If your doctor tells you that your hormones are fluctuating, you may want to consider an herbal hormone replacement. Herbs have been used throughout the centuries for all that has ailed mankind, and hormone replacement has also benefited from the use of herbs. If you are worried about finding and using the correct herbs to help your body, you shouldn't be. Finding the right herbs for you is as easy as a trip to the library, a search on the internet, or a call to a dietician.

First of all you must figure out what type of symptoms you are having. Are you having hot flashes, mood swings depression, irritability, or vaginal dryness? Some herbs work better than others depending on the symptoms and if you can find a good herbalist trained in the area of herbal hormone replacement than he or she can definitely point you in the right direction. Of course, the basic herbs are black cohosh, red clover, wild yam extract, evening primrose, dong quai, and damiana that you need to research in order to know which is best.

Your local public library will have many resources to benefit your search for an herbal hormone replacement. From medical references to magazines, books to educate you in selecting the right herbs or growing them, your public library will have all you need to educate yourself in your body's needs. The librarians you find there will be able to point you in the right direction for any book you are seeking. Just imagine the amount of information you can bring home to help you in your quest!

If you have access to the internet, you may want to try an internet search for an herbal hormone replacement. You may be able to find a forum to ask your questions, with knowledgeable people who have already done the research and are willing to share their hard earned results. You would also be able to find which herbs would best benefit you and which ones to avoid. You may even become so knowledgeable that you choose to help other beginners to find the herbs that are right for them.

Dieticians can be very helpful when it comes to finding an herbal hormone replacement. Dieticians have studied the effects of herbs and their benefits for many years, and are able to help you control your body's hormones for a fee. If sitting and reading is not exactly your cup of tea, you may benefit from an appointment with a dietician. You wouldn't need to spend your time researching the correct herbs for your needs - a dietician would be able to immediately suggest something for you to use. Of course, a responsible dietician will want to see you over the course of many months to keep up with your progress and make sure that the herbal hormone replacement is working for you.

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

Anxiety disorder affects many people on a daily basis. It can co-exist with other disorders as well, such as depression and many of the same antidepressant medications are used for anxiety treatments. The symptoms experienced by persons with anxiety or panic disorder can be different and occur with varying severity, which is why anxiety treatments must be individualized for each patient. Some of the most common symptoms that people with anxiety experience are heart palpitations, fast heart rate, numbness and tingling in arms and hands, shortness of breath, dizziness, disassociation with present surroundings, terror, and fear of impending doom. These feelings are all too real to people who are experiencing  an anxiety or panic attack. There is also great fear afterward of another attack;  agoraphobia is common and many of these people do not want to leave their homes for fear of having an attack in public in front of strangers. Home is safer and anxiety attacks are less likely to happen in more comfortable surroundings.

Anxiety treatments can be very simple if contributing factors, such as caffeine intake or use of other stimulants that are contributing to the panic attacks. Stress is another common denominator that plays a significant role in anxiety disorder. Stress triggers the release of the hormone cortisol from the adrenal glands, which in turn stimulates the "fight or flight" reaction in our bodies. Eventually, neurotransmitters in the brain can't keep up with the continued assault and a chemical imbalance results. Serotonin, norephinephrine, and dopamine are the three neurotransmitters that have been found to play a significant role in mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. The newer anti-depressants make more of these chemicals available in the brain alleviating symptoms, which is why anxiety treatment usually involves use of an anti-depressant. Anti-anxiolytics are also prescribed to control symptoms and feelings of panic that can still occur until the anti-depressant starts to become effective, which can be two to four weeks from initiation of treatment.        

Most patients respond very well to anxiety treatments; antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications when incorporated with psychotherapy and some life style modification are very beneficial. Relaxation techniques are also a great treatment for anxiety and can be done any where any time. Slow rhythmic breathing will slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure as well as enhance relaxation and calm feelings of anxiety. Other effective anxiety treatments include biofeedback, meditation, and exercise, as well as stress reduction, lowering caffeine intake, or any other chemical or substance that is being ingested that could be a contributing factor. If you or someone you know is suffering from panic disorder, get help with effective anxiety treatments. For more information about anxiety treatments that work consult a mental health care provider to get back into life and stop being paralyzed by panic.  

Zandra Jones, RN BBA writes about alternative treatments and health related articles.  Read more at Alternative Herbal Treatment.

