Ayurveda, Herbs and Massage Therapy

How to Get Rid of Constipation Naturally and Effectively

2010-05-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

For many person it is a big query that how to get rid of constipation. Usually constipation is related with the bowel movements even fewer than three times a week. In this condition the patient suffers from hard stools which are usually dry hard and also small in size. For many people the condition of constipation is very painful and they find it very difficult to eliminate the stool. Some people are over conscious and think that they suffer from constipation if they do not have bowel movement daily. The number of stools per day depends upon person to person and their condition. Normally for some people it may be three times a day or for some people it may be once in three days.

Usually our system faces the problem of constipation due to poor diet, lack of exercise, insufficient intake of water and many more. Almost every person faces the problem of constipation some times in their life. For many people the condition of constipation is only temporary but for some people it may be a very serious condition. It is necessary to get rid from the symptom of constipation by finding out its actual cause, prevention and also its right treatment.

Though there are various methods by which a person can get rid off from the problem of constipation. Some of the important and popular techniques which will help us to get rid from constipation are available. You must try some of these techniques which will help us to cure hard stools very fast. Some of the effective techniques:

1. Consumption of prunes is an old folk remedy for constipation. Prunes are served as a very fast method to get rid from constipation and it can be taken dried, fresh or as a juice. It contains a colonic stimulant which is very effective. Prunes also contain high level of fiber which help the stools to move through the intestine easily and also it bulk up the stools.

2. The other great source for all natural fiber is in flaxseed. You have to just add two spoons of flaxseed to your diet regularly and you will be success in eliminating the problem of constipation. Flaxseeds can be easily added to foods like spaghetti sauce, meat dishes, beverages, baked goods and yogurt. It gives natural and nut like taste.

3. For treating stool complications and also hard stool, the use of probiotics are very effective. Good bacteria in the digestive tract is introduced by probiotics to keep our digestive processes normal and balanced.

Read useful Home Remedies for Constipation. Know how Natural Cures for Constipation Relief works. Copyright Nick Mutt

Do You Know Natural Remedies and Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

2010-05-09T05:53:00.000-07:00

Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the women of middle age. They often complain about the early morning stiffness, pain and swelling in their wrist joints as well as in their smaller joints of fingers. Usually in the morning many people suffer from stiffness in the whole body which gradually disappears as the sun goes up later in the afternoon. These types of symptoms are usually observed in the person in the initial stage of rheumatism. In the later stage the pain and swelling in the joints becomes a constant feature and it starts to cripple the smaller joints as well as bigger joints. Gradually the joints become eroded and in serious cases there is a significant destruction of the joints. But some person especially younger person suffers from these attacks acutely which involves all the joints simultaneously. This condition is called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Usually rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the malfunctioning of the immune system.

Some of its major symptoms are -

In the affected joints there is a loss of motion, over the time there is a joint deformity, low grade fever, fatigue, aching or stiffness of joints, especially after rest or sleep, decreased strength in the muscles attached to the affected joints and small lumps which is called rheumatoid nodules that form under the skin. It is an auto immune disease which results in the attack of tissue which lines the joint.

Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated naturally also.

1. You must follow high-carbohydrate and low protein diet. There must be a minimum consumption of foods of animal origin. This will reduce the symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Increase the intake of omega-3 fatty acids as it will help the people with rheumatoid arthritis. We have to obtain omega-3 fatty acid from our diet only as our body can't make omega-3s of their own. The main source of omega-3 fatty acids are cold water fish like salmon, sardines, and anchovies. But instead of eating more and more fish, you must go for fish oil capsules which are the good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

3. You must eliminate milk and milk products from your diet. Even commercial foods made with milk should also be avoided.

4. Regular practice of yoga is must and aerobic exercise like swimming is best for the people suffering from rheumatoid exercises.

5. Products made from partially hydrogenated oils of any kind should be avoided. You must also avoid polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine and vegetable shortening.

Find herbal Arthritis, Joint Pain Massage Oil. Read the benefits of Shilajit in improving overall health. Copyright Nick Mutt

Herpes Information and Effective Natural Treatments

2010-05-08T10:08:00.001-07:00

A group of disease which is caused by virus herpes is known as herpes infection. Basically there are eight different types of herpes from which human get infected but two of them are main. They are herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2. They are very common which causes cold sores and genital herpes.

Usually people get infected with HSV1 in very young age like at the age of 10. As soon as the virus enters the body then it remains there for whole life. Usually cold sores are the blisters which are filled with fluid and are painful also. Usually they occur on the lips, cheeks and nose. Genital herpes are caused by herpes simplex type 2. They are also very painful blisters which are filled with fluid. Area above the waist gets infected by the virus HSV1 and the area below the waist is infected by the virus HSV2. But it is not possible that virus may attack both the area. Either it will attack above the waist or it may attack below the waist.

Usually virus enters our body and goes into the latency period. It remains present in the cell but not in active form. But due to some factors the virus reactivates and then symptoms of infection reappears. These factors may be emotional or physical shock.

Usually when an infected person touches the uninfected person then spreads the cold sores. If cold sores are present on the lips then its risk of spreading increases. Usually it is transmitted by kissing. Basically genital herpes spread only by sexual contact.

It is not necessary that every person infected by herpes develop symptoms. Most of the people develop symptoms from two to twenty five days. In the later stage the symptom is most severe than in the initial stage. Usually it occurs in the form of red bumps which is filled with fluid.

To relieve from the infection of herpes one should avoid citrus foods, salty foods and all the other food which irritate the sores. You must wash the affected area at least twice a day with soap and warm water. You must wear loose-fitting clothing and it is helpful to wear cotton underwear. Apply the pack of ice over the affected area for 10 minutes which h helps in relieving the pain. Application of baking soda is also effective. You may also apply an ointment of zinc sulfate which is helpful in healing the sores.

Find information on Natural Genital Herpes Treatment. Read useful Home Remedies for Herpes.

Anxiety - Know the Common Symptoms and Natural Remedies

2010-05-07T05:05:00.000-07:00

Anxiety is a condition which is surrounded by unpleasant physical and emotional state. In this condition any person may experience fear, worry or apprehension. Anxiety may be of short period or long period. The problem of short term anxiety is solved as soon as the particular job for which anxiety is caused is finished and the person feels relaxed. Whereas the long term anxiety continue for longer time period. It is caused due to work stress or other reasons like this and may result into other medical problems like high blood pressure, tension and migraine headache.

Some major causes of anxiety are intake of caffeine, diet pills, hypoglycemia, anemia, heart disorders, stress and hyperthyroidism.

Anxiety is a very common problem and it is experienced usually by each and every person in their life. Major symptoms of anxiety are nausea, chest pain, tension, headache, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Some common symptoms of anxiety are given below -

1. Breathing deeper or faster than needed
2. Sweating
3. Dry mouth
4. Stomach churning or a jittery feeling in the pit of stomach
5. Fainting spells
6. Muscle tension
7. Inability to concentrate
8. A feeling of impending doom
9. Dizziness
10. Heart palpitations
11. Unexplained weakness
12. Constant headache

The major cause of anxiety is stress which is caused when a person is incapable of performing any job against its demand. To prevent anxiety you have to improve your coping skills, manage the demands and all the expectations in life. Some people change their life style to keep anxiety at bay. Some natural remedies are there to reduce anxiety from our life.

1. To keep anxiety away from our life you must avoid junk foods and drinks. To get rid from anxiety it is necessary to avoid carbohydrates and refined sugar, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, smoking and the other things similar to these things.

2. Anxiety is also reduced by doing meditation and by deep breathing. You must consult some yoga expert to learn the basic technique of deep breathing. You can also try with yourself by inhaling for longer then hold the breath for few seconds and then exhale it. To soothe nerves meditation is very fruitful.

3. To avoid the attacks of anxiety you must stay active by doing exercise. Extra adrenaline which results into anxiety is burned by doing exercise so you must walk, jog, cycle or by using treadmill for at least half an hour in a day.

4. You must be of positive attitude. To get rid from anxiety you must talk to people with positive attitude, listen to the music and all the other work which relax your mind.

Read useful Home Remedies for Anxiety. Know about Ashwagandha benefits to relieve stress and anxiety.

ADHD - Information on Herbal Remedies and Natural Treatment

2010-05-05T05:29:00.000-07:00

Nowadays the problem of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is increasing in both children as well as in adults. The category of ADHD is of highly controversial. It includes the main problem like:

1. Problem related with attention

2. Difficulties remaining physically and mentally relaxed and composed

Some of the important causes of ADHD are consumption of excess sugar, failure in the coordination in the reticular activating system of the brain, impairment in the neural coordination, due to some allergies, deprivation of oxygen at the time of birth, lead poisoning, dietary deficiencies, family history, smoking during pregnancy and many more.

Some of the important symptoms of ADHD are -

1. Facing difficulties in organizing task and activities
2. Making lots of careless mistakes while doing school activities
3. Not proper listening to the things what is being said
4. Misplacing and losing the belongings
5. Fidgeting and squirming in seats
6. Excessively talking
7. Difficulty in playing quietly
8. Not attentive to their class
9. Interrupting or intruding on others

These are the main symptoms which can be seen in children as well as adult. These symptoms are followed by learning related visual problems, sensory integration dysfunction and the allergies which are undiagnosed. Some people suffer from the symptoms of sensitivities to something they breathe, drink or eat.

Some of the important treatments are available for ADHD.

1. Conventional Approach Treatment
2. Alternative Approach Treatment
3. Herbal Treatment
4. Natural and Home Made Treatment

Herbal treatments are very effective in the treatment of ADHD.

1. One of the most important herbs for the treatment of ADHD is Brahmi. It is famous for its long history strengthening of thinking skills. While stimulating the learning process it is even better than drug deprenyl (Bhattacharya). Brahmi protects the brain from free radical damage.

2. A natural herb known as Ginkgo Biloba is very effective for the treatment of ADHD. Usually this herb is used in Chinese medicine. Ginkgo keeps the circulatory system healthy. It is very effective especially for the patient of older age suffering from memory loss and forgetfulness and in younger kids with focus difficulties.

3. Schisandra is one of the herbs which are frequently used for the treatment of ADHD. It increases the efficiency of the brain and the nervous system. It is a multi-use ADHD herbal remedy. This particular herb is very effective for the treatment of night sweats, diarrhea and also in insomnia. There are many herbal remedies for the treatment of ADHD.

Read about Brahmi Bacopa Supplement Benefits for patients suffering with ADD/ADHD. Also know about Ashwagandha Supplement Benefits to relieve stress.

Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid) - Causes, Symptoms and Herbal Remedies

2010-05-04T05:37:00.000-07:00

Hyperthyroidism is the condition of the body that results due to the over activity of the thyroid gland. Hyper activity of the thyroid produces excess of thyroid hormones that affects the tissues of the body in many ways. This over production of the thyroid hormones leads in an increased metabolism of the body, just the opposite condition of the Hypothyroidism and is termed as Grave’s Disease. People suffering from hyperthyroidism have an increased feeling of hotness and starts losing weight abruptly.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism includes intolerance towards heat, nervousness, palpitation of the heart, abrupt loss in weight, sleep disturbances or insomnia, irregular menstruation with occasional gaps, staring gaze, loss of hair, frequent bowel movements and weakness in muscles.

Causes

The general causes of Hyperthyroidism are -

1. Enlargement of the thyroid gland producing high levels of thyroid hormone, a condition called Grave’s disease.

2. Excessive intake of thyroid hormone for treating hypothyroidism.

3. Inflammation of the thyroid gland or Thyroiditis can also lead to the overproduction of thyroid hormones.

4. A single nodule of the thyroid gland can also produce excess amount of thyroid hormones leading to hyperthyroidism.

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies are quite effective in treating the condition like Hyperthyroidism, but not without consulting the medical experts. Self medication may worsen the condition.

1. The herb Bugleweed or Lycopus europea is a well known herbal remedy of Hyperthyroidism, especially in the early stage of the disease. Tincture of this herb in measured doses can give the best result.

2. Lemon balm is another popular herb that is known to reduce the levels of thyroid hormones. Studies showed that it blocks the activity of thyroid stimulating antibodies in Grave's disease. The extract of the herb can be taken. Making a tea of lemon balm and bugleweed and taking several times a day gives good results.

3. Motherwort herb has been used since ancient times to treat palpitations of the heart and depression. Recent studies have revealed that it is also beneficial in treating a hyperactive thyroid gland.

4. The herb Prunella vulgaris or self heal is known to suppress production of thyroid hormones. Taking one fourth pound in a single serving gives good results.

5. Dandelion root is known to regulate liver functions which in turn controls the over activity of the thyroid gland.

6. Quercetin helps in reducing inflammation. Taking 250-500 milligrams of it regularly produces good effects.

In addition to the above mentioned herbs sea greens are rich in minerals and vitamins. Other green vegetables belonging to cruciferous vegetation like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and kale have the properties that help in reducing the over activity of the thyroid glands and can be used as the best herbal treatment for Hyperthyroidism.

Read information on Thyroid Disease during Pregnancy. Read useful Home Remedies for Hypothyroidism.

Herbs for Depression - Herbal Remedies Natural Antidepressants

2010-04-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

Depression can be stated as the sad state of mind that arises from regular worries, stress, tension and anxieties from different spheres of life. Though these are the basic causes, but other causes like pregnancy, failure in examination, serious disease or some accidental events in the family may lead to depression in some persons.

Consequences of depression can not be overlooked as the depressed person loses all interest in his life that may lead to some suicidal attempts and become totally an insane or schizophrenic person.

People suffering from depression cut off all the interaction with the outside world even with the nearest ones. Lacks of appetite or high appetite, low self esteem, sleeplessness, weakness, fatigue are the symptoms that follow depression.

Herbal Remedies for Depression

Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed drugs to treat persons suffering from depression. But these drugs are not without side effects which sometimes lead to secondary level of medication. Herbs offered by Mother Nature are very effective in treating depression as they cure the roots of depression rather than the symptoms. Side effects are also observed in herbal treatments but not that of significant value. Still it is better to consult practitioners before going for herbal treatments.

1. St John's wort, also known as Hypericum perforatum is a well known herb to treat depression and anxiety. It is inexpensive and is easily available and also acts as good sedative lessening the sleeplessness caused by depression.

2. Basil is a common growing Asian herb with lots of medicinal properties and that also helps in stress reduction and lifts the mood.

3. Passion flower acts as a tranquilizer and calms down the nerves by reducing anxiety and insomnia. This herb acts gently and can be given the preference compared to the other herbs.

4. Gingko biloba helps in reducing the depression especially in the elders, whose blood circulation in the brain is reduced. It acts as a good anti depressant and an anti oxidant by increasing the blood flow in the brain and at the same time increasing the memory.

5. Borage leaf juice is another natural anti depressant that effectively treats depression. Being rich in Potassium it stimulates the glandular system and reduces the feeling of sadness, melancholy and pensiveness.

6. Lemon balm due to its soothing qualities is used to treat depression like mental disorders. It calms down the shattered nerves and helps in overcoming depression.

7. Rosemary, if used in sleeping pillows and baths has an excellent effect in alleviating depression as it rejuvenates and infuses a feel good factor in the depressive person.

Apart from minimum side effects the herbal treatments are also very cost effective. Some herbal treatments may demand much more time but weighing the pros and cons the patience pays off at the end.

Read information about Holy Basil Benefits in stress reduction and lifting mood. Also find about Ashwagandha Benefits to reduce stress and anxiety. Copyright Nick Mutt

Natural Cures for Insomnia, Causes and Remedies

2010-04-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

Insomnia is a symptom which is related to psychiatric disorders. The main characteristic of insomnia is that despite the opportunity to sleep the people stay asleep. You can also say that a person finds difficulty in maintaining sleep or it may be non-restorative sleep which is marked distress for more than a month.

Insomnia is classified into three types depending upon different degrees of insomnia -

1. Transient insomnia- The cause of this type may be stress, severe depression and also the timing of sleep. It lasts from days to week.

2. Acute insomnia- In this type a person feels inability to consistently sleep. This symptom may extend from three weeks to six months.

3. Chronic insomnia- This type of insomnia lasts for years. It includes muscular fatigue, hallucinations, mental fatigue, sleepiness but they show increased alertness. Some people suffer from double vision and for someone see the things in slow motion.

Causes of insomnia are different from person to person. The main causes of insomnia are poor sleep hygiene due to noise, certain medications, physical exercises, some genetic condition, mental disorders, due to hormones, pain due to some injury, some neurological disorders and many others.

