The Facts on Fats

The Facts on Fats

By Louis Ignarro, Ph.D. Nobel† Laureate in Medicine

Though you may have been taught the opposite, fat can actually be good for you. In fact, there are healthy fats and unhealthy fats - and knowing the difference is essential to your health. Below is an easy-to-use guide that will help you understand the differences between fats. 

UNSATURATED FATS (Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated) 

• Monounsaturated Fats
  
  Monounsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature but firm up when cooled in the refrigerator. They are generally considered healthier fats and are found mainly in plant sources such as nuts and avocados, as well as olive, peanut and canola oils. Like all fats, monosaturated fats are high in calories. If you increase the amount of monosaturated fats in your diet, be mindful of your overall intake in order to manage your weight.
  
• Polyunsaturated Fats
  
  Polyunsaturated fats can be either liquid or soft at room temperature, and are found in plant oils such as safflower, sunflower, corn, flaxseed and canola oils, as well as in seafood. Polyunsaturated fats include the Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9. In addition to providing energy, EFAs are part of the structure of every cell in our bodies. We need EFAs to achieve & maintain a healthy heart; they are also essential for the healthy function of the brain, eyes, skin, joints, hair and the immune system. To supplement your intake of health-promoting Omega-3, try Herbalife's Herbalifeline and Tri-Shield. Keep in mind that polyunsaturated fats are also high in calories. If you increase the amount of polyunsaturated fats in your diet, be mindful of your overall intake in order to manage your weight.

SATURATED FATS 

Saturated fat is solid at room temperature and is most often found in animal food products including milk, eggs, meat and butter. Some plant products like palm, coconut and palm kernel oil are also saturated. Saturated fats are not inherently unhealthy, but an excess of these fats in the diet raises cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. 

TRANS FATS 

Trans fats are chemically engineered, with a metal catalyst like nickel, at very high temperatures. Although some may look liquid, they maintain their structure for long periods of time (which is why fast food chains can fry food in the same oil all day long). The FDA suggests regulating your trans fat intake and to replace them with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats whenever possible. New label laws require companies to list amounts of trans fats on their product labels. 

Preparation of Egg Shampoo

The first and foremost part of keeping the hair healthy is to shampoo it regularly for removing all the dirt from it. It is necessary that the shampoo one is using should be free from chemical properties as much as possible. The best policy is to use herbal shampoos and homemade shampoos containing natural elements. Here are few instances of preparation of egg shampoo mixing different natural substances with the egg yolk. An egg shampoo is good for enhancing the health of the hair as it attributes it protein and other nutrients.

Here are different ways one can go for preparation of Egg Shampoo. These are principally, processes of making homemade egg shampoos which in turn will really turn out to be useful if used regularly.

Quickly made egg shampoo

Ingredients: 1 beaten egg, ½ tsp lemon juice, ½ cup water, ½ tsp olive oil, 1 cup liquid soap

Preparation: Mix all the ingredients thoroughly in a bowl and then apply it on the hair, keep for ½ hour and then rinse it off.

Normal Egg Shampoo

Mix two egg yolks in a glass containing warm water, then strain it and apply it on hair and keep for 1 hour and then rinse it well using warm water.

Conditioning Egg Shampoo

Ingredients: 1 tsp shampoo, 1 egg, 1 tbs powdered gelatin containing no flavor

Preparation: Mix all the ingredients and then beat well so that there shouldn’t be any lump. This makes the hair thick and shining and act as a good conditioning agent.

