Natural Ways to Help With Seasonal Allergies

Millions of us suffer endlessly from the effects of Seasonal Allergies. It’s not only in the summer when all the trees & flowers are blooming. Many of us have problems with leaves in the fall..or just dust..which has no favorite season. Symptoms can be mild and basically only a running nose. Some people however, experience much more intense symtoms, such as itching, hives, headaches & possibly shortness of breath. Of course there are at least 100 different  “Pills” out there to eliminate all those symtoms..or make them more bearable. Some of them do pretty well with their claims. My major problem with “Pills” is that many of those have side effects that are worse than the original problems. You can have everything from dry mouth, drowsiness, and now we are hearing that some of these even cause osteoporois (which means they are sucking the Calcium out of your bones).

     Personally I try to maintain my health in the most Natural way possible. I don’t take any medications on a regular basis. Occasionally I will take an Advil for a headache or major muscle problem. THis works for me, and I will admit that I’ve been blessed with very good health overall. Some of you are not as fortunate & suffer from many issues that cause you problems. I am sorry for that, but I encourage you to try to remedy those issues by a Natural means first. Following are some possible remedies:

       1) Try using 1/8 of a cup of Apple Cider Vinegar. I know it tastes pretty bad but it does work for some people.

        2) Take a Tbl. of  Locally grown Honey twice a day.  It’s important that it’s locally grown as that’s the pollen the bees use & probably one thing you are allergic to. Some people say to mix a Tbl. with 1/2 a cup of warm water twice  a day for Migraine Headaches.

         3) Try to cut back on Caffeine & increase your intake of Fruits & Vegetables.

   These 3 suggestions may not work for everyone but they do help a lot of people. I’ve used Honey successfully for several years. I hope they work for you.

Natural Cure for a Hangover..plus other nice benefits

You can try coconut water for the ultimate hang over cure. Fat free, cholesterol free, and with only 45-60 calories in an 11 oz. serving, coconut water with it’s long  list of bodily benefits, is changing the way people view the term “sports drink.”

Coconut water is water that comes from a green, young coconut (not the aged, brown, fuzzy kind you find in the grocery store). And it’s fat free, unlike it’s aged sisters, whose water has hardened to a sweet meat that is high in fat. 



Did you know that as little as 11 fluid ounces of coconut water contains more potassium than a banana? And the same size serving of coconut water contains more than 15 times the potassium found in the average sports drink!

Ten reasons why coconut water is worth adding to your diet:

1. It contains the five essential electrolytes: potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, and calcium.

2. It replenishes the body’s fluids after a workout
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3. It provides immune support and detoxification
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4. It cleanses the kidneys and eases stomach aches.

5. It regulates function of the intestine
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6. It improves muscle performance and allows for quicker muscle recovery after a workout
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7. It promotes smoother skin and healthier hair and nails
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8. It boosts circulation by carrying oxygen and nutrients to cells.

9. It promotes heart health, weight loss and mental acuity.

10. It reinforces proper alkaline balance

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What’s out there and where to buy it.

With it’s increasing popularity, you’ve probably seen people enjoying the beverage at the office, on the train, or at your yoga studio.

Here’s where to get it:

Many health food stores have juice bars where the juicer will crack open a fresh young coconut for you right before your eyes. Just grab a straw and you’re ready to go! Neighborhood natural markets and Whole Foods also stock the two major prepackaged brands, Zico and Vita Coco (which are slightly more convenient and taste just as fresh). If you live in a large city, it’s likely that your corner deli or grocery carries the tasty, good-for-you treat as well. Many ethnic markets also carry young coconuts that you can bring home and pop open with a hatchet.

Natural Ways to Eliminate Liver Spots

a.k.a. age spots and brown spots

Causes

Liver spots are the yellowish-brown flat spots that look like large freckles and are thought to be caused by aging, too much sun, impaired liver function, and a dietary or nutritional deficiency. (NB: if you have irregular, dark spots that increase in size or change color or texture, have them checked immediately by a doctor. They could be a serious form of skin cancer). As we age our metabolism changes and the liver may become so overwhelmed with toxins that it cannot rid the body of them. Oxidation within the body and the lack of antioxidants also plays an important role in this process. Age spots are one of the results. They take years to form and eliminating them will take time, too, so don’t give up. Try a remedy for a few months, and if the condition hasn’t improved, try another one. As a preventative measure, always use a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 after using one of the remedies, and thereafter.

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Wellness Program

In addition to using the remedies mentioned below, some lifestyle and dietary changes will be beneficial in developing a general wellness program and may speed the elimination of these liver spots.

• Begin an exercise program
• Make some dietary changes mentioned below
• Avoid exposure to the sun without proper sun protection
• Cleanse your liver
• Take supplements that will help slow the aging process and aid in tissue repair

Dietary Changes

Dietary changes are necessary to get some of the metabolic wastes out of your system and cleanse your tissues. Some of these factors cause damage to your skin.

