When I asked him about the harsh antidepressant that I'd been put on, my psychiatrist told me that there was no natural remedy for depression. He said that natural remedies for depression were fiction. They were created by ruthless con artists to make money off of people at the expense of their health. I had been inclined to believe him, because he had already treated several of my relatives. He was well known in his fields as an excellent psychiatrist. Nonetheless, I couldn't quite believe that there were no natural remedies for depression. I decided to look into it myself.
It turns out that he was right and he was wrong. Perhaps antidepressant medications provided the most effective means of treating depression, however there were naturopathic remedies available. There was St. John's wort, of course, as well as 5-HTP. Both of these could act as mood enhancers, but neither of them were tightly controlled by the FDA to ensure safety, or as strong as the traditional antidepressants. Herbal remedies for depression seemed to be a dead end, however I did find out some interesting things.
Apparently, how well you eat can have a profound influence on depression. Many of the books of natural depression remedies recommended eating a good diet, low on red meat and high in omega-3 fatty acid containing fish. Apparently, getting enough fatty acid and vitamins was one of the best natural remedies for depression. It wasn't guaranteed to work all of the time, and some people need antidepressants. Nonetheless, it seemed like a safer place to start.
Of course, of all of the natural remedies for depression that I came across, the best one was meditation. This may seem strange to you, since meditation is basically just sitting around and concentrating. Don't we do that every day anyway? Meditation is different because it allows you to clear the mind. When you meditate, you learn to let go of things that are bothering you. These can include chronic worries, neurotic modes of thought, and the depression itself. Although it is one of the most difficult natural remedies for depression, it is also one of the most effective. Therapy has helped me, but meditation has helped me even more. If you are trying out natural remedies for depression, you should definitely not pass it up. It requires no drugs or supplements, it's free, and it is one of the most rewarding experiences you could have.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Stop Smoking Programs
You wake up in the morning filled with need. Your mind is distracted all day long. You crave just one cigarette to get you through the day. There is no doubt about it – quitting smoking is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do. You don’t have to do it alone though. There are many stop smoking programs that are available to help make your task just a little bit easier for you.
One of the most important things to remember if you are going to quit smoking is that you can never have enough information. In our generation, quitting smoking is encouraged by the government and society in general. It even borders on trendy. Therefore, it is not hard to find information on different ways to quit smoking. Stop smoking programs abound and success is only a matter of finding the program that is best for you. You can find a great deal of information through governmental organizations. You’ll find hints on coping techniques, dealing with cravings, curbing anxiety, and ways not to gain weight. There are also private organizations that offer information and resources that will guide you through this difficult time.
Many stop smoking programs focus on the use of a particular product. It may be a gum, a patch, or even a prescription drug. Each program has rules and guidelines for you to follow. Each program will have pros and cons. Your doctor can discuss the many options with you to make sure your progress is both safe and effective.
Another popular method used by some stop smoking programs is herbal remedies. They often come the form of a supplement but there are also herbal cigarettes with none of the addictive features of real cigarettes. Herbal remedies are often touted as miracles and many ex-smokers have had success with them. Once again, you should discuss the product with your doctor before using it. Many people are allergic to certain herbs and don’t even know it or if you have any type of health condition, some herbal remedies may not be safe for you. If you and your doctor decide that this is not the plan for you, there are many other stop smoking programs for you to consider.
Stop smoking programs can ease your transition into becoming a non-smoker. The can stop, or at least minimize, cravings, anxiety, and weight gain – all the things people fear when they are contemplating quitting smoking.
One of the most important things to remember if you are going to quit smoking is that you can never have enough information. In our generation, quitting smoking is encouraged by the government and society in general. It even borders on trendy. Therefore, it is not hard to find information on different ways to quit smoking. Stop smoking programs abound and success is only a matter of finding the program that is best for you. You can find a great deal of information through governmental organizations. You’ll find hints on coping techniques, dealing with cravings, curbing anxiety, and ways not to gain weight. There are also private organizations that offer information and resources that will guide you through this difficult time.
Many stop smoking programs focus on the use of a particular product. It may be a gum, a patch, or even a prescription drug. Each program has rules and guidelines for you to follow. Each program will have pros and cons. Your doctor can discuss the many options with you to make sure your progress is both safe and effective.
