Health Benefits of Vitamin C

Whenever you got a cold or the flu, you may have heard your mom (and doctor) warn you to drink plenty of fluids and get extra vitamin C.

That’s because this particular vitamin is able to help boost your immune system.

It’s preferable that instead of waiting until you’re already sick, you bulk up on vitamin C beforehand – to stave off any foreign invaders ahead of time.

You can find vitamin C naturally in oranges and other citrus fruit.

Aside from boosting your body’s natural defense system, taking regular doses of vitamin C helps your body heal from minor cuts and wounds.

Your tissues benefits from the intake of vitamin C as well, as do your teeth and gums.

This unique vitamin actually contributes to your absorption of other vitamins within your body, so a deficiency in vitamin C can have prohibit other nutrients from helping your health.

Each organ needs certain vitamins to stay healthy and functioning properly.

Vitamin C helps those other nutrients get carried out to the organs and tissues that need them most.

Your muscles need vitamin C to stay strong and flexible, which can help lessen some of the pain you may suffer from now – or in the future.

It helps your joint muscles retain their resiliency so that they can bend properly with a good amount of pressure placed on them.

Vitamin C is also known to be an antioxidant, which helps eliminate free radicals within your body.

This means that it can help prevent you from developing some types of cancer.

It can also get rid of toxic byproducts that can be produced from the fat metabolism.

Because of its ability to neutralize the toxic byproducts, vitamin C is now known to help prevent heart disease.

It promotes healthy blood flow, which can help fight against atherosclerosis. The healthier your heart is, the longer you may live!

Vitamin C can be purchased in pill form that you can get from your local grocery store or as a supplement online.

You can also find it in oranges, strawberries and cantaloupe. In vegetables, you can find it in tomatoes, broccoli and cabbage.

If you’re not into fruits and vegetables, then it’s recommended that you drink a glass of orange juice every day.

Get your daily dose of vitamin C and give your body the boost it needs to stay healthy!

Herbal Remedies Used to Help Treat ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder that affects both children and adults.

Learning disabilities such as forgetfulness, inability to organize thoughts and shortened attention span can make ADHD a very frustrating illness to live with.

Research has shown that the cause of ADHD is a failure of the brain to properly stimulate the neural network that rules such areas as how we react to outside stimulation and our emotions.

The result can be extreme anxiety and aggressive behavior.

Diet is a component that should be addressed when attempting to treat ADHD — too much sugar or allergies to certain foods such as peanuts, tomatoes or milk – can have a huge impact on controlling adverse stimulation to the brain.

Red, yellow and blue food dyes found in many foods can also cause undesirable reactions in children with ADHD.

Mainstream medicine often uses antidepressants or other stimulant-type drugs to treat ADHD, but they’re often ineffective and can cause a lack of interest in life and depression.

More people who suffer from ADHD are turning to herbal remedies for positive results. Some helpful herbs include:

• Ginkgo Biloba – This Chinese herb has been used since 2800 B.C. to help patients who suffer from memory loss and diseases of the brain and nervous system. Western medicine now uses Ginkgo Biloba to help treat the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s and depression. It’s a natural antioxidant.
• Lemon Balm – A healing and calming herb that has widely been used to treat PMS and menstrual cramps, it’s now found to be helpful in treating depression and anxiety. Lemon Balm can also be effective in treating digestive ailments such as irritable bowel syndrome and dysentery.
• Chamomile – The properties of this herb are valued for their effectiveness to treat conditions such as anxiety and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). A natural antioxidant, Chamomile can also be taken as an antihistamine.

If you’re considering treating an ADHD problem with herbs, be sure that you also adhere to a diet free of sugar or soft drinks (both diet and sweetened) that contain phosphates.

And, get plenty of sunlight – use full-spectrum lighting if the patient is unable to spend time outside.

There are safe, herbal treatments available that are completely non-addictive and that don’t contain the risk of prescription drugs.

Be sure to consult with a health professional and do your research before deciding on the type of treatment best for you.

Herbal Remedies for Some Common Everyday Ailments

Some of us suffer from common, everyday ailments that can be treated effectively by herbal remedies rather than an expensive trip to the doctor and resulting prescriptions.

Specific herbs can be made into healing salves, tonics and teas not only to relieve irritating symptoms that accompany these ailments, but also to cure them.

Herbal remedies have innate benefits that can work for a variety of common ailments from acne to warts. Below are some herbal treatments for everyday ailments:

Acne – There are a number of conditions that can perpetuate acne, but the most common causes are hormonal imbalance (such as in adolescence), stress and some medications.  Effective herbal remedies include:

Enchinacea – Reduces inflammation and has healing qualities.

Witch Hazel – Used as a topical astringent.

Aloe Gel – Topically applied as an antibacterial (and astringent) agent.

Bladder infections – This type of infection occurs when bacteria enters the urinary tract — generally, in women. Some symptoms include constant or painful urination. Treat bladder infections with the following herbal remedies:

• Barberry – Helps the immune system fight infection.
• Cranberry juice – Inhibits bacterial growth by increasing acid in the urine.
• Dandelion – Detoxifies the bladder.

Indigestion – Some types of food causes this digestive problem when the body has difficulty breaking them down. Use of cigarettes, processed foods, and too much coffee or alcohol can also cause rebellious digestive organs. Some herbal remedies for indigestion include:

• Turmeric – Helps relieve stomach irritation.
• Peppermint – Soothes the stomach and relieves symptoms such as bloating.
• Angelica – Relieves cramping and gas.

Warts – Most warts are caused by viruses such as papillomas and are simply a common infection of the skin. Effective herbal remedies include:

• Bloodroot – Can be made into a tincture or paste to remove warts.
• Comfrey – Used as a cream or tonic to treat warts.
• Astragalus – Boosts the immune system.

There are thousands of herbal remedies available to treat a number of common ailments.

Research will provide you with the herbal formula you need to treat almost any disorder.

Home Remedies for the Common Cold

Nothing is more annoying and weakening to your body than the onset of the common cold. It can begin with a sore throat, congestion and overall feeling of discomfort.

You may suffer from a higher than normal temperature, headache and loss of appetite. The intensity of suffering also depends upon your health and the weather.

Mom’s homemade chicken soup has been used for generations to successfully alleviate the symptoms of a cold, but there are other home remedies that are also effective.

Some include:

• Vitamin C – Taking Vitamin C on a regular basis will help to prevent the common cold. If you already have a cold, take large doses of this vitamin to lessen the symptoms and shorten the time you’re ill.
• Watch your diet – Drink plenty of liquids – especially fruit and vegetable juices. Avoid foods with starches, cheese, meat and eggs, but eat lots of vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts.
• Ginger Tea – Hot tea made from ginger root, leaves and a bit of sugar added to hot water is an excellent remedy for a cold. It soothes the throat and helps to reduce fever.
• Lemon – Loaded with Vitamin C, lemon juice helps the immune system to resist all illnesses and decreases the toxicity of the common cold. Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a glass of warm water (and a spoonful of honey) to realize the best results.
• Garlic – Contains oil and beneficial antiseptic qualities that help with respiratory problems and also flushes toxins from the body. Make a soup by boiling about four cloves of garlic in a cup of water – or use garlic oil and ingest it two or three times per day.
• Apple cider vinegar – An effective remedy for a stuffy nose associated with the common cold. Prepare a solution of equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water. When the solution begins to boil, lean over the pan and inhale the fumes.

Environmental factors such as dust or pollen in the air and drastic changes in temperature have a lot to do with the likelihood that you’ll catch the common cold.

How healthy you are can also be a determining factor in how susceptible you are to catch a cold.

You can also be more at risk if you’re tired, depressed or suffer from depression or sleep deprivation.

Keep healthy habits such as a balanced diet, plenty of sunshine and rest and relaxation and you’ll be much more successful in keeping the common cold at bay.

Home Remedies Gone Bad

The ultimate quest of most home remedies is to cure or lessen the symptoms of an illness or condition.

Home remedies concocted from herbs, plants and ingredients you’re likely to have in your cupboard have been used for centuries – and in most cases they work.

But, beware of homemade medications that can hurt rather than cure. Below are some home remedies that could cause you a trip to the hospital rather than avoiding it.

