The Aztecs and the Maya first used wild yam for its pain relieving properties.  Centuries later, European settlers used wild yam to treat joint pain and muscle cramps.

It is only the roots of this herbal plant that contain any medicinal value and once dried, it is used to make an herbal tea.

The roots of the wild yam contain a substance called diosgenin, a phyto-estrogen, and in the 1950′s scientists learned that this substance can be chemically converted into the hormone progesterone.  The first birth control pills were manufactured in the 1960′s and contained diosgenin.

Most of the claims that wild yam can relieve PMS and menopausal symptoms are yet to be scientifically proven.  Although this herbal medicine contains diosgenin, this substance cannot be converted into progesterone by your body, it can only be done in a laboratory.  Some holistic health care practitioners claim that their patients found relief when using a cream that contain wild yam herbal extracts.  These creams have to be applied to the belly and thighs, but how the cream works, is not clear.

Be very careful when purchasing creams and lotions that claim to contain a natural progesterone such as wild yam.  The molecules and particles in wild yam are too huge to be absorbed through your skin, and as mentioned, your body cannot convert diosgenin into progesterone on its own.

Wild yam does but have other herbal benefits.  In tea, tincture or capsule form, wild yam acts as a muscle relaxant and an anti-inflammatory.  Some health care practitioners prescribe wild yam in capsule form to relieve joint and muscle pain.  If you are looking to use wild yam as an herbal medicine to relieve menstrual cramps, combining it with herbs such as chasteberry is your best option.

Substances called alkaloids are also found in wild yam.  Alkaloids are muscle relaxants that specifically work on the muscles in your abdomen and pelvis.  People who suffer from Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome and other painful digestive disorders report that they find relief after drinking wild yam herbal tea.

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

Do not exceed the recommended dosage as it can cause diarrhoea and nausea.

Pregnant and lactating women should not use wild yam herbal supplements.

Do not use wild yam if you are on a birth control pill or using hormone replacement therapy, as wild yam can negatively interact with the hormones found in these prescription medicines.

Wild yam herbal medicines are available in capsule, tea or tincture form.  Take half a teaspoon of tincture three times a day, or 500 mg of wild yam in a capsule form.  You can drink a cup of wild yam herbal tea three times a day to relieve cramps and muscle aches.

To make the tea, use a cup of boiling water with two teaspoons of dried wild yam root and let it steep for 10-15 minutes.  Combining wild yam with other herbal teas such as peppermint tea will increase the benefits when using it for digestive disorders.

Wild yam herbal supplements should be taken with food to minimize the risk of nausea and stomach upsets.  

Tags: holistic health care, crohn s disease, birth control pills, menstrual cramps, Tropical agriculture

Menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries stop releasing eggs in her early 50′s and her menstrual cycle stops.  When a woman has not had a period in six months, it is considered that she has completed menopause.  Even though menopause should not be considered as a disease, it can have unpleasant symptoms.  Before a woman has her last period, she can experience menstrual irregularities, hot flushes and irritability.  After menopause, vaginal dryness, loss of bone mass and an increased risk of heart disease can occur.  This happens because the ovaries stop manufacturing estrogen and progesterone.

To try and counter these problems, women in general opt for hormone replacement therapy (HRT).  Recent studies have but increased concern that long-term HRT can cause breast cancer, and many women are searching for a natural alternative.

One of the natural herbal alternatives is Black Cohosh which is widely used to help stabilize hormone levels.

The healing abilities of Black Cohosh were recognized centuries ago when Native American women started using the root of this plant to treat a variety of ailments, specifically problems related to the menstrual cycle and menopause.

Black Cohosh was the main ingredient in one of the most well loved folk remedies in the early 1900′s.  Lydia Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound was sold as a women’s tonic and is still available today.

The Black Cohosh plant is a member of the buttercup family and is recognized by its tall stalks of fluffy white flowers.  This perennial plant is native to North America and has quite a few other common names such as black snakeroot, bugbane, bugwort, rattleroot, rattletop and rattleweed.

Traditional uses of Black Cohosh included treating menstrual problems and reducing the symptoms of menopause.  Today, Black Cohosh is used for similar purposes, but also as an anti-inflammatory that can relieve muscle aches and pain.

