Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Acupuncture: Say Goodbye To Those Diseases

By Bi Kun tan

All of parallel processing methods, today, acupuncture will crown the list. China, believed to be the birthplace of acupuncture. What is acupuncture, and how it can be used to relieve pain A The following paragraphs will try to answer this question.

Chinese believe that nature consists of two forces that oppose each other is' Yin 'and' Yang '. The Chinese refer to the flow of energy 'for any'. The road 'for any' shall be known as' Meridian '. There are a number of lines of longitude in the human body.

Longitude every organ is composed of at least one. Chinese believe that no impediment to the flow \"so that\" results in creating an imbalance between the two opposing force ( 'Yin' and 'Yang') which leads to the disease. A complex network of more than four hundred acupuncture points on the human body.

Made of thin metal needles used in acupuncture therapy. \"Understood the pressure points, and the appropriate methods for diagnosis and treatment of patients\" is very important, every acupuncturist. The first thing, a acupuncturists must do is identify the location of a mobile improper 'gas'.

The number of points, to be used in the treatment of the meeting depends on a number of factors, such as age, the health of patients and patients. There are a number of techniques used to stimulate the same time, the use of acupuncture.

Auricular and electrical acupuncture are the two most popular stimulation techniques used in acupuncture. The word aauriculara means arelating to the eara. You might be surprised to know that auricular acupuncture can cure aacnea. However, only an experienced acupuncturist should be consulted if you want to be subjected to an acupuncture session.

\"Understand the pressure points are appropriate methods used to diagnose and treat patients,\" it's not a game of children. Takes years of study and practical research to be able acupuncturist. There are a number of 'acupuncture schools in the world today.

There are many Web sites specializing in articles that focused on the \"pressure points and the correct understanding and there are methods used to diagnose and treat patients.\" Acupuncture treatment is wonderful. Acupuncture has proven repeatedly that he has the ability to treat a number of diseases.

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Saturday, September 27, 2008

What are Ovarian Cyst Symptoms

By Jay Tyler

Having a number of ovarian cyst symptoms does not in and of itself prove that a cyst exists, but some symptoms are a much clearer indicator than others. A single symptom is generally not anything to worry about, but two or more of them together are a definite wake up call to see a doctor.

Menstrual irregularities, such as painful periods and abnormal bleeding may be an indication of ovarian cysts, especially if there is no prior history of irregularities. This could also mean a longer or shorter than usual menstrual period, an absent menstruation, or an irregular menstruation. Spotting or light bleeding can occur when symptoms of ovarian symptoms manifest. Unexplained weight gain may be another symptom of ovarian cysts.

Pelvic pain, such as dull aching in the lower back and thighs are common ovarian cyst symptoms. This pain may begin shortly before or after a period. It may also occur during intercourse or strenuous exercise. Pain and pressure both in the abdomen and in the pelvic area can be caused by the size, bleeding, bursting or twisting of a cyst. This can irritate the abdominal tissues and block the flow of blood to the cyst.

The symptoms of pregnancy are much the same as the symptoms of ovarian cysts. You must look for symptoms outside the common pregnancy symptoms to see the difference between the two. Infertility is one of the common symptoms present with ovarian cysts.

Ovarian cysts are often accompanied by abdominal pain, fullness or pressure. The pain may occur and disappear suddenly. Abdominal bloating or swelling may also be present. Development of an ovarian cyst may also cause uncomfortable pressure or pain during bowel movements, passing urine problems, and existence of pressure on the rectum or bladder.

All that most ovarian cysts need is time in order to go away. Some ovarian cyst symptoms, however, can be more urgent and need immediate treatment at a medical facility. These would be severe abdominal or pelvic pain that flares suddenly, shortness of breath, pain or fever with vomiting, and weakness or faintness that appears quickly.

As a whole, the nature of ovarian cyst symptoms makes it difficult for a general practice doctor to pick up on them. Cysts can certainly be detected in the absence of any symptoms, but most ovarian cyst cases are diagnosed not as a result of the presence of any ovarian cyst symptoms but rather during an individual's annual Pap smear.

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If You Have Been Searching For Kidney Stone Relief This Is For You

By Anthony M. Belden

How necessary is natural treatment for kidney stones?

Think over this before you make up your mind. The torture stones create is comparable to a bowie knife wound in the back. Visualize how anyone would suffer torment if a person grabbed a knife, made use of it to puncture a cut inside us, and furthermore twisted it each 2 or 3 seconds.

Then, envision the technique re-run once in a while. Small stones, Ghastly stones. Painstaking? Precisely, and it's not the sort of bitterness that, given some time, would dissipate. Quite the contrary, it's the unabating, agonizing variety that says "hello" just when you hardly expect it to on any one particular morning or night.

Forgetting the torture constituent however, kidney stone treatment is nevertheless a definite. Why? Stones could be quite little however they precipitate a large amount of damage to you, they may perhaps block the urinary flow thru the ureters.

These are the tubular passages which deliver urine to the bladder. Whilst this happens, the congestion creates aggravation which, in turn, provoke the kidneys to swell. Once in a while, these stones leave down the ureters, generating torturous spasms to the stomach area, the genital region and the back.

Not getting right kidney stone treatment, micro-organisms can breed where the congestion is and ultimately cause UTI (urinary tract infection).

Cures. Treatment for uric acid kidney stones can vary, as depends upon the bladder stones measurement and also the harshness of the symptoms exhibited. Usually, patients can excrete bladder stones by themselves, thus providing their own kidney stone relief.

Even patients who find this hard to do, could consume supplements or a homegrown drink - the Home remedy for kidney stones, to flush the kidney stones (also called renal calculi) out on their own.

But what if my kidney stones (also called renal calculi) are excessively bulky? What if, rather than passing out in a natural way, they block the ureters instead? This is when surgical treatment is necessitous. The renal calculi - kidney stones might be surgically eradicated. It is either that, or crushed using ESWL - extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Here are five helpful hints to avoid irritating kidney stones for for always.

1. Drink copious amounts of water. Eight or so cups is typically prescribed, but if anyone has had kidney stones -renal calculi, in days gone by, it would be best to drink at the least 14 glasses.

2. Drink generous amounts of lemonade (lemon juice, sugar and water). It's no wonder tonic, but it will be able to bring about something some drinks do not: increase citrate amounts in a person's urine. Citrate staves off the formation of bothersome kidney stones.

3. Do not consume oxalate-rich foodstuff. Spinach, soybean, rhubarb, chocolate, sweet potatoes, black indian tea, peanuts, wheat germ and beets are high in oxalate. Do without these.

4. Reduce salt intake. In line with the American Academy of Family Physicians - AAFP, people in general aught set their salt intake to more or less a teaspoon of salt per day. This recommendation is attested to by the Cleveland Clinic, which alerts us that excess salt leads to excess calcium deposits in the blood. These then become stones.

5. Trim your red meat levels. Bring down your red meat levels to two meals per 24 hours maximum. According to the AAFP, the proteins sustained in red meat produce uric acid when they have been broken down. Uric acid is the main offender for uric acid stone formation and furthermore gout.

Remember - the most effective assistance with respect to kidney stone development is to live, drink and eat healthy.

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Friday, September 26, 2008

Origin of Kidney Stones

By Xergio Rio

Are you suffering from kidney stones? If that is the case, few people are able to see your anguish or that of your dear one. Would you like to know the causes of kidney stones?

You may or may not be surprised to know that if one of your parents has kidney stone then the chances of getting it to you are unfortunately very high. Medical studies tell us that kidney stone is transferable through generations. So then, heredity can be one of the causes of kidney stones. The majority of the kidney stones are made of calcium and hypercalciuria (which are high levels of calcium in the urine). It is risky one. There is a predisposition to high level of calcium in the urine that may be carried from generation to generation.

You can see the persons with renal tubular acidosis and people that have problems metabolizing different chemicals including cystine (an amino acid), oxalate, (that's a type of salt), and uric acid (as in gout). These people are prompt to kidney stone and the reason is heredity. It is one of the basic causes.

