Herbs For Acne

April 2nd, 2007 by admin

Herbs for Acne

Acne is an extremely common skin condition characterized by occasional flare-ups of blackheads, pimples, and pustules. Most often, pimples develop on the face, neck, upper chest, and/or the back. When the liver becomes congested or sluggish, toxins are not filtered out of the body but instead get into the bloodstream which can show up as a skin problem like acne.

Some of the factors that contribute to acne are:

A diet having excessive sugar, fried, salt and processed foods.
Insufficient intake of water, fruit, vegetables, and fibre.
Excessive intake of foods such as chocolate, caffeine, carbonated beverages, milk products, and seafood and other iodine-rich foods.
Being overweight.
Use of certain birth control pills, steroids, and lithium.

Certain herbs that purify the bloodstream of toxins by improving liver function are used to treat acne. Some of the major herbs for acne are:

Burdock,
Yellow Dock,
Dandelion Root
Red Clover
Sarsaparilla

Source : iloveindia.com

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Spirulina

March 15th, 2007 by admin

Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae found in most lakes and ponds. It has been consumed for thousands of years by Mexican (Aztecs, Mayans), African, and Asian peoples. Spirulina is considered a complete protein because well over half of it consists of amino acids — the building blocks of protein. It is also a rich source of other nutrients including B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, carotenoids, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid). In fact, at least one laboratory study has demonstrated that the iron level in spirulina is equivalent to that contained in beef. Because of its apparent ability to stimulate the immune system, spirulina may have antiviral and anticancer effects. Test tube and animal studies suggest that spirulina may also help protect against harmful allergic reactions. More research is needed to fully understand how spirulina truly benefits people.

Interestingly, spirulina has been used in Russia to treat the victims, especially children, of the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl. In these children, whose bone marrow had been damaged from radiation exposure, spirulina seemed to boost the immune system.

Uses

Immune Enhancement
Animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina increases production of antibodies, cytokines (infection fighting proteins), and other cells that improve immunity and help ward off infection and chronic illnesses such as cancer.

Protein Supplement
Amino acids make up 62% of spirulina. Because it is a rich source of protein and other nutrients, spirulina has been used traditionally as a nutritional supplement by people who cannot obtain sufficient calories or protein through diet alone and by those whose nutritional requirements are higher than normal, such as athletes.

Anemia
Animal studies suggest that spirulina promotes hematopoiesis (formation and development of red blood cells). This is thought to be due to the high levels of iron present in this food supplement.

Allergic Reactions
Animal and test tube studies suggest that spirulina may protect against allergic reactions by preventing the release of histamines (substances that contribute to allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, watery eyes, hives, and soft-tissue swelling). Whether these preliminary studies will translate into benefit for people with allergies is not known.

Antibiotic-related Illnesses
Although antibiotics destroy unwanted organisms in the body, they may also kill “good” bacteria called probiotics (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus) which sometimes results in diarrhea. In test tubes, spirulina has promoted the growth of L. acidophilus and other probiotics. Whether this positive laboratory finding will translate into protection from antibiotic-related diarrhea is not clear at this time.

Infection
Test tube studies suggest that spirulina has activity against herpes, influenza, cytomeglovirus, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Whether this laboratory finding will prove beneficial for people in treating these infections is not clear.

Oral Cancer
In one study, 87 people who chewed tobacco and had a precancerous lesion known as leukoplakia were randomly assigned to receive Spirulina fusiformis or placebo. Lesions were significantly more likely to disappear in the spirulina group than in the placebo group. More research in this area will be very helpful.

Liver Disorders
There is some preliminary evidence that spirulina may help protect against liver damage and cirrhosis (liver failure) in those with chronic hepatitis. More research is needed in this area.

Other
Spirulina is also contained in some skin care products due to its moisturizing and tightening properties, and components derived from spirulina may have properties to help reduce inflammation in, for example, arthritis. More research is needed in this latter area.

Dietary Sources

Spirulina is a microscopic algae that flourishes in warm climates and warm alkaline water. It is available dried and freeze-dried.

Available Forms

Spirulina is available in pill or powder form. Most of the spirulina consumed in the United States is cultivated in a laboratory. There are many different spirulina species (spp.), only some of which are identified on labels of commercially available products. Spirulina maxima (cultivated in Mexico) and Spirulina platensis (cultivated in California) are the most popular.
How to Take It

Pediatric

Although spirulina has been used in children (e.g. victims of the Chernobyl nuclear accident), the safe and effective dose for those under 18 has not yet been established.

Adult

Consult an appropriate health care provider for the correct dosage of spirulina. A standard dosage of spirulina is 4 to 6 tablets (500 mg each) per day.

Precautions

Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, dietary supplements should be taken only under the supervision of a knowledgeable healthcare provider.

