Archive for June, 2009

Medical Benefits of Green Tea

It is startling to know that the world is just awakening to realize the many health benefits of green tea. Although most of us may have had the opportunity to sip on the beverage in a Chinese restaurant or at a Japanese neighbors house not many of us outside the orient knew anything about the various health benefits of green tea up until recently.

This unique drink is a true gift found in nature. It is made from the leaves of a plant called Camellia sinesis. It is a native shrub of Asia and the tea is prepared by drying the leaves of this shrub.

China has been utilizing the benefits of this wonder drink for over four thousand years according to records.

Green tea has been the subject of extensive scientific research the results of which have proved the wisdom of the Chinese in making use of green tea for its health benefits.

The shrub is endowed with some very beneficial substances that give it the medicinal properties to help the body in various ways. The plant is potent with powerful antioxidants which is the key to green teas popularity as a health remedy.

Epigallocatechin Gallate, known as EGCG for short is one of the antioxidants that green tea is heavily potent in.

The body requires the presence of a certain level of antioxidants to ensure its smooth running. Furthermore antioxidants have the potential to keep the body safe from damages that can lead to cancer.

The antioxidant found in green tea is at least twenty five times stronger and more useful than Vitamin C. When compared to Vitamin E, EGCG is far more effective in the preservation of the DNA structure as well as the protection that it offers to cells in the body.

The regular consumption of green tea can help treat many prevailing bodily disorders and can also act as a preventive measure against a variety of other diseases. HIV and cancer are amongst the deadly diseases against which green tea promises protection. At the same time the consumption of green tea is excellent for giving a boost to the immune system.

The list of diseases that green tea has the ability to treat includes diseases the likes of Alzheimers disease, rheumatoid arthritis, heart diseases and even Parkinsons disease.

Green tea is also an effective promoter of weight loss. This is largely due to the fact that it helps to release more energy as the metabolic processes of the body are sped up with the consumption of the drink. This is why health care professionals recommend the use of green tea on a regular basis.

About the Author:

Natural Treatments for Asthma

Those who have asthma know that it is not only important that they find something to help them treat their condition but to find something that is going to work extremely well. Currently there are more prescription products on the market for treating asthma and asthma symptoms than anyone would probably be able to try.

But what about when those don’t work or when someone wants a more natural route? Are there natural treatments for asthma that work just as well? The answer seems to be yes, there are many natural treatments out there for asthma. The thing is, though, you may have to try a few to find what works the best for you as everyone reacts differently.

A natural treatment that worked well for your friend may not do as well for you. Because of this you may have to research through a few different treatments before you find the one that works the best for you. A simple one to try would be that of simply increasing the amount of carrots, tomatoes, and leafy vegetables in your diet. There was a study that was conducted on a group of women that showed the increase in veggies to have an amazing impact on their problems with acne.

There is also the belief that children who get the proper daily intake of veggies and fruit will have a much lower chance of developing asthma. Believe it or not, simply losing a little bit of weight can greatly help in your fight against asthma. There have been many studies out there that have linked obesity to the onset of asthma.

For food with anti-inflammatory properties, Bromelain, a pineapple extract, is something that those suffering with asthma should look into. Of course anyone that has an allergy to pineapples should not use this type of treatment for their asthma.

A treatment that does not involve food would be the Buteyko Breathing technique. This is a breathing exercise that involves shallow breathing. It was developed by a Russian researcher by the name of Konstantin Pavlovich Buteyko. Those who have participated in studies using this technique have shown a dramatic decrease in their asthma symptoms.

Also, by reducing the amount of foods in your daily diet that have arachidonic acid will help to decrease your asthma problems. Such foods would be shellfish, meat and egg yolks. By simply eating a fewer amount of such foods you should be able to see a decrease in inflammation which in turn will mean less asthma symptoms that you will have to deal with.

Luckily for you and others there are many different natural treatments for asthma out there so you should have no problem finding something that works for you. Of course, you want to give any natural treatment you try at least a couple of weeks in order to make sure that it is really given the chance to kick in. If you are currently taking prescription medication you will need to talk with your health care professional before stopping your medication in order to avoid serious complications.

About the Author:

The use of herbs for healing has been practiced by individuals in eastern countries for thousands of years. The idea behind ancient Chinese medicine is that the system must be maintained in a condition of harmony in order to attain health and that sickness happens when specific energy fields in the system are not kept in harmony.

