How to Use Mexican Folk Medicine

Derived from a combination of Aztec, Native American and Spanish influence, Mexican folk medicine is indeed multicultural. With many treatments enlisting the use of popular herbs and vegetables, common cures are quite affordable. Known as "curanderismo," Mexican folk medicine is still popular today. It includes treatments like ground rattlesnake meat for healing cuts and sores. Follow these steps to learn more.

Instructions

Locate Materials

1

Use rosemary, a broadly available herb said to effectively treat earaches, skin rashes and various minor illnesses. It's known to possess many powerful healing properties. You can find it among the fresh spices at your grocery store.

2

Explore the many-faceted popularity of "yerba buena," a form of mint used in tea. Drinking the tea may aid in curing indigestion and other common forms of stomach discomfort. In the folk tradition, whole leaves are boiled along with the water for the tea.

3

Purchase ground rattlesnake in capsule form to fight serious illness. Known more likely in Mexico than in the United States, rattlesnake meat is used to treat a number of maladies from indigestion to erectile dysfunction to cancer. The ground powder is also applied externally to wounds to speed healing. Use with recommendation of a "curandero," or folk healer.

Apply Appropriately

4

Be aware that in many of the Mexican folk healing traditions, the healing process must be spiritually oriented. In the past, a healer would be brought in to determine what in the spirit world had caused an injury or illness to appear.

5

Find recommended practices and literature in a "Botanica," which is a store where "curanderismo" items may be found. In many cases, a "bonafide curandero," or Mexican folk healer may be found on the premises. Ask for advice while you're looking.

6

Know that the spiritual side of "curanderismo" must be respected and represented for best results in Mexican folk medicine. When traditions are followed to the letter, success tends to follow more consistently. Learn more by reading Eliseo Torres' book "Curandero: A Life in Mexican Folk Healing" (see Resources below).

How to Use Herbs as Alternatives to Prescription Drugs

Herbal remedies have been in use far longer than prescription medications. In fact, the original intent behind pharmaceutical companies was to capture the active ingredients found in herbs. Over time, this gave way to the creation of synthetic ingredients that are the main component of many types of prescription medications today. Since the original prescription medication was a more potent form of herbs, it's possible to use herbal remedies as alternatives to more conventional approaches. In recent decades, herbal remedies have become viable alternatives to prescription drugs in the minds of many Americans. That's why there's been a spike in the demand for herbal products, which can now be found in grocery and health food stores across the country. You can't just stop taking your prescription drugs, though, and pick up any old herb. Instead, you have to know what you're looking for and how to use it once you've found it. Follow these steps to learn more.

Instructions

Use Herbs as Alternatives to Prescription Drugs

1

Discuss the possibility of using herbal remedies in place of prescription medication with your doctor. This is especially important if you decide to forgo conventional treatment, as your doctor needs to be aware of any changes in your health.

2

Identify the prescription medications your doctor recommended, as well as their uses. Some of the more common prescription medications are antibiotics and anti-inflammatory pills.

3

Research available herbs very carefully. There are thousands of different types of herbs from all over the world. You'll need to know what herbs are out there as well as what they can do before you begin. A good place to start is the "Herb Research Foundation" Web site (see Resources below).

4

Decide which herbs you want to take, being careful to consider recommended dosage, possible side effects, availability and price.

5

Buy your herbs either online from an organic grower or at your local health food store.

6

Take the herbs as indicated on the packaging. Any deviations may reduce the effectiveness of the herbs.

How to Choose an Alternative Medicine Doctor

Alternative medicine has been used to treat conditions ranging from migraines to anxiety to cancer. There are many different kinds of alternative medicine. Anything not used in conventional medicine is considered an alternative practice. There are 2 different kinds of alternative medicine doctors: those who use alternative theories and treatments in the course of their usual work, and those who have set up a practice dedicated solely to alternative therapies. Since alternative medicine covers such a broad spectrum, it's fairly easy to locate a competent doctor in your area. Follow these steps to find out how.

Instructions

Find an Alternative Medicine Doctor

1

Decide what kind of alternative medicine doctor you're looking for. There are more than 100 disciplines in alternative medicine, including acupuncture, aromatherapy, reiki, color therapy and homeopathy.

2

Ask for recommendations from the staff at your local health food store. This is a great place to find out about doctors in your area, as well as about alternative medicine products and procedures you've never heard of.

3

Talk to friends and family to get recommendations for alternative medicine doctors.

4

Tell your general practitioner about your desire to seek treatment from an alternative medicine doctor. He or she may have some good references within your medical group and insurance plan limits.

Choose an Alternative Medicine Doctor

5

Arrange for in-person consultations with your top choices. You can also speak to doctors over the phone; but in-person consultations are better. You'll get a feel for the environment of the doctor's office.

6

Bring a list of questions you want answered to your consultations. These can be about anything from how the doctor conducts his or her practice to general health questions. Selecting an alternative medicine practitioner is a big deal. You'll want to choose someone you're comfortable with.

7

Check your doctor's qualifications before you commit. While many alternative medicine professions aren't officially licensed, you can search individual organizations for competent practitioners. There's a fantastic database of alternative medicine organizations and associated practitioners at the "Alternative Medicine Foundation" Web site (see Resources below).

How to Balance Your Body's Chemicals Through Orthomolecular Medicine

Poor dietary habits and the depletion of nutrients in soil may mean that our bodies do not have the necessary nutrients to facilitate normal functions. Orthomolecular medicine attempts to restore balance to the chemicals in our bodies by reintroducing the natural chemicals to the body in the form of antioxidants, minerals, lipotropes, fiber and more. It is said to treat everything from snake bites to schizophrenia.

Instructions

Educate Yourself About Orthomolecular Medicine

1

Understand that orthomolecular medicine practitioners do not consider their field to be 'alternative medicine' but a necessary complement to other medical practices. These practitioners feel that orthomolecular medicine is a safe treatment while more tests are performed on commercial pharmaceuticals, which typically have dangerous side-effects.

2

Know that the process of orthomolecular medicine only tries to correct the balance of chemicals found naturally in your body through adding or subtracting nutrients. Nothing foreign is ever introduced.

3

Learn that orthomolecular medicine was first tested in the 1950s to treat mental disorders. Later, in the 1960s, Linus Pauling adopted the treatment in regards to psychiatry. He believed that 'the right molecules in the right amounts' were medically beneficial.

4

Learn more online at Web sites like Orthomolecular Medicine Online (see Resources below).

Contact a Doctor and Balance Your Body

5

Find an orthomolecular medicine doctor at the American College for Advancement in Medicine Web site, which allows you to search by specialty (see Resources below).

6

Speak with your chosen doctor to see if this treatment is right for you, and then set up a nutritional plan that can correct and restore the chemical balance of your body.

7

Understand that the entire purpose of orthomolecular medicine is to correct chemical imbalances for the physical and mental benefit of the patient. By undergoing treatment with a skilled practitioner, you will balance your body's chemicals.

How to Find an Orthomolecular Doctor

Orthomolecular medicine consists of balancing the body's naturally occurring nutrients and chemicals through vitamin therapy and introduces other nutrients, often in megadoses. While a substantial body of evidence supports the medical benefits of this treatment, many in the medical community reject these findings as the result of the 'placebo effect.' As a result, finding an orthomolecular doctor can be challenging.

Instructions

Decide if Orthomolecular Medicine Is for You

1

Learn about orthomolecular medicine before undergoing treatment. The practice, which originated as a way to alleviate neurological disorders in the 1950s, was later assimilated by Linus Pauling to treat a wider range of illnesses, like cancer, influenza and autism.

2

Know that the concept of treating patients with nutrients was first considered a last resort when traditional medicine failed. Today, doctors who practice this method consider it a safe, effective alternative.

3

Learn more when you visit Orthomolecular Medicine Online (see Resources below).

Find an Orthomolecular Medicine Practitioner

4

Use the search engine at the American College for Advancement in Medicine Web site to locate a practitioner (see Resources below).

5

Find a Web site dedicated to orthomolecular practitioners. Orthomolecular.org provides links to doctors in both the United States and abroad (see Resources below).

6

Call the offices of practitioners within a reasonable distance to schedule an initial consultation. Find out how long this consultation will last and whether or not you will be charged for it.

7

Make an appointment with the practitioner(s) who strike you as the most trustworthy and experienced. Arrive at your appointment with a list of questions.

8

Begin a course of treatment if the practitioner feels--and you agree--that you could benefit from orthomolecular medical treatment.

How to Relieve Stress Through Guided Imagery

Those looking to relieve stress may find the solution in guided imagery. In this technique, a person imagines specific types of images to achieve positive mental, emotional or physical results. Guided imagery revolves around the theory that the mind can control the body. Therefore, if a person can relieve the mind of stress, the body will be relieved as well. Scientific evidence shows that guided imagery can cause some patients to relax their muscles.

Instructions

Learn About Guided Imagery

1

Know that guided imagery is not a new fad. It has been around since ancient times, when it was used to relieve pain, heal the body and cure diseases. It was believed that just having a strong image of sickness could create the symptoms within the body. Therefore, being exposed to positive, healthful images was paramount.

