Anda Powers's Blog
Posted by Anda Powers
Break out the flax seed! Flax is an excellent herbal source of omega-3 fatty acids. You know, those things we get from tuna, walnuts and enriched eggs. We've all heard messages touting the benefits of omega-3's, but here's a news flash. The fatty acids can build up the <a href="http://herbalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/ImmuneSystemBoosters">immune</a> system without intensifying the body's reactions to histamines. The result? Fewer allergy symptoms. Studies are now showing a decrease of sneezing, itching and inflammation, among other symptoms related to seasonal and triggered allergies.
Ever wonder how they get the omega-3's into those expensive eggs? They feed the chickens flax seed. Omit the middle man (or chicken) and sprinkle some seeds on your breakfast cereal, yogurt or salad. Add some to casseroles and pasta sauces. They provide a little crunch and a lot of fatty acids. Check the supermarket shelves for cereals that already have flax in them to save time in the morning.
Posted by Anda Powers
Lucious, juicy lemons! I love them layered on baked meats, dropped into drinks, and spritzed onto salads. But lemons are such a versatile plant product that they have a place all over the house.
Like to eat lemons? Lemon water, according to Shari Leiberman, PhD, moves food and gas through the digestive system faster, calming bloat and avoiding some abdominal pain after eating. She wrote the Real Vitamin and Mineral Book, so we can probably take her at her word.
According to a Duke University research team, lemonade increases the body's production of urinary citrate. This chemical prevents kidney stones from forming.
Love the smell of lemons? Use the juice instead of bleach to get rid of stains. Rub it on the bottoms of calloused feet to dissolve the excess skin that makes those unsightly pads. Soak fingernails in it to whiten nails and soften callouses.
Want lemon taste in your tea, but can't have lemons? Add some chamomile, lemon verbena, lemon balm, or lemon grass. Each has a fascinating list of medicinal uses and a crisp, citrusy scent and flavor.
Cheers!
Posted by Anda Powers
B.O. is a familiar set of letters. Who hasn't worried about excess sweat or odor caused by the bacteria who thrive in those wet conditions? Fortunately, I've recently discovered two herbal routes to a sweeter future.
To curb excess sweating, try sage tea. Compounds in the sage calm overactive sweat glands. If the taste of the tea is an obstacle, consider adding it to food or taking a capsule.
Lycium is another hygenic herb. The zinc in lycium forms a thin layer on the skin and keeps the growth of bacteria in check. Can't find lycium? Try eating more beef, pork, lamb, eggs and oysters. Vegetarians can munch cashews for a similar effect.
Posted by Anda Powers
Break out the flax seed! Flax is an excellent herbal source of omega-3 fatty acids. You know, those things we get from tuna, walnuts and enriched eggs. We've all heard messages touting the benefits of omega-3's, but here's a news flash. The fatty acids can build up the <a href="http://herbalmedicine.suite101.com/article.cfm/ImmuneSystemBoosters">immune</a> system without intensifying the body's reactions to histamines. The result? Fewer allergy symptoms. Studies are now showing a decrease of sneezing, itching and inflammation, among other symptoms related to seasonal and triggered allergies.
Ever wonder how they get the omega-3's into those expensive eggs? They feed the chickens flax seed. Omit the middle man (or chicken) and sprinkle some seeds on your breakfast cereal, yogurt or salad. Add some to casseroles and pasta sauces. They provide a little crunch and a lot of fatty acids. Check the supermarket shelves for cereals that already have flax in them to save time in the morning.
Posted by Anda Powers
According to recent studies, dark-colored fruits have a sweet medicinal appeal. Cherries, blackberries, blueberries, and other similarly-pigmented berries and fruits contain anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, compounds that are somehow bound to the pigments. These chemicals tone the walls of veins, making them an effective treatment for vericose veins. Those bluish spider veins fade and, eventually, completely dissapear with this natural treatment. How to reap the benefits: Eat a full serving of dark fruits as often as possible. Four to five times a week is wonderful. Once a day is tremendous. Do the results last? We aren't sure yet. But, I don't know anyone who would reject a handfull of lush fruits, especially not with results like these!
Posted by Anda Powers
So, we've curbed our cholesterol with hibiscus tea... now we're safe, right? Apparently not. A new study indicates that high levels of c-reactive protein (CRP) indicate inflamation of artery walls, which raises the risk of heart disease.
