Dong Quai, also known as Chinese Angelica, is widely cultivated for medicinal purposes in China. Dong Quai also grows wild in Asia.

The most widely available therapeutic form is derived from the root of A. sinensis, a plant with hollow stems that have clusters of white flowers.

In the late 1800’s, Dong Quai became well loved in Europe as a herbal treatment for gynecological problems. Dong Quai has also been used for centuries in Korean and Japanese herbal medicine.

Generally, Dong Quai is used to keep the uterus healthy and to regulate the menstrual cycle.

This herbal Medicine is also believed to widen blood vessels, thereby increasing blood flow to various organs.

Migraine headaches associated with the menstrual cycle is also alleviated by the use of Dong Quai.

Using Dong Quai will help with correcting abnormal menstrual bleeding, easing menstrual cramps and alleviating symptoms of PMS. Dong Quai has also been used to reduce menopausal hot flushes and other symptoms associated with menopause.

This herb is also rich in Vitamin B12, helping to build red blood cells.

Dong Quai contains coumarins, which is a group of natural chemicals that dilates blood vessels, increases blood flow to the uterus and also stimulates the central nervous system.

Some herbalists believe that Dong Quai contain plant oestrogens, which are weaker than the oestrogens produced by the human body. These plant oestrogens bind with oestrogen receptors in human cells, minimizing the negative effects of a woman’s own oestrogen, which include an increased risk of breast cancer.

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

Due to its anticoagulant and anti-platelet effects, Dong Quai should not be used by patients with bleeding disorders or patients that are using blood-thinning medication such as Warfarin.

Increased sun sensitivity may occur and prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultra-violet light should be avoided when using Dong Quai.

Dong Quai may have laxative properties and could also cause bloating.

Dong Quai should not be used during pregnancy and if a woman is breastfeeding due to the hormones that this herb contains.

Studies have shown that Dong Quai can interact with birth control pills rendering it ineffective or by reducing the effectiveness.

For PMS, menstrual irregularities, menstrual cramps or hot flushes a dosage of 600mg daily is recommended.

Use of Dong Quai with other menstrual-regulating herbs such as Chasteberry and Siberian ginseng is also recommended.

For PMS, use Dong Quai on the days that you are not menstruating. For hot flushes use it daily. The use of Dong Quai should be continued for a period of two months before deciding if it has any effect.

Powdered or dried roots as well as tinctures are readily available.

Tags: menstrual cramps, white flowers, Dietary supplements, Dong Quai, herbal treatment

Valerian has been used by mankind for many thousands of years as a treatment for sleeping disorders, insomnia and various other ailments.

This herbal Medicine is found in parts of Asia, Europe and in North America.

Valerian has many names as do most herbal medicines. These include garden valerian, garden heliotrope and all-heal.

Usually the underground stem and the roots of Valerian are used to manufacture herbal supplements.

Valerian has been used to treat sleeping disorders such as mild insomnia, poor sleep and difficulty in falling asleep.

Anxiety can also be treated using Valerian. Other common uses are for treating headaches, depression and irregular heartbeat.

Valerian has the ability to help in relaxing the central nervous system, this in turns promotes better sleep, lower anxiety and feeling of calmness.

One of the common benefits of Valerian, is that the morning after using it, there is no morning drowsiness or grogginess.

The effects of Valerian for sleep disorders seems to improve if taken for one to two weeks consistently.

This herbal Medicine does not interfere in sleep patterns or deep sleep.

There are reports of Valerian lessening menstrual cramps and stomach cramps.

Generally, side effects from Valerian are relatively rare, but these might include a mild headache, upset stomach and an abnormal heartbeat.

If you are already under a medical practitioners’’ care, please consult them prior to taking any herbal medicine.

On occasion, more severe allergic reactions have been reported.

There are several common forms available for Valerian. Many of the supplements are mixed with other herbal extracts to increase or heighten the desired effect.

Some of the common forms are capsules, tablets, teas and even tinctures.

Tags: deep sleep, North America, treatment for sleeping disorders, medical practitioners, upset stomach

Feverfew is a member of the flower family that includes daisies and sunflowers.

Feverfew plants give off a strong, aromatic odor and in the Middle Ages this herbal plant was used as an insect repellant and an air purifier.