2

Get more information through a local guided imagery practitioner. You can find one by visiting the Worldwidehealthcenter.org engine (see Resources below).

3

Learn more about the treatment, including history, procedures and concerns, at the Holisticonline.com Web site (see Resources below).

Guide Your Own Images to Relieve Stress

4

Find a place where you can be undisturbed for your session.

5

Use headphones or a stereo to play soothing sounds. You can use a purchased audio recording of a professional to aid you. Many Web sites provide you with a script to read. You may find that you prefer the sound of soothing music to the sound of voices. Feel free to follow your preference.

6

Think of the most relaxing place you would ever want to spend time. Really think of the details that surround this place. Hear the sounds. Feel the breeze. Smell the scent in the air.

7

Feel your muscles relaxing as you relieve your stress through the image in your mind.

8

Breathe deeply and steadily as you perform your guided imagery meditation.

9

Relax each part of your body, step by step. Start from the top of your head and work your way down to your feet, or start at your feet and work your way up.

10

'Tell' each part of your body to relax. (You can do this silently, through thought.) For instance, inhale as you think the words 'relax, relax,' then exhale as you think the words 'feet, relax.' Use the same technique on your ankles, calves and so on. It may sound silly, but it's intensely relaxing after a few minutes of practice.

How to Improve Your Nutrition Through Orthomolecular Medicine

In orthomolecular medicine, the adage 'you are what you eat' is considered to be true. In this form of medicine, the regulation of the body's chemicals and nutrients is used to treat many forms of sickness, like herpes, skin disorders and viral pneumonia. By working with an orthomolecular practitioner, you can form a nutrition plan that may help improve your health.

Instructions

Familiarize Yourself With Orthomolecular Nutrition

1

Know that Orthomolecular nutrition has been used since the 1950s when doctors were used it to treat those suffering from mental disorders. Linus Pauling adopted it in 1968. He created the concept of using 'the right molecules in the right amounts,' through which psychiatric ailments could possibly be treated.

2

Understand that you may already be performing a type of modified orthomolecular therapy. If you take vitamin pills, you are following the tenets of this therapy. With the help of an orthomolecular nutritionist, you may improve your overall nutrition with supplements as varied as dietary fiber, amino and fatty acids, megadoses of vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

3

Feel comforted knowing that, while this practice may be somewhat controversial in the medical community, it is thought to be safe and natural. Only the chemicals and nutrients that occur naturally in the body will be manipulated. Nothing foreign will be introduced into your body.

4

Get your questions answered online. Visit Web sites like Orthomolecular.org for more information (see Resources below).

Find a Practitioner in Your Area

5

Locate a practitioner in your area by using search engines. Try the American College for Advancement in Medicine Web site (see Resources below). Facilitate your search by specifying specialty.

6

Use the Orthomolecular.org Web site to find links to practitioners in the United States and abroad. Only a small portion of the medical community prescribes orthomolecular nutrition plans. Therefore, finding a doctor near you may prove difficult.

7

Choose your doctor and develop a nutrition plan for your specific needs.

How to Learn About Orthomolecular Medicine

Orthomolecular medicine is the practice of restoring the nutritional and chemical balance of the human body to treat or prevent illnesses from influenza and colds to schizophrenia and epilepsy. The medical community is divided on this method of treatment. Some believe that the health benefits are illusory, while practitioners and many patients claim it is effective.

Instructions

Learn the History of Orthomolecular Medicine

1

Know that this treatment originated in the 1950s when doctors developed this method to treat mental disorders with vitamins.

2

Discover the involvement in 1968 of Linus Pauling who popularized the idea of introducing 'the right molecules in the right amounts' to treat sicknesses related to psychiatry.

3

Study the claims that orthomolecular medicine can treat diseases like acne, cancer and clinical depression. You can purchase 'Putting It All Together: The New Orthomolecular Nutrition' through Amazon.com (see Resources below).

4

Find answers about the treatment online. The Orthomolecular.org Web site has a detailed historical timeline, as well as medical data and other resources (see Resources below).

Learn About Both Sides of the Debate

5

Realize that many in the medical community classify orthomolecular medicine as 'alternative medicine'. Practitioners believe that Orthomolecular Medicine is not an alternative to conventional medicine, but rather a complement. The use of insulin to regulate blood-sugar levels is an example of orthomolecular medicine, yet no one considers it to be 'alternative medicine.'

6

Appreciate this treatment's commitment to natural health. It only manipulates the levels of nutrients that occur naturally within the body, whereas pharmaceuticals introduce foreign or synthetic chemicals into the body.

7

Speak to a practitioner by finding one online. The American College for Advancement in Medicine has a Web site that allows you to locate orthomolecular doctors in the United States (see Resources below).

How to Avoid Dangerous Mole Removal Products

If you have a mole on your skin that you'd like to get removed, you have options. You can either opt for surgery or use a mole-removal product. However, not all products are safe. Avoid dangerous products by consulting with your dermatologist and following these guidelines.

Instructions

1

Understand what type of mole you have. Some moles are benign and others are malignant.

2

Discuss your skin type and any allergies you might have with your dermatologist.

3

Get a prescription from your dermatologist for a product that he recommends for mole removal.

4

Do not be tempted to buy any products you see advertised. Stick with your prescription.

5

Test the product on your skin before applying it directly to the mole. Wait 24 hours. If there are no side effects, proceed with the treatment.

6

Do not use anyone else's medicine on your skin. It can be dangerous.

How to Make Homemade Toothpaste

Want to save some money and have the satisfaction of making your own toothpaste? Well, it is just a few steps away. These simple ingredients are already stocked in most people's cabinets. You can make many variations with just a few drops of different extracts. Experiment and come up with your own variations. It is that simple!

Instructions

1

Mix the baking soda and about 1/2 of the water until it is the consistency of toothpaste.

2

Stir in salt.

3

Add a few drops of the extract of your choice and mix well.

4

Add a little more water if too thick.

How to Make a Salt Pack

An application of heat can help stiff muscles and joints feel better, or can ease menstrual cramps and stomach aches. Though you can use heating pads, salt is an excellent retainer of heat and its weight can help soothe you further.

Instructions

1

Heat the salt over medium heat in a pot until it's very hot. Stir with a wooden spoon as you heat so all of the salt is equally heated. It should be fully heated within ten minutes.

2

Pour salt into a cotton pillowcase. Wrap the pillowcase around it so the salt will not spill. You may want to put the first pillowcase inside a second one to make sure the salt stays inside.

3

Immediately apply the salt pack to any area of your body that is stiff, to stomach for menstrual cramps or to any painful joints. Relax and let the weight and heat of the salt pack soothe you.

4

Reheat the salt when it looses its heat. You can use it four to five times, after which it stops retaining heat.

How to Make a Ginger Compress

A ginger compress will stimulate the flow of blood wherever you use it. You can use this home remedy to treat lower back pain, sluggish kidneys and other ailments.

Instructions

1

Boil water in a large pot. Reduce heat to simmer.

2

Grate the ginger. Using the fine side of the grater will give you the best results; more juice will be released into the water.

3

Place ginger in a square of cheesecloth or a large muslin tea bag. Tie tightly.

4

Add ginger to simmering water. Simmer for 5 minutes. Turn burner to low, and remove the ginger.

5

Place one towel over the area of your body that you are treating, such as the lower back to treat your kidneys or back pain. Dip the second towel into the ginger-water and wring out. Place the ginger towel over the first towel. Cover with the third towel to retain heat.

6

Change compress when it looses its heat and repeat until your skin glows bright pink.

7

Save the ginger water. As long as you don't boil it, you can reuse it throughout the week for additional ginger compresses.

How to Treat Meniere's Disease Through Lifestyle Changes

Meniere's disease is caused by abnormalities in fluid volume in the inner ear. Symptoms include dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, roaring or popping sound in the ears, variable hearing loss and a feeling of pressure. Typically, when one ear manifests the symptoms, over time, hearing loss is may occur. Lifestyle changes can be one of the best ways to limit the symptoms of Meniere's since there is no cure.

Instructions

1

Maintain healthy eating habits. Eating a balanced diet allows your body to function at its best. Meals should be eaten regularly and consist of with whole grains, fiber, dairy, protein and some carbohydrates.

2

Control the amount of sodium in your diet. The average person needs less than two grams of sodium per day. Sodium increases the amount of fluid your body retains and can affect your blood pressure. Processed or canned foods, soups and preserved meats such as bacon and ham contain high amounts of sodium.

3

Limit or eliminate caffeine and restrict the use of alcohol and tobacco.

4

Exercise regularly without extended periods of physical fatigue. Exercising three to four times a week, if possible.

5

Reduce unnecessary stress that may be a part of your everyday life. Intense careers and the burden of personal responsibilities can become stressful and overwhelming. Make time for a short walk, a few minutes of fresh air, breathing exercises or any activity that calms you.

6

Get plenty of sleep regularly to avoid fatigue, which can lead to added stress.