Another popular method used by some stop smoking programs is herbal remedies. They often come the form of a supplement but there are also herbal cigarettes with none of the addictive features of real cigarettes. Herbal remedies are often touted as miracles and many ex-smokers have had success with them. Once again, you should discuss the product with your doctor before using it. Many people are allergic to certain herbs and don’t even know it or if you have any type of health condition, some herbal remedies may not be safe for you. If you and your doctor decide that this is not the plan for you, there are many other stop smoking programs for you to consider.
Stop smoking programs can ease your transition into becoming a non-smoker. The can stop, or at least minimize, cravings, anxiety, and weight gain – all the things people fear when they are contemplating quitting smoking.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Herbal remedies
Last winter my mother came down with a very intense cold. She is on medication to control her blood pressure so it is difficult for her to take over the counter medications. She is also eighty seven years old so even a common cold is serious. We called the clinic to talk with her doctor; he stated that the cold needed to run its course. He suggested that mom get plenty of rest, take in plenty of fluids, and that she could take a non aspirin pain reliever. I told my mom that I would go to the store and pick up some soup and juice for her. On the way to the store I decided that I would also pick up a movie that we could watch together.
When I arrived at the store I ran into a Catholic nun that has been a friend of our family for many years. She inquired how mom was doing. I explained to Sister that mom was not doing very well right now because of the cold. She told me that she had great herbal remedies that worked well for people that could not take the over the counter drugs. She stated that the herbal remedies where safe for people with high blood pressure. She said that the majority of the herbal remedies were in the form of tea. I told her that mom like drinking hot teas so this would be a good thing for her. Sister made arrangements to come over to see mom later in the day and that she would bring along some of the teas. She wanted to know what mom’s symptoms were so that she would bring the best herbal remedies. I explained that mom had a cough, and sore throat along with the runny nose. Sister said that she had just the right thing and that it would also help mom to get rest.
I picked up the things that mom needed and went back to her apartment. I made us a light lunch of soup and crackers and then put in the movie for us to watch. I told mom that Sister would be stopping over to bring some herbal remedies. Mom said that she was willing to try anything because she was really feeling miserable.
Sister brought over several tea bags. I put on the tea kettle and took out the tea pot so that I could steep the tea. Sister explained that it was very important to let the tea steep for at least 15 minutes before drinking it. We added a teaspoon of honey to the tea and gave mom a cup. After about 45 minutes mom said that she was very tired. Sister left and I helped mom into her bedroom. She slept for four hours. When she woke up she was feeling a bit better. She ate more soup and drank another cup of soup and put on her pajamas and went to bed. She slept through the night and was much better in the morning. We did not know if it was Sister’s herbal remedies or the rest, but we were glad that the cold symptoms were improved.
When I arrived at the store I ran into a Catholic nun that has been a friend of our family for many years. She inquired how mom was doing. I explained to Sister that mom was not doing very well right now because of the cold. She told me that she had great herbal remedies that worked well for people that could not take the over the counter drugs. She stated that the herbal remedies where safe for people with high blood pressure. She said that the majority of the herbal remedies were in the form of tea. I told her that mom like drinking hot teas so this would be a good thing for her. Sister made arrangements to come over to see mom later in the day and that she would bring along some of the teas. She wanted to know what mom’s symptoms were so that she would bring the best herbal remedies. I explained that mom had a cough, and sore throat along with the runny nose. Sister said that she had just the right thing and that it would also help mom to get rest.
I picked up the things that mom needed and went back to her apartment. I made us a light lunch of soup and crackers and then put in the movie for us to watch. I told mom that Sister would be stopping over to bring some herbal remedies. Mom said that she was willing to try anything because she was really feeling miserable.
Sister brought over several tea bags. I put on the tea kettle and took out the tea pot so that I could steep the tea. Sister explained that it was very important to let the tea steep for at least 15 minutes before drinking it. We added a teaspoon of honey to the tea and gave mom a cup. After about 45 minutes mom said that she was very tired. Sister left and I helped mom into her bedroom. She slept for four hours. When she woke up she was feeling a bit better. She ate more soup and drank another cup of soup and put on her pajamas and went to bed. She slept through the night and was much better in the morning. We did not know if it was Sister’s herbal remedies or the rest, but we were glad that the cold symptoms were improved.
Herbal diet pills
Herbal diet pills are very popular these days as an alternative to more traditional methods of weight loss like diet and exercise. Herbal treatments in general are very trendy today, which I find a little worrisome for several reasons.
First of all, just about anything can be in an herbal diet pill. ‘Herbs’ are a kind of loophole in the FDA system, as they are not classified as drugs and therefore don’t have the rigorous standards for testing and safety that drugs normally get. Make no mistake about it though, herbs can be every bit as potent and harmful as drugs. The difference between medicinal herbs and drugs is really quite vague anyway, as most drugs themselves come from a kind of plant or herb.