Also, geographical location may be a cause of those kidney stones in your system. It's a fact that some people have kidney stone due to this geographic predisposition. For example, people from Southern United States have this increased risk. There are what is called: regional 'stone belts'. Additionally, the possibility of getting an infection is higher because of warm climate and that's because people to get dehydrated, water levels inside your body go down.

This way, the urine can become highly concentrated. This makes these chemicals to bind together and that's the the beginning of forming nidus of the stone.

Now, let's clear something up: Diet is not a direct cause of the kidney stone. If you have a person that's already prone to stone formations, then foods that have high calcium contents, just increase the risk of kidney stone formation. Then, you should avoid foods with high calcium content. On the other hand, the person who doesn't have a history of kidney stones, need not worry about the diet.

Remember that the person with kidney stone needs to take a balanced and proper diet so as not to facilitate the stone to develop.

If you take (OTC) over the counter products, this can increase the risk of forming kidney stone. Persons who take water-pills or diuretics regularly and those that consume high quantities of antiacids that contain the calcium mineral, end up elevating the calcium content in their urine and for this reason, may increase the possibility of forming stones. Patients that suffer with HIV who take the medication called indinavir (Crixivan) have the risk of forming these indinavir stones.

To solve the problem you must understand the cause. This can start solving the problem itself. Know what causes kidney stone. It can help one take preventive measures. That way, kidney stones can stop being a problem.

Prevention is better than cure. The presence of kidney stone in your organism is linked to your daily eating habits and the way you live. Healthy food with lots of calcium content may be a problem for your body. The fundamental cause of kidney stone is the regular build up of calcium in your body. Understand how your body works makes possible to put it under better control.

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Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Low GI Foods

By Greg Smithers

The glycemic index, more commonly known as GI, ranks carbohydrate foods according to their effect on glucose levels in the blood. High GI foods are absorbed rapidly and lead to a quick rise in blood glucose levels.

On the other hand, low GI foods are broken down more gradually. This leads to blood glucose levels that are more stable.This can help avoid a seesaw effect with fluctuations in both mood and energy.

Low GI foods release energy more slowly because they take longer to digest. This can give the feeling of being "full" for longer which decreases the need for snacks.

High GI foods, on the other hand, can lead to wildly fluctuating blood sugar levels, which in turn, can cause the pancreas to overproduce insulin. This can lead to illnesses such as Syndrome X, hypoglycemia, and type II diabetes. There is also research which suggests that lower GI diets help improve levels of 'good' cholesterol, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Most low GI diets don't restrict you to only eating low GI foods, but usually prompt you to add more foods with a low glycemic index in your diet. Simply adding a low GI food to a meal, has the effect of lowering the glycemic index for the whole meal. In particular, active people should use of balance of high and low GI foods to make sure they have optimal energy stores for exercise.

High glycemic index foods include many carbohydrates such as bread, pasta, rice, serial and baked goods. Low glycemic index foods tend to include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. However, within these broad categories there are differences. For example, bananas and potatoes would be classified as having a mid-range glycemic index.

Other factors, such as the methods used to cook food can affect GI levels.

While GI is useful, you need to be sensible. For example, chocolate is a low GI food, but it is not the best food to add to your diet.

Nevertheless, GI can be a useful tool for selecting between foods that have low levels of saturated fat and are nutrient-rich.

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Monday, September 22, 2008

Best Options in Home Cures for Hemorrhoids

By Kyle Stanley

Hemorrhoids are a common ailment that strikes nearly eight in every ten people at some time in life. They can also be an embarrassing problem that many do not like to talk about, even to their own doctors. The good news is that there are many options in home cures for hemorrhoids that you can try from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

If you think that you may have hemorrhoids, it is always best to consult with your doctor; he or she can give you a diagnosis and suggest treatments for your condition. Some of the symptoms of far more serious diseases (such as cancer) can be mistaken for the symptoms of hemorrhoids, so if in doubt, ask your doctor.

After you make sure that this is truly the problem, try a few home cures for hemorrhoids before deciding if you really need to go see your doctor for help. If the hemorrhoids are fairly small and do not cause a lot of discomfort you may get relief from a home cure for hemorrhoids. This may take care of the problem and eradicate the pain, thus the need for a doctor visit is not needed. These methods are not expensive and basically require that you make a few changes to your lifestyle that will result in better health and no more pain.

Watch What You Eat

One of the first home cures for hemorrhoids that you can try is to increase the amount of fiber and water in your diet. Stay away from constipating foods like the plague and opt instead for plenty of whole grains and fruits that will keep your internal workings running smoothly.

Another home cure for hemorrhoids is to drink plenty of water. This will allow your digestive system to do its job more easily. This and the diet will eliminate constipation and the need for straining, which is a major cause of hemorrhoids. If this alone is not enough, a stool softener can help as well.

Still another home cure for hemorrhoids is to use a medicated pad to pat the area several times each day. Tucks is one such product that many people use. There are also medicated ointments that can be used. This will not only protect the hemorrhoid but cut down on the amount of discomfort that they cause.

You can also take warm baths in clean water for up to ten minutes at a time. These can be repeated a number of times each day until you see your symptoms subside. Using the softest toilet paper that you can find and applying it with utmost gentleness and care will help to prevent additional irritation from that area. Finally, avoid lifting heavy objects, since the strain of this act can mimic the straining in the bathroom that exacerbates the hemorrhoid issue.

If your doctor has given you a diagnosis of hemorrhoids, try some of these home cures for hemorrhoids. If none of these measures succeed in providing relief, go back to your doctor to talk to them about other options for the treatment of your condition.

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Sunday, September 21, 2008

High Heels and Back Pain

By Taylor Beartoes

A fashionable pair of high heels is an essential part or any women's wardrobe. There are many brand names that we recognize, such as: Gucci, Steve Madden, Monolo blahnik and Christian Louboutin.

What do these high heels really do? For a women it makes the legs appear longer, the tush will appear to be higher and the calves are going to look and appear sleeker. What they are is a symbol of sex appeal and of course feminine beauty.

Orthopedic surgeons and chiropractors see high heels as one of the main causes for womens back pains. You may find yourself enslaved to have chronic back pain if you find yourself enslaved to those 4 inch stilettos.

If a women walks in her high heels all day, she will be putting her health at risk and a strain on her back. This is because an average woman walks 10,000 steps a day.

The high heels actually cause the body's weight to actually be centered forward, on or in the toes. Rather than distributed equally throughout the entire foot. What happens is this goes against gravity and nature. It causes stress on the muscles and on the vertebrae of the spine.

When women remove their high heels, you will hear a sign of relief. The relief of her whole body will feel like she is back on solid earth. The back pain will be relieved until she puts her high heels on again. The pain will come in the form of muscle spasms, stiffness and soreness.

The High Heeled Hell Story The trend for many centuries was for both men and women to wear high heels. It would make them seem taller and show some form of status in high society. Women would wear them to help increase their overall beauty and men would wear them to keep their feet in stirrups.

High heels are no longer fashionable for men but they still are for women and has been since the 1500's. Today, high heels are not only associated with youth and high fashion, but with sex as well. Playboy models, runway models and celebrities all still portray this trend. The high heel allure is among the masses.

Women have been suffering from back pain ever since the 1500's because of high heels. Here are some things that the high heels cause:

Bunions - Pain in back of calves and buttocks - Hip pain - Slipped discs - Calluses - Curvature of the spine - Chronic back pain - Knee osteoarthritis - Hammertoe

In the 1980's, the fat high heel became popular and is not less harmful than the skinny toed heel that is popular today. The fat high heel showed that it caused increase pressure on the knees.

What is recommended in heel size from podiatrists and orthopedists is one half to three quarters of an inch. This height is better at reducing back pain than the flat heeled shoes. What the small amount of lift does is it supports the foot, knees and the back. The physicians say that high heels should come with a warning that reads "Hazardous to your health!" If people listened to that back pain would be reduced.

