Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Home and Herbal Remedies for Hemorrhoids Treatment

Hemorrhoids are the inflamed condition of the veins inside or outside the rectum also known as piles. It is associated with pain, itching and bleeding. Piles can be defined as the enlarged and swollen blood vessels in or around the anus region. The condition is common among all age groups but the most sufferers are women during their pregnancy time.

Causes of Piles

* Constipation
* Pregnancy- due to increased blood flow.
* Overeating of low fibre diet
* Heavy lifting jobs
* Chronic diarrhe
* Excessive intake of spices and condiments.

Home Remedies for Piles

* Dry figs are most important food remedy for piles. 3-4 figs should be soaked overnight in water and taken empty stomach in morning along with the water in which they were soaked.
* Mango seeds are effective remedy for bleeding piles. The seeds should be dried and powdered and can be taken in the doses of about one and a half gram to two grams with or without honey.
* White radish is considered highly valuable in the treatment of piles. Grated radish mixed with honey can be taken.
* White radish juice with a pinch of salt is beneficial. It should be taken in doses of 70-90 ml in the morning and evening.
* Make a paste of well-grounded radish with milk and apply over piles to get relief from pain and swelling.
* Cold-water treatment helps the veins to shrink and tones up the walls. The treatment should be taken twice in a day by sitting in a tub filled with cold-water up to the chin level.
* Cold compress applied to the rectal area for about an hour before going to bed at night is very beneficial.
* Yogic kriyas like jalneti and vamandhouti are beneficial.
* Various yogasanas such as sarvangasana, vipritakarani, halsana and gomukhasana are useful. Sarvangasana is beneficial as it drains the stagnant blood from the anus.
* A cup of milk boiled with mashed banana and taken thrice a day is beneficial.
* The jambul fruit is also effective food remedy. The fruits should be taken with salt every morning for 3-4 months in the season.
* Make a mixture of half-teaspoon fresh ginger juice, half-teaspoon fresh limejuice, a tablespoon honey, and a half-teaspoon mint leaves and take this mixture once in a day.

What Our Ancestors Can Teach Us About Natural Supplements

Humans have existed on our planet for much longer than pharmaceutical companies; thus, it makes perfect sense to ask the question, “Are there natural healing methods, like those of nutritional supplements and vitamins groups, which work just as well for some individuals as prescription drugs?”

The answer is a resounding YES.

Though advertising agencies working on behalf of popular medicines would have you believe otherwise, there are many natural healing methods that work to heal some common conditions, including depression, high blood pressure, acne, high cholesterol, and weight problems. Below, we’ll look at a few “miracle ingredients” that are found in nature, and vitamin nutritional supplements, but not in a laboratory.

Soy

There’s a reason you’re seeing a great deal of soy on the market; it’s because the general population has finally embraced this natural healing ingredient and nutritional supplement. Not only is it valuable if you’re embarking on a vegan or vegetarian diet (it packs a punch with protein and “good” fats), but it can round out any other diet rich in vitamins and minerals too.

It’s also excellent for people with allergies to milk; ironically, many individuals don’t realize that they have those reactions to dairy products! Thus, they assume their discomfort, bloating, irritability, depression, energy loss, and weight gain must be attributed to something else and they wind up overmedicating when all they needed to do was substitute soy products for milk-based ones. Truly, this is one natural healing method that has far-reaching implications, whether in the diet or as part of a nutritional supplement or multi vitamin(http://www.mitamins.com).

Fish

Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna are natural healers in their own rights. Though they might contain more calories than their white, flaky counterparts, the oils in their bodies can help keep high blood pressure and high cholesterol at bay.

Studies have shown that people who adopt a diet that includes several servings of heart-healthy fatty fish per week tend to lose weight, lower their cholesterol levels, lower their high blood pressure, and (in some cases) experience less “brain fog” (often a symptom of depression and lethargy). The next time you head to the grocery, opt for some bluefish instead of hamburger for a natural healing method that tastes wonderful and will make your body feel amazing day after day. Alternatively, if you just can’t stand the taste of fish, the healthy oils contained in fish can also be bought as nutritional supplements(http://www.mitamins.com). They can also be incorporated into a general, daily, multi vitamin or dietary supplement(http://www.mitamins.com).