Most of the time the ‘herbal’ classification doesn’t last very long; the FDA eventually calls it a drug and brings in the scientists. When that happens herbal diet pills often either become available only by prescription or are banned completely. Snooping around a little from site to site selling herbal diet pills, it is clear that the makers of these things are all too familiar with the FDA. Many sites even use it to their advantage saying things to the effect of ‘buy it now before the FDA bans it!’. You have to ask yourself, if the FDA is likely going to ban an herbal diet pill you’re interested in, should you be taking it at all?
I took a few herbal diet pills in college once on a whim, and I didn’t eat anything for nearly two days afterwards. I also didn’t really get much sleep either. Anything that makes you wired like that and kills your appetite so completely just isn’t good for you. While they were ‘ephedra free’ and were supposedly totally natural and safe, I don’t think I’d ever felt so polluted and ill in my life. A year later I discovered that the FDA had banned the same herbal diet pills I had taken, and I have to wonder what it was I had put in my body.
Anyway, just don’t be fooled by the word ‘herbal’ in an herbal diet pill. I would actually trust a regular diet pill that is FDA approved a lot more than some herbal diet pill concoction that has who knows what in it. The words herbal and natural are marketing ploys and should never be confused with the word safe unless there’s been some testing to prove it.
First of all, just about anything can be in an herbal diet pill. ‘Herbs’ are a kind of loophole in the FDA system, as they are not classified as drugs and therefore don’t have the rigorous standards for testing and safety that drugs normally get. Make no mistake about it though, herbs can be every bit as potent and harmful as drugs. The difference between medicinal herbs and drugs is really quite vague anyway, as most drugs themselves come from a kind of plant or herb.
Most of the time the ‘herbal’ classification doesn’t last very long; the FDA eventually calls it a drug and brings in the scientists. When that happens herbal diet pills often either become available only by prescription or are banned completely. Snooping around a little from site to site selling herbal diet pills, it is clear that the makers of these things are all too familiar with the FDA. Many sites even use it to their advantage saying things to the effect of ‘buy it now before the FDA bans it!’. You have to ask yourself, if the FDA is likely going to ban an herbal diet pill you’re interested in, should you be taking it at all?
I took a few herbal diet pills in college once on a whim, and I didn’t eat anything for nearly two days afterwards. I also didn’t really get much sleep either. Anything that makes you wired like that and kills your appetite so completely just isn’t good for you. While they were ‘ephedra free’ and were supposedly totally natural and safe, I don’t think I’d ever felt so polluted and ill in my life. A year later I discovered that the FDA had banned the same herbal diet pills I had taken, and I have to wonder what it was I had put in my body.
Anyway, just don’t be fooled by the word ‘herbal’ in an herbal diet pill. I would actually trust a regular diet pill that is FDA approved a lot more than some herbal diet pill concoction that has who knows what in it. The words herbal and natural are marketing ploys and should never be confused with the word safe unless there’s been some testing to prove it.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Traditional Use Of Herbal Medicines
Herbal medicine has been used for centuries all around the world. Relegated to the status of folk medicine for years by the medical establishment, herbal medicines are experiencing a resurgence in popularity due to the dangerous side effects of many of today's pharmaceutical drugs.
Herbal medicine has three traditional forms. Western herbalism began in Europe, and crossed over to North America with the European settlers. Some Native American influences can be found in some of its lore. Chinese medicine is herb-based, and breaks everything into yin or yang... cooling herbs or heating herbs are prescribed for illnesses that either cause the body to be cold or hot. Rounding out the herbal medicine trio is Ayurvedic medicine from India. With a history 5,000 years in the making, Ayurvedic medicine is based on balancing any imbalance found in the body.
Today, more people are turning back to herbal medicines, finding them more effective and gentler than pharmaceuticals. The entire pharmaceutical industry is based upon herbs and the medicines derived from them. Most of today's medicines however are made from synthetic compounds rather than those derived directly from plants.
Herbs are also whole foods. They offer nutrition, minerals and vitamins along with medicinal compounds. Herbs can be taken fresh as food, or made into teas, tisanes, tinctures, syrups, drops, poultices, salves, creams or dried and put in capsules. Depending on your illness, some methods of taking the herbs will work better than others.