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A Detailed Guide to the Practice of Aromatherapy

By Lorraine Butler

Aromatherapy is an alternative healing method that is gaining rapid popularity. Aromatherapy is the practise of using essential oils obtained from trees, flowers and other plants. The oils are distilled by steam and when used correctly can aid in treating certain illnesses and conditions.

There are hundreds of different essential oils used in the practice of aromatherapy, each having different properties and different therapeutic applications. Some are used for their calming, soothing properties while others have an invigorating effect for the patient undergoing aromatherapy.

For sufferers of chronic pain or recovering from an injury, aromatherapy can be most beneficial. Even the most serious of conditions can respond positively to aromatherapy. There is also a lesser risk of potential side effects associated with everyday medicines.

What it Can Do For You

Aromatherapy is an excellent alternative to those seeking natural cures or treatments for their ills. Given it's safety compared to regular medications, it works well for those trying not to resort to chemically based medicines.

From insect bites to fungal infection, chapped lips to sore throats, aromatherapy has a useful application. Aromatherapy has been used in cases of Alzheimer's with some positive results too!

Getting Started

Firstly, you must learn more about aromatherapy. Aromatherapy is an ancient art that can be traced back for thousands of years. There is therefore much to be learned about aromatherapy and if you are considering starting a treatment then you would be wise to learn what you can beforehand.

You'll want to learn about aromatherapy's practical uses. One is the aromatherapy massage, in which essential oils are used in combination with a massage to produce deep relaxation along with lowering the patient's blood pressure and slowing the heart rate.

Advocates of aromatherapy will agree that it is highly effective in treating stress and pain disorders. The overall effect of reduced stress and general feeling of well being is maybe why people recovering from sports injuries respond well to this treatment.

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Saturday, September 20, 2008

The Many Benefits of Calendula Flowers

By Susannah Singer

A native to the Mediterranean area, calendula (Calendula officinalis), is also called Marybud, pot calendula, Gold-Bloom, pot marigold, Garden Marigold, Holligold, Marigold, and Zergul. The plant has a yellow or orange flower.

The name calendula comes from the word calendar because calendula blooms every new moon. The name "marigold" refers to the mother of Jesus. Don't confuse calendula with the marigolds from your garden. Those are probably either African marigold or French marigold, a totally different species.

For those who like the technical facts, calendula contains these medicinal ingredients: calendulin, narcissin, beta-carotene and other carotenoids, lupeol, isoquercitrin, amyrin, rutin, volatile oils and sterols. Polysaccharides with properties that stimulate immunity are also found in the flowers.

Calendula benefits us both inside and outside the body. Internally, calendula helps with GI tract problems. It protects the lining of the intestines and stomach by limiting the effects of the bacteria associated with gastritis, peptic ulcers, and stomach cancer, and by inhibiting the causes of swelling and inflammation. It will thus sooth stomach ulcers and inflammation as well as fight fever, boils, abscesses, and recurrent vomiting.

External uses are related to the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities of calendula's orange petals. These two traits have made this flower a popular treatment for a host of bodily infections. Some feel it is as effective in treating ear infections as some leading prescription drugs. Try using calendula tea to wash eyes suffering from chronic conjunctivitis (pink eye). As an ointment, it will both soothe the inflammation and reduce it by attacking the bacteria causing the swelling. It is also effective in treating other inflammations. These include hemorrhoids, vaginal itching caused by menopausal tissue changes, insect bites, diaper rash, acne, burns, scalds, eczema, and sunburn.

By using this herb on infections, healing is more pain-free, better, and faster. Cosmetic creams use calendula to lessen the appearance of wrinkles and hydrate skin. Gargling with calendula water or tea may ease the pain of a sore throat.

In addition, calendula is used to treat capillary engorgement, chronic ulcers, varicose veins, and congestion. Calendula flowers are edible, and may be added to salads cereals, rice, and soups to add flavor and color. The petals can also be dried for use in teas as mentioned above.

Calendula may be purchased or prepared as creams, teas, tinctures, infusions, compresses, and washes. To make calendula tea, simply pour about a cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoons of calendula flowers and let sit for 15 minutes. Calendula tea may be taken 3 times per day. Calendula tincture, which can be taken with water or tea, can be taken 3 times a day (in doses of 1-2 ml). To make calendula tincture, soak a cup of flowers in .5 quarts of rectified alcohol for 5 to 6 weeks. A tincture dose is 5 to 15 drops. To create a calendula salve for external application, boil 1 oz of dried flowers or leaves with 1 oz lard.

Calendula is a very safe herb but a few cautions are in order. Be especially sure wounds are clean before applying calendula. If you have ragweed allergy, be cautious as some have also experienced allergic reactions to calendula. The alcohol in the calendula tincture will burn the raw tissue of wounds. It would be better to use a different form of the herb.

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

How Can Alternative Health Treatment Help

By Dr Pam AP Jun

Alternative medicine has long been used to treat a variety of conditions from psoriasis to dysentery.

There are so many types of holistic therapies in the market today that it is mind boggling, and not all of it created equal, which is why it's so important to keep up to date on the latest happenings in this rapidly growing field.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is a part of the US National Institutes of Health, located online at www.nccam.nih.gov, which is undertaking research, training, and dissemination of data to the public and professionals regarding the most popular health topics.

This is a comprehensive health advise site that discusses at length what consumers should know about the latest in alternative health claims, and other consumer concerns and issues.

Check out current clinical trials, research funding opportunities, and the continuing education series for all alternative health professionals in practise.

Find complementary and alternative health medicine information about common health conditions, including natural remedies, holistic healthcare, healing foods, as well as healthy solutions and practical strategies for self-care and prevention.

A popular health topic for this time of year is seasonal affective disorder or SAD, which results from shorter winter days and less sunlight.

Decreased energy levels are a common complaint that can be reversed simply by tanning or light therapy for twenty minutes every morning, eating more protein and omega-3, and by squeezing in any type of outdoor exercise whenever possible to boost serotonin levels from the natural sunlight.

In extreme cases it may even be worth relocating to a sunnier locale to avoid the winter blues altogether.

Find true health, and empower yourself to make informed nutritional decisions.

Health resources with remedies A-Z for your alternative health needs can be found online for information on alternative, ayruvedic, aromatherapy, homeopathic, essential oils, flower remedies, herbs, and other alternative treatments and therapies.

Also discover sites devoted to medical systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine, including sections for spiritual self-healing.

It's important to be knowledgeable about combining alternative medicine, supplements, vitamins, herbs, and nutrition with conventional medicine too, so be sure to advise your health care professional of everything.

If you have difficulty in starting, you can try health counseling, which is available online for your convenience for help to feel better in your body and achieve your ideal weight.

This is also a great way to manage and reduce your stress, increase your energy levels, find healthier ways to eat, and take on a truly holistic approach to life.

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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Effective Pain Relief With Acupuncture

By Wendy Lind, RAc

Acupuncture, a safe alternative to pain relief treatments, clears the blockage of vital energy within pathways in the body. These pathways are called meridians and each is linked to a specific organ or organ system. Acupuncture is more effective than traditional drug therapies because it treats the cause and effect of pain.

Pain caused by muscle or bone weakness, injury, physical trauma, physical strain, poor posture and many other factors can be relieved by acupuncture. Individuals suffering from Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome as well as headaches cause by stress, migraines, back pain and even pain from cancer treatments can experience pain relief using acupuncture.

In order to receive the most benefit from acupuncture therapy, it is important to accurately describe your pain to your Acupuncturist as well as when the pain started. If you know the reason or source of the pain that will be information the Acupuncturist can use to determine an effective treatment that will yield pain relief for you in the shortest amount of time. For example, different treatment points may be selected for pain that is sharp, stabbing or burning than for pain that radiates from a particular point throughout a limb or extremity.

