7 Ways to Prevent Chronic Headaches

Did you know that headaches are one of the leading types of chronic pain? A headache may sound like a fairly minor ailment, but chronic headaches can be debilitating to the people who suffer from them almost every day. Dr. Mark Wiley reveals the "integrated mind-body approach" he devised to relieve his chronic headaches.

... After personally suffering from painful migraines for nearly 30 years, I devised an “integrated mind/body approach” to prevent headaches of all kinds from taking hold in the body. Indeed, the key to ending headache pain is proactive avoidance of its causes rather than reactive treatment of its symptoms.

Major headache triggers include chemicals in food and beverages and even toxins in the body and air, as well as harboring stress and missing sleep. In order to reestablish cellular balance, one must remove the toxins and stressors that tax the body or learn to deal with them in new ways. For most people, this means a major lifestyle change. Here are seven ways to start: Read more

How do you keep your children and yourself from getting sick? Be proactive with Vitamin D, probiotics, and immune boosters, says Margaret Durst.

‘How do I keep my kids from getting sick?’ is a question I get asked a lot this time of year. I think it is an important question for adults as well as kids – especially as we head into the holidays. It always seems to me that some of the worst cold and flu outbreaks occur right after the holidays.

I have several theories. The first is about exchanging bugs (virus and bacteria) with our cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, etc. The second theory is our exposure to extremely rich food, upsetting our digestive tract which holds a significant part of our immunity. The third theory is about cold cloudy days without enough sunlight which reduces our daily vitamin D levels.

I don’t get very concerned about my first theory. It is a necessary part of family life which I wouldn’t want to be without. So see if you can have the biggest Christmas ever and make sure you see everyone you are even remotely kin to. Follow the advice below to keep your immune system tuned up so that the virus and bacteria do not take hold in your system. Read more

How to Avoid Packing on Holiday Pounds

Men's Health magazine's Matt Bean tells how to enjoy holiday eating while avoiding packing on the pounds.

It's easy to gain weight during the holidays, at all those parties and big dinners.

But, says Men's Health magazine Senior Editor Matt Bean, you can enjoy yourself without expanding your waistline by eating right. You just have to know what to eat, and what not to.

Men's Health is out with a book called "Eat This, Not That," a guide to the good and bad foods in your life, geared toward helping you make smart food choices all year. And Bean says the holiday season is a case in point. Read more

4 Myths about Arthritis

There are many misconceptions that surround arthritis. Learn the difference between the facts and the myths about arthritis.

A common misconception about arthritis is that it is an inevitable part of ageing. In fact, while osteoarthritis (OA) - the most common form of the disease - does tend to affect older people, it is not caused by ageing and it does not affect everyone. And there are increasing numbers of younger sufferers.

[...]

Here, Philip Conaghan, professor of musculoskeletal medicine at the University of Leeds, debunks myths about the condition. Read more

Sage: The Natural Antiseptic

Do you need an antiseptic around the home but are loathe to use potent antiseptic agents? Sage is an extremely effective natural antiseptic that can be used to treat a number of conditions.

Sage is found in most kitchens as it is a favorite herb especially when cooking poultry.

It is a useful herb that not only adds aroma and flavor to your food but is also of medicinal use.

It has been used since the ancient times as an antiseptic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, astringent and anti-ageing herb.

Sage is a natural antiseptic herb that can be used to treat a number of conditions. Read more

Have a Healthy, Herbal Christmas

Victoria Lambert reveals the medicinal properties of ten seasonal plants.

From the holly and the ivy to mistletoe and myrrh, it wouldn't be the festive season without traditional plants. But increasingly doctors think they could offer practical benefits year round.

James Wong, an ethnobotanist and presenter of this week's festive edition of BBC Two's Grow Your Own Drugs, says: "The natural benefits of our favourite Christmas plants are being uncovered all the time. But we can learn a lot from the past, too. Cherokee Indians, for instance, used to drink an infusion of spruce needles to help them stave off scurvy and keep the airways open."

However, you need to be careful when building a festive apothecary – mistletoe, for instance, is highly poisonous to humans. "You might want to stick to mince pies," says Wong. "You can't go far wrong with a dose of nutmeg and cinnamon." Read more

A Glass or Two of Champagne Really Does Lift the Heart

Champagne made with black grapes shares the benefits of red wine for heart and blood circulation, scientists have found.

Fizz made with black grapes shares benefits of red wine for heart and blood circulation, scientists find


Scientists are delivering some unexpected cheer this Christmas. They have found that a couple of glasses of champagne a day are good for your heart and blood circulation.

Nor, they believe, are the benefits limited to expensive fizz: cheaper alternatives such as cava and prosecco may offer similar effects. Read more

Homeopathy: Nanopharmacology at Its Best

Homeopathy is a 200-year-old medical system whose theories conflict with those of regular medicine. Patients are treated with tinctures that carry an "energetic imprint" of substances that provoke the very symptoms they're suffering from. The rising profile of homeopathy has produced something of a dilemma in the world of medicine: how does homeopathic medicine work?

It is commonly assumed that homeopathic medicines are composed of extremely small doses of medicinal substances. And yet, does anyone refer to an atomic bomb as an extremely small dose of a bomb? In actual fact, there is a power, a very real power, in having atoms smash against each other.

Homeopathic medicines are made through a specific pharmacological process of dilution and vigorous shaking. However, when skeptics say that there is nothing but water in homeopathic medicine, they are proving their ignorance, despite the incredible arrogance in which they make these assertions. Dr. Martin Chaplin, a respected British professor who is one of the world's experts on water, has verified that "homeopathic water" and "regular water" are not the same, and his review of almost 2,000 references to the scientific literature on water (!) confirm this fact (Chaplin, 2009). Read more

7 Herbs and Spices That Warm You Up

If it's cold where you live, herbalist Brigitte Mars says you might want to increase your intake of foods that warm you up.

When cold weather strikes a chilling blow, it makes sense to consume healthy, warming, concentrated foods. Dark orange vegetables such as sweet potatoes, winter squash, and carrots provide immune nourishing beta-carotene and the warmth of the orange ray.

Grounding roots (especially those that grow in cold climates) such as onions, rutabagas and turnips can help one better acclimate to the seasons. Other warming foods include arugula, mustard greens, and watercress. Nuts, seeds, and their butters make excellent warming and insulating snacks. Icy cold drinks can cool you quick. If consuming food from the refrigerator, take the item out and allow it to get to room temperature before eating.

The flavor associated with winter is salty and rather than relying on table salt, learn to enjoy the wonderful mineral rich seaweeds such as kelp, nori, hiziki, and dulse which can be used to season food. Celtic or Himalayan salt contain more minerals, as indicated by their colors. Black colored foods such as black sesame seeds, uncured black olives, and chia seeds make wonderful warming winter condiments.

Culinary herbs that help us feel warmer and improve circulation include: Read more

Eat Your Way to a Healthy Immune System

If you trust natural remedies more than you do flu vaccines, Dr. Joseph Mercola's list of the twelve best foods you can eat to protect yourself from the flu is a good place to start.

The 2009 flu season is upon us.

Staying well while those around you sniffle and sneeze requires that you extract as much nutrition from your diet as you can, loading up on the foods that pack the biggest nutritional punch.

Avoiding processed foods, grains and sugar will go a long way toward strengthening your immune system. However, you can do even more by selecting foods that are loaded with specific immune boosting nutrients.

Eating a diet rich in the following foods will be far better for your health than loading up on handfuls of supplements, or worse yet, falling victim to vaccines that expose you to health risks far worse than influenza.

Below, I have outlined what I consider to be the absolute best foods you can eat to help protect yourself this season, although the list is certainly not exhaustive. Read more

Natural Flu Fighters - Oranges, Lemons, Black Cumin, Honey

Distrustful of swine flu vaccine, many go for herbal remedies instead, such as oranges, lemons, black cumin, and honey.

Fears both about swine flu and the safety of the vaccine against it have sent Saudi housewives rushing back to traditional remedies in the hope of protecting their families. Sales of oranges, lemons and especially black cumin and honey have risen as a result. It is believed that these items, consumed daily, can strengthen the body’s immunity and protect against the H1N1 virus.

“I force my children to drink lemon and honey every day so that they do not get infected with swine flu. It has really frightened us,” said Manal Saeed, a teacher.

A firm believer in alternative remedies, she said mixing these natural herbs with fruits and honey was better than medicines that might weaken the body. Read more

Does an Onion a Day Keep the Common Cold Away?

Balkan Insight surveys the natural remedies used in the Balkans, especially those used to prevent or cure colds and flu.

Some put their faith in the hands of the medical profession, others, it seems prefer more natural remedies.

[...]
Garlic and onion, along with the ultimate Serbian cure, sljivovica, many in the market told us, would make us untouchable by the virus - if I consumed them every day.
Read more

10 Health Benefits of Vinegar

Learn the amazing health benefits of vinegar and the best ways to use it to treat ailments and improve your health.

Many of us are aware of the many ways that vinegar can clean just about anything, from your windows to the outflow pipes of your air conditioner. However, how many of us realize the health benefits of vinegar?

