Health benefits of pumpkin seeds

Health benefits of pumpkin seeds

Alternative Medicine -Examiner

I have started writing at the examiner about Alternative Medicine. So I would like to invite everyone to join me there.

http://www.examiner.com/x-31080-Chico-Alternative-Medicine-Examiner

Thanks Everyone!!!

Beth

The Power of Healing

Herbs or phytomedicinals, and their healing powers can be traced back to ancient times. No one knew why they really worked or could explain the results of the different herbs. Over the years more research has been done on the different plants, isolating and purifying chemical compounds to make medicine that is in use today. Today over 25% of our prescription drugs were originally plant based. They have become reliable drugs for public use.

Here are some examples:
* Pain medicine Morphine and codeine are from the opium poppy.
* Willow bark became aspirin
* For heart patients Digitalis strengthened up their heart muscles, and came from the foxglove plant.
* New hope for cancer patients with the drug Paclitaxel (Taxol) used for chemotherapy. It comes from the Pacific yew tree. Read More

Growing Herbs for Medicinal Purposes

An herb garden is specifically designed for growing herbs for cooking and eating, but they are also used for medicine. Most people think about cutting up herbs and putting them on and enjoying what they are growing from their summer harvest. They don't realize that there are a lot of uses and history involved in the herbs and spices that we grow. People have grown herbs since ancient times. During the ancient times it was a monks or nuns that were first known as the specialist that knew how to use the herbs for medicines. Read More

How to Naturally Lower Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is also called hypertension and it affects about 50 million people in the United States or 1 in 4 Americans. It is often called the silent killer because the symptoms go without notice. Some of the symptoms are headache, shortness of breath and dizziness. If high blood pressureis left untreated it can lead to a stroke or heart attack or even death. Living with stress in your life, and not eating properly is mainly what is responsible for high blood pressure. Family history and obesity also contribute to high blood pressure or hypertension. Also take into consideration other health problems such as diabetes, obesity, pregnancy, unbalanced diet, and unhealthy eating habits.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4706844_naturally-lower-blood-pressure.html

Ginkgo Biloba: Proves Ineffective for Alzheimer Patients

The ginkgo tree is one of the oldest living trees in the world. The seeds have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries; the cooked seeds are occasionally eaten.

The ginkgo has been used for many different common ailments including asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

• Many people have been hopeful that leaf extract will be proven to increase memory and used in patients with Alzheimer's disease. But a recent trial was ineffective in proving usefulness in lowering the incidence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in the elderly; further studies on ginkgo will have to be done to see its benefits.

• It’s also used in treatment of sexual dysfunction, multiple sclerosis, and other health problems.

• So far studies on ginkgo have proven that it is useful for claudification caused by blocked arteries. There will be further studies comparing traditional medication to ginkgo and its effects and usefulness.

It is usually extracted from the ginkgo leaf and made into tablets, capsules, extracts, or teas; even made into skin lotions too.

Side effects are: headache, nausea, gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, dizziness, or allergic skin reactions. Some data suggests gink can increase bleeding. So those that take a blood thinner, have a blood disorder, or are having surgery should talk to their doctor if you’ve been taking ginkgo.

Uncooked ginkgo seeds should not be eaten as they have a toxin called ginkgotoxin which can cause seizures. Eating large amounts of ginkgo seeds over time can cause death. Although ginkgo seeds and ginkgo leaf extracts only have a little ginkgo toxins causing side effects.

Be sure you tell your health provider of all alternative medicines or herbal remedies you use, so they will have a total health picture, as to be able to help you better. Some herbal remedies are alright to use and have been proven so under rigorous studies, but there are still a lot of unanswered questions when it comes to herbal remedies, Some herbal remedies have been made into medications we use today, but others still need a lot of study and will prove useful in the future.

Insomnia Cures: Natural Herbal Remedies

If you are having trouble falling asleep, or staying asleep at night you probably suffer from insomnia. You usually wake up still feeling fatigued, and unable to function during the day. Insomnia zaps all your energy out of you effecting your moods, as well as work, health and quality of life. Most adults require 7-8 hours of sleep. You don’t have to go through sleepless nights. Natural herbal remedies for insomnia may be what you’ve been looking for.

Using herbs is supposed to replace the balance you’re lacking within your body. Natural cures can be achieved with tea, infusions and baths. Some insomnia herbs that have been useful, and act as a sedative are passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), hops (Humulus lupulus), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), and chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). Here are some of the many herbs that can be used as an herbal remedy for insomnia.

Passion Flower – Calming, soother can also be used for muscle spasms and pains; also used for asthma, nerve pain and hysteria.

Hops – Has been used by Native Americans for generations for sleep inducing, also can be used for indigestion, headaches due to anxiety and stress.

Valerian- proven to be effective for poor sleepers. First used in folk medicine as a sedative and hypertensive, also can be used for insomnia with headache, muscle cramps, pain, anxiety and stress.

Skullcap- Insomnia with nervous tension, exhaustion, headache and muscle cramps.

Chamomile- Made into a natural herbal tea can relax you before bedtime. Also used to relieve stomach problems by using the dried flower.

Peppermint- Is generally known for calming indigestion. Also used for natural sleep due to insomnia, and stress and anxiety; made into an herbal tea for relaxation.

Jasmine- Makes an infused tea is useful for sleeping problems. Can be used children and those with weak immune systems.

Lavender- Makes a great scent and infused tea. Lots of items sold with lavender in them for relaxation and to relieve stress.

Sage- Used for depression, and insomnia. Sage can be used in different ways, as a spice in foods, tea or supplement.

Instead of using sleeping aids that made you feel like you’re being drugged when you wake up why not try some natural herbal remedies, some that can be made into relaxing herbal teas.