Honey

It’s sweet. It’s delicious. It’s also a powerful weapon against scars and infection when it comes to smaller cuts. Honey contains natural healing properties that make it a perfect (and less expensive) alternative to creams and ointments. Even the Egyptians knew of honey’s power, and would create poultices from this ingredient to use as a natural healing method.

The next time you have a surface cut or scrape on your body, rub a little honey on it before applying a bandage and see what happens. The honey will act as a natural healer, keeping infection at bay and allowing your body to heal itself rapidly.

Additionally, many people with skin problems such as eczema and blemishes swear by homemade masks created from honey and oatmeal. They might look a bit silly when applied, but they serve to help exfoliate and soothe irritated skin as a natural healing method.

Remember – our ancestors lived with many of the conditions that still plague us today, without suffering vitamin deficiencies. Don’t dismiss their natural healing methods or natural “nutritional supplements,” as they just might be what you need to solve your health dilemmas.

by mitamins

Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. Glucose comes from the digestion of starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes, chapatis, yams and plantain, from sugar and other sweet foods, and from the liver which makes glucose.

Causes of diabetes

Hereditary or Inherited Traits : It is strongly believed that is due to some genes which passes from one generation to another. It depends upon closeness of blood relationship as mother is diabetes risk is 2 to 3%, father is diabetic risk is more than the previous case and if both the parents are diabetic, it has much greater risk for diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus:Polydipsia is a classic finding with diabetes mellitus — a consequence of the hyperosmolar state. Other characteristic findings include polyuria, polyphagia, nocturia, weakness, fatigue, and weight loss. Signs of dehydration may occur.

Hypertension : It had been reported in many studies that there is direct relation between high systolic pressure and diabetes.
Obesity: is also one of the major factors causing diabetes. Excessive body weight as compared to the height of an individual, serves as a predisposing factor for diabetes mellitus. It is commonly seen in patients at 40 years of age suffering from Type 2 Non-Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Due to extra amount of fat in the body, the insulin does not function properly in the body. Normally, the main function of Insulin is to allow the sugar present in the blood to enter the muscle and tissue cells. But due to increased fat in the body, the muscle and tissue cells become resistant to insulin, leading to high blood sugar level in blood (hyperglycemia) and finally diabetes.

Number of genes:Many genes are involved in controlling our fuel intake and regulation. A mutation in any one gene will probably not lead to diabetes, but mutations in several genes could add up to pose an increased risk.

Symptoms of diabetes

• Frequent trips to the bathroom
• Extreme hunger
• Unusual weight loss
• Increased fatigue
• Irritability
• Unquenchable Thirst

Treatment of diabetes

Diabetes Exercise
Exercise techniques to enhance your life! Information on the best exercises for people with diabetes and motivational advice.

Medications. Insulin and oral diabetes medications deliberately work to lower your blood sugar. But medications you take for other conditions may affect glucose levels. Corticosteroids, in particular, may raise blood sugar levels. Medications such as thiazides, used to control high blood pressure, and niacin, used for high cholesterol, also may increase blood sugar. If you need to take certain high blood pressure medications, your doctor will likely make changes in your diabetes treatment.

Insulin injections:Even when diabetes pills do work, there may be the need to take insulin. And, because diabetes pills may help the body use insulin better, some physicians combine them with insulin injections in people
Controlled diet:Food raises blood sugar levels. People with diabetes have the same nutritional needs as anyone else, that is to say, a well-balanced diet.


by petersams

Diabetes and high blood pressure

Did you know that people with diabetes are more likely to be overweight and have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A good percentage of overweight people are likely to have a few metabolic problems at once, this in turn can lead to other problems like heart disease. The term Cardiometabolic Risk means that if you have one of these problems you are at higher risk of having others. If you feel you are overweight it is best to go and check yourself out at you local G.P. and see if you have any of the following problems:

High Blood Pressure - high blood pressure and diabetes have always been linked together. If you have high blood pressure you are more likely to get heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. At least 35% of people with diabetes have high blood pressure.

Blood fats - Your body stores fat for future energy. A lot of these fats are good for the body but fats such as Triglycerides can lead to a heart attack if levels are to high.

Insulin resistance - Insulin helps the cells in the body to use sugar, Insulin resistance occurs when the cells no longer respond well to insulin.