Fifty years ago, a daily dose of an apple cider vinegar and honey tonic was used to ease arthritis pain. During the last thirty years or so when many "wonder" drugs came on the market, they replaced many of the home made remedies
of our grandmothers. As we keep exploring ways for improve health, we are starting to see some medical professionals supporting those old time cures of the past. This is not to say, we should get rid of drugs, but at least, they are qualifying what our grandmothers always knew. And if I have any choices in my life, it will be to go as natural as possible with my health.

Vinegar is a weak acid. History goes back to Hippocrates' time when it was used as a medicine and antiseptic. Here are some areas that can help you by using vinegar in your health. Read more

Liver Damage May Be Prevented by Herbal Medicine

The liver is the second largest organ in the body and is often seen as the most important organ. In traditional Chinese medicine, for example, a healthy liver is seen as the most critical element in the body's ability to fight disease and function optimally. A new study has found that a well-known Asian medicine supplement may help avoid the most common cause of liver transplantation.

A well-known Eastern medicine supplement may help avoid the most common cause of liver transplantation, according to a study by researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine. The finding came as a surprise to the scientists, who used a number of advanced genetic and genomic techniques in mice to identify a molecular pathway that counters acetaminophen toxicity, which leads to liver failure.

"I didn't know anything about the substance that was necessary for the pathway's function, so I had to look it up," said Gary Peltz, MD, PhD, professor of anesthesiology. "My postdoctoral fellow, whose parents and other family members in Asia were taking this compound in their supplements, started laughing. He recognized it immediately." Read more

Help Your Body Deal with Fat

Margaret Durst discusses the powerhouse supplement, lecithin, and why you shouldn't cook your eggs until the yolks are hard.

Lecithin is known for helping to prevent arteriosclerosis, protecting against cardiovascular disease, improving brain function, facilitating repair of the liver and promoting energy. Lecithin is a fat emulsifier. It enables fats such as cholesterol to be dispersed in water and removed from the body. It also protects vital organs and arteries from fatty buildup.

Most commercial lecithin is derived from soy. The best food source of lecithin is egg yolks. Read more

Meditation Has Physiological Benefits, Study Says

Can stress-reducing Transcendental Meditation help coronary artery disease patients prevent future heart attacks? A new study says that a daily meditation practice can reduce the thickening of coronary arteries in adults with coronary artery disease.

Could the mental relaxation produced by transcendental meditation have physiological benefits? A study presented last week at the American Heart Association meeting in Orlando, Fla., suggests that it may, at least in the case of people with established coronary artery disease. Read more

Herbal Viagra: An Effective Alternative to Drugs?

Lots of men have trouble with erectile dysfunction, and Viagra is often prescribed to get their sexual desires and performance back. However, Viagra, like most pharmaceuticals has side effects that may outweigh the drug's benefits, leading men to search for a natural alternative.

Sure, there are a multitude of different erection pills on the market, but none are as well known as Viagra. Pharmaceutical Viagra isn’t for everyone though – so if you’ve talked to your doctor about Viagra and it’s not for you, herbal Viagra can be a great alternative. What exactly is herbal Viagra and what does it do?

Herbal Viagra is often considered cheap Viagra and is basically any herbal pill that suggests its ingredients aid erectile dysfunction and impotency. Herbal Viagra can contain anything considered “all natural,” even including extracts from the larvae of silkworms. Often, herbal Viagra contains a variety of naturally extracted substances to give the user more energy and stamina, in addition to an erection.

Herbal remedies have worked for centuries for a variety of ailments, including high blood pressure, obesity, cardiac problems, insomnia and more. It’s only natural that an herbal Viagra supplement could aid erectile dysfunction and impotency issues with the natural extracts from plants and herbs – and well, maybe insects. Read more

Dark Chocolate: The New Antianxiety Drug?

Chocolate is a comfort food and for good reason. It really does relieve anxiety. A new study found that eating chocolate reduced levels of their stress hormones, and the changes were “biologically significant."

OK, so it may not be kosher for me to report on a chocolate study that was conducted by an employee of a chocolate maker at the chocolate maker’s own research lab. Get over it. The results of this new study are intriguing and shed more light on the biochemical basis behind dark chocolate’s health benefits.

The team of researchers was led by Sunil Kochhar, PhD, who heads the BioAnalytical Science Department at the Nestlé Research Center in Switzerland. He and his colleagues designed the study to see whether eating dark chocolate every day for two weeks could affect the way the body metabolizes stress hormones. Read more

8 Health Benefits of Locally-Grown Raw Honey

It's no secret that unprocessed honey, straight from the hive, has been used worldwide for millennia to promote healing. Below are eight health benefits of raw, organic, locally grown honey.

Perhaps your parents failed to mention it when they discussed the birds and the bees with you. But, honey has a long history of healing, too.

Really, it’s been used for centuries for its healing properties, as well as its sweetness. People use it to bake with. It requires you to use less heat. Its tasty flavor is one reason many people prefer it over table sugar. Besides that, honey is much sweeter than regular table sugar and better for you.

It’s best if you buy locally grown organic raw honey whenever you can. Locally grown because it’s produced by bees which are from the environment in which you live. It is always best to grow or consume foods from the area in which you live as they contain the immune stimulating properties needed for your body to adapt to its environment. Fresh raw honey will also be tastier, and more potent. And, when you buy from local independent farmers you help keep them in business, which is good for your economy.

Eight Health Benefits of Honey Read more

How to Overcome Allergy and Asthma Symptoms Naturally

Runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing, wheezing? Margaret Durst tells how to overcome allergy and asthma symptoms naturally.

Quercetin is a bioflavonoid, or part of the vitamin C family. Bioflavonoids are coloring pigments that are found throughout the plant kingdom. Bioflavonoids are antioxidants and are known for providing protection from environmental stresses.

Quercetin is known for inhibiting allergy and inflammatory responses. Allergy and inflammatory conditions are triggered by contact with allergens that are absorbed into the blood. When allergens meet special immune cells containing histamine, the cell wall of the immune cell becomes leaky and releases histamine into the surrounding blood and tissues. Allergen released histamine produces the familiar allergic symptoms of runny noses, blocked sinuses, itchy eyes, blotchy skin, coughing and wheezing. Read more

New Warning on "Perfect Vaginas"

It shouldn't take a report for women to realize that having surgery to create a "perfect vagina" is a bad idea. Surgery on your genitals might have risks? Really? Who could have guessed?

Women are undergoing surgery to create perfect genitalia amid a "shocking" lack of information on the potential risks of the procedure, a report says.

Research published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology also questions the very notion of aesthetically pleasing genitals. Read more

Don't Blame Your Metabolism If You Can't Lose Weight

Can't lose weight? Don't blame your metabolism. It's easy to say it's your body's fault you're chubby, but, it's a big fat lie, says Dr. Susan Roberts.

For those who struggle to lose weight, it has always made sense to blame a slow metabolism.

In my work as a diet doctor and nutritionist, I hear this excuse all the time to explain away everything from middle-age spread to the fact that their best friend eats twice as much, but stays effortlessly slim.

It's not that they are overeating, they insist, it's because their body doesn't burn up calories as efficiently.

But what is the real truth about the link between your metabolic rate - that is, the amount of energy used up by your body just to keep your heart beating, your blood pumping and so on - and weight gain?

Does a slow metabolism automatically mean you will end up overweight? To find out, I have tackled seven of the most common myths about metabolism. Read more

Feeling Low? Banish the Blues the Natural Way

Feeling low? Banish the blues with mood-enhancing foods that will give you a lift and keep you healthy.

It’s the season of mists, mellow fruitfulness — and comfort food. But try to resist — or, at least, don’t go for the traditional, stodgy, fat-laden offerings. Research published last week in the British Journal of Psychiatry (BJP) showed that people who ate a Mediterranean-style diet (fruit, vegetables, pulses, cereals and olive oil) were 30 per cent less likely to get depressed than those whose diet was laden with processed and high-fat foods. And since the No 1 rule for keeping your mood on an even keel is to eat regularly during the day, you can take comfort from the fact that the research doesn’t advocate starving yourself.

Just the simple task of eating the right breakfast after a night’s fast will boost not only mood, but also memory, learning power and concentration, probably by increasing production of the nerve transmitter acetylcholine. The key is to stay off fast-release carbohydrates such as croissants with jam, cereal bars, muffins, sugary cereals and sweet drinks. These are digested rapidly, giving your blood glucose an exaggerated spike, which is swiftly followed by a low.

Instead, opt for slow-release glucose found in foods such as sugar-free muesli with berries, porridge or sourdough toast with peanut butter — choices that are more likely to keep moods level by delivering a stable and steady flow of energy to the brain and by keeping you feeling full for the morning ahead. Read more

Olive Oil May Help Prevent, Treat Alzheimer’s

Why do Italians get so old and stay so cheerful? They put olive oil on almost everything they eat!