Of course, I can't let you worry about a new development without offering some suggestions! Here's what you can do to lower your levels of CRP and decrease that inflamation.
Apricots, one of my favorite herbs, can lower CRP by as much as 42%! It's the beta-carotene, which is also found in carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, cantaloupe, broccoli, and spinach.
Add fiber to your diet, at least 22g daily, and cut the inflamation by 63%.
2 oz of walnuts a day can even out your CRP in as little as 2 weeks. Try flax seed for another herbal source of the fatty acids walnuts contain.
Be good to your heart, the herbal way!
Posted by Anda Powers
Ginger is great candied. But it's even better in your medicine cabinet. We knew already that ginger can settle an upset stomach, even when it's due to morning sickness during pregnancy. We also knew that it is a wonderful balm for sore throats. But now we have a new reason to love it.
According to the American Association for Cancer Research, ginger may kill cancerous cells in the ovaries. This is great news for women everywhere. Remember, though, that these are preliminary findings, and are not the last word. There are still many tests to be run.
In the meantime, we can be glad knowing that we may be doing more than calming our coughs and taming our tummies.
Posted by Anda Powers
Herbal Medicine is full of blogs and articles that address many concerns. But what about those specific questions that you can't seem to get an answer for? Just click any of the links to my email address and type away! I am always happy to answer any questions you may have.
As an added bonus, I would like to include some of your questions in upcoming blogs. I feel that this would help many readers by providing information that is practical, timely, and easy to find. If you would like for your question and the answer to be posted on Suite101.com, please understand that your name may be changed or abbreviated to ensure anonymity. If you would not like for your question to be published, just say so. Your privacy is always my first concern.
The authors of questions that are chosen for publication will also recieve an exclusive offer from a quality source of herbs and botanicals. Just my way of saying, "Thank you."
Posted by Anda Powers
If you have recently clicked on a highlighted word within an article or blog and discovered that it takes you nowhere, I apologize. Several broken links have been brought to my attention and fixed. I will be scouring the archives for more broken links in the next week.
If you have found a broken link, a link that doesn't make sense (if you click on "chamomile," and arrive at "Herbs for Pets"), a section of text that is cut off or garbled, a photograph or illustration that doesn't load, or any other anomaly that makes it difficult to access information, please don't hesitate. Contact me by email and describe where you found the error. I appreciate your help in keeping Herbal Medicine running smoothly.
Posted by Anda Powers
There's a fungus among us! Whether you eat them on pasta or pizza, sauteed or in salads, mushrooms are worth the effort. True, they're not plants and, therefore, not really herbs, but I couldn't keep this new study to myself.
White button mushrooms, the kind we find on pizza and salad bars, block the excess estrogen that contributes to breast cancer growth. And, this is one case where more really is better. The more mushrooms you eat, the lower your cancer risk is.
Another great reason to seek out the fungi: mushrooms contain chromium picolinate, which increases insulin sensitivity and helps the brain function better. The end result in patients with depression is... less depression! Symptoms are decreased as dramatically as in patients who take prescription pills.
How's that for good news?
Posted by Anda Powers
If you're worried about declining mental health in old age, you're going to be berry happy with this news.
According to a study by New Zealand researchers, there is a natural way to combat Alzheimer's disease. Boysenberries and black currents contain natural compounds that help the brain on the cellular level. They block the signals coming from disease-causing agents, and boost the signals from healthy cells. This way, they not only prevent damage but also increase the brain's ability to function normally.
What's the best way to get this benefit? According to USDA nutrition researcher James Joseph, PhD, naturally sweetened jams are the way to go. Barring that, try frozen berries, or fresh if you can get it. Just remember that some "fresh" berries are picked green so they can travel better. Local sources yeild much better quality. Just one more reason to eat your fruit!
Posted by Anda Powers
I've got the hots for cayenne, and I'll tell you why. Cayenne pepper is great for increasing circulation, stimulating appetite in those who are undergoing chemotherapy, and soothing topical aches and pains. But now, I've found, it has two other wonderful uses.
Take up to 2 teaspoons of cayenne in supplement form, or as an additive in food. You'll be glad you did. The pepper will raise your metabolism by .25%, allowing you to burn more fat and carbohydrates. The result is revved up weight loss.
And, as if that weren't enough, cayenne can also replace your aspirin. It contains six different compounds that fight pain, not just arthritis and joint pain, but also muscle pain and pain caused by misfiring nerves. It also offers seven chemicals that combat inflammation. So, ironically, this spicy herb fights swelling and irritation from the inside out.
