Category: Natural Remedies

Alternative Methods of Relieving Hot Flashes

(NaturalNews – Raw Michelle) Seven out of ten menopausal women have experienced hot flashes and night sweats, with one in ten cases showing symptoms that persist for many years. It is believed that the condition is caused by fluctuations in hormone levels and changes in the body’s temperature regulation mechanisms. A new study coming from Sweden shows that through the right relaxation techniques, women can significantly reduce the incidence and intensity of hot flashes. Moreover, specific foods can bolster these effects, and help women achieve sustainable mental clarity and inner balance.

Applied relaxation is one of the most successful treatments for hot flashes

The technique of applied relaxation was invented by psychologist Lars-Goran Ost and has already demonstrated impressive results in the treatment of anxiety and panic disorder. It consists of gradually relaxing different muscle groups in the body, starting with the hands, face and shoulders, and finishing with the chest, stomach, hips and feet. Swedish researchers studied the effects of applied relaxation, on a group of menopausal women, over the course of five years.

“The participants were given exercises to practice daily at home. The goal was for them to learn to use the method on their own and to be able to manage their own symptoms”, said study lead Elizabeth Nedstrand. The women kept track of their progress, but also provided additional information on subtle changes to their quality of life. After the applied relaxation therapy ended, the women reported a 50 percent decrease in hot flashes, as well as significant improvements in “quality of life,” including better mental focus and better sleep.

Relaxing foods that work against hot flashes

Black Cohosh, an herb historically used by Native Americans to cure a range of ailments, from sore throats to depression, can also help relieve premenstrual syndrome and symptoms associated with menopause. Herbal teas, like mint and camomile, will boost this effect, and help relax both the body and the mind.

Stress and anxiety can sometimes be caused by specific nutritional deficiencies. Nuts and shiitake mushrooms are rich in selenium, a mineral that when lacking, has been linked to elevated stress levels. Cacao, spirulina and sesame seeds contain high amounts of tryptophan, an essential amino acid that possesses significant anti-depressive properties. Tryptophan is also needed to build serotonin, which has been dubbed the “happiness hormone,” due to its importance in shaping our moods.

Leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, watercress) are rich in minerals, particularly magnesium and potassium, but also immunity strengthening carotenoids. Low levels of magnesium and potassium are medically linked to major depression and an increased risk of stroke. Kiwifruit, bell peppers and oranges are rich in vitamin C, an indispensable nutrient with a range of biological effects, including important roles in supporting brain health.

Sources for this article include:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121122112835.htm
http://theconsciouslife.com
http://www.cb1.com/~john/misc/relax.html

The Health Benefits of Lemons

Lemons are a powerful healing fruit that contain phenomenal antibiotic, antiseptic, and anti-cancer properties. Lemons are rich in vitamins C and B-complex and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, silicon, copper, and potassium.

They are considered to be a wonderful tonic and can help to cleanse and detoxify the entire body. Although lemons have an acidic taste they actually have a very strong alkaline reaction on the body and can help to alkalize blood, cells, lymph, organs, and tissues. Lemons are known to help destroy putrefactive bacteria in the mouth and intestines which can help alleviate flatulence, indigestion, and constipation. Lemons contain a compound called limonene which is used to dissolve gallstones and kidney stones and can help to fight oral, lung, skin, breast, stomach, and colon cancer.

Lemons are also rich in bioflavonoids which can significantly boost the immune system and reduce inflammation in the body. Lemon juice is known to be particularly beneficial for colds, coughs, sore throats, hiccups, ear infections, fevers, arthritis, heart disease, COPD, atherosclerosis, diabetes, high cholesterol, autoimmune disorders, stroke, and cancer.

Topically, lemon juice is a great remedy for wrinkles, warts, toothaches, corns, sunburns, poison ivy, acne, psoriasis, and as a hair rinse and facial astringent. A tall glass of lemon water upon waking is an excellent way to hydrate and cleanse the body first thing in the morning.

Fresh lemon in tea and green juice and added to salads, wraps, hummus, guacamole, and nori rolls is another great way to add this healing and nutritious fruit into your diet. Fresh lemons can be found at your local grocery and health food store.

