Natural Remedies

Yerba Mate Tea Kills Colon Cancer Cells

2012-02-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

The results of a new study suggest that if you have a family history of colon cancer, you may want to start drinking yerba mate tea.

A recent scientific study found that yerba mate tea induces death in human colon cancer cells. Scientists discovered that in vitro cancer cells died when exposed to the bioactive compounds present in one cup of the beverage long valued for its medicinal properties by South American traditional healers. Read more

7 Home Remedies for a a Stomach Ache

2012-01-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

Stomach aches can happen for all kinds of reasons. Often, they are not linked to any illness, so they can be treated at home. One of these seven home remedies for a stomach ache may take care of the problem just as effectively as any doctor could.

Kids have belly aches for all kinds of reasons and not all of them have to do with illness. Sometimes stress or anxiety is to blame. Finding out the basic cause of the discomfort can help in deciding which remedy you want to use. Here are a few tried and true remedies that have been passed down through the years.
Warmth – Whether you use a heating pad, hot water bottle or a sock filled with uncooked rice and heated in the microwave oven, putting a warm pad on the tummy seems to help in many cases. If you use a heating pad make sure there is at least one layer of cloth between the pad and your child’s skin and use the lowest setting. Hot water bottles can be covered with a towel and if you choose to use the rice in the sock method make sure there are no holes in the sock. Put in just enough rice to make the pad flexible and make sure it is securely tied before heating. Check the temperature before you place it on the child’s belly. Read more

4 Home Remedies for Premature Ejaculation

2012-01-28T06:00:00.001-05:00

Premature ejaculation is the most common male sexual problem, which means it affects the most women, too. The good news is that it's relatively easy to cure. Michael Paladin describes four home remedies for premature ejaculation.

For men who experience premature ejaculation, sex can be bad news. Premature ejaculation means that a man reaches orgasm too soon to satisfy his partner. The good news, though, is that premature ejaculation - the most common sexual problem among men - is also the easiest to cure. More good news: The right treatment is usually painless, inexpensive and relatively easy. Here are four simple home remedies to delay ejaculation for more satisfying lovemaking. Read more

Natural Breast Enlargement: 3 Ways to Avoid Sabotaging Your Breast Growth

2012-01-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

Breast enlargement is about more than just massage and herbs. Your results are affected by everything from your diet to your sleep habits. You have the potential to have big, beautiful breasts, but there are tons of landmines you need to avoid. For example, believe it or not, breast growth can even be sabotaged by toxins.

It's a known fact that many common toxins, including household cleansers, automobile exhaust, and hair dye mimic the effects of estrogen. These toxins, known as xenoestrogens, enter the body and wreck havoc on your hormones. Since natural breast enlargement is triggered by hormones, it should come as no surprise that xenoestrogens can interfere with breast growth. Your body can't use healthy phytoestrogenic herbs when it is flooded with xenoestrogens!

Here are three ways to protect yourself from these hidden toxins:

1) Never reheat food in plastic containers.

Plastic contains toxic chemicals that get released in high heat. You should only use glass, metal, or ceramic containers to cook or reheat food.

2) Use nontoxic household cleansers.

Household cleaning products are a common source of xenoestrogens. Look for healthy, nontoxic alternatives at your local health food store.

3) Eat organically.

Most food today contains countless chemicals, including preservatives and pesticides. You can avoid a huge amount of toxins by eating organically whenever possible.

Even if you're conscientiously following a good natural breast enlargement program, exposure to toxins can sabotage your efforts. Do your best to eliminate as many as possible from your environment. The great thing is that you'll not only be helping your breast grow, but your health will be better for it, too.

If you've ever felt self-conscious about the size of your breasts, you are not alone. To find out about the natural breast enlargement methods that can increase your breast size by two cups, naturally and without surgery, in 4-6 weeks, click here!

Vitamins and Herbs for Strong, Healthy Hair

2012-01-23T09:00:00.001-05:00

If your hair is not as thick and shiny as you'd like, Danna Norek says that several vitamins and herbs can help you have strong, health hair you desire.

Men and women alike desire thick, healthy and shiny hair. Chances are people who possess all of these traits are supplementing with certain vitamins and herbs, or eat a diet that feeds their hair these nutrients on a daily basis. Hair is not just an extension of our bodies. It has become a symbol of beauty, health and status. In order to get the coveted body, bounce and sheen you desire there are certain nutrients you should be concentrating on putting in your body. Read more

Reverse Gray Hair and the Aging Process with He Shou Wu

2012-01-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

Learn how to reverse gray hair and the aging process with the herb He Shoul Wu, aka Fo-Ti Root.

4 Bad Habits That Can Ruin Your Health

2012-01-18T07:00:00.007-05:00

Habits are things we do frequently, so they potentially can affect our health. Do you have any of these four habits that could be making you sick?

What happens when you don't sleep enough, skip breakfast, don't exercise, or hold grudges? Find out how these behaviors are harming your health.

What happens when I only sleep five hours?

The inside story: No one knows for sure why sleep is necessary, but there's no doubt that getting too little throws a wrench into your body's works. For example, studies show that a sleep debt lowers levels of the hormone leptin, which helps keep your appetite under control. Implication: Sleep too little, and there's a good chance you'll be soon overeating. Sleep deprivation also boosts levels of stress hormones, which prompt your body to send more glucose into your bloodstream. Too little sleep also makes your body less sensitive to insulin.

But that's just the beginning. Research shows that sleeping too little shuts down production of certain chemicals in the immune system that defend your body against germs. Shortchange yourself on shut-eye and you may want to have a box of tissues and cough medicine handy: A 2009 study found that people who sleep less than seven hours a night are up to three times more likely to develop a cold. Read more

Magnesium Deficiency: Is It Hurting Your Health?

2012-01-13T07:00:00.001-05:00

Margaret Durst reveals how an often overlooked, but easily corrected, deficiency could be hurting your health.

Magnesium is a mineral that is often overlooked, particularly in terms of bone health. Conventional thought considers calcium the most important mineral for bone health. However, the United States has one of the highest intakes of dietary calcium and still suffers one of the highest rates of osteoporosis in the world.

Most people at risk for osteoporosis tend to be deficient in magnesium and tend to have diets low in magnesium and/or high in factors that deplete bone mineral stores. Dietary changes that include magnesium rich foods such as dark greens, raw almonds and pinto beans while limiting bone depleting items such as sodas, caffeine and sugar help to restore balance to the body’s mineral stores. Magnesium supplementation that does not include calcium for a short time (30 to 60 days) is also helpful. Read more

How Does Natural Breast Enlargement Work?

2012-01-11T06:00:00.003-05:00

It is no longer an issue that men and even women themselves prefer bigger breasts, though sadly not every woman has the breast size of her choice. The issue now is whether a woman can enlarge her breasts naturally without surgery. How does natural breast enlargement work?

Actually, natural breast enlargement makes perfect sense if you understand how hormones work. Breast growth is stimulated by a precise blend of hormones during puberty: high estrogen, prolactin, and growth hormone and low testosterone. This breast enlarging hormonal balance can be duplicated with herbs.

There are numerous herbs with hormonal properties. Phytoestrogenic herbs, such as fenugreek and red clover, mimic the effects of estrogen in the body, while fenugreek stimulates prolactin production. There are also herbs that reduce the effects of testosterone, such as saw palmetto and licorice.

Hormone-enhancing herbs have been used by women for centuries to control PMS and increase fertility. They have also traditionally been used for breast enlargement. To get started, all you need are three herbs: fenugreek, red clover, and saw palmetto. Take one capsule of each 2-3 times daily and work up as needed.

The truth is that it is indeed possible to enlarge your breast size naturally without surgery using breast enlargement herbs. The benefits you will feel by having larger breasts naturally are you will have an improved body image and your clothes will fit you better, and you will not be risking the health in the process.So, if you are thinking of increasing your breast size, look at natural breast enlargement methods first before embarking on any surgical procedures.

If you've ever felt self conscious about the size of your breasts, you are not alone. To find out about the natural breast enlargement methods that can increase your breast size by two cups, naturally and without surgery, in 4-6 weeks, click here!

What Is Inflammation?

2012-01-09T07:00:00.001-05:00

Mark Sisson explains what inflammation is and eleven ways we induce it in our bodies.

Inflammation is one of those words that people use without really thinking about its actual meaning. So today we’re going to take a bit of a break from the blood lipid series to cover inflammation. In later posts, I’ll dig deeper into how the inflammatory response works with stuff like exercise and heart disease, but for now, I’ll just get the basics out there.

Existence is suffering, according to certain schools of thought. I don’t know that I’d go quite that far, but I would emphatically state that anyone who spends a modicum of sentient time in the space time continuum we call existence is gonna experience some unpleasantness. A bump on the knee, a bacterial infection, an acute injury, a persistent illness, a death of a loved one, a broken heart. It’s a big and often angry world that doesn’t necessarily care about you, and something’s gotta give. When that happens and the sanctity of our bodies is interrupted by pain, injury, or illness, our bodies respond with inflammation. Read more

Make Your Own Natural Antibiotics

2012-01-06T06:00:00.002-05:00

Learn how to make your own colloidal silver, a natural antibiotic.

3 Natural Ways to Avoid the Winter Blues

2012-01-04T06:00:00.002-05:00

Winter, especially if you live in a cold climate, is often a time when people feel "blue" or get depressed. Your choices are not putting up with it or taking drugs - legal or illegal. Natural remedies can help you avoid winter depression.

If you live in the upper reaches of the Northern Hemisphere, winter can often mean a seemingly interminable period of cold weather and short days. For many, the lack of sunshine, combined with life stress factors, can lead to depression.

Often people fail to recognize depression for what it is, treating it as a weakness or personality flaw rather than an illness. A "suck it up and get on with it" attitude often keeps people from labeling themselves as depressed, but this approach is counterproductive; failing to treat the disease only prolongs it.

Some of the signs of depression include: difficulty concentrating; persistent sadness or anxiety; inability to experience ordinary pleasure and enjoyment; irritability; change in appetite; ongoing fatigue and feelings of hopelessness. Learn how to cope with dark days naturally, without recourse to pharmaceutical anti-depressants which can cause serious side-effects ranging from nausea to reduced sex drive. Read more

12 Ways Sugar Consumption Accelerates Aging

2012-01-02T07:00:00.001-05:00

It's sad but true: sugar consumption accelerates aging. Find out why.

The largest source of calories for individuals living in industrialized nations comes from sugar. Sugar increases insulin levels which promote fat accumulation and inflammation throughout the body. Sugar consumption and elevated insulin accelerate the aging process and create an environment conducive to degenerative disease.

