An English doctor by the name of Edward Bach developed Bach Flower Remedies in the early twentieth-century. He was trained initially in orthodox medicine, but later turned to the more holistic form of natural medicine and homeopathy to treat the whole person. The thirty-eight flower remedies originally created by him are still used in various forms today in alternative treatment.

Though these herbal remedies are sometimes confused with aromatherapy, the process of procuring a plant’s healing properties is markedly different. In aromatherapy, steam or alcohol distillation occurs to extract the oil from the plant. With Bach Flower Remedies, the properties are taken after floating the plant on spring water and exposing them to sunlight, allowing the nutrients to transfer into the water.

Following this process, the concentrated amount of the plant extraction and an equal amount of brandy is added together, that comprises the main bottle of which further tinctures can be made. Several drops from the first bottle, added with more water and brandy dilute the mixture become the basis of Bach Flower Remedies.

Each remedy is associated with a certain emotional state, and people react differently to each remedy. Dr. Bach believed that this affected the way that different people reacted to different illnesses. Some well trained homeopaths attest to knowing what flower remedies are needed just by ascertaining the personality of their patients.

Different combinations of Bach Flower Remedies can be used in different times and in different circumstances. The remedies now feature in many health food stores and can also be found in popular drugstores in the United Kingdom.

The most popular and well known of the Bach flower remedies is the Rescue Remedy, which contains a mixture of several plants. It is used in times of emergency and does not need any specialized knowledge to be used. It can be taken before an exam or interview, and can be used before a traumatic event, such as an operation. It is one of the best antidotes to treating shock or fear, and I have used it on a number of occasions to combat my fear of flying. It is simple to use as well- drops are taken with a glass of water or placed under the tongue. If a person is unable to swallow, it can be dabbed on the lips and absorbed as a remedy.

Bach Flower Remedies remain very popular today and now number into the hundreds. Their lasting power stands as a testament to their effectiveness for treating a range of both physical and mental ailments. Though different from aromatherapy oils, they are compatible with them and can be used at the same time.

Tags: natural treatment, herbalaromatherapy, bach flower remedies, health, herbal remedies, holistic, healing, bach flower remedy, flower essences, flowers

As the owner of this blog, today is a day of reflection and the hope of America that lives on today.  Today marks the Anniversary of the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Even though this is a blog about Alternative Health Treatment, I have a dream for the invasion and not the war (war means when a country attacks you, we were never attacked by Iraq) in Iraq to end, for our service men to come home, for the end of the greatest wealth transference of the wealth of the United States through oil revenue and imports going to foreign countries who hate us, end to the lost of jobs in America going over seas, end to $3.00 gas prices, end of the trillion dollar deficit, end of debt owed to China, Iran, and Venezuela, and to the end of the Presidency of George W. Bush.  Here is the speech of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Enjoy!

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.

In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

I am Zandra Jones, RN BBA and I have a dream!

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

Alcohol and drug abuse is an ever growing problem in our society and the demand for treatment is growing too. Alcohol and drug treatment overlaps in many ways. Both types of addiction can have social and psychological causes and some people are genetically predisposed to these conditions. The two organizations, Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous have helped a lot of people.

There are various methods of bringing people off alcohol and drug addiction, which have become established over the years. Alcohol and drug treatment can often involve individual counseling, self help groups or group therapy. There are residential rehabilitation centers, in patient and out patient care. Some treatment programs take the approach of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Psychotherapy.

The first thing to do when dealing with addiction is to stop intake of the substance, cope with the physical side effects and then undergo an after care program. Alcohol and drug treatment must not only break the cycle of addiction but prevent the chances of relapse. Prescribed drugs can help with some side effects, including the anxiety felt by many addicts as they go thru both physical and emotional trauma.

The most commonly used method with regard to alcoholism is detoxification. This means the body has to get used to the lack of alcohol in the system. Withdrawal symptoms can be helped with drugs such as Diazepam or Phenobarbital. Some withdrawal can last a few weeks, but gradually becoming less intense. Detoxification must be followed by some sort of therapy, preferably one which discovers the psychological causes of the drinking. Many alcohol addiction programs are successful, providing the participant sees the program thru to the end. Some alcohol and drug treatment can involve the use of Acupuncture for those people wanting to avoid medication.

