B - Herbal Definitions :
Barberry - Bark berries roots - Decreases heart rate, slows breathing,
reduces bronchial constriction, kills bacteria on the skin, and
stimulates intentinal movement.
Caution ; Should not be taken during pregnancy.
Bayberry - Root bark -
Helps clear congestion, aids circulation, reduces fever, acts as an astringent.
Helpful for stopping bleeding. Good for circulatory disorders, fever, hypothyroidism, and ulcers.
Also good for th eyes and immune system.
The wax of berries is used to make fragrant candles.
Bilberry Plant- Helps to control insulin levels and strengthen connective tissue.
Acts as a diuretic and urinary tract antiseptic. Useful for hypoglycemia, inflamation, stress, anxiety, night blindness, and cataracts.
Caution : Interfers with iron absorption when taken internally.
Birch Leaves - Bark ; Acts as a diuretic, lessens inflammation, and relievs pain. Good for
joint pain and urinary tract infections. Applied externally, is good for boils and sores.
Birch – Bark : Acts as a diuretic, lessens inflammation, and relieves pain. Good for joint pain and urinary infections. Applied externally, is good for boils and sores.
Black Cohosh -Rhizomes, roots - Lowers blood pressure and cholestrol levels, and reduces mucus.
Black Walnut : Husks inner bark, leaves, nuts - Aid digestion and promotes healing of mouth or throat sores.
Cleanses the body of some types of parasites. Good for bruising, fungal infection, herpes, pison ivy and warts.
When boiled the hulls produce a dye that is used to dye wool.
Herbal Definitions. Herbs and Their Uses :
Alfalfa _ Flowers - leaves petals : Alkalizes and detoxifies the body. Acts as a diuretic, eases inflammation, lowers cholestrol, balances hormones, and promotes pituitary gland function. Also contains an anti fungal agent.
Good for anemia, bleeding-related disorders, bone and joint disorders, colon and digestive disorders, skin disorders, and ulcers.
Must be used in fresh, raw form to provide vitamins. Sprouts are especially effective.
Anise - Seeds - Aids digestion, clears mucus from air passages, combats infections
and promotes milk production in nursing mothers. Good for indigestion and for
respiratory infections such as sinusitis. Also helpful for menopausal symptoms.
Aloe Vera : Pulp from inside of leaves - Applied externally, heals burns and wounds: stimulates cell regeneration, and has astringent, emollient, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Good for AIDS and for skin and digestive problems.
Caution: Allergy though rare may occur in susceptible individuals. Apply small amount behind ear or under arm to see if rash occurs. Do not use if rash occurs.
Astragalus Roots. Acts as a tonic to protect the immune system.
Aids adrenal gland function and digestion. Increases metabolism ,
produces spontaneous sweating, promotes healing, and provides energy
to combat fatigue. Increases stamina. Good for colds, flu and immune -
definciency problems. Effective for chronic lung weakness.
Caution: should not be taken in presence of a fever.
Herbs form an integral part of the holistic approach of all sciatica alternative remedies. Whatever the contention of the conventionalist, the role of herbal treatments cannot be denied. Many conventional medicines were initially derived from herbs and natural products and later synthesized for mass production.
Most of the drugs used for treating different ailments carry warning about side effects. Herbs are relatively safe and, if taken in recommended quantities, do not lead to any complication that cannot be managed easily. A typical herbal sciatic nerve treatment for managing pain will include any or more of the following herbs:
Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)
Low doses of devil’s claw, initially known for relieving pain from arthritis, can ease sciatic pain.
Oil of Wintergreen
It contains methyl salicylate, widely used for treating inflammation caused by arthritis, sciatica, arthritis, rheumatism and tense muscles externally. It is too toxic and should not be ingested.
St. Johns wort
Rubbing oil from this herb on the affected part, preferably before bedtime, will take care of any intense pain and tension.
Chamomile
Chamomile has healing effect on muscle tissue. Topical application or chamomile tea or 10-20 drops of extract in water produces instant results.