Still other herbs are taken as supplements. An example would be alfalfa tablets, which can supply you with vitamin K (it helps your blood clot), among other nutrients. Supplements can be found at health food stores both in your local area and online. When buying supplements, look at the herbs for freshness. Any herb that is dried should still be a fresh green color, not brownish. If the color has deteriorated, it means the herb was dried using a method that removed nutrients from the herb.
If you are on pharmaceutical medications, please check with your physician or a certified herbalist before adding herbal medicines or supplements. Some herbs will interact with pharmaceutical medications and cause reactions or will counteract your regular medication. For instance, if you are prescribed blood thinners for a health condition, taking the aforementioned alfalfa supplement would be ill-advised, since vitamin K promotes clotting.
It is important to remember that just because herbal medicine is natural doesn't mean it can't hurt you. If you are not familiar with an herb and its effects, consult with a certified herbalist. Herbs need to be taken appropriately so you don't overdose or end up with an effect you didn't count on. Like any other medicine it is important to follow instructions for any herb.
Herbal medicines are a good way to treat quite a few illnesses and deficiencies. Do your homework and read about an herb and its actions before taking it. And before mixing herbs or adding a new herb, it doesn't hurt to consult an expert. Herbs have a lot to offer and can greatly benefit your health when taken appropriately.
Complementary and alternative medicine is the combined use of medical practices and products that aren't a part of conventional medicine. Many are using the CAM approach in hopes that they can prevent disease and live a more enhanced quality of life.
Herbal medicine has three traditional forms. Western herbalism began in Europe, and crossed over to North America with the European settlers. Some Native American influences can be found in some of its lore. Chinese medicine is herb-based, and breaks everything into yin or yang... cooling herbs or heating herbs are prescribed for illnesses that either cause the body to be cold or hot. Rounding out the herbal medicine trio is Ayurvedic medicine from India. With a history 5,000 years in the making, Ayurvedic medicine is based on balancing any imbalance found in the body.
Today, more people are turning back to herbal medicines, finding them more effective and gentler than pharmaceuticals. The entire pharmaceutical industry is based upon herbs and the medicines derived from them. Most of today's medicines however are made from synthetic compounds rather than those derived directly from plants.
Herbs are also whole foods. They offer nutrition, minerals and vitamins along with medicinal compounds. Herbs can be taken fresh as food, or made into teas, tisanes, tinctures, syrups, drops, poultices, salves, creams or dried and put in capsules. Depending on your illness, some methods of taking the herbs will work better than others.
Still other herbs are taken as supplements. An example would be alfalfa tablets, which can supply you with vitamin K (it helps your blood clot), among other nutrients. Supplements can be found at health food stores both in your local area and online. When buying supplements, look at the herbs for freshness. Any herb that is dried should still be a fresh green color, not brownish. If the color has deteriorated, it means the herb was dried using a method that removed nutrients from the herb.
If you are on pharmaceutical medications, please check with your physician or a certified herbalist before adding herbal medicines or supplements. Some herbs will interact with pharmaceutical medications and cause reactions or will counteract your regular medication. For instance, if you are prescribed blood thinners for a health condition, taking the aforementioned alfalfa supplement would be ill-advised, since vitamin K promotes clotting.
It is important to remember that just because herbal medicine is natural doesn't mean it can't hurt you. If you are not familiar with an herb and its effects, consult with a certified herbalist. Herbs need to be taken appropriately so you don't overdose or end up with an effect you didn't count on. Like any other medicine it is important to follow instructions for any herb.
Herbal medicines are a good way to treat quite a few illnesses and deficiencies. Do your homework and read about an herb and its actions before taking it. And before mixing herbs or adding a new herb, it doesn't hurt to consult an expert. Herbs have a lot to offer and can greatly benefit your health when taken appropriately.
Complementary and alternative medicine is the combined use of medical practices and products that aren't a part of conventional medicine. Many are using the CAM approach in hopes that they can prevent disease and live a more enhanced quality of life.
Immediate Relief And Healing Through Herbal Care
Aromatherapists suggest the essential oils of juniper, Roman or German chamomile, and cypress for treating bursitis.
Bodywork and Somatic Pradices
Good bets for gentle, immediate relief, and healing include reflexology, Therapeutic Touch, massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Feldenkrais, Trager, and Oriental body work. Later, to reduce the likelihood of any further problems, such as repetitive motion syndrome, old injury history, or persistent pain cycles, use trigger point myotherapy, Hellerwork, Rolfing, Aston-Patterning, or Alexander technique.
