Health and Body Care

Acai Berry Pills Reviews

2009-01-28T01:24:00.001-08:00

Do you know the tiny fruit named Acai berry has reached the top in the list of super foods? The Acai berry is a dark purple fruit found in certain species of palm trees found only in the rain forests of Amazon. Acai berries contain high concentrations of anthocyanins, which give the deep dark color. It is this pigment that is of great medicinal value. For centuries, only the Brazilian tribes had access to acai .The divine powers of this tiny fruit were discovered only recently. Of late, more and more people have realized the health enhancing powers of this antioxidant-rich berry.

Acai berry pills are one of the most popular weight loss products in that prevail in today’s market. Fresh Acai berries are short lived and lose their potency within twenty four hours. When preserved within twenty four hours, it retains most of its divine qualities. Acai berry products come in pills, powder, pulp, juice, and in various other edible forms.

While all of the above products have the same effects if properly preserved,
Acai berry fruit are much cheaper than the other products, such as powder, pulp, or juice. Acai berry pills have the highest ORAC values and are highly effective in fighting the damages of daily living caused by free radicals. Acai Berry pills can reduce the impact of cell oxidization dramatically within a short span.

Acai berry pill apart from its weight reducing properties, also increases energy levels, slows down aging, relieves joint pain, boosts immunity, and strengthens the cardiovascular system. The most amazing fact is that the Acai berry pills postpone aging and rejuvenate every cell of your body. It has been proven that regular consumption of
Acai berry pills for a month could reduce 15-20 lbs.

Although internet is the best place to compare prices and products, there are a lot scams that could drain your hard earned money. The Acai berry pyramid scheme is one such scam. While you watch out for scams do not let them distort your perception of the Acai berries’ value.

What Are Herbal Ecstasy, Herbal Highs and Legal Highs

2009-01-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

Herbal Ecstasy is a term used to describe a combination of herbs that are legal, inexpensive, and marketed as a natural alternative to Ecstasy. This product is extremely popular and contains various herbs or herbal extracts that are psychoactive and have similar effects to Ecstasy, but if taken correctly are safe and legal.

Herbal Highs are obtained by introducing the natural or organic properties of plant matter into the body’s system, which is similar to a drug or narcotic. The plant matter may be smoked, or in liquid or pill form. And, again, if taken correctly they are safe and legal.

Legal Natural Highs represent a new generation of powerful mind-altering substances that are growing in popularity not only in the US, but across the world. Accurate figures are hard to come by, as these substances are rarely monitored by drug-enforcement agencies. However, the proliferation of online access for these drugs and high-street retailers, suggest they are an increasingly lucrative business.

Herbal Medicine? Does Natural mean safer?

2008-12-22T06:07:00.001-08:00

Today, many people seek an alternative route to medicine. This may happen for various reasons. Conventional medicine may not be providing the answers they seek, or it may be too expensive and out of reach of the patient's finances to explore.

For whatever reason, thousands of patients are exploring the role of alternative medicine such as herbal remedies. But is this a step in the right direction? Many would claim that it is. However, does the sales clerk at your local herbal store have the knowledge of a Shaman? Be an informed consumer! Many patients are not aware of the fact that the herbal medicine industry is not regulated (United States or Canada). What this means is that bottle you are holding in your hand at the herbal drug store may or may not contain the levels of product they claim. It can also mean that other herbal drug products may be contained in that liquid, pill, capsule that are not listed in the ingredients.

It also means that the herbal drug manufactures can make claims of their product that do not have to have controlled double blind studies proving these claims. So it is a case of buyer beware! Some herbal remedy producers are now asking the medical "establishment" to do double blind studies on their products and I applaud this move. It shows that some of these herbal medicine companies are respecting their future patients enough to prove their claims and determine the validity of these claims with respect to their products. But don't be fooled by double blind studies done by the herbal medicine company themselves. Some companies have set up internal "medical establishments" to make claims that their products have undergone "double blind studies" when in fact it's the same company involved with the double blind studies. In these cases you have to wonder if there is a "conflict of interest"? Of course they will find their claims backed up, it's financially profitable for them to do so!