7

See your physician yearly and request hearing tests to keep records of changes in your hearing after your diagnosis. Seek advice on counseling and prescription medications if symptoms continue or worsen.

How to Benefit From SAM-e

SAM-e, or S-adenosylmethionine, is a combination of the amino acid methionine and adenosine triphospate (ATP). The human body naturally produces this compound and some medical studies show that levels of SAM-e may decrease with age. SAME-e supplements are available in both prescribed and over-the-counter dosages, and are used to treat a variety of conditions such as depression, fibromyalgia, liver diseases, osteoarthritis and more. Follow these steps when adding SAM-e into your lifestyle.

Instructions

1

Consult with your physician before adding SAM-e, or any other supplement, to your regimen. For those with existing conditions that require prescription medication, your doctor can discuss any potential side effects that could occur with the use of SAM-e. Patients with heart conditions, mental health issues or women who are pregnant could experience serious side effects and should not take SAM-e.

2

Store SAM-e in a cool, dry place and keep tablets in the sealed packages until use for maximum effectiveness.

3

Take SAM-e on an empty stomach and at least one hour before eating for optimal absorption. You may take the supplement with water to speed passage of the tablet into the stomach.

4

Maintain the recommended dosage of SAM-e to avoid complications such as physical discomfort including diarrhea or headaches, and prevent weakened effects over time.

5

Notify your physician if you experience any unusual or severe side effects.

6

Discontinue use of the supplement under the guidance of your physician. Your physician may recommend graduated discontinuation based on your current dosage or because of the combined effects with other prescription medications.

How to Use "The Secret" for Perfect Health

Holistic health brings us great insight into the mind body connection. By focusing our minds and energy on positive thoughts, we are better able to foster healing in our bodies. Principles taught in Rhonda Byrne's book "The Secret" mirror this philosophy and are of great use when dealing with sickness. Follow the steps below and begin to attract health to your mind, body and soul.

Instructions

1

Use your imagination and believe you are in perfect health. Imagine how a healthy body would feel and hold onto such feelings. Recall a past time when you were in good health or picture yourself as strong, energetic and pain free.

2

Get a clear picture of what you want to look like. Cut out pictures of people with healthy bodies and put them in a place where you will see them each day. Such photographs carry positive energy that will increase your attraction to wellness.

3

Write down several positive affirmations about your health. For example: "I am getting healthier everyday," or "My body is slender, strong and full of energy." Then spend 10 to 20 minutes each day meditating on these positive affirmations.

4

Find the things that inspire you and experience them frequently. When you feel joy, the Law of Attraction will bring more joyful energy into your life. Go for long walks in nature or listen to inspiring music. Anything that makes you feel calm and at peace will do wonders for your body.

5

Let go of negative emotions. Holding onto anger, resentment or fear will eventually manifest itself as sickness. If your emotions are deep seated, consult a counselor or psychiatrist to help you work through them.

How to Use a Home Remedy for Nail Fungus

Nail fungus usually occurs when the toenails are exposed to damp public areas, such as the gym, swimming pools or public bathrooms. Nail fungus causes your nails to become discolored, and a foul smelling substance will begin to grow under the nail. You may also experience pain at the nail site. There are several home remedies you can use to cure nail fungus.

Instructions

1

Use tea tree oil. Placing a small amount of tea tree oil on the affected toe will clean the toe out and also act as a fungicide.

2

Soak the infected foot in a mixture of equal parts warm water and apple cider vinegar. The mixture works as an antiseptic.

3

Mix oregano oil and olive oil. Place a few drops on the nail fungus. Oregano oil has antiseptic, antibacterial, analgesic and antifungal properties.

4

Apply grapefruit seed extract. Another remedy that you can use is to spritz the extract onto the affected site twice a day.

5

Dry feet thoroughly after placing any type of home remedy upon them. Damp toes will breed more fungus.

How to Use Sound Therapy

With roots in ancient India, sound therapy works on the premise that each cell in the body resonates and disease develops when the frequencies are disrupted. Sound is often used as a successful supplemental therapy. We can learn to use sound therapy in our daily lives to address issues such as chronic pain or insomnia.

Instructions

1

Determine how sound therapy can assist you. The practice uses sound to correct imbalances in the body, so determine what situations in your body seem to be cries for help, such as digestion problems, headaches or insomnia. Also think about what aspect of your spirit is manifesting difficulties, such as blocked creativity or an inability to focus.

2

Incorporate sound therapy into your life. It's one of the easiest to learn self-help tools and you don't need talent or musical ability to achieve results. You may wish to purchase a few accessories, such as a couple of tuning forks. They can be found in music stores online and off, but before purchasing, try out different pitches at a local store to find tones that resonate for you.

3

Exercise your ears. They have muscles and like all muscles, they need exercise. Some work or age-related hearing loss can be improved with an auditory fitness program. This method of sound therapy can also improve learning, listening and communication functions.

4

Research the way children can benefit from sound therapy, especially those with speech or language disorders or behavioral issues. Contact your pediatrician for more information about how the Berard and Tomatis methods of sound therapy might help your child.

5

Join a group that offers sessions of chanting, bell ringing or drumming. These activities can provide therapeutic benefit in a fun setting. Chanting helps with concentration and Gregorian chants help reduce stress by focusing on breathing. Bells can help promote focus and drumming can relieve tension and pain with its heartbeat-like rhythm.

6

Jump in the shower, a great place to use your voice for toning exercises, another form of sound therapy. Stand straight, relax your back and jaw, take a deep abdominal breath and as you exhale, sound a note; any note is fine. The idea is to create a resonant sound and experiment with different tones until you find one that makes you feel good.

How to Use Laughter Therapy

One doesn't usually think of laughter as therapy, but a chuckle a day can prevent stress buildup, enhance physical and mental performances and strengthen the immune system. It also promote the release of mood-enhancing hormones, such as endorphins and help oxygen pump better throughout the body. Learning to use laughter therapy can even enable the body to produce an antibody to ward off colds and flu.

Instructions

1

Plan a night out for a nice dinner and a visit to your local comedy club. Get dressed up, get out there with your significant other and share some laughs with a person who makes others laugh for a living.

2

Rent or buy a humorous video with actors who always make you laugh. Besides the varied personalities of comediennes, there are many genres of humor. If you really want to know how to make laughter work in your life, do a short study to learn which types of comedy make your funny bone happy. Research satire, parody, slap stick, adage, irony, fantasy and black comedy.

3

Get a joke-a-day calendar for work and home. From that, you can start a daily joke email to share with friends and family.

4

Buy a joke book and memorize a few to pass along to others throughout the week. Don't over do this one or you'll become known as a p-e-s-t.

5

Try a laughing meditation. At least once a day, take two deep, cleansing breathes, stretch your arms up over your head and lower them back down to your sides. Smile and then start to giggle and work up to a good, hearty laugh.

6

Decide to have a sense of humor at home, at work, in the grocery store or a restaurant. Everyone make mistakes, including you, so learn to laugh at yourself a bit. The best way to use laughter therapy is to let the joke be on you once in a while.

How to Grow Black Cohosh

Best known these days as the "menopause plant," black cohosh is a hardy perennial that grows from southern Canada south to Georgia, over to Arkansas and up to Wisconsin. Most black cohosh is harvested in the wild. Follow these steps to grow and cultivate black cohosh.

Instructions

1

Find a shady area with damp soil for your black cohosh seeds. This plant prefers humus rich soil, the kind you find in the mossy beds of a forest.

2

Plant seeds inch below the soil in a flat in late summer, spaced about 2 feet apart. Black cohosh needs the room because it can self sow its seed and will quickly grow to over 4 feet. Leaves are large and the white flowers, which bloom May through July, are plentiful and grow to over 6 feet tall. Once you've planted the seeds, cover the soil with mulch to keep in moisture.

3

Be patient. Seeds will need 2-4 weeks of warm temperatures, around 70F, followed by at least 3 months of cold, about 40F. In many locations, the ripe seeds can be planted in a shady bed in late summer or early fall and left for 18 months or so.

4

Transplant the seedlings into individual pots once they pop up with their second set of true leaves, the ones that come up after the "seed leaves" appear. Leave them in a shady area for another 6 months and in late summer or early fall, when the plants are about two years old, you can plant them in a shady garden. Black cohosh has a rather unpleasant smell to humans, but bees and birds love it.

5

Get ready for harvest as you watch the seedlings develop in little capsules from August to October. The capsules will rattle when shaken.

6

Harvest black cohosh sometime in October. The rhizome will be dark brown to black in color, thick and gnarled. The roots attached to the rhizome are used for medicinal purposes.

7

Wash the roots, blot with a paper towel and dry on a wire rack in a clean, well-ventilated area at 80F to 95F for one week. Once they are dry, store them in a burlap bag or cardboard drum in a cool, dark, dry location. Use within a year.

How to Find Natural Supplements to Boost Metabolism

In this age of beauty and fitness, some people strive for that perfect body. For those who struggle with weight loss, an herbal supplement may be the answer to boost metabolism and achieve that desired body weight goal.