For centuries, Feverfew was used to relieve headaches, stomach ailments and menstrual irregularities. Feverfew’s popularity increased in Fantastic Britain in the 1980’s as an alternative to prescribed medicine for migraines.

Feverfew can decrease the intensity, duration and frequency of migraines. This herbal medicine can also prevent a headache becoming a migraine if taken at the onset of the headache.

Feverfew is also used to relieve the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Feverfew contains certain chemicals that are thought to prevent blood components called platelets from releasing inflammatory substances.

This herbal medicine also inhibits the production of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that can cause pain and inflammation. Excess prostaglandins cause menstrual cramps, therefore Feverfew is a well loved herb for women suffering from the discomfort of menstrual cramps.

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

There have been reports of mouth sores, but this occurs only when chewing the fresh leaves of the Feverfew plant.

If a rash occurs after skin contact with the Feverfew plant, it is recommended that you do not use Feverfew internally, as it might cause a severe allergic reaction.

People using blood thinning medication such as Warfarin should not use Feverfew as this herb prevents the dilation of blood vessels, which will counteract the blood thinning medication.

If you have been taking Feverfew for more than a week, do not suddenly discontinue use as it might cause rebound headaches.

For migraine prevention, a dose of 250mg a day is required. Feverfew needs to be taken daily for an extended period of time to be effective and to prevent the return of migraines

Tags: stomach ailments, menstrual cramps, Alternative medicine, Medicinal plants, mouth sores

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: hormone replacement therapy, herbal plant, Health Medical Pharma, irritable bowel syndrome, health care practitioners

Evening Primrose seeds contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which is an essential fatty acid which the human body converts into hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins regulate several vital bodily functions.

Evening Primrose oil also contains omega-6 fatty acids, which can help to regulate insulin absorption and can even help to regulate your heartbeat.

The human body does not manufacture fatty acids on its own, therefore taking Evening Primrose oil supplements can improve your general health.

Several studies have shown the benefits of taking Evening Primrose oil supplements to treat atopic dermatitis, or eczema. Eczema occurs when the body is unable to convert fats from food into GLA. Evening Primrose oil supplements alleviate itching and can reduce the need for topical steroid creams and other medications which have undesirable side-effects.

Due to its high GLA content, Evening Primrose oil is very effective to treat a variety of menstrual disorders. Evening Primrose oil blocks the inflammatory prostaglandins that cause menstrual cramps and several women have reported that taking Evening Primrose oil supplements ease the breast tenderness experienced just before their periods.

Menopausal women have also benefited from taking Evening Primrose oil supplements as this herbal remedy assists to alleviate the flushing as well as mood swings experienced by menopausal women.

Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis improve dramatically when taking Evening Primrose oil supplements. The GLA found in Evening Primrose oil eases the joint pain and swelling.

Evening Primrose oil lessens the inflammation of acne as well as rosacea. The redness and swelling associated with both these conditions are dramatically improved and some studies have shown that with long-term use of Evening Primrose oil supplements, new outbreaks of these skin conditions can be prevented.

People living with diabetes often suffer from a condition called diabetic neuropathy, or nerve hurt, caused by diabetes. The GLA in Evening Primrose oil helps to minimize the symptoms of the nerve hurt and can even help in preventing future nerve hurt.

Evening Primrose oil is recommended to people who suffer from Raynaud disease, which is a disease that causes numbness and tingling in the limbs due to poor blood circulation.

The GLA found in Evening Primrose oil can also help to lower blood pressure, but further studies are needed.

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

Care should be taken by people who are taking medicine to treat mental illness or medicine used to treat epilepsy. These drugs include chlorpromazine, thioridazine and trifluoperazine. People using these drugs have reported an increase in seizures when taking Evening Primrose oil.

If you are having surgery that requires anesthesia, you should stop taking Evening Primrose oil at least two weeks before the surgery to minimize the risk of seizures.

Only about 2% of people using Evening Primrose oil have reported bloating and abdominal upsets. Consuming Evening Primrose oil with food lessens these side-effects.

Evening Primrose oil lowers blood pressure, therefore consult your health care practitioner before taking Evening Primrose oil supplements with your regular blood pressure medication.

Evening Primrose oil should be taken only under your medical practitioners care when you are taking blood-thinning drugs such as Warfarin.