For each individual the symptoms of insomnia differ. People experience a variety of symptoms. The first thing is that due to bad night sleep people don't feel fresh. They face difficulty in sleeping and by turning for hours and tossing they spent their whole night. Sometimes the people suffer from frequently interrupted night sleep. Number of the hours of sleeping is gradually reduced. It is very common among the older people.

Some natural cures for insomnia are there which may provide relief to a great extent.

1. Avoid the intake of heavy meals in the evening.

2. Make a fixed time to go to bed at night and also to get up in the morning daily.

3. Plenty of exercise is very helpful in having a sound sleep.

4. There may be a consistent bedtime routine like having proper bath, practicing meditation or exercises for relaxation. All this activities must be fixed and you must follow it regularly.

5. To avoid the noise of the surrounding make use of the device called "white noise".

6. Make a habit to spend some time in outdoor as it will give you bright and natural light and it has good effect on our body.

7. Go for meditation and yoga as they are good for our health and helpful to reduce insomnia.

Read useful Home Remedies for Sleeplessness, Insomnia. Also find simple and effective Natural Sleep Remedies to cure insomnia. Copyright Nick Mutt

Natural Cures for Colitis, Causes and Symptoms

2010-04-02T02:22:00.000-07:00

When there is an inflammation in the colon then this condition is termed as colitis. Autoimmune reactions, poor blood supply, and also infections are some of the major causes of colitis. Colon is a long muscular tube and pushes the food which is undigested towards the anus for natural elimination as bowel movement. It is the colon which is responsible for collection and storage of the waste products of digestion. The location of the colon is in abdominal cavity.

Various parts of the colon are cecum, ascending colon, transverse, descending colon, the sigmoid, the rectum and the anus. There are numerous layers in the wall of the colon. The layer which wraps the outside is known as smooth muscle. It squeezes the undigested food through the length of the colon. Mucosa is the inner layer which helps in solidifying the feces. An inflammation of the colon occurs in the mucosal layer which is responsible for the symptoms of colitis.

An infection and the variety of illness cause the inflammation of the colon. Most common causes of the colitis are – infectious colitis, ischemic colitis, inflammatory bowel disease, microscopic colitis and chemical colitis.

Usually according to the type of colitis the symptoms of the colitis will occur. Abdominal pain and diarrhea are its common symptoms. There are some other symptoms also.

1. A constant feeling of having bowel movement. It is also called Tenesmus.

2. Constant pain

3. Inflammation, infection, chills and fever.

4. In the bowel movement there may be the presence of blood.

5. Abdominal pain occurs in waves which causes diarrhea.

Various types of natural cures are available to cure colitis.

1. Best way to control colitis is to shift on liquid diet. Diet plays an important role in curing colitis. Fluid diet is best for colitis as it allows the colon to rest and nothing is passed into the colon to be processed as stool.

2. Intake of excess water is very necessary to cure colitis. With each diarrheal bowel movement an individual loses a significant amount of fluid. So adequate fluid should be taken to maintain the balance otherwise it will lead to dehydration and an individual will suffer from the problem of abdominal pain and cramping.

3. Try to avoid the food which causes allergies as it is also one of the important causes which result into colitis. Especially take care before using milk and dairy products, chocolate, corn, wheat, gluten etc.

Read useful Colitis Home Remedies. Find information on Ulcerative Colitis Causes, Symptoms and Treatment. Copyright Nick Mutt

Natural Cures for Warts, Causes, Symptoms and Home Remedies

2010-03-29T03:33:00.000-07:00

Wart is a tumor which is usually small and rough. Though warts can grow on any parts of the body but typically it grows on hands and feet. It is just like a solid blister. It can spread by touching the person who is already having warts. It may transfers to another person if anyone is in close contact with the warts. It can also spread by using the objects like towel and other thing of the person who is already having warts. It may grow on genitals, on skin, mouth and the rectal area. Especially the warts on the genitals are contagious and can easily be passed to other person during vaginal, anal and oral sex. Usually warts don't cause any problem, they are totally harmless and it also differs from moles. Even they don’t cause any pain or itching. In the face, warts can be spread by shaving.

Warts may be caused on the skin and on the genital area. Warts on the skin are not so much contagious as the warts on the genital area. Usually warts spread through the cracks in your skin like scrape. Warts easily spread on your finger tips by biting your nails.

Usually warts can be seen as thick, rough and like cauliflower papules along the cuticles and the fingers and hands. They develop in large numbers. It contains wart seeds which are clotted blood vessels and it more look like black dots.

Sometimes warts take many months to disappear and sometimes it disappears on its own. The warts which do not disappear of their own require some remedies to disappear. You can try following remedies at your home only.

1. Juice of aloe vera is very effective for the treatment of warts. Apply the juice of aloe vera to the affected area. It will help in dissolving the warts and also in toning of the skin.

2. Salicylic acid is also a very common treatment for the warts to disappear. It is easily available in the market and in the drug shop. Before applying the salicylic clean the area which is affected then apply the salicylic acid. Remove the dead skin with the help of a pumice stone or emery board. Salicylic acid is found in various forms such as gels, pads, drops and plasters. Salicylic acid is helpful in treating the small warts to big lumpy ones.

3. Fruits like papaya, pineapple banana peel and figs easily dissolve and digest the warts.

Read useful Natural Genital Wart Treatment. Find simple and effective Home Remedies for Warts. Copyright Nick Mutt

Natural Cures for Yeast Infection, Causes, Symptoms, Remedies

2010-03-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

Yeast infection can affect any part of the body like under arms, between the toes etc. It can affect both men and women but commonly it is found in the genital area of the women. Already there is a presence of yeast which is referred as Candida. When there is an increase in the quantity of yeast which are already present there in addition to the quantity of normal bacteria then this condition is called yeast infection. In this condition there is an occurrence of new yeast in the genital area.

It may occur if there is some injury in the inner part like after chemotherapy. Yeast infection is developed more frequently in the women with suppressed immune system then women having normal immune system. There are many conditions with women in which there are tendency to develop the yeast infection. They are pregnancy, taking oral contraceptives, use of douches and it includes diabetes mellitus also. Many women are interested in using perfumed hygiene sprays but it increases the risk of developing yeast infection. It is an infection and it should not be considered to be a sexually transmitted infection.

Some of its major symptoms are:

1. There is a vaginal discharge which is usually white and odorless.

2. Many women experience the pain and discomfort during intercourse. It is one of the irritating symptoms of the yeast infection.

3. The most common symptom of the discharge is the mild irritation in the private part which increases gradually.

4. It is also very common type of symptom. Women usually feel the burning sensation during or even after the urination in and around the private part and in the skin.

5. There may be swelling and itching in the vulva which is a skin around the private area. It becomes so tender and sensitive that even if there is a slight contact it is very painful.

Yeast infection can be cured with the help of natural and herbal remedies:

1. Insert a tampon dipped in yoghurt in the private part at least 2-3 times a day. If this remedy is continued for a day or two then you will get complete relief and the symptoms will go away.

2. A paste of garlic should be applied over the affected part if anyone is having non-vaginal yeast infections.

3. You must eat lots of fruits and vegetables as it will help in curing the yeast infection.

4. Avoid wearing tight under wears. Always prefer to wear loose cotton panties or underwear.

5. Avoid remaining in wet clothes for a long time as it will increase the possibility of having yeast infection.

Read useful Home Remedies for Yeast Infection. Find information on Breast Serum Double Concentration to enhance firmness. Copyright Nick Mutt

Boils Natural Home Remedies and Treatments

2010-02-13T09:20:00.000-08:00

Boils also known as furuncles, inflamed sores or skin abscess, is a skin condition mainly caused by the inflammation of hair follicles and can develop to anyone. Redness, tenderness and localized warmth are the early signs and symptoms of boils.

Home remedies for boils are very effective in getting relief from boils naturally. This article will cover some of the effective home remedies for boils.

For children suffering from boils, chewing of fresh leaves of margosa (neem) for 20 days is quite beneficial. Adult can take 16 leaves whereas children can take 6-8 leaves per dose. This remedy can also be taken making a tablet of the leaves and having this with water to prevent boils.

Another useful home remedies for boils are the powder of the three myrobalans. Boil the powder of the three myrobalans and use to wash the affected area.

Immerse some almonds in water and then remove the peel. Pound the almonds along with some margosa (neem) leaves and few black peppercorns. Make into small balls. Take one or two of these balls twice a day, with warm water. This is an effective home remedy for boils and work as a blood purifier.

Make a paste by adding some water to the powder of catechu. Use this mixture as a local application on the affected area. It has antiseptic and antipruritic properties. It is a good home remedy for boils.

Make a paste by mixing some pepper powder with a little ghee. Now apply this paste on the affected region for relief.

Margosa (neem) can be used as an effective home remedy for boils in the form of decoction. Prepare a decoction by boiling neem leaves in water. Now wash the boils with this decoction.

Fenugreek (methi) seeds are also used as a home remedy for boils. Make a poultice of powdered fenugreek seeds and turmeric powder and tie on the affected area twice a day.

Onion has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Apply semi baked onion on the affected region. This remedy will help to ripen and then open and drain the boils.

One of the useful home remedies for boils is tamarind. Take tamarind juice daily for a few days for the natural treatment of this skin condition.

Cinnamon (dalchini) is also used for the treatment of this skin condition. Prepare a paste by mixing the powder of cinnamon with some water. Apply this paste on boil to get relief from inflammation and pain.

Take funnel and dry coriander in equal quantities and make the powder of them. Now add double the quantity of powdered sugar candy. Take 4 to 5 grams of this powder two times a day for some days. Give half of this dose to the children suffering from boils.

Read more Home Remedies for Boils to treat it naturally. Also find simple and effective Cough Home Remedies.

Home Remedies and Natural Treatment for Heart Disease

2009-12-27T02:58:00.000-08:00

Heart disease is a disorder that affects the ability of the heart to function normally. The common types of heart disease are coronary heart disease, pulmonary heart disease, ischaemic heart disease, hereditary heart disease, inflammatory heart disease, hypertensive disease and valvular disease.

The common symptoms of heart disease are heaviness or pressure on the chest, shortness of breath, irregular or fast heartbeats, dizziness, nausea, excessive heart palpitations and back or shoulder pain. If you encounter any of these problems, it would be wise to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Heart disease is primarily a disease of poor and sedentary lifestyle, and can be largely preventable through risk factor awareness and modification. The best way to prevent heart disease is to control blood pressure and have LDL cholesterol at low levels. You can attain these goals by making appropriate diet changes and even by taking medications if so recommended by your doctor.

Regular exercise can also reduce the risks of heart disease. Making change in some habits, such as walking to work, can make you healthier. Walking is perhaps the easiest and healthiest way to make you physically active and healthy. In order to prevent heart disease, you need to make changes in your diet, together with reducing excess weight and maintaining blood sugar levels as well as taking nutritional supplements that are suggested by your health experts.

The dietary modifications you need to make to lower cholesterol are restrict cheese intake, fat milk and butter, choose lean cuts of meat and remove all visible fat, eat skinless chicken, fish or beans, and do not consume pasties, chips and cakes.

Grapes are recommended for heart patients because, being soft, slimy and cold, grapes have a soothing and calming effect on the heart muscles. Another useful home remedy is to prepare a decoction by boiling approx. 1 to 2 tsp dried ginger. Take it warm, once or twice a day.

A sweet jelly of apple and carrot is also beneficial and act as a heart tonic. The patient can also take approx. 1 to 2 tsp fresh betel juice extracted by pounding betel leaves. A moderate intake of ripe mangoes strengthens the heart and gives relief from palpitations. Take 3 to 5 grams of the powdered seeds of lotus twice, to soothe and calm the heart.

Meditation, pranayama and regular walking for 1 to 2 hours in the morning are also helpful in making you and your heart healthier. Good sleep, fresh air, rest and peace of mind are also necessary for heart patients.

Read Home Remedies for High Cholesterol to relieve discomfort. Lose your excess body fat using natural Fat Loss Diet.

Copyright © Ryan Mutt, All Rights Reserved.

Home Remedies for Common Cold, Nasal Blockage, Sinus Infection

2009-12-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

Cold and nasal blockage is very common and irritating problem that mainly occurs in cold weather or due to seasonal change. Common cold can also cause by consuming refrigerated foods and drinks. People with weak immune system are the target of this condition. Cough, throat pain and headache make this condition even worst. You can treat this annoying condition using simple yet highly effective home remedies.

Cold Home Remedies

Below are some of the popular home remedies for cold and cough. The ingredients used in these home treatments are completely natural and herbal and can be easily found in your kitchen cabinet or backyard.

1. Take 10 grams of bishop's weed (ajwain) in a clean cloth and tie all ends of the cloth with a rubber band. Heat this cloth in a vessel. Now sniff this. Nasal blockage is cleared by this home remedy.

2. Mix 5 ml fresh garlic (lahsun) juice with holy basil (tulsi), four black peppers (kali mirch), a clove (laung) and a teaspoon of honey. Consume this mixture twice a day to relieve this condition.

3. Suck liquorice (mulethi). This is an effective home remedy for cough, cold and throat irritation. You can also take mulethi along with honey 2-3 times daily.

4. Garlic (lahsun) is a valuable herb in the treatment of cough and cold. The fresh juice of garlic (10-15ml) along with an equal amount of honey is a useful home remedy.

5. Drink lukewarm water, especially after meals. This will relieve and calm throat irritation and sore throat.

6. Nasal blockage can be cleared by putting eucalyptus oil (3 drops in each nostril). It will also clear up sinus affections.

7. Tea prepared from holy basil (tulsi) and garlic (lahsun) is beneficial to soothe the agitated respiratory passage.

8. Avoid exposure to cold winds. Keep your head and chest fully covered with woolen garments.

9. Boil 500mg cinnamon (dalchini) powder in milk. Add 5ml of clarified butter (ghee) and drink this milk to provide relief in cold at bed time.

10. Eat bread of whole grams with clarified butter (ghee). Drink a glassful of lemon juice mixed in hot water afterwards to get much strength and relief. It will clear nose, reduce sneezing spells and soothe the throat.

Copyright © Ryan Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Read more simple and effective Home Remedies for Common Cold. Also find Home Remedies for Cough to relieve throat irritation and pain.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat, How to Get Rid of Sore Throat

2009-11-25T07:45:00.000-08:00

The most common things to cause a sore throat are viral infections, such as a cold, flu, and a bacterial infection. Apart from these there are other things which can cause a sore throat. These include smoking, allergies, dry air, mouth breathing, and changing weather, throat abuse such as singing, shouting, coughing, infected tonsils, and food allergies. Some of these causes you can avoid and others you cannot. Try some of the following home remedies to get rid of sore throat.

Home Remedies for Sore Throat

Nasal Passages- Keep it clear by practicing anulome-vilome pranayam. This yoga practice is very helpful to cure sore throat. When dealing with a sore throat, best to keep your nasal passages clear. This means do not open your mouth when sleeping, if possible. Sleeping with your mouth open can cause a dry mouth and lead to a sore throat. Proper rest is the best home remedies when dealing with any kind of ailment. Get proper rest when you are dealing with a sore throat. Resting leaves more energy to fight any infection.

Gargling with raspberry tea, turmeric, sage, lukewarm salt water, and Listerine can help ease a sore throat. Gargling is one of the best home remedies for sore throat.

• Pour one cup of boiling water over two teaspoons of dried raspberry leaves and steep for ten minutes. Then strain, allow cooling and gargling. It is also good for controlling fevers.
• Mix a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of turmeric powder and a half of teaspoon of salt. Gargle 2-3 times a day.
• Mix half a teaspoon of turmeric with a cup of warm milk and drink.
• Mix a teaspoon of sage in a cup of boiling water. Strain and cool and add one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Gargle 3-4 times a day. It will cure sore throat.
• Mix half teaspoon of salt to a very hot cup of water and gargle with it every 3-4 hours to help soothe a sore throat.
• Gargling with Listerine is another great home remedy to soothe a sore throat.
• Mix one teaspoon of salt, half cup of apple cider vinegar and one cup of hot water water. Dissolve the salt in the apple cider vinegar and mix in the water. Gargle with this mixture frequently.
• Do not share your glass or bottle with your family member. Use separate cup for gargling.

Note: Do not drink any kind of gargle.

I hope in this article, you will get some useful and effective home remedies to get rid of sore throat completely.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article.

Copyright © Ryan Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Looking for more Home Remedies for Sore Throat, check out the most comprehensive health guide on Natural Cures.

How to Do Arm and Hand Massage?

