Archive for the ‘Herbal Remedies’ Category

Effective Herbal Treatments for Menopause

Friday, May 2nd, 2008

People today are becoming increasingly aware of how effective herbal remedies can be for various medical conditions from migraines to skin conditions. Many women have found that using an herbal remedy to deal with their menopause symptoms are a better choice than the prescription drugs a physician might offer. Women have many different choices when it comes to herbal remedies. The key is learning which ones work best and which ones provide the best relief for your personal set of symptoms.

Menopause symptoms are caused when the ovaries slow their production of various hormones including estrogen. These hormone fluctuations can wreak havoc with a woman’s body. Women may experience hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, unexplained weight gain, and mood swings. Women may even experience exhaustion. It can be so difficult to contain these symptoms without allowing them to cause stress in the life. Prescription drugs can provide some relief from these symptoms; however, there are some drawbacks to using prescriptions. Some have serious side effects that can be worse than the symptoms themselves. For example, some of the prescriptions available for hot flashes cause itchy rashes all over the body. Other prescriptions have long term health effects including devastating diseases like cancer. Treating your symptoms with a safe, natural herbal remedy is often the best way to handle menopause.

As you begin the search for the right remedy, you might be a bit surprised and overwhelmed at the number of products on the market. Choosing the right product for you can be a difficult task. There are several people you might want to talk to as you start your search. First, consult your gynecologist. They will be able to tell you which herbal remedies are safe for you and which are not. Moreover, they can let you know which methods are working for their other patients and which have proven to be completely ineffective. In addition to your doctor, you might talk to an herbal store consultant. They talk to a number of women who are dealing with the same symptoms that you are. As a result, they can guide you in the right direction.

One of the most popular herbs to deal with menopause symptoms is Black Cohos. This herb helps with a number of different menopause symptoms including night sweats, hot flashes, and anxiety. This herb has been extensively studied, and the studies have all pointed to its effectiveness. Pasque Flower has also proven to be a great herbal remedy to deal with menopause symptoms by offering the same effect a mild sedative might have. An herb combination called MellowPause might also help your symptoms. It has a soy base, and it combines the power of Black Cohosh and Pasque flower to help you fight insomnia, night sweats, hot flashes, and mood swings. Menocore is another herbal combination that will help with the same symptoms. It contains a number of different natural herbal products. One final product that might relieve your symptoms is Triatone. The ingredients list on this includes Black Cohos, Chasleberry, Dong Quai, Isoflavones, and Licorice Root. This product not only relieves many of your symptoms, but it also helps to give you a good sense of well being.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Blood Pressure Herbal for Heart Relief

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

Blood pressure that is too high can cause a series of complications leading to heart disease and strokes. It is important to control one’s blood pressure to keep it near or below the ideal 120/80 that is given as “normal” in US patients.

There are no scientific studies that prove the efficacy of herbal remedies for blood pressure, but it is still a good idea to explore their use in some cases, either as an adjunct or primary therapy to reduce one’s blood pressure to normal levels.

The two blood pressure herbal remedies that are most often used for blood pressure include garlic (Allium sativum) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Both of these types of blood pressure herbal treatments have been successfully prescribed by herbal specialists and alternative practitioners to their patients for many years in order to encourage the proper functioning of the circulatory system.

Some physicians are positive about herbs to treat blood pressure, but not all. With the expansion of knowledge of Eastern and European herbal remediation, more physicians are recommending the herbal route as a complement to traditional Western medicine.

Some doctors recommend that their patients with high blood pressure consume at least three or four cloves of garlic per day. While many people are turned off by the odor of garlic, garlic supplements are an alternative to eating the fresh kind—without the concerns about bad breath. Most grocery stores and health food stores sell a variety of brands of garlic pills.

Doctors recommend that patients choosing to take garlic supplements choose one such as Garlique, because the pills are enteric-coated. That means that the pills have a buffer coating which prevents stomach problems when the pills are taken on their own, similar to the way that Bufferin is coated to prevent problems in the stomach with aspirin. Allicin is the ingredient in garlic that is believed to be responsible for lowering blood pressure.

Hawthorn is another herb that works to lower blood pressure. Hawthorn works best when it is taken along with vitamin C. Both of these substances help to increase the dilating action of the blood vessels, which naturally reduces blood pressure by opening the blood vessels.