Horsetail
This perennial rush-like flowerless herb with hollow stems and a narrow leaves that spread by creeping rhizomes is an effective remedy for building connective tissue.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the most talked about herbal remedies for injury, sciatica, healing wounds and pain management. It has been in use in Asia since ages and has a very strong track record. It can be ingested on daily basis, even in its raw form mixed in milk or used as a topical remedy by mixing it with butter oil and other herbs like garlic and leek.
Jamaican Dogwood (Piscidia erythrina)
It is particularly indicated for compression of nerves like sciatic nerve, painful menstruation and spasms.2 to 4 grams of dried root of the herb, three times a day are enough to relieve episodes of sciatica. However, this herb is not recommended for pregnant women or lactating mothers and individuals with congestive cardiac conditions.
Garlic and mustard Oil
Garlic pods and mustard oil work as an effective pain reliever. Put some garlic pods in mustard oil and heat till the garlic is burnt. Let it cool. A regular massage over the affected part will relieve mild pain.
Herbs can be used as standalone medicines and topical applications. They can also be used in combination of more than one herb. Although a safer option, indiscriminate use of herbs can prove to be dangerous in some rare cases.
Moreover, herbs should be used only after gathering relevant information about the dosage and instances where they should not be used. While a topical application of herbs is devoid of any negative effect on the patient, ingestion can sometimes produce mild side effects.
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There has been a lot of media hype over herbal treatments. With the banning of
certain herbs and their exclusion from the US pharmacopeia, due to their reported adverse
affects, herbs have also had their shares of controversies.Herbs are natural products and
have nothing to offer to pharmaceutical companies as they are difficult to patent. Turmeric
is one of the few herbs over which the Indian Government has fought a successful legal
battle against companies that are trying to patent it for medicinal purposes.Conventional
allopathic drugs are infamous for their adverse affects and the complications that are
difficult to manage. There are myriads of plants and herbs that have medicinal properties
that are safe to use and have been in use for ages.Turmeric has a rich past to support its efficacy in healing. It is not uncommon to see
Indians drinking milk mixed with pure turmeric powder when they hurt themselves. Turmeric
and milk can also prove to be a good home remedy for a cold and chest congestion.
It is also used as a topical application for sprains and strains. However, turmeric does not
have research to back it and one has to depend upon success stories and word of mouth
testimonies. Stories, however, are stories and difficult for people to believe if they are
looking for physical and scientific evidence.
Sciatica pain can be debilitating and can often lead to partial or complete immobility. It is a
pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the human body that
has its roots in lower spine and extends to the legs, passing through the buttocks.
Compression of any of its five roots due to alterations in spinal disc is the most common
cause behind sciatica. It is a long nerve and is susceptible to getting pinched or compressed
at various points along its route.
There is no single treatment for sciatica. Conventional sciatic nerve treatment involves use
of toxic pain killers. Even traditional physicians suggest a combination of therapies. Herbs
form an important part of sciatica alternative remedies as do exercises, acupuncture, yoga
and chiropractic manipulations. Turmeric, as an herbal remedy, can play an important role
in managing sciatica.
Turmeric is an herb that grows as a slender stem with yellowish orange color inside. It
has known anti inflammatory properties and is an effective herb for healing injuries. A mixture
of turmeric, butter oil and herbs like piper longum and roots of the genus Allium is used as
a topical medicine for healing, alleviating pain and reducing inflammation. It is chewed in its
raw form for cough and is also an important ingredient in practically all types of Indian curries.
The fact that there was an attempt for patenting turmeric for its use in pain relief is
sufficient evidence of its efficacy. It may not be long before turmeric gets the recognition
that it deserves as alternative medicine for pain relief and accompanying cardiovascular
and anti-carcinogenic properties.
Its record is much stronger than most of the other herbs. Turmeric has been in use in Asia
for blood, gastrointestinal and dermatological disorders and relief from pain. |
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Description: The human body is a complex system of actions and reactions where
each organ, gland and body system has a dedicated role. The immune system acts as a sort
of a watch dog and comes into action the moment there is something wrong with the body,
a bacterial invasion, for example.
