August 29, 2008
Homeopathy has been around for some 200 years, the founder was a German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) who had great success in treating epidemics of scarlet fever Villages treated with his prophylactics entirely escaped dreaded epidemics, including the plague.
What Homeopathy also seems to be weighed down with is the anomaly that Homeopathic remedies don't contain any remedy at all. Many people seem to believe that Homeopathy was similar to Herbalism The fact is that Homeopaths take a substance and dilute it over and over again, until there isn't a single molecule left.
The Journal of the American Institute for homeopathy in May 1921 reported the success of the homeopathic approach in the flu epidemic. A Dr McCann, from Dayton, Ohio reported that 24,000 cases of flu treated allopathically had a mortality rate of 28.2 per cent while 26,000 cases of flu treated homeopathically had a mortality rate of 1.05 per cent.
The eminent's caught up in the furor amongst others are Michael Baum, a professor of surgery urging that NHS funds should be used for conventional treatments. Prince Charles arguing that alternative medicine should be given a bigger role and further adding fuel to the fire, Dr David Reilly, lead consultant at the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital (GHH) dismissing the letter writers as elderly scientific gentleman damning what they do not understand.
The testing regime also is not as rigorous as for chemical based treatments because the side effects are, at worst, mild compared with the potential impact of new drugs. That is why these are significantly assessed for potential contra-indications. Homeopathic remedies are cheaper to produce and many of the ingredients are not patented. What should be good for patients and the National Health Service is not necessarily good for the big drug companies who depend on licensed drugs for their profits.
The cost is minimal in the context of the multi-billion-pound health budget. In relative terms, so cheap, that it is possibly an obstacle to wider availability. But homeopathy should not be an either-or option, on cost grounds or as an alternative to other courses of treatment. The GHH treats patients suffering from, among other illnesses, cancer and depression. If homeopathy works and benefits patients (as it clearly does), we should be sufficiently open-minded and content to support it as a complementary treatment in tandem with conventional medicine.
Furthermore when on the 8th December 2003 the worldwide vice president for Glaxo SmithKline said that the the vast majority of drugs - more than 90% - only work in 30% or 50% of the people they are prescribed for. Alarming perhaps, but surprising? A spokesman for the Association of The British Pharmaceutical Industry (trade association for companies in the UK producing prescription medicines) at the time was also quoted as saying that they often did not know why and conceded that the answer very likely lay 'in a persons genetic make up', so quite clearly conventional medicine does not have all the answers. Another key issue is also the active participation of the patient.
By: Martyn Witt
About the Author:
Martyn Witt is the owner of Holistic Works which is a premier resource and directory for holistic and wellness information. for more information, go to http://www.holisticworks.net
August 29, 2008
These days, there is a great need for overweight Americans to lose those excess pounds. Being healthy would not only lead them to have a healthier lifestyle but it will also literally lighten their load, and improve their overall well-being.
There is a long list of dieting options available. There are exercise programs, exercise machines, dietary supplements, dietary food and drinks, diet pills - there are even soaps which claim to help you lose pounds while you bathe.
One other available option to shed off those unwanted pounds is to go herbal.
Herbal weight loss products have been in great demand for people who want to lose weight the natural way. However, when you take herbal supplements to lose weight, you would have to wait for a longer time for the results because of the more subtle effects of medicines which came from plants and natural herbs.
Here are some herbal weight loss options that you might want to consider:
1. Herbal weight loss products
There are a lot of herbal weight loss products available in the market now. You can check out the Internet and you will find a lot of herbal weight loss pills and products.
Be careful, however, as there are some products which claim to be safe and natural because they are herbal, but some actually have side effects because of non-extensive research on the effects of these products. Many also claim cures for many ailments or diseases, which should first be verified by your physician.
Here are some ingredients and chemicals which make up some herbal weight loss products that you should watch out for, as they might have harmful effects to your health:
> Senna. This is an herbal laxative. Senna is a main ingredient in weight loss teas, and it works by stimulation the colon. The downside effect of this herb is dehydration. It can also lead to colon problems and can become addictive. Some people, when addicted, are unable to perform bowel movements without it, so watch out.
