Thursday, December 31, 2009

Use Herbal Remedies for Headaches

Wednesday, December 30, 2009 by: David Victor, citizen journalist

From: NaturalNews

Headaches are one of the most common ailments people experience. It is estimated that 50 million people seek medical attention for headaches every year in the US alone and over $500,000,000 is spent annually on headache medicine. There are many herbal remedies for headaches that can help you without taking chemical based medicines.

The two most common types of headache are tension headaches which are caused by muscular tension and headaches caused by a constriction of blood vessels supplying blood to the brain. A few of the common causes are stress, poor posture, caffeine, eye strain, low blood sugar, allergies, sinusitis, and tiredness. There are also more severe problems that can cause headaches, but they are far less common. It is estimated that 90% of all headaches are tension headaches.

There are headache remedies from virtually every school of medicine including Chinese Herbalism, Ayurveda and Aromatherapy. Each remedy seeks to help you get rid of the pain using natural ingredients. Many of the remedies below have multiple uses and most are used in more than one school of alternative medicine.

Traditional Chinese Herbalism recommends using ginger for headaches. You can eat a small piece of fresh ginger or make a ginger tea. You can find ginger in most health food stores.

Ayurveda (the traditional system of medicine in India) offers a couple common remedies for headaches. The first is to soak a cloth in warm mustard oil and apply directly to your forehead to relieve the pain. The second remedy is to put coriander seeds in boiling water and inhale the steam created by this mixture. This is often used to relieve sinus related headaches.

If you want to try an aromatic remedy, there are several headache cures from the Aromatherapy school of medicine. For tension headaches, lavender is used to relax away your pain. You can message lavender oil directly into your temples or place a drop or two at the base of your nose. You may also want to try inhaling peppermint oil steam similar to the coriander seed remedy talked about above or take a bath with relaxing scents like chamomile. The idea is to soothe away your pain with pleasant smells.

There are many more herbal remedies for headaches. Herbal teas like peppermint, chamomile, rose hip, and more can soothe away a tension headache. Another common herbal remedy for tension headaches is valerian root. You can take capsule supplements or drink valerian root tea, but beware that it may make you drowsy.

These are just a few of the herbal remedies for headaches you can try. In general, these are so much better for you than popping pills and in most cases much more pleasant. Who wouldn`t want a soothing bath or warm cup of tea?


Resources:
http://www.holisticonline.com/
http://www.holisticchineseherbs.com/
The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies by C. Norman Shealy MD, PhD

Thursday, December 3, 2009

7 Ways to Ease Heartburn

From Care2

1. Choose foods with care
Perhaps there’s a reason why the sales of PPIs have risen in tandem with the profits of several fast food chains. Compared with fruits, vegetables, and grains, fatty foods spend more time in the stomach generating acid. That’s why pepperoni pizza is a classic heartburn trigger. Acidic foods such as coffee, chili peppers, orange and tomato juice, and tomato sauce can also cause heartburn, as can drugs like tetracycline, aspirin, and ibuprofen, as well as iron and potassium supplements.

There are also several foods that seem to promote heartburn by weakening the muscle at the base of the esophagus. These include garlic, onions, and–say it ain’t so–chocolate. Some drugs can have this effect, too. Formulations you’ll want to avoid include estrogen, narcotics, and Valium, as well as certain antidepressants and asthma medications.

2. Eat elegantly
Beware the double whammy of stress and eating on the run, which tend to go hand in hand. Stress triggers both acid production and sensitivity to heartburn pain, while eating quickly encourages overeating and pushes acid up the esophagus. Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, relax when you eat, and keep portion size moderate.

3. Pop that gum
One heartburn soother may come as a surprise: saliva. Chemically, saliva is a base, it neutralizes refluxing acid and washes it back into the stomach. Enter gum: A study at the VA Medical Center in Albuquerque showed that chewing gum after meals significantly reduced esophageal acid levels.

4. Take soothing herbs
Several herbs have long histories as heartburn remedies. After you eat, steep one to two teaspoons of chamomile, angelica, anise, caraway seeds, coriander, fennel, or a combination to make a soothing tea. Peppermint and spearmint, once considered reflux triggers, also appear to reduce heartburn. German researchers found that taking a capsule containing peppermint and caraway seed oils for four weeks reduced heartburn significantly more than taking a placebo.

5. Walk it off
Walking after meals helps too, by settling food and aiding digestion. We’re not talking about strenuous walking, which stalls digestion, leaving food in the stomach longer. A pleasant half-hour stroll is all it takes.

6. Rely on gravity
When you stand or sit, gravity helps keep stomach acid where it belongs. But when you lie down, you lose that benefit.

