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Strengthen the Immune System Naturally
"Among the most exciting applications of herbal medicine lie in treating abnormalities of the immune system. Clinical studies have shown that various herbal products are effective in treating allergies, asthma, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Herbal medicine also has a unique potential usefulness in balancing the immune system in cases of chronic infection, preventing the immune system from turning on the body and causing destruction." ~Phyllis A. Balch, CNC Prescription for Herbal Healing A healthy, properly functioning immune system is absolutely vital to good health. It is the key to the healing process from the tiniest scratch - to the most complex virus. Even the aging process is intimately linked with the immune system. Compromised immunity leaves us vulnerable to disease and impairs our ability to heal properly and age well. SIGNS OF IMPAIRED IMMUNE FUNCTION CANDIDIASIS/ YEAST INFECTIONS RECURRING INFECTIONS CHRONIC FATIGUE LISTLESSNESS CHRONIC DIARRHEA SLOW WOUND HEALING ALLERGIES INFLAMMATION People who have more than 2 or 3 colds or infectious illnesses per year are likely suffering from weakened immunity WHAT IS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM? The immune system is a complex system of interactions involving many organs and glands as well as substances such as bone marrow, white blood cells, lymphatic vessels and serum factors in our blood. Our immunity dependson all these components functioning together. HOW DOES OUR IMMUNITY BECOME IMPAIRED? Unfortunately, modern life is full of things that tend to depress our immune systems. PESTICIDES CHEMICHALS IN HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS FOOD ADDITIVES ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANTS OVERUSE OF ANTIBIOTICS POOR LIVING HABITS STRESS IMPROPER NUTRITION CHEMOTHERAPY Also many disorders have been linked to improper immune function including thyroid deficiency, diabetes, rheumatic heart disease, reheumatoid arthritis, lupus and pernicious anemia. For optimal immune function we need to address any disorders that may be inhibiting immune function. We also need to take steps to avoid exposure to toxins such as pesticides and chemicals we use around the house. Try wearing gloves when cleaning to avoid skin exposure and avoid inhaling fumes from things like bleach, oven cleaners, and the like. Make sure dishes and glassware are thouroughly rinsed of any residue from dishwashing liquids etc. Even though they're more expensive, consider buying nontoxic cleansers. Take steps to ensure that the soaps and shampoos you use are made from the most natural ingredients possible. (Aubrey Organics is a good option.) It's also important to get plenty of fresh air and to drink the purest water available. HERBS THAT BENEFIT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM ASTRAGALUS - A powerful antioxidant which protects the liver from toxins, boosts the immune system and generates anticancer cells in the body. ECHINACEA - Enhances lymphatic function and boosts immune system. GINKGO BILOBA - A powerful antioxidant which increases circulation to brain cells. GOLDENSEAL - An antibacterial which strengthens the immune system and cleanses the blood. (Don't take internally for more than a week at a time or if pregnant.) ST. JOHN'S WORT- A blood purifier useful in cases of Epstein - Barr virus and HIV. OLIVE LEAF - Effective against numerous viruses, bacteria and fungi. It has been used in the treatment of people with viral illnesses such as Epstein-Barr disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Herpes and AIDS. SPIRULINA - Aids in protecting the immune system and cleansing toxins from the body. Though technically a nutrient, not an herb, spirulina is a naturally digestible food that helps protect the immune system and aids in mineral absorption. It helps balance blood sugar levels and supplies nutrients that help the body cleanse and heal. Other herbs that enhance the immune response are BAYBERRY,FENUGREEK , HAWTHORN, HOREHOUND and RED CLOVER . ~Herbal Formulas~ Herbs often work best when used in combination with other herbs. There are contraindications for certain herbs if you have an auto-immune disorder. Consult a good herbal book or work with an herbalist to create a blend appropriate for your needs. ~ CLEANSE THE LIVER ~ The liver is our primary detoxifying organ and must be functioning optimally for proper immunity. Herbs which are useful in cleansing the liver include BLACK RADISH, DANDELION, and MILK THISTLE. ~Other Steps to Improved Immunity~ Proper Nutrition In addition to using herbs to strengthen and balance the immune