The chemistry of sugar is based on the number of carbohydrates and includes monosaccharides, disaccharides and oligosaccharides. The most important monosaccharides are glucose, dextrose, and fructose. The primary difference in these deals with the way they are digested and metabolized. Glucose and dextrose are basically the same form of sugar. Many sugars can be identified by their characteristic "ose" ending.

Many of these sugars also combine to form complex sugars such as sucrose. Sucrose, typical table sugar, is a disaccharide (2 sugar forms) that is half glucose and half fructose. Meanwhile, high fructose corn syrup is 55% fructose and 45% glucose. Read more

As Little as 20 Minutes of Walking Daily Can Help Any Illness

2011-12-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

With as little as twenty minutes of walking a day, literally any illness can be helped, says David Brownstein, MD.

Since it is the holiday season, I would like to take a second and wish all my readers a healthy and happy holiday season and new year! Since many of us make new year’s resolutions, let me help you make one – to exercise.

One of the biggest frustrations that I have is trying to convince my patients to participate in some form of daily or semi-daily exercise. Exercise does not have to mean going to a gym and taking a class. Exercise can be as simple as walking for twenty to thirty minutes per day.

What can exercise do for you? Let me rephrase the question; what can’t exercise do for you? Read more

Leafy Green Vegetables May Boost Your Immune Defenses

2011-12-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

Edward Group explains how leafy green vegetables boost your immune defenses.

Despite their most valiant efforts many parents still struggle with their kids about eating their nightly serving of greens. Visiting your local farmers markets, fresher produce and more interesting/flavorful recipes have been helping to slowly turn the tide, but arming yourself with a little extra knowledge before going into battle doesn’t usually hurt either.

According to newly presented research, eating green vegetables may be an even better way to our bodies healthy than we could have possibly guessed. In addition to being a well-known source of vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients, not to mention both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, it seems that green vegetables of all types are also a key source of specialized chemical signals that our immune systems use to self-communicate. Read more

Dry Eyes? Steam Them with a Pair of Electric Goggles

2011-12-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

Dry eyes? Steam them with a pair of electric goggles, says Mary Gold.

There’s only one thing worse than being in pain yourself – and that’s seeing a loved one suffering.

Two years ago my husband Harry developed ‘dry eye’, which might sound trivial but can be very painful and debilitating.

It started with mild discomfort – itching – in both eyes, then deteriorated over six months until Harry could keep his eyes open only until the early afternoon.

We were puzzled, but initially just assumed it was caused by smoke from our log fires. Then Harry saw his GP, who diagnosed dry eye.

This condition occurs when the eyes either don’t produce enough tears, or those they do produce evaporate too quickly. Read more

Natural Remedies Help Treat Phobias

2011-12-19T06:00:00.003-05:00

The typical treatment for phobias is counseling. However, several natural remedies can help treat phobias, too.

A phobia is an irrational fear; the symptoms of which may be manageable or be so debilitating that everyday life may be disrupted. An estimated ten percent of people in the UK and slightly more in the USA suffer from phobias of some kind. Sufferers can be helped with alternative health remedies such as homeopathy, aromatherapy and flower remedies.

Common phobias include claustrophobia (fear of enclosed spaces), agoraphobia (fear of open spaces), and acrophobia (fear of heights). A phobia, however, may be related to just about any object, person or situation and may be caused by a subconscious reflex to avoid repeating an unpleasant experience. Symptoms range from a sensation of panic or terror, inability to refocus thoughts, a desire to flee a situation and/or an uncontrollable physical response such as trembling or dizziness. Read more

Want to Stay Well This Winter?

2011-12-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

Margaret Durst discusses how to build up your immune system to stay well this winter.

Cold, dreary weather and flu season have a lot in common. I recommend building immunity during this time.

My first tip during weather like this is up your intake of vitamin D. It always seems like the worst cold and flu bugs circulate around the school after one of these spells. Read more

Enjoy the Health Benefits of Cinnamon

2011-12-14T07:00:00.001-05:00

Cinnamon is one of the oldest known spices, but it's not just for cooking anymore. Cinnamon also has health benefits.

Most people tend to associate cinnamon with holiday foods such as pumpkin pie or eggnog. The truth is that cinnamon can be used all year round in a wide variety of foods and dishes. It contains many vitamins and minerals and therefore comes with a great deal of health benefits, ranging from being an all-natural anti inflammatory to being able to assist with lowering blood sugar levels. Read more

Yoga for Menopause?

2011-12-12T05:00:00.001-05:00

Yoga may soothe sleep problems and other symptoms of menopause, according to a new study.

Add this to the list of yoga's health benefits.

A new study shows that doing yoga a couple times a week can help diminish sleep problems and other symptoms of menopause. Read more

Eat This and You'll Look 5 Years Older

2011-12-09T06:00:00.002-05:00

Joseph Mercola says most of the health benefits claimed for soy are nonexistent, and the food industry conceals the side effects and dangers.

... In the early 1990's, soy and soy products exploded onto the supermarket scene with promises of bountiful health benefits.

This "new miracle food," soy, was supposed to lower cholesterol, take the heat out of hot flashes, protect against breast and prostate cancer and offer a filling alternative to earth-loving vegetarians.

The problem with these claims?

Most of them are false. Read more

10 Health Benefits of Xylitol

2011-12-07T14:00:00.001-05:00

Xylitol is a sweet, safe sugar alternative, says Edward Group.

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol that has been recognized by dentists and health professionals worldwide as a great alternative to white sugar.

Commonly found in chewing gum and breathmints, Xylitol is known to have a many health benefits associated with its use.

1. Safe For Diabetics

Unlike sugar, xylitol is not easily converted to fat. Because it is not easily converted to fat, it has almost no effect on insulin levels, making it a safe sugar alternative for diabetics, body builders, dieters, pregnant/nursing women, and also for babies and children.

2. Helps Prevent Cavities

Since it is a non-fermentable sugar, it cannot be converted to acid by oral bacteria. Thus, the alkaline-acid balance in the mouth is maintained, which helps in preventing cavities. Read more

Electric Healing

2011-12-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

Alice Smellie tells how microcurrent technology can relieve pain, depression, gout, and more.

Two thousand years ago, the Roman physician Scribonius Largus reported that headaches could be relieved with the sting of a live electric eel. Ever since then, scientists have been interested in the healing powers of electricity.

The buzz term at the moment is microcurrent therapy – or MCT – which refers to a plethora of home-use gadgets that manufacturers claim can relieve countless conditions.

With names such as Alpha-Stim and Microdoctor, these devices are typically powered by little more than a few AA batteries, and deliver a tiny current to the skin via clips or sticky pads. The charge is so weak, it cannot usually be felt.

They are being touted as treatments for everything from joint and back pain to headaches, gout, multiple sclerosis and even depression. Read more

Nutritional Cure for Gray Hair AND Sagging Breasts

2011-12-02T11:00:00.003-05:00

I've heard of this cure for gray hair, but I've never heard that it could also help sagging breasts.

6 Home Acne Remedies

2011-11-30T06:00:00.002-05:00

Acne is an inflammatory skin condition that affects millions of people around the world. Acne comes in various types, and people experience different levels of severity. Of course, there are some cases of acne that definitely require medical treatment to get rid of them. However there are many instances where home remedies can be used to get rid of the acne problems fast and without breaking your budget. Here are six home acne remedies that you can use to cheaply and effectively get rid of acne.

1) Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is often described as one of the most effective home acne remedies there is. It requires the least preparation and has helped many people around the world get rid of acne fast. All it involves is cutting the Aloe Vera plant and rubbing the piece(s) directly onto the face. Once that is done, you simply allow the "juices" to sit there for a while. Not only is this very effective at preventing acne scars and skin blemishes, it also helps to get rid of existing acne problems, too!

2) Baking soda

A cooking ingredient that most people have in their homes already, baking soda can be used as a great scrub. The purpose of a scrub is to exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin that can eventually clog pores and lead to acne spots. To start off, mix a small amount of baking soda with some water for form a paste. Baking soda is very effective as a scrub, so you want to be sure to be extra careful when applying it to your face. Gently massage the paste into your skin for ten to fifteen seconds. Then rinse the baking soda off and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

3) Egg Whites

Rich in protein, egg whites can be used as a mask to heal and rebuild your skin. It can also help to absorb excess oil from your skin. To start off, crack an egg, removing the yolk so that just the egg whites are left behind. Beat these egg whites, and then apply them directly to your face. Let it sit for fifteen minutes, and then rinse the egg off.

4) Oatmeal

Oatmeal can absorb unwanted oil and draw out impurities which reside deep in your skin. Cook some plain oatmeal like you would for consumption. Let it cool off, and then rub it over your clean skin. Let it sit for a while, like you would a mask, and then rinse off. If you do this on a regular basis, you should begin to start noticing results soon.

5) Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a commonly used all-natural household antiseptic, which you can pick up at most drugstores or supermarkets. You can apply tea tree oil il directly to acne spots to kill bacteria, or, if you strongly dilute it with another oil (such as jojoba oil), over your entire face. Tea tree gel can be easier to apply than the oil, and many are made for applying over large areas of skin, so they aren't quite as strong as straight tea tree oil and do not need to be diluted.

6) Vinegar

Though most people that use vinegar to treat acne use the apple cider form of vinegar, you can also use regular vinegar. Regardless of which type you use, vinegar can be very helpful with it comes to clearing up acne. It can kill off acne-causing bacteria, balance your skin's pH, and absorb extra oil on your skin. Starting with clean, dry skin, apply diluted vinegar (eight parts water to one part vinegar) directly to your skin with a cotton ball, and leave it on. If you want, you can also use a stronger vinegar solution (two or three parts water to one part vinegar), and apply it directly to problem areas, rinsing it off after ten minutes.

Using home acne remedies is a great idea for people who want to get rid of this troublesome skin condition on a budget. Since "professional" medical treatment can be very expensive, depending on the type of acne you have, having the ability to get rid of it from home without a whole lot of effort or cost is a welcome alternative.

You can stop acne without drugs or over-the-counter products. You can stop the unnecessary scarring acne causes. You can start changing your life today. To find out how you can STOP acne at the root of the problem, instead of just masking the symptoms, click here.

8 Disease-Fighting Spices

2011-11-28T07:00:00.002-05:00

Keri-Ann Jennings discusses the eight of the world's healthiest spices and herbs that you should be eating.

As a registered dietitian and associate nutrition editor at EatingWell Magazine, I know that herbs and spices do more than simply add flavor to food. They let you cut down on some less-healthy ingredients, such as salt, added sugars and saturated fat, and some have inherent health benefits, many of which Joyce Hendley reported on for EatingWell Magazine.

