Irritable bowel syndrome occurs when the normally rhythmic muscular contractions of the digestive tract become irregular and uncoordinated.  This process is called peristalsis.  The normal movement of waste material and food through the digestive tract is disrupted and a build-up of toxins and mucus occurs in the intestine.  The accumulated material causes an obstruction of the digestive tract, trapping stools and gas, which then causes distention, constipation, bloating and abdominal pain.  People suffering from IBS often report that constipation alternates with diarrhea. The main symptoms of IBS are bloating, abdominal pain, discomfort constipation and/or diarrhea.  Symptoms vary greatly from person to person, but below is a list of general symptoms reported by patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome: Pain and discomfort occurring in different parts of the abdomen that is relieved with bowel movement.  Bouts of pain vary in length and intensity.Bloating and swelling of the abdomen occurs and the patient suffers from flatulence.Some people suffer from bouts of constipation and diarrhea whilst other people have diarrhea that alternates with constipation.Nausea and in some cases, vomiting.Mucus in stools.Intolerance to certain foods.Poor appetite.Heartburn.Many people only have occasional flare-ups of IBS symptoms, whilst others have symptoms over long periods of time.  Because of the pain associated with irritable bowel syndrome, many people do not eat properly and malnutrition occurs.  Diarrhea is also a main cause of malnutrition because of the loss of valuable nutrients.

NB!  If you notice blood in your stools, advise your health care practitioner immediately as this is not a symptom of irritable bowel syndrome.

Researchers and doctors have yet to establish a specific cause of IBS, but they have linked the flare-up of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome to stress, food allergies and even a weakened immune system.

A proper diagnosis of IBS can only be made when other disorders causing similar symptoms are ruled out.  These disorders include Crohn”s disease, endometriosis, lactose intolerance, diverticulitis or ulcerative colitis.

There are many other diseases that have been linked to irritable bowel syndrome, including colon cancer, diabetes mellitus, gallbladder disease, candidiasis and ulcers.  As mentioned before, IBS does but not cause these diseases.

Your health care practitioner can perform a series of tests to rule out any other serious diseases of the bowel.  These tests include colonoscopies, rectal biopsies, barium enemas and stool examinations.

Clinical trials have shown that people greatly benefit by using herbal medicines for symptomatic treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.  

If you suffer from IBS, it is recommended to treat your liver as well as your digestive tract to ensure that you remove toxins from your liver.  Milk thistle is the best option for detoxifying your liver.

All the herbal medicines listed here can be combined with one another and even with conventional medicines.  

1 or 2 capsules 3 times a day between meals1-3 tbsp powder dissolved in water or juice once a day1 pill a day on an empty stomach200 mg standardized extract once a dayFlaxseed or Evening primrose oilHalf a cup of juice three times a day

Peppermint oil relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract and relieves cramps.  The menthol in peppermint aids in digestion and also reduces nausea.

Psyllium is a source of soluble fiber that can help to normalize bowel function and therefore assists with both constipation and diarrhea.

Acidophilus assists in restoring the natural balance of intestinal flora in the gastrointestinal tract.  

Ginger works in the digestive tract by boosting digestive juices and neutralizing acids.  Ginger is also especially useful in reducing pain and discomfort associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

Flaxseed oil or Evening primrose oil helps to protect the intestinal lining.

Aloe vera is known to heal the digestive tract and to keep the colon wall clean of excess mucus.

Make sure that you eat a diet high in fiber that will normalize bowel function.

Avoid animal fats, butter, coffee, caffeine-containing substances, carbonated beverages, dairy products, spicy foods, orange and grapefruit juice, as well as all junk and processed foods.  Also try to avoid wheat bran and wheat products. These foods all cause an excess of mucus by the membranes in the intestinal tract that can prevent the uptake of nutrients.

Try to keep a food diary.  This is helpful to establish if your IBS symptoms are caused by an allergy to certain foods.

Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement as diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome can deplete essential nutrients.  

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.  Suggestions offered are not intended to replace appropriate medical investigation and treatment.