There are three primary steps in the acupuncture pain relieving process. The first step involves stimulating organs that correspond to the specific pain. This step produces energy and blood flow which nourish the whole body and specifically the area experiencing pain. The second step is to identify the meridian to tap into. The final step in the process is to determine the points of needle insertion to target the painful area.

The needles the Acupuncturist uses are stainless steel and about the thickness of a human hair. They are inserted into specific treatment points in the human body, which then send a message to the central nervous system. When the central nervous system receives the signal, the brain releases endorphins, a natural brain chemical that helps in pain suppression.

A personalized treatment plan will be developed by your Acupuncturist. The plan will consider the nature and source of the pain, i.e., chronic, radiating, result of injury, etc., as well as your significant medical history. The needles that are inserted during the treatments will be left in place for several minutes. The actual duration will be determined by your response to treatments, which will be scheduled for several weeks out, until you realize long-term pain relief.
Often pain sufferers turn to over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications or powerful prescription drugs from a doctor. Both of these options can be harmful and both anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant mediations can cause adverse side effects. This treatment option only provides temporary pain relief. Acupuncture results in long-term pain relief with no adverse side effects that can limit your activities or potentially harm your body and interact with other medications.

While acupuncture is not an instant cure, some symptoms may be diminished after just the first acupuncture therapy session. It takes time to restore your body's energy systems to their properly balanced state. The number of treatments you will need to achieve complete pain relief will depend upon how long you have been in pain, the cause of the pain and how quickly you respond to the acupuncture therapy.

With no adverse side effects, acupuncture can be considered a completely safe alternative for pain relief. It is truly a holistic approach to pain relief, treating not only the pain but also the cause of the pain.

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Monday, September 15, 2008

Maca Powder - A Peruvian Superfood

By Jane Stephens

Once in a blue moon a herbal cure used by native-born people for thousands of years comes to our attention and it seemed so monumental to health that we question how we ever got by without it. Maca is a hardy perennial plant naturalized in the Andean Mountains and is the only member of its genus with a fleshy hypocotyl, which is merged with the taproot to form a pear-shaped physical structure approximately 10-15 cm long and 3-5 cm wide.

Maca is prolific in required minerals, specifically selenium, calcium, magnesium, and iron, and includes fatty acids including linolenic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acids, and 19 amino acids, and polysaccharides.

Maca is a very rich hearty food that incorporates high quantities of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and all the important amino acids so often problematic to acquire from a lone non-flesh food.

Maca is developing in world popularity due to its energising, libido and tonic effects which were recently covered in a Discovery Wellness article. Maca is also identified as having influencing stimulating and fertility effects.

Maca is already respected in the West as a 'superfood' and an influential herbal treatment treatment for everyday sexual health problems such as sexual dysfunction, low libido and low fertility rates. Maca is sometimes reported as an aphrodisiac for both men and women doubtlessly because of its outcome on testosterone levels.

Maca is an adaptogen which means it "adapts" to your body's metabolism and can help you reach your optimal level of wellness and boost vigor. It is also commonly known as 'Peruvian Ginseng'.

Some people find the personal effects of Maca in their body after only two days. Maca Powder results are befitting to the age and sex of the individual utilising it and Maca aids to counterbalance the hormonal system by boosting the body to bring about the hormones it requires.

With its umpteen health-enhancing properties at long last becoming widely advertised, Maca root is a product that can help people feel, look, and perform healthier. Maca is a natural and nutritious option to dramatically allay your symptoms during peri-menopause, menopause, and post-menopause.

If you are searching for a healthy, natural and nutritional product to boost your vitality and increase endurance then Maca is by all odds for you. Both men and women can profit from maca as it promotes greater staying power and vitality, an improved power to manage stress, and can even heighten your sexual health and wellness.

With maca, you can take a good, effective, and non-toxic way to importantly sustain a healthy sexual function, without the gambles or side effects of prescription drugs.

Maca's reported beneficial effects for sexual function could be due to its high concentration of proteins and vital nutrients though maca contains a chemical called p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate, which reputedly has aphrodisiac properties.

Maca is developing in world popularity due to its dynamic energy boosting effects, fertility enhancement and aphrodisiac characters and is an exceptional herb used at one time only by Inca Royalty. Maca is dense with minerals, enzymes, vitamins, and essential amino acids.

Maca is also consists of two alkaloids (Lepidiline A and B), plant sterols (-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol) and some important novel compounds which require further analysis including macaene and macamide which are believed to contribute to its benefits in areas of sexual performance.

Maca is a great all round food state supplement rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, vitamin B1, B2, B12, C, E, riboflavin, thiamine, ascorbic acid and essential fatty acids and these are the reasons it is regarded so highly.

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Sunday, September 14, 2008

Oil of Oregano for Toe Nail Fungus and Natural Remedies

By Rashel Dan

One of the most common cure for the condition is oil of oregano for toe nail fungus infection. The reason is that although natural remedies still need to be scientifically validated, a lot of herbal experts seem to agree about the useful properties of oregano. There are also a host of other natural remedies that may be as good as oil of oregano. Here's what you need to know about oil of oregano and other natural solutions to toe nail fungus.

Oil of Oregano

Carvacrol is found in oil of oregano. This is believed to be the plant ingredient that can actively work against fungi. Oil of oregano has also been found to be antibacterial and antiseptic. Oil of oregano can be applied directly on the infected nail. Not all sources however agree on how much should be used and how often it should be applied. Some users simply use it twice a day for an unlimited number of days until the infection clears. Others however point out a prescriptive period of only a few weeks. Users are also cautioned about the use of oil of oregano. It may not be good for pregnant women or those who have an iron deficiency problem.

Oregano oil can also be mixed with other oils. Some common combinations include olive oil and tea tree oil. Again, different sources offer different application tips. Some alternative oils and remedies may be mixed with oil of oregano. Other sources however advise alternating the remedies separately.

Other Possible Remedies

You have other alternatives. Oil of oregano for toe nail fungus isn't your only hope. There are a couple of other possible remedies. These include:

- Household Vinegar- As some may now, vinegar is antiseptic. It can also work on a variety of infections including those caused by fungi. You can use apple cider or cane vinegar. You can apply this remedy without diluting it directly on the affected nail. An alternative would be to soak your nail on a basin with equal portions of vinegar and lukewarm water.Co

- The Tea Tree Oil- This natural remedy is as popular as oil of oregano. It also has strong antifungal and antiseptic properties. It is in fact so strong that concentrated amounts of tea tree oil may cause skin irritation. You should therefore settle for a diluted preparation. Tea tree oil can be applied directly to the infected nail.

- Vicks Vapor Rub- This particular remedy isn't easy to explain. In fact, there are very few explanations on why Vicks can work well on nail fungus. It has been suggested that the natural components of Vicks Vapor Rub are possibly good toe nail fungus remedies.

Although there are other natural remedies, it is important to remember though that natural remedies rarely have standard instructions for application. You therefore have to try a remedy at your own risk.

Natural Treatment - An alternative to home made remedies would be natural products. There are a couple of products available online or in health stores that contain 100% natural ingredients. Manufacturers of these products offer some instructions for proper application.

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Saturday, September 13, 2008

How Does Dandelion Leaf Help the Liver?

By Susannah Singer

Have you heard the song that begins, "How many dandelions this year will grow"? The answer would have to be billions for fields and yards turn yellow in the spring with dandelion flowers. Most people just consider dandelion to be a nuisance. It most likely will be more welcome to you by the time you finished reading this article.

The name dandelion comes from the French phrase 'dent de lion,' meaning 'lion's tooth.' This refers to the jagged-edged leaves of this weed. The fancier scientific name is Taraxacum officinale. Unlike calendula (marigold) which is not the same annual flower found in American gardens, dandelion the herb is exactly what you think of growing in your yard or on a hillside. What makes this common weed so great?

