Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Drug-Free, Natural Medicine for Anxiety

One thing that is unique about anxiety disorders is that they affect different individuals differently. The main reason why this is happens is because anxiety disorders are a group of related conditions instead of a single disorder. While one individual may suffer from intense anxiety attacks that occur without prior warning, another individual may live in a perpetual state of anxiousness by worrying about anything and everything. Whatever type of anxiety disorder you suffer from, you can find help through natural medicine for anxiety.

Identifying symptoms of anxiety disorders
Symptoms of anxiety disorders vary from person to person. However, you are likely to experience at least some of the symptoms mentioned below if you suffer from an anxiety disorder.

The symptoms of anxiety disorders mentioned below are categorized as emotional symptoms and physical symptoms. Let’s have a look:

Emotional Symptoms

  • Problem concentrating
  • Uncontrollable feeling of apprehension
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Anticipating the worst
  • Feeling tense

Physical Symptoms

  • Heart palpitations
  • Headaches
  • Sweating
  • Poor sleep
  • Shortness of breath
  • Frequent urination
  • Upset stomach
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Tension in muscles

If you regularly experience some of the symptoms that we’ve just listed, then you may well be suffering from an anxiety disorder. The good news is that you can take help from any natural medicine for anxiety to reduce your anxiety symptoms and gain better control over your life.

Shared below are 5 anxiety busters.

1. Meditation
Regular meditation is considered by health experts as the most effective natural medicine for anxiety.

Meditation helps our body produce endorphin, a neurotransmitter that leads to feelings of euphoria and reduces negative emotions such as anxiety, tension, and stress.

2. Balanced diet
Deficiency of magnesium can lead to prolonged bouts of anxiety and stress. Eat a diet that is rich in magnesium and other essential nutrients. Foods that are rich in magnesium include: dark green leafy vegetables, nuts, black beans, oysters, soy milk, tofu, and spinach.

A balanced diet in combination with regular physical exercise is an effective natural medicine for anxiety.

3. Aromatherapy
Massage therapy is another inexpensive, yet very effective natural medicine for anxiety. Various plant essential oils such as jasmine, lavender, rose, sandalwood, melissa, bergamot, geranium, ylang-ylang, neroli, and cypress are known for their ability in decreasing symptoms of anxiety and promoting a feeling of relaxation.

You can use any of the above mentioned essential oils alone or in conjunction with another essential oil to relive anxiety.

4. Catnip Tea
Catnip belongs to the mint family and is considered by herbalists as a good sedative. Catnip tea is by nature an effective natural medicine for anxiety. However, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid catnip tea.

5. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a simple, yet efficacious natural medicine for anxiety that can be used by everyone. Massage therapy works by releasing tension and reducing stress levels.

Anxiety disorder sufferers should look beyond conventional medicine, as natural medicine for anxiety, such as the ones discussed above, offer quick and tangible relief from anxiety without any side effects.

Related links:
K-OK Kiddie Calmer

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Best Way to Treat Acne: Natural Acne Treatment

Approximately 80% of the world’s population has suffered from acne in their teen years. Some are unfortunate enough to have to go through acne outbursts well into their adulthood. Not only is acne a tiresome skin affliction, it is also a major cause for low self esteem. Over the years, a lot of research has gone into curing acne, and a plethora of treatments are available today.

Natural acne treatment are available as well, and is often more effective than allopathic medication, since the effects are long term. Acne should be treated from within. Many people are under the misconception that acne can be treated orally alone. Natural acne treatment works from within as well as externally on the skin.

Six Natural Acne Treatment That Work Wonders
Acne has varying degrees of severity. Mild acne usually doesn’t go beyond black heads and white heads that can appear on the face, back and chest. Moderately severe acne is what is popularly known as pimples. Pimples are visible in the form of red, pus filled boils on the face, back or chest. Often, it manifests on all three parts of the body. Severe acne is painful and manifests in the form of big nodules and cysts.