When an individual’s blood pressure reaches an intermediate area of 140-159/90-99, this is classified as mild to moderate hypertension. At these levels, garlic is a good counter-measure for high blood pressure. If garlic, vitamin C and hawthorn do not do the trick then turn to other blood pressure herbal options such as supplements of the mineral calcium and magnesium.

Calcium’s unique ability to lower blood pressure has been borne out in some research studies. Calcium on its own is not effective against blood pressure, however. Calcium plays a vital role in the contraction of muscular tissues and therefore is beneficial to the health of the heart and the blood vessels. Magnesium works in concert with calcium to make the walls of the blood vessels more elastic as well as to relax the muscles that are found there. Magnesium also increases the efficiently of other essential minerals in the bloodstream which include both potassium and sodium.

Other blood pressure herbal options that are being studies for their effectiveness at lowering blood pressure include coenzyme Q10 which helps to encourage normal blood pressure levels and a selection of fish oils that are composed of the essential fatty acids that support a health heart and circulatory system.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Herbal Remedies Using Aloe Vera

Thursday, May 1st, 2008

The Aloe plant (scientific name Aloe vera) is a succulent originally from Africa. In the 16th century, Aloe Vera reached the West Indies, where farmers began the job of massive propagation. In modern times, it is one of the most available herbal remedies. It can easily be grown as an indoor plant, thus giving you the joy of its presence along with its curative properties. The character of Aloe Vera plant parts have been described in many ways. Its leaves are often described as hot, bitter and moist. Its gel is described as salty, bitter, cool and moist. Some products made from Aloe may not be suitable for pregnant or nursing women.

Because of its usefulness in treating many conditions, Aloe Vera is now propagated and used worldwide. Many herbal remedies contain extracts as an ingredient. Extracts and synthetic chemicals based on those found naturally in this plant are also included in many conventional lotions, shampoos, and soaps. Aloe Vera has been known to promote bile flow, heal wounds, stop bleeding, expel worms, and reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels. This succulent has also been known for its purgative, laxative, rejuvenating and anti-aging properties.

Testament of attributes comes to us across time and from all points on the globe. It is believed that related species of the Aloe Vera were used by tribal people as an antidote to the poisons used in arrows, and also to help the wound heal itself. We know that the Greeks and Romans made a gel from this plant to treat battle wounds. This succulent is also widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. In India, the gel from this plant has a longstanding reputation for its use as a cooling tonic. In traditional Indian Ayruveda medicine, Aloe Vera gel is used as a tonic for excess pitta (fire element).

The most common way to prepare the Aloe Vera plant is to use the gel. The gel is thick and mucilaginous. Many herbalists recommend that it be used as a first-aid cure for wounds, burns, and sunburn. This gel can help heal extremely dry skin, and is used in many commercial lotions. It can also be used to treat fungal infections such as ringworm. Gel extracts of the Aloe Vera plant have been successfully used to treat mouth ulcers. Steam inhalation of the gel has also been known to treat bronchial congestion. Recent research has also shown that Aloe Vera gel may be helpful in treating breast and liver cancers, as well as HIV.

The leaves of Aloe Vera, although much less commonly used, can also be helpful for several conditions. The purgative properties of the leaves have been taken advantage of for centuries. Yellow juice collected from the bottom of the leaves can also be prepared and used to treat chronic and stubborn constipation. It is also believed that the leaves of the Aloe Vera plant can be used to stimulate bile flow and to aid digestion. A tincture made from this succulent’s leaves can be taken as an appetite stimulant.

here are several practical applications for different parts of the Aloe Vera plant. The gel can be applied directly to burns, wounds, fungal infections, insect bites, and areas of dry skin. If you decide to grow Aloe Vera, you will have it on hand whenever you need to use it. You can simply split a leaf open and apply the gel directly. You can also collect the gel from several split leaves to make an ointment.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.


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Is Sage the Fountain of Youth?

Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

Sage has long been highly regarded for its perceived ability to bestow longevity. As one of the most popular of the memory-enhancing herbs, it has often been credited with restoring failing memory to the elderly. There are many different varieties of sage. The most popular forms of sage include Green sage (Salvia officinalis), Greek sage (Salvia fruticosa) and Purple sage (Salvia officinalis). Most herbalists tend to prefer Purple sage, although a combination of Greek sage and Green sage also find favor with some practitioners.

