Herbalism-Herbal Remedies

Since children have a higher metabolic rate, and good underlying energy in most cases, herbs which stimulate the circulation are generally to be avoided. Herbal teas are one of the most suitable forms of treatment. With stronger preparations such as infusions and decoctions, it is sensible to work on the principle of reaching an adult dose at age 16; hence, a child of 8 will be given half the dose, and at 4 only quarter the adult dose. This can be achieved either by reducing the amount of herb used in the preparation per given amount of water, or by reducing the amount of the preparation given to the child.Some of the most suitable remedies to give as teas to children are: Catmint(Nepeta cataria): For nasal congestion and catarrh, repeated colds or blocked ears; of special benefit if there is a tendency to get feverish and restless with a respiratory infection or catarrh. Both this and Peppermint(Mentha piperita) have a slight underlying bitterness, which indicates their usefulness too in picking up the appetite after a feverish illness.Chamomile(Chamomilla recutita): For most digestive upsets, from stomach pains to indigestion, the effects of over eating, flatulence and diarrhoea. As a mild relaxant, it is a valuable remedy for calming children who get irritable and cross when they are ill, or who find it difficult to get to sleep. Do not make a tea of Chamomile too strong, in the hope of knocking the child out at night, as it can have the opposite effect at an overdose level and make them more stimulated, or irritable! Elderflower(Sambucus nigra): This is the best temperature regulator in feverish illnesses; give a hot tea when the child’s temperature is too high and it will induce sweating, so cooling the system, It is very helpful in feverish colds and flu, and will help to relieve catarrh as well.Lemon Balm(Melissa officinalis): This is a wonderful herb for gently aiding relaxation, at the same time acting as a digestive and nervous tonic. It is very helpful in convalescence, and makes a refreshing cold drink in summer; make a tea, ideally from the fresh leaves, and after infusing for a few minutes strain and keep in the refrigerator. It will keep for 2-3 days, and a slice or two of lemon can be added for extra flavour and additional benefit. Lime Blossom(Tilia europaea): For tension headaches, mild digestive upsets and colds/flu with aching in the limbs. A tea of Lime Blossom at night can induce a calm and restful sleep.Peppermint (Mentha piperita): This is one of the best remedies for trapped wind, nausea and indigestion from rich or heavy foods, Another area where Peppermint is excellent is in the early stages of a cold, with fluctuating temperatures and nasal congestion.Many of these teas may be blended together(although Chamomile and Peppermint seem to be better kept apart) for extra benefit, and can be used, suitably diluted, for infants- sometimes it is best to add 5 ml(1 tsp) to a bottle of their normal juice or water. Actually preparing your own infusions can become part of the healing process. Picking herbs can be fun for children too.A posy of fresh, sweet-smelling herbs was called a tussie-mussie or nosegay in Elizabethan times and was used to ward off foul odours and potential germs.

Is Tobramycin Good for Sinusitis?

Tobramycin is an antibiotic that is used to cure sinusitis. There are mixed reports regarding the effectiveness of its use. Some state that about 98% of the time, tobramycin successfully cures sinusitis. Others maintain that it doesn’t really help, and can generate too much unwanted side effects for sinusitis. In exploring the option of taking tobramycin and deciding whether it is good or bad for your sinusitis, keep these in mind:• you have to understand your sinusitis – its symptoms and probable causes• you have to know what tobramycin is – how it can cure sinusitis and its other effects• you have to discuss your sinusitis with your doctor – including your medical history and the possibility of using tobramycin for your conditionWhen you experience sinusitis for only a few days and with only minor symptoms, there may be no need to take any kind of medication. Find other ways first to relieve you of your sinus pains, such as getting well-rested, drinking hot tea for nasal congestion and keeping clear from allergens and other infectious organisms. Using medication for a mild case of sinusitis may just be too much. It can also negatively affect your immune system. In contrast, for sinusitis with long lasting and/or severe symptoms, tobramycin can be considered. But tobramycin will not cure all kinds of sinusitis under these categories. The sinusitis cause also needs to be taken into account.Sinusitis can be caused by different kinds of infections such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, allergies and complications of related upper respiratory tract infections. Tobramycin will only be good for your sinusitis if it is caused by bacteria. This is because this medicine’s main function is to kill infectious bacteria and prevent them from growing back. Several methods are used to take tobramycin for sinusitis:• The fastest way to feel this drug’s effects is to have it injected in your veins. You just have to deal with needles and health professionals who need to assist you with this procedure. In this method, the medicine is brought into the bloodstream where it can immediately target the sinusitis infection and cure it from there. • The topical ways for administering tobramycin would be to inhale the medication using an aerosolizing device or to let its liquid form irrigate your nasal passages. These topical solutions are also taken directly to your sinus problems, making them the simple, viable options for curing sinusitis.As with all types of medications, there are some factors that you need to be careful of when taking tobramycin:• Do you have any allergies to specific types of medications? Make sure tobramycin is not one of them or you may suffer some form of dizziness, difficulty of breathing or swelling. • Do you have any other illnesses aside from sinusitis? If you have any hearing defects or other lung diseases, tobramycin may aggravate these conditions. Now that you have learned a little more about tobramycin and how it can affect your sinusitis as well as other conditions you may have, it is time to consult your doctor. Basically, tobramycin will be just as good as you and you doctor make it to be. With the background that you have acquired, you will be better equipped with the information that you need to discuss with your doctor. In this way, you will be given the proper diagnosis and treatment program that will work for you, whether it includes tobramycin or not.

