Because nettles naturally contain anti-histamine they may be used for hay fever and other allergic reactions such as rashes, while a tincture may be applied to soothe burns and scalds or insect bites. Often it is drunk as a tea to treat respiratory problems like catarrh, nuisance coughs and tuberculosis. It’s also said to strengthen the immune system and fight off colds and flu symptoms.

 

The nettles diuretic properties increase urine flow which is huge benefit to sufferers of an enlarged prostate gland that would otherwise restrict that urine flow. Indeed there is  evidence that the humble nettle may inhibit the growth of prostate cells and treat prostate enlargement and cancer.

 

Another use for nettle is its ability to aid the production of haemoglobin in red blood cells and assist blood coagulation, ideal if you are prone to heavy nosebleeds or menstrual periods. While finely ground dried root can stem blood loss when applied to minor cuts too. The plant has long been considered an aid to digestion and circulation.

 

A couple of thousand years ago Roman soldiers beat their limbs with stinging nettle to stimulate circulation when frozen by bitter cold .  Nowadays we take that same plant to use in preparations for hair care and to cure baldness.

 

These are just a fraction of the multitude of beneficial uses this much maligned plant can offer. If not improving your health or curing your ailments the humble nettle comes into its own in many other ways too.

 

Harvest nettles and turn them into a powerful free liquid feed for your garden and plants, particularly tomato plants. Drink nettle tea as a refreshing and healthy pick-me-up or use nettles in your cooking for soups, stews and as greens.

 

Mother nature has provided a gift in the lowly nettle and we should take full advantage of it.

Herbs for Healthy Hair

7 Superfoods for Weight Loss

The 7 superfoods in this article not only have weight loss properties but supreme health benefits that make them ideal members in any healthy weight loss regime.

Bee pollen:

Bee Pollen, around 40% protein with a staggering composition of nutrients, enzymes and phytochemicals, is a virtually complete food. As well as a plethora of health benefits, it is said to stimulate the metabolism, speeding up the burning of calories, and its high content of lecithin can help to flush fat from the body.

Bee pollen also functions as an appetite suppressant, containing the amino acid phenylalanine that is known to effect the area of the brain that deals with feelings of hunger and fullness. Unlike the chemical manmade derivative of phenylalanin called phenylpropanolamine used in commercial weight-loss products, phenylalanin is not addictive and has no negative side effects. Bee pollen also satiates the appetite and eliminates cravings because it is so nutrient-dense.

Chili:

The active ingredient in chilli called capsaicin is a thermogenic agent which helps to increase metabolism and the burning of calories and fat. This is why capsaicin is found in many natural weight loss formulas. Capsaicin is also believed to be an appetite suppressant. Two studies led by the same Japanese researcher (Yoshioka et al., British Journal of Nutrition; 1998, 1999), revealed the ability of cayenne to increase the metabolism of dietary fats in women as well as demonstrate modest reductions in appetite.

In addition to weight loss properties, capsaicin has been shown to relieve pain, sinusitis, psoriasis, migraines and arthritis, improve circulation and stomach conditions and inhibit the growth of cancer cells.

Coconut oil:

Dr. Weston A Price, the Darwin of nutrition writes, ‘Replacing the fats you now eat with coconut oil may be the wisest decision you can make to lose excess body fat…You can lose unwanted body fat by eating more saturated fat (in the form of coconut oil) and less polyunsaturated fat (processed vegetable oils). One of the remarkable things about coconut oil is that it can help you lose weight. Yes, there is a dietary fat that can actually help you take off unwanted pounds. Coconut oil can quite literally be called a low-fat fat.’

Coconut oil is unique from animal saturated fats in that it is comprised of medium chain fatty acids which are absorbed directly and used immediately for energy. Raymond Peat MD, author of Coconut Oil and Its Virtues, concludes, ‘The anti-obesity effect of coconut oil is clear in all of the animal studies, and in my friends who eat it regularly.’

Coconut oil has also been found to benefit a myriad of conditions from diabetes, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, digestive disorders, thyroid imbalances, and viral, bacterial and fungal infections.

Nettles:

Nettles contain serotonin, a mood enhancing neurotransmitter with a calming influence. Serotonin also plays a role in the feelings of satiation one experiences after eating, hence functions as an appetite suppressant. It is for this reason that serotonin supplements have been designed to tackle food cravings and aid slimming.

