Herbs for Backache

Backache is one of the most common causes of both absence from work and seeking alternative medical treatment. Thorough professional investigation is needed to identify the cause of the problem; this can range from pulled muscles and damaged discs to poor posture, kidney disease, gynecological problems or simply sitting in an awkward position for long periods.
Some sorts of backache are given rather grander labels. Lumbago simply means pain in the lower back. Sciatica is a pain felt along the back and outer side of the thigh, leg, and foot, with accompanying back pain and stiffness generally caused by a damaged disc putting pressure on either the sciatic nerve or one of the many other nerves which start in the lower back area. Fibrositis is an inflammation of fibrous tissue, especially muscle sheaths, that often affects the back muscles, leading to pain and stiffness.Obviously all these different sorts of backache require very different treatments, so accurate diagnosis is important. Similarly if then these underlying causes need to be tackled, as simple backache remedies will only provide symptomatic relief. In all these cases, professional advice is essential.
If the problem is really originating from the back itself then often treatment from an osteopath, chiropractor, or acupuncturist can solve the problem. Massage from a therapeutic masseur or physiotherapist can also give relief, while poor posture can be corrected by learning the Alexander Technique.For persistent backache with no obvious cause, changing sleeping positions can sometimes help. A firm, supportive mattress is essential. Lying on your back with knees bent and curling into a small ball with the spine curved can often bring relief.
A relaxing soak in a hot bath can also help. Add up to 5 drops of essential oils of eucalyptus, juniper, lavender, rosemary or thyme to the bath water.

Douglas Adams is the owner of All Wellbeing.com , a website dedicated to increasing knowledge of health related issues.
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Biofeedback

Biofeedback, classified by NCCAM as a mind-body method, is one of the most widely accepted modalities of the complementary family of interventions. It is a nonpharmacological and noninvasive approach to assist clients in altering physiological responses. It is not painful and has few adverse reactions.
With a nearly 70 percent or better success rate of clinical improvement, biofeedback may be considered effective in the amelioration or reduction of symptoms such as headache, irritable bowel disease, and hypertension with measurable outcomes. This cost- effective modality is the treatment of choice in many instances where the client is partnered with the health care provider in the health restoration process. Biofeedback can be used in conjunction with other behavioral and stress management techniques, such as visualization, cognitive restructuring, and autogenic training. It is a learning technique that allows the client to become as responsible for his or her health as the therapist, empowering the client to participate equally with the therapist in the planning and implementation of a therapeutic program.
Individual experience can be thought of as events that elicit physical, emotional, and mental responses that are stored in the body-mind. Biofeedback is the process of receiving and using feedback about responses to events to correct problems. It is used to help clients access their own healing potential with self-regulatory skill acquisition. Many different biological processes can be harnessed to provide feedback for learning. These include temperature, heart rate, and electrical muscle activity. Biofeedback is one of the most widely used and accepted alternative therapies. It can be used to treat a variety of problems, including headaches and other pain conditions, muscle tone irregularities, and anxiety.

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Herbs for Indigestion and Heartburn

Heartburn, pain in the lower chest, flatulence, and nausea are extremely common, and few sufferers ever seek professional help, preferring instead to try an assortment of antacid remedies to solve the problem. Unfortunately, trying to reduce the normal acid secretions of the stomach artificially simply encourages the stomach to produce even more, so over the counter antacids can be counterproductive.
The herbal approach is to combine aromatic carminatives to ease flatulence and nausea with relaxing herbs that reduce the anxiety and tension that often contribute to the problem. Add soothing demulcents to help protect the stomach from excess acid and perhaps a bitter to stimulate the digestive process and restore normal function.
Slippery elm tablets or gruel taken before a meal can also help especially if there is any heartburn. This is common in chronic obesity and pregnancy because the stomach is forced upward, putting pressure on the diaphragm, the muscle that divides the esophagus from the stomach and normally prevents food from returning to the gullet. Acid reflux thus occurs with the highly acidic contents of the stomach retuning to the esophagus, which can lead to inflammation and eventually ulceration. A hiatal hernia, in which part of the stomach is forced upward through the diaphragm, can cause similar high acidity problems. Raising the head of the bed 6 to 8 inches by putting bricks under the legs will prevent acid from leaking out of the stomach and can prove a very simple way of reducing symptoms, which are generally worse at night.
Carminative teas taken with meals instead of coffee can also help, fennel, peppermint, or chamomile, which are generally available in tea bags from health food stores and restaurants, are worth trying.
If nausea is a problem, drink a tea of one or two slices of fresh ginger root simmered with one and a half cups of water in a decoction.

Douglas Adams is the owner of All Wellbeing.com , a website dedicated to increasing knowledge of health related issues.
For high quality health care products click here.