We, as patients, also need to be educated consumers! Looking into the pros and cons of each herbal remedy is important. Reading up on these products and not relying on our local health food store "shaman's" word is critical. Involving our conventional doctors and druggists in our decision is imperative! They need to know! There are drug and herbal medicine interactions just like there are drug/drug interactions. Our conventional doctors and druggists also might be able to help us find information such as confirmed double blind studies we can review prior to taking a herbal medication so that we can make an informed decision about the product. These health professionals are your "Resource Team", use them, consult with them, and make sure they know all the medications you are taking, even those considered "alternative." Some herbal medicine and drug interactions can be life threatening. Don't put your life in jeopardy, it's the only one you've got!

Kids Eating Healthy

2008-07-08T02:33:00.000-07:00

When the holidays arrive, many people forget all about their diets and healthy eating. Weight gains of 7 - 10 pounds are common between Halloween and Christmas. To make the holidays easier, these tips will help you with healthy eating through the season and not gaining weight.

Most traditional foods can be made low fat. Turkey is very lean without the skin, and gravy can be made without any fat. Potatoes that are served without butter can be very healthy. The beloved pumpkin pie is nutritious, although it can be made into a fatty dessert with the adding of whipped cream.

Even though the holidays are in, don't forget about the exercise. Keeping weight off during the holiday season is burning off the extra calories. You should plan a walk after meals, park farther from stores when you shop, and take a few walks around the mall before you begin shopping.

During holiday parties and at family dinners, feel free to sample foods although you shouldn't splurge. Decide on what you plan to eat in advance, then stick to your plan. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit, low fat dressings, and slices of lean meats. Before you go to a party, eat a small snack to help curb your appetite.

If at all possible, avoid alcohol. Having too many drinks can cripple your will power, and also add excess calories to your diet. In the place of alcohol, drink water with lemon. Water can help to limit your appetite and keep you from binging. Also make sure to avoid eggnog, as each glass can have up to 300 calories.

Be flexible with your healthy eating, as one bad meal won't ruin your diet. Try to balance your calories over a few days and don't just look at one meal or day.

What Could Party Pills Do For Your? legal cocaine substitute

2008-07-07T13:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered why you can't party all night long? What takes you down in the middle of the party?And could you do something about it?

legal cocaine substitute

Yes, you could. There is new herbal products, that can make the star of the night - the new legal party pills. Thanks to this herb you could see the end of the party as well as bring you a lot of energy, that you can feel within a few minutes after taking it. This is not a joke - just a innovation in the herbal industry, which is brought to you in order to make your night life full of great, energy and non-stop party moments.

But what makes it so incredible herbal product? Party pill unique formula contains: Caffeine (125mg); Free Form Amino Acids (200mg); Antioxidants (150mg); Vitamin B6 (15mg); Vitamin B2 (5mg); Black Pepper Extract (5mg). These elements make one of the kind legal herbal pill with no known side effects at all.

You will see the great change in your mood, also the energy will increase to high levels. It true, you can be this person, who makes the party live and not ending. Try it, and let us know how does it work for you.

Teeth Whitening Methods

2008-07-07T12:31:00.000-07:00

Home teeth whitening products are the solution for those who hate going to the dentist's office.

In the past, the only option that people have if they want to have their teeth whitened is to have an appointment with their dentist. Since most of them are not too eager to visit their dentist, they always set the appointments aside for a later date. In the end, they just forget about the teeth whitening appointment.

People are in most cases too scared to keep their appointments with the dentist. Even if they want or need to have their teeth whitened, it will always end up being postponed or cancelled.

This is why when home teeth whitening products were introduced in the market, these people were only too happy to try them out. Home teeth whitening eliminate the fear of going to the dentist. In addition, the process can be done on your own time. Plus, it is not as expensive as an appointment with your dentist.

It can be noted that there are still those who rely on the good old home teeth whitening methods of the past. Although they seem too traditional for the people of today, the result is still as effective as it was before.

What are some of the basic home teeth whitening methods that are still being used by some today?

1. Bi-carbonate paste combined with water.

Bi-carbonate soda paste can be brought at drug stores or at supermarkets. Some people still buy them to be used for whitening teeth.

They combine the paste with water and gurgle them on a regular basis. It is believed that regular use of this solution can remove stain from the surface of the teeth thus, leaving teeth whiter and shinier.