Studies have shown a direct link between obesity (due to overeating) and decreased brain levels of serotonin. This is no doubt one reason why the nettle has a traditional reputation for improving weight-loss. The late naturalist and wild-food forager Euel Gibbons claims, ‘stinging nettle is very efficacious in removing unwanted pounds!’.

Nettles are incredibly mineral dense and cleansing and detoxifying for the body. They are also great for skin, hair and nails as they contain the beautifying mineral sulphur.

Chocolate:

Cacao (aka pure chocolate), contains chemicals that increase levels of serotonin in the brain, and as such has appetite suppressing properties. The reason serotonin levels are raised on eating chocolate is because of the action of monoamine oxidase enzyme inhibitors (MAO inhibitors). These decrease our body’s ability to break down serotonin so that more of this neurotransmitter remains in the brain remains, creating feelings of fullness for longer.

Cacao is also exceptionally high in antioxidants, has potent aphrodisiac properties, healthy minerals and mood-boosting compounds such as PEA the ‘love chemical’.

Pure, unrefined chocolate contains none of the detriments of commercial products such as sugar, hydrogenated fats, milk, additives, agro-chemicals and solvents.

Green Tea:

A study published in the December 1999 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, led by Dr. Dullo at the University of Geneva, indicates that substances in green tea extract may actually promote weight loss. Men given a combination of both caffeine and green tea extract burned more fat calories than those given caffeine or placebo alone.

The scientists believed that the catechin flavonoids in green tea may alter the body’s use of norepinephrine, a chemical transmitter in the nervous system, to increase the rate of calorie burning. They concluded, ‘Green tea has thermogenic properties and promotes fat oxidation beyond that explained by its caffeine content per se’.

Green tea is a potent antioxidant rich superfood that lowers cholesterol, reduces the risk of stroke, protects against cancer, prevents teeth cavities and has anti-inflammatory action.

Omega 3 Fish Oil:

Omega-3 oils serve numerous bodily processes and are particularly good for the immune system and heart as well as arthritis, skin conditions, pre-menstrual tension, mental function, improving memory and reducing depressive symptoms. Omega 3 oils also play a role in burning fats within the body and as such can aid weight-management.

This is due to its effects on insulin, reducing levels in the body. Insulin promotes the use of fat for storage and reduces the use of fat for fuel, hence lower insulin levels mean greater conversion of fat for energy rather than storage.

The best Omega-3 oil sources are oily fish like sardines, salmon and mackerel. Plant sources include flaxseeds (the richest plant source), walnuts, pumpkin seeds, green leafy vegetables, evening primrose oil, wheat germ and spirulina.

Discover the World’s Ultimate Superfoods:

http://www.miracle-superfoods.com

Home Treatment for Acne – Have You Tried These Natural Acne Solutions?

Getting Rid Of Mildew On Your Roses

K. Finch asked:


Mildew is every gardener’s worst nightmare, especially those who have rose bushes. The most known and most common mildew that effects rose bushes is one known as sphaerotheca pannosa. This type of mildew is powdery. The mildew is usually a white or grey powder that is usually found on rose bush leaves, shoots, buds, and the petals. Once the mildew attacks the plant, it spreads very easily and a gardener will soon notice white patches on the rose bush. The fungus eventually ***** all of the nutrients and water from the leaves, which in turn kills the leaves. The leaves eventually shrivel up and fall off of the bush completely.

The common powdery mildew is not caused by free water on the rose bush’s leaves and other parts; instead the mildew lives and thrives on hot, arid weather. In fact, watering your rose bush in the afternoon will help rid of some of the powdery mildew because it will break up the spores that are released by the mildew during the daytime. If you can afford to purchase fungicides, they are also helpful in getting rid of mildew. However, the fungicide will only be effective if you apply it at the right time.

Another type of mildew that is common on rose bushes is the Peronospora sparsa fungus. This fungus causes downy mildew, which opposite of powdery mildew, lives in a moist and humid environment. The mildew is usually found under the leaves of the rose bush. If you think your rose bush has been infected with a downy mildew, look for red, purple, or brown spots on the leaves. This usually ends in the leaves turning yellow and then falling off of the bush.

Unfortunately, this type of mildew is not as easily controlled as powdery mildew. Fungicides have not proven to be helpful; however, routine rose bush pruning increases air circulation, which then reduces humidity surrounding the plant. Regular seasonal pruning is very important to the health of your rose bush.

If you cannot afford to purchase fungicides to get rid of mildew, or you just prefer not to use them, there are a few simple steps that you can follow to reduce the chance of your rose bush becoming infected.

