Archive for January, 2009

For thousands of years the human race has used herbs in various ways. These uses can be placed into three distinctive groups; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the article below we will discuss each of these categories in order focusing upon medical uses and essential oils.

Throughout history there have been many other uses of herbs which we will not be examining here and these include them being used instead of cash, as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to mask sickening smells. Herbs come from various parts of the world and each culture usually had unusual uses for them. It is interesting to note that the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greek and Sumerians, the Romans all wrote about them in detail and other writings exist from Ancient India and China. We shall be concentrating on modern uses.

Herbs And Religion

Herbs are still used in a multitude of around the globe.  A large number of Christians will recognize myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be extremely familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a type of Basil, as it is cultivated by many and praised as a Goddess. In Wiccan and Pagan religions herbs are used widely in spells, rituals as well as for healing.

Kitchen Uses of Herbs

The leaves of various plants are used in cooking however there is a distinction between leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, and a herb, such as parsley, in that the latter are used in minute amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person in the world has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the plainest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.

Herbs And Medicine

As well as being powerful in flavor a herb can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being scientifically researched.

Essential Oils

An essential oil is the oil extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are invariably produced by the method called distillation but some need a different process of extraction such as such as solvent extraction or expression.

Essential oils have a number of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However most people know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a number of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use about three drops in a bath when I suffer from aching legs. When my legs are very painful I gently massage it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep more soundly.

Herbs should be handled with immense care and attention as some can be extremely toxic to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are about to have a baby as something that seems safe could be dangerously problematic, such as peppermint oil which should be totally avoided in its raw form. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used but to avoid the risk of miscarriage I would avoid all herbs and essential oils unless you are one hundred percent certain they are safe.

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Unfortunately for most of us, stress is a part of everyday life. Some stress can be good for us, that little burst of adrenaline that keeps us on top of things mentally. At other times, stress can become a severe problem that causes physical symptoms, emotional turmoil and even anxiety attacks.

At first, anxiety attacks may occur suddenly and seem like a normal part of being stressed out. If they are not recognized and dealt with, they may continue and worsen over time.

Recognizing the symptoms of an anxiety attack is an important first step to treatment. Though everyone reacts to stress differently some common indicators of unhealthy anxiety include difficulty concentrating, racing or uncontrollable thoughts, memory lapses, and feelings of confusion. In order to recognize the indicators for an anxiety attack, you have to understand the symptoms of stress first.

You’ll see some of those symptoms in anxiety attacks as well, but you’ll notice more of the physical symptoms when an attack is occurring. Some people experience shortness of breath, pounding heart rhythm, trembling or shakiness within the body, stomachaches and hot or cold flashes.

At the peak of the attack, you may feel as if you’re losing your grasp of reality and self control. At times, sufferers are unaware that they are experiencing an anxiety attack until it’s too late.

Often it is someone else who notices the symptoms of an anxiety attack. Once an anxiety attacks are suspected immediate medical attention should be sought. Anxiety attacks have similar symptoms to more serious, life threatening medical conditions.

Once your doctor has determined that you are healthy overall, anti-anxiety medication may be prescribed and referral to a counselor or licensed therapist may be recommended.

Counselors are individuals specially trained to help patients explore the motivations behind their feelings. This includes determining what factors contribute to stress and how to eliminate or reduce stress. A counselor will listen to a patient’s medical and biographical history to determine what influences are contributing to the overabundance of stress in their lives. Once these stressors are identified the counselor will create a treatment plan and teach the patient to manage their stress through the use of stress reduction techniques. The success of this treatment plans depends solely on the patient’s commitment to follow through with the suggestions outlined in it.

Several websites are available that describe different ways to relax under duress and breathe through your anxiety, improving oxygen levels and slowing your racing heartbeat.

As the stress in your day to day life increases, there are many strategies for coping. Getting assistance in learning how to manage your anxiety is the first step. Determining the major stressors in your life and developing an effective strategy to cope with them will increase your comfort level and bring hope back into your life.

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Cleansing the colon is one of the most common natural living trends today. But many people are still not sure as to the benefits of a colon cleanse. Colon detoxification, as you can see, is far from an uncontroversial medical practise. It is pretty new to our society, and hasn’t really been completely studied or tested, so the debate rages on. No matter, many found quite a bit of relief from various ailments through body detoxification.

One of the most famous benefits of a colon cleanse is increased energy. Many people believe that stagnant waste in our bodies stops us from absorbing the nutrients that we require. Through body detox, liver detox, and other complementary medical procedures, we can once again enjoy a renewed vitality similar to the feeling of abundant life that children have. There are many that have undergone the procedure, and this is an almost universal observation.

There is a medical theory popular among some alternative health doctors that diseases originate in the colon, and that through cleansing out those toxins, you can stop the diseases at their roots. In that colon cleansing is much less expensive and painful than many of the most popular medical tests, if this claim is true it can be a great way of addressing mysterious or troublesome chronic illnesses such as colon diseases

The benefits of a colon cleanse are enhanced through fasting because the fast stops new toxins from entering the body, while the cleansing at the same time helps to flush out the ones that are there already. It allows the body to focus all of its energy on getting rid of the toxins, which is supposed to be a recharging and empowering process. Some people try it once and feel that it is not for them. Other people, however, seem to absolutely swear by the detox treatment and claim that it has made them healthier than they have been in years.

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