Despite progress we always have those among us who believe the "old fashioned" home remedies or products are better. It has to be said that in some instances they are correct. Sadly, with each passing generation, some of this old fashioned wisdom disappears.

Progress is so contemporary and so closely a part of our daily lives that we sometimes fail to recognize that we, ourselves, may fail to recognize the benefits of old fashioned home remedies. Things that we would have considered very modern because we witnessed their creation only a few years ago may already be "old fashioned" to high school students.  In the medical world, treatment that might have been popular for a disease in 1986 may be completely outmoded in 2006. Even medical discoveries of the 1990's may be old fashioned today.

However, over the years, and for generation after generation, a great number of old fashioned home remedies for many illnesses have managed to stay alive. They have been passed down from elders to youngsters in each country throughout the world. Many of them are strikingly similar although they may have originated on separate continents among completely alien peoples.

This area of medicine is commonly called "folk medicine." Few people will have failed to have come into contact with this term at one time or another. Usually folk medicines are the "old fashioned home remedies, the cure that "Grandma used"; the wisdom of the oldster who remembers when "My old friend Betty would have died if they hadn't used that old remedy! Yes sir, even the doctor had to admit it worked."

Periodically there seems to be a revival in folk medicine. We appear to be now experiencing such a time as more people are becoming concerned, not only about the high cost of medicine, but also the increasing discoveries of side effects.

Basically most folk medicine is closely associated with herbs, food, oils, minerals and components found in any household. Techniques and methodology of folk medicine are especially adaptable to home use.  One such home remedy is raw apple cider vinegar and honey in water served as tea will decrease acid reflux.  Is this true?  Well my husband tried it.  He made this raw apple cider vinegar and honey tea every night and he said it definitely decreased the symptoms.  I'm I saying stop taking your medication, of course not but it worked for my husband.

It is not difficult to understand how many of these "old fashioned" home remedies and treatments originated and why they were popular. Among pioneers and peoples where doctors were few and far between, or nonexistent, medical aids were the products of experience and necessity. People used what they had at hand. Sometimes what they "had at hand" are still used by our most modern medical experts.

For instance, over two centuries ago an English woman herb doctor used a concoction of over twenty herbs to treat symptoms of dropsical. Dr William Withering of Shropshire in England became interested in her success and, after considerable research, concluded that the foxglove in her treatment was the answer to her success. Medicine, derived from foxglove, is still considered an excellent treatment.

Nature has given us many old fashioned home remedies, with little or no side effects. I am sure, with more research in this area, she would be more than willing to give up more of her healing remedies.

There are many alternative acid reflux remedies available, and it seems like there are more being released every day. Although there are plenty of prescription medicines to treat acid reflux, or heartburn as it is often called, more and more it seems that people are turning to acid reflux home remedies as an alternative to these kinds of treatments. I am not really sure why this is so, but acid reflux remedies made of herbs, minerals, and the like are more and more popular as time passes. This seems strange to me, as many of the traditional over the counter acid reflux remedies are made of pretty natural stuff anyway.

I have heard that tums is basically chalk, and I have even heard of activated charcoal being used successfully as an alternative acid reflux remedy. Another alternative treatment for acid reflux is 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp of raw honey in 8 oz glass of water is one of the best treatment available. So why all of this searching for alternatives when many of the common choices seem to work so well?  An even more important question is: why not use one of the best acid reflux remedies available? By that I mean, why not use a sane, healthy diet that creates less stomach acid. This seems to be the best of the acid reflux remedies which I have come across so far, and I can not be the only one out there who thinks so.

Eating a lot of grains, fresh vegetables and a few fruits, and little fat or grease or meat, can do a lot to treat heartburn. Making sure that you do not overeat, and that you have several small meals over the course of the day rather than just having one great big one can also work wonders for your acid reflux. Also drinking plenty of water reduces stomach acid.  Especially drinking a glass of water before going to bed consistently over the course of time is the cheapest remedy I know of.  People would rather go on just as they always have, eating foods that simply are not that good for them, and then treating the symptoms with  acid reflux remedies, instead of the cause, which is simply unhealthy eating habits. It is enough to make you sick about some people, if you ask me!

