Thursday, September 6, 2012

alternative medicine for kids

Natural remedies for back-to-school problems


It’s back to school time, and with this time of year comes some predictable childhood health problems. When dealing with head lice, pink eye and anxiety, try these simple natural remedies for relief.

Head lice
The National Institute of Health’s website describes head lice as follows: “Head lice are tiny insects that live on the skin covering the top of your head, called the scalp. Lice can be spread by close contact with other people… Head lice can live up to 30 days on a human. Their eggs can live for more than 2 weeks.  Head lice spread easily, particularly among school children. Head lice are more common in close, overcrowded living conditions.”

According to the National Institute of Health, the most common ways that people get head lice are by head to head contact, sharing hats, scarves, towels and head rests. Common drugs for head lice like the insecticide malathion, as well as lindane and benzyl alcohol, can be quite harsh on the scalp. In four different published studies, natural essential oils from plants proved equally effective in getting rid of head lice. These oils include oregano oil, lavender, anise seed and cinnamon leaf bergamot, spearmint, clary sage, pennyroyal, benzoin, caraway seed, Roman chamomile, tea tree, eucalyptus and lemongrass oils.

To treat head lice, mix any of these essential oils with a simple alcohol such as isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol).  Alcohol will help the essential oils make it further into the skin and follicles. Try a mixture of five parts of alcohol mixed with one part essential oil. Leave the mixture on the scalp overnight and then shampoo the hair thoroughly in the morning.  This treatment should be sufficient to kill the lice and their eggs – resolving the problem.

Pink eye
Conjunctivitis – more commonly known as pink eye – is an inflammation of the conjunctiva, the membrane that lines the eyelids. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, conjunctivitis can be caused by many factors, including allergies, bacteria, chemicals in the environment, fungi, viruses, and contact lenses – most often extended-wear contacts.  The condition is typically spread among children.

Symptoms of pink eye can include redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, itching of the eye, a gritty feeling in the eye, pain and increased tear production. Viral conjunctivitis usually resolves on its own, whereas bacterial conjunctivitis is typically treated with antibiotic eye drops.

Simple natural methods can relieve feelings of discomfort in the eye when pink eye infection is present.  A compress of a clean wash cloth soaked warm water can help.

Also, tea bags of green tea or chamomile tea can be helpful. Simply make a cup of tea with a bag of either, but only keep the bag in the water for about a minute. Take the bag out of the cup or pot, and let it cool. When the bag is just warm, apply it to the eye. Green tea and chamomile both have soothing properties that will help to reduce inflammation and discomfort.

Remember, the eyes are sensitive. If you get an infection in the eye, consult a doctor immediately to avoid further complications.

Anxiety
Anxiety affects 25 percent of children between the ages of 13 to 18, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.  About 13 percent of all children experience generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or persistent anxiety, at some point in their lives. Children suffering from GAD worry about their performance in school or in sporting events, about their social standing, and about personal safety or the safety of those they love. They may also experience irrational fears of catastrophic events.

The effects of stress and anxiety can include weakened immunity, nervousness, indigestion, difficulty concentrating, sleeplessness, chronic fatigue and an overall haggard feeling. When anxiety blossoms into full-blown panic, symptoms can include rapid heartbeat, palpitations, uncomfortable sensations, and extreme fears of dying or losing control of the mind.

To combat these symptoms of anxiety, many people turn to tranquilizers such as Valium®, Halcion®, Serax®, and Xanax®. However, these drugs can sometimes lead to addiction and complications, including seizure disorders, vision problems, headaches, anorexia, neuromuscular difficulties and psychosis. Children are especially sensitive to side-effects from anti-anxiety drugs.

Fortunately, a number of natural plant-based remedies work very well to reduce or eliminate anxiety, as well as helping children to cope with the tight schedules and busy days of their lives. For mild anxiety, a cup of chamomile tea can quell tense nerves. Widely available in grocery stores, chamomile contains compounds that help to take the edge off  of mood.

The Indian herb Holy Basil demonstrates significant relaxing and anti-anxiety properties and is available in capsules at most natural food stores. Holy Basil is also known as Tulsi. It is available either as a tea, or in capsules. Holy Basil promotes a feeling of ease, helping to dissolve anxiety.

When children need quick relief from anxiety, nothing works as well as a fluid extract of the South Pacific herb kava, which is also found in natural food stores. Many human studies show kava’s effectiveness for anxiety relief.

Getting back to school is a big transition for kids, and it can be made smoother by using these natural remedies when problems arise.