Modern science is beginning to uncover the ultimate power of spices and herbs, as weapons against illnesses from cancer to Alzheimer's disease. "We're now starting to see a scientific basis for why people have been using spices medicinally for thousands of years," says Bharat Aggarwal, Ph.D., professor at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and author of Healing Spices (Sterling, 2011). Read more

Herbal Plant Remedies: Rosemary for Depression

2011-11-25T07:00:00.003-05:00

Rosemary is an herb for stress that rekindles energy and lightens the spirit when brewed into a tea twice a day. Use Rosemary to reduce stress and anxiety with tips from a nutraceutical supervisor in this free video on herbal remedies.

Green Tea Supplements Prevent Flu Better Than Vaccination

2011-11-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

Every year, people are pestered and even bullied by the government, the mainstream media, the medical establishment, and pharmacies into being vaccinated against the flu. However, a recent clinical trial showed that green tea supplements are more effective against the flu than vaccinations, and I'm sure you don't have to be told that they're also safer and cheaper.

Flu season is now in full swing and seasonal vaccinations are being pushed from every corner. Nonetheless, a recent clinical trial showed that green tea-based supplements reduced the risk of flu by 75%. This is far better than the 60% risk reduction recently reported in the Lancet for vaccinations. Given that green tea provides a host of other health benefits and none of the risks of injections, it would appear to be a far superior alternative to vaccination. Read more

10 Frightening Facts about Prescription Pain Pills

2011-11-21T06:00:00.001-05:00

Prescription painkillers are among the most dangerous of pharmaceutical drugs. Here are ten frightening facts about prescription pain pills.

Prescription pain pills have changed the face of medicine in many good and bad ways. These powerful pills have helped many people manage their pain and increase their quality of life, yet the fact remains that painkillers have taken thousands of lives and are one of the most commonly abused and dangerous substances in the country. The rising mortality rates from prescription drug overdoses have now exceeded traffic fatalities, resulting in at least 37,485 deaths in 2009. This statistic is just one of many startling facts about prescription pain pills and the national epidemic they’ve caused. Here are 10 frightening facts about prescription pain pills: Read more

Warming Ginger Bath for the Winter

2011-11-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

Learn a recipe for a warming bath, especially great to warm up during those cold winter days!

The Glycemic Index: How It Affects Your Diet

2011-11-16T06:00:00.004-05:00

Margaret Durst explains how the glycemic index to choose which foods to eat.
Glycemic Index or GI is a measure of the effect of the carbohydrates in foods on blood-glucose levels. Carbohydrates that break down quickly in the process of digestion have high GI values, while carbohydrates that break down slowly have low GI values.

The concept of glycemic index is so important as it is helpful to the many people that struggle with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, also known as pre-diabetes. Not knowing how to eat for balanced blood sugar is an underlying cause in most diseases that plague Americans. Anyone can benefit by eating a low glycemic diet – especially those with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, excess weight and many other conditions.

The glycemic index rates specific foods using the effect of pure glucose on blood sugar as the reference point – with pure glucose being 100 percent. High GI foods have a GI of 70 or greater. Intermediate GI foods have GI’s of 56 to 69 and low GI foods have a GI of less than 55. Read more

10 Health Benefits of Alfalfa Leaf

2011-11-14T06:00:00.001-05:00

Edward Group calls Alfalfa Leaf the "father of all foods."

It should come as no surprise that the word Alfalfa actually comes from the Arabic phrases, al-fac-facah, meaning "father of all foods." This respect for the semi-woody plant is not only found in the Arabic world, but across the globe. The Chinese have long used Alfalfa Leaf as an appetite stimulator, as well as a healing digestive remedy for alleviating ulcers.

Ayurvedic medicine in India has used alfalfa leaf for a variety of applications, including ulcers, water retention, and arthritic pain. Colonial Americans used the plant to ward-off cancer, scurvy, menstrual difficulties, arthritis, as well as urinary problems. Alfalfa Leaf has also been traditionally used to effectively combat a variety of infections. Read more

Heal with the Miraculous Powers of Garlic

2011-11-12T06:00:00.001-05:00

Garlic is nature's wonder drug. Its medicinal value has been understood by herbalists for at least 2000 years

When you're sick with the flu, an infection, or simply unwell, doctors will usually prescribe antibiotics. We all know however, how dangerous antibiotics can be. But what if you could find that very cure for these things in nature, where you wouldn't have to suffer the dismal side effects of nausea, wrenching stomach pains, potential hallucinations, and a gruesome attack on the friendly flora that lives in your intestines? What if you didn't have to feel like a run-down old tractor, or like you've suddenly run out of batteries?

Yes, it stinks a bit - no wonder vampires hate it! But the abundance of health benefits contained in a single clove of garlic should be enough to make you embrace it - for there is a whole list of those benefits. In Russia, garlic is even called the 'Russian Penicillin', where it's healing properties make it the most potent antibiotic nature can offer. Read more

Are You Getting Enough Folic Acid?

2011-11-10T07:00:00.001-05:00

Are you getting enough folic acid? Edward Group lists 15 foods high in this critical micronutrient.

It’s important to get adequate amounts of folic acid in the diet for a variety of health reasons, both physical and mental, but mostly for cellular growth and regeneration. In fact, a recent article from the New York Times named folic acid one of the most “luscious micronutrients” found in foods, and multiple studies suggest that a lack of folic acid may lead to mental conditions such as depression.

Physiologically, consuming enough folic acid allows the body to perform many of its essential functions, including nucleotide biosynthesis in cells, DNA synthesis and repair, red blood cell creation, and also helps to prevent anemia. Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is perhaps most well known for its applications in the prevention of fetal deformities, Alzheimer’s disease, as well as several types of cancer. The good news is that there are many rich sources of folic acid that are easy to incorporate into your daily diet.

List of Foods with Folic Acid

The following list will discuss the top ten foods with folic acid. Of course, organic is best (especially if you are pregnant!). Read more

26 Reasons Why You Should NOT Take Prescription Drugs and 14 Reasons Why You SHOULD Take Natural Medicines

2011-11-08T07:00:00.001-05:00

Bill Sardi lists 26 reasons why you should not take prescription drugs and 14 reasons why you should take natural medicines.

Prescription drugs – more than 100 million Americans take them, often without question. But why? Despite decades of studies showing Rx drugs are potentially harmful, sometimes prompting drug recalls and news reports of needless deaths, most patients never question their doctor when given a prescription for an FDA-approved drug. True, many senior Americans are forced to forego filling their prescriptions for financial reasons, but they aren’t forgoing their medications because they perceive their medicines are problematic.

Americans love to take pills. The average 75-year-old has three chronic conditions and uses five prescription drugs. Americans feel blessed they live in a country that has miracle drugs that are the envy of others all over the globe, and often feel they want the best that modern medicine has to offer. Newer drugs are often avidly preferred after hearing about them on television ads even though their safety record will not be fully known for a few years. Read more

8 Unusual Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide

2011-11-04T07:00:00.001-04:00

Hydrogen peroxide is not only a natural remedy, it's a mold master, vegetation avenger, and much more, says Mark Sisson.

Besides the odd scraped knee and that one fateful summer where you decided you’d look better as a blonde, you haven’t had much time for the medicine cabinet staple hydrogen peroxide. However, it should be noted that it does have a number of wild and unusual purposes…

But first, a discussion of what exactly this bubbly little solution is: In its purest form, hydrogen peroxide, or H2O2 as it is referred to by chemists and other science-nerds, is actually highly toxic. What you are generally getting when you buy an over-the-counter variety is only 3% hydrogen peroxide, with the rest made up of plain ol’ H2O! Hydrogen peroxide is probably best recognized by its signature brown bottle, which is used not as a marketing strategy, but to actually protect the bottles’ contents, which are highly sensitive to light.

But let’s talk about all of its many uses: Read more

Natural Breast Enlargement: The 4 Best Methods

2011-11-02T07:00:00.005-04:00

Large, full breasts are considered a sign of feminine beauty, so it's no wonder many girls and women will go any length to get a bigger bust. A perfect figure not only enhances confidence and self-esteem, but also makes you more appealing to your partner and makes your sex life more enjoyable. Though breast augmentation surgery is popular for its quick results, it can be dangerous and is definitely expensive. Natural breast enlargement is a safe and inexpensive alternative to breast augmentation surgery. The following four methods are the best for natural breast enlargement.

One free but important method is exercise. Breasts are made of fat tissues, so you can not make a direct impact on your breasts by exercising. However, if you exercise to make your pectoral muscles larger and stronger, it will create an impression of bigger breasts, which will improve your appearance. For an exercise program to give you a more attractive bustline, see my post How to Have Firm, Perky Breasts.

Another technique that you can try with virtually no expense is breast stimulation with massage. If you know the right techniques and massage your breasts twice daily for five minutes with massage oil or breast creams, you will certainly be benefited by it. Massaging your breasts will increase the flow of blood in the breast area, help remove toxins, and stimulate breast growth.To learn the massage techniques used for natural breast enlargement, see my post Increase a Cup Size in 30 Days with Breast Massage.

Herbs can also help increase breast size. Taking natural breast enlargement herbs, such as fenugreek, saw palmetto, or wild yam, will definitely go a long way towards increasing your breast size. However, try them in small quantities at first to see if there are any side effects before increasing to the recommended dosages. My post Natural Breast Enlargement with Fenugreek tells how to use the most effective of breast enlargement herbs.

The use of hypnosis is another proven method of natural breast enlargement. Hypnosis works by allowing your body to communicate to the deepest of its inner levels, using its own language. This communication allows for the creation of cells, tissues, and organs, all made of the required hormones necessary to help with the development of your breasts. My post Think and Grow Breasts covers the basics of breast enlargement hypnosis.

When it comes to natural breast enlargement, you need to have the right attitude. This means having a realistic perspective and being consistent with your efforts. Natural breast enlargement methods will take some time to produce results. Think of natural breast enlargement as a marathon race, not a 100 meter dash.

If you've ever felt self conscious about the size of your breasts, you are not alone. To find out about the natural breast enlargement methods that can increase your breast size by two cups, naturally and without surgery, in 4-6 weeks, click here!

Astaxanthin Reduces Wrinkles, Inflammation, Supports Eye, Brain, Immune Health

2011-10-31T06:00:00.001-04:00

Dr. Mercola and Bob Capelli discuss the many wonders of astaxanthin.