Article text:
The human body is a complex system of actions and reactions where each organ, gland
and body system has a dedicated role. The immune system acts as a sort of a watch dog
and comes into action the moment there is something wrong with the body, a bacterial
invasion, for example.
Simply said, your immune system is your body’s own physician that protects against a wide
range of disease causing antigens. It is obvious that immune system health is a primary
factor that affects your overall health.
The quick fix solution provided by the antibiotic alternative for treating even self healing
conditions and its indiscriminate use has resulted in the development of drug resistant
bacteria. In addition, new strains of bacteria are developing as they undergo various
mutations around us.
Herbs provide a natural defense against bacteria, even those that have developed resistance
to antibiotic drugs. Moreover, an increased use of herbal antibiotics can go a long way in
restricting indiscriminate use of antibiotic drugs, thus ensuring that the drugs will still be
effective when we really need them. For example, aloe, garlic and grapefruit seed extract
are very effective in defending the body from Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and
salmonella. Other herbs that have proven antibiotic effects include goldenseal myrrh,
usnea and arctostaphylos uva-ursi.
Similarly, there are other properties that lie hidden in many herbs that need to be
explored. Astragalus membranaceus is a plant that survives even the harshest winter.
Known as huang qi, it has been an integral part of traditional Chinese herbs for immune
system. It works on the immune system as a tonic while improving lung, adrenal gland
and gastrointestinal functions. In addition it improves metaboilsm, increases sweating,
helps in healing and counters fatigue.
Allopathic drugs including antibiotics are based on a solitary compound and thus target a
specific disease or infection. Herbs, on the other hand, have a composite structure and
contain complex compounds. Common sage (Salvia officinalis), for example has been
recommended for virtually every ailment and there exists evidence of its effectiveness in
many disorders including the Alzheimer’s disease.
The immune system of the body is the first line of defense against foreign substances
and organisms. Its dedicated function is comprises recognizing and ultimatley destroying
harmful foreign substances. The immune system is also easily impaired.
The easily identifiable factors that weaken the immune system are depression and physical
and emotional stress. An improper diet, alcoholism, recreational drugs, common drugs,
especially antibiotics and steroids and a physically unfit body can also cause long term
harm.
The occurrence of a disease is not by itself an indication of a weakened immune system.
However, recurrent conditions like infections, frequent depressive episodes and cold and
sore throat are indications of a weak immune system.
Herbs for immune system have been part and parcel of traditional therapies and modern
homoepathy. At the same time, herbs have an intrinsic nature of being effective only in
recommended doses. Some of the herbs are extremely toxic in their undiluted form and
special attention must be paid to it.
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Your body’s immune system, which includes the thymus, bone marrow and lymphoid tissues,
produces immune responses to protect the body from foreign substances and pathogenic
organisms.
It is imperative that the immune system be strong enough to perform the function of the body’s
own natural physician. A weak immune system does not work to its optimum capability - it fails
to recognize foreign invasions and can even start to destroy the normal cells of the body.
While an illness does not indicate a weak immune system, persistent fatigue, swelling of glands,
recurrent colds and sore throat do indicate deterioration in the immune system health . The
immune system is well organized and focused in its functions. It is also a complex system that
can be impaired by simple factors like excessive physical or emotional stress, reckless recourse
to the antibiotic alternative and a non-nutritional diet.
The immune system uses up lot of reserves in the body in the process of producing antibodies
and white blood cells. These reserves need to be replenished regularly so that the immune
system continues to work at optimum levels. Herbal antibiotics and herbal supplements can
play an important role in this.
You would have noticed that every time you have a cold the doctor prescribes a vitamin C
supplement along with other medications, when a if prescription is needed. Vitamin C
restricts the growth of viruses and bacteria. However, the vitamin needs flavanoids for
easy absorption by the body.
These are plant based substances that should be consumed with vitamin C daily for
strengthening your immunity against disease. Citrus fruits are an excellent source of
vitamin C and therefore help in keeping the immune system in a healthy condition.
Herbs for immune system contain complex compounds that bacteria are unable to break.
This means that they cannot use simple compounds for their own metabolism. And this is
the main reason why the there is no possibility of bacteria developing resistance to herbs.
