Caralluma fimbriata is a succulent plant, in the cactus family, that has been used as a natural appetite suppressant in India for centuries. It's a new arrival in the family of cactii and succulent plants that are becoming increasingly popular for th…

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

Source: HealthBuy.com

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

There is a long tradition, going back many centuries, for using plants and flower extracts in the treatment of various ailments. Evening Primrose Oil is one such example. The plant species is said to have originated in Central America and Mexico, and Native Americans are known to have believed in its healing properties. There are various species with differently colored flowers, yellow being the most common. Some are also red, pink, white or purple. The flowers open in the evening, hence the name. Bees and moths pollinate the flowers.

The wild plant grows in the most inhospitable of places, bringing welcome color to wasteland and ground adjoining railway tracks and roads. In addition to the Evening Primrose Oil, the rest of the plant is also put to use. Young roots provide a vegetable which resembles the flavor of a pepper, and some people use the shoots in salads. Of course, some people just like Evening Primrose plants for the attractiveness it adds to the garden. In the past, people used to take the plant and make an infusion from it, which was used to treat gastro-intestinal problems and asthma symptoms. The plant was also used to make poultices, believed to soothe bruises and quicken the healing of wounds.

So, what are the claims made by the defenders and enthusiasts, concerning Evening Primrose Oil? It has been used as a sedative and as a pain killer. The most common use of evening primrose is for menstrual health.  It helps ease pre-menstrual tension, menstrual cramps and breast tenderness. Other conditions treated by the oil include whooping cough, high cholesterol levels and low immune system. Skin conditions are said to be helped by Evening Primrose Oil, such as psoriasis, eczema, acne  and rosacea (hot flushing).

In modern times, the oil is usually sold in the form of capsules. There are many claims made for the benefits of  Evening Primrose Oil. The medical establishment say that some of these claims go too far and no benefits have been proved in clinical trials. The consensus is, there may be an  exception to this, in that rheumatoid arthritis could be helped. The oil has been seen to reduce blood pressure levels in animals but it's difficult to quantify the effects in humans. The Evening Primrose Oil is pressed from the plant's seed which contains an Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) and there lies its therapeutic value. Others argue that you can get sufficient EFA from a good diet.

The debate will rage on, no doubt. It's good advice however, that you consult your Doctor before taking Evening Primrose Oil, especially if you are pregnant, breast feeding or are suffering from epilepsy. The oil can sometimes interact unfavorably with other supplements, herbal remedies or prescribed drugs. Most people agree, that in the majority of circumstances, Evening Primrose Oil will do no harm and any side affects are likely to be headaches, stomach pains or rashes.

There is a long tradition, going back many centuries, for using plants and flower extracts in the treatment of various ailments. Evening Primrose Oil is one such example. The plant species is said to have originated in Central America and Mexico, and Native Americans are known to have believed in its healing properties. There are various species with differently colored flowers, yellow being the most common. Some are also red, pink, white or purple. The flowers open in the evening, hence the name. Bees and moths pollinate the flowers.

The wild plant grows in the most inhospitable of places, bringing welcome color to wasteland and ground adjoining railway tracks and roads. In addition to the Evening Primrose Oil, the rest of the plant is also put to use. Young roots provide a vegetable which resembles the flavor of a pepper, and some people use the shoots in salads. Of course, some people just like Evening Primrose plants for the attractiveness it adds to the garden. In the past, people used to take the plant and make an infusion from it, which was used to treat gastro-intestinal problems and asthma symptoms. The plant was also used to make poultices, believed to soothe bruises and quicken the healing of wounds.

So, what are the claims made by the defenders and enthusiasts, concerning Evening Primrose Oil? It has been used as a sedative and as a pain killer. The most common use of evening primrose is for menstrual health. It helps ease pre-menstrual tension, menstrual cramps and breast tenderness. Other conditions treated by the oil include whooping cough, high cholesterol levels and low immune system. Skin conditions are said to be helped by Evening Primrose Oil, such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and rosacea (hot flushing).

In modern times, the oil is usually sold in the form of capsules. There are many claims made for the benefits of Evening Primrose Oil. The medical establishment say that some of these claims go too far and no benefits have been proved in clinical trials. The consensus is, there may be an exception to this, in that rheumatoid arthritis could be helped. The oil has been seen to reduce blood pressure levels in animals but it's difficult to quantify the effects in humans. The Evening Primrose Oil is pressed from the plant's seed which contains an Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) and there lies its therapeutic value. Others argue that you can get sufficient EFA from a good diet.

The debate will rage on, no doubt. It's good advice however, that you consult your Doctor before taking Evening Primrose Oil, especially if you are pregnant, breast feeding or are suffering from epilepsy. The oil can sometimes interact unfavorably with other supplements, herbal remedies or prescribed drugs. Most people agree, that in the majority of circumstances, Evening Primrose Oil will do no harm and any side affects are likely to be headaches, stomach pains or rashes.

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

Aloe Vera Juice can be used to help the Hypothyroid Symptom of
constipation. Increasing your fiber intake also can help as well.
Aloe vera juice comes from the plant Aloe. Aloe is a genus of plants
belonging to the Asphodelaceae family, and is related to onions and
asparagus. The Aloe genus appears naturally in Africa, although many
members of the genus are popular houseplants and can be found around
the world. The most famous member of the genus is Aloe Vera, known for
its medicinal uses and applications.

Though there are several common medical uses for Aloe Vera, the most
frequent use of the plant is in the form of a topical gel. Gels made
from Aloe Vera are used to treat burns and minor scrapes. Aloe Vera
benefits range from soothing inflammation, pain relief, and a reduction
in the likelihood of infection. Studies have also shown that regular use
of an Aloe Vera based gel will actually speed the healing process in
minor wounds, and even severe burns. It has been used in this capacity
for hundreds of years. The thick leaves can be snapped open, and the
moist open ends of the leave can be rubbed onto a burn or scrape directly.