Natural acne treatment work best for mild to moderately severe acne. Such treatment involves procedures for cleansing the body from the inside as well as using oral face packs and various herbs that can be applied to the affected area. Here are some effective natural ways in which you can treat acne:

  • Keep hair off the face: Since acne is caused by the blocking of the pores on the skin (because of oil) it is advisable to keep the hair off the face. Also, the hair should be washed every other day and after workouts. Hair contains oil that contributes to the blocking of the pores. Also, if one has dandruff, it must be addressed immediately.
  • Take multi vitamins: Vitamins are essential for the health of our skin. Often, the lack of adequate vitamins in the body can cause skin problems, including acne. Also, vitamins help fight skin trouble and bacteria. Vitamin intake is a very effective natural acne treatment.
  • Avoid Make Up: Make up causes the pores to clog. Oil based make-up in particular must be avoided. Wash off any make up as soon as possible. If you must leave make-up on for long durations, make sure it is water based.
  • Honey-Cinnamon Mask: Mix honey and cinnamon powder, and apply it on the affected areas. Honey has natural healing properties and is a very effective anti bacterial agent. So, it is a great way to disinfect blemishes. Honey is the best natural acne treatment.
  • Carrots: Carrots are a natural acne treatment that not many people actually know about. Carrots are a rich source of beta carotene (Vitamin A). Vitamin A helps strengthen the skin and actually prevents acne.
  • Do not pick or squeeze pimples: Picking and squeezing pimples only makes them increase in number as it ruptures the skin membrane and results in the sebum spreading under the skin. This causes more pimples to erupt.

A natural acne treatment will help if followed properly and if accompanied by diet control.

Monday, July 1, 2013

Dosage for Bee Pollen Supplements

An effective cure for several ailments, bee pollen is a storehouse of all essential nutrients and is called the nature’s wonder food. It is known to possess cancer fighting, immunity and longevity enhancing and health boosting properties. Besides, it also helps treat infertility, obesity, frigidity (in women) and impotence (in men) and improves sexual drive and reproductive health. To derive the maximum benefits from bee pollen, we offer you a guide on bee pollen for dosage.

Bee Pollen Dosage
The requirements of bee pollen for dosage vary, depending on whether you take it in capsule, tablet or granular form. Here are some useful tips:

  • If you are taking bee pollen granules, the recommended dosage is a teaspoon twice a day with breakfast and dinner (you can also follow the manufacturer’s instructions). However, if you are a starter, begin with low dosages (two or three granules). Put this under your tongue and let it dissolve completely. Look for allergic reactions. Symptoms of allergy include nausea, upset stomach, headache, itching and irritation. If you experience no side effects, double the amount on the second day. You can gradually increase the amount to a teaspoon a day. However, if you experience any side effects, reduce your dosage or stop use and consult a doctor.
  • If you are using pollen tablets, begin use with a quarter of the tablet on the first day. If there are no side effects, increase the dosage on the second day and observe. You can have a full tablet only after seven days.
  • If you are taking capsules, first open the capsule and remove the content. You can mix the powder with your favourite food and have it. You can gradually increase the bee pollen for dosage and observe your body’s reaction. Consume a full capsule only after a week.
  • It is important to take the supplement 20 to 30 minutes before breakfast. Make sure that the foods you mix it with are at room temperature or are cool. Never mix it with hot beverages, such as coffee or tea, as heat destroys the potency and healing properties of bee pollen.
  • Children can begin their dosage with three granules, consumed before breakfast. Increase the amount by a single granule every few days. Observe for allergic reactions. The right bee pollen for dosage in children is half teaspoon a day. You can blend, mix or sprinkle bee pollen supplements with their favourite beverages and foods.

Experts suggest that the right bee pollen dosage is 1000-2000 mg a day, consumed with juice or water. Most capsules and tablets contain 500-1000 mg of bee pollen. Professional athletes typically consume increased dosage, both before and after their workout. For therapeutic purposes or for treating chronic health conditions, it is best to consult a qualified health care provider. Those allergic to bee pollen can prepare their bodies for bee pollen by taking raw honey first (raw honey has cloudy appearance because of suspended bee pollen).

However, make sure you purchase bee pollen supplements from a credible manufacturer. Make sure that they follow the right techniques of packaging and storage and source their bee pollen from unpolluted and pristine regions of the earth.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Use of Hypnosis for Anxiety Treatment

Statistics show that approximately five percent of the population suffers from anxiety and anxiety related problems. Anxiety is a state of mind where there is a predominant feeling of unrest and hyperactivity, accompanied with panic at times.

Generally speaking, anxiety is the feeling you get just before a big exam or a job interview or at times just before getting married! But when the same feeling of anxiousness is present in everyday life so much so that normal functioning is hampered, a diagnosis of anxiety can be made. Anxiety is recognized by its physiological symptoms, such as heart palpitations, rapid breathing and, at times, a feeling of nausea.

Hypnosis for anxiety is one of the most recommended paths of treatment, since hypnosis is the best known anti-anxiety agent. The major theme of hypnosis is relaxation and achieving a state of calmness. Also, hypnosis is a form of therapy that relies on reaching the root cause of the disorder in order to treat it.