 

The Health Benefits of Lavender

Lavender is a sedative, diuretic, carminative, antiseptic, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory herb that has been medicinally used for centuries. Lavender is known to help relieve nervous headaches, migraines, anxiety, depression, insomnia, dizziness, bloating, indigestion, flatulence, hypertension, asthma, and reduce symptoms from colds, flu, & fever.

Lavender has wonderful phytochemical and antioxidant properties making it an excellent herb to sprinkle on salads, mix in homemade tea or lemonade, or even add to your baked squash, potato, or rice dishes.

Essential oil of lavender has been known to help soothe the skin and relieve pain or discomfort from psoriasis, bee stings, acne, athlete’s foot, sun burns, eczema, poison ivy, and candida outbreaks. It can even help to prevent scars, stretch marks, and wrinkles.

Try adding a few drops to your bath, liquid soap, or moisturizing cream. Essential oil of lavender is also wonderful for aromatherapy uses and can significantly reduce lung and sinus infections and all types of headaches and mental tension.

For household use, lavender is a great natural disinfectant and insecticide and can be used safely around pets, children, and the elderly.

 

The Health Benefits of Goldenseal Root

Goldenseal root is a popular herb from North America that works as a powerful herbal antibiotic and immune system enhancer. Goldenseal is a good source of vitamins A, C, E, & B-complex and minerals such as calcium, iron and manganese. It contains potent anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties as well as alkaloids that are known to be an effective treatment for diarrhea and stomach problems that are caused by influenza or food poisoning.

It is also very helpful for other digestive problems such as peptic ulcers, gastritis, dyspepsia, and colitis. Goldenseal helps to increase digestive enzymes and significantly enhances liver and spleen functions. It is an amazing infection fighter and is known to be particularly useful at treating sinus, respiratory, mouth, throat, bladder, yeast, and urinary tact infections. It is also an effective remedy for hemorrhoids, athletes foot, canker sores, and to help stop heavy menstrual bleeding.

Goldenseal is an essential herb during cold and flu season as it can help to prevent and relieve the symptoms of colds, flu, fevers, bronchitis, heavy congestion, and even pneumonia. It is also helpful against hay fever, laryngitis, cystitis, hepatitis, and liver disease.

Externally, a wash can be made with goldenseal extract to help treat conjunctivitis and inflamed eyelids. A mouthwash can also be made and used as a gargle for sore throats and gum infections and goldenseal creams/ointments are very effective for treating eczema, ringworm, boils, cuts, and rashes. Goldenseal is often combined with other herbs including Echinacea which work synergistically and enhance both of their healing properties together.

Goldenseal can be found online or at your local health food store in capsule, tincture, extract, tea, mouthwash, and cream form. It should only be used for a week or two at a time in order to maintain its effectiveness within the body.

 

The Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic is one of the world’s oldest medicines and is an incredibly potent spice that can ward off a variety of illnesses and diseases. It has amazingly high levels of vitamins and minerals including vitamin C and B-6 and minerals such as selenium, calcium, copper, and iron.

Garlic also contains very strong antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-cancer, and anti-viral properties. One raw crushed clove of garlic contains the antibiotic equivalent of 100,000 units of penicillin and has been proven to be more effective than both penicillin and tetracycline in suppressing certain types of disease carrying agents. Garlic contains a compound called allicin which has been shown to help significantly lower cholesterol and blood pressure by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme within the liver cells and blocking platelet clot formation in the blood vessels.

Garlic is also very good for the digestive tract and has a strong ability to eliminate toxic matter from the lymphatic system. Garlic’s anti-inflammatory properties make it vital for autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, COPD, lupus, fibromyalgia, lyme disease, bursitis, shingles, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

It is also particularly beneficial for ear infections, candida, bronchitis, respiratory infections, food poisoning, herpes, coronary artery disease, stroke, colds, flus, urinary tract infections, and weak immune systems. Garlic can help eliminate lead and other heavy metals from the body. It is also a good remedy for removing parasites and worms from the colon.

Garlic can be juiced with vegetables for a powerful immune boosting drink. When feeling under the weather consider eating 1-4 cloves of raw garlic a day by adding it to guacamole, soups, hummus, or crushed on toast with a little olive oil. If the flavor of garlic does not appeal to you, odor-free garlic capsules can be a great alternative and a way to still get the health benefits of this natural wonder.

Garlic supplements can be found online or at your local health food store.