Healing Herbs for Pets and People Too

If you dislike pharmaceuticals as much as I do, you'll enjoy this article listing 10 healing herbs for pets and their people.

It's insect time here, so I'll be headed out to purchase Neem...

Let Nature help you Prevent Rheumatoid Arthritis

A new study reported in the Personal Liberty Digest reveals that Green Tea may prevent or halt the progression of rheumatoid arthritis.

Studies on rats have been extremely positive and human studies are underway.

Green tea, which is rich in a chemical compound called polyphenol, is a powerful antioxidant - more powerful than vitamins C and E. Unlike pharmaceutical "remedies" this naturally occurring compound carries no adverse side effects.

The prescription you get from a doctor could very well give you leukemia or bladder cancer - while green tea can help prevent cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and obesity.

It's clear to me which cure to choose... how about you?

Want More Articles in One Place?

You can view the natural health articles I've posted at EzineArticles.com by visiting my author page. While there, you can do a little research and see what other authors have to offer as well.

If you have natural health ideas you'd like me to research and report on, please feel free to add a comment.

Thanks!
Marte

The Question of Bottled Water

As you know, not all bottled water is pure. We've been reading and writing about that for a year or more now. We've learned that the FDA doesn't regulate bottled water - that comes under the Environmental Protection Agency - and they don't pay much attention to it.

We also learned that the conscientious bottlers police themselves. But - very few bottlers belong to their associations.

So I thought it was interesting when I got the following in my e-mail. It might be fun to participate:

"Ever look at a bottle of water and wonder, "Where does the water come from? Is it purified? Did the FDA make sure it's safe and clean?"

Join EWG's Bottled Water Label Scavenger Hunt and get your questions answered.


Here's how to get involved (and win EWG prizes!):


1) The next time you buy a bottle of water (even we EWG'ers sometimes forget our reusable bottle) choose a non-sparkling, unflavored water bottled in glass or clear plastic.


2) Carefully remove the entire label from the bottle. We need all the information from the label, so if necessary, cut the plastic around the label to get it all off.


3) Write down:


the name and location of the store where you purchased the water

the date you purchased the water

your name, email and mailing address

4) Mail your labels and other information to:


Environmental Working Group
Attn: Nneka Leiba
1436 U St. NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC 20009


Whoever sends the most labels (duplicates not counting) by June 15 will win a stainless steel water bottle with the EWG logo and a jumbo-sized, reusable grocery tote printed with EWG's pollution solutions tips. Plus, everyone who participates will get a Shopper's Guide to Pesticides magnet!

Thank you in advance for helping us with our research to make sure bottled water companies are honest with you about the water you buy.


Sincerely,


EWG Bottled Water Research Team"

Worried about Swine Flu?

I'm still wondering why Swine flu is taking up so much air time on the television lately. After all, it has killed 42 people world-wide, while "regular" flu kills about 36,000 each year.

One reporter, mentioning this fact, said that car roll-overs kill one person every hour - so perhaps we should outlaw cars.

That made me think about domestic abuse... Ten women are killed as a result of domestic abuse every day, so maybe we should outlaw co-habitation.

(Seriously, we do need to make it easier for women to get out of abusive situations.)

But back to the Swine Flu: It seems like an unwarranted panic, but that's no reason to take chances. The same precautions that can save you from other flu will help you prevent catching this one:

Keep up your immune system.
Eat well
Get plenty of rest
Wash your hands frequently
Disinfect surfaces that could be infected
Steer clear of people who are coughing and sneezing

For an in-depth report on swine flu and what to do to protect yourself, read this report from Al Sears: http://www.alsearsmd.com/reports/swineflu.pdf

I think when you do, you'll find less reason to panic.

A Natural Remedy to Reduce Alcohol Cravings?

I'd never heard of this before - and didn't know there were prescription drugs to discourage alcohol consumption. But according to a news story I just read, there are, and there's also a natural herb that works well for some people.

