Expert: Black tea has many health benefits
March 13, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Tea has many health benefits including manganese, good for physical development, and potassium, good to maintain fluid balance, a U.S. food expert said.
Phil Lempert, a food industry analyst, trend watcher and creator of supermarketguru.com, said studies also show tea drinkers are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease than non-drinkers, and a recent study discovered black tea lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Black tea is also packed with flavonoids, antioxidants that help combat free radicals that cause cellular damage and aging.
Flavonoids also help prevent the oxidation of “bad” cholesterol, protect blood vessels from inflammation and inhibit blood clotting. « Read the rest of this entry »
Alternative Medicine Finds Place in Veterinary Offices
November 2, 2011 § 1 Comment
Four-year-old Milo, a pit/boxer mix, was facing surgery on his cruciate ligament. He was held steady as veterinarian Marc Smith placed about 12 acupuncture needles into the dog’s back and aching leg. Smith is one of several veterinarians that are starting to mix Western medicine with Eastern techniques at his practice, Natchez Trace Veterinary Services. Animals find themselves treated with acupuncture, chiropractic and herbals, as well as traditional therapies.
Milo seemed to have great results. “He came out like a champ and went home this morning,” Smith said of the procedure.
Smith is one of many vets that started a traditional practice, only to become curious and try out chiropractic or acupuncture treatments — and has found that alternative medicine on pets has been very effective. His practice is now about 30 percent Eastern treatments, Smith estimates.
Bitter Orange
October 21, 2011 § 1 Comment
Today I wanted to provide an overview of an age-old alternative medicine — bitter orange. Here’s what the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine has to say about bitter orange!
What Bitter Orange Is Used For
Bitter orange has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for nausea, indigestion, and constipation.
Current uses of bitter orange are for heartburn, loss of appetite, nasal congestion, and weight loss. It is also applied to the skin for fungal infections such as ringworm and athlete’s foot.
How is it Used?
The dried fruit and peel are taken by mouth in extracts, tablets, and capsules. Bitter orange oil can be applied to the skin.
Alternative First Aid Kit
August 11, 2011 § Leave a Comment
The last post concludes the list of 14 handy items, together which combine to form a great alternative first aid kit to keep on-hand for minor scrapes, ailments, and infections. To recap:
Echinacea, Goldenseal, Cramp Bark, All Heal, Ginger, Arnica, Tea Tree Oil, Licorice Tea, Emer-gen-C, Bach’s Rescue Remedy, Neem Powder, Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, Aloe Vera Gel
Remember that preparation is key when it comes to using and maintaining herbal remedies. If you normally use a one ounce bottle at home, bring two or four when traveling. Remember that some things are hard to find when you’re far from home, one way to avoid this problem is by knowing the Latin names of certain plants.
Do you have any herbal or alternative remedies that you feel should have been included in this list? Let me know!
Compiling Your Alternative First Aid Kit: Day 14
August 11, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Aloe Vera Gel
We all know that getting sunburned is the worst, especially when you have to wear certain clothing or carry things when you’re so red and peeling. Try this easy fix. Rub some aloe vera on: it promotes healing and relieves that burning sensation. Your sunburn will ease into a tan faster.
Source: Matador Life
Compiling Your Alternative First Aid Kit: Day 12
August 9, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Clove Oil
This spice may be small, but it certainly packs an aromatic punch. Furthermore, clove oil is an exceptionally useful numbing agent. In dental emergencies, use diluted clove oil to numb the gums, mouth, and teeth.It also may help keep tooth infections from spreading, as clove has anti-bacterial properties. Though its primary use is dental, clove oil can numb the skin as well and its aromatic properties can be reviving and motivating. Always dilute clove oil in water before applying, and although it can be used in the mouth it should not be swallowed.
Source: Matador Life
Compiling Your Alternative First Aid Kit: Day 11
August 8, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Neem (azadirachta indica) Powder
Neem, which is considered a sacred plant in India, has dozens of uses — from acting as a natural air conditioner when placed in gardens to helping to keep your gums healthy. Neem powder may be difficult to find outside the subcontinent, but it’s worth a look at your local Asian grocery store if you can’t find it elsewhere.
For travelers, neem is great for keeping those terrible pests of the night away. A natural insect repellent, you can sleep a little easier after sprinkling your sheets with the powder. It has a clean medicinal smell, though the odor can also deter some people from using it.
Source: Matador Life
Natural Remedy for Ear Infections
August 4, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Ear infections may seem like little more than a nuisance, but the truth is that they can become quite serious and cause permanent damage, so it’s important to see a doctor if the problem becomes severe or persists.
But if you feel like your infection is mild and at the beginning stages, put a few drops of garlic oil or white vinegar into your ear canal and lay down on the opposite side to let the drops do their work. Garlic and vinegar create an environment that won’t support the bacteria causing the infection. Repeat a few times a day until the symptoms disappear. (If your symptoms last longer than a few days, you should definitely see a doctor!)
Source: Eco Salon
Compiling Your Alternative First Aid Kit: Day 8
August 3, 2011 § Leave a Comment
Licorice Tea
Licorice — you may not have known that it is as nutritionally beneficial as it is delicious! This root-based product is naturally sweet, and is super if you have a sore throat.
It has mucilaginous properties that help keep dry throats from being scratchy, especially useful when traveling through smog and pollution. The tea can also be used to help get your digestion moving.
Source: Matador Life
Compiling Your Alternative First Aid Kit: Day 7
August 2, 2011 § 1 Comment
Tea Tree Oil (melaleuca alternifolia)
Native to Australia, the tea tree plant produces a powerful astringent oil, with an equally powerful scent! Tea tree oil should always be diluted in water, as a few drops goes a long way.
It can be used to cleanse scratches and abrasions, and is also known to be beneficial as an astringent, or acne fighter in cleaning the face. Further more, the powerful minty-smelling oil is known for its ability to clear the sinuses. Drop a few drops in water and swish in your mouth like mouthwash if you are out of toothpaste. Finally, it can also reduce skin irritations, especially of the fungal variety.
Source: Matador Life