• Begin a detoxification program to clean your tissues and organs.
• Improve your diet to include fruits and vegetables, especially in raw form. Drink 8 eight ounce glasses of water daily.
• Avoid sweets, caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and junk foods. This is a main foundation of our over-all Wellness Program.
• Avoid rancid oils. Refrigerate all oils after opening; store nuts and seeds in the freezer or refrigerator; store grains in a cool place; avoid all fried foods as the hot cooking oils contain substances that damage the skin.

Supplements

Beta-carotene Take beta-carotene, an antioxidant that slows the aging process.

Bioflavonoids Working with vitamin C, bioflavonoids assist in tissue repair.

Potassium A deficiency in potassium may be one of the causes of liver spots. Eat potassium-rich foods or take a supplement.

Selenium You may have a selenium deficiency. If your daily vitamins don’t have selenium, take a selenium supplement for a few months. In many areas of the country the selenium content of the soils has been depleted so that we don’t get enough in our regular diet.

Vitamin C An antioxidant, vitamin C helps tissue repair.

Vitamin E Take 1 vitamin E capsule (400 I.U.) daily; at night puncture another capsule and rub the oil on the spots and leave it on overnight. You may use castor oil at night instead. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that slows aging and aids in tissue repair.

Zinc Another mineral supplement to take is zinc. Take 15 mg a day for one to two months. Don’t take more than 15 mg without a doctor’s supervision, as it may hinder the body’s absorption of other minerals, especially copper.

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Remedies

Folk

Aloe Rubbing fresh aloe vera juice or gel on the spots will help fade them. Use the gel twice a day for a month or two. Juice from the aloe plant is excellent for healing burns and is also beneficial as a general healing agent.

Apple cider vinegar Combine two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar with one teaspoon of orange juice and apply to the spots, preferably on a cloth or cotton pad that is secured to the area.

Bilberry This herb slows some of the aging processes and acts as an antioxidant. Take 4-8 oz. of fresh berries, 80-160 mg of bilberry extract (25% anthocyanidin), or 20-40 mg anthocyanosides daily.

Buttermilk Dab buttermilk on the spots. The lactic acid and other ingredients in the milk are beneficial to the skin. Buttermilk has been used for generations as a skin cleanser and as a beauty aid.

Castor oil Apply castor oil on the spots in the morning and in the evening, and rub well into the skin. The spots should disappear within a month.

Chick peas Take fresh or canned chick peas (garbanzo beans), mash about 1/3 cupful and add a little water. Smear this paste on the spots and leave it there until it dries. Then wash off completely. Do this every evening.

Dandelion Break open a dandelion stem and rub the sap on the spots 2-3x per day. Good for warts, too. Will Greer (Grandpa Walton) used this method successfully.

Gotu kola Try using the ancient Chinese herb gotu kola. Mix 1/8 teaspoon of powdered herb into a cup of herbal tea or add it to plain hot water along with 1/8 teaspoon of ginseng and a pinch of cayenne. This remedy should clear the spots in a few days.

Horseradish Mix one teaspoon grated horseradish root, 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon vinegar, and 3 drops rosemary essential oil. Dab onto your age spots with a cotton ball once or twice a day (less if you have sensitive skin); it will exfoliate the top layer of skin and your spot should lighten. Jeanette Jacknin, M.D. in Smart Medicine for Your Skin.

Lemon juice Dab some fresh lemon juice on the spots twice daily. If you are going outdoors, wait for the juice to dry as it increases the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. It may take a few months, but the acidity in the juice will cause the spots to fade away.

Onion Grate an onion and squeeze it through cheesecloth so that you have 1 teaspoonful of juice. Mix with 2 teaspoonsful of vinegar and rub into the spots. Do this two times a day until the spots disappear.

• Cut a fresh onion, dip it in apple cider vinegar and rub across the spots. This will fade the spots in a few weeks.

Walnuts, black Take some green (not fully ripe) black walnuts and make a few incisions in the outer shell; rub the juice on the spots. There may be a slight stinging sensation or the area may turn brown, but this is only temporary. Very effective.

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New Doctors Favor Natural Medicine

Tuesday, January 26, 2010 by: S. L. Baker, features writer

(NaturalNews) Are up-and-coming young doctors going to practice the s ame kind of mainstream medicine as their predecessors? Will the next generation of docs turn up their noses at alternative therapies such as acupuncture, yoga, herbs and vitamins — just like the majority of the current crop of docs? In what may come as a surprise to many mainstream physicians, the answer to those questions may be a resounding “no”.

According to research published in the online edition of the peer-reviewed journal Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (eCAM), 75 percent of medical students surveyed think it would be beneficial for conventional Western medicine to integrate with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM places emphasis on natural therapies and using the body’s own healing powers instead of relying on drugs, vaccines and other standard Western treatments.