The herb is kudzu root extract - it contains compounds that appear to be similar to an old drug called disulfiram that is prescribed to help alcoholics avoid drinking. The article referenced findings reported in the Journal of Medicinal Food, September 2007.

One woman quoted in the article said that the herb worked immediately to stop her habit of drinking wine all evening, every evening - but that it did cause constipation. (Was that the herb, or was that her body's reaction to going without the wine it had become accustomed to?)

Relief for chronic migraines

Do you suffer from migraines?

Do you take vitamins? New information shows that for some people, the addition of Vitamin B-2 can ease or even eliminate migraines.

Other non-prescription remedies include magnesium, coenyme Q10, and the herbs feverfew and butterbur. Since every body is different, what works for one may not work for another, but since migraines are so debilitating, giving these safe and natural remedies a try seems like a good idea.

And here's something else well worth trying: A water filter.

My Mother suffered from migraines most of her life, and often lost days at a time to the pain - and the after-effects of the medications she took to ease the pain. Her doctors didn't offer any solutions except those heavy-duty pain killers.

Then she moved to Arizona for the winter to get my Grandmother out of the cold. And since the water in Arizona wasn't so good, they installed a water filter in the house. And the migraines stopped almost completely.

When she came back home for the summer, the headaches started again, so they installed another water filter and they went away.

This was a standard under-the-sink installation which at that time cost about $29. I suppose they're $69 now, but worth it even if you don't suffer from migraines. It's good to get the contaiminates out of your water as a preventative health measure. The filter she used was the charcoal one - "for taste and odor" is what it says on the label.

We have no idea what was in the water to cause the migraines, because it happened everywhere. City water both in Arizona and Washington and spring water in Idaho all gave her migraines if they weren't filtered. Perhaps it was really the charcoal - and filtering the water through it gave her body a nutrient that it needed to prevent the pain. It didn't matter - what mattered was that she no longer suffered from those terrible headaches.

Of course we wished we'd known sooner, but I'll always be thankful for that accidental discovery.

If you have migraines, try these simple remedies. You might even be able to toss your pain pills!

Arthritis pain relieved - by dogs?

It's not too often that the same information posted on my doggie blog would belong here, on my natural health blog ... but it happened today.

An article in the Ladies Home Journal prompted it. They have some kind of good dog story every month, but this time they told about the Xolo dog- and its amazing ability to help relieve pain for arthritis sufferers.

But rather than repeat myself - I invite you to visit my doggie blog for the rest of the Xolo story.

On 60 Minutes: resveratrol - Plus, what drug companies don't want you to know

A recent 60 Minutes broadcast touted the benefits of resveratrol - a natural compound found in red wine, among other things.

Studies are showing that resveratrol thins your blood and improves blood flow because it slows the build-up of platelets in blood vessels, making them less sticky.

It also switches on your immune system, lowers inflammation, and acts as a powerful antioxidant, while it inhibits unhealthy cell growth and modulates hormones. Some researchers now consider resveratrol the best way to fight certain health disasters.

Since it sounds like the wonder drug of the century, pharmaceutical companies are rushing to try to duplicate it synthetically. How dumb.

Of course that's all about the money, so they don't want you to know that you can get resveratrol naturally - in substances that carry no harmful side effects, and for a lot less money than it will take when they come out with their "Anti-aging miracle."

I have to shake my head and wonder why anyone would wait to buy a pill containing a fake when the real thing is available naturally - right now - for a fraction of the cost.

Of course it's found in red wine, but if you don't like wine, then add the following to your diet:

* Raisins
• Red Grapes
• Blueberries
• Cranberries
• Purple Grape Juice
• Peanuts
• Mulberries

Living where I do, I've never tasted a mulberry - but it won't take many changes to our household's diet to add more of the others. I especially love purple grape juice!

Resveratrol is also available as a natural supplement at many health food stores.

Native American Health Food: The Wild Strawberry

Do you live where wild strawberries grow? I do - but of course not at the moment. Too much snow.

I recently ran across a history of their use - it may make you view them with new respect when you see them - and maybe make it worth your time to pick those tiny little gems.