Chris Kilham is a medicine hunter who researches natural remedies all over the world, from the Amazon to Siberia. He teaches ethnobotany at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he is Explorer In Residence. Chris advises herbal, cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies and is a regular guest on radio and TV programs worldwide.  His field research is largely sponsored by Naturex of Avignon, France. Read more at www.MedicineHunter.com.

My Thoughts

I think the best way to treat anxiety is to, first, acknowledge that there is anxiety.  Culturally, it seems we do not see this is a possibility, much less a concern.  But it is.  Try to look back at your own childhood, the days you spent in school.  Weren't you worried about something?  Do you remember being asked, at home, if something was bothering you in school?

My point, exactly.

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Fashionable Garments as Alternative Medicine?

Fashion guru’s herbal garments heal

Friday, May 25, 2012

Cinnamon for your Colds

Herbal Healer: What is Saigon cinnamon?

 May 23, 2012 9:00 pm  • 

This wonderfully aromatic herb is just one member of the Laurel family, a botanical clan numbering upwards of 4,000 representatives. Saigon cinnamon’s cousins include sassafras and avocado.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

Among the three cinnamon-like cassia trees and the one true cinnamon itself, Saigon cinnamon (a cassia) offers the richest source of the essential oil (1 to 5 percent) that distinguishes these herbs in both the kitchen and the medicine chest. Indeed, so concentrated is the oil in a stick of Saigon cinnamon that it is reported to spark when exposed to a flame. Where true cinnamon — which hails from Sri Lanka (formerly the island nation Ceylon) — offers a mild, subtle flavor, the cassia cinnamons — most notably Saigon cinnamon — are characteristically sweet. Both the tangy bite and the sweetness of red hot candies flow from the high oil content found in this Vietnamese spice. Medicinally, the cinnamons are valued by diabetics for their ability to lower blood sugar. Folk remedies also look to cinnamon to treat gas, stomach cramps, high blood pressure and difficult menstruation. A highly valued, hard-to-get spice in antiquity, a large quantity of cinnamon was burned at the funeral of the wife of the Roman emperor Nero.

ABOUT THE HERB

Saigon cinnamon is an evergreen tree native to mainland Southeast Asia. Named after Vietnam’s largest city, this medicinal plant is nowhere to be found within the wide sweep of that southern urban area. Rather, Saigon cinnamon thrives in the Central Highlands. More akin to the cassia clan than its cousin  — the true cinnamon — this botanical offers the same basic culinary and medicinal treasures.

RECOMMENDED DOSAGE

The diabetic along with tea aficionados who value a spicier version of their morning herbal brew can safely savor Saigon cinnamon tea. It calms the stomach and helps with colds and coughs while adding a natural zing! As a cautionary note, avoid Saigon cinnamon when taking medicines for extremely low blood sugar.

The opinions expressed are solely the writer’s. NOTE: Visit herbalastrology.com to read Ted PanDeva Zagar’s other articles and columns that discuss the benefits of herbs and natural foods. DISCLAIMER: The author’s comments are not intended to serve as medical advice, and he urges his readers to seek qualified wellness professionals to resolve matters of health.

MY THOUGHTS

I love cinnamon in my coffee.  I love cinnamon in a lot of things, for that matter.  It's good to know that it is an alternative medicine.  Have you ever tried smelling the cinnamon bark?  I have.  And it sorts of clear the way you breath.  So, I guess, it can really be an alternative medicine.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Weeds as Alernative Medicine

My 4 Favorite Medicinal Weeds


My 4 Favorite Medicinal Weeds
Me-dic-i-nal: of, or having the properties of medicine.—Webster’s New World Dictionary
Some people call them weeds, while others bow in respect to these plants that have been used as medicine long before the pharmaceutical industry attempted to copy their properties in synthetic form. Each spring I look forward to finding my favorite plants bursting to life in my lawn and garden. I have come to know these plants for the nutrients they provide my body, as tonics after a long winter and as medicines I can use to heal whatever might ail me.

At the moment these so-called “weeds” are coming in strong and healthy and a good thing too, because the young plants are perfect for moving my kidneys out of winter hibernation and welcoming liver energy for spring. I will use them in fresh salads, in soups, to make mineral rich vinegars and medicinal tinctures for healing the body. I will share with you my experience with each plant and include bits of information written by many knowledgeable herbalists I have read or studied. These plants have become friends over the years and I hope they will assist your life and health as they have mine.