Tags: health care practitioner, gallbladder disease, mucus in stools, lactose intolerance, Health Medical Pharma

The use of grapes, grape leaves and grape seeds as herbal supplements are as ancient as time.

Ancient Greeks and Egyptians realized the value of grapes many thousands of years ago.  Traditional European folk healers used the sap from grapevines to make an ointment to treat skin diseases.  Grape leaves were used to stop bleeding and relieve inflammation.

Researchers today are finding more ways that grapes and grape seeds improve our general health and wellbeing.  

Grape seeds are rich in flavonoids, which are plant substances with powerful anti-oxidant properties that protect cells from free radical hurt.  Free radical hurt occurs when the natural free radicals in your body are increased due to pollution, radiation, smoking and ultraviolet hurt.  This can lead to cell hurt, premature aging and blood vessel disorders.  Grape seed extract contains PCO’s (procyanidolic oligomers), which are believed to have the ability to prevent heart disease and cancer.

Grape seed extract is oil- and water-soluble, meaning that it can penetrate all kinds of cell membranes, making sure that its anti-oxidant properties are released throughout your entire body.  This herbal extract is able to cross the blood-brain barrier protecting brain cells from free radical hurt.  Enhancing the overall health of blood vessels, grape seed extract reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

This anti-oxidant strenghens weakened capillaries and increases blood flow to the extremities, making it useful in treating blood circulation disorders such as Raynaud’s disease.  People who suffer from any kind of vascular insufficiency will benefit from using grape seed extract as it successfully treats varicose veins, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs and even leg cramps.

As it is able to affect even the tiniest of blood vessels, it also benefits the circulation in the eye.  Health care practitioners recommend grape seed extract to prevent and treat macular degeneration, cataracts and night blindness.  If you are a regular computer user, eyestrain caused by the computer monitor will greatly improve.

Tumors form when there is hurt to the genetic material of cells.  Using grape seed extract will help to right the hurt to these cells and will decrease the chances of cancerous tumors forming.  People undergoing chemotherapy can use grape seed extract to minimize the hurt caused by this cancer treatment.

Grape seed extract is also recommended to treat connective tissue disorders as it helps to rebuild and preserve collagen in your skin.  It is for this reason that many skin care products today contain extracts of grape seed.  

If you suffer from allergies, grape seed will lessen the severity of the symptoms.  This herbal extract works by inhibiting the release of histamine, which is a compound responsible for allergic reactions such as hay fever or hives.

Women who suffer from endometriosis find relief from pain and inflammation caused by chemicals known as prostaglandins. Grape seed extract blocks the release of prostaglandins, thereby reducing pain and inflammation.

Grape seed oil should not be confused with grape seed extract, but the oil may offer health benefits as well.  A study conducted in New York at the University Health Science Center found that adding two tablespoons of grape seed oil to the subjects’ daily diet increased the excellent cholesterol (HDL) and reduced triglycerides.

Hurt to the cardiovascular system in people who smoke is reduced with the use of grape seed extract.  High blood pressure can also be treated with the use of this herbal remedy as it helps to repair hurt to blood vessels.

If you have diabetes, grape seed extract can help to regulate your blood sugar levels and also increase vascular function, which is often affected by this disease.

In a recent study it was found that grape seed extract is highly efficient at treating chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), as it reduced the severity and frequency of abdominal pain.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.

No side effects or toxic reactions from the use of grape seed extract have ever been reported.  No known interactions exist between grape seed extract and conventional medicines.  

Only about 28 percent of grape seed extract’s active compounds remain in the body after 24 hours.  It is therefore vital to take the herbal supplement at the same time everyday, especially if you are using it to treat a disease.

You can take grape seed supplements with or without food.

For anti-oxidant protection, take 100 mg daily.  To treat disease, take 200 mg daily.  Ensure that you buy grape seed supplements standardized to contain 92-95 percent procyanidolic oligomers (PCO’s).

Tags: blood circulation, blood brain barrier, New York, leg cramps, health care practitioners

Learn how herbal medicine can treat painful and debilitating migraines.

An estimated 25 million people in the United States suffer from migraines – three out four of these people are women.