All the dandelion plant is useful. The roots can be eaten as vegetables or roasted and ground to make a type of root "coffee." A cursory look through the internet reveals the flowers are used to make wine, in cooking (dandelion flower cookies?), a syrup, jam, and an oil to rub on sore joints. But the leaves have the most diverse list of uses.

Dandelion leaf is an excellent source of iron, sodium, beta-carotene, vitamins A and C, and especially calcium. Some feel that dandelion might have been one of the "bitter herbs" mentioned in the Bible. The leaves do add a bitter flavoring to salads and they can also be cooked like spinach. The best leaves are those that appear before the plant flowers.

One of dandelion leaf's greatest claims to fame is its ability to purify the blood and body organs. It is a wonderful liver cleaner and increases the output of the liver, the flow of bile into the intestines and the activity of the pancreas and spleen. This makes it a great treatment for hepatitis, yellow jaundice, and other liver related problems. By purifying the blood, it helps with some types of anemia. The acids in the blood that build up with weight loss are destroyed by dandelion. It also helps with low blood pressure, and builds energy and endurance.

Dandelion leaf is very effective as a body and blood purifier. It cleanses and increases the output of the liver. It also increases the flow of bile into the small intestine and boosts the effectiveness of the pancreas and spleen. Because of this, it is used to treat hepatitis, yellow jaundice, and other liver related problems. This means it also helps with some types of anemia. When a person loses weight, acids can build up in their system; dandelion will destroy these acids. It will also help to lower blood pressure, and build greater endurance.

Dandelion flowers are an excellent source of lecithin, a nutrient that elevates the brain?s acetylcholine. As a result, it may help retard or stop regression of mental ability caused by Alzheimer's disease. Lecithin also helps the body maintain good liver function as mentioned before. Dandelion also opens the urinary passages as part of its cleansing work.

The flowers of dandelion are an excellent source of lecithin. This increases the brain's acetylcholine resulting in retarding or stop regressing of mental disability caused by Alzheimer's disease. Lecithin also helps maintain good liver function, and opens urinary passages.

Native Americans found dandelion helpful in treating kidney disease, indigestion, and heartburn. Traditional Chinese Medicine recommends dandelion for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, including bronchitis and pneumonia.

Dandelion is regarded as a safe herb. However, some people report allergic or asthmatic reaction to this herb particularly those with allergic reaction to ragweed or daisies. Some warn patients with liver or gallbladder disease to stay away from dandelion but others feel this opinion is not true.

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Friday, September 12, 2008

Red Clover Benefits

By Kalynn Amadio

A symbol of luck for generations, the four leaf clover is hunted by children as a keepsake. The rare four leaf version is found only once in every 10,000 clovers. But in every red blossom of the clover plan is a compound that contains a form of estrogen. These compounds are known as isoflavones and are the reason red clover as an herb is used in herbal medicine.

Clover and Cancer

Current studies are showing that isoflavones like those in red clover, may aid in prevention of cancer cells forming and may even kill cancer cells in laboratory tests. But red clover has estrogen-like effects that could aid in the expansion of certain estrogen hungry cancers in the same way that human estrogen can.

Women may run the risk of developing estrogen hungry cancers like uterine cancer in the lining of the female uterus, if red clover is consumed over a long term. This is because estrogen-like compounds found naturally in red clover, also called phytoestrogens, can act like human estrogen in the body. On the other hand, preliminary research also tells us that people who maintain a plant-based diet including phytoestrogens have a reduced rate of cancer. Scientists believe this could be due to the phytoestrogen locking on to certain human cells thus preventing the natural human estrogens from doing damage to those at risk.

Red clover may alter the effects of any drugs containing hormones or derivatives of hormones like birth control pills for hormone replacement therapy, as well as the levels of natural hormones in the body.

Research is not clear on the consumption of red clover phytoestrogens by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Nor is it certain if women with beast cancer or other hormone based cancers should make use of red clover supplements or teas. In the area of prostate health, studies are under way in treating prostate enlargement and cancer.

Women who are in early stages or peri-menopausal may find comfort from the use of red clover as will women battling adverse symptoms of the menstrual cycle like breast pain. It is also used for the symptoms of prostate enlargement, high cholesterol and osteoporosis. The red blossoms of the clover are processed into extracts formed into capsules and tablets, teas and liquid.

Isoflavones, Menopause and Osteoporosis

Symptoms of menopause like hot flashes have been helped by use of isoflavones. This compound has also shown promise in osteoporosis and cardiovascular health as related to menopause.

There is not enough reliable scientific evidence to recommend red clover for osteoporosis. Menopause increases a woman's risk for developing osteoporosis (significant bone loss). Taking red clover has been shown to help delay osteoporosis in women who have not hit that stage of life.

Red clover goes by several other names like purple clover, bee-bread or cow clover and is used as an herbal remedy for cervical dysplasia. It is available in a variety of forms like tea or liquid extract, capsules and tablets or tinctures. Red clover is also a source for several nutrients: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, thiamine, vitamin C, niacin and chromium.

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Thursday, September 11, 2008

Dioxin Levels Significantly Higher in Organic Milk

By Russell Eaton

Coal-fired electricity stations send dioxins into the air as the smoke is dispersed. Also, dioxins come from all types of factory wastes, commercial incineration, traffic pollution, industrial emissions, fires, and many other chemical and industrial processes. Tests show dioxins to be the most potent carcinogen known to man.

Many studies show that dioxins cause serious illness in humans, including a variety of cancers, kidney disease, birth defects, poor health and premature death.

Unfortunately, dioxins are just about everywhere in nature because they get carried by weather patterns, rain, ocean currents, and wind to all parts of the globe. Dioxins settle on pastures, and on plants and grains that form part of the food chain for animals and humans.

Dioxins do not come from pesticides or fertilizers - they come from the environment at large and even from the water supply. That is why dioxins are found in equal measure in organic and nonorganic food. But we can minimize the amount we get by avoiding certain foods high in dioxins.

Normally, our bodies cope with a low level of dioxins. Some dioxins get excreted instead of being absorbed into the body to cause illness. We can, to some extent reduce the amount of dioxins we get by avoiding foods high in dioxins.

The question is: which food is highest in dioxins? Weight for weight, dairy milk has by far the highest amount of dioxins than any other food or drink. All mammals produce milk for feeding to their babies (including humans). The dioxins in the mother's body get concentrated in her breast milk. This occurs, because all nutrients (including dioxins) get concentrated in breast milk as a way of providing good rich nourishment to the new born.

Consequently, just about all human breast milk has an undesirable concentration of dioxins. But a baby stops breastfeeding after a few months so the level of dioxins received by the baby drops off. Another factor is that human milk has a much lower concentration of dioxins compared to dairy milk.

But it's a different story for a milk consumer. Over time, the daily consumption of dairy milk produces a dangerous build up of dioxins in the body, causing serious disease, below-par health and premature death.

There are plenty of studies showing that dairy milk has the highest concentration of dioxins compared to any other food product:

'Dioxins penetrate the environment via air, water and soil and are then incorporated in food chains. The major source of human exposure to dioxins (90%) is consumption of .dairy products.' (Professor Rocz Panstw, Zakl Hig, 1999, 50:3).

'The primary source of dioxins is food, especially .dairy products.' (Chemosphere, 1998 Oct, 37:9).

'The lipophilic nature of dioxins.may result in relatively high concentrations of dioxin contamination in dairy products.' (Journal of Animal Science, 1998 Jan, 76:1).

'Cows' milk is ideal for assessing levels because these compounds adhere to fat and are transferred to and eliminated in the milk of the lactating animal.' (Linda Fitzpatrick, Cork Harbour Alliance for a Safe Environment, 2005).

All kinds of dairy milk contain dioxins in varying degrees, including organic milk. Unfortunately over eighty percent of organic milk sold in the world is UHT milk (also known as Long Life milk). In the Americas and most of Europe virtually all organic milk is UHT milk.