Story at-a-glance
Astaxanthin is believed to be the most powerful antioxidant found in nature. Research has shown it can benefit your entire body, from preventing sunburn, to boosting athletic performance; preventing cataracts and the most common cause of blindness; preventing dementia, and treating the symptoms of inflammatory conditions such as arthritis
In one study, male athletes taking 4 mg of astaxanthin a day improved their strength three times faster than those taking a placebo; increasing the number of deep knee bends they were able to perform after six months of training by 62 percent, compared to 22 percent for the placebo group engaged in identical training
Nine human clinical studies have shown astaxanthin can prevent tired eyes by maintaining optimal motor function and protecting your eyes against damaging UV rays
While salmon, shrimp, lobster, crab and some other fish are good food sources of astaxanthin, it would be near impossible to reach therapeutic doses through your diet. Furthermore, farm raised varieties should be avoided at all cost, as they contain synthetic rather than natural astaxanthin, which is created from petrochemicals and may have unknown toxicities Read more

6 Alternatives to Toothpaste

2011-10-28T06:00:00.010-04:00

In ranking the many chemical hazards we face, toothpaste and mouthwash are way down the list. However, Tess Pennington reminds us that chemical-free ways to promote healthy teeth and gums are readily available and effective if we prefer to use them.

... Below are six alternatives to toothpaste that can be used to not only promote healthy teeth and gums, but most of these alternatives have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties that assist in preventing dental issues such as gingivitis, canker sores and gum disease. Read more

Big Pharma's "Antidepressants" Don't Work

2011-10-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

Pharmaceutical are usually expensive and often have side effects almost as bad as the condition they're supposed to treat, and to add insult to injury, they often don't even work.

When my American friend Bill, who'd been on SSRI antidepressants for 22 years (Prozac, followed by Paxil, Lexapro, then Celexa), read a two-part article by Dr Marcia Angell in The New York Review of Books recently about the crisis in psychiatry and the inefficacy of antidepressants, he stopped taking his meds (tapering off gradually, monitored by his doctor). "The article brought on enough doubt to push me over," he said. Since then, his moods have become more volatile – more anger, more emotion, such as crying at the end of the last Harry Potter film (he's in his 50s). But he's got his libido back after years of "muffled response" and that seems a worthwhile trade-off.

Instead of listening to Prozac, have we been listening to placebo all along? Read more

10 Things That Will Make Your Breasts Look Fabulous!

2011-10-24T07:00:00.001-04:00

Kaylen Jackson says breasts are a natural accessory, so she reveals ten things that will help you make the most of your breasts.

Seduction involves using your natural accessories – namely, your breasts. Make the most of your breasts (and get tons of male attention) with these ten tips.

Breasts are a natural accessory, much like a necklace. If you pick the right outfit (or even your birthday suit), your breasts can really put a nice bow on the package! Read more

5 Steps to Reverse Diabetes and Insulin Resistance

2011-10-21T05:00:00.001-04:00

Does diabetes mean drugs? Not necessarily! Dr. Mark Hyman brings you the last installment of his two-part discussion on diabetes. You'll learn why medications aren't always the answer and how you can prevent and even reverse diabetes without pharmaceuticals.

5 Tips for Natural Breast Enlargement

2011-10-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

Breast size is a sensitive issue for many women and can have a profound effect upon your confidence, sense of attractiveness and overall happiness. Women feel beautiful if they have a sexy body, and a big part of feeling sexy is having a set of full breasts. Most women believe that having bigger breasts makes them more attractive. If you want to increase your breast size, but don't want to undergo breast augmentation surgery, there are natural ways for you to do so. The five tips below could help you increase the size of your breasts naturally:

1) Massage

Massaging the breasts can increase their size. In some countries, such as Thailand, this method of natural breast enlargement is actually being done inside parlors and health spas. However, you must be very careful when doing this. While it is an effective breast enlargement method, it has to be performed the right way for best results. My post Increase a Cup Size in 30 Days with Breast Massage explains how to do breast massage the right way.

2) Herbs

Herbs, particularly fenugreek, are among the most effective methods of natural breast enlargement. It has been used by women for centuries to attain firmer and fuller breasts. I go into more detail about fenugreek in my post Natural Breast Enlargement with Fenugreek.

3) Exercise

There are exercises that you can do that make your breasts firm and perky. These exercises involve the movement of the arms and shoulders, which when done regularly, will make your breasts look better and appear to be larger. For a breast-enhancing exercise program, see my post How to Have Firm, Perky Breasts.

4) Amino acids

Growth hormone is an essential ingredient in natural breast enlargement. Unfortunately, growth hormone levels start to plummet by age 25. Fortunately, there is a solution: amino acids. Besides enlarging your breasts, growth hormone also slows the aging process and helps burn fat. For more about amino acids, see my post Supercharge Your Breast Growth with Amino Acids.

5) Vitamins

Take your vitamins. Did you know certain vitamins can assist with natural breast enlargement? Vitamins A, B6, C, and E are well known to have rejuvenating effects on weakened cells. Vitamin A increases cell regeneration and revival. Vitamin B6 helps regulate cardiovascular functions and blood cell generation. Vitamin C helps the body produce collagen that adds support and fullness to skin and cellular tissue. Vitamin E regulates cholesterol levels and has other properties that promote skin health.

Get the breast size that you want naturally. Choosing the option of natural breast enlargement is always the best route because it won't produce negative ill effects on your health in the long run. Surgery may seem to be fast and easy, but you never know what lies ahead of you after going under the knife to increase the size of your breasts. By following the natural options outlined above, you will get the confidence and the sexiness that you want in a natural and healthy way.

If you've ever felt self conscious about the size of your breasts, you are not alone. To find out about the natural breast enlargement methods that can increase your breast size by two cups, naturally and without surgery, in 4-6 weeks, click here!

Improve Night Vision Naturally with Bilberries

2011-10-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

Bilberries not only help with night vision, but also with other conditions, according to Shona Botes.

For centuries, bilberries have been used medicinally. They have antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties. Mostly known for their natural ability to improve capillary health, bilberries have been used to treat a number of eye disorders and improve vision. Flavonoids found in bilberries known as anthocyanosides are responsible for the regeneration of Rhodopsin. This is a purple pigment in the eye which is responsible for night vision. Read more

3 Plant Medicines to Help You with Lucid Dreaming

2011-10-14T06:00:00.001-04:00

If you're interested in lucid dreaming, three plant medicines can help you achieve lucidity, according to The Shaman's Well.

For those new to lucid dreaming, here's a quick description from AuraThirdEyePsychic:
Lucid dream, also called conscious dream, is a state of mind where a person is dreaming but is also aware of his/her dreams and can actually sense the progress of the dream. When a dreamer is in a state of lucidity, he can as well participate in the dream sequences as well as manipulate all the fantasies that they?re experiencing. A lucid dream is often real and dramatic and is highly dependent on one?s self-awareness while dreaming lucid.
Below we list out 3 plant medicines that can help with a link on where you can find some. Read more

4 Hormones Essential to Natural Breast Enlargement

2011-10-12T06:00:00.012-04:00

As you probably know, breast growth is triggered by a precise blend of hormones. Everybody associates estrogen with breast growth, but the fact is, there are four hormones involved in natural breast enlargement:

1) Estrogen

Estrogen is the hormone most responsible for breast growth, but you can get too much of a good thing. Excess estrogen causes estrogen receptors in the breasts to shut down, which means they won't get the message to grow. The safest way to balance estrogen levels is through the use of phytoestrogenic herbs, such as fenugreek or wild yam. These herbs increase estrogen levels if they are too low, and decrease them if they are too high. (See my post Natural Breast Enlargement with Fenugreek.)

2) Progesterone

Progesterone is another important breast enlarging hormone. Your body naturally produces progesterone each month as part of the menstrual cycle, but it can also be increased through the use of natural progesterone cream, which is derived from soy or wild yam.

3) Prolactin

Prolactin is a breast enlarging hormone produced by females during puberty and pregnancy. Prolactin helps develop the mammary glands and increases fat stores in the breasts. Prolactin can be stimulated through herbs (such as fenugreek) or by massaging the breasts. (See my post Increase a Cup Size in 30 Days with Breast Massage.)

4) Growth hormone

Growth hormone triggers the growth of the entire body, including the breasts. Growth hormone peaks during puberty and declines after the age of 25, so it's important to boost it back up to aid breast growth. Growth hormone can be increased by sleeping at least eight hours each night and by getting an intense workout several times per week.

All four hormones are essential to natural breast enlargement. If your breasts aren't growing as fast as you'd like, then make sure you're not missing one of these essential hormones.

If you've ever felt self conscious about the size of your breasts, you are not alone. To find out about the natural breast enlargement methods that can increase your breast size by two cups, naturally and without surgery, in 4-6 weeks, click here!

9 Ways Stress Can Ruin Your Health

2011-10-10T08:00:00.001-04:00

Stress is what you feel when you have to handle more than you are used to. When you are stressed, your body responds as though you are in danger. This is called the fight-or-flight stress response. If stress happens too often or lasts too long, it can ruin your health nd even bring on an early death, says Edward Group.

... 9 Ways Stress Can Negatively Affect Your Health

The following list offers some of the ways in which on-going stress can negatively effect your health

1. Increased Heart Rate

When we enter into the fight or flight mode, the heart-rate naturally speeds up. While this may be a great thing if we need to run quickly, overtime this can significantly tire out the heart and lead to cardiovascular diseases, increased cholesterol and even excess belly fat. Read more

Your Herbal Medicine Cabinet

2011-10-07T06:00:00.001-04:00

One of the world's top herbal authorities advises us on how to get the most out of natural remedies ranging from aloe vera and ginger to slippery elm and elderberry.

How to Avoid Getting Another Yeast Infection

2011-10-05T05:00:00.001-04:00

Yeast infections are a common ailment for women. Three out of four women get a yeast infection at some time during their lives. Fortunately, they usually are not extremely serious, so many women can use home remedies, such as the ones in my post Yeast Infection: Two Proven Home Remedies to treat them. Another of my posts discusses the 10 Causes of Yeast Infection, which leads to the question: can yeast infection be prevented? Yes, it can. Here are eight things you can do to help prevent another yeast infection:

1) Don't wear tight-fitting clothing or clothing made out of synthetic material.

2) Wear cotton panties.

3) Don't wear pantyhose or leotards every day.

4) Use your blow dryer on a low, cool setting to help dry your genital area after you bathe or shower and before getting dressed.

5) Wipe from front to back after using the toilet. This may help prevent the bacteria that normally live in your rectum from getting into your vagina.

6) Change out of wet swimsuits or other damp clothes as soon as you can.

7) Don't douche, use feminine hygiene sprays, or deodorant sanitary pads or tampons.

8) Also avoid using colored or perfumed toilet paper. These items seem to affect the balance of acidity in the vagina and can lead to yeast infections.

