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Saturday, April 13, 2013

Treating or healing burns and sunburns

Burns
The first thing you want to do is cool the area by soaking it in cold water for 5-10 minutes. A very valuable and easy to find herbal remedy is honey as it promotes healing as well as being an antiseptic. You want to reduce touching the affected area to only necessary as it can irritate and prolong the healing process. Once the healing process has begun you want to use a vitamin E or lavender oil to aid the restoration of skin. Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory, analgesic abilities as well as tissue restoration, you can place the lavender oil directly on the burn or on a sterile gauze. To avoid blistering you want to dilute 1-2 drops of tea tree oil in a teaspoon of water and applying to the cooled burn. To avoid frying the skin avoid butter or other fats touching the area. Many people already know that aloe vera is great for treating burns, if you apply the plant's gel on the burn as soon as possible you can have scar-free healing. Chamomile or pot marigold infusions can be used to ease soreness and inflammation.
Sunburns
With the ozone layer thinning because of all the air pollution, sunburn is a common issue that not only increases the aging process but can cause cancer. For a mild case of sunburn start by cooling the areas with cool water. Apply a chilled infusion of chamomile, elderflower, or lavender as a compress. Cooled distilled witch hazel also makes a good compress. Strawberries and yogurt both take the heat out of sunburns. Keep the poultice in place with a gauze. Like with burns lavender oil can be used here. If the sunburnt area us large you can use chamomile or lavender oils can be adding to a bath 5-8
drops. keep the water tepid. Hot water will make it worse. 
Always seek help from a medical professional for burn larger then your palm, please see our disclaimer at the bottom of the page.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Herbal coping with gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that is very common these days. The best way to cope with gout is to eat healthy and avoid diuretics and caffeine. Adding cherry and apples to your diet is recommended as they contain enzymes that help reduce inflammation. You also might want to spice your food with thyme, mustard powder and chicory. Devil's claw root, gingerroot, meadowsweet leaves and flowertops, and white willow bark all act as anti-inflammatory agents that can relieve pain. An herbalist may prescribe this remedy to relieve joint pain. In a teapot or a saucepan, combine 1/2 teaspoon powdered devil's claw root with 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and steep for 10 minutes. Drink 1 cup daily.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Grapefruit (Citrus Paradisi)

Grapefruit is great for your cardiovascular system. This is because it is rich in many chemicals and nutrients that protect arteries,the pectin in grapefruit lowers bad cholesterol and reduces high blood pressure. People with rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from grapefruit, it also helps aid digestion, breakdown fat, boost the immune system, prevent cancer helps with chest congestion and feed the good bacteria. Grapefruit can be used as an anti-inflammatory, dissolve gallstones, cleanse the liver and gallbladder. The key nutrients in grapefruit are, folate, potassium, fibre, iron, fructose, glucose, sucrose, vitamin C, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc, copper, manganese, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, calcium, and small amounts of lipid and amino acids. Phytochemicals that are important include alpha and beta carotene, flavo-noid, beta-sitosterol, anthocyanins, lycopene, ellagic acid, and the list goes on and on. When picking a grapefruit you want to pick the smooth, glossy, round, firm, thin skinned fruit that are heavy for their size, with slightly flattened ends. skin scars or discoloration doesn't affect the quality of the fruit. Avoid fruit that is coarse skin, soft, puffy or have pointed ends. Grapefruit are juicier when at room temperature but they last long when refrigerated. There are risk with taking grapefruit because it is so rich with nutrients you body might have difficulty absorbing it all can may result with kidney stones. It can also boost the strengthen of medication in many cases this is a good thing but in some cases it can cause complication consult with your herbalist or doctor to make sure it is safe to take grapefruit. Grape fruit seeds yield natural antibiotics that is a good alternative to pharmaceutical antibiotics. The seed extract fight bacteria and fungi. Always dilute liquid forms of extracts as it can be harmful for your mouth. Some people experience flatulence or mild stomach irritation but for the most part it is safe and quick to work.
Purify Water
Add 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract per gallon of water. Shake or stir vigorously and let it sit for a few minutes. Because of the inherent taste of grapefruit seed extract you might notice a slightly bitter taste but it is not harmful. Always to at least a simple filtration to remove suspended particles. 
Please refer to our disclaimer at the bottom