The recommended therapeutic dose of Evening Primrose oil is 1000 mg three times a day. This supplies 240 mg of GLA a day.

When buying Evening Primrose oil supplements, check that the supplement contains a small dose of vitamin E. The fatty acids in Evening Primrose oil break down very quickly, but vitamin E slows this process down.

Evening Primrose oil can be applied topically to ease the symptoms of eczema, acne, rosacea and rheumatoid arthritis.

Taking Evening Primrose oil with meals assists with absorption.

Tags: mental illness, atopic dermatitis, diabetic neuropathy, Acne vulgaris, menstrual cramps

Rosemary is considered a “symbolic herb” and has been used at weddings and funerals to decorate churches and halls, in religious ceremonies it is used as incense and it is often found as a main ingredient in magical spells.   Ancient uses for rosemary included treating muscle pain, headaches, cuts and scrapes, bruises and baldness.  This aromatic evergreen mint grows to a height of about one meter and bears narrow, thick, needle-like leaves with light blue to violet flowers.  Culinary experts use rosemary to give extra flavour and aroma to all kinds of dishes.  Herbalists use rosemary soaked compresses to relieve the pain and swelling associated with sprains and bruises.

Most fascinating but is the recent research conducted into the cancer fighting properties of rosemary.  One of these studies was done at the Department of Food Science at Rutgers University in New Jersey.  Oil from this herbal medicine was applied to the skin of laboratory animals and it was found that it reduced their risk of cancer by 50 percent.  In another study conducted by the same research team, it was found that animals whose diets contained rosemary had half the incidence of colon cancer compared with animals whose diets did not include rosemary.  At the University of Illinois studies showed that the incidence of breast cancer was reduced by half in animals at risk of developing this disease.  

Rosemary is not just useful as a muscle relaxant for sprains and bruises, but also relaxes the smooth muscles of the digestive tract and the uterus, soothing digestive upsets and relieving painful menstrual cramps.  Tea brewed from this herb is prescribed as a tonic to cool nerves and the cooled down brew can be used as an antiseptic wash.  Use one teaspoon of crushed dried leave in a cup of boiling water and let it steep for 10 minutes.  Rosemary is prescribed by herbalists as a hair rinse to combat alopecia (hair loss) as well as dandruff and other cosmetic uses include cellulite and wrinkle treatments.  Adding rosemary oil to a hot bath can help to increase blood circulation and help to remove toxins from your body.  Ointments and creams containing rosemary oil are used to treat eczema and help to heal burn wounds.  

When combined with other aromatherapy oils, rosemary can increase concentration and memory, and also relieve stress and reduce anxiety.

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

Rosemary has very few side effects when taken as prescribed.  Large doses can but cause allergic skin rashes, lower the dosage or discontinue use should this occur.  Pregnant and lactating women should not take rosemary.

People who are on blood thinning medication such as Warfarin should only take rosemary under the care and recommendation of a medical practitioner.  Rosemary acts as a diuretic and people who are on prescription diuretics should take care when using this herbal remedy.

Rosemary is available in many forms:  
Dried and powdered extract available in capsules, preparations made from fresh or dried leaves that are used in tincture and teas, and volatile oil.

Do not take rosemary oil internally.  The total daily intake should not exceed 5 grams of the dried herb.

To make rosemary tea:  use one teaspoon of the dried herb per cup of boiled water.  Let it steep and then strain.  Do not exceed 3 cups per day.
Rosemary tincture:  solution of 1:5 – 2-4 ml three times per day.
Rosemary fluid extract:  solution of 1:1 in 45% alcohol – 1-2 ml three times per day.
Rosemary oil:  add 2 drops of oil to your bathwater.  Avoid contact with eyes and do not use on open wounds.

Tags: Department of Food Science, creams containing rosemary oil, animals at risk, rosemary oil, magical spells

Chamomile is really two herbs – Roman chamomile and German chamomile, the latter being the most well loved.

Chamomile comes from the dried daisy-like flowers of the Matricaria recutita plant and has been used for centuries for gastro-intestinal complaints.

The ancient Egyptians dedicated Chamomile to the sun because of its healing properties and today Chamomile is used as an herbal treatment for nervous conditions and is also used as an anti-inflammatory.

Chamomile is one of the most well loved herbal remedies in modern times, so much so that Chamomile tea can be found in your local supermarket.