So, add some spice to your diet food, especially if you could also use some pain management. Replace your normal pain pill, and watch the pounds slide off. Isn't it nice to hear about side effects that we want? Enjoy the benefits!
(If you'd like to learn more about weight loss, check out the appropriate corner of Suite101!)
Posted by Anda Powers
Add raw onions and garlic to that picnic! Besides the delightful flavors, these sulphury bulbs can make your barbecue more enjoyable... and less dangerous!
One in five samples of commercially prepared beef contain E. coli bacteria. This bacteria is an indicator; when it is present, so are many others that usually make their home in the intestines. Together, they're called fecal coliform bacteria, and they're usually to blame when food poisoning occurs. Cooking beef to a well-done temperature can kill the bacteria. But what about those of us who don't cut our burgers before we eat them? What if Suzy wants hers medium-rare? Never fear! Add a little crushed or minced garlic to the beef while shaping patties. It adds deep flavor and kills the bacteria, letting you enjoy your barbecue.
Slap sliced onion on top of your burger and have a pleasant afternoon. Compounds in the onion are released through the pores after consumption, repelling mosquitos and other biting insects. Resist the urge to grill the onions. Cooking breaks the compounds down into sweeter, less noxious ones. That's tasty for us, but also for the bugs, who will find your skin as tasty as if you hadn't eaten onions at all.
When the Seven Sisters in ancient lore found onions and ate them, their husbands chased them into the sky, creating a constillation. If only those men had known the benefits of onions, they would have thought twice!
Posted by Anda Powers
I have a startling statistic for you. Four out of ten women who treat themselves for a yeast infection don't have a yeast infection!
Allergic reactions can mimic yeast symptoms, including itching and moderate discharge. The usual culprits are fabrics and detergents, body care products, and diet. If it's not a new food, check labels in the bathroom. Switch to herbal powders and lotions that don't have irritating chemicals. Oatmeal-based products sooth itch while your body recovers.
One thing you don't want to do is overtreat with over-the-counter yeast infection treatments. Yeasts are starting to become resistant to these preperations. As a result, many women require a new kind of treatment, a boron suppository, to reset the balance between natural yeasts and bacteria.
Use herbal treatments if you like, and allow a nurse or midwife to offer a diagnosis. If left untreated, yeast infections can run rampant, transfer to partners, both male and female, and cause infertility.
Be careful with your reproductive health, ladies! And be smart. Watch for signs of allergic reactions and use modern medicine reasonably.
Posted by Anda Powers
You don't have to eat an apple a day. Two each week will suffice, and will raise your overall level of health, as well as contributing some very specific benefits.
Apples are full of fiber, which helps regulate digestion and curb out-of-control appetites. The sugar contained in apples is released slower than refined sugars, preventing the after-snack low that we often experience. Each apple also contains about 1500 mg of vitamin C.
Newer studies focus on quercetin, a unique compound in apples. Our lungs sustain normal damage throughout our lives, depending on what we inhale. smoke, chemical fumes and inhalant drugs speed this damage along. In the end, we breathe less efficiently, causing shortness of breath and decreased oxygen saturation in the brain. Quercetin prevents some of this damage, providing both immediate and long-term benefits.
Boron, a trace mineral found in apples, strengthens the skeletal structure. And, the crunchy texture of an apple cleans teeth naturally, strengthens enamel and prevents plaque buildup.
Now that we know that any plant part is an herb, we can add the illustrious apple to our medicine cabinet, and, hopefully, keep the modern doctor away.
Posted by Anda Powers
Cholesterol is a good thing. When our arteries are damaged by spikes in blood pressure, our bodies fix this damage with cholesterol, a fatty plaque that seals lesions and allows the artery to continue to function. But, as you must have heard, there are dangers to high cholesterol, including heart disease and heart attack. So, we, as a society, are trying to strike a healthy balance.
Sure, we all want our cholesterol and blood pressure to be under control. But what we don't want are diarrhea, heartburn, headache, myositis (inflammation and break down of muscle tissue), and kidney failure. Unfortunately, many cholesterol and BP medications come with these side-effects listed on the label.
As home herbalists, what options do we have? A recent study has bolstered one very good one. Hibiscus tea, a rich, tart, bright red herbal tea made from a tropical flower, lowers blood pressure as effectively as prescription medications. Initial results are hinting that it also lowers the "bad" cholesterol: LDL.
