Natural Remedies Tips And Information

Here you'll find valuable info on safe and effective herbal remedies and nutritional supplements that work. Keep coming back to learn how you can achieve vibrant health the natural way by choosing the right foods and supplements. Until next time!

February 21, 2006 17:23 - Foods that lower cholesterol levels and...

An article featured in the British Medical Journal says that ... according to researchers, there are some foods that not only help lower cholesterol levels but they may also help you fight heart disease by lowering blood pressure and other heart disease risk factors. By having these foods frequently you can reduce your risk by a whopping 76%. So here they are... don't forget to add them to your grocery list next time!

* Garlic - a couple of teaspoons weekly cuts risk by 25%
* Fruits and Vegetables - five or more servings per day cuts risk by 21%
* Fish rich in Omega 3 (eg. salmon, tuna, sardines) - 4 ounces four times a week cuts risk by 14%
* Almonds - about 50 nuts a day cuts risk by 12.5%
* Wine - 5 ounces per day cuts risk by 32%
* Dark chocolate 70% cocoa - a large bar or 3.5 ounces per day cuts risk by 21%

If lowering cholesterol is one of your concerns - and goals, learn more about the benefits of rice bran oil and how it can help in maintaining a healthy heart the natural way.

February 22, 2006 17:26 - Herb for Bladder Infections

Uva Ursi, known as Bearberry or Pinemat Manzanita is an herb that has antibacterial, antiseptic and diuretic properties. The active compound of this herb is arbutin, which has the ability to fight germs in the urinary tract. As a diuretic, this herb helps to speed up healing by flushing out bacteria. Bearberry also has a compound called allantoin that promotes new cells' growth and helps repair tissue. This herb has been used effectively to treat bladder infections and relieve the pain associated with bladder stones.

Uva Ursi is widely used in herbal formulas but also can be used to make infusions. If you like to make a tea, just soak the leaves in water overnight to reduce the unpleasant taste it has and then simmer 1 heaping tsp. per cup to boiling water and let steep for ten minutes. You can drink this tea 3 to 4 times a day.

TIP: if you're taking this herb don't eat citrus fruits, pineapple or tomato. Avoid taking Vitamin C supplements too. Acidic foods interfere with the effectiveness of Uva Ursi, which needs an alkaline environment to work.

February 23, 2006 16:31 - Zinc Picolinate

Did you know that tannins in coffee and tea hamper the body's capacity to absorb zinc? You may know that zinc is very important for a strong immune system. This trace mineral helps the body produce a protein, called interlukin-2, that increases the activity of the natural killer cells to fight viruses.

If you're having a meal rich in zinc or taking a zinc supplement make sure that you don't take it with tea or coffee. But, enjoying a cup of tea or coffee a couple of hours after the meal will help boost absorption!

Some of the symptoms associated with zinc deficiency are: frequent colds, lack of appetite, fatigue, depression, brain fog, rough skin, white spots on fingernails and hair loss.

If you are looking for a zinc supplement opt for zinc picolinate. Research shows that zinc picolinate is a highly bioavailable form of this trace mineral and provides a great boost for the immune system.

February 24, 2006 20:16 - Turmeric Extract

Turmeric is a spice that comes from the root Curcuma longa. It's the main ingredient in curry powder, which gives the yellow color.

Turmeric has traditionally been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine because of its anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and antioxidant properties. This herb also protects the liver against toxins.

Turmeric's popularity has increased due to recent laboratory studies that have found that curcumin, the active ingredient in tumeric, has an anti-cancer effect and kills tumor cells.

Additionally, curcumin is thought to be beneficial in cases of Alzheimer's and Colitis. Researchers at UCLA have discovered that curcumin has the ability to shrink the protein deposits that accumulate in the brain of people with Alzheimer's; and new research out of Japan indicates that turmeric may also prevent colitis.

If you like to cook with spices try turmeric by adding a tsp. to rice or your favorite vegetable dish. Alternatively, consider a natural supplement such as Total Balance, a formula full of beneficial herbal extracts and nutrients that includes a high potency turmeric (a whopping 98% curcumin).

February 26, 2006 14:14 - Bilberry Herb

Bilberry is known as European blueberry, huckleberry or blueberry and it has a long history of medicinal use that dates back to the 16th century when it was used to treat biliary disorders, bladder stones, scurvy, coughs and lung tuberculosis.

Bilberry contains active components including fatty acids, flavonoids, iron, glucoquinine, sodium and the most important of all, Anthocyanidin - this is an antioxidant that improves the blood flow to the nervous system and lowers blood pressure.

This herb is commonly used to help control insulin levels, inflammation, stress, anxiety, and night blindness. In clinical tests it has shown positive effects in cases of vascular disorders such as varicose veins.

The clinical applications of bilberry include ophthalmologic disorders, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, vascular disorders, varicose veins and diabetes mellitus.

We invite you to check out this high quality bilberry supplement that contains a standardized extract of this herb, plus other herbal extracts and nutrients that enhance its efficacy promoting overall good health.

February 28, 2006 10:56 - EPA DHA Fish Oil

Multiple clinical studies have established the health benefits that Omega-3 essential fatty acids provide. Research has found that these benefits come mainly from DHA, and to a smaller degree, from EPA.

Omega-3 acids are very important for the normal development and functioning of your brain. Essential fatty acids help build healthy cells, lower triglycerides, stimulate blood circulation, improve the skin and hair, assist visual function and have anti-inflammatory properties...to name a few.

You can get Omega-3's from many different sources, both vegetable and animal, including the following: cold water fish (salmon, mackerel and sardines), fish oil, walnuts, flaxseeds and vegetable oils such as canola oil.

As you can see Omega-3 is readily available through food but you need to know that there may be factors that impact the assimilation process:

Omega-3 fatty acids that come from plant sources must undergo a conversion process, which may not take place in your body if the proper elements are not in place. For instance, if you have a disease it gets difficult for your body to perform such conversion.

Your body can easily assimilate EPA and DHA from fish oils, however, there is an increasing concern that fish may contain toxins from metals present in the oceans.

So, how can you make sure that your diet has plenty of these healthy substances without worrying about proper absorption or toxins?

The answer is supplementation; but there's something that you need to know when choosing a DHA and EPA supplement. To get the maximum benefit make sure that the product you take contains only fresh fish with naturally high levels of DHA that has been molecularly distilled to be contaminant-free. Here's one that we use and can highly recommend.