Regardless of the variety of sage, the roots and leaves are usually the parts of the plant used to make remedies. The leaves of the sage plant are traditionally harvested throughout the summer months. Gargles and mouthwashes derived from sage leaves are known to be particularly healing for mouth and throat conditions. A mouthwash can be used to treat gum disease, mouth ulcers, sore throats, and to soothe tonsillitis. You will need to make certain that the gargle or mouthwash is a weak infusion, so that it will not aggravate any pre-existing mouth conditions.

The leaves of the sage plant are also known for their estrogenic and drying properties. This makes the sage leaves particularly helpful for conditions related to menopause, as well as during periods of weaning. Many herbalists use fresh sage leaves to create a bitter digestive stimulant.

In France, sage is quite popular in a cream that treats a variety of skin problems. Sage can also be used in a hair rinse to treat dry hair or to restore hair color to graying hair. Sage is also helpful in treating dandruff, and is much less harmful to the body than commercial dandruff treatments. To create a healing infusion of sage leaves in water, use approximately 20 grams of leaves to ¼ cup water. This tonic can also be used as a liver stimulant, and to improve digestive functioning.

The root of the sage plant is also widely used in a variety of herbal remedies. It has been used to help heal the liver, and also assist in mitigating hot flashes and other menstrual problems. In traditional Chinese medicine, the root is known as dan shen, and is used to create a number of tonics. One of the most popular Chinese tonics is used for “moving blood”, or relieving stagnation. For example, these tonics are used to treat angina pectoris, which Chinese herbalists feel is caused by blood stagnation. The root of the sage plant is also often used for its cooling and sedative properties.

The sage plant has several different applications. Its extracts are often used to treat scrapes, skin sores, and insect bites. This plant can also be used to remedy menopausal night sweats and to reduce lactation during the weaning process. Sage is also commonly used to create tinctures that can aid digestive functions. Mouthwashes and gargles work well on a variety of mouth and throat ailments. Be sure to have Sage in your herbal medicine cabinet.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Lavender and Its Healing Answers

Tuesday, April 29th, 2008

Since time immemorial, people have been using lavender. Lavender is actually a shrub and its branches grow up to sixty centimeters. Widely alluded to as a natural cure for various ailments and used in herbal medicines, the lavender’s name is derived from the Latin word “lavarre” which means, “to wash”. It is also indigenous to the mountain zones of the Mediterranean and thrives in stony environment where there is lots of sunlight. In Europe, this herb may be found aplenty in the wild throughout the southern part. The lavender’s narrow, grayish green leaves are covered in a silver blanket-like substance and its leaves are usually oblong and attach directly at the base in spiral-like patterns.

The lavender has a reputation of being a useful wound herb and as an effective expectorant. In European folk medicine, it is known for the former. The most common types of healing lavenders include L. angustifolia and L. spica. While the most commonly used variety is the French lavender, L. stoechas. Even the lavender’s flowers have also been found useful and can be used to create an array of herbal medicines.

Known to contain tannins, volative oils, coumarins, triterpernoids and flavonoids, the lavender’s flowers are usually described as cooling and mainly dry and are well regarded for its ability to promote good bile flow. Moreover, they are also well known as a relaxant, antispasmodic, circulatory stimulant, and antiseptic, a tonic for the nervous system, an analgesic and a carminative. Because it supposedly causes calmness, soothe and anti-convulsive effects, the lavender herb may also be used to treat insomnia, abdominal complaints, rheumatism, anxiety, depression, loss of appetite, and mood disturbances.

Lavender is also popular for its essential oils. These oils are especially popular aromatic essential oils and a lot of aromatherapy aficionados use these. In fact, the mere act of inhaling lavender induces healing! Recommended by herbalists, lavender essential oil can be used to treat a large array of illnesses and ailments and thus is highly suggested as an integral addition to any household first aid kit.

Lavender essential oil can be used to make healing creams. Simply put a few drops of the said oil to a cream that is chamomile-based. The produced cream can be used to treat skin problems like eczema. A few drops of the lavender essential oil mixed with a few drops of water, when mixed, can be used to remedy scalds, burns, and sunburn. This is a handy must-have for beach lovers or people who want to bask in the sun.

The lavender essential oil can also be used as chest rub. All you have to do is add a millimeter of the said oil to 5 drops of chamomile oil, mix them, and rub onto the chest. Lavender essential oil is known to cure bronchitis spasms and even symptoms of asthma.

