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Posts Tagged ‘herbs’

In England and Canada it’s pronounced herbs with an h, and in America it’s ‘erbs.’ No matter how you pronounce it, the incredible value of bulk herbs for our health and well being is the same worldwide. It is difficult to overestimate their value, and here are a few reasons why.

Though both are simply chemicals, drugs tend to treat disease or often just the symptoms of a disease, while herbs are used more for preventative and healing measures. You may never know what you could have gotten! While medicines tend to treat a single symptom with a single active ingredient, herbs offer a holistic approach by working to deal with the entire system and by treating the cause.

Bulk herbs have been used successfully for a long time. Their use in China for healing, relaxation, and prevention can be traced back over 5000 years. Herbs are natural and this means fewer side effects result. On the other hand, some drugs must be given to patients to counteract the effects of other drugs.

The nutritional value of herbs is still being discovered. They contain a variety of minerals, vitamins, and antibiotic substances that help to strengthen the body’s immune system against disease. Herbs are generally far less expensive than drugs, though the insurance industry has been much more willing to cover the cost of medicine than herbs. In the days ahead, when the cost of medicine will spiral out of reach, bulk herbs are bound to regain popularity.

When penicillin was first discovered, it was toted as a miracle drug. However, the overuse of antibiotics has brought us to the frightening realization that some of the deadly diseases we thought were eliminated are now returning more lethal than ever. This is not true of herbs. Yes, herbs can be overused or also toted as wonder drugs, but bacteria and viruses do not mutate to override their value.

Herbs are extensively used in cooking, oils, toothpastes, shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, sprays, herbal creams & ointments, tinctures, and in lotions. This diversity of use speaks of the value of bulk herbs to the body for health and well being.

Those who believe the universe was designed recognize that the Creator made man and made herbs for the good and health of man. We know that plants and animals work symbiotically through respiration and photosynthesis. It is not surprising then that other interdependence is also present. Herbs are God’s provision for us, an expression of His love. One sage put it this way: “For every disease we know, God provides a herb to grow.”

Finally, unlike medicine that will only deal with the symptoms, those who use herbs are more willing to deal with the social and cultural context in which the illnesses occur. For example, a set of symptoms may have resulted from stress. A suppressant may calm the nerves but it does not deal with the stress. In fact, at times, some drugs actually hinder a person from being able to think through the root problem clearly. Bulk herbs don’t eliminate stress, but they may sooth a person so they can think clearly about the root causes. And in the process, herbs won’t harm the body or mind.

Bulk herbs like Arrowroot Powder won’t work miracles. They are simply natural substances that can provide basic needs for the human body. The medical community today too often dismisses as folklore the proven value of herbs and natural remedies.  Why not consider an alternate approach to your health needs? Why not research how herbs can benefit you naturally? We recommend More Than Alive, an online store for bulk herbs and a trusted resource where you can get information about many helpful herbs.

The viewpoint that the explanation for all the menopause symptoms is due to an instability of hormones is a superficial understanding and requires a deeper insight.

Traditional Chinese Medicine viewpoint: Menopause is considered a weakened condition of the liver and qi (life force). When the energy and blood quality is deficient and obstructed then all body organs that depend on that blood are not able to function at their best. This condition causes the liver to overheat which rises through the body, wreaking havoc in its path. The heart, lungs, digestion, glands, throat, mouth & teeth, nose, eyes, ears, brain, skin and hair become heated and dried resulting in the body heat ailments. In addition, the liver does not filter the blood where it becomes sluggish and clotted.

Because the body is deficient of life-giving body energy, quality filtered blood and diet, therefore the glands do not perform normally. Their secretions may well be sporadic or non-releasing altogether. When the blood is filtered, normally, enriched subsequently all the body’s organs get stronger. Positively, the essence wakes up and normal function improves. The hormonal functions, secrete normally, transforming the body towards wellness.

The body is not absent of hormones. The blood is clogged like sludge. Glands are not receiving/transmitting life-giving messages, timely and/or minimally!

So therefore why do we add or provide more hormones. Doesn’t that risk an overload of hormones? Remember when you were a teen and your hormones were super revved. You don’t desire to risk going through that again. You have enough hormones. If you nourish your blood, keep fit, sleep, deal with stress, etc. Our hormones revive back and reenforces increased balance.

So if Chinese medicine knows the problem, then what is their solution to this weakened conditioneath

What Restores Usual Hormone Function? Traditional Chinese medicine has understood the core problem and remedies for over a thousand years! TCM has developed over 20 formulas for menopause. But which one is the best? To determine this requires a seasoned Master herbalist. While nearly all women fall into 6 main constitution types: 1) cold 2) damp 3) deficient 4) hot 5) dry and 6) excess 

On the whole menopausal women benefit 95% of the time from Chinese herbs contained in Menopause Comfort. The exception is during the summertime. Particular women, who are more hot than the usual population, require a colder formula, Paramalin, to offset the surplus inner heat produced in the liver.

You can look at the top 10 menopause Chinese herbs, the most effective  menopause formula, listed in more depth, at Longevity Mountain.

