The healing power of milk thistle

Post date: March 4th, 2008

The prickly milk thistle has been used in the treatment of various liver problems for more than 2000 years, and many of the earliest healers were well acquainted with this valuable plant. The milk thistle is actually a member of the sunflower family, even though it features flowers of purple instead of yellow. The milk thistle plant has the ability to stimulate the flow of bile from the liver. It is this bile stimulation that is thought to account for the effectiveness of milk thistle in treating ailments of the liver and aiding digestion.

Modern research into the properties of milk thistle
Modern studies have backed up the findings of these ancient doctors, and have substantiated the fact that milk thistle does indeed help to protect the liver from damage, and even has the ability to heal damage that has already been done. In Europe today, many doctors consider the milk thistle plant a preferred treatment for liver disorders from cirrhosis to hepatitis. (more…)

Myths about the flu

Post date: February 10th, 2008

The influenza viruses causes millions of people across the world to come down with some very annoying symptoms, and it can even lead to death in some cases. It’s a type of illness that is very common, but not many people understand it. In this article, we’ll examine some of the myths that surround the flu.
Myth: By taking the vaccine that can help you to avoid the flu when flu season rolls around, you will come down with the flu early.
Truth: The vaccine for the flu is an efficient method of avoiding the possibility of coming down with the flu when the flu season rolls around. The vaccines are changed from year to year to reflect the mutations that the flu strains have gone through in recent times. When you take a vaccine in order to prevent the flu, you are actually exposing your body to inactivated flu viruses. That means that you should not come down with the flu if you take the vaccine properly, as it is merely showing your body how to fight against the virus while it is in a disabled state. You shouldn’t worry about the consequences of getting a flu vaccine, and they are highly recommended to those who are especially at-risk for damage from the flu, such as senior citizens.
Myth: The flu is a common illness that goes away over a short period of time.
Truth: While the flu affects most of us to some degree where we get a fever, headache, and many other symptoms, the flu can be deadly. As many as twenty to forty thousand people in the United States die per year due to complications of the flu. While the common cold is often confused with the flu, the flu is a much more serious respiratory illness that can lead to infections and pneumonia in advanced cases.
Myth: There is no way to combat influenza besides getting rest and drinking fluids.
Truth: There are actually many ways to combat the flu that are currently available. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States has approved four different antiviral drugs that can be used to help to keep the flu at bay by damaging the virus’s ability to replicate. These drugs can be used preventatively if you are in a location where the flu is likely to strike, and they can also be used in order to help your body in fighting the flu. Those who take the drugs to remedy an already-present case of influenza can experience lessened symptoms as well as a quicker recovery time.
Myth: It can be tough to diagnose influenza
Truth: While it has been difficult to figure out exactly what respiratory illness a patient was facing in the past, we’ve now developed a type of mouth swab test that can prove to show if someone is afflicted with influenza with a 99.9% success rate. The results are produced quickly and doctors can subsequently prescribe the right solution to solving your problem.

Stop Hair Loss with Natural Herbal Remedies

Post date: February 9th, 2008

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.

Complications of the flu

Post date: February 1st, 2008

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!

Warning Signs of RSI

Post date: February 1st, 2008

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.

The power of Siberian root

Post date: January 20th, 2008

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.

All about repetitive strain injury

Post date: January 13th, 2008

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.

Five Things To Remember About the Flu

Post date: January 13th, 2008

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.
 

A New Flu Pandemic Threat – the H5N1 Virus

Post date: January 11th, 2008

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.

Diffuse Hair Loss

Post date: January 11th, 2008

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.