1. Before you plant your rose bushes, be sure that they are all spaced. Hybrid teas should have at the least, 3 ft. distances and bigger bushes should be no closer than 4 ft. Keeping the plants farther away from each other allows them all to dry out quicker after you water them. Lingering water can cause and attract mildew, so spacing is important. Also be sure that your rose bush is receiving enough sunlight. Rose bushes that do not get enough sunlight will have thin leaves that can be easily taken over by mildew.

2. Prune until you can’t prune anymore! This is probably the easiest and most important. Prune whenever your bush needs it. That means year round, not just during the growing season. Pruning your rose bush prevents mildew from forming because the plant is able to receive enough air and sunlight that is spread evenly throughout the plant helps prevent mildew. Pruning a rose bush is very easy. During pruning season, prune your rose bush by cutting above the new buds. This ensures that the new growth will be pointed outward instead of inward. It is also important to take time to inspect your rose bush to keep an eye out for any forming mildew. If you spot any dead or infected parts of the bush, simply remove it and then throw it out in a sealed container so the mildew does not spread.

3. When you water your roses, water them carefully. To prevent the growth of mildew, water your plants at root level. This is most important when it is hot outside. Avoid getting water on the leaves, especially if you water your plants shortly before it is nighttime. If you do not water your rose bush at root level, the plant will become dehydrated, which is a trigger of mildew.

4. To save money and time, try this home remedy for rose bushes. Many gardeners, both old and new, use the stinging nettle. This spray is easy and quick to make. All you have to do is collect stinging nettle, put them in a sack, and crush the leaves. Then put the sack in water and let it sit in a warm environment for about a week or so. Then strain the water and dilute it with water. Use this liquid and spray it on your rose bushes every two weeks. It is sure to keep mildew away. If you do not have stinging nettle, you can make a similar spray with these simple directions:

You will need:

? 1 tbsp vegetable oil

? 1 gallon of water

? 1 tsp regular-flavored Listerine

? 1 tbsp liquid soap

? 1 ½ tbsp baking soda

? 1 tbsp vinegar

Mix a cup of water with baking soda, Listerine, soap, and vinegar. Add all of this to a gallon of water and poor the liquid into a spray bottle. Shake it up and you’re ready to spray!

Tags: Getting Rid Of Mildew, Rose Bush, Spores

Natural Hair Loss Prevention and Treatment

January 11, 2006 by admin  
Filed under Diseases And Conditions

Comments Off

Smith & Chen asked:


In recent times, hair loss has become a common condition, especially among men although, the exact cause of hair loss is still a mystery. Some research studies have linked hair loss with the lack of iron, the condition of the skin on the scalp, an excess of the hormone DHT and probably an under active thyroid gland.

The hair, although it is thought of as dead, is a good indicator of general health and it is the first indicator that shows signs of ill health or lack of essential vitamins and minerals within the body. Oily hair can be a sign of vitamin B deficiency, brittle or dry hair can be an indicator of essential fats deficiency, dull hair color and poor growth can be signs of zinc deficiency and hair loss can be an indicator of lack of vitamin C, vitamin B1, iron and lysine. Grey hair comes with age and has no link to body health or nutrition and in most cases nutrition cannot be used to reverse it.

Although certain types of medicine are known to slow down the process of hair loss and even help with some form of hair re-growth, experts say that natural hair loss treatment can yield some of the best benefits for anyone concerned about the health of their hair.

Most people choose to treat their hair loss with medications or surgery, such as Minoxidil, Rogaine or a hair transplant. What these people fail to realize is that medication and surgery are costly and may carry some harmful side effects and risks. The safest and most cost effective form of hair loss therapy is natural hair loss treatment, which includes healthy dieting, herbal remedies, exercise and proper hair care techniques.

A fundamental principal in natural hair loss treatment is that the same foods that are good for your health are good for your hair. Hair loss can be caused by several factors, but lack of proper nutrition plays a vital role for most people. Foods that are high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and have reduced fat content can help in maintaining healthier hair and preventing hair loss. For example, essential fatty acids, found in spinach, walnuts, soy, tuna, sardines, sunflower seeds and canola oil, are important dietary essentials useful in keeping hair healthy. The omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory properties that are useful in maintaining healthy hair. Insufficient levels of these essential fatty acids could lead to quicker hair loss.

