Monday, 25 July 2005

9 Facts Everyone Should Know About Herbal & Home Remedies

Emily Clark



In the last few years herbal remedies have become very popular as an alternative treatment for a variety of illnesses and health issues. Natural health stores have popped up from coast to coast and are now quite predominant on the internet as well. Herbal remedies are offered as a treatment for everything from the common cold to more serious health issues such as cancer. Before you rush out to purchase herbal remedies, there are a few things you should know about herbal remedies, their effectiveness and possible dangers and risks that you may encounter by taking them.

One of the most important facts about herbal remedies that consumers should be aware of is the fact that, unlike other treatments, they are governed by any governmental agency. This means there is no quality assurance system in place to insure that the herbal remedy product you purchase contains nothing that would harm you, or even works for that matter.

Many herbal remedies are advertised with amazing claims of effectiveness and some even come with reported clinical trials to back up those claims. What consumers are generally unaware of is that the suggested clinical trials were performed by the marketer themselves, and not a non-biased third party lab. This means that the herbal remedy may be no more effective than a sugar pill.

Furthermore, quite a few herbal remedies have adverse affects whey combined with other medications; particularly prescription meds. This iinformation is generally not released by the marketer of the herbal remedy and it's highly possible that a consumer would never know they were ingesting a deadly cocktail by mixing an herbal remedy with the medicine prescribed to them by their doctor. A surprising number of herbal remedies, including St. John's wort, Ginko biloba and Ginseng have very dangerous side effects when mixed with antidepressants.

Ginko biloba has been known to cause problems with bleeding and could be particularly dangerous for someone about to undergo surgery or who
is already taking any type of blood thinning medication. As frightening as these facts are; consumers rarely get this information from the labels of herbal remedies.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration specifically prohibits the manufacturers and marketers of herbal remedies from claiming that their product is able to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any kind of disease or illness. This doesn't stop many companies from coming as close to that line as possible; or even going over it. Consumers should be wary of any herbal remedy that claims any of the above.

Herbal remedies can provide positive benefits when used carefully and wisely. Consumers can safely use herbal remedies by taking the time to research the product, its effectiveness and drug interactions. Also remember to thoroughly read the product label. Some companies attempt to increase their profit margin by including fillers, such as sand, with the product.

If you aren't sure whether an herbal remedy will interact negatively with the medications you are already taking, ask your physician. He or she will be able to let you know whether you can safely take the product or not.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any health care program.


About the Author

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News and Medical Health News where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.





Sunday, 10 July 2005

Tips on Cleaning Oil Painting

An advice on cleaning any oil painting that's covered in dust or yellowed varnish has to come with a qualified disclaimer. More than other types of rough and ready projects, cleaning oil paintings need to be really trusted to specialist conservators. However, if you’re painting is not that old, not offensively precious, or not too significant, there are a few likely ways to make it look brighter and spot less yourself. In addition, changing true antiques almost forever decreases their value, whether or not they look better to you.

If it seems that your painting is little older, evaluate whether the paint is in good shape but the varnish is quite aged. In this case, try applying a gentle solvent called conservation liquid. Art supply stores may sell an "emulsion" planned to clean and take away varnish. There is forever a chance that the solvent would also damage or take away the oil paint. If you are ready to risk this option, wipe the mix with a cotton swab very carefully. Try spot-testing one bend before moving on to the whole canvas. Work in an area with sufficient ventilation.

For recent paintings, your problem is more probable a build-up of dirt, smoke, pet hair, dander, and as well bacterial or any fungal growth. In this case, ensure none of the paint is prepared to come off the canvas or board, meaning that it doesn't show any cracks or any flakes. Then you could cautiously dust the surface with an extremely spongy and dry bristle brush, such as a baby toothbrush or shaving cream brush.

When the surface is muggy, dirty, or oily, you might want to take the attack a step further and in fact uses a gentle detergent solution. Again, usually speaking, oil and water must never mix, as moisture could for sure damage both the canvas and the impasto. Proceeding with care, use brand new fiber cloths dipped in a mixture of dish soap and humid water. Lightly spot the surface, but do not scrub, clean, or rub at the painting. At no point should you sink any part of the painting, nor allow so much damp that it drips or pools.