Oleocanthal, a naturally-occurring compound found in extra-virgin olive oil, alters the structure of neurotoxic proteins believed to contribute to the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s disease. This structural change impedes the proteins’ ability to damage brain nerve cells. Read more

Hypnosis Can Help in Cancer Treatment

For those of you who have cancer or know of someone with cancer, hypnosis may offer hope in helping the body to heal. We all know about the “placebo” effect, as in taking a sugar pill unknowingly, and tricking the mind into believing that we actually are taking a medicated pill. It’s proven to work in many case studies. Hypnotherapy is basically just that. We bypass (fool) the conscious mind and get into the subconscious where the real healing takes place.

Research made in the last decade shows that hypnosis can cure many medical problems with no side effect. Hypnosis is now successfully used in different areas such as quitting smoking, weight loss, stress reduction, stopping negative thoughts, anger management, pain control and so on. Also the latest experiences show that hypnosis can have positive effect on different aspects of cancer treatment.

There are different therapies for cancer including drugs, hypnosis, radiation, reiki, special diet, surgery, emotional healing, ozone treatment, fruit juice treatment, chemotherapy and so on. Unfortunately, most cancers can not still be cured even with the help of modern science. So, there is a need for a different approach to cancer treatment. Cancer specialist DR D. W. Smithers writes that "Like other names used in science, cancer is just a shortened way of saying something that cannot be simply defined - cancer is no more a disease of cells than a traffic jam is a disease of cars. A lifetime of study of the internal combustion engine would not help anyone to understand our traffic problems. Cancer is a disease of organization, not a disease of cells." Yes, we need a complex approach to find the treatment of cancer through mind-body connection. Read more

Something Else Good about Kissing: It Spreads Germs

From its beginning, the act of kissing has become a nearly universal and natural expression of affection among people. However, scientists believe kissing was developed to spread germs which build up immunity to Cytomegalovirus, which, if caught while pregnant, can kill unborn babies or cause birth defects.

It isn't the most romantic theory, but scientists believe kissing was developed to spread germs which build up immunity to illness.

They say the gesture allows a bug named Cytomegalovirus, which is dangerous in pregnancy, to be passed from man to woman to give her time to build up protection against it.

The bug is found in saliva and normally causes no problems. But it can be extremely dangerous if caught while pregnant and can kill unborn babies or cause birth defects. Read more

How to Win the Cold War

The common cold is caused by one of more than 200 viruses. Symptoms can include a fever, watery eyes, a runny nose, a sore throat, and a cough. Enhancing your body's immune system will help you avoid catching a cold, says Kristin Bjornsen.

Unless you live in a plastic bubble, you can’t seal yourself away from all germs in life. They’re everywhere—especially this time of year. Your best bet to stay healthy is to strengthen your immune system so it can defeat any microscopic invaders before they lay siege.

But if you took all the immune boosters recommended by magazines, books, and Mom, you’d not only empty your pocketbook, but you’d likely harm your health too. “Don’t get trapped into thinking you want to boost your immunity as much as possible,” says Mark Moyad, MD, director of preventive and alternative medicine at the University of Michigan Medical Center. “Allergies and autoimmune diseases are examples of a hyperreactive immune system.” Moyad suggests taking most immune-bolstering supplements during cold season but then scaling back for the rest of the year (with the exception of multivitamins and vitamin D3).

But the question remains: Which of the myriad supplements and strategies out there really work? We asked our experts, and you’ll be surprised at how simple and effective their top picks are. Read more

Naturally Better Than Flu Shots: Probiotics, Digestive Enzymes, and Fiber

Gabriella Filippi interviews Dr. Udo Erasmus to find out what is better for the flu than flu shots.

I had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Dr. Erasmus. His research has been primarily in the areas of fats, digestion, and energy. Dr. Erasmus seeks to clarify information in the literature in these areas, and presents a great point: what does a picture of health look like? While diseases and sick cells are classified and organized, there exists no sensible categorization for health. Here Dr. Erasmus educates us on how to stay healthy during flu season, and answers the question, what is better for the flu than flu shots.

Dr. Erasmus asks, so what would it look like if everything was functioning well? And what would it take to get there? He further purports the importance of the appropriate use of food, water, and air (that is what the body is made from) and the minimization of pesticides, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceutical drugs, and food molecules that are broken down by processing or by food preparation.

Dr. Udo Erasmus finds the following most helpful for health: Read more

Medicinal Mushrooms Can Help Fight Cancer

Medicinal mushrooms like reishi and maitake can help fight cancer. Natural News has assembled a unique collection of supporting statements about medicinal mushrooms and cancer.

The cure for cancer already exists. But it wasn't created in a lab, and it wasn't funded by pink-ribbon products or walkathons. It was created for free by Mother Nature, and it exists as a collection of literally thousands of powerful anti-cancer phytonutrients found in medicinal mushrooms.

Medicinal mushrooms contain some of the most potent medicine in the world. They are living pharmaceutical factories, but they file no patents and ask for no royalties. They just mind their own business, manufacturing healing medicines day by day, and waiting for someone wise and humble enough to come along and pick them.

Here, we've assembled a unique collection of supporting statements about medicinal mushrooms and cancer from some of the top authors in the industry. If you (or someone you know) suffers from any form of cancer, make sure to send them this information so they can learn what their conventional cancer doctor won't dare tell them... that medicinal mushrooms make chemotherapy virtually obsolete! Read more

Tantric Breathing and Orgasm

Anyone who’s had any kind of sex life knows that breathing is an intrinsic part of the sexual experience. In general, during the human sexual response cycle normal breathing speeds up, builds to a rapid pace, the breath is held for a few moments before/during a climax, after the climax there is a long exhale, then the breath slows down and gradually returns to normal. Tantra teacher Suzie Heumann explains the connection between breathing and orgasm.

Breathing doesn't seem very sexy but it's the key to orgasmic pleasure and self-empowerment for women and to lasting longer for men. The benefits of learning new, simple ways of breathing are extraordinary and have direct health benefits, too. Breathing deeply into your belly increases relaxation, decreases tension and stress, helps women focus on pleasure and puts more oxygen into your blood stream. Oxygen is what delivers the 'O' in Orgasm. Read more

Homeopathy for Allergies: Nothing to Sneeze At

What would you rather do: invest in box after box of Kleenex, or try some simple and safe homeopathic medicine to treat your allergies.? Although these natural medicines will not "cure" one's allergy, they will often provide effective relief and will do so without side effects.

... One of the common homeopathic medicines for respiratory allergies is Allium cepa (the common onion). Because onions are known to cause tearing of the eyes and running of the nose, it is wonderfully effective in treating such symptoms when given in homeopathic microdoses. Specifically, people who will benefit from Allium cep experience a profuse, fluent, burning nasal discharge which is worse in a warm room and better in the open air. They have a profuse, bland (non-burning) tearing from the eyes with reddened eyes, and will desire to rub their eyes frequently. They experience a raw feeling in the nose with a tingling sensation and violent sneezing. A frontal congestive headache may be concurrent with their allergy symptoms. These symptoms tend to exacerbate after damp winds. Read more

Placebo Effect Starts in the Spine - Not Just the Mind

The placebo effect isn't just in the mind. It starts in the spine cord with the release of endorphins that block incoming pain signals, new research suggests.

If you thought the placebo effect was all in the mind, think again. Scientists have solved the mystery of why some people benefit from remedies that do not contain any active pain-relief ingredients.

Research suggests that placebos work, in part, by blocking pain signals in the spinal cord from arriving at the brain in the first place.

When patients expect a treatment to be effective the brain area responsible for pain control is activated, causing the release of natural endorphins.

The endorphins send a cascade of instructions down to the spinal cord to suppress incoming pain signals and patients feel better whether or not the treatment had any direct effect. Read more

Ancient Herbal Remedy Beats Hayfever

Researchers have discovered that the ancient herbal remedy butterbur is as effective as antihistamine drugs, but has none of the side effects.

Butterbur has been used by generations of herbalists as a potent way of treating the itchy eyes and runny noses of hay fever sufferers. Doctors have frequently dismissed such remedies as “old wives tales”. Now scientists have discovered that butterbur is as effective as the widely used antihistamine drugs, but has none of the nasty side-effects.

“Up to 20 per cent of antihistamine users suffer from drowsiness as a side-effect,” says Dr Andreas Schapowal, the scientist who led the team of researchers in Davos, Switzerland. “There are no specific side-effects with butterbur. It’s a safe and effective treatment.”

Over the past few years Dr Schapowal’s team has conducted a series of medical experiments using the plant. His latest investigation, a comprehensive “double-blind” trial of the type widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, has conclusively proved the effectiveness of the herb. Read more

Detox Your Body Now!

Obesity and a host of other nasty health problems can be caused or exacerbated by toxins in food.

Detoxification is a basic natural health solution. It is particularly important in this day and age when toxic chemicals are in our homes, our food, our air and our water.

A toxin is a substance that creates irritating and/or harmful effects to the body. Toxins tend to overwhelm our bodies and undermine our health over time. Signs of toxicity include lack of energy, forgetfulness, insomnia, digestive problems, arthritis and other joint related problems, bad breath or offensive body odor, acne, allergies, colitis, lower back pain, depression, neurological problems, etc.

