Alternative Medicine: April 2017

Sunday, April 30, 2017

How to Get Rid of Acne With Pure Shea Butter

It may seem counterintuitive to use shea butter to cure acne. After all, acne is usually associated with greasy skin. For some people, however, shea butter works wonders on their acne. It clears up breakouts without drying out the skin.

Instructions

Consult your doctor or dermatologist before trying any alternative treatments, including shea butter.

Check that the shea butter is pure and unrefined. You can usually find it in African stores and markets.

Cleanse the skin using a gentle medicated face wash containing salicylic acid. Salicylic acid encourages the shedding of dry skin, which keeps your pores clear.

Apply a thin layer of shea butter all over the face. It's best to do this before going to sleep so that your skin doesn't look greasy in the daytime.

In the morning, wash your face as you normally would.

What is a Rife Machine?

Rife machine therapy works by generating resonating or sound frequencies specific to each disease-causing microorganism, at an intensity that causes its cells to disintegrate. The resonating Rife frequencies enter the body through electrodes designed for the feet, hands or through electrodes placed on specific locations on the body (according to Rife.org).

Rife machine therapy was developed by Royal R. Rife, a brilliant scientific researcher who discovered the Mortal Oscillatory Rates (MOR) of over 50 disease-causing pathogens. His main research and work was conducted between 1920 and 1934, and his brilliance and discoveries were honorably mentioned in the Annual Report of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution of June 30, 1944.

According to Rife.org and the Smithsonian Institution, Dr. Rife discovered the electron frequencies of specific microorganisms, as he researched ways to visualize them through his Universal microscope at 60,000 times magnification. His universal microscope far surpassed the resolution of both the dark field and Zeiss microscopes.

By increasing each microorganism's electron frequency, the cellular structure of the microorganisms became compromised and unstable, and Dr. Rife's technology was then able to destroy them. (Rife.org) Dr. Edward C. Rosenow attributed its success to the ingenious techniques used to develop the microscope, over its high magnification.

Most pathogenic microorganisms have weak and unstable cell walls. Rife machine therapy does not target normal body cells, whose cell membranes are not affected by these resonating frequencies.

According to Rife.org, the side effects are minimal, and are usually associated with the accumulation and detoxification process of the pathogenic debris.

There is much controversy surrounding the practice of using Rife machines. The Food and Drug Administration has prohibited its use in the United States, declaring it illegal. Some natural health care specialists are allowed to use the device, but only for experimental purposes. Furthermore, the FDA has not officially documented any of its claims, and the original Rife machine was not patented. Many pieces of its original documentation were confiscated and its original design has been challenging to duplicate. Although it is used in other parts of the world, including Germany, unauthorized treatments that claimed miraculous results have resulted in criminal prosecution in the United States.

Natural Sea Sickness Treatment

Sea sickness is a form of motion sickness experienced by some people when traveling on water. It affects a person's sense of equilibrium and can be a debilitating condition. Often it causes a person to vomit and feel nauseous. Luckily, there are some natural sea sickness treatments that can help people who suffer from this condition.

The main causes of sea sickness are movement, visual disorientation and a disturbance in the inner ear. The balancing system located in the inner ear is responsible for a person's sense of equilibrium. Sea sickness occurs when the brain receives different messages from the inner ear, body and eyes. When on a moving ship, a person's eyes may perceive one kind of motion, while the body and inner ear sense another. The symptoms of sea sickness occur when the brain tries to process these contradictory signals.

The earliest signs of sea sickness can be lethargy, increased salivation, yawning, sweating and pale skin color. More severe symptoms are nausea, vomiting and vertigo. Most people may take over-the-counter medications, such as Dramamine, for this condition; however, there are natural sea sickness treatments that may be helpful.

Traditional herbal remedies can be a first recourse when treating sea sickness or motion sickness. Ginger, peppermint and black horehound are herbs commonly used for nausea, vomiting and upset stomachs.
Ginger comes in various forms, including capsules, tinctures, teas and powders. A person can relieve the symptoms of nausea by taking 250 milligrams of ginger three times a day, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, and teas made from peppermint or black horehound leaves and taken three times daily may also be beneficial.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, there are studies that suggest that applying pressure at certain acupressure points can help with the symptoms of motion sickness. Applying pressure to acupressure point P6, or Pericardium 6, which is located on the wrist (see Resources), may help with nausea. Acupressure wrist bracelets, designed to apply pressure to this point, may also be useful as a natural sea sickness treatment.

Homeopathic remedies are usually a dilution of natural ingredients such as plants and minerals. Homeopathic practitioners consider a person's overall physical and psychological state before prescribing remedies. However, some homeopathic remedies often suggested for motion or sea sickness are cocculus and tabacum.
Another homeopathic remedy called Trip Ease may also be beneficial. All of these remedies come in pill form and are readily available online (see Resources).

If you are prone to sea sickness, there are ways to reduce or prevent its occurrence. Natural preventive measures for sea sickness include keeping your eyes focused on the horizon when aboard a boat or ship; staying as close as possible to the center of the vessel; minimizing head movements; and avoiding alcohol and big meals before a trip.

Home Wart Remedies

Don't shy away from a toad because you think it will give you warts. Toads can't actually spread them. A wart is a benign tumor of the skin that occurs by itself or in large groups, and can appear on any part of the body. The various types are all caused by some form of the papilloma virus.

Before you start any type of treatment, make sure what you're treating is a wart and not something else. You don't want to put a wart treatment on a mole, corn, callus or an area of skin that could be cancerous. Warts are usually the same color as your skin and have a rough surface. Their borders are even and their surface has blackened capillaries. Warts don't grow roots that extend deep into your skin, as many have been led to believe.

Crush a vitamin C tablet and mix with some water until you have a thick paste. Apply the paste directly to the wart and cover with first-aid tape. Evidence has shown that vitamin C's high ascorbic acid content kills off the virus that causes warts. Apply the paste only to the area affected by the wart, because it can cause irritation. Leave the tape on for a week before removing it. Apply fresh paste and tape if needed. This works for both regular and plantar warts, though it may take several weeks to see any improvement.

Apply a piece of first-aid tape snugly over the wart. Some people swear that duct tape works better. Leave the tape in place for seven days. Replace the tape with a fresh piece and continue this process for three weeks. You should see improvement if the tape method is working. If the wart looks and feels like it's dying, continue the tape for another week or two. This method works for both regular and plantar warts.

Pierce a capsule of vitamin A with a pin and squeeze some on the wart. Rub it in. Repeat this step once a day for three months. This process may take a bit longer than the others. It works for both regular and plantars.

If the wart isn't in an area of your body that's bothering you or causing you pain, leave it alone. The vast majority of warts will disappear on their own if you don't do anything at all. It might take a year or so for the wart to go away, but most will eventually die on their own.

Saturday, April 29, 2017

How to Prepare Herbal Decoctions, Tinctures, Syrups

Herbal decoctions, tinctures and various forms of Chinese treatments can easily be made at home with the right formulas and instructions. There are many Chinese medical schools that teach herbal medicine and show students and practitioners how to make their own tinctures, decoctions and syrups for treating various medical ailments. Here I will offer some tips on how to prepare herbal decoctions, tinctures, and syrups.

Instructions

A decoction is considered by Chinese practitioners and herbalists to be the most effective method for delivering herbs into the body to treat a problem. In Chinese medicine the word decoction is "tang," which means soup. A clay pot is recommended for making herbal decoctions and tinctures, as the pot will distribute the heat evenly and will not destroy or weaken the effectiveness. Clay pots are readily available at local Chinese supermarkets or Chinatowns. If you cannot find a clay pot, then a pot made from glass or enamel can be used. Some sources recommend that you do not use a metal pot (e.g. stainless steel, aluminum or cast iron) since it could destroy the herbs while cooking, and thus reduce the potency and effectiveness.

Place the herbs into the clay pot. Add enough water to cover all of the herbs. If you are boiling for 30 minutes or longer, then add more water so that it is approximately 1 inch above the herbs. Do not overboil the herbs, as this will reduce the effectiveness and potency.

When the water reaches boiling point turn the temperature down to let the herbs simmer. Stir the mixture continuously as it is brewing . After simmering for the allotted time, remove the pot from the heat, pour through a strainer and drink. Cooking time for decoctions can vary depending on the nature and type of herb used. Some are cooked for long periods of time (e.g. over 30 minutes) and some for short periods of time, such as about 10 to 20 minutes. Generally, you would take the decoction one hour after a meal. If your prescription is to tonify or enrich the body, then you would drink the decoction on an empty stomach or one hour before a meal. Some believe it is very beneficial to drink the decoction before going to sleep.