Egg and Honey Shampoo

Honey and egg are 2 of the most beneficial ingredients for your hair. Both honey and egg are easily available in the market and are commonly used in household all over the world. These 2 key ingredients come together to become the honey egg shampoo that works magic on your hair. If you wish to add bounce, shine and radiance to your hair, try out this homemade shampoo.You will need the following ingredients to prepare shampoo with honey and egg:

• 1 Large Egg
• 1/4 Cup Honey
• 2 Tablespoons Liquid Soap
• 1 Tablespoon Almond Oil (You can also use wheat germ oil)
• 1 Tablespoon Witch Hazel
• 1 Tablespoon Rosewater
• 2 Tablespoons Water

Preparation of Honey Egg Shampoo is very easy:

• Put all the ingredients together in a jar or container which has a top that can be screwed shut.
• Shake the container or jar thoroughly till all the ingredients are blended well together.
• Apply the mixture to your hair like any other shampoo.
• Wash your hair thoroughly with water.

Honey provides shine to the hair whereas egg helps to make is soft, smooth and bouncy. Provide you hair with the honey egg shampoo treatment and see it transform into one of your best features.

All purpose Egg Shampoo

Ingredients: 2 Eggs, 2 tsp henna, 1 tsp amla, 1 tsp shikakai, 100 gram curd, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 tsp honey

Preparation: Mix the ingredients to make an even pack and apply it over your hair. Keep it for 1 hour and then wash it with a mild herbal shampoo.

All Natural Egg Shampoo

Ingredients: 2 c of water, 2 bars of Castile Soap grated, 1oz tincture of benzoin, 3 egg yolks and 2 oz. of glycerin

Preparation: Mix the ingredients and make a shampoo

Lemon Egg Shampoo

It is an excellent homemade shampoo that deeply nourishes, vitalizes and rejuvenates your hair from within making it look shiny and soft to touch. This shampoo is also extremely effective if you wish to add bounce to your hair.

The lemon-egg shampoo is prepared using homemade ingredients. This ensures that you hair is not affected by any harmful chemicals that might be present in other industry made shampoos.

• 1 Egg
• Any Fragrance Oil
• 3 Tablespoon Shampoo (unscented)
• 1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

Preparation of lemon-egg shampoo is extremely easy.

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl till they are blended in well together.
2. Apply the mixture to your hair like a normal shampoo and massage it well into your hair.
3. Wash off with normal water.

Lemon offers cleansing properties that ensures that your scalp remains healthy and your hair mixes shine with radiance. Egg is an excellent moisturizer for your hair and will coat it with a protective shield. Try the lemon-egg shampoo and feel the natural effects of the shampoo transform your hair into your best asset.

Henna and Egg Shampoo

To prepare henna and egg shampoo, you require the following ingredients

• 5 Tablespoon Natural Henna Powder
• 1 Egg
• 1 Cup of Warm Water
• 1/2 Lemon Juice

Follow the steps to prepare your henna and egg shampoo:

• 1.Mix the henna powder, egg and warm water and blend them together to make a smooth paste.
• 2.Let the mixture sit for 1 hour.
• 3.Put in the lemon juice to the mixture and blend it in thoroughly.
• 4.Apply the paste all over you hair and scalp and let it remain for at least 2 hours till the mixture dries. You can also keep the pack on overnight as per your choice.
• 5.Wash out the mixture from your hair with warm water.

Enjoy your soft, smooth, straight and shining hair that bounces with health and vitality after treating it with the henna and egg shampoo.

Yoga for Weight Loss

Yoga will help you burn more calories per day and get a more lean and strong body.Yoga can support your weight loss goals by giving a healthy direction. Weight gain is the result of leading a lifestyle where you take in more calories than you utilize.

Yoga offers a good solution to this problem. Yoga tones the body in a uniformed manner, unlike any " weight loss program" which claims to decrease your butts by this much inches and waist by this much, leading to side effects. Yoga can be practiced at any age to keep the body supple.

With all the conveniences of modern life such as washing machine, car, computers we do not use as many calories as we did just a few decades ago. Another big player in the weight gain game is diet. Modern lifestyle includes an abundance of packaged food with appealing food aromas, food colors, spices, refined products and even addictive ingredients. No wonder we find ourselves facing the weight gain dilemma. How can yoga help us get out of the vicious cycle of taking in more calories than we utilize? Listed here are some of the benefits:

* Yoga is a natural exercise for everybody. We have been doing yoga right from the time we were babies.