Chiropradic
Bursitis is sometimes caused by malposition of the joint. Corrective adjustments are beneficial, especially in chronic cases, In acute cases-specifically those caused by repetitive motions and the "overuse syndrome" typically seen in athletes-specific chiropractic adjustment (SCA) can be extremely effective. Chiropractic care may also include physical therapy, such as ultrasound and electromuscle stimulation. A chiropractor may recommend specific exercises to prevent bursitis in the shoulder from progressing to frozen shoulder syndrome, which sometimes happens in serious cases.
Herbal Therapy
For easing the discomfort of bursitis, try willow or meadowsweet tea; both herbs contain salicylate, a natural pain reliever. To prepare the tea, steep 1 teaspoon of either dried herb in 1 cup boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes; strain and drink 3 cups daily.
Alternatively, you might try a blend of tinctures of meadowsweet, horsetail, and willow bark. Combine equal amounts of the tinctures and take 1 teaspoon of the blend 3 times daily.
A combined tincture of lobelia and cramp bark is also therapeutic when rubbed into muscles to calm the tension produced by bursitis.
Homeopathy
Your homeopathic practitioner may suggest Ruta graveolens to ease the pain of bursitis.
Hydrotherapy
When pain is acute, apply an ice pack for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off during the first 24 hours. After that, use contrast therapy (alternating hot and cold compresses) up to 3 times daily. Caution: Never use a cold compress for longer than 20 minutes at a time; extended exposure to cold can damage skin.
You also might try soaking in a warm Epsom salts bath for 20 to 30 minutes once a week.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture Acupuncture can help reduce the inflammation and relieve the stiffness that accompanies bursitis, and it may promote the drainage of excess fluid. Acupoints targeted vary, depending on whether the pain is located in the hip, knee, or shoulder. Acupressure Acupressure can be used to alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with bursitis.
Chinese Herbal Therapy Corydalis Analgesic Tablets might be prescribed to combat bursitis-related pain, and aloe vera can be used as a topical medication. Herb plasters can also be used locally on affected areas.
Read out for Liposuction garments. Check out breast pumps and doctor.
Bodywork and Somatic Pradices
Good bets for gentle, immediate relief, and healing include reflexology, Therapeutic Touch, massage, CranioSacral Therapy, Feldenkrais, Trager, and Oriental body work. Later, to reduce the likelihood of any further problems, such as repetitive motion syndrome, old injury history, or persistent pain cycles, use trigger point myotherapy, Hellerwork, Rolfing, Aston-Patterning, or Alexander technique.
Chiropradic
Bursitis is sometimes caused by malposition of the joint. Corrective adjustments are beneficial, especially in chronic cases, In acute cases-specifically those caused by repetitive motions and the "overuse syndrome" typically seen in athletes-specific chiropractic adjustment (SCA) can be extremely effective. Chiropractic care may also include physical therapy, such as ultrasound and electromuscle stimulation. A chiropractor may recommend specific exercises to prevent bursitis in the shoulder from progressing to frozen shoulder syndrome, which sometimes happens in serious cases.
Herbal Therapy
For easing the discomfort of bursitis, try willow or meadowsweet tea; both herbs contain salicylate, a natural pain reliever. To prepare the tea, steep 1 teaspoon of either dried herb in 1 cup boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes; strain and drink 3 cups daily.
Alternatively, you might try a blend of tinctures of meadowsweet, horsetail, and willow bark. Combine equal amounts of the tinctures and take 1 teaspoon of the blend 3 times daily.
A combined tincture of lobelia and cramp bark is also therapeutic when rubbed into muscles to calm the tension produced by bursitis.
Homeopathy
Your homeopathic practitioner may suggest Ruta graveolens to ease the pain of bursitis.
Hydrotherapy
When pain is acute, apply an ice pack for 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off during the first 24 hours. After that, use contrast therapy (alternating hot and cold compresses) up to 3 times daily. Caution: Never use a cold compress for longer than 20 minutes at a time; extended exposure to cold can damage skin.
You also might try soaking in a warm Epsom salts bath for 20 to 30 minutes once a week.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture Acupuncture can help reduce the inflammation and relieve the stiffness that accompanies bursitis, and it may promote the drainage of excess fluid. Acupoints targeted vary, depending on whether the pain is located in the hip, knee, or shoulder. Acupressure Acupressure can be used to alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with bursitis.
Chinese Herbal Therapy Corydalis Analgesic Tablets might be prescribed to combat bursitis-related pain, and aloe vera can be used as a topical medication. Herb plasters can also be used locally on affected areas.
