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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.

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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 Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: diarrhea, diuretic, dysentery, expectorant, Herbal Remedies, honey, honeysuckle, toxins, Traditional Chinese Medicine

A vegetarian is defined as one who does not eat any kind of meat, including poultry and fish. Are you considering being a vegetarian? It means a change in lifestyle as well as knowing how to be healthy while keeping faithful to this diet.

There are three major types of lifestyles and eating habits that vegetarians may include in a diet.

• The first type is a lacto-vegetarian. These devotes exclude all types of meat and eggs, but will include dairy products as part of their meals.
• The second type of vegetarian is a vegan, or a strict vegetarian. This group does not eat any type of meat or dairy products, such as milk. There are also some vegans that will not eat honey.
• The third type of vegetarian is known as a lacto-ovovegetarian. This is the major form of vegetarian lifestyle that many take part in. It includes excluding meats only, but including eggs as well as dairy products.

The type of vegetarian you decide to become will be determined by knowing what types of nutrients you need.

There are several reasons why one may decide to become a vegetarian. Vegetarians are known to have fewer health problems than others. They suffer from fewer heart disease and cancer problems, including lower instances of colorectal, ovarian and breast cancer. High blood pressure and diabetes are also lower amongst vegetarians.

A vegetarian diet includes most of the nutrients one needs for good health. Vegetarian diets exclude most types of fats that are not healthy for you. These diets also add fiber to the diet, which helps in circulation and functioning as well nutritional balance.

Despite this balance and these benefits, there are several extra nutrients that vegetarians have to make sure they get in of their diet. Vegetarians need to insure that they get enough protein. It’s important to make sure that enough protein is eaten. Grains, beans, tofu, nuts, eggs or peas can contribute to adequate protein consumption. Without protein, you will not have enough energy for the day.

The second nutrient that is needed in a vegetarian diet is calcium. If you eat dairy, this will be easier to consume. However, if not, you can find calcium in darker greens. Vitamin D, Iron and Vitamin B-12 are the other three nutrients that may be lacking in this diet.

Being a vegetarian is an option for maintaining a different type of lifestyle and diet. As long as one recognizes the need for additional nutrients, it is a very healthy diet.

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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 Nutrition & Health.

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Tags: blood pressure, diabetes, Fiber, honey, Nutrition & Health, vegans, vegetarians

There are a great number of foods that are healing in nature to the human body. Many of these foods may surprise you. This article will deal with a number of these foods, and discuss how they help the body.

Take the time to learn what foods are the most healing. If you already eat a vast array of healing foods then good for you- keep on doing what you are doing. If on the other hand your body could use a larger dose of healing foods then revamp your daily diet with some foods that can help to support health. These foods can also benefit you when you fall ill.

Artichokes are helpful in several ways. Artichokes can lower cholesterol, improve digestion and protect your heart from diseases. Artichokes can also help to protect your liver from being invaded by disease and they can stabilize your blood sugar if it tends to be on the high side.

Chili peppers are worth including in your diet if your throat is sore and achy and your sinuses are bothering you. Chili peppers certainly have a bite to them, but they are excellent for digestion and they help to fight cancer before they start. Chili peppers are extremely beneficial in boosting the function of the immune system.

Sometimes nuts are just what the doctor ordered. Peanuts help to protect against diseases of the heart, as they lower cholesterol levels and encourage weight loss. Peanuts are especially good for men as they help to combat prostrate cancer. Chestnuts are not just a Christmas time treat; they can be eaten all year long for their healing properties. Chestnuts are very protective of the heart they also combat a variety of cancers. These nuts also help to lower cholesterol and control blood pressure. Chestnuts are beneficial as well for individuals who are attempting to lose some weight.

If you enjoy walnuts then you are in luck! Walnuts have many healing properties. Walnuts help to combat a variety of cancers and they lower cholesterol and protect the heart against disease. Walnuts also aid in a sharp, clear memory and they are an instant mood-lifter.

Prunes are known to be good at preventing constipation, but they are also excellent at protecting the heart from disease, lowering cholesterol and boosting a person’s ability to remember these. Prunes are also believed to play an integral role in slowing down the process of aging, which is enough to make anyone smile.

