"Doctor, I have an ear ache."
2000 B.C. - "Here, eat this root."
1000 B.C. - "That root is heathen, say this prayer."
1850 A.D. - "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."
1940 A.D. - "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."
1985 A.D. - "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."
2004 A.D. - "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root!"
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
A Short History of Medicine
The more things change, the more they stay the same...
Herbal Supplements Quick-Reference Guide
It seems that the use of herbal supplements is becoming more and more popular with every passing day. The range of issues you can effectively treat with them is very wide, and usually with a much lower impact on the rest of your body than chemical, manufactured treatments. Of course, as with any sort of medicine, you should consult with a qualified professional, but this article will serve as a quick-reference list for some of the most common herbal supplements, and what they are used for.
Black Cohosh - another very common herb, Black Cohosh is primarily used for menstrual-cycle issues, such and painful menstruation and estrogen replacement therapy at menopause, as it has an effect which is similar to estrogen.
Cayenne - not as widely known as an herbal supplement, but certainly widely used as a spice, Cayenne pepper has been reported to help with a variety of problems, most notably most digestive issues, and circulatory issues.
Chamomile - perhaps one of the most widely used of all herbal treatments, Chamomile is used primarily as a relaxing tea, to help with pain and fatigue and help lull the user into sleep. However, it is also anti-inflammatory, can help increase the rate of healing, and can help reduce swelling.
Cranberry - a fairly widely used remedy for bladder and urinary tract infections.
Echinacea - an incredibly widely-used supplement, most often taken to treat the common cold and the flu, and many symptoms associated with them, such as cough, sore throat, and fevers. However, it is also a good general immune-system booster.
Evening Primrose - fairly commonly used oil-supplement most often taken to treat arthritis, eczema, PMS, cardiovascular problems, and even hyperactivity in children.
Feverfew - an herbal supplement most often used as a pain-reliever, especially for migraine headaches and menstrual cramps. Also used for the treatment of colds, asthma, psoriasis and eczema, toothaches, and muscle pain.
Garlic - widely used as both spice and supplement, Garlic has a wide range of benefits. It is most often used for cardiovascular issues like high cholesterol and arteriosclerosis, but also as a powerful immune system booster, to reduce blood sugar levels, and to help relieve menstrual pain.
Ginger - a lesser-known as an herbal supplement, but highly useful; it is wonderful for combating nausea, especially morning sickness. It is also an anti-inflammatory and an analgesic, as well as reportedly being good to combat motion sickness(some studies say it even works better than Dramamine for this). Those taking it to combat morning sickness, however, should be cautious, as some sources list is as a possible abortifacient if taken in very large quantities.
Gingko Biloba - widely used and most commonly known as a supplement to improve memory. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and increases metabolism efficiency.
Ginseng - widely used as an anti-stress treatment, as well as a stamina and energy booster. It also has anti-inflammatory and possible aphrodisiac qualities.
Goldenseal - popular for its immune-system boosting and antiseptic qualities, this supplement is also often used to treat colds or flu. It can also be used to treat irregular menstruation, diarrhea and other digestive issues, and poor circulation. It is also popular for supposedly obscuring illegal drugs in urine tests, but this usage is questionable at best in its efficacy.
Grape Seed - a lesser-known supplement right now, but it is swiftly gaining popularity. It has been reported to help with a wide variety of skin conditions, arthritis, some allergies, and varicose veins; as well as having anti-inflammatory and potentially anticancer properties.
Green Tea - widely used, this herb is most useful to combat fatigue, lower cholesterol and generally improve cardiovascular health, and help in weight loss. It may also help prevent tooth and gum decay, and there is some evidence that it may help against certain forms of cancer.
Hawthorn - this supplement is useful in treating nearly any heart or cardiovascular ailment, as well as helping against insomnia, miscarriages, and to strengthen muscles.
Kava - also known as KavaKava. Most often used to treat anxiety, stress and nervous tension.