Individuals who are proponents of the use of herbs for healing argue that the effectiveness of the various medicines is more proven than that of many of the Western drugs that are common nowadays. They have been utilized by a wide assortment of persons of all ages and backgrounds.

Some people have a more judicious point of view and claim that herbal medicine should be used along with modern pharmaceuticals. Herbal remedies and the acupuncture methods that frequently complement them are valuable to patients suffering from various illnesses and disorders. But it would be unwise to totally interchange recent medical approaches with traditional Chinese medicine in the instance of life-threatening diseases. Rather, they ought to be used to add to the effects of the medication endorsed by your health practitioner. As well, they can help to minimize the adverse reactions to some medications and medical treatments.

The use of herbs for healing does not just comprise the medications that are administered in relation to each person’s needs. Rather, there is a progression of techniques that are employed, one of which is herbal therapy. The other components of the system that has been formulated to keep the body running well are acupuncture, diet therapy, physical activity and lifestyle changes. All of these procedures come together to make an individual healthier in day to day living, and since their life is better balanced, they are less apt to get sick.

There are some persons, especially in the West, who may be apprehensive with reference to the safety of the herbal treatments that are administered. But consider that these herbal treatments have been utilized on countless numbers of patients for several thousand years, and are still being employed by the greater part of the Eastern world.

There are various side effects to certain herbs, but these are infrequent, particularly in contrast to those linked to the pharmaceuticals that are produced and prescribed today. Contemporary medications are man-made and can be toxic to the body in a lot of ways. Herbal medicines, in contrast, are employing totally natural curative elements and are hence ordinarily less harmful than what is dispensed through prescription medications.

About the Author:

Three Reasons You Should Practice Yoga

It seems that everywhere you look these days, someone is doing yoga. They range from famous celebrities right down to the person who works with you. If you have never practiced yoga and want to find out what all the fuss is about and how yoga might be of benefit to you then read on and I will explain some of the main benefits of yoga.

Before I get into the most important reasons for practicing yoga, it would be good to have a basic overview of yoga itself. Yoga was developed in India several thousand years ago and it is a system of physical, mental and spiritual development. It consists of physical postures, deep relaxation techniques and meditation exercises. These days the physical postures (called “asanas”) are the most widely practiced form of yoga and you can learn them in studios and clubs around the world.

Now that you have a basic overview of yoga, let’s look at why you should think about beginning the practice of yoga.

1. Yoga will help you to become very healthy. This is what people are generally looking for when they begin the practice of yoga, and yoga does the job of improving physical health. If you combine a practice of yoga postures along with a sensible diet and other physical exercise then you can reach very high levels of health and fitness. One of the reasons for this is that yoga can help you to improve the functioning of your digestive system, and prevent acidity, indigestion, constipation and other more serious problems that have their root in the digestive system. Yoga postures (when combined with relaxation and meditation) have the additional benefit of helping to control blood pressure, and this is a great asset as you grow older and become more susceptible to heart disease.

2. Yoga can help you to look better. It is common knowledge that a lot of people practice yoga in order to lose weight and look more attractive. Can yoga really be of help in this? Simply put, outer beauty is but an indication of inner health. If you take steps to improve your health, you will look better. The biological explanation of “beauty” is useful here. According to modern biology, animals (and humans) choose partners who appear to be able to produce offspring and successfully spread their genes. A beautiful appearance here means an appearance that is a sign of inner health and vitality. You may not be thinking about spreading genes when you see a beautiful man or woman but this is where our conceptions of beauty originate according to the biologists. Thus, the ability of yoga to make you feel better and have better overall health, will also give you an outer appearance that is more pleasing to everyone around you.

3. Yoga can help you to deal with stress. Living in the 21st Century is stressful. There is a biological cause to our predicament. When primitive humans were threatened, their bodies started pumping hormones and blood and got them ready to either fight for their lives or run away from danger. We have inherited this same kind of body and this is problematic for us. If you are running or fighting for your life it may be OK to sweat and turn red, but it doesn’t look so good when you are in a stressful meeting at work with your colleagues.

By practicing yoga postures and augmenting them with some relaxation and meditation you can attain a state of inner mental peace that will keep you calm in even the most challenging situations.

There are many more things that I can say about the benefits of yoga, but these three should be incentive enough for you to check it out and maybe to start practicing today.