Do a self-assessment to see if you're already doing some of these things. If you are, that's great! However, if you are prone to yeast infection, try doing all of them. It can't hurt, and it may help. Changing your habits isn't easy, but isn't being free of recurring yeast infection worth the effort?

Are you tired of the burning, the itching, the sheer aggravation of having a yeast infection? Why settle for only chasing away the symptoms? To find out how you can cure your vaginal yeast infection and make sure it will NEVER return, click here!

Natural Remedies for Hangovers

2011-10-03T05:00:00.011-04:00

That one last drink may have seemed like a great idea last night, but now that you have to search for home remedies for hangovers, you may be regretting it just a little bit. The good news is you do not have to look any further. All the information you need is right here!

How to Stop Your Hangover in Its Tracks

The answer is to drink, but not alcohol! Alcoholic drinks actually use up your body's water stores, causing dehydration. This in turn causes some hangover symptoms, so drinking water is a good start. Be careful because it is possible to drink too much water too fast. Large quantities of water can strip electrolytes from the body, so it is better to try to replace these as well, or keep to around a half liter of water per hour.

Sports drinks are one of the best ways to get you feeling human again. They will boost your blood sugar, rehydrate you, and provide the vital electrolytes (potassium, sodium etc) that you will have lost through the kidneys while you were drinking and during the night.

If you prefer not to have the refined sugar and additives that are in sports drinks, have plain water and eat bananas for potassium and fructose, or make a banana smoothie by putting a couple of bananas in the blender with a little water or milk. If you do not have bananas and cannot face going to the store right now, use apples or other sweet fruit (but not citrus), or even plain honey dissolved in water. Honey contains electrolytes too. The less refined your honey is, the better.

Feverfew is a well-known herbal remedy for headaches and can be taken in place of aspirin or other chemical painkillers. Raw persimmon and raw cabbage are also said to help with headaches. Since aspirin can damage the lining of the stomach, it's not the best solution for a sensitive morning-after digestive system.

Exercise will help your circulatory system to detoxify. Take a brisk half hour walk as soon as you are able.

The Next Time Around

Here are a few things that you can do before you go drinking to prevent the same thing happening next time around:

Drink water to prevent dehydration. The best rule is to have one glass of water between each alcoholic drink, but failing that, drink a couple of large glasses of water before you go to sleep.

Buy some Bifidus powder. This is friendly bacteria that detoxifies acetaldehyde, a byproduct of alcohol that is a major cause of hangover symptoms. One teaspoon in a large glass of water drunk before going to sleep should mean that you wake up hangover-free.

Foods high in unsaturated fats can reduce the effects of alcohol. American Indian lore says that six raw almonds eaten before drinking will stop you getting drunk. African tradition recommends peanut butter. Evening primrose oil is another option, especially for women who can benefit from taking it anyway. Take any of these before you start drinking to avoid having to search for home remedies for hangovers after your next night out!

Your Incredible Shrinking Body

2011-09-30T06:00:00.001-04:00

As bones and organs get smaller with age, Louise Atkinson reveals how to stay healthy.

As we get older, we get shorter. But what many people won’t realise is that height is just one thing that shrinks with age: our hearts, facial bones and sex organs all shrink, too.

Such changes often go hand in hand with health problems.

Last week, a U.S. study found the more height you lose, the greater your risk of suffering a fractured hip – and one in three people who suffer a hip fracture die within a year.

Here, LOUISE ATKINSON investigates age-related shrinkages – and how you can protect your body. Read more

10 Causes of Yeast Infection

2011-09-28T05:00:00.005-04:00

Yeast infections are so common that every three out of four of women will have one in their lifetime. The condition occurs when a fungus called Candida albicans (as well as other bacteria already normally found in small quantities in the vaginal area multiply rapidly and take over. Yeast infection creates sensations of both burning and itching in the vagina and labia.

Vaginal yeast infections occur when new yeast is introduced into the vaginal area, or when there is an increase in the quantity of yeast already present in the vagina relative to the quantity of normal bacteria. This can happen due to a number of causes:

1) Having a menstrual cycle

2) Hormonal imbalances like those that occur during pregnancy

3) A weakened immune system

4) An injury to your vaginal area, especially one in which there is friction created from not having enough lubrication

5) Sexual contact with someone who has this type of infection, especially men who may not have the symptoms but pass it on to their partners

6) Allergic reactions to the latex or nonoxynol-9 used to make condoms

7) Wearing panties that are too tight or not made with a cotton crotch

8) Exposing the vagina to inks, perfumes, or dyes

9) Taking antibiotics

10) High intake of bread, sugar and alcohol

Be sure to see your doctor the first time you have symptoms of a yeast infection. It's very important to make sure you have a yeast infection and not another more serious infection. The symptoms of a yeast infection are also the symptoms of other infections, such as some STIs. Treating yourself for a yeast infection when you actually have another type of infection may make the problem worse.

There are several ways to approach a yeast infection remedy. Over-the-counter remedies are readily available, although some women prefer to use home remedies. My post Yeast Infection: Two Proven Home Remedies discusses a couple of these. Any yeast infection remedy will need to be monitored carefully to ensure the infection is completely gone. If healing conditions aren't optimal, yeast bacteria could grow again and place the infection level back in the danger zone.

Are you tired of the burning, the itching, the sheer aggravation of having a yeast infection? Why settle for only chasing away the symptoms? To find out how you can cure your vaginal yeast infection and make sure it will NEVER return, click here!

5 Natural Remedies for Menstrual Cramps

2011-09-26T05:00:00.009-04:00

Are you a female who suffers from menstrual cramps or other menstrual complications? If you are, you may feel as if your world stops each and every month. The good news is that it doesn’t have to. There are a number of natural remedies and other home remedies that you can use to seek relief from the pain and discomfort associated with menstruation.

Ginger is a natural remedy for menstrual cramps that comes highly rated and recommended. Ginger is an ideal home remedy, as it can be taken a number of different ways. Many women have found relief by grounding up a teaspoon of ginger, swallowing it, and drinking a glass of water right afterward. Others recommend grinding up a teaspoon of ginger and boiling it in a cup of water and waiting until cooled for consumption. This is ideal for painful menstrual cycles.

Magnesium is another natural remedy ideal for menstrual cramps. The only downside to using magnesium, especially over a long period of time is the side effects. Large doses of magnesium do have side effects, which may include diarrhea and muscle weakness. As for the consumption of magnesium, herbal supplements can be consumed, but magnesium is also found in many natural foods. These foods include leafy vegetables and whole grain foods.

Omega 3 fatty acids are also a natural way to treat the pain associated with female menstruation. Omega 3 fatty acids are ideal, especially when compared to magnesium, as there are little to no side effects. Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in fish; however, supplements in the form of capsules are available for those who prefer not to eat fish products. To see the best success with this natural remedy, it should be consumed on a regular basis, not just when cramps begin.

Exercise is another natural way to relieve menstrual cramps. Exercise comes in a number of different forms, as you likely already know. That is what makes this remedy ideal for all women, as you do not need to visit the gym. Walking, running, aerobics, and yoga are all ideal ways to relieve cramping. In fact, stretching alone can also relieve some of the pain.

Heat is another way to relieve the pain, discomfort, and cramps that often accompany a menstrual flow. Unfortunately, heat cannot always truly be considered a “natural” remedy. When using heat to seek relief, there are many individuals who use a heating pad or temporary heating pads that stick right to the body. If you are looking to use heat as a way to relieve your cramps, soak a washcloth in warm water or water that has been boiled. When using this approach, do not put a washcloth near an open source of heat, such as a stove flame, and let cool a little before placing directly on your abdomen.

The above mentioned natural remedies and home remedies are all ideal ways to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with menstrual cramps. Water is also advised. As an important side note, never take any foods or herbal supplements are you are allergic to, as doing so can pose a significant health risk.

5 Foods That Can Cause a Stroke

2011-09-23T05:00:00.005-04:00

Stroke affects more than 700000 people each year. Here is a list of five food items that cause the damage and leads to stroke.

Few things feel more terrifying and random than a stroke, which can strike without warning. And fear of stroke -- when a blood vessel in or leading to the brain bursts or is blocked by a blood clot, starving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients -- is well founded. After all, stroke is the number-three killer in the U.S., affecting more than 700,000 people each year. Here are five foods that cause the damage that leads to stroke.

1. Crackers, chips, and store-bought pastries and baked goods

Muffins, doughnuts, chips, crackers, and many other baked goods are high in trans fats, which are hydrogenated oils popular with commercial bakeries because they stay solid at room temperature, so the products don't require refrigeration. Also listed on labels as "partially hydrogenated" or hydrogenated oils, trans fats are found in all kinds of snack foods, frozen foods, and baked goods, including salad dressings, microwave popcorn, stuffing mixes, frozen tater tots and French fries, cake mixes, and whipped toppings. They're also what makes margarine stay in a solid cube. The worst offenders are fried fast foods such as onion rings, French fries, and fried chicken.

Why it's bad Read more

Protect Yourself from Salmonella and E. Coli Naturally

2011-09-21T06:00:00.001-04:00

A healthy body can resist illness, even when exposed to pathogens, says Laurie at Common Sense Homesteading.

Are you wondering when the next massive round of food-borne illness will occur?

36 million pounds of salmonella tainted ground turkey in the United States, a new, deadly strain of E. coli in Europe that killed 49 people, the massive salmonella tainted peanut butter recall of 2009 - with an industrialized food system that can potentially spread pathogens to every corner of the globe, you never know when you'll be exposed to toxic bacteria in your food.

Know Your Pathogens

E coli (Escherichia coli) and Salmonella bacteria are commonly found in the digestive systems of humans and animals. E coli 157:H7 bacteria is perfectly healthy and safe, as are many other strains. The term "Salmonella" is used to cover roughly 2,000 similar types of bacteria, which vary in degrees of potential illness. So why do some people get sick when exposed harmful bacteria, while other do not?

"It is not the germ that causes disease but the terrain in which the germ is found."

Jedi Mind Tricks for Depression

2011-09-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

Depression is often a chronic condition, but before you turn to powerful pharmaceuticals for relief, you may want to give Mike Bundrant/s Jedi mind tricks for a consistent depressed state of being a try.

The Jedi are big believers in alternative cures for what darkens the mind, for the mind is your most effective weapon to combat evil in the world and create peace. When darker forces invade your consciousness, it is imperative that you learn to respond effectively. Only then can you maintain your happiness, independence and availability to be of service to others.

As a Natural News reader, you understand that good nutrition and proper supplementation play a major role in mental and emotional health. Even when your nutritional protocol and discipline are perfect, however, you are still susceptible to the Dark Side. How? The mental tactics the Dark Side uses, most unfortunately, have been infiltrating your consciousness over the course of your lifetime.