With UHT milk you receive significantly more dioxins than regular pasteurized milk because more dioxins become absorbed instead of being excreted. This happens because the micronized fat globules in UHT milk are very much smaller than in non-UHT milk. Consequently, more dioxins from the milk get into the bloodstream. See below to find out more.

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What is a Food Allergy?

By Dorothy Medlum

A reaction by the body's immune system to something you ate or drank is called a food allergy. These particular allergies are more common in children than they are in adults. These are also more common to those who may have other types of allergies.

Very minute amounts of food can cause a reaction if you are allergic to it, and a severe reaction can be life threatening and occur suddenly.

When the body's immune system mistakes a harmless substance for a harmful one, an allergy has occurred. Such is the case in food allergies. The substance your body sees as harmful is the food itself.

Therefore, the next time you eat that type of food, your immune system releases great amounts of chemicals, such as histamines, to protect the body. These chemicals can then trigger symptoms that can affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, gastrointestinal tract, and skin.

Tips for Managing a Peanut Allergy

Artificial nuts can also be peanuts that have been reflavored with a nut, such as pecan or walnut. Manedlonas are peanuts soaked in almond flavoring.

Arachis oil is peanut oil. If you are eating at an African, Chinese, Indonesian, Mexican, or Thai restaurant, their dishes oftentimes contain peanuts or are contaminated with peanuts during the preparation process. Foods that are also sold in bakeries and ice cream shops often are in contact with peanuts. Many brands of sunflower seeds are produced on equipment shared with that of peanuts.

Keep in Mind

Most allergic individuals, studies show, can safely eat peanut oil-sometimes. If you are not sure, ask your doctor if you should avoid peanut oil because of your peanut allergy. Most experts agree if you have a peanut-allergic patient, he/she needs to avoid eating tree nuts as an extra precaution. Peanuts are found in many foods and candies, especially chocolate candy. Check your labels carefully. Contact the manufacturer if you have questions.

Tips for Managing a Wheat Allergy

Celiac disease and wheat allergy are two distinct conditions. Celiac disease, or celiac sprue, is a permanent adverse reaction to gluten. Wheat -allergic people have an IGE-mediated response to wheat protein. These individuals must only avoid wheat. Most wheat-allergic children outgrow this allergy.

Keep in Mind

Read labels carefully. At least one brand of hot dogs and one brand of ice cream contain wheat. It is listed on the label. Many country-style wreaths are decorated with wheat products. Some types of imitation crabmeat contain wheat. Wheat flour is sometimes flavored and shaped to look like beef, pork, and shrimp, especially in Asian dishes.

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Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Diabetes - The Controllable Disease!

By Richard H Ealom

Introduction:

Diabetes is a disease that affects the way the body uses glucose (say: gloo-kose), a sugar that is the body's primary source of fuel. It is a chronic condition that requires close attention, but with some practical knowledge, you can become your most important ally in learning to live with the problem.

"The prevalence of diabetes is going up because obesity is going up," says Judith Fradkin, director of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases at the National Institutes of Health. Generally, the first step in treatment is to make patients believe that this is a disease that can be effectively controlled. "The amount of money it will cost in 10 years to manage diabetes is going to bust the economies of many countries" says institute president Paul Robertson.

Diabetes, caused by the body's inability to manufacture or use insulin effectively to prevent a buildup of sugar in the blood, now affects almost 21 million in the United States and roughly 250 million worldwide. It is a disease that can also cause long-term complications in some persons, including heart disease, stroke, vision impairment, kidney damage and can also cause other problems in the blood vessels, nerves, and gums.

Blood:

During the past decade, medical studies have shown that by lowering high blood pressure and cholesterol and keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible, diabetics can forestall many of the disabling complications that once appeared inevitable.

"This information, along with simpler, more accurate blood tests and better drugs, has improved treatment", says Buse, an endocrinologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. "New drug treatments, more accurate ways for monitoring blood sugar levels and assessing control of diabetes, and practical steps that people can take are more common than ever", she says. "Before 1993, it wasn't clear that decreasing blood sugar prevented or delayed complications, and it's only within the past 10 years that MD's learned that controlling blood pressure and cholesterol reduced complications", she says.

Types:

There are two primary kinds of diabetes: type 1, an autoimmune disease that results in loss of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and occurs most often in children or young adults, who need daily insulin shots; and type 2, which accounts for 90% of diabetes cases and is associated with obesity and inactivity and decreases the body's ability to use insulin effectively.

Type 1 diabetes (formerly known as insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes) happens when the person's own immune system attacks and destroys the cells of the pancreas that manufacture insulin. Type 1 diabetes occurs at about the same rate in men and women, but it is more commonly found in Whites than in minorities.

Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non-insulin-dependent diabetes) is different. It is the most common type of diabetes and about 9 out of 10 people with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It is more common in older people, mainly in people who are overweight.

Conclusion:

The best way to prevent diabetes is to make some lifestyle changes and maintain a healthy weight.

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Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Homemade Colon Cleanse: The Basics in 3 Steps

By Cindy Soto

You're considering a homemade colon cleanse because you already get the importance of your colon health to your overall well-being.

How can you have the energy and vitality you desire if your digestive system is out of order?

So, what are you hunting for in a homemade colon cleanse? On the internet you will find everything from recipes to herbs and raw eggs. Just be careful whose advice you choose to follow.

Here are 3 steps to think about before you go and try the next thing:

1 -- Do you find yourself running after the latest fads? Take a stand for your health, knowing at the end of the day it's up to you. Of course, you can seek advice from doctors and other professionals, but it's your health. And without health, what else is there?

2 -- You can buy colon cleansing products or study the ingredients and then buy them yourself for less. But ask yourself, how can you help your body address the root cause of any digestive issues you're facing?

For ongoing health and vitality you need to feed your body the nutrients it needs. And so the best homemade colon cleanse is actually eating as much raw, organic vegetables as you can. They contain all the fiber, enzymes and nutrients you need. And drink clean, toxin free water, at least half your body weight in ounces.

3 -- Now, address the colon directly. When you start eating and drinking the right things, you can still give a little push and help the colon eliminate the old waste that has been impacted in the colon walls. Give it a bath. If you've never done an enema, it may sound scary, but it's actually quite easy.

Enemas are gentle, but if you don't want to do this, consider going to a colon therapist for a deeper more thorough treatment.

Don't be fooled by the claims that it doesn't matter what you eat during a homemade colon cleanse. They may just be trying to sell you products. You know how vital it is to take charge of your food intake.

When you do some of these basic steps to help your body heal itself, things start happening for you. Your body is tremendous and self-healing. All it needs is a little help.

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Sunday, September 7, 2008

The Benefits Of Coral Calcium

By Lee Dobbins

The number of people who take advantage of the health benefits of coral calcium all over the world is in the millions. Of course, there are different types of coral calcium so it's bests to be knowledgable before you go out and buy supplements for your health. Here is a bit about marine coral calcium:

Whether it's organic or inorganic, marine coral consists of two major compounds, calcium and magnesium; and it's tasteless and odorless. Marine coral diffuses slowly in water, approximately 1% per hour. However, it will dissolve much faster (within minutes) when ingested by capsule into the stomach.

One of the benefits of coral calcium is that it can adjust to the alkalinity of water over a period of time. It also helps in controlling the bacterial content in the water and aids in removing the residual chlorine as well as other impurities.

When you are trying to learn about marine coral calcium it is important to know how a general certificate of analysis of coral calcium should read. It should be 20% to 28% of calcium and 10 to 14% of magnesium. Lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and bacteria should read below critical levels. The coral calcium should also be checked for its content of PCB's or poltchlorinated biphenyls - man made toxins. The PCB's should test negative in coral calcium in order for it to provide you with health benefits as they are thought to contribute to many diseases including cancer.

Mineral chelation is another important characteristic to be aware of with marine coral calcium. In nature mineral chelation occurs when organic substances bind to metallic minerals or metal ions. Chelation occurs in coral calcium when the metals are diffused into the body chemistry. Much research has shown that the body can use chelated metals more efficiently than plain minerals.

