 |
Top 7 Tips to Choose Healing Herbs for your Conditions
Author: Raymond Lee  | Posted: 30-01-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 13 | Rating: (53)  (?) 
Those who use over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceuticals always know how much medicine they are taking because FDA regulations require precision. People who use herbs face more of a challenge. However, in controlled doses, herbs cause fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals. Pharmaceuticals are highly concentrated, and pills and capsules have little taste, factors that make it easy to overdose. The active constituents in herbs are typically less concentrated, and most taste quite bitter, which discourages taking too much. Once you decide you want to use herbs, you are still left with some key questions. Which herbs? And how do you use them? Here is a list of common safe and effective herbs to choose from, along with some information about the conditions they treat that you can consider.
1. Ephedra
In addition to its decongestant value, Chinese ephedra has a long history of use in Asia as a coffeelike stimulant. Recent studies have also shown that ephedra boosts metabolic rate – the speed at which the body burns calories. As a result, it has shown some benefit as a weight-loss aid, but only in those who are significantly overweight. Ephedra can also increase heart rate and blood pressure, so do not use it if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes or glaucoma. You should also not take ephedra if you have thyroid problems. In fact, ephedra has been shown to be harmful when taken improperly and should not be used by anyone with health problems. If you want to take ephedra or any product containing ephedra, you should discuss it with your doctor.
2. Ginseng
Prized above gold for thousands of years, ginseng root has been Asia’s most revered tonic. It was viewed as an aphrodisiac that strengthens the body, enhances health and aids longevity. Early Jesuit missionaries in Canada discovered American ginseng in 1704 and made a fortune shipping it to China. The herb was eventually discovered growing as far south as Georgia, and it quickly became one of the American colonies’ most valuable exports, until the overcollection just about wiped it out. Today Amercian ginseng is farmed in Wisconsin. Most of the crop is shipped to Asia. Evidence is mounting that the herb helps the body resist illness and damage from stress. Studies show that ginseng stimulates the immune system, helps reduce cholesterol levels, protects the liver from toxic substances and increases stamina and nutrient absorption from the intestines. Asian Olympic athletes take it regularly to boost their performance.
3. Ginger
Scientific research has shown that ginger fights nausea better than the over-the-counter anti-nausea drug Dramamine. This root herb does more than simply soothe the stomach, however. An ancient Indian proverb says, “Every good quality is contained in ginger.” Well, not quite, but studies show that it also boosts the immune system’s ability to fight infection. And like garlic, it lowers blood pressure and cholesterol and helps prevent the blood clots that trigger heart attack.
4. Rosemary
Long before refrigeration was available, the ancients noticed that wrapping meat in crushed rosemary leaves preserved it and imparted a tasty flavour. To this day, the herb remains a favourite addition to meat dishes, and its preservative action led to its use in herbal medicine. Meats spoil in part because oxidation turns their fats rancid. Rosemary oil retards spoilage and compares favourably with the commercial preservatives BHA and BHT. Rosemary’ s preservative action may help prevent food poisoning at your next picnic. Mix the crushed herb into burger meat and tuna, pasta and potato salads. Rosemary also helps soothe the stomach.
5. Aloe Vera
In ancient Egypt (1500 B.C.), the Ebers Papyrus recommended aloe vera for skin problems, and the world has been using this herb ever since. Chinese, Greek, Roman and Arab herbalists recommended it for wounds, burns, rashes and hemorrhoids. During the 1930s, radiologists discovered aloe vera’s effectiveness in treating radiation burns. The latest studies show that the herb has clear value in treating minor cuts, scrapes and burns.
6. Chamomile
When Peter Rabbit ate himself sick in McGregor’s garden and got chased out at the wrong end of a hoe, his mother gave him chamomile tea, a traditional remedy for indigestion, anxiety and wounds. Peter’s mom was a wise woman…er, bunny. German herbalists once used chamomile so extensively, they called it alles zutraut, “capable of anything.” That is an exaggeration, but recent studies show that this popular beverage herb does indeed calm jangled nerves, relieve stomach distress, prevent ulcers and speed their healing and help fight infection by stimulating the immune system. Chamomile tea is an excellent home remedy for indigestion, heartburn and infant colic. It also has mild relaxant and sedative properties.