* Yoga can give you the energy and enthusiasm to create your weight loss plan and more importantly the inner strength required to stick to the plan. Create a strategy based on clear understanding of your problem. Get help from a Sri Sri Ayurveda and Sri Sri Yoga experts.

* Yoga can support your weight loss goals by giving a healthy direction to your life energy.

* Balance your body with yoga postures. Some yoga postures, when done correctly, massage the endocrine glands and the digestive system which improves digestion.

* You can build your support group at the nearest Sri Sri Yoga class and make friends interested in a healthy lifestyle.

* Lastly and most importantly, control how much, how & what you eat with yoga. Regular yoga practice can give you a valuable and unshakeable body consciousness that will help you eat less and help you eat the right food.

* Enjoy your first steps to a more healthy and happy lifestyle, enroll yourself to a yoga class right away. Find the right teacher for your level, and get a lean, fit and strong body.

Healthy food for Digestive System

Digestion is the mechanical and chemical breakdown of food into smaller components that are more easily absorbed into a blood stream, for instance. Digestion is a form of catabolism: a breakdown of large food molecules to smaller ones.

The digestive system is very important for the maintenance of health. The digestive system processes everything we eat and drink to supply the body with the energy and material that it needs to function, build and maintain itself. It comprises the digestive tract from the mouth through the stomach, small and large intestines, to the anus.

There are many areas in the digestive process where things can go wrong. 

Below we have addressed

: * Crohn's disease,

* irritable bowel syndrome (IBS),

* hemorrhoids (piles),

* indigestion, and * diarrhea.

We can reduce the risks of developing a range of Digestive System Disorders, and add many more years of healthy, active time to their life span, by eating a healthy, high fiber diet including lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, while avoiding processed foods, fast foods, and foods that are high in salt, sugar, and fat.

you may benefit from including one or more of the following foods in your diet - all of them are rich in nutrients that are particularly important to the health of your digestive system.

Ginger

Ginger is often used to settle an upset stomach or treat severe stomach ailments such as dyspepsa or colic. It is frequently used today in developing countries to treat diarhea. Ginger contains special enzymes responsible for catalyzing the proteins in your food, thus aiding in digestion and the prevention of craps.

Foods rich in fiber

Your body needs fiber. Once the missing fiber in the diet, you are prone to constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heart disease and some cancers. Foods rich in fiber and filter to keep food in the digestive system to extract energy and nutrients, wastes also pushed back out. Please add to your daily diet you all kinds of vegetables, fiber from whole grains, whole grain products, fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, lentils …

Water

Drinking water between your meals cleans the stomach of the small trapped food pieces and gives it a rest so it can stop producing acids. Water also helps to clean the digestive tract of small pieces of food. Enzymes, water, and good bacteria all work together to maintain optimum digestion, nutrient absorption and health.

Avocados

Avocados are one of the best foods you can eat for digestive health. Avocados work to stimulate the healthy functioning of your digestive organs, including your pancreas, gallbladder, liver and intestinal tract.

Oats

Not only do whole oats contain plenty of soluble- fibre, they also provide significant amounts of selenium, thiamin, phosphorus, and manganese, and smaller amounts of copper, folate, vitamin E, and zinc.

If you have to choose between rolled oats and quick oats, choose the rolled variety. Rolled oats are made with a steaming process that doesn't destroy many nutrients, while quick oats are made with dehydrating and pre-cooking processes, which typically leave oats extremely nutrient-depleted.

Cod liver oil

Cold liver oil provides plenty of natural vitamin A, It also provides natural vitamin D, which we know is an extremely powerful immune system modulator, with research indicating that vitamin D may be critically important in preventing the development of autoimmune conditions, including those of the GI tract.

 If you want to build and maintain a healthy digestive tract for the long term, you really have to take a holistic approach and address several areas of your life: your food choices, eating habits, exercise habits, resting habits, and emotional health.