Who knew that keeping our bodies healthy and protecting our vascular systems from long-term damage could be as easy as a cup of tea?
Posted by Anda Powers
Great news for chocolate lovers! We've long heard that cocoa, the powdered plant product used to make chocolate, is full of antioxidants that could prevent cancer. We've also heard that the fat content in prepared chocolate soothes the stress hormone cortisol.
Now, Joe Vinson, PhD, a nutrition researcher from Scranton Univeristy, has even more good news. Dark cocoa improves blood flow to the skin. And those antioxidants fight free radicals that cause premature aging. The end result is healthier, more supple skin for both men and women. The effects can take 12 weeks to appear, but if you're looking for a natural - and tasty - alternative to chemical peels, creams and lotions, this is the answer to your prayers.
The best way to take in the properties of cocoa is to use the powder in cooking. Look for organic powder, and not only because of the lack of chemicals. Cocoa is one of the biggest causes of human rights violations in the world. Ivory Coast plantations, where most of the world's cocoa is produced, use slave labor and spray caustic chemicals right over the workers, causing burns, lung ailments and death. Companies elsewhere, even in the USA, know about these practices, but they still buy the cocoa. That's not much incentive for the plantations to change their practices.
In leiu of cocoa powder in baking and desserts, you can treat yourself to a bar of organic dark chocolate. Watch out for the sugar and fat content, and enjoy the taste of a face lift.
Posted by Anda Powers
As we've seen in this week's article, smoking anything, including herbal blends, is harmful to our bodies. But how can we stop once the damage has begun? For many, quitting smoking is one of the most difficult challenges in life. For help, we turn to herbs, creative thinking and a little common sense.
To allay the cravings associated with tobacco smoking, try chewing chamomile flowers. Their soothing properties somehow counteract the hold that nicotine gains over the nervous system.
Stay inside a non-smoking lounge during breaks at work. Not only will this prevent you from smoking, but the less you see and smell others' cigarettes, the weaker the urge to partake will become.
Try to replace the oral habit with another, such as chewing sugarless gum. Pay close attention to your diet, as the loss of oral gratification can lead to overeating. Gradually remove the replacement stimulant as well, or you will find yourself buying gum every day.
If you smoke an herbal blend, avoid burning herbs as an incense. The smell can trigger cravings. If you don't need the herbs for other medicinal purposes, remove them from the home.
Above all, get the support of friends and family members. Build a web of people who will be there to distract and moniter you as you work toward abstinence. Tell the regular cashier at the tobacco counter that you are trying to quit, and ask him or her to remind you if you try to buy a pack. Your lunch date can gently tell you if you order twice as much food, or compulsively ask for a booth in the smoking section. A large group of people on your side can make the difference between trying to quit and succeeding.
Good luck, readers, in trying to create and maintain healthy habits for your bodies.
Posted by Anda Powers
From PMS and post-partum, to emotional conflicts and lack of sleep, there are hundreds of reasons that you might feel down. Any given day, there could be physical stresses, spiritual obstacles and mental challenges that can cause feelings of sadness, fatigue and anxiety. We all know what to do when these symptoms last for a long time or recurr, but what about those occasional periods when we feel a little down?
Personally, I try to unwind with a hot cup of chamomile-peppermint tea. The chamomile is relaxing, the mint rejuvinating. The warmth of the tea makes my pores open up and hydrates my skin. I just feel better all over.
I also sometimes indulge in something sweet, or watch a funny movie. Many times, I just accept my feelings and try to make the most of the experience. I listen to sad songs and have a good cry, then think logically about the source of my sadness. By addressing it completely, rather than sweeping the feelings under the rug, I feel like I have faced it proactively.
Of course, having a friend to talk to helps immensely. Or, I can browse through my articles on Suite101, reminding myself of the things I have accomplished. Always remember, dear readers, tha it takes more energy to cover up your best attributes with pessimism than it does to recognize and love them for what they are, and what they can help you become.
Posted by Anda Powers
I have recently discovered a new way to sweeten life up a little... and stay true to the home herbalist lifestyle. The herb is called stevia and it is a leafy green that is reported to be over 3000 times sweeter than sugar. It can be found in green powder form, white powder (the green powder with the green bleached out), liquid and plain dried herb.