Make gravity your friend by putting several bricks under your mattress to tilt the head of your bed up at least six inches. Don’t rely on extra pillows; you’ll just end up bending your body at the waist, which increases upward pressure on your stomach.

7. Downsize yourself
A spare tire around your abdomen will press against the stomach, pushing acid upward. Tight clothes are another culprit, so don’t squeeze yourself into your Calvins before a big meal. If you do eat extravagantly, go ahead and loosen your belt.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

15 Brilliant Uses for Toothpaste

By Zana Faulkner, DivineCaroline 

Toothpaste: it whitens, brightens, deodorizes, removes stains, and restores and protects enamel. But toothpaste’s cleaning capabilities work wonders on many things besides our teeth. The same ingredients that help polish our pearly whites can also soothe some common ailments, make household items sparkle, and even get rid of stains and pungent smells. Try out these fifteen tricks with a white, non-gel toothpaste (unless otherwise noted), and watch that cavity-fighting, breath-freshening tube of wonder work its magic.

1. Relieve irritation from bug bites, sores, and blisters
.
These skin irritations all tend to weep and, in the case of bug bites, often itch. Apply a drop of toothpaste to a bug bite or insect sting to stop the itching and decrease any swelling. When applied to sores or blisters, it dries them up, thus allowing the wound to heal faster. It’s best when used overnight.

2. Soothe a stinging burn.
For minor burns that don’t involve an open wound, toothpaste can deliver temporary cooling relief. Apply it delicately to the affected area immediately after a burn develops; it temporarily relieves the sting and prevents the wound from weeping or opening.

3. Decrease the size of a facial blemish.
Want to speed up the healing of a zit? Apply a tiny dot of toothpaste to the affected area at night before bed. Wash it off in the morning.

4. Clean up your fingernails.
Our teeth are made of enamel, and toothpaste is good for them, so it stands to reason that toothpaste would also be good for our fingernails. For cleaner, shinier, and stronger nails, simply scrub the underneath and tops of fingernails with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

5. Keep hair in place.
Gel toothpastes contain the same water-soluble polymers that many hair gels are made of. If you’re looking to style and hold an extreme hair creation, try gel toothpaste as your go-to product if you’re out of regular hair gel. (This is also a great trick for making baby barrettes stay in place.)

6. Scrub away stinky smells.
Garlic, fish, onion, and other pungent foods can permeate the skin cells on our hands. Scrubbing hands and fingertips briefly with toothpaste removes all traces of smelly odors

7. Remove stains.
Toothpaste can make tough stains on both clothing and carpets disappear. For clothes, apply toothpaste directly to the stain and rub briskly until the spot is gone, then wash as usual. (Note that using a whitening toothpaste on colors can sometimes bleach the fabric.) For carpet stains, apply toothpaste to the stain and scrub it with an abrasive brush, then rinse immediately.

8. Spruce up dirty shoes.
This tactic works great on running shoes or scuffed-up leather shoes. As with carpet stains, apply toothpaste directly to the dirty or scuffed area, then scrub with a brush and wipe clean.

9. Remove crayon stains on painted walls.
Rub a damp cloth with toothpaste gently on the marked-up wall and watch the Crayola marks disappear.

10. Make silver jewelry and other silver pieces sparkle.
Rub toothpaste onto jewelry and leave overnight. Wipe clean with a soft cloth in the morning. Make diamonds shine by giving them a gentle scrub using a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a little water. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of toothpaste. Do not use this method on pearls, as it will damage their finish.

11. Remove scratches on DVDs and CDs.
This remedy has been used with mixed success rates, but it seems to work fairly well on shallow scratches and smudges. Apply a thin coating of toothpaste to the disc and rub gently, then rinse clean.

12. Tidy up piano keys before tickling them.
Piano keys retain oil from the skin, which then attracts dust and dirt. Clean away grime gently with a damp, lint-free cloth and toothpaste; after rubbing in the toothpaste, wipe the keys clean with a second lint-free cloth.

13. Deodorize baby bottles.
If baby bottles develop a sour-milk smell, a good cleaning with some toothpaste and a bottle scrubber will clean away residue and deodorize. Always make sure to rinse well.

14. Remove the burned crust on irons.
For those of you who still use an iron, you may find that after time, the plate of the iron develops a burned crust. The silica in toothpaste gently grinds away this rusty-looking layer.

15. Defog goggles.
Scuba divers, swimmers, and triathletes may already know about this handy little trick: Rub a small spot of toothpaste into each lens of your goggles, then rinse thoroughly, and voila! There’ll be no need to ever buy expensive defogger gels again. Avoid rubbing too vigorously, though, as the abrasive ingredients in toothpaste could scratch the lenses.