Read out for Liposuction garments. Check out breast pumps and doctor.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Herbal Remedies For Arthiritis Cure
The effectiveness of herbal remedies for arthritis sufferers varies from person to person, so you may need to experiment a bit. Try one of the following treatments.
Take a combination tincture of meadowsweet, willow bark, black cohosh, prickly ash, celery seed, and nettle to help temper arthritis symptoms. To make the blend, mix equal amounts of the tinctures; take 1 teaspoonful of the mixture 3 times daily. The blend is safe and can be taken for a period of time.
Use yucca and devil's claw to reduce inflammation. Other herbs to try include licorice, alfalfa, turmeric, ginger, skullcap, and ginseng.
Rub a tincture of lobelia and cramp bark over the sore areas to decrease muscle tension.
Take a combination of 2 parts of willow bark, 1 part of black cohosh, and 1 part of nettle to ease aches and pains.
Rub cayenne over the affected joints to lessen pain.
Herbal products are available in health food stores and in some pharmacies and supermarkets. Follow package for specific directions.
Homeopathy
Osteoarthritis may respond to homeopathic treatment. However, the selection of a remedy-more than one is available-depends on your symptoms and the stage of the condition. Don't try treating this disorder yourself. See a homeopathic professional.
Hydrotherapy
Warm, moist heat packs used for 10 to 20 minutes every 4 hours can bring Welcome relief from stiffness and deep pain. Exercises performed in heated water and swimming have also been effective. Drink distilled water to help absorb and eliminate mineral salts and other waste products throughout the skin.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture According to the WHO, acupuncture is a vital addition to the arthritis fighting arsenal. Acupuncture can be used to help restore the body's energy balance, and it can also help lessen the pain and inflammation that commonly occur in the hands, hips, knees, and spinal joints of osteoarthritis patients. Many doctors now use acupuncture in conjunction with chiropractic techniques when treating osteoarthritis, and it has been used for centuries with Chinese manipulative techniques.
To treat hand and finger pain, the practitioner may focus on Small Intestine 7 (located on the forearm) and the Shang Pa Hsieh sites that lie between the fingers. Additional points may be added, depending on where in the hand the arthritis is located. More than six different acupoints are stimulated in the treatment of hip pain, and up to 12 points may be manipulated to alleviate arthritis related knee pain.
Acupressure To lessen the severity of arthritis symptoms, a practitioner may use acupressure on points that correspond to the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, bladder, stomach, and the governing vessel. The practitioner also may massage the points that correspond to the affected area to relieve pain and inflammation.
Chinese Herbal Therapy Chinese herbalists consider osteoarthritis to be a y inrelated "external damp" illness, and treat the disease by concocting a remedy that will nourish yin and dispel the damp wind while it alleviates swollen, painful joints.
Asarum Sieboldi may be helpful in relieving joint pain; take 3 to 4 grams daily. Foxnut has analgesic properties and is used to reduce pain and inflammation. It can be taken in pill form (9 to 15 grams per day) or as a 10-to 20-gram daily decoction. polygonatum cirrhifolium is said to not only cure arthritis, but to combat premature aging.
If the pain shifts from one joint to another, Corydalis Tuber Forumula may be helpful. For fixed pain accompanied by heavy, swollen joints, try Tu-Huo and Loranthus Formula or Stephania and Astragalus Combination (by mail order). Most of these remedies can be found in health food stores.
Yoga and Meditation
Exercise plays an important role in improving circulation and helping the body eliminate waste. Yoga poses improve flexibility, yet place little stress on joints. Focus on gentle poses, such as the Tree, Triangle, Forward Bend, Spinal Twist, Boat, Bow, Camel, Cow, Locust, Moon Salutation, Chest-Knee, Maha Mudra, and Half Bridge.
Take a combination tincture of meadowsweet, willow bark, black cohosh, prickly ash, celery seed, and nettle to help temper arthritis symptoms. To make the blend, mix equal amounts of the tinctures; take 1 teaspoonful of the mixture 3 times daily. The blend is safe and can be taken for a period of time.
Use yucca and devil's claw to reduce inflammation. Other herbs to try include licorice, alfalfa, turmeric, ginger, skullcap, and ginseng.
Rub a tincture of lobelia and cramp bark over the sore areas to decrease muscle tension.
Take a combination of 2 parts of willow bark, 1 part of black cohosh, and 1 part of nettle to ease aches and pains.
Rub cayenne over the affected joints to lessen pain.