You'd think that community educators, health care providers, the media and other sources that contribute to the formation of your beliefs would actually have your best interest at heart. Think again. The Dark Side has infiltrated every aspect of human education and community life, often outside of your awareness. Teachers, counselors, public figures and mentors end up being used as puppets to indoctrinate children with mental maps that lead them down the dark path of emotional enslavement and dependency. The only escape is to free your mind, once and for all. Read more

Preventing Cancer: 11 Tips to Live By

2011-09-16T05:00:00.003-04:00

Joseph Mercola discusses ways of preventing and fighting cancer.

Curcumin – a derivative of turmeric, and the pigment that gives the curry spice turmeric its yellow-orange color – is a natural compound that has been extensively researched, and has been found to have numerous health applications. As a result, turmeric is becoming increasingly popular as a supplement. Each 100 grams of turmeric contains an estimated three to five grams of curcumin.

The ancient Chinese and Indian systems of medicine have recognized curcumin's beneficial properties for thousands of years. Most notably, curcumin is known for its potent anti-inflammatory properties, and as you may know, chronic inflammation is an underlying factor in many, if not most, chronic diseases. The compound has been shown to influence more than 700 genes, which may in part explain its numerous health benefits. Read more

Vitamin B Pill May Prevent Alzheimer's

2011-09-14T06:00:00.002-04:00

Taking a high-dose vitamin B pill a day from middle age on may prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Taking one vitamin B pill a day from middle age could protect your memory as you grow older – and even ward off Alzheimer’s, British researchers say.

The supplement, which costs just 10p, is described as the ‘first glimmer of hope’ in the battle to find a drug that slows or stops the development of the disease.

Pensioners who took high doses of the vitamin once a day for two years did 70 per cent better on a simple memory test than those who did not. Read more

5 Easy Ways to Boost Your Metabolism with Ayurveda

2011-09-12T06:00:00.011-04:00

Ayurveda ia the traditional Indian medical practice. It can help with weight loss by providing therapies to boost the metabolism.

At one point or another, just about all of us have tried to lose weight. With almost 75% of the American population either overweight or obese, this challenge is becoming seemingly more insurmountable every day. The typical quick diet programs and colon cleansings rarely provide any long-term benefit as the weight lost during those programs is usually gained back within weeks.

One of the main reasons for not being able to lose weight effectively is because the body`s metabolism is not up to speed. According to Ayurveda, the body`s main digestive fire, or Agni, is responsible for the remaining 12 sub-types of digestive and metabolic processes at various levels. Metabolic disruption in any of these can impede weight loss and overall health.

In conditions which cause an excessive accumulation of adipose or fatty-tissue, the medo dhatu agni (fat tissue metabolism) is invariably compromised. To reactivate it, there are a number of Ayurvedic therapies which can be done both internally and externally. Here are some of the easiest ones to try at home: Read more

30 Most Popular Herbs in Natural Medicine

2011-09-09T08:00:00.001-04:00

Tess Pennington explains the uses of the thirty most popular herbs in natural medicine.

We tend to look to God as a source of all healing. It is said that He has provided all that we will ever need:

“the fruit of it shall be for eating and leaf of it for healing…” (Ezekiel 47:12)

Herbs are a wondrous thing. They not only assist in flavoring dishes and filling the air with delightful aromas, but they also hold medicinal properties that promote healing. Those of you who have herbal gardens of your own, no doubt have a few of these herbal friends already planted. Many of the plants listed below are also listed in my Top 10 Medicinal Herbs that should be in every garden. However, it seems that there are a few more worth mentioning. Read more

Bone Density: Quality over Quantity

2011-09-07T06:00:00.002-04:00

When it comes to reducing the risky of fracture, bone quality is more important than bone quantity, says Margaret Durst, and to get quality, you need more than calcium.

D is for density as in bone density – a statistic that many women are concerned with. Bone density is a measure of the quantity of bone, not the quality. I like to make a distinction here, because bone quality is an important concern that is being overlooked by many.

Bone quality concerns reduced risk of fracture which should be distinguished from bone quantity as expressed as bone density. The conventional way to deal with osteoporosis is to keep old bone from being torn down by using estrogen and prescription drugs such as Fosamax and Actonel along with calcium and vitamin D supplements. .

The problem with this approach is that bone is living tissue. It is constantly being built up and torn down. The modern approach just works at keeping old bone from being torn down and using just calcium which does not greatly strengthen bone such that it resists mechanical stresses. The result may be increased bone density, but the quality of the bone is poor and tends to be brittle.

Calcium alone does not build strong bone. Read more

Detox Your Body

2011-09-02T06:00:00.001-04:00

Better TV shows you the best products to detox from head to toe.

What Are the Keys to Good Health?

2011-08-31T06:00:00.001-04:00

What are the keys to good health? They're prevention and eliminating nutritional deficiencies, says Margaret Durst.

Deficiencies of essential vitamins and minerals are the cause of many imbalances in the human body. These deficiencies come from poor dietary habits including too much processed food and not enough high quality fruits and vegetables. What is critical about these deficiencies is that if they are present over the long run, the body will ultimately develop some chronic health problem.

Virtually every function in the human body is the result of a biochemical reaction that requires essential nutrients. Deficiencies of essential nutrients mean that certain biochemical reactions are compromised. Our bodies are forced to allocate nutrients to certain functions that are necessary for our survival, while other functions are put on hold until enough of the right nutrients are available. Once the right nutrients are available, then the body can go about healing itself. Read more

5 Tips to Whiten Teeth Naturally

2011-08-29T05:00:00.001-04:00

Everyone wants white teeth, but not everyone can afford the expense or wants to use the harmful chemicals of modern dentistry. Can you whiten your teeth naturally?

Dental hygiene is an important part of keeping healthy, but maintaining a white smile is also a great way to show that you take pride in your appearance and wish to keep your body in as good of shape as possible. Because dental problems are correlated with other health risks, keeping your smile as bright and clean as you can is an important step in keeping your entire body healthy. Today's market offers a great deal of dental hygiene products, but many of them are loaded with harmful chemicals. To keep your teeth naturally white, here are five ways to safely brighten your smile. Read more

Gary Taubes on Carbohydrates and Degenerative Diseases

2011-08-26T06:00:00.003-04:00

Gary Taubes answers questions related to refined carbohydrate consumption and their effects on degenerative diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and heart disease.

7 Reasons Why Stevia is Better Than Refined Sugar

2011-08-24T06:00:00.001-04:00

You're probably aware of the dangers of refined sugar and artificial sweeteners. Fortunately, you can still indulge your taste of sweetness with stevia. Edward Group gives seven reasons why stevia is better than refined sugar.

Maybe you’ve heard of stevia already, maybe you haven’t. But if not, then it’s time you did! Stevia is a natural sweetener, derived from the stevia rebaudiana plant that was first discovered centuries ago in Paraguay by the native population. But it wasn’t until the late 19th century that a Swiss botanist working in South America documented the so-called “sweet leaf”, and brought it back with him.

These days you can buy stevia in many forms. The most popular is white extract powder, but you can also buy dried stevia leaves, stevia liquid extract, or as small pellets to sweeten your coffee with. The sweet leaf sweetener is also available in its granular form in small packets.

However, the all-natural stevia sweetener is different from sugar in many ways, and there are several reasons why stevia is a better option than sucrose, whether you’re diabetic or just looking to adopt a healthier lifestyle. So let’s go and have a look at them! Read more

Does Moderate Drinking Reduce Alzheimer's Risk?

2011-08-22T06:00:00.001-04:00

A new study suggests that moderate drinking - no more than one to two drinks a day - could reduced the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Lifestyle factors -- like not smoking, maintaining a healthy body weight and being physically active -- have been shown in past studies to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. But a sweeping new review of the research also shows that moderate drinking -- that is, no more than one to two drinks per day -- could also slash the risk of developing the disease. Read more

Why Soy Is NOT a Health Food

2011-08-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

Dr. Joseph Mercola provides review of the health problems with soy and why it is not the health food you were led to believe it is.

Study: 15 Minutes of Daily Exercise Can Add 3 Years to Your Life

2011-08-17T06:00:00.003-04:00

The usual exercise prescription is 30 minutes daily, but a new study found that even 15 minutes of daily exercise can add three years to your life.

Don't despair if you can't fit in the recommended 30 minutes of daily exercise. Growing evidence suggests that even half that much can help.

It's still no excuse to slack off. Regular exercise strengthens muscles, reduces the risk of some diseases and promotes mental well-being. The more exercise, the better. Read more

10 Natural Remedies for Athletes Foot

2011-08-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

Edward Group gives ten natural remedies for athlete's foot, plus, some tips for prevention.

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that usually thrives in warm, damp places. The fungus, Tinea pedis, grows between the toes, on top of the feet, on toenails and between the fingers. White patches, scaly patches, and redness are all indicative of the fungus. Symptoms of athlete’s foot may include itching, burning, stinging and inflammation.

Athletes foot fungus frequents public showers and locker rooms, indoor swimming pools and health clubs, and it is very contagious. Contact with shoes or socks containing the fungus, wet floors, or exercise equipment (remember it can live between fingers too) can spread it. Read more

Is Vitamin K the Key to Preventing Atherosclerosis and Dementia?

2011-08-12T06:00:00.001-04:00

Vitamin K is is know for its ability to promote normal blood clotting, but a new study shows that it can also help prevent arterial hardening, atherosclerosis and cognitive decline.

Vitamin K is a critical nutrient widely known for its ability to promote normal blood clotting. A wealth of new information demonstrates that this vitamin in its multiple forms can provide a powerful anti-inflammatory shield to protect against many lethal diseases of aging. Writing in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers show that vitamin K works with other fat-soluble nutrients to protect the brain from arterial calcification that leads to a stroke or cognitive decline. Vitamin K works to prevent the deposition of calcium within arterial walls and ushers the mineral toward the normal construction of bone throughout the body. The research provides proof that eating a healthy diet to maintain adequate stores of vitamin K over a lifetime can help prevent arterial hardening, atherosclerosis and cognitive decline. Read more

Natural Breast Enlargement with Hypnosis

2011-08-10T06:00:00.022-04:00

Breast enlargement does not always need to involve surgery. Though some women prefer to have breast implants, it is wiser for most women to choose natural breast enlargement methods. Unlike breast implant surgery, natural breast enlargement is inexpensive and safe. There are several natural breast enlargement methods that are tried and tested and are found to be very effective. One of the most effective natural breast enlargement methods is self-hypnosis.

What is hypnosis?