About the Author:

Many people experience both asthma and allergies. A good number of asthma sufferers know that particular triggers lead to an attack. As well, individuals with allergies have flare-ups in combination with specific triggers. Usually, these causes are inescapable, but you can frequently lessen them if you are aware of what they are.

Those who suffer from asthma usually believe that their asthma is well managed if they can handle attacks by using an inhaler or other asthma remedies. But real control entails the prevention of an asthma attack before it starts, not just taking care of them as they happen. Following are a few tips to help you prevent an asthma or allergy attack before it begins.

* Pay attention to the circumstances surrounding your asthma attacks. What do they have in common? Making a note of these things can help you determine what is causing the attacks, and that is the first step in avoiding them.

* Avoid common triggers such as smoke and strong fumes. These are some of the things that often instigate asthma attacks, so it is best to stay away from them as much as possible.

* When the pollution and pollen levels are high you should stay inside. You are asking for trouble by going out when these are in the air in large amounts.

* Get rid of dust in your home. Use an air purifier, and keep your home as clean as possible. Vacuuming with a regular vacuum cleaner may make things worse, though. Clean with water as much as possible. This traps the dust so that it can’t fly, keeping it out of your nose.

* Keep pets outside. Pet hair, feathers, dander, and even saliva can cause allergic reactions in susceptible people. It is advisable to keep all pets except fish out of the homes of allergy sufferers.

* Don’t give mold a chance to grow. Mold loves damp places, so make sure that there aren’t any in your home. This can be accomplished by running a dehumidifier and making sure that damp areas have plenty of ventilation.

* Make sure that cockroaches feel as unwelcome as possible. These are frequent allergy and asthma triggers. Eliminating clutter and sources of food and water will prevent cockroaches from finding the things they need to survive in your home, and they will be forced to look elsewhere.

The use of medication is critical to the majority of those who experience asthma and allergies. It can prevent symptoms, and also help to stop an attack in its tracks. However, it is essential to control the environmental causes so you can manage these conditions more successfully. So if you have asthma, allergies, or both, try out these tips that will let you breathe easier.

About the Author:

A lot of herbal skin care products out on the market these days are usually more harmful than beneficial. Some people are too scared to even pick out a good brand just because theyre a little too scared of what it can do to their skin. Not all of them are dangerous though, but just in case you have to be careful, then you have to read this article to be sure of what to look for.

Unfortunately big brand companies are jumping on the bandwagon and labeling their products as natural and herbal when they really arent. Here some ingredients you should look for to know whether you have the real deal.

An herbal treatment for the skin, particularly night cream or face mask, should consist of active manuka honey. Active manuka honey has unique healing properties that make it very effective in healing blemishes, smoothing out wrinkles, stimulating collagen production, and rejuvenating skin cells. Look for active manuka honey with UMF, or the unique manuka factor. Only active manuka honey with UMF has the healing properties that make it unique.

Theres also Wakame (a Japanese Kelp), which a lot of Japanese women have kept secret for many centuries. Nowadays, its no longer a secret. You can use it too. Its a wonderful marine plant thats good for your skin. It has concentrated extract from Wakame (called phytessence wakame) that makes a quick beautifying difference to your skin. Eating this marine plant is also beneficial to your overall health. The phytessence wakame, when absorbed, gets through your skin and provides the cells the vitamins/minerals needed. Its also essential in that it keeps your skin smooth by preventing the loss of its hyaluronic acid.

Another must-have in skin care treatment is the Maracuja, which means Passion Fruit in Portuguese. As a natural emollient containing linoleic acid, the Maracuja keeps sebum levels under control thus preventing oiliness and dryness. In short, it keeps your skin soft and smooth.

Another great ingredient to any herbal skin product is the Babassu Oil, a natural moisturizer from Brazil. The Babassu Palm Fruit’s kernel, where this oil is extracted out of, comes from the Amazon Rain forest. While locking in moisture in the skin, this oil keeps dirt and grime out of your pores, and can soothe inflammation and irritation. This makes it highly ideal for any type of skin.

Last but certainly not the least, is the Avocado oil. This Avocado oil is a natural moisturizer which is very similar to the skin’s natural oils. It can be found in most herbal skin treatments (the real ones). It reduces oiliness and keeps the skin moisturized by producing collagen.

