Showing posts with label herbal medicine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label herbal medicine. Show all posts

Monday, September 15, 2008

Health and Longevity Are In Your Hands

Doctors even recommend people with a family history of diseases such as cancer and diabetes to be monitored more frequently then those who do not. But have you ever stopped to ask yourself how your lifestyle influences genetics? The answer is a lot.

Recent studies suggest that people of all ages who are predisposed to certain family diseases can significantly reduce their chances of developing diseases that tend to run in the family, regardless of their age. They can also modify the tendency to develop diseases for future generations down the road.

To support immune functioning and muscle, skin, nerve and connective tissue health
Numerous studies have concluded that those who adopt a healthy lifestyle-- including consuming plenty of vegetables, limiting saturated fat intake, and incorporating 60 minutes of moderate exercise a day to their routine-- reduced the likelihood of developing deadly diseases that had run in families for generations such as heart disease, diabetes, anxiety and depression.

An explanation for this is found in the form of learned and acquired habits—many of which are passed down in families, including eating and exercise habits, which are the most important. Children who are raised in a household where healthy meals are the norm are less likely to neglect nutrition when it comes time to raise their own families. The same can be said about exercise. Yet, another important factor is to eat meals at a set time, preferably a few hours before bed-time.
Even if healthy eating and exercise habits have not yet been established, it’s never too late to start. Natural remedies can be used to complement a healthy lifestyle. Depending on your specific needs, they can be used to promote relaxation and restful sleep, or to invigorate and energize you on a sluggish day. They can also help you promote healthy digestion and metabolism, immune system functioning, and routine detoxification—all essential components of the foundation of good health. Remember, once you take the first step in breaking the cycle of unhealthy habits, you and your family can soon be on your way to treading the path of good health and longevity.
Visit Native Remedies

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Herbs and Why They Work

As long as mankind has walked the earth, we have relied on natures abundance to cure our ills. The earliest recordings of man using plants for medicinal purposes is around 1550 BC.
Aristotle and Hippo-crates the early "doctors" or "Medicine Men" developed systems of medicine using herbs.
Today 25% of prescription drugs and 60% of our over the counter medicines are produced from plants. For example the common aspirin is from willow bark.
Herbalists believe that plants are a perfect expression of nature and represent balance. For deep healing to take place in our natural body it is necessary to use the natural elements found in plants that grow in the wild. Herbalism looks to treat the whole person not just a symptom.
First of all, the body needs to be cleansed and eliminate toxins. After this, herbs are used to stimulate the body's self-healing powers and remove the underlying cause of illness. Then the herbs are used to nourish and tone all the organs and systems of the body from the inside out.
Herbs can also be dangerous if not used properly, if you choose to follow a natural approach to your health with herbs make sure you are dealing with a trained herbalist or if you are interested in trying a natural herb to replace an over the counter product make sure you go to a reputable source and that you educate yourself on the properties of the herb and how it works in the body.

Herbalism: How does it work?
The Facts:
Beyond our use of them in cooking, herbs have been used as a potent form of medicine for centuries by the Chinese, Native Americans and Shamans, to name a few.
Alongside advances in medical science, they still remain one of the most widely prescribed remedies throughout the world and have proved to be an effective treatment for a variety of acute and chronic conditions.
Statistics say they are used safely and successfully by 80pc of the world's population today. In the UK alone over £40m a year is spent on over-the-counter herbal products.
Remedies include bottled tinctures, fresh, dried or powdered plant elements, herbal infusions, teas, compresses, poultices and ointments.
The effect of the herbs differ, but the general purpose is to improve and strengthen the overall functioning of a particular organ or system.
The Evidence:
Herbs are used for a variety of ailments including digestive problems including IBS, skin complaints, asthma, chronic fatigue, urinary and gynaecological problems, premenstrual and menopausal syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and migraine. The best known clinical trials regarding herbalism have been on the effectiveness of St John's Wort in treating mild to moderate depression.
Other studies show echinacea to be effective on boosting the immune system. In the EU, all herbal medicines must have a proven track record of safety. As herbs can be toxic ,it is essential to consult a qualified medical herbalist.
- Niamh Cooper