Chickweed RS
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1. Chickweed (Stellaria media)

After moving north from the deep south, I didn’t know what this tiny white flowered plant was, except that it would be one of the first to appear in my garden and quickly spread out. A good indication that the soil was rich with nutrients and extremely healthy. As I pulled and cursed its speedy growth I got to wonder if I could use it as food or medicine. Research led me to Wise Woman Herbal by Susan Weed. Her chapter on Chickweed reveals it to be high in vitamins A,D, B complex, C,  rutin, iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, sodium, copper, and silica, with the special addition of steroidal saponins. In the human body saponins assist the digestive mucosa, neutralizing toxins. Chickweed in tincture form is useful for breaking down growths, both topically (warts) and internally (ovarian cysts).

Raw chickweed, including the stem, leaves and flowers, can be eaten in salads, or cooked like spinach, which is what it tastes like. It has diuretic properties that help to cleanse the kidneys and urinary tract without depleting essential minerals. You can make a chickweed infusion by pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 1/2 cup of fresh chickweed and leaving it to steep for about 20 minutes, strain and drink warm.


 
2. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Everything about this plant has called to me from my childhood blowing dandelion seeds in the wind to making dandelion flower tonic and root tincture for strengthening the liver. Dandelion is a highly treasured food and medicine in many parts of the world, while here in the U.S. we treat it like a pariah. The roots and leaves can be used to treat liver disorders, anemia and diabetes. Dandelion also has diuretic properties that help to open the kidneys and increase the output of urine, removing harmful substances from the system.
 I love the young leaves in a salad and older leaves blanched first in boiling water then tossed with garlic sautéed in olive oil. They are high in potassium and the bitter taste is beneficial for the heart and small intestine. In spring I collect the yellow flowers from my organic lawn, pour boiling water over them, cover and steep for 4 hours. I then strain the mixture and drink as a tonic to rejuvenate my liver. Dandelion is also beneficial for the gall bladder, kidneys, weak digestion, and rheumatism. Switching off of coffee I found that there are a few companies combining roasted dandelion root with chicory as a delicious instant coffee substitute.

Cream of Dandelion Soup
Dandelion Syrup

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3. Stinging Nettles (Utrica dioica)

“Gather with gloves,” was my first warning that this plant must be wooed and approached with respect. My introduction to the lovely nettle plant was to harvest a bunch and pack a large jar full, then cover with raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar, cap and set aside for a good 6 weeks or more. Once strained I had a tonic for my dressings loaded with calcium, magnesium, trace minerals and other essential nutrients.

My second foray was to cautiously gather an armful to cook in a large skillet with an inch of water and marvel at how the stinging nettles are tamed. I love that it can be eaten for its high nutrition content, as well as, for health issues such as arthritis, gout, anemia, kidney and prostate problems. It is used to treat pain in the muscles and joints, and as a tonic for adrenal glands and kidneys.
Her sting is worth the benefits she provides for your body, and if you do not have nettles growing in your backyard consider finding her in tincture form to assist in healing your health conditions.

Nettles for Vitality
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 4. Plantain (Plantago major)

Whenever I walk out into nature I always keep an eye out for plantain leaf. It has rescued me so many times in the past that I even stash a handful of leaves in my pocket when hiking in unfamiliar territory. You never know what might happen. If I receive a loving sting from a bee or wasp the pain is quickly assuaged by the juice of the plantain leaf.
 One autumn I was harvesting some rhubarb at a local CSA, planted quite some distance from the farmhouse, when the knife slipped and cut a deep gash in my finger. It was speed bleeding and I needed to slow it down immediately. I grabbed a few plantain leaves off the ground and chewed them quickly to a green, wet pulp, then applied it to the wound. I then wrapped a few whole leaves around the finger, gathered up the rhubarb and headed back across the wide field to my car. I noticed there was no blood seeping out under the leaves and when I removed the poultice the bleeding had stopped and all pain was gone.

Folk medicine attributes plantain with a wide assortment of uses, from respiratory ailments to skin inflammation, sores and ulcers. It can even be used to relieve itching from poison ivy and poison oak. A good thing to note is that it does have laxative properties and is best administered internally as a tea, dried herbal capsules or tincture.

MY THOUGHTS

I wished I'd known about these weeds when I was in Japan.  I could have had an assortment of alternative medicines. 

Chickweed were just about everywhere.  No wonder many Japanese people were gathering them all the time.  I wanted to ask what they do with them.  Only, I don't speak Japanese and they can't understand my English.

Oh well, there's always a next time.