Licorice - a popular herb that is gaining popularity as a health supplement, it is most often used to treat coughs and other throat complaints, and digestive issues.
Milk Thistle - often used to help protect the liver, and stimulate regeneration from liver damage.
St. John's Wort - a common supplement used to treat depression and anxiety. Also useful for upset stomach and insomnia.
Uva Ursi - also gaining popularity for help in treating bladder and urinary tract infections.
Valerian - very popular to help aid in sleeping; also useful to alleviate muscle spasms.
Buy these related items now on Amazon.com!
Mountain Rose Herbs
A leading organic supplier since 1987
of bulk organic herbs and spices, essential oils and herbal teas.
Wonderful herbs at fabulous prices... well worth a look!
Black Cohosh - another very common herb, Black Cohosh is primarily used for menstrual-cycle issues, such and painful menstruation and estrogen replacement therapy at menopause, as it has an effect which is similar to estrogen.
Cayenne - not as widely known as an herbal supplement, but certainly widely used as a spice, Cayenne pepper has been reported to help with a variety of problems, most notably most digestive issues, and circulatory issues.
Chamomile - perhaps one of the most widely used of all herbal treatments, Chamomile is used primarily as a relaxing tea, to help with pain and fatigue and help lull the user into sleep. However, it is also anti-inflammatory, can help increase the rate of healing, and can help reduce swelling.
Cranberry - a fairly widely used remedy for bladder and urinary tract infections.
Echinacea - an incredibly widely-used supplement, most often taken to treat the common cold and the flu, and many symptoms associated with them, such as cough, sore throat, and fevers. However, it is also a good general immune-system booster.
Evening Primrose - fairly commonly used oil-supplement most often taken to treat arthritis, eczema, PMS, cardiovascular problems, and even hyperactivity in children.
Feverfew - an herbal supplement most often used as a pain-reliever, especially for migraine headaches and menstrual cramps. Also used for the treatment of colds, asthma, psoriasis and eczema, toothaches, and muscle pain.
Garlic - widely used as both spice and supplement, Garlic has a wide range of benefits. It is most often used for cardiovascular issues like high cholesterol and arteriosclerosis, but also as a powerful immune system booster, to reduce blood sugar levels, and to help relieve menstrual pain.
Ginger - a lesser-known as an herbal supplement, but highly useful; it is wonderful for combating nausea, especially morning sickness. It is also an anti-inflammatory and an analgesic, as well as reportedly being good to combat motion sickness(some studies say it even works better than Dramamine for this). Those taking it to combat morning sickness, however, should be cautious, as some sources list is as a possible abortifacient if taken in very large quantities.
Gingko Biloba - widely used and most commonly known as a supplement to improve memory. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and increases metabolism efficiency.
Ginseng - widely used as an anti-stress treatment, as well as a stamina and energy booster. It also has anti-inflammatory and possible aphrodisiac qualities.
Goldenseal - popular for its immune-system boosting and antiseptic qualities, this supplement is also often used to treat colds or flu. It can also be used to treat irregular menstruation, diarrhea and other digestive issues, and poor circulation. It is also popular for supposedly obscuring illegal drugs in urine tests, but this usage is questionable at best in its efficacy.
Grape Seed - a lesser-known supplement right now, but it is swiftly gaining popularity. It has been reported to help with a wide variety of skin conditions, arthritis, some allergies, and varicose veins; as well as having anti-inflammatory and potentially anticancer properties.
Green Tea - widely used, this herb is most useful to combat fatigue, lower cholesterol and generally improve cardiovascular health, and help in weight loss. It may also help prevent tooth and gum decay, and there is some evidence that it may help against certain forms of cancer.
Hawthorn - this supplement is useful in treating nearly any heart or cardiovascular ailment, as well as helping against insomnia, miscarriages, and to strengthen muscles.