There are no known toxicities associated with spirulina, based on testing of high doses of this supplement in animals. Spirulina has even been tested in pregnant animals and no risk to either maternal or fetal rats and mice was discovered. However, it is not known whether this will translate to humans. Therefore, it is safest to talk with your health care provider before taking spirulina if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

In addition, those with a metabolic condition called phenylketonuria (PKU) should discuss potential use of spirulina with their healthcare provider. This unusual condition is characterized by an inability to metabolize the amino acid phenylalanine. Spirulina is rich in all amino acids, including phenylalanine. Most likely, it is okay for those with PKU to use this supplement because the presence of all of the other essential amino acids balances the high levels of phenylalanine. However, it is best and safest to check with your healthcare provider if you have PKU.

Possible Interactions

There are no reports in the scientific literature to suggest that spirulina interacts with any conventional medications.

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Lady’s Mantle

February 23rd, 2007 by admin

Lady’s Mantle

Alchemilla vulgaris
Bear’s Foot
Lady’s Mantle
Lion’s Foot
Nine Hooks
Stellaria

Lady’s-mantle owes its scientific name and a certain pseudoscientific reputation to the fact that its leaves are efficient collectors of dew. The alchemists, to whom the name Alchemilla refers, believed that the dewdrops that gather on the leaves had magical powers to help them in their search for the philosopher’s stone, with which they expected to turn base metals to gold. The name lady’s-mantle refers to the plant’s shapely, pleated leaves, which resemble a medieval lady’s cloak-one suitable for the Virgin Mary, hence the plant’s original common name, Our-Lady’s-mantle.

Generations of folk healers have prized the plant for its astringent properties. They have used it externally and internally to stop bleeding (including excessive menstruation), to heal wounds, to relieve vomiting, and in a host of other cures. Early herbalists believed that the plant had such strong contractile powers that it could “restore″ lost virginity and give new firmness to flabby breasts. Lady’s-mantle is still used in herbal medicine, but its chief function is as a garden plant. The leaves usually have nine lobes, which account for the name nine hooks.

Lady’s mantle is said to have an affinity for the female reproductive tract. Its astringent tannins help to reduce heavy periods, particularly useful around the menopause, while as a uterine stimulant and emmenagogue it stimulates menstrual flow and can be used to stimulate contractions during childbirth. Lady′ mantle can be used to relieve period pains and to regulate periods, and was a traditional remedy for inducing sleep. The astringent properties useful for treating diarrhea and gastroenteritis, while the salicylic acid reduces inflammation in the digestive and reproductive systems.

Lady’s mantle can be used externally as a douche or lotion (mixed with rose water if you wish) for vaginal discharge, irritatiqn and infection. It also makes good skin lotion for rashes such as eczema, cuts and wounds, sores and insect bites. As a mouthwash or gargle it can be used for bleeding gums, mouth ulcers and sore throats.

PARTS USED

Aerial parts, root.

USES

Lady’s mantle has always been prized as a wound healer. Its astringency ensures that blood flow is staunched and the first stage of healing soon gets under way. As the name implies, it is a valuable herb for women, taken principally to reduce heavy menstrual bleeding, to relieve menstrual cramps, and to improve regularity of the cycle. It is prescribed for conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis. It is also used as a douche for excess vaginal discharge. Lady’s mantle has been used to facilitate childbirth, and is thought to act as a liver decongestant. Its astringency makes it a useful herb for treating diarrhea and gastroenteritis.

Other medical uses - Wrinkles.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Lady’s rnantle is native to Britain and continental Europe. Lady’ mantle is gathered in summer.

CONSTITUENTS

Lady’s mantle contains tannins, a glycoside, and salicylic acid.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

Use the leaves as an infusion, 200 ml (8 fl oz), three times a day to help regularize the menstrual cycle and relieve heavy bleeding. In stomach upsets where there is diarrhea, take the tincture 2 ml (40 drops), three times a day.

HOW IT WORKS IN THE BODY

The tannins act as an astringent, helping to reduce bleeding, particularly in the reproductive system, thus making it a valuable treatment for excessive menstrual bleeding and in the menopause. It is an excellent tonic for the uterus. The herb’s properties enable it to act as a hormonal balancer, which also means that it has the effect of normalizing an irregular cycle. The salicylic acid acts as a mild painkiller, which helps ease painful periods. The protective layer the tannins form on the tissues mean that this herb is also helpful in the digestive system where there is diarrhea.

APPLICATIONS

AERIAL PARTS:
INFUSION - Use for gastroenteritis or diarrhea: take up to five times daily for acute symptoms.
TINCTURE - Use for menstrual pain and irregularities or for menopausal problems.
OINTMENT - To relieve vaginal itching, combine 50 g ointment base with around 20 ml rosewater and 15 ml of the infusion or tincture, and use night and morning.
WASH - Apply the infusion externally for weeping eczema or sores.
MOUTHWASH / GARGLE - Use the infusion for sore throats, laryngitis, and mouth ulcers.
DOUCHE - Use the infusion for vaginal discharges and itching.
SUPPOSITORIES - Use for vaginal discharges and itching. Combine 20 drops tincture with 20 g cocoa butter to make 12-16 suppositories, depending on mold size.