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

So was I.  I gained over 20 pounds in 3 months and didn't know what was going on.  My eating habit hadn't changed but I was tired and exhausted all the time.  I even suffered from depression. The depression was to the point I wanted to cry all the time. The depression was so bad until I made an appointment with my doctor. I had blood work done and even an MRI but no real problems was found except an increased prolactin level. My doctor suspected an underactive thyroid but the test result didn't show it.  Being a nurse I know the symptoms of hypothyroidism but never put it all together.  After researching it out, blood test does not always show abnormal TSH.

Your weight gain could be caused by an under active thyroid or hypothyroidism. It afflicts millions of people every year. It is a result of a decrease in the production of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The pituitary is the gland that produces this hormone. The thyroid regulates the metabolism which helps to control weight. Without TSH in inadequate amounts, weight gain occurs. Often hypothyroidism weight gain is overlooked or attributed to some other underlying ailment.

Although hypothyroidism is easy to treat, losing the weight is sometimes difficult. This is the problem I was having.  I had test work done which should a increased prolactin level but TSH was normal.  So I was not put on thyroid medication.  What I found to help bring my thyroid in balance was Thyromine.  Because of an underactive thyroid or sluggish thyroid, I was gaining weight uncontrollably. Thyromine has guglipid which is an ayruvedic medicine used to treat obesity,arthritis and lipid problems.

Gaining weight may not be your fault so don't be a victim. Get control over your weight, improve your thyroid function and start losing weight.  The holidays are around the corner.

Tags: weight loss, weight-loss, medical, dieting, fat, diet, obesity, alternative treatment, health, weight gain

ameyonline23 asked what can be done to prevent hair loss?

I am a 20 year old boy from goa-india and i am having trouble with my hair. My hair is naturally very soft & smooth but there has been tremendous increase in hair loss for past year.  My hair started to fall maybe about 3 years ago but it was just minor but now suddenly it is at a very fast rate.  My hair is perfect on the side parts and also behind the head and also on the front of head but the problem is on top of the head or middle of the head and around crown of the head.

That's where i am losing lots of hair.  What should i do to stop it?  What is the reason for the hair loss?  How can i regrowth the hair? I have recently showed it to a dermatologist who has told me to use MINTOP FORTE(MINOXIDIL TOPICAL SOLUTION USP 5%).

He has told me that it is a slow process and it would take around 4 months to see the regrowth effect but he didn't told me reason for the hair loss.  Is the solution prescribed by the Dermatologist an ideal and perfect for me? Is it a good solution for hair problems?

There are many reasons for hair loss one could be hereditary (genetics).  My father started losing his hair in his late twenties and early thirties.  I am a female and is having problems growing my hair and I use to have a head full of hair also.   So start asking question about your family history.  Also stress, diet, allergies and hormone imbalances could play a roll in hair loss. Learn How to Regrow Lost Hair Naturally

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

For a woman one of the most stressful things that can happen is hair loss. Many women associate their hair with their beauty and if it starts to thin, they can feel much less attractive. Hair loss can occur at any age but the key to dealing with hair loss is finding out what is causing it to happen.

Many women feel embarrassed when they begin to realize that they are losing hair. They may try to hide the fact by purchasing body building hair care products or wearing hats or scarves. Ignoring the problem will certainly never be a good treatment option. Researching the causes of hair loss in women and determining what is behind your thinning hair is the first step to curing the problem.

Age can be a contributing factor when it comes to thinning hair. As women age their body chemistry changes and the result can be one of the causes of hair loss in women. It's not at all uncommon for a woman approaching menopause to notice a few extra hairs on her pillow in the morning. The way to treat this is to consult with your doctor about hormone replacements. By balancing the hormones in the body, the hair loss may slow down or stop altogether. When hormones or lack thereof are the causes of hair loss in women, it can usually be treated.

Just as maturing women suffer from thinning hair, younger women can as well. Pregnancy is another of the causes of hair loss in women. In this case the hair loss is a temporary problem and will rectify itself after the birth of the baby. Many women actually claim that they have healthier hair after giving birth than they did before becoming pregnant.

It's hard to find a woman alive today who isn't dealing with some level of stress in her life. When you combine raising children with work there is bound to be some degree of stress present. This stress can also be one of the causes of hair loss in women. Women who worry more tend to lose more hair. It's easy to suggest that a woman who is experiencing hair loss try and decompress, but that can be difficult to do. Perhaps involving other family members by asking for help with the children or simplifying work can lead to a healthier head of hair.