Obesity - If you are overweight you are more likely to get type 2 diabetes. A body mass index of 25 is considered overweight, a BMI of 30 is considered obese.

If you have pre-diabetes and are afraid of developing type 2 diabetes there is some good news. You will have to make some changes though, your diet will have to change as well as doing more exercise. By having a better diet and doing 30 minutes a day of light exercise you are likely to make a 60% reduction in your chance of getting type 2 diabetes. A good nutritional diet is best, by eating healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables, whole grain foods, dried beans, fish, light meats, non-fat dairy products and lots of water, this will help reduce the risk. Base your diet around these foods and as always eat in moderation, eat to much of anything and you are going to gain weight.

Submitted by Ianben

Sign of High Blood Sugar

The tell tale signs of high blood sugar are pretty much exclusive to the domain of unfortunate individuals known as diabetics.
The disease furthur divides into sub catagories of type 1, type 2 and gestational but never the less, the signs remain the same across the board. Anyone who is a diabetic will more than likely have experienced the signs of high blood sugar more than once so they will read nothing new here, except maybe a little extra clarification.

To anyone who has been feeling a little strange and whose family has a history of diabetes, you will do well to have yourself checked out by a professional, just to be on the safe side.
The tests are relatively inexpensive, quick and painless, so there really is nothing to worry about but on the upside you could be saving yourself a lot of trouble in the future by getting yourself looked at now.

So, what are the signs of high blood sugar? There are quite a few but the main ones are the real alarm bells as so to speak.

1. Continual tingling sensation in your hands and feet, mark my words, you will know if you have it. It feels like a heart beat in your hands. That sounds a little ridiculous but if the time comes, you will know.

2. Teeth remain sticky no matter how much you clean them. This is due the excess sugar continually circulating in your system and pouring out into your saliva.

3. Blurry or misty vision with a tingling sensation around the eyelids. Again, this has to do with the excess sugar flooding your body and literally finding its way everywhere.

4. Another symptom of high blood sugar that should be kept vigilance over, is poor healing. As your blood thickens, the smaller capillaries closer to your skins surface have a hard time receiving fresh blood and so healing is hampered. Diabetics are known for experiencing trouble with there feet. Small cuts and sores can take a lot longer to heal with advanced complications leading to gangrene and amputation.

5. The number one tell tale sign of high blood sugar, Frequent thirst. This is probably the most noticable of all the symptoms. It is not just a need for an extra glass or two of water, like how you feel on a hot day. This is far more ravenous. Continual need for liquids throughout the entire day and night, an insatiable beast that knows no bounds. This will be extremely appararent if or when the time comes.

Types of Diabetes

There are two different types of diabetes; Type I and Type II. Type I Diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and very young adults. Type I Diabetes differs from Type II in that a person with Type I Diabetes does not produce insulin at all and insulin is needed to take sugar from the blood into the cells. Type I diabetes years ago used to be called Juvenile Diabetes as it was diagnosed in children at early ages. The symptoms of Type I and Type II Diabetes are very similar, frequent urination, frequent thirst, excessive hunger are three of the most common symptoms.


A person with Type I Diabetes must be on insulin for the rest of his or her life. This does not mean that they cannot lead a long, productive life. In fact, people who are diagnosed young in life become accustomed to the treatment and are generally more compliant than those who are diagnosed with Type II diabetes later in life and who tend to ignore many treatment options.


Years ago, a child who was diagnosed with Type I diabetes had to inject himself every day with insulin to remain alive. Today, however, insulin pumps are available that make daily injections a thing of the past. A person with Type I diabetes, as is the case with those with Type II diabetes, has to watch their diet and avoid certain foods high in sugar and starch.


In 1981, the Glycemic Index was developed at the University of Toronto that rated those foods diabetics should avoid on a scale system. Some foods were very high on the scale and took a longer time to process in the system, causing more strain on the kidneys and adverse affects on insulin. Other foods were low on the scale and digested at a slower pace. For years, it was commonly assumed that sweets were the cause of diabetes and that these were the only foods to be avoided. With the advent of the Glycemic Index as well as other medical studies, it became apparent that sweets were not the only foods to avoid. As a matter of fact, a baked potato, often seen as a nutritional substance, is actually more harmful than a candy bar to a diabetic.