Hypnosis for Anxiety: How it works
Hypnosis for anxiety works on two levels, the analytical level and the behavioral level. The basic premise of hypnotherapy is to explore the subconscious for the hidden cause of the disorder and then to alter behavior through suggestion.

Analytical Approach
The analytical approach of hypnosis for anxiety works on the premise that the cause of the anxiety is deeply rooted in the psyche and can be approached and explored within the subconscious while in a state of deep trance. The therapist guides the patient through the series of steps that will induce a state of trance, and once the patient has achieved the trance state, the therapist starts questioning the patient. The questioning process is a delicate one and the therapist is careful about the kind of questions that are asked. This explorative method allows the patient to be exposed to his own fears and causes of anxiety, and as a consequence, to face and deal with them.

Behavioral Approach: The behavioral approach is also called the suggestion approach because it uses post hypnotic suggestions. This hypnosis for anxiety approach is generally employed as the second step in severe cases once the cause for the anxiety is uncovered by the therapist and the patient. Suggestions are given to help the patient deal with situations that have the potential to induce anxiety. Using this method of hypnosis for anxiety is helpful as step one in mild cases of anxiety.

Apart from the two hypnosis approaches mentioned above, the therapist also introduces the client to self hypnosis to help the patient deal with any anxiety attacks that might occur before the patient is fully equipped to deal with it on his or her own. Self hypnosis is a series of steps that the therapist teaches the client that help in relaxation. Since anxiety is a state of hyperactivity, the knowledge of how to relax is a helpful tool for any patient.

Hypnosis for anxiety works better than traditional psychiatric medication, since anti anxiety medications only result in numbing the person completely. They are a temporary solution to anxiety and are often addictive and might result in doing more harm than good.

Monday, June 24, 2013

How Natural Remedies for Menopause Can Help

Menopause is experienced by women around the age of 42 to 55 years. The average age of onset of menopause is about 50 years, and the transition can last for up to five years. Menopause is essentially the phase in a woman’s life when the ovaries cease to function, signifying the end of the reproductive years. Since menopause is a result of a decrease in the production of the female sex hormones, there is an ensuing hormone starvation in the body, which leads to myriad symptoms.

The decrease in the production of the female hormone, estrogen, can result in an increase in the risk of heart disease, vaginal problems and osteoporosis. The symptoms are, therefore, of a varying nature. Symptoms include hot flashes, backaches, bladder problems, insomnia, dizziness, mental instability, headaches, heart palpitations, dryness and aging of the skin, shortness of breath, irritability and disturbances in calcium metabolism.

The usual course of action for treatment has been hormone replacement therapy. This therapy has, however, received criticism after studies have linked it to increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, stroke and blot clots. This is why natural remedies for menopause have witnessed increasing adoption. Natural options are equally effective as well as safer. Natural remedies for menopause might, however, require certain dietary precautions and changes.

Five Natural Remedies for Menopause Natural remedies for menopause can be taken along with the usual synthetic hormone replacement therapy, and can even help reduce the course of strong medications. They are easily available and have proven to be extremely helpful.

  1. Vitamins: Vitamin E is the most essential vitamin in this phase, and simply must be taken. It is commonly found in almonds, hazelnuts, spinach, mangoes and olives. Along with Vitamin E, Vitamin C and B complex must also be taken. Capillary strength is maintained with the intake of Vitamin C, along with bioflavonoids.
  2. Calcium: Calcium is found in milk and milk products. It is one of the important natural remedies for menopause. Since the risk of osteoporosis increases, calcium intake is a must to maintain the calcium-phosphorous balance of the body.
  3. Protein: Proteins are an important part of a menopausal woman’s diet. The intake of protein should be increased, with a concomitant decrease in carbohydrate intake.
  4. Fruits and Vegetables: Raw food is one of the natural remedies for menopause that is often ignored but can prove to be extremely helpful. Juices, brewer’s yeast, kelp and cold pressed vegetables must be taken. Nearly 50% of the diet should be in the form of raw food.
  5. Exercise: An effective way to deal with menopause, along with natural remedies for menopause, is exercise. One must exercise and get sufficient amount of rest along with it. This helps in dealing with the stress as well as the insomnia.

Apart from these natural remedies for menopause, there are certain things that should be avoided during this time. Alcohol, caffeine, sugar and spicy foods should be avoided completely. They can make the mood swings worse and hard to deal with. They also increase the acidity in the blood, which in turn results in increased calcium absorption. Increased calcium absorption can lead to a lack of calcium in the bones. Menopause sounds like a scary time for any woman, but with the right treatment and care, it can be a breeze.