2. Lemon juice paste and salt.

This combined solution is known to erase the yellowish tint of the teeth. Some people ceremoniously apply this combination on the teeth that look dull.

Leaving them on the teeth for several minutes is supposed to whiten teeth because of the acidic content of the lemon juice paste. If done regularly, the dull color of the teeth is eradicated.

3. Bay leaves with dried orange peel.

The combination of bay leaves with dried orange peel can also act as a teeth whitener. Just like the lemon paste, all you have to do is apply this to your teeth frequently.

4. Inner orange peel part.

When peeling oranges you will notice that the back part of it is white. You usually throw it away as something that is not of purpose.

What you do not know is that it can be used to whiten your teeth. All you need to do is rub that white part on your teeth and it will give out a beautiful white shine.

These are some of the basic home teeth whitening methods that have proven their effectiveness in some parts of the world. Today, there are chemically made home teeth whitening products that you can buy and use.

The good thing about these basic home teeth whitening methods is that they do not come with the known side effects that over-the-counter products have. Plus they come in very cheap. You can try them out if you want to see if they work better than the products that you buy.

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ACTION OF ALCOHOL ON INTERNAL ORGANS.

2008-07-06T10:53:00.000-07:00

Action on the stomach.
----------------------

The action of alcohol on the stomach is extremely dangerous that it becomes unable to produce the natural digestive fluid in sufficient quantity and also fails to absorb the food which it may imperfectly digest. A condition marked by the sense of nausea emptiness, prostration and distention will always be faced by an alcoholic. This results in a loathing for food and is teased with a craving for more drink. Thus there is engendered a permanent disorder which is called dyspepsia. The disastrous forms of confirmed indigestion originate by this practice.

How the liver gets affected.
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The organic deteriorations caused by the continued use of alcohol are often of a fatal character. The organ which most frequently undergoes structural changes from alcohol, is the liver. Normally, the liver has the capacity to hold active substances in its cellular parts. In instances of poisoning by various poisonous compounds, we analyse liver as if it were the central depot of the foreign matter. It is practically the same in respect to alcohol. The liver of an alcoholic is never free from the influence of alcohol and it is too often saturated with it. The minute membranous or capsular structure of the liver gets affected, preventing proper dialysis and free secretion. The liver becomes large due to the dilatation of its vessels, the surcharge of fluid matter and the thickening of tissue. This follows contraction of membrane and shrinking of the whole organ in its cellular parts. Then the lower parts of the alcoholic becomes dropsical owing to the obstruction offered to the returning blood by the veins. The structure of the liver may be charged with fatty cells and undergo what is technically designated 'fatty liver'.

How the Kidneys deteriorate.
----------------------------

The Kidneys also suffer due to the excessive consumption of alcohol. The vessels of Kidneys lose elasticity and power of contraction. The minute structures in them go through fatty modification. Albumin from the blood easily passes through their membranes. This results in the body losing its power as if it were being run out of blood gradually.

Congestion of the lungs.
------------------------

Alcohol relaxes the vessels of the lungs easily as they are most exposed to the fluctuations of heat and cold. When subjected to the effects of a rapid variation in atmospheric temperature, they get readily congested. During severe winter seasons, the suddenly fatal congestions of lungs easily affects an alcoholic.

Alcohol weakens the heart.
--------------------------

Consumption of alcohol greatly affects the heart. The quality of the membraneous structures which cover and line the heart changes and are thickened, become cartilaginous or calcareous. Then the valves lose their suppleness and what is termed valvular disorder becomes permanent. The structure of the the coats of the great blood-vessel leading from the heart share in the same changes of structure so that the vessel loses its elasticity and its power to feed the heart by the recoil from its distention, after the heart, by its stroke, has filled it with blood.

Again, the muscular structure of the heart fails owing to degenerative changes in its tissue. The elements of the muscular fibre are replaced by fatty cells or, if not so replaced, are themselves transferred into a modified muscular texture in which the power of contraction is greatly reduced.

Those who suffer from these organic deteriorations of the central and governing organ of the circulation of the blood learn the fact so insidiously, it hardly breaks upon them until the mischief is far advanced. They are conscious of a central failure of power from slight causes such as overexertion, trouble, broken rest or too long abstinence from food. They feel what they call a 'sinking' but they know that wine or some other stimulant will at once relieve the sensation. Thus they seek to relieve it until at last they discover that the remedy fails. The jaded, overworked, faithful heart will bear no more. it has run its course and the governor of the blood-streams broken. The current either overflows into the tissues gradually damming up the courses or under some slight shock or excess of motion ceases wholly at the centre.