A tincture is an extraction of herbal ingredients using a solvent. Solvents can be water, oil, glycerin, vinegar or alcohol. The Chinese word for tincture is "jowji," with alcohol being the most commonly used. For most dry plant matter it is effective to use 80 proof alcohol such as vodka or rum. The usual ratio of herb to solvent is determined by weight and is 1:5 or one part herb to five parts alcohol. Sometimes this amount of liquid is not enough to cover the herb; in that case, add more solvent to ensure that the plant material is covered in order to prevent spoilage.

Put the amount of herb you desire into the glass jar and slowly pour the alcohol until the herbs are entirely covered. Then add an inch or two of additional liquid. Seal the jar tightly so that the liquid cannot leak or evaporate. Put the jar in a dark area or inside a paper bag. Shake the jar every day. When ready to bottle, pour the tincture through a cheesecloth into another jar or dark-colored tincture bottle. Squeeze or press the saturated herbs, extracting the remaining liquid until no more drips appear. Close the storage container with a stopper or cap and label.

For syrups, dissolve 2 to 3 lbs. of brown sugar in a pint of boiling water and boil until thick. Add more water if the syrup is too thick in consistency. Add any herbs you wish to make herbal syrup. If you want to store the syrup for a period of time, then use airtight jars or bottles and label and date the batch. Store the syrup in a cool, dark place to prevent spoilage and for longer shelf life.

Clorox Treatment for Toenail Fungus

As long as man has trimmed toenails, treatment of toenail fungus has been subject to lively debate. Nowadays, those not wanting to subject themselves to expensive prescription medication are looking for simple homemade remedies. In addition to cost, liver damage is a known side effect of modern day prescriptions for toenail fungus.

One of the main homemade remedies bandied about is topical use of everyday Clorox bleach mixed with water. The foot is either soaked 10 minutes twice a day in the solution or it is applied to the toenail region with a cotton swab, medicine dropper, etc. The dilution ratio of bleach to water ranges from a capful of Clorox to a gallon of water, 20 percent Clorox to 80 percent water, or equal parts Clorox to water.

Other homemade remedies include topical application of full strength or diluted distilled vinegar (5 percent acetic acid), Listerine mouthwash, Vicks Vaporub, hydrogen peroxide or Lysol concentrate. Vinegar appears to be one of the most popular alternatives to Clorox. Use of a UV light for several hours daily has also been tried.

Alternatively, look to vitamins, herbs or essential oils for a topical treatment to whip the fungus into submission. Oil of oregano and tea tree oil are frequently mentioned products with anti-fungal or antiseptic properties. Oil of oregano make be skin irritant for some. Those familiar with battling candida may recognize recommendations for pau d'arco. Colloidal silver (topically or internally) has been touted as a panacea for many conditions, including toenail fungus.

Good commonsense advice, regardless of your treatment method, include trimming the toenails, washing feet daily, wearing clean cotton socks daily, giving up tight shoes and allowing the toes to air out daily (wear sandals or flip flops). Give up nail polish for awhile. Don't walk barefoot in communal showers at the gym. Also look for ways to treat underlying causes of fungal infections such as diabetes.

Consult a physician or dermatologist for reliable advice before trying any homemade remedies, including Clorox. Expect any treatment to take time (six to nine months) as the nail grows out.

Side Effects of Hydrogen Fluoride

Hydrogen fluoride is actually a colorless gas. It ceases to exist when mixed with water when it becomes hydrofluoric acid. There are many industries which use hydrogen fluoride. It is part of the production of herbicides, pharmaceuticals, high-octane gasoline, aluminum, fluorescent light bulbs, refrigerants like Freon and plastics, particularly Teflon. However, its primary use is for refrigerants. You also use it for etching glass and metal. It does have a strong odor when there is a heavy concentration of the gas in the air, so there is adequate warning if there is potential toxicity to humans.

Hydrogen fluoride goes by many different names. Some of the names include fluoric acid, hydrofluoric acid, hydrofluoride and fluorine monohydride. Regardless of the name, the formula is HF and it is the principle source of fluorine in industrial use. In gaseous form, it is lighter than air but when mixed with water becomes extremely corrosive.

If you have a minor exposure to the vapor of hydrogen fluoride and can't tell it from the smell, you aren't in very much danger. Those that come into physical contact with the clothing or skin contaminated with the substance have a potential for harm. It penetrates the skin and goes into the deep tissue where the effects don't show up immediately.

You receive burns from the hydrofluoric acid once the hydrogen fluoride dissolves in water. Even though you might only have a small area affected, it isn't indicative of the damage it causes to the body. No one can predict the amount of systemic damage caused by the size of the burn.

Inhaling concentrated quantities of hydrogen fluoride causes throat irritation and irritation of the lungs and nasal passages. Since children have larger lung surface area compared to their body mass, they might receive a more toxic dose. When esophageal irritation occurs in children, they have a smaller diameter airway opening to cause even more distress. If contact is through the skin via the water solution of hydrofluoric acid, it causes systemic toxicity and local destruction of the cells. The gas is also irritating to the skin and eyes. Any hydrofluoric acid ingested has the potential to be fatal. Children are more susceptible because of their smaller body mass.

If you have a burn from hydrogen fluoride that is as small as 2.5 percent of the body surface, it can cause death, the ultimate in long-term effects. Most people don't realize that in order to neutralize the acid, not only does removal of the clothing and continuous aggressive flushing with water need to be done, but also an application of calcium gluconate gel and immediate intravenous calcium is required. Otherwise, the fluoride ion goes into the body causing either death or long-term damage to the tissues, indicating a system shut down or amputation of limbs to stop it from spreading.

Many of the byproducts from industries that use hydrogen fluoride create too much fluoride in water supplies and the soil. This results in fluoridosis, which causes mottled teeth, severe damage to bones and damage to the brain. Even in smaller doses, fluoride can cause illness and toxicity. If you read the label on your toothpaste tube, you'll notice that if too much is swallowed you need to consult the poison control center.

Friday, April 28, 2017

Home Remedies for Ingrown Toenails

When the sharp edge of the toenail grows into the skin lining the periphery of the nail, it can cause severe pain, swelling and infection, and lead to ingrown toenails. Treating an ingrown toenail depends on the severity of the condition. Visit a doctor if the wound is oozing blood or has a watery discharge. Caught at an early stage, further aggravation can be arrested with some easy home remedies.

For ingrown toenail relief, soak the afflicted toe for about 10 minutes in a basin of warm water with Epsom salts. Dry the foot thoroughly and apply an antiseptic cream like Neosporin to prevent infection. A loose bandage can then be tied to the toe.
Also, soaking the toe in an astringent solution or using a combination anti-inflammatory/antibacterial soak can greatly reduce the infection. Placing a small strip of cotton wool between the nail edge and the broken skin ensures that the nail does not dig into the skin to cause further damage. This process can be continued until the nail begins growing over the skin.

Using an adhesive bandage to pull away the nail from the nail bed can decrease the pressure and aid the drying of the wound. Other typically simple remedies involve using natural items like lemons or onions to soften the affected nail area. Wedging a thin slice of lemon between the nail and skin and bandaging it with medical tape makes it easier to free the nail from the skin. Bandaging a slice of onion over the affected toe and leaving it overnight will also have the same effect.

Cut toenails straight across to prevent recurring ingrown toenails. File the corners of the nail so that there are no sharp edges which might dig into the skin. Do not cut nails too short. Also, avoid wearing very tight socks, hose or shoes as this puts pressure on the toenails. Ideally, shoes should be broad at the toes so that they are comfortable to wear. Wearing open-toed sandals will help clear up the infection faster and also prevent the formation of ingrown toenails.

A common misconception is that ingrown toenails are caused by a nail that is too big. Cutting out a wedge from the center of the ingrown toenail will not help in treating the wound nor prevent its formation. On the contrary, patients may injure themselves and the problem may be aggravated.

People who are diabetic or those who have any condition which affects blood circulation, should avoid treating ingrown toenails themselves. Home remedies are ineffective as your wounds typically take longer to heal. Furthermore, if the wounds are not treated properly, it may lead to complications. Consult a podiatrist for proper medical care if you suffer from ingrown toenails and have diabetes or any blood circulation problems.

Alternative Lice Treatment

Lice can affect people from all socioeconomic backgrounds and can be very contagious. Many parents and caregivers are concerned about the use of medicated and prescribed shampoos, and choose an alternative lice treatment to prevent the exposure of pesticides. When selecting a treatment, diligence with patience and understanding, may be required to effectively rid all nits and lice, and time, to prevent re-infestation.

