herbal – EcoSalon

Best Natural Remedies for the 15 Most Common Aches, Pains and Health Complaints

Sarah Irani — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 23:27:06 +0000

Is the economy beating you up? It’s time to get creative. Next time you have an ache or pain, forget about a costly trip to the drugstore and test drive some of your grandmother’s remedies instead. It’ll save money and be gentler on your body and the environment. Recessionistas (and Gents), welcome to the DIY medicine cabinet.

Indigestion and Heartburn

It almost goes without saying – but consider why you’re getting heartburn in the first place. Did you overeat? Too much grease or spicy food? Eating late at night? Scout out the cause and try to stop this before it happens. Then, put down the antacids. The belching, bloat and heartburn caused by indigestion come about because you don’t have enough stomach acid to do the job right. A spoonful or two of apple cider vinegar will help break down the excess food that is causing you trouble and bring your stomach back to balance.

Sore Throat

Sore, scratchy throats are usually a sign of a cold or flu coming on, so you don’t want to ignore this symptom, but you can relieve the pain by gargling with warm salt water a few times a day and then drinking a soothing honey-lemon tea.

Sore Muscles and Bruises

After a hard afternoon of rowing with a friend, I resigned myself to a few days of burning muscles and soreness. But my friend saved the day with a tube of arnica cream. He rubbed it on my shoulders and voila, instant relief and absolutely no aches the next day. The humble arnica flower makes an incredible cream that no medicine cabinet should be without. Use it immediately to speed up the healing of bruises, sprains, sore muscles and other general aches.

Stop Bleeding

You’d think it would burn, but a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on a cut will quickly stop the bleeding and actually relieve the pain.

Ear Infections

Ear infections can become quite serious and cause permanent damage, so please see a doctor if your ear ache has become severe. 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 those 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!)

Burns

So you bumped up against the stove again? Ouch. Rinse first with cold water, but then immediately apply aloe vera gel to the burn. For those of us who don’t have aloe in the house, slice a potato and rub its cool, soothing juices all over the burn. And honey, with its antibacterial properties, is also good topical ointment. If you can catch the burn immediately, mustard is also reportedly a great salve.

Athlete’s Foot

It’s a foot fungus, and it stinks. Air those piggies, then soak them in salty water, wash them with garlic juice, or soak them with diluted white or apple cider vinegar. All of these things will help kill the fungus. But you have to be persistent, consistent and diligent: no matter what treatment you use, do it a few times a day and stick with it until at least a week after you think the symptoms are gone! Fungus excels at hiding out and coming back when you least expect it.

Rashes and Allergies

Prescription and OTC antihistamines can cause some serious side effects. Before you head for the strong stuff, try green tea, which contains compounds with antihistamine properties. You’ll need to drink 2-3 cups a day to get the full effect.

Acne and Sensitive Skin

First you really have to look at your lifestyle, because imbalances in your health can show up in your skin. But in the meantime, wash your face with oatmeal. It’s a gentle exfoliant and draws out oil and impurities.

Flatulence

Some foods, like beans and raw veggies, are more likely to cause gas, but if you find flatulence to be too common of an occurrence, try taking a digestive enzyme with your meals. You can find these at any health food store. In the meantime, make use of digestive spices such as ginger, anise, peppermint, coriander and dill. You can make tea with these ingredients or incorporate them into your food.

Headache and Migraine

Try rubbing peppermint or lavender oil on your temples and the base of your neck; sniffing these oils may also help. Rub a fresh cut lemon or lime on your forehead. Feverfew is a good herbal remedy for headaches. Have a little caffeine by way of green tea, and don’t forget to use an ice pack for 20 minutes to dull the throbbing.

Dandruff

Have you looked at the ingredients in dandruff shampoo? It seems like they contain almost everything in the Toxic Ingredients You Must Avoid list. Better to try something natural first before resorting to chemicals. Many people swear by rubbing aloe vera gel onto the scalp (leave it on for 20 minutes than rinse it out). This will certainly help with dry, itchy scalp. Another remedy is a rinse with apple cider vinegar. Try these remedies a few times before deciding if they work for you. Even dandruff shampoo requires regular use to see results, so give the natural stuff a chance!