Author: Vijay

Saturday, 2 July 2005

The natural remedy for acne

Kevin Sheldon



Acne can be one of the most distressing of afflictions, given that it tends to strike during the teens (although it can, of course, occur at any time of life too). As a highly visible problem, acne can cause acute embarrassment at the very time when a person is struggling to become comfortable with themselves. The symptoms are varied, and do not just consist of the familiar scarring and skin pitting. Other symptoms can include blackheads, whiteheads, pustules, inflamed and infected nodules, sacs, and cysts.

Caused by over-activity of the sebaceous glands, acne tends to show where these (oil) glands are most numerous (i.e the face, neck, chest, and back). Scarring and permanently expanded pores can result, and this is the symptom most familiar to acne sufferers.

Why does acne occur? Well, every hair follicle produces oil to lubricate the skin and hair. Over-production of this oil can lead to clogging, in which bacteria can multiply. This usually leads to inflammation, and if this sebum, plugs the pores it can lead to blackheads. Whiteheads form when sebum collects below the skin surface. According to reseach by www.freeremedies.com, the most likely time for these outbursts are between the ages of 12 and 24, when the teen hormones are running wild, and androgen production goes into overdrive. There is some evidence that overindulgence in junk foods, the taking of oral contraceptives, certain allergies and stress can also cause acne.

So how can you deal naturally with acne? First of all, cleanliness is vital, and you must always keep your skin washed and clean. Do not be tempted to apply any oils or moisturizers to the affected areas. Instead, use freshly-squeezed lemon juice 3 times a day as a natural antiseptic face wash. Grease from your hair can also exacerbate the problem, so shampoo your hair regularly. Diet also plays a role in acne, so stay off the junk (saturated fats in fried food, go carefully with dairy products, carbonated drinks, caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco). Instead, eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables. Sleeping soundly will also help, as will regular exercise. regularly, and get adequate sleep at night.

Diet in more detail - raw vegetables can be a life saver for the acne sufferer, say specialists at www.freeremedies.com. Together with non-citrus fruits, raw vegetable juice, cooked vegetables, salads, whole grains, and a few low-fat seeds and nuts, you can construct a diet that can make it very hard for the sebaceous glands to overproduce. Stay right away from peanut butter, cheese, milk, and cream. Some sufferers have reported good results by trying 'vegetable juice' fasts of 1 to 3 days, although you should consult a doctor before considering any kind of fasting.

The second part of the natural remedy for acne is dietary supplements that have been shown to have a beneficial effect. You must ensure you get enough vitamin B6, zinc, and essential fatty acids. A general multivitamin once per day will probably be sufficient to make sure you are getting enough.

Finally, there are certain herbs which have been shown to be beneficial as a natural remedy for acne. Applied to the skin, dandelion root, echinacea, alfalfa, chaparral, and red clover are most beneficial, and are available from most health stores. Most importantly, stay positive! The problem CAN be beaten if you take care of yourself!


About the Author

Kevin writes on natural remedies for www.freeremedies.com natural remedy site a site all about health and the use of natural remedy





Friday, 1 July 2005

Coin Collecting Glossary

As is the case with most hobbies, coin collecting has its own specialized terms or "lingo". The following, while not an exhaustive list of all the coin collecting terms that you may encounter, provides definitions for the most commonly used terms. Alloy - a combination of two or more metals in a coin such as cupro-nickel or cupro-zinc. Ancient - refers to any coin minted before 500 A.D. Bag marks - nicks, marks and scratches resulting from coins in a mint bag being in contact with each other. Bi-metallic coin - a coin with the center made from one metal with its outerportion being comprised of a different metal.
Blank - a round piece of metal made for subsequent minting into coinage. Bullion - a coin made of gold or other precious metal with little numismatic value apart from the current value of the metal from which the coin is made. Cameo - a coin with a frosted appearance. Circulated coin - a coin which has actually been used as money and shows some degree of wear. Commemorative coin - A coin with a design struck in honor of some historical or current event, famous person or special anniversary. Error coin - a coin minted by mistake or with a design different than intended. Grade - the condition of a coin determined by a set methodology. High points - the highest part of a coin's design where the first signs of wear and tear generally appear. Legend - the words that are inscribed around the outer edge of a coin, for U.S. coins, the legend inscription is E Pluribus Unum. Mintage - the total number of coins of a particular denomination, date and/or type produced by a mint Mint mark - a symbol identifying the particular mint which produced the coin. Mint state - an un-circulated coin in the same condition as when it was originally minted showing no signs of wear Numismatics - the study of coins, paper currency, tokens, medals, and other similar items.
Obverse - the "heads" side of the coin where a portrait of a president, king, queen or other national leader appears. Proof coins - coins that are struck with greater pressure than normal using specially polished dies to make the design more highly polished or mirror-like. Reverse - the back or "tails" side of a coin, the opposite side to the obverse side of a coin. Rim - the outer edge of a coin. Un-circulated coin - a coin that has never actually been used as money and has no visible signs of wear. Variety - any change in the design of a coin results in a new coin variety