2009-07-23T06:29:00.000-07:00

We use our arms and hands throughout the day. This gives a lot of tension and pain in the hands, wrists, and arms. The arms and hands massage is very useful to relieve pain that come with the excessive use of arms and hands. The arm and hand massage can be done within 5-10 minutes and it will soon relieve pain in the body.

Benefits of arms and hands massage

1. When we massage our hands, fingers and joints, this not only relieves pain from arms and hands, but also solves problems of poor blood circulation and arthritis.

2. With arms and hands massage the effects will be passed onto the chest by reflex action. So, with this massage technique we can also reduce any pressure in the neck and head due to nervous and circulatory effects.

Steps for arms and hands massage -

1. Smooth on the oil as before. When working on the arm it’s easier to effleurage with one hand only, using the other to hold the arm steady.

2. Bend the arm at the elbow. Massage around the wrist with little thumbs circles using both hands.

3. Work down from the wrist to the ends of the fingers using little thumbs circles. Repeat five times.

4. Stretch each finger, then thumb, in turn between your finger and thumb.

5. Rotate the fingers and thumb first clockwise then anti-clockwise.

6. Turn the hand over and rub gently along the solar plexus (from centre wrist down the palm to the middle finger) using alternate thumbs. This is calming to the nervous system.

7. Rotate the hand at the wrist clockwise then anti-clockwise. To do this lock your fingers into your partner’s.

8. Turn the hand over and work on the inside of the wrist up to the elbow using alternate sweeping movements. Repeat four or five times.

9. Bend the arm at the elbow and bring the lower arm up and across the chest. Squeeze all along the upper arm from elbow to shoulder using both hands.

10. Bring the arm back down to the side then effleurage the whole area from hand to shoulder four or five times. Cover the arm and repeat on the other side.

Massaging the arms and hands will not only give relief from pain and tension in the hands, wrists, and arms but also make them more beautiful and strong.

Read useful tips on Natural Skin Care to keep your skin soft, smooth and glowing. Also read useful articles on Hair Loss Remedy to control your hair fall. Know how to shed your extra body fat through Natural weight loss

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Essential Oils for Treating Common Ailments

2009-07-04T02:13:00.000-07:00

This article discusses three commonly used essential oils along with their healing properties. Read this article to treat your common ailments and improve your overall health naturally.

1. Peppermint

The peppermint oil is obtained from the leaves and flowers by steam distillation and varies in quality depending on climatic and soil conditions. It is very therapeutic oil which has a cooling effect on the skin and lessens pain. Peppermint is excellent for digestive problems. It also makes a great foot bath for hot, aching feet. It is not advisable to use this oil during pregnancy.

Peppermint essential oil is helpful for:

1. Bad breath: Add five drops to 300 ml of water and use as a mouthwash.

2. Heartburn and indigestion: Mix into carrier oil and massage the stomach and rib cage.

3. Hot, aching feet: Add ten drops to a large bowl of lukewarm water. Soak feet for at least fifteen minutes.

4. Migraine: Use it neat on the temples.

5. Sinus, catarrh: Inhale, or use to massage the face.

6. Travel sickness: Inhale, or blend in carrier oil and massage the stomach and temples.

2. Rosemary

The rosemary essential oils are distilled from the flowers and leaves. It is known as the herb for remembrance and clears the mind and stimulates the memory. It is an excellent hair tonic, improving circulation to the scalp and is helpful for dandruff.

Rosemary essential oil is helpful for:

1. Circulation: Use in the bath, or in carrier oil. Rosemary has a warming, comforting effect.

2. Dandruff, hair in poor condition: Use in carrier oil for scalp massage. Leave for thirty minutes before shampooing.

3. Fainting: Inhale neat, like smelling salts.

4. Mental fatigue, poor memory: Inhale neat.

5. Stomach pain, wind: Mix in carrier oil and gently massage the affected area.

3. Sage

The sage oil is made from the sun dried leaves by distillation. The essential oil is toxic in high doses, so use with care.

Sage essential oil is helpful for:

1. Aching joints, rheumatism: Add to your bath or use in carrier oil to massage the affected areas.

2. Nervous exhaustion: A good tonic. Add to your bath, and soak for at least 15 minutes.

3. Fluid retention: Add to your bath or use in carrier oil.

4. Excess perspiration: Dilute five drops in a glass of water. Soak cotton wool in the solution and use it under the arms and on the feet several times daily.

5. Sore, bleeding gums: Dilute five drops in a glass of water and use as a mouthwash.

Read the benefits of Triphala and know how it can cure constipation. Know recipes for making Homemade cosmetics - all natural and preservative free.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Some Useful Essential Oils with Curative Properties

2009-06-26T12:45:00.000-07:00

Essential oils have natural healing properties that are helpful in treating common health problems. They can be safely used for inhaling, massaging or in bath. Below are some useful essential oils with curative properties -

1. Marjoram

Marjoram is a popular aromatic flavoring. The oil is extracted from the plant by distillation. It has a powerful head clearing aroma and an uplifting effect on the spirit. Marjoram blends very well with lemon essential oil.

Marjoram essential oil is helpful for:

1. Anxiety and depression: Inhale, use in the bath or in a vaporizer.

2. Constipation: Blend into carrier oil and massage into the abdomen to relieve spasm in the intestines.

3. Head cold: Inhale, or use to massage face and neck.

4. Insomnia: Use in the bath or inhale.

5. Muscular aches and pains: Use in carrier oil to massage the affected parts, or add to the bath.

2. Myrrh

Myrrh essential oil is produced from the resin of the myrrh tree. It has been used since ancient Egyptian times for its rejuvenating qualities and is one of the oils used for embalming.

Myrrh essential oil is helpful for:

1. Cuts and grazes: Bath the area in a solution of five drops to 2 tsp (10 ml) of cooled, boiled water.

2. Coughs: Blend into carrier oil and massage the chest and throat or inhale.

3. Mouth ulcers, inflamed and sore gums: Add five drops to a medium size glass of warm water and use as a gargle several times a day.

3. Niaouli

Niaouli oil is produced by steam distillation from the leaves of the niaouli tree, which is native to New Caledonia. It is an excellent antiseptic.

Niaouli essential oil is helpful for:

1. Acne and problem skin: Blend in carrier oil for massage or add six drops to ½ pt (300 ml) of boiled water and use as a skin tonic.

2. Bronchitis, chesty cough: Inhale, or mix with a carrier oil and massage the chest.

3. Catarrh: Inhale.

4. Grazes: Dilute six drops of niaouli oil in 300 ml of boiled water – very good for removing dirt from wounds.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Read the benefits of anti-aging herb Shilajit and stress relieving herb Ashwagandha.

How to Give a Face Massage

2009-06-22T09:11:00.000-07:00

In this article you will learn how to give a facial massage and know the benefits of face massage.

Benefits of face massage

1. Face massage relieve muscle tension in the face and improve blood and lymph circulation.

2. Face massage focusing on the pressure points of the face can offer relief for symptoms of allergies and sinus congestion.

3. Face massage helps in removing wrinkles; improve complexion and natural glow of the skin.

Steps for face massage –

Take your partner’s hair off the face with a headband. Be careful not to use too much oil on the face or you’ll find it difficult to massage specific areas without slipping. Encourage your partner to close his or her eyes, so as to focus on your touch.

• Begin by stroking up each side of the jawline to the forehead. Repeat 4-5 times.
• Slowly stroke the forehead rhythmically with the flat of your hand from just above the brows to the hairline.
• Starting at the centre hairline slide your thumbs out to the side, applying gently pressure. Move down the forehead slightly and repeat. Continue this outward stroking pressure until you reach the eyebrows.
• Now place the heel of each hand on the centre forehead and slide out to the sides. Repeat three times.
• Place the first two fingers of each hand on the temples and circle gently for a minute or two, applying a little pressure.

All the above movements help to relieve a headache. Try lavender oil for your massage as it can ward off a headache if used in time.

• Place your thumbs on your partner’s inner eyebrows and slide out to the sides. Repeat three times.
• With your index finger and thumbs gently pull along the brow bone. Repeat three times.
• Stroke gently over the eyelids with your ring fingers from the inner to the outer corners. Repeat three times.
• Alternately stroke down the nose with your thumbs then gently rub round the nose tip and nostrils. Be careful not to press hard on the nostrils.
• Stroke the cheeks across the cheekbones and gradually work down the face to the chin.
• Make little circular movements across the top lip. When you reach the corner of the mouth lift slightly then repeat.
• Make pinching movements out along the jawline and up towards the ears.
• Rub the earlobes between your fingers and thumbs then gently pinch all around the outer ear. Most people love this.
• Sweep your hands up the neck and on to the cheeks. Hold then repeat.
• Finish by stroking the forehead, getting lighter and lighter until you bring your hands off.

Note: Face massage should be done by using oil or moisturizer as a lubricant. If you just use your bare hands, you may cause too much friction and leads to irritation of the skin.

Hope you have now learned how to give a facial massage to remove wrinkles and get relief from symptoms of allergies and sinus congestion.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Looking for some Home Remedies for Wrinkles? Check out natural Home remedies website and find some effective Home Remedies for Sinusitis useful in curing sneezing, running nose, blockage of one or both nostrils and headache.

Top 3 Essential Oils with Healing Properties

2009-04-19T02:46:00.000-07:00

Essential oils due to their mystical healing properties are used extensively in treating health problems. This article discusses three commonly used essential oils that are helpful in treating number of ailments.

1. Chamomile

The chamomile family is large and there are several different chamomile essential oils. All chamomile oils are helpful for sensitive conditions and can be used safely for children.

Chamomile essential oil is helpful for:

1. Aches and pains: Blend with carrier oil and massage into the affected area or add to the bathwater.

2. Boils: Apply a small cotton compress which has been soaked in hot water and chamomile and leave on until it cools.

3. Conjunctivitis, sore eyes: Add two drops to 2 tsp (10 ml) of cooled, boiled water. Soak cotton pads in the solution and place on the eyes, or use in an eyebath to wash the eyes.

4. Dermatitis, eczema: Blend with a carrier oil and massage into the affected area or blend with a perfume free cream and apply regularly.

5. Hyperactivity: Particularly in children. Add a few drops to the bathwater, or use in a vaporizer.

6. Minor skin infections: Apply on a cotton compress.

7. Insomnia: Try a chamomile aromatherapy bath before bedtime. Drink chamomile tea before going to bed. Use the oil in a vaporizer or sprinkle a few drops on your pillow.

2. Eucalyptus

The eucalyptus oil is extracted from the leaves by steam distillation. It has a smell you will recognize as it is often used in commercial rubs and inhalants for chest complaints and colds.

Eucalyptus essential oil is helpful for:

1. Colds, sinus problems, sore throat: Steam inhalation or use in an oil burner or vaporizer. Helps keep viruses at bay from other people in the home.

2. Flu: Mix into a carrier oil and massage well into the chest, shoulders and rib-cage.

3. Muscular aches and pain: Very helpful after sport or any strenuous exercise, either in the bath or in a carrier oil to massage affected areas.

3. Lavender

Lavender essential oil is obtained by distillation. Lavender oils blend well with other essential oils and can boost their properties. It is the most versatile oil for aromatherapy, so if in doubt, choose lavender.

Lavender essential oil is helpful for:

1. Acne and spotty skin: Blend in carrier oil for massage, or add a few drops to distilled water to make a freshener.

2. Boils: Use neat on a small compress.

3. Burns: Use neat, being careful not to break the skin.

4. Colds and flu: Inhale, add to the bath, use in a vaporizer or use in carrier oil to massage the head, neck and shoulders.

5. Headache/migraine: Inhale, or blend into a carrier oil and massage the face and scalp. Pay particular attention to the temples and forehead.

6. Irritability, tension and depression: Use for massage, especially the shoulders and neck, add to the bath water or inhale.

7. Indigestion, nausea: Blend in carrier oil and gently massage the stomach, or inhale.

8. Insect bites, stings: Dab on a few drops of neat oil.
9. Muscular aches and pains: Use to massage the affected area in carrier oil, or add to the bath.

10. Period pain: Blend in carrier oil and massage the lower abdomen and back. Also use in the bath.

11. Sore throat: Use in carrier oil to massage the chest and throat and/or inhale neat.

12. Sunburn: Mix a few drops into your after sun lotion or carrier oil.

Know natural Home Remedies for common diseases. Also read the benefits of anti-aging herb Shilajit and stress relieving herb Ashwagandha.

Three Useful Essential Oils with Healing Properties

2009-03-25T08:32:00.000-07:00

Due to the natural healing properties of essential oils, they are widely used to treat number of ailments. This article focuses on three commonly used essential oils with their remedial properties.

1. Benzoin

Benzoin is actually a tree resin which is processed to turn it into a liquid.

Benzoin essential oil is helpful for:

1. Coughs colds and flu: Try steam inhalation
2. Itchy skin, dermatitis: Mix into a carrier oil or a perfume free cream and apply to the affected area.
3. Nervous exhaustion, tension: Mix into a carrier oil and use for massage particularly around the neck and shoulder area.
4. Stiff or aching joints: Mix into a carrier oil and massage into the problem area, or use on a compress.
5. Sore, dry skin: Mix into a carrier oil (wheatgerm oil is good) and apply to the affected area at regular intervals. You can also add it to your bath.

2. Geranium

There are many varieties of geranium. Geranium oil can uplift or have a relaxing effect and is particular good for menopausal problems.

Geranium essential oil is helpful for:

1. Dry eczema and dermatitis: Mix into a carrier oil. If the problem is severe on the hands, try massaging with the blend, put on cotton gloves and wear overnight.
2. Menopausal bleeding: Mix into a carrier oil and massage into the lower abdomen and back. Or use a compress soaked in warm water with the geranium oil added.
3. Nervous tension and anxiety: Use in an aromatherapy bath, or mix into a carrier oil and massage into neck and shoulders.
4. Sluggish skin: Mix three or four drops into a carrier oil and use to massage the face and neck.
5. Sore throat: Add two drops to a glass of warm water and use as a gargle.

3. Hyssop

Hyssop is an ancient herb which was cultivated for its medicinal as well as romantic properties. The oil is extracted from the leaves and flowers by distillation. It is beneficial for all respiratory problems and can help relieve hay fever.

Hyssop essential oil is helpful for:

1. Bruises: Use as a compress or gently rub over the bruised area.
2. Eczema: Use in carrier oil at regular intervals.
3. Hay fever: Use on handkerchief or in a vaporizer, or blend and use for facial massage.
4. Rheumatism: Use in the bath or as a massage for the affected area.

Read the benefits of anti-aging herb Shilajit and stress relieving herb Ashwagandha.

Aromatherapy during Labor for Natural Pain Relief

2009-03-23T09:23:00.000-07:00

Aromatherapy is one of the most popular natural therapies not only for relaxing mind and body but also for treating many health issues. It is very helpful in relieving pain. Aromatherapy massage during labor helps you to relax and cope with the contractions and it can also reduce the tension and fear you will naturally feel because of its calming effect on your nervous system. You may find that early on in labor you like the feeling of quite firm pressure but as your contractions become more intense gentle strokes may be all you can bear.

Aromatherapy massage for natural pain relief -

If you have already experienced aromatherapy massage earlier in your pregnancy your partner will have an idea of the kind of touch that is most helpful to you.

Tummy massage

This is helpful in the earlier stages of labor and the movements are soothing when the contractions feel like period pains. Use three drops of camomile or lavender oil in 4 fl oz (100 ml) of light carrier oil.

• Using relaxed hands make figure of eight movement across the tummy and under the bump. This movement should be fairly light, especially if the tummy is tender.
• Gently stroke around the bump using your fingertips in a circular movement.

Repeat these movements as necessary.

Back soother

Again use three drops of camomile or lavender oil in 4 fl oz (100 ml) of carrier oil.

• With the heel of your hand apply pressure to the small of the back. Gently move your hand in an anticlockwise circular movement while keeping firm contact with the skin.
• Place one hand on top of the other in the small of the back and allow heat to build up under your hands.

These movements are helpful for concentrations felt in the lower back.

If you are feeling too sensitive to be massaged or even touched on your body, try the following aromatherapy relaxers.

Face soother

Add a few drops of lavender or rose oil to some chilled rosewater. Dip a small face sponge into this mixture then smooth it over your forehead down your face and neck, gently and rhythmically. Alternatively your partner can do this for you. The flowery aroma is very comforting and helps to take your mind away from the labor pains.

Hand soother

When the contractions become difficult this simple touch is very reassuring and helps to create a feeling of safety. Ask your partner to rub a little lavender oil (in carrier oil) into the solar plexus area on your hand.