Carbohydrates are the bane to diabetics, and this is the food group rated on the Glycemic Index. People with Type I and Type II diabetes must limit their intake of carbohydrates. Certain carbohydrates, those rated low on the Glycemic Index, can be taken in smaller quantities. Those on the high scale should be avoided at all cost.


People with Type II diabetes are generally diagnosed later in life. This condition often effects older people and those who are obese. The incidents of Type II diabetes has mirrored incidents of obesity in the United States and most in the medical community agree that there is a clear link to obesity and the development of this disease. People with Type II diabetes do not process enough insulin to break down the glucose in their system and cause their kidneys to work overtime in getting rid of the waste. While some people with Type II diabetes are prescribed insulin, most are started on a regiment of medication and a good low GI diet and more exercise.


Physicians generally hope that by taking medication as prescribed, exercising, eating the right foods and monitoring their blood glucose levels, they can avoid the use of insulin. In many cases, patients are very successful at maintaining good blood sugar levels by modifying their diet, exercising and losing weight. Others who are not successful usually end up taking insulin.


As with both Type I and Type II diabetes, there are complications. These complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, kidney disease and skin disorders can be avoided if patients comply with the instructions of their physician, learn about their disease and do all they can to manage it. Diabetes is far from a death sentence. With proper maintenance, those with Type I and Type II diabetes can live long and happy lives.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

Help Yourself to a Good Night's Sleep with Natural Remedies by Keira Adams

Do you have trouble dropping off to sleep? Is your mind going over the occurrences of the day? Are you panicking that you don't have enough time to do all you have to do tomorrow? Are you faced with a deadline to get a job done? Are any or all of these things keeping you from getting good nights sleep?

If so, there are numerous natural sleep remedies which can help you so let's take a look at them in detail.

A cup of chamomile tea, which is made from an herb effective in treating insomnia, enjoyed before bed time will soothe and calm you. The well known combination of milk and honey, although old, is a great way of activating the sleep process, as does drinking a glass of lukewarm milk.

The central nervous system can be depressed by the herb lavender in a similar way to antidepressants and a cup of mint tea can put you to sleep quicker than you can blink.

Lemon balm tea works as a fast stimulant to get you relaxed and induce a calm sleep. Don't let the word stimulant worry you. There are many stimulants which work in the opposite way to those that fill you with energy.

Although herbs have a great value as aids to sleep there are other things you can do to ensure restful and unbroken sleep. Try not to nap during the daytime, cut out the caffeine before going to bed and avoid alcohol and medications which are known to disrupt your sleep patterns.

The fault could possibly lie with the mattress you are using. Is it old and past its best? If this is the case then treat yourself to a new one or even buy a topper for your existing mattress from anywhere selling bedding and blankets.

Doing a spot of yoga prior to going to bed can be of great value. All you have to do is sit quietly and calmly for fifteen minutes, allowing your body to relax completely before you retire. Gentle background music or sounds of nature may be just what you need to prepare you for sleep so give this a try too.

Get rid of any anxiety you are feeling by letting go of the stresses of the day. Think peaceful thoughts about a time and place where you were at your happiest.

Press the off button on the TV remote or try reading a book you have unsuccessfully attempted to get into before. If it is so boring, you are sure to begin to feel sleepy. Lay back in the darkness and relax. Forget about tomorrow. You can think about what awaits when you wake in the morning after a great night's sleep.

Chinese Medicines For Aging by David Klein

Aging is a natural process. But that doesn't mean you would just have to sit back and let it take its toll on your face. There are ways you can delay the signs of aging. And it is all but a matter of using the right procedure for it. When it comes to aging, it is best that you use the most natural of ingredients available to you for a no side effect guarantee. Most Chinese medicines used for aging are derived from nature itself. You are free to try it and make wrinkles disappear from your face.

Duanwood Reishi is a Chinese herb that you will find as the main ingredient of most Chinese formula for aging. Its anti-aging properties can help subtract years from your face with regular use. But aside from that, this herb can also increase your vitality, as well as improve your mental focus. It can also make your immunity stronger and initiate spiritual growth from inside you. Duanwood Reishi as a part of most Chinese anti-aging formulation is usually sold in the form of tincture or oil extract. Only a few drops per day are needed to enjoy its anti-aging abilities.