A migraine is a severe, throbbing headache that may or may not be accompanied by visual disturbances, nausea and an aversion to light.

The pain normally occurs only on one side of the head. Migraines are associated with disorders of the liver, sight and digestion. Migraines can suddenly occur due to stress and mental tension and overworked muscles in the neck and head. As soon as the person relaxes, the tight muscles expand and stretch the blood vessel walls. The blood pumped with each heartbeat then pushes the blood vessels further causing severe pain.

Migraine attacks can last for hours or even several days and are often preceded by warning signs.

Migraines often show up in childhood as colic, vomiting and abdominal pain, dizziness and severe motion sickness.

Migraines occur most often in people between the ages of twenty and thirty-five, and attacks tend to decline with age. Women who suffer from migraines report a decrease in migraines after menopause.

There are usually five phases in a migraine:

1. Before the onset of a headache, there usually are detectable changes in a person’s mood, there are problems with memory, speech problems and some people have reported an alteration in one or all five senses.

2. Just before the headache starts, people report seeing flashes of light or patterns of light. Numbness in the hands or the mouth is experienced. This is what is called the aura. A migraine preceded by an aura is called a classic migraine. A migraine without an aura is a common migraine.

3. The headache starts with severe, throbbing pain. As mentioned it occurs on one side of the head, but can occur on both sides. Migraines can often migrate from side to side. Tenderness of the neck and scalp occur. Nausea and vomiting set in. The eyes become sensitive to light and the person suffering from the migraine can be immobilized by the pain.

4. The headache starts to dissipate but nausea might remain.

5. The person may feel tired and lethargic and often will sleep for an extended period.

There are a wide variety of triggers associated with migraines.

These can include stress, lack of sleep, changes in the weather, certain foods, bright lights, fluctuations in blood sugar levels, hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle or the use of an oral contraceptive, as well as certain liver conditions.

Low blood sugar is frequently associated with migraines. Studies have shown that the lower the blood sugar level, the more severe the pain of the migraine can be.

Early research has described migraines as vascular headaches due to excessive contraction or dilation of the brain’s blood vessels.

Recent research has brought more information to light. The inflammation of a migraine is more noticeable in the meninges – the three membranes surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. Stimulation of the nerve that runs from the brain to the head and face appears to trigger the release of substances that induce inflammation and trigger pain receptors in the meninges.

Some doctors have compared migraines to meningitis as the symptoms are very similar; but meningitis is caused by viral or bacterial infection.

There are certain underlying causes of migraines that make an individual more susceptible to triggers of a migraine attack. These include genetic factors, poor nutrition, chemical imbalances in the brain and the overuse of painkillers.

The overuse of painkillers cause “rebound headaches.” A rebound headache occurs when a headache or migraine sufferer takes high doses of over-the-counter painkillers over extended periods of time. As soon as the effects of these painkillers wear off, the pain returns, often more severe than before. This often leads to liver hurt.

A fluctuation in the level of the hormone estrogen is a leading cause of migraine attacks in women. The lower the level of estrogen, the higher the chance of a migraine.

The supplements listed below are useful in preventing migraines and may be used in place of prescription medicine. Do not stop taking your prescription medicine, but, without prior approval from your medical practitioner.

Supplements can help in preventing migraines, but prescription medicine might still be needed to combat a migraine attack which has already begun.

Migraine sufferers should take magnesium and calcium over the long term. These two minerals help to maintain healthy blood vessels.

Feverfew is beneficial in preventing migraines and headaches. This herbal remedy can reduce the frequency and intensity of migraines when taken over extended periods of time. Feverfew blocks the substances that cause blood vessels to constrict and dilate, causing inflammation. It is vital to note that Feverfew will not be of use once a migraine attack has begun.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) can also help to reduce the number of times that migraines occur. Riboflavin increases the energy reserves in brain cells.

To help your liver to clear toxins from your body, take a Lipotropic combination. Lipotropic combinations are herbal remedies that contain Milk Thistle, Choline, Inositol, Dandelion and other liver cleansing herbs.

Gingko biloba enhances blood circulation to the brain assisting with the prevention of migraines.