Herbal Remedy Solutions For Common Problems

Have you ever considered treating a medical condition with an herbal remedy, or decided to try an herbal supplement as a preventative? If so, you are not alone since natural health remedies are very popular and often very effective as well.

Many people are trying for a simpler and more natural lifestyle and reflect this in their choices for diet and other aspects of their life. It is only natural that they also would want remedies for illnesses and injuries that fit their lifestyle and wishes.

An excellent herbal remedy is arnica. It is commonly found in ointments and creams along with other water based gels, and it is a plant based remedy. It is a great solution for healing bruises, low in toxicity, and very inexpensive to purchase. It has also been credited with reducing the discomfort of a bruise.

Another fine herbal remedy comes from the slippery elm plant. For generations, this natural remedy has successfully been used to treat upset stomachs and indigestion. However, its most notable usage is for treating sore throats and laryngitis. Brewed into a hot tea, it helps relieve throat pain and helps restore the voice quite quickly. Although it is not unpleasant to taste, it is usually found combined with other herbs.

By discovering how effective St. John’s wort was as a natural remedy for depression and mental problems, Europe was much more advanced than the United States of America. This supplement acts similarly to the prescription drugs called SSRI’s, yet is available without a prescription and is thought to be safe for general use. However, those with high blood pressure need to be careful.

Cohosh has become a very popular herbal remedy, especially among women. Black and blue cohosh are both used to deal with menstrual cramps, symptoms related to menopause, and other health problems specific to women. Many women distrust artificial hormones because of their side effects, so herbal products have gained popularity as a result.

A number of other herbal remedies can also be used to alleviate or prevent health problems. However, even all-natural products can cause negative side effects or adversely interact with prescribed or over the counter medications. Thus, you should always inform and check with your health care provider before starting any new herbal regimens.