Green tea is very therapeutic to the human body. This type of tea protects the heart, helps to prevent the onset of strokes and is excellent at combating cancer. As well green tea is an effective bacteria killer and it is helpful when it comes to losing weight.

If you like to take honey in your tea, or if you enjoy putting one of nature’s purest foods on toast, then you are being very smart. Honey is beneficial for the digestive process. It protects against the development of ulcers and encourages the healing of wounds. Honey is also effective at fighting a variety of allergies and it is an excellent energy booster.

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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 Food Cures.

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Tags: artichokes, blood pressure, blood sugar, chestnuts, chili peppers, cholesterol, constipation, digestion, Food Cures, healing foods, honey, immune system, nuts, peanuts, prunes, walnuts, weight loss

Alcohol is a staple at most adult party’s. While the responsible drinker won’t drink themselves into a stupor, everyone is entitled to a little irresponsibility now and then (just do not drink and drive). If you do end up going overboard then you are probably going to face the inevitable hangover the next day.

The scenarios behind a hangover tend to be pretty similar – too much to drink, mixing drinks, etc. The symptoms are often the same: migraines, nausea, dry mouth, dizziness, and a general feeling of discomfort. Here is a look at how you can prevent yourself from feeling this way should there be a next time.
Never drink on an empty stomach. Eat something with greasy, fatty foods loaded with oil or butter. Others will swear by having a couple of tablespoons of olive oil before leaving the house. Remember to wash it down before going to bed with a couple of glasses of water.

Drinking water, in general, before bedtime will help with dehydration along with something to dull the pain.
If you need help waking up in the morning, you can try a red eye. Take some whiskey, fresh coffee, Tabasco sauce, a raw egg, pepper, and orange juice and blend it together in a blender. If you are able to choke it down, fans say that you will start feeling better within 15 minutes. If you need a faster cure, try a Black Mary. Mix coffee with tonic water, honey, and orange juice. Again, it might be a little rough to get down, but there are those that swear by its effectiveness.

Some other preventatives have to do with when you are actually out drinking. Following these rules can help keep you feeling good the next day.

First of all, avoid mixed drinks. If you prefer the harder drinks, take them straight or over ice. Avoid drinks that have colas or juices mixed in, since these will often get you drunk faster and without realizing it. This leads to more toxins needing to be flushed from your system, and a higher likelihood of a hangover the next day.
Do not mix low alcoholic drinks with highly alcoholic ones. For example, drinking both beer and hard liquor is a thing to avoid. Choose one or the other, otherwise, your body gets confused and you end up taking in more alcohol. And, the more alcohol that gets absorbed, the more likely you are to have a hangover.

Avoid dairy when you are drinking. Milk, cheeses, ice cream, and cream sauces can really upset your stomach when you mix them with alcohol. So unless you enjoy the view of your toilet bowl, stay away from them until afterwards.
Always keep in mind that while hangover “cures” can help to alleviate the symptoms of your hangover, only time and your metabolism will officially end it. So keep that in mind when you are out drinking, particularly if there is somewhere that you want to be the next 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 Hangover Cures.

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Tags: coffee, dehydration, Hangover Cures, honey, olive oil, toxins

There is no cure for the cold or flu; there are, however, various herbal remedies that can help to alleviate the symptoms so you feel better faster. It can be difficult to tell the difference between the cold and the flu. Some herbal remedies are good for either the cold or the flu symptoms.

There are many remedies for the flu using herbs. These herbs help to relax muscles, calm nerves, and expedite the healing process by helping the immune system to function more effectively.

The Psyllium - Boneset Flu Remedy is not only very good for relieving the symptoms of the flu; it can be used to bring relief to those who suffer from backaches and headaches as well.

The remedy includes 1 tablespoon each of boneset, skullcap and white yarrow and 1 teaspoon of psyllium seed. You will also need honey or corn syrup and distilled water. Put the boneset, skullcap and white yarrow into a pint of water. Simmer for 30 minutes and then strain. Add 1 tablespoon of this liquid to 1 teaspoon of psyllium seed added to one cup of boiling water. You can sweeten with corn syrup. This drink should be consumed within 30 minutes of making it.