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Eating Healthy On The Run

2008-07-06T10:28:00.000-07:00

Whether your traveling on the go or around the home, you don't need to give up healthy eating simply because you are on the run. The fact is,
healthy eating is even more important when your trying to keep up with a busy schedule.

Having a good diet will help your body to handle stress better. As you hustle about, a healthy meal is probably the last thing you think about. The following tips can help you eat when your on the go.

Restaurants
With tempting menus, large portions, and a festive atmosphere, it's easy to skip healthy eating. It's okay to splurge every now and then, although you'll
pack on a lot of weight if you make it a habit. When you eat out at restaurants, always be smart about it.

Airports
An airport can be a very stressful place, although you shouldn't scrap your diet because of it. Eat because you are hungry, not because of stress, boredom, or to kill time.

In your car
Keep some healthy snacks in your car at all times, so that when you get hungry - you have them.

At home
Evenings and mornings are busy times in most homes.Making the time to eat can be hard, although you shouldn't run out the door without eating breakfast first. Cereal with milk, a banana, muffin, or even a bagel is a great way to start the day.

Anytime you are on the go, always make sure that you make the right food decisions. You can take healthy food with you if you need to, so that you have it when you need it. Eating healthy on the go is easy to do, once you know how. Never sacrifice healthy food for junk, as your body will regret it later.

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Precautions to be taken while combing hair

2008-07-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

Hair combing is a routine activity of almost all people.Some people keep a particular hair style throughout their life and some especially younger generation adopt new styles according to new trends and fashion.Hair styles has got close relation with the personality of a person.The hair of an unhygeinic person is usually tangled and dirty because of lack of washing and combing.To have a healthy scalp hair proper nutrition is needed.General health has got direct relation with the quality and quantity of hair.Regular washing,use of hair oil,proper combing ect are also needed to make the hair beautiful.General hints for combing is discussed here.

1) Different varieties of combs are available in the market.The best comb is selected by considering the nature of hair(hard or soft,long or short) ,style and convenience.

2) Combing should be done with utmost care and concentration.Some people especially gents think about some other matters and comb without any care which may be harmful to the hairs.

3) Combing should be gentle .A vigorous combing can increase hairfalling.

4) Do not comb if the hair is wet. First dry it with a towel and then put some oil and gently massage it.Now the combing will be easy and harmless.

5) Should not be combed in the opposite direction of hairs.This can increase hair falling.

6) Vigorous combing in backward direction can produce traction baldness.

7) Frequent combing can damage the scalp and the hair follicles.Those who carry pocket comb use it frequently and make it a habit.Combing two or three times in a day is sufficient.

8) The tooth of the comb should not be sharp and it should not be pressed too tightly on the scalp.

9) Always clean the comb before and after use because hair and dirt deposited in the gap will make combing diffucult and painful.

10) Others comb should not be used.This helps to prevent fungal and bacterial infections.Head lice can also spread from one person to other by sharing the combs.

11) Combing the tangled hair is difficult and painful.Hence use some shampoo for cleaning and after drying put oil and make the hairs free for an easy combing.

Fats and Cellulite

2008-07-05T13:14:00.001-07:00

With the many cases of obese people having cellulites in their body, most of them believed that their cellulites are caused by being too fat.

Even though not all those who are obese develop cellulites, being overweight can really trigger the development of cellulites. This is because too much fat under the skin tend to push the connective tissue creating a strain on the skin. Thus, cellulites form.

However, this is still dependent on the structure of the cells. If an individual’s cell structure does not inhibit the tendency to bulge or expand even if fat deposits accumulate, then there will be no cellulites.

So, the most important thing to remember here is to keep those connective tissues firm and strong and avoid accumulating excess fats so as to avoid the development of cellulite.

How? Start an exercise routine program.

Transforming food into fat seems all too easy for most of us. Losing fat is far more difficult, and to accomplish this, we have only three alternatives: (1) decrease food intake and keep activity constant; (2) increase activity and keep food intake constant; or (3) combine both approaches: diet and exercise.

