Health and Diet Blog

Sylvie asked:




In these dark, cold days of August (isn’t it hard to believe it is summer?) tiny golden suns adorn our herb-garden at Herbal Tinctures Supplies. They bring a joyful blaze to the garden, and I am always amazed at how versatile these commonly-seen flowers are.

Marigold (Calendula Officinalis) is one of the most wonderful, and probably underestimated herbal remedies available. Skin inflammation, bruising, strains, cuts and wounds,minor burns and scalds,skin ulcers, all are healed safely and quickly with Marigold flower ointment or lotion, or, in the case of muscle-strains, with warm herbal poltices. For internal use, Marigold, taken as a tea or herbal tincture has excellent results with duodenal or gastric ulcers,indigestion, (if the stomach is very sensitive, a tea may be gentler to take than an alcohol-based tincture, or if a tincture is preferred, it is easy to ‘take the edge off’ the small amount of alcohol by adding the dose to a herbal tea, for example, peppermint, spearmint or camomile)

Marigold is also classed as a ‘cholagogue’. That means it stimulates the secretion of bile from the gall-bladder (which can have great beneficial effect in gall-bladder complaints.) And as a result, is mildly laxative, which aids detoxification of the whole system, gently and without side-effect.

It is known as an ‘emmenagogue’ (this means it tones the womb, and can help normalize menstrual irregularities.) n.b. please be careful when taking herbal remedies during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Seek professional advice.

And, most interesting of all, Marigold has anti-fungal properties, so is the herb which is most useful in cases of Thrush or Candida albicans. Taken internally, as a tea or tincture three times a day, it will help tremendously to banish fungal infections. For Vaginal Thrush, a douche made with a herbal infusion of Marigold is a natural way to help clear this uncomfortable problem.(1-2 teaspoonfuls to 1 cup of boiling water:steep 15 minutes: allow to cool to body temperature.)

It tastes quite bitter as a tea, but apparently the bitter taste affects a certain nervous system response which actually helps the herb to work! (Or that’s what we’re told in order for us to take our medicine!) As a tincture, it is much easier and more convenient to take.

Marigold contains Lutein and Zeaxanthin, which according to a study published in The American Journal of Nutrition, have a role in the prevention of degenerative eye problems, such as Cataracts and Macular Degeneration. It has also been discovered that Lutein lowers the incidence of Mammary Tumours (as a result of a study of laboratory mice.)

Wow! What a flower!

Johnny asked:




When most of us think about our sinuses, we might think about the right area of our body but very few of us realize exactly what the sinuses too.  The sinuses are large cavities that extend up beyond the area behind the eyebrows and out into the cheeks.  Without our sinuses, our face would not have its unique shape and we would be at risk of harm due to damage to that area of our body which is now protected by these empty pockets.  You might also be surprised to learn that your sinuses have a lot to do with whether you snore or not.

Although there are several different types of snoring that people do, one of the most common comes as a result of us breathing through our mouths due to our noses being clogged up.  If you tend to wake up with a dry mouth and a stuffy nose, you are probably snoring for this very reason.  If you want to overcome your snoring and sleep silently, the first step for you would be to unclog your sinuses.  How can you do this?

The first step in unclogging your sinuses is finding out exactly why they are clogged in the first place.  For most of us, this is a result of allergies that we may have which tend to be a little bit worse at night.  The reason why this typically happens is because we breathe deeper at night and if the allergen exists in our bedroom, we are going to have a problem with it.  Some of the most common types of allergies that we would find in this area would be pet allergies or perhaps allergies from pollen that has accumulated in our hair during the day.

The first step in unclogging your sinuses from these types of allergies is to do a sinus rinse on a regular basis.  The easiest way for you to flush your sinuses in this manner is to use in a neti pot.  You should also wash your hair before going to sleep every night and keep your sheets changed regularly.  If you are having a problem with a pet allergy, banish the pet from the bedroom and you will sleep much better as a result.  These are just a few methods but by clearing your sinuses, you will clear out the reasons why you snore.

Click Stop Snoring Natural Ways and Sleep Apnea Threatmen for SECRET tips you didn’t know before.

The Colon Cleansing & Constipation Resource Center asked:

It’s hard to believe, that in this day and age where people are trying to eat healthier and live a generally more active lifestyle, that over 4 million Americans still suffer from constipation. Constipation is often looked at as a hindrance, a bump in the road as it were. The vast majority of those afflicted choose to treat their constipation with over the counter remedies. The fact that over 725 million dollars each year are spent on laxatives certainly supports that theory.