Now he or she can gently stroke and soothe your hand, keeping a reassuring contact with you. Concentrate on relaxing into the touch.

Scented water soother

Kneeling in a deep, warm bath can be soothing in the earlier stages of labor and the addition of relaxing aromatherapy oils intensifies this experience. Choose from chamomile, lavender, ylang-ylang or geranium.

Read useful articles on Hair Loss Remedy to control your hair fall. Know how Herbal Remedies are helpful in promoting good health.

How to Massage a Baby?

2009-03-22T03:28:00.000-07:00

Massage is very helpful for the healthy development of bones of your baby. It also strengthens the bonds between you and your baby. Pediatric research has shown that babies born prematurely make much quicker progress when given regular massage.

The best time to massage your baby is just after his or her bath when he or she is not feeling hungry or irritable. Make sure the room is nice and warm and perhaps perfume it gently with a vaporizer and one of the relaxing aromatherapy oils.

You will find it easiest to work sitting on the floor, legs outstretched with the baby lying on your legs. This means he or she is reassured by the warmth of your skin. Make sure you feel comfortable before you start and if necessary, prop yourself up with a couple of cushions.

You need to remove any jewelry and warm your hands and the oil prior to massage. Use a blend of 4 fl oz (100 ml) of sweet almond oil to which you have added two drops of any of the following - camomile oil, rose oil, lavender oil, neroli oil. Now you are ready to begin.

Baby massage step by step

• Start with your baby lying against your legs on his or her back so he or she can look up at you.
• Stroke gently down his arms then his legs, repeating each movement five or six times.
• Circle round his tummy using the flat of your hand in an anti clockwise direction (this is very calming),
• Stretch out his toes one by one then gently rub over the soles of his feet using your thumb.
• Uncurl his fingers then gently move each one clockwise then anti clockwise. Now rub over the palms of his hands with your thumb.

Turn your baby over to lie on his tummy against your legs.

• Gently rub a little oil into his back, bottom, legs and feet using long light strokes.
• Stroke down his back giving a little squeeze at the buttocks. Repeat five or six times.
• Gently stroke round his shoulders down his arms and off at his hands.
• Gently stroke down his legs several times. Each time finish by giving his legs a little stretch by pulling gently at the ankles.
• Finish by stroking gently down his back and legs in one movement. Repeat, getting lighter with each stroke, until your hand just glides over your baby without actually touching him.

Gently turn your baby on to his back so he can see you again.

• Gently stroke a little oil (the surplus on your hands should be enough) on to his face. Lightly stroke up his forehead several times.
• With your thumbs stroke across his cheeks then down his nose and chin. Do each movement several times.
• Gently squeeze and rub his ear lobes between your fingers and thumb.
• Finish off with a connecting stroke. With one hand cradling your baby’s head, stroke gently down his body with the other and bring it to rest on top of his feet. Hold this position (one hand on the head, the other on the feet) for a count of ten. Gently release and lift off your hands.

Read useful tips on Homemade Cosmetics to keep your skin soft, smooth and glowing. Know how Herbal remedies are helpful in promoting good health.

Aromatherapy for Your Child

2009-03-21T08:04:00.000-07:00

Aromatherapy is an effective natural therapy for treating many health problems. This article focuses on how aromatherapy can be helpful for your child.

Sleeplessness is a common problem not only to elders but sometimes also to children. There are many different reasons for this and I have listed a few here with the various ways in which aromatherapy can be helpful.

1. Fear of the dark - This is very common in children especially if they have nightmares and wake up in a very dark, silent room. Using an oil burner in the bedroom creates a safe atmosphere, because of its gently glowing light and soothing aroma.

Camomile, benzoin, frankincense, neroli, patchouli, vetivert, rose, sandalwood, marigold, myrrh, ylang-ylang and clary sage are all quite sedative oils and you can experiment until you find a blend that your child really likes.

2. Hyperactivity - If your child is hyperactive, the chances are that you will find he or she has difficulty getting off a sleep. Try the following aromatherapy sequence.

First of all, add 10 drops of camomile oil to a three quarters filled bath. Encourage your child to soak in it for as long as possible. Use toys or games to keep him or her interested, or read a story aloud.

Next, use 6 drops of camomile oil fl oz (100 ml) of carrier oil and massage it into your child’s back and shoulders then the tummy and chest. Do this after drying him or her and while standing and make the movements as soothing as possible.

Finally use camomile and benzoin oils in a burner or vaporizer in the bedroom. Once your little one is tucked up in bed, try massaging a little of the above blend into his or her forehead with soothing strokes while you read a bedtime story.

3. Excitability - Children get really keyed up about certain events and holidays that spring immediately to mind. The trouble is that by getting exited and not sleeping properly, the occasions they so look forward to are often marred by their irritability and short tempers – the consequences of lack of sleep.

Try using any of the sedative oils in your child’s bath and also in a vaporizer or burner in his or her bedroom. You can also sprinkle a few drops of camomile or ylang-ylang oil on to the pillow.

4. Fear and anxiety - Like adults, children often lose sleep through fear or anxiety. The cause may be an impending test or exam a trip to the dentist or one of the many other problems.

Helpful oils for this are bergamot, thyme, neroli, marjoram, geranium, camomile and lavender.

Again you can use them in the bath, or in a burner or vaporizer. They can also help when inhaled neat from the bottle. Neroli is very effective when used this way.

If your child, or teenager, is facing an impending test or examination use rosemary in his or her bath and in a burner – it’s a great aid to the memory! It can also be inhaled just before the test or exam.

Read more about Anti Stress Herbal Supplement at Natural cures website. Also get natural and powerful anti-aging skin care products to reduce wrinkles.

How to Give a Relieving Foot Massage – Step by Step

2009-03-18T08:33:00.000-07:00

This article will help you to learn how to give a relieving foot massage. Before you begin massage check that your hands are clean and your nails fairly short with no jagged edged. Take off any rings if you wear them.

Foot massage step by step

Your feet are probably the most neglected part of your bodies. They definitely deserve a loving massage from time to time. Make sure your partner is warm and comfortable. Uncover one foot by folding back the towel or blanket. Now pour a little of your chosen oil into the palm of one hand. Rub your hands together to evenly distribute the oil. Now you are ready to begin.

1. Enclose the foot between hands (one on top, one underneath), then gently slide your hands off the foot coming forward to the toes. This movement should be slow and soothing. Repeat four or five times.

2. Gently circle around the ankle using your thumbs. This area can be tender, so go easy.

3. Rub over the top of the foot with your thumbs in little circles, coming down from the ankle area to the toes. Repeat three or four times.

4. Now rub each toe the same little circular movements.

5. Rotate each toe twice in each direction.

6. Gently pull each toe between finger and thumbs.

7. Zigzag down the sole of the foot from toes to heel with your thumbs overlapped.

8. Enclose the foot in your hands then rub them in opposite directions, to create frictions. This is very warming.

9. Hold the foot firmly and slowly rotate the ankle clockwise then anti-clockwise. Repeat a couple of times.

10. Repeat step 1.

Once completed, wrap the foot up again for warmth and repeat the movements on the other foot. By now your massage partner will be feeling more relaxed and at ease with your touch.

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Health Benefits of Massage therapy

2009-03-12T08:32:00.000-07:00

Massage therapy is no doubt an effective natural therapy that has tremendous healing properties. To get maximum benefit from this therapy you should know the principles of massage therapy and do’s and don’t while doing massage. Touch is both healing and comforting and what’s more you can enjoy the pleasure of it – both giving and receiving. Massage improves blood circulation; calms the nervous system; stimulates skin function; improves muscle tone and eases aches and pains in muscles and joints.

The basic principles of massage

Massage is a way of stroking the body, with variations in the length and depth of strokes. However, you should always direct firm strokes towards the heart, as this will be beneficial to the circulation.

Long flowing massage strokes with little pressure on the body are the most soothing and relaxing. This type of movement is called gentle, even pressure and is often used to start and finish a massage.

Patting or tapping the skin with your fingers quickly and slowly is stimulating and helps to increase blood flow. This is called tapotement. It is usually done on small areas such as the forehead, cheeks and neck.

Petrissage involves squeezing and releasing a muscle or part of a muscle group. A good example of this kind of movement is kneading dough. It is mostly done with both hands, particularly on the thighs and buttocks. Petrissage helps strengthen muscle fiber, remove waste products and ease fatigue.

There’s another type of massage movement called friction which creates just that. It involves rubbing the hands backwards and forwards across an area and is very warming and stimulating to the tissues.

Dos and don’ts

Massage is a gentle healing art suitable for everyone from babies to the very elderly. Note the below points while doing massage -

Do not massage

• Any infected area
• A person who is feverish or has a raised temperature
• Over an area where varicose veins are present
• Over any unusual swelling or inflammation
• Bruised or broken skin

Before massaging do

• Check with the person about to be massaged whether any of the above apply
• Make sure the room is warm enough
• Warm your hands before massaging

Hope this article will help you to know the basic information about massaging in the right way!

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How to Create the Right Atmosphere for Aromatherapy Massage?

2009-02-14T08:52:00.000-08:00

It would really be fantastic to be massaged in a tropical country, with the warm sun beating down, soft sounds of the sea in the background and the sweet scents of flowers occasionally wafting over you. Well perhaps it’s like a dream but it is still possible to create a lovely, relaxing atmosphere at home, especially with the help of aromatherapy oils.

I think the most important consideration is that the room or area, you use to give a massage is really warm. It’s a good idea to have a blanket, or large towel, so you can cover the parts of the body you are not working on. Also, it feels good to be wrapped up while being massaged. If you like, you can even wrap a hot water bottle in a towel and pop it under your patient’s feet for a really luxurious treat.

Harsh, bright lights are unpleasant when being massaged. A table lamp gives a softer, gentler light than overhead lighting. Once you feel happy about your massage movements you can work by candlelight. The soft flickering of the flames has a soothing, hypnotic effect which is really relaxing.

Try to keep noise to the minimum, and close the curtains or blinds. This helps to cut out traffic noise. If you think you may be disturbed, unplug the telephone or switch off your mobile. Buy some really interesting music to play in the background. Music can be great help in creating a relaxing atmosphere. Sounds of the sea, tinkling bells, birdsong and running water all combined with gentle, lulling music can take you off into a dream like state.

Aromatherapy oils are marvelous for creating different atmospheres in the home and are much more authentic than using perfume sprays. There are several ways of scenting your home with essential oils. The simplest is probably to add a few drops of your chosen oil to a small bowl of water and then stand it over a radiator. The essential oil floats on the water and gradually evaporates into the air, aided by the heat.

A more sophisticated method is to use an oil burner or vaporizer. These come in many different designs, but with oil burners there is no need to use any water. You just put a few drops of essential oil into the top of the burner, and then light a night light underneath. Vaporizers usually have a deeper dish into which you add water, whether you use an oil burner or a vaporizer; do be careful not to let it burn dry!

Used in this way the oils can become mood enhancers. They can remove stale smells or even help with conditions such as headaches, colds or insomnia. Another way to perfume a room is to gather flowers and herbs from your garden and hang them up in bundles to dry.

I hope you have now a few ideas on how to create a warm, relaxing atmosphere for aromatherapy massage.

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Aromatherapy for Baby Care

2009-02-11T07:48:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy can be used in a number of ways for your baby. The healing power of aromatherapy oils helps you baby to be healthy and free from harmful germs and bacteria. Just be careful to keep the amount of aromatherapy oil very low as this is enough for a baby or young child.

The most suitable aromatherapy oils for your baby are camomile, lavender, rose, neroli, sandalwood and tangerine. The best carrier oil for babies is sweet almond oil as it has a softening, lubricating effect on the skin and is much kinder than the mineral oil that most commercial baby products are based on.

This article will now discuss some of the simple yet effective ways to keep your baby healthy by using aromatherapy.

1. Baby bath - You can add soothing aromatherapy oils to your baby baths to create a lovely smell and soothe his sensitive skins. Camomile, rose or lavender oils are best for this purpose.

2. Germ free - Try using any of these oils - lavender, frankincense, sandalwood, neroli, camomile, eucalyptus or geranium, in a vaporizer in your baby’s room. They help to purify the air and keep germs at bay as well as being pleasant and soothing.

3. Teething - When your baby is teething, camomile oil helps to calm and soothe inflamed gums. Dilute two drops in a little warm water and rub over the affected area three times a day.
4. Cradle cap - This flaky, red, itchy condition often affects small babies. Mix up a blend of one drop of camomile oil and one drop of rose oil in 4 fl oz (100 ml) of sweet almond oil. Gently rub over the cradle cap three times a day.

5. Colds and blocked noses - When your baby has a stuffy nose or a cold, use any of these oils - lavender, eucalyptus, thyme, lemon, pine or rosemary, in a vaporizer. They eliminate germs and help to ease breathing.

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Know about Essential Oils and Carrier Oils

2009-02-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

Essential oils have natural healing power and are mixed with carrier oil when used. This article will tell you the basic differences between an essential oil and perfumed oil. Also know about the types of essential oils and their health benefits. Just keep reading and you will find some useful information about essential oils and carrier oils.

While buying an essential oil, be careful to choose essential oils, not perfumed oils. Although perfumed oils may smell delicious they are not beneficial for aromatherapy. An essential oil is thin and watery rather than oily and swift to evaporate and won’t leave a grease mark on paper. Perfumed oils will always smell pleasant whereas essential oils often have more of the effect of smelling salts.

All essential oils fall into three basic categories:

1. Top notes - These oils evaporate very quickly. They are generally uplifting and stimulating, with a greenish, fresh aroma.

2. Middle notes - These are used to help with most bodily functions and the body’s metabolism.

3. Base notes - These are extremely relaxing, sometimes sedative and generally have a lovely, warm aroma.

Essential oils are always sold in tinted glass bottles. This is because they are special oils that need a little care. They are damaged by light and should always be stored in a dark, cool place. Be careful to keep the lids tightly screwed on your bottles; otherwise you will be disappointed to discover your oils have evaporated into thin air.

Pure essential oils are hardly ever used neat but instead are blended into carrier oil. Carrier oil acts as a base for the essential oil and is a lubricant, so making massage easier and more effective.

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Natural Remedy for Treating Insomnia, Irritability and Low Confidence

2009-01-30T09:17:00.000-08:00

Due to excess work load, men and women generally face problems of insomnia, irritability, lack of concentration and low confidence. These problems may affect their career growth as well as personal life so they must be carefully taken care of. This article discusses how aromatherapy can be helpful in treating insomnia, lack of concentration and low confidence. Just read this article and you will find a list of essential oils helpful in these conditions.

1. Irritability/lack of concentration - You can use any of the below oils in your bath. Or try using them for steam inhalation. You can also inhale them neat (particularly rosemary and neroli) for quick relief. Or use them in a burner or vaporizer.

These oils can help you in improving concentration:

• Camomile
• Lavender
• Marjoram
• Neroli
• Rose
• Vetivert
• Rosemary

2. Lack of confidence - You can inhale any of the below oils for a quick uplift. Or use them in your bath. You can also use them in a burner or vaporizer.

These oils can help you in treating low confidence:

• Rosemary
• Neroli
• Petigrain
• Jasmine

3. Insomnia - You can use 10 drops of any of the below oils in your bath and soak well.
Or for massage use 12 drops in 4 fl oz (100 ml) of carrier oil. You can also inhale the oil neat and sprinkle a few drops on your pillow.

Camomile is one of the most sedative oils and you could also try using in it a burner and drinking camomile tea before you go to bed.

These oils can help you in treating imsomnia:

• Camomile
• Sandalwood
• Ylang-ylang
• Patchouli
• Neroli
• Marjoram

Improve your life the natural way with aromatherapy and discover the magical healing properties of oils and essences to cure these common problems.

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How to Use Aromatherapy at Home?

2008-12-27T21:41:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy is an alternative therapy that uses the healing essences of plants, shrubs and trees to restore the body and mind to a healthy and balanced state. Regular use of aromatherapy is a gentle and effective way of maintaining good health. You can help your body to function more efficiently, and alleviate the effects of stress and tension, by using aromatherapy in a number of different ways.

1. Massage - This is the most relaxing and therapeutic way of using aromatherapy at home. Essential oils are blended and then worked into the body using massage techniques that stimulate the whole system while improving the circulation and relaxing the nervous system.

2. Bathing - An aromatherapy bath is also a pleasant way to round off a tiring, stressful day. When essential oils are added to water they stimulate the skin and have a muscle relaxing effect. Aromatherapy baths are extremely beneficial in nervous tension, headache, fatigue, cold and flu, menstrual pains, muscular aches and pains.