Diabetes Care Tips

Diabetes is a condition in which the body either doesn't produce the insulin it needs or resists the insulin the body does produce.

Although numerous treatments exist for this condition, ultimately your destiny and prognosis lies in your hands; it depends on how well you care for yourself and manage your condition.

Diabetes may be classified into following 3 groups.

* Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM)

* Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM)

* Juvenile Diabetes

The main symptoms of diabetes are as under:

* Sugar in Urine

* Sticky and Concentrated Urine

* Frequent Urination

* Frequent Hunger

* Frequent thirst

* Dryness in the skin

* Weakness of eyesight

* Feeling of tiredness and weakness

* Itching in body

Some important things for a Diabetic patient:

* The use of fenugreek (methi) in food is beneficial for diabetic patients. Sprouted methi or one tsp of its powder may be taken daily.

* The diabetic patients may take the chapatti made up of wheat flour mixed with gram, soyabean and fenugreek (methi).

* All the sweet products, preserved and packed food products, smoking, chewing of Tobacco and consumption of alcohol is completely prohibited for diabetic patients.

* A diabetic patient should examine his blood sugar at the regular interval to ensure that it is in control.

* Regular long walks are beneficial for diabetic patients.

Heart Attack and The Facts

A heart attack is a frightening event, and you probably don't want to think about it. But, if you learn the signs of a heart attack and what steps to take, you can save a life–maybe your own.

We all think that heart attack is sudden intense, where a person clutches his or her chest and falls over. But the truth is heart attack starts slowly, as a mild pain or discomfort. If you feel such a symptom, you may not be sure what's wrong. Your symptoms may even come and go. Even those who have had a heart attack may not recognize their symptoms, because the next attack can have entirely different ones.

Medical experts say the body likely will send one or more of these warning signals of a heart attack it could be like..

Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes.

Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms. The pain may be mild to intense. It may feel like pressure, tightness, burning, or heavy weight. It may be located in the chest, upper abdomen, neck, jaw, or inside the arms or shoulders.

• Chest discomfort with light head redness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.
• Anxiety, nervousness and/or cold, sweaty skin.
• Paleness or pallor.
• Increased or irregular heart rate.
• Feeling of impending doom.
• There is no rule that those all symptoms should occur in every attack. But If you notice one or more of these signs in yourself or others consult your immediately.

Causes of Heart Attack

Age

this is considered to be the largest risk factor. When a man is over 45 years, and the woman is over 55 years of age, their risk of having a heart attack starts to rise significantly.

Angina

Angina is an illness where not enough oxygen is reaching the patient's heart. This raises the risk of a heart attack. In some cases a diagnosis of angina was wrong - it could have been a mild heart attack instead. The main difference between a heart attack and angina is that the patient with angina will feel better about 15 to 30 minutes after taking medication, while the heart attack patient won't.

Blood cholesterol levels 

Iif a person's blood cholesterol levels are high, he/she runs a higher risk of developing blood clots in the arteries. Blood clots can block the supply of blood to the heart muscle, causing a heart attack.

Diabetes

People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing several diseases and conditions, many of them contribute to a higher risk of heart attack.

Diet 

A person who consumes large quantities of, for example, animal fats, or saturated fats, will eventually have a higher risk of having a heart attack.

Genes 

You can inherit a higher risk of heart attack from your parents, and/or their parents.

Heart Surgery

Patients who have had heart surgery have a higher risk of having a heart attack.

Hypertension (High blood Pressure) 

Tthis could be due to lack of physical activity, overweight/obesity, diabetes, genes, and some other factors.

Obesity, Overweight

As more and more people are overweight, especially children, experts believe heart attacks will become more common in future (if the overweight children become overweight adults).

Physical Inactivity 

People who do not exercise have a much higher risk of having a heart attack, compared to people who exercise regularly.

Previous Heart Attack 

Anybody who has already had a heart attack is more likely to have another one, compared to other people.