Nausea

The classic cure for nausea or carsickness is ginger tea or candied ginger. You can chew on the stuff raw, if you like, but it’s so spicy and strong it might just make you feel worse. Sniffing real peppermint or lavender oil can also help.

Constipation.

First (and we’ll spare you a picture), drink more water and eat more fruit and salads. You’re backed up for a reason and taking lots of laxatives is not the answer. Meanwhile, drinking a few teaspoons of olive oil mixed with a bit of orange or (diluted) lemon juice can help things get moving. Another surefire remedy is 1/4 teaspoon of epsom salts drunk in 1/2 a glass of water. Sometimes calorie restriction or avoidance of healthy fats (such as the good fats found in fish, nuts and avocados) can worsen constipation. And though it’s counterintuitive, some people relieve their constipation by actually cutting back on grain consumption! True, grains contain fiber, but some people don’t digest grains very well. Other causes of constipation include stress, depression, inactivity and nutritional deficiencies. If your constipation is chronic, it may be a sign of a more serious problem, so please seek medical advice and adjust your lifestyle.

Toothache.

There’s nothing so bad as the shooting pain of a toothache. You don’t want to ignore a tooth problem, because an infection that close to your brain can be extremely dangerous if it spreads. But in order to reduce swelling and pain while you wait for your dentist appointment, try putting a few drops of clove oil on your tooth and gums, and bite down on a smashed piece of garlic (which has excellent antibacterial properties). This has always worked for me.

Give some of these remedies a try – and share your own tried-and-true treatments, too.

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. The original post can be found here.

Images: FXR, Muhammad Adnan Asin, Mr Wabu, Goldring, Unhindered by Talent, Fotoos Van Robin, titanium22, aussiegall, craig Cloutier, Muffet, tillwe, Stuart Pilbrow, Creative Tools, sh0dan, Fotoos Van Robin, Stephen Brace

The post Best Natural Remedies for the 15 Most Common Aches, Pains and Health Complaints appeared first on EcoSalon.

Best Natural Remedies for the 15 Most Common Aches, Pains and Health Complaints

Sarah Irani — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 16:03:48 +0000

Indigestion and Heartburn

Sore Throat

Sore Muscles and Bruises

Stop Bleeding

You’d think it would burn, but a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on a cut will quickly stop the bleeding and actually relieve the pain.

Ear Infections

Burns

Athlete’s Foot

Rashes and Allergies

Acne and Sensitive Skin

Flatulence

Headache and Migraine

Dandruff

Nausea

Constipation. First (and we’ll spare you a picture), drink more water and eat more fruit and salads. You’re backed up for a reason and taking lots of laxatives is not the answer. Meanwhile, drinking a few teaspoons of olive oil mixed with a bit of orange or (diluted) lemon juice can help things get moving. Another surefire remedy is 1/4 teaspoon of epsom salts drunk in 1/2 a glass of water. Sometimes calorie restriction or avoidance of healthy fats (such as the good fats found in fish, nuts and avocados) can worsen constipation. And though it’s counterintuitive, some people relieve their constipation by actually cutting back on grain consumption! True, grains contain fiber, but some people don’t digest grains very well. Other causes of constipation include stress, depression, inactivity and nutritional deficiencies. If your constipation is chronic, it may be a sign of a more serious problem, so please seek medical advice and adjust your lifestyle.

Toothache. There’s nothing so bad as the shooting pain of a toothache. You don’t want to ignore a tooth problem, because an infection that close to your brain can be extremely dangerous if it spreads. But in order to reduce swelling and pain while you wait for your dentist appointment, try putting a few drops of clove oil on your tooth and gums, and bite down on a smashed piece of garlic (which has excellent antibacterial properties). This has always worked for me.

Give some of these remedies a try – and share your own tried-and-true treatments, too.

Each week here at EcoSalon, the editors choose a post from the archives that we think you’ll love. The original post can be found here.