Instructions

1

Speed up your metabolism with Guarana. Guarana is the herbal equivalent of caffeine and is used in weight loss supplements due to its stimulating properties. It has also been linked to improving mental alertness, stamina and also detoxifying the blood and acting as a natural aphrodisiac.

2

Boost your metabolism with Bitter Orange. Bitter Orange has been known to increase basal metabolic rates and to act as a thermogenic weight loss supplement. Thermogenesis is activated when norepinephrine and epinephrine are stimulated, which are hormones that allow the body to burn more calories.

3

Take a green tea break. Green tea is not only a refreshing beverage, but it is also a great antioxidant and has been linked to firing up your metabolism.

4

Get nutty with the Kola nut. The Kola nut has not only been linked to boosting the metabolism, but has also been linked to reducing risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease and anxiety, in addition to improving the immune system and acting as an antioxidant.

5

Max out your metabolism's potential by adding Yerba Mate to your diet. Yerba Mate has been used in South Africa for centuries, and it contains 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and 11 polyphenols, a group of phytochemicals which act as antioxidants. Yerba Mate is a natural stimulant that has chemical components similar to green tea, but are considered more nutritious.

6

Add folic acid to your dietary regimen. In conjunction with vitamin B12 and vitamin C, these supplements help to metabolize protein, and allow for the formation and growth of red and white blood cells.

How to Grow Feverfew

Widely known as a good herb to treat certain types of migraines, feverfew is a perennial native to southeastern Europe and Asia, but found in many other areas. This is a perfect plant for those without a green thumb. It will grow anywhere, even in bad soil and among weeds. Its reputation for being low maintenance convinces many amateur herbalists to grow feverfew right in their own backyards.

Instructions

1

Decide where to plant your feverfew and if you want to use pots or sow the seeds right into the ground. You'll have plenty of choices since feverfew will pop up between the cracks in a sidewalk or a wall, a weedy garden or even on a rocky slope. Feverfew loves full sun and doesn't need an abundance of moisture.

2

Plant by seed in the spring or root division in the fall. Feverfew can grow up to two feet. Its leaves are brightly colored and have an aromatic smell, but somewhat bitter taste. The plant will live through a mild winter if placed in a sheltered spot.

3

Watch for flowers which appear from summer until mid-fall and look like daisies with yellow centers. As feverfew self sows its seed, the flowers will be quite plentiful.

4

Divide the plants when they get too big and plant in another location, keeping them moist until reestablished.

5

Harvest the entire plant while in bloom. Cut the leaves and flowers as needed. Dry the flowers face down on a flat surface to use later in potpourri. The leaves, flowers and occasionally, the stems, are used for medicinal purposes and are what give the feverfew its commercial value.

6

Store no longer than 120 days to maintain full effectiveness. Studies reveal feverfew leaves are best stored in powdered form in freezer conditions (-15C).

How to Grow Ginkgo Biloba

Believed to be the oldest surviving tree on earth, ginkgo biloba has ancestors that lived when dinosaurs roamed around the world.
The medicinal properties of this fruit tree were discovered in 3000 B.C. by Chinese herbalist, Shen Nung, who proclaimed its usefulness in treating heart problems. Today it is cultivated throughout Europe and North America. Recent research shows it improves blood flow to the body and helps with concentration.

Instructions

1

Plant ginkgo biloba seeds in full sunshine to partial shade in any type soil, including sand, as long as it's well drained.

2

Grow seed in the ground in the fall or in deep containers protected by an outdoor greenhouse in the winter and transplant later. The seeds should germinate all spring. Chose a male ginkgo biloba tree if you decide to go that route. The fruits from a female tree are slippery and smell very unappealing.

3

Watch for the fruits in the fall. Pollination takes place the tree's first year, usually by the wind. The ginkgo biloba tree has one or more trunks with round fruits about the size of a cherry tomato, each containing one seed. A tree can live 1,000 years and grow as tall as 50 to 100 feet and is known for its resistance to insects and pollution.

4

Be patient. The ginkgo biloba tree grows very slowly, mostly between May and the first part of September. It may take several seasons for blooms to appear.

5

Harvest your ginkgo biloba tree in the fall. Only the leaves are used for medicinal purposes and are what gives ginkgo biloba its commercial value. Best time to prune this tree is spring.

6

Store the seeds in your refrigerator and use them quickly. Store harvested leaves in a cool, dry place.

How to Use Melatonin

Melatonin is a natural substance found in the body that regulates its sleep cycles. Melatonin is now available in an over-the-counter supplement. Many people take melatonin supplements to help reset their body clocks and to compensate for the decrease in melatonin in their bodies that occurs over time. You can also use it for insomnia and other sleep disorders. Read on to learn how to use melatonin.

Instructions

1

Purchase synthetic melatonin rather than animal-extracted melatonin, which can contain unwanted animal proteins and possible viruses.

2

Set aside enough time for a full night's sleep before taking any melatonin. Finish any driving or use of machinery you must do before taking it.

3

Take the melatonin about 30 minutes to an hour before you plan to sleep. Begin with a dose of about 1.5 milligrams for most uses, or ask your doctor about the dosage right for you. Make sure that melatonin is compatible with any medications that you are currently taking.

4

Use melatonin to reset your body clock when you experience jet lag by taking it at the appropriate time to sleep in your time zone, even if you are not tired yet.

5

Pop some melatonin if you repeatedly wake up during the night, using the supplement to create a deeper sleep.

6

Consume melatonin to prevent headaches that interfere with sleep, or for insomnia caused by a serious illness such as cancer or Alzheimer's disease.

7

Watch for any side effects the next day. Discontinue taking the melatonin if the side effects outweigh the sleep benefits.

How to Treat Canker Sores With Sauerkraut

The cause of canker sores is unknown but they seem to signal an imbalance in the body. They can be triggered by stress, menstrual cycles, poor nutrition, food allergies or too much candy. Follow these steps to treat canker sores with sauerkraut.

Instructions

1

Purchase sauerkraut juice. If you can't find it in a store, purchase it online.

2

Buy sauerkraut if you can't find any sauerkraut juice or it's too expensive. Drain the juice from the sauerkraut or just dip a tablespoon in it as you need it.

3

Use about a tablespoon of sauerkraut juice. Swish it around your mouth for about 30 seconds and swallow it.

4

Rinse your mouth with sauerkraut juice at least two or three times a day. Your canker sores should clear up in about a week.

5

Eat foods with sauerkraut for added benefit. Some of these foods include Reuben sandwiches, hot dogs with sauerkraut or sauerkraut and bratwurst.

How to Treat Asthma With Coffee

Caffeine has been found to dilate bronchial tubes. It is chemically similar to asthma drugs and has been used to treat asthma since the 1800's. Numerous studies have shown the positive effects of coffee drinking used to treat asthma symptoms. Follow these steps to treat asthma with coffee.

Instructions

1

Decide what type of coffee you want. Premium gourmet brands you grind yourself at the grocery store are most delicious--you can even create your own blend.

2

Make one cup of coffee when experiencing asthma symptoms. Drink only about 1/3 cup since coffee is a potent caffeine source.

3

Wait about 10 minutes and see if you notice positive effect on your asthma symptoms. If not, drink about 1/3 cup more.

4

See if you feel better after about 10 more minutes. If you are still experiencing asthma symptoms and you don't have any other medical conditions which require you to limit intake of caffeine, go ahead and drink the rest of the cup.

5

Notice if you feel better after 10 more minutes. If not, caffeine may not be what you need to relieve symptoms. Seek further medical treatment or use your own prescribed medication.

How to Treats Colds With Ginger Tea

Ginger tea is the best treatment for colds, according to traditional Chinese medicine. It has strong yang energy and warms the stomach and lungs. The Chinese have been using it for 2,500 years to treat congestion, sinus pain and sore throat. Follow these steps to treat colds with ginger tea.

Instructions

1

Boil about one tablespoon grated fresh ginger in a few cups of water. You can also use 1/3 to 1/2 tsp. powdered ginger.

2

Simmer the ginger root for 20 minutes. While it's simmering, inhale the steam. This inhalation relieves congestion and dilates constricted bronchial tubes.

3

Drink your ginger tea with a bit of brown sugar or honey if you like. Drink it on an empty stomach so it can be absorbed directly into your system. Do this a few times a day.

4

Repeat the first three steps while you are experiencing cold symptoms. Ginger can also help soothe your stomach, stimulate your appetite and aid in digestion.

5

Preserve your fresh ginger by placing it in some sherry and keeping it in the refrigerator. You will be able to cook with it long after your cold has gone.

How to Treat Constipation With Honey and Lemon Juice

The uncomfortable effects of constipation have plagued humans for millennia, and it seems that all through history, countless remedies and tonics have been made to ease constipation--from senna pods and aloe to dandelion tea and herbal infusions. Another time honored remedy to treat constipation is honey and lemon juice.

Instructions

1

Select a few smaller, nearly ripe lemons from the produce aisle. Look for a bright waxy peel and clean citrus smell. Lemons are a natural disinfectant and eating them greatly improves your overall health as well as helps to maintain healthy immune function and healthy digestive function in the body.

