Aloe Vera gel

Aloe Vera is perhaps the most widely used of all herbal remedies and is used to treat a wide variety of complaints. When it comes to treating and dealing with acne and acne scars then you could do no better than use this. Aloe Vera has many properties and among them is its ability for cooling the skin; along with this it has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and restorative properties. When mixed with essential oils aloe Vera is known to heal the acne, rejuvenate the skin and put the moisture back into the skin. Daily use of aloe Vera is essential to treat and to prevent acne and is also one of the best remedies available both in traditional medicine and alternative medicine for treating acne scars.

Herbal skin cleanser

Another excellent remedy to stop the buildup of acne and to reduce acne scarring is to use on a daily basis an herbal skin cleanser. One of the best herbal skin cleansers is Green tea; green tea will cleanse the skin but has the beneficial effect of not drying the skin out. It is known as a gentle form of cleansing the skin as opposed to some of the harsher treatments that are sold in traditional medicine. Herbal skin remedies are able to remove the dirt from the clogged skin pores that causes the acne and also keeps the skin clean, which prevents and helps to reduce acne scarring. They will also soothe skin that is inflamed when used on a daily basis.

Toxins in the body can also cause acne and there are many herbal remedies available in tablet form that will cleanse the body of the buildup of toxins and also act as body coolants. Embelica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica are all excellent forms of herbal remedies which can help you to get rid of toxins which have built up and are causing problems with acne.

It is also thought that stress is the one of the main causes of acne which leads to scarring, if this is the case them learning methods which will allow you to relax and de-stress can be essential. Alternative forms of therapies that can help with relaxation include yoga, meditation, visualization, tai-chi, massage and affirmations. It is thought that stress in teenagers due to exams is the number one cause of their acne problems although other factors could be the cause too.

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It has been successfully used in the treatment of internal and external infections due to viruses, bacteria and fungi; it has been known to detoxify, support and boost the immune system and is particularly high in vitamins C and E and also bioflavonoid.

Grapefruit seed extract is also beneficial in helping to alkalize the blood and it is non-toxic. One of the reasons why it is so popular is that there are no harsh side effects when taking it and so is becoming an alternative due to its lack of side effects and the wide range of problems that it can help with.

The list of illnesses that it has been known to help is exhaustive, but some of the most common ones include

* Digestive and gastrointestinal disorders
* Diarrhea and food poisoning cases
* Bacterial, fungi, yeast and viral infections
* Chronic fatigue
* Disorders of the gum and tooth problems
* Colds and flu including sore throat
* Inflammation of the ear and earache
* Skin infections, warts and wounds
* Poison ivy and rashes
* Relief from the various symptoms of the aids virus

There have been many studies into why grapefruit seed extract is particularly effective, there are many scientific explanations but the simplest is that the extract doesn’t allow germs to build up a resistance to it. Whatever the reasons behind it working there have been many studies into the effectiveness of the extract with many positive results.

Grapefruit extract is made by taking the seeds of the grapefruit and the pulp and converting them into a very acidic substance. This liquid is then loaded with various compounds such as helperidin, campherol glycoside, neohelperidin, naringin, apigenin, rutinoside and poncirin. The end product is a yellowish viscous amber product that tastes acidic and bitter, the bitterness and acidity is reduced by adding pure vegetable glycerine, the liquid of the grape seed extract has a pleasant slight citrus smell.

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While the majority of herbal remedies are thought to be safe and are made by natural elements such as flowers, they can be just as potent as Western drugs and just as dangerous if taken in large doses or should you be allergic to any of the ingredients. Yet it is not hard to buy ready-made remedies that claim to cure almost any illness and help relieve symptoms. A search on one of the popular search engines will present you with a multitude of herbal shops, department stores and even supermarkets which supply them or you can even buy them online.

Health risks with some associated herbal remedies

Recently several ingredients have come into the spotlight as being particularly dangerous and which can present a serious health hazard. These ingredients are in some of the most commonly used off the shelf herbal remedies that can be bought freely anywhere.