Chamomile can be used to treat various ailments and benefits the body both internally and externally.

Drinking Chamomile tea can cool digestive upsets and relieve anxiety. Used externally, it calms and soothes skin rashes and sores.

Animal studies have shown that Chamomile has a mildly sedating effect, but more vital, it calms the entire body, making it simpler for you to fall asleep.

This herbal medicine has an anti-inflammatory effect on the muscles that line the digestive tract, helping to ease gastro-intestinal complaints. Chamomile has also been used by herbalists to help heal stomach ulcers.

Chamomile essential oil has been used for centuries to help reduce the time that it takes for burn wounds to heal. Adding Chamomile oil to bathwater can relieve the pain and inflammation associated with sunburn.

Women can use Chamomile to help in killing the fungi that cause vaginal infections and drinking Chamomile tea can help alleviate menstrual cramps and discomfort.

Cold Chamomile tea can be used as an eyewash, helping to treat the redness and irritation of conjunctivitis and other eye inflammations.

Chamomile tea can be used as a mouth wash, assisting to heal mouth ulcers and preventing gum disease.

The dried flowers of the Chamomile plant can be placed throughout your home to act as a natural insect repellant.

Chamomile cream can be applied topically as an anti-inflammatory, relieving rheumatism, arthritis, and other painful swellings.

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

Although very rare, allergic reactions to Chamomile have been reported. These include allergic skin reactions with topical use and with internal use, bronchial constriction.

People with allergies to the plants aster and chrysanthemum should avoid using Chamomile.

Nausea and vomiting have been reported in people using doses higher than recommended by health care professionals.

Chamomile is gentle enough to be used long-term. This herbal remedy can safely be used with prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as well as with other herbal medicines.

Used at the recommended doses, Chamomile is safe for pregnant women and children.

To make a cup of Chamomile tea, pour hot (not boiling) water over two teaspoons of dried flowers and steep for five minutes and strain. Drink up to three cups daily or one cup just before bedtime.

If using Chamomile tea as an eyewash, make sure that is has cooled properly and that you keep it in a sterilized container.

Mix a few drops of Chamomile oil and almond oil with aqueous cream and use as a topical treatment for minor burns and skin rashes.

Whilst running your bathwater, add a few drops of Chamomile oil to relieve sunburn, skin rashes and eczema.

Chamomile is available in pill and tincture form at your local health store.

Try growing your own Chamomile in your garden by tearing open a bag of tea and sprinkling its contents on the soil.

Tags: natural insect, Matricaria recutita, digestive upsets, Essential oil, allergic reactions

White willow bark comes from the white willow tree, which can grow up to 23 meters tall.  This tree is native to Europe and Asia and the name “white willow” comes from the leaves, which are covered with fine white hairs.

Chinese herbalists used this natural pain killer for centuries and in the 18th century Western medicine recognized white willow as a pain reliever and fever reducer.  European settlers brought the white willow tree to North America, where they learned that the local people were already using some of the native willow species to alleviate pain and fight fevers.

German and French scientists isolated the plant”s active ingredient – salicin – in 1828.  A decade later, European chemists manufactured salicylic acid, a chemical related to aspirin, from salicin.  Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, was later made from another herb containing salicin.  At the end of the 19th century, the Bayer company had started to commercially produce aspirin.

Concentrations of salicin are highest in the bark of the white willow and Salix alba is the most well loved species used for medicinal purposes.

The salicin that comes from white willow bark is metabolized in your body to form salicylic acid, which reduces inflammation, pain and fever.  Even though this herb is slower acting than aspiring, the beneficial effects of white willow bark last longer and has fewer side effects than aspirin.  The most vital fact is that white willow bark does not cause stomach bleeding like commercially available aspirin.

White willow bark is most effective at relieving headaches and severe muscle pain.  The symptoms that are commonly associated with flu (fever, muscle aches, headache) are also greatly relieved when you use white willow bark.

White willow bark is also very effective in alleviating toothache.

Research conducted proved that people who suffer from osteoarthritis benefit from using low doses of white willow bark daily to relieve chronic pain associated with this debilitating condition.  White willow bark reduces the swelling and inflammation associated with rheumatic conditions and increases joint mobility.