Of course, some people really do suffer from acid reflux disease for other reasons than just poor dietary habits. If you are one of these people, and are simply the victim of an overactive stomach, then there is nothing else for it than to treat your condition with the remedies that you find. Otherwise, you are at risk of all kinds of other health problems caused by the excessive stomach acid.

 

Tags: sour stomach, gas pain, stomach acid, heart burn, bloating, indigestion

There are many alternative acid reflux remedies available, and it seems like there are more being released every day. Although there are plenty of prescription medicines to treat acid reflux, or heartburn as it is often called, more and more it seems that people are turning to acid reflux home remedies as an alternative to these kinds of treatments. I am not really sure why this is so, but acid reflux remedies made of herbs, minerals, and the like are becoming more and more popular as time passes.

Now majority of us uses tums for heartburn but it is basically chalk. Did you know that antacid causes you to lose your libido? So lets look at some alternative remedies and information that is available.  I have heard of activated charcoal being used successfully as an alternative acid reflux remedy. Another alternative treatment for acid reflux is 2 tsp of Braggs apple cider vinegar, 1 tsp of raw honey (not processed) in 8 oz glass of water is one of the best treatment available.  Drink it cold or make it as a hot tea. It is absolutely delicious. This remedy alone stopped my husband's heartburn. I forgot about chewable DGL (Licorice Root) 20 minutes before meals and before going to bed at night also stops acid reflux.  These remedies surely work but they are short term solutions.  That 's why I strongly recommend Cure Your Heartburn for long term solution. 

Now let's talk about a healthy diet.  Eating a lot of grains, fresh vegetables and a few fruits, and little fat or grease or meat, can do a lot to treat heartburn. Making sure that you do not overeat, and that you have several small meals over the course of the day rather than just having one great big one can also work wonders for your acid reflux. Also drinking plenty of water reduces stomach acid.  Especially drinking a glass of water before going to bed consistently over the course of time is the cheapest remedy I know of.  People would rather go on just as they always have, eating foods that simply are not that good for them, and then treating the symptoms with  acid reflux remedies, instead of the cause, which is simply unhealthy eating habits.

Of course, some people really do suffer from acid reflux disease for other reasons than just poor dietary habits. If you are one of these people, and are simply the victim of an overactive stomach, then there is nothing else for it than to treat your condition with the remedies that you find. Otherwise, you are at risk of all kinds of other health problems caused by the excessive stomach acid.

There is a 7 day weight loss plan that works wonders. It is a well kept secret among dieters. Not only can you lose weight fast but you can lose up 9-12lbs in 7 days. So if you are trying to get the weight off before the holidays then this diet plan is for you.  Not only do you lose weight but you are also doing a mild detoxification of simple sugars and caffeine.

7 Day Weight Loss Plan:

Cabbage Soup Recipe

6 large green onions
2 green peppers
1 or 2 cans of tomatoes (diced or whole)
3 Carrots
1 Container (10 oz. or so) Mushrooms
1 bunch of celery
1/2 a head of cabbage
1 package Lipton soup mix
1 or 2 cubes of bouillon (optional)
1 48oz can V8 juice (optional)
Season to taste with salt, pepper, parsley, curry, garlic powder, etc.

Directions:

Slice green onions, put in a pot and start to saute with cooking spray.

Cut green pepper stem end off and cut in half, take the seeds and membrane out. Cut the green-pepper into bite size pieces and add to pot.

Take the outer leafs layers off the cabbage, cut into bite size pieces, add to pot.

Clean carrots, cut into bite size pieces, and add to pot.

Slice mushrooms into thick slices, add to pot.

If you would like a spicy soup, add a small amount of curry or cayenne pepper now.

You can use beef or chicken bouillon cubes for seasonings. These have all the salt and flavors you will need.

Use about 12 cups of water (or 8 cups and the V8 juice), cover and put heat on low. Let soup cook for a long time - two hours works well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

7 Day Weight Loss Plan Step By Step:

Day One: Fruit: Eat all of the fruit you want (except bananas). Eat only your soup and the fruit for the first day. For drinks- unsweetened decaffeinated teas, cranberry juice and water.

Day Two: Vegetables: Eat until you are stuffed will all fresh, raw or cooked vegetables of your choice. Try to eat leafy green vegetables and stay away from dry beans, peas and corn. Eat all the vegetables you want along with your soup. At dinner, reward yourself with a big baked potato with butter. Do not eat fruit today.