Saturday, February 25, 2012

Alternative Medicine for Hair Growth

6 New Home Remedies for Quick Hair Growth 

from www.becomegorgeous.com

There are numerous practical and pocket-friendly means to guarantee the thick and healthy texture of your locks. If you're lusting after long and luscious strands, you'll be able to have them with the following 6 new home remedies for quick growth. Hit the grocery store and purchase organic ingredients to protect the follicles from the damage caused by harsh chemicals. Ditch cosmetics for the sake of rapid hair growth and prepare the most nutritive treatments using veggies, fruits and natural oils.

1. Cinnamon, Garlic and Red Onion Hair Rinse

  • Prepare a revitalizing hair rinse using these natural ingredients. Grab a bowl and fill it with hot water, add 4 cloves of garlic, 2 cinnamon sticks and a red onion cut into tiny pieces. Leave the mixture boil for 15 minutes. Let the infusion cool down and wash your locks with it. Repeat this ritual for four days in a row and see the magical effect of this organic treatment. 

  • 2. Honey and Aloe Vera Gel Treatment

  • Combine these two vitamin-rich ingredients in a soothing recipe. Scrape off the gel of 3 Aloe Vera leaves and mix it with 2 tbs of honey.

    Apply the treatment on your scalp and massage it into your roots. Leave the hair pack on for 20 minutes then finally wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this ritual more times per week for quick and visible results.

  • 3. Cactus Hair Treatment

  • Choose this natural remedy to solve your hair loss dilemmas. The first step towards accelerating hair growth is to cut 4-5 cactus leaves into tiny pieces. Put these in pure water and leave them there to soak overnight.

    Use a spray bottle to apply the toner on your scalp and hair roots. Leave the locks dry naturally without washing off the cactus toner. Make sure you apply the toner on your scalp at least once a day.

  • 4. Potato, Egg Yolk and Honey Treatment

  • Mix three of these popular ingredients used in beauty care to boost the growth of your healthy locks. First extract the juice of three medium-sized potatoes. In a bowl mix the juice with 1 egg yolk and 2 tsp of honey. Apply the hair pack on your wet locks and massage the treatment in your scalp. Leave the mixture on for 25 minutes, then wash it off with tepid water.

  • 5. Nettle Hair Treatment

  • This time you have to cheat a little bit and use a not 100% natural ingredient to provide your scalp with the best energy-boosting hair treatment. Mash two bunches of nettles and place the herb in 1 liter of vodka for no less than 1 week. You must wait a few days until the mixture becomes appropriate for application. After the week passed you'll be able to massage this treatment into your scalp either with your fingers or a cotton ball. Leave the tincture on for 20-30 minutes then rinse it off with warm water. Keep on experimenting with this beauty ritual to notice the dazzling results.

  • 6. Onion and White Rum

  • This time use a revolutionary treatment to accelerate the growth of your locks. In a medium bowl chop an onion into tiny pieces. Add 1 cup of white rum to the onion and give 24 hours for the ingredients to mix and form a fabulous treatment for your thin locks. The next day eliminate the onion pieces from the mixture and massage the solution into your scalp. Use a cotton ball or your fingers to ease the task of your follicles to absorb the lotion. Leave the hair pack on for 30 minutes then wash it off with lukewarm water. 
  •  
    My Thoughts

    These are not really alternative medicines but great options, anyway.

    Which one's your favorite? 

    Mine is the cinnamon and ginger and onion.  Mainly because I love these three ingredients.  Although I'm not too keen on the smell of onions in my hair.  Maybe the smell of the cinnamon and the ginger will win over the onion smell.  I've seen these two ingredients in some shampoos.  But onions? 


    On second thought, maybe I should go for aloe vera and honey.


    You know what?  I just remembered banana peel.  It's great for waxing the hair.  And that's not in the list.

    Friday, November 18, 2011

    Herbal Remedies as Alternative Medicine?

    What you need to know when deciding whether herbal remedies will work for you

     http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/health/2011/1025/1224306439300.html

     

    DOES IT WORK? BACKGROUND For the past three and a half years, the evidence for different herbs and supplements has been examined here. This will be the last of this series, although a book of the columns will be published mid-2012 by Glasnevin Publishing. In this final column, I’d like to leave you with some general guidance about herbal remedies.

    People have been using herbal remedies for thousands of years, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are all useful. Some are effective for specific conditions, others are poisonous, and still others will do little more than waste your money. For example, St John’s wort has good evidence to support its effectiveness for mild depression, while Aristolochia species have caused the deaths of hundreds of people. Meanwhile, new herbs appear on the market all the time with little or no evidence to guide people.