Many herbal supplements have antibiotic properties along with the capacity to spruce up
your immune system’s health.
Exercising the antibiotic alternative every time you fall ill can destroy the friendly bacteria
as well. These friendly bacteria are of utmost utility for the healthy functioning of various
systems in the body. For example, antibiotics disturb the intestinal flora making elimination
of solid wastes difficult.
Herbs like stinging nettle, dandelion, watercress, Echinacea, Korean white ginseng and shoots
of conifers like fir and pine help in the detoxification process. They also purify the blood and
boost immune system health especially if consumed in juice form. Echinacea stimulates
white blood cells that aid in the break down and elimination of solid waste and toxins.
A supplement prepared from roots of licorice, couch grass and lovage herbs helps in
supercharging the immune system along with eliminating toxins that may have accumulated
in the body.
It should be kept in mind that herbs for immune system are not a panacea that will cure
all diseases by improving immune system health. Some herbs can be toxic in nature if they
are not properly diluted or if they are administered in a manner different from the instructions
provided by an expert.
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The rapid pace of our lifestyles has resulted in a negligent behavior towards the environment.
We have also paid no heed to warnings that maintain that a fast and stressful lifestyle is
detrimental to overall and long-term health. There has been a vast increase in the incidence
of diseases caused by pollution, stress, improper dietary habits and carcinogenic chemicals.
In the race to progress it was forgotten that the body has its own means of combating
disease and our first focus should be on strengthening immune system health . Man may
have been able to conquer some diseases but considering the overall situation, he has been
able to find a definite cure for an infinitesimally small number of diseases (till date there is no
sure cure even for common cold).
For a long time we created disease without realizing and followed it by creating drugs for
the cure. However, now that we know that by using synthetic drugs we treat only the
symptoms and over time create more complications, we should focus on strengthening
the immune system with alarming speed.
But the urgency to get back to work and normal life has lead to an indiscriminate use of the
antibiotic alternative for treatment of even minor ailments. In exchange we have got bacteria
that have developed resistance to a large number of antibiotic compounds.
It is extremely difficult to find an antibiotic that can target only the harmful bacteria. Promiscuous
use can lead to the destruction of friendly bacteria in the body. This is a costly side effect since
it leads to creation of stronger bacteria that becomes capable of using the antibiotic compound
for its own benefit.
Penicillin and tetracycline are a classic example of a case where the bacteria have developed
resistance and are therefore no longer effective antibiotics that can be used.
A child is born sterile but can still develop a fever. The natural approach of the body is simple.
The body’s temperature rises to fight an underlying intrusion by a foreign harmful substance or
bacteria. The fever is a natural effort of the immune system to kill the antigen.
A holistic physician will let fever below 102 run its course for at least one day, instruct that the child
be given plenty of fluids and let the fever do its job unless some accompanying symptoms are disturbing.
A child who has been taught hygiene to fanatic levels is more prone to disease. The human body has its
own immune system and an occasional intake of bacteria actually helps in boosting acquired immunity
in children. Vulnerability to disease and the speed with which you are cured is strongly related to immune
system health. The emphasis should be on building up immunity rather than looking for the antibiotic
alternative every time you fall sick.
Despite all this, humans will still fall sick and require treatment because not all bacteria are friendly.
Herbal antibiotics , with their complex antibiotic compounds have demonstrable properties that include
destroying bacteria, including some drug resistant bacteria as well.
Even though many antibiotics have been borrowed from the plant kingdom, scientists tend
to isolate and use only a solitary compound that they feel is the strongest. The synergy of
the compounds is thus lost in the resultant antibiotic. Herbs for immune system have
complex compounds that bacteria cannot breakdown and use for its own metabolism, a
property that single compound antibiotics do not possess.
Conventionalists tend to shrug off the use of the word antibiotic for herbs. Without getting
into a debate over terminology, we had better look towards benefits of herbs, which our
ancestors used successfully.
Rather than focusing on drugs for specific diseases it is much better to change the direction
of progress and teach our children to adopt a natural lifestyle.
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