250 mg every morning, standardized to contain minimum 0,4 parthenolide

400 mg magnesium and 100 mg calcium twice a day

A diet low in simple carbohydrates and high in protein is beneficial to migraine sufferers. This kind of diet regulates your blood sugar levels, preventing migraines due to low blood sugar.

Eat a diet rich in raw vegetables and fresh fruit.

Avoid foods containing the amino acid tyramine. This includes avocados, bananas, aged meats, canned fish, hard cheeses, red plums and tomatoes. Also try to avoid alcohol.

Avoid foods containing the preservatives monosodium glutamate (MSG) and nitrites. These are found in many processed meats.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care. Suggestions offered are not intended to replace appropriate medical investigation and treatment.

Tags: age women, but can occur on both sides, bacterial infection, five senses, sensitive to light

For centuries, peppermint has been used to provide relief for indigestion, headaches and colds.  Today, this powerful medicinal herb is used to soothe digestive complaints and ease indigestion and nausea.

Peppermint is cultivated world wide for use as a natural flavouring agent and also as an herbal medicine.  This hybrid of spearmint has oval, pointed leaves that are either dark green or purple and lilac-coloured flowers.  The leaves and stems are harvested for medicinal purposes just before the flowers bloom.  What gives this herb its healing qualities is its volatile oil, which are made up of several compounds namely menthol, menthone and menthyl acetate.  Peppermint oil is made into an herbal medicine by steam-distilling the parts of the plant that grow above the ground.

Some of the common uses of peppermint include relieving heartburn, nausea and indigestion, easing the symptoms of diverticular disorder and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), dissolving gallstones, soothing muscle aches, sweetening the breath and easing coughs.  Peppermint oil appears in more commercial products than any other herb.  It is included in antacids, mouthwashes and toothpastes.

The oil obtained from this herbal remedy relaxes the muscles of the digestive tract which helps to relieve intestinal cramping and also flatulence.  Peppermint has antispasmodic properties that are beneficial to people suffering from IBS, which is a disorder characterized by abdominal cramps, diarrhea alternating with constipation and indigestion.  In a study conducted at the Taichung Veterans General Hospital in Taiwan, patients who used peppermint oil capsules reported significant relief from the symptoms of IBS. Abdominal pain disappeared completely or was greatly reduced and patients reported less bloating and flatulence.  

The menthol contained in peppermint herbal medicines stimulates the flow of digestive juices and bile, thereby aiding digestion.  This has made peppermint a well loved ingredient in over-the-counter antacids.  Several studies have also indicated that menthol aids in dissolving gallstones.  It is vital though to find out how serious your condition is before using peppermint as an herbal alternative to gallstone surgery.

Drinking peppermint tea will relieve nausea and motion sickness.  Peppermint tea is a safe, natural herbal remedy for pregnant women suffering from morning sickness. Flatulence and bloating is also eased when drinking this herbal tea.

Rubbing peppermint oil on the skin relieves pain by stimulating the nerves that perceive cold and dulling the nerves that sense pain.  This makes it a valuable herbal medicine for aching muscles.  

Commission E, which is a German health board that is an authority on the research of herbs, found that peppermint was an effective decongestant that also reduced inflammation of the nasal passages.  Inhaling peppermint oil when you have a cold will ease your breathing and drinking peppermint tea is effective to relieve bronchial spasms.

Research conducted at the University of Kiel in Germany showed that when applying a mixture of peppermint oil and eucalyptus oil to the forehead and temples, the pain of headaches and migraines were significantly reduced.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.

Used in the recommended doses, peppermint generally has no side effects, even if used for prolonged periods.  One of the rare side effects is a skin rash when applying peppermint oil directly to the skin, simply discontinue use if this occurs.
Take enteric-coated capsules between meals.  Enteric-coated capsules are capsules that are coated with a material that permits transit through the stomach to the small intestine without the medicine contained being absorbed by the stomach.

Drink peppermint tea after or between meals.  To take a peppermint tincture, place 10 to 20 drops in a glass of water.