Women will also benefit by taking white willow bark as it eases the pain of menstrual cramps.  Hormone-like chemicals called prostaglandins cause the pain associated with the menstrual cycle and the salicin in white willow bark helps to regulate these hormones.

Recently, white willow bark has become well loved as a weight loss herbal supplement.  On its own, white willow bark extract offers small benefits, but combined with other dietary supplements it is thought to increase the thermogenic activity of several other stout burning products by increasing energy expenditure and promoting stout metabolism.

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

High doses of white willow bark can cause stomach upsets, ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and nausea.  If any of these side effects occur, lower the dosage or stop taking the herb.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take willow bark.

White willow bark has an anti-coagulant effect and people using blood-thinning medication such as Warfarin should not take this herbal remedy.

People who are using beta-blockers for high blood pressure should not take white willow bark as it may make the drugs less effective.

Do not use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen with white willow bark as it might increase the risk of stomach bleeding.

Do not give white willow bark to children under the age of 16 as it can cause a potentially fatal brain and liver condition known as Reye”s syndrome.

Make sure that you buy white willow bark extract standardized to contain 15% salicin.  Do not buy white willow bark tea, as you would need to consume several liters to get an effective dose.

To reduce pain and inflammation and lower a fever take one or two pills three times a day, or as needed.  Follow the instructions given by your health care practitioner.

White willow bark is safe to use over the long term.  It has a very bitter taste, so the most convenient way to take it is in pill form.

Tags: high blood pressure, willow bark, pain reliever, white hairs, medicinal purposes

It started as a fiber for weaving and remains as the basis of natural linen fabrics.

Flaxseed is the seed of the flax plant, which is believed to have originated in Egypt. It grows throughout Canada and the northwestern United States.

Flaxseed oil comes from flaxseeds and the seeds themselves are used for therapeutic purposes.

It is a slender annual and bears blue flowers from February to September.

Flaxseed is also known as linseed.

Flaxseeds are a potent source of essential fatty acids (EFA”s) which are fats and oils critical for health. The human body cannot make these fats on its own.

One specific EFA, alpha-linolenic acid, is more widely known as omega-3 fatty acid. This essential stout is found in fish and flaxseeds and has been acclaimed in recent years for its ability to fight heart disease.

Flaxseeds also contain omega-6 fatty acids, which are the healthy fats found in vegetable oils.

Flaxseeds provide substances called lignans, which studies have shown to have beneficial effects on various hormones and may also help to fight bacteria, fungi, viruses and even some types of cancer.

Flaxseed can be used as an herbal remedy to treat constipation due to the high amounts of soluble fiber that it contains.

In addition, Flaxseed oil has shown to be beneficial in treating irritable bowel syndrome and inflammation of the colon the herbal way. Flaxseed supplements have proven to be a natural herbal remedy for treating and preventing gallstones.

Essential fatty acids found in Flaxseed help throughout the body to protect cell membranes – the outer coverings for all cells that allow healthy nutrients to be absorbed and keep damaging substances out.

Flaxseed can be used as an alternative herbal medicine if you have high cholesterol. Flaxseed also protects against heart disease, angina and high blood pressure. Studies in the USA have shown that Flaxseed can even prevent a second heart attack.

Anti-inflammatory properties in Flaxseed make this herbal medicine a excellent supplement to treat lupus and gout and even painful arthritic conditions.

Flaxseed oil is prescribed by herbal practitioners to treat acne and associated skin conditions. Flaxseed supplements are beneficial to sufferers of psoriases and eczema.

Flaxseed oil is an brilliant herbal medicine that boosts the health of your hair and nails by making it less brittle and prone to breakage.

Flaxseed oil can even be used to treat sunburn.

Research is being conducted into Flaxseed’s ability to facilitate the transmission of nerve impulses which can make this herbal remedy useful to treat numbness and tingling in limbs.

Studies in Canada have shown positive results in using Flaxseed to reduce the risk of colon cancer, breast cancer and prostrate cancer.

Flaxseed improves uterine function, making this herbal remedy a potential treatment for fertility problems.

Flaxseed has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to ease menstrual cramps and even the pain and discomfort of fibrocystic breasts.

A main component of Flaxseed is phyto-estrogens, which is a plant based estrogen. This herbal medicine can therefore be used to balance the ratio of estrogen to progesterone.