In Europe and increasingly in the United States, Black Cohosh is recommended by homeopaths to treat hot flushes, vaginal dryness and other menopausal symptoms.  A hormone called LH (luteinizing hormone) is produced by the brain’s pituary gland and when the levels of LH rise, it can cause hot flushes.  Scientific studies have revealed that Black Cohosh can reduce the levels of LH in the body.

In addition, Black Cohosh contains phyto-estrogens which are plant compounds that have a similar effect to that of estrogen produced by your body.  When these phyto-estrogens bind to hormone receptors in the uterus and breast it can ease menopausal symptoms without increasing your risk of breast cancer, which is a possible side effect of conventional hormone replacement therapy.  Some experts even believe that Black Cohosh can prevent breast cancer by keeping the body’s own estrogen from locking onto breast cells.

Black Cohosh is very effective to alleviate menstrual cramps due to its antispasmodic properties.  This herbal remedy increases the blood flow to the uterus and reduces the intensity of uterine contractions, which also makes it useful during labour and after childbirth.

Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, Black Cohosh might be valuable in treating muscle aches and pain, joint inflammation and nerve-related pain.  More scientific studies are being done to prove the herb’s value as a pain killer.

Black Cohosh is often recommended by homeopaths to help in clearing mucus from the body.  This makes it an effective herbal medicine to treat sinus infections, coughs and bronchitis.  

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

Black Cohosh has basically no toxic effect, although a few people have reported stomach upsets.  If you are taking medicine for high blood pressure, make sure that you consult your health care practitioner before taking Black Cohosh as this herb can lower your blood pressure.  

Do not increase dosages of Black Cohosh as this can have serious side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, heavy perspiration and a reduced pulse rate.

Make sure that you buy capsules or tablets that are standardized to contain 25 percent of triterpenes which are the active components in Black Cohosh.

For menopausal symptoms, take 40 mg of Black Cohosh twice a day.  To ease menstrual cramps and PMS, start taking 40 mg of this herbal remedy a week to 10 days before your period.  

Black Cohosh can be taken at any time of the day but to minimize the chance of a stomach upset it is best to take it with a meal.  Allow four to six weeks to see the benefits of this herbal remedy.  Some experts have recommended that Black Cohosh not be used longer than six months continually, but more recent studies have shown that longer use seems safe and that there are no significant side effects to long term use.

Compresses soaked in Black Cohosh tea can be applied to sore muscles and joints to ease pain.  Boil dried root in water for 20 to 30 minutes and let it cool off until it is warm enough for you to tolerate holding a compress against your skin.  Apply the warm compress for 20 minutes, repeating this every 4 hours if the pain does not improve.

Tags: The Black Cohosh plant, heart disease, joint inflammation, hot flushes, Female reproductive system

Natural breast enlargement pills are advertised on the Internet, television, and in women’s magazines. Some of the ads focus on women’s insecurities about their breasts, especially after childbirth, weight loss, and the removal of breast implants.

Women in search of an alternative to breast enlargement surgery are trying these herbal pills, without realizing that there is small-to-no evidence about the safety of breast enhancement pills. Most websites selling natural breast enhancement pills do not list any potential risks.

Natural breast enlargement pills could theoretically increase breast size because some of them contain herbs that have known estrogen-like effects on the body.

Birth control pills are thought to temporarily increase breast size in the same way–estrogen causes fluid retention in the breasts and may have an effect on breast tissue.

But if natural breast enlargement pills do work, there is no evidence that they’re safe. Adriane Fugh-Berman, M.D., professor of complementary and alternative medicine at the Georgetown University School of Medicine, said in an article published in Obstetrics and Gynecology, “The use of bust-enhancing products should be discouraged because of lack of evidence for efficacy and long-term safety concerns.”

If breast enlargement pills do have estrogen-like effects in the body, there are some safety concerns. Estrogen given on its own stimulates the growth of tissue in the uterus and is believed to promote uterine cancer, which is why birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy normally contain progesterone to counter estrogen’s effects on the uterus. We don’t know if natural breast enhancement pills stimulate the growth of uterine tissue.