Many consumers are concerned about the long-term effects and toxicity levels of topical medicinal shampoos and gels, that contain lindane, pyrethrum or permethrin. For this reason, many seek alternative methods to killing lice and nits. Mayonnaise, olive oil, coconut oil, peanut butter, margarine, butter, petroleum based ointments and mineral oil, are applied with the premise, that the oily base of these products will suffocate the lice. Synthetic removal gels and "safe" alternative shampoos, are used in preparation for easier nit removal with nit (egg) removal combs. Hand-held, battery operated, electronic pulse combs work by zapping lice with a small electrical charge. Using hot water applied with a comb, and a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, is often applied to help loosen the strong glue that anchors nits to the hair shaft. Other remedies include tree oils, such as Chinaberry, Indian lilac and white cedar. Other options may be removing each louse and nit with tweezers, or shaving the head.

Time and commitment will be necessary to effectively remove all lice and nits when using an alternative lice treatment. Careful inspections and treatments, may have to be repeated daily on every family member. It is recommended that oil-based treatments, be left on the hair for eight to nine hours, or overnight. A louse's life span is 30 days and can lay up to 100 nits. Persistence is needed when using alternative treatments. To avoid re-infestation, daily checking for lice and nits is recommended for up 14 days after initial treatment. It may take a day or two to fully wash all linen and clothing. Non-washable items must be bagged for 14 days.

Most alternative lice treatments are nontoxic and safe for humans and the environment. When using alternative treatments, it is important to consider possible allergies that may occur. Some alternative products may become dangerous if left overnight on a child, or if a child is left unsupervised. Food products applied on the hair for a considerable amount of time can spoil, and may cause food poisoning if a child was to ingest the product. Mineral oil and baby oil can be dangerous if ingested, and can be harmful to the mucous membranes. Caution should be exercised, when using additional treatments and following with a medicated or prescribed shampoo. According to the National Pediculosis Association, residue from prior treatments may chemically react with other medicated shampoos, and increase pesticide absorption into the skin or cause overexposure.

Alternative lice treatments may have to repeated daily, and each hair shaft will have to be inspected daily to effectively rid lice and nits. This may be more time-consuming, and may involve more work, as daily preventative household measures will have to be maintained to prevent re-infestation. Conducting research on an alternative treatments may be beneficial, as some alternative treatments may pose a risk to allergies or an increased risk to toxicity exposure, if used repeatedly, or in excess amounts.

It is never appropriate to use gasoline or kerosene as an alternative for treating lice, nor should it ever be considered. Gasoline, diesel fuel and kerosene are dangerous, as the products are toxic and the fumes can be flammable. Tea tree oils can also be toxic to the liver, and rubbing alcohol is dangerous to mucous membranes. Plastic bags should never be used around children, due to the danger and risk of suffocation.

How Does Vinegar Help Toenail Fungus?

Technically, vinegar doesn't help the toenail fungus--it kills it. The reason it works to kill it, though, is that the fungus that you have on your toe has changed the pH value of your skin. It's more alkaline than it was before. The vinegar acts as an acid and relieves the itching and pain, then stops the fungus from growing and spreading. Eventually, through repeated use, it will kill the fungus that was living there as the "host" (your toes) are no longer hospitable.

You can use several different types of vinegar to help solve your toe fungus problem. Depending on your personal preferences, you could use white, apple cider, malt, wine, raisin, coconut, beer, honey or rice vinegar. The type doesn't matter as much as the vinegar itself. Many people prefer apple cider vinegar as the scent is more pleasing than some alternatives, and it can be used for other vinegar-based cures.

There are two ways you can use the vinegar. If you've chosen apple cider vinegar, you can drink it. Two tablespoons in the morning and another two at night. If you prefer not to drink it--or if you just want to use plain white vinegar--soak your toes in a solution of 50 percent vinegar and 50 percent water for about 30 minutes every day until the fungus is completely gone. If you've chosen to soak your toes, make sure to dry them off immediately after removing them from the bath--moisture helps fungus grow. There should be no side effects.

Organic Head Lice Treatment

Ridding a head lice infestation is often difficult, and although there are many pesticides available on the market, many people prefer to use a non-toxic alternative, turning to organic treatments that are less toxic to humans than the pesticide-based over-the-counter medicated shampoos. Not only are these treatments effective against lice and their eggs, many of them also offer benefits for scalp and hair.

Because of the toxic nature of most pesticides intended to kill lice and their eggs, and the resistance head lice have developed to commercial preparations of head lice insecticides, organic head lice treatments are becoming a popular alternative to modern medicated lice treatments. Not only are they less toxic, but they provide the skin and scalp with beneficial herbal properties that will sooth the scalp and relieve itching from the bites of the small parasites.

The purpose of any treatment of head lice, including organic head lice treatments, is to kill the lice, and most treatments involve killing and removal of the lice eggs with the use of fine-toothed combs. Organic oils such as coconut, olive, tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, neem, citronella and rosemary oils all serve as successful insecticides, working to kill the adult lice and kill and loosen the eggs for easy removal. These oils dissolve the exoskeletons of the bugs, as well as the glue that holds the eggs to the hair shafts.

Organic oils also have beneficial properties that help condition the skin and hair. Coconut oil is very conditioning and moisturizing to the hair and is a popular ingredient in hair conditioners. Peppermint oil, which is a common ingredient in organic lice treatments, is very invigorating to the scalp. Rosemary is not only soothing to the scalp, but it has been used in many hair and scalp treatments to encourage healthy hair growth.

By applying a preventative organic oils shampoo, lice are repelled from their food supply and will starve within a day or two. Heating clothing and bedding in the dryer for about 30 minutes will help to prevent reinfestation. Organic lice treatment sprays, such as Lice Off, are available to treat large household items, and they can be sprayed on carpet, mattresses, couches and even cloth car seats.

While not everyone has success with organic treatments such as organic apple cider vinegar or white vinegar in the removal of eggs, it is not always understood that these liquids are said to soften the glue that holds the eggs securely to the hair shaft, and not to kill the lice or the eggs themselves. The organic oils are the active insecticides, and the vinegar is to act as an aid in the removal of the eggs.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Foot Detox Therapies

Foot detox therapies have not been widely accepted by the medical community, so you may only be getting clean feet and a relaxing feeling from one of these treatments--which, after all, is not a bad thing in and of itself. The therapies listed below have not been shown to cause any health problems, but it is always best to check with your doctor before you make any decision to treat any condition on your own.

There are a few detox foot baths on the market that make claims to detoxify your body through your feet by using special baths to stimulate different points in your foot, which in turn may rid your body of toxins (see Resources).

To use a detox foot pad, place it on the bottom of your foot before going to bed at night and remove it in the morning. The toxins are supposed to transfer from your foot to the pad overnight, which in theory should improve how you feel.

There has not been any scientific testing or research to back any claims that these baths or foot pads actually do what their manufacturers claim they do.

The real benefit of using these products is relaxation as well as the placebo effect. When you truly believe that something works, the placebo effect can kick in and actually make you feel better; but, again, there is no evidence to support that foot detoxes actually work, and whether the placebo effect is real is still a hotly debated topic in the medical community.

According to the manufacturers, the effects of foot detox therapies can be noticed in as little as 24 hours or as long as a month, depending on the product.

How Do Rife Machines Work?

Proponents claim that Rife machines work through the generation of resonating frequencies that specifically affect disease-causing microorganisms at their frequency levels. This process could cause the cells of these microorganisms then lose their integrity, resulting in the destruction of these cells, and the release of their cellular waste and toxins into the bloodstream.

Electrodes are placed on the body at the site of the disease, on the hands, or under the feet. Once the Rife machine is turned on, the frequency waves are said to travel through the body and to destroy all cells affected by that frequency. Normal body cells are said to remain unaffected by the frequency levels specific to the targeted microorganisms.

In theory, light energy is converted into resonating wavelengths that supposedly enter the bacteria or virus cells, thereby causing them to become visible by that light. They are visualized at magnification between 8000 and 17,000 times magnification; the technology is then intensified to destroy these now-visible cells.

It is claimed that the microorganism cells would then undergo structural and physiologic changes that cause electrons to transfer away from their cells, causing further stress upon their cellular integrity. This then results in the death of that microorganism.

According to proponents, as these harmful cells supposedly die from the effect of the Rife machine, their cells break down, leaving behind its cellular debris, and the toxins from within these microorganisms are then be released into the blood stream. This is the main reason for therapeutic regulation of the treatment--to prevent toxic overload on the body's compromised immunity by spacing the treatments and allowing the body time to detoxify after each session.

Rife machines are used in many parts of the world, where practitioners recommend the Rife therapy in conjunction with healthy diet changes, exercise, high fluid intake and whole-body cleansing. When applying the Rife therapy, practitioners aim to restore health and wellness to the whole body.

While the Rife machine has gained worldwide recognition and use, its efficacy has not been officially evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. The original design and therapy was not patented, and many believe that today's Rife machines are not comparable to the originals. Perhaps the Rife machine will be reviewed by the FDA, to analyze both its capabilities and limitations.