There are currently 80,000 chemicals that are licensed for commercial use, with approximately 2,000 new chemical compounds being introduced each year. What most of us fail to realize is how and where these toxins are used. Many of these chemicals are in products we are exposed to every day. Much of our food contains chemicals that do not have to be disclosed. Read more

Pedicures Aren't Just for Women: Cracked Heel, Ingrown Toenails Can Be Source of Disease

Taking care of your feet, even getting pedicures, shouldn't be just for women. Cracked heels or ingrown toenails, for example, can be a source of disease - even fatal disease.

One night as Chris Banting was undressing for bed, he was surprised when his wife Helen pointed out to him that the back of his right calf was a worrying scarlet colour.

'It was strange because I wasn't in any discomfort at all,' says Chris, 62.

'If you have an infection, you think you'd be in pain or running a temperature, but I felt fine.'

It was November 2007 and the busiest time of the year in his job as a charity fundraising manager, but he decided it was something he should get checked out.

In fact, Chris was suffering from cellulitis - a serious bacterial infection of the skin.

Left untreated, the bacteria can spread through the body and cause potentially fatal blood poisoning or an infection of the muscle, bone or heart valve. Read more

9 Practical Tips for a Healthier Life

Margaret Durst, N.D., lists nine simple steps to improving your diet, digestion, and overall health.

1. Eat breakfast. How many times have you heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? It is, especially if you have low energy, headaches, and are stressed. What you eat for breakfast is important. Skip products made with white flour and white sugar – they will make you tired and more stressed. Make sure that you eat some form of protein – eggs, cottage cheese, yogurt, leftover supper, protein smoothie, etc.

2. Stay regular. Many health problems begin in the colon. Constipation is epidemic in America due to the processed nature of the typical diet. There are many natural solutions for constipation. One of the least well known is magnesium, which helps hydrate the colon and encourage regularity. Read more

12 Favorite Curative Herbs

Herbalist Cascade Anderson Geller reveals the dozen curative herbs that she turns to most often.

The criteria for getting on this list of favorite herbs is that I have to have known the herb very well, have used it for a long time, and it would have had to be successful the majority of times I used it. If you take any one of these plants, you can do so much with it. You don’t need to use too many herbs—my great-grandmother, who used only a handful of plants on a regular basis, was a very good herbalist. Below I discuss some of the herbs I turn to most often. Read more

4 Ways French Women Stay Thin (without the Gym)

There's nothing wrong with lifting weights or doing aerobics, but some women just don't like going to the gym to do their workouts. Does that mean they're doomed to a life of creeping weight gain and poor health? Not at all. French women are famous for their svelte figures, but they don't get them from working out at the gym. Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don’t Get Fat, reveals four ways French women stay thin (without the gym).

From the 15th floor windows of my New York City apartment, I have a clear view of a big and many windowed "health center," (aka a four-story gym complex). September is one of the gym’s busiest months. Right after Labor Day, active women, who I hope are incorporating daily outdoor activities with a seasonal summer flavor into their daily routines, flock indoors to the gym and an artificial routine of treadmills, exercise bikes and medieval torture devices. I see them sweating early mornings and late at night from my windows. I see them going and coming from my daily walk as I pass the gym.

It is a sign of the times — but also our American culture — that many women seem to have only two modes: sitting or spinning. They’re either avoiding even the slightest heart rate increase (like those women in my apartment building who take the elevator to the second floor) or they’re sentencing themselves to hours at the gym as punishment for their indulgences throughout the day. So often I see the begrudging look on women’s faces and hear the phrase, "I don’t want to go to the gym, but I have to." Pourquoi? If you are eating mindfully, and eating the correct portion sizes, you don’t have to torture yourself on those metal contraptions or run a marathon to stay trim. French women reject the notion of "no pain, no gain," opting for a more pleasurable notion of mild, sustained exertion. We prefer all-day movement, what I like to call "the slow burn," and we practice it as second nature instead of attacking it like boot camp. Read more

Allergies? Neti Pot Clears Congestion

New York Times “Really?” columnist Anahad O’Connor explores the claims and the science behindthe neti pot. Does it really clear congestion?

The Remedy: The Neti Pot

The Claim: It clears congestion.

The Science: Pills and nasal sprays are the obvious choice for allergies and congested sinuses. But both can have side effects, and some sprays in particular can lead to dependence and nasal irritation. For a quick home remedy, doctors recommend irrigating the sinus cavity with a mild saline solution. One option is to snort warm salt water from cupped hands. But a more convenient approach is to use a neti pot, which resembles a small teapot and sells in most stores for about $10, usually with packets of dry saline solution included. Read more

Hospital's New Policy Welcomes Shamans

Hmong shamans consult with doctors at Mercy Medical Center in California.

The patient in Room 328 had diabetes and hypertension. But when Va Meng Lee, a Hmong shaman, began the healing process by looping a coiled thread around the patient’s wrist, Mr. Lee’s chief concern was summoning the ailing man’s runaway soul.

“Doctors are good at disease,” Mr. Lee said as he encircled the patient, Chang Teng Thao, a widower from Laos, in an invisible “protective shield” traced in the air with his finger. “The soul is the shaman’s responsibility.”

At Mercy Medical Center in Merced, where roughly four patients a day are Hmong from northern Laos, healing includes more than IV drips, syringes and blood glucose monitors. Because many Hmong rely on their spiritual beliefs to get them through illnesses, the hospital’s new Hmong shaman policy, the country’s first, formally recognizes the cultural role of traditional healers like Mr. Lee, inviting them to perform nine approved ceremonies in the hospital, including “soul calling” and chanting in a soft voice. Read more

8 Natural Alternative to Swine Flu Vaccine

Instead of getting your government flu shot, try these natural supplements that will boost immunity and also help you recover from the flu fast if you happen to get it.

Flu – we all want to avoid it. Here are some natural options that will help build your immunity so you do not get it.

Olive leaf enhances immune function and fights all types ofa infections, including the flu virus. I see many people who tell me that they have not been sick since they began taking olive leaf daily. With olive leaf, quality is very important. The active component, oleuropein, should be 18% at a minimum. The best brands contain over 20% oleuropein. Read more

7 Benefits of Coconut Water

Coconut water is the clear liquid inside young coconuts, not to be confused with coconut milk. Coconut water has long been a popular drink in the tropics where it is available fresh, canned, or bottled. It is naturally fat-free and low in calories.

Many persons have gone to the Caribbean, the Pacific Islands, Florida, Hawaii, South America or Southern Asia and have tasted some very refreshing coconut water. The palm trees you have become accustomed to while on vacation are very potent sources of coconut water that has many health benefits and uses that you probably did not know about. Coconut water is the purest liquid second only to water itself. It is chock full of electrolytes, calcium, potassium, magnesium; everything that is good for you.

Coconut water is the liquid that is taken from unripe coconuts. If coconuts get ripe the liquid that is inside will harden and become a part of the white flesh of the coconut, which is used to make coconut milk. So, picking the coconut while it is unripe will ensure that the body gets all the benefits of coconut water. Read more

Kava Kava: A Natural Anxiety Reducer

Kava kava has been used as a ceremonial beverage in the Pacific Islands for thousands of years. It is believed to have originated in Melanesia, and been drunk for hundreds of years by native islanders. In addition to its ceremonial purposes, kava is perhaps best known for its relaxing qualities. Kava is said to elevate mood, well-being, and contentment, and produce a feeling of relaxation. Several studies have found that kava may be useful in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, and related nervous disorders.

Summer is coming to a close and September is the biggest month for going back to school, acquiring new projects at work, and no doubt a new set of things to be anxious about. Instead of popping prescription meds for that new bout of anxiety, stop it before it gets too far with a little bit of natural help. The Kava kava plant is here to help slow your mind and reduce your workday, school day, and dinner time anxieties.

Kava kava—or scientifically termed Piper methysticum—is native to many island nations in and around Polynesia (including Hawaii) where it has been used for centuries as a ceremonial herb to induce intoxication as a way to calm the patrons of celebrations. Although the kava plant has large, green leaves and stems, the actual root is the only part of the plant that is used for medicinal or recreational purposes. Read more

Houseplants Make Air Healthier

Not only are houseplants a stylish accessory for any interior décor, but they also are a healthy addition to any room, as they convert carbon dioxide to oxygen while absorbing pollutants.

Houseplants can neutralize harmful ozone, making indoor air cleaner, according to a new study.

Ozone, which is the main component of smog, forms when high-energy light, such as the ultraviolet light from the sun, breaks oxygen bonds, ultimately resulting in O3, three atoms of oxygen joining together. When formed higher up in the atmosphere, the ozone layer protects us from harmful UV rays. Ground-level ozone is not so pleasant.