Day Three: Mix Days One and Two: Eat all the soup, fruits and vegetables you want. No Baked Potato.

Day Four: Bananas and Skim Milk: Eat as many as eight bananas and drink as many glasses of skim milk as you would like on this day, along with your soup. This day is supposed to lessen your desire for sweets.

With this 7 Day Weight Loss Plan, be sure to drink 6-8 8oz glass of water. Avoid caffeine and also 2 tsp of apple cider vinegar in an 8oz glass of water will speed up the process.

Day Five: Beef And Tomatos: Ten to twenty ounces of beef and up to six fresh tomtoes. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water this day to wash the uric acid from your body. Eat your soup at least once this day. You may eat broiled or baked chicken instead of beef (but absolutely no skin-on chicken). If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef one one of the beef days (but not both).

Day Six: Beef and Vegetables: Eat to your heart's content of beef and vegetables this day. You can even have 2 or 3 steaks if you like, with leafy green vegetables. No Baked Potato. Eat your soup at least once.

Day Seven: Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juices and vegetables: Again stuff, stuff, stuff yourself. Be sure to eat your soup at least once this day.

Repeat the 7 Day Weight Loss Plan as often as you like to achieve the desired results. Start now and lose weight before the holidays.

As always please consult your doctor before starting any weight loss program.

Tags: weight loss, weight, obesity, health, weight-loss, diet, health and wellness, medical, fat, lose weight

How do you know if you're in good health or not? Do you have a six month check-up that keeps you posted on these sorts of things? Well, chances are, if you're under the age of forty, then you're probably not hitting up the local doctor on a regular basis. Heck, why would you? You feel good, right? You try to consume a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. You head to the local gym four times a week to stay fit and trim. You take that ever-popular multivitamin every day. So, does all this sound familiar? If it does not, then you'd better get started. Your body is not going to take complete care of itself you know. With the right diet program and rigorous exercise you can also increase blood circulation. That's essential for your heart.

What do you do to stay healthy and increase blood circulation? I mean, what do you really do? Unless you're a fitness nut or guru, I'm betting that you typically avoid a lot of physical activity and health food. For some odd reason, this has just become the American way. No one wants to work for things anymore. That's why the newer generations are always getting that spiel about how they never do anything, or they do much less than their parents ever did.

Aren't you sick of that yet? It's time to prove the senior citizens wrong. It's time to get off that couch and get in some exercise. You may work in a contemporary cubicle, but that doesn't mean you have to be out of shape. It's all about wanting it bad enough. Now, one of the greatest reasons you should consider your health more often concerns your heart. As you probably already know, your heart pumps blood throughout your body.

However, many individuals who are overweight and out of shape need to really work to increase blood circulation. The more overweight you are, the more problems you may face. Squelch this issue once and for all by doing daily exercise regimes. Some great routines you can adopt that will increase blood circulation are stretching, weight lifting, cardio, and swimming. Yoga is especially known for its wonderful benefits regarding circulation.

If you are looking for some ideal ways to increase blood circulation, read the Lightning Speed Fitness Program. Here you will find a great selection of fitness regimes to benefit your overall health. 

Zandra Jones, RN BBA writes on alternative treatment and fitness at Alternative Medicine Support

Tags: herbal treatment, alternative treatment, herbal, health, natural treatment

Constipation can be a very uncomfortable condition and affect your ability to enjoy life. It's also something that people are embarrassed to seek advice about. It may be the result of an illness or simply the consequence of your lifestyle. Constipation shows that the digestive system isn't working properly. Lack of exercise, stress and an unhealthy diet could be contributing factors. Many of us have frantic lives and we rush around, not eating properly. More fiber and less processed foods could make a big difference. You should drink enough during the day too, but not fill up on caffeine. Natural fruit juice or water is better. There are plenty laxative treatments available but a lot of people prefer natural remedies for constipation.

Treatments from the drug store may fix the problem for some people, whilst others suffer side effects and some come to depend on the laxative. Whether you choose natural remedies for constipation or drug store products, you must see a doctor if the condition doesn't improve or if there is any bleeding in the stools.