I add stevia to tea, hot and cold, and have found many useful recipes that include stevia as the sweetener. My only advice: Don't use green powder in dishes where it will be visable. Do try baking it into chocolate cakes or other dishes where the color will be masked. Don't add stevia to soft drink mixes like Kool-Aid. It tends to react with the artificial flavoring, making a strange undertaste. Do add it to teas one glass at a time to ensure that it is mixed thourally into the drink.
I hope to have an article on stevia in the future. Until then, see if you can find it with the herbal supplements or in whole foods stores. Give it a try, and feel free to send me your comments!
Posted by Anda Powers
If you've read any articles here since June 5th, you probably noticed that there are some new features. Let me tell you how I've made Suite101's Herbal Wellness corner even more reader-friendly.
In each article, you will notice that some words are highlighted. These are links to articles that can help you understand the word better. For example, in this week's article Herbs for Pets, the words children and peppermint are highlighted. Clicking on these links will give you resources for children's wellness and a better understanding of the mint family. Some blog entries will also have these links.
You will also find a note at the bottom of each article inviting you to 'Check out these related articles.' The links that follow may touch on the same topics or expand on the information you've just read. They may be in the same 'spirit,' as in the case of one unusual article linked to other unusual articles. If a link to a related article does not seem to work, it may not be published yet. Watch for it in the next few days.
Use these links to further your knowledge, catch up on articles you may have missed, and refresh your memory while reading new articles. I hope that they make your experience here a better one, richly filled with opportunities to learn and explore.
If you haven't yet done so, please take advantage of the new poll. Remember, your feedback helps shape this site. And don't forget the latest contest!
Posted by Anda Powers
I'm afraid I 'stirred the soup,' so to speak, with this week's article on intestinal parasites. It's a touchy subject, and not a particularly pretty one. However, I thought it important to address. So, here, I will give a little more information and, perhaps, do a little damage control.
Intestinal parasites are mostly, but not all, worms. Tapeworms, roundworms, pinworms, and other creatures find their way into the bodies of animals and live there. They don't discriminate between puppies, kittens, and children; a host is a host.
Humans don't get parasites because they're 'dirty' or poor, or because they don't take care of their pets. They can get parasites only if they ingest them. This is easily done if the human is a child who may swallow lake water while swimming, or put her hands in her mouth after touching the ground or floor. However, adults are at risk as well.
Left untreated, some parasites can cause serious complications. Ascarids, which are a parasitic worm, can migrate to the liver, lungs and brain. Therefore, it is important to treat parasitic infection, especially in children.
How do we know when there's a parasite? Some parasites, including ascarids, must be detected by bloodwork. Others have symptoms, such as bloating, constipation, anemia, fatigue, diarrhea, skin rashes, or asthma attacks. These can be identified as symptoms of parasitic infection by a licensed physician. As with any sudden or persistant symptom, these should be investigated without hesitation.
I hope that you, dear reader, can file this information away for future use. Remember that parasitic infection is not a sign of bad hygiene or a source of shame. They are a fact of life that must be faced, an ailment as treatable as any other. With your new knowledge, you can treat it naturally with the healing power of herbs.
Posted by Anda Powers
No, I'm not joking. I'm introducing the latest contest from Suite101's Herbal Medicine corner. In the time it takes for water to boil, you can be on your way to fabulous prizes, including gift certificates from organic tea retailers, tea-making accessories, and more!
Simply rate the commercial tea found in your cabinet. Drink a cup, and write down a few details. Send your review to anda@thehearthstone.net, and wait for the notice that you've won.
Include in your review the ingredients list of the tea, the manufacturer and variety, and whether or not the tea is identified on the package as organic. The price you paid for the box and the number of bags included would be helpful, too. Don't forget to tell us how it tastes. Rate it on a scale of 1 to 10, or describe the layers of flavor. Is it better iced or hot?
There is no limit to how many reviews you can submit, as long as each review is for a different brand or variety. All of the reviews will be compiled and published here. Those reviews that win prizes will be drawn randomly from the collection.
So, put on the teakettle! Submissions must be recieved by June 28th to be considered!
Posted by Anda Powers
The results are in from our first poll. The majority of our readers do use herbs for medicine, but not regularly. So, what can we do to help you use herbs more often? Tell us by visiting our new poll.
In the future, we plan to have many articles on specific herbs, their uses and warnings. We also have some work to do when it comes to specific ailments that may affect your family. At the same time, we hope to have plenty of information on making teas, tinctures, compresses and poultices practical and easy.