Alternative Therapies for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease can literally transform a vigorous body into an unrecognizable one. The person afflicted with this disease undergoes a series of physical and mental changes, none pleasing to the eye. The study of Parkinson's disease is ongoing, with researchers constantly finding new forms of alternative treatments.

When the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain malfunction or die, a disorder in the brain erupts. Dopamine is a critical chemical produced by these cells--it causes the body to move with fluidity. When 80 percent of dopamine-producing cells are destroyed, it results in Parkinson's disease. Symptoms include imbalance, trembling, stiffness and slow movement.

Alternative therapy is a common practice among those afflicted with Parkinson's disease. According to The Harvard University Press Family Health Guides (Written by Nutan Sharma M.D and Elaine Richman Ph.D, Published 2005), at Johns Hopkins Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine, a study was conducted among 201 patients. The results showed that 40 percent of these patients had incorporated alternative therapy with traditional treatment.

Vitamin E produces antioxidants, which combats the highly reactive chemical species (free radicals) that the body and brain forms naturally during metabolism. Vitamin E is a natural ingredient in many foods (plant foods and eggs), and can be used as a food supplement to help the brain combat the free radicals, hence preventing the progression of Parkinson's disease.

Commonly referred to as CoQ10, Q10 and vitamin Q10, Coenzyme Q10 is automatically generated by the body. It is an antioxidant, and therefore shields cells from the devastating effects of free radicals. Researchers believe that Coenzyme Q10 reduces the decline of Parkinson's disease in patients. At a study conducted at the University of California, 20 participants were given 1200 milligrams of coenzyme Q10 daily for 16 months straight. Based on the Parkinson's disease rating scale, these participants scored much higher than those who consumed a lower dosage.

According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), massage therapy is becoming increasingly popular. Some patients of Parkinson's disease admit that massage therapy helps to relieve muscle rigidity and allow them mental and physical relaxation. Swedish massage is the most common type of massage therapy. Using kneading and long strokes, the therapist stimulates surface muscles.

Since Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the body's motor system, poor posture is one of the key symptoms. Because of the lack of physical balance, the patient is susceptible to falling. Researchers came up with fall prevention interventions such as exercising and walking to help keep the joints in place.

Most people with severe diseases, such as Parkinson's disease are often anxious to find effective treatments for their ailment. However, they should query the following with their physician before indulging in any form of therapy: What are the benefits to be derived? What are the risks? Are there any side effects? Will therapy interfere with conventional treatment? And do the benefits outweigh the risks?

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Honey Treatments for Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a painful condition that can be debilitating for many who experience the pain on the outside upper elbow. There are many causes for tennis elbow that can be easily remedied, but to make a full recovery, the condition itself needs to be addressed before the causes can cure it. Honey has shown positive results in helping alleviate the symptoms of tennis elbow.

Tennis elbow is medically called lateral epicondylitis, which means a swelling due to damage on the tendon of the outside epicondyle (bone process on the forearm) at the humerus bone attachment. There are often micro-tears in the tendon that will worsen if the condition is not rectified. Anti-inflammatory medications can reduce swelling and help the pain. Honey bee venom has some of these properties that could be beneficial.

Honey bee venom has more than 18 active substances making up its chemical structure. One of these compounds is called melittin. This is the most prevalent substance that also possesses anti-inflammatory properties more potent than hydrocortisol. Hydrocortisol is a common injection into the joint where tenditis is found. Melittin is one hundred times stronger than hydrocortisol. There is another strong anti-inflammatory known as adolapin found in the venom. Ultimately, the body's pituitary system is stimulated to have it produce cortisol, the body's natural steroid.

Honey bee venom inhibits cyclooxygenase. When this neurotransmitter is inhibited, it can reduce pain and inflammation with analgesic qualities. It also affects neurotransmitters that affect general mood and health, including dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin. Beyond reducing swelling and pain, it can also improve healing by helping nerve transmission and nutrient flow.

Most honey bee venom products come in a cream or oil and can be applied directly to the area in pain. The venom is absorbed through the skin. It can take as little as a few minutes or up to an hour to begin working once applied.

In rare instances, people have allergic reactions to bee venom cream. Those who should not use it are those suffering from heart disease or arteriosclerosis. It is not recommended for children or in women who are nursing, because it increases natural steroid production. Do not apply bee venom cream to open wounds.

How to Cure a Toe Infection

A toe infection can occur with or without the presence of pain. Common signs associated with a toe infection include swelling and skin irritation, and pus may or may not be present, depending upon the stage of the infection. Toe infections have a variety of causes that can be addressed by implementing a few all-natural treatment methods. The methods of treating a toe infection can be performed quickly and can provide immediate relief from discomfort.

Instructions

Cut away the portion of ingrown toenail that is slightly curving into the skin with a set of toe nail clippers if the infection is from an ingrown nail; use the clippers to make the edge as straight as possible so the ingrown toenail can grow out correctly. Do not try this method if the nail is curved deeply into the skin; instead, seek immediate treatment from a medical professional to avoid further tissue damage.

If you have a small cut in your toe, wash the cut with a mild soap and water. When the cut is clean and dry, apply an antibiotic ointment to the infected area of the toe if there is a small cut present; apply a band-aid over the area to keep it protected while wearing socks and shoes. Repeat this process until the infection diminishes.

Carefully cut all of your toenails straight across with a pair of clippers to prevent further issues; soak feet in a foot soak bin containing warm water and 1 tablespoon of salt to soften up thick, hard-to-cut nails and to avoid injury.

Wash any areas on your toes (and feet) that have blisters or abrasions with a mild soap and water. Pat them dry and apply antibiotic ointment to blistered areas of the toe that have become infected; cover the toe with a band-aid to keep out excess sweat and to avoid further irritation of the condition.

Consume eight ounces of water every single day to help flush out your system and to get rid of unwanted toxins that encourage infection in the body.

Incorporate garlic in your diet by eating one or two cloves a day; garlic may strengthen the immune system and promote healing. Add a vitamin C supplement to your diet for further immune system improvements.

If the infection becomes difficult to treat at home or is not getting better, consult your health care provider. If she prescribes an antibiotic for you, be sure to complete the entire course.

Home Remedies for Leg Pains

Leg pains are one of the most common ailments. Leg pains can affect your mobility if it is severe enough. Leg pain has many causes. In order to treat the pain, the source of the pain has to be found first. The most common leg pain complaints are cramps and pain in the joints of the hips and the ankles.

Leg pain can be caused by many factors. It can be caused by the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis. A person may develop arthritis due to age, genetics, weight or overuse. Other things that may cause leg pain may include injury to the leg from bone fracture, muscle strain or torn ligaments. Leg pain can also be caused by muscle cramps, which usually occur when there is strain from overuse of the muscles during exercise.

Depending on the cause of the leg pain, symptoms may vary. Some people compare the pain in their leg to pins and needles, a burning sensation in the affected area, numbness or a sharp pain running down the length of the leg. Symptoms may last for a few minutes or many hours. Some pregnant women complain of experiencing pain during the advanced stage of their pregnancy. The larger the uterus becomes, there is more pressure on the sciatic nerve. These pains normally disappear after childbirth.

There are numerous home remedies that can bring relief. One of the simplest is to drink plenty of water and other fluids. Keeping your body hydrated will help to soothe muscle contractions and relieve leg pain. Taking cod liver oil is known to relieve leg pain. According to a study conducted by Great Britain's Arthritis Research Campaign, the Omega-3 fatty acid that is found in cod liver oil reduces leg pain and damage in inflamed joints. Take 1 tsp. of cod liver oil each day to prevent and relieve leg pain. Eating four or five walnuts daily before breakfast is also known to reduce leg pain.

There are certain things that can be done to prevent future leg pains, including lifestyle changes such as keeping your weight under control. Excess weight can increase pressure on the legs, resulting in leg pain. Exercise regularly, which will help to strengthen the leg muscles and improve circulation. Warm up and stretch before you begin your exercise to prevent muscle cramps. Consume a daily diet rich in calcium to help increase bone density and maintain strong healthy bones.

Sometimes leg pains may not respond to home remedies. You may need to consult your doctor for additional treatment if the pain persists. Leg pains may be a sign of other types of illness such as peripheral arterial disease, which usually occurs when there is a narrowing of the arteries in the legs and therefore insufficient blood supply to the leg.

How to Cure Raynaud's Disease Naturally

Raynaud's disease is an uncomfortable condition that affects the feet, hands, nose and ears, and causes super-sensitivity to changes in temperature, particularly cold temperatures. Symptoms of the disorder include pain, numbing and tingling of the fingers, arms and legs, as well as the discoloring of the skin. There are several herbal remedies and natural healing treatments that you can use to get immediate relief from Raynaud's Disease.