Physical activity can help reverse the results of inactivity. An hour of vigorous exercise burns up 300 to 600 calories. If you also cut 300 to 500 calories from your daily menu, you can also lose weight at the rate of one to two pounds a week.

Without exercise, you would have to eat 500 to 1,000 fewer calories a day to lose the same number of pounds in a week. Exercise is not for everyone who is over-fat, however. The severely obese person should exercise only under medical supervision to prevent strain on the cardiovascular system and connective tissue. And no one should restrict food intake drastically without consulting doctor.

Resorting to this kind of activity will only get the matter worse. Remember what happened to Mike? He thought that when he started dieting, he would eventually lose all the excess fats he has accumulated. The problem is that he lost those connective tissues rather than excess fat.

For people who are prone to cellulites, this will be a greater problem. Losing connective tissues instead of fat by strict dieting can only make the skin more prone to greater problems but the fat cells are still there. That only means that the problem is not solved at all.

Hence, if you wish to loose those cellulites, it would be better to loose those fats first. The idea here is to burn those fats by increasing your metabolism by 7.5% to 28% more than your normal rate.

It is for this reason that exercising is an important factor in losing cellulite. So for a more cellulite free body, always engage in an exercise routine.

Exercise and Cellulite

2008-07-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

When Mike turned 65, he was 25 pounds overweight. By strict dieting, he shed the extra pounds, but he lost more weight; he also lost his energy and vitality. He was always exhausted, and his friends, seeing his gaunt, drawn face, worried about his health.

By the time volunteered for a particular fitness program two years later, he had put 25 extra pounds back on. After 6 months of exercise and some willpower at the dinner table, Mike slimmed down again. This time he felt better than he ever had, brimming with energy and glowing with good health.

What made the difference? The first time Mike lost weight; the second time he lost fat. The distinction is important. According to research, a large portion of the weight lost by dieting alone is active tissue, such as muscle and connective tissue, while a smaller fraction is excess fat. Exercise has the opposite effect. It increased his lean body mass and decreased his excess fat.

Same thing goes with cellulite. Most people tend to think that cellulites are only present to people who are obese. That is why they sometimes associate cellulite with fats and obesity.

Actually, even if cellulite refers to the chain of wrinkled “fat cells” and “subcutaneous connective tissues” beneath the layer of the skin, it should never be associated with people who are fat or obese. In fact, there are many people who have cellulite but are not fat at all.

In reality, nobody knows the main reason why some people accumulate cellulite. However, there are some factors that health experts are considering such as the structure of the fat cells or the poison that entered the body. Some experts say it may be caused by some hormonal changes in the body. But none of these things has been proven to cause cellulites.

However, the only main reason why most of the cellulite cases are abundant in women is that the connective tissues of women are more rigid and firm than men. Hence, whenever a woman gets fat, the fatty cells tend to swell and get bigger. It creates a protruding appearance to the skin producing an “orange peel” look.

For this reason, women are more prone to cellulite than men. That is why it is important for women to be more careful on their body as they have higher chances of accumulating cellulite.

Worst Chain Breakfast Diet-Busters & Satisfying Swaps

2008-07-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

Hungry Girl is here with the 411 on some flab-inducing breakfasts, and recipe swaps that slash calories and fat FAST!

Attack of the 1,210-Calorie Veggie Omelette!

At IHOP, you might think ordering the spinach and mushroom omelette is a good idea -- but this egg disaster has a shocking 1,210 calories (eeeks!). Instead, try HG's Ginormous Oven-Baked Omelette -- you can have a giant piece of our protein-packed omelette for just 140 calories and 3g fat! An added bonus? You can make it the night before and then simply heat 'n' eat in the AM!

79-Grams-of-Fat French Toast!

Even if you're DYING for French toast, avoid Denny's Fabulous French Toast Platter at all costs. This freaky breakfast plate will cost you 1,261 calories and 79g fat! Instead of feasting on this diet dud, try HG's Cinnamonlicious French Toast. It has just 170 calories and 1g fat. And if you crave the sausage links and bacon slices this platter comes with, go for Morningstar Farms' Sausage Links (2 links = 80 calories and 3g fat) and Jennie-O's Extra Lean Turkey Bacon (2 slices = 40 calories and 1g fat). Then finish it off with sugar-free pancake syrup!