You can help regulate our content by participating in the polls that appear each month. Tell us about your family, your activities, your interests, and the Herbal Wellness articles will be tailored to your needs.
The very first week that Herbal Wellness was active, I asked you, as readers, to get into the topic instead of just reading it. Hopefully we can offer more activities and interactive features to help you meet that challenge. Watch for upcoming contests, opportunities to be a guest writer, active discussions, and even live events, like seminars, that we will arrange. Suite101 is not just a site; it is a community. And it's time we had a few block parties to introduce ourselves.
Posted by Anda Powers
Tea is, in my opinion, the second easiest way to incorporate medicinal herbs into a wellness plan. It stores well and can be made anywhere, provided you have a source of hot water. It can be flavored with other herbs, and sweetened to make it easier to take. For every ailment, there's a tea.
I drink a lot of herbal tea myself. Mint tea calms my stomach and sooths my headaches. Chamomile helps me sleep.
What I find fascinating is that tea making is a very ancient practice. The ancient Chinese, Greeks and Aborigines drank tea for medicinal purposes. Modern Pagans and followers of Eastern religions drink tea for spiritual purposes. The Japanese tea ceremony is a well-known social event with deep meaning. Who knew that steeping an herb in hot water could have such an impact on the world's cultures?
Try new things with your tea to make it interesting. Add fruit juices. Experiment with stevia, an herbal sweetener that I've grown to love. Ice a tea that you normally drink hot. Have your tea with meals, and serve it to guests. You'll be surprised at how many compliments a creative tea will earn. And don't forget to tell your guests that your special blend will help settle their stomachs after a heavy meal. Part of the home herbalist's goal is to spread knowledge... what better way to do so than over a cup of tea?
Posted by Anda Powers
The world of plants is a diverse one. Some are valuable because of their beauty, some because of their taste or medicinal properties. Still others are important in a simply ecological sense, as a part of the world's ecosystems.
Some of the herbs that are off-limits to home herbalists are very powerful. Foxglove, for example, is poisonous, but is also the source for digitalis, a heart medication. Likewise, this week's herb, tobacco, is not one that you'd want to stock. Nevertheless, it has had an important place in the medical world.
This week's article also reminds us that an herb is not necessarily useful, or a must-have, just because it is 'good for' something. Many other factors, including practicality, side effects, availability, and ease of preperation, must be considered. At times, these values are reduced to insignificance by pharmaceutical companies, who extract the meaningful compounds from natural materials.
Whether or not this practice is an inherently good one is up for grabs. Many home herbalists believe that fresh, whole herbs are safer and more effective. Some still prefer a store-bought pill or tea. Whatever your preference, you will, at some point, use fresh herbs, and, at another, a prepared medicine. Enlighten yourself about these medicines, and marvel at the familiar plant names that arise. Watch, also, the trends that bring herbs into and out of the newspapers and doctors' offices.
The herbal horizon is, indeed, changing all around us.
Posted by Anda Powers
The more we learn about herbal wellness, the more we realize that all healthcare is a series of choices. We choose to listen to our bodies and recognize symptoms. We choose to become knowledgable, to arm ourselves with the understanding of modern and herbal medicine. We choose a course of action that suits our situations and beliefs.
The past few articles have been about choices. (Ok, not the mint one, but...) By reading new articles each week, you, dear reader, are empowering yourself to make better choices. A month ago, you knew not to buy herbs that were visably molded or smelled like decay. Now, you know how to choose herbs that have been grown and handled correctly. A month ago, you knew that herbal teas could be medicinal, and that there were some colorful boxes next to the orange-pekoe tea in the grocery store. Now, you know how to choose a commercial herbal tea that will make your health regimen easier without sacrificing quality.
I hope that you continue to check back each week. Every new article helps you make better choices. If you have learned so much in the course of the past month, how much can you learn in the next month? How much can you learn if you check in each week for a year? Who knows? You may be taking my place as a "resident expert" someday.
Posted by Anda Powers
This week, I have given you some information on herbs that can be used during menstruation. With your indulgence, I have a few more points of advice to share...
Be aware of your birth control choice's effects on your body. Hormone pills can aggrivate the symptoms of menses, as I know from experience. Let your doctor help you make the best choice for you.