Using Vitamins to Prevent Alzheimer's

By John Gibb
Understanding what happens when an individual develops Alzheimer's is still something that is being investigated. What scientists do know about Alzheimer's is that it is a slow-developing disease of the brain that is characterized by dying brain cells. While the direct cause is unknown, it is theorized that the death of the cells is attributed to a lack of chemicals necessary to keep brain cells healthy.
After the age of 20, human brain cells (neurons) start to die at a rate of about 9000 per day. This results in a natural decline of mental acuity. There are reports that some vitamins can help to restore brain cells, but these reports are highly controversial. Once brain cells die, there really is no way to restore them. What scientists focus on is how to prevent Alzheimer's. In the last few years, scientists have been testing the effects of vitamins on the brain. Those that seem to provide the most benefit are vitamins C and E.
In the world of vitamin supplementation, vitamin C and E are building blocks of good health. These vitamins are antioxidants that has proven beneficial in numerous health conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and stress. The body normally produces enough vitamin C and E in the body to protect the brain from damage from free radicals. However, the amount of vitamin C may be depleted by factors, such as diet and genetics. Scientists believe that taking 500 milligrams of vitamin C and 500 milligrams of vitamin E daily protects brain cells from premature destruction, a key to Alzheimer's prevention.
These recommended amounts of vitamin C and E supplementation to prevent Alzheimer's is way beyond what is recommended for general health. Before you consider taking these vitamins, you should discuss your plans with a medical doctor. Excessive amounts of vitamin C are flushed out in the urine and don't usually cause serious problems, but excessive amounts of vitamin E can result in some unpleasant side effects. As with any vitamins or medication, you should store them in a location that is out of reach from children. Vitamins C and E can cause serious problems in children.
Why not check out our nutrition guide at http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/nut-ebook.html
and also what supplement we personally use for our nutrition needs at http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/what-we-use.html
John Gibb is the owner of Nutrition guides, a website offering free nutrition advice and a quality nutrition book for newsletter subscribers.
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About Omega 3 Fish oils

By John Gibb
Question: What’s all the fuss about Omega 3 fish oils? What do they do for my body?
Answer: Omega 3 fish oils are a substance that can be found in the bodies of fish. However, eating fresh fish is no longer recommended. The mercury levels that are prevalent in almost all fresh fish these days can be very detrimental to your health. However, companies have manufactured fish oil that is mercury free by processing the oils that naturally occur in the fish. Omega 3 is a type of fat that is essential for human health. Omega 3 contains two fatty acids that benefit the human body greatly, which are known as DHA and EPA.
These fatty acids have been linked to helping prevent heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases. DHA is also required by the human brain. Low levels of DHA in the brain have been linked to depression, schizophrenia, memory loss, and an increased chance of being stricken with Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, the regular and repeated consumption of Omega 3 fish oils can greatly help affect the quality of your life for the better.
The American Heart Association recommends the use of fish oils to help your hearts performance as long as you keep your dosage under 3 grams per day, suggesting an amount roughly between 0.5 to 1.8 grams per day. Clinical trials conducted have shown that Omega 3 fish oils can reduce cardiovascular events including heart attacks, strokes, and even death.
Also, research has shown that fish oils can help decrease the risk of arrhythmias, decrease triglyceride levels, decrease the growth rate of atherosclerotic plaque, and even slightly lower blood pressure! With all these facts, there is no doubt that the regular and responsible use of Omega 3 fish oils from supplements can be of great benefit to your health.
Why not check out our nutrition guide at http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/nut-ebook.html
and also what supplement we personally use for our nutrition needs at http://www.nutritional-supplement-guides.com/what-we-use.html
John Gibb is the owner of Nutrition guides, a website offering free nutrition advice and a quality nutrition book for newsletter subscribers.
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Eating To Make Your Liver Strong and Useful

By Rudy Silva
Most people don’t think about what foods are good for keeping their liver strong. But, if you have been discovering and using a diet that is good for your overall health, then, most likely you are helping your liver.
So here again is a list of healthy eating that will result in a strong useful liver.
Oils – use mostly olive oil for your food preparation. This oil can be heated to a relative medium level without causing free radicals. Use flax seed oil or fish oil every day.
Avoid margarine or any other artificial butter since their processing creates chemicals the liver cannot recognize as food. Use Ghee, which doesn’t require refrigeration, or raw butter,
Sunflower, safflower, and other seed oils should be kept in the refrigerator to keep them from becoming rancid.
When you eat too much fat, the fat accumulates in the liver. The liver is responsible for breaking down the fat and using it for energy. Accumulated fat in the liver can become rancid producing free radicals that damage liver cells.
Food – try to buy and eat good organic food. Food that has been sprayed with pesticides is difficult to clean and these chemicals will get into your body as free radicals.
Protein – Cut down on the amount of protein that you eat. Most of us only need about 2-3 ounces of protein, but if you do physical labor you need plenty more. The problem with more is some of this protein may not completely digest in our stomach and move into the colon. There this undigested protein is decomposed by bad bacteria creating toxic matter. These toxins can be absorbed into the blood and cause the liver extra work in detoxifying them.
Sulfur Foods – Since the liver produces enzymes, which are used in every body chemical reaction, you can support this activity by eating foods such as Brussels sprouts, broccoli cabbage, seeds and nuts.
Vitamins – minerals – nutrients – The liver, just like all parts of the body, needs vitamins and minerals. Get these from fruits and vegetables or even fruit and vegetable juices. Ionic minerals, easily absorbed, can be purchased in bottles from WaterOZ and other brands. These ionic minerals can then be easily added to your juices without adding any unusual taste.
Sugar – Limit, reduce or eliminate the use of sugar since it interferes with enzyme activity throughout your body. Use fruits, whole grains, barley malt, rice syrup, dates, dried fruit, and honey
Lecithin – use lecithin every day for the Phosphatidyl choline, PC that it provides. PC helps build the liver cell membranes creating a healthier liver. Use lecithin in granules by adding them to salads and other liquid food preparations including smoothies.
There you have it, a small list of foods to eat to help your liver give you long life. Most likely you are already eating some of these foods and if so, then, it will be easy to add just one more good healthy eating habit.
Rudy Silva is a Natural Nutritionist. To get the latest information and tips on liver health go to: http://www.liverdamageprevention.for--you.com
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