Images: FXR, Muhammad Adnan Asin, Mr Wabu, Goldring, Unhindered by Talent, Fotoos Van Robin, titanium22, aussiegall, craig Cloutier, Muffet, tillwe, Stuart Pilbrow, sh0dan, Fotoos Van Robin, Stephen Brace

The post Best Natural Remedies for the 15 Most Common Aches, Pains and Health Complaints appeared first on EcoSalon.

From Coughs to Colds, These Common Backyard Weeds Offer a Medicinal Boost

Stephanie Rogers — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:55:29 +0000

A weed is just a plant growing in the wrong place – a plant which, in many cases, could be used ease indigestion, fight the flu, treat poison ivy rashes and even make a tasty meal. They may mar otherwise perfect mats of green grass, but many weeds are chock full of vitamins, minerals and surprising healing abilities. So why throw away the medicine cabinet and free food in your yard? Check out the benefits of these 10 weeds including yarrow, purslane and kudzu.

(Of course, don’t consume any wild plants if you’re not 100% positive you’ve identified them correctly. This article is not a substitute for a good plant identification book.)

Dandelion

With its long, strong taproot, the humble dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is no favorite of those seeking a weed-free lawn. But not only does it have rather pretty little yellow flowers, it’s a nutritional and medicinal powerhouse. When young, its trademark saw-toothed leaves are a delicious addition to spring salads and can also be sauteed as a vegetable. They’re rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, folate and calcium. The flowers are also edible.

If you let your dandelions grow strong and proud, you’ll end up with large roots that can be harvested and dried as a medicinal supplement. Used commercially in many detox formulas, dandelion root acts as a powerful diuretic and kidney and liver cleanser.

Chickweed

Starry white flowers with cleft petals, dainty pairs of fuzzy green leaves and purple stems identify the star chickweed plant, which – along with its relatives common chickweed and mouse chickweed – is a great source of vitamins A, D, B complex and C. It’s also packed with minerals like iron, calcium, potassium and zinc. Chickweed (Stellaria media) has a delicate cornsilk-like flavor when eaten raw, and tastes like spinach when cooked.

Chickweed can also be finely chopped and applied externally to soothe irritated skin. An infusion made by steeping ¼ cup in a cup of boiling water for 15 minutes has benefits similar to dandelion root.

Yarrow

Tall and stately, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) bears fuzzy fern-like foliage and bouquets of tiny white or yellow flowers. Some of its other names, including Nose Bleed, Staunchweed and Bloodwort hint at one of its most prized abilities – slowing down bleeding. Found in meadows, pastures and roadsides across America, yarrow has long been used in herbal medicine not just for wound care but to increase appetite, ease indigestion and fight colds and flu.

The fresh leaves can be used as a compress with a little warm water, or even chewed up and applied to wounds if you’re out hiking or camping. A teaspoon of the dried leaves, added to a cup of boiling water and allowed to steep for 10 minutes, is said to reduce fever and help clear the sinuses.

Stinging Nettle

It looks harmless enough, but once you make the mistake of touching stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) with your bare hand, you’ll never do it again (unless you have arthritis – but more on that in a minute). This plant – often found growing near water – has a piercing sting with tiny needle-like hairs infused with several painful chemicals. But once it’s cooked, soaked in water or dried, the fibers are disarmed and the plant can be used both medicinally and as food.

Anemia, internal bleeding, eczema, bladder infections, prostate enlargement and bronchitis are just a few of the conditions that are often treated with nettle in dried leaf, tincture or tea form. But believe it or not, some people intentionally apply raw nettle leaves to arthritic joints to relieve pain. Scientists believe that it reduces levels of inflammatory chemicals in the body, interfering with pain signals.

And even if you don’t want to eat it, nettle can be a big help in a surprising way: as an extremely effective liquid fertilizer for the garden. Get an easy tutorial on its preparation from SeasonalGardener.com.

Jewelweed

If you make the unlucky mistake of brushing up against some poison ivy, don’t wander off – your savior is likely just a few yards away. Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) often grows in the same areas as poison ivy and can be used as its antidote. A substance called lawsone in jewelweed actually binds to urushiol oil, the component in poison ivy that’s so irritating, preventing it from binding with the proteins in your skin.