Morning Muffin Mayhem!

McDonald's regular Egg McMuffin has 300 calories and 12g fat. For a tiny little muffin? And if you slip up and order the one with sausage, you'll be gobbling up 450 calories and 27g fat. YIKES!! Try HG's Egga Muffin instead, for only 165 calories and 1.5g fat.

600-Calorie B-Fast Sandwich Alert!

Subway may be known for its low-fat sub menu, but think twice before grabbing the sandwich chain's 6-inch Chipotle Steak and Cheese Breakfast Omelet Sandwich. That meaty monstrosity has 600 calories and 32 grams of fat! If you wanna go Southwestern, you'd be way better off with HG's Bueno Breakfast Burrito, with only 170 calories and 5g fat.

Slam Don't! (Denny's 1,040-Calorie Dud!)

So you're starving ... and you order up Denny's Lumberjack Slam with hash browns. (The thing already includes pancakes, ham, bacon, sausage, AND eggs!) How can we say this politely -- BAD IDEA!!! This massive morning mistake is loaded with 1,040 calories and 53g fat! If you crave a little bit of everything, why not whip up our Super Duper Veggie Scramble (only 150 calories and 5g fat), HG's Very Blueberry Pancakes (201 calories and 2g fat), and our Butternut Hash Browns (85 calories and 1g fat)? ALL of that would cost you only 436 calories and 8g fat -- that's less than HALF the calories and EIGHTY FIVE percent less fat than Denny's Lumberjack disaster!

Original Article Here from Yahoo

"B" Vitamins, Unleash The Beast Inside You

2008-07-01T14:03:00.000-07:00

Water Soluble Vitamins: These are water-soluble vitamins that are not stored in the body and must be replaced each day. These vitamins are Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, Folic Aid, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin and vitamin C.
Lets start with the b vitamins: Vitamin B1 is needed to process carbs, fats, and proteins. Vitamin b1 is required by everybody to form the fuel the body runs on. Every nerve cell requires vitamin b1 to function properly. Wheat germ, peas, beans, enriched flour, fish, peanuts, and meat are all excellent sources of vitamin b1. People with advancing age, a poor diet and too much alcohol consumption may result in vitamin b1 deficiency. The suggested RDA for vitamin b1 is unclear but The amount found in most multivitamin supplements is more than enough. Vitamin b1 works hand in hand with vitamin b2 and vitamin b3.
Vitamin b2: Helps release energy from foods. Essential for healthy eyes, skin, nails and hair. Their sources are: Whole grains, brewer's yeast, torula yeast, wheat germ, almonds, sunflower seeds,cooked leafy vegetables. The suggested RDA for vitamin b2 is unclear but The amount found in most multivitamin supplements is more than enough.
Please note, be aware that vitamin b3 or Niacin, as its commonly known as, may cause a reaction in some people. Itching and or burning are two of the symptoms. The author of this article found that out the hard way. Fat-soluble vitamins: Theses vitamins are A, D, E and K. These vitamins are dissolved in fat and stored, therefore they are not needed every day in the diet. Over consumption of fat soluble vitamins may pose a risk of toxicity.
Vitamin A: Vitamin a is a fat soluble vitamin and as mentioned before, should not be consumed in excess. For the maintenance of skin, mucous membranes, bones, teeth, and hair; eye sight. Their sources are: green vegetables, melon, squash, tomatoes.
Well that's it for this article. Look for more of my vitamin articles coming soon.
The information presented in this article is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any disease or condition. This article is not a substitute for a health care professional. Please consult a medical professional before beginning any vitamin program.

Herbs as medicines.

2008-07-01T10:51:00.001-07:00

Herbs or medicinal plants have a long history in treating disease. In traditional Chinese medicine, for example, the written history of herbal medicine goes back over 2000 years and herbalists in the West have used “weeds” equally long to treat that which ails us. We are all familiar with the virtues of Garlic, Chamomile, Peppermint, Lavender, and other common herbs.

Interest in medicinal herbs is on the rise again and the interest is primarily from the pharmaceutical industry, which is always looking for ‘new drugs’ and more effective substances to treat diseases, for which there may be no or very few drugs available.