It is not necessary to an understand the characteristics of marine coral calcium in order to reap the healthy benefits of coral calcium - simply buy the best quality capsules you can and see how your health improves!

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Discover Homeopathy

By Mark Archer

Not to be confused with aromatherapy, homeopathy has been around for quite some time. Since the 18th century when bloodletting was the cure of the day throughtout Europe, homeopathy was giving hope to those who rejected the dangerous practices of traditional medicine. Still popular, it is the second most popular treatment in the United States.

The concept of homeopathy is based on the law of similarities. This is very much like the idea behind vaccinations. When we get a vaccination for a disease, we get a little diluted dose of the disease and our immune system fights off the disease. Most healthy people who get vaccinated will develop a little sickness after the vaccination, but it will quickly disappear. This is because their immune system kicked in and killed the disease. Once the disease has been cured by the immune system, it does not reoccur.

Homeopathy is similar. There are approximately thirty common remedies used to treat a variety of ailments. You get a small dose of the remedy that has been highly diluted. This remedy would create the symptoms of your ailment in a healthy person. Homeopathy depends on and strengthens the immune system to come to the rescue. This is why homeopathy works so well for many ailments.

In addition to using the natural immune system in the body, homeopathy also treats the entire body and seeks the cause of the illness instead of just treating the symptoms, as in the case of traditional medicine. In traditional medicine, if you go to the doctor for an ache or a pain, only the ache or pain will be treated.

Instead of traditional medications such as chemotherapy and radiation to treat cancer that may or may not work, homeopathy uses the natural immune system to fight off the cancer. This has been known to work in some people. There has been a medical link between the immune system and cancer. Most people, however, choose to use traditional medicine when treating cancer. Actress Suzanne Somers was criticized for using homeopathic remedies to treating her breast cancer, but she survived her ordeal. Other celebrities with this disease were not so fortunate, yet they went the traditional medicine route.

Homeopathy may or may not work on each individual. Most homeopaths believe that disease or ailments come because of a disturbance in the life force. When an ailment refuses the remedies of homeopathy, it is thought that the disease was inherent and would have been unable to be treated even with traditional medicine. This happens often when people, as a last resort, use homeopathy as a way to cure certain diseases after traditional medicine has failed.

Homeopathy has been enjoying a new popularity lately, though it has been around for about two hundred years. As more people get acquainted with it, more and more people are finding out about its effectiveness and gentleness.

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Friday, September 5, 2008

Massage In Indianapolis

By: Ben Crabtree, LMT, CNMT

When you think of Indianapolis, Indiana you probably don't think of massage therapy. Sure, Indianapolis is the home of the greatest motor sports event in the world, a great professional football team, and more stuff to do than you might imagine. But you can also find a great massage in Indianapolis. It happens to be true that in addition to everything else that Indy has to offer, it also has some remarkably good and highly expert massage therapists. Massage in Indianapolis is widely available from independent Licensed and Certified Massage Therapists, Day Spas, and Massage Clinics.

Getting a massage therapy session in Indianapolis is an enjoyable and therapeutic experience that is something you will want to repeat over and over because it feels wonderful and has tremendous health benefits. No matter what your goal is from relaxation to relief of muscular aches, pain and chronic tension, have a more comfortable pregnancy, or improve your sports performance massage therapists in Indianapolis can help you achieve your goals. In fact there are several types of massage in Indianapolis. The most commonly offered massage styles in Indianapolis are:

Deep Tissue Massage - massage of the deeper musculature and connective tissue to release chronic tension and pain. It's often a firmer massage that is appreciated by experienced clients.

Swedish Massage - perhaps the most common relaxation massage. This relaxing massage technique uses gliding strokes, kneading, friction, and striking strokes along with gentle stretching and rocking.

Neuromuscular Therapy - advanced pain relief targeting specific trigger points in muscles, tendons, and attachment sites.

Sports Massage - massage to assist the athlete in preparing for and recovering from sports events.

Trigger Point Therapy - targeted pain relief using specific pressure to release painful knots in muscles.

Prenatal/Pregnancy Massage - massage for the mother-to-be helping her to decrease pain and discomfort throughout the pregnancy.

However, in addition to the more commonly practiced massage techniques your Indianapolis based Massage Therapist might also practice some other well known and effective massage therapy techniques:

Lymphatic Drainage
CranioSacral Therapy
Reflexolgy
Medical Massage
Myofascial Release
Aromatherapy Massage

Would you like a special treat when you get a massage in Indianapolis? Couples Massage is a true treat where a couple can receive their massage together in the same massage room with two massage therapists. During the couples massage each member of the couple can choose to receive a different type of massage from that of their partner. Or, the true massage therapy enthusiast will find that some Massage Clinics offer Four Hand Massage, also known as Duo Massage or Tandem Massage, where you can be massaged by two massage therapists at the same time.

Massage in Indianapolis is available on an incall basis at a Massage Therapist's office, salon, or clinic, in a Massage Clinic, or in one of many conveniently located Day Spas. Massage in Indianapolis is also available on an outcall basis in your Indianapolis area home, office, or hotel. No matter where you are in Indianapolis a great massage isn't far away.

Massage in Indianapolis is very relaxing, stress reducing, pain relieving, and performance improving so get one today. It will be the best thing you’ve done for yourself in a long time.


Author Resource: You can Find Indianapolis Massage Therapists or Indiana Massage Therapists on the worldwide directory of Massage Therapists and Bodyworkers MassageSoup

Article From High Profile Articles



Allergy Medicine: Stop Them In Their Tracks!

By Dorothy Medlum

It is not fun to have an allergic reaction. You may suffer with sneezing, coughing, weeping, or even swelling, in some cases. Some people experience migraines because of their allergies while others may go into shock, in extreme cases.

Every allergy is different and not all medications are equal in quality or in strength per dosage. You have to find what works for you. This can be better accomplished by talking with your doctor or your allergist.

How Do They Test for Allergies?

When you go to your allergist to be tested, she will test you with various substances. This way she will be able to determine exactly what your specific allergy might be.

You may be tested by anything from dairy products to types of grasses to dust and dander. What your allergist is searching for is a certain reaction.

If you do have an allergy to whatever substance was injected into your skin, your skin will take on a red appearance with a raised place on it. This is a sure sign that you have experienced a reaction.

Now your allergist can better determine what your allergy is and prescribe a regime of medication designed just to meet your specific needs.

When having an allergy, depending on the severity, you need to find the medicine that will work best for you. If your allergy is mild, perhaps, an over the counter allergy medication will work well for you.

If however, the allergy is too severe, say to shellfish, and you swell up like a basketball and must be rushed to the emergency room, an over the counter medicine would not do the trick. This type of allergy will require serious medical attention and a stronger prescription prescribed by a doctor.

If you are allergic to something and you would like to at least rid yourself of some of the symptoms, get tested today. Ask your allergist if there is a medication he would recommend that would help you feel better again. There are many medicines on the market that will help with your symptoms. So get on the move to living a better allergy- free life.

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Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Heart Disease - Public Enemy #1?

By Richard H Ealom

INTRODUCTION: Heart disease is a number of abnormal conditions that affect the heart and its blood vessels. Also called cardiovascular disease, it primarily affects older persons and indicates that there are problems with the heart and arteries.

It has become the leading cause of death in the United States, is a major cause of disability, doesn't go away, but by working with your doctor, you can live longer and feel better. Types of cardiovascular disease include: Coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type and is the leading cause of heart attacks.

In 2003, almost twice as many women died of cardiovascular disease (both heart disease and stroke) than from all cancers combined. The older a woman gets, the more likely she is to develop cardiovascular disease; however women of all ages should be concerned.

African American and Hispanic American/Latina women are more likely to develop heart disease because they tend to have more risk factors such as obesity, not enough exercise, high blood pressure, and diabetes than Caucasian women. Women of color are also more apt to die of the disease.