Jewelweed is typically the main ingredient in poison ivy soaps and creams, but you can simply chop up some of the stems and leaves, boil them until the liquid is orange and then freeze the strained liquid in an ice cube tray for quick, soothing relief.

Plantain

It’s not exactly pretty, but for the plantain (plantago) growing out of the crack in your sidewalk or the edge of your garden bed, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. This perennial weed (different from the banana-like plant of the same name) has a low-lying rosette of dark green oval leaves and cylindrical flower spikes, which produce seeds and seed husks used as the main ingredient in psyllium laxatives.

Mucilage is the magic word when it comes to plantain’s effectiveness. This slippery substance – contained within the entire plant – relieves sore throats and inflammation in the digestive tract. Plantain also has antibacterial properties, healing as it soothes. For colds and flu, add a tablespoon of fresh or dry plantain seed heads and leaves to a cup of boiling water, steep for 10 minutes, strain and drink several times daily.

Purslane

Want to add some more of those all-important Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet? Go out in your yard, snip some purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and add it to a salad. This succulent plant is commonly found in warm, temperate regions of the U.S. and around the world, and has been used historically as a remedy for arthritis and inflammation in Chinese medicine.

Purslane has more beta-carotene than spinach and can be used in much the same way in salads, pasta dishes, burritos, stews – just about any savory dish. It has a juicy, chewy texture and a mild sweet-and-sour flavor.

Peppergrass

Found in fields and roadsides in virtually every state of the union and much of Canada, “peppergrass” (Lepidium virginicum) is in the mustard family and has a flavor similar to that of arugula. Sometimes called “poor man’s pepper”, peppergrass leaves can be eaten raw in salads or used to season soups and stews. The peppery flavor diminishes with cooking, so add it at the last minute.

Mullein

Got bronchitis? One of the best things you can reach for isn’t in your medicine cabinet, but growing outside your window. Mullein resembles the ornamental plant known as lamb’s ear, with soft fuzzy leaves that grow in a rosette pattern and tall stalks of flowers that can be yellow or white.

Mullein leaves are an expectorant, stimulating coughing to clear congested lungs. The dried leaves can be taken as tea or in capsules to treat a number of respiratory ills including athsma, and oil made with the flowers is a natural remedy for ear infections.

Kudzu

Anyone who has ever taken a drive through the South has seen the tenacious beast that is kudzu (Pueraria lobata). This vine was introduced to the U.S. from its native Japan to help control soil erosion, but quickly overtook everything in its path from trees to entire buildings. It’s a menace that can grow up to a foot a day during the summer, but at least it has a few good uses.

Kudzu, “the vine that ate the South”, is related to peas and the tender shoots take on the flavor of whatever they’re cooked with. The root, dried and pulverized, is used in place of cornstarch to thicken soups and gravies. Some people even fry the leaves and eat them like potato chips.

It has also been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat a host of ills including dysentery, allergies, migraines and diarrhea and it’s currently being researched for use in Western medicine as a treatment for alcoholism.

Images: Muffet, Calliope, The Equinest, Mick E. Talbot, Wikimedia Commons, Bob Richmond, Wikimedia Commons, Wikimedia Commons, Wikimedia Commons, Wikimedia Commons, Kitten Wants

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Do You Know These 9 Natural Tooth Care Tips?

Sarah Irani — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 16:00:00 +0000

A few years ago, a dentist told me I’d need dentures by the time I was 50 – that’s how bad my teeth and gums were. Granted, they didn’t look bad – my teeth are strong, straight and pearly white – but my gums were already declining. I was brushing twice a day, but I wasn’t flossing and I was eating plenty of sweets.

After two root canals (and I’m only 30!), I take much better care. I still don’t floss as often as I should, but at least it’s more than I used to. I’d like to save my teeth, and save money too. Here are my natural dental care tips:

First and foremost, use a tongue cleaner. I know, it sounds icky, but the slimy stuff on your tongue when you wake up is plaque. It’s ickier to leave it on.
You have to floss. There’s no way around it. Do anything to make it fun! My husband and I have made a pact to remind each other to floss every morning. Do we always remember? No, but it’s a start!
Use ayurvedic toothpaste for the best blend of warming, astringent and detoxifying herbs. These herbs will promote gum circulation, tightening and cleansing.
Sprinkle baking soda on your toothpaste for extra cleansing and whitening.
Brush a few times a week with a paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Rub this on your gums too.
Rinse with green tea for a natural fluoride wash.
If you get a toothache after all that, clove oil works wonders. Apply directly to the painful tooth with a Q-tip so you don’t get the burning oil on your gums. A paste of ginger and cayenne powder also works.
Check out Pristine Planet’s dental care page for a variety of natural products for teeth and gums.