The problem is, is how can you tell when your constipation is severe enough to warrant a trip to the doctor’s office? It’s difficult to say as each case is different from the next. Severe constipation is diagnosed when the patient has less than one bowel movement per week. If constipation is accompanied by abdominal cramps and nausea, rectal bleeding, involuntary vomiting and sudden weight loss, then a doctor’s visit is vital and should happen as soon as possible.

Your doctor will no doubt look at your family’s medical history and if there are no colon problems in the family tree, he may initially try to treat the constipation with some laxatives or creams. He may choose to do a physical exam that includes a rectal exam to check the strength of your **** sphincter. Also, he may choose to do some blood tests.

If you get no relief from the laxatives or creams, or if the problem goes away only to quickly return, then your doctor will begin a series of tests to try and single out the real cause. Of course, the severity of the constipation is taken into consideration. A person who has a bowel movement twice a week is handled differently than someone who hasn’t had a bowel movement in the same time frame.

Severe constipation can be extremely detrimental to your body and can even cause death if left untreated long enough. The longer the hardened stools stay trapped in your body, toxins are continuing to build up and eventually they get re-absorbed into the blood. In essence, you’re poisoning yourself. The toxins can build to a level where your blood becomes toxic and eventually, if nothing is done about it, you can die from the complications.

If you’re experiencing severe constipation, your doctor will probably begin a series of tests to find out what’s causing the problem. The main concern in severely constipated patients is always colon cancer, so a few tests will be performed to try to rule the cancer out. Some of the tests may include:

Anorectal function testsColonoscopyBarium ***** x-rayColorectal transit study

In both serious and routine constipation cases, your doctor will advise you to drink more water and eat more fiber in your diet. Water is the body’s lubrication and fiber acts as a softener plus bulking agent in your stool. Adjusting your intake of both can drastically improve your bowel movements. Adding a proper exercise regimen is also necessary for a strong digestive system. Another option your doctor may discuss with you is a colon cleanse.

A colon cleanse is when you take a supplement that is designed to lift and remove all of the deep seated fecal matter that lines your colon. In the bends of your colon, fecal matter attaches to the walls of the interior and sits there building up day after day, year after year. It’s been shown that most people have about 5 to 25 pounds of fecal matter lining their colon that isn’t going anywhere!

It takes a powerful product like Oxy-Powder to clean all the sludge, mucous and grime out from every crevice in your colon. With its incredible formula of oxygenated magnesium, germanium and citric acid, Oxy-Powder softens the impacted stool and allows the body to gently rid itself of the toxic build up. It even begins creating a healthy digestive environment after the cleansing.

A colon cleanse is one of the most important things you can do to immediately improve your overall health. Since 70% of the body’s immune system works out of the colon, imagine how much more effectively your body can fight off disease and illnesses if your colon isn’t clogged. Colon cleanses have been proven to increase energy and vitality and it even increases metabolism, making weight loss easier than ever.

Taking a maintenance dosage of Oxy-Powder after the initial cleanse can ensure that your colon is as clean and healthy as it can be.

Oxy-Powder’s colon cleansing power should not be taken with the understanding that it will cure the problem that’s causing your constipation. If you have an underlying reason for your constipation, such as a medical condition like diabetes, Oxy-Powder’s colon cleansing can improve your health’s situation, but not cure it. Of course, with a healthier colon, you may be able to significantly reduce many negative aspects of certain diseases. Also remember that a product like Oxy-Powder should be taken accordingly and should always accompany a proper diet and exercise program for the optimum results.

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Ramon Gil Enzine asked:




HIV can be a big threat to your health.  After all with over a million people infected with HIV in the United States alone there is a substantial risk of infection if you don’t take measures to protect yourself.  This risk increases even more with the fact that as many as one quarter of those infected don’t even know that they are infected!  Not knowing if one is infected with HIV makes passing the virus on to someone else that much more likely.  For all of these reasons, it’s a good idea to get tested for HIV through Simple STD Testing if you believe you might be at any risk of being infected with the virus the causes AIDS.

Simple STD Testing is an STD testing service that focuses on offering the most comprehensive, accurate, and compassionate possible help in diagnosing sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV while maintaining total confidentiality.  After all, there can be a lot of uncomfortable emotions and embarrassment associated with HIV or any sexually transmitted disease.  Simple STD Testing allows you to get the information that you need in a setting that’s even more confidential than what your doctor can offer!  In fact, Simple STD Testing doesn’t deal with insurance so that there is no record of your visit outside of the clinic so that you can be assured of complete confidentiality.  All of this allows you to avoid any of the embarrassment associated with the stigma attached to HIV so that you can get the accurate information that you need to make good decisions!