Ayurvedic Healthy Eating

Ayurveda has a theory that anything can be a food, a medicine or a poison depending on ‘who’ is eating, ‘what’ is eaten, and ‘how much’ is eaten. For example, fresh ginger root is delicious in cooking as a food to flavour and help digestion. It is a stimulating medicine that can help clear a cold and induce a sweat when taken as a strong hot tea. If too much is taken it can make you sick causing acidity and vomiting, hence acting as a poison in the wrong circumstances. So there is no strict ‘Ayurvedic diet’ per se, only sage recommendations to help you have the tastiest and healthiest diet helping to lead you towards the best health. However, eating is considered to be the most important activity that can affect health. Whilst eating is a habit, and for some an addiction, it can be empowering to transform your eating habits to only include healthy foods that are rejuvenating and life-giving. This is a healthy habit. Whilst herbal remedies, massage, exercise and spiritual practice can balance and repair health it is a ‘good’ diet that gives us an every day opportunity to take control of our health.Generally speaking, Ayurveda considers that the best foods to include are rice, wheat, barley, mung beans, asparagus, grapes, pomegranates, ginger, ghee, milk and honey. It also generally recommends that it is best to avoid habitual use of heavy meats, cheeses, yoghurt, refined salt, processed foods, refined sugar, coffee, tomatoes, bananas, citrus fruits and black lentils. Ayurveda has detailed practical theory covering all aspects of living a positive health generating life-style to specific medical treatments. Remember that digesting your food properly depends on:• A strong digestive fire called agni in Ayurveda • Eating appropriate foods in the correct quantity and of the correct quality • Healthy food combining based on Ayurvedic principles Here are some Ayurvedic healthy eating tips:• Eat according to your constitution • Eat fresh and seasonal food that is organically grown. • Eat predominantly cooked and warm food. • Eat foods that are light, fresh and rejuvenative. • Minimise the use of leftovers, tinned, frozen or preserved foods. • Do not eat lots of raw and cold foods straight from the fridge • Do not eat lots of raw and cooked food together. • Do not eat contraindicated foods: Dairy and fruit, melon after other food, fruits with other food, fish and milk, eggs with milk, lemons with milk or yoghurt, yoghurt after dark, equal parts of ghee and honey (3:1 by weight), cooked honey. • Avoid excessive fasting or excessive eating. • Only eat when hungry and drink when thirsty. Leave 4-6 hours between meals. • When you travel adjust your diet slowly as the change in water, food and climate can all adversely affect your digestion. • Antidote extreme qualities of food with digestive spicesOther problems with digestionA major cause of digestive imbalance is external bacteria and pathogens in the digestive tract picked up off unhealthy food, whilst travelling or from unresolved illness.; giardia, worms, imbalanced bacteria, Candida. These must be removed using effective anti-parasitical herbs such as Neem. Only use anti-biotics when absolutely necessary as these deplete the integrity of the balance of intestinal flora and can result in pathogenic outbreaks of unhealthy bacteria. Only use pain killers and NSAID drugs when absolutely necessary. The use of pain killers and anti-biotics are two of the most common causes of imbalanced digestion. Eating a high volume of refined sugar feeds pathogenic bacteria, so try to avoid it!

Old School Cold Remedies

Growing up it seemed that no matter what was wrong with my brother and I, my mom always had something with a nasty taste or smell that would heal any cuts and scrapes and I swear if I came home with plague she would have made some kind of bubbling potion that would cure it.Vitamin CThe first thing someone will tell you to do when you have a cold is drink plenty of hot tea with lemon. This is because lemon contains vitamin C. when taken in times of health it can help keep your immune system strong so the body can fight off the germs that cause a cold, but once you have a cold it also help shorten the duration f the cold and helps relieve the symptoms of the cold as well.Garlic:Back in the day my mom would give my brother and I garlic soup. The soup has antiseptic properties, the oil in the soup help open the repertory system and it helps reduce fever in the body, and by adding some onion juice to the soup you can help flush unwanted toxins from the body, but be prepared because you will sweat them out.Reduce a Fever:It is not uncommon for someone with a cold to have a fever. A good way to reduce the fever is with Ginger. When cut up and boiled in water ginger has been found to lower a fever in a matter of hours. A less bitter way is to put a small piece of ginger into a glass then pour boiling water in the glass, after letting it sit for 2 or 3 minutes put a tea bag in the glass and add some sugar. This method is less effective but tastes much better.Okra:Okra is a green vegetable, that kind of looks like a cross of a pepper and zucchini. The vegetable is filled with Mucilage, which is great for soothing sore throats. Cut about 10 grams of Okra and boil them in about 1 liter of water. After the water boils you can inhale the steam and drink the water. The water will look oily. This oil is what sooths your sore throat.Tamarind and Pepper:A great way to relieve a stuffed up nose is Tamarind and Pepper soup.The soup is made by adding 50 mg or Tamarind into a pot with 1 cup of water. Bring it to a boil then add one teaspoon of hot ghee and half a teaspoon of black pepper. You should have 1 cup of this soup 3 times a day. After drinking you will fell your nose start to run and your eyes will water, but within minutes your sinuses will be cleared out.Go for the Source:All of the remedies so far have been ways to relieve the effects of the cold, but this remedy is aimed at curing the entire cold. The Bitter Gourd Root is made into a past and mixed with homey. For every 1 teaspoon of Bitter Gourd Root add 1 teaspoon of honey. Take a tablespoon of the mixture every night for 30 days to rid yourself of the cold germs and to help rebuild your immune system.Turmeric:Turmeric is a cure all. It not only relieves the symptoms of the cold like runny nose and sore throat, it also helps kill the cold germs and strengthen the immune system all at once. The turmeric is bought as a powder. Add half a teaspoon is added to a cup of milk them boiled. The steam should be inhaled while it is boiling then poured into a glass, allowed to cool slightly then drink twice a day. Your nose will start to run much more then before but in a day you will feel much better.These were just some of my mom’s home remedies from the old country. I hope they help keep your kids as well as they did my bother and I.