May as well green up the routine, too! Use a Preserve toothbrush made from recycled plastic.

I often grumble about all the work and time it takes to care for my teeth, but I suppose it’s better to have teeth to take care of in the first place! Let us know your own dental care tips in the comments below.

Image: ninette_luz

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DIY Skincare Guide: 15 Essential Herbs for Natural Beauty

Sarah Irani — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 12:05:51 +0000

Since the beginning of time, we’ve been beautifying ourselves with the plant kingdom’s best skin and hair care helpers, and if you buy wholesome, natural cosmetics (like Juara, Pangea, or Angelface Botanicals to name a few), you’ll notice your ingredient list is full of plant names. But let’s face it, these little beauty potions can be pricey. Thankfully it’s not difficult to create your own homemade beauty products using common herbs and essential oils. It doesn’t take a huge expense to ensure you have beautiful, healthy skin and hair.

Rosemary

It’s no secret why many natural brands make rosemary shampoo – a rinse made from this herb adds luster to dark hair and strengthens and smooths damaged hair shafts. Check out EcoSalon’s DIY recipe for rosemary shampoo or make a strong rosemary tea for an after-shampoo rinse.

Chamomile and Thyme

Infused into a strong tea, chamomile and thyme make a great and gentle cleanser for oily skin. Pour a liter of this tea into your bath to help clear up body blemishes, not to mention the relaxation…ahhhhh!

Lavender

Lavender is a favorite herb of many natural skin care products, but why not make your own? Lavender is soothing and antiseptic, so it’s a great solution for burns, psoriasis, infections and sensitive skin in general. Make a spritzer with strong lavender tea, or a small spray bottle filled with distilled water and a few drops of lavender oil (start with a low dilution, then keep adding drops until you find the strength that’s right for you). And because lavender is a natural mood lifter, using this spray will make you smile and that’s definitely a key to beauty.

Rosewater

You can pick up a bottle of rosewater at a Middle Eastern market, or a rose aromatherapy spray from the natural market (Heritage Products makes my favorite), but if you’ve got a rose garden and the DIY inclination, simply make your own. Since ancient times, rosewater has been used as a gentle astringent and is anti-inflammatory. Use with a cotton swab as a toner or spritz onto your face a few times a day. And don’t forget, you’ll smell great!

Neem

Neem is one of the big guns of the herbal world. Because it’s anti-bacterial, neem oil is used to treat acne, eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, and it has a strong, garlic-type smell, so it may not be part of your daily skin care routine, but it’s good to have around for when you really need the stronger stuff.

Comfrey

With it’s big, soft leaves, Neem beckons us to use it. It is a well known herb for healing blemishes and repairing damaged skin. To make your own comfrey oil, stuff a jar of olive oil with comfrey leaves and let sit for 6 weeks. You can then use this oil on dry hands, chapped lips, scrapes and burns, or even eczema. If you’re really DIY, melt some beeswax or cocoa butter with the comfrey oil to make a salve of thicker consistency.

Sage

Got oily skin? Then listen up. Sage (yup, the kind you grow for cooking) is astringent, so a strong tea made of sage and mixed with a bit of witch hazel or apple cider vinegar serves as a great daily toner. Or if you want, simply use the plain tea as a daily facial rinse.

Evening Primrose

You can find the oil in bottles or capsules at any natural market. Evening primrose oil contains linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid that is unfortunately not produced by your body, but which promotes healthy, rejuvenated skin. Take the oil both internally and use topically on your skin to firm and hydrate your skin, help heal blemishes and reduce signs of lines and wrinkles.