The Indians here in the west used wild strawberries for colds - even though they didn't know about the vitamin C content! Mashed strawberries were made into a paste and used to clean teeth and to relieve toothache.

They used the juice to mix with water and bathe reddened eyes and to squeeze into inflamed sores and onto sunburned skin to speed healing.

A tea made from the dried leaves was used to relieve stomach troubles.

The strawberry's roots were harvested and made into bitters - for a Spring tonic and blood purifier.

My bet is that the settlers soon learned to copy them, since those old-time farm and ranch women had no corner drugstore.

In the East, during the American Revolution, Minutemen were saved from scurvy by drinking tea made from the fresh green foliage of the wild strawberry.

So it appears that the entire plant has been used for some health-giving function.

Next time you see a wild strawberry - do a bit of harvesting!

Ease that sore throat with Ginger tea

If you have a stuffy head and sore throat but want to avoid drugstore remedies, go to the grocery store instead. Get a chunk of fresh ginger root and take it home to make tea.

You can grate it and put it a cheesecloth bag to steep in the pot, or simply slice it and put it in the bottom of your cup. Some folks prefer adding a little honey for sweetener, while others add honey, lemon juice, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Remember also that Grandma's old standby really does have beneficial effects. I'm talking about chicken soup, of course. It also eases the throat and helps to open the sinuses... And sure tastes good for lunch when the thought of chewing and swallowing something firm makes your throat hurt!

Stress-relief through Meditation - for non-meditators

When you think of meditation do you think of someone sitting cross-legged on the floor making strange noises?

Plenty of people do - but you don't have to do that to get the benefits. Meditation is simply the act of clearing your mind and letting your body release tension - in other words, a great way to banish stress and optimize your natural health!

I'm sure the meditation purists will disagree with me - but that's OK. They can call this exercise something else and it won't bother me a bit. So here's the story...

Years ago I used to try meditating - with no results. No matter how I tried I couldn't sit there and visualize blank paper. When I tried, my mind kept saying "blank paper, blank paper." It was useless. And, even when all alone, I couldn't bring myself to make those strange noises. It felt silly. I was more tense from trying than I was from not trying.

Then I bought a couple of tape sets that brought things into focus. Using two methods together I could do it - and it felt wonderful!

The first set taught me to visualize numbers. Here's how that worked: Beginning with "3" visualize the number while saying it, 3 times. At the same time as you're doing this, inhale deeply and let the air out while saying "3, 3, 3" (I'll admit that I had to learn to breathe correctly before I could do it.)

Then do the same for 2 and 1. Then, after a few deep breaths and mentally saying "relax" the next step is to continue breathing deeply and count backwards from 10 to 1. Then think "relax" again a few times and let go with all your muscles.

That part was hard at first also - because the first tapes I had taught me to begin the relaxation process with my feet and work my way up to my head. The method that worked for me was to begin with the scalp, then the facial muscles, then neck, shoulders, chest, back, etc - ending with the feet. I learned that from a later tape.

By consciously releasing and feeling the relaxation in each part of your body, your thoughts are naturally taken away from whatever else is going on in your life and focused on your feeling.

When you become totally relaxed, just sit there and "feel" it. Enjoy the feeling of your body sinking into the chair, your hands laying relaxed, your feet at rest. If a stray thought tries to wander in, just visualize it being pushed aside and go on with "feeling."

You might stay for 5 minutes, or 25. Do whatever feels right and good.

The first set of tapes I had recommended coming back out of this state deliberately - The method is to count back up to 5 while telling yourself "At the count of 5 I will open my eyes and be fully alert, rested, and feeling better than I felt before." Say it when you begin, then at 3, then a variation of it at 5 - when you do open your eyes.

I used to suffer from not being able to fall asleep at night. My mind was always racing ahead to what needed to be done tomorrow or worrying over what I didn't accomplish today. So I did this at bedtime and changed the ending - I told myself that when I opened my eyes I'd be very sleepy and would go to bed and fall asleep quickly - that I would sleep well and wake rested. And yes, it worked.