Of course you might be wondering how you can know whether or not you are at risk of being infected with HIV.  After all, that’s the first step to knowing whether or not you need to be tested!  The fact of the matter is that HIV is spread through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.  This contact can take place through any type of unprotected sexual intimacy, accepting a blood or tissue donation from an infected person, or using a hypodermic needle or unsterilized tattoo or body piercing needle that has been used by an infected person.  Of course, HIV can also be spread through unprotected sexual contact with anyone who has come in contact with the virus in some other way.  There is also the risk of spreading HIV from an infected mother to her child either while the child is in the womb or through breast milk after birth.  The fact that HIV can be spread so easily by people who have no knowledge of being infected makes it especially dangerous.  This is even more the case with the fact that the HIV virus can be transmittable for years before any symptoms of AIDS develop!  Because of these risks of spreading the infection, you have the responsibility to those who you care about most to get checked out as soon as possible so that you can take steps to protect them through the use of barriers during sexual contact and antiretroviral drugs.  Antiretroviral drugs can also provide you with a way to manage the disease as it progresses into full blown AIDS.  In fact, while a cure is not available, such drugs can profoundly improve your quality of life and life expectancy should you be found to be HIV positive!

Fortunately with Simple STD Testing, the process of getting tested for HIV is extremely simple.  You can call to set up a quick appointment- in many cases it’s possible to get an appointment for the same day!  Then you’ll have to go to one of Simple STD Testing’s conveniently located testing centers.  With full confidentiality, Simple STD Testing is the best way to learn about your HIV status!

Alan Jacobson asked:




Butt augmentation (or butt implants) is a general term that describes surgery to enhance the appearance of one’s butt. Whether the desired effect is firmness, changed shape, or changed size, butt augmentation surgery can accomplish this. The surgery is generally simple, fast, and uncomplicated. Most plastic surgery practices will do it. It is unlikely to be covered by standard insurance unless it is being done to correct a defect or injury, but even then you should consult with your insurance provider first.

There are two types of buttock augmentation:

Implant surgery where an actual synthetic implant is added that changes the appearance of the area

And

Injections of substances that also change the fullness or shape. Substances injected include silicone.

Both of these procedures can also smooth wrinkles and reduce areas of cellulite. However, each is different and one may be more fitting for your unique needs and desires.

The most famous type of butt-modifying injections are Brazilian Butt Lifts. This procedure, also called fat injections, fat transfer, or fat grafting is exactly what those alternatives suggest. Often fat is removed from one of more areas, and redeposited in others to change the shape of the butt. This is a relatively natural process, as the fat is your own fat that taken from your butt or elsewhere.

Butt implants involve the surgical insertion of artificial implants into the buttocks that change either its size, shape, or proportion. These implants can give definition where there once was none and generally improve the appearance of the area.

People who go through butt augmentation surgery enhance both their appearance and their self-esteem and self-confidence. Butt implant and injection surgery have become increasingly popular for many women, and even some men.

As with any surgery, you must consider many factors, such as your overall health, the short- and long-term consequences of the surgery, the cost and benefits, etc. It is vital that you discuss this with your general medical practitioner, a qualified plastic surgeon, and your family.

Juliet Cohen asked:




Cirrhosis is a complication of many liver diseases that is characterized by abnormal structure and function of the liver. Cirrhosis is the eleventh superior cause of death by disease in the United States. Almost one-half of these are alcohol related. About 25,000 people die from cirrhosis each year. There also is a great toll in terms of human suffering, hospital costs, and the loss of work by people with cirrhosis. Cirrhosis is the twelfth leading cause of death by disease, killing about 26,000 people each year. Common symptoms of cirrhosis is feel tired or weak , lose your appetite , feel sick to your stomach and lose weight.

There are many causes of cirrhosis including alcohol abuse ,chronic viral hepatitis , autoimmune hepatitis, which is damage of liver cells by the body’s immune system , nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which is fat deposits and inflammation in the liver. some drugs, toxins, and infections also leading causes of cirrhosis. Treatment of cirrhosis is aimed to stop the development of scar tissue in the liver and prevent complications. Treatment for hepatitis related cirrhosis includes medications used to treat the dissimilar form of hepatitis, such as interferon for viral hepatitis and corticosteroids for autoimmune hepatitis.

Medications may be given to help reduced mental functioning. Antibiotics will be prescribed for infections, and various medications can help with itching. Cortisone medicine helps treat autoimmune hepatitis and cirrhosis. Laxatives (usually a syrupy solution called lactulose) to prevent constipation and to reduce the chances of the poisonous substances from the bowel bypassing the liver and reaching the brain, causing drowsiness, confusion and coma (hepatic encephalopathy). Liver transplantation may be considered in patients with end-stage cirrhosis.

