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Do you need to relax? Everybody needs to relax sometimes. Stresses of life, turmoil, and physical exercise will take a toll on the body. Although the practice of therapeutic massage is sometimes largely ignored or treated as a form of recreation, massage can be a perfect way to relax and unwind. It is becoming more accepted in today’s society as a means of taking the kinks out and relieving stress.

What is massage? It is a systematic stroking, kneading, and rubbing soft tissue in the body to induce relaxation. The modern world increasingly is accepting the practice of massage to relieve minor medical conditions. Therapeutic massage strengthens all the body’s major system and helps them to remain stable. A massage can affect the muscular, skeletal, circulatory, nervous and respiratory in a positive and helpful way.

Muscle relaxation and the release of tension allow the body to heal faster and improve circulation. Athletes know the importance of stretching muscles and relaxing them before a major sports event and the same principal is applied to the muscles. A good massage will relax the muscles, ease tension, loosen joints, and it improves circulation. A therapeutic massage will also ease pain.

Massage is great for helping accident victims recover. It speeds the recovery process of healing by loosening muscles and helping the patient regain control of their body. It is recommended that therapeutic massage should not be used in place of medical treatment. Massage does have positive medical effects but not to be used as replacement for the attention of a doctor.

Massage therapy dates from the beginnings of recorded history. “Laying of hands,” therapeutic massage, or some form of touch has been used to heal the sick. The Greeks and Romans used touch and massage therapy for healing and for easing pain. Hippocrates wrote about the power of massage in the early fifth century and Julius Caesar was given massage therapy to help control his epilepsy.

It is believed that therapeutic massage started in the Far East, probably in China. It was later brought to the western world and the first massage related college course was offered in Stockholm, Sweden in 1813. The techniques of massage have evolved over the few years and today you will find many therapists using therapeutic massage as part of helping the patient to relax.

If you are a little tense or stressed out, a good massage may help the muscles relax and tension eased. It is becoming more and more accepted as a good way to relax and relieve tension and helps your physical and mental health. A loving back rub or gentle massage can help you relax enough to have a good night sleep or ease the muscles so they will relax and allow you to sleep. Don’t underestimate the power of the gentle touch of a massage therapist or someone who loves you to help you regain control of your emotions and release the stress and tension of the day.

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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 Massage Therapy.

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Tags: epilepsy, Massage Therapy, stress

Skullcap is a member of the mint family and is characterized by flowers that grow only on one side of the plant, and by small dish-shaped seedpods. It was used in the Americas by native peoples for some time to treat rabies and promote menstruation. These days, skullcap is mostly used to treat a variety of nervous disorders. The American skullcap is S. lateriflora. In Chinese medicine, the related plant is S. baicalensis, or better known by its Chinese medicine name, huang qin.

The taste of skullcap has alternately been described as dry, cold and bitter. Many of the parts of the skullcap plant are used for herbal remedies. The aerial parts are used to create many herbal remedies to treat nervous conditions, premenstrual tension and symptoms of epilepsy. The aerial parts of the skullcap plant are also well known for its calming properties.

In Chinese herbal medicine, the root of the skullcap plant is used to produce certain herbal remedies. In China, skullcap is known as huang qin. Traditional Chinese herbalists use skullcap to clear heat from the respiratory and digestive systems. In China, huang qin is also thought to help ease the symptoms of insomnia. In China, the skullcap plant is thought to contain melatonin, so this may explain why the plant has been shown to be effective in easing the symptoms of insomnia.

In Korea, the skullcap plant is also used widely in herbal remedies. Some Korean research on the skullcap plant has revealed new dimensions to this old herbal favorite. For example, recent Korean research has demonstrated that the herb can help combat the development of gum disease and tooth decay. Some new lines of natural toothpastes have added the skullcap plant to its ingredients list.

There are many different ways to prepare the skullcap plant into several herbal remedies. One of the most common ways to take the skullcap plant is in a hot tea. To infuse the skullcap plant, use only fresh aerial parts and place in hot water to create a hot tea. To treat the symptoms of insomnia, it is recommended that skullcap be combined with wild lettuce or passionflower. A special tincture can be created from skullcap. Use fresh herb whenever possible. Combine five ml of skullcap with 10 drops of lemon balm as a tincture to treat the symptoms of stress or depression.

Skullcap is available in teas, capsules, and tablets.

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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 informaton on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: chinese herbal medicine, epilepsy, Herbal Remedies, nervous disaorders, skullcap