3. Steaming and inhalation - Steaming with essential oils can be used to deep cleanse and moisten the face, helping to maintain a healthy, supple skin. The oils can also be inhaled from a handkerchief or tissue; very useful for carrying around to relieve a cold or headache. You can also try a few drops on your pillow to allow you a decent night sleep.

4. Compresses - Aromatherapy compresses can be helpful in the treatment of bruises, irritated skin conditions, muscular aches and pains. Usually you would soak the compress in approximately 300 ml of water to which 10 drops of essential oil have been added. Occasionally neat oil on a small compress can be very effective, especially for abscesses and bruises.

5. Surround yourself with scent - Essential oil burners allow you to perfume a room and improve your wellbeing at the same time. Depending on the oil you choose you can create a warm, relaxing atmosphere or a refreshing, zesty, uplifting one.

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How to Use Aromatherapy Oils in Home Remedies?

2008-12-13T21:27:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy is one of the popular alternative therapies used in treating number of health problems. Aromatherapy oils are natural plant oils and because of their gentle way of healing, they can be used in many different ways. You can choose to use them in your bath, for massage or in preparing a number of home remedies. Below are few home remedies for common health problems.

Aromatherapy oils in various home remedies –

1. For cellulite – Make a blend a four drops of juniper, four drops of fennel and four drops of lemon oils in 4 fl oz (100 ml) of a carrier oil. Massage this into the cellulite affected areas daily after your bath, when the skin is warm and receptive.

2. For sunstroke – Add four drops of juniper, four drops of fennel and four drops of peppermint oil to a cool bath. Soak for 15 minutes. Then, rub a little neat lavender oil into your temples at regular intervals. The bath will help to reduce your temperature and the lavender oil helps your headache.

3. Dry or cracked lips – Make up a carrier oil of 2 fl oz (50 ml) apricot kernel oil and 2 fl oz (50 ml) of avocado oil. Add six drops of sandalwood and six drops of rose oil. Rub this to the lips, repeating the application regularly.

4. For sunburn – f the sunburned area is small, apply the lavender oil and repeat as necessary. If the area is large, add twenty drops of lavender oil to a cool bath and soak for 10-20 minutes. You can make a soothing spray by adding 10 drops of lavender oil to 1 pint (300 ml) of cool, clean water.

5. Small cuts – Apply lavender or tea tree oil to the cut. These are both antiseptic and don’t sting.

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Aromatherapy and Health Benefits – The Natural Healing Power

2008-12-07T00:18:00.000-08:00

Aromatherapy is a complimentary therapy that helps to restore the body and mind to a balanced, healthy state, using healing essences extracted from plants, shrubs and trees.

In aromatherapy these essences are usually applied to the body by way of a gentle massage, although they can be used effectively in many other ways. Apart from their healing powers, these aromatherapy plant essences exude powerful scents which have an effect on the memory and sensory nerves. As a result, aromatherapy treats the whole person, both mind and body. It is a very helpful way of treating the stress-related problems that many of us seem to suffer now that our lives have become so pressured.

Health benefits of aromatherapy –

Aromatherapy helps us to keep healthy by improving the circulation, soothing the nervous system, reducing waste products and lessening the effects of stress. It can to help chronic conditions such as migraine, eczema, rheumatism and sinus problems, offering more relief to some sufferers than others. Obviously, there are acute conditions which you wouldn’t treat with aromatherapy, such as heart attacks and appendicitis.

Aromatherapy oils which are safe to use if used with care are – benzoin, bergamot, black peeper, clary sage, camomile, sweet funnel, frankincense, jasmine, lavender, ginger, marjoram, geranium, eucalyptus, grapefruit, tea tree, lemongrass.

Four common aromatherapy oils –

Lavender – Lavender is one of the most versatile aromatherapy oils of all and is even safe to use neat on the skin. It helps all sorts of problems, from burns to headaches, is great for relieving tension and is naturally antiseptic and soothing.

Eucalyptus – This is very helpful oil for all respiratory problems – coughs, colds, catarrh and flu. If used in a vaporizer or burner it keeps germs at bay, so can protect other members of your family from common viruses.

Camomile – This is calming, soothing oil. It is helpful for itchy rashes and dry skin conditions, and because it is sedative, it is useful for encouraging sleep and relaxation.

Tea tree – This is a fantastic antiseptic and anti-fungal treatment. Use it to clean up cuts and grazes and to treat such irritating problems as thrush and athlete’s foot.

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How to Do Self Massage to Relax Yourself?

2008-10-25T23:33:00.000-07:00

Massage is a simple and natural way to attain and maintain good health and wellbeing. It helps to ease headache, insomnia, aches and pains, tension and stress. It improves circulation, aids digestion, relaxes muscles and speeds up the elimination of waste products.

You can easily learn to massage yourself. You can use self massage to energize yourself after a heavy work schedule or an outdoor journey. Use massage oil if you are massaging on bare skin to decrease the friction created on the skin and to prevent the pulling of hair.

Self massage - Face

1. Stroke all over your face and forehead.

2. Massage your temples with the fingertips of both hands.

3. Gently smooth over your eyelids from the inner to outer corners with your thumbs.

4. Press with your thumbs just below the inner eyebrow corner. Release then repeats. Do this three or four time.

5. Stroke down the side of your face to the jawline.

6. Pinch all along your jawline from ear to ear.

7. Finish face by repeating step 1.

Self massage - Chest

1. Still lying down massage up from between your ribs across to your shoulders

2. Gently press along your collarbone with your fingertips.

3. Stroke down between your breasts and out to the sides across the rib cage.

Self massage - Tummy

1. Stroke down from the solar plexus hand behind hand to your navel.

2. Stroke down from the solar plexus tracing your rib cage to your waistline with both hands.

3. With hands reinforced ‘iron’ in circle all over the abdomen with even pressure.

4. Squeeze up each side from your hipbones past your waist.

5. Rub backwards and forwards across your lower abdomen.

6. Repeat step 1.

Self massage - Shoulders and neck

1. Lying down massage across your upper chest and across and round your shoulders.

2. Turn your head to one side and work up your neck with your hand cupped. Repeat several times on both sides.

3. Work up between your shoulder blades to the base of your skull. Repeat several times.

Self massage - Legs

Sit on the floor with your legs out stretched. Bend your right leg at the knee.

1. Effleurage the front, then back, of your lower leg several times.

2. Friction rubs briskly up and down all over the front and back of the lower leg. You’ll soon feel the warmth this produces as it really whips up your circulation.

3. Work on the knee as in the step-by-step massage.

4. Lower your leg then effleurage the thigh.

5. Quickly rake up the thigh with your fingertips using both hands. This increases the circulation.

6. Squeeze and release along the inner thigh then the outer thigh.

7. Do diagonal stroking as in the step-by-step massage.

8. Finish with effleurage. Repeat on the other leg.

Self massage - Hips and buttocks

Lie on one side with your knees bent.

1. Stroke round from your hipbone to your coccyx (sitting bone) then down and round the buttock before finishing at the hip.

2. Squeeze and release on the buttock to improve circulation and tone muscle

3. Gently pinch all over buttocks

4. Finish by stroking the whole area.

Self massage - Back

You will need to sit upright for this one!

1. Reach around with both hands and starting below the waist work up as far as you can.

2. Try thumb pressures on your spine, if you can reach having your fingers pointing forwards. Pressing the lower back and sacrum (top of buttocks) area really relieves backache.

3. Alternatively try using a wooden back massage roller or wriggle around with your back against a rolling pin.

Self massage – Scalp

1. Massage your scalp as if shampooing your hair.

2. Lock your fingers on to your scalp and move it over your skull. These movements increase the blood circulation and done regularly will improve the condition of your hair.

3. Gently tug sections of your hair all over your head. Finish your self massage by lying down completely relaxing hands open at your sides and breathing deeply for a minute or two. Depending on which oil you have chosen you will feel deeply relaxed may be a little sleepy or invigorated and energized.

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Steam Bath for Natural Fat Loss

2008-08-24T02:58:00.000-07:00

One can achieve fat loss through various means like dieting, workouts, supplements, surgeries or through natural therapies. Steam bath is one among them. It is one of the safest and commonly used methods for shedding extra fat.
Steam bath is a very useful method for the elimination of toxins from the body by inducing profuse perspiration. This is a foolproof method of increasing the metabolic rate and reducing weight. It is very effective and widely used method in reducing weight without spending lot of money.

Requirements for steam bath – A specially designed cabinet or steam box is necessary for the steam bath. It can be purchased for personal use, or can even be constructed at home.

Method of steam bath –

1. Steam bath is to be taken when the stomach is empty.
2. The patient must drink a glass of warm water and sit down in the cabinet with minimum or no clothing.
3. A small towel wetted with cold water must be wrapped around the head to keep it cool.
4. Cold water should be sprinkled from time to time on the head during the steam-bath.
5. Now steam from the kettle should be let into the cabinet. When sufficient perspiration has been formed, which would be in about 15 minutes or so, the bath should be discontinued. 6. Excess should be avoided and moderation exercised in this matter. After emerging from the bath, the body should be wiped with a wet cloth, or a cold bath should be taken. The body feels light and sprightly after a steam-bath.

Very weak patients, pregnant women, and patients suffering from heart diseases or from abnormally high or low blood pressure must not take steam-baths. Normally a steam-bath is advisable once a week. Obese persons may take it twice a week with advantage.

If a feeling of giddiness is experienced during a steam bath, the bath should be terminated at once. The head should be washed with cold water and bed rest taken for some time, till one feels well again.

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Benefits of Massage Therapy

2008-05-20T08:46:00.000-07:00

Massage is a curative procedure that is highly beneficial for the entire system of the body. Normally dry palms are used for massage; but if the skin is too dry or if the body is excessively weak, soothing oil may be used. Among oils, sesame (til) oil is considered best for massaging the body.

Health benefits of massage

Massage has several health benefits. Few of them are as below –

1. Muscles – Massage reduces the tension in the muscles and relieves muscular pain. Strenuous exertion results in the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. Massage helps to rid the muscles of this acid and thus imparts a feeling of freshness and vigor.

2. The heart – Systematic massage will reduce the burden on the heart, and thus increase its efficiency.

3. Nerves – Slow and gentle massage with light pressure relieve tension of the nerves and soothe them. Vigorous massage stimulates lax nerves and increases their efficiency.

4. Skin – Massage has beneficial effects on the skin. The pores of the skin are opened up, thus helping of the elimination of toxins from the body through perspiration.

5. Circulation of the blood – The circulation of the blood in the part being massaged is speeded up, so that the part is supplied with more nutrients, and its healing powers are augmented. The accelerated circulation reduces swelling. There is an increase in the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen and to utilize it effectively.

6. The digestive system – Massaging the abdomen stimulates the digestive system, and promotes better elimination of wastes. The resistive powers of the body are strengthened due to the increase in the efficiency of the liver.

7. The urinary system – Massaging activates the urinary system. As a result the process of elimination of toxic substances from the body through the urine is accelerated by the formation of greater quantities of urine.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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Yoga for Mind, Body and Spirit

2007-12-17T02:47:00.000-08:00

For years yoga has been used in many forms for healing and relaxing mind, body and spirit. Yoga has proven benefits for one's overall health and well being. The popularity of yoga enhances enormously as the scientific crowd is coming up with substantiating evidences for the benefits of yoga.

Yoga helps tone and strengthens the body and builds muscle over time. It also benefits cardio and circulatory system too. Another benefit of yoga is its power to ease muscle and joint pains.

Body focused yoga includes – Bikram yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Iyengar yoga and Vinyasa yoga. These type of yoga benefit deferent the body in different ways which include strength and grace.

Mind focused yoga includes - Bhakti yoga, Mantra yoga and Raja yoga. The benefits of mind yoga vary just as mush as body yoga. The benefits include patience and concentration and can have the same effects as meditation.

Yoga helps in attaining absolute peace. Some of the basic spiritual benefits of yoga are improved concentration, regulated breath and clarity of mind. The improved concentration and clarity of mind assist to enhance your skills and increase productivity.

Other spiritual benefits of yoga include the psychic control, mind control and thought control. The relaxation in the thoughts will help you gain the knowledge. The control over the thoughts will help to suppress the materialistic pressures of the life. However the ultimate spiritual benefit of yoga will be the self realization. The understanding of self will help assure the healing of the pain of the body as well as the mind.

Yoga is an exercise and an art that anyone can do no matter their age. It can give you health, strength and a sense of well being for the rest of your life.

Know more about Yoga and the benefits of Yoga at Natural Cures Guide – Free information for your healthy lifestyle.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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Know the Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

2007-11-07T08:02:00.000-08:00

Deep tissue massage consists of slower, stronger massage that stimulates deep into muscles. This can be especially helpful for athletes who expose their muscles to daily, intensive conditioning. In this article we will focus on the benefits of deep tissue massage.

Deep tissue massage will noticeably loosen muscles, elevate pain, and increase mobility – all significant benefits for an athlete. However, you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy the benefits of deep tissue massage.

In many cases, a deep tissue massage has replaced the classic Swedish massage in terms of frequency of use. Those suffering from certain conditions may also find deep tissue massage to be quite therapeutic. Sufferers of chronic pain, fibromyalgia, edema, muscle cramping, and even carpal tunnel syndrome may find significant relief from deep tissue massage. The pressure exerted on different groups of muscle tissue stimulates circulation in areas of pain.

Deep tissue massage, however, is not for everyone. There can be mild to moderate discomfort during the massage as tight muscles are worked. And there can be a day or two of soreness following the deep tissue massage – similar to after you complete a particularly rigorous workout. But if you are comfortable with a stronger, more focused massage as well as the soreness that may accompany it, then a deep tissue massage may be for you.

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Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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How is Meditation Beneficial to Our Health?

2007-08-23T08:35:00.000-07:00

Meditation is a valuable art of relaxing the mind and body at the same time. Its healing powers are vast and long-lasting. It promotes more restful sleep and boosts the body’s immune system. This will help fight illness and better manage the symptoms of chronic conditions.

Just 20 minutes of daily meditation is enough to provide you relief from ailments such as low back pain, headaches, depression and anxiety.

One of the main benefits of meditation is that it lowers your oxygen consumption. The reason for this is because meditation, when done correctly, actually slows down the heart rate. This in turn leads to shallower, more regular breathing, which is turn lowers oxygen consumption. This in turn is better for your heart as well as your whole respiratory system.

Meditation helps you to calm your mind and relieve stress. Like any muscle, your mind needs exercise. Meditation is one way that you can satisfy this need.

Another benefit of meditation is for muscle tension. Meditating regularly is great for relieving tension headaches and other muscle aches. It even helps in reducing the pain from arthritis. As a natural pain reliever, meditation is a near miracle.

For women, mediation is great in combating pre menstrual syndrome. Many of the terrible symptoms of PMS are reduced from meditating, including cramps and headaches.

If you want to build up your immune system, mediation is an excellent way to accomplish this. By regular meditation, your cells will rebuild themselves quicker over time.

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How to Deal with Stress - Effective Tips

2007-07-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

Stress is a very common problem, not only in elderly or adults but also in children. Due to competitive attitude and modernization, stress has occupied all masses and communities. So now the issue is how to deal with stress. This article emphasizes on stress reduction through natural herbal means.

Stress is the disruption of homeostasis and physical or psychological stimuli. It has physical and emotional effects on us and may have negative influences, resulting in feelings of distrust, rejection, anger, and depression, which in turn can lead to health problems such as headaches, upset stomach, rashes, insomnia, ulcers, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Stress is mainly caused due to hectic lifestyle, death of a loved one, the birth of a child, a job promotion, new relationship. Sometimes its causes may vary with person.

Herbal Remedies for Relieving Stress

1. Leaves of holy basil act as an anti stress agent. Chew about 12 holy Basil leaves two times in a day, once in the morning and then later in the evening.

2. Blackstrap molasses are also effective in reducing stress. It is a by-product of the sugar refining process and is rich in iron and B vitamins.

3. Alfalfa and sunflower seeds are also useful in the treatment of stress.

4. Sprouts are also beneficial in stress reduction as they are rich in calcium. .

5. Ayurvedic herbs like brahmi, ashwagandha and St.John Wort are also highly beneficial in the treatment of stress. These herbs can be taken as capsules or can be infused in boiling water to make tea.

6. Person suffering from stress should follow a strict regime consisting of proper balanced diet, regular exercise and adequate rest.