The methods for treating drug addicts is determined by factors such as the type of drug and how often and how much the drug has been taken. The most used program is the 12 Step Recovery Program. It's very important that drug addicts break off contact with other users and with dealers. Some programs advocate the use of a replacement drug such as Methadone. This is a controversial issue as Methadone is an addictive drug itself, but it is easier for a lot of people to use it to wean themselves off all recreational drugs eventually. For some people, cold turkey is the only way. As with all alcohol and drug treatment, it's a question of finding the right treatment for the individual.

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

The benefits of drinking water have been proven because studies have shown that around 80% of the world's population is dehydrated. The chief reason for this condition is over consumption of caffeinated beverages like tea and coffee that make the body lose water. Water is a naturally available liquid that is the most important factor in human survival. Water comprises about 2/3rd of our total body weight. The biggest irony is that most of us don't know what to drink when we are dehydrated. The answer is simple. Drink water!

The benefits of drinking water is an important factor in the proper health of the body systems. Drinking water has several health benefits. If you have high blood pressure or cancer, drink as much water as possible because water helps to stablized the blood pressure and promote the healing process of cancerous cells. Taking in adequate amounts of water if your are a diabetic is especially important because high blood sugar actually dehydrate the blood cells and causes the blood sugar levels to rise even higher. That's why when a person come in the hospital in ketoacidosis the first line of action is to start an IV and get the person properly hydrated. Often, people forget to drink water unless they feel very thirsty. To help you to remember to drink water at regular intervals, you can set a timer or buy a watch that is equipped with a timer.

It is better to drink smaller quantities of water more frequently than to drink a lot of water at one time. It is recommended to drink 8 to 12 oz a day and if you have not been drinking water regularly, you should double the recommended amount because your cells are already dehydrate. Make sure that you don't too much drink water in the morning prior to beginning any physical activity. It is very essential to plan a proper routine for water drinking.

Water is necessary for proper digestion and absorption of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, etc. that our body gets from the food we eat. Also, detoxification of the kidneys and liver along with the removal of toxins and wastes from the body happen to be major benefits of drinking water. You should not wait until you are dehydrated to drink water. Drinking water regularly is imperative because dehydration can result in serious illness.

The diverse benefits of drinking water include sustaining energy levels, being mentally and physically alert, removing toxins and wastes from the body and maintaining healthy skin. Drinking water also helps in reducing weight and helps with hypothyroidism weight gain. Since water is a natural appetite suppressant, it helps to cut down overeating and that helps to maintain your proper weight. Which is especially important with hypothyroidism. Doctors often say that, when you feel hungry, your body is actually craving water and not solid food.

Bear in mind that water has its exclusive qualities and other beverages cannot replace the benefits of drinking water. So make sure you drink adequate quantities of water every day to live a healthy and happy life.



Zandra Jones, RN BBA writes about health related issues and alternative treatment. Learn more about how to reverse hypothyroid symptoms naturally.

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

Do you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)? Unfortunately, CTS has become fairly common in people who have jobs requiring repetitive hand-wrist movement, such as typists, programmers and data entry clerks, musicians and certain athletes.

Conventional carpal tunnel treatment may include cortisone, expensive and with significant side effects you may wish to avoid. Try a natural approach to carpal tunnel treatment. There are many foods, supplements and herbs with demonstrated and substantial pain-relieving and healing effects. Let's take a closer look at some of these natural healers.

Here are some foods to include in your diet: Bananas, pineapple, dark-green vegetables, potatoes, the white meat of chicken, curry dishes, and brown rice. These foods all contain nutrients and enzymes beneficial to a carpal tunnel treatment program. They help with inflammation and nerve health.

Include minimal amounts of saturated fats and fried foods to reduce inflammation. If it suits you, eliminate them completely from your diet. It's sometimes difficult to get remedial amounts of nutrients in your diet, and supplements of the following are recommended. You can purchase these at your pharmacy or health food store.

Bioflavonoids: In a carpal tunnel treatment program, nutritionists suggest 1000 mg, three times daily. In addition to boosting your resistance to illness, these help relieve pain and promote healing of damaged nerves.
Vitamins B2 (Riboflavin) and B6: These work together, so don't take one without the other. Hospital and medical university studies concur on the benefit of these B vitamins in carpal tunnel treatment.

As yet unproven, there are strong suggestions that a deficiency of these two B vitamins may be a cause of CTS. Stress can deplete your available supply of B6 in particular. Genetic factors may play a part, as individual requirements vary. Some people need more of the entire group of B vitamins than others.Nutritionists suggest 10 mg of B2, and 50-200 mg of B6 per day for increased mobility and relief from pain. One three-month study showed improvement in 85% of the patients.

