Rhodiola Rosea - Fighting Stress and Anxiety

By : Nicky Pilkington
Rhodiola Rosea is the latest natural remedy to join the arsenal of natural anxiety and stress reducers.

Rhodiola Rosea, also known as Golden Root, is a native plant of arctic Siberia. For centuries it has been used by eastern European and Asian cultures for physical endurance, work productivity, longevity, resistance to high altitude sickness, and to treat fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments, infections, and nervous system disorders.

The first recorded medicinal applications of rodia riza (renamed Rhodiola Rosea) was made by the Greek physician, Dioscorides, in 77 C.E. in 'De Materia Medica'. Rhodiola Rosea has been included in official Russian medicine since 1969.

Despite its long history, the Western world has only recently become aware of the health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea. It has come to the attention of many natural health practitioners because of studies which tested its affects on combating anxiety and stress.

Rhodiola Rosea is considered an adaptogen. This means it has an overall stabilizing effect on the body without disrupting other functions. Its ability to normalize hormones may be effective for treating depression and anxiety.

Studies of Rhodiola Rosea show that it stimulates neurotransmitters and enhances their effects on the brain. This includes the ability for the brain to process serotonin which helps the body to adapt to stress.

Since adaptogens improve the body's overall ability to handle stress, it has been studied to identify it's effects on biological, chemical and physical stress.

A study was performed to test the effects of Rhodiola Rosea when stress is caused by intense mental work (such as final exams). Such tests concluded that using Rhodiola Rosea improved the amount and quality of work, increasing mental clarity and reducing the effects of fatigue.

The effects of Rhodiola Rosea have also been tested on stress and anxiety from both physical and emotional sources. A report by the American Botanical Council states that "Most users find that it improves their mood, energy level, and mental clarity." They also report on a study that indicated Rhodiola Rosea could increase stress tolerance while at the same time protecting the brain and heart from the physical affects of stress.

This report included details of studies which highlight the overall health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea.

The generally recommended dose is 200-600mg/day. The active properties should be a minimum 0.8 percent salidroside and 3 percent rosavin.

It is important for consumers to know that Rhodiola may be sold using other species that do not share the properties of Rhodiola Rosea, or at ineffective strengths for treatment. Anyone with depression or anxiety should also check with a health professional when treating these symptoms.

Alternative Medicine for Your Health

By : James Hunt
If you're looking for alternate choices for your health other than conventional medicine the choices you have are endless. Regaining your health through alternative medicine is becoming more and more common today as people find that conventional medicine doesn't always work. Chinese medicine and medical practices are very popular among all cultures. Acupuncture has proven to be effective in the treatment of many medical conditions including cancer, arthritis, weight management, diabetes, heart disease, and pregnancy. Acupressure is also a common form of alternative medicine that is being heard about more often in western cultures. As well as acupuncture and acupressure, the use of Chinese herbal medicine is used for any number of ailments and symptoms.

The use of a variety of relaxation techniques are another form of alternative medicine that more and more people are using for use in pain control, lowering their blood pressure, controlling the symptoms of arthritis, headache control, and many other medical conditions. Some of these relaxation techniques include yoga, tai chi, meditation, visualization, chanting. Another alternative health method used by many people is managing the chakra system of the body. The chakra points are fully concentrated on until both mental and physical health is obtained. Many times this requires the use of chakra therapist to help with each level of the chakras.

When it comes to choosing alternative health options you might want to talk to a naturopathic doctor so that you can find out what choices you have for your medical symptoms or if you just want to maintain good health. Alternative medicine means feeling a strong interest in the methods that you choose. You can also look in your local natural health bookstore for books on alternative medicine so that you see the great strides that this discipline has made over the years. You might be surprised to find that this field of medicine has claimed its place in medical care as firmly as it has.

Using Natural Remedies For Constipation

By : Nicky Pilkington
There are two basic types of constipation - organic and functional. Organic constipation is a result of some physical change, obstruction, or distortion in your colon. This type of constipation needs immediate attention from a doctor.

This article only covers Functional Constipation. This type of constipation is a result of not following a proper diet, drinking enough fluids, having good emotional health and not having a good lifestyle - a lifestyle that promotes good movement of digested foods through the intestines and colon.

Even though there are many definitions for constipation, constipation is simply a condition where the fecal matter traveling through your colon remains too long in your colon before traveling out the rectum.

Constipation is a symptom and not a disease. It is a condition that tells you your colon is not working properly or that you have some underlying gastrointestinal disease you are not aware of.

Constipation may be a warning that your diet and lifestyle are causing an imbalance in your body. It is a symptom that many people ignore or that many people try to eliminate by using unnatural and oftentimes dangerous drugstore laxatives.

Drugstore laxatives should be avoided when you have constipation. They can become habit-forming, damage your colon, and have nasty side effects if used too long. They sometimes have the tendency of creating the problem you are trying relieve - constipation.

To keep your body in chemical balance, it is important to use only natural remedies for constipation. Natural remedies such as herbs and foods bring into the colon those nutrients that can build up your colon and reactivate your natural peristaltic action.