Smoking

People who smoke heavily or regularly run a much higher risk of heart attack, compared to people who never smoked and those who gave up. Smoking regularly means smoking every day.

Check your Family History

If a close relative is at risk of developing coronary heart disease from smoking, high BP, high cholesterol, lack of physical activity, obesity and diabetes, then you could be at risk too.

How to prevent Heart Attack

1. You are what you eat! Eat nutritious, healthy food.

2. Choose foods low in saturated fat. Make sure you include servings of fruit, vegetables and whole grains which are rich in starch and fiber, but low in fat.

3. Cutting down on dietary cholesterol consumption can help bring down blood cholesterol. Egg white, and foods from plant sources do not have cholesterol.

4. Read food labels. Look for the amount of saturated fat, total fat, cholesterol and total calories per serving on the nutrition label.

5. Stress can be harmful by raising blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and making your heart beat faster. Relax, smile, don't get angry often.

6. Bring down high blood pressure. You can do this by minimizing risk factors, making lifestyle changes, or by taking medication if necessary.

7. Stop smoking. Stub out that cigarette butt - Now!

8. If you drink, do so in moderation. A limit of two drinks per day is good for your heart.

9. Fight the battle of the bulge! Obesity is bad. Stay slim and lean.

10. If you are overweight, try and lose the excess.

11. Don't try crash diets - instead opt for a slow, steady and sustained program to lose weight.

12. An active lifestyle is healthy. Exercise regularly.

13. Try and incorporate a higher activity level into daily activities like taking a walk, riding a bike to the supermarket, climbing stairs instead of using the elevator and playing sports like badminton and basketball.

Risk factors for heart attacks have often been talked about. Let us now focus more on the positive side of cardiac well being.

TB Symptoms and Treatment

The term ‘tuberculosis’ (or TB) has been derived from the name of its causative bacterium Tubercles bacillus. Tubercles bacillus is a strain of the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is a very deadly and a serious infection.

TB has been found to show fatal results in about 50% of its patients, if left untreated. About one-third of the total worldwide population has been found infected with TB. It is also estimated that every second at least 1 person is infected with TB. The symptoms of Tb are common in Asian and African countries whereas the count is quite less in the US.

The immune system attacks the TB bacteria within 2-8 weeks after a person is being infected. In some cases the bacteria can die and the infection can clear completely, but in others the bacteria can stay in an inactive state in the body and cause no TB symptoms. In still other cases the infection can develop in to active TB.

Symptoms of TB

Pulmonary tuberculosis is the most common form and coughing is often a common and only initial indication of tuberculosis.

Other signs and symptoms of active tuberculosis includes –

• Severe cough which lasts for three weeks or longer which produce bloody or discolored sputum
• Night sweats
• Slight fever
• Chills
• Fatigue and weakness
• Pain in the chest
• Loss of appetite
• Unintentional weight loss 

TB treatment

• Diagnosis of TB signs and symptoms is usually done by taking samples of sputum or fluids from the lungs or other body parts.
• Modern medication for TB has proved to be very effective TB cures in TB treatment.
• Active TB treatment consists of multiple antibiotics combinations Medication for TB includes drugs combinations to prevent patients suffering from TB becoming resistant to treatment.
• These medications have to be continued for a period ranging from a minimum of six months to a year. Medication for TB cures take time to show their effectiveness.
• The medications for TB treatment are effective only if doses are not missed in between. Any reduction in, or discontinuation of the prescribed dosage can prolong or worsen the symptoms and can cause complications in some cases.
• Nonetheless, besides being viewed as TB cures, these medications carry some side effects.

Some side effects of TB medications that can include:

• Jaundice
• Abdominal pain tenderness or soreness
• Nausea Fever for 3 days or of a longer duration
• Dark colored urine
• Vomiting
• Blurred vision

The most important step is to find, isolate and treat all disease carriers until they are no longer an infective risk to others.