Author: lee williams

Monday, 20 June 2005

The Many Uses Of Natural Herbal Remedies And Oils

David Chandler



Now a days, there is a variety of essential oils, roots, and herbs available to support healthy living. These natural products can be used for treating ailments, flavoring your food, skin care, create perfumes, and manufacture environmentally safe cleaning products.



If you do not have room for a garden, a few herbs planted by a sunny window are enough to get you started. Subsequently, all you will need then are some essential oils and you are ready to embark on a wonderful journey to natural herbal remedies and medicine.



Essential oils versus blended oils.



The first to consider is the essential oils. Only the purest oils will do for therapeutic purposes. Do not be fooled into thinking that you are purchasing pure oil when in fact it is a blend of several oils. Blended oils are acceptable for fragrance such as perfuming a room, but pure oils are necessary for medicinal intent.



A general guide to the purity of oil is its price. Pure oils are normally more expensive. For instance, common oils such as lavender and geranium are less expensive than frankincense and carnation oil. Therefore, it is advisable to become familiar with essential oil prices and then rely on this knowledge when purchasing oils. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. In addition, a price list from a reputable dealer is a valuable resource when buying essentials oils.



Typically, pure oils cannot be applied directly to the skin and must be mixed with a base oil to lessen their strength. Base oils such as almond oil or wheat germ oil are generally used for this purpose. Base oils are generally derived from seeds, nuts, or vegetables.



Basic oils and natural remedies.



Lavender, without a doubt, is one of the most useful and desirable oils. It will work wonders on cuts, bruises and burns, and promotes sleep and relaxation.



The Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oils are useful for treating a variety of respiratory ailments. These are excellent medication for colds and coughs. These oils can be massaged into the chest or burned in an oil burner to help clear the airways and prevent congestion. Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic and can be dabbed on cuts, bites and stings. It is often used to treat spots and pimples and when diluted with water, acts as a mouth gargle (keep in-mind it should never be swallowed).



Geranium oil with its characteristic perfume and pain relieving properties is a basic antiseptic. This herbal remedy should be part of your essential oil and natural herbal remedies garden.



Peppermint oil treats digestive upsets and may be used for breath freshening.



Patchouli and Ylang-ylang oils in an oil burner can perfume a room and add a sense of ambience. Orange oil mixed with Cinnamon oil is a pleasant winter scent that brings to mind seasonal holiday smells. Besides their perfume qualities, all four of these oils have other properties. Patchouli treats eczema and dandruff. Ylang-ylang is reputed to relieve stress, palpitations, and high blood pressure. Orange is used in natural remedies for depression and nervous tension. Cinnamon is excellent for warts and viral infections.



Thyme and Rosemary are considered herbs and can be grown in pots and used when needed. Both of these herbs can be used to create oils or flavor food. Thyme and Rosemary are also antiseptics and can be used in skin care preparations.



Lemon oil and fresh lemons will purify water. When lemon is mixed with honey, it is an effective herbal remedies for colds and flu. Lemon and white vinegar are highly effective cleaning agents that can be used for domestic cleaning tasks without damaging the environment. White vinegar is a natural disinfectant or mix it with water to clean windows and wooden floors.



If you want to keep the insects away this summer, Citronella oil or Garlic will do. Add a capsule of garlic to your dog's food and your dog will not be bothered by fleas. You could also soak a soft dog collar in Citronella to keep fleas and mosquitoes at bay.



Garlic helps to promote a healthy immune system. When the weather turns cold and the viruses begin to circulate, adding garlic to your diet will leave you less susceptible. In fact, most of the oils and herbs listed above are effective in helping to prevent many common winter illnesses.



If you are looking for natural herbal remedies or nature friendly products, the oils and herbal remedies recommended above should help you get started.