There is also no evidence about whether natural breast enlargement pills interfere with fertility, menstruation, or the effectiveness of birth control pills.

Ethnobotanist James A. Duke, PhD, discusses breast enlargement herbs in his book, The Green Pharmacy (Rodale, 1997). Many of the herbs Duke talks about, such as fenugreek and fennel, have centuries-ancient folk reputations as breast enlargers. But, there is small discussion of safety, and Duke does not address the safety concerns of taking large quantities of these herbs in pill form.

Here is a rundown of some of the most common ingredients in natural breast enhancement pills:

Blessed Thistle – The herb blessed thistle is approved by Germany’s Commission E for the treatment of loss of appetite and indigestion. It was used historically by nursing women to increase the flow of milk.

There have been no published clinical trials on blessed thistle for natural breast enlargement, so we don’t know whether it is effective or safe for regular use in large doses.

Blessed thistle is believed to stimulate the production of stomach acid, so it can cause mild irritation of the digestive tract lining. It should not be used by people with gastrointestinal reflux disease, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Blessed thistle should not be used by pregnant women, as it can increase the risk of birth defects and spontaneous abortion.

People who are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, or daisies may be allergic to blessed thistle, because they belong to the same plant family.

Dong Quai – Dong quai is a Chinese herb used primarily to relieve menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, reduce menstrual cramps, and regulate menstrual cycles.

The only published study on dong quai and breast enlargement was a case report of a man who took a combination herbal pill and had temporary breast enlargement. The pill was thought to have been contaminated with synthetic estrogen. There are no other published clinical trials on dong quai for breast enhancement.

One potential risk is that dong quai has been found to stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells (estrogen receptor-positive and negative) in test tube studies.

Dong quai can increase the sensitivity of skin to the sun’s rays. Sunscreen should always be used before any exposure to the sun. Dong quai should not be used by pregnant women.

Dong quai contains chemicals called coumarins, which slow blood clotting, so it should not be taken by people using the “blood-thinning” drugs such as Coumadin (warfarin), Plavix (clopidogrel), Ticlid (ticlopidine), Trental (pentoxifylline), or aspirin. For the same reason, dong quai should not be taken two weeks before or after surgery.

Fennel Seed – Fennel has been used for centuries as both food and medicine. It was used traditionally to increase the flow of breast milk in nursing women, enhance libido, and increase menstrual flow. There are no published studies examining the use of fennel seed for breast enhancement in humans. In the 1930s, there was some interest in fennel in the development of synthetic estrogens, due to compounds called dianethole and photoanethole.

One study found that after consuming fennel seed for 10 days, the weight of breast tissue in female rats increased. Higher doses increased the weight of the uterus, which suggests that fennel in high doses may stimulate the growth of uterine tissue. Fennel may decrease the effectiveness of the antibiotic Cipro (ciprofloxacin) and possibly other drugs in the ciprofloxacin family and should not be combined.

Fenugreek – Although there is an unsubstantiated claim that women in harems were fed fenugreek seeds to increase their breast size, no studies confirm fenugreek can result in breast enlargement.

Fenugreek contains a compound called diosgenin. In laboratories, diosgenin can be converted to estrogen and progesterone but that same conversion doesn’t occur naturally in the body.

People who are allergic to peanuts or soybeans may also be allergic to fenugreek. Side effects from oral fenugreek supplements may include diarrhea and gas. Fenugreek, in large quantitites, may cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). It should not be combined with diabetes medication unless under a doctor’s supervision.

More breast enlargement herbs on the next page…

Tags: Breast enlargement, breast cancer, breast implants, Medicinal plants, bust-enhancing products

In any given year, nearly 20 million adults in the United States have depression. Most people with depression do not seek treatment, although the majority can be helped with treatment. The first step is to talk with your doctor, because depression is a serious illness that shouldn’t be self-treated.

Depression can also be a symptom of another condition, such as hypothyroidism or anemia. If you are currently taking medication or undergoing other treatment for depression, do not stop without consulting your doctor.

Here are nine natural and herbal remedies that are used for depression.