It is always advisable not to get too close to people who are coughing; equally, people with a cough should be aware of those around them and try not to cough near them. Pregnant women with TB must be treated urgently as the disease may progress rapidly with high risk to both mother and baby.

Kidney Stones and Causes

The kidney acts as a filter for blood, removing waste products from the body and making urine. It also helps regulate electrolyte levels that are important for body function. Urine drains from the kidney through a narrow tube called the ureter into the bladder. When the bladder fills and there is an urge to urinate, the bladder empties to the outside through the urethra, a much wider tube than the ureter.

What is a kidney stone?

A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in a kidney out of substances in the urine.

How does the stone form?

When chemicals crystallize in the urine, it form a kidney stone. These stones are very tiny when they form smaller than a grain of sand, but gradually can grow over time to 1/10 of an inch or larger. It obstructs urine from draining.

How do people come to know about it?

When the stone sits in the kidney, it rarely causes problems, but when it falls into the ureter, it acts like a dam, As the kidney continues to make urine, pressure builds up behind the stone and causes the kidney to swell and pain.

Kidney Stone

In Some people, chemicals crystallize in the urine and fprm a kidney stone. These stones are very tiny when they form, smaller than a grain of sand, but gradually can grow overtime to 1/10 of an inch or larger.

The three phases of kidney stone:

• Urolithiasis (presence of stones in the urinary tract)-Rarely causes problems

• Nephrolithiasis (Kidney stones)- Size starts in the ureter)-Acts like a dam & creats pressure which causes swell and pain.

The size of the stone doesn’t matter when it sits in kidney but when it falls in ureter it obstructs or prevents urine from draining which causes pain.

Causes

Kidney stones do not have a single, well-defined cause. When the urine contains more crystal-forming substances than the fluid can dilute, crystals can form. It may be caused by:

Heredity: The majority of kidney stones are made of calcium, and hypercalciuria. The predisposition to high levels of calcium in the urine may be passed on from generation to generation.

Geographical location: There may be a geographic predisposition, and where a person lives may predispose them to form kidney stones. There are regional “stone belts,” with people living in the southern united states having an increased risk of stone formation. The hot climate in this region combined with poor fluid intake may cause people to be relatively dehydrated, with their urine becoming more concentrated and allowing chemicals to come in closer contact to form a atone.

Diet

Diet may or may not be an issue. If a person is susceptible to forming stones, then foods high in calcium may increase the risk; however, if a person isn’t susceptible to forming stones, diet probably will not change that risk.

Medications: People talking diuretics (or “water pills”) and those who consume excess calcium-containing antacids can increase the amounts of vitamins A and D are also associated with higher levels of calcium in the urine. 

Underlying illness: Some chronic illnesses are associated with kidney stone formation, including cystic fibrosis renal tubular acidosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Symptoms & Signs Colicky Pain 

Colicky pain :  The pain typically comes in waves, with a typical wave lasting 20 to 60 minutes.

Nausea/vomiting: Embryological link with intestine-stimulates the vomiting centre. 

Hematuria: Blood in the urine, due to minor damage to inside wall of kidney, ureter and/or urethra.

Pyuria: Pus in the urine.

Dysuria: burning on urination when passing stones(rare).More typical of infection.

Oliguria: Reduced urinary volume caused by obstruction of the bladder or urethra by stone, or extremely rarely, simultaneous obstruction of both ureters by a stone.

Postrenal Azotemia: The blockage of urine flow through a ureter.

Hydroneprosis: The distension and dilation of the renal pelvis and calyces.

Diagnosis

Clinical diagnosis is usually made on the basis of the location and severity of the pain, which is typically colicky in nature. Pain in the back occurs when calculi produce an obstruction in the kidney.

X-Ray

The relatively dense calcium renders these stones radio-opaque and they can be detected by a traditional X-ray of the abdomen that includes the kidneys, ureters and bladder.

About 10% of stones do not have enough calcium to be seen on standard X-rays (radiolucent stones).