Hypnosis is a technique that allows your body to communicate to its inner levels. Relaxation and concentration are the keys to the success of this method. Your visualization of the shape and size of breasts you want enables your mind to communicate with your body on how it should work. Hypnosis allows you to communicate to your cells, tissues, and organs that they need to produce enough hormones for the development of your breasts.

Does it work?

One study by R.D. Willard, M.D., "Breast enlargement through visual imagery and hypnosis," published in The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis found that at the end of 12 weeks, 28% of the 22 volunteers had reached the goal they had set at the beginning of the program and desired no further enlargement. There were 85% who could tell a significant enlargement in their breasts had been accomplished, and 46% found it necessary to buy a larger bra. Forty-two percent had a loss in weight of greater than four pounds and still had enlargement of their breasts.

How do you do it?

Hypnosis is actually simple. The first thing you have to do is to relax and clear your mind. You can do this by closing your eyes and looking slightly upward. Then, the next thing you need to do is to relax the muscles of your body. Once you are relaxed, then you have to visualize what you want to achieve. Visualize what size and shape do you want to achieve for your bust. This visualization allows your subconscious mind to communicate to your body on what it would like to achieve.

Hypnosis takes practice and patience. Results do not appear overnight. However, if you use effective scripts and a good self-hypnosis program, you can achieve all the results you want.

If you want fuller, firmer breasts, find out how women around the world have been able to grow their breasts 1-2 cup sizes naturally, using the most advanced approach to Hypnotic Mind-Body Connection available today. Click here!

Yeast Infection: Two Proven Home Remedies

2011-08-08T06:00:00.003-04:00

If you're a woman, chances are that you have encountered, at least once in your life, the dreaded species known as Candida or yeast, which have sent many women into frantic searches for relief. The Candida species, usually the Candida albicans variety, is the fungus that causes yeast infection. Characterized by symptoms that include itching, soreness, and burning in extreme cases, yeast infection occurs when the number of Candida albicans in the vagina becomes too large to contain for the body's legions of good bacteria led by Lactobacillus acidophilus.

When this outgrowth of Candida albicans occurs, a woman would usually notice a white, cottage-cheese like discharge, which may be followed by the other symptoms mentioned earlier. Now, how should you treat it? The answer would depend on the severity of it. You may opt for over the counter medicines. However, , fighting Candidiasis with home remedies is often recommended. Not only are they safer, but some have also proven to be highly effective.

One yeast infection home remedy that is said to be effective is boric acid. Derived from the metalloid boron, boric acid has found its way into homes for its insecticidal and antiseptic uses. To use boric acid as a yeast infection cure, you would need gelatin capsules, which must be filled with about 600 milligrams of the powder. The suppository is inserted into the vagina, usually at bedtime, for up to fourteen days. As a suppository, boric acid is proven safe, except for occasional irritation.

The most recommended home remedy is yogurt. This tasty dessert, made through the process of bacterial fermentation of milk, happens to contain Lactobacillus acidophilus, the bacteria responsible for controlling the overproduction of Candida albicans in the vagina. As a home remedy, yogurt is applied to the vulva. Some women also suggest inserting small amounts of yogurt into the vagina for more direct contact with the Candida albicans.

Usually, yeast infection is not a serious condition. Any proven home remedy is, in most cases, enough to relieve you of Candidiasis symptoms. However, if the symptoms persist or you are having recurring yeast infections, a visit to the doctor is recommended.

Are you tired of the burning, the itching, the sheer aggravation of having a yeast infection? Why settle for only chasing away the symptoms? To find out how you can cure your vaginal yeast infection and make sure it will NEVER return, click here!

How to Use Tea Tree Oil

2011-08-05T11:00:00.004-04:00

Tea tree oil has antiseptic and anti-fungal properties that can be used to clean wounds and treat yeast infections, according to this video by Lauren Roy.

Cinnamon: One Smart Spice

2011-08-03T06:00:00.002-04:00

Mark Sisson explains the health benefits of delicious cinnamon.

We mostly see them as flavorants, as the little jars of powder that line our cabinets and the bags of dried roots, barks, and leaves tucked away in drawers, designed to subtly or drastically alter the flavor profile of our “smart fuel” creations in the kitchen, but for most of human history, spices were also prized for their medicinal qualities. Turmeric for GI disorders and inflammation. Chili peppers for pain management. Ginger for diarrhea. These aren’t just exaggerated cases of “folk medicine” or “old wives’ tales,” either. Current research has confirmed that many common spices do indeed have medicinal properties. One of the most beneficial is also the most common: cinnamon.

It’s important to realize that there are multiple varieties of cinnamon. Read more

Acupuncture Has Significant Impact on Mystery Illnesses

2011-08-01T09:00:00.001-04:00

Acupuncture has a "significant" effect on patients with mystery symptoms and could be added to the list of available treatments for undiagnosed health problems, research shows.

One in five patients has symptoms which are undiagnosed by medicine, and the cost of treating them is twice that as of a diagnosed patient.

A team from the University of Exeter examined 80 patients, and investigated the benefit of acupuncture being added to their usual care.

After the first trial of its type, researchers say those who underwent acupuncture showed 'a significant and sustained benefit' and add that the treatment could be safely added to the list of possible therapies. Read more

How to Use Shiatsu Massage for Menstrual Cramps

2011-07-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

In shiatsu massage the webbing of the thumb, and between the first and second toes are good for relieving pain from menstrual cramps. Relieve stress from menstrual cramping easily and immediately with tips from an experienced shiatsu masseuse in this free video on alternative medicine.

9 Strange but Scientifically Proven Health Tips

2011-07-27T10:00:00.001-04:00

Rebecca Ley.reveals nine strange, but scientifically prove,n health tips you haven't heard about.

We all know that you should eat at least five portions of fruit and veg a day, exercise regularly and cut down on saturated fat. But in recent years scientists have discovered a host of new – and rather more surprising – health tips and remedies.

Here, we reveal some of the more unusual advice for your well-being, including the virtues of chocolate milk and why high heels are good for you...

DITCH THE WHISKERS TO BEAT SNEEZES

If you’re prone to allergies, you might want to reconsider that moustache.

One study suggests that men who washed their moustaches twice a day with liquid soap used fewer antihistamines and decongestants. The reason? Read more

Should We Eat Dirt?

2011-07-25T06:00:00.001-04:00

Mark Sisson digs into the mysterious practice of geophagy.

A few weeks ago I got into an unusual conversation with a guy in a coffee shop. We were both passing through town – he for personal travel and me for business. We struck up a conversation waiting in line and ended up chatting for the remainder of our respective stops there. We talked about what we did, where we were headed, etc. When I mentioned the blog and the PB philosophy behind it, his face lit up. He loved the idea and had embraced similar principles several years prior. His latest experiment, the health effects of which he raved about, was adding dirt to his diet. I listened with interest and asked questions.

You all know I’m big on dirt, and more specifically, on probiotic supplementation. And while I’ve touched on the health benefits of dirt, the immune building properties of dirt consumption in children, and the connection between dirt and clinical depression in youngsters, I’ve never met anyone who made a personal habit of dirt ingestion. I’d heard of the practice in traditional societies, but it had always been one of those concepts I’d thought about in passing and tabled for another time. The idea has been on my mind ever since that exchange. Read more

Study: Seaweed Is Natural Way to Protect Heart

2011-07-22T06:00:00.002-04:00

Seaweed "is natural way to protect the heart" as algae helps bring down blood pressure.

It's hardly the most appetising vegetable side dish.

But tucking into a clump of seaweed at dinner time could help stave off heart attacks, say researchers.

They have discovered key ingredients in the plant that help lower blood pressure, similar to commonly prescribed drugs.

According to a major study, seaweed is a rich source of proteins known as bioactive peptides – which are also found in milk. Read more

How to Make Your Breasts Look Bigger

2011-07-20T06:00:00.004-04:00

This video isn't about making your breasts bigger (see my articles about natural breast enlargement for that), but about making them look bigger in the meantime.

Lower Blood Pressure and Cholesterol with Spirulina

2011-07-18T06:00:00.001-04:00

Spirulina can lower blood pressure and cholesterol with just one tablespoon daily, and it has more protein than red meat, says Joseph Mercola.

What if consuming a tablespoon or two per day of a simple food could drastically lower your chances of developing cancer, heart disease or stroke, or of contracting a life-threatening virus such as HIV?

Would your interest be piqued?

There is a unique freshwater plant that has been of enormous interest to nutritional scientists over the past decade, and it shows promise for doing all of the above – and then some. It's one of the most nutrient-packed dynamos of the superfood world.

This simple food is spirulina.

I recently posted a report about the radioprotective effects of spirulina. But its health benefits go far beyond that application. But what exactly is spirulina? You may be surprised! Read more

The Key to All Health Problems

2011-07-15T06:00:00.001-04:00

Matthew Silverstone says in his book Blinded By Science that the key to all health problems lies in the fact that "everything vibrates." Silverstone claims that if we were to embrace "vibrational medicine" by developing therapies based on sound waves, magnets, and the Moon’s electromagnetic pull, we could cure all the humanity's diseases.

No matter how many high-tech cures modern medicine brings us, alternative evangelists will always argue loudly that the true secrets of well-being lie in esoteric notions such as ‘healing frequencies’, magnets and astrological alignments.

The latest example of this is a book by Matthew Silverstone, a successful London businessman. He became fascinated by alternative medicine after seeing his 19-year-old son recover from a bout of chronic fatigue syndrome so severe that he did not even have the energy to talk to people.

Despite being a tough-minded businessman, Silverstone believes the cure was brought about by an alternative healer who recommended therapies such as feeling the energy given off by trees.

In the book, Blinded By Science, Silverstone claims to have discovered that the key to all health problems lies in the fact that ‘everything vibrates – absolutely everything, from the nucleus of an atom to the molecules of our blood, our organs, our brain, light, sound, plants, animals, Earth, space, the universe’.

Silverstone claims that if we were to embrace ‘vibrational medicine’ by developing therapies based on sound waves, magnets, and the Moon’s electromagnetic pull, we could cure all the world’s ills. Read more

8 Easy Ways to Detox Your Life

2011-07-13T06:00:00.001-04:00

Self magazine reveals eight easy ways to lean out the unhealthy chemicals in your everyday life.

In Your Bedroom

"If people would buy different sheets, they might not need sleeping pills," notes consumer advocate Debra Lynn Dadd, author of Toxic Free. Polyester-cotton blends and permanent press linens have a finish that releases formaldehyde, which can irritate the throat and eyes—not helpful for peaceful sleep. Use untreated cotton sheets; avoid wrinkles by taking them out of the dryer right away. Read more

10 New Uses for Common Home Cures

2011-07-11T06:00:00.002-04:00

The go-to health items in your medicine chest and kitchen have some unexpected benefits.