> Chromium picolinate. This is a synthetic compound found in herbal weight loss products. Chromium is a nutrient which helps regulate blood-sugar level. However, this ingredient, when taken in high doses, may cause damage in the chromosomes. It can also lead to dehydration.
> St. John's wort. This supplement increases the production of a chemical in the brain. If not used properly, it may cause eye and skin sensitivity, mild gastrointestinal distress, fatigue and itching.
Although a lot of herbal products claim to be safe and natural, it is better to scrutinize the ingredients and research about the effects of the product itself before going for these herbal dietary pills.
2. Organic food.
In Wichita, Kansas, organic food has found its way to more homes and restaurants. Organic food devotees believe that consuming organic goodies help their bodies as well as the environment.
A person who buys organically raised eggs and vegetables claim to be healthier, and they are not spending money on doctors and prescriptions as these keep them healthier and away from the hospital. This could also be an option for weight watchers, as organic food is known to be kinder to your weight than chemically-processed food products.
3. Green Tea.
Studies show that intake of green tea drink, or green tea extracts burns extra calories. Also, green tea with caffeine can increase fat burning by up to 40% thereby reducing fat.
This is one good option for those who want to lose weight. In a study done, people who took green tea were found to lose 2 to 3 times more weight than those who did not drink green tea.
These results show that green tea is a natural product for the treatment of obesity. Thus, it also makes for a healthier dietary option, not to mention the good effects that it has on the body as compared to caffeine. A cup of tea gives an emmediate energy lift without the side effects of caffeine.
3. Caffeine.
Coffee provides an energy boost to increase fat burning. Caffeine also provides a likelihood to be active, which in turn increases your rate of calorie burn.
4. Immortality Herb
This herb, whose scientific name is Gymnostemna Pentaphyllum, is known to have the following benefits:
> increases healthy blood flow
> reduces artery blocks
> aids healthy blood pressure
> increases the rate of fat burning
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
There are pills and food supplements whose main ingredient is apple cider vinegar. Here are the benefits of taking this herbal option:
> weight loss
> improved cholesterol level
> improved high blood pressure
> helps prevent rheumatoid arthritis
August 28, 2008
Though natural health and natural remedies have often been viewed as taboo in western societies, many traditional doctors have now switched from synthetic pain killers and antinflamatories to good old fashion natural homeopathic treatments that were once viewed as quack.
However, as science leads us to understanding our body more. Simple gout pain treatment remedies have been used since the time of kings (gout is known as the disease of kings) are one of the most effective ways to treat the arthritic pain.
Grab a piece of paper because here is what you should know if you suffer from the 'big toe' arthritis.
Gout is all about Uric Acid
Gout has everything to deal with uric acid. Gout occurs when urate crystals gather on the affected joint. You will notice inflammation and intense pain during an attack. The uric acid crystal levels increase when your body is not able to flush the acid effectively. Uric acid can be always found in your body and is also found in many of the foods we eat.
Usually, gout is flushed out of the body through the urine. But in certain individuals, gout is caused because the body either produces too much uric acid or your kidneys excrete too little uric acid.
Whatever the case, simple tips and homeopathic remedies can be used to flush the uric acid naturally.
Homeopathy and Gout
Gout homeopathy remedies can provide pain relief during an attack. Many of the remedies are extremely simple and effective. In general, these tips will work to either flush the uric acid or neutralize the acid.
Here are some gout homeopathy tips and simple remedies to try.
1. Maintain an ideal weight and drink plenty of water. Water can help you lose weight and also help the kidneys flush uric acid from the body. Dehydration breeds attacks. Drink at least 10-12 glasses of water a day.
2. Simple lifestyle tips can help too! Make sure you know what foods contain high levels of purines and restrict them from your diet. Do not drink alcohol, especially beer. You should also start eating foods with high fiber content to flush the body of impurities, toxins and uric acid.
3. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid has shown to be quite effective. While taken in high doses, vitamin C can decrease uric acid levels in the blood.
4. Folic acid has also been shown some benefits in various studies. About 600 mcg per day may inhibit xanthine oxidase, which is required for uric acid production.