Henna

Well known as a natural way to become a little more of a redhead, henna powder is a great way to add shine and protection to your hair. If you’re looking for the shine without the reddish tint, go for “neutral henna,” which is actually the plant Cassia obovata, but conditions and nourishes the hair just the same.

Basil

Basil is particularly useful if you live in a polluted area and your skin has lost its luster, crush a handful of basil leaves and pour a cup of hot water over them to make a strong tea. Once this brew has cooled, splash your face with it as a detoxifying, circulation-promoting toner. Without drying off, apply moisturizer.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a tricky one, simply because it will temporary tinge your skin yellow, but it is a great cleanser and adds a lot of moisture to your skin. Read more about turmeric here.

Seaweed

You can bypass the expensive seaweed wraps at the spa and give yourself a simple facial at home. Sea vegetables are not only nutritious for the body, but because of their high mineral content and softening properties, are very nourishing for the skin. Buy some nori sheets (the same kind you’d use for making sushi), quickly dampen them with water and place them on your face for a moisturizing mask. You may want to keep spritzing to prevent the nori from drying out. Remove after 15-20 minutes and voila, you’re a mermaid!

Aloe Vera

Aloe is well known for treating burns and scrapes, but you can use it on any irritated skin. A face mask made of aloe, honey and kelp will greatly soothe and moisturize your skin. You can buy the gel in stores but it’s always best if you have a plant to ensure purity. At the very least, read the ingredients and make sure your aloe gel doesn’t contain any of these common cosmetic toxins.

Geranium

The essential oil of this common garden flower is used in many cosmetic products for balancing skin and hair. If your skin is oily, simply add 2-3 drops of geranium oil to a bowl of water and splash your face. For dry, sensitive skin make a healing oatmeal-geranium mask out of oatmeal, water, a teaspoon of melted honey, and 4-5 drops of geranium oil.

Burdock root oil

(shown at top)

is an ancient healer for dry, itchy scalp. It can help get rid of dandruff and keep the skin on your scalp healthy. For best results, rub a little bit into your scalp after you wash your hair and while your hair is still damp. Modern studies have shown that burdock root oil contains essential fatty acids and phytosterols, which promote hair growth and a healthy scalp.

Take charge of your beauty with nature’s finest ingredients – the plants! And don’t forget, beauty does radiate from the inside out and a healthy diet and lifestyle is essential. Enjoy – and be beautiful!

Images: Rubber Slippers in Italy, dnak, matsuyuki, mezuni, Lilly, Lida Rose, wikipedia, Smoobs, missycorley, Tanaka Juuyoh, yimhafiz, The County Clerk, Just Food Now, miheco, titanium22, lizzlebob

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Best Natural Remedies for the 15 Most Common Aches, Pains and Health Complaints

Sarah Irani — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:00:49 +0000

Indigestion and Heartburn

Sore Throat

Sore Muscles and Bruises

Stop Bleeding

You’d think it would burn, but a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on a cut will quickly stop the bleeding and actually relieve the pain.

Ear Infections

Burns

Athlete’s Foot

Rashes and Allergies

Acne and Sensitive Skin

Flatulence

Headache and Migraine

Dandruff

Nausea

Give some of these remedies a try – and share your own tried-and-true treatments, too.

The post Best Natural Remedies for the 15 Most Common Aches, Pains and Health Complaints appeared first on EcoSalon.

The Natural Secret for Baby Soft Feet

EcoSalon Staff — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 05:00:00 +0000

By August, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all my cute sandals and fun flip flops as well as plenty of pretty toenail polish.Yet even with all the pedicures and buffing rituals I get those heels that most closely resemble rhinoceros skin.

Dry, cracked heels are a common complaint as our feet are exposed in the summer.Not only does it happen to women who wear sandals and other open shoes, but men get it, too. Buffing with sandstone helps slough off the dry and dead skin, but we still need to moisturize and heal the skin.

Looking around at the options for our lovely feet that have taken us so far are plenty foot creams on the market, but none have been as successful for me as African Gator Balm.Just the name transports you to a hot desert vision, or perhaps one of your poor feet facing the hardships walking the Nile river all day, or fighting through the jungle climbing over rocks and limbs (sounds just like Fifth Avenue).