Banishing stress from your mind and body will go a long way to keeping you healthy - so if you're thinking you don't have time for this because you have so many duties to your work and your family, re-think that position.

You're far more valuable to all of them when you feel good. Not only will you get more done, you'll be a lot more fun to be around.

The hectic Christmas season is a good time to let go of stress, so why not try this right now?

Home Remedies People Swear By... The raisin cure for arthritis

Several times lately people have mentioned the "raisin cure" for arthritis to me... so I found it for you!

You'll need:

1 lb. Golden raisins
1 pint Gin
Glass bowl
Glass jar with lid

Spread the raisins evenly on the bottom of the glass bowl and cover them with gin. Let them stay there until all the gin is absorbed by the raisins. This usually takes 5-7 days. do stir this occasionally to make sure all the raisins absorb the gin.

After all the gin is absorbed, transfer the raisins to the jar. Put the lid on. Do not refrigerate.

Each day eat 9 raisins. Only 9. This number seems to have some bearing on how this remedy works.

I am fortunate not to have this ailment, but I've heard this from people who do and they say it works wonders. Seems like it's worth a try, as long as you aren't allergic to raisins or gin.

Could anti-depressants cause Alzheimers?

I just ran across a good article on depression on Frank Mangano's health site...

It's worth reading if you or anyone you love suffers from depression. The world offers dozens of natural cures - everything from good music to juice supplements, to vitamins and minerals - and none of them will create brain lesions.

Here's to natural health...
Marte

Natural Cure for Heartburn

Prescription drugs and over-the-counter heartburn relief medications don't work for everyone. And even when they do, they're expensive.

A natural alternative that works well for many heartburn sufferers is apple cider vinegar. 3 tablespoons in a small glass of water three times per day has completely eliminated heartburn for many - and a whole month's treatment comes in under $2.

Check the natural foods section in your supermarket for organic apple cider vinegar, or stop by your local health food store... Reports are that after 4 or 5 days, heartburn symptoms will simply go away.

Why Senior Citizens turn into Chemical Waste Dumps

Sorry - that sounds a bit harsh. But darn it, I believe it! Many of the seniors I know are taking so many pills every day, and looking worse all the time, that I fear for their lives.

Last week I thought I had the reason. I was talking with a neighbor about a herbal spray I'd found that really seems to cure cuts and other skin problems in a hurry. He said he wasn't into herbs - he'd had enough of that when he was a kid.

Instead, he uses whatever drugs his doctor prescribes. Thankfully, he isn't taking too many, so he still has energy and looks to be in good health. But many of my other friends do not.

It occurred to me then that many of our older citizens have seen fantastic advances in medicine during their lifetimes - and have grown to trust and believe in doctors and the pills they prescribe. Somehow that trust has kept them from noticing that a good number of today's medications can be deadly.

Then today I learned of a second, more serious reason why Americans are turning to pharmaceuticals when they'd be healthier with natural supplements, herbs, Bach Flower Essences, and even better nutrition.

It's the money.

Not the money that big pharm is raking in - the money that seniors on fixed incomes just plain don't have.

Medicade and other insurance programs will pay big bucks for prescription drugs, but they won't pay a dime for a bottle of CoQ10, or a quart of mangosteen juice.

I talked with a woman today who told me she pays from $1 to $3 each for her prescriptions - some of which would cost her as much as $300 if she didn't have insurance. She said the over-the-counter drugs she takes cost about $30 per month, and she can barely afford to use them. She tried Goji juice, and it did make her feel better if she took 2 or 3 ounces a day, but she simply can't afford it.

I understand why big pharm wants people hooked on drugs - it's money in their pocket. But why are insurance companies and Medicade unwilling to provide a cheaper, safer alternative? They'd save money, and perhaps even help people regain their health.

Could be they're controlled by big pharm. What do you think?