Herbal Formulas have been the chief agents of Chinese Medicine for over 4000 years. In its principal theory, the human being and the natural world are considered an indivisible whole. Knowing how to work with Yin Yang, Meridians or channels, differentiation, etc., are considered essential to sustain the balance of the whole body. An herbal practitioner assists the body to unblock the circulation of energy thus supporting a natural healing. The stasis, excess or deficiency of energy will finally make the body vulnerable to “evils” or external invasions. For instance, “evil heat” is very similar to infection. English expression of Medicine when translated in Chinese in the late 16th Century, lacking the knowledge of modern chemistry. The Chinese used the word “Chinese Medicine” and “Chinese Drug” as a way to translate or help the English speaking understand their healing methodology before there was a FDA regulation outlawing the use of Chinese/American medical terminology.

Chinese medicine is still used in most of European countries and recognized as a viable contribution to the health arts and practice. Again, the term was coined to help English and Chinese speaking medical practitioners understand, bridge and assist in the exchange of information. The goal was to never replace one another’s art but to share between methodologies. Accurately, Chinese medicine is not a chemistry form of medicine. Herbs are not drugs but food. In fact, if you were to look for nutritional content in herbs and in pharmaceuticals, observation would indicate the obvious, there are nutrients in herbs while American medicine is absent of nutrition which qualifies it as chemical.  

Two thousand years ago, Dr. Hauto, the most respected doctor of Chinese medical history declared that, ” Herb is food, food is medicine”. At that time, the English term of medicine did not exist yet. Language, on occasion, can become the source of problems. This is especially true when you are still learning a foreign language. The current situation is a challenging paradox for American Chinese herbologists who have to live under the standards of traditional American medical doctors while in the U.S.A. While, in China, both conventional medicine from America and traditional medicine from China are esteemed, equally. In the U.S., its OK or legal for Chinese acupuncturists and herbologists to say, “Chinese Medicine heals the body, but herbs are not medicine”. This is difficult to understand when the Chinese practice of medicine has existed 4000+ years as compared to the 200 year practice of American traditional medicine.

Eventually, the sharing of both remedial regimens would give way to additional trust and communication. Overall, improvement in the healing arts will rise from this synergy and ultimately the infirmed will benefit as long as truth and the patient’s wellbeing are valued.    

Hoodia gordonii is a flowering plant that belongs to the family Apocynaceae. It is a plant that reaches up to 1 meter in height. It has large purple or tan color flowers with strong smell. It is also called locally xhooba, Ghaap and khoba. It is also known as ‘Queen of the Namib’ and ‘Bushman’s Hat’. Hoodia is found naturally in Southern Africa in the semi-deserts of the countries of Namibia, South Africa, Botswana and Angloa. It is particular to the Namib Desert. 

The San Bushmen who inhabit the Kalahari Desert have always known about the various uses of hoodia. They are known to consume the stems of hoodia plant during the long drawn hunt that takes them far away often without sight of food for days. The plant suppresses their urge to eat and drink. They also use the plant for treating various other health problems such as severe abdominal cramps, diabetes, hemorrhoids, hypertension, tuberculosis and indigestion. There are varieties of hoodia plants, about twenty of them. of them, it is only hoodia gordonii that is found to contain hunger. The plant flowers after about five years.

The outside world came to know about the use of hoodia when a Dutch anthropologist reported it in 1937. But it was not until 1963 that scientist began to examine this. The scientists of CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research), the national laboratory of South Africa, along with the scientist of Phytopharm, a British company, conducted various studies. They were also able to identify and isolate its principal ingredient, a steroidal glycoside, which they named it as p57. Later it began to be sold in the liquid and capsule form all over the world. It gained popularity as hoodia p57. Hoodia is found to suppress appetite when it sends signals to the brain that strongly suggests that the stomach is full. This kills the appetite making the obese people to eat less.

With hoodia becoming popular, the plant was indiscriminately harvested from its natural habitat. This led CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), to declare the plant as facing the risk of being included as an endangered species. CITES included it in Appendix II. This meant that its trade had to be controlled. The Botanic Gardens Conservation International listed the plant in 2008 as facing extinction due to indiscriminate extraction by traders. Hoodia soon began to be cultivated under government control in farms in Kalahari Desert. It also helped to ensure that the San Bushmen also received benefits from the royalty.

Herbs can be a beautiful addition to your garden. They don’t just look good, they also smell wonderful. And of course they’re useful, both for adding flavor to your cooking and for their therapeutic benefits. There are so many different kinds of herbs to choose from. Basil and oregano are a couple of the species that are well suited to cooking. There are also certain plants that are used for medicinal purposes like chamomile and lavender. When it comes to herb gardening, the choice is up to you and your tastes.

Most herbs are easy to grow and will flourish with very little maintenance. Among the many kinds of herbs, you’re sure to find at least one that will suit whatever location you have in mind for it. They are ideal as edging around a bed of flowers, tucked into a rock garden, or as an aromatic accent to a container garden.