As you use natural remedies, keep in mind that one particular remedy may not work for you. You may have to try a different remedy or increase dosage of the one you are using. If you supply what your body needs by using a specific remedy, then you will get results from using that remedy.

Experimenting is part of finding out what remedy is best for you. There are many different natural remedies you can choose from. Look on the internet for "natural remedies for constipation" and you will find many listings.

Keep in mind that most remedies should be used only for a short time, two to four days and not longer than 2 weeks. They should only be used for the time needed to clear your constipation. This might be just 4 or 5 times or sometimes it may take several weeks.

There are some herbal combinations that can be used for longer duration. These combinations can improve your colon's health and get your bowels moving again.

If you have constipation, the natural balance and function of your colon has been affected. But, natural remedies can bring you colon back into balance.

Herbal Remedies for Treating Acne

By : Nicky Pilkington
Acne is not caused by dirt, though careful attention to hygiene helps to keep inflammation at bay. A trial done in Singapore a few years ago points to acne being caused by the failure of the body to break down and metabolize oil in the body. Why does this happen?

According to an article published by Lit-Hung Leung, MD in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine Vol. 12, Number 2, 1997, when the particular vitamin that is responsible for the job of metabolizing the oil is needed by the body for a different function - such as the development of the sex organs, eg, - a deficiency is created and there is not enough of this vitamin to do both jobs. This is why acne often shows up at puberty.

While deficiency syndromes are by and large dismissed by the main stream medical profession, Linus Pauling, in his book, How to Live Longer and Feel Better, challenges the assumption that vitamins are not needed in large amounts and provides proof through his studies of animals that optimal amounts of vitamins are needed for optimal health. For instance, he believes that Vitamin C is needed in far greater amounts by the body than most health practitioners would believe.

In the trial conducted in Singapore, pantothenic acid was given to acne sufferers at the rate of 10 grams a day divided into four equal doses. At the same time the patients were required to apply a pantothenic cream to the acne. Within a few days there was a marked reduction in the amount of oil, or sebum being secreted and after 2 weeks the acne started to heal visibly, with less new pimples appearing. In most cases, the acne was completely healed by the end of 2 months, and flare-ups were reduced considerably.

An unexpected bonus was that the enlarged pores of the face began to shrink and the skin became much finer. It was found that if the patient was an adolescent, a maintenance dose was needed until the sexual characteristics had been fully developed. That pantothenic acid is found to be present in all tissues of the body is an indication of its importance. VitaCure B5 ClearSkin is the acne product that resulted from the above trials.

Benzoyl peroxide is the main ingredient found in many over-the-counter products for treating acne. The label should be read carefully to find out how much of this chemical is actually in the product. When trying these for the first time, it is advisable to start off with the lowest dose, or skin irritation could occur, exacerbating the problem. 2.5% is usually the lowest dose and this can also cause the skin to become dry and irritated, but this problem will mostly clear up after a few days. These products are meant to be used over the whole area affected by acne, so don't just dab it on single zits.

Zinc gluconate is another herbal type of remedy for acne. It should be taken orally.

If after two months of trying herbal products the acne has not improved, a doctor's advice should be sought.

Cranberries - Simple Protection from Cancer and Heart Disease

By : Nicky Pilkington
When is the last time you ate cranberries? Was it with a turkey dinner? With all the research pointing to the amazing health benefits of this simple berry, shouldn't cranberries be more than a once a year side dish?

How Cranberries Are Proving Their Strength:

The Cranberry Institute provides the results of studies and research that highlight the fantastic health benefits of the humble cranberry.

Cranberries have been used for thousands of years by Native Americans as a source of food and to extend the shelf life of dried meats. Colonial sailors also made use of the natural preservatives in cranberries (from benzoic acid) which allowed them to last through long sea voyages, and the high Vitamin C content which prevented scurvy.

Perhaps they were on to something since new research suggests that cranberries may prevent the adhesion of the e.coli bacteria - a common cause of food poisoning from contaminated meat - to the urinary tract. This 'anti-adhesion' effect may also help in preventing bacteria from causing stomach ulcers and gum disease.

Vitamin C is also a known powerful antioxidant and is being widely accepted as a means of combating the effects of free radicals in the body which can cause cancer, heart disease and other health problems. Antioxidants from cranberries are being researched for prevention of kidney stones and lowering cholesterol.

While many fruits contain antioxidants, according to research cranberries have more antioxidants than 19 commonly eaten fruits. With this news it makes sense to include cranberries into a balanced diet throughout the year.

How Can You Include Cranberries Into Your Diet?

Fresh, frozen or dried, cranberries can be eaten anytime of the year.

Adding dried cranberries to baking (such as scones, breads and cookies) is an easy way to enjoy their tart sweetness. Adding frozen cranberries to smoothies or soups can lend a mild tang to your creations. Fresh cranberries make excellent garnishes and dressings.