We’ve all been there, at least in some form that complex and mystifying land of too many beverage choices and their accoutrements. While office jokes of the five-minute coffee order (”I’d like a double half-caff, three-fourths-skinny, dry mocha Rocha hazelnut, light whipped cream latte”) may be the first thing that comes to mind, the possibilities of tea variety and preparation are almost endless. Dallas, Houston, and the rest of Texas are the most familiar with black tea, demonstrated by their strong tradition of the sweetened, iced variety. Tea %26#39;s health benefits are innumerable; infused with antioxidants, including the powerful catechins and ECGC, high quality teas are considered to be healthy, traditional beverages that, unlike coffee, can be safely enjoyed at will. Several studies show that drinking five or more cups of green tea a day actually reduces the risk of dying from many illnesses, including heart disease and stroke. Now, that %26#39;s something your health insurance company will love. And that %26#39;s just one kind. Tea is actually the second most popular drink in the world next to water, and was enjoyed long before the modern era began. Texas and the rest of the Western world are slowly catching on to this.I recently visited a tea house, which are starting to pop up in Austin, Houston, and other Texas cities. I was seeking simplicity, tired of waiting in line for that poor, anonymous office gopher to finish a ten-employee order that sounded more like a theater student %26#39;s warm-up exercise — or a very bad joke. This was a definitive error in judgment. While the experience was undeniably educational, my choices weren’t just varied, they were like looking into the endless spiral of time. The conversation with the clerk went something like this:”I would like a nice cup of hot tea.”"Uh, ok. What would you like?”"Tea. I’d like a cup of tea. Oh, right. Well, what kind do you have?” (Mistake Number One.)”Well,” she huffed, obviously a bit annoyed with such a novice. “We have most worldly varieties — black tea, red tea, green tea, yellow (Deep inhale.) “White tea, herbal tea, twig tea, fruit”When did all this start sounding like a Dr. Seuss novel? “Uh uh, white. I’ll try white.”"Chinese, I assume? How about a nice Bai Mu Dan?”Sure.”"Would you like milk? Soy? Rice? 2%? Whole?”uh. No milk. Is there more than one kind of this, this Bai Mu Dan?” (Mistake Number Two).”Well, sort of. Bai Mu Dan is a kind of white tea, but you can get it in different preparations, grades, and from several different provinces, although Fujian is the best. Would you like loose-leafed, pyramid-bagged, cold-pressed? Earthenware, glass, or porcelain tea pot? We can also do blends to make it half-caff or super-caff. Would you like honey, white sugar, raw sugar, brown sugar, agave nectar”My thoughts trailed off somewhere along the sweeteners, off to the barbecues of Texas — where tea was mostly simple. And iced. “Or would you prefer an oxidized tea?”"Uh”My half of this conversation was composed entirely too much of monosyllabic mutters. “How ’bout just a cup of black coffee?”Don’t worry. It %26#39;s not as hard as it sounds. I finally settled on a Bai Hao Yinzhen — the highest grade of white tea — an earthenware teapot, no milks or sweeteners (please). I figured my health insurance company would be proud. Then I promptly returned home and fired up the Wi-Fi for a night of research. I simply would not be duped by the world of hot beverages.It turns out tea is not just tea — even in Texas. In fact, “tea” is often not tea at all. To be considered genuine, the drink must be infused from at least one part of the plant Camellia sinensis, (of course informally known as the “tea plant”), usually the leaves. What Americans call “red tea,” for instance, is not really tea, but a brew made from the South African rooibos plant; herbal drinks, similarly, are considered infusions. There are four main types of true tea: white, green, oolong, and black, all classified according to how the Camellia sinensis is processed.Because