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

Few side-effects with Flaxseeds or Flaxseed oil have been reported.

Like any fiber supplement that you take, you need to make sure that you drink plenty of water, otherwise it could worsen constipation.

Do not take Flaxseed supplements at the same time as other prescription medicines as Flaxseed can cause problems with the absorption of other drugs.

Flaxseed supplements work best when taken with food.

In very rare cases, chest pains, breathing problems, skin hives and itchy, swollen skin have been reported. Discontinue use of Flaxseed supplements immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Liquid Flaxseed oil is the simplest way to get a therapeutic dose of this herbal medicine. From one teaspoon to one tablespoon daily is recommended, depending on your needs.

To supplement your fiber intake, mix one or two tablespoons of grounds Flaxseeds with a glass of water and drink this herbal remedy up to three times daily. The fiber treatment may take up to two days to act.

Flaxseed oil spoils very quickly so make sure that you check the expiry date before purchasing this herbal medicine.

Flaxseed supplements come in capsule form as well but are very expensive as it takes more than a dozen capsules to equal the benefits of one tablespoon of pure Flaxseed oil.

Tags: linen fabrics, oil spoils, heart disease, United States, fats and oils

Endometriosis is an extremely painful condition that affects millions of women.

This article is clarifies what endometrosis is and how herbal medicine can treat this painful condition.

By reading this article you will learn how to treat endometrosis with herbal medicines and supplements.

Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells that form in the lining of the uterus.

Each month, as estrogen and other hormones cause the lining of the uterus to thicken with blood, these abnormal cells also expand. The uterine tissues then slough of normally, but instead of being expelled from your body during your menstrual cycle, the abnormal cells may attach itself to other organs in the lower abdomen such as the ovaries.

Sometimes a collection of blood, called a cyst, can form. These endometrial cysts are common on the ovaries.

The areas inside the abdominal cavity that can be affected by Endometriosis include the kidneys, the ovaries, bladder, the fallopian tubes, abdominal wall, as well as the outside of the uterus itself and even the areas in between the mentioned organs.

The most common symptom of Endometriosis that most women report is pelvic pain. The pain often occurs around the menstrual cycle; but a lot of women with Endometriosis also experience pain at other times during their monthly cycle.

Here is a list of common symptoms experienced by women with Endometriosis:

Abnormally heavy, menstrual bleeding often with large clots. Severe menstrual cramps which starts before your period starts and reaches its peak after your period ends. Nausea or vomiting just before your menstrual period. Sharp pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse at any time of the month. Infertility. Incapacitating pain in the uterus, lower back or pelvic area. Diarrhea or constipation during your menstrual cycle. Iron-deficiency anemia due to heavy bleeding. Severe pain due to endometrial cysts rupturing.

No one really knows what causes Endometriosis, but there are several theories.

One of these theories is the “reflux menstruation” theory, developed by John Sampson in 1920. According to this theory, menstrual blood travels backwards through the fallopian tubes, causing endometrial cells to flow into other abdominal areas where they then grow.

The other theory is that Endometriosis is congenital, meaning that endometrial cells have been outside the uterus since birth.

Another thought is that Endometriosis can be caused by a faulty immune system, which does not ruin the abnormal cells.

You can start by taking a combination of Dong Quai and Chasteberry. These herbal medicines aid in correcting hormonal imbalances and also relax the uterus, which can ease the pain of Endometriosis.

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

Taking high doses of calcium and magnesium can help with painful menstrual cramps.

These minerals help to lower the body’s production of prostaglandins, which cause menstrual cramps. Only increase the dosages during your period.

Flaxseed oil and Evening Primrose oil is useful to help relieve the pain and inflammation associated with Endometriosis.

225 mg standardized extract 3 times a day

200 mg, or 30 drops tincture, 3 times a day

500 mg calcium 4 times a day, 500 mg magnesium twice a day

Try eating a diet consisting of 50% raw vegetables and fruits. Substitute refined flour products for wholegrain products, raw nuts and seeds. A diet rich in soy and fiber is very vital to manage Endometriosis.

Avoid alcohol, caffeine, refined and processed foods as well as fatty foods before and during your period.

Light daily exercise can help ease the pain and discomfort of Endometriosis.

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: immune system, experience pain, lining of the uterus, Dong Quai, lower back