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Cleansing Liver Herbal Teas

April 23rd, 2010

When spring comes it is time for a liver cleanse. This is a good time to rejuvenate the liver for the coming year of work. One good way to cleanse the liver is to use herbal teas. They are easy to use and they provide a powerful punch to reawaken the liver.

Here is a herbal formulation for the liver provided by Brigitte Mars (herbalist in Colorado) called “Puri-Tea” which consist of:

* Peppermint, red clover, fennel, licorice* cleavers, dandelion, oregon grape root, burdock root* butternut bark, chickweed, parsley root, nettles.

Another liver herbal tea is:* Fennel Seed (1 part), Fenugreek (1 part)* Flax Seed (1 part), Licorice Root (1/4 part)* Burdock (1/4 part), Peppermint (1 part).

Here’s another herbal combination that is good for detoxifying and cleansing the liver:

* Yellow Dock root, Dandelion root, Licorice root* Red sage, Sarsaparilla, Hyssop * Pau de Arco, Milk Thistle Seed, Parsley leaf.

Here’s something else you can do for you liver. Buy an extract of Milk Thistle Seed. Then when you make the liver tea’s list here, add 2-3 full droppers of the Milk Thistle Seed extract to the tea.Here are the effects of some of the herbs listed above.

* fennel seed – white cell formation, acid/alkaline balancing * peppermint – body cleanser and toner * red clover – blood purifier * licorice – adrenal stimulation * cleavers – anti-infection * dandelion – cleansing and strengthening * oregon grape root – cleansing, building * burdock root – purifying * nettles – rich in minerals * chickweed – * fenugreek – helps to eliminate toxins and mucus * yellow dock root – cleansing, white cell formation * pau de arco – cleansing, white cell formation * milk thistle seed – cleansing, building

You can make these teas yourself or look for a ready made one at a health food store. What I do is buy a 1/2 or 1 oz of each herb. Then I mix one full tablespoon of each herb into a mason jar. Shake it up and its ready to go.

Boil 1 1/4 cup of distilled water in a glass container. Add 1 heaping tablespoon of herbal mixture. Let tea sit for 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink when it cools down a little.

Drink one cup of tea before breakfast and one before dinner for about 1-2 months.

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The Top Benefits of Acupuncture

April 12th, 2010

What are the benefits of acupuncture? Why should I go through with it? These are the most common questions of people who get introduced to this traditional Chinese medicine. Unknown to you maybe the list of benefits is pretty long. These include the following:

It’s a non-invasive procedure. This simply means that you don’t have to go through very painful process just to alleviate the pain or get rid of the illness. Though the procedure requires the use of needles, they are very fine that they don’t cause a lot of pain on the skin. In fact, their thinness can be compared to the width of one strand of your hair.

There are some people who report to suffer from bruising, mild bleeding, or skin swelling. These instances, however, are extremely rare. This is because acupuncture professionals have been trained how to insert the needles to different points.

Moreover, you also have the option to say that you’re uncomfortable or you’re feeling pain from the insertion. There are a number of reasons why you can feel that way. One of these could be you have sensitive skin. Nevertheless, the acupuncturist can adjust his or her methods to fit your preferences.

It’s cheap. If you’re going to compare how much you’d spend on other modes of treatment, you can actually spend less on acupuncture. For example, rather than purchasing medications for your back pain, you can settle for the procedure, which is considered to be its best form of treatment.

It doesn’t have side effects. Speaking of medications, acupuncture, in general, doesn’t have side effects. It doesn’t even have to get in the way with your daily activities. You can just spend an hour or two inside the clinic and proceed with your appointments right after.

This is in contrast with the medications where you can definitely experience some side effects. A number may complain of dizziness or nausea during acupuncture, but the common reason is anxiety or fear of needles.

It helps treat several diseases. More studies have revealed the illnesses or diseases that can be treated, prevented, or reduced by acupuncture. You have joint pains, from mild to severe such as osteoarthritis. It is also known to treat infertility problems as well as addictions or phobias. It can improve the function of the central nervous system, the brain, and the circulatory system. It is also considered to be one of the most ideal methods of losing the unwanted weight.

It can be combined with other methods. Acupuncture is highly flexible. It becomes even more effective if the sessions are accompanied by intake of Chinese herbs or formulas. You can also use acupuncture together with Western medicine such as medications. A good example is in the case of infertility. You can actually opt for acupuncture before or after in vitro fertilization, egg-donor transfer, or artificial insemination to provide therapeutic effects.

With these reasons, surely, you will be convinced that acupuncture can actually improve the quality of life.

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MSM – Examining Supplemental Use of Methylsulfonylmethane

March 30th, 2010

What Is Methylsulfonylmethane known as MSM?

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is an organic material found in popular dietary supplements. It is considered an organosulfur compound. Since our bodies require sulfur, these compounds can be biologically useful in some cases.

This substance takes the form of a colorless solid at room temperature. It occurs naturally in plants, fish, and milk. It is often employed as a solvent for industrial applications. Methylsulfonylmethane is considered to be similar in composition to dimethyl sulfoxide. This relationship may explain how methylsulfonylmethane affects the body’s use of dimethyl sulfoxide.

Potential Health Benefits of Supplemental Use of Methylsulfonylmethane

Despite its long and confusing name, methylsulfonylmethane is often sold as an ingredient in a variety of different nutritional supplements. The most popular formulas include glucosamine and chondroitin. Many consumers use MSM for several health benefits.

Victims of osteoarthritis use methylsulfonylmethane to alleviate symptoms of pain. Osteoarthritis also causes severe inflammation. Many osteoarthritis patients consume methylsulfonylmethane to reduce this inflammation. Similar benefits have been observed where rheumatoid arthritis is concerned. MSM is taken to reduce the inflammation and pain caused by this chronic disease as well. These analgesic and anti-inflammatory capabilities may help with the treatment of gout and fibromyalgia. Methylsulfonylmethane helps reduce general joint pain and symptoms from carpal tunnel syndrome.

Some consumers purchase methylsulfonylmethane to naturally treat intestinal disorders. It is known to help with parasitic infections, acid reflux, chronic constipation, and ulcers.

Patients with severe allergies may benefit from supplemental use of methylsulfonylmethane. It is also helpful in preventing snoring. Mental acuity, stress tolerance, and skin condition may improve with consumption of this dietary aid.

Studies Regarding the Effectiveness of Methylsulfonylmethane

Clinical Drug Investigation published a popular study regarding the use of a combination of glucosamine and methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of osteoarthritis. This combination was shown to cause an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.

A study by scientists from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences also examined the effectiveness of methylsulfonylmethane as a treatment for osteoarthritis. A steady dosage of MSM reduced pain and improved physical capability among participants.

Scientists have also noted the potential efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane in the reduction of symptoms from seasonal allergic rhinitis. A study from the Journal of Alternative and Complimentary Medicine demonstrated this possibility in an experimental trial.

In Conclusion

While additional research is necessary to confirm the full range of health benefits that can be attributed to methylsulfonylmethane, this organosulfur compound is a favorite for many fans of natural health products. If you are suffering from joint pain due to arthritis, you might want to consider dietary aids that contain this substance.

While methylsulfonylmethane is considered to be completely safe, always consult your primary care physician before making changes to your nutritional plan. Certain dietary supplements are contraindicated in combination with specific pharmaceutical drugs. Also, you may have allergies or health conditions that interact negatively with individual products. Your doctor best understands how your medical history should influence your future dietary choices.

However, methylsulfonylmethane offers a wide range of health benefits. When developing your nutritional plan, consider products that contain MSM.

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