The lavender essential oil can also be used for massages. The oil can help ease the pain from the muscles and when rubbing it on to the temples and nape of the neck, tension from headache and migraine can also be avoided.

Yet another use for the lavender is hair rinse. When you dilute 5-10 drops of lavender essential oil in water, one can treat hair lice and nit problems.

Despite these favorable uses for lavender, however, people especially pregnant women should still be cautious as high doses of lavender in any form have been shown to be a strong uterine stimulant.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.


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Honeysuckle: An Ancient Healing Favorite

Monday, April 28th, 2008

Honeysuckle is one of the oldest medicinal herbs in known history. Sometimes referred to as woodbine, European honeysuckle was once used widely to treat urinary complaints, asthma, and during childbirth. In traditional Chinese medicine, honeysuckle has been used medicinally for millenia. The first known reference to the honeysuckle plant as a medicinal plant is in the Tan Ben Cao that was written in A.D. 659. In traditional Chinese medicine, honeysuckle is considered one of the most important herbs for releasing poisons from the body and clearing heat from the body.

There are three main parts of the honeysuckle plant that are used medicinally: the flowers, the flower buds, and the stems.

The flowers are traditionally used to make syrup that has been used as an expectorant for bad coughs, asthma, and as a diuretic. The syrup from honeysuckle flowers is still used to make medicinal syrup. The flowers of the honeysuckle plant should be harvested in the summer time.

The flower buds of the honeysuckle plant are also used to make herbal remedies. In traditional Chinese medicine, the flower buds are very important. They are called jin yin hua and are used widely to treat feverish conditions. They are especially used to treat conditions that are thought to be caused by the summer heat. They are also thought to clear toxins from the body, and the “fire poisons” that may linger in the body. In traditional Chinese medicine, fire poisons are thought to be responsible for many conditions, including boils and dysentery.

Honeysuckle flower buds are also thought to help alleviate the symptoms of some kinds of diarrhea. In traditional Chinese medicine, the honeysuckle flower buds are warmed and slightly stir-fried to treat diarrhea. Flower buds should also be harvested in the summer.

The stems of the honeysuckle plant are also used, especially in traditional Chinese medicine. These are alternately called jin yin teng and ren dong teng (stems and branches) and they are especially used in acupuncture medicine. They are thought to be able to remove heat from certain acupuncture meridians by stimulating the flow of energy, or qi.

The stems and branches are also used in Chinese medicine to treat feverish colds and dysentery. They are also used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, and are often combined with other herbs to create a cooling remedy.

There are several applications that are created by using the honeysuckle plant. The flowers can be infused to create a hot tea that can operate as an expectorant. Honeysuckle is often combined with other herbs, including cowslip and mulberry to create a healing tea that is used to treat coughs and mild symptoms of asthma.

Again, honeysuckle flowers can be made into syrup that can be used to treat coughs. The honeysuckle flower buds can be made into a decoction that is used to treat feverish colds and sore throats. Honeysuckle flower buds can be used to make a tincture that is used by herbalists to treat gastroenteritis and diarrhea.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Herbs for Heart Care

Friday, April 25th, 2008

Herbs are often used to help lower and control blood pressure levels in high-risk individuals. A variety of herbs can be taken as herbal supplements made into a tea or even added as ingredients to a soup. This article will take a closer look at the effect of herbs on lowering blood pressure.

To begin our look at blood pressure, we start with coenzyme Q10 (which is also referred to as Co Q10). A study that looked at 59 males who were taking medication for high blood pressure yielded the result that 120 mg of coenzyme Q10 on a daily basis taken for a period of eight weeks was able to reduce high blood pressure by approximately 9 percent. This was compared to a placebo group, which had no benefit on their cholesterol level. In order to be of benefit to an individual, a typical dose of Co Q10 is 30 to 100 mg of the herb three times per day. Although it is generally safe to take, Co Q10 is believed to interact negatively with the drug Coumadin (warfarin), and is therefore contraindicated for patients on this or other blood thinners.

Garlic is also an herb that is particularly helpful in reducing blood pressure. Garlic (allium sativum) has been shown to have several beneficial effects on the circulatory system, including normalizing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol. Garlic can reduce inflammation, which is thought to be a major cause of ‘sudden,’ or ‘silent’ heart attacks. It is also a good preventative of strokes. Studies have shown that garlic can start its protective effects in a short period of time. One clove of garlic a day is recommended for best health benefits. You can easily add garlic to salad, soups, casseroles and other recipes. If you have not acquired a taste for garlic, consider taking a garlic capsule.