Instructions

Keep your emotions and stress levels under control. Use meditate tapes, listen to relaxing music or distract yourself with a hobby to keep stress levels from triggering the symptoms of Raynaud's disease.

Use smoking patches and nicotine gum as directed on the packing to help quit smoking. Smoking can irritate Raynaud's and intensify the symptoms associated with it. Stop drinking alcohol, which can also contribute to the condition and intensify symptoms.

Dry-brush your skin once a day before a shower to promote good circulation. Use a luffa sponge and rub the sponge on the entire surface of your skin, starting from your feet and working your way upward to above the region of the heart. Reverse the process and scrub the skin from the head to the heart by making downward stroking motions.

Exercise six days a week for 30 minutes a day to promote circulation. Go swimming, biking, walking or hiking, and alternate your routine to prevent boredom.

Dress appropriately for colder weather conditions. Wear gloves, hats, scarves, sweaters and warm winter coats during the winter months to keep from being exposed to the cold. Use hand warmers in extremely cold conditions, if necessary.

Use an infrared-heated mouse pad to treat tingling and cold fingers during computer use.

Eliminate caffeine-containing beverages and foods from your diet to diminish the chances of restricting blood flow and to avoid narrowing the small capillaries and blood vessels.

Take 80 mg of ginkgo extract twice a day to diminish the symptoms associated with Raynaud's disease. Consuming ginko helps with cardiovascular issues.

Take an omega-3 fish oil supplement to improve blood flow, diminish potential blot clot formation and improve cardiovascular issues. Take three 300 mg capsules daily.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Medicinal Properties of Red Clover

Red clover is native to Europe and Central Asia, where it has long been valued for its medicinal properties. Today, it is a common ingredient in various herbal remedies and is also available as a nutritional supplement. This herb offers a number of medicinal benefits, particularly in the treatment of conditions affecting the reproductive and cardiovascular systems.

This herb contains high levels of mildly estrogenic compounds called isoflavones, which are beneficial in relieving the symptoms of menopause. The results of a Dutch clinical study by Vrije University (see Resources below) showed that post-menopausal women who took red clover experienced a reduction of hot flushes a day of over 15 percent. The study attributed this result to red clover isoflavones such as genistein, daidzein, biochanin A and formononetin.

Studies have shown that red clover has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors such as high cholesterol. The Baker Medical Research Institute, for example, conducted a study on the effect of the isoflavones in red clover on LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) in the bloodstream. It found that the isoflavones helped to lower the amounts of LDL cholesterol in men. However, the herb did not have the same beneficial effect on the women who participated in the same study group.

Red clover is rich in coumarins, which are chemical compounds that have potent anticoagulant properties that help protect against heart disease. Coumarins help prevent heart stroke and disease by thinning blood and hindering the accumulation of plaque in the arteries. This improves blood flow and prevents the hardening in these blood vessels, which causes heart attacks and strokes.

The isoflavones in red clover also have very strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are potent chemical compounds that neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals are chemical molecules in the body that are responsible for causing diseases, such as cancer, and premature aging. Antioxidants help to minimize their harmful effects in the body.

Red clover has expectorant properties that are beneficial in treating respiratory infections such as colds, coughs and influenza. These benefits range from loosening phlegm to easing bronchial spasms. Red clover tea is a popular folk remedy that is used as an herbal gargle for treating sore throats and mouth ulcers. It is also used to help alleviate the symptoms of asthma and bronchitis and other pulmonary conditions.

Uses of EMU Oil

Emu oil is derived from the fat of the native Australian bird. After the emu undergoes processing to extract its healthy red meat, the fat is then refined into oil. This substance is refined, sterilized and deodorized. Emu oil is used for eliminating inflammation, bacteria and allergens.
Emu oil contains vitamin E, which promotes healing; vitamin A, which promotes skin repair; linoleic acid, which eases muscle aches and joint pain; oleic acid, which promotes cell regeneration; sapogens, which soften skin and terpines, which are known antiseptic, according to emuoilguide.com.

As Emu oil has anti-inflammatory agents, it can naturally ease pain, muscle discomfort, and joint pains and swelling. Emu oil is widely used in sports medicine as well as for fitness enthusiasts who experience joint and muscle pains. The oil can reduce pain, swelling and stiffness and can be applied to the skin closest to the joint such as on the hands, feet, knees and elbows.

Emu oil can encourage hair and skin growth. This is based on the research of Dr. Michael Holick, a Professor of Medicine, Physiology, and Dermatology at Boston University School of Medicine. Holick found out that in mice, there was a 20 percent increase in the growth of hair follicles, indicating continuous skin growth. Moreover, emu oil "awakened" 80 percent of the hair follicles that had been inactive. Individuals can massage an amount of emu oil into the bald or thinning part of the scalp three times a day. At night, people who have thinning hair can apply a greater amount of oil to the scalp and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes.

Individuals suffering from atopic dermatitis or eczema, a chronic skin disorder, can be aided by emu oil. Eczema is characterized by inflamed and itchy skin and is typically experienced by people with a history of allergic asthma, rhinitis, conjunctivitis or food allergies. Emu oil is used to hydrate the skin since individuals suffering from this condition normally have dry skin. In order to do this, water is first added to the skin and then followed by the emu oil in order to retain the water inside the skin.

Emu oil is known to contain powerful antioxidants, which regenerate skin cells and reduce wrinkles on the skin. This improves aging skin and makes it look younger. Furthermore, emu oil can thicken the skin as well as moisturize it. This oil can also prevent moisture loss as it traps the moisture inside the skin by forming a protective barrier.

Emu oil can also speed up the healing of wounds while reducing the development of scar tissues. Patients that have just come out of surgery can find emu oil to be beneficial as it also utilizes an anti-inflammatory agent to soothe the wounds inflicted during surgery.

How to Lessen Cramps Without Drugs

Some girls may use it as an easy excuse out of gym class, but for many women, painful menstrual cramps can keep them from going the things that they enjoy for several days a month. One solution is to pop a few ibuprofen and hide out in your room each month, however for those who would like a more natural solution, follow these steps to lessen your cramps. Remember, not every woman feels pain in the same way or will react in the same way to a treatment. Take some time to work out which steps work best for you.

Instructions

Change your diet. Cut out salt, caffeine, fatty foods, sugar and alcohol for several days before your period is due. Each of these things have been proven to worsen cramps. Drink plenty of fluids to keep yourself hydrated and to reduce inflammation.

Tale 500-1000 Evening Primrose oil, 200-400 mg Magnesium and 100-200m of vitamin B6 for 4-7 days before your menstrual cramps are due to start. These tips come from Professor Gail Mahady, a herbal medicine expert at the University of Illinois, in an ABC news report. She says that the B6 will also help prevent bloating.

Exercise. It is ironic that the very thing all those high school girls are using their cramps to get out of, could actually lessen the cramps or make them go away completely. Exercise releases endorphins which are the body's natural pain relievers. Exercise also reduces the inflammation that can make the cramping worse.

Increase your intake of Omega 3 fatty acids. They can help to regulate the hormones in your body, which can in turn lessen cramps. The easiest way to get this in your diet is to take fish oil caplets.

Try acupuncture. Several studies have shown that it can greatly reduce or eliminate menstrual cramps. It is believed that it can do this by regulating the hormones in your body and relieving stress.

Monday, April 24, 2017

How to Treat Varicose and Spider Veins the Natural Way

Varicose and spider veins can be very unsightly and often painful. Both are caused by weakened valves in the leg veins that causes the blood to pool up, which forces the vein to expand. People who are on their feet for long periods of time often develop spider veins. There are many natural alternative to standard medical techniques that may provide relief.

Instructions

Eat blueberries, cherries, blackberries and purple grapes which all contain pigments that are rich sources of something called anthocyanins. These compounds have been known to improve the health of veins. Eating 1 cup of these type of fruits will help to prevent and treat varicose and spider veins.

Try not to put any extra stress on the veins. This includes not sitting for long periods, standing for long periods of time, excess weight, and tight, constrictive clothing. Getting regular exercise is critical to prevent and treat varicose veins and spider veins. Muscle contraction helps the flow of blood through the veins and will keep it from pooling in the legs. Walking is an excellent choice for gentle exercise that most everyone can do.

Eating high fiber foods will help prevent constipation, which is a major contributing factor for varicose and spider veins. Make sure and eat a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds daily.

Add spices to your diet to help your body break down fibrin, which is the protein that contributes to the creation of the hard, lumpy tissue surrounding varicose veins. Add garlic, onions, ginger and cayenne to your cooking for great flavor and health benefits.