The herb St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) has long been used in folk medicine for sadness, worry, nervousness, and poor sleep.

Today, the results of over 20 clinical trials suggest that St. John’s wort works better than a placebo and is as effective as antidepressants for mild to moderate depression, with fewer side effects.

Studies suggest that St. John’s wort is not effective for major depression.

It’s available at health food stores, drug stores, and online in the form of capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, or tea.

St. John’s wort may take 4 to 6 weeks to notice the full effects. Side effects may include dizziness, dry mouth, indigestion, and fatigue. St. John’s wort increases photosensitivity, so extra caution should be taken to protect skin and eyes from sunlight.

Although St. John’s wort appears to be reasonably safe when taken alone, it can interfere with the effectiveness of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, such as antidepressants, drugs to treat HIV infections and AIDs, drugs to prevent organ rejection for transplant patients, and oral contraceptives.

St. John’s wort is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, children, or people with bipolar disorder, liver or kidney disease. For more information about St. John’s wort, go to the St. John’s wort article index.

Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of excellent stout needed for normal brain function. Our bodies can’t make omega-3s on their own, so we must obtain them through our diet.

Studies have linked depression with low dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids. In countries with higher fish consumption, such as Japan and Taiwan, the depression rate is 10 times lower than in North American. Postpartum depression is also less common.

Studies suggest that omega-3′s together with antidepressants may be more effective than antidepressants alone.

Cold water fish such as salmon, sardines, and anchovies are the richest food source of omega-3 fatty acids. But instead of eating more fish which contain mercury, PCBs, and other chemicals, fish oil capsules are considered a cleaner source of omega-3 fatty acids. Many companies filter their fish oil so that these chemicals are removed.

Fish oil capsules are sold in health food stores, drug stores, and online. Most brands should be stored in the fridge to prevent the oil from going rancid. When comparing brands, the key active components for depression are EPA and DHA.

Fish oil capsules may interact with blood-thinning drugs such as warfarin and aspirin. Side effects may include indigestion and bleeding. Fish oil should not be taken 2 weeks before or after surgery. Fish oil can also cause a fishy aftertaste. To prevent this, try taking the fish oil just before meals.

SAM-e, pronounced “sammy”, is small for S-adenosyl-L-methionine. It’s a chemical that’s found naturally in the human body and is believed to increase levels of neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.

Several studies have found SAM-e is more effective than placebo.

In North America, SAM-e is available as an over-the-counter supplement in health food stores, drug stores, and online. It should be enteric-coated for maximum absorption. Although it’s one of the more expensive supplements, it remains well loved as a remedy for depression and osteoarthritis.

Side effects can include nausea and constipation. For more information, read the SAM-e and Depression.

Folic acid, also called folate, is a B vitamin that is often deficient in people who are depressed.

Folate is found in green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, fruit, beans, and fortified grains. It’s one of the most common vitamin deficiencies because of poor diet but also because chronic conditions and various medications such as aspirin and birth control pills can also lead to deficiency.

Besides food, folic acid is also available as a supplement or as part of a B-complex vitamin.

Researchers at Harvard University have found that depressed people with low folate levels don’t respond as well to antidepressents, and taking folic acid in supplement form can improve the effectiveness of antidepressants. For more information, read Low Folate and Vitamin B12 Linked to Depression.

5-HTP is small for 5-hydroxytryptophan. It’s produced naturally in the body and is used to make the neurotransmitter serotonin. Although taking 5-HTP in supplement form may theoretically boost the body’s serotonin levels, many experts feel there is not enough evidence to determine the safety of 5-HTP. It should not be combined with antidepressants.

Reduce your intake of sweets
Sweets temporarily make you feel excellent as blood sugar levels soar, but may worsen mood later on when they plummet. Avoid caffeine and alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol both dampen mood. Alcohol temporarily relaxes us and caffeine boosts energy, but the effects of both are small-lived. Both can worsen mood swings, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is needed to produce the mood-enhancing neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. Although deficiency of vitamin B6 is rare, a borderline deficiency may occur in people taking oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, and drugs for tuberculosis. Magnesium

Most people do not get enough magnesium in their diets. Excellent sources of magnesium are legumes, nuts, whole grains and green vegetables. Like vitamin B6, magnesium is needed for serotonin production. Stress depletes magnesium.