Kava - also known as KavaKava. Most often used to treat anxiety, stress and nervous tension.
Licorice - a popular herb that is gaining popularity as a health supplement, it is most often used to treat coughs and other throat complaints, and digestive issues.
Milk Thistle - often used to help protect the liver, and stimulate regeneration from liver damage.
St. John's Wort - a common supplement used to treat depression and anxiety. Also useful for upset stomach and insomnia.
Uva Ursi - also gaining popularity for help in treating bladder and urinary tract infections.
Valerian - very popular to help aid in sleeping; also useful to alleviate muscle spasms.
Buy these related items now on Amazon.com!
Mountain Rose Herbs
A leading organic supplier since 1987
of bulk organic herbs and spices, essential oils and herbal teas.
Wonderful herbs at fabulous prices... well worth a look!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Lavender: Nature's Heal-All
By nearly any estimation, Lavender is a plant with amazing and versatile uses. It has been popular for treating a wide array of problems for as long as such things have been recorded in its native Mediterranean/Western European areas. I would be very hard-pressed to include every conceivable use for this highly adaptable plant, but I will try to cover at least the most important.
Perhaps the most recognized use of Lavender is in help to pleasantly lull people to sleep. It has been used for this (as well as to aid relaxation and calmness) in hospitals in Britain for many years. In the Victorian era, it was not unusual to find those with the means to do so to have pillows stuffed with lavender flowers. Just a drop or two of Lavender essential oil on a pillow, or a few in a bath just before bed, can prove very helpful for those with issues calming enough to sleep. Its gentle calming properties also make it ideal for treating anxiety, panic attacks, and similar issues.
It is also highly effective for various kinds of pain, most notably almost any kind of headache. Lavender is one of the few essential oils that can be used ‘neat’ - applied directly to the skin without dilution. You can apply a drop to each temple to vastly improve a headache, or mix it in a 2 to 1 ratio with peppermint (peppermint being the lesser end of the ratio) and dilute it a bit in a carrier oil for a similar effect, applied again to the temples. This mixture is most effective for migraines. Lavender can also be diluted in a carrier oil, lotion, or balm, and rubbed on most sore areas, including strains, sprains, bruises, and various skin irritations. It can also be used neat on burns to reduce pain and help prevent blistering (from my personal experience, it will sting slightly when first applied to a fresh burn, but it won’t last long, and the burn will stop hurting much faster than any other method I have found.) It can also be effective for treating minor wounds, as it has antiseptic qualities and helps to speed healing.
Lavender essential oil is one of the few that is safe for (very limited) internal use; the herb, both fresh and dried, is as well. 1-4 drops on a sugar cube or a tablespoon of milk can be helpful for a number of things, including faintness, anxiety (particularly palpitations and the like), low appetite, dreary spirits, and flatulence. It is also helpful for a sore throat.
Because of Lavender’s antiviral and antiseptic qualities, in addition to its lovely fresh scent, one of my own favorite uses for it is as a room spray. You can either add a few drops to a spray bottle of water (which must be shaken well before each use) or simply get Lavender water. It makes your rooms smell better, and also helps in preventing the spread of illnesses, like colds and flu.
It can be used as an Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Diuretic, Insecticide, and Sedative. It can also be used for acne, allergies, anxiety, asthma, athlete's foot, bronchitis, bruises, burns, chicken pox, circulatory issues, colds, colic, cuts, dandruff, depression, dermatitis, earache, eczema, headache, hypertension, insect bites, insect repellent, insomnia, irritability, itching, labor pains, mental fatigue, migraine, muscular aches, oily skin, panic attacks, PMS symptoms, psoriasis, rheumatism, scars, sinusitis, sores, sprains, strains, stress, stretch marks, sunburn, tension, vertigo, whooping cough, and many more.
In perfumery, it can be used as either a Top or Middle note.
In all, if one were to have only one herb or essential oil at their disposal, Lavender would be my recommendation.