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Anti-inflammatory

There are many herbal anti-inflammatory you might find useful including; black pepper, basil, cardamom cayenne, chamomile, chives, cilantro, cinnamon, cloves, garlic, ginger, parsley, nutmeg, rosemary, turmeric, and peppermint. In this post I will talk specifically on only some of these. Cayenne has anti-inflammatory qualities along with painkilling, circulatory stimulation and aids digestion. Adding half a teaspoon of cayenne powder to food daily will fire up your circulation and digestion. You can use heated leaves place on your temples to ease headaches. Cinnamon can be uses as an antimicrobial, to lower blood sugar and as an aphrodisiac, on top of being an anti-inflammatory. mixing cinnamon powder with honey is and excellent acne face mask. adding half a teaspoon to your diet helps with stabilizing blood sugar. Chamomile is great as an anti-inflammatory but it also excellent for treating hayfever, skin problems, digestion and anxiety. taking chamomile tincture up to 3 times daily will help with indigestion, ulcers, and gastritis. Chamomile infusions helps with chapped or sunburn skin. Peppermint is one of my person favourites when it comes to anti-inflammatories. My sister is an athlete and uses peppermint infused oils to help with aching muscles. On top of being an anti-inflammatory it is great for stimulating digestion, muscle spasm and antimicrobial. This herb is also good for diets as it curbs your appetite. Drinking peppermint tea or peppermint echinacea tea daily boost immune system helping to avoid getting sick. Garlic is a great antibiotic that lowers your cholesterol, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory properties. More information on garlic can be found in previous post here . Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory that boost circulation, digestion and reduces nausea. More information on ginger is found at here.

Arthritis


There are two major types or arthritis; osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, each has different symptoms. Osteoarthritis is related to wear and tear of aging and the thinning or cartilage around joints, other factors can include injuries. Rheumatoid arthritis is different and is sometimes defined as an immune disorder, it is caused when the body defence system attacks its own cells. The result is swollen, painful, often deformed joints and a general feeling of being unwell. For rheumatoid arthritis it is not recommended to self treat, please consult with your doctor or herbalist that can monitor your condition. A daily dose of cod liver oil is suggested up to 1 teaspoon which is beneficial for joints and reduce stiffness. Keeping an active lifestyle and a diet high in essential fats, rich in vitamin and minerals is greatly needed. On top of a healthy lifestyle there are tea and decoctions that will be beneficial. Detoxifying the system is important as it eliminates irritant waste material and reduces muscular aches and pains. Stiff joint are also helped with stimulating the circulatory system. Teas and decocotions that are for this purpose includes; dandelion, nettle, meadowseet, celery seed and ginger. Dandelion leaf has diuretic properties that increases the functionality of the kidney helping you eliminate waste. The root is a gentle liver tonic and mild laxative. Nettle is rich in vitamins and iron but acts like a blood cleanser. This helps repair and renew tissues. It can be taken alone 'or mixed with dandelion. Meadowsweet is useful for easing discomfort of muscle pain. It should only be taken as a tea once daily for no longer that 2 weeks at a time. Celery seed has an alkalizing effect to the system and helps remove acidic toxins.For maximum effect use celery seed with parsley as it helps enhance the benefits. Celery seed should not be used during pregnancy or with kidney diseases. Ginger has a warming effect that stimulates the circulatory system. It is recommended for both types of arthritis but should not be taken in high doses.
Pain and stiffness can benefit from compresses. use 5 drops of the essential oil versions of the herbs mentioned above in 300ml (1/2 pint) of hot water, dip cloth, wring it out and apply to affected area.
A warm bath helps relax the muscles of the body adding 5 drops of the recommended oils with 3-5 of lavender oil will help your aching joints and muscle. 
Rheumatism Liniment
this is a liquid preparation that combines herbal oil with tincture. This should be applied at body temperature and massaged into the effected ares. Use 6 cloves garlic, 1 1/4 cups olive oil, 2 tablespoons juniper tincture. Crush garlic without peeling them and put in a bowl pour olive oil over the garlic and cover with foil and stand it over a pan of simmering water. Heat gentle for an hour. Strain out the oil and leave until lukewarm then stir in the juniper tincture and pour into a stoppered bottle. This will keep for several months.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Anticoagulants