the leaves of the plant can begin to wilt and oxidize within hours, the stage at which this oxidation ceases determines the type of tea. This process is called “fermentation” in the industry, but is formally known as enzymatic oxidation. The further this progresses, the more chlorophyll breaks down, the more tannins are released, and the darker the tea leaves become. Enzymatic oxidation is stopped at any given stage by heating — either by steaming, or through a dry cooking method. White tea is considered the least processed, as oxidation is immediately halted after picking. Due to this lack of “fermentation,” white tea retains high levels of catechins, and because only young leaves or new growth buds are chosen, also retain more of the natural caffeine. The plant may even be shielded from sunlight to prevent it from developing chlorophyll, both factors giving it a pale appearance. As fewer young leaves are harvested, and the process is more sensitive, white teas — particularly the good ones — are correspondingly more expensive. This type of tea is considered a specialty of the Fujian province in China, and the most popular include Da Bai (Large White), Xiao Bai (Small White), Narcissus, and Chaicha. Green tea is slightly oxidized, and is the most globally well-known next to black tea. It is ubiquitous in Japan, so much so that it is often referred to simply as “tea.” Green tea is either dried separately or rolled into pellets, which are later called “gunpowder” teas. Green tea %26#39;s health benefits have taken over the media spotlight in recent years, and with good reason. The infusion has been used as a traditional medicine in Japan, India, China, and Taiwan for millennia — treating everything from digestive disorders to uncontrolled bleeding. In 1191, the Zen priest Eisai wrote what is roughly translated as The Book of Tea, describing how to recognize and grow the plant, as well as how to apply it medicinally. Modern claims on the positive effects of green tea include everything from increasing fat oxidation (thereby raising metabolism), to treating neurodegenerative diseases, like Alzheimer %26#39;s and Parkinson %26#39;s . The word oolong means “black dragon,” and it is believed the tea is named after one or more legends surrounding the leaves. Oolong teas are considered semi-oxidized, the level of fermentation ranging from 10% to 70%. The Chinese know semi-oxidized teas collectively as “blue-green tea,” and oolong as specific types of these. The most famous are produced in the Wuyi Mountains of the Chinese Fujian Province and in the Central Mountains of Taiwan.Black tea is fully oxidized, and ferments for anywhere between two weeks and one month. In China, the tea is referred to as “red tea,” due to the liquid %26#39;s reddish-brown hue, while Westerners call it “black tea” due to the color of the leaves usually used. Black tea is the most popular tea in South Asia and certain parts of Africa, and can keep for up to two years when properly stored. Unblended black teas are classified much like wine — according to their estate, year, and flush (or time of year in which the leaves were harvested). All black teas (blended or single origin) are also grouped according to production method — orthodox or CTC (Crush, Tear, Curl) — and further classified based on quality. For orthodox black teas, the Orange Pekoe System is used to judge quality, while CTC %26#39;s are evaluated according to other standards. Considering humans have been tea drinkers for the better part of 5,000 years, a cursory glance at classification is just the beginning. When given the time, we Homo sapiens are inventive little creatures, and, over the millennia, have perfected elaborate systems for brewing, storing, serving, and preparing tea. Certain varieties are purported to fetch thousands of dollars a pound, and are well worth the cost. Better yet, they may even extend your life. And, really, who couldn’t use a cuppa’ with the grandkids?Tea %26#39;s benefits include increased energy, better health, and possibly a longer life.