2

Consider buying locally farmed and harvested honey made from wildflowers or clover. Honey is a proven, powerful antioxidant and eating honey native to your region also helps to alleviate symptoms from environmental allergens and irritants. Check local farmer's markets or specialty grocery stores in your area to find locally made honey. Or, buy clover honey from your local grocery store.

3

Drink a cup of warm water or herbal tea mixed with fresh lemon juice and honey every morning on an empty stomach to treat your constipation. You want to use about half a squeezed lemon and around three tablespoons of honey for each cup that you make.

4

Continue taking this honey and lemon juice natural remedy for at least a week. This natural laxative should have you regular again in no time, and then keep drinking it to help maintain your overall health for a lifetime.

How to Treat Warts With Banana Peel

Warts are stubborn, embarrassing and sometimes even painful. There are many commercial treatments available to treat warts, ranging from home cryotherapy kits to salicylic acid. These treatments are expensive and some make the wart appear even uglier and more conspicuous than the untreated wart. Forgo expensive traditional remedies and use the most gentle and inexpensive home remedy available, the banana peel.

Instructions

1

Use fresh banana peel pieces each day on the affected areas. Some people recommend freezing chunks of banana peel and thawing pieces as needed to avoid going through so many bananas, but fresh peel has a higher efficacy.

2

Cut a fresh square inch-sized piece of banana peel. Use bananas that are just turning from green to yellow, as the active healing compounds degrade with age. Wash the affected area with soap and warm water.

3

Prepare the wart by soaking it in warm water to soften the rough surface. You can also abrade the surface with an emery board to disrupt the surface of the wart.

4

Secure the inner side of the peel to the wart with an adhesive bandage. Leave the bandaged peel in place for at least eight hours overnight.

5

Wash the treated area with soap and warm water in the morning. Allow the wart to air dry, and then apply a clean bandage to the wart during the day. Change the bandage whenever it gets wet, as the virus that causes warts thrives in moist environments.

6

Remove the black and brown parts of the damaged wart daily with nail trimmers. You must expose the fresh, undamaged wart root to the peel to enhance the treatment. You should begin to see progress after 3 days of treatment. Most warts disappear after 14 days.

How to Treat Sweaty Feet With Tea

The soles of the feet are susceptible to sweatiness, because our feet contain over 3,000 sweat glands per square inch and we enclose our feet in shoes and socks most of the time. Excessive moisture allows odor causing bacteria to thrive, so the first step in reducing foot odor is sweat reduction. The tannic acids found in black tea kill odor causing bacteria and shrink the pores in the feet.

Instructions

1

Boil 1 pint of water. Add 2 black tea bags. You can use regular or decaffeinated tea. Both contain the essential tannic acids.

2

Steep the tea longer than you normally would if you were to drink the tea. Allow 15 minutes to release the maximum amount of tannic acids. The tea must appear black. If your solution is too weak, add another tea bag.

3

Dilute the tea solution with 2 quarts of cold water to create enough solution to soak your feet. Place the solution in a clean washtub.

4

Soak your feet in the cool tea solution for 30 minutes. Repeat daily for one week. As you achieve sweat control, you can reduce treatments to twice weekly.

5

Wash feet with a washcloth, soap and warm water to remove tea stains. Buff feet gently with a pumice stone to reduce calluses that retain stains.

6

Dry feet and apply foot powder to maintain the dryness. Leave feet uncovered overnight, and wear cotton socks during the day to allow odor causing moisture to wick away from feet.

How to Find Yourself

In today's hectic world, people often experience a sense of losing one's self. But, it is possible to rediscover yourself. Finding yourself is about nurturing a connection to the person you want to be. If you feel lost or detached, the following steps will help you find yourself.

Instructions

1

Learn to put your needs first. This can be difficult, especially if you have a spouse and children. Obviously you can't complete forget about your family's needs; however, you can put aside some time for yourself everyday.

2

Take a break. Schedule some quiet time to be alone with yourself. Put away thoughts about work, family obligations and all the other stress in your life. Focus on you. Think about what you'd do with your life if there were no obstacles. Decide how you would spend your time if money wasn't an issue.

3

Imagine what you'd like others to say about you once you're gone. Think about the words you'd want them to use when describing you. These words say a lot about the type of person you want to be.

4

Remember times throughout your life when you were happiest. Think about what you were doing and who you were with. Identify what about those experiences made you so happy and satisfied.

5

Use a journal to record your answers to these questions and any other relevant thoughts. Keep journaling on a regular basis. Go back and review the discoveries you have about yourself. Over time, you'll start to understand what makes you happy and what type of person you want to be. Then, you can go out and be that person.

How to Treat Hair Loss With Aromatherapy

Hair loss has many varied causes including, genetics, hormonal changes or medical issues and can be a problem for women and men, and in our culture many people do just about anything to avoid hair loss. However, aromatherapy offers hope for some people suffering from hair loss.

Instructions

1

Talk to your doctor before using aromatherapy to treat hair loss. They may want to explore why you're losing hair as this can indicate a health issue. They also may feel that aromatherapy may not work for you and have other suggestions for treating hair loss.

2

Combine essential oils. Mix two drops Thyme, three drops Lavender, three drops Rosemary, three drops Cedrus atlantica and two drops Atlas Cedar Wood into a carrier oil of three ml of jojoba and 20 ml of grapeseed oil. Scottish dermatologists had great results in treating hair loss using this combination over the course of seven months.

3

Try other essential oils that have been used for treating hair loss such as Bay, Cedarwood, Grapefruit, Jojoba oil, Lemon, Roman Chamomile and Ylang Ylang. Be sure you combine essential oils with a carrier oil such as grapeseed oil before massaging into scalp.

4

Rub or massage the aromatherapy mixture into scalp for two minutes. Massaging the scalp in treating hair loss is vital.

5

Wrap the scalp with a towel and leave on overnight.

6

Rinse the scalp with a mild shampoo in the morning.

How to Use Home Remedies for Colds

The common cold has many causes, but there is no cure. However, there are a few things that you can do at home, which can calm your symptoms and shorten the length of your cold. Read on to learn how to use home remedies to treat your cold and avoid the harsh side effects of many over-the-counter cold remedies.

Instructions

1

Take Vitamin C, a proven remedy for the common cold that can ease symptoms and significantly shorten the length of your cold. Vitamin C works to boost your immune system; a dosage of 1.5 to 2 g a the onset of a cold is recommended. Eat citrus, like oranges and grapefruits, as they are high in Vitamin C.

2

Consume garlic. Simply put it in your mouth and chew to relieve your cold symptoms. If the garlic is too strong, you can also take garlic supplements and avoid the harsh taste and bad breath.

3

Eat chicken soup. This traditional home remedy is now getting attention in the medical community as a great treatment for colds. You can buy pre-made soup or make your own. The steam from the soup can help with congestion and chicken broth is believed to have anti-inflammatory effects, which will help to alleviate your symptoms.

4

Use salt. Make your own nasal drops for a dry and stuffy nose by adding 1/4 tsp. of table salt to about 5 ml of lukewarm water. Use one to two drops, three to four times daily. For a sore throat, gargle several times a day with 1 tsp. of salt dissolved into a glass of warm water .

5

Clear a blocked nose by mixing menthol or thyme leaves in a bowl of hot water. Place your nose over the bowl and cover your head with a towel, breathing deeply. A hot bath with a few drops of cinnamon can also help relieve a stuffy nose.

How to Treat Diarrhea With Macaroon Cookies

Many suffering from excessive diarrhea, such as those with Crohn's disease, have found relief from an unusual remedy--macaroon cookies. Some say the treatment works better than any medication for the ailment. Learn how to treat diarrhea with macaroon cookies.

Instructions

1

Check with your doctor if you are experiencing chronic diarrhea, or if you are very ill in addition to having diarrhea. You will want to rule out any serious conditions before seeking an at-home treatment for something that is only sporadic.

2

Understand how coconut and coconut oil benefit the digestive system. Some people have a digestive disorder that prevents them from absorbing the proper nutrients from their food. In these cases, the digestive tract needs to be cleansed. Coconut oil has been found to be a beneficial solution to this need for cleansing.

3

Consider eating macaroon cookies, which contain dried coconut, to curb problematic diarrhea. Numerous companies sell this variety of cookie in the grocery store. You can also make your own from a recipe.

4

Try eating two macaroon cookies each day while you have diarrhea. This is a good place to start. Some people using this treatment note that even increasing to three cookies a day causes another problem--constipation.

5

Gauge your body's reaction to the treatment, and always seek medical attention if you feel something is not right with your body. If you feel that the macaroon cookies are improving how you feel, continue to eat a few a day until the problem subsides.

How to Treat Cuts With Black Pepper

Alternative medicines are gaining in popularity as we become aware of all the possibilities inherent in the herbs and spices that surround us. Black pepper is one such spice that has medicinal properties. Below is a look at how you can use black pepper to stop bleeding and help heal your cuts.