 

Tags: serious illness, Treatment of bipolar disorder, Vitamin B12, richest food source, transplant patients

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.

No clear cause of the hot flash has been found out. But few hormones may be responsible for the cause of hot flashes. The hormones FSH and LH are elevated during and after the menopause and this is the condition which is responsible for hot flashes. Medical professionals regard hot flashes as the result of deficiency of estrogen. This condition is triggered by a variety of stimulants like spicy food, hot drinks, stress, hot weather, intense exercise, especially lovemaking, tobacco or marijuana, rage, especially which is not expressed, hot tubs and saunas, acidic foods like pickles , citrus and tomatoes, alcoholic drinks which includes wine and beer, white sugar and many more.

During the condition of the hot flash, the flushes of heat sweep the body and often the face, the skin becomes reddish and it also promotes free perspiration. Sometimes the hot flash may occur for few seconds to four or five minutes, sometimes for 15 minutes and rarely for an hour.

Some of the common symptoms of hot flashes are heart palpitations, emotional uproar, night sweats, depression or headaches. To condition of hot flashes at night is called night sweat which is followed by the feelings of anxiety and terror.

Certain herbs are there which are very helpful in the treatment of hot flashes -

1. Black Cohosh is a well loved herbal remedy for the treatment of hot flashes. This herb is a well loved alternative for the hormone replacement therapy (HPT). These compounds reduce the effects of estrogen.

2. Wild Yam is another herb which is very effective in the treatment of hot flashes. The extract of wild yam contains isoflavones which help in reducing the symptoms of hot flashes and menopause.

3. A perennial herb known as Dong Quai is also very effective in the treatment of hot flashes. It reduces flushing and sweats, bladder weakness and vaginal dryness. Menstrual irregularities can also be controlled by the help of this herb.

4. An herb known as red clover is similar to wild yam. It contains isoflavones which is very helpful in the treatment of menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and sweats, loss of sexual; desire and mood swings.

Tags: alcoholic drinks, hormone replacement therapy, Dong Quai, black cohosh, hot flash

For women suffering from hot flashes during menopause and perimenopause, finding a cure is often a long process. But amid all of the synthetic treatments on the market, none compare to natural herbal treatments that have been used for centuries by women in the know.

Hot flashes, which are noted by increased heat and flushing in the face, is common among women approaching menopausal age, and some are afflicted by severe symptoms. Finding relief in the form of natural herbs helps eliminate stress that accompanies the problem.

While hormone therapy is used by many women, others prefer the natural route, taking doses of Vitamin E and Vitamin B to aid in the easing of symptoms. But herbs play an vital role in natural hot flash therapy.

Flaxseed, also known as linseed, is used in whole seed and oil form to help ease hot flash symptoms. While there is no hard scientific evidence to back up the support of this claim, women have used it successfully for years.

Evening primrose oil is another herb commonly used to treat hot flashes during menopause. But, this botanical is sometimes accompanied by side effects such as diarrhea and nausea. It’s vital to talk to your doctor before combining evening primrose with other medications, such as blood thinning drugs, because it could cause adverse reactions.

Soy products such as plant estrogen, which is found in isoflavones, contribute an estrogen-similar effect to the body to weaken hot flash symptoms. Many women concentrate on using soy-based food products to treat hot flashes, not soy supplements.

Another herbal remedy for hot flash symptoms during menopause and perimenopause is the use of black cohosh. As a small-term remedy, it works well. But side effects can include an upset stomach, so it needs to be used carefully.

With so much controversy in the news about hormone replacement therapy, it’s vital that women find reliable natural ingredients they can use to treat various symptoms associated with menopause.

The herbs mentioned here only serve as a small reminder of natural cures you can find to treat a single symptom – hot flashes. There are dozens of other herbs that can help alleviate the other menopausal symptoms women have to endure over the years.

Tags: Menstrual cycle, Middle age, natural herbal treatments, evening primrose oil, claim women