Steps can be taken which will help prevent constipation or help to alleviate it. Eating fruit and vegetables is one of the natural remedies for constipation which can easily be incorporated into daily life. The best fruits for this are bale fruit, prunes, pears, grapes, papaya and orange juice. Other recommendations are guava, apple pectin, rhubarb, sweet potatoes, carrots and garlic. Folic acid and ginger tea are also good for the digestion. There are other home cure natural remedies for constipation such as mixing one tablespoon of corn syrup to eight fluid ounces of water and drinking it twice a day. You could also drink a glass of milk twice a day with added sugar or honey.

Herbal tablets are another course to take. They shouldn't produce side effects or be habit forming. Herbs have been used for hundreds of years as natural remedies for constipation. The herbal supplements used most often contain fenugreek, dandelion, psyllium, passiflora, flaxseed or aloe ferox. None of these should lead to diarrhea, dehydration or stomach pain.

Exercise can also build up a resistance to constipation, especially if combined with healthy eating habits. The best forms of exercise for natural remedies for constipation are ones which uses the abdominal muscles. This could involve Tai Chi, which is slow moving but strengthens the muscles. Aerobic exercise is generally good, such as swimming.

The important thing is to find out what works for you and what you can conveniently fit into your life. Some natural remedies for constipation can be used as a long term solution and not just a quick fix for the problem.

Tags: herbal, health, natural treatment, herbal treatment, alternative treatment

 

Alternative herbal medicine is one of the best ways to cure chronic or other disease, in many cases. The major benefit of herbal medicines is that it is 100% natural and does not have any side effects, if taken according to the advice of a competent doctor. Look for and use organic herbs when ever possible.

Gamma Linoleic Acid (GLA) is the wonder medicine made from primrose, borage or currant seed oil that is extremely effective for treatment of alcohol addicts. Alcohol intake in huge amounts has the chances of slowing down your brain cells. This particular effect of alcohol can be checked by Valerian herb. Another effectual herbal medicine for people suffering from emotional or physical stress is Skullcap.

The alternative herbal remedies for stress, anxiety or depression are St. John's wort, ashwagandha, valerian and hops ginseng, and Motherwort.

If one is suffering from any degree of sleeplessness, the most helpful herbal medicines are lemon balm, linden, chamomile and ginger tea. For quick relief from common ailments like the odd headache, you can go for eucalyptus or peppermint oil and lavender while for rapid pain relief or inflammation, one can take meadowsweet or willow bark instead of chemical painkillers.

Salicylic acid, the chief component of the pain - killer aspirin, is found in its salicin form in willow bark and meadowsweet. The salicin is reacted upon in the stomach and transformed to salicylic acid, which grants you instant relief from pain. Ginger, which reduces the prostaglandin levels in the body, is another useful pain reliever.

Thanks to the hectic modern style of present day living, most of us suffer from stress in different forms. Herbal medicine is a great way to counter this. Ginseng and Siberian ginseng are two of the most potent stress relievers. Herbal medicines like gingko biloba, ginseng, Siberian ginseng and gotu kola are also successful in curing partial memory loss. Hawthorn, ginseng, motherwort, valerian and pineapple are the wonder herbs that help in curing angina or irregular heartbeat.

Most herbal medicines are prepared from the major herbal ingredient along with other contents. At present, almost 80% of all the medicines have some herbal ingredients.

Although herbal medicines have been extremely successful in treating many diseases, prescription drugs still hold the fort when it comes to treating critical diseases. Thus, one should not consider alternative herbal medicine to be a competitor of prescription drugs, but as a new and effective form of medicine that works in tandem with prescription drugs to treat certain illnesses.

Another benefit of herbal medicines is that it is accessible to most everyone. Herbal treatment is not at all expensive and the herbs can even be grown in your backyard! In fact, prescription drugs are much more expensive and associated with a greater amount of risk.

Alternative medicine is cheap, effective and most importantly, natural and free from any side effects.

Samuel Oliver has a site HerbsTips.com where your can discover info and tips all about herbs and herbal use for health and wellness Herbal Remedies

Zandra Jones, RN BBA is an alternative health advisor and owner of Alternative Herbal Treatment

Tags: herbal treatment, health, alternative treatment, herbal, natural treatment