Save your feet, because African Gator Balm is made from all natural ingredients and the mix is just right.You’ve heard of shea butter, oils of avocado and almond as your best friends for keeping your skin smooth and healthy. The rich balm has this and more, including colloidal oatmeal, coconut, mango and caprylic and linoleic triglycerides, a whole host of vitamins and comfrey that smooth and heal.

Comfrey alone has been reported to promote healthy skin with its mucilage content that moisturizes and soothes while another compound in comfrey, allantoin, promotes skin cell growth. No more scratchy, cracked heels that look like a leathery beast.

Image: Torsten Mangner

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9 Herbs That Boost Your Mood and Beat the Blues

Sarah Irani — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:10:00 +0000

The blues happen to the best of us. Recently, for no particular reason, I found myself spiraling into feelings of isolation and unworthiness. I tried to meditate it away, but the sadness was overwhelming. I knew this wasn’t serious enough to need anti-depressants, but I needed a boost. My energy was so low that I could barely fake a smile, so I looked into herbal helpers to regain mental clarity and lift my energy to get over the hump and back to my cheery baseline.

Lavender: Used to soothe the nervous system, a whiff of lavender can relieve depression, headaches, insomnia and stress. Keep a lavender sachet under your pillow, and a spritzer around the house to lift your spirits as needed.

Ylang-Ylang: This potent flowery scent is used to treat depression and anxiety. Blend a few drops into your favorite body lotion, or just keep a small bottle around to smell throughout the day.

Rose: As they say, stop and smell the roses. The aromatherapeutic qualities of rose oil will enhance your mood and relieve mental fatigue. Plus the aphrodisiac qualities can give you a nice boost, since much of our energy (Chi or Prana) is based in our sexual centers.

St. John’s Wort: A well-known mood enhancer, it can be taken as a tea or a tincture and has been proven to relieve sadness and melancholy. St. John’s Wort can help you sleep better too, which dramatically affects mood. St. John’s Wort is not without some side effects, but it’s safe for most people. Taking it with SAMe (see below) can improve effectiveness as it’s a synergistic herb.

Milk Thistle: Taken as a tea or in capsules, milk thistle has long been used as a remedy for depression. Bonus quality: it’s great for cleansing the liver, and toxins in your body can definitely affect your mood. Especially important if you drink alcohol. (Alcohol is not only hard on the liver, it can interfere with dopamine production and regulation.)

Gingko Biloba: Although gingko is not traditionally thought of as a remedy for depression, it is commonly used to bring about mental energy and clarity. When you find yourself wrapped up in a mental fog, this stuff can help you see out of it.

Valerian: If you’ve got insomnia and anxiety, valerian’s sedative qualities can help. It’s absolutely necessary to sleep well if you want to maintain a better mood. I enjoy it as a tea, but some are put off by its potent scent.

Rhodiola Rosea: Traditionally used in Siberia to help deal with the harsh life and climate, rhodiola may be helpful to you too. This herb increases mental sharpness and reduces physical and mental fatigue, while reducing depression and anxiety.

SAMe: Short for S-adenosylmethionine, SAMe is not really an herb, but a naturally occurring molecule in all living things. As a supplement, it’s been well-proven to lift the mood and even create mildly euphoric feelings. It’s also used as a treatment for arthritis. SAMe has no side effects, even at high doses, and has a large clinical body of evidence supporting its use as a depression treatment. It’s actually been used as a "natural Prozac" for decades around the world, but it’s just now catching on in America. (You can boost SAMe naturally, as well, by consuming protein-rich foods. Take care to also get plenty of B vitamins, because without them SAMe can convert to homocysteine, which is toxic and linked to both heart disease and depression.)

Remember, beating the blues requires more than consuming pills or herbs; you may need to make some general lifestyle changes as well. Exercise, rest, nutrition, a supportive group of friends and family, and attitude play a big part. And although herbs are generally safer than pharmaceuticals, it’s always recommended that you do more research, especially if you are pregnant or already taking other medicines.