    The complexity here is reflected in the number of products available. One report in the US a few years ago found that 1,400 different species of herbs were available in more than 30,000 different products.
    Many products contain several herbs. A market analysis published earlier in 2011 found that multi-herb products dominate this market and are predicted to “race ahead” of single-herb remedies. This makes it even more difficult to determine if a product works or is good value for money. Products may contain several herbs with similar reputations, but it becomes difficult to know if enough of any of them is present in these mixtures to have an effect. The potential for interactions, both good and bad, also arises.

    For this reason, products with a single herb offer the best chance of getting a clearer understanding of their evidence. Uncovering that evidence can then be a challenge. As with many topics, the internet provides much information – some of it good, and some of it bad.

    Discernment is vital when searching the internet, especially for health information. Be critical. If a website recommends a herb and is also selling it (as three-quarters of the sites are), be wary. If a website claims a herbal remedy will cure everything, surf away. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.

    To help when searching the web for health information, various accreditations are available. Websites agree to abide by a code of conduct and in return can display a certification logo. One is the Health On the Net (HON) Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation based in Switzerland. In general, websites with such logos should be trustworthy (but check out what the logo really means).

    The best type of evidence for the effectiveness and safety of herbs, supplements or medicines are controlled clinical trials. These are increasingly available for herbal remedies and published in peer-reviewed journals. However, these are not written for popular consumption, and often provide so much detail that even busy professionals don’t have time to examine them. For this reason, systematic reviews are conducted to summarise the available research. These are designed to remove as much bias as possible from the conclusions.

    One of the best sources of systematic reviews is the Cochrane Library, available at TheCochrane Library.com. This is produced by independent professionals and available both in great detail and in plain language summaries. Reviews of several dozen herbs are available, and more are added each month.

    PROBLEMATIC ASPECTS

    The impression is often given that natural is safe. Hemlock, the death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) and deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), should be enough to remind us that nature can be dangerous. Consuming enough capsaicin from chilli peppers will kill you. Many herbs have adverse effects, and unfortunately some herbal remedies (especially those bought over the internet) can be impure. Batches of “herbal viagra” in particular have been found to be contaminated with pharmaceuticals.

    Herbal remedies can be a way to avoid expensive medicines. For short-term conditions, these may be an option. But for serious conditions, or if symptoms persist, it is important not to avoid medical attention. Self-diagnosis has its limitations.

    RECOMMENDATIONS

    Although thousands of herbs are used, only a few dozen have received extensive research. Many have not been studied in controlled trials and trying them is, at best, guesswork. For others, a few studies may be available.

    Be wary of general claims about products being “scientifically proven” unless specific references are given to that evidence. Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist about herbs or supplements you are using or considering. They should have access to the growing number of professional databases addressing herbal remedies (such as NaturalDatabase.com). It is also important that they know about all the herbs, supplements and medicines you are taking as some of them can interact with one another.

    If a herb works, it does so because it contains chemicals that affect our bodies. In that way, they are naturally occurring drugs that should be taken with due caution.

    Dónal O’Mathúna has a PhD in pharmacy, researching herbal remedies, and an MA in bioethics, and is a senior lecturer in the School of Nursing Human Sciences, DCU. His Irish Times columns will be published mid-2012 by Glasnevin Publishing.Series concluded

    My Thoughts

    Yesterday I got bitten by some bug.  I went picking some star fruit and found myself itching all over.  I needed immediate cure, an alternative medicine.  I tried every alternative medicine I can get hold of.  And then I remembered vinegar- the alternative medicine for a lot of things, including bites. 

    Well, I smelled kind of awful.  But the itching did stop.  The rashes are still reddish, but not as uncomfortable as it was the first time. 

    I don't think vinegar is considered herbal.  But I'm convinced it is an alternative medicine.


    Tuesday, August 16, 2011

    Banana Bread as Alternative Medicine for Libido

    Boost Libido With Banana Bread
    Natural Remedies For Hormonal Health Problems
    Brenda Kearns on Aug 2, 2011 at 11:17AM

    Quick and simple kitchen cures to tame your worst symptoms fast (13 Photos)

    Monthly ups and downs in sex hormones -- and the estrogen shortfalls that strike after menopause -- can stall blood flow to the genitals, leading to disappointing lulls in arousal and vaginal lubrication, explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D. and professor of gynecology at Yale University. But studies show smelling banana bread increases pelvic blood flow as much as 40 percent in 10 minutes (whether or not you eat the bread!). Researchers aren’t sure yet why, but studies have shown that this enticing smell actually switches on the arousal center in the brain, explains Alan Hirsch, M.D., neurological director of Chicago’s Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation.

    MY THOUGHTS

    Well, that's certainly something new.  I've heard of papaya.  But banana bread as an alternative medicine is definitely never heard of.  Until now.