Other herbs that are excellent for decreasing blood pressure include valerian, kudzu and celery. Each of these contains a substance called gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) that helps to maintain normal levels of blood pressure.

The herb valerian (valeriana officinalis) is composed of a substance known as valerenic acid that serves to inhibit a particular enzyme that breaks GABA down in the body. Consuming valerian helps to reduce blood pressure and maintain higher levels of GABA in the system. Valerian is also an herb that is commonly prescribed by herbal practitioners to patients for sleep difficulties. It acts as a sedative, which in turn also brings about a reduction of blood pressure.

Kudzu (pueraria lobata) is a “weedy vine” that Chinese herbalists have long been recommending to patients to help maintain normal blood pressure. The chemical pueraria is believed to have over 100 times the antioxidant capabilities of vitamin C and it is known to help fight cancer and heart disease as well.

Our last herbs blood pressure is celery. Celery (apium graveolens) is a well-known remedy in Chinese traditional medicine for lowering blood pressure levels. Celery is a very versatile vegetable that can be eater alone or used in a variety of recipes. It is believed that consuming four celery stalks per day can have a positive impact on blood pressure.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.


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Herbal Remedies Created from Jasmine

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

Jasmine has long been loved for its wonderful scent. This climbing plant blooms with one of the most aromatic flowers in the garden.

The jasmine plant was first introduced in Europe in the 16th century where it quickly gained immense popularity because of its scent. French perfumers especially took an interest this lovely climbing plant.

In addition to its scent, the jasmine plant also has healing properties. It is also used as a well-known cleansing remedy. In China, Jasmine tea has been a long-standing healing favorite. The taste of the jasmine plant is alternately described as astringent, pungent, bitter, and slightly cooling.

The jasmine plant contains alkaloids, including linalool. Jasmine also contains salicylic acid, which is the active component of aspirin.

The jasmine plant has many actions attributed to it. Its flowers have been known as an aphrodisiac, an astringent, a bitter but relaxing nervine, an analgesic, a sedative, and a plant which helps encourage milk flow. The essential oil derived from the jasmine plant is thought to operate as an antidepressant, an antiseptic, an antispasmodic, an aphrodisiac, a sedative, and a uterine tonic.

There are two main components that are used from the jasmine plants: its flowers, and its essential oil. The jasmine plant flowers have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. In Ayurvedic medicine, the jasmine flowers are known as jati, and it is regarded as a sattvic tonic, which encourages the principles of light, harmony, and increased perception, all principles that are associated with sattvic, which is one of the three qualities of health in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. The sattvic element of the jasmine flower is also thought to emphasize the nature of love and compassion. The jasmine flowers are also thought to work as a mild aphrodisiac for women. Jati is also used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to reduce fevers and to fortify the immune system.

The flowers of the jasmine plant are also used to make an aromatic tea. The Chinese have been using Arabian jasmine since at least AD 300 to scent teas. The flowers of the Arabian jasmine plant are known in China as mo li, and they are highly regarded in China as a scenting agent. In traditional Chinese medicine and practice, the Arabian jasmine flowers were placed alongside heat-dried green tea so that the green tea would absorb the scent of the jasmine flowers. These days, commercial tea makers simply mix the jasmine flower petals with the regular tea.

Jasmine tea infusions are recommended for treating infections, urinary inflammation and fevers, much as aspirin is used to reduce pain and fevers. The jasmine flowers can be combined nicely with lemon balm or skullcap to create a calming, relaxing tea. A wash made from infused jasmine tea flowers can also be used to bathe scrapes and cuts. Jasmine flower compresses can also be made to treat heat stroke, headaches, or anxiety. Massage oil can also be created by diluting jasmine oil with almond oil an applying to the skin.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.


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Herbal Pain Relievers

Wednesday, April 23rd, 2008

People have been relieving pain for thousands of years before modern pharmaceuticals came along. Many are moving away from pharmaceuticals today, seeking more natural ways of treating pain. Drugs certainly have their place, but the herbal remedies can be helpful, with fewer side effects, and less expensive as well.