Consider natural feminine hygiene products. Sea sponge tampons and cloth maxi pads are available from many sources. They lessen chances of infection. (Sea sponge tampons have not provided a measurable link to toxic shock syndrome. Apparently, the synthetic fibers in commercial products contribute to this problem.) Using these products eliminates the chemicals and synthetics to which your body is now subjected. As a result, you can expect a shorter, lighter period, with less cramping and moodiness.
Posted by Anda Powers
It's not always better to use herbs than to use nothing, and herbs are not inherently safer than processed medicines. There are two things that must be understood in order to use herbs in one's wellness care.
Number One: Our bodies are made to survive. Biologically, we are well-made. Our natural immune systems and healing mechanisms are enough to conquor many illnesses. We must never underestimate the power of our own bodies. And, we must never undermine that power by making a healthy body dependant on outside chemicals.
Number Two: Anything we take into our bodies has the potential to damage them. We must be aware of what we eat, drink, breathe, and absorb through our skin. We can recognize the healing powers of herbs. But, we must also respect them. We must be smart about our healthcare.
I hope that you take these things to heart, dear reader. They pave your path toward total wellness through herbs.
Don't forget to check out the First Ever Herbal Medicine Contest, where your experiences can win you great prizes! I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
(http://herbalmedicine.suite101.com/bulletin.cfm/418)
Posted by Anda Powers
Using 200-400 words, describe your herbal remedy, tradition, or experience. The title must be 25 characters or less, including spaces between words. Post your essay under the Contest Number One discussion forum. (Can't find it? Latest discussions are at the bottom of the Herbal Medicine Homepage.) Be sure to include an e-mail address where you can be reached, or a link to your website.
A winning essay will be chosen at the end of April, and will be published here at Suite101.com! The winning author will also recieve a gift certificate to a shop that offers quality bulk herbs at excellent prices. (I shop there myself; I should know!)
So grab your pencils and get the lead out!
This contest is listed on www.contestalley.com!
Posted by Anda Powers
It is essential to personally research any herb before using it, if only to validify information that you already have. I say this a lot, but it is because there is so much misinformation on the Internet, and even in books and magazines. In the literary world, if a statement can be found easily in six sources, it is considered to be common knowledge. If a statement about an herb's medicinal use can be found intact in six reputable sources, it is probably safe to regard that statement as true. However, it doesn't hurt to keep up with new studies, which often refute last week's common knowledge.
While taking an herbal supplement, one must be wary of its potential interactions with other drugs. During surgery, according to mayoclinic.com, feverfew may cause bleeding, and valerian may decrease the effectiveness of anesthesia. St. John's wort cancels the effects of birth control pills, and echinacea increases the risk of rejection after transplant surgery.
We must not forget that herbal treatments are a part of our medical plan. Any herb that is being taken should be communicated to our regular physician, especially if he or she is starting an additional treatment. If we do not connect the herbal side of our wellness plans with the modern medical side, we do a disservice to ourselves and endanger, rather than strengthen, our health.
Posted by Anda Powers
I am excited to be a part of Suite101 and to bring my love of herbal wellness to readers. I want you all to know up-front that I make a point to walk my talk. This week's article recommends that you stock your pantry with chamomile to combat insomia. Guess what's in my teacup when I can't sleep... Chamomile! I am not wealthy, well-connected or a medical genius. Herbal medicine is available to anyone who wants to become educated.
To that end, I encourage you to visit the Herbal Medicine discussion area and ask any questions you may have. No request is silly, no topic taboo. I will answer as many questions as I can from my own experience. But I hope that I can reach beyond that knowledge to help you, through research and networking, to use the natural potential of plants to strengthen your family's health.
Check back often for more articles, news items, and contests to come!
Posted by Anda Powers
I am excited to be a part of Suite101 and to bring my love of herbal wellness to readers. I want you all to know up-front that I make a point to walk my talk. This week's article recommends that you stock your pantry with chamomile to combat insomia. Guess what's in my teacup when I can't sleep... Chamomile! I am not wealthy, well-connected or a medical genius. Herbal medicine is available to anyone who wants to become educated.
To that end, I encourage you to visit the Herbal Medicine discussion area and ask any questions you may have. No request is silly, no topic taboo. I will answer as many questions as I can from my own experience. But I hope that I can reach beyond that knowledge to help you, through research and networking, to use the natural potential of plants to strengthen your family's health.
Check back often for more articles, news items, and contests to come!