. If you are in a high-risk group for developing complications from the flu, you may want to consider getting a vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia as well as against influenza. Where flu vaccines need to be taken yearly to be effective, the pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine can last upwards of ten years without a need for another vaccination.
Bronchitis is another threat that the flu presents to those at a high risk for complications. Bronchitis causes an inflammation of the bronchi that are located within the lungs, resulting in a painful cough that doesn’t go away. Throat pain and symptoms that you might expect from a cold may also occur if you have bronchitis.
If you suspect that your flu case is serious enough to merit the possibility of complications, be sure to speak to a doctor as soon as possible. They can prescribe you with medications that keep the flu at bay by eliminating the virus’s ability to replicate. This can help you to get better from the flu quicker and may help to prevent the spread of the virus to another victim. As always, prevention is the first step when it comes to dealing with the problem of influenza. Be sure to exercise caution and be very hygienic when it comes to washing your hands. You shouldn’t touch your face with unclean hands, as it provides a means for flu viruses that you might have on your hands to get into your respiratory tract, infecting you with the virus. Your health is your responsibility, so stay safe!

Are you living with pain? Have you had an injury that just will not leave you alone? Do you have RSI? Do you have signs of RSI? Do you need to know what RSI in order to tell if that is what you are suffering from? These are just some of the questions that will be asked, but the big one is what is RSI?

Let’s start there first. RSI or Repetitive Stress Injury is something happens to many. It is a work related injury. RSI will normally affect those that are sitting at a desk every day for hours on end, or standing in a production line hour after hour. These things take a toll on your body and your body does let you know these things. However, if you don’t know what to look for in the first place how are you going to know what to do about them. These may be some of the everyday aches and pains that you are suffering from, but you don’t have to live with them. You can do something about them. So, let’s find out what the warning signs are for RSI.

As with anything, your body will give you signs when something isn’t right. The problem with this is that you don’t know what its trying to tell you. Therefore, you need to make sure that you are in tune with your body and its aches, pains, or whatever else may be going on. Everyone is different and everyone may or may not have this warning signs, but they are the most common with it comes to RSI. If you have any it is wise to see your doctor.

With RSI you can have recurring pain and/or soreness in your neck, upper back, shoulders, wrists, or hands. You can have tingling, numbness, coldness, or loss of sensations in these areas as well. A loss of grip, lack of endurance, weakness, and fatigue are all signs. All warning signs of RSI. You may even have hard muscles in your shoulders and/or arms. If you have a pain or numbness when you lie in bed, it may not necessary mean that your arm or hand is just asleep. Don’t mistake these warning signs that are flashing in your face to pass without getting them checked out. It is worth going to the doctor for, if you think there may be something else going on. That is what it means to listen to your body and do what is right for your body and your health. No one wants to live with pain.

Life is too short not to pay attention to the things that are going on around you or the things that are going on with your body. Only you can tell what is happening, and if it is normal or not. You shouldn’t be walking around with pain that you can fix, if you just knew what it was and how to treat it. See your doctor to find out more about RSI and if you have it.

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.