While indoor ozone is a bigger problem in many developing countries, owing to the burning of biomass for cooking and heat in poorly ventilated quarters, the colorless gas can infiltrate from outdoors into offices and homes, even in developed countries. In addition, copy machines and printers, along with other equipment, can boost ozone concentrations indoors, the researchers say. Read more

Acne Skin Care

Acne is defined as a diseased condition of the skin that involves the hair and oil glands. It is characterized by pimples, black/white heads, reddishness and cysts. Face acne can spoil your appearance to a great extent and body acne can really ruin your day by making you very uncomfortable. Considering acne as a minor problem, some people tend to totally discard the topic of acne skin care. However, the importance of acne skin care cannot be undermined in any way.

Acne skin care should really start much before the acne actually appears. Acne skin care is more about being proactive than reactive. Acne skin care is about being aware of preventive measures. Acne skin care is - following daily skin care routines with complete discipline. So let’s have a look at how acne skin care can be applied to our daily routine.

Acne skin care starts with the most basic thing - cleanliness. Morning showers are the most basic way of keeping the skin clean. In fact, a lot of people take night showers too (that not only helps in keeping your skin clean but also provides relaxation to your body and enables a good sleep). If you are living in a hot and/or humid place, a night shower becomes a must. In fact, a shower is recommended after any activity that causes high levels of sweat to develop. It’s a very effective ‘acne skin care’ technique.

However, acne skin care is not about just showers. Acne skin care is also about wearing clean clothes and sleeping on clean pillows. Moreover, too tight clothes can cause sweat to accumulate quickly; so soft and comfortable cotton clothes are recommended, especially if you already have acne. In the same sense, ‘acne skin care’ also advocates regular cleaning of your make-up brush and any equipment that you use on your body.

Besides that, you should also use a mild, water-soluble, oil-free and soap-free cleanser for keeping your face, neck and arms clean. Cleansing is the most important part of any acne skin care routine. Cleaners are the easiest and the most effective way of removing dirt, grease, pollutants and excess oil from your skin; thus reducing the probability of acne occurrence. Acne skin care also recommends removing your make up using a make up remover, and this should happen before you go to bed (not in the morning).

If you already have acne, do not try to touch them or squeeze pimples; it can lead to permanent scars. Acne skin care requires gentle cleansing and cleaning of the affected area using an over-the-counter medication and a clean/soft cotton pad. There are various acne skin care creams and lotions available over-the-counter (a lot of these acne skin care products are actually just cleansers). However, if these acne skin care measures don’t give you the desired results, you can contact a dermatologist for acne skin care advice and treatment.

To find out about a clinically proven, step-by-step system for permanently curing your acne and achieving lasting clear skin faster than you ever thought possible, click here!

Diabetes: Poor Lifestyle or Something Else?

People are often told that diabetes is their own fault, a result of poor lifestyle, but could there be something else to blame?

We are often told that diabetes is due to poor lifestyles, junk food and lack of exercise.

As a person who has diabetes, and is now insulin dependent, as well as having other health problems, I always felt this was too simplistic.

Recently I asked to be referred to sort out a problem that I have had for around 50 years - poor joints and muscles. I was referred to an enhanced physiotherapist who after asking me many questions is to refer me to a Rheumatologist.

One thing she said struck me as odd: she asked if I had ever been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. Whilst I have been told that one joint (my right wrist) does have arthritis I always believed it was due to osteo-arthritis. I have had problems all my life practically with regards to this wrist and other joints in my body.

I decided to check out Rhumatoid Arthritis (RA) on the internet and was surprised to find it is an auto-immune disease. As I looked further into this I discovered that diabetes, and underactive thyroid, are also auto-immune diseases. As no medical professional up to now has ever said this to me I was very surprised, considering I have both of these diseases. Read more

Olive Leaf Offers Many Healing Benefits

Olive leaf has many healing benefits, including fighting off colds and flu.

The healing benefits of olive leaf has been used for thousands of years and originated in Ancient Egypt. The olive leaf was used by many as a sign of heavenly power. In the 1850`s, there is documentation showing how olive leaf cured malaria in its final stages.

If you live a stressful life and you normally get colds and flu, then olive leaf is just what you need. Many have had great success with this herb. Olive leaf has a bitter compound called oleuropein, which is the reason for its disease fighting compound. Read More

Half of UK Family Doctors Refuse Swine Flu Vaccine

Half of the family doctors in the UK will refuse to be vaccinated for swine flu. Why? What do they know that the government doesn't?

Up to half of family doctors do not want to be vaccinated against swine flu.

GPs will be first in the line for the jabs when they become available but many will decline, even though they will be offering the vaccine to their patients.

More than two thirds of those who will turn the jab down believe it has not been tested enough. Most also believe the flu has turned out to be so mild in the vast majority of cases that the vaccine is not needed. Read more

The Natural, Detoxifying Wonder (Non)Drug SAMe

SAMe is a natural, detoxifying wonder (non) drug that you can buy at a health food store.

SAMe is a biological compound that is found in every cell in the human body. It is important because it plays a key role in methylation which is a process that activates more than a hundred different processes in the body – from preserving joint health, protecting against heart disease, and producing neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

The average adult makes about 6 to 8 grams of SAMe per day. Most of this is made in the liver where it works to detoxify the body of poisons such as drugs, alcohol, heavy metals, pesticides and solvents. Numerous research studies have found that raising the level of SAMe in the body helps to reduce the age related biological processes that result in diseases such as depression, osteoarthritis and liver disorders.

Research has shown that SAMe stimulates cartilage to grow which is a component in reversing osteoarthritis. Read more

Protect Your Breasts with Vitamin D

To protect our breasts, Dr. Christiane Northrup recommends that every woman check her vitamin D level regularly and keep it in the optimal range.

There's a paradigm shift going on in medicine as new research reveals a far greater role for vitamin D. Vitamin D is not just for kids -- or the prevention of rickets. Optimal levels of Vitamin D (40-80 ng/ml) enhance the creation and functioning of healthy cells throughout the body. In addition to protecting the bones and boosting the immune system, studies show that Vitamin D helps prevent certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate, and colorectal.Exciting new research shows that in the U.S. alone, thousands of new cases of breast cancer could be prevented every year if more women had optimal levels of vitamin D.

A study conducted by Cedric Garland and other prominent vitamin D researchers determined that women with vitamin D levels above 52 ng/ml have half the risk of developing breast cancer as those with 13 ng/ml! Garland (et al) estimates that 58,000 new cases of breast cancer in the U.S. could be prevented per year by raising vitamin D levels to 52 ng/ml. Imagine what the global impact could be! Read more

20 Natural Aphrodisiacs

Put down the Viagra. Sarah Irani has 20 delicious, healthful aphrodisiacs to rev up your sex life.

If you’ve got sex on the brain but your body’s feeling unsexy, put away the blue pill! You don’t need Viagra, you need food. (Just not potato chips.) Sexual health and energy is synonymous with a healthy, energized you. An active lifestyle, balanced diet and self-confidence are the best ways to get the sexual charge you need – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few foods out there that can give you that extra…boost you’re looking for. Read more

Weight Training Benefits Breast Cancer Survivors

Breast cancer patients often suffer from a multitude of secondary complaints, such as insomnia, weight gain, chronic fatigue, depression, and anxiety. Exercise has been identified as a possible treatment for quality of life-limiting symptoms. However, aerobic exercise has only half the effect of strength training.

Weight training significantly improves the quality of life of women recently treated for breast cancer, according to a new study. Published in the journal Cancer, the study indicates six months of twice weekly exercise that improved strength and body composition was enough to result in improvements in the overall physical and emotional condition of the patients. This is the first randomized trial to study the effects of weight training on quality of life in breast cancer patients. Read more

A Natural Approach to Lowering Blood Pressure

If your blood pressure is high, but not in the critical zone, why not try a natural approach to lowering it? If you're already on medication, though, you need to be monitored by your doctor if you follow this approach, since your dosage may need to be reduced over time.

High blood pressure is one of the most common health concerns in America, affecting over 50% of those over the age of 65. Because high blood pressure usually causes no symptoms until complications develop, it is known as the “silent killer”. High blood pressure triples your risk of having heart attacks. It also increases your chances of having a stroke.

From a natural point of view, high blood pressure is the result of improper diet. The standard American diet tends to be too high in foods that clog the veins and arteries. Changing the diet to a more natural one with more fruits and vegetables, more fiber, healthy oils, lower salt, and leaner cuts of meat helps to lower blood pressure. Read more

Are Diabetes and Insulin Resistance Reversible?

Are diabetes and insulin resistance reversible? The medical profession says no, but Dr. Mark Hyman says they are.

Diabetes is not reversible and controlling your blood sugar with drugs or insulin will protect you from organ damage and death.

That is what the medical profession would have you believe, but medication and insulin can actually increase your risk getting a heart attack or dying.

The diabetes epidemic is accelerating along with the obesity epidemic, and what you are not hearing about is another way to treat it. Read more

Home Remedies to Treat Damaged Hair

A home remedy to treat damaged hair of all kinds is to apply mayonnaise from root to tip, wrap the head in Saran Wrap, apply heat to the covered hair to open up the hair follicles, and then shampoo after 20 minutes.