Buy it now on Amazon.com!
Mountain Rose Herbs
A leading organic supplier since 1987
of bulk organic herbs and spices, essential oils and herbal teas.
Wonderful herbs at fabulous prices... well worth a look!
Be sure to see their Bulk Lavender Flowers!
Perhaps the most recognized use of Lavender is in help to pleasantly lull people to sleep. It has been used for this (as well as to aid relaxation and calmness) in hospitals in Britain for many years. In the Victorian era, it was not unusual to find those with the means to do so to have pillows stuffed with lavender flowers. Just a drop or two of Lavender essential oil on a pillow, or a few in a bath just before bed, can prove very helpful for those with issues calming enough to sleep. Its gentle calming properties also make it ideal for treating anxiety, panic attacks, and similar issues.
It is also highly effective for various kinds of pain, most notably almost any kind of headache. Lavender is one of the few essential oils that can be used ‘neat’ - applied directly to the skin without dilution. You can apply a drop to each temple to vastly improve a headache, or mix it in a 2 to 1 ratio with peppermint (peppermint being the lesser end of the ratio) and dilute it a bit in a carrier oil for a similar effect, applied again to the temples. This mixture is most effective for migraines. Lavender can also be diluted in a carrier oil, lotion, or balm, and rubbed on most sore areas, including strains, sprains, bruises, and various skin irritations. It can also be used neat on burns to reduce pain and help prevent blistering (from my personal experience, it will sting slightly when first applied to a fresh burn, but it won’t last long, and the burn will stop hurting much faster than any other method I have found.) It can also be effective for treating minor wounds, as it has antiseptic qualities and helps to speed healing.
Lavender essential oil is one of the few that is safe for (very limited) internal use; the herb, both fresh and dried, is as well. 1-4 drops on a sugar cube or a tablespoon of milk can be helpful for a number of things, including faintness, anxiety (particularly palpitations and the like), low appetite, dreary spirits, and flatulence. It is also helpful for a sore throat.
Because of Lavender’s antiviral and antiseptic qualities, in addition to its lovely fresh scent, one of my own favorite uses for it is as a room spray. You can either add a few drops to a spray bottle of water (which must be shaken well before each use) or simply get Lavender water. It makes your rooms smell better, and also helps in preventing the spread of illnesses, like colds and flu.
It can be used as an Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antiseptic, Diuretic, Insecticide, and Sedative. It can also be used for acne, allergies, anxiety, asthma, athlete's foot, bronchitis, bruises, burns, chicken pox, circulatory issues, colds, colic, cuts, dandruff, depression, dermatitis, earache, eczema, headache, hypertension, insect bites, insect repellent, insomnia, irritability, itching, labor pains, mental fatigue, migraine, muscular aches, oily skin, panic attacks, PMS symptoms, psoriasis, rheumatism, scars, sinusitis, sores, sprains, strains, stress, stretch marks, sunburn, tension, vertigo, whooping cough, and many more.
In perfumery, it can be used as either a Top or Middle note.
In all, if one were to have only one herb or essential oil at their disposal, Lavender would be my recommendation.
Buy it now on Amazon.com!
Mountain Rose Herbs
A leading organic supplier since 1987
of bulk organic herbs and spices, essential oils and herbal teas.
Wonderful herbs at fabulous prices... well worth a look!
Be sure to see their Bulk Lavender Flowers!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Greetings!
Greetings to you all out there on the 'net!
This blog will include information about Gold Dragon Herbal, a small business providing handcrafted herbal and aromatherapy products for your bath, body and home; as well as such articles and information we feel might be useful to our friends and customers.
I hope that we can help you, now and in the future!
This blog will include information about Gold Dragon Herbal, a small business providing handcrafted herbal and aromatherapy products for your bath, body and home; as well as such articles and information we feel might be useful to our friends and customers.
I hope that we can help you, now and in the future!
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