Take grape seed extract which is an excellent source of antioxidants, these help strengthen capillaries and veins. Take 300mg a day of a standardized extract that contains 85 to 95 percent procyanidins, which are the primary compounds. Grape seed extract can also be found in creams which can be applied directly to the skin for improvement of varicose veins.

Make a soothing aroma therapy lotion out of 4 fluid ounces of witch hazel extract, 10 drops of cypress essential oil, and 10 drops of yarrow essential oil. Mix ingredients together in a bottle, and shake well. Apply as often as you like to your legs to reduce swelling and inflammation.

Holistic Treatment of Migraines

Treating migraines holistically means treating the mind, body and spirit together. Some use holistic treatment synonymously with natural or alternative therapies. The common idea is to maintain a balanced health and lifestyle to avoid migraines.

Learn what triggers your migraine headaches, be it a type of food, certain lighting, environmental causes, stress or lack of sleep. Pay attention and keep a journal if you must to keep track of patterns. Knowing these triggers, avoid them or minimize them as much as possible.

A small study done by researchers in India noted that migraine sufferers benefited from doing gentle yoga exercises, yoga breathing and yogic meditation. The study was done comparing a group of people practicing yoga for prevention of migraines and another group receiving education on lifestyle changes as treatment and prevention of migraines. The group practicing yoga claimed migraine attacks occurred less frequently and with less intensity within a few months, whereas the other group claimed their migraines remained the same. Doing yoga during acute attacks may not help minimize pain.

Acupressure, the stimulation of acupuncture points, is used to stimulate points to relieve tension and reduce pain. For a simple treatment, massage areas with the pads of your finger including LI-4, the fleshy portion between your thumb and index finger, GB-20, the depression at the base of the skull midway between the earlobe attachment and the spine, and GB-7 through GB-12, the area above and around the ear. Use the tip of your thumb to apply hard pressure to LV-3, the depression on top of your foot between the tendons of the big toe and second toe and GB-41, the depression 1 to 2 finger-breadths proximal from the knuckle of the little toe on top of the foot. End the session by twirling the little toe and tug on it to release some energy.

The insertion of hair-thin needles along meridians and assorted places on the body can help balance the body. Oftentimes, it relieves the headache or reduces the pain dramatically by redirecting the energy flow, increasing or decreasing blood flow to certain areas, and--as some medical experts believe--stimulating the release of endorphins to relieve the pain. The use of needles for migraine treatment should be left to a professional.

For a natural alternative to taking synthetic drugs, try herbal remedies. Many toot the effectiveness of Feverfew, a plant from the daisy family, as a great anti-inflammatory and preventative herb for migraines. Some believe Feverfew can relieve the blood vessel constriction that causes migraines. Take white willow bark in addition as this herb helps relieve pain and is known as "natural aspirin."

Pranic healing and Reiki focus on healing the auric body, or the energetic levels of a being. Migraine pain can show as excess energy, blocked energy, even low energy. By using one of these energy-healing techniques, you can re-balance the energy level, clear away excess or stagnated energy, and minimize the migraine pain. Try this basic pranic technique: spread the fingers slightly and sweep them 2 to 5 inches away from the painful area on the head in a downwards direction with intentions of clearing away the pain. With every five sweeps, flick the hands with the intention of dissipating the energy that you have cleared. Do about 100 to 200 of the sweeping motions. For better results, learn about the rules and techniques for pranic healing through the resources provided below.

How to Use HGH Safely

Human growth hormone, or HGH, can be used as an effective therapy to fight the signs of aging or certain types of degenerative disease. HGH is secreted by the body's pituitary gland and is responsible for proper functioning of various bodily systems and youthful appearance. HGH injections or supplements can increase this hormone through supplementation or stimulation of increased pituitary production. Excess hormones can lead to imbalance, causing serious side effects. These side effects include enlarged tissue, excessive hair growth or risk of coma. When used properly, HGH provides a wide range of benefits.

Instructions

Consult with your doctor. If you believe HGH therapy can help you, your doctor can help suggest your safest options. For extreme cases, including disease, HGH injections can provide fast effects. For milder results, HGH supplements can contain precursors that increase natural secretion levels.

Begin treatment. Make sure to follow physician orders closely.

Follow up with your doctor about treatment. Even if you feel all right, your doctor may be able to find problems early, saving you vital time.

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Stuffy Nose Home Remedies

A stuffy nose can be caused by numerous things such as allergies, a virus or bacteria or even perhaps being exposed to dry irritating air. Below are few options for combating a stuffy nose at home.

Oil of oregano is an often overlooked but very effective remedy to a stuffy nose, particularly when one that's caused by allergies. The oil of oregano actually combats the spores of the allergens which typically cause a surge of mucus to flood into nasal passages, causing stuffy noses and sinus pressure. A word of caution: Oil of oregano can result in excess drying of the nasal passages. Additionally, you will want to make sure to procure oil of oregano as opposed to oregano extract which is typically sold at the same stores.

Using a steam bath can help to open pores and nasal passages, ultimately leading to relief from a stuffy nose. You can either run a hot bath or shower while the bathroom door is closed, building up steam in the room, or you can boil some water and place it in a large bowl. Then place a towel over the back of your head while you position your head above the bowl so you can breath in the steam as it rolls off the heated water.

Try using a humidifier in your room at night. The humidifier will put moisture into the air, helping to alleviate a stuffy nose caused by dry air. Additionally, you can try placing a drop or two of lavender oil into the humidifier to help sooth you to sleep, as sometimes a stuffy nose can be a sleep inhibitor.

There are a few simple acupressure points you can use at home to help find relief from a stuffy nose. An easy one to find is on your eyebrow, on the arch directly above your pupil when looking straight ahead. Gently press the pad of your thumb into this spot on either eyebrow ridge and hold for 30 to 60 seconds. Another spot is on the inside of your elbow in the crease on the outside edge, towards the thumb side. Again, press gently and hold for 30 to 60 seconds.

There are many over-the-counter medications you can obtain to help treat a stuffy nose, such as Benadryl or Sudafed. Make sure you are aware of the other symptoms this may treat, such as watery eyes or a sore throat.

You should never begin a new medication regime without consulting your physician first as it may interfere with medications you are currently taking. Additionally, acupressure is not a replacement for traditional medicine and ideally should be administered by a professional. It is not meant to elicit pain or discomfort.

Alternatives to Antidepressants

There are many alternatives to treat depression rather than relying on prescribed antidepressants. Some of these alternatives can include herbal remedies, aromatherapy, vitamins and supplements, as well as writing in a journal and exercise. There are also therapies available such as acupuncture, reiki healing, chiropractic and homeopathy. Before you try any of these alternative therapies, consult with your health provider who is treating you for depression. You may be able to assimilate some of these nontraditional therapies with more conventional treatment including medication and psychotherapy. The least invasive and most accessible of these alternatives are herbal treatments, aromatherapy you can do at home or receive at a spa, taking vitamins and supplements, and keeping a journal and exercising on a regular basis. Combine several alternative treatments to conquer your depression. Work with your physician to determine the best avenue to take in combining alternative depression treatments with a standard approach for the best results.

Herbal remedies have been used extensively for treating depression, and are widely available and cost effective. The standard bearer for relieving symptoms of depression is St. Johns Wort. Taken in a capsule form of 300mg three times daily, this herb will start to relieve symptoms of depression in six weeks. Do not use St. Johns Wort during pregnancy, or with other medications, without consulting your doctor. St. Johns Wort is free of a lot of the negative side effects that may come with pharmaceuticals.

Another herbal option for treating depression is kava extract. Kava is a member of the pepper family and is native to the South Pacific. The stock that is made from the root of the plant is made into a drink that is purported to impart feelings of happiness and peace. You can purchase kava at a natural health food store, ingest the beverage and benefit from it's effects. Compared to taking standard prescriptions for depression, such as Xanax and Ativan, kava extract doesn't impair mental functioning, nor does it promote sedation.

Vitamins can be taken to treat depression, as they will often help balance brain chemistry. The vitamin B complex is known for its ability to maintain and promote normal mental capacity and functioning. If you are deficient in any of the B vitamins, you may notice symptoms such as lethargy, irritability, fatigue and anxiety. In addition, deficiency in vitamin B may also indicate a reduced level of folic acid. Large numbers of depressed people show reduced levels of folic acid. Supervision by a physician is advised when taking folic acid, as large doses can lead to mania.

The omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil are also useful supplements when treating depression. Dr. Andrew Stoll of Harvard University published a study in 1999 that found that fish oil proved extremely beneficial for his bipolar patients. Stoll discovered that 90 percent of his patients showed improvement. Eating more deep-sea cold-water fish such as salmon and sardines is an easy way to supplement your diet with the important omega-3 fatty acids. Another source is flax seed oil, which is rich in essential fatty acids.