The Hot and Sexy Food Pyramid: Foods That Improve Your Sex Life

Did you know that the food you eat affects, not only your sexual desire and stamina, but also the taste of your semen and vagina? Here is a pyramid scheme you can get into - the Hot And Sexy Food Pyramid.

What Foods Are Good for Your Sex Drive and Promote Sexual Endurance?

Fruits are bursting with anti-oxidants and fiber, so stock up on your favorites. My husband and I prefer apples, apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, pomegranates (already known for their aphrodisiac qualities), raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.

Enjoy phallic-shaped scrumptious veggies such as carrots, corn, and zucchini. Asparagus is good for your sex drive, but it will make your semen taste bitter, so enjoy asparagus in moderation if you are concerned about taste. Read more

Save Your Skin and Your Money

You can save your skin, and your money with effective, natural sunburn remedies, says Sarah Noel.

It seems simple: Protect your skin with sunscreen to avoid sunburn.

But sometimes you might forget, and it's hours before it becomes evident you're burned. For serious burns, seek medical attention. But to get you through the first 24 hours of a mild sunburn (read: no blisters) that stings and causes discomfort, take some ibuprofen and drink plenty of water to rehydrate your body. You can use a few frugal, natural remedies, too. Most of these items you'll already have at home, so you won't have to spend any extra money and can get immediate relief without running to the store.

How do you ease the pain from sunburn? Here are a few suggestions. Read more

50 Medicinal Herbs You Can Grow in Your Own Garden

Do you want to grow your own medicinal herbs? Herbs are used for many things these days and in addition to being great flavoring for foods, there are also herbs that can be used for medicinal purposes.

Modern medicine certainly works wonders, but there’s something to be said for alternative medicine. Herbs and plants have been used to cure ailments for centuries. These 50 miracle plants may look like weeds, but they are plants you’ll want to keep around if you prefer alternative medicinal sources.

1. Ginseng – This wonder working plant come in two forms American ginseng and Chinese ginseng. Chinese ginseng is used to improve circulation, while its American counterpart reduces fever and respiratory tract disorders. Ginseng is also used to increase energy through supplements or powders. This perennial plant grows best in cool climates.
2. Dong quai - This simple herb can help with high blood pressure, allergies, and even menopause. The herb grows best in summer or autumn, and is best grown in trays.
3. Wild Yam Roots - These yams make for a great natural treatment of nausea, rheumatoid arthritis, and menstrual cramps. Natively from China, these roots grow best in temperate climates. Read more
   

12 Massage Styles to Help You Conquer Tension

We know a massage feels good, but it can have a host of therapeutic benefits, too.

We all need to be kneaded. And in this time of economic stress, taking the time for self care is of utmost importance. Whether you choose to give your shoulders some shiatsu love or treat your feet to the pressure and release of reflexology, read through our list of hands-on bodywork techniques and figure out which one is for you. Cheaper--and faster--than a vacation, body work can quickly release your tension and leave you calm and refreshed. Indulge your muscles--they will be thankful! Read more

Go Green for Better Health: Leafy Greens, That Is

A study by the University of California, Los Angeles and Louisiana State University found that those who consumed salad and raw vegetables had a higher concentration of vitamins in their bloodstream, but according to dietitian Helen Tracey, we need to eat them in much greater quantities.

With salad season in full swing, you may wonder whether some leaves are healthier than others.

'All leafy greens are good for you,' says dietician Helen Tracey, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.

'Some are higher in nutrients than others but overall they're a good source of vitamins C, E, calcium and antioxidants, including phytonutrients such as lutein, which is thought to form a chemical that some studies suggest can lower the risk of developing cataracts in later life.' Read more

Does Natural Penis Enlargement REALLY Work?

Just as many women want bigger breasts, many men want a bigger penis, but penile augmention has never caught on the way breast augmentation has. Men are understandably reluctant to let a surgeon use a scapel on their "manhood." Is there an alternative for men? Does natural penis enlargement really work? The medical profession claims it doesn't, but they say the same about natural breast enlargement, and I know that works. Svetlana Ivanova of Sex Secrets says natural penis enlargement exercises do work for at least some men.

Does natural penis enlargement really work? I can’t speak directly from personal experience, lacking the equipment to do so. However, I know that penis enlargement exercises work for at least some men because a former lover – after I commented of the size of his penis – confessed that he had used them to increase his penis size an inch and a half. I can’t think of any possible reason for a man to say that unless it were true. Read more

The Ancient and Enduring Fountain of Youth: Bee Pollen

Bee pollen is an old-time dietary supplement - really old-time. The early Egyptian and early Chinese civilizations both used it. That doesn't mean that it's not still one of the best supplements you can take though.

The health benefits of bee pollen

Bee pollen is one of nature’s healthiest and most powerful “superfoods.” It’s been used as a dietary supplement for thousands of years. The early Egyptian and early Chinese civilizations both used it as a physical rejuvenator and medicine. The Greek physician Hippocrates, recognized as the father of modern medicine, used pollen as a healing substance over 2,500 years ago. Today natural health practitioners often refer to bee pollen as an herbal “fountain of youth” that can be used for everything from weight loss to cancer prevention. It may be nature's most perfect food...

Bee pollen has been shown to help people: Read more

Rid Yourself of Toxic Fluoride

Fluoride is a toxic chemical forced onto to us by government coercion.Any benefit it provides can be gained by brushing and flossing. Fortunately, several easy natural remedies can get rid of this harmful chemical.

You can rid you body of most fluorides with some easy natural remedies. Fluorides have been linked to a variety of severe chronic, even acute health issues. First a quick review summary of fluoride.

Fluoride Toxicity

Fluoride is a soluble salt, not a heavy metal. There are two basic types of fluoride. Calcium fluoride appears naturally in underground water sources and even seawater. Enough of it can cause skeletal or dental fluorosis, which weakens bone and dental matter. But it is not nearly as toxic, nor does it negatively affect so many other health issues as sodium fluoride, which is added to many water supplies. Read more

Coffee May Reverse Alzheimer's Disease

Drinking five cups of coffee a day could reverse the memory problems of Alzheimer's disease. Scientists proved it on mice, anyway.

Drinking five cups of coffee a day could reverse memory problems seen in Alzheimer's disease, US scientists say.

The Florida research, carried out on mice, also suggested caffeine hampered the production of the protein plaques which are the hallmark of the disease.

Previous research has also suggested a protective effect from caffeine. Read more

Feel Bad and Don't Know Why?

Not feeling well, but don't know why? Too much intestinal yeast lays low many men and women.

Yeast overgrowth is a health concern that is thought to be a woman’s problem. This is simply not true. Both men and women can have an intestinal flora imbalance that results in yeast overgrowth. Another popular misconception is that yeast overgrowth is a local problem confined to a woman’s body. This is also not true. Yeast overgrowth is a systemic problem that can affect any human regardless of gender. Also, women can have yeast overgrowth and never manifest a localized symptom.

Candida albicans is the yeast that commonly lives in the mouth, throat, intestines, and genitourinary tract of most humans. It is a normal part of our intestinal flora that is kept in balance by a healthy immune system. When the natural balance of flora is altered, colonies of yeast will flourish throughout the body producing many adverse physical and mental symptoms. Read more

The Latest Anti-Cancer Substance: Licorice

Licorice is the latest weapon in the battle to beat cancer.

Liquorice could offer valuable protection against sunburn and skin cancer which, say Cancer Research UK, has become the most common cancer among 15- to 34-year-olds.

According to the National Cancer Institute in the US, when applied to the skin, liquorice extract helps combat UV damage and can reduce sunburn by acting as a powerful anti-inflammatory.

Researchers at the Institute of Chinese Medical Science in Taiwan have now discovered why. They found that the active molecule glycyrrhizin blocks AP-1, a protein that can cause inflammation and cancer. Read more

The Amazing Benefits of Skin Brushing

Dry skin brushing makes the skin glow by removing the top dull, dead layer of skin and encouraging new cells to regenerate. The gentle massaging motion of the bristles also has a beneficial effect on areas of cellulite and is an effective treatment for helping eliminate toxins from the body during a detoxification program, says Sheryl Walters.

Skin care is literally a billion dollar a year business. Thousands of people are drawn in to buying creams, scrubs, soaps and oils every day by the promise of younger, firmer, wrinkle free skin. Many of these products do have their uses. They can stop the skin from becoming dry, sore and cracked; many can even reduce acne and help smooth out fine lines. But none of them can boast the all around cleansing benefits that are associated with the age old practice of dry skin brushing. Read more

Aphrodisiac Foods: Foods That Feed Your Sex Drive

There are foods that boost energy, sharpen memory, and even fight flab. But the snacks here serve a sexier purpose: They improve your lust life. Feast on your favorites to feel friskier.

Hot Chilies

Capsaicin, a chemical found in fiery peppers, increases circulation to get blood pumping and stimulates nerve endings so you'll feel more turned on.
Read more

The Anti–Red Bull: A Drink to Calm You Down

There is a new beverage gaining popularity called Drank. Not content with following the herd of energy drinks, Drank is the antithesis of such products, claiming to be "the anti-energy drink," whose slogan is "slow your roll." This purple carbonated beverage is infused with melatonin, valerian root, and rose hips which give it a sedating effect.