Stricter regulations are being called for when it comes to Chinese herbal remedies, here are some of the ingredients that you should be extremely cautious of using when purchasing herbal remedies.

Aristolochic is giving people cause for concern and is found in over thirteen popular Chinese herbal products. While the acid used is from plant matter it can cause severe problems due to it being toxic to the kidneys that can eventually lead to kidney failure. Using a product that contains this ingredient for any length of time has also been linked to an increased risk in cancer of the kidneys.

Herbal breast and penis enlargement products have also come under the spotlight as some have been linked to having ingredients that could be harmful rather than helpful. At the very least, many of the products that claim they can help you to enlarge have shown no actual proof of them being able to do so.

Another ingredient which is used in many herbal products and which can be bought freely is St Johns Wort, this is thought to have an affect on sperm DNA and compromises the viability of sperm when used in high concentrations. St Johns wort is a popular supplement said to help those who suffer from depression, however evidence has shown that its effectiveness is giving some cause for concern, particularly in cases of major depression.

Ephedra is causing concern and has in fact now been banned from many shelves, Ephedra is a common ingredient found in diet and energy boosting products. However it was found to cause a whole host of problems and illnesses both minor and major. It is thought to raise blood pressure, put stress on the nervous system and has been linked to those who have had strokes and heart attacks.

So apparently what we think will do us good can in fact have the total opposite effect, if misdiagnosed or used without proper due care and attention. With this in mind, it is of utmost importance to consult a doctor before beginning any supplemental regimine.

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Conscious breathing is all about being more aware of your body sensations. Since we all have to breathe continually we are able to practice conscious breathing during every waking moment of our lives until it becomes the norm.

Learning how to breathe consciously

Learning how to breathe consciously is not hard; in essence it is nothing more than being aware of the breath entering your body through your nose and the sensations of it leaving your body through your mouth. One important point to note when making the transition to conscious breathing is that you shouldn’t make any changes to your breathing.

When first starting out don’t think about slowing the breathing down or speeding it up, the whole idea is to be aware of your breathing, this is all at this time. Staying relaxed and learning how to focus on your breathing is the most important thing at this stage, once you have learned to be comfortable and are consciously breathing as a normal reaction you can then delve deeper into conscious breathing and its effects.

This is the basis behind breathing this natural way and occurs differently in all people. For example you might feel more natural and relaxed if you focus on the sensations you feel in your nostrils as you breathe air in through them. Others might concentrate more on the feelings and sensations of the rise and fall of the rib cage and abdomen. Focus on the one that feels right or comfortable for you.

Build your focus

For those who have trouble focusing on anything for any length of time then the sensations felt around the nostrils and upper lip might be better. These sensations are only small and subtle and so require greater focus, which can help to keep the mind on the task at hand. For those who can focus relatively easy then choosing to watch and feel the movements in the abdomen might be more satisfying.

Having an overall awareness of breathing gives us a backdrop to our everyday life and allows us to practice conscious breathing no matter where we are or what we are doing. Of course your focus can shift depending on what you are doing as the whole process should feel natural at all times.

Conscious breathing is a powerful tool that we all carry with us in our day-to-day life and can be used continually in all situations. It is a natural way to center yourself and find peace and harmony in yourself while also bringing about health benefits.

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The different aspects that make up Chinese medicine all basically rely on the same principle, Yin and Yang. This is basically opposites attract, such as night and day, cold and warm, inner and outer. The basis behind it is to restore harmony and peace to the mind and body; the Chinese believe that by doing so we can eliminate many diseases and illnesses.

Qi is the life force that flows uninterrupted throughout the body, similar to blood throwing throughout the veins. It is when there is a disruption in this Qi that problems and illness occurs; restoring the flow of the Qi restores harmony and dissolves the symptoms of illness.