Computed Tomography

All stones are detected by CT without contrast is considered in the gold standard diagnosis test except very rare stones composed of certain drug residues in the urine.

Ultrasound

Gives details about the presence of hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney)

PREVENTION

• Take special research homeo medicine for few weeks helps in prevention of further formation of stone.
• Drink 12 full glasses of water every day.
• The risk forming a stone can be minimized by avoiding dehydration. Making certain that the urine remains clear and not concentrated ( dark yellow) will help minimize stone formation.
• Medication may be prescribed for certain types of stones, and compliance with taking the medication is a must to reduce the risk of future episodes.
• Drinking lots of water helps to flush away the substances that form stones in the kidneys.
• Take lots of water melon juice.
• Take Horsegram powder.
• Take Radish
• Take lots of coconut water

Family Pack to Six pack

A Look at Some Herbs Used for Healing

Herbal medicine is one of the oldest forms of medicine on the planet.

They can be formulated in many ways. Whatever way they are used, they can be very helpful in cultivating health and a better sense of wellness, which can then allow you to experience healthy living, along with living a Low Density Lifestyle.

I’m going to mention a number of herbs and briefly say what their benefits are. Some of the benefits are based on lab testing.

Aloe vera has traditionally been used for the healing of burns and wounds.

Aloe vera

Agaricus blazei mushrooms may prevent some types of cancer.

Artichoke may reduce cholesterol levels.

Blackberry leaf has drawn the attention of the cosmetology community because it interferes with the metalloproteinases that contribute to skin wrinkling.

Black raspberry may have a role in preventing oral cancer.

Butterbur has been used traditionally for abdominal cramps and constipation.

Cranberry is effective in treating urinary tract infections in women with recurrent symptoms.

Echinacea extracts can limit the length and severity of colds; however, the appropriate dosage levels may be higher than is available in over-the-counter remedies.

Elderberry may speed the recovery from type A and B influenza.

Feverfew

Feverfew is sometimes used to treat migraine headaches.

Garlic may lower total cholesterol levels.

German Chamomile has demonstrated antispasmodic, antiinflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects in animal research. In vitro, chamomile has demonstrated moderate antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and significant antiplatelet activity, as well as preliminary results against cancer. Essential oil of chamomile has been shown to be a promising antiviral agent against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), also in vitro.

Ginger can decrease nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Purified extracts of Hibiscus seeds have some antihypertensive, antifungal and antibacterial effects.

Lemon grass can lower total cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose levels.

Milk thistle

Milk thistle has been recognized for many centuries as a liver tonics. Research suggests that milk thistle extracts both prevent and repair damage to the liver from toxic chemicals and medications.

Black cumin has demonstrated analgesic properties in mice. In vitro studies support antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and immune modulating effects.

Oregano may be effective against multi-drug resistant bacteria.

Pawpaw can be used as insecticide.

Peppermint oil has benefits for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome.

Pokeweed is used as a homeopathic remedy to treat many ailments. It can be applied topically or taken internally. Topical treatments have been used for acne and other ailments. It is used to treat swollen glands and weight loss.

Pomegranate has been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth in mice.

Rooibos

Rooibos has traditionally been used for skin ailments, allergies, asthma and colic in infants. In an animal study with diabetic mice, aspalathin, a rooibos constituent, improved glucose homeostasis by stimulating insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells and glucose uptake in muscle tissue.

Rose hips – Small scale studies indicate that rose hips may provide benefits in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Sage may improve memory.

Shiitake mushrooms are edible mushrooms that have been reported to have health benefits, including cancer-preventing properties. In laboratory research a shiitake extract has inhibited the growth of tumor cells. In addition, both a water extract and fresh juice of shiitake have demonstrated activity against pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

Soy and other plants that contain phytoestrogens (plant molecules with estrogen activity), such as black cohosh, have benefits for treatment of symptoms resulting from menopause.