... What the heck is this stuff? On its purple cans, Drank calls itself an "Extreme Relaxation Beverage." The drink's motto: "Slow your roll." [Peter] Bianchi, a former financier who started Innovative Beverage seven years ago and introduced Drank in early 2008, pitches his product as an alternative to alcohol. "We wanted to give the people on the go something to drink during the day which would help them relax, calm down, and not have to keep an old bottle of gin in their drawer," says Bianchi. You can also take a sip before bedtime and perhaps save yourself some cash the next day. "Something like this gives you a better night's sleep," says Bianchi. "You're going to wake up feeling better rested and less apt to get a double venti-venti-venti at Starbucks, then wash it down with a Red Bull just to get through your day." Read more

Natural Diabetes Cure: Lower Blood Sugar 20% in Two Weeks

The People's Chemist teaches how to use a simple and effective replacement for dangerous prescription drugs used to manage Type II diabetes.

Deflate Your Tummy: Some Foods and Drinks to Avoid

Alison Johnson lists some foods and drinks to avoid if you're trying to deflate your tummy.

Extra fluid and gas can puff up even the fittest among us. Beyond eating right and exercising, here are some foods and drinks to avoid if you're trying to deflate your tummy:

Salty foods. Water molecules are attracted to sodium, so you'll retain more fluids if you pour on the seasoning or eat lots of processed foods.

Certain produce. Broccoli, cabbage, citrus fruits, onions and peppers are top examples of healthy foods that contain difficult-to-digest sugars, which can cause gas. Even if you're susceptible, though, don't stop eating them; try limiting servings to a half cup at a time. Cooking raw veggies also can help.

Soda. Not surprisingly, the carbonation in soft drinks can cause bloat. Alcohol, coffee and some fruit juices also can cause intestinal irritation and swelling, so stick mainly to water and unsweetened teas that will help your body flush out waste products. Read more

Take Care of Your Heart and Mind: Brush and Floss Your Teeth

Brushing and flossing is not only good for your teeth and gums, but also for your heart and mind.

Brushing and flossing your teeth daily does more than help prevent cavities, periodontal (gum) disease and bad breath. According to the American Academy of Periodontology, having healthy teeth and gums also lowers your risk of heart disease and stroke. And now researchers at West Virginia University have found a clean mouth may also do something else -- prevent memory loss. Read more

Worried about Wrinkles? Then Stop Eating Sugar

Can sugar give you wrinkles? It seems that it can because high blood sugar levels react with collagen in the skin - in a bad way.

... Some skin experts believe that sugar is one of the worst culprits when it comes to ageing. The top part of our skin, the epidermis, is made up of four to five layers of cells, the outermost two of which are flattened and dead, and below it is a hive of activity packed with arteries, veins, lymph vessels and nerve fibres, oil-producing glands, sweat glands and two protein structures known as collagen and elastin, which act a bit like a body stocking, holding the skin together.

Collagen consists of bundles of interlacing protein fibres, which tend to run lengthways in the skin of the face and neck. White in colour, collagen has a great ability to absorb shock, giving the skin strength, resilience and firmness.

The view is that when blood-sugar levels are high — eg, when you have just eaten those mid-morning biscuits — a process called “glycation” takes place in the skin, which involves the blood sugar binding to the collagen fibres, making them harden. Read more

Got Earaches? Garlic Is the Answer

Garlic isn't just for high blood pressure. It can also ease the pain of earaches.

An earache is an awful thing to experience. Everyone has experienced one at some time of his/her life. It was probably an event so traumatic, that s/he is bound to remember. An earache can be caused by a number of things. These could include infections, allergies, or even situations with your teeth. Although much more common in children, the many adults that have experienced an earache, say it was the worst pain they have ever experienced. While looking for natural remedies to help ease the pain naturally, consider these.

Use garlic. Garlic has been known to help a painful earache. Read more

Worried About Dangerous Statin Drugs? Try Red Yeast Rice Instead

Worried about dangerous statin drugs? Red yeast rice may lower cholesterol.

Two years ago, Chuck Jones of Yardley had high cholesterol, but his medicine caused severe leg cramps that routinely ruined his sleep.

Since participating in a clinical trial of red yeast rice, a supplement taken in China for centuries, Jones has gotten his cholesterol under control.

And within a week of starting the rice, "the pain was gone," the 59-year-old chemist said.

For Jones and most other "statin-intolerant" patients, red yeast rice combined with a heart-healthy diet and exercise helped lower bad "LDL" cholesterol, concludes a small study published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Read more

Spice Up Your Sex Life

An older gentleman tells The People's Pharmacy how he spiced up his sex life with cinnamon and ginko biloba.

You recently ran a letter from a fellow who was disappointed in the herbal sex pills he bought. I, too, am an older gentleman who has faced challenges in the virility department. I'd tried maca, horny goat weed and other herbs with few real, sustained results.

I also had started putting cinnamon on my cereal to help lower my high cholesterol. I noticed on days that I ate this breakfast I was much more likely to be successful than on days that I didn't.

Then a lady friend of mine suggested Ginkgo biloba. I'd never heard of using ginkgo for male potency before, but let me tell you the difference for me has been significant and sustained. It now is easier to get and maintain a state of readiness than it has been for years. I can be ready again in 20 minutes as opposed to 24 hours. I take one tablet after breakfast and one after dinner, so spontaneity is no problem. I hope this helps other readers as much as it has helped me. Read more

Want More Energy, Better Sleep, a Clearer Mind? It May Be Time to Clean Your Organs

Want more energy, better sleep, and a clearer mind? It may be time to clean your organs, says Margaret Durst.

Cleansing the body periodically is one of the tenets of natural health. The purpose of cleansing is to assist the body in eliminating harmful toxins which helps the body run more effectively and efficiently which translates to better health. As adults, 80% of our energy goes towards eliminating byproducts of normal metabolism from our bodies. Our bodies are actually very good at eliminating things that we don’t need; however, our modern diets with lots of refined and processed foods tend overwhelm our bodies and clog not just our arteries, but our livers, colons, lymph system and kidneys as well.

From a naturopathic perspective, most problems with health arise either from deficiency or congestion. Congestion involves both overconsumption and reduced eliminative function. Many of our acute and chronic diseases result from clogged tissues, suffocated cells, and subsequent loss of vital energy. Frequent colds and flus, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and allergies are all consequences of congestive disorders. Read more

What Happens When a Natural Remedies Guru Comes Down With Swine Flu?

Even a natural remedies guru can come down with swine flu. Sara Altshul's experience is a reminder that natural remedies don't work for everyone all the time - though they're safer and less expensive than pharmaceuticals when they don't.

When I wrote about ways to prevent the H1N1 flu virus last month, I never suspected I might actually catch the bug myself. I’m healthy, and I’m committed to my three-times-a-week gym workouts; plus, I eat well, and I take vitamins. So when, a few days ago, I started feeling flu-ish, I was pretty surprised.

Immediately, I took regular doses of echinacea, a known antiviral herb, and Sambucol, a black elderberry extract that’s been proven to kill 10 different strains of flu virus (though I don’t know whether H1N1 is one of them). I did not, however, order the two different Chinese herbs recommended by Martha Howard, MD, the director of Wellness Associates of Chicago, Center for Advanced Integrative Environmental Medicine, that I wrote about in my flu blog.
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I was pretty disappointed when neither the echinacea nor the black elderberry staved off my symptoms, which came on with a bang: fever of 103, pounding headache—in fact, my entire body aches, a dramatic cough, no appetite, and extreme fatigue. Read more

How to Make Herbal Master Tonic

Master Tonic, which contains garlic, horseradish, ginger, cayenne peppers, and onion in an apple cider vinegar base. fixes colds, flu, and respiratory problems. It's also an immune booster, anti-allergy, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti anything that can hurt you. Even though "HealthyHerbalist" took the formula from either Dr. Richard Schulze or Sam Biser (see formula on Biser's website) without acknowledgement, the directions for making it are good.

The Importance of Fat

The function of fat is to protect your body, but when our body is overloaded with “stuff” it can’t handle, it must put it somewhere, so it stores it as fat. Margaret Durst says there are a couple of diets that deal with detoxifying the body while stopping the onslaught of new “stuff," and they can really melt that toxic fat right off your body.

Fat – that horrible stuff that hangs in all the wrong places on your body. I’m not even sure that there is a “right” place for the stuff. Americans in general have been getting fat for some time and it seems to have gotten worse lately. Why?

The function of fat on the body is to protect us. We need it for padding, but it also functions like a pocket or purse. Our bodies get overloaded with the wrong kinds of food, with toxins from the chemicals that are used to process our food and from environmental toxins such as cleaning products, pesticides and synthetic fragrances.

When our body is overloaded with “stuff” it can’t handle, it must put it somewhere – so it stores it as fat. The body means to come back and deal with the “stuff” later, but we feed it more bad food and chemicals and so it never catches up, but continues to stash the “stuff”.