Thats basically it. These are the ingredients that you should be looking for when youre out shopping for natural herbal skin care products. These will make your skin look at its best, while not having to worry about the side effects of the chemicals contained in synthetic products. Going natural is always best for your skin and most importantly for your health.

About the Author:

A lot of people do not have a citrus juicer at home but are discovering the benefits of citrus juice which is quite significant. Most people are aware of Vitamin C and some of its benefits. What a lot of people are unaware of, however, is that human beings are one of the few species on this planet that does not make its supply of this vitamin.

It has often been suggested that we suffer many of our illnesses such as viruses and cancer due to our lack of Vitamin C. It is responsible for fighting the free radicals that causes damage to the cells in our body. Thousands of years ago, the picture was slightly different as we ate much more fruit than we do today. We have hands that are designed to pick and grasp fruit and so this was an easy food source for us to obtain.

It is believed our bodies compensated by producing less of this important vitamin until today where we produce none. This causes us a problem as the modern diet contains very little fruit and, as such, our Vitamin C intake is inadequate.

We can reverse this trend by juicing which allows us to take in our essential nutrients. It is also fast, enjoyable and refreshing and even your kids will like it. It can also save you money as there is no need to spend money regularly on expensive vitamins and nutrients.

Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling has been one of the greatest supporters of Vitamin C and the health benefits it has to give. The quantities that he advised to take in though were quite large. It is generally thought we do not need to take in this much on a daily basis. He believed that it would prevent many of the illnesses that we suffer from today.

Fruits such as oranges and lemons contain large amounts of Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. Each orange contains about 50mg of ascorbic acid per 100 grams of fruit. There is about 70mg per slice. The health authorities recommend a daily allowance of 60mg. this, however, is only the minimal amount to prevent scurvy, the classical disease that causes bleeding gums.

Many people buying a citrus juicer or fruit juicer are investing in their own health. This article shows you that many of the essential nutrients we require can be obtained in a healthy and natural way.

About the Author:

Natural Skincare? What Is It?

Skincare products. We all know what they are don’t we? They should make your skin look and feel younger and make wrinkles go away.

But what are natural skincare products? What exactly does the natural have to do with skincare products?

Yes skincare products are all about making your skin better and healthier. Sometimes these products work and sometimes they don’t.

But they’re marketed to make you believe that your skin will look younger.

But although mainstream skincare products may often not work well they can have another more serious problem. They can contain questionable, and often dangerous, ingredients that may damage your skin and your health.

This isn’t just a problem of mainstream skincare lines, it’s also a problem of many cosmetics too. I’ll give you one fast example. It’s only one example, but there’s many more, and there are entire organizations set up to combat this problem.

A recent study found lead in over 50% of lipsticks tested. Big brand lipsticks. Isn’t lead really dangerous in your system? Yup.

There’s lots more examples from cosmetics lines, personal and beauty products.

How can this be? Surely our government protects us from this? No. The FDA isnt required to test the safety of these products, or how well they work. So these companies can use them, usually because they’re cheaper than the natural alternative.

So there are many people turning to natural skincare products, and there are many new natural skincare companies taking advantage of this. So what is natural skincare?

Well there’s no definition, so what it is is hard to say. Basically its supposed to be a natural skincare line that doesn’t contain dangerous ingredients, and ideally should work well. But natural products can have their problems with dangerous ingredients too, because as with other products they aren’t tested by the FDA.

So there’s a dilemma. If big name skincare products can contain dangerous ingredients and even some so called natural products can too how do we find the best natural skincare line? One that is safe to use and works well.

There are ways to find out. I tell you on my website about the process that we use to find a natural skincare line that is both effective and safe to use. The best news is that there is a natural skincare range that is both very effective and safe to use.

And the company that makes these products is extremely proud of how good they are, proud enough to offer you a money back guarantee on them.

Now that is extremely rare in the skincare industry.

There are some skincare companies that would go broke if they offered a money back guarantee on their products.

If you want to find out which natural skincare products are effective and safe to use and come with a money back guarantee visit my website to find out.

About the Author:

What Is Natural Shea Butter?

The whole point to natural skin care products is that they contain natural ingredients. Ingredients that are both naturally occurring and are safe to use. There are natural substances that are definitely unsafe to use, so the bit about safe to use in the products is an important point.

Natural Shea Butter a naturally occurring ingredient that can be found in some products that is safe to use, and highly effective. Lets look at what Natural Shea Butter is and why you should be using skin care products that have it listed in the ingredients.

