Natural Therapy Blog

A pain is the most gruesome experience of all bodily discomfitures. It not only poses a big threat to the normal functioning of the body but it also demoralizes even a mentally strong person for some time. When we experience pain, the first thing that we do is pop in a pain killer. Sometimes, it does not stop at one pill. In our desperation to get out of this very very unpleasant condition we pop in more and more pills.

Is high blood pressure a constant threat to your health? If it is, so just relax and have a glassful of beet juice to bring it down. No kidding! Actually, beet juice has been found reducing high blood pressure significantly. The idea got the spark after researchers at Barts and The London School of Medicine found that drinking just 500ml of beetroot juice daily could control your blood pressure, significantly.

The study led by Professor Amrita Ahluwalia of the William Harvey Research Institute at Barts and The London School of Medicine, and Professor Ben Benjamin of Peninsula Medical School, revealed that beet juice consumption brought down healthy volunteers’ blood pressure significantly within just 1 hour of ingesting beetroot juice. More interesting is the fact that even after the elapsing of 24 hours some degree of reduction continued to be observed. Isn’t it amazing?

Believe it or not, clay seems to be the ultimate answer to your cures.Soon enough, your physician might be prescribing clay to cure your wound. Specially French clay has a lot of medicinal value. Out of most of the clays in the market, French clay has been successful in healing wounds.

French clay known as Agricur is very useful for medical purpose. At least that’s what French humanitarian worker Line Brunet de Courssou thinks. The French clay seemed to be very effective when applied to the bodies of the people suffering from Buruli ulcer. The World Health Organization has labeled the Buruli ulcer disease as one of the emerging diseases.

According to a recent study, Chinese herbs can be more effective in reducing menstrual pains if compared to normally used medicines, acupuncture method or heat treatment procedure. The researchers monitored approximately 3,500 females of few countries and finally came out with such assumption.

It should give all youth enhancing cream products a run for their money. Research conducted on Deeside Mineral Water shows that it holds anti-ageing properties.

A clean mouth is a healthy mouth. Pleasant breath, clean teeth and healthy gums all contribute to a beautiful smile. There are numerous mouth-care products available in the market today. But they should be selected with care as many conventional toothpastes and mouthwashes contain ingredients that are unhealthy or even toxic. Hence is advisable to use herbal products for dental care.

A relaxing foot bath is all that you need at the end of a tiring day to unwind and drive away the stress. Try this simple recipe of foot bath comprising of aroma oils at the comfort of your home. The wonderful fragrance of the essential oils take you to a different world altogether. The therapeutic properties of the aroma oils work towards the rejuvenating the tired muscles and refreshing your feet.

Here’s the recipe:

3 drops lemon oil
3 drops of thyme oil
3 drops of peppermint oil
3 drops of geranium oil
3 drops of lavender oil
1 teaspoon Massage oil

Add these oils to a basin filled with warm water. Swirl the water thoroughly so that the blended oils disperse well and soak in your feet for about fifteen minutes.

Wait, now that you are in a mood to relax, do it in style! First, switch off all the lights, light up some candles, put on some music and create a spa like atmosphere. Now, add a few fresh rose petals and you are ready to soak in your feet and don’t forget to sip some green tea while you relax.

With happy feet, you are now all set to take on the world!

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According to scientists echinacea can be used to prevent the common cold and it has the ability to lower the risk of contracting the disease by more than fifty percent, the time period of cold by 1 and 1/2 day.

The result of the study is published in ‘The Lancet Infectious Diseases’. The study results are contradictory with other studies which that it has no benefits.

Few of the experts assured that echinacea a group of 9 associated plant species belonging to North America, work by energizing the person’s immunity.

The lead researcher of the study is — Dr Craig Coleman from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy. The study results are the combination of the results of 14 studies done on echinacea’s anti-cold functions.

When echinacea was consumed along with vitamin C. The combination then lowered cold occurrence by 86 percent. When this herbal remedy is used only than it lowered the cold by 65 percent.

And when people were vaccinated with the rhinovirus (which is considered to be the most common of all the viruses) that can cause cold, echinacea lowered the cold occurrence by 35 percent.

The researcher discovered that nearly 800 products that contain the echinacea are already present in the market. Different parts of a plant like its root, flower, and stem were used to make these products.

Professor Ron Cutler, of the University of East London, said in a prepared statement:

The true benefits, and more importantly, how the agents work remains unclear and further better-controlled actual clinical trials still have to be carried out.

The rhinoviruses cause nearly half of all the common colds among kids and adults. School goers normally get 7 to 10 colds in a year, and adults up to 2 to 5. Common colds and flu are transmitted through hand to hand contact and generally by the contact of floors, places etc touched by the entire passerby.

Echinacea may lower the time period of sickness and reduces the seriousness of coughing, headache, and also the nasal blocking.

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Herbal dietary products have immensely gained popularity in countries like US but people are still failing to suck out full advantage from these products because when it comes to follow scientific guidelines, most people turn a blind eye to these guidelines.