system it is important to supply the body with adequate nutrients. Vitamin A Vital to the body's defense system - known as the infection-fighting vitamin. Vitamin C Probably the most important vitamin to the immune system. It has a direct effect on bacteria and viruses and is needed for forming adrenal hormones and lymphocytes. Vitamin E Works synergystically with vitamins A & C as well the mineral selenium as a scavenger of toxic free-radicals. Zinc Promotes healing of wounds and boosts immune response. Germanium A trace element which benefits the immune system. Get sufficient sleep. Don't Smoke Excercise Regularly Reduce Stress and Anxiety. Stress triggers changes in biochemistry that suppress white blood cell activity and taxes the endocrine system in ways that ultimately result in lowered defense against infection and an impaired capacity for healing. Stress also depletes the body of nutrients. Addressing chronic stress is a very important element of bringing the immune system into balance. About The Author Cori Young is an herbalist living in the Pacific Northwest. For more information on healing with herbs, visit her website, Herbal Remedies Info (http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com)
Physician and Patient Attitudes towards Complementary and ... - 7thSpace Interactive (press release)
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Alternative Medicine Classical Music Therapy Music, more than entertainment, has played an instrumental role in healing and harmonizing the mind, body and spirit. For thousands of years, the Vedic culture has used sound and music for body and mind balancing, health enhancement, healing promotion and encouragement of heightened awareness. The Greek mathematician, Pythagoras theorized that music diminished and even eradicated negative energy and emotions. Modern studies explicitly show that specific sounds and music do in fact, have documented, measurable and multiple healing benefits. Today's medicine understands that all bodily functions, like breathing and pulse, work cyclically and rhythmically. It is these rhythms that are influenced and synchronized with certain music and sound patterns. The Effects of Stress Stress can affect you in four different ways: Herbal Remedies to the Rescue! Since the dawn of civilization, man has always turned to Herbal Remedies to cure the common cold, salve wounds, relieve itching and burns, as well as a host of other medical needs. Unfortunately, with the rising tide of Herbal Medicine believers around the globe, doctors and other critics alike are lashing out at Herbal Remedies as the number one killer--which is totally unjustified. Statistics from the American Association of Poison Control Centers shows that pharmaceuticals caused a total of 809 fatalities and 6,407 major non-fatal poisoning in between 1988 and 1989. During the same period, plants caused two fatalities and 53 major poisonings. The most hazardous plants? Not Herbal Remedies...but house plants! Just setting the record straight. Whether we're talking pharmaceuticals or Herbal Remedies, this rule is equally applicable: overdose kills! It doesn't seem immediately apparent that a tiny plant like ephedra can kill, but an extract taken in big doses can indeed cause heart attack or even death. Nature has blessed us with Herbal Remedies to cure common maladies. In fact, even in the medical world, majority of the antidotes and cures are still based on plant extracts or substances. This we tend to forget when we swallow a pill or a capsule! Synthetic compounds still have a long way to go in overtaking plant or animal-based medical remedies. Mint, aloe vera, anise, chamomile, garlic, licorice, senna and many other Herbal Remedies are part and parcel of effective medicines in wide use today. Are You Really Overweight? If you are overweight, you know it by how you feel, how your clothes fit or how you look. But, by how much are you really overweight? And how much weight do you need to lose? One measure of how much you should weight is by determining your Body Mass Index, BMI. This index gives you the relationship of your weight to your height. Here is the formula: Bladder Infections "If you let that fiery wise blood just sit there in your belly, great granddaughter," admonishes Grandmother Growth, "you'll get the urge to quench that heat. You'll get a tickle, a twinge, an urgent call. But you won't have the moisture you need. It's boiled away. It's gone up in steam. Can Tea Strengthen Your Bones? It has long been said that caffeine is not good for building strong bones. In fact, drinking more than three caffeinated beverages a day is listed as a risk factor for developing Osteoporosis (porous bone). Benefits of