Considering the very long traditional use of herbal medicines and the large body of evidence of their effectiveness, why is it that we are not generally encouraged to use traditional herbal medicine, instead of synthetic, incomplete copies of herbs, called drugs, considering the millions of dollars being spent looking for these seemingly elusive substances?
Herbs are considered treasures when it comes to ancient cultures and herbalists, and many so-called weeds are worth their weight in gold. Dandelion, Comfrey, Digitalis (Foxglove), the Poppy, Milk Thistle, Stinging nettle, and many others, have well-researched and established medicinal qualities that have few if any rivals in the pharmaceutical industry. Many of them in fact, form the bases of pharmaceutical drugs.
Research into the medicinal properties of such herbs as the humble Dandelion is currently being undertaken by scientists at the Royal Botanical Gardens, in Kew, west London, who believe it could be the source of a life-saving drug for cancer patients.
Early tests suggest that it could hold the key to warding off cancer, which kills tens of thousands of people every year.
Their work on the cancer-beating properties of the dandelion, which also has a history of being used to treat warts, is part of a much larger project to examine the natural medicinal properties of scores of British plants and flowers.
Professor Monique Simmonds, head of the Sustainable Uses of Plants Group at Kew, said: "We aren't randomly screening plants for their potential medicinal properties, we are looking at plants which we know have a long history of being used to treat certain medical problems.”
“We will be examining them to find out what active compounds they contain which can treat the illness.”
Unfortunately, as is so often the case, this group of scientists appears to be looking for active ingredients, which can later be synthesised and then made into pharmaceutical drugs. This is not the way herbs are used traditionally and their functions inevitably change when the active ingredients are used in isolation. That’s like saying that the only important part of a car is the engine – nothing else needs to be included…
So, why is there this need for isolating the ‘active ingredients’?
As a scientist, I can understand the need for the scientific process of establishing the fact that a particular herb works on a particular disease, pathogen or what ever, and the need to know why and how it does so. But, and this is a BIG but, as a doctor of Chinese medicine I also understand the process of choosing and prescribing COMBINATIONS of herbs, which have a synergistic effect to treat not just the disease, but any underlying condition as well as the person with the disease – That is a big difference and not one that is easily tested using standard scientific methodologies.
Using anecdotal evidence, which after all has a history of thousands of years, seems to escape my esteemed colleagues all together. Rather than trying to isolate the active ingredient(s), why not test these herbs, utilising the knowledge of professional herbalists, on patients in vivo, using the myriad of technology available to researchers and medical diagnosticians to see how and why these herbs work in living, breathing patients, rather than in a test tube or on laboratory rats and mice (which, by the way, are not humans and have a different, although some what similar, physiology to us…).
I suspect, that among the reasons for not following the above procedure is that the pharmaceutical companies are not really interested in the effects of the medicinal plants as a whole, but rather in whether they can isolate a therapeutic substance which can then be manufactured cheaply and marketed as a new drug - and of course that’s where the money is…
The problem with this approach is however, that medicinal plants like Comfrey, Dandelion and other herbs usually contain hundreds if not thousands of chemical compounds that interact, yet many of which are not yet understood and cannot be manufactured. This is why the manufactured drugs, based on so-called active ingredients, often do not work or produce side effects.
Aspirin is a classic case in point. Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in Aspirin tablets, and was first isolated from the bark of the White Willow tree. It is a relatively simple compound to make synthetically, however, Aspirin is known for its ability to cause stomach irritation and in some cases ulceration of the stomach wall.
The herbal extract from the bark of the White Willow tree generally does not cause stomach irritation due to other, so called ‘non-active ingredients’ contained in the bark, which function to protect the lining of the stomach thereby preventing ulceration of the stomach wall.
Ask yourself, which would I choose – Side effects, or no site effects? – It’s a very simple answer. Isn’t it?
So why then are herbal medicines not used more commonly and why do we have pharmaceutical impostors stuffed down our throats? The answer is, that there’s little or no money in herbs for the pharmaceutical companies. They, the herbs, have already been invented, they grow easily, they multiply readily and for the most part, they’re freely available.
Further more, correctly prescribed and formulated herbal compounds generally resolve the health problem of the patient over a period of time, leaving no requirement to keep taking the preparation – that means no repeat sales… no ongoing prescriptions… no ongoing problem.
Pharmaceuticals on the other hand primarily aim to relieve symptoms – that means: ongoing consultations, ongoing sales, ongoing health problems – which do you think is a more profitable proposition…?
Don’t get me wrong, this is not to say that all drugs are impostors or that none of the pharmaceutical drugs cure diseases or maladies – they do and some are life-preserving preparations and are without doubt invaluable. However, herbal extracts can be similarly effective, but are not promoted and are highly under-utilised.
The daily news is full of ‘discoveries’ of herbs found to be a possible cure of this or that, as in the example of Dandelion and its possible anti-cancer properties. The point is, that these herbs need to be investigated in the correct way. They are not just ‘an active ingredient’. They mostly have hundreds of ingredients and taking one or two in isolation is not what makes medicinal plants work. In addition, rarely are herbal extracts prescribed by herbalists as singles (a preparation which utilises only one herb). Usually herbalists mix a variety of medicinal plants to make a mixture, which addresses more than just the major symptoms.
In Chinese medicine for example there is a strict order of hierarchy in any herbal prescription, which requires considerable depth of knowledge and experience on the physicians part. The fact that the primary or principle herb has active ingredients, which has a specific physiological effect, does not mean the other herbs are not necessary in the preparation. This is a fact seemingly ignored by the pharmaceutical industry in its need to manufacture new drugs that can control disease.