The two main components of Chinese medicine are acupuncture and herbal remedies.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture focuses on the Qi that flows throughout the body; it flows through points known as meridian points. While it is flowing freely we are healthy and happy, but if the channels should become blocked then the Qi stagnates and this leads to symptoms of various illnesses depending on where the Qi is blocked. It works by the acupuncturist restoring the normal flow of the Qi by stimulating certain points on the body.

Herbal medicine

Chinese herbal medicine is usually dispensed after acupuncture treatment although it can be used as a standalone. There are over a thousand common herbs that are used in combinations for various problems and illnesses. There are two main types of herbal remedies that are commonly used, these are “food herbs” and are generally eaten as part of the diet and are mainly used for prevention of disease and illness and maintenance. “Medicinal herbs” are usually prescribed by a Doctor of Chinese medicine and are specially prepared for the patient based on the individuals needs. The formula is made up from the patient’s medical condition, the environment and the constitution of the person. Medicinal herbs are usually given alongside acupuncture treatment and used in conjunction with the “re-balancing” effects of acupuncture treatment.

The benefits of Chinese medicine are numerous and is has been thought to have helped many physical conditions along with affective disorders and increases mental clarity, here are just a few of the conditions it has been known to successfully treat.

* Sinusitis, bronchitis and asthma
* Conjunctivitis and cataracts
* Stroke, sciatica and osteoarthritis
* Faster recovery from injury
* Improved circulation
* Relief from stress and anxiety
* Relief from pain
* Strengthening of the immune system
* Addictions, phobias and eating disorders

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When used as a spice in foods it is mild and has a sweet and aromatic bouquet. It tastes very similar to anise only very much milder and the seeds are long, thin and curved with color variation from light green to brown. Fennel seeds can either be crushed in a spice mill or used whole, in the past puritans would chew it during the long church services they held.

Culinary uses

Fennel when used as an herb has many culinary uses, with the leaves being used as a favorite in Italian and French cooking with its main use in sauce for fish. It is also used throughout the world to flavor bread, confectionary and cakes and is used in several liqueurs. It is also one of the main ingredients in Chinese five spices and is used as flavoring in curries. It is without a doubt one of the most versatile plants known to man and along with its uses in the food industry is also an ingredient in many over the counter herbal remedies.

Medicinal uses

If you have problems with sore or tired eyes then you could try fennel, it has long been used as an eyewash. It is thought to help with irritations of the eye and to bring immediate relief from eyestrain.

Fennel is often sold as a remedy for babies and children, who are suffering from colic problems and is used as a drink to bring immediate relief. While if you are suffering from strep throat or laryngitis then gargling with fennel can help to reduce inflammation and ease the croakiness of your voice. If you suffer from respiratory problems such as coughs and bronchitis then fennel could help to ease your congestion and is a useful remedy for catarrh. The seeds of fennel have been used in the treatment of heartburn, bloated feeling and indigestion quite successfully and currently trials are being undertaken into its usefulness for regenerating the liver.

In renaissance Europe it was used to keep hunger at bay and was thought to be helpful in curing obesity. While studies are currently taking place at the other end of the scale as fennel is being tested in trials as a possible treatment for the disease anorexia nervosa.

Fennel is considered to be a cure for many stomach related problems, particularly effective in reliving gas and cramps. It is also used to relive high fevers and is a natural pain reliever, many of the over the counter herbal remedies that you buy contain fennel as it is used as a flavoring agent.

If you suffer from painful swellings or gout then fennel seed could be your answer if other more traditional drugs have failed, making this one of the most versatile and most useful plants around.

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While great strides have been made in the medical world and there are many drugs that can help you overcome depression, there is an alternative. Herbal remedies have been used by the Chinese for thousands of years and are now becoming more popular in the western world as an alternative form of treatment.

One remedy that the Chinese have used in many different remedies is Ginseng; athletes take ginseng due to the effects of its stimulating properties. Ginseng is said to help relieve mild depression and restore loss of energy that is generally associated with depression. It is also known as a balancing herb that is well known for its calming effect. It is said to help with those who suffer from problems with sleep when associated with stress and depression and is considered to be a general all round tonic.