Natural Shea Butter comes from the seed of the Shea Tree, which is a tree found in Africa. The fruit, or nut, is picked and then the seed is taken out and the oils extracted from the seed by means of pressure.

The resulting butter is Shea Butter and it is eaten extensively in Africa. I believe it is very good. What it is is the oils of the seed of the tree.

Why is it good for your skin? It is one of the very best naturally occurring moisturizers. One of the reasons for this is that the oils in natural Shea Butter are virtually identical to those produced by the sebaceous glands of the skin, so using natural skin care products with Shea Butter is like applying your skins own moisturizer. Perfect.

It also softens the skin and helps reduce inflammation, one of the more damaging skin conditions, and reduces scars and blemishes on the skin as well as brown spots or skin age spots.

It is highly effective at reducing stretch marks and wrinkles.

When applied to the skin it is totally absorbed and there are visible and significant skin improvements within a month to 6 weeks.

The best Natural Shea Butter is cold pressed, just like the best olive oil is cold pressed, for the same reasons. It produces the real natural oil, free from any chemical additive that is added to the product during chemical extraction.

And it’s used only in the worlds very best natural skin care line. And if you use this line you get a money back guarantee so that you can even try the products, and see how well Shea Butter really works for your skin, risk free.

So I hope now you know why Natural Shea Butter is so good for your skin.

You can find out on my website which natural skincare products use Shea Butter and also offer a money back guarantee.

About the Author:

An asthma attack is typically characterized by shortness of breath, uncontrollable coughing and general difficulty of breathing. These conditions are caused by the inflammation of bronchial tubes and air passages of the lungs. That is why asthma is a chronic disorder as the bronchial tubes will regularly suffer from constriction.

Typical Causes of Asthma

There are many factors that cause asthma. This troublesome chronic bronchial condition is almost always linked to genetic factors. People suffering from this condition can trace a long history of asthma from their parents and grandparents.

Environmental factors also play significant roles in triggering asthma attacks. Asthmatics often display sensitivity to several allergens such as tobacco smoke, dust, chemicals, gasses, and even pollens from plants. Exposure to cold weather or humidity can also trigger asthma attacks.

Some people are also allergic to processed foods as well as certain crustaceans. Eating such kinds of foods can cause asthma. Specifically, the artificial flavors and food additives of some processed foods can promote inflammation of the bronchial tubes which could lead to asthma attacks.

Asthma is the most troublesome bronchial disorder. If you have asthma in your adult life, then it would be a lifelong suffering.

Different Natural Treatments for Asthma

Bronchodilators are the most common medications administered for asthma sufferers. The problem is that bronchodilators have several unpleasant side effects. Patients taking bronchodilators can suffer from slight muscle tremors, loss of appetite, and dizziness. That is why asthma patients are looking for natural solutions that can relieve symptoms and prevent attacks of asthma.

Here are some of the most common natural remedies that have been proven effective in alleviating symptoms of asthma.

1. Acupuncture – Acupuncture works by establishing the balance of positive and negative energies in the body. According to Chinese medicine, the inflammation of bronchial tubes is caused by severe imbalance of these energies. Regular therapy with acupuncture will maintain balanced energy flow thus preventing asthma attacks.

2. Taking Natural Supplements – Natural supplements are primarily used as preventive measures. It is believed that one can permanently prevent episodes of asthma attack by fortifying the body with natural supplements.

Taking antioxidants daily can help prevent inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Daily medication of vitamin E, vitamin C, and bioflavonoids can strengthen the body’s defenses against irritants and free radicals that cause bronchial spasms and inflammation.

3. Herbal Solutions – There are more than a dozen herbal solutions that can be used to treat asthma. Herbal medicines can also be used to prevent asthma as their natural components can strengthen the respiratory system specifically the bronchial tubes.

Ginger and garlic broth can be used to relieve asthma. This natural concoction can be taken twice daily as preventive solution or as a treatment option.

Honey is also a potent natural treatment for asthma. You can place pure unadulterated honey in a jar and pour boiling water in it. You should inhale the steam which could immediately relieve bronchial tube spasms. A tablespoon of honey should also be taken daily in order to prevent future attacks.

There are still other natural remedies that can prevent and treat asthma. You should explore them to find out which natural solution would be effective for your condition.

About the Author: