Huwebes, Oktubre 6, 2011

Natural remedy for Insomia


Insomnia can be based on or aggravated by a neurotransmitter imbalance. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that allow nerve impulses to travel from one nerve cell to another, and include serotonin, acetylcholine, GABA, and the sex hormones testosterone and estrogen. Sleep disorders and such symptoms as depression are especially linked with an imbalance in the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin is manufactured by the body from the amino acid tryptophan. Herbs and foods high in tryptophan that help restore proper serotonin levels in the brain are St. John's wort, quinoa, spirulina, and soy products.

Herbs for Insomnia

The following herbs can be used during the day, or try using 20-30 minutes before bedtime.

Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis): Chamomile is a time-honored sedative herb which can be safely used by children and adults alike. Chamomile tea is commonly used in Europe, South America, and Mexico for insomnia and restlessness combined with irritability, particularly in children. Chamomile oil can also be put in bath water (5-6 drops) to soothe overwrought nerves, diluted to 2% to make an excellent massage oil, or used as an inhalant.
  • Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 x daily; Tincture, 30 drops 3 x daily.

Hops (Humulus lupulus): In the early 1900s, Eclectic physicians used hops as a sedative specifically for insomnia due to worry or nerve weakness . Hops, a major flavoring component of beer, has a long history of use for sleeplessness, nervousness, and restlessness. Hops pillows are sometimes used for mild insomnia.
  • Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 x daily; Tincture, 30-40 drops 2-3 x daily.

Lavender (Lavandula officinalis): Lavender is a gentle strengthening tonic for the nervous system. A few drops of lavender oil added to a bath before bedtime are recommended for persons with sleep disorders. Additionally, the oil may be used as a compress or massage oil or simply inhaled to alleviate insomnia.
  • Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 x daily; Essential oil--oil may be inhaled, massaged into the skin (use 10 drops essential oil per ounce of vegetable oil), or added to baths (3-10 drops).

Passion flower (Passiflora incarnata): Herbalists consider passion flower an important herb for insomnia caused by mental worry, overwork, or nervous exhaustion. In England it is an ingredient in forty different commonly-sold sedative preparations. Passion flower is used for minor sleep problems in both children and adults. It is an excellent sedative with no side effects even when used in large doses.
  • Dose: Tea, 1 cup 3 x daily; Tincture, 30-60 drops 3-4 x daily.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis): In the United States, herbalists use valerian extensively for its sedative action against insomnia, nervousness, and restlessness. It is recommended for those type of people who have a hard time falling asleep, because it shortens sleep latency. It also reduces nighttime waking. Valerian is an excellent herbal sedative that has none of the negative side effects of Valium and other synthetic sedatives. It works well in combination with other sedative herbs, such as California poppy, skullcap, hops, and passion flower.
  • Dose: Tea, 1 cup as needed; Tincture, 2-5 droppersful 2-3 x daily.

Wild lettuce (Lactuca virosa): Wild lettuce is a mild sedative and nervine used for restlessness and insomnia. It may be found in a variety of formulas for the treatment of acute and chronic insomnia. It is used homeopathically for restlessness and insomnia (Boericke, 1927). Because of its safety of use and calming effects, wild lettuce is a good children's remedy.
  • Dose: Tincture, 2-3 drpfls 3-4 x daily.

California poppy (Eschscholzia californica): California poppy is my favorite sedative and sleep-promoting herb which can currently be found in a variety of herbal remedies sold in the United States for promoting sleep, helping one to relax, and easing mild anxiety. Because of its mild sedative and analgesic properties, it can be given safely to children. Clinical and laboratory work on California poppy has clearly demonstrated the plant's sedative and anti-anxiety properties; it has been shown to improve both sleep latency and quality.
  • Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 x daily; Tincture, 30-40 drops 2-3 x daily.
  • Note: Since the tea is mild, a tincture is recommended when a stronger dose is desired.

Kava kava (Piper methysticum): Kava is the national drink of Fiji and is popular throughout the South Seas. It imparts a calm feeling, relaxes the body, and sometimes enhances communication and dreaming. This sedative herb is often used for sleeplessness and fatigue.
  • Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 x daily; Tincture, 3-4 droppersful 2-3 x daily.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum): This common yellow-flowered weedy herb from Europe is quickly becoming an important part of modern herbal therapeutics. It has a long history of use dating back to ancient Greek times. Modern scientific studies show that it can help relieve chronic insomnia and mild depression when related to certain brain chemistry imbalances. Because this herb can sensitize the skin to sunlight, if you are taking a full dose, avoid direct skin exposure to bright sunlight.
  • Dose: Tincture, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon 2-3 x daily; powdered extract, 1-2 tablets or capsules 2-3 x daily. Allow 2-3 weeks for the full therapeutic effect to develop. If you experience light sensitivity or other unpleasant symptoms, reduce or discontinue the St. John's wort and consult a qualified herbalist for a total program.

Melatonin: Melatonin is a human hormone that is increasingly popular as a supplement to promote sound sleep, especially in people who travel between time zones or who work odd hours. People report mixed success with this product; some people find real benefit and others feel nothing from its use, while a smaller percentage of users experience side effects such as nervousness and increased insomnia. Whether you have benefited from the use of melatonin or not, one or more of the sleep hygiene tips, as well as safe and natural herbs and formulas covered in this article are likely to help you get a deep refreshing sleep, without side effects.