About the Author:

For more information about natural herbal remedies and herbal medicine, visit these sites http://www.naturalherbalremediesinfo.com and http://www.herbalmedicineinfo.com


Source: www.isnare.com





Sunday, 19 June 2005

The Alternative Way To Combat Your Anxiety

Rene Graeber



Do you break out into a cold sweat when you have to deliver a
talk before a group of people?



Perhaps you become nervous when you have to take a test...



There are certainly numerous causes for anxiety.



Similarly, there are a number of treatment options for those
afflicted with the illness.



If you don't like the idea of medication, you might try an
alternative approach to battling your anxiety.



It is estimated that nearly seven percent of Americans suffer
from anxiety and panic disorders. While prescription drugs are
routinely offered as a remedy for such illnesses, they can be
dangerous if administered over a long period of time.



Some of the more popular anxiety drugs include Diazepam and
Wellbutrin. However, increasingly, Americans are turning to
alternative medicines in an effort to soothe their anxious
feelings.



In just the last decade, the demand for alternative medicine has
skyrocketed 300 percent. This is partially the result of the
fact that many alternative medicines offer relief from symptoms
without the side-effects linked to prescription drugs.



It should be noted, however, that natural remedies are not meant
to be long-term treatments, although they can offer relief in
the short-term.



Before you buy a natural remedy, it is important that you do
your homework as far as your knowledge of herbs and vitamins is
concerned. It is also imperative that you consult your family
physician in order to ensure that the alternative treatment is
safe for you.



A number of herbs offer relief from the symptoms of anxiety. For
instance, St. Johns Wort is one of the most popular anti-anxiety
herbs on the market.



After taking St. Johns Wort for as little as two weeks, you
should notice a difference in your anxiety level. Valerian Root
is another alternative option you might try. It is especially
helpful in combating insomnia because of its sedative quality.



In other words, it helps to lull the central nervous system to
sleep. Research indicates that Valerian Root is effective in
improving sleep 90 percent of the time. This is important, since
much of anxiety is linked to sleep disorders. Vitamins can also
provide an effective treatment for anxiety. They can be quite
important in enabling neurotransmitter synthesis and
maintenance. For instance, B-complex can help produce
neurochemicals, which in turn assists in the synthesis of
serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.



Yet another aid to combating anxiety is Passion Flower. It helps
to calm the central nervous system, leading to feelings of
peace. Meanwhile, Ashwaghanda Root can make you feel stronger so
that you are better able to handle the effects of anxiety. But
perhaps no herbal remedy is quite as effective as Kava Kava.
This is considered to be one of the strongest anti-anxiety
remedies in the world.



A number of studies indicates that Kava Kava is highly effective
in relieving the short-term symptoms of anxiety. It is also
considered quite safe to ingest, making it one of the most
popular herbs available on the market today.



An herbal remedy called PureCalm is being marketed as a safe way
to deal with general nervousness and worry.



You may feel relaxed after taking only a few drops of this
natural substance. However, if you suffer from severe anxiety,
including panic attacks, you might consider a remedy called
MindSoothe, which combines St. Johns Wort with Passiflora.
Mindsoothe has been linked to good sleep, greater concentration,
and better memory. Therefore, it is particularly effective in
treating the symptoms of anxiety. We all have feelings of
anxiety from time to time. But how can you tell if your anxiety
is out of control? If you experience racing thoughts, rapid
heartbeat, extreme difficulty resting or concentrating, you
probably need to get help. If you do not like dealing with the
side-effects of prescription drugs, an herbal remedy may be in
order.



You should know in advance, however, that some herbal remedies
carry their own risks and lead to significant side-effects. The
more you know about herbal remedies, the better consumer you'll
be. Don't allow yourself to be a human guinea pig.



Take herbal medication only after you have thoroughly studied
its effects upon the human body.



About the author:


Are you sick and tired of being "empty" inside and out? Worry no
more! At href="http://www.depression-self-esteem-stress-management.com">ht
tp://www.depression-self-esteem-stress-management.com you´ll
find free and reliable information that gives you the straight
facts and solutions to beat anxiety and depression.





Friday, 17 June 2005

The 7 Day Nail Fungus Cure

Margaret Albright



[Re-print of this article is permitted if the following conditions are met:
The link at the bottom of the article must be included and clickable. You reader must be able to find our site, http://www.allnaturalcures.net from your site. The author information must be included. All information in the article must be left as is. Do not alter the copy in any way. The information in these brackets may be removed unless you are posting this article on a "FREE ARTICLES" site. In that case, this information must be included with the article. All Natural Cures diligently pursues copyright infringement.]


Is nail fungus hurting your social life?


Nail fungus is an ugly problem. You can't hardly hide it unless you keep your
gloves or shoes on.


Do you have nail fungus? How do you know? Nail fungus makes your finger or
toe nails yellow and thick. They become very brittle and break easily. They will
crack and become ragged looking. If you are in the early stages of nail fungus,
your nails might not be this bad but they will only get worse.


As your fungus worsens, your nails will start to crack and break. They don't
break like normal, healthy nails, large chunks of nail will break off, leaving
raw, exposed skin underneath. Not only is this painful but it is also very
embarrassing.


This exposed skin is already weak from the fungus. Now you run the risk of
getting an infection in this area. As if the fungus was not bad enough. This new
infection is very difficult to treat considering the fungus will keep
re-infecting the area.


It is best to eliminate the fungus now before you get to that point.

Special Offer on Leucatin at

http://www.allnaturalcures.net/leucatin.htm


Nail fungus is  so embarrassing. You don't want anyone to know you have
it. If you are lucky enough to only have the fungus on your toe nails, (if you
can call that luck), you can hide your toes in your shoes. This does pose some
real problems in the summer time when all your friends are swimming and you are
sitting on the beach watching, with your shoes on. Toe nail fungus can also
cause some real intimacy problems. There are certain situations when you just
have to take your shoes and socks off. The exposed fungus nail can be a real
turn-off for many people.


If you don't treat the toenail fungus, it will eventually spread to more toes
and sooner or later to your finger nails. Now where are you going to hide? Also
nail fungus can lead to skin infections and PERMANENT DAMAGE.


If you've been living with nail fungus for a day, you have been living with
nail fungus for too long. It is easy to end the embarrassment and humiliation of
this ugly problem. But you will need help.


Leucatin Is the ONLY Complete Nail Fungus System in the World



Step 1: STOP THE NAIL FUNGUS: Rid yourself of symptoms!

The Leucatin Topical Solution's molecules are less than half the size of the
molecules that compose any other topical nail fungus solution. That means
Leucatin Topical Solution can penetrate twice as far as a any other solution on
the market. Research has shown that the ingredients in Leucatin Topical Solution
do not merely sit on your nail to hopefully seep in to your nail bed through
your cuticle, but the solution is actually able to penetrate your nail itself,
coming into contact with all fungus from the surface to your nail bed and
everywhere in between.



Step 2:ELIMINATE THE FUNGUS: Boost your immune system!

The ingredients in the Leucatin Anti-Fungal capsules penetrate from the inside
to help kill all nail fungus. The Leucatin Anti-Fungal capsules are formulated
to help increase your body's natural anti-inflammatory and anti-infection
abilities and in turn, increasing your body's ability to fight and kill your
fungus that is causing your nail infection.


Leucatin is the only solution of its kind that works both from the inside and
the outside to eliminate your nail fungus. Both components of this powerful
system go to work right away fighting the fungus that is causing your nails to
deteriorate.


Leucatin is a natural herbal product and contains no chemicals. It is
manufactured in Selmedica's certified laboratories under the strict guidelines
of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Good Manufacturing Practices.


Here is what they have to say about their clinical studies:


We sought out scientists, researchers both funded and independent, studies
and tests for the most comprehensive wealth of information available. We ended
up working with 28 different Universities in the United States and also
internationally, 3 independent testing labs, and over 450 national press and
media contacts to look at Leucatin and try to pick it apart. Our own team also
performed exhaustive studies - and here's what we found...



99.4% of all people who used Leucatin as directed reported a positive result

93.7% said that their nail fungus symptoms had completely vanished...



The ingredients in Leucatin have been shown to kill nail fungus and eliminate
it's symptoms. PLUS, they will boost your immune system to help you stay
healthier and resist any new infections.


Unlike prescription medicines currently on the market to kill your nail
fungus, Leucatin will not harm your liver or any other internal organ. There are
no blood tests required prior to taking this herbal remedy. There are no side
effects.


Learn more about Leucatin at

http://www.allnaturalcures.net/leucatin.htm



About the Author

Margaret Albright is a student of Naturopathy and an editor/researcher for the website http://www.allnaturalcures.net, Your #1 source for information on natural remedies. Take control of your health TODAY!