     Some people call anticoagulants blood thinners. However, the blood is not actually made any thinner. Anticoagulants are medicines that prevent the blood from clotting as quickly or as effectively as normal. The main possible side-effect of anticoagulants is bleeding. Many synthetic anticoagulants interact with some other medicines and foods. If you are prescribed or buy any other medicine always tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist if you are taking an anticoagulant or before switching to an herbal.  Blood clots can block an artery or a vein (blood vessels), a blocked artery stops blood and oxygen from getting to a part of your body. The tissue supplied by a blocked artery becomes damaged, or dies, and this results in serious problems such as a stroke or heart attack.
      Some work by blocking vitamin K, which prevents blood clots forming so easily by increasing the time it takes to make fibrin. It usually takes two or three days for these medicines to work fully.
Anticoagulants are used to treat or help with;
·             Atrial fibrillation (fast irregular heartbeat). Having atrial fibrillation is one of the most common reasons for taking an anticoagulant.
·         A mechanical heart valve.
  • Endocarditis (infection of the inside of the heart).
  • Mitral stenosis (one of the valves in the heart does not fully open).
  • Certain blood disorders that affect how your blood clots (inherited thrombophilia, antiphospholipid syndrome).
  • Had surgery to replace a hip or knee.
     Aspirin has an effect of preventing clots by preventing platelets sticking together. However, it is classed as an antiplatelet agent rather than an anticoagulant. Anticoagulants interfere with chemicals needed to make clots or clotting factors. Some natural anticoagulants include; garlic, ginger, white willow, turmeric, feverfew and angelica.
       Using garlic is usually prescribed as supplements in two 200mg daily three times a day.
       Ginger is usually taken four times daily in 500mg doses.
       Like garlic turmeric is consumed three times daily in 200mg doses.
       White willow is consumed as a tea three to four times each day by steeping one or two teaspoons of dried bark in 8 ounces of hot water for a period of 15 minutes or 240 milligrams of this herb in capsule form daily.
Please refer to the disclaimer at the bottom of the page

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Aloe Vera

Oriental, Persian, Greek and Roman physicians have used aloe vera to treat a wide range of illnesses; from tonsillitis to insomnia. Some people believe that drinking aloe flower essence  , diluted in water, daily can increase your sensitivity to others. It includes vitamins A, C, and E making it ideal as part of a great beauty regime. The aloe gel can be use to treat a large range of skin ailments including; burns, wounds, acne, eczema, bedsores, allergic reactions, inflammation, psoriasis, insect bites, blisters and dry skin. It can also be used to treat constipation as a mild laxative. This amazing plant helps boost you immune system if you drink aloe juice daily. This juice also naturally replenishes your body because of it's many amino acids, vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E, Folic Acid and Niacin. Minerals also found in the juice include; copper, iron, sodium, calcium, zinc, potassium, chromium, magnesium, and manganese, making it a good source of daily nutrients. Along with improving your energy levels it can help you maintain a healthy body wait by helping your digestive system. This herb also helps with heartburn, arthritis, and lower blood sugar and cholesterol. Aloe vera plant juice is also helpful for common reoccurring disorders such as colds, flues, bronchitis, herpes, stuffy noses, and other respiratory disorders. This plant is also commonly called a miracle plant because of it's ability to help heal people suffering from AIDS and cancer as it halts the growth of cancerous tumours. Not only does it help with all these ailments the list of benefits is still even longer. It prefers well-drained soil in sun, it can grow indoors out of direct sun. It can grow from sown seed indoors during spring or from offsets taken from the base. Lower leaves can be harvested any time, cut the leaf diagonally across base. This leaf should be allowed to stand in a jar to drain out the sap; this should be stored separate from the rest. The gel is scraped out of the inside of the leaf.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Dandelion (Taraxacum Officinale)

In England this plant used to be believed to ward off witches if picked on Midsummer's Eve; called 'witch gowan'. This "weed" has been considered a pest in America however this herb is wonderfully medicinal. So much so that in place where is doesn't grow naturally, such as China and Japan, they have farms/greenhouses devoted to growing this plant for medicinal uses. For years in America this herb has been used to treat kidney diseases. This herb can be uses to fight acne or eczema along with flushing accumulated waste in the liver. This herb is rich in Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, manganese, and potassium. The leaves of this plant contains more protein than spinach.; the leaves alone are 14% protein. This plant is also loaded with antioxidants and vitamins.The nutrients in dandelion greens may help reduce the risk of cancer, multiple sclerosis, cataracts, age-related muscular degeneration and stroke. Dandelion contains anti-inflammatory properties which provide benefit to those with asthma and other inflammatory diseases. This herb prefers rich, well drained soil in full sun. The seeds should be sowed in the spring, the leaves and fresh flowers can be picked anytime they flower but roots should be dug up in the second autumn.