Friday, November 13, 2009

10 Easy Ways to Boost Your Immunity

By Rachel Venokur-Clark, Green Options

Flu season is here. With all the concern and worry surrounding the Swine flu, we may be forgetting that we are also more susceptible to the common cold and other illnesses during the winter months. There are many natural ways you can help to boost your immune system with food choices and healthy regimens. Of course, as you have seen in many articles, the first course of action is to wash your hands regularly for at least 20-30 seconds. By adding the following foods and healthy behaviors to your regime, you can help your body build its resistance to germs and help yourself stay healthy this winter.

FOOD CHOICES:
1) Ginger: Traditionally, ginger has been used to treat the common cold and help to alleviate flu like symptoms. Ginger not only helps the body fight off infection, but is a great natural cure for indigestion or nausea.
Try adding fresh grated ginger with tamari, garlic and basil while sautéing veggies for a quick and healthy stir fry, or enjoy some ginger tea after meals.

2) Turmeric: Turmeric has many healing benefits, some of which include helping to detoxify the body, enhancing and boosting the immune system, as well as having an anti-inflammatory effect on the body and helping you to prevent cancer.
Turmeric can be added to whole grains, vegetables and bean dishes, curries and so much more.

3) Garlic: Garlic increases the immune function. It is an antibacterial, anti viral and anti fungal, acting as a natural antibiotic in your system.
Try adding raw garlic to your juicer when making fresh juices or add roasted or sautéed garlic to any recipe for a great addition.

4) Cruciferous Vegetables: The family of Cruciferous vegetables includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, turnip, brussel sprouts, radish and watercress. Cruciferous vegetables assist the body in its fight against toxins and cancer. They are good sources of betacarotene and protect against free radical damage. They also contain vitamin C and Calcium.
If possible, eat them raw or very lightly steamed or boiled so that the important enzymes remain intact.

5) Vitamin C Foods: Citrus fruits, kiwi, guava, strawberries, broccoli, spinach, goji berries and cauliflower are all good sources of vitamin C. Vitamin C increases the production of infection fighting white blood cells and antibodies, making it easier for you to fight off germs.
Eating fruit in its whole form offers you additional nutrients and fiber, slowing down the absorption of the natural sugar and helps to prevent blood sugar spikes for most people.

LIFESTYLE CHOICES:
Some foods or unhealthy behaviors can make a person more susceptible to germs. Making a few simple changes can help you stay healthier.
1) Drink at least eight 8oz glasses of water a day to help keep you hydrated and help flush out the toxins.
2) Avoid high fat, high sugar, processed foods that deplete your system and start eating more fruits and veggies daily.
3) Avoid excessive amounts of caffeine. Caffeine in excess can deplete your system of vital nutrients and minerals, weakening your ability to fight off germs.
4) Get a good nights sleep. You may need anywhere from 6-10 hours of sleep depending on your age, health and activity levels. Listen to your body and allow it get the immune boosting restorative sleep it needs.
5) Don’t smoke. We all know the risks here, but in case you forget, smoking damages your respiratory tract making you more susceptible to the flu, bronchitis and pneumonia.
 

Green Options Media is a network of environmentally-focused blogs providing users with the information needed to make sustainable choices. Written by experienced professionals, Green Options Media's blogs engage visitors with authoritative content, compelling discussions, and actionable advice. We invite anyone with questions, or simply curiosity, to add their voices to the community, and share their approaches to achieving abundance.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Discover the Many Health Benefits of Chlorella

Tuesday, November 03, 2009 by: Elizabeth Walling, citizen journalist

Chlorella is an astounding package of complete nutrition, considering it is such a simple life form, which is probably why it is often referred to as nature's multivitamin. The synergistic nature of chlorella's nutrients is undeniable. All of its natural properties function together in a way individual supplements can't touch. Chlorella is famous for providing a vast array of benefits while fighting numerous diseases and conditions.

Vitamins. Chlorella is rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E. And chlorella provides these nutrients in a whole food bundle which is far superior to any manufactured formula. Be aware, however, that many experts are now saying the vitamin B12 in chlorella is not highly bioavailable, so other sources should remain in the diet.

Minerals. Like most dark green veggies, chlorella is packed with highly beneficial magnesium, which improves blood sugar levels, heart health, mental health and relaxation to name a few. Chlorella also contains other important minerals like potassium, iron and calcium.

Amino Acids. Chlorella is a rich source of protein with a balance of important amino acids, including all of the essential ones which the body can't manufacture. These aminos are responsible for rebuilding the body's lean tissues and neurotransmitters, and contribute greatly to many functions in the body.