To avoid hair loss and have good healthy hair, a good nutritional diet is needed. This diet needs to be rich in organic whole foods such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts and seeds which are a rich source of vital nutrients needed for healthy hair roots and the protein keratin. Try not to skip meals, reduce salt, sugar, tea, coffee and chocolate intake, avoid stress, comb your hair gently and avoid using strong chemicals on your hair such as perms and color treatments. Vegetarians are prone to hair loss because their diet generally lacks the important nutrients, vitamin B12, iron and lysine. Vegetarians need to be aware of this and supplement their diet.

Besides taking the right diet pattern, several natural herbs are known to be very good in the prevention and treatment of hair loss. These herbs in most cases are safe; without harmful side effects and also cost effective. Among such herbs include nettles, usually taken in the form of Nettle Root Extract, which has been shown to be effective in preventing and treating hair loss. Nettles are rich in vitamins A and C that are beneficial in inhibiting DHT production and promoting hair growth as a natural hair loss treatment. Other traditional herbs that are useful as natural hair loss treatments are green tea, liquorice extract, horsetail, ginger, psoralea seeds, apple cider vinegar, rosemary and sage tea.

One important herb making the rounds in medical cycles is Saw Palmetto. Although most studies of Saw Palmetto have been for the treatment of prostatic disease, more recent studies have been conducted on its effectiveness in treating hair loss. The herb has been found to work in fighting benign prostatic disease by lowering levels of DHT, which is a known cause of androgenic alopecia, the medical term for male or female pattern hair loss. While there are no clinical trials supporting this herb’s usefulness as a natural hair loss treatment, there is some reliable research proving that it can slow down androgen activity within the hair follicle.

The following supplements may help if you are suffering from hair loss.

B complex

Evening primrose oil

Fish oil

Kelp

Lysine

Multivitamins and multiminerals

Vitamin C

Hair loss is a common occurrence in almost everyone, though more pronounced in some people. If you are battling with this condition it would be wise to find treatment in your day to day items instead of spending a fortune on medical remedies that come with tons of side effects. Natural remedies are always safe, reliable and very cost effective, all you need is the right knowledge.

Tags: Healthy Dieting, Signs Of Zinc Deficiency, Vitamins And Minerals

Treating Allergies Without Medication: Natural Herbs for Allergies

January 7, 2006 by admin  
Filed under Health

Comments Off

If you suffer from seasonal or year-round allergies, you might be hoping for relief from your symptoms without the pesky side effects that some medications can include. For example, antihistamines can make you drowsy and many decongestants will lead to a dry mouth and a rise in blood pressure.

The good news is that you can find many natural herbs for allergies that will offer relief from your symptoms the holistic way. Many natural herbs for allergies will actually help to prevent the symptoms rather than treating them once they start. This can be an effective way of managing many of the seasonal allergies that a number of people suffer from.

Lifestyle Modifications to Reduce Allergens

Before moving into the natural herbs for allergies, it is a good idea to try some lifestyle modifications that will reduce your exposure to known allergens. These modifications can include keeping windows closed and using air conditioning systems instead, especially at night when allergens tend to run rampant.

It can also mean staying indoors as much as possible during the times of the year when your allergies appear to be at their worst. If these changes do not have the desired effect in reducing your allergy symptoms, it might be time to learn which natural herbs for allergies tend to work the most effectively.

Stinging Nettle

This herb works very well as a natural antihistamine, without the drowsiness that comes from using many of the over-the-counter medicines that are available. This natural herb for allergies reduces the ability of the body to produce histamine. Histamine is the chemical produced by the antibodies in the body to fight off substances that the immune system has mistakenly identified as harmful.

These substances are called allergens, and the histamines are produced to fight them. Histamines also create the allergy symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes and coughing, so when your body cannot produce as many, your symptoms are reduced as well. Stinging nettle can be purchased in capsule form from many natural food and vitamin stores today.

There are other natural herbs for allergies that work in a similar way to stinging nettle in reducing the body’s ability to produce histamines. These include butterbur, which is a harder herb to come by in the United States, but nevertheless effective as a natural means of treating allergies.

Quercetin is another good natural herb for allergies, and has the added benefit of acting as a natural antioxidant that can reduce the risk of some types of cancer. If you are considering a natural herb for your allergies, talk to your doctor before taking anything. Herbs can have side effects just like medications, and they can also have potentially dangerous interactive effects when taken with other medicines.

Tags: Allergens, Dry Mouth, Immune System