Herbal products are available in health food stores and in some pharmacies and supermarkets. Follow package for specific directions.
Homeopathy
Osteoarthritis may respond to homeopathic treatment. However, the selection of a remedy-more than one is available-depends on your symptoms and the stage of the condition. Don't try treating this disorder yourself. See a homeopathic professional.
Hydrotherapy
Warm, moist heat packs used for 10 to 20 minutes every 4 hours can bring Welcome relief from stiffness and deep pain. Exercises performed in heated water and swimming have also been effective. Drink distilled water to help absorb and eliminate mineral salts and other waste products throughout the skin.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Acupuncture According to the WHO, acupuncture is a vital addition to the arthritis fighting arsenal. Acupuncture can be used to help restore the body's energy balance, and it can also help lessen the pain and inflammation that commonly occur in the hands, hips, knees, and spinal joints of osteoarthritis patients. Many doctors now use acupuncture in conjunction with chiropractic techniques when treating osteoarthritis, and it has been used for centuries with Chinese manipulative techniques.
To treat hand and finger pain, the practitioner may focus on Small Intestine 7 (located on the forearm) and the Shang Pa Hsieh sites that lie between the fingers. Additional points may be added, depending on where in the hand the arthritis is located. More than six different acupoints are stimulated in the treatment of hip pain, and up to 12 points may be manipulated to alleviate arthritis related knee pain.
Acupressure To lessen the severity of arthritis symptoms, a practitioner may use acupressure on points that correspond to the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, bladder, stomach, and the governing vessel. The practitioner also may massage the points that correspond to the affected area to relieve pain and inflammation.
Chinese Herbal Therapy Chinese herbalists consider osteoarthritis to be a y inrelated "external damp" illness, and treat the disease by concocting a remedy that will nourish yin and dispel the damp wind while it alleviates swollen, painful joints.
Asarum Sieboldi may be helpful in relieving joint pain; take 3 to 4 grams daily. Foxnut has analgesic properties and is used to reduce pain and inflammation. It can be taken in pill form (9 to 15 grams per day) or as a 10-to 20-gram daily decoction. polygonatum cirrhifolium is said to not only cure arthritis, but to combat premature aging.
If the pain shifts from one joint to another, Corydalis Tuber Forumula may be helpful. For fixed pain accompanied by heavy, swollen joints, try Tu-Huo and Loranthus Formula or Stephania and Astragalus Combination (by mail order). Most of these remedies can be found in health food stores.
Yoga and Meditation
Exercise plays an important role in improving circulation and helping the body eliminate waste. Yoga poses improve flexibility, yet place little stress on joints. Focus on gentle poses, such as the Tree, Triangle, Forward Bend, Spinal Twist, Boat, Bow, Camel, Cow, Locust, Moon Salutation, Chest-Knee, Maha Mudra, and Half Bridge.
Natural Means Of Herbal Harmone
Although it is not typically referred to as herbal hormone replacement therapy, there are plant components that have a hormone like effect on the body. The ones we know the most about are called “phytoestrogens”, which, as the name suggests, have an estrogen-like effect on the body.
Another term that is sometimes used for advertising purposes is “natural hormone replacement therapy”. Pay attention when selecting a treatment plan, because this term can technically be used to describe many different types of therapies.
Traditional estrogen replacement therapy is made from the urine of pregnant mares. You may see reports about studies concerning “equine estrogens”, which simply means estrogen that comes from horses. Since the source of the estrogen is “natural”, this type of therapy may be referred to as “natural hormone replacement therapy”.
If you are actually interested in herbs and plants that provide relief from the symptoms of menopause (or herbal hormone replacement therapy), then you may not be interested in equine estrogens. But, technically, they are natural.
In the mid 1970’s, researchers learned that women who took equine estrogens to relieve the symptoms associated with menopause were much more likely to develop cancer of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), than were women who had not taken hormones during menopause. This research led pharmaceutical companies to add a synthetic hormone called progestin (similar to the progesterone produced by the ovaries) to the equine estrogens. This type of combination HRT should not be referred to as natural hormone replacement therapy, but since the initial source of progestin is a plant, some may refer to it as natural.
Theoretically, equine estrogens caused the endometrium to thicken, but if a woman’s periods had stopped, then the lining was not shed. Progestin caused the lining to be shed, thus reducing the risk of endometrial cancer. The problem with progestin is that it increases the risk of breast cancer. The Women’s Health Initiative recently reported that combination HRT increases a woman’s risk of blood clots and stroke. They concluded that the health risks of HRT outweigh the benefits.
