Herbal Remedies Health Benefits

Most of us want fast results when we are sick and miserable. Typically people buy non-prescription drugs over the counter because they don’t know there are other treatments available. For many health conditions using herbal remedies derived from plants is a healthy alternative. It is best to plan ahead and learn which herbal remedies may work for a specific health condition.

The following list of common herbs is an example of possible health benefits for treating some ailments. Herbal remedies are prepared in many forms such as teas, herbal extracts (tinctures), capsules or loose/dried in a bag.

Chamomile

This herb is popular as a tea and can calm nerves, relieve stomach distress, prevent ulcers, and help fight infection. Chamomile may be used to relieve morning sickness during pregnancy, to treat gastritis and ulcerative colitis, and may be used to speed healing of skin ulcers, wounds, or burns.

Dong Quia

Dong quai has been used in Asia for thousands of years as a tonic for the female reproductive system. It also balances and strengthens the female organs and regulates their functions.

Feverfew

Several studies confirm feverfew's value in preventing migraines. Feverfew may be used as an anti-inflammatory for relief of arthritis, to relieve some types of menstrual problems, and as a digestive aid.

Garlic

More than 1,000 scientific studies have shown health benefits of garlic. Garlic has been used as protection against colds and flu. In addition, garlic may help lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, reduce blood pressure and protect against bacterial and fungal infections. Studies have shown that garlic may have a positive role in the prevention of coronary heart disease, thrombosis and arteriosclerosis.

Ginger

Ginger has been used for centuries to control nausea and for reducing inflammation.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal is found in popular herbal blends for relieving intestinal and gallbladder inflammation. It also has been used to soothe inflamed or infected mucous membranes. Goldenseal may be used to reduce colds, flu and other respiratory infections especially at the beginning of infection. Goldenseal has both anti-infective and immune-system stimulating properties that may shorten the course of the illness.

Licorice

Licorice is an important herb for treating a host of ailments. It may help as an anti-inflammatory and to soothe stomach upset and control coughs. Licorice Root has properties similar to cortisone and estrogen. It stimulates the adrenal glands and may help the body cope with stress.

Peppermint

Peppermint oil calms the stomach, the intestinal tract, and the nervous system. It can also reduce the inflammation of nasal passages and relieve muscle pains.

SAFETY

Herbal remedies may be safer and have fewer side effects than prescription medicines. Always read the label and use only the recommended dosage. Do not take any herbs during pregnancy --- check with your doctor first. If you are currently taking any prescription medicines always check with your doctor before using herbal remedies or before starting any health supplement program.

Herbs are a healthy alternative for treating many health conditions. Read and save articles like this in a small notebook and create your own research library with health benefits of each herb. There are many resources available online that outline specific health conditions and recommend herbs.

Herbs can be purchased online or at local health food stores. In addition, for treating specific health conditions, you may want to work with a naturopath or an acupuncturist.

Copyright © 2006 Wayne McDonald. All rights reserved.

Effective Moisturizer For Skin and Hair - Key Ingredients

Isn't it frustrating to purchase what you think are a good effective moisturizer for your skin or hair to later discover that they are crap? Many so called moisturizer creams and lotions available on the market will actually dry out your skin and hair. If you are anything like I was, you wonder why. After all, the skin and hair moisturizer packages say that they are moisturizers. So, then why is it that after applying these so called moisturizers, you find that your hair and/or your skin is dried out very quickly? Or even more disappointing, you discover that after applying the moisturizer, you don't see or feel a difference at all. You're left with the same dry hair or the same dry skin.



I've discovered that just because a product label says the word "moisturizer" on it does not mean it is a good effective moisturizer or really a moisturizer at all! You have to investigate further before you buy any product that you are seeking to moisturize your skin or hair with for any real length of time. This is where the ingredient label tells it all.



Effective Moisturizer Requirements



In order for a moisturizer to be effective, it MUST contain water as the FIRST ingredient. If the first ingredient is anything other than water, you may as well put it back on the shelf. It will not do the job no matter what the product manufacturer says.



As an African American with dry skin and dry hair tendencies I've found that water in moisturizers it not optional. It is required. This holds true for skin moisturizers and hair moisturizers. The first ingredient must be water. Why? It's simple. Water is what hydrates. Just like your internal organs require water to be hydrated, so do your skin and hair. However, water alone does not make a moisturizer effective. Right next to and after water on the ingredient list should be an oil. Pure Olive oil, Jojoba oil, Coconut oil, aloe and Shea butter are all great oils to formulate your skin and hair moisturizer.



In contrast to water and an oil being the first two ingredient on the list for an effective moisturizer, there are three ingredients that will make your moisturizers ineffective. These would be:



* Petroleum and Mineral Oil - These are lubricants that sit right on the surface of the skin or hair and do not penetrate either of these surfaces which is required for true moisturizing to take place.



* Isopropyl/Benzyl Alcohol - Alcohol in general is very drying. Remember before there were acne creams, people used to use alcohol to dry out their pimples? Enough said.



Of course there are certain chemical ingredients that you should also avoid but for the sake of this article, which is to point out the ingredients that make a skin and hair moisturizer effective, I won't get into those.



Moisturizer Ingredients with Benefits



Once you've found a moisturizer with water as the first ingredient, oil as the second ingredient and none of the above ingredient, there are other ingredients that prove beneficial for the hair and skin. These would be Vitamin E, Keratin and CoQ10. Vitamin E and CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10) are antioxidants and help revive dull, damaged hair and skin. Keratin helps to stimulate the growth of cells to produce additional collagen which is required for smooth, supple skin.



So, the next time you go shopping for a moisturizer (which may be when you are done reading this article), make sure that the ingredient label (cream, lotion or spray) reads with water as the first ingredient, oil as the second ingredient, no petroleum, no mineral oil and no alcohols. This is essential for a good, effective moisturizer. Your hair and skin will notice the difference.

********************************



Michelle Howard is a natural skin care infopreneur and helps women to improve their dry and sensitive skin conditions via her articles and specialty natural skin care products. Visit Michelle's Fresh Radiant Skin shop for a specialty line of 99% natural skin care products.

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