Is Tobramycin Good for Sinusitis?

Tobramycin is an antibiotic that is used to cure sinusitis. There are mixed reports regarding the effectiveness of its use. Some state that about 98% of the time, tobramycin successfully cures sinusitis. Others maintain that it doesn’t really help, and can generate too much unwanted side effects for sinusitis. In exploring the option of taking tobramycin and deciding whether it is good or bad for your sinusitis, keep these in mind:• you have to understand your sinusitis – its symptoms and probable causes• you have to know what tobramycin is – how it can cure sinusitis and its other effects• you have to discuss your sinusitis with your doctor – including your medical history and the possibility of using tobramycin for your conditionWhen you experience sinusitis for only a few days and with only minor symptoms, there may be no need to take any kind of medication. Find other ways first to relieve you of your sinus pains, such as getting well-rested, drinking hot tea for nasal congestion and keeping clear from allergens and other infectious organisms. Using medication for a mild case of sinusitis may just be too much. It can also negatively affect your immune system. In contrast, for sinusitis with long lasting and/or severe symptoms, tobramycin can be considered. But tobramycin will not cure all kinds of sinusitis under these categories. The sinusitis cause also needs to be taken into account.Sinusitis can be caused by different kinds of infections such as viruses, fungi, bacteria, allergies and complications of related upper respiratory tract infections. Tobramycin will only be good for your sinusitis if it is caused by bacteria. This is because this medicine’s main function is to kill infectious bacteria and prevent them from growing back. Several methods are used to take tobramycin for sinusitis:• The fastest way to feel this drug’s effects is to have it injected in your veins. You just have to deal with needles and health professionals who need to assist you with this procedure. In this method, the medicine is brought into the bloodstream where it can immediately target the sinusitis infection and cure it from there. • The topical ways for administering tobramycin would be to inhale the medication using an aerosolizing device or to let its liquid form irrigate your nasal passages. These topical solutions are also taken directly to your sinus problems, making them the simple, viable options for curing sinusitis.As with all types of medications, there are some factors that you need to be careful of when taking tobramycin:• Do you have any allergies to specific types of medications? Make sure tobramycin is not one of them or you may suffer some form of dizziness, difficulty of breathing or swelling. • Do you have any other illnesses aside from sinusitis? If you have any hearing defects or other lung diseases, tobramycin may aggravate these conditions. Now that you have learned a little more about tobramycin and how it can affect your sinusitis as well as other conditions you may have, it is time to consult your doctor. Basically, tobramycin will be just as good as you and you doctor make it to be. With the background that you have acquired, you will be better equipped with the information that you need to discuss with your doctor. In this way, you will be given the proper diagnosis and treatment program that will work for you, whether it includes tobramycin or not.

Benefits of the Wu Yi Tea Diet - A Review

Everyone knows that dieting is not easy; the pounds just keep coming back if you lapse on your regimen even for just a teeny bit, and you have to start over again to lose those unsightly pounds that you regained. Exercise is effective, of course, but given supremely hectic workdays, who has the time to go to the gym? Good thing I discovered the dieting wonders of the Wu Yi tea.Oolong tea, which is the origin of the Wu Yi tea, has actually been around for hundreds of years already. We should have suspected what the Chinese are into; the tea came from them and coincidentally, they have very slim physiques. Aside from that, they also have one of the smoothest, clearest skins around, aside from their incredible life spans. Having this in mind (along with the images of some celebrities hawking the almost supernatural abilities of the Wu Yi tea to make you lose weight) I decided to give this ancient beverage a try.It’s effective, I must say. It didn’t make the pounds disappear like, three days, but in a span of two months of me drinking the Wu Yi regularly (two times a day) I’ve managed to lose some of the unsightly fat rolling around my stomach. Of course, it helped that I lessened my total intake of sweets. But the thing is, I couldn’t have lost all those fats without the help of the Wu Yi tea. Another good thing about drinking Wu Yi tea is that it helped me relax after a very stressful day at the office. Now this is an instant effect, you don’t have to wait several months to feel it. Try sipping on a hot cup of Wu Yi after a long day and you will see what I mean. I loved it so much that I now make a habit of drinking a hot cup of tea while reading at night. I swear, it makes me sleep better. They say that drinking Wu Yi tea has many other benefits, like glowing skin and increased resistance against diseases. Of course, I have yet to see them, since I have to drink more to merit the long-term results, but already I can see that the pimples on my face has lessened considerably, or maybe it decreased because I’m sleeping better now because of the tea. Whatever.Perhaps, the best thing about the whole tea-drinking experience is the fact that the tea itself is delicious. It is a diet drink, but it is a delicious diet drink. It is recommended that one should drink the tea without additives in order to maximize the antioxidant benefits of the Wu Yi, so I try to lessen the sugar that I put in my drink. Other benefits that I’ve yet to see: stronger teeth and bones, better liver performance and less risk in heart diseases. In order to see that, I have to drink more of the Wu Yi, but I don’t mind; it’s a delicious way to lose weight and go healthy.

