By Terri Atwell Terri Atwell
Level: Platinum

Terri is a registered nurse with 37+ years in the profession. Her interests include gardening, reading British murder mysteries and historical fiction, and spoiling two …

WOW! Thanksgiving is over and it is less than four weeks until Christmas! I really need to get moving and finish the Christmas shopping, since half of the gifts need to be shipped to another state. Signs of the season are everywhere-at the mall, decorations on private residences, town streets and grocery stores. Archway already has its seasonal cookies out. I really love the pfeffernusse cookies with their anise flavor. I’ve never made them myself, but I did attempt springerle one year-disaster! Springerle are also flavored with anise, and are rolled out with a special rolling pin that has decorations engraved on it. Mine came out hard as a rock-if you hit somebody with one you’d probably kill them, or at least fracture their skull. I haven’t lived that disaster down yet!

Anise (Pimpinella anisum) is a plant related to the common parsley and garden carrot. It is mostly grown in the eastern region of the Mediterranean and southwest Asia. The seed pods are known as anise seed and the flavor is similar to licorice, fennel and tarragon. I never connected the flavors of anise and tarragon but on reflection I realized that there is a similarity there between the two. No wonder tarragon is a favorite herb of mine. Star anise (Illicium verum) is obtained from the star-shaped fruit of a small evergreen tree native to China. This spice’s flavor is similar to anise although the two spices are unrelated. Both spices contain the same ingredient, anethole, in their essential oils, which is what gives the spices their flavor. Anise and star anise are widely used in cooking, baking and liquor production, but since it is less expensive to produce star anise, this spice is gradually replacing anise in a lot of markets.

Both anise and star anise are used for a variety of medicinal purposes. Each spice can be used as a digestive aid: for indigestion, nausea, prevent gas formation or help in getting rid of the gas. They are also helpful for rheumatism and coughs. Since both spices contain anethole, which is classified as a phytoestrogen (foreign substance that has estrogen-like effects), it is recommended that women who are pregnant avoid using them for aromatherapy purposes. Using a small amount of the spices for flavoring foods is not harmful to the pregnant woman. For aromatherapy uses anise and anise star can be taken in teas, in food or by chewing the seeds. They can also be mixed with carrier oils and be applied topically.

Anise is useful in a variety of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, whooping cough, and bronchitis. A topical application is helpful in treating skin disorders such as oiliness, scabies and lice. Chewing the seeds help freshen breath and remedy insomnia. Because anise has an antiseptic quality it was used briefly during the Civil War for this purpose; however it was discovered to cause high levels of toxicity in the blood and was subsequently discontinued. The liquid scent is used by fishermen on lures to attract fish. During the years when steam locomotives dominated the rails, capsules of aniseed oil were placed among the metal bearings so that the railroad worker would be alerted to overheating by its strong distinctive smell.

Star anise contains shikimic acid, a primary component in the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu–star anise is the industrial source for this ingredient. There was actually a temporary shortage of star anise a few years back when the demand for the drug Tamiflu was high. Reports surfaced stating that some people had severe illness after drinking star anise tea. This is thought to be due to the erroneous use of Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum). Japanese star anise is from a similar tree, but is highly toxic. Ingesting this substance causes severe neurological effects (seizures) and also affects renal and digestive systems.

Anise and star anise are two wonderful spices that can be used in your Holiday baking and cooking. Take advantage of their essential oils this cold and flu season; and if you eat too much during the festivities and develop indigestion, just get out the seeds and chew on them for relief. If you are really into baking special treats, try springerle. I haven’t had the courage to try them again!

After being in nursing for many years, I decided to retire from nursing and devote my time to my web business. TLC is so much a part of me, and I am working hard to help people feel better about themselves–body, mind and soul. The business I started is called KKAT VENTURES LLC and the web URL is http://www.peacefulbeing.net/ I am also a grandmother of three adorable children (what grandmother doesn’t say this!!!). I enjoy gardening, reading,especially British murder mysteries and historical fiction, and crosswords and Sudoku. And yes, I have a cat!

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Melasma is usually a gray skin tinting on the body. Its most frequent victims are females, specifically currently pregnant females, that is usually the reason it is referred to as “mask of pregnancy”. It does not appear simply on the facial skin, this presents itself also on the other regions of the skin just like the forearms.

Just how do you decide if someone seems to have a Chloasma? A popular indication to indicate the existence of this skin discoloration is the presence of brown patches located on the face, temple and also the nose area. It can take some moment before these discolorations were produced.

The black imperfections on the skin tone is a effect of excessive generation of the dark pigment on the skin and at the same time, being exposed to the sun’s rays. Another aspect that may influence in the advancement of patches is the anatomical aspect. For conceived females, interior hormonal shift in the course of pregnancy is actually the cause of the appearance of brown patches. It is also the effect of external hormones just like birth control tablets. Melasma can be recognized by simply looking at the skin. Wood’s lamp can certainly be utilized also to find out the dark pigment change between the two layers of the skin, the epidermis and the dermis. As per to exploration, most of these brown patches on the body are likely to increases more on summer season and turn up lightly on the cold months. It is a final result of direct exposure to the sun.