Instructions

1

Rinse the cut. Make sure to get rid of any dirt or foreign matter that you might find. Be sure to cleanse it thoroughly before doing anything that might press infectious material further into the cut.

2

Dab up any bleeding as best you can with a clean, sterile cloth or paper towel. If possible, keep the affected body part elevated; gravity will help stop the bleeding during this part of your treatment.

3

Put black pepper on the cut. Ground black pepper is ideal for this, whether from the kitchen shaker or from packets of black pepper.

4

Bandage securely. Depending on the size of the cut, use a normal adhesive strip, or, if necessary, adhesive tape with gauze. Be sure to cover all areas of the cut to help stop the bleeding and to keep out dirt and germs.

5

Check the cut daily to monitor healing. With one application you should see significant progress such that you shouldn't have to repeat the process. You will notice that the black pepper has the effect of stopping the bleeding while assuring that the cut heals, often without much indication of scarring.

How to Learn to Love Yourself

Some days, it's impossible to look in the mirror and see anything that you like. It is so easy to start criticizing yourself. This negative thinking can affect your entire life. Start loving who you are with these steps.

Instructions

1

Go to a mirror and take a look at yourself. Find one thing that you like about yourself. It doesn't matter what it is. Good skin, nice smile, great hair. It can even be something as tiny as great shaped eyebrows. Just find something that you can be positive about.

2

Hold on to that one positive thing. The next time you think a negative thought about yourself, stop and remind yourself that you do have something about yourself that is great.

3

Find something else about yourself that you like. It doesn't matter what it is, it just has to be something positive. Again, use these positive things to cancel out the negative. It doesn't have to be something positive physically either. Doing something good at work, a favor for a friend, handling a difficult situation well all counts as something positive.

4

Treat yourself when you come up with something positive about yourself. Take time to pamper yourself or pick up a special treat just for yourself. Create a positive attitude in yourself.

5

Continue to reinforce this positive thinking. Negative thoughts are as much of a habit as positive ones. So your creating a new way of thinking about yourself. Continue and repeat the steps of find something positive about yourself and reinforcing them when negative thoughts creep in.

How to Know the Best Way to Lose Weight With Herbs

Weight loss can be tricky. The formula is pretty simple: Eat a healthy diet, exercise, and don't consume too many calories. But what happens if you've been doing these things but are not getting the results you expect? Herbs can help out a lot.

Note: Depending on the herbs you choose they can help your body burn fat, boost your metabolism, and keep your liver healthy. The herbs listed below are not diet aids. They simply help strengthen the body's natural ability to lose weight. They are also not stimulating like some of the "diet herbs" on the market.

If you are looking for a guide to help you detox, this is NOT it. If you want something that will help you lose weight quickly, again, you will not find that info in this article.

Too many people try to find the quick way out. They spend years abusing their bodies and eating food that is bad for them. They neglect their bodies and continue to not exercise. Instead, they want to undo years of abuse by taking a supplement that will crash the weight off. This is just MORE abuse.

You will NEVER find that kind of information in an article that I write. This is not a healthy mindset and I will never advocate those methods. My goal is to help you get healthy. Period.

So if you read the steps below and feel disappointed that I'm telling you to take herbs that will gently get your body back in balance and will help aid you in a normal, healthy weight loss schedule - perhaps it's time for a change of mentality? If you want to lose weight it is NOT an overnight process.

My advice would be to really think about your habits and your lifestyle. Make the changes that you need and then choose one or two of the herbs listed below that will gently help your body be as healthy as possible. This WILL translate to weight loss.

Instructions

1

Choose one of the herbs listed below to try. Add 1 tsp. of the herb to hot water (or one tea bag). Let steep for ten minutes and then remove the tea bag or strain the herb. Drink two to three cups a day.

2

A healthy liver helps your body process the extra fat and eliminate it. To stimulate your liver try dandelion root, burdock root, yellow dock root or dandelion leaves.

3

Traditional tea is also a good weight loss aid. White tea and green tea are the best, but black tea and oolong tea will work as well. They come from the sample plant, they're just dried differently.

4

Some herbs really help fire up your metabolism, which helps you burn more calories. These herbs include ginger, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon.

5

Excess stress can really take a toll on your body and cause you to gain weight. You can help manage your stress by using herbs such as lemon balm, chamomile, and oatstraw.

How to Get Allergy Relief with Herbs

Stinging nettle is by far my favorite herb for allergies. But, there are plenty of herbs out there that will work. Since everyone is different, you may not have the same positive reaction to stinging nettle that I do.

There are so many herbs and supplements that you can choose from that can all help. The goal is to find the herb that works the best for your needs.

Choose from the following herbs:

Stinging nettle
Green tea
White tea
Rooibos
Garlic
Ginger
Cayenne pepper
Turmeric
Goldenseal
Catnip
Peppermint

Choose one herb at a time to work with so you can test how it works. I also take extra Vitamin C, quercetin (note that garlic has quercetin) and grapeseed extract if my allergies are really bad.

My favorite way of taking any of the herbs listed above is with a tea. So the instructions for making a tea with the herbs are listed below. But, you can also take a pill. Just follow the instructions on the bottle.

Instructions

1

Place the loose herb in a tea strainer or drop tea bag into the mug.

2

Pour boiling water into the mug.

3

Let steep for at least 10 minutes. If using stinging nettle, steep for around thirty minutes.

4

Remove tea strainer or tea bag. Sweeten and enjoy.

How to Treat Acne With Burdock Root

Acne can be an embarrassing problem. It's also something that can be controlled using a combination of a good diet, a smart exercise program and the right herbs.

One of the best herbs I've found for skin problems like acne is burdock root. For best results, you need to apply it to the skin and also take it internally. Most people see results after about a month so give it a chance. This isn't a quick fix, but it does work.

Instructions

1

Add water and herbs to the medium saucepan.

2

Set stove to medium-high and bring to a boil. Leave saucepan uncovered.

3

Once it comes to a boil, turn the heat down to low. Simmer until the liquid is reduced to about half.

4

Take about 1/2 cup internally two to three times a day. Also, dab the liquid onto the affected skin using a cotton ball in the morning and at night.

How to Treat a Stuffy Nose With Herbs

My nose gets stuffy all the time--especially in the summer when my allergies are at their worst and in the winter when I have a cold.

Over the years I've developed a series of methods that help me breathe easier without overloading my body with medicine.

Here, I'll share with you my favorites. Choose one or two of the methods that you like the best to test them out. Don't do any more than that, though, because you may not be sure of what is actually working for you and what isn't.

Instructions

Tips to Help You Get Started

1

Fill a bowl with hot water and add some peppermint leaves. Place your face about six inches away from the bowl and inhale the steam. You can drape a towel over your head to form a tent to prevent the steam from escaping.

2

Place a drop of peppermint essential oil on your pillow before you go to bed.

3

Purchase a menthol inhaler and use throughout the day as needed. Follow the instructions on the package.

4

Drink green tea, coffee (the caffeine has decongestant properties) or peppermint tea.

5

Eat something with plenty of fresh garlic, horseradish or onions. Cut an onion and let your eyes tear.

6

Eat something hot. Foods spiced with hot peppers helps drain the sinuses.

How to Treat Flatulence With Fennel

An embarrassing and uncomfortable gastrointestinal malady, flatulence can cause us to avoid some of the healthier choices in our diet. Beans, soy and cruciferous vegetables frequently cause flatulence. Fennel is a natural flatulence treatment described in ancient Roman texts and recognized by the medical community today. You can use fennel whenever flatulence strikes without worrying about side effects or building up tolerance.

Instructions

1

Use fresh fennel bulbs and seeds for cooking and tea. The volatile oils that help the body to expel gas dissipate as fennel ages. The efficacy of the 6-year-old jar of fennel seeds on your spice rack is low.

2

Add fennel to your stews, salads and casseroles to reduce their gassy effects on you. Fennel imparts a sweet flavor to dishes akin to licorice. It pairs especially well with Italian dishes and sausage entrees.

3

Chew on a fresh stalk of fennel after your meal. An amount the size of a postage stamp contains enough volatile oils to prevent gas.

4

Prepare hot tea with whole fennel seeds. Crush the seeds briefly with a mortar and pestle to express the volatile oils. Add tsp. of crushed seeds to 1 cup boiling water. Strain after steeping for 10 minutes. You can drink this tea after each meal.

5

Ask the doctor about offering fennel tea to a colicky infant. People have used fennel for centuries to produce "gripe water" to calm gassy babies.

How to Treat Candida Naturally

Candida is a yeast infection that is called thrush when it is in the mouth, but it can appear as diaper rash or a vaginal yeast infection. It can appear after antibiotics kills beneficial bacteria along with harmful bacteria. It can be treated naturally with good results.

Instructions

1

Eliminate foods that contain sugar and yeast, which feed candida. Also avoid mushrooms and molds, vinegar and other fermented products, including alcohol or soy sauce. Other foods to avoid include dry roasted nuts, most commercial soups, white flour and bacon and other pork products.