St Johns wort is a very popular remedy that is commonly associated with depression and anxiety. It has often been called the “natural Prozac” but care should be taken if you are taken prescription anti-depressants. It is thought to calm the mind and de-stress if taken on a regular basis.

A very popular product when it comes to easing the symptoms of depression such as anxiety and panic attacks is “rescue remedy” from Bach. This is a combination of 5 herbal remedies specially selected for their calming and comforting properties. The herbs combined in this cure are rock rose, impatiens, clematis, star of Bethlehem and cherry plum, the ingredients are mixed in a grape alcohol solution and those who take it consider it a marvel. With the remedy being ready mixed you simply add 4 drops from the supplied dropper in a glass of water and sip it throughout the day. The rescue remedy is also available as a handy spray that fits neatly into your pocket or purse and is always at hand. The remedy claims it can help you get through life’s ups and downs the natural way and helps to bring back a more positive outlook on life.

Valerian root is also thought to help with depression particularly with insomnia when it is associated with depression and anxiety.

Damiana is an herbal remedy to bring back the loss of sex drive that is associated with depression and anti-depression medication.

Amoryn is a ready mixed combination of St Johns wort and 5-HTP, it is said to be as effective in fending off depression as Prozac or similar ant-depressant medications but without the side effects associated with anti-depressants. Along with depression this remedy is also thought to be effective when it comes to relieving panic attacks and feelings associated with anxiety in general.

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Acupuncture is one part of a complete health care system that the Chinese have used and relied on for over 2,000 years. It can be used alone or in combination with herbal remedies and massage therapy.

The basis of acupuncture

The basis behind acupuncture is to unblock the Chi that is said to flow throughout the body along meridian channels. To do this very thin needles are inserted into the body along particular points depending on your problem. This is thought to re-balance the Yin and Yang that is what is causing the illness or problem.

The meridians consist of 12 channels and in the healthy person, the Chi flows freely throughout these around the body. However when a blockage occurs to the Chi a person then becomes ill and the Chinese make use of around 500 different points to unblock the Chi and remedy the illness.

Although the basics and treatment used in acupuncture hasn’t altered in many ways, new ways have been implemented, such as the heating of needles, using ultrasound and electric currents when inserting.

Variations on acupuncture

Along with traditional acupuncture therapy that is still the form most widely practiced today, there are variations such as ear acupuncture. The ear is thought to map out the body organs and by putting pressure, by way of inserting needles into various parts of the ear, many illnesses can be helped and cured. All of the body’s organs have a point on the ear and when correctly inserted into the right place it is said that it can help with not only illness but also bad habits such as smoking. Here a form of acupuncture called staple puncture is used, tiny staples are inserted at key points on the ear and this is said to help people cut the craving for tobacco and thus help them to quit smoking.

The popularity of acupuncture

Acupuncture has gained in popularity in the Western world with around $500 million every year being spent in the USA on acupuncture treatment. It is thought that around 15 million people use it on a regular basis, either alongside traditional Western medicine or as an alternative.

It is used for a wide variety of illnesses with some of the most common being back pain, headaches, stopping smoking, allergies and asthma. Today many hospitals and Doctors have realized the benefits that acupuncture does seem to bring and have started implementing and offering treatment alongside more traditional treatments used in the Western world.

While the exact reasons behind why acupuncture seems to work isn’t clear and many Western doctors don’t believe in the “Chi” theory, it can’t be denied that sticking needles into points on the body does seem to have the desired effect. The most successful claims that acupuncture can make is when it comes to pain relieving, the reason why this is thought to be is because the areas where the needles are inserted are surrounded by nerve endings.

Whatever the reasons behind it working, it must work, for over 15 million Americans can’t be wrong.

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Aloe vera is a succulent plant. Its stem is short, growing to a height of about 80 – 100 cms. Its leaves are thick and fleshy. They are lanceolate (long and pointed with a wide middle) with serrated margins (that is, with sharp triangular teeth resembling those of a saw). It can be grown as a potted plant in your garden, by its root sprouts. It multiplies by spreading its offsets. It likes warm tropical regions and so grows well in Barbados, Venezuela, Haiti, South Africa and certain warm regions like Texas in the US.