Echinacea is a Chinese traditional remedy for both cold and flu. Echinacea stimulates the immune system. It is recommended by herbalist to take 3 - 5 ml of tincture or if using root powder, take 300 mg 3 times each day.

Elderberry can also benefit those suffering from flu. This herb helps to keep the virus that causes flu from spreading to the respiratory tract. If allowed to spread to the respiratory tract, this is when patients become more severely ill. You can make a tea from the herb by steeping 3 to 5 g of dried flowers in one cup of boiling water (10 to 15 minutes). Drink one cup of elderberry-flower tea 3 times each day until the symptoms of flu are gone.

Elderberry flower is safe to take and side effects are very rare. It safety to use in children, pregnant or nursing women and those who suffer from severe liver or kidney disease has not yet been determined.

Astragalus root has been used in China for thousands of years to help stimulate the immune system against the flu and other viruses. It is recommended to take 500 milligrams of astragalus 4 times a day until the symptoms are gone. Then take one capsule two times a day for another week to prevent the symptoms from returning.

Garlic is especially helpful when fighting those illness that make you wonder if what you have is a cold or a flu. Garlic stimulates the immune system to fight off the symptoms of any virus and is known to be a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It can be effective against any cold virus and scientists have seen it fight off flu virus in test tubes. Practitioners recommend that a person take several cloves of raw garlic each day that you have the infection and products that contain garlic are also good such as hot garlic bread or garlic toast.

It is always important to consult with an herbalist or Chinese medicine practitioner when taking herbal remedies to be sure of dosage and to prevent the occurrence of side effects from other medications you may be taking.

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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 Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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Tags: flower tea, flu remedy, garlic, Herbal Remedies, honey, immune system, psyllium, psyllium seed, skullcap, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Just as almost everyone has their favorite alcoholic drink, many people also have their favorite hangover cure. Here are some easy remedies that you can try to before or after drinking to prevent a hangover.

One idea is to eat a medium bag or two small bags of potato chips before going out drinking. Another option is to make a sandwich out of salami and butter on a baguette or ciabatta bread. The idea is that the fat and carbohydrates will help to absorb some of the alcohol.

Other people swear by not mixing drinks. If you start with beer, finish with beer. Do not mix different liquors. Mixing different alcohols can cause you to feel the effects sooner, increase your likelihood of a hangover, and, if you throw up, even decrease the effectiveness of your oral contraceptives.

The Native Americans ate raw almonds before drinking to reduce hangovers. Other people swear by a few spoonfuls of peanut butter. Again, the fat content may help prevent some of the alcohol from getting absorbed.

Drinking sports drinks can help hydrate you and replenish lost vitamins and minerals. If you drank so much that you are throwing up, this can be especially helpful. There is some thought that the taurine found in energy drinks can also help with hangovers and liver damage.

Going to bed dehydrated is a surefire recipe for a hangover the next day. Drink a couple of glasses of water before going to bed to help hydrate you and dilute the alcohol. This can help lessen the severity of the hangover in the morning.

Be wary of using any painkillers while there is still alcohol in your system. Some can cause kidney or liver problems when mixed with alcohol, and others can irritate your already tormented stomach further.

For the morning after, try pouring the juice of one lemon into a cup of black coffee. Drink straight up, without sugar or cream.

Chicken soup is thought to work on hangovers as well as it does on colds, so a bowl or two may help get you going in the morning.

Some people swear by honey. Take two tablespoons every half hour until you feel better.

Fruit is also popular. An apple a day may keep the hangover away, as well as the doctor. Or, try blending together three bananas with some milk and honey until smooth. It should settle your stomach and help you replenish nutrients.

All in all, the best home remedy for a hangover is don’t drink. But, if you must, drink responsibly, and avoid drinking to excess. Try to time your drinks so that you are not having more than one alcoholic drink per hour. And remember when it is time to call it a night - sometimes, the decisions you make when drunk are harder to live with the next morning than the hangover itself.

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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 Hangover Cures.

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Tags: almonds, chicken soup, coffee, dehydration, fruit, Hangover Cures, honey, potato chips, sports drinks