To treat IBS, nausea and gallstones, try enteric-coated capsules containing at least 0,2 ml peppermint oil per capsule.  These capsules will release the oil where it is needed most – in the small and large intestine instead of in the stomach.  Take 1 or 2 capsules three times a day between meals.

To freshen your breath, place a few drops of peppermint oil on your tongue.

To soothe indigestion and relieve flatulence, make peppermint tea by using one or two teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves in a cup of boiled water.  Allow to steep for 5-10 minutes.  Take care to cover the cup to make sure that volatile oils that make peppermint a beneficial herbal medicine do not evaporate.  

To ease congestion and coughs, drink up to four cups of peppermint tea brewed as above.

To relieve muscles aches and pain, add a few drops of peppermint oil to 15 ml of a neutral oil and apply to the affected areas up to four times daily.  You can also add a few drops of oil to aqueous cream.

Tags: abdominal pain, bronchial spasms, digestive juices, abdominal cramps, University of Kiel in Germany

Western researchers have studied Cat’s Claw since the 1970′s and European doctors have used this herb since the 1980′s.

The name is derived from two curved thorns at the base of the plant’s leaves that resemble a cat’s claws.

There are dozens of related Cat’s Claw species, but two specific ones are harvested in Peru and Brazil for use as herbal remedies.

Native Indians have long used the bark to make tea to treat wounds, stomach ailments and arthritis.

Scientific studies have identified several active ingredients that enhance activity of the immune system and inhibit inflammation.

Anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-tumor properties have been attributed to Cat’s Claw.

Cat’s Claw has anti-inflammatory effects that have proven to be beneficial in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, gout and bursitis.

Used as an anti-oxidant, Cat’s Claw helps to protect cell from hurt caused by free radicals.

German and Austrian doctors prescribe Cat’s Claw to stimulate the immune systems of cancer patients that have been weakened by chemotherapy.

Studies conducted on animals have shown that Cat’s Claw roots and bark contain compounds called procyanidolic oligomers (PCO’s), which inhibit tumours.

Other compounds identified in this herbal medicine stimulate immune cells called phagocytes which “devour” viruses and other disease-causing organisms.

Cat’s Claw has been successfully used to combat sinus infections as well as other upper respiratory-tract infections.

Cat’s Claw can be used to treat viral infections such as herpes and can also be used by HIV positive patients to boost their immune systems.

Recently, scientists have been researching the use of Cat’s Claw to treat Alzheimer’s.

Cat’s Claw is prescribed by health practitioners to cleanse the intestinal tract, thereby assisting patients suffering from many different stomach and bowel disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, leaky bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, gastritis, ulcers and even Crohn’s disease.

Please consult your medical practitioner prior to using any herbal medications should you be under their care.

No known side effects have been reported when using Cat’s Claw at the recommended dosages.

People who use higher doses than recommended have reported nausea and headaches and using high doses over extended periods can adversely affect your immune system.

Pregnant women and women who are trying to get pregnant should not use Cat’s Claw under any circumstance as this herbal remedy was once used to prevent pregnancy and to abort pregnancies.

Take 250 mg of a standardized extract in pill form twice a day. You can combine or alternate Cat’s Claw with other immune boosting herbal medicines such as Echinacea or goldenseal.

Make sure when purchasing Cat’s Claw products that it is made from Uncaria tomentosa or U. guianensis as many products commercially available do not really contain Cat’s Claw, but herbs that carry the same name.

Cat’s Claw tea is available from health stores. Use one or two teaspoons of the dried extract per cup of hot water. You can drink up to three cups of tea daily.

Tags: western researchers, free radicals, immune systems, Human Interest, Health Medical Pharma

Diabetes is a disorder which is related with large amount of sugar in the level of the blood. It strikes the metabolism of the body. The food which we eat is broken down into glucose for the purpose of growth and energy. After digestion the excess glucose which is present in our body is used for the purpose of development by the cells. The hormone insulin is required by our body to go glucose from blood into the cells. People suffering from diabetes have no production or very small production of insulin in their body. This condition is termed as diabetes.