The easiest way to add cranberries to your diet is to drink cranberry juice. While sweetened juices have less antioxidants than unsweetened, the benefits of adding cranberry to your diet are still there. If you add unsweetened juice to sparkling water you can enjoy a refreshing spritzer.

While studies are still being conducted on the health benefits of cranberries there is no doubt that increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables in your diet will lead to a healthier body. Choosing to use a variety of berries, citrus and other fruits will ensure you are giving your body everything it needs for optimum health.

To Buy Pain Meds Online, a Dangerous Move

There are a lot of people that are in pain out there today. If you are one of them, you may try to buy pain meds online. This can be for many reasons. Perhaps your doctor won't write you a prescription for your pain meds. Perhaps you can't afford to go see the doctor and get a prescription. Or maybe you are just addicted to pain meds (hopefully not) and your doctor won't give you a prescription. Whatever the reasons are, if you are going to buy pain meds online, you better be careful.

Many people want to buy pain meds online simply because it is cheaper for them. Recently, thousands of online pharmacies have popped up offering for people to buy pain meds online without a prescription. They offer to sell the medication at cost, or at wholesale prices. This sounds all and good at first, but is it really safe to buy pain meds online?

The answer is more than likely "no." This is especially true if you weren't required to provide a prescription to buy pain meds online. The safety of this purchase is not easy to determine. First off, when you buy pain meds online, how can you be sure that the drug you get it the exact one you asked for, or even if it is the correct potency? The risk for an overdose can be very high. Also these online pharmacies will let anyone buy pain meds online. They do not ask for a prescription or your medical history. They could sell it to a child, a teenager, or a person with a drug addiction. All of this will end in bad results. The FDA also states that it is illegal to purchase or distribute any form of prescription medication without having a prescription or being licensed to do so. So in essence, you are doing something illegal.

There are a few safe places to buy pain meds online. These are the online pharmacies that require a prescription and your medical and allergy history. These websites should have a verifiable street address and a toll free number with live operator assistance. They should also be a licensed pharmacy and have a way for you to check and verify their license. If the online pharmacy is lacking in any of these fields, then you should never purchase from them.

You should never buy pain meds online without a prescription. It has been proven dangerous for many reasons. The safest route is to go to your doctor and get a prescription first. If you can't do that, then purchase an over the counter pain medication. Your life and safety is much too important to risk anything else.

Author Resource:- Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.medsonlinecenter.info a blog focusing on the PetMeds, resources and articles. For more info on Pain Medicine visit: PetMeds

Acne Proactive Solution: Treatment to the Stars

By : Jay Moncliff
You may have seen the infomercials featuring stars like Jessica Simpson and Vanessa Williams, but is the science behind the acne treatment Proactiv Solution solid? Is it all sales pitch or does this product really work?

With over one half of adult women and one fourth of adult men experiencing some form of adult acne, it is no longer just a problem associated with adolescence.

Acne occurs when a pore or hair follicle gets clogged with oil and bacteria. As more and more oil enters the follicle from the skin, the pore eventually becomes inflamed and turns into a pimple. Pimples can be whiteheads, or small white lesions below the surface of the skin, or blackheads, formed when the trapped oil and bacteria come to the surface of the skin. Both the whitehead and blackhead are considered non-inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne can take the form of papules, pustules or cysts. These are more serious forms of acne and may cause scarring.

Acne can occur on the face, neck, shoulders, chest and back. Although your teenager may not believe it, acne is not life threatening, but it can lead to scarring, embarrassment and lack of self confidence. Most doctors agree that acne can't be cured. Several strong prescription medications are prescribed for the most severe forms of inflammatory acne, but these often have side effects.

As a solution for acne, Proactiv Solution works by helping to clear existing blemishes and stop new ones from forming, The core system is a three step system combining several different medicines to accomplish these goals. Proactive was developed by two dermatologists trained at Stanford University.

First, the benzoyl peroxide in the renewing cleanser gets down into the pores and kills the bacteria residing there. Gentle cleansing grains clear the clogs in the pores and help exfoliate the dead skin cells to prevent future clogs.

Next, the toner helps further open the pores and remove the rest of the dead skin cells. The alcohol free formula is gentle and refreshing and helps balance the skin's surface.

Finally, the repairing lotion soothes the skin, provides moisture and treats the pores with micro formulated benzoyl peroxide to protect the skin against future breakouts.

Proactiv doesn't just treat current blemishes, it works to prevent future ones by removing the bacteria and dead skin cells that can accumulate in the pores. Botanical extracts in the formulas leave skin soft and supple without the redness that accompanies most other acne treatments.


It's gentle, effective formula is unique in the industry, and testimonials from many users attest to its effectiveness. The beginning kit is priced at about $40, so it is not prohibitively expensive, although you must order it from the infomercial or online retailers. It is not available in drugstores.

If you have been suffering with acne, you may want to try Proactiv. Not only will you most likely see an improvement in your skin, you'll be in the company of stars like P. Diddy and Jessica Simpson!

Author Resource:- Jay Moncliff is the founder of http://www.acnesolutioncenter.info a website specialized on Acne, resources and articles. For more info visit his site: Acne