7. Sage is also beneficial in treating mental stress and strain. In 1 cup of boiling water, add 1 tsp of dried sage leaves. Let it cool down for a few minutes. Strain the water and add honey to it, if desired, to enhance the taste. This herbal tea is an excellent home remedy for stress.

8. Yogurt is considered as best remedy for stress. It is rich in vitamin A, B complex and vitamin D. It provides relief from insomnia, migraine and cramps associated with menstruation.

10. Hot water bath is one of the beneficial treatments in providing relief from anxiety and stress as it relaxes the whole body.

11. Meditation is also an effective way in reducing stress as it diverts the mind to some good thoughts.

12. Avoid coffee, soft drinks, salt, smoking and alcohol as they all deplete B vitamins that are considered necessary for reducing stress.

Ashwagandha is a herbal supplement that has gain worldwide popularity for its effectiveness in reducing stress. Read more on Ashwagandha at Natural Cures Guide - Free information for your healthy lifestyle!!

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Stress Relief – 10 Natural Ways to Free your Mind

2007-07-10T08:16:00.000-07:00

Stress mainly depends on physical, emotional, or chemical event that causes mental or physical tension. It has to be managed properly; otherwise may result in anxiety, tension, loss of concentration, anger, sleep disturbances, headaches, mild to severe bouts of depression, and lack of interest in food or increased appetite.

Stress Relief Techniques #1: Stress relief music is emerging as a popular way to distress. Music with rhythms that repeat and sound monotonous also can calm the nerves. Listening slower and monotonous music makes us relax and removes the stress from our bodies.

Stress Relief Technique #2: Get a full body massage at your favorite spa. When your body is a mass of tight, knotted muscles from stress, a full body massage will calm you down and help release that tension.

Stress Relief Technique #3: Take a bubble bath. Create your own personal spa at home. Draw a bath as hot as you can stand it. Add calming bath salts to the water and light lots of candles for ambience. Lock the door and soak away your stress.

Stress Relief Technique #4: Thing positive. Replace your negative thoughts with positive ones. Allowing negative thoughts to control you will only increase your stress. Speak positive affirmations often to control stressful situations.

Stress Relief Technique #5: Aromatherapy for stress relief is a holistic therapy that involves the use of natural essential oils in promoting a feeling of physical and emotional well-being. Such essential oils derive from natural plants and have been shown to have calming effects on the central nervous system. Some of the commonly used essential oils for stress relief include sandalwood, lavender, jasmine, rose, and eucalyptus.

Stress Relief Technique #6: Find balance. Most stress is a product of living an unbalanced life. Drop the things that aren’t necessary and you’ll reduce your stress by 50% or more.

Stress Relief Technique #7: Get a manicure and pedicure. Science has proven that there are pressure points located on our feet and hands. These areas can cause additional pain during stressful times. A nice manicure and pedicure will help soothe those pressure points.

Stress Relief Technique #8: Pilates and yoga have also been universally accepted as forms of stress relief exercise. Both techniques employ stretching, deep breathing, and concentrated movement. Both can be meditative in their poses and the breathing alone is enough to lower heart rate and reduce stress.

Stress Relief Technique #9: Through meditation, stress and the effects of stress can be minimized if not eliminated resulting in a more restful, happier you who is able to get up the next day and hit it hard again and become a success.

As you focus on meditation stress relief, you will introduce more oxygen into your blood because of the improved breathing you will use during your meditation session. As your heart rate stabilizes, the stress meditation is removing will feel like it is melting away.

Stress Relief Technique #10: Ashwagandha is an herb that is widely used as one of the best stress reducer. It is equipped with the properties that relieve the stress. As per ayurvedic concept is concerned stress is a condition that occurs in our body due to vata dosha vitiation.

In normal condition all the three doshas i.e. vata, pitta and kapha remains in the normal equilibrium state there by making our body achieve balance and attain healthy state both physically and mentally. Ashwagandha helps are body to attain such stability especially where vata imbalance is concerned. Buy Ashwagandha Supplements at lowest prices.

Read more Ayurvedic and Herbal Treatments at Natural Cures Guide - World's first site fully dedicated to natural cure.

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Wheatgrass Juice For Eczema Diet

2007-06-03T08:53:00.000-07:00

You may want to go on a special eczema diet especially if you find that certain foods trigger or worsen your eczema. While there are many foods that you may wish to eliminate from your eczema diet, there are some that you may wish to add. For instance, wheatgrass juice.

Wheatgrass juice is a good drink to consume if you have got ailing skin. According to some researchers, toxins in the blood cause some types of eczema. Since wheatgrass has been found to be good for purifying the blood, it appears that drinking wheatgrass will help. Additionally, wheatgrass is also known to balance the level of alkalinity of your blood. It is important for the acid/alkaline level to be restored for good health. When your body is too acidic, you tend to experience many bodily reactions and symptoms such as eczema, aches and pains.

Wheatgrass juice comes from wheat berries. They are grown and harvested in just seven days. Being pure wheat, it is highly fibrous. And hence, wheatgrass juice is very helpful for those with chronic constipation. Wheatgrass has to be liquefied though, before it can be consumed.

Wheatgrass contain rich sources of chlorophyll, the very substance that makes plants green. Several researches have shown that chlorophyll is very good agent in detoxifying the body. It cleanses your blood, as well as the intestines and other organs. It contains lots of vitamins and minerals too; hence it is certainly fitting to become the drink of every nutrition buff.

If you want to consume wheatgrass for healing eczema skin, then you will need to ingest a respectable amount to derive benefits. However, do note that you should not exceed about 4 ounces per day. Ideally, this amount should be spaced out throughout the day. If you drink too much wheatgrass, the concern is that you may get stomach upsets or nausea. This is primarily because of the strong cleansing abilities of wheatgrass juice.

For those who simply want good clear complexion, drinking wheatgrass every other day is an excellent idea. Take note that wheatgrass should be drunk on an empty stomach.

Consuming wheatgrass juice regularly is just one of the many options to help heal your eczema from inside out and is therefore a great addition to your eczema diet. The juice also contains many essential enzymes that your body needs for optimum health. Enzymes, in turn, help to strengthen your immune system. This helps your body in its fight against the many allergens that worsens your eczema. To ensure that you get plenty of live enzymes, it is best to juice wheatgrass yourself and have the drink made fresh just before consumption. Alternatively, you can get your local health store to sell you fresh wheatgrass juices.

Evelyn Lim is the publisher of a newsletter on Eczema Natural Treatments. She draws on her own experience as an eczema patient. Learn some tips and find out about her amazing recovery from ailing skin here http://www.EczemaTreatmentSecrets.com

Find Wheatgrass Juicers at lowest prices at Natural Cure Guide - World's first site fully dedicated to natural cure.

Brahmi: Improve Memory with Natural Boosters

2007-05-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

Brain in the organ that is involved in making memory available. Brain has two centers to store these knowledge these are short term memory and long term memory. Short term memories are associated with instant reactions, and are stored for a short duration of time. Long term memory or more commonly called the permanent memory is associated with concentration, focused approach and regular recurrence.

Coming back to the topic, here the question arises that is forgetfulness the sign if aging or memory loss. Well we really can’t ignore the truth of aging involved in decreased memory skills but the main culprit in these phrases is our lack of confidence, less concentrating power, carelessness, lifestyle and over confidence.

Below are the few tips by which you can be very much benefited by such problems.

1. Mental stimulation- for proper mental functioning proper mind stimulation is very essential. You can stimulate your brain by accepting new skills and activities, new kind of work is to be added to your daily routine, do things that excite you and new ideas are to be involved so as to activate the brain cells that have got atrophied due to lack of stimulation and same kind of stimulation to the brain cells again and again.

2. Proper nutrition – it is extremely important to have proper nutrients and supplements to avoid any kind of deficiencies occurring in our body. These can be achieved by having proper and balanced diet. One must be very particular about his or diet. A diet must contain proper distribution of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The diet should also be full of vitamins and minerals. Diet also should be good in glucose (diabetic patient consult a dietitian) as glucose is supposed to be the brains food.

3. Social interaction - Humans need optimistic significant contacts with other humans. Lack of motivation from these types of connections can lead to misery and cause memory disorders. Unfortunately not every human connection is of this personality. In addition to your customary connections look for those with whom you can have optimistic and significant connections.

4. Breathing and relaxation - Breathing is an excellent way to get relaxed and it is necessary for existence. Breathing can be used to relax and calm oneself. By targeting on breathing one can facilitate to lessen stress and anxiety as these are the factors that can interfere with the memory and concentration.

5. Physical activities - The mind-body are inter-connected. Physical work out helps in promoting the mental alert ness and emotional growth. Workout is of many types. You should search out he best out the possible available that suits you and your temperament. But one thing should always be kept in mind that there should not be any physical strain on you body while indulging in physical activities. Regular involvement of your exercise should definitely improve your mental status.

6. Brahmi- the easiest way to enhance your memory and mental skills is by taking Mother Nature gift to mankind i.e. bacopa or brahmi. One of the biggest asserts to mankind is brahmi or more commonly known as Bacopa monnieri. Brahmi is traditionally a brain and nervine revitalize that helps in improving the mental condition and basic intelligence. Blessed with the benediction of ayurveda, bhrami is widely used in ayurvedic subsystem of medicine to assist in raising mental acuity and to support processes indulged in relaxation and peace of mind. Bacopa helps in rejuvenating brain tissues and cells thereby retarding the mental sickness and aging disorders. Studies have shown that by regular use of brahmi one can improves ones performance in mental skills, increase intelligence level, promote longitivity, retards stress, improves concentration levels and betters the retention power.

Read more on how to Improve Memory through Natural Herb: Brahmi at http://www.natural-cure-guide.com - First site fully dedicated to natural cure.

Benefits of Shilajit: Natural Way to Increase Libido

2007-05-08T08:03:00.000-07:00

Men since very long is searching for the ways to increase their libido. Ayurveda has gifted lots of herbs that promote physical strengthening and boosting libido. One of them is Shilajit. This article emphasize on the benefits of Shilajit and Men’s Health.

Shilajit is considered as one of the powerful ant aging herb and rejuvenator. It is also popularly known as ‘conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weaknesses’. It helps you to feel the power of growing young.

Shilajit is basically a kind of gum resin formed after decomposition of various plants and vegetable substances, which were trapped and crushed under high pressure during the formation of Himalaya mountain ranges. It is highly rich in number of basic minerals and organic substances.

It has been extensively used for general physical strengthening, anti-aging, blood sugar stabilization, boosting libido, injury healing, immune system strengthening, urinary tract rejuvenation, enhanced brain functioning potency, bone healing, kidney rejuvenation, arthritis, hypertension, obesity and many other application for numerous conditions.

Regular intake of Shilajit promotes the movement of various minerals like calcium, phosphorus and magnesium into the bones and tissues. It prevents the release of histamine in the blood that helps in the prevention of various allergies in the body. It also provides iron in the body that is necessary for the making of red blood cells (RBC).

It is also well known for its effectiveness in the treatment of reproductive system related complaints for both, men and women. Its combination with Ashwagandha helps in rejuvenating the reproductive system. It also minimizes the debility or weakness in the sexual organs and helps in improving elongated sensual experience. It is also used to prepare various herbal oil preparations, which are used to massage the sexual organs, which increases sexual power.

Benefits of Shilajit

• It helps in accelerating the processes of protein and nuclei acid metabolism and stimulates energy providing reactions.
• It also increases the core energy responsible for your sexual and spiritual power
• It is also extensively used in the treatment of diabetes and regulates the blood sugar level
• It promotes the movement of minerals, especially calcium, phosphorous, and magnesium into muscle tissue and bone
• It helps in building body’s natural immunity thereby useful in providing natural strength to the body.
• It is highly recommended to the patients who are weak or have been recovering from prolonged illness or from any surgery
• It is also very effective in treating arthritic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout and other joint related problems and back pain

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

Read more about the Benefits of Shilajit. Also know some effective Erectile Dysfunction Treatment. Visit http://www.natural-cure-guide.com/ for easy and effective home treatment for common ailments.

Herbal Remedies For IBS

2007-05-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

The right support group can not only help you cope with IBS, it can also provide you with plenty of information about the condition, as well as open your mind to alternative treatments you may not have considered. For instance, many IBS sufferers find that herbal remedies help them manage their symptoms.

The roots, stems, leaves, flowers and berries of plants have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes in order to treat, relieve and prevent a number of illnesses. Of course, different herbs are used to treat different ailments. As far as herbal remedies for IBS is concerned, the following are the herbs that are most effective in alleviating symptoms.

Peppermint

Peppermint is an effective IBS treatment because mint calms the muscles in the stomach, intestines and uterus and increases gastric juice production. Mint also acts as an effective pain killer as it helps to block pain signals to the brain and numbs the digestive tract. In addition, mint is anti-bacterial and helps relieve indigestion, gastrointestinal cramps, gas, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Peppermint can be taken in the form of tea. Peppermint is also available in enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules.

Peppermint should be taken before meals to prevent symptoms.

Fennel

Fennel is highly effective at relieving and preventing bloating, gas, indigestion and stomachaches. Fennel encourages gastric juice production and has anti-spasmodic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and antibacterial properties.

Fennel is light green-brown seeds and can be taken in the form of tea. You can also chew fennel seeds. Fennel can be taken daily, and making it apart of you daily diet will help prevent gas and bloating from occurring.

Ginger

Ginger relieves many gastrointestinal problems including indigestion and severe cramps and nausea. It aids in digestion, improves intestinal muscle quality, and has some anti-inflammatory properties.

Ginger is available in fresh and dried gingerroot, both of which are highly effective for treating IBS symptoms. Ginger is usually taken in the form of tea.

Chamomile

Chamomile is effective at alleviating gastrointestinal spasms and tension. It can also be useful at relieving indigestion and gas. Chamomile is also known for its sedative properties and has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-peptic properties.

Chamomile is a flower and it is usually taken in the form of tea. Chamomile is best taken at night before bed due to its natural sedative properties.

Note: Chamomile is a type of daisy, therefore, if you are allergic to daisies (ragweed included) you shouldn't use chamomile.

Caraway

Caraway is anti-microbal and has anti-spasmodic effects. It encourages gastric juice production, sooths the muscles in the digestive tract and helps relieve gas.

Caraway is a dried seed and is usually taken in the form of tea, or can be chewed hole.

Anise

Anise is anti-spasmodic and an anti-fungal that helps to settle the stomach and aids and regulates digestion which helps to relieve and prevent chronic diarrhea and constipation. It also helps to stimulate the production of gastric juices, and relieves nausea, gas, bloating, and cramps.

Anise comes in the form of small, black, seeds. It is often taken in the form of tea, but seeds can be chewed.

Oregano

Oregano is an anti-spasmodic that stimulates gastric juice production and reduces and alleviates bloating, gas, stomach cramps and diarrhea. It is an effective muscle relaxant.

Oregano is plant leaves that are either fresh or dried and brewed in a tea. Oregano is also available in enteric coated oregano oil capsules.

All of the above herbs mentioned are considered safe and can be taken daily without the risk of short-term or long-term side effects. That being said, you should talk to an herb specialist about the herbs you are interested in before taking them, as well as your heath care provider. Most herbs can be found at food and holistic stores.

By Susan Reynolds. Sign up for a free newsletter about managing IBS naturally. Discover common IBS symptoms.

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How to Get Mental Peace in Your Busy Life

2007-04-26T08:03:00.000-07:00

All of us might suspect about natural therapies that whether they are really effective or its mere the words we often hear from others. In this fast moving life stress is a common thing that can enters to any one life. But it can be very nicely managed through yoga. If you don’t trust me here is the proof …

One of my friend was so stressed with his business works that he joined yoga classes and his experience was so amazing that I was really surprised. Now he handles his business and clients more efficiently and has boosted his business in a very short period. He responds to his family more politely and even participates in all his family issues. He gives more attention to his kids. Really a great thanks to this natural treatment that has helped my friend from such a stress full life. Yoga has also many other health benefits and even if you don’t trust my words just try it once and you will surely have a fruitful results.

Some Other Benefits of Yoga

• It helps in improving flexibility and joint mobility
• It also strengthens and tones muscles
• It increases stamina
• It also help in improving digestion
• It lowers cholesterol and blood sugar levels
• It helps in improving circulation
• It boosts immune response
• It increases positive body awareness
• It also relieves chronic stress patterns in the body
• It relaxes the mind and body
• It sharpens concentration

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Why Hi-Tech Cities Go for Meditation for Relaxation

2007-04-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

In this hi-tech era, it’s really very tough to stabilize our mental status. Researchers and doctors have recently found number of mental disorders and diseases occurring to youngsters. So, first we should know that what are the causes of such disorders?