2

Reduce the amount of starchy vegetables and whole grains until symptoms improve. Limit your consumption of fruit and diluted fruit juices because the sugar content may cause yeast to grow. Use only small amounts of nuts, seeds, beans and other legumes.

3

Eat eggs, chicken, turkey, seafood and lamb. Eat all vegetables except corn and potatoes. Focus on cabbage, raw garlic, onions, broccoli, turnip and kale. These vegetables all inhibit the growth of candida.

4

Take a yeast-free multi-vitamin, vitamin C (1000 milligrams 4 times daily is effective), 100 micrograms selenium, 400 IU dry Vitamin E and extra beta carotene daily. These should improve the body's immune system. Take lactobacilus acidophilus and bifidobacteria in recommended quantities to repopulate the intestines with good bacteria.

5

Try antifungal herbs or herbal remedies specifically for candida. These contain ingredients to slow or eliminate the growth of fungus or yeast.

6

Eat yogurt daily to increase lactobacillus acidophilus. Once the candida has been cured, continue to consume the yogurt. It can't hurt you and has other benefits.

How to Align the Body With Rolfing

In the mid 1950's, Dr. Rolf designed a technique for breaking up misaligned fascia and realigning the structural system for a more natural, healthier, body. The system is used today, and even Oprah Winfrey has had a segment on Rolfing. Here's how it can align your body.

Instructions

1

Allow the Rolfer to palpitate the muscle fascia. The Rolfer uses his hands to review the muscles, palpitating or feeling for imbalances in the tissue texture, temperature and quality. This step is much like a doctor taking preliminary tests to locate a malady.

2

Relax your muscles as the Rolfer discriminates, separating the muscle fascia that needs to be worked on and correcting it. Muscle fascia will form improperly after an injury. Once this builds, it keeps the body out of alignment unless it's broken down and reworked. The misalignment causes pain, fatigue and structural damage.

3

Feel the Rolfer integrate your body using gravity, bringing it back to the way it's supposed to work. Rolfing is different from other massages. It attempts to realign the body so that the force of gravity is working with you instead of against you.

4

Continue for at least the traditional 10 sessions. Rolfing was created to be completed in 10 sessions. However the first 3 sessions are a great introduction to the Rolfing process.

5

Practice the movements the Rolfing therapist assigns to you. To help the body realign, the therapist gives you a series of movements to practice at home. The ultimate benefit of Rolfing is shown by the sincerity of the receiver. If the whole program is judiciously practiced, then alignment of the body should be complete.

How to Improve Circulation With Thai Massage

The traditional therapeutic technique known as Thai massage focuses on improving circulation and unblocking energy to relieve unhealthy joint and muscle tensions. The physical movements and stretches applied through Thai massage can be learned individually or as a couple. Improve blood circulation with Thai Massage.

Instructions

1

Know that the basis of Thai massage is surrounded by the importance of blood to our bodies. If blood did not flow properly through your body, you couldn't handle bacterial and viral infections. Serious complications could develop, and toxins would build up in your muscles, leading to muscle pains and other ill effects. It's been found that the reason behind numb, restless muscles, dizziness, improper posture can often be traced insufficient blood flow to certain areas of the body.

2

Promote blood circulation and the stimulation of internal organs that block energy lines, an important concept in Thai massage. The strokes, movements and positions utilized in Thai massage allow participants to feel their blood circulating throughout their bodies, making them feel warm and healthy. These movements also increase their flexibility.

3

Know that parts of Thai massage mimic aspects of yoga. For instance, a Thai massage session begins with a meditation phase, just as yoga does. The Thai masseuse will often apply hard pressure to the recipient while moving the body into different positions to access pressure points and restore energy by focus on different strokes and stretches.

4

Make an appointment for a Thai massage once you are familiar with the practice. Some traditional day spas offer the service, and there are also some specialists who offer only this type of massage.

5

Note the difference in your body following your first massage session. Hopefully, you'll feel rejuvenated and refreshed. Pair Thai massage with exercise for optimum results.

6

Learn more about the practice of Thai massage and its benefits. Use resources online to research Thai massage. Other helpful tools are the many books, videos and other materials dedicated to the method. Before attending a Thai massage class, perform the methods and positions at home with the help of a video so that you can become more comfortable with the practice.

How to Prepare for a Deep Tissue Massage Session

A deep tissue message is quite different from the average Swedish message. The Swedish Message is aimed at relaxation, but the deep tissue message is intended to break up adhesions and restrictions to increase the range of movement and relieve pain.

Instructions

1

Get a deep tissue massage you've had an injury or are in pain. The deep tissue massage is created to reach the deeper levels and release knots and tension. If you just want relaxation, you won't be best served by the deep tissue massage.

2

Prepare for some discomfort upon receiving the massage since the massage applies a great deal of pressure on the areas that are bound. The therapist begins by pushing her entire thumb area of both hands, up the sides of your spinal column to the head. If this is a sensitive area, you will feel pain.

3

Understand that the second level of a deep massage will also cause some additional discomfort. The therapist uses his entire forearm to move up your back, going against the muscle, not with it as a Swedish message.

4

Expect a few days of tenderness. The actions of the massage are created to break up scar tissue and realign the deeper muscles and fascia below. If there was considerable damage, there could be some short-lived discomfort.

5

Wait a few days before giving your verdict. The entire process is designed to break up adhesions and stimulate circulation. There can be a delay as the muscles, now having better circulation, start to repair themselves.

How to Take Growth Hormones

Growth hormones are used in humans to stimulate the growth process. Once you are injected with growth hormones, your body's cells begin to reproduce at a more rapid rate. Growth hormones have several functions including increasing height, muscle mass and stimulating the immune system.

Instructions

1

Assess the need for growth hormones. This is especially true in the case of children who are given growth hormones. Many feel that the body naturally grows at its own rate.

2

Make an appointment with your doctor or pediatrician. Let them know your concerns and see if there is another remedy besides growth hormones.

3

Set up a treatment schedule with your doctor. Once your physician decides to treat you with growth hormones, you can arrange an injection schedule.

4

Note any side effects from the growth hormones. If you notice any pain, particularly in your joints, notify your doctor. Other side effects include the possibility of developing carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetes.

5

Watch out for scams that market growth hormones for sale. Any web marketers who state that they can sell you oral growth hormones are looking to take your money. Research shows that growth hormones can not be digested.

How to Treat Heart Disease With Chelation Therapy

Chelation therapy is the process of removing undesirable metals from the body by taking an oral or IV medication that has the ability to grab them. Chelation therapy uses an amino acid known as EDTA to extract lead or calcium buildups that may occur in the body. Chelation therapy has been used as an alternative treatment for arteriosclerosis and heart disease.

Instructions

1

Find a practitioner who administers chelation therapy. You may need to seek out a holistic medical professional if your family doctor does not perform the treatment. There are chelation centers available in some areas of the country.

2

Get a full medical workup, including a physical. The practitioner will take your medical history and run tests that examine your heart and the rest of the circulatory system. The results will be compared to tests taken after the chelation therapy.

3

Work with the practitioner to develop a treatment schedule. You probably need to get the chelation therapy administered three times a week. Most centers give patients an IV drip over the course of several hours.

4

Continue treatments over the recommended period of time. To treat heart disease, your practitioner may recommend a 10-week course of therapy.

5

Undergo follow-up tests. You need medical exams over the course of chelation therapy to note improvement in your circulatory system as well as to monitor kidney function.

How to Treat Cancer With Gerson Therapy

Gerson therapy is an alternative treatment available to patients who have been diagnosed with cancer. The Gerson therapy program was developed by Dr. Max Gerson in the 1920s and involves the use of natural products to rid the body of diseases. When used in conjunction with traditional therapies, Gerson therapy can be part of an effective treatment plan for cancer.

Instructions

1

Visit the Gerson Institute's website. On this site, you'll find information about how Gerson therapy can be used to treat diseases. It also has a store where you can buy the essential information needed to follow the program. To begin, you need to purchase the "Gerson Therapy Handbook."

2

Buy additional literature available for cancer patients from the Gerson Institute. These titles include "A Cancer Therapy" and the "Cancer Control Journal."

3

Flood your body with nutrients. One of the central components of Gerson therapy is to consume a very large amount of fruits and vegetables. While treating cancer, the patient is expected to drink one glass of fruit and vegetable juice an hour and have three vegetarian meals a day.

4

Improve the metabolism of your body to treat cancer. The Gerson therapy recommends supplements, such as potassium, liver extract, vitamin B-12 and the thyroid hormone.

5

Detoxify your body using coffee enemas. The use of enemas is meant to decrease any pain that the cancer patient is having and speed up recovery.

6

Travel to a Gerson clinic. If you would rather seek out personalized care from medical professionals trained in Gerson therapy, you can request admission to one of their facilities in either Mexico or California.

How to Sleep Better with Essential Oils

A night of restful sleep makes for a productive day. Over-the-counter and prescription sleep aids sometimes have undesirable side effects that leave us looking for other options. Essential oils may help you sleep better. Check out the following suggestions and try a few essential oils to get a good night's sleep.