Various causes of diabetes -

1. Obesity
2. Stress
3. Diet with high carbohydrate
4. Deficiency of nutrition
5. Increase in cholesterol level
6. Genetics and hereditary factors
7. Deficiency of insulin
8. Insulin resistance
9. Overeating
10. Doing no physical exercise
11. Excess intake of sugar and oil
12. High blood pressure
13. Worries and tension
14. Infections caused by viruses

There are several symptoms of diabetes -

Slow healing of injuries, frequently infected by various infections like vaginal, gum, skin or bladder infection, weakness or loss of strength, blurred vision, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, extreme hunger, feeling of thirst increases and increased in frequency of urination.

It is tested that some chosen herbal remedies and also the dietary supplements may help in preventing diabetes as well as it also keeps the diabetes under control. The need for medication is eliminated if any one strictly follows the right life style, herbal remedies and also the diet supplements. It also protects the other tissue organ from hurt which is caused due to uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

Some of the common herbs which are very effective in the treatment of diabetes -

1. Bitter melon is very effective for the treatment of diabetes. It is a tropical vegetable usually known as balsam pear. It is used as a home remedy for diabetes. It has the quality of lowering the level of blood sugar. The extract as well as the fresh juice of bitter melon is often used in the treatment of diabetes. It also contains insulin like polypeptide, polypeptide-p which helps in lowering of the blood sugar level. Intake of 50-60 ml of juice if taken regularly shows excellent result. But it should not be taken in excess quantity otherwise it may cause diarrhea and abdominal pain.

2. Onion and garlic too is having the property of lowering the blood sugar.

3. Fenugreek seeds are having anti diabetic properties. It contains nicotinic acid, coumarin and also alkaloid trigonelline which play an effective role in the treatment of diabetes.

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For thousands of years right now, every type of disease and its signs are already cured effectively by the Chinese herbal cures. Even right now, China are utilizing these solutions to remedy illnesses. These kinds of herbal solutions are just a part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).Earlier tonsil stones were not understood properly as they were not researched properly that many doctors thought that they could be treated using antibiotics and often suggested tonsillectomy when the antibiotics did not work. But really speaking the surgery is not at all required as tonsils play a very vital role in guarding the body from viruses and bacteria. They can be cured easily using various natural and herbal remedies.

Homeopathy, Ayurveda and Chinese medicines used herbs for treating the improper condition of tonsils effectively and efficiently.Hot Flashes are related with the term of menopause. It is among the most uncomfortable symptoms about which the maximum women make complaint. Estrogen replacement therapy is the most common medical treatment for this problem. These treatments are not curative but are very effective in stopping the flashes.Usually the colds are caused by rhinoviruses which are invisible droplets on the things we touch and in the air we breathe.

Due to cold people suffers from the problem of breathing through the nose. Different types of rhinoviruses infiltrate the protective lining of the nose and throat. It triggers an immune system reaction which causes headache and throat sore. Usually the smokers are at fantastic risk of the attack of cold and their symptoms will be worse and it will last longer.Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a disorder which is related to minimally brain hurt. Now days it has been diagnosed with increased frequency.

Its main features are hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. Usually children and adults get affected by this problem. If anyone shows this type of symptoms than, he or she must contact to a qualified mental health professional. Usually ADD is a behavioral condition which is characterized by a span of poor attention and also it is accompanied by hyperactivity.Usually the anxiety is the result of exaggerated worry about day to day events which are not having any specific reasons to worry. The person suffering from anxiety always expects disaster in their life and they can’t stop to worry due to this problem. They always worry about the things which are related with their life and in negative way. They always worry about health, money, school or family work. It is also termed as GAD. In this condition the people often worry about the happenings which are out of proportion for the situation or unrealistic.

They always remain in the state of worry, dread, and dread. It affects the work of day to day life and even the relationships.The significance and magnitude of health and wellness has positively come to the forefront of the health business in the preceding decade. With the baby boomer generation approaching or entering their senior years, strained health and medical services, and the understanding by greater numbers of individuals of the limitations of medical science, humanity has urbanized an increasingly outstanding attitude of responsibility towards one’s own health and wellness.

Tags: bladder infection, home remedy, excess intake, Estrogen replacement therapy, abdominal pain