Properties of aloe vera

The juice of aloe vera contains vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, C, and choline, which is an organic compound and essential nutrient associated with vitamin B Complex. It also has several minerals like calcium, germanium, potassium, sodium, sulfur, chlorine, copper, iron and others. More importantly, aloe vera is rich in phytochemicals, which include several organic acids. Chrysophanic, salicylic succinic and uric acids are examples. A few polysaccharides such as acemannan, enzymes like glutathione peroxidase and many resins are also among the ingredients of aloe vera. It contains magnesium lactate, as well. Almost 96% of it, however, is water.

Topical uses

Aloe vera is very good for the skin. It heals wounds of almost all types. By dilating capillaries and increasing blood circulation, it heals injuries to the skin. For burns, it can be applied on the affected part to give a soothing effect. It heals ulcers, bedsores, frostbites, abrasions, eczema, acne, ringworm and several other severe conditions affecting the skin. It works very well for sunburns. Because of its magnesium lactate content, it also works well as an itch-inhibitor.

Cancer fighting properties

As its gel contains acemannan, it is believed to stimulate the production of white blood cells that help fight disease. Scientists are therefore investigating aloe vera’s use in the treatment of leukemia, a disease resulting from a deficiency of white blood cells. Likewise, there is promise in aloe vera being effective in the treatment of certain cancers such as breast or ovarian cancers as it helps fight tumors. Acemannan along with another constituent of aloe vera, aloin, seem to work in this regard.

Other uses

It also works as an anti-inflammatory agent, and therefore, in the treatment of peptic ulcers, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis and so on. It is good for the digestive system, as it reduces constipation and heartburn. If taken internally, it works as a laxative. It has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects also.

The juice from its skin and gel can have beneficial effect for diabetics, by lowering their blood sugar levels. Triglycerides also are believed to show lower levels with the use of this juice.

Although aloe vera has many properties beneficial to human health, it is advisable to consult your health care professional before using it as an alternative herbal remedy for various ailments, particularly when you wish to take it internally.

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One of the ways to determine the quality of the product and if it is in fact 100% hoodia is the price, if the product is all natural hoodia then this will reflect in the amount you are asked to pay for the product. Products which contain 100% hoodia are very expensive. If the website is offering the product for a very low cost and are claiming that it can work miracles then you are more than likely getting ripped off. On average the cost of 1 ounce of hoodia is $40.

Does it work?

Considering that hoodia is expensive, how effective is it actually as a diet aid? Does it work?

Research has shown that around 65% of the people who have tried hoodia as a weight loss supplement have reported that it does work. It is thought that those who have reported bad results from taking the product have in fact bought a low quality product that contains very little hoodia.

Side effects from taking the product have been in question, but hoodia is thought to be as safe as any other appetite suppressant currently on the market. The most common symptoms and side effects to taking any appetite depressant are low blood pressure; a faster beating heart rate and it can cause a raise in the blood pressure.

Hoodia should never be taken by anyone under the age of 18 and by pregnant women and those who are breast-feeding; hoodia is available in capsule form and is also available in liquid form for those who have problems with taking pills. In most cases where there have been reports of side effects it is thought that the side effects have been caused by purchasing low quality products that contain other filler products or less desirable appetite suppressants and it these other herbs and ingredients that have an adverse reaction not the hoodia.

The amount of hoodia that you should take varies and as such there is no set dose. Some say that 1500mg controls their appetite successfully while others have to take as much as 3000mg in order to successfully control their appetite. Manufacturers of the product will give their recommended dosage on the product and this will be clearly labelled, some say two capsules three times a day, while others say while others say that only one or two capsules are needed, this of course will depend on the strength of the hoodia contained within the product.

As with any form of herbal remedy if you are thinking of taking any herbal product then always ask your doctor first.

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