Liver transplantation has progressed to the stage where it can now be regarded as standard treatment for selected patients. About 80 to 90 percent of patients survive liver transplantation. Perhaps 90 percent of cirrhosis is caused by excessive alcohol consumption or hepatitis viruses. So, alcohol can be avoided. Avoid adding salt to meals. Salt may be used in little amounts in cooking. Stay away from illegal drugs, which can increase your chances of getting hepatitis B or hepatitis C. There are many home remedies for cirrhosis of the liver useful this condition such as, trailing eclipta, picrorhiza, black seeds of papaya and juice of carrots etc.

Joan Masterson asked:




Did you know? Biologically, there are two ways for every cell in your body to die. There is a good way and a bad way. The good way is called: Apoptosis and the bad way is called Necrosis.

Apoptosis is the way you want it to happen. Apoptosis is the process whereby an ageing cell signals a white blood cell to come and destroy it thoroughly. The result of this is that there is no left over part of the cell that can do damage to other cells.

Necrosis on the other hand is when the dying off of a cell happens unassisted by a white blood cell. The cell breaks off and becomes a free radical. The electrons from this dying cell fall off into other cells creating havoc and causing everything we know as aging, including non-genetic diseases.

Antioxidants and its affect on aging

The result is that the body ages, cancer can develop, hear disases, arthritis, tumours, high blood pressure etc. So theoretically if you stop the process from taking place in your body then you stop the aging process. The only defences we have had so far against necrosis are the antioxidants that appear in nature. These antioxidants are natural compounds that soak up the extra cell parts or free radicals left over from Necrosis, resulting in slower aging and less illness. These antioxidants however have up to now been found only in small concentrations in most foods until the discovery of the Acai Berry.

The first Acai Berry tests

Dr Alexander Shauss, one of the worlds foremost Nutrition Scientists drinks several servings of Acai juice on a daily basis. Dr Alexander Shauss was the first person to run ORAC Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) assay on Acai and he was so surprised by the results that he asked a few other well known nutritional scientists to do tests on properties of this the berry. The tests found that the Acai berry was the most concentrated source of antioxidants by far!

Are all Acai Berry Products made equal?

Unfortunately the Acai berry is also very fragile, and once picked, it rapidly loses its antioxidant qualities in as little as 24 hours after having been picked, which makes it extremely difficult to find it in fresh form any place other than the Amazon. This has given rise to many fraudsters trying to sell people a product that was not the real thing and therefore would not have the same extreme qualities of the real Acai Berry.

The Acai Berry and Cancer

Since the discovery of the Acai Berry was not too long ago, there have not been too many trials done on it yet. However, a group of scientists at the University of Florida did some tests on it by putting some Acai Berry extracts into a petri dish that was filled with leukemia cancer cells.

The extract from the berry triggered a self-destruct response in up to 86% of the cancer cells. More studies are being done at the moment and it has already been said that a possible cure for cancer with Acai Berry looks very promising. If the berry extract could stop the necrosis, it would be able to prevent and destroy cancer.

This is just one of the many studies that are going on at the moment. In the future there could be possible cures for heart disease by preventing necrosis of the heart cells with the Acai Berry extract, and it could possibly also prevent and destroy Alzheimers Disease.

Acai Berry consumption prevents bad cholesterol

However, antioxidants are not the only amazing property of the Acai Berry. It contains plant sterols that can keep cholesterol from being digested which is good news for high cholesterol sufferers. The list goes on and on. The berry’s low glycemic index improves glucose and lipid levels which again, stops necrosis, and prevents and destroys diabetes.

Acai helps restore stomach health and repair ulcers

The berry is also high in fiber, which aids in digestion while allowing the antioxidants to heal the digestive tract. Ulcers which are caused by bacteria can be prevented and destroyed. The antibacterial properties of the berry destroys bacterial infection and rebuild the intestines with its antioxidant properties.

Acai consumption relieves Astma

It even offers relief to Astma sufferers with the high vitamin c content that is present in the berry, resulting in fewer asthma attacks.

Acai Berry products can keep you young

Even aging can be slowed down by eating high amounts of this berry as the high content of antioxidants will result in preventing necrosis in the body. Almost all non-genetic diseases can be prevented or cured by the use of the Acai Berry. It helps to greatly boost the immune system and thereby preventing possible diseases from taking hold in the body. This is only made possible by the super concentration of antioxidants found in the Acai Berry.

In the Amazon Forest of Brazil where the natives are eating 3 servings a day of this berry, they look very young and they have none of the health problems that plague that average human being. No cancer, no heart disease, no strokes, even wrinkles appear less! Dr Shaus is by no means the only doctor that highly endorses the use of the Acai Berry, there are many other doctors that realise its potential to heal disease.