5. One homeopathic remedy is bromelain which is an enzyme. This enzyme is naturally found in pineapple and is a natural anti-inflammatory. You should take 200-300 mg three times per day between meals.
6. Ouercetin has also been shown to have to have anti-inflammatory qualities. You should take this bioflavonoid along with bromelain at about the same amount.
7. Finally, we also suggest cherries because they hold loads of fiber (to flush) and they also have been shown to reduce inflammations. This popular but effective alternative remedy for gout has been handed down for thousands of years. We suggest about 8 ounces of cherries per day.
A Two Hour Treatment that Works
As Google has shown you, there are tons of studies that have been done on this painful disease. As a leading natural health company, we have sifted through all of it and put together a 100% guaranteed gout pain treatment that works in less than 2 hours. Though these seven tips are a great start, they are only half of our proven treatment plan.
If you are tired of the pain and inflammation and want to get your life back to normal. Please check out our step by step Gout Remedy Report that has helped tens of thousands of sufferers with an extremely-high satisfaction rate.
By: Joe Barton
About the Author:
Researched! Doctor-Approved! Guaranteed! With 22 years of natural health experience, Joe Barton and Barton Publishing are leaders in natural health remedies and gout. To be freed from the pain please visit our
Gout Pain Treatment
August 27, 2008
Aromatherapy
The essential oil of choice for treating mouth ulcers is undoubtedly Myrrh. This is not only astringent and healing but also has an anti-fungal property; one of the reasons for mouth ulcers can be fungal infection, for example Candida albicans(the cause of thrush). Myrrh is best used in tincture form; you can make your own in small amounts by dissolving the essential oil in alcohol- use 5 drops in 5 ml(1 tsp) of a spirit such as vodka or brandy. This can be applied neat right on to the ulcers, or use 2.5 ml(1/2 tsp) in a little water as a mouthwash. You can add 1 drop of oil of Fennel to make it taste better, dissolving it thoroughly.
Herbalism
Local treatment is by means of herbal tinctures, to stimulate healing and reduce the inflammation. The strongest, although worst tasting, is Myrrh(Commiphora molmol); others to choose from are Marigold(Calendula officinalis), Sage(Salvia officinalis) and Thyme(Thymus vulgare). Pay attention to general health, and seek professional treatment if the ulcers are persistent or recurring. Cone Flower(Echinacea angustilolia or E. purpurea) may be a useful herb to take; it boosts the immune system and is widely obtainable in tablet form, or a tincture of the fresh plant is also available- take 10 drops in water 3 times a day.
Homeopathy
Remedies are more likely to be of benefit if they are chosen for the background causes, but some examples of those remedies that are of value for the ulcers are:
Borax: For painful small ulcers that feel hot in the mouth and may even bleed, when eating for instance.
Merc sol: When there is an unpleasant, metallic taste in the mouth, with larger, almost greyish ulcers and perhaps bleeding gums good for oral thrush.
Nat Sulph: For very painfully sensitive ulcers which may look like blisters, the discomfort is relieved by something cold such as an ice cube.
Naturopathy
Recurrent mouth ulcers can often indicate a poor diet, or nutritional deficiencies. Nutrients most likely to be lacking, and consequently of most benefit in treating the problem, are Vitamin B2, Vitamin C and zinc, and supplements of these may be needed in the short term until the diet can be improved to give sufficient amount- increase green leafy vegetables, fresh fruit, whole grain bread(including the wheatgerm) and for non-vegetarians some meat and fish.
Mouth ulcers most often occur at times of stress or when the immune system is lowered in some way, so it is generally advisable to look at ways of reducing the impact of stress if ulcers are recurring frequently.
For direct local treatment, try applying pure wheatgerm oil, for example by piercing a natural, oil-based Vitamin E capsule, and dabbing a little on to the ulcer. If there are foods, for instance vinegar, that do aggravate the ulcers, obviously leave them out of the diet for a while.
By: Robert Baird
About the Author:
Author writers about natural remedies for conditions and ailments and herbal medicines. He also writes about health and wellness.