Yours for pharm-free health,

Marte

Lower cholesterol levels naturally

While doctors and pharmaceutical companies push and pound at you about high cholesterol and urge you to take their toxic drugs, a 2003 study showed that something you buy at the grocery store lowers cholesterol and triglyceride levels even better than statin drugs.

Not only that, it could improve your blood-glucose and lipid levels. But of course, no one is talking about this, because they can't patent a natural product. There's simply no money in it for them.

What is it? Cinnamon.

A quarter teaspoon or so on your morning cereal or toast could do you more good than any expensive drug on the market. The side effects: some users report heartburn.

Keep reading all you can find - and trying natural products. Soon you could be free from prescription drugs and feeling better than you have in years.

Nature's Blood Pressure Reducer: Garlic

Friends have told me many times that garlic was good for reducing blood pressure, but I hadn't seen that news in print until this week.

According to a Reader's Digest article, studies really do show that it's true. Garlic helps to lower blood pressure and thin blood - preventing heart attacks.

The interesting part was that they found that the garlic doesn't have to be raw. It can be baked or boiled for up to 3 minutes and still retain the same healing properties. AND if you crush it, it can cook for up to 6 minutes.

Combine that with a recipe tip I read recently saying "For best flavor, add garlic during the final few minutes of cooking," and it's all good news.

But there is one caution: The same article said that if you cook the garlic in a microwave, it loses all of it's health-giving properties. So... no microwaves if you're using garlic for heart health.

More deadly pharmeceuticals

This week brought an advertisement from a law firm advertising help for people who have taken Zyprexa, Seroquel, and Avandia. The list of life-threatening side effects that people are experiencing is truly chilling.

The law firm offers to get financial compensation. But what good is that if your health is gone?

Yes, you can hand the money to your family in place of the support you could have offered if you could still work, but it's small comfort to either you or them.

If you're taking any of these drugs, please do the research. Decide if whatever good they'll do is worth giving up your overall health - or possibly suffering heart failure and death.

Then seek out a natural health practitioner and see if changes in diet and lifestyle, combined with herbs and other natural supplements might give you the cure you seek.

Big pharm wants your money - they don't care if it costs you your life.

Feeling better than ever before

Today I had company - company with a headache. He asked me if by chance I had a sinus pill in the house and I went to the cupboard to get one - and had a devil of a time finding it!

Not very long ago, I made sure there was a full box there, because I practically lived on the things. But when I thought about it today, I couldn't remember the last time I had looked for one. I also kept antihistamines, because I never knew when I'd eat, touch, or smell something that would give me a crushing headache.

I still have a few allergies, and still have my antihistamines, but I don't need them very often. I don't even need an aspirin very often.

What's the difference now? Why, after nearly 60 years do I suddenly not need these remedies?

Several things have probably brought me to this state.

• I walked away from a job that had become a heavy burden. While I had loved it at one time, things had changed. It wasn't fun any more because it had become cutthroat. I'm now doing work that I love - copywriting, meeting people all over the world through the power of the internet, and writing about products and services I believe in.
  
• I started practicing the kinds of things you read in "The Secret." I'm not as dedicated as most who practice it, but I focus on thinking about the things I want rather than the things I don't want, and expecting good in my life. I also practice thankfulness for all I have and for the good things that come into my life every day.
  
• I started drinking mangosteen juice. The more I read about it, the more fascinated I become. I know, medical science says it just can't be as good as they say, but that's only because it doesn't fit their mold. And besides that, it's a fruit - big pharm can't patent it, so of course they'd say it doesn't work. But the people who use it know it works.
  

Do you feel good? Or do you need to make some of the kinds of changes I made?

I want you to know that you don't have to change everything. You don't have to give up everything. I still smoke, I still drink beer and coffee, and I eat what I want. I'll admit that I don't "want" processed foods - the list of chemicals in them makes me cringe - but I haven't given up bread or eggs or meat or any of the unprocessed foods that some think are so harmful.

Think about it. And if you aren't feeling good, start working on ways to make some changes. And start looking into mangosteen and the other "super fruits" that can speed you to health.

Yours for good health,
Marte