This fact loomed out from a survey that tracked more than 2,000 adults and found that 71 per cent of these people were regularly taking vitamins, minerals, herbal products and homeopathic medicines. It is quite startling that 2/3 of the people who use herbs don’t follow the guidelines, which need to be followed strictly. This underlying situation looks grimmer when researchers unveil the fact that where sales of these herbal supplements was just $8.8 billion in 1994, while in the year 2003 it touched the figure of $18.8 billion. These figures compel to think that majority of people is misusing these herbal supplements, which may lead to serious consequences. In this situation, responsibility lies on doctors, as only they can make people realize the importance of following the guidelines that comes with these herbal supplements. Giving out similar views Dr. Bardia asserted:

Physicians, pharmacists and other health professionals should proactively educate consumers and advocate for public health policies that would disseminate evidence-based information regarding the appropriate use of herbs.

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Via: CBC

New research suggests that an herbal extract sold in health food stores may improve treatment of bladder infections when it is taken with antibiotics.

About 90 percent of urinary tract infections in the bladder are caused by E. coli bacteria. These infections afflict women four times as often as men, and in a large number of cases, the infection returns within weeks of antibiotic treatment.

Researchers at Duke University reported in today’s online edition of Nature Medicine that some bacteria were able to hide in lined small pouches in the bladder. Those pouches allow it to stretch as it fills.

The lead researcher says that in tests in mice, the extract can cause the pouches to kick out the bacteria, allowing antibiotics to kill them.

The next step for the researchers is to experiment in larger animals to see if they can completely eliminate a bladder infection.

The herbal extract is available in health food stores and some people take it by mouth as a supplement. It is promoted as a treatment for allergies, breathing problems and even fat loss.

However, researchers warn that people should not take forskolin and attempt to treat themselves for bladder infections. Urinary tract infections must be treated with antibiotics because they can quickly spread to the kidneys, so infected people needed to see their doctor. But the fact that forskolin is being used by some people does help indicate it is safe.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Via: USA TODAY

Aroma therapy is considered safe and effective when it comes to treating digestive disorders and headaches. Peppermint oil has been used since hundreds of years in Greek medicine as a digestive aid and for management of gallbladder diseases.

Homespun medicine recommended people to drink mint tea or chew mint leaves to cure stomach disorders. Peppermint oil is extracted from the stem, leaves and flowers of the plant. It could be used to treat digestive disorders, headaches, muscular pains, nausea, PMT and menopausal hot flashes.

Peppermint oil is an essential oil which contains high amounts of menthol which is not only antiseptic but is also anesthetic in nature. Therefore it cures respiratory infections like cough and cold when inhaled. When applied topically, it effectively treats headaches and muscular pains.

Since peppermint oil fights bacterial infection it can be used to treat acne and blemishes. It is also known to stimulate circulation and helps enliven dull dry skin. If a few drops of peppermint oil is added to a tub of warm water and feet soaked in it, Peppermint oil delivers a brisk cooling sensation that relaxes the tired feet.

The fragrance is known to stimulate the brain, make one mentally alert and improve concentration. It could effectively treat depression, hysteria and anger.

The uses of peppermint are many and if used properly can relieve a lot of aches and disorders. High dosages may cause adverse effects which include allergic reactions, heartburn, peri-anal burning, blurred vision, nausea, and vomiting and may also prove fatal when used on infants.

Consult a physician or a therapist before you try any alternate therapy to be on the safer side.

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Years old folk remedy for treating several health ailments like arthritis, back pain, rheumatism and several other health disorders is well known. Here I am talking about been venom. In the recent years once again this years old remedy is gaining popularity. In the above picture, you can see a Chinese patient receiving been venom treatment for rhinitis, which is an inflammation of the nasal membranes. Practitioners believe that such pinpointed stings can repair damaged cells, ease inflammation and help staving off bacteria.

Here is a look back at the important studies regarding been venom treatment:-

• Bee Venom Therapy.

• Bee venom successively treats men’s most precious organ.

• Bee Venom Therapy–A stinging endorsement.

Via: spluch.blogspot

It is quite unfortunate that miff between traditional Chinese medication system and western medication system has erupted. Where this miff has endangered the existence of centuries old Chinese medication system, at the same time it has raised question on the reliability of this old medication system too.

This is right that ancient Chinese medication system is more based on assumptions than on facts but it doesn’t mean that it has no use today. We should not forget that for centuries ancient Chinese medication system has been serving suffering human beings.

I firmly believe that instead of making the trench lying between ancient Chinese medication system and western medication system deeper, it would be far better if we make efforts to dovetail the positive aspects of both these medication systems.

Via: LA Times

What to believe and what not to believe, such abstruse questions are hovering round mistletoe extract and compelling to reconsider whether mistletoe extract contain anti-cancer properties or not because where in some of the European countries like Germany, mistletoe extract is believed to have anti-cancer properties. On the other hand, a section of scientists has come up opposing such beliefs, saying that mistletoe extract does not contain anti-cancer properties. Backing this view Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCPEd, in BMJ says, ‘I recommend mistletoe as a Christmas decoration and for kissing under, but not as an anticancer drug.’

This time moving on the same track researchers have given air to the view that using mistletoe for treating cancer is just like befooling a cancer patients. These contradiction statements are bound to leave a patient with cancer in a fix, since such contradicting statements has turned mistletoe extract as a doubtful thing.

Therefore, it is quite important to come up with concrete evidences to prove any side of the claims or cancer patients would be the worst suffers.

Image credit: Irish Health

Via: Ivanhoe