DHEA is a naturally occurring androgen which is produced by the adrenal glands. Depressed patients may have reduced levels of DHEA, with symptoms such as fatigue and muscle weakness. Check with your doctor before taking DHEA because it is a hormone. Your physician will do a blood test to determine the levels of DHEA in your body. Do not take it in conjunction with an anti-depressant, insulin, estrogen or a thyroid medications.

Aromatherapy offers a wealth of alternatives to traditional therapy for depression. Self-nurturing is one way to improve your mental state of mind, and including aromatherapy treatments into your daily lifestyle will ease your symptoms of depression. Try taking an aromatherapy bath that includes a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Put a few drops of lavender essential oil and bergamot essential oil into your bath, and relax. Both of these essential oils have mood-elevating and relaxing properties. Soak for at least 20 minutes to get the full effect of the relaxing oils.

Taking a brisk 45-minute walk daily will release endorphins, promoting a feeling of well being and health. Make a conscious decision to exercise daily, whether it is yoga, walking, tai chi, biking or swimming. Try to exercise the next time you are feeling down and despondent, and notice the change in your mood after you exercise. Use exercise as a preventative measure to eliminate a blue mood.

Keep a journal to track your feelings, mood and emotions. By writing things down, you will gain insight into your emotions and your state of mind. Aim for writing in your journal 20 minutes a day, and write freely--let the words flow onto the paper. Don't worry about punctuation, spelling or how cohesive your writing is. Just getting your thoughts out will help you immensely. You will find that writing in a journal is a great way to clarify your thoughts and help you make decisions.

Speak to yourself with loving kindness. Repeat some of the following affirmations upon rising every day: I love myself unconditionally. I value myself. I am a valuable person. I deserve to be happy. I am a good person. I love myself just the way I am. I feel good about who I am. I am strong. I am confident.

Repeating these affirmations will improve your self-esteem and lead you onto the path out of depression.

How to Remedy Face Rashes at Home

A rash is common word that describes an outbreak of redness, itchiness and bumps in any part of the skin, including the face. Millions of people worldwide are affected by some type of facial rash. The different types of rashes include pimples, insect bites and bacterial infections. If left untreated, rashes can spread to other parts of your skin and cause severe itching and slight deformities. By using all the natural herbal remedies below, you can effectively treat any kind of facial rash.

Instructions

Apply dandelion mixture to your face. The dandelion flower contains the compound taraxasterol, which is effective in reducing rashes. It also enhances skin peeling. Add one cup of dandelion (do not use stems, leaves and roots) to two cups boiling water. Let stand for one hour and apply to face. Leave on your face for 30 minutes and rinse off with mild soap. Do this twice a week.

Apply olive oil. Oleocanthal is the active component of this popular oil. It helps reduce the inflammation and itchiness associated with facial skin rashes. Apply the olive oil generously to your face and leave on for two hours. Wash off and pat dry. Do this every day, preferably in the morning.

Apply evening primrose oil to your face. This herb contains the fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is effective in treating the itcheness involved with facial rashes. Apply the oil generously to your face and massage for 20 minutes. Leave on for another 20 minutes and wash off completely. Do this three times a week.

Apply oatmeal to your face. Oatmeal is a natural exfoliant. The high amount of antioxidants in regular cooking oatmeal helps soften your skin while eliminating the itchiness and dryness. Cook oatmeal and let cool before applying to your face. Do this everyday.

Apply aloe vera gel generously to your face. This plant contains the compound mucilaginous polysaccharide (MPS), which heals the tiny wounds and itchiness associated with all facial skin rashes. Apply the gel liberally to your face and leave on overnight. Do this everyday.

How to Clear the Lungs After Quitting Smoking

Years of smoking scar the lungs, weakening breathing and reducing the body's oxygen content. But there are many therapies and foods you can consume to help detoxify your lungs. Using natural treatments, you can effectively and quickly clear your lungs of toxins accumulated after years of cigarette smoking.

Instructions

Eat plenty of pineapples. The active ingredient in pineapple is bromelin, which helps cleanse your lungs in a cellular level--including increasing elasticity for you to be able to breathe deeper and consume more fresh oxygen.

Consume garlic separately or add it to your meals. The powerful active ingredient in garlic is allicin. This compound acts by dissolving the toxic mucous left over from smoking, kills bacteria and helps you breathe normally.

Eat apples every day. Consuming this fruit over time will improve your lung function while detoxifying your lungs at the cellular level. Apples contain a high amount of ascorbic acid and magnesium.

Drink a cup of green tea every day, preferably 1 hour after dinner. This tea contains the antioxidant catechin, which helps prevent cancer from your previous smoking habits. It also clears up any toxic mucous accumulated over the years, making you breathe easier.

Do yoga breathing exercises. Doing yoga breathing rejuvenates and cleanses lungs of accumulated impurities caused by smoking. (See the link below in the Resources section.) Perform yoga every day before eating breakfast.

Saturday, April 22, 2017

What Are the Health Benefits of Colloidal Silver?

Colloidal silver is widely available at natural health and health food stores, as a supplement and natural remedy. People have discovered its use as an antibiotic, antiviral and anti-fungal, and for other related purposes. It was used extensively for such purposes before the invention of prescription antibiotic drugs in the early 20th century, but it was then replaced by prescription medicines.

Colloidal silver has been proven effective against a variety of bacterial infections. One study in the medical journal Lancet showed that even a 5 ppm solution could kill the bacteria responsible for typhoid. It was later found to be useful in fighting gonorrhea. Researchers studying a variety of colloidal metals found that mercury and silver were effective against many bacteria, and silver did not have the negative side effects that mercury did. Current estimates put the number of types of pathogen that colloidal silver can actively fight at over 600, including E. coli.

Colloidal silver's activity against viruses makes it an option for dealing with colds and flu for people who want to avoid conventional medications. In addition, it has shown some promise in a 2005 study for activity against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Researchers found that silver can inhibit the virus from binding to host cells in vitro.

Another benefit of colloidal silver is its activity against yeast and fungi. It's used for treating ringworm in people and pets. It can be applied topically for this purpose and taken internally for additional systemic support. Silver solution is also helpful for candida, and is used internally for people with candidiasis. It may be beneficial when taken as an antibiotic, as it may prevent yeast infections that sometimes accompany their use. Another use for topical colloidal silver is fungal nail infections, which in many cases respond well to this treatment.

Colloidal silver has general antiseptic properties that make it a good option for sterilizing wounds before other treatment or bandaging. Some people use it for gargling to reduce the bacteria that cause bad breath, and to improve gum health in people and pets. And pet owners use it as an eye wash and ear wash for cats and dogs.

Because colloidal silver is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, it can kill beneficial bacteria as well as harmful bacteria. So it's a good idea to take probiotics throughout the duration of internal use of silver solution in order to ensure that beneficial gut flora are maintained.

The information in this article should not be considered medical advice. The information in this article is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure any ailment. Always check with your physician before taking any products or following any advice you have read on this site. Always consult your doctor before you start, stop or change anything that has been previously prescribed. Certain herbs and holistic remedies are unsuitable to take if you are pregnant or nursing and must always be cleared by your doctor before use.

Benefits of Yogurt Face Masks

Whether you suffer from acne, dry skin, skin dullness or excessive oiliness, a plain yogurt mask is a budget-friendly way to treat your face. Yogurt is effective at cleansing and disinfecting pores, preventing acne, moisturizing skin and revitalizing its texture.

When selecting your face mask ingredients, choose plain-flavored yogurt. Fruit varieties have too much sugar and other ingredients that are not beneficial to the skin. If your skin tends to be particularly dry, the lipid content in full-fat, or whole yogurt, can provide needed moisture. If your skin is on the oily side, stick with low-fat yogurt.

Consider organic yogurt--which is available at health food stores--if you would prefer to avoid the residual hormones and pesticides present in nonorganic dairy products. Organic yogurt also contains more active, live cultures, which improve yogurt's nutrient bioavailability.

While most people have heard about the benefits of eating yogurt, they may not realize the many benefits it offers their skin. Yogurt's antibacterial properties make it a useful, degerming cleanser, and its lactic-acid content soothes irritation, clarifies the pores and softens the skin. Finally, yogurt is known for its probiotics (live, active cultures), which are helpful in naturally treating skin conditions such as acne and eczema.

Wash your face thoroughly with warm water and a mild cleanser. Pat dry, and apply 1 cup of plain yogurt with your fingers, covering all areas of your face and upper neck. Leave the face mask on for 15 to 20 minutes, then gently wash it away with warm water. Repeat the process daily or weekly.

Yogurt can be used alone as a face mask, or combined with other ingredients that lend even more benefits to the skin. If you're constantly fighting a dry, flaky face, add two tablespoons of grated carrots or one tablespoon of honey to the yogurt. Mix thoroughly by hand or in a blender before applying.