Cold and flu are the most commonly occurring illnesses in the entire world, with more than 1 billion colds per year reported in the United States alone. The common cold is a self-limited illness caused by any 1 of more than 200 viruses. You usually do not need to call your doctor if you catch a cold. For more severe symptoms or a prolonged duration of symptoms, you should visit your doctor. An office visit will usually be fine.A. How to protect yourself from cold and flu1. Stop stress - Pushing yourself too hard depresses the immune system. When your defenses are down, you are vulnerable to a cold or flu virus.2. Healthy diet - A healthy diet is important to keep your immune system strong. Avoid junk food and consume more fruits, vegetables and plenty of non-caffeinated liquids.3. Taking vitamin C daily - During cold season, taking extra vitamin C helps to strengthen your defenses against cold viruses. This helps to reduce the severity of cold symptoms. Be sure to wash your hand after using any office equipment, especially when one of your co-workers have colds.B. If you have a cold1. Drink a lot of hot fluids Traditionally, a family member who has cold or flu is only allowed to take hot chicken soup and chicken congee, avoiding all the hard to digest and cold foods. No one knows why but it works more effectively. Hot tea also keep the nasal passages open.2. Take an antihistamine to relieve stuffy nose.3. Treat coughs with the right cough medicine Coughs that produce phlegm can be treated by the ingredient guaifenesin which loosens the mucus that causes you to cough. If you have a dry and irritating cough, dextromethorphan might be used to suppress it during the night so you can sleep. Unless absolutely necessary do not use antibiotics. Overuse of antibiotics do more harm than good to your body.I hope that this article will help, if you need more information please visit my home page at: Kyle J. Norton http://bestexpertarticles.blogspot.com/ http://healthylivingover100yearolds.blogspot.com/ I have been studying natural remedies for disease prevention for over 20 years and working as a financial consultant since 1990

Herbal medicine is the medicine of the people. It is simple, safe, effective, and free. Our ancestors knew how to use an enormous variety of plants for health and well-being. Our neighbors around the world continue to use local plants for healing and health maintenance, and you can too.In your first lesson, you learned how to “listen” to the messages of plant’s tastes. And you discovered that using plants in water bases (teas, infusions, vinegars, soups) - and as simples - allows you to experiment with and explore herbal medicine safely.In this lesson, we will learn how to make effective water-based herbal remedies and talk more about using simples.TEA FOR YOU?Teas are a favorite way to consume herbs. Made by brewing a small amount of herbs (typically a teaspoonful to a cup of water) for a short time (generally 1-2 minutes), teas are flavorful, colorful drinks.Herbs rich in coloring compounds - such as hibiscus, rose hips, calendula, and black tea - make enticing and tasty teas. They may also contain polyphenols, phytochemicals known to help prevent cancer. Since coloring compounds and polyphenols are fairly stable, dried herbs are considered best for teas rich in these.Herbs rich in volatile oils - such as ginger, chamomile, cinnamon, catnip, mint, lemon balm, lemon grass, lavender, bergamot, and fennel, anise, and cumin seeds - make lovely teas, which are effective in easing spasms, stimulating digestion, eliminating pain, and inducing sleep. Since much of the volatile oils are lost when herbs are dried, fresh herbs are considered best for teas rich in these, but dried herbs can be used with good results.I enjoy a cup of hot tea with honey. But teas fail to deliver the mineral richness locked into many common herbs. A cup of nettle tea, for instance, contains only 5-10 mg of calcium, while a cup of nettle infusion contains up to 500 mg of calcium. For optimum nutrition, I drink nourishing herbal infusions every day.INFUSION FOR ME!An infusion is a large amount of herb brewed for a long time. Typically, one ounce by weight (about a cup by volume) of dried herb is placed in a quart jar, which is then filled to the top with boiling water, tightly lidded and allowed to steep for 4-10 hours. After straining, a cup or more is consumed, and the remainder chilled to slow spoilage. Drinking 2-4 cups a day is usual. Since the minerals and other phytochemicals in nourishing herbs are made more accessible by drying, dried herbs are considered best for infusions. (See experiment 2.)I make my infusions at night before I go to bed and they are ready in the morning. I put my herb in my jar and my water in the pot, and the pot on the fire, then brush my teeth (or sweep the floor) until the kettle whistles. I pour the boiling water up to the rim of the jar, screw on a tight lid, turn off the stove and the light, and go to bed. In the morning, I strain the plant material out, squeezing it well, and drink the liquid. I prefer it iced, unless the morning is frosty. I drink the quart of infusion within 36 hours or until it spoils. Then I use it to water my houseplants, or pour it over my hair after washing as a final rinse, which can be left on.My favorite herbs for infusion are nettle, oatstraw, red clover, and comfrey leaf, but only one at a time. The tannins in red clover and comfrey make me pucker my lips, so I add a little mint, or bergamot, when I infuse them, just enough to flavor the brew slightly. A little salt in your infusion may make it taste better than honey will.Having trouble finding herbs in bulk at your local health food store? Try ordering online: Mountain Rose Herbs -mountainroseherbs.com/