Chlorophyll. This green pigment not only gives chlorella its color, but it also provides many health benefits. Chlorophyll can improve immunity, alkalinity, and inflammation - it can even fight bad breath.

Detoxification. These days, toxins come at us from every possible angle: food, air, water, beauty products, cleaning supplies and even clothing. It's important to give the body what it needs to detox from all the harmful substances it encounters each day. Chlorella has an amazing ability to bind with toxins like chemicals and heavy metals, and move them swiftly out of the body. These benefits are powerful and can have a definite positive impact on our health.

Digestion. Chlorella promotes the production of healthy flora, bacteria and probiotics throughout the digestive system. This is essential for good digestion and overall health, and also makes chlorella effective for fighting candida and yeast overgrowth. Its anti-inflammatory benefits can also work to heal the digestive system.

Energy. A nourished, healthy body is full of energy and vitality. Many people report increased energy and elevated mood after using chlorella. Nothing can compare to the way it feels to be powered by a true superfood.

Cancer. Chlorella is known for its remarkable cancer-fighting benefits, possibly because it is rich in natural carotenoids, which can prevent oxidation (a leading cause behind cancer and heart disease). Paired with its detoxifying nature and ability to nourish the immune system, chlorella is a natural anti-carcinogenic agent.

Diabetes. In preliminary studies, chlorella can improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels over time. This can prevent and improve conditions like diabetes and insulin resistance (metabolic syndrome). It is also thought that chlorella may guard against side effects of diabetes such as vision loss.

Fibromyalgia. Many have reported chlorella reduces pain associated with fibromyalgia. In one study, participants with fibromyalgia who consumed 10 grams of chlorella daily noticed a definite improvement in general symptoms and quality of life.

Heart Disease. Studies have demonstrated that chlorella can improve triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels, and may also benefit those with high blood pressure. These factors, combined with chlorella's strong antioxidant properties, may provide effective protection against heart disease.

Obesity. Chlorella's unique properties may also have the ability to lower overall body fat. One 2008 Japanese study showed chlorella can reduce body fat percentages. This may be due to its ability to aid fat metabolism and improve insulin sensitivity. Plus, when we replace nutritionally empty foods with powerful superfoods like chlorella, the body tends to crave less junk food because it feels more nourished.

Tips for Using Chlorella:

- Chlorella is at its best in pure powder form without any kind of binding agents or additives. However, tablets are acceptable if you can't find a way to work the powder into your routine. Look for broken cell wall chlorella, which has been processed to make the nutrients in chlorella more digestible.

- Find a pure source of chlorella. Poor production methods can result in a contaminated product, and there are some manufacturers who use high-heat processing which destroys many of the benefits of chlorella. Do your research and find a reputable manufacturer of high-quality chlorella.

- The typical maintenance dose for chlorella is 3-6 grams per day. However, much higher dosages can be used to fight existing degenerative conditions and for heavy metal detox (as much as 20-30 grams per day). Since quality chlorella is a whole superfood, it is generally safe to take in large doses.

- Some people find they need to start small and gradually increase the dosage as their body adjusts to chlorella. Start with as little as 500 mg per day and add more as slowly as needed.

- Avoid chlorella if you are on anticoagulant drugs like warfarin (because of the vitamin K, which acts as a clotting agent).

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Rx

Ryan

Rx #: C473954

10/27/2009

Dr. Ronald Brazg

AndroGel 1% Pump (2X75GM)
Qty: 300

Covington MultiCare

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Flu Shot

I got my seasonal flu shot today at Safeway Pharmacy in Kent. Administered by Dr. Lu, Pie Rph.

Cost: $30, tax not included.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Rx

Dian

Rx #: C462951

4/20/2009

Dr. Andrew Johnson

Hydrocodone/Apap 7.5 - 750MG PA
Qty: 12

Covington MultiCare

Friday, February 13, 2009

Hep B

Received third and final Hep B shot. No problems.

I'll return on March 4th for physical and blood work. I'm looking forward to figuring out why I'm so tired and sore all the time, etc.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Tdap

Received my Tdap (Tetanus - Diphtheria) vaccine to meet the requirements of the permanent resident process.

Location: Safeway Pharmacy.

Monday, January 19, 2009

Apicoectomy

I went to Dr. Andrew Johnson's office in Covington for an appointment last week and today he took the cyst/infection out. It took only like 30 minutes for him to do that and I was loopy the whole time. Right now I don't feel any pain at all and hopefully the problem with my ears will start to go away along with the removal of the infection on my tooth.

They gave me 3 kinds of medications; steroids, antibiotics and pain killers.

The doctor decided not to do the bone graft and it costs us $275 for the surgery. The insurance covers 80% of the rest.