If your skin is oily or dull, try adding two teaspoons of lemon juice to the yogurt mask. Lemon rids the skin of dead cells, clarifies the pores and is known to lighten skin over time.

Experiment with your yogurt masks, getting creative with other soothing, natural ingredients such as banana, cucumber, aloe and oatmeal. The benefits may surprise you.

If you are allergic to yogurt, dairy products or alpha and beta hydroxy acids, avoid using yogurt face masks. After application, you may notice a slight tingly feeling. However, if you experience burning or pain of any kind, wash off the mask and consult with your physician before reapplying. These symptoms may indicate an allergy or sensitivity to yogurt's active ingredients or live cultures.

If your skin feels tight after washing off your yogurt mask, apply a noncomedogenic moisturizer to hydrate and protect skin cells.

Natural Remedies for Frequent Urination

If you have a problem with frequent urination, you're probably frustrated by and tired of your frequent trips to the bathroom. Frequent urination can interfere with a person's social life. It can be embarrassing and inconvenient in public. Experiencing frequent urination usually means there is an underlying medical problem, which possibly may need medical attention. If you choose to try a natural approach instead, you might find a remedy that works for you.

One common reason for frequent urination is a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs develop when bacteria attach to the opening of the urethra and multiply. When this happens, the bladder is unable to hold the urine. Cystitis is another possible cause of frequent urination. Cystitis occurs when the bladder becomes inflamed. Other causes of frequent urination are diabetes, excess fluid intake, certain medications or pregnancy.

Symptoms of frequent urination include an urge to urinate more than usual, discomfort in the bladder and a burning sensation when urinating. You may still feel like you need to urinate even after you've just gone. These symptoms may worsen during the night, when your body is more relaxed. Frequent urination can cause sleep disturbances in some people. Although men experience frequent urination, it is more common in women, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

Frequent urination can often be treated at home, using natural remedies. Drinking cranberry juice can reduce UTIs, which can cause frequent urination. According to a research that was conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School, women who drank 10 ounces of cranberry juice each day reduced the chance of having bacteria in their urine by 58 percent. Another natural remedy for frequent urination is plain yogurt. Plain yogurt contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, which helps prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the bladder.

There are many benefits of using natural remedies for frequent urination. You reduce the chance of side effects that would normally be associated with taking prescription medications. Natural remedies are cheaper than prescription or over-the-counter medications. Most natural remedies are already in the home, so there is no need to spend additional money. Another benefit of using natural remedies for frequent urination is that you can receive other health benefits from using them.

Some things can be done to prevent frequent urination. Train the bladder by doing Kegel exercises daily. Kegel exercises are performed by contracting your pelvic floor muscles for 5 seconds and then relaxing the muscles for 5 seconds. This should be done at least 10 times in 1 round, then repeating each round 3 times daily. By doing Kegel exercises, the pelvic floor muscles will strengthen and reduce frequent urination. Avoid drinking too much alcohol and caffeine beverages such as coffee and sodas, especially before bedtime.

Friday, April 21, 2017

How to Use Castor Oil for Health

Castor oil is considered a natural plant oil and is made from the seed of the castor plant. Castor oil is good for a variety of ailments and conditions, and can be taken internally, as well as applied externally for good results.

Instructions

Applied externally, you can treat corns on the foot, by applying castor oil once or twice daily to the corns, then surround the corn with an adhesive corn pad, that is cut out in the middle. Now cover the corns with silk tape. After repeating this procedure several times, the corns will be softened enough for removal with a pumice stone.

You can treat warts with castor oil in a similar fashion. Cover the wart with castor oil several times a day, and cover with a bandage. Soon the wart will dissolve, and be easy to remove.

Castor oil may also be used to treat ringworm, abscesses, bruises, dry skin, dermatitis. Apply castor oil to sore muscles and massage in for relief.

When taken internally, castor oil can be used for many ailments. It tastes absolutely awful, but is often flavored with peppermint or fruit juices. It is available in both oil and emulsified liquid preparations. It is used extensively for digestive problems such as constipation.

Castor oil is generally considered safe, however, do not take castor oil within two hours of taking other types of medicine, the castor oil will reduce the effectiveness of the other medication. Patients who are taking heart medication should check with their doctors, as castor oil may intensify the effects of these drugs and cause the body to lose potassium.

Castor oil packs are another way to use castor oil to treat fibroids, menstrual cramps, and other problems. These packs work by stimulating the lymphatic system, and promoting detoxification. Simply saturate a flannel cloth or washrag with castor oil and apply to affected area. Cover with plastic wrap. Keep area warm with a hot water bottle. Lie down for 20-30 minutes and relax. Repeat as needed.

How to Reverse Bone Loss in the Vertebrae

Our skeletal system supports and protects our vital organs and holds them in place, as well as give us form. Strong bones from a skeletal system help us to perform actions such as walking and posture. However, as we age, our bones begin to deteriorate and it can cause problems such as osteoporosis, degenerative arthritis and vertebral problems which can be problematic and painful. But by applying all the natural therapies listed below, you can effectively reverse bone loss.

Instructions

Eat plenty of walnuts. Walnuts contain Omega-3 fatty acids that helps your body make more bone cells. Eating a cup of walnuts every day will enhance bone integrity and prevent bone loss.

Eat at least six prunes a day. This plum is rich in potassium and polyphenols, which builds bone density and provides you with energy throughout the day.

Consume pigweed supplements. This weedy plant contains a high amount of calcium needed to assist your body in making new bone cells while enhancing your blood circulation.

Eat garlic every day. This vegetable contains a high amount of sulfur which is needed to strengthen bones and maintain connective tissue growth. Add garlic to your dishes.

Do yoga every day. Performing yoga postures can reduce bone loss and increase bone density. Do standing poses like the tree pose, warrior and lunges. See the You Tube link below.

About Colloidal Silver Water

Colloidal silver water has been in use even longer than conventional antibiotics for killing a variety of microorganisms. Now colloidal silver solution and related products are becoming popular for a wide array of health conditions and other purposes. What is colloidal silver, and how do the different types of solutions available differ?

Colloidal silver water is a suspension of small (in the nanometer range) metallic silver particles in water. It differs from an ionic solution of silver, in which the silver particles are dissolved rather than suspended, but many people use the term to refer to both. The smallest particles have the highest surface area and thus the most activity. The strength of a colloidal silver solution is measured in mg/l or parts per million (ppm): a 10 percent solution is 100,000 ppm. Typical solutions used as a natural antibiotic and disinfectant are in the range of 5 to 30 ppm, or occasionally as high as 250 to 500 ppm.

Small amounts of silver are found in foods such as mushrooms and wheat flour, but silver is generally not ingested via food. Silver solution is produced using an electrolysis process. Both alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) processes can be used, with some experts considering AC the superior option. This process typically produces ionic silver and silver nanoparticles.

Colloidal silver has been used for over a century for its ability to kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. A 1914 study by Simpson & Hewlett showed that it could kill typhoid at only 5 ppm, and a 1918 study by Culver showed it to be effective against gonorrhea. In the 1960s it was commonly used for burn victims, especially against a form of pseudomonas bacteria. With the advent of antibiotics in the 1940s, use of colloidal silver and research into its benefits dropped off.

Various brands of colloidal silver water are available in health stores; some people even buy equipment for creating their own solutions at home. The solution is used topically for nail fungus, ringworm, burn wounds and other skin infections and injuries. It is taken internally to fight off systemic infections including candida and E. coli. Some people also use it as an eye wash, as a gargle and as a home surface sterilizer. Pet owners seeking natural alternatives to antibiotics and other prescription medications are also beginning to discover the benefits of colloidal silver.

Some individuals, who have ingested higher doses of silver solution for an extended period, have experienced a condition called argyria, where silver is deposited in the skin. The skin then turns gray upon exposure to sunlight. This is generally a response to ingestion of silver protein solution rather than true colloidal silver. In fact, many of the products on sale have been tested and found to be primarily silver protein (which uses gelatin or protein and larger silver particles) or ionic silver rather than colloidal silver. Many companies sell colloidal silver generators, but Prof. Ronald Gibbs, director of the University of Delaware's Center for Colloidal Science for almost 20 years, warns these generators actually make ionic silver. Other scientists have also expressed concerns about the effectiveness of using a home process for making colloidal silver, especially due to the lack of consistency and standard strength for such solutions.

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Instructions

Instructions

History

Significance

Benefits

Considerations

Side Effects

Controversy

Causes

Symptoms

Herbs

Acupressure

Homeopathy

Preventive Measures

Make Sure It's a Wart

Vitamin C Paste

Tape the Wart

Vitamin A

Leave It Alone

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Instructions

Clorox to the Rescue

Other Topical Treatments