Instructions

1

Apply "Peace and Calming," a blend of orange, tangerine, ylang-ylang, patchouli and blue tansy, to the wrists and edges of the ears to promote relaxation and to calm tensions. Massage the oil into the bottoms of the feet as a prelude to a restful night.

2

Promote peaceful rest with clove oil. Add a few drops to a spray bottle and spritz the room or use clove oil in a room diffuser.

3

Create an Insomnia Milk Bath by adding four drops of lavender, 3 drops marjoram and 2 drops benzoin essential oils to a running bath. Add 1 cup of powdered milk and a tablespoon of almond oil. Soak in this relaxing bath for 30 minutes before bed.

4

Encourage sleep and enhance dreams with essential oil of valerian, known for its calming, relaxing effects. Put 2 drops in the palm and massage into the chest just before bed, then press the palm into the forehead.

5

Enhance deep sleep with sandalwood oil. Use in aromatherapy, in a room diffuser or in massage, diluting the oil 1:15 with vegetable oil.

6

Spray the bedroom with a fine mist of lavender water. Add a few drops of lavender oil to 8 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Spritz the bed pillows too.

How to Use Essential Oils for Massage

Using essential oils for massage is not only relaxing but can be beneficial in a variety of ways, depending the essential oils used. Just a few drops of each oil are applied after the application of carrier oil that dilutes the highly concentrated oils. Following are just a few suggestions using essential oils for massage.

Instructions

1

Relieve stressed muscles and revitalize the mind, body and spirit with a relaxing massage using essential oil of pine. Add cypress oil for a sense of security and grounding.

2

Promote physical and emotional healing as well as a good night's sleep with Awaken, a blend of several other oil blends. Use vegetable oil as the carrier oil for a full body massage.

3

Enjoy giving or receiving a massage with Sensation, a romantic, refreshing blend of ylang-ylang, jasmine and rosewood. Expect increased awareness and amplified excitement.

4

Stimulate the limbic region of the brain with Live with Passion, a blend of oils including ginger, angelica, sandalwood, patchouli and clary sage. Increase passion in relationships, business or personal accomplishment with a massage with this oil blend.

5

Give a massage with Valor, a blend of rosewood, tansy, blue spruce and franincense, to build courage, confidence and self-esteem. Apply Valor first when using other oils.

6

Perk up the spirit with a massage with Citrus Fresh, a blend of orange, tangerine, lemon, spearmint, grapefruit and mandarin. Stimulate and increase creative energy with this refreshing blend.

How to Treat Menorrhagia With Natural Medicine

Menorrhagia is heavy bleeding during the menstrual period. With menorrhagia, the period lasts for too many days, there is excessive blood during the normal number of days, or both. While a doctor should be consulted if the condition lasts for more than two cycles, you can help to regulate an irregular period with natural self-care. If there is no underlying condition involved, your doctor will most likely recommend some or all of these natural medicines.

Instructions

1

Restore the iron your body is lacking due to menorrhagia by taking iron supplements. Iron plays a double role in menorrhagia, because loss of blood will cause iron deficiency, and the opposite is also true; low iron levels in the blood can cause menorrhagia. Follow your doctor's instructions or the manufacturer's label for dosage information.

2

Take 25,000 IU of Vitamin A two times a day for 15 days to help normalize your menstrual period. Studies show that 93 percent of women with menorrhagia show improvements by taking Vitamin A supplements. If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, you should not take more than 10,000 IU per day of Vitamin A.

3

Supplement your vitamin regimen with Vitamin E if menorrhagia has been brought on due to complications with an IUD for birth control. 100 IU of Vitamin E every other day has been shown to correct menorrhagia between 4 and 10 weeks. The type of menorrhagia caused by an IUD is different than other cases, so taking Vitamin E if you do not have an IUD may or may not be an effective medicine for your condition.

4

Drink two cups of rosehips tea daily to increase your intake of Vitamin C and Flavonoids, two elements which protect your body's small blood vessels (capillaries) from damage. Begin your twice daily medicinal tea at least one week before your period is expected to begin, continuing one week after your period has ended. Rosehips tea is available in your local natural food store, or you can add one teaspoon of fresh rosehips per cup of boiled water to make your own herbal tea.

5

Consider acupuncture as a natural treatment for menorrhagia. Acupuncture can help to regulate the production of follicle stimulating and luteinizing hormones, helping to regulate your period. An acupuncturist can further assist you in lifestyle changes that may be affecting your cycle as well as other natural medicines that might be helpful for your particular condition.

How to Treat Infections With Natural Medicine

Infection is caused when viruses or bacteria are present in body tissues and causes inflammation, fever, swelling and other symptoms. Often antibiotics, traditional treatment for infections, do more harm than good. Through natural treatment, you can help your body fight acute infections effectively and improve the immune response if you have low resistance to infections.

Instructions

1

Use Aconitum napellus in pill or liquid form, a common holistic remedy used to treat infection. Aconitum napellus is most often used to treat infections accompanied by sudden onset of inflammation and fever, often occurring after exposure to heavy winds, severe cold or after a traumatic experience. With this type of infection, you may feel anxious, fearful and very thirsty.

2

Take belladonna for infection that is accompanied by throbbing pain, swelling, heat and redness. With this type of infection, your face may be hot and flushed while your hands and feet feel cold. This type of infection often causes thirst, discomfort worsened by movement and sensitivity to light.

3

Apply calendula ointment topically for cuts and skin eruptions to prevent and fight infection. Calendula capsules can also be taken for internal infections and boils.

4

Rub graphites cream onto the infected skin. Graphites are particularly helpful if you suffer from cracking skin that occurs with oozing discharge, herpes simplex, impetigo or skin infections around the ears, eyes, nose and mouth.

How to Treat Epilepsy Naturally

Epilepsy is a serious condition that affects the central nervous system causing fits and seizures. Most often epilepsy is a genetic disorder; however, it can be brought on or triggered by outside elements including alcohol abuse, food allergies, insufficient mineral absorption and stress. While traditional medicine should not be denied in the treatment of epilepsy, natural treatment in your home can help reduce the frequency of seizures, reduce the stress caused by the condition and help to ease the symptoms of epilepsy.

Instructions

1

Drink vegetable juices, particularly carrot mixed with beets and cucumber to help eliminate toxins that may trigger epileptic seizures. Drink 500 ml daily by combining 300 ml of carrot juice with 100 ml of cucumber and 100 ml of beet juice.

2

Take supplements of Vitamin B6 or supplement your diet with natural food sources of this important B vitamin. B6 works to maintain the critical functioning of the central nervous system. Because epilepsy is a disorder affecting the central nervous system, maintaining proper function through Vitamin B6 supplements can help reduce the frequency of seizures. Foods rich in Vitamin B6 include brewer's yeast, milk, rice, green leafy vegetables, peanuts, carrots and cereals.

3

Include fruits in your diet that have proven effective in reducing seizures naturally in epilepsy patients. Beneficial fruits include figs, apples and especially grapes. Drinking 500 ml of fresh grape juice daily may decrease the frequency of seizures.

4

Reduce anxiety, which may trigger epileptic seizures. Practicing yoga, meditation, Tai Chi or Pilates can help reduce stress on the body and the central nervous system, reducing the triggers that cause seizures. Learning to live with epilepsy can be traumatic and difficult, so creating a peaceful and relaxing environment for yourself is key in dealing with the disorder.

How to Treat Muscular Torticollis Naturally

Congenital muscular torticollis is a condition that effects infants. Sometimes called wryneck, the sternocleidomastoid muscle is shortened, causing the neck to twist. Torticollis can occur during a difficult birth when the neck muscle has been stretched or torn. Scar tissue then causes the muscle to tighten excessively. While any home treatment should be approved by your doctor or naturopath, there are some things you can do to promote healing.

Instructions

1

Speak to a trained physical therapist who can guide you in specific ways to handle your baby. Learn about safe stretches, ways to feed your baby and how to position your baby in a way that promotes posture and symmetry during this important stage of motor development.

2

Help your baby to stretch the affected muscle, after you have been properly trained by a professional physical therapist. This treatment consists of 15 to 20 stretches, 5 or 6 times a day. While the child is lying on his back, the head is tilted away from the affected muscle, and the face is turned in the opposite direction just enough to apply a gentle stretch.

3

Keep your baby active to promote exercise of the neck muscles. When playing, hold toys to the opposite direction of the tilt, bottle feed so the baby must stretch the affected muscle and place your baby in the crib so that stimulating pictures and activities are in the opposite direction of the tilt. Strengthening the opposite side of the neck, as well as the upper body and arms, can also help to stretch and relieve the affected muscle.

4

Carry your baby in a position facing away from you, so that the non-affected side rests against your forearm. Place your opposite arm between your baby's legs to support her body. You should carry your baby in this position as much as possible.

5

Frequently apply gentle massage to the affected muscle to help relieve pain and allow the muscle to relax. Massage and stretching exercises should never hurt, so only use as much strength as your baby can handle comfortably.