Wheatgrass Juice - What, How, and Why! Since the late 1960's, wheatgrass has become frequently discussed in health and medical circles as one of natures greatest gifts. Classified as one of the most abundant superfoods known to man, wheat (and more recently barley) grass has been celebrated for its nutritional content, cleansing and cell regeneration capabilities as well as being in a form that is easily and effortlessly assimilated and digested by our bodies. Addressing The Cause And Finding A Cure: Why Cause is Everything When It Comes To Low Back Pain There is an epidemic, at least in the States when it comes to treating back pain. Most doctors do just that... treat back pain rather than finding and eliminating the cause. Acupuncture Arthritis Treatment Using Acupuncture to Treat Arthritis Acupuncture treatment for arthritis and joint pain has been with us for centuries. Acupuncture provides many arthritis pain sufferers with an alternative (or an addition) to modern arthritis medication which can at best be unpalatable and, at worst, potentially toxic. Acupuncture arthritis treatment may not work alone for joint pain but it can result in powerful pain relief if your joints are angry or inflamed. Secrets Of Aromatherapy Part I - Physical Remedies Aromatherapy can be used to relieve the discomfort of a wide range of minor physical complaints including burns, colds, flu, sinus problems, cold sores, eczema, headache, indigestion, menopause, menstrual irregularities, muscle aches, nausea and toothaches. Biofeedback: Applying the Mind to Health What is biofeedback? Gratitude Here's a quick question: You've got a bad cold. Do you moan and groan about your misfortune, or do you crawl into bed, grateful to be able to pull the covers back over your head and give your body the rest it's asking for? How to Get Rid of Smoking, Drinking, Drugs and Other Bad Habits These are practices that I do whenever I am trying to release a pattern that no longer serves my highest good. I am using smoking as an example but you can fill in any other habit instead of smoking like drinking, drugs and other addictive behaviours. Sometimes addictive patterns emerge from emotional charges. You get stressed at work for example and you take a smoke. Whenever emotional charges occur, they need to be cleared. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptoms Urinary tract infection is caused by bacteria in one of the tracts through which urine passes. The infection can occur in the urethra, ureters, or the urinary bladder. Women are mostly affected due to UTI than men, but no specific reason has been found out till date. Men can also be affected by UTI with the infection causing greater level of discomfort. Hemorrhoids Remedy: Practical Diet Tips, Toilet Habits And Exercise To Prevent Hemorrhoid Symptoms Some people say that prevention is better than cure. That is a wise statement indeed. We may not know it but many of our common habits are the main causes of hemorrhoids. This article will show us which habits they are as well as list out a few tips to hemorrhoid prevention. Healing the Body & Mind The Karma of Health Within each one of us resides the divine healer. All healings come from within and not outside. Once the healer within is set in motion the healing takes effect. Urinary Tract Infections Helped with Cranberry Juice Cranberry Juice is very rich in Antioxidants and Nutrients which can help to prevent degenerative illnesses and diseases, particularly those associated with the eyes, it is a well known supplement that is frequently used in overcoming UTIs or Urinary Tract Infections, and it could be called a vitamin that boosts the immune system, by increasing and improving cellular communication within the body. Dopamine Relieves Pain Try Encouraging Your Subconscious To Supply It Dopamine has long been known to be linked to positive experiences such as eating and sex. But it's now known to be released when you are in pain, so you may want to try increasing your supply of it--naturally. Essential Oils Are Essential For Our Time What is "it"? Oils-Pure Essential Oils. Frankincense and Myrrh, for Christ's birth; Christ anointed with oils for healing. The Egyptians used it for healing, so why don't we? We have been exposed to oils for basic smells, but what about using them for more therapeutic purposes? Hemorrhoids What Do I Need To Do? There are many unpleasant symptoms and diseases associated with constipation. Hemorrhoids is one such symptom and many doctor or practitioners say, "its not a serious condition." As a natural nutritional consultant, I say, "Hemorrhoids is a condition you need to treat or better yet eliminate."
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