Herbal Formulas for Insomnia

A Calming Tea Blend: Linden flowers (1 part), Hawthorn flowers & leaves (1 part), Chamomile (2 parts), Catnip (1 part), Lemon balm (1 part), Wintergreen (1 part), Stevia herb (1/8 part).
Bedtime Tea: Valerian (30%), Linden (20%), Kava kava (20%), Chamomile (20%), Catnip (10%).
For either formula, blend the loose herbs, place in a quart jar for future use, and store out of the direct sunlight in a cool place. Use 1 tsp/cup to make a tea. Make 1 quart at a time, adding 1 extra tsp 'for the pot.' Add the herbs to boiled water and cover. Let steep for 20 minutes, strain and store in the quart jar in the refrigerator. This blend will keep for 3 days. Pour out 1 cup, warm it, and drink several times daily or before bedtime as needed.
A few drops of essential oil of lavender added to a foot bath or regular bath can have a nice, calming effect. Finally, sleep pillows made of equal parts of hops, lavender, and chamomile and bath salts containing relaxing essential oils both help promote sleep and are available in some health food stores.


Ok! i feel like i need to add this details,some of us may doubt taking medicine internal or external so i would suggest you try this SLEEP NOW program instead of taking in some herbs,this another safest way to end your sleeping problem now,i have tried this and so far its still effective on me.Remember,it is nescessary to have enough sleep for us to stay looking young.Lets end the ageing process NOW.

Biyernes, Setyembre 30, 2011

Herbal medicine for DENGUE?

Dengue Fever has been in the news for a couple of months already,the fear  has not subsided completely yet.
Dengue fever happens frequently especially in tropical countries,like Malaysia,Thailand and Philippines.There is no specific treatment for dengue until now.
But one click on google you will find so many stories about how herbal treatment help patients survived this life threating infection.

Aedes aegypti mosquitos, carries the dengue virus,the mosquito gets infected when it bites a person who has dengue or DHF.Dengue virus multiplies inside mosquito for a week,until it bites a healthy person.
Sudden high fever without cough or cold,lost of appetite,pain in the bones,severe headache,pain in the back of the eyes,nausea and vomiting are the common symptoms of dengue fever.

Families that cannot afford to pay hospital bills resort into finding cures at home.Here are some herbal medicine that which i also gave to my nephew when he's at the hospital,fighting for his life.

SWEET POTATO LEAVES (talbos ng kamote)-soup that made from kamote tops could help the dengue patients platelet count goes back to normal.What we did is we boiled it for about 5 minutes,then we add sugar to add a little favor.My nephew drinks this without any problem on its taste.

PAPAYA LEAF JUICE-papaya leaf is known to contain vitamin A,C,K,B complex and laetril which is use to cure cancer.But it is more to beleive that its leaf juice helps increase the white blood cells in the body.There are stories that people suffer of sudden drop of their platelet had tried drinking papaya leaf juice and get their platelet count goes back to normal.Click here for papaya leaf recipe.

CRAB SOUP-there are people from other countries that talks about how the soup help them recover from dengue.Click here on how to make CRAB SOUP

TAWA-TAWA-in some provinces they call this miracle plant GATAS-GATAS.this local weed appears to have a good effect on dengue patients.In a study conducted by students of Xavier university-ateneo de cagayan,Euphorba hirta-L(tawa-tawa) helps increase the platelet level on white mices.Here is a link on how to make a TAWA-TAWA TEA.

But no matter how many testimony of people that got better from natural medicine,still the department of health advices patients to seek for medical help thru your nearest hospitals.

Lunes, Setyembre 19, 2011

Common Cold

Cold is the common disease we catch more often.It is common as it is spread easily between people.But these common cold could be a sign of Flu, well on the other hand flu and cold are different respiratory problem, it is caused by different viruses.
But cold symptoms are much milder than flu.

if your suffering :
  1. sneezing
  2. runny rose
  3. cough
  4. sore throat and sometimes
  5. mild fever
You must act quickly,over reacting?, colds could lead into more complicated flu like diseases such as influenza and other types of pneumonia. Common cold is a viral infection that attacks nose and nasal passages or the upper-respiratory and can spread to chest.

The first thing to come in mind when it comes treating common colds is taking VITAMIN C
, but instead of buying over-the-counter vitamin c products,why dont we take the natural source of it, like :

apples
oranges
papaya
guava
kiwi
grapefruit
dalandan
calamansi

these fruits has all the reasons to be present on your smoothies,or just simply take them raw.

Another natural way to help you feel better when your affected of cold is THE CHICKEN SOUP,its part of the tradition, its heat and fluid with a little salt could help fight the infection,
and thats why most soup are called comfort food because of the fact that it could pamper you when your not feeling good.
Check your kitchen cabinet,you may find something that you did'nt give much attention to.
Thats non other than the GINGER,if your a mom you may not want to add that on your daily cooking recipes, because kids dont usually like the taste of ginger.
But Ginger is a powerfull healer,it is a wonder root,that could help you soothe your sore throat when common cold is present,click here to know how to make a Ginger Tea.

Taking plenty of water is another famous remedy for colds.
Eat yogurt,some yogurts contain beneficial bacteria that help prevent colds.
Avoid smoking and same as second hand smoke.
Always wash your hands,viruses are known to pass from people to people by their hands,so make it a habit to wash your hands,before and after eating,holding money,nose-wiping,shaking hands etc etc...bring hand sanitizers.
And ofcourse Get enough of sleep,not getting enough sleep makes you more likely to get sick.