For pregnant women, dark patches on the skin usually disappear after several months of giving birth. Other methods of treating these dark patches are:

Laser Treatment- This particular technique makes use of the Wood’s lamp in order to figure out whether or not the black spot is situated on the very first level of the skin or perhaps in the particular internal part of the skin. If the black spot is found on the internal level of the skin, the dermis, Fraxel laser is utilized for therapy. Not really all black blotches situated on this particular level of the body react to the laser therapy. Some might not necessarily be eliminated.

Topical Depigmenting agents- a chemical that is commonly used for this is the hydroquinone. However, because it was banned for public use, other natural products were discovered to replace hydroquinone.

Skin Peeling- Exfoliating is offered into two kinds: facial peel off making use of alpha hydroxyacids and chemical peel off by the implementation of glycolic acid.

Making use of Tretinoin- this kind of approach is certainly not suggested for currently pregnant females. This entails raising the turn over of skin cells.

With regard to individuals who had facial dark spots simply because of hereditary aspects, essential avoidance of this is actually lessening the direct exposure to the sunlight and use of sun filter on the skin. Sun screens along with SPF 30 are suggested for use. If possible, these people ought to talk about this particular issue with their own physicians so that birth control supplements as well as some other hormonal remedies will be prevented.

In a way, Melasma can be averted. This can easily be accomplished by constraining the direct exposure to the sun, even though the idea can be tough to carry out it often. Folks with family historical past about this kind of brown blotches possess a good trend in forming this specific sort of patches. Special attention must then be offered when moving out into the sunlight. Use caps, sun blocks and also shades for further defense.

Read on some Meladerm reviews and you will discover how Meladerm removes melasma.

San Diego Chiropractors create New Twist On Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care isn’t just for back pain anymore. Many people are using chiropractic care to help boost their immune system during the flu season. They use it for colds, flu, and just to boost the immune system overall for better health.

Research and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state, up to one out of every five Americans will get the flu this year. Are you prepared for the flu season? Most people are not prepared and will end up with the flu or a cold this season.

Proper chiropractic care may be your answer to a clean bill of health. The chiropractors at New Century Spine Centers in San Diego can give your immune system a boost with a spinal adjustment at the San Diego clinic. A study shown in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research in 1997 showed chiropractic care to be effective in treating the flu. Over 2,800 individuals received regular chiropractic care and the result was an average 15% decrease in the incidence of colds and the flu during the flu season. With this decrease, there are less lost days from work and productivity of course increases when people are healthy and able to function at their best.

Regular chiropractic care is beneficial to many individuals. It has been proven time and time again to help the body function properly. Preventing the flu is just one of the benefits that my patients have seen. Even more benefits are reduction in pain, less stress, more energy, and an overall better feeling. Many people are living pain free and enjoying life with regular chiropractic care.

Visit http://www.BackCareTreatment.com to discover advanced ways to prevent the flu, stay health, or discover new technologies in eliminating back and neck pain.

Want to find out more about chiropractic for immunity, then visit New Century Spine Centers site on how to choose the best chiropractor for your needs.

For those who are concerned about avoiding or treating influenza, there may be an herbal and homeopathic alternative. Flu shot medicine or vaccine contains only three strains of dead viruses. Leaving a number of strains, including the strain referred to as the bird flu, that is currently making people very ill in parts of Asia and India.

Andrographis paniculata is one herbal and homeopathic alternative. Flu shot medicine is designed to create an immunity to specific strains of flu virus. These viruses are constantly changing, thus the reason for a different vaccine each year. Andrographis paniculata is recommended because it stimulates the entire immune system and studies have shown that it is effective in the treatment of influenza. One study in Volgograd showed that andrographis paniculata, not only contributed to quicker recovery, but also reduced the risk of post-flu complications. Flu shot medicine is still considered by most doctors and the Center for Disease Control to be the most effective flu preventative.

There is no herbal and homeopathic alternative flu shot medicine, meaning there are no herbs, botanicals or other natural products that will cause the body to build up an immunity to specific strains of the flu. All herbal and homeopathic products can do is stimulate the immune system allowing the body’s natural immunities to these viruses to take over. People who have strong immune systems get fewer colds and flu viruses. People with chronic illnesses and those who have weakened immune systems should not rely on an herbal and homeopathic alternative. Flu shot medicine is still the best choice for these people.

Healthy people consider products that boost the immune system as herbal and homeopathic alternative flu shot medicine. Taken regularly, particularly during cold and flu season, products containing andrographis paniculata, beta glucans and other herbal flu remedies (bilberry, green tea, ginseng, turmeric, etc) may prevent colds and flus and complications that may arise from them. Even people who take the flu shot can benefit from these herbal products. They have few unwanted side effects and scientific studies, as well as historical use as treatment for colds and other infections, have shown that they can be effective and safe.

In addition to the already mentioned herbal and homeopathic alternative flu shot medicine or remedies, extra vitamin C and essential minerals such as copper, manganese, magnesium and zinc are all important to assist the body’s natural immune system in fighting off viruses. Add these to proper diet, adequate rest, an immune system booster and you have a recipe for improved health, as well as a possible herbal and homeopathic alternative flu shot medicine. For more information about how to boost your immune system and protect yourself from colds and flus this year, visit www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience as a health care professional and currently writes informational articles for the Immune System Booster Guide. Read more at http://www.immune-system-booster-guide.com

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