Causes of Mental Disorders

• Fast lifestyle
• Jealous and competition
• Relationships and family
• Money minded

What is Meditation?

In simple terms one can defined meditation as a method for acquainting our mind with virtue. The more familiar our mind is with virtue, the calmer and more peaceful it becomes. When our mind is peaceful we are free from worries and mental discomfort, and we experience true happiness.

Benefits of Meditation

Below are some major benefits of meditation:

• It helps in improving moral reasoning, and higher IQ.
• It also decreases stress and anxiety.
• It also helps in decreasing depression.
• It decreases irritability and moodiness.
• It also improves learning ability and memory.
• It helps in increasing self-actualization.
• It increases the feelings of vitality and rejuvenation.
• It increases happiness.
• It also helps in increasing emotional stability.

Meditation for Beginners

First choose the place where you find yourself most relaxed and comfortable. Once you’ve reached the relaxed state, slowly close your eyes. Slow down your breathing. Obviously you should still breathe, but make each breath conscious. Take a long, slow deep breath in and then slowly exhale. Count each breath for a few seconds. A couple of seconds at first, then slowly increase the time. You’ll be surprised how soon you become relaxed when you consciously breathe.

In this state, you can start to meditate. Just focus on one thing. It could be the sounds you hear in the distance, your breathing, anything that you’re comfortable with. The focus of your meditation may drift – that’s perfectly normal. When you sense a drift, just quietly bring your focus back. This is one of the simplest techniques of how to meditate that you can learn. Once you start to meditate this way, you’ll find it easier and easier to move into a state of meditation.

Copyright © Nick Mutt, All Rights Reserved. If you want to use this article on your website or in your ezine, make all the urls (links) active.

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Stress Can Generate Many Heart Complications

2007-04-13T01:31:00.000-07:00

It was earlier known that stress causes many health problems, mainly brain related. But recently UK scientists have shown that prolonged stress can destabilize the cardiac muscle of someone who already has heart disease.

According to this report, stress can trigger potentially fatal abnormalities in the heart's rhythms. It has long been known that stress triggers increased activity in the heart. Basically stress elevates blood pressure over an extended period, and triggers the release of high levels of clot-forming platelets. So, stress can also contribute to heart attacks.

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Natural and Herbal Way to Avoid Stress – Ayurveda recommends several herbal remedies for stress relief and also about do’s and don’ts for stress reduction. Natural Cure Guide also provides home remedies (free from side effects) for stress reduction.

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Basil - More Than A Kitchen Plant

2007-04-04T08:49:00.000-07:00

A universally known fact is that aromatherapy uses essential oils extracted from plants. One of the most commonly used essential oil in aromatherapy is that of Basil. Basil got its name from the Greek word "basileum" meaning "king". Considered as "king among plants" as it was one of the ingredients on the list of oils blended to massage kings.

Basil is an important herb as its uses are two-fold, for cooking as well as to cure a variety of ailments. The herb covers and offers a plethora of medical benefits. If added early while cooking, it loses its flavor; hence it should be used as soon as it is plucked from the plant. It ought be added towards the end of cooking. It exudes a warm, gentle unique flavor and fragrance in cooking.

The leaves of basil are steam-distilled to create oil. Medically, it provides relief to sore gums, ulcers, chest infections and digestive problems. It has been used as a brain stimulant and an antispasmodic, making it wonderful in the treatment of bronchitis and whooping cough.

Basil is said to have uplifting and refreshing properties. 2-3 drops of basil oil is known to relieve mental fatigue, tension, stress, mild anxiety, loss of appetite, flatulence, nausea, sinusitis, cold, fever, earaches, eases rheumatic, arthritic and muscular pains.

A potpourri of dried basil leaves and flowers creates a fragrant atmosphere wherever kept. It is also used as an insect repellent, as burned sprigs of basil drive away mosquitoes. If you keep a potted plant of basil on the windowsill, it will deter flies from entering your home.

Basil oil, when mixed with massage oil and gently rubbed over the stomach, helps to ease many types of digestive problems. Basil should be used sparingly on skin as it could cause irritation. If you want to add a few drops to your bath, dilute it with a carrier oil, or mix it with a skin cream or lotion.

It should NOT be used during pregnancy. Basil helps with depression, increases alertness, aids in concentration, relieves headaches, head congestion and migraines. Basil regulates the menstrual cycle and reduces menstrual cramps. The herb blends well with rosemary, lavender, bergamot, clary sage, geranium and citrus oils.

Sharon Hopkins manages sites on aromatherapy offering information on Aromatherapy essential oils , concentrated extracts of plants and their roots, stems, flowers and fruits. Further classified as carrier oils, massage oils etc

Read more about the Benefits of Holy Basil at http://www.natural-cure-guide.com - Free Information on General Health Issues.

Massage Therapy Benefits

2007-03-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

A massage is known to help us relax from the various stresses and strains that you can experience during the day. The massage can also help us obtain other types of benefits. The various massage therapy benefits are easy to be found.

The immediate forms of different benefits that you can get from a massage are the relief that you will find in your sore and tense muscles. By going through with a massage the kneading that is used in different techniques has the ability to work deep into your body.

As the masseuse talks with about the problems that are occurring to your body and affecting your health, the type of massage therapy benefits that you can expect will be revealed as the various forms of massage are discussed with you.

Sometimes a massage has the ability to help with the healing of various injuries or illnesses that you could be feeling. By using various massage techniques the medical massage therapy can bring relief for problems like Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, cardiac problems, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and others.

To gain the relief from these medical problems you will need a doctor to confirm the need for a medical massage. Sometimes the medical massage therapy benefits include your blood being stimulated to carry fresh blood to all areas and organs in your body.

For the mother to be a pregnancy massage brings many wonderful forms of relief. These massage therapy benefits include the muscles being readied for the strain of childbirth, any swelling that occurs in the hands and feet becoming reduced. These are just a few of the many forms of relief that can be felt even after one session for the mother to be.

While a massage is great for the pregnant mother there are other forms of massage that are excellent for sports people. As injuries can result from the different types of sports the trained masseuse can help to correct many of these pains. One of the other massage therapy benefits that people in sports can experience having their limbs and muscles strengthened for their different activities.

While many of us think of a massage as being way to relax our senses, there are numerous benefits that can be felt. Some of these can be experienced almost as soon as your massage starts. Others will need more sessions to reap the full effects and benefits of a massage.

Massage therapy benefits are the main reason why so many people look forward to a massage. It does not matter if you are in pain from an injury or just have aching muscles, a soothing massage can bring relief for your life.

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Natural Way Of Curing Diseases - Organic Aromatherapy

2007-03-20T04:07:00.000-07:00

Organic aromatherapy is one of the holistic approaches, which offers treatment for various illness and diseases. It makes use of natural extracted oils which are known as “essential oils”. Organic aromatherapy basically works on the aroma of different types of essential oils. It would be right to say that organic aromatherapy helps in maintaining the overall health in person.

Essential oils being used in organic aromatherapy are easily absorbed by the skin. At the same time, essential oils are also inhaled through breathing. As soon as they enter in the body or the blood stream, they start delivering their powers to the body for fighting with various illness and diseases. It must be noted that essential oils are highly concentrated, so they are needed in small quantity.

The person while using different organic aromatherapy products must make sure that he uses quality product. Different type of organic aromatherapy products are massage oils, aromatic and herbal soaps, carrier oil, essential oil etc.

Organic aromatherapy is considered as one of the popular and an effective way to maintain health. In organic aromatherapy, the aroma therapist considers the problem, illness, medical history and lifestyle of the person individually, so that an appropriate treatment can be given.

In organic aromatherapy, essential oils are not only absorbed by just breathing or inhaling. Rather, the person also can take advantage of various type of essential oil in organic aromatherapy through massaging and by ingestion. But while using essential oils, a special care must be taken as there are certain oils which should not be taken internally. Many times, it is also seen that certain oils cause redness and irritation on the skin as they are highly concentrated.

In order to know organic aromatherapy in a better way, let’s know its benefits, which are as follows:

Each essential oil being used in organic aromatherapy has its own feature of healing and curing various health problems. Thus, the benefit of organic aromatherapy totally depends upon the essential oil being used. Essential oil helps in enhancing emotional being in a person. It reduces stress, fatigue, anxiety and tension.

The use of essential oil is not restricted to organic aromatherapy. Rather, essential oil is also an ingredient used in perfumery, food and cosmetic industry. Thus, some of the properties of essential oils are as follows:

•Essential oils are antiseptic in nature
•They are anti-inflammatory
•They are sedative in nature.

Cindy Boswell is working with the New Directions UK. She has also been involved in the research work on plants and oils for a long time. To find organic aromatherapy , essential oil, essential oils, wholesale, wholesalers, wholesale essential oils you need to visit www.newdirectionsuk.com

Balances The Overall Health - Ayurvedic Oils

2007-03-16T00:44:00.000-07:00

Ayurveda is an art of healing various problems, which is being practiced since long back. The concept and knowledge of Ayurveda is available in two of the Vedas that is Atharva and Rig Veda. With this, it can easily be estimated that how much old is it. Ayurveda is specially known for rejuvenation of cells and also tells the ways to lead a healthy life. Ayurveda makes an effort to incorporate the nature in our daily practice. Thus, it makes use of various natural products which are prepared from various herbs as per the process defined in the ayurvedic system of medicines such as ayurvedic oils.

In India, Kerala is well known for its preparation of various ayurvedic oils. These ayurvedic oils are prepared in accordance with procedure given in the Ayurveda (ayurvedic system of medicines).

Ayurvedic oils provide various health benefits such as it strengthens the body. Usually, these ayurvedic oils are used to apply on skin through massaging. They can also be taken internally, only if it is recommended by a physician. It must be noted that ayurvedic oils are absolutely different from essential oils. As the matter of fact, in ayurvedic oils, different types of herbs are being cooked in the base oil. Most commonly used base oil is sesame oil.

Most common and popular ayurvedic oils are as follows:

• Dhanwantaram
• Balaashwagandha
• Mahanarayana
• Brahmi
• Bringadi
• Dashmool taila and a long list go on.

How to cook your own ayurvedic oil?
It is absolutely easy to prepare ayurvedic oil. You are just needed to take your desired herb, oil and water. And, let it boil so that the flavor and ingredient of herb is transferred in oil. In the next step, you are required to remove the herb and left oil is ready to use.

It will be right to say that ayurvedic oils, improves overall health of the person. Basically, there are several advantages of using ayurvedic oils but some of them are as follows:

• Improve skin texture
• Improves blood circulation
• Cures various skin diseases
• Provides strength
• Gives relief from constipation
• Gives relief in stress
• Avoids aging etc.

Thus, in order to wrap up “Ayurveda” explains the principal of leading a long and healthy life. And, ayurvedic oils in Ayurveda are regarded as a holistic medicine which balances the overall health of the person that is physical and mental.

Mia Bilkins is working with the New Directions AU. He has also been involved in research on plants and oils for a long time. To find ayurvedic oils, aromatherapy, forum, how to, 100% Pure essential oils, floral water, raw materials, recipes, bottles, caps, accessories, wellbeing, oem, manufacturing, wholesaler you need to visit www.newdirections.com.au

All About Herbal Remedies

2007-03-09T07:13:00.000-08:00

Herbal remedies are taking over the drug industry at a very fast rate and many are increasingly using them to treat all kind of ailments or as supplements.

However, a lot of side effects of these herbs are not widely known as the manufacturers of these herbs are usually not required to send proof of safety and efficacy to the U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for approval before being dispatched.

Recent researches are showing that some herbal remedies do indeed have side effects as follows:

Ginko Biloba has been reported to cause spontaneous bleeding.

St. Johns wort is known to cause gastrointestinal problems, allergic issues, exhaustion, confusion, a dry mouth, and photosensitivity. If you manifest these side effects, you may need to seek medical attention.

Herbal supplements are also useful and can be taken daily as they are often very rich in vitamins and minerals especially calcium and magnesium. Common herbal supplements are St. Johns Wort, ginseng, fennel and Echinacea.

Some of the household plants such as rosemary, basil and garlic are also considered herbs and have powerful therapeutic properties. They can be incorporated into many meals and are usually best to be taken raw as heat could sometimes reduce their healing properties

Ephedra (Mahuang)is responsible for causing insomnia, nervousness, hypothermia, tremor, severe headaches, seizure, myocardial infarction, kidney stones.

Kava could cause lingual dyskinesia, sedation, torticollis, enhancement of Parkinson's disease, oculogyric crisis, intense movements of the trunk, and rashes.

In addition, certain herbs are known to produce severe side effects if taken with commercial pharmaceutical drugs. For example, Gingko Biloba may produce more severe bleeding in patients that also take aspirin and warfarin, Ephedra may produce hallucination-like symptoms if taken with alcohol or caffeine.

A study also shows that approximately 25% of patients consulting doctors for serious ailments opt to use alternative medicines while only 70% of them are telling their doctors about it.

Therefore, every patient must consult their physicians as well as herbalists before taking any herbal remedy and must adhere to prescribed dosage. This is because herbal medicines could have the effects of drugs such as marijuana which can be very dangerous if they are taken unknowingly with other commercial drugs and without proper guidance for a long period of time.

Overall herbal remedy cures offer a much more cost effective advantage verse over the counter medicine. The pros far outway the cons and I suggest everyone should at least look into herbal remedies to help cure an illness or at least use as a preventive measure. Herbal Remedy Daniel Millions

Benefits Of Full Body Massage

2007-03-01T21:25:00.000-08:00

Full body massage can produce multiple benefits for your health. These benefits go far beyond an hour spent in relaxing quietly, escaping the day. An increasing amount of evidence indicates that stress and tension form the root causes of many diseases and illnesses. Hence, if you able to find ways to alleviate or relieve your stress, you are preventing health problems from emerging or becoming worse.

Going for a full body massage on a regular basis is one excellent way to help you fight off tensions. Full body massage stimulates the production of endorphins that promotes relaxation and drowsiness.

When you go for full body massage, your head to your toes and feet are massaged both front and back. A variety of strokes that includes kneading, pulling, wringing, hacking and gliding are used on various parts of the body.

If you are already ill or suffering from constant fatigue or pain, then full body massage can play a big part in your treatment. A full body massage helps to improve blood circulation and blood becomes more easily transportable to the vital organs in your body. This is vital for smooth functioning of your internal body parts. In addition, when blood is supplied to areas that have been injured before, repair and renewal of cells and tissues take place more easily. Combined with conventional medicine and other therapies, repeat sessions of full body massage can do much to accelerate your recovery.

Here are a few disorders that benefit from regular full body massage:

* Depression
* Infertility
* Eating disorders
* Post-operative recovery
* Autism
* Immune-suppressed systems
* Diabetes
* High blood pressure
* Sleep disorders
* Cancer related fatigue
* Low back pain
* Spinal cord injuries

When you choose full body massage, you choose a non-invasive procedure. In addition, full massage therapy, which is relatively safe, can be a complementary treatment to other medical treatments.

Other than improved blood circulation, here are other benefits that you can expect to experience from a full body massage.

* Stimulated lymph system
* Stimulated immune system
* Relaxed muscles
* Reduced cramps
* Increased flexibility
* Reduced recovery time
* Released endorphins
* Reduced post-operative scar tissue and edema
* Reduced migraine pain
* Improved range of motion
* Reduced depression
* Shortened labor and delivery in expectant mothers

As helpful as full body massage can be, those with certain illnesses should avoid the treatment. These include phlebitis, certain cancers, certain heart conditions, certain skin problems, and contagious diseases.

To be absolutely sure, check with your doctor first if you are chronically ill. Otherwise, enjoy on a regular basis!

Caroline Colby writes on massage therapy, massage techniques, massage chairs, and massage spas around the world. She also has easy recipes for massage oils. Please go to http://www.massage-therapy-central.com

The Use of Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Supplements for Weight Loss

2007-02-27T20:15:00.000-08:00

Being overweight is a growing problem throughout the industrialized world. Although there are still countries with populations that are severely malnourished and under-fed, most of the developed countries are dealing with the opposite problem. There are over a billion overweight adults worldwide. Obesity rates around the world are reaching epidemic levels. Being overweight or obese may lead to many chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke and even some forms of cancer.

With these bleak statistics it is no wonder that people everywhere are seeking help with weight loss and weight control. The important point to remember is that there is no product, pharmaceutical or otherwise, that will make fat melt off the body without some effort on the part of the person using it. Exercise and sensible eating is the best long-term course of action for permanent weight loss. The use of herbal products may help boost metabolism and support weight loss efforts without many of the damaging side effects of drug treatments or surgical procedures.