7. Garlic
After ephedra, garlic is considered the world’s second oldest medicine. The oldest surviving garlic prescription, chiselled into a Sumerian clay tablet, dates from 3000 B.C. The ancient world revered garlic as a virtual panacea, but none loved it as deeply as the Egyptians who consumed so much that the Greek historian Herodotus called them “the stinking ones.” As the centuries passed, Europeans hung braided garlic plants from their doorsteps to keep evil spirits at bay – a custom echoed today in the garlic braids that adorn many kitchens. During World War I, army doctors used garlic juice quite effectively to treat wounds and dysentery. After the war, scientists discovered why it worked: When chewed or chopped, garlic is a potent natural antibiotic. In fact, ten medium cloves pack approximately the same antibiotic punch as a typical dose of penicillin. Garlic also has antiviral properties. Garlic is a useful herb. It can help protects against stomach cancer and reduces risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol and decreasing the likelihood of blood clots that can trigger heart attack.
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/top-7-tips-to-choose-healing-herbs-for-your-conditions-319528.html
About the Author:Raymond Lee is one of the foremost experts in the health and fitness industry and is the Founder of Bodyfixes Group specializing in body health, muscle development and dieting. He is currently the author of the latest edition of "Neck Exercises and Workouts." Visit http://www.bodyfixes.com for more information.
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Shin Splints =[[
By: KWtennis4 | 23-07-2008
Hi! I am a very atletic person. Not only am i good at sports, but i lluv them. however, i have very bad shin splints that make it hard to play sports. what are shin splints an how can i prevent/cure them? thx!
How can I clear my arteries?
By: dcha12 | 22-07-2008
how can I clear my arteries?
I want larger, thicker, fuller and longer ejaculations
By: Wise Ali | 22-07-2008
How would I be able to produce a larg(er) amounts of semen during an orgasm. Is there a food or drink or exercise that I can intake or perform that increases the amount of cum I have to give?
Lice
By: nagalie | 22-07-2008
I am so grossed out, tired, and aggrivated. I need help. I need some feedback. To begin with, I'm an ultra clean person but I think I have lice. I am not sure. for a week now I have been itching like crazy but didn't find anything until today. I can never find anything at will. Nothing in the seems of my clothes. I only feel them. anyway, today I found on my arm ( think it fell from my head) what I now know looks like lice according to pictures i've seen. It had 6 legs was a transparent brown exept for the dark insides of its body. It was about the size of the period at the end of this sentence but a bit larger including it's legs...(Sooo sorry that you are getting this gross info but it's quite necessary for the process of identifying my problem.) Anyway, I am pretty sure it is lice but the question i want to ask now is what kind? If it is body lice it should be treated different from head lice I think. I know you can get rid of head lice with olive oil but body lice? Here are my symptoms... I am 90% sure I got this from my dog who was in some tall grass the other day. I saw her itching intensely but shes never had any bites before so I didnt think about it. I thought it was allergies and gave her a benedryl. THEN I started itching along with her. I know its not fleas. I don't think its scabies because my bites dont run in lines or around the webbing of my fingers. Not only that but scabies dont look like lice from what I know. Now, I can't tell if it is head or body lice because of this, they are both on my head and on my body. I even feel them in my eyelashes. I have them in my nether regions...and I've never had sex.lol I have bites that look like pimples all spread out on my legs...nether region...round my belly button, on my behind, back and neck. None on my chest or face thank God for that. But head lice are supposed to remain on the head for all I know and body lice on the body. I even feel itchy in my ears. I can barely sleep. Someone help me so I can search for a remedy pleeease. If you have a remedy for either please share it with me . Thanks
How does one get information from Ezra LeMarpeh in ...
By: countrieladi1220 | 19-07-2008
How does one get information from Ezra LeMarpeh in regard to their referral sevices? If I have Parkinson's Disease, will they tell me who to go to for the latest treatment and what it is?
Muscle Building Programs
By: musclemasster | 17-07-2008
Hi everyone,
I weight train regularly and have decent results, but want to build more muscle mass and increase my lean body mass.
I Was wondering if any of you have tried out no-nonsense muscle buildilng? It looks decent but I am always skeptical about these muscle building internet program thingys.