When minor medical issues crop up (nosebleeds, insect stings, dandruff!), chances are your medicine cabinet already contains some effective—and surprising—fixes for what ails you. Here are 10 common household items that all do double duty, saving you a trip to the pharmacy—and cash in the process! Read more

10 Diet and Exercise Myths That Won't Go Away

2011-07-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

Have you tried dieting and exercising with very little to show for your efforts? You may be doing it all wrong, says Joseph Mercola.

Popular misconceptions can damage your fitness plans. Yahoo Shine and CNN have collected some of the most pervasive and damaging fitness-related rumors. Here are some of them:

Myth – Strength training will bulk you up

In fact, researchers have found that working out with heavy weights increased exercisers' sleeping metabolic rate (the number of calories burned overnight) by nearly 8 percent. That's enough to lose about 5 pounds in a year right there.

Myth – All calories are equal, so it doesn't matter what you eat

Some foods take more work to eat, and therefore burn more calories while you're digesting them. Eating vegetables and lean cuts of meat can increase your calorie burn by up to 30 percent.

Myth – Eating fat will make you fat

Getting enough of the right kinds of fat in your diet is actually essential for good health. Read more

Exercise in a Bottle

2011-07-06T06:00:00.001-04:00

Could a glass of red wine help you win the battle of the bulge? The latest research indicates that resveratrol may trick the body into burning off fat.

It is the perfect excuse to crack open a bottle of Chianti and put your feet up.

Resveratrol, the ‘miracle ingredient’ in red wine, credited with warding off a host of ills from old age to cancer, may provide exercise benefits without moving a muscle as it seems to keep bones strong and diabetes at bay.

With previous research endowing resveratrol, which can also be bought in supplement form, with tricking the body into burning off fat, it could be the couch potato’s dream. Read more

Which Natural Remedies for Whiter Teeth Work?

2011-07-01T06:00:00.001-04:00

A lot of people would like to have whiter teeth without spending a fortune to get them. Which natural rmedies for whiter teeth work? Laura Schocker lists five that can help, but warns against two traditional home remedies.

Bleached, bright-white teeth seem to be everywhere -- and while traditional treatments like whitening toothpastes, at-home trays and in-office procedures are an effective way to get there, they can sometimes cause tooth sensitivity and pain. For those hoping to steer clear of chemical treatments, there are a few techniques that can possibly help your smile to sparkle naturally.

The first step is good oral hygiene. “Health and beauty are intertwined,” says Arthur Glosman, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in Beverly Hills. “If something is healthy, it’s going to look beautiful. If it’s sick, no amount of white teeth is going to make it look good.”

Beyond that, here are a few remedies that do (and don’t) work for a whiter -- and maybe even healthier -- smile. Read more

Herbal Remedies for Common Ailments

2011-06-29T06:00:00.001-04:00

Herbal remedies for common ailments are available at your local supermarket, says Philip Weeks, an expert in natural medicine.

Many of us have a few herbs in our garden - or wilting in a pot on the kitchen windowsill - that we use to add flavour to a sauce or roast dinner, writes Jill Foster. But these inauspicious plants may have far more significant uses when it comes to pepping up our health.

It is estimated £126million is spent on herbal medicine in Britain each year, and a poll in 2008 revealed that 35 per cent of Britons have tried shop-bought natural remedies.

So could the answer to common illnesses be as simple as a trip to the supermarket? We spoke to Philip Weeks, an expert in natural medicine, about the everyday herbs with healing properties. Read more

Weight Training Could Changle Your Life

2011-06-27T06:00:00.002-04:00

Many women shy away from weight training. But Naomi Alderman says it has transformed her body.

There's a weightlifting area in my gym – not just the rows of dinky handweights by the stretching mats, but the bit with the squat cage, the bench press and the machine where, with both hands, you pull down weights the size of hefty toddlers. I haven't used it – yet – but I'm going to. I've been weight training since last year and every session takes me a bit closer to the end of the handweights and the start of serious lifting. I'm looking forward to it in a way I've never looked forward to exercise before.

Personal trainers, however nice, give me PE teacher flashbacks. I'm not co-ordinated so the group classes that others seem to find fun and sociable – "step up, touch down, change legs, grapevine, step change and shimmy" – just leave me feeling clumsy and frustrated. But I can pick up an easily graspable heavy metal object, lift it slowly and then put it down again. Not only can I do it: I find I love it. Read more

Is a Chocolate Milkshake the Ideal Post-Workout Recovery Drink?

2011-06-24T06:00:00.001-04:00

Cyclists who drank a low-fat chocolate milkshake after exercise rode faster with more power compared to those who had sports drinks, said University of Texas scientists.

After an exhausting session on the treadmill, many athletes reach for an isotonic sports drink or good old-fashioned water.

But two new studies from The University of Texas at Austin show that a chocolate milkshake is the ideal post-workout recovery drink. Read more

Is Meditation Better Than Pills for Chronic Pain?

2011-06-22T06:00:00.001-04:00

Could improving your meditation technique cure chronic pain? It's may be worth contemplating.

Chronic pain is estimated to affect over 76 million people, more than diabetes and heart disease combined, and back pain is our country's leading cause of disability for people under 45. And though the pharmaceutical industry seems very adept at introducing one new painkiller after another, the pills don't always help. A new study in the Journal of Neuroscience, however, suggests something else might: meditation. It seems that improving your meditation technique could very well be more effective than painkillers at cutting down on pain, and that could save you hundreds in prescription drug costs. Read more

Apple Cider Vinegar Health Drink

2011-06-20T06:00:00.001-04:00

Apple cider vinegar can be used to make a delicious and healthful pick-me-up drink. The brand shown in the video, which can be found in any health food store, is the best to use.

Electrolytes: What Are They and Why Are They So Good for Us?

2011-06-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

What are electrolytes and why are they so good for us? Dr. Edward Groups explains and tells how to get them naturally.

Electrolytes are ionic solutions (salts), existing in nature in the form of minerals. Electrolytes are responsible for keeping the body properly hydrated so the muscles and nerves can function properly.

Since the human body is composed mostly of water, it is important that we take in adequate amounts of these minerals. What is more, when we are well-hydrated, we are able to release toxic internal wastes such as harmful chemicals, urea and ammonia.

The essential electrolytes most commonly found in the human body are sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, chloride, calcium, and phosphates.

Why Are Electrolytes So Important?

When the kidneys are functioning properly, they are able to regulate concentrations of these vital minerals, in conjunction with fluid levels in the body. As we go about the day, and particularly when we exercise, much of the body’s precious fluid (and mineral electrolytes) are lost. We can also lose these vital salts through our lungs when we breath, as well as through urination, vomiting, going to the bathroom (especially diarrhea), and through the liquid content of wounds. Read more

Could a Pill Made from Olive Leaves Help Beat Heart Disease?

2011-06-15T06:00:00.008-04:00

Scientists say that a pill made of olive leaves could be a powerful weapon against heart disease. However, you don't need to wait for years of clinical trials to be completed to benefit. Olive leaf extract is available in health food stores right now.

A pill made from the leaves of the olive tree could be a powerful weapon in the fight against heart disease, scientists say.

According to research, the olive pill is as effective as some prescription medicines at reducing high blood pressure.

And it also appears to lower levels of harmful blood fats, called triglycerides, known to raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Read more

Take More Omega-3 to Prevent Diabetes

2011-06-13T06:00:00.002-04:00

Want to prevent diabetes? Take more omega-3 fatty acids, say two recent studies..

Consuming omega-3 fatty acids may help lower your risk of diabetes, according to two recent studies. The studies, one based in the US, the other in Singapore, found adults with higher levels of omega-3 fats were less likely to develop diabetes.

Researchers suggest people avoid interpreting the study as evidence of omega-3's as a "magic bullet" health solution. They note that omega-3 fats may only be markers for some other dietary or lifestyle aspect which helps protect against the diabetes. Rather than stocking up on fish oil tablets, they suggest a better way to avoid this disease is a diet based on whole foods. "Approaching your dietary intake with this 'big picture' approach should take care of the small things, like essential nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids," notes Andrew Odegaard of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, one of the researchers on the Singapore study. Read more

The Hidden Health Benefits of Sex

2011-06-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

Talk about playing doctor! The health benefits of sex extend well beyond the bedroom. It turns out that sex is good for you in ways you may never have imagined.

"Having sex regularly can do more than make you feel closer to your partner—it can actually make you physically healthier," says Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University and author of Pleasure: A Woman's Guide to Getting the Sex You Want, Need, and Deserve. Check out a few of the surprising perks you can reap from great sex. Read more

10 Ways to Reduce Your Family's Exposure to Chemicals

2011-06-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

The jury is still out about these substances' effects on human health, but if you want to reduce your family's exposure, this is how.

1. Use fresh or frozen foods instead of canned, when possible.

2. Use soy infant formula only if there is a medical reason for it, such as lactose intolerance or milk allergy, says Heather Patisaul, Ph.D. Genistein — a natural estrogen found in soy plants — is present in large amounts in soy-based baby formulas. (Some countries require a prescription for it.)

3. Don't microwave food in plastic containers or covered with plastic wrap. When plastic is heated, the chemicals in it can more easily migrate to food. Read more

Home Remedy for Menstrual Cramps

2011-06-06T06:00:00.002-04:00

Menstrual cramps are pains in the abdominal and pelvic areas that are experienced by a woman as a result of her menstrual period. Menstrual cramps of some degree affect more than an estimated 50% of women. Learn how to use a home remedy for menstrual cramps.

Acupuncture of Benefit to Those with Unexplained Symptoms

2011-06-03T05:00:00.001-04:00

A new study found that acupuncture can benefit patients with medically unexplained symptoms.

Attending frequently with medically unexplained symptoms is distressing for both patient and doctor and effective treatment or management options are limited: one in five patients have symptoms that remain unexplained by conventional medicine. Studies have shown that the cost to the NHS of managing the treatment of a patient with medically unexplained symptoms can be twice that of a patient with a diagnosis.

A research team from the Institute of Health Services Research, Peninsula Medical School, University of Exeter, has carried out a randomised control trial and a linked interview study regarding 80 such patients from GP practices across London, to investigate their experiences of having five-element acupuncture added to their usual care. This is the first trial of traditional acupuncture for people with unexplained symptoms.

The results of the research are published in the British Journal of General Practice. They reveal that acupuncture had a significant and sustained benefit for these patients and consequently acupuncture could be safely added to the therapies used by practitioners when treating frequently attending patients with medically unexplained symptoms. Read more