Increasing metabolism, converting fat to energy, and increasing overall energy expenditure is the mechanism employed by thermogenic and stimulant herbs to aid in weight loss. Cayenne is a hot pepper with capsaicin that stimulates the body’s digestive process and boosts metabolic rates. It raises the core body temperature and helps improve circulation as well. Citrus Aurantium is another herb that may improve thermogenesis (the conversion of fat to energy.) Kola nut may also help mobilize fats for energy and acts as a stimulant as well. Cardamom is another thermogenic herb that may aid digestion too.

Ginseng has long been touted for its stimulating effects and this may lead to an increase in metabolic rate. Green tea is another supplement that falls in this category. It serves as a stimulant, boosting the metabolic rate and overall energy expenditure. The caffeine in green tea acts as a stimulant, but the supporting minerals help to counter some of caffeine’s negative effects. And finally, kelp, or seaweed, helps to regulate thyroid function which increases metabolism.

Appetite control is another area important for weight loss. “Hoodia”, Hoodia gordonii, is an African herb that has been used by bushmen there for hundreds of years. It is gaining popularity worldwide as science catches up with the bush-medicine. It acts as an appetite suppressant by acting on the brain centers that control hunger. Nettles also work to suppress hunger by feeding the cells at a deeper level and reducing cravings. Garcinia cambogia contains hydroxycitrate which not only reduces hunger but has thermogenic effects as well. Flax seed also serves to reduce appetite by expanding upon consumption and the essential fats found in their oils have been found to have many beneficial properties. Fiber supplements are also helpful in controlling appetite as they add bulk to foods.

Blood sugar control is another significant area in weight loss. Cinnamon is an important supplement in the control of blood sugar. Gymnema sylvestre also supports the body through blood sugar control, which helps lower cravings for sugar and reduces insulin insensitivity. The supplements mentioned above are generally safe in reasonable doses. Supplements to be avoided include ephedra (and supplements containing ephedra), herbal diuretics and laxatives.

These herbal treatments are dangerous and the side effects include dehydration, malnutrition, dangerous arrythmias and even death. It is important to start with one or two herbs and evaluate their effectiveness before adding others. This also helps determine the culprit for any side effects. When using any herbal supplement for weight loss it is wise to consult your physician before beginning.

If you are looking for great information on herbal supplements for weight loss and how to use medicinal herbs to lose weight please visit these links.

Are Herbal Remedies Right For You

2007-02-18T04:22:00.000-08:00

Nowadays we hear numerous stories about overuse or misuse of pharmaceutical drugs that sometimes led to serious injuries or even death.

Clearly, these drugs can be detrimental and may not be good for our heath in the long term. And that is why herbal remedies are becoming more and more popular, not only because they have fewer side effects, but many of them are even more effective than commercial drugs.

Before taking herbal remedies, however, one must thoroughly study his or her existing symptoms and possibly consult an herbalist for an accurate types and dosage of herbs.

Remember that herbal remedies may take longer time to act and show results than commercial drugs. Therefore, patients must be patience and strictly follow the advice of the herbalist that prescribed the remedies.

Ephedra (Mahuang)is responsible for causing insomnia, nervousness, hypothermia, tremor, severe headaches, seizure, myocardial infarction, kidney stones.

Kava could cause lingual dyskinesia, sedation, torticollis, enhancement of Parkinson's disease, oculogyric crisis, intense movements of the trunk, and rashes.

It may also be helpful if the patient study the use of herbal remedies and see what type of remedies or therapies are needed for them. Perhaps only external therapy such as aromatherapy by using essential oils may already be sufficient to treat some ailments especially those associate with the nervous system.

As for healthy persons that dont have any ailment but would like to explore herbal remedies to aid their well-beings, it may be good if they embark on trying many of the herbal teas that have great therapeutic properties such as fennel, peppermint, chamomile and ginger. Later on, if they wish, they could start on learning more about flower remedies which come in the tincture forms.

Herbal supplements are also useful and can be taken daily as they are often very rich in vitamins and minerals especially calcium and magnesium. Common herbal supplements are St. Johns Wort, ginseng, fennel and Echinacea.

Some of the household plants such as rosemary, basil and garlic are also considered herbs and have powerful therapeutic properties. They can be incorporated into many meals and are usually best to be taken raw as heat could sometimes reduce their healing properties.

Herbal remedies in most cases are a great choice for any person regardless of their age or sex. The positive affects far outway the negative. Herbal remedies and cures can also offer a much more cost effective advantage verse over the counter medicine.

Herbal Remedy Daniel Millions

Massage Therapy and Stress Relief

2007-02-11T23:01:00.000-08:00

While the practice of therapeutic massage has been used for centuries in the east, it is a relatively recent phenomenon here in the west. While the wonders of modern medicine have left many awestruck, more and more people are looking towards complimentary therapies and non-invasive treatments for their ailments. Massage therapy has never been as popular as it is today in America.

A number of studies have shown that massage therapy is a highly effective stress reduction technique. An earlier study, conducted by the University of Miami Medical School and published in the Journal of the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, suggested that children receiving 30 minutes of therapeutic massage daily were less depressed and anxious than they were at the time of their admittance.

This particular study also observed marked differences in the health and behavior of the children in the test group, over the children in the control group. The nurses taking part in the study also noted that the children were more cooperative, and were able to achieve a higher level of sleep quality. On the biological level, the children in the control group exhibited lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone) in their saliva and in their urine. It quickly became evident to researchers that massage can play a significant role in stress reduction.

It is highly encouraging that both the medical establishment and the general public are starting to realize the impact that stress can have on an individual's health and well being. Some physicians and researchers have suggested that stress is responsible for over 75% of all disease in the western world, including skin disorders, high blood pressure, headaches, digestive ailments, muscle pain, and depression. By employing the age-old techniques of massage therapy, there exists the distinct possibility of overcoming these terrible afflictions.

The eminent Victorian physician, Dr. Stretch Dowse, noted the following back in 1887: "The mind, which before massage is in a perturbed, restless, vacillating and, even despondent state, becomes after massage, calm, quiet, peaceful and subdued; in fact, the wearied and worried mind has been converted into a mind restful, placid, and refreshed." While modern medicine is full of promise in certain areas, it is not wise to ignore the knowledge and insights of the past. Massage therapy has helped countless people cope with the stress of modern life. It could help you, too.

Stephanie Macintosh is a certified massage therapist based in Portland. When she is not busy with her growing practice, she writes for massagetherapy101.com - an insightful website with information about the benefits of massage therapy, complimentary therapies, frequently asked questions and more.

Holistic Medicine: Ayurveda

2007-02-07T01:02:00.000-08:00

Ayurveda is the oldest and most holistic medicine in the world. Its teachings and practices were documented over 5,000 years ago in India, despite having a history that spans longer than what was documented.

Ayurveda has been referred to a holistic medicine that deals with both body and the spirit. In fact, ayurveda is more like a lifestyle and covers all aspects of health including nutrition and amazingly, surgery.

The main aim of Ayurveda is prevention. Ancient text tells us that humans should be able to live to be about 100 years old and that one can live to a ripe old age in good health, both physically and mentally. Ayurveda does not accept that getting old equals a failing health and a poor quality of life. Although these texts have been written several thousand years ago, Ayurvedic principles remain very much applicable even in today's environment. It is possible for anyone to introduce Ayurvedic principles into their life. There are plenty of benefits that can be derived from doing so.

Ayurvedic practitioners will often strive to find health issues which may just be in their early stages and try to deal with them before they get more serious. In all, Ayurveda seeks to take a preventative stance when it comes to diseases, both physical and mental. Because the the philosophy behind Ayurveda holistic medicine can be quite complex, it can take practitioners several years to understand and master this form of holistic healing.

However, I will attempt to give a brief explanation here on basic Ayurvedic principles, as provided by a practitioner friend of mind.

Through the years, Ayurvedic healing came up with three classifications or "doshas" which are said to govern all bodily processes. The 3 main doshas are Vata (air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water). A person's constitution type is dependent on whichever dosha that appears to be dominant. Each constitution type has particular strengths and susceptibilities. Pita (fire) determines how you digest food, your metabolization of sensory perceptions and your emotions. Too much Pitta can lead to anger, criticism, acidity, ulcers, rashes and thinning hair. On the other hand, too much vata leads to worries, insomnia and constipation. Vata controls blood flow, waste elimination and your breathing. Someone with too much Kapha gains weight easily. Too much Kapah also leads to lethargy, congestion and allergies.

For an ayurvedic diagnosis, therefore, patients are classified by their body types which are determined by the proportions of the three doshas. When the doshas are not in balance, illness and disease results. Ayurvedic treatments are aimed at restoring harmony or balance to the mind-body system.

In Ayurveda, natural remedies are often used as treatments. For instance, herbal preparations may be prescribed. Often, an Ayurvedic doctor will advise a diet change as well. There is also a great focus on stress relaxation and Ayurveda can involve some deep relaxing massage techniques.

Today, there is rising interest in the area of Ayurveda holistic medicine by the western world. For instance, the neem plant which has been used for ayurvedic medicine for so many thousands of years, have been encapsulated after research and testing. Neem plant extracts are used for eczema, liver cleansing and other skin disease problems.

The rising interest by western doctors can only mean good news for us all. With more widespread awareness of ayurvedic herbs, people seeking treatment will find out that there are plenty of alternatives to conventional medicine. More choices and more analysis and information are privy to making informed health decisions for you and your family.

Evelyn Lim owns a health and wellness article directory site. Her site has a growing database of health articles on more than 100 topics such as alternative healing, disease and fitness. Check out http://www.HealthandWellnessCentral.com Now!

What Is The Purpose Of Ayurveda

2007-02-04T23:14:00.000-08:00

“Life science” is what Ayurveda means in Sanskrit. It is derived from the two words ‘Ayu’ meaning life and ‘Veda’ meaning knowledge or science. Ayurveda is not just a preventive health care system; it is a way of life that found its origins in ancient India 5,000 years ago.

According to this system, health is determined by three biological principles, called ‘Doshas’. The three ‘Doshas’ are Vata, Pitta and Kapha, each controlling movement, metabolism and structure.

The body, mind and spirit is free of disease when the ‘Doshas’ are in equilibrium. Disease strikes when there is an imbalance or disequilibrium in even one of these ‘Doshas’. Balance is the key. Improper diet, pollution, unhealthy habits are just some of the reasons that lead to an imbalance.

Ayurveda emphasizes the use of mind, body and spirit to prevent and fight diseases. Thus it strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual. The main thrust of Ayurveda is to synchronize and coordinate the various bodily functions by identifying the imbalance in the body. The underlying principle is that if the roots are watered well, the plant will flourish. Sleep, diet, internal cleansing and lifestyle are given as much or perhaps more importance than herbs and potions.

Ayurveda places a lot of importance on learning. In this method, treatment is based on the physician’s awareness of the world. Insights are gained by seeing, smelling, tasting and listening. Ayurveda seeks to restore a person’s health by bringing him into equilibrium with his true self.
Thus the aims of Ayurveda are:

* To maintain the health of healthy people
* To cure diseases of ill people

Ayurveda is rightly enjoying widespread resurgence all over the world. With healthcare becoming exorbitant and fraught with risks, health-conscious individuals are taking more responsibility for their own health and well-being. People have started realizing that alternative holistic health systems like Ayurveda will help them lead a healthy life and prevent diseases even before they occur.

Ayurveda has offered an interesting theory of disease. Effective digestion is crucial to health, and any problems in the digestive system causes toxins to build up within the body and clog the channels in the body. This weakens the physiology and creates the right conditions for disease and infection. Rejuvenation is possible only through cleansing programs like Panchkarma. These programs are designed to flush toxins from the body.

Ayurveda depends a lot on herbs, roots, grass and other natural products. Ayurveda also pioneered the science of herbal combination – a happy blending of a variety of herbs to produce a medication that offers the dual benefits of synergy and balance. Sometimes, an Ayurvedic formulation may contain over twenty or more spices and herbs. The combination of primary herbs, balancing herbs and supporting herbs expedite the healing process.

The ayurvedic approach is rising in popularity because it is comprehensive and gentle. Instant cures through pill-popping are foreign to Ayurveda. Patience and persistence pays because Ayurveda seeks to correct the source of the problem. For those who can commit themselves to the effort Ayurveda offers effective, cumulative health benefits and can lead to a happy, healthy and joyful life. Visit http://www.methodsofhealing.com

Ayurveda

2007-02-02T23:14:00.000-08:00

Ayurveda is an ancient Sanskrit word meaning science of life, and actually is a branch of traditional Indian medicine. Using Ayurveda means actually changing not only the way you eat, but also the way that you see yourself and your body. In Ayurveda, you donÕt objectivize your body as a ÒthingÓ, but realize your body as a system of energy that is constantly changing. Realizing that 98% of the atoms in your body are replaced completely within less than one year helps you to understand that nothing about your body is static, and if you wish it to change, then change is actually easy. What needs to be done is to retrain the body and its cells to think differently, and to stop responding randomly to external stimuli. This is putting an end to what is called self-referral.

The first step is very simple; when you are hungry then eat, but when you are not donÕt eat. Although this seems over simplistic, in this practice is the key to conquering most cases of obesity. Americans eat impulsively more so than any other culture in the world, and that means we eat often when we are not hungry. We tend to eat because we see food we like, or when we sit down to watch a movie, or perhaps when we are sad or feeling depressed. We have learned to use food as a pacifier, a stimulant, and a hobby. The key is unlearning this behavior.

Increasing your awareness of actual hunger, including the time you are actually eating, will help you limit your diet. You should eat only when you feel your tank on empty so to speak. Eat to satisfaction, the point where the sensation of hunger has left, not to the point where you are uncomfortable and cannot eat another bite. Start a log, preferably in a small pocket notepad that you can carry with you to work and use at home, and record each time you feel hungry and when you ate just to satisfaction. Within two weeks time, your body will begin to significantly be retrained to eat only when hungry, and only for nourishment. Once this two week time period has passed, begin to set definite times when you eat your meals: a set time for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday, without fail. When doing this, make lunch your largest meal, with very small breakfasts and dinners.

The next step would be to eat right for your body type. In Ayurveda there are three basic body types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The Vata body is one that belongs to a person that is very active and quick, has a very thin build, gets cold easily, tends to speak very quickly and be very talkative, usually has dry skin, and is a very light sleeper. Pitta characteristics include being very orderly, forceful, very intolerant of hot weather, easy to perspire, having reddish, sandy, or blond hair, stubborn, intolerant of spicy foods, very self-critical and critical of others, determined, and impatient. The Kapha body is a person that naturally moves slow, gains weight easily and loses it slowly if at all, tends to be thick-built, is ironically good at skipping meals without discomfort, has a tendency to develop phlegm, needs a full eight hours of sleep to feel rested, sleeps very deeply, tends to have dark thick hair, tends to be very affectionate and understanding, usually walks slowly, and generally enjoys a steady level of energy. Each type of person has different dietary needs. Some people of course share several of these factors equally, and therefore have combination bodies. The descriptions given are only a general guide; for a detailed test, visit online at http://www.ayurvedahc.com/aytest.htm and take the free test to determine your type.

Generally, one who has a Kapha body type has the hardest time with losing weight, so we will concentrate on foods that reduce the Kapha influence. If you consume milk, switch to low-fat milk instead of whole milk, and boiling the milk before drinking it makes it easier to digest. It is best to drink the milk warm, because cold milk increases your Kapha. If you decide you cannot tolerate warm milk, you should give up milk all together. Eat plenty of foods that are spicy or bitter, yet avoid salt. Avoid red meat if you eat meat, and eat white meat chicken or turkey, or opt for fish. Beans are also an excellent source of protein when avoiding or cutting back on meat consumption. Eat plenty of light fruits, such as pears, apples, cranberries, and pomegranates.

Sweeten your foods when necessary with honey instead of sugar, as honey reduces Kapha very well. When choosing grains, barley, corn, buckwheat, rye, and millet are very light grains that are good for your consumption. All vegetables are good to eat, however vegetables that are especially beneficial to reduce Kapha include eggplant, radishes, beets, all green leafy vegetables, asparagus, broccoli, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, pumpkin, and celery. In Ayurveda, food is preferably prepared by cooking, since it makes for easier digestion than eating raw foods, however an occasional salad is not harmful. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, fried foods, packaged foods, soft drinks, and deep-fried foods.

Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.popular-diets.com/ for more great nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and comments on popular diets.