Pacific Botanicals - pacificbotanicals.com/

Frontier Herbs - frontierherb.com/

Garden Medicinals - gardenmedicinals.com/ SIMPLE MESSAGESWhen we use simples (one plant at a time), we allow ourselves an intimacy that deepens and strengthens our connections to plants and their green magic. There are lots of interesting plants, and lots of herbalists who maintain that herbal medicine means formulae and combinations of herbs. But I consider herbs as lovers, preferring to have only one in bed with me at a time.When I use one plant at a time it is much easier for me to discern the effect of that plant. When I use one plant at a time and someone has a bad reaction to the remedy, it is obvious what the source of the distress is, and usually easy to remedy. When I use one plant at a time, I make it easy for my body to communicate with me and tell me what plants it needs for optimum health.I even go so far as to ally with one plant at a time, usually for at least a year. By narrowing my focus, I actually find that I learn more.COMING UPIn our next lesson we will learn more about the difference between nourishing, tonifying, stimulating/sedating, and potentially-poisonous plants; how to prepare them; and how to use them. In the following installments we will explore the difference between fixing disease and promoting health, how to apply the three traditions of healing, and how to take charge of your own health care with the six steps of healing.EXPERIMENT NUMBER ONEMake and drink a quart of nourishing herbal infusion made with stinging nettle, oatstraw, red clover, raspberry leaf, or comfrey leaf. If you wish, flavor it with mint. On the same day, make a tea from the same herb, using dried herb. Compare and contrast the colors, flavors, and sensations.EXPERIMENT NUMBER TWOMake an infusion of stinging nettle, oatstraw, red clover, raspberry leaf, or comfrey leaf, using one ounce of dried herb as usual. At the same time, make a quart of “brew” using the same herb, but fresh, not dried. To make it fair, use 4 ounces of fresh herb. After one hour of steeping, look at both jars, taste and compare/contrast. Repeat three more times at hourly intervals.Minerals are released slowly into water. They darken the color of the water and give it a dense, rich taste. Oil-soluble vitamins float to the top and make a thin glaze of swirls.EXPERIMENT NUMBER THREEBuy, or grow, a tasty, aromatic herb, like ginger, peppermint, or rosemary. For this experiment you will need one tablespoon of fresh herb, and one teaspoon of the same herb dried. Place the fresh herb in a cup or mug and the dried herb in another. Fill both to the top with boiling water. After one minute, taste, smell, compare the teas. Wait another minute and compare again. Then wait five minutes and try each one again.EXPERIMENT NUMBER FOUR Make a tea with aromatic seeds - anise, caraway, coriander, cumin, fennel, or fenugreek. Use a teaspoon of seeds in a cup of water. At the same time, brew some using a tablespoon of seeds per cup. After a minute, taste, smell, contrast. Repeat in five minutes, then in thirty minutes, then after an hour, then after four hours. Teas and infusions of dried seeds are almost the same.FURTHER STUDY Drink 2-4 cups of nourishing herbal infusion for a month and see if your health changes in any way. Best if you don’t drink coffee or tea during this month.

Choose a green ally to focus on this year.

Read Healing Power of Minerals by Paul Bergner.

Read about stinging nettle and oatstraw in my book Healing Wise.

Write out the botanical names of the herbs you used in making your teas and your infusions.ADVANCED WORK Learn more about essential oils in plants. Grow several plants rich in essential oils.

Learn more about tannins. Make an oakbark infusion.If you want to be your own herbal expert then you may want to start a correspondence course! See http://www.susunweed.com/ for information on courses available.
Legal Disclaimer: This content is not intended to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare practitioner with a specific formula for you. All material contained herein is provided for general information purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second opinion.Susun Weed PO Box 64 Woodstock, NY 12498 Fax: 1-845-246-8081Vibrant, passionate, and involved, Susun Weed has garnered an international reputation for her groundbreaking lectures, teachings, and writings on health and nutrition. She challenges conventional medical approaches with humor, insight, and her vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine. Unabashedly pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic lectures are engaging and often profoundly provocative.Susun is one of America’s best-known authorities on herbal medicine and natural approaches to women’s health. Her four best-selling books are recommended by expert herbalists and well-known physicians and are used and cherished by millions of women around the world. Learn more at http://www.susunweed.com