Some other natural treatment are Curcumin: Take 250 to 500 mg a day, between meals. Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory contained in the herb turmeric. Bromelain: The recommended dose, in a carpal tunnel treatment strategy, is 250 to 500 mg per day, between meals. Bromelain is an enzyme with powerful anti-inflammatory effects, found in pineapple.

Try some of these herbs, all having significant anti-inflammatory or pain-relieving properties: Cumin, Mexican Wild Yam, Chamomile and Cayenne. Cumin is a common spice in Chili and Mexican dishes, and is beneficial in recipe amounts. The same goes for Chamomile. Drink a few cups of the tea each day.

A final alternative you might explore is acupuncture. Some clinical studies showed that acupuncture may be a promising carpel tunnel treatment strategy. A number of patients found normal function of nerves and long lasting pain relief with acupuncture treatment. These are some of the most researched natural remedies for carpal tunnel treatment. Try some or all, and see which works best for you.

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

How's the dew treating you these days? Are you one of those individuals, who get along famously on a daily basis with near-perfect hair, or are you one of the folks who rarely have a good hair day? This is a question that should be addressed seriously. I mean come on people; this is your daily image we are talking about here. Don't you want every day to be a great hair day? You can certainly make this a reality with all the great hair products on the market these days? Do you have limp hair and just need to add a little body? Or maybe you have damaged hair from excessive coloring, and now require a quality dry hair treatment to get things back in order. Either way, you can make it happen in no time.

Where would you go to acquire a fine dry hair treatment? Wait, let me guess; you would head on over to your favorite hair salon. This is certainly not a bad idea. Chances are they will have several wonderful dry hair treatments to fix any damaged dew. Professional salons typically excel in this area. However, when it comes to a quality mouse, gel, or dry hair treatment, the local salons aren't the only ones with the answers.

At least not any more. These days we have a little something called the World-Wide-Web. Ever heard of it? It's where I go for all of my hair needs. Speaking of hair needs, a few weeks back I needed a decent dry hair treatment for my seven year old daughter. I tend to treat her conditions much more seriously than my own; therefore I had to pull out all the stops. You surely understand if you have a little one of your own.

Not only did I get online and order one of the most recommended dry hair treatments available, but I also took her to a professional to have a dry hair treatment or deep conditioning treatment done. It's all related to the swimming lessons. Since my daughter is swimming on a daily basis, it definitely wreaks havoc on her delicate hair.

You may encounter the same problem if you're an avid swimmer. Instead of fretting over it, just pick up a well-recommended dry hair treatment. In no time at all, your gorgeous locks will be as bouncy and shiny as they ever were. If you're not sure where to begin your search for a quality dry hair treatment, just pop open Google and punch in the key phrase "dry hair treatment." You will be astounded at the great results.

As we age, our skin has a tendency to get drier and drier as the years go by. When we are young we take our soft skin for granted, but as the years add up, we think more and more about dry skin care. There are a few ways to help alleviate the problem of dry skin, and it will be up to you to decide what is right for your skin care needs. Budget and time will both decide what you can and cannot do.

One great way tool in dry skin care is to drink plenty of water each day. Our bodies are composed mostly of water, and it goes without saying that we should make sure we get as much as we need each day. Drinking enough water each day will not only help with dry skin care, it also helps all the other systems of your body to work efficiently.

There are many lotions on the market that are made especially for dry skin care. These range in price from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. Your budget will decide what you can afford to buy, but rest assured that you do not have to spend a fortune to keep your skin soft and supple. Higher priced lotions will work very well, but you may be surprised that a bottle of lotion that costs a mere two dollars can leave your skin healthy and glowing, and it may become your favorite tool for dry skin care.

There are other things you can do for dry skin care that won't cost you a penny. If you live in an area that has cold, dry winters, you need to learn how to baby your skin during those months. A hot shower may feel wonderful on your skin, but it is drying it out at the same time. Opt for warm showers, and use your lotion directly after that shower while your skin is still wet. Watch out for harsh detergents, as they may irritate your skin and dry it out.

Don't forget about environmental issues when it comes to dry skin care. Smoking will have an effect on your skin, and will make it dry. You will also develop wrinkles at a younger age if you smoke. Smog and other irritants in the air can have an adverse affect on your skin, though many times there is nothing you can do about this. Lastly, don't forget about the sun. Dry skin care may be as simple as remembering to put on sunscreen before you walk out into the sun at any time. Sun damage will affect the amounts of moisture your skin can hold as well.