Plus, they have so many uses. You can grow them outside in the summer and inside in the cold months. Summer is when you’ll grow them outside, but if you have a nice sunny spot in your home, you can enjoy them year round indoors. Lots of people like to set their indoor herbs outside when it’s warm, where they’ll be even more bountiful. Others like to get a head start on their outdoor herb garden by starting seeds inside in late winter. Just make sure that the herbs you select can be easily replanted with no harmful effects.

You can plant herbs in most sunny locations outside. They’ll grow equally well in a tiny corner of the property or in your veggie patch. You can plant them in neat rows or in a decorative pattern that will give your landscape an aromatic beauty.

Before you start planting, watch the intended location over a couple of days to be certain that it gets the right amount of sun. As well, avoid any really wet locations on your property. And keep in mind that if you plan on using your herbs for cooking, locating them near to the house will make it easier to step outdoors and snip off what you need.

Use caution, however, since not all herbs will grow in all climate zones. But the majority will flourish under generally acceptable conditions. However, if you’re uncertain about whether specific herbs are suitable for your area, check with your local nursery.

There are any number of different herbs, so it won’t be hard to find one that suits the location you have in mind. That makes it so easy to enjoy their fresh flavor and aroma year round.

Natural herbs are commonly supposed to have two uses, culinary and medicinal. It is not correct at all, but, as the definition of the difference between herbs and spices is that a herb contains ability of healing while spices do not. Therefore, it follows that there are significant health benefits to cooking with natural healing herbs. In this article, we will look at some of these benefits.

Preparing Natural Herbs for Cooking

The first thing that needs to be said is that fresh, natural herbs beat dried or frozen herbs every time, in terms of both flavor and healing properties. It would be considered best of all if you can grow them by yourself in your own herb garden. Herbs should be thoroughly washed and dried before use. If you are using a large quantity of natural herbs, treat them as you would salad greens, washing them under running water and drying them in a salad spinner.

 Fresh natural herbs should be finely chopped or minced (unless the recipe dictates otherwise) and added to the meal shortly before it finishes cooking. Overcooking natural herbs can lessen the flavor and remove valuable nutrients.

 Medicinal Properties of Common Natural Herbs

Now we turn to the health benefits of some of the natural herbs most commonly used in cooking. Dill is rich in dietary fiber and calcium. It is also a digestive aid and appetite stimulant. The emperor Charlemagne used to provide it at his banquet table for the benefit of guests who had eaten too much.

Parsley is a natural contraceptive. It stimulates blood flow around the uterus, causing contractions that fool the body into believing that it is already pregnant. For this reason, women keep away fresh parsley when they are trying to get pregnant, though small quantities of cooked parsley can be taken.

Rosemary contains vital antioxidants that can help to eliminate free radicals in the body, lowering the risk of cancer. It may also help relieve nasal congestion.

Oregano is a natural antiseptic and painkiller. The oil found in its leaves was historically used to treat pain and infections, being almost as powerful as morphine.

Basil, that other great standby of Mediterranean cookery, has antacid and anti-gas properties. It is also a mild sedative, so be wary of using fresh basil in breakfast and lunch dishes. At supper time, on the other hand, these sedative properties can be an advantage, as they will help you sleep when it’s time to go to bed.

These are just some of the health giving properties of natural culinary herbs. Taking your medicine has never tasted awesome

Now most of the people round the globe rely on Chinese herbs to cure different types of diseases. Many people still believe that using herbs is a lot better than using pharmaceutical drugs, though many skeptics get in argument that using especially Chinese herbs to cure certain types of diseases is not very practical. If you are one of those people who are yet to decide whether or not you should use Chinese medicinal herbs to cure some types of ailments, here are some points that may convince you to make that switch from pharmaceutical drugs to herbal medicine.

Chinese Herbs: Effects and Side Effects

Pharmaceutical products are mostly made of synthetic ingredients that are manufactured in the laboratory. Although these synthetic ingredients may be able to cure certain types of diseases, there is no guarantee that it will not have any negative impact on the body as well. It cannot be denied that all types of pharmaceutical drugs have side effects. Some types of pharmaceutical products may not have some serious side effects on the body but just the same, they can have some slight negative effects on the body especially when taken on a prolonged period of time.

Studies show that people who have been exposed to some types of drugs for a long period of time often suffer from certain types of disorders including abdominal disorders, nerve disorders, weakened immune system and the likes.

On the other hand, Chinese herbscome from natural sources and have been proven to effective for many generations. Most of the Chinese herbs that are sold in the market today have been used by the Chinese people since the 1st century Han Dynasty. Although some of these Chinese herbs are said to be poisonous when taken in great amounts, most of these herbs are beneficial to the body. According to experts, most types of Chinese herbs do not have any know side effects. Most people who taken certain types of Chinese herbs regularly do not complain of any negative changes in their body.

Chinese Herbs Cost

Most pharmaceutical products are considerably more expensive that certain types of Chinese herbs. If you happen to live in the countryside and you have plenty of space to plant herbs, you can grow your own Chinese herbs.  This means that you have ready access to fresh herbs anytime and at a minimal cost at that. On the other hand, if you happen to live in the city and you have no place to grow your own herbs, you can always buy some herbs in the market.