Aloe plants, including Aloe Vera, have also found medicinal uses
internally. Used in this way primarily for constipation, the juice from
aloe can be dried into a dark powder composed of yellowish granules that
are quite bitter to taste. Using the aloe vera to help with constipation
has it benefits because it is a natural laxative and you don't have to
swallow a pill. As we know, hypothyroidism causes the metabolism to
slow down which causes constipation. Other internal uses of Aloe are
marketed as a treatment for coughs, ulcers, muscle pain, headaches, and
even cancer and HIV. The only proven Aloe Vera benefit in internal use is
the relief of constipation. Additionally, even in this use, internal
use of the plant has a number of side effects, can cause nausea, and
should not be taken by women who may be pregnant.

In industrialized areas, the moisture form the Aloe leaves are
extracted and made into the popular gel most people are familiar with.
In more recent years, it has become more popular than ever and has found
its way into skin lotions, cosmetic products, shampoos, lip balms, soaps
and sunscreens. Some Aloe Vera benefits include a strong moisturizing
capacity, and its extract contains a number of vitamins and minerals that
are believed to promote healthy skin. It is a very gentle substance in
itself, so one of the benefits of Aloe Vera is that it can be used in
sensitive areas, such as around the eyes.

As mentioned earlier, increasing fiber intake is the optimal thing to
do to deal with constipation and for your overall health. There is of
course a lot of hype and mystery surrounding the Aloe genus, especially
its most popular member Aloe Vera. Clearly, many Aloe Vera benefits are
proven constipation and skin care. Its benefits for internal use are
somewhat dubious, however. If you have any questions, please consult
your Doctor.

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

Making herbal remedies isn't difficult or complicated, its just made to seem that way. If you can boil water, you can make your own tinctures, infusions or decoctions. In this article we will discuss decoctions, what are they, how are they prepared, and examples of common decoctions.

Simply put, a decoction is your basic infusion juiced up to induce stubborn roots, barks and resins to release their medicinal properties. While most plants will yield their properties to cold or boiling hot water in a matter of minutes, some require a much longer period of time, say 30 minutes or more.

While occasionally a whole plant with stem, twig, flower, leaf and bud is used for special preventive effects, usually only one part of a plant is used at one time. Examples of herbs that work best in a decoction would include:

Elm Bark, used for herpes, scurf, itch and other skin problems

Comfrey Root, the decoction makes for a good gargle and mouthwash for throat inflammations, hoarseness and bleeding gums*

Flaxseed, this decoction can be used for cough, chest and lung problems. Remember to use only ripe seeds as the immature seedpods can cause poisoning.

English Oak Bark, a decoction of the bark can be used internally or externally for hemorrhoids and other rectal problems, menstrual problems and blood in the urine.

Preparing A Decoction:

Fresh herbs should be sliced; dry herbs should be powered or well bruised. A decoction should always be strained when it is hot so that the matter, which separates upon cooling, can be mixed again with the fluid by shaking when the remedy is used.

When preparing your decoction use glass, ceramic or earthenware pots. Do not use plain cast iron with astringent plants. Use 1 ounce (30 g) of dried root or bark to just over a pint of water. Allow this to boil for at least ten minutes or longer. The mixture then steeps with a cover on the pot for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Strain out the plant parts before drinking.

Warning: The FDA has determined that Comfrey can lead to Pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning which causes a liver disorder in humans called hepatic veno-occlusive disease. The small and medium veins in the liver become obstructed, eventually leading to liver disfunction, cirrhosis and death. While only 2 deaths attributed to Comfrey have been documented, due caution is indicated.

The information provided by UsingHerbs.Com is intended to heighten awareness of potential health care alternatives and should not be considered medical advice. Always check with your qualified health-care professional for medical attention, advice, diagnosis, and treatment.

MK Welty hosts an informational site for herb enthusiasts at http://UsingHerbs.com Join us for regular discussions of herbs, their history, properties and uses.

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

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

If you suffer from chronic depression, you may be in for a long ride before you feel better. The most common depression treatments are antidepressant pills. These change your brain chemistry to make you feel better, and it must be said that they work more quickly than any other treatment. But there is a down side to this. Unlike natural cures for depression, these pills do not address the underlying causes of depression. In the short term, they might make you feel a lot better, but in the long term, the depression might recur once you stop taking the pills. They will not make you live your life in a way that makes you happy, they will just stop you from feeling the ensuing misery from the choices that you make.

Many natural cures for depression are no better. Some of them involve drugs like 5-htp which are called natural because they are derived from plants or sold over the counter. As for St. John's Wart, even though it is a natural cure for depression, it is not much different from the pharmaceutical cures. It is simply an herbal antidepressant which you can buy in any herbal store. If you are just going to pop some pill into your mouth, why go for any of the natural cures for depression in the first place? Why not pop a pill that has been rigorously tested by the drug companies instead of some herb that may or may not have been packaged under safe conditions.

The best natural cures for depression involve little or no herbal therapy. They might involve nutritional supplements, but usually this is only part of it. Counseling is the most widely accepted of all of the natural cures for depression. If your depression is not based on a simple chemical imbalance in the brain, than a good therapist will do wonders in helping you to get rid of it completely. Of course, counseling can take a lot of time, but it is worth it. You get to cure your depression by really getting to know yourself and figuring out what is wrong in your life and how to change it. Another of the best natural cures for depression is meditation. Meditation, especially when combined with good exercise, and an active social life, can do wonders for curing your depression. Often there is no better solution to solve the problem.

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

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