Having diabetes increase your odds of getting heart disease and high levels of triglycerides have been linked to the disease in some people. Also Being overweight increases your risk. Chest or arm pain or discomfort can be a sign of cardiovascular disease and an omen of an actual or impending heart attack.

If your dad or brother had a heart attack before age 55, or if your mom had one before age 65, you're more likely to develop heart disease. Birth control pills can pose risks for some women, especially women older than 35, women with high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol and women who smoke.

Almost 700,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. each year. You can find out more about heart disease by contacting the National Women's Health Information Center at 1-800-994-9662.

The risk of coronary disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control those factors that put people at greater risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attack. The very best ways to prevent heart disease are to control high blood pressure, diabetes or a high cholesterol level and, if you smoke, STOP SMOKING.

CHOLESTEROL: What does a high level of cholesterol have to do with heart disease? It can clog your arteries and keep your heart from getting necessary blood. People with high blood cholesterol or elevated blood triglycerides often have no symptoms, so have your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked often. If your levels are high, talk to your physician about what you can do to lower them. You may be able to decrease your levels by eating better and exercising more, if not, your physician may prescribe medication to lower and bring it under control.

If there is too much cholesterol in your blood, it can build up on the walls of your arteries, forming plaque and producing blood clots. There are basically two kinds of cholesterol: Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is usually called the "bad" type because it can clog the arteries that transport blood to your heart. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as the "good" kind because it takes the bad cholesterol out of your blood and keeps it from building up in your arteries.

All females age 20 and older should have their blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked at least once every 5 ys. If you are overweight, reducing your weight can help decrease your total cholesterol as well as LDL ("bad cholesterol") levels.

Try to consume more foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol. Skim (fat-free) or low-fat (1%) milk and cheeses, and low-fat or nonfat yogurt, Fruits and vegetables (try for five a day), Cereals, breads, rice, and pasta created from whole grains (such as "whole-wheat" or "whole-grain" bread and pasta, rye bread, brown rice, and oatmeal), Limit consumption of organ meats (liver, kidney, brains), Egg yolks, Fats (butter, lard) and oils, Packaged and processed foods.

There are two diets that may help decrease your cholesterol: Heart Healthy Diet and Therapeutic Lifestyles Changes (TLC) Diet. Exercise can help decrease LDL ("bad cholesterol") and raise HDL ("good cholesterol"). If your physician has prescribed medicine to decrease your cholesterol, take it exactly as you have been told to.

CONCLUSION: Heart disease is not contagious - you can't catch it like you can influenza or a cold. It is a general term that refers to a variety of acute and chronic medical problems that affect one or several components of the heart. The symptoms you describe to your MD will help to decide if you need to be tested for heart disease. Your MD will also check if you have any conditions that can increase your risk of getting the disease.

These conditions include: high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, elevated cholesterol level, menopause in women, family members who have had heart disease at a young age. If you have cardiovascular disease, your angina can be treated by treating the heart disease. Maintaining a healthy diet and weight in addition to a regular exercise program can help you avoid developing heart disease.

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Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Treating Health Problems with Chaste Tree Berry

By Susannah Singer

In ancient times, it was called Monk's pepper. This is because chaste tree berry (also known as Vitex and by the trade name Femaprin) was said to have an anaphrodisiac quality, that is, its ability to decrease sexual drives. Other sources indicate it was used as an aphrodisiac, in other words, for the opposite effect. How can both be true?

Though it grows to a height of twenty-two feet, chaste tree is just a large shrub native to the Mediterranean and southern Europe. Naturally it grows on moist riverbanks, but it can be grown in ornamental gardens in America as well. Look for its blue-violet flowers to blossom in midsummer. Chaste tree berries are only used to treat female problems today.

The above seeming contradiction isn't the only one related to this herb. In history it has been used to inhibit excessive milk flow after birth, and to encourage it. It is used to treat post menopausal symptoms by some, and others say it exacerbates them. Some have used it to encourage conception, but others say that it does nothing for infertility.

The reason for contradictory results from chaste tree berry is that it is an adaptogen. This means it works through the adrenal glands, in this case the pituitary, to produce adjustments in the body that normalize hormone imbalance. In other words, it constrains hormonal excesses and encourages deficiencies. Other herbal examples of adaptogens are garlic, ginseng, echinacea, ginkgo, goldenseal, and taheebo.

To accomplish this balancing act for the body, chaste tree berry increases the production of certain hormones which reducing the production of others. In this way it may help overcome infertility by shifting the body's hormonal balance in favor of the gestagens which are used by the body to condition it for pregnancy.

Chaste tree berry encourages production of progesterone. This is why the herb is especially effective in balancing the female reproductive system. It is taken to help restore menstruation, to regulate heavy periods, and, as mentioned above, to restore fertility caused by hormonal imbalance. Some using it have found relief from PMS tension, and eased the changes during menopause. Premenstrual breast tenderness, linked to excess prolactin, is helped with chaste tree berry.

Other uses include relief of paralysis, pains in the limbs, and neuropathic muscular weakness, all treated with chaste berry tincture. Chaste berries are even used to treat acne in men and women. The berries can be ground in a pepper mill and used as a mild substitute for black pepper. The spicy aroma of the leaves and flowers are used for flavoring.

Dose: Take 20 to 40 mg of the herb, or its equivalent daily. If using a tincture, 20 drops one or two times a day is normal. Capsules or tea (one cup) may also be used. Taking chaste berry shortly before bedtime may improve sleep. Chaste tree berry is slow acting and it may take two or three months to know if it is helping.

Warnings will vary but some say pregnant women and nursing mothers should not take chaste tree berry. Also women with hormone-sensitive cancers (e.g. breast, uterus, pituitary, etc.) should avoid it. Chaste tree berry should not be taken with exogenous hormones such as oral contraceptives or menopausal hormone replacement therapies. Some experience an itchy allergic rash, mild nausea, or headaches from taking it. A few women have complained that the length of their cycle changed.

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Losing Weight Via Alternative Methods

By Chris Channing

Being overweight is a problem that is facing most citizens across many nations today. To get back to a slim size, all sorts of methods and options are being explored. If nothing has seemed to work just yet, there is one alternative that is proving to be an easy and effective weigh loss solution.

One odd attribution to the weight we gain and can't lose is the fact that eating any type of unhealthy food in the past few years could still have an impact today. This is because food can buildup in the intestinal tract from not being digested properly, which can add up to 5 or more pounds over a long period of time. In this case, what is called a "colon cleanse" is necessary.

Another reason some attribute inability to lose weight is the lack of motivation. If one feels too tired, they aren't going to be able to exercise and stick to diets as they had planned. Part of this is attributed to the fact that the blood may become somewhat intoxicated of the waste that couldn't be properly passed through the intestinal tract. Kidneys and livers help take toxins out of the bloodstream, but this can also put extra strain on such organs that is unnecessary.

Laxative diets have been warned against for creating an actual physical dependency upon the user, not to mention they strip the body of needed nutrients. Their effect on weight loss is still impressive, although using them for such methods is obviously not safe. A colon cleanse works much like the laxative does, but doesn't have the dependency as is much more safe under right conditions.

Fiber is a type of natural colon cleanser that is obtained over the counter or consumed in most foods. It's important to keep fiber in one's diet, as experts agree, since it acts much like home colon cleansing kits do. Most colon cleansers can be replaced with a good diet of fiber, but a doctor should be consulted before going anywhere with any solution as there can be adverse side effects.

Always be careful when going about a detoxification process to lose weight. Weight loss is something that will come gradually, not all at once. Cleansing one's intestinal track more than once a week can actually cause damage or vitamin deficiencies, although some experts admit to have such colon cleansing routines for shorter intervals. Again, a doctor should be consulted for specific information regarding this process.

In Conclusion

Next time you try to go lose weight via exercise and don't feel in the mood, try checking into a colon cleanser of some sort. It may be just the trick that brings you to a slimmer size and lighter weight.

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