Source: wikipedia

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Bladder Blues? Natural Remedies for Healing a UTI

Luanne Bradley — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:38:00 +0000

If you’re like me and are prone to Urinary Tract Infections (UTI), you probably dread taking antibiotics and are constantly on a search for natural remedies that allow you to feel normal again.

By normal, I mean being able to get to sleep without popping those little brown pills that turn your urine bright orange and downing pitchers of unsweetened cranberry juice and water to flush out what ails you.

I went looking for what might be helpful and found a wealth of tips and products, from homeopathic tinctures you can drop in your water before meals to home remedies like adding salt to a glass of fresh O.J.

I knew many of these would work better than my quick fix in college: guzzling cans of beer while soaking in the tub. Thought I would share a few with you.

First, how can you be sure you have an infection? I usually know from years of experience, but in case you don’t, there’s actually a home test similar to a pregnancy test. It’s called the UTI Test Stick and I found it at the UTI Home Test site. After testing positive, you can either call your doctor or try natural alternatives. If the problem persists for more than two days, you are advised to call your doctor either way. Bladder infections can lead to kidney problems and you don’t want to take risks.

At Native Remedies there’s a product called Bladderwell, a homeopathic tincture that relieves pain and burning much the same way the ingedients in over the counter meds like Uristat® (Phenazopyridine Hydrochloride) ease symptoms while you are healing. For sustained health, the site sells UTI-Clear, which contains a variety of herbs for supporting and maintaining a normal urine flow. They recommend combining this with another product, ImmunityPlus, which supports a healthy bladder overall. While it seems our immune systems are most at risk during the cold winter months, this can be used annually for support.

Many health experts, such as Stewart Hare who contributes to the Ezine Articles directory, extoll the virtues of vitamin C (at least 5,000 mg or more per day) to rid the bladder of bacteria, reminding us of this antioxidant’s antibacterial and immune-boosting properties. I’ve been taking that dosage to see if it helps. Stewart has a free E-book on "How to Beat Cystitis Naturally" which you can order at his site, New Being Nutrition.

Unsweetened cranberry juice and loads of water is grandma’s cure for flushing out bacteria. The key is to avoid sugar because bacteria loves sugar (and chocolate) as much as we do. While drinking your juice, also avoid caffeine and soda drinks which can cause irritation.

How much cranberry juice should you drink? At eHow they suggest at least 8 oz. of the juice per day. The site also recommends fully emptying out every time you go (holding it contributes to UTI) . Also, wearing pure cotton undies helps you to stay bad bacteria free.

If these alternatives don’t interest you, there are numerous sites offering D-Mannose, Meso Silver, and even teas and foods like watermelon for coping with UTI. Find some of these alternatives at the Women’s Health Channel and feel better soon.

Image: Nic Name

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Drink to Feel Wildly Alive

EcoSalon Staff — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:06:00 +0000

Who needs soda, with its health-eroding sugar per serving and corrosive phosphoric acid and nerve-wrecking caffeine? As a mom, I feel it is crucial for me to provide tasty, nutritious drink alternatives to my kids (and myself).

Lacto-fermented beverages sometimes called kefir sodas and kombucha are a smart choice. Kefir, a creamy, yogurt-life drink, works equally well in shakes and fruit salads. Kombucha is a fizzy, zesty, apple-cidery "tea". They not only taste fantastic, they offer outstanding health benefits that help you feel vibrantly alive.

Just look at some of the benefits of fermented beverages:

They are supportive to the intestinal ecosystem and serve up a nice array of enzymes and nourishing minerals.

The lactic acid has medicinal properties that can promote lactation, strengthen the sick and promote overall well-being and stamina.

They are super-hydrating and, because of the glucose, are superior to plain water during exercise.

When taken with meals they promote digestion of food; and taken after physical activity they will give you a lift by replacing lost mineral ions.

They also contain a host of beneficial micro-organisms that help detoxify the body.

Lacto-fermented beverages traditionally were made from palm sap, coconut juice, herbs and fruits and now we’ve expanded to seeing fermented sun tea. Add your own sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, stevia, vanilla flavor or hazelnut and almond extract.

To go wild yourself, learn more about kombucha and food fermentation.

Image: Arria Belli

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