Hereditary can also have a hand in your hair. If you are a woman whose mother lost her hair at a young age you may be facing the same problem. Genes are one of the common causes of hair loss in women and unfortunately there isn't a great deal that can be done about that.

Although it can be an uncomfortable problem there are many new and effective treatments for women who are experiencing thinning of their hair. Once you understand all of the possible causes of hair loss in women you can begin to treat the problem.

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

Finding natural acne remedies for adult acne my not be as easy as it may seem.  Even though there are many alternative treatment for acne, the treatment itself may not be enough.  Many people think of acne as something suffered solely by hormone laden teenagers, but many adults can attest that that's simply not the case! At least eighty percent of adults suffer from acne at some point after leaving their teens, and many adults suffer recurring bouts of acne well into their thirties and even forties.

Not only can acne be disfiguring and embarrassing, but most acne medications were created with young skin in mind, and simply don't suit the skin of older people (many acne treatments are too drying, as they treat "oily" skin; although many acne sufferers actually have so-called normal or even dry skin).  Therefore finding and effective acne treatment can be a challenge.

So what is a mature acne sufferer to do? One excellent place to start is by looking at natural acne remedies. Many are just as effective as their over the counter or prescription counterparts, but are often much more gentle and far less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

There are several natural acne remedies which work effectively against acne, many of which are plant based, or herbal in nature. It's possible to buy many herbal based acne products online or even from your local pharmacy or health food store. For many people, this is a convenient way of treating their acne naturally. However, other people prefer to make their own natural acne remedies.

One natural herbal acne remedy involves the use of strawberries or strawberry leaves. The use of moistened strawberry leaves as a treatment for acne actually dates back to Egyptian times. You can replicate the treatment of the ancient Egyptians quite simply, by moistening strawberry leaves with a little water, and then leaving them on your face for ten to fifteen minutes as you rest. Alternatively, you can try using mashed strawberries, applied as a paste to your skin.

Another natural acne remedy is the use of the herb dandelion as an alternative treatment. To use dandelion, you can chop up both the leaves and root of the plant and boil it in water. After simmering the mixture gently for ten minutes, turn off the heat, allow it to cool and then strain. The liquid can be drunk as a tea, or applied directly to the skin (or both!).

Tags: natural acne remedy, acne treatment, acne, herbal remedy

In this article 'Herbal Menopause Treatment: Black Cohosh', you will discover:

• What is black cohosh?
• Why is black cohosh a good herbal menopause treatment?
• How much black cohosh do you need to take as an herbal menopause treatment?

What Is Black Cohosh? Black cohosh is a shrub-like plant which is found in the forests in the eastern parts of the USA and Canada.

Black cohosh is also known as black snakeroot and squaw root.

It gets it's name from the colour of the root and the word 'cohosh' means 'rough' in Algonquin Indian which refers to the root structure.

Black cohosh has been used for centuries by Native Americans for its beneficial health properties.

It is the rhizome and dried root of black cohosh which is used for medicinal purposes.

Black cohosh has the following health properties:

• Adaptogen
• Helps to balance female hormones
• Helps to balance moods
• Relaxant
• Uterine stimulant

Why Is Black Cohosh A Good Herbal Menopause Treatment? Black cohosh a good herbal menopause treatment because clinical trial have shown that it is very effective at reducing hot flushes in postmenopausal women.

In fact, one trial found that extract of black cohosh to be just as effective as oestrogen therapy in reducing hot flushes.

How Much Black Cohosh Do You Need To Take As An Herbal Menopause Treatment? As an herbal menopause treatment, try taking 20 mg of a highly concentrated black cohosh extract twice per day for up to 6 months then discontinue use.

Warning: As with all supplements, please consult your doctor before taking them.

Some people may experience nausea, indigestion, abdominal pain, dizziness and headaches with black cohosh.

So, to sum up…

Black cohosh is a safe and effective herbal menopause treatment.

Clinical trials have shown that black cohosh can reduce hot flushes in post-menopausal women.

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

Download 'How To Beat The Menopause Naturally' Free E-book

Zandra Jones, RN BBA is a Alternative Health Advisor and owner of Alternative Herbal Treatment

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