If anyone has tried the program out, I'd be greatful if you would post comments about it.
Thanks!
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Diseases and Conditions Articles
Colon Health is the Key to a Long, Happy, Disease-free Life
By: Paul Rodgers | 26/07/2008
Colon therapy offers many health benefits including detoxification, cleansing of the bloodstream and the stimulation of internal organs. Additional benefits can often be observed throughout the body in the form of clearer skin, more energy and mental clarity, fewer headaches, with circulatory, immune and weight problems often improving, amongst many other positive side effects.
Colon Health is a Matter of Life and Death
By: Paul Rodgers | 26/07/2008
Herbal colon therapy is the cornerstone of much of our treatment for bowel conditions in the same way that endonasal therapy is the cornerstone for the treatment of ear, nose and throat diseases. To the uninitiated it might seem that the most obvious reason for the herbal colonic treatment would be for correcting constipation.
Ways Of Getting Back Pain Relief
By: Apurva Shree | 26/07/2008
Back pain can be a very distressing problem in your life. It will not only affect you physically but can be emotionally very depressing.Back pain can be a very distressing problem in your life.
Use Of Lower Back Pain Remedies
By: Apurva Shree | 26/07/2008
Back pain has now become a very common problem which can affect any age group. The pain in the lower back can be due to injury or accident, displaced disc, degenerated muscle etc. There are several exercises and stretches that can constitute a good lower backache remedy.
Use These Back Pain Relief Products For A Healthy Back
By: Apurva Shree | 26/07/2008
As back pain has emerged as the most common problem in present day, various back pain relief products have surfaced in the market. People rely a great deal on these products to get positive results.
How To Be Independent With Schizophrenia
By: Ronen David | 26/07/2008
When people suffer from schizophrenia mean the condition where a person may find it difficult to differentiate what is real and what is not
The Unnerving Symptoms Of Back Pain
By: Apurva Shree | 26/07/2008
Are you facing periodical pain in your spine, neck, shoulders, hips, and waist or while moving your hands? If yes, be careful. You could be facing the symptoms of back pain.
Why Osteoporosis Is Still The Silent Thief
By: Joseph Nyamache | 25/07/2008
Because of the high prevalence rates of more common diseases like AIDS and Diabetes, most people tend to ignore other diseases that are equally important in our lives such as osteoporosis
More from Raymond Lee
Top 7 Tips to Take Supplements Without Getting Taken
By: Raymond Lee | 01/02/2008 | Supplements and Vitamins
The types of supplements might be confusing. Therefore, it is worthwhile to go through the tips so as to shop for the supplements that can meet your needs.
Top 5 Vision Therapy Exercises
By: Raymond Lee | 01/02/2008 | Health
Vision therapy exercises are good for everyone’s eyes because they are relaxing. Therefore, it is worthwhile to give it a try.
Top 7 Tips to Treat Eye Conditions Using Vision Therapy
By: Raymond Lee | 01/02/2008 | Diseases and Conditions
Vision therapy is no sure cure for nearsightedness, but it can’t hurt, and it just might help.
Top 7 Tips to Go Organic
By: Raymond Lee | 31/01/2008 | Nutrition
Increasing number of people is taken the plunge. Therefore, it is worthwhile to consider these tips.
How High-fat Diets Hurt
By: Raymond Lee | 31/01/2008 | Nutrition
By now, you should be aware of the dangers of high-fat diets and make some judgements for yourself.
Top 5 Conditions to Get Heal With Light Therapy
By: Raymond Lee | 31/01/2008 | Wellness
Light therapy has healing benefits and helps relieve winter blues and treat other conditions. Therefore, it is worthwhile to consider these tips.
Top 5 Conditions to Get Heal With Cold
By: Raymond Lee | 30/01/2008 | Alternative Medicine
Cold treatments have many healing benefits. Therefore, it is worthwhile to consider these tips.
Top 7 Tips to Take the Plunge Towards Healthy Habits
By: Raymond Lee | 30/01/2008 | Goal Setting
Of course, change is never easy. It often feels threatening, especially when it is for life. Therefore, it is worthwhile to give these tips a try.
|
|
Health 