A University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of California, San Diego, research team comprised of experts in the fields of CAM, integrative medicine, Western medicine, medical education and survey development created a first of its kind 30 question survey that was distributed to 126 U.S. medical schools. Some 1,770 medical students completed the survey — roughly, about three percent of the 68,000 medical students nationwide. Although the response rate to the survey was fairly low, the researchers say it provided valuable insights into current medical students’ perceptions of CAM.

For example, the findings revealed that 77 percent of the medical student participants agreed patients whose doctors are knowledgeable about complementary and alternative medicine in addition to conventional medicine benefit more than those whose doctors are only familiar with Western medicine. In fact, 74 percent agreed that a medical system which integrated conventional medicine with CAM could be more effective that either type of medicine used independently

“Complementary and alternative medicine, or CAM, is receiving increased attention in light of the global health crisis and the significant role of traditional medicine in meeting public health needs in developing countries,” study author Ryan Abbott, a researcher at the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine, said in a statement to the media. “Integrating CAM into mainstream health care is now a global phenomenon, with policymakers at the highest levels endorsing the importance of a historically marginalized form of health care.”

The study also found that more than 60 percent of the medical student participants want more education related to CAM during their time in medical school. In a press statement, the researchers noted that although more than 50 percent of U.S. medical schools currently offer some type of CAM courses, these studies could be streamlined into more formal curricula as part of standardized medical school education.

“Although the content of integrative medicine programs remains controversial, medical schools across the country are moving forward with ambitious new programs to teach the next generation of health care leaders,” concluded Dr. Ka-Kit Hui, the Wallis Annenberg Professor of Integrative East-West Medicine at UCLA, founder and director of the UCLA Center for East-West Medicine, and chair of UCLA’s Collaborative Centers for Integrative Medicine.

For more information:
http://www.newsroom.ucla.edu/portal…

Natural Ways to Improve Your Memory

  We have all  heard of the  two herbs are ginkgo biloba and ginseng that supposedly help with brain health & memory improvement. One
 study revealed that a combination of ginseng and ginkgo biloba was the most effective formula for increasing brain power. A preparation of 60% ginseng and 40% ginkgo was the most effective formula when it came to improving the memory of the study volunteers.

According to Dr Scholey, with the University of Northumbria, “Subjects were able to sustain their concentration for longer. Normally, when people have to concentrate over an extended period of time, their reaction time begins to slow – ginkgo seemed to stop that slowing and one dose actually [sped] them up.”

There are few things more precious than memory. Whether it is a memory of that first kiss or recollections of your wedding day, memories are very important. As we age, memories tend to fade and sometimes, memory loss occurs much faster than expected. The ability to remember new information (in the short term and in the long term) is also impaired. Whether the cause is Alzheimer’s disease or aging, improving memory is easier than some may expect.

Natural Ways for Improving Memory:

Olive Oil – Olive oil is one of the best foods for improving memory. It is high in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and is also polyunsaturated. With its wide array of benefits, olive oil should be used daily. The suggested dose is 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil mixed with lemon juice (extracted from 1/2 lemon.) The mixture should be taken daily, just before sleeping.

Folate and B Vitamins – To improve memory, consume plenty of foods loaded with B vitamins. Patients with a deficiency in B vitamins and folate demonstrated forgetfulness, memory loss, confusion, dementia and depression.

Honey – Studies show that consuming raw honey can improve memory. It also offers many other health benefits. Raw honey calms nerves and relieves anxiety, thereby promoting relaxation and rest. One to two teaspoons per day is recommended.

Rosemary – Rosemary acts as a decongestant and astringent. It is good for digestion and circulation problems, and it relaxes the stomach. Rosemary isn’t just an excellent herb for cooking; it can also relieve headaches and menstrual cramps, and it regulates blood pressure. (See Recipe below)

Ginger – Ginger has long been used as a remedy for stomach distress, as it relieves inflammation, nausea, vomiting and pain, and it increases circulation. Ginger can also cleanse the colon. Ginger also remedies hot flashes, morning sickness and motion sickness. 1 cup per day of ginger tea is recommended.

Recipes to Enhance Memory:

Memory Zest Blend

1 part ginkgo
1 part gotu kola and peppermint leaves
1 part red clover tops
1 part rosemary leaves
1 part ginger root
Honey

Bring a cup of water (or an entire tea pot) to a boil and add the herbs. Allow the tea to steep for at least ten minutes, strain and drink. Honey can be added after the tea is strained. According to HerbalSolutions.com, this is “a mentally refreshing beverage [that will] give you feelings of clarity and precision.”

Yogurt and Rosemary Drink

1 cup of raw yogurt
1 twig of rosemary or 1 teaspoon of dried rosemary
2 figs
1 tablespoon of olive oil

Place the ingredients in a jar and seal overnight. In the morning, place the mixture in a blender and blend until smooth. Drink this daily to feel refreshed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7…

http://www.herbal-remedies-solution…

http://www.mamaherb.com/amnesia-hom…

http://www.ehow.com/how_5051260_imp…

http://www.home-herb-garden.com/mem…