Cordyceps is another Chinese herb popularly used against aging. It is a substance that can rejuvenate the body and replenish the Yin and Yang Jing. It works by restoring the energy that is deeply embedded in the system to withstand the effects of both aging and stress. Aside from that, Cordyceps is a lung tonic that increases both the capacity and the efficiency of the organ. This herb is a tonic mushroom that can modulate the immunity system agents. It usually comes in the form of capsules. Just two to three capsules twice a day is enough to make you look beautiful and young for a long, long time.

The Chinese Mountain Ant extract is another Chinese medicine for aging. It can prolong one's life with increased vitality, fertility, and virility. This tonic is actually used in many Chinese beauty products. This extract is very rare in the West as they can only be processed and manufactured in the Asian regions. Aside from its aesthetic effects, this tonic can also calm anxiety, improve digestion, and promotes a restful sleep.

More Chinese medicines for aging are:

Cure Aging With Acupuncture

A Chinese formula that is used to help people stay healthy and remain energetic as they were in their prime years.

It is consumed to regenerate the cells and promote longevity. A combination of various Chinese tonic herbs, these work by rejuvenating all the organs keeping them alive and healthy. These can be taken for long durations with no worry about side effects. It contains Shen, Qi and Jing which is what we need to remain young.

Chinese Food items For Aging

If a person were to include mushrooms, sesame, honey, lotus root, melons and wheat in their diet on a regular basis they could beat the age battle and remain in their youth.

Apart from this strawberries, soya nuts are also natural anti aging food items that can be included.

Bath and massaging For Aging

Relaxing in a herbal bath with a paste made using lily buds, mung beans, resin, sandlewood and monkshoood is an ancient beauty remedy to fight any signs of aging.

Massage using pearl powder is also very effective.

These Chinese herbs and medicines for aging are now widely accepted and used all over the world. The potency of Chinese medicine is slowly penetrating the Western part of the world. It is now up to you to prove its effectiveness on your skin.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

How Honey Bee Make Honey

Healthy Lifestyles, Science Says Honey Is Best for Burns

Healthy lifestyles can be considered quaint when we have new chemical plants making highly expensive new cures, sometimes for maladies not worth the effort. And the discovery that honey will cure a burn up to four days faster than the most powerful new cures for burns.

So, using honey on a burn as the most effective is the tip of the iceberg of healthy lifestyles. It is your entire approach to life: how much you respect and love your inner being to care deeply and gently for you.

When it comes to scientific thinking before science there are surprises. Now even centuries after Egypt had faded as the power and the center of the civilized world, some of their knowledge knew better than we.

But in the past centuries when tombs were uncovered it was found that amidst all the dust and crumbling heirlooms, sealed jars of honey were found. When tasted and tested the honey still tasted and tested as fresh after having been sealed for thousands of years.

And since then we have imported gun powder from the east and built empires everywhere that have come and gone as have the tides of Canute.

And grand advisers and wise men have made their fortunes finding new potions that would cure many matters that ail us. And through history one constant issue is burns to the body whether by poor housing and candles, or mobs with torches.

So many potions have been devised over the centuries to deal with injuries and burns, and any study of evolving science shows this. Almost with hilarity from a century ago were the many remedies that often contained opium as well as horse manure.

Now a study comes to us that suggest that antique science books may have had it right before we got to this century with all our brilliant science bringing us sterile modern gauze, and antibiotic creams with exceptional new high power capacities to heal? Surely.

Well, wrong. In a review of 15 studies, New Zealand researchers found that burned skin covered with honey healed as much as four days faster than skin treated with antibiotic creams and sterile wound dressings.

Lead study author P.C. Molan, Ph.D says honey is ideal because it rapidly soothes the pain, promotes healing, and prevents further damages.

The next burn in your family deserves that you cool the skin with cold water and then spread ample honey on some clean gauze and apply it to the burn. Change the dressing twice a day. And if it is more severe, of course, see your doctor. If you lived in ancient Egypt, this knowledge was available at your local wise man, even if he might have killed you in some other remedy.

I also put honey in my tea, as one way to get some of the healing power inside as well. Solid honey has more anti oxidants, and could be melted down easily for application, although liquid honey would be quicker in an emergency. Best to keep some of both around for the security of your healthy lifestyles. Here's to your good health.

Author: Derek Dashwood