Some doctors have expressed confusion about why women care about the source of the hormones used in HRT. But, it is understandable. We are exposed to all sorts of chemicals and synthetic products throughout our lives. We know that some of them cause cancer. We know that some of them shorten our life spans. We know that some of them are unavoidable. Its no wonder that, whenever we can, we choose to avoid products that may endanger our health.
Thus, we seek natural hormone replacement therapy or herbal hormone replacement therapy, in an effort to relieve our symptom, while protecting our long-term health.
Bio-identical HRT, which is sometimes referred to as natural hormone replacement therapy, has received some attention, due mostly to a book written by a 40 something actress. Bio-identical HRT simply means that the hormones a woman takes are designed to be molecularly identical to her own hormones. Is it natural? The sources are natural, but the hormones are modified in the laboratory. Some are created in the laboratory. Is it safer than equine estrogens and progestins? No one knows. There have been no large-scale studies, because, until recently, the therapy was rarely used. It is more expensive than traditional HRT and it is not available from many doctors.
If you truly want all natural hormone replacement therapy, it does not exist. If you want herbal hormone replacement therapy, then you can try products that contain soy isoflavones or other phytoestrogens. You can try increasing soy in your diet. You can try wild yam supplements or red clover.
There are other plant components that the body can use to “create” its own hormones. These are often lacking from a woman’s diet. Tribulus terrestris has been shown in studies to increase the levels of hormones circulating in the blood stream and is referred to by some as herbal hormone replacement therapy.
Another term that is sometimes used for advertising purposes is “natural hormone replacement therapy”. Pay attention when selecting a treatment plan, because this term can technically be used to describe many different types of therapies.
Traditional estrogen replacement therapy is made from the urine of pregnant mares. You may see reports about studies concerning “equine estrogens”, which simply means estrogen that comes from horses. Since the source of the estrogen is “natural”, this type of therapy may be referred to as “natural hormone replacement therapy”.
If you are actually interested in herbs and plants that provide relief from the symptoms of menopause (or herbal hormone replacement therapy), then you may not be interested in equine estrogens. But, technically, they are natural.
In the mid 1970’s, researchers learned that women who took equine estrogens to relieve the symptoms associated with menopause were much more likely to develop cancer of the endometrium (the lining of the uterus), than were women who had not taken hormones during menopause. This research led pharmaceutical companies to add a synthetic hormone called progestin (similar to the progesterone produced by the ovaries) to the equine estrogens. This type of combination HRT should not be referred to as natural hormone replacement therapy, but since the initial source of progestin is a plant, some may refer to it as natural.
Theoretically, equine estrogens caused the endometrium to thicken, but if a woman’s periods had stopped, then the lining was not shed. Progestin caused the lining to be shed, thus reducing the risk of endometrial cancer. The problem with progestin is that it increases the risk of breast cancer. The Women’s Health Initiative recently reported that combination HRT increases a woman’s risk of blood clots and stroke. They concluded that the health risks of HRT outweigh the benefits.
Some doctors have expressed confusion about why women care about the source of the hormones used in HRT. But, it is understandable. We are exposed to all sorts of chemicals and synthetic products throughout our lives. We know that some of them cause cancer. We know that some of them shorten our life spans. We know that some of them are unavoidable. Its no wonder that, whenever we can, we choose to avoid products that may endanger our health.
Thus, we seek natural hormone replacement therapy or herbal hormone replacement therapy, in an effort to relieve our symptom, while protecting our long-term health.
Bio-identical HRT, which is sometimes referred to as natural hormone replacement therapy, has received some attention, due mostly to a book written by a 40 something actress. Bio-identical HRT simply means that the hormones a woman takes are designed to be molecularly identical to her own hormones. Is it natural? The sources are natural, but the hormones are modified in the laboratory. Some are created in the laboratory. Is it safer than equine estrogens and progestins? No one knows. There have been no large-scale studies, because, until recently, the therapy was rarely used. It is more expensive than traditional HRT and it is not available from many doctors.
If you truly want all natural hormone replacement therapy, it does not exist. If you want herbal hormone replacement therapy, then you can try products that contain soy isoflavones or other phytoestrogens. You can try increasing soy in your diet. You can try wild yam supplements or red clover.
There are other plant components that the body can use to “create” its own hormones. These are often lacking from a woman’s diet. Tribulus terrestris has been shown in studies to increase the levels of hormones circulating in the blood stream and is referred to by some as herbal hormone replacement therapy.
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