Most people with excess body fat are very toxic and tend to have congested or sluggish livers. The liver is one of our major organs of detoxification. When it gets overwhelmed, our metabolism gets slow, we gain more weight and we have difficulty losing weight.

The good news is that there are a couple of diets that deal with detoxifying the body while stopping the onslaught of new “stuff”. These can really melt that toxic fat right off your body. Read more

Prevent Cancer with Diet and Exercise

Changes in your diet and and exercise could prevent 25 percent of cancer, according to a new report.

Nearly a quarter of cancers could be prevented by simple changes in diet and exercise, including up to 70 percent of cases of certain varieties, according to a report issued by the World Cancer Research Fund.

"The evidence linking diet, physical activity, obesity and cancer has become stronger over the last decade and this report can play a part in people adopting healthier lifestyles," said Mike Richards, the United Kingdom's National Clinical Director for Cancer. "After not smoking, it is clear that diet and weight are the most important things people can do to reduce their risk." Read more

The Best Kept Diet Secret

What's the best kept diet secret? The right soups tame the dieter's worst enemy: hunger.

Imagine a typical lunchtime meal – say, chicken and vegetables with a glass of water.

If you eat the food and drink the water, you will feel full for a couple of hours before hunger kicks in. But if you blend the food with the water – to make soup – you will stay hunger-free for much longer, and less likely to snack through the afternoon.

How can blending the food into soup make such a difference? The answer lies in the stomach. Scientists have used ultrasound and MRI scans of people's stomachs to investigate what happens after eating solid-food-plus-water meals compared with the same food made into soup. Read more

For Summer Sunburn: 10 Natural, Safe Food and Herbal Remedies

Sunburn is better avoided than treated, but here are five food and five herbal remedies to soothe the pain, inflammation, redness, and discomfort if it happens.

When summer arrives, sunburn often isn’t far behind. Perhaps you forget to put on your sunscreen, or you don’t put enough on, or maybe you’re someone who doesn’t worry about sunburn. Until it happens.

Here are five food and five herbal remedies to soothe the pain, inflammation, redness, and discomfort of sunburn. While you are treating your sunburn, remember to keep hydrated with cool water or herbal teas. Read more

How to Avoid Dementia

A new study suggests that an effective way to ward off Alzheimer's disease is to keep working.

Keeping the brain active by working later in life may be an effective way to ward off Alzheimer's disease, research suggests.

Researchers analysed data from 1,320 dementia patients, including 382 men.

They found that for the men, continuing to work late in life helped keep the brain sharp enough to delay dementia taking hold. Read more

Low-Fat Dieting Can Lead to Depression

Not everyone is aware that the "scientific consensus" that fat is bad for you was wrong. Some people - particularly women - are still trying to lose weight by limiting fats, which leads to mood problems like depression.

The subject of dietary fat is always one of controversy - fat is good, fat is bad. Eat this fat, not that fat. And it always seems that information is changing and new opinions contradict the old. So what is true? Most people still assume that when it comes down to it, the less fat the better. It's literally a sad misconception, since research is showing low-fat diets are behind mood problems like depression. Read more

Easing Sneezing: Can Diet Help Season Allergies?

A reader asks The Times if diet can ease hay fever symptoms.

My annual hay fever misery has begun. I’m talking antihistamnines and using eye drops which the pharmacist advised. is there anything I can eat and drink that may just help to ease my symptons.

As you will know, hay fever is a seasonal allergic reaction to various pollens and can cause anything from a blocked and runny nose to itchy, watery eyes, copious amounts of sneezing, and if you are unlucky, all of these. Pollen has this effect in some people because the immune system thinks that pollen is the enemy (like a bacterial or viral infection) and stimulates it to release histamine and other compounds to fend it off. This triggers inflammation at the point where the pollen entered your body — the eyes, nose and throat. You have done the right thing in going to the pharmacist and if symptoms worsen, a trip to your GP may be necessary. Read more

Binge Drinking Increases Risk of Dementia

While a little wine may help you live longer, heavy alcohol consumption increases the risk of dementia later in life, especially for women.

Heavy drinking may be to blame for one in four cases of dementia. Doctors have linked alcohol intake to the development of the brain-wasting condition in between 10 and 24% of the estimated 700,000 people in the UK with the disease.

They warn that binge drinking and increased consumption are likely to produce an epidemic of alcohol-related brain damage in the future, which could see drinkers starting to experience serious memory problems in their 40s.

Women who drink a lot are at much greater risk than men of suffering problems with their cognitive functions, because they are physiologically less well able to cope with alcohol's effects. Read more

5 Minutes to Whole-Body Rejuvenation

This video demonstrates a stretch that targets the hips, which in turn increases circulation and vibrancy throughout your whole body. You can participate by sitting in a chair, wearing whatever you happen to be wearing (although if that includes a belt, loosen it slightly first to breathe and move more easily).

The Best and Worst Brain Foods

Food is the ultimate natural remedy since we have to eat. Here's a list of the best and worst foods to eat to for performing various mental tasks.

If you want to make the right decisions in confusing times—Time to refinance? Explore a different career? Root for the singing spinster or the 12-year-old?—you need to pay special attention to what you eat. That’s right: Your grocery list can help with your to-do list. That’s because the right foods are a kind of clean-burning fuel for your body’s biggest energy hog: Your brain. A study in the Journal of Physiology makes the point that, though your brain represents only 2 percent of your body weight, it makes 20 percent of the energy demands on your resting metabolism.

On our new Eat This, Not That! Web site, we rounded up the best foods to munch on when you need a mental boost—and found studies that show, in fact, that you can be up to 200 percent more productive if you make the right eating choices. Stock up on these items to halt mental decline, jog your memory, sharpen your senses, improve your performance, activate your feel-good hormones, and protect your quick-witted sharpness, whether you’re 15, 40—or not admitting to any age whatsoever! Read more

Want to Live Longer? Drink a Little Wine

A new study finds that drinking a little wine each day boosts men's life expectancy by five years.

Men who regularly drank up to a half a glass of wine each day boosted their life expectancy by five years, Dutch researchers report.

Light, long-term alcohol consumption of all types of beverages, whether wine, spirits or beer, increased life by 2.5 years among men compared with abstention, the researchers found. By "light," they meant up to 20 grams, or about 0.7 ounces a day. Read more

12 Foods Every Pantry Should Have

"Recipes for Health" author Martha Rose Sulman lists twelve foods every pantry should have, so you will always be able to throw together a good, healthful meal.

In her online series for The New York Times, “Recipes for Health” author Martha Rose Shulman offers delicious foods that also reflect scientific thinking about health. Last week she responded to dozens of reader questions about healthy eating, “Recipes for Health: Talk to the Chef.”

Several readers asked about the best foods to stock the pantry. Today, Ms. Shulman offers 12 foods she always tries to keep on hand. “With these ingredients, I know I will always be able to throw together a healthy, good meal,” she says. Read more

Sunflower Seeds Are Nature's Answer to Antidepressant Drugs

Which are better for anxiety and depression: antidepressant drugs or sunflower seeds? Since studies show that antidepressant drugs don't work, why not give tasty, nutritious sunflower seeds a try?

Sunflowers are the earthly representation of the sun. They have such an affinity for the life giving force that they twist on their stems so their faces can bask in sunlight all through the day. Photons from the sun are stored in the DNA of the sunflower, making its seed resonate with the photons in human cells. This resonance is good for mind as well as body, and makes sunflowers one of the top foods for fighting depression.

Key nutrients raise serotonin levels and boost nerve function naturally

If we believe that we are what we eat, it is clear that nerves depend on what they are fed. While all of the wealth of nutrients found in sunflower seeds contributes to nerve health, sunflower seeds are particularly rich in key nutrients that have a direct impact on alleviating depression. Their high levels of magnesium counterbalance calcium, helping to regulate nerve function. And the substantial content of the amino acid, tryptophan, enhances serotonin production and thus improves mood. Read more

How to Live without Health Insurance

Many people are losing their health insurance due to unemployment. Lila Rajiva tells what to do if it happens to you.

I stopped carrying health insurance over five years ago for many reasons that I won't get into here. It wasn't a big decision, because I'd done without it for a couple of years when I was between jobs

In any case, when I had it, it was never much use. I was misdiagnosed on a couple of things and ended up having to treat myself. I got to resenting the way some doctors never really listened. I bridled at having my questions treated like the uninformed babble of a simpleton.

And since I had to pay most of the bill for "maintenance" items like vision and dentistry anyway, dropping insurance altogether seemed like the logical thing to do.

That doesn't mean it will work for you, though. Especially if you have an on-going illness, be sure to do your own due diligence.

Still, if you're a relatively healthy person, if you're cash-strapped or need to pay off a debt, or if you want to strike out in a new direction on your own, you might find my tips useful in helping you go insurance-free for a couple of years.

Or even longer.

You'll worry less about doing without those "bennies" you've got used to for so long. And the less worried you are over going it alone, the more you'll be able to stand up to the big lie of modern life – that people need the government to survive.

They don't.

Here are ten simple things you can do to prove that to yourself: Read more