5 Simple Weight Loss Tips

2008-06-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

Not long ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and my doctor told me to lose weight or my life would be shortened by many years. Being overweight most of my life I knew it was time to get serious.
I know how hard weight loss is and I want to share a few things with you I found along the way that helped me lose 70lbs in eleven months. I believe these weight loss tips can help you too, no matter what diet you chose to follow.

Tip #1 Eat Smaller Meals More Often

Eat breakfast, and then a couple of hours later have a snack. Eat lunch then a couple of hours later then have another snack. In another couple of hours you can eat dinner. Just make your choices are sensible. I buy the small peeled carrots in the bag that are ready to eat so I can eat healthy snacks.
Most diet plans leave you feeling deprived, but all of that chewing makes you feel more satisfied. Eating every few hours also raises your metabolic rate which means your body will burn fat and stop storing fat. Once you get used to this small change, you'll discover this weight loss tip really works.

Tip #2 Eat Lots Of Vegetables

Eat raw vegetables and salads because they are low in calories, low in carbohydrates and are loaded with vitamins. But if you cover your salad or vegetables with dressing, you may as well forget about losing weight. Always get your salad dressing on the side because dressing is high in fat.
A good weight loss tip I discovered is dip your fork in the dressing before you fork the salad. This gives you a small taste but keeps the amount of salad dressing you eat to a minimum.

Tip #3 Drink Plenty Of Water

I fought this tip at first because it was just too hard to believe. But I changed my mind when I saw the benefits. Drinking water not only makes you less hungry but you will notice a big difference in the way you feel.
I drank a lot of diet sodas all of my life, but changing to water gave me a cleaner feeling and it actually helped me shed pounds once I switched. Any doctor will tell you to drink more water because it's good for your overall health. If you change your mind about drinking more water, it could be the one tip that makes a big difference in your weight loss.

Tip #4 Walk

Oh no, the dreaded exercise word. That's what I used to think, but just walking 20 minutes everyday helps burn fat and gives you more energy. Go out of the door and take a walk whether it's before work, after work or even during your lunch.
I started by walking around my subdivision before work and was amazed at the difference it made in my weight loss.

Tip #5 Lose Weight Slowly

You should not lose any more than 1 to 2 lbs a week. If you lose weight too quickly your chances of gaining the weight right back dramatically increases. Losing weight too quickly can also cause health problems.
Look at losing weight as a long marathon and pace yourself so you can cross the finish line. Only concentrate on the next pound not the whole amount of weight you want to lose. In the end, you'll not only complete the marathon but you will dramatically improve your health at the same time.
I am not a doctor and I would recommend you consult your doctor before you start any diet or exercise plan. This weight loss tips article was written only to share my personal experience with you with the hope that you will benefit from it.
Choose a healthy diet plan that you can live with the rest of your life because it is the only way you'll keep the weight off. These weight loss tips will work for you if you keep an open mind and believe they will work.