Stinging nettle is effective for benign prostatic hyperplasia and the pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Stinging nettle

In vitro tests show antiinflammatory action. Stinging nettle has also been shown to reduce total cholesterol.

Valerian root can be used to treat insomnia.

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Ginseng – King of the Herbs

The main point of this series is that incorporating herbal medicine into your medical needs can help you to reduce the need for drugs. And by doing so, you can become healthier and more in synch. 

Ginseng, which is known as the King of the Herbs.

Ginseng is part of the materia medica of Chinese Herbal Medicine, and is the most famous herb in the pharmacopeia. It has been valued for its remarkable therapeutic benefits for at least 7,000 years and was so revered that wars were fought for control of the forests in which it thrived.

An Arabian physician brought ginseng back to Europe in the 9th century, yet its ability to improve

This 300 year old ginseng root sold for $400,000

stamina and resistance became common knowledge in the West only in the 18th century.

Ginseng is native to northeastern China, eastern Russia, and North Korea, but is now extremely rare in the wild and increasingly becoming endangered, due in large part to high demand for the product in recent years, which has led to the wild plants being sought out and harvested faster than new ones can grow (it requires years for a ginseng root to reach maturity).

There are two main types of ginseng: American ginseng, known as P. quinquefolius, and Asian ginseng, known as Panax ginseng. Asian ginseng can be either white or red ginseng.

In the U.S., there are woods grown ginseng programs in Maine, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia, and United Plant Savers has been encouraging the woods planting of ginseng both to restore natural habitats and to remove pressure from any remaining wild ginseng.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, American ginseng strengthens the Yin energy and calms the spirit, while Asian ginseng strengthens the yang.

The leaves and berries of ginseng plant

The reason it has been claimed that American ginseng promotes Yin while Asian ginseng promotes Yang is that, according to traditional Chinese medicine, things living in cold places or northern side of mountains or southern side of rivers are strong in Yang and vice versa, so that the two are balanced.

Chinese/Korean ginseng grows in northeast China and Korea, the coldest area known to many Koreans in traditional times. Thus, ginseng from there is supposed to be very Yang. Originally, American ginseng was imported into China via subtropical Guangzhou, the seaport next to Hong Kong, so Chinese doctors believed that American ginseng must be good for Yin, because it came from a hot area. However they did not know that American ginseng can only grow in temperate regions. Nonetheless the root is legitimately classified as more Yin because it generates fluids.

Most North American ginseng is produced in the Canadian provinces of Ontario and British Columbia and the American state of Wisconsin.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Panax/Asian ginseng strengthens the Qi and Yang energy, improves circulation, increases blood supply, revitalizes and aids recovery from weakness after illness, and stimulates the body. Panax Ginseng is available in two forms:

The form called white ginseng is grown for four to six years, and then peeled and dried to reduce the water

White ginseng

content to 12% or less. White ginseng is air dried in the sun and may contain less of the therapeutic constituents. It is thought by some that enzymes contained in the root break down these constituents in the process of drying. Drying in the sun bleaches the root to a yellowish-white color.

The form called red ginseng is harvested after six years, is not peeled and is steam-cured, thereby giving them a glossy reddish-brown coloring. Steaming the root is thought to change its biochemical composition and also to prevent the breakdown of the active ingredients. The roots are then dried.

Red ginseng

Red ginseng is frequently marinated in an herbal brew which results in the root becoming extremely brittle. This version of ginseng is traditionally associated with stimulating sexual function and increasing energy. Red ginseng is always produced from cultivated roots, usually from either China or South Korea.

There are other plants that are called ginseng, but they are actually from a different family or genus. These include:

* Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Southern ginseng, aka Jiaogulan)
* Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng)
* Pseudostellaria heterophylla (Prince ginseng)
* Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng, aka Ashwagandha)
* Pfaffia paniculata (Brazilian ginseng, aka Suma)
* Lepidium meyenii (Peruvian ginseng, aka Maca)
* Oplopanax horridus (Alaskan ginseng)