This article will discuss the types of herbal remedies that have been used since time immemorial, and which are in use today, and can be recommended as an alternative to drug treatment

The white willow tree grows in many places throughout the world, including Europe, North America, and Asia. The tree contains a substance within its bark that is known as salicin, which is the substance in aspirin (known as acetosalicylic acid). Many use the bark of the white willow tree as a type of natural pain reliever. It is useful for treating pain as well as inflammation, two of the main desirable properties that aspirin also accomplishes, but at the same time, it lacks the side effects that may occur from taking aspirin. Whereas aspirin affects your blood platelets, thinning the blood, the bark of the white willow tree does not. At the same time, it doesn’t cause stomach bleeding the way that aspirin can.

Knowing that, it’s clear to see why many people choose to take white willow tree bark in order to treat their pain. Studies have been conducted weighing the efficiency of white willow tree bark against that of aspirin, and they have shown that it is indeed a potent alternative to the more modern product. The studies even found that the bark was more successful at alleviating pain than aspirin. Separate studies have also shown that the bark can be a godsend for patients with osteoarthritis, as it was shown to help increase joint function.

Yucca is another type of herb that many people with chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis often take. It purifies the blood, and it works as an anti-inflammatory. In addition, like willow bark, yucca acts as a pain reliever. There are plenty of other herbs and plants that can offer relief from inflammation; amongst them include Devil’s claw, turmeric, ginger, and glucosamine sulfate. All of these types of herbs can be found at a local health food store. These herbs can be less expensive than over the counter drugs as well.

St. John’s Wort has been used for hundreds of years in European medicine in order to treat depression. It has been shown in clinical studies to be as effective as Prozac and other modern serotropin-inhibiting compounds. St. John’s Wort has been prescribed in Germany and France for post-partum depression, and requires a prescription in those countries.

Some illnesses require modern drugs for treatment. Herbal remedies play an important role for some types of illnesses, however. You may want to consider stocking up on herbal remedies for everyday colds, flue and immune disorders. Their natural incgredients may help reduce side effects while providing the same or better palliative benefits than modern drugs.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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The Healing Beauty of Borage

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

The borage flower (Borago officinalis) is well known for its lovely blue color. The flowers have been used since Elizabethan times for both decoration and for their healing qualities.

Recent research has shown that the plant may actually stimulate the adrenal glands, encouraging the production of adrenaline, that famous ‘fight or flight’ hormone that is responsible for getting our bodies prepared to do battle. Herbalists describe the borage flower as cold, moist, and slightly sweet. The leaves and flowers are known to contain saponins, tannins, mucilage, vitamin C, potassium and calcium. The seeds of the borage plant are known to contain essential fatty acids, including y-linolenic acids and cis-linoleic acids. These fatty acids are nutritional, and are the components of soap.

The fresh blue flowers of the borage plant have been traditionally used to decorate salads and other foods, and the flowers were also used to make syrups that were used to treat coughs and colds. The leaves of the borage plant have been more of a mainstay in herbal medicine.

The leaves of the plant are described as fleshy and coarse, and they have been traditionally used to treat stress or to counter the effects of steroid therapy. The leaves can also be used dry in a variety of herbal remedies. For instance, the dry leaves of the borage plant can be used to treat dry, lingering raspy coughs. They can also be used to stimulate milk flow for nursing mothers. The leaves of the borage plant can also be used to treat the early feverish stages of whooping cough or pleurisy. Traditional herbalists recommend that the borage plant leaves be harvested throughout the growing season.

The seeds from the borage plant are also used in traditional herbal medicine. The oil extracted from the borage plant seeds are often used as an alternative to the popular evening primrose oil. This oil is often used to treat problems associated with menstrual disorders. It also has a beneficial effect on rheumatic disorders. The oil extracted from the borage plant seeds is considered to be soothing and healing; it is also recommended for use externally, where it can be applied to treat eczema. Borage oil is now commonly available commercially in capsule form.

The leaves of the borage plant can be infused and taken as a hot tea to treat lung disorders and feverish colds. Mothers who are lactating can combine this infusion with fennel to stimulate milk flow. The leaves of the borage plant can also be pulped to create a fresh juice. Naturopaths and herbalists recommend 10 ml of juice three times a day to treat grief, anxiety or depression. The leaves of the borage plant can also be diluted into equal parts water to create a lotion to treat dry skin or rashes. Capsules of borage oil can be taken daily as a supplement to treat skin problems such as acne and eczema. They may also be taken to help treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.


Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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