• Butter for Burns – For years, butter has been used as a salve for burns. Actually, butter is extremely bad for burns because rather than cooling the burned area, it keeps the heat inside and increases the chance for infection.
• Paraffin (Kerosene) – Thought to be an effective method to make a child vomit. Forcing a child to ingest paraffin can damage the lungs and the stomach.
• Castor Oil – An old home remedy for constipation, caster oil is a stimulant laxative that can damage the intestines if taken too often. You can also become reliant on it to induce regular bowel movements.
• Herbal Aphrodisiacs – Herbs like Spanish Fly aren’t regulated, so you don’t know how much you’re getting in a supplement. Too much of any herbal remedy can be harmful to your system.
• Hydrogen Peroxide – Some home remedy enthusiasts use hydrogen peroxide as an antiseptic. It’s effective in cleaning wounds, but doesn’t kill the bacteria that can eventually cause infection.
• Apple Cider Vinegar – Used to promote weight loss, apple cider vinegar can ruin your tooth enamel if you don’t brush your teeth after ingesting it.
• Syrup of Ipecac – A home remedy used to induce vomiting if a poison is ingested. Pediatricians now discourage the use of the syrup and suggest instead that you call the National Poison Center at 800-222-1222.
• Kerosene – Treating head lice by rubbing kerosene on a child’s head is a home remedy that is ineffective and can be harmful to the child.

Most home remedies are harmless, but some can be extremely dangerous.

Mixed with certain prescriptions or medical conditions, these non-prescribed remedies can cause severe damage or death.

Check with your health care professional or pharmacist before using any type of home or herbal remedy.

Why Iron Is Important for Your Health

An iron deficiency isn’t obvious to spot, but it can wreak havoc on your overall health, leaving you feeling lethargic and tired without an apparent explanation.

Restless leg syndrome, anemia, dypsnea, and an odd disorder called pica are all a result of having a low iron count.

Restless leg syndrome causes uncomfortable feelings in your legs when you’re at rest and trying to sleep.

It can cause insomnia because as you’re trying to fall into a slumber, your legs are still feeling like they need to get up and walk or move around.

Some people who suffer from this, have reported that they experience involuntary movements with their legs when they’re at rest or an annoying tingling sensation that drives them to give up on getting rest so they get up and move around to make it go away.

The restlessness they feel usually can only subside when they move their legs around to wear them out.

Although the exact cause of restless leg syndrome isn’t known, those who suffer say that an increase in iron helped alleviate the problem.

Anemia is another condition that’s caused by an iron deficiency.

Anemia is when iron levels are low for a long period of time without relief, which makes red blood cell production ineffective.

This disorder causes chronic fatigue and weakness for the person suffering from it.

It can also cause dypsnea, which is shortness of breath. The low iron levels cause oxygen to not flow freely, therefore sapping you of energy.

You can also experience heart palpitations and increased sweat production, and it can even lead to heart failure if left untreated!

Pica is an odd disorder seen in people with a low iron count. Pica is a term used for those who crave unusual items that are considered not edible.

Low iron causes your body to crave iron. Sometimes, this can result in people eating paper, buttons, and chalk – and in some cases – soil!

Pica can result in other hazardous conditions that may result from eating unhealthy items.

Eating soil, for example, can cause a person to contract bacteria or microscopic worms. This behavior can sometimes be treated simply by consuming extra iron.

Low iron can cause excessive bleeding in menstruating women or women who shouldn’t be menstruating at that time.

The blood is thinned to a point that blood clotting becomes a little more difficult and you could essentially lose other nutrients that your body needs.

If you think you’re low on iron, have your doctor run a simple blood test to find out if you’re anemic.

You don’t want to take too much iron – just enough to get your levels back to a normal, healthy state.

What Herbal Products Can Do for Your Skin

It’s important to maintain a daily skin care regime if you want to have smooth and healthy skin.

Whether you have dry, oily, sensitive or aging skin, there are a wide array of herbal products that can help restore and keep its vibrancy without using toxic chemicals.

These products are eco-friendly too, so you can pamper yourself while feeling good about not adding to the pollution of Planet Earth.

When purchasing herbal products, be sure the plants are grown organically, without chemicals that might cause a reaction to your skin.

Facial skin is thin and more sensitive than the skin on other parts of your body, so be sure to choose herbal products for your face that are proven to be gentle.

Cleansing, toning and moisturizing are the three major components when caring for your face, so you’ll want to choose carefully.

Over the counter products such as body washes and bubble bath typically contain detergents that can irritate sensitive skin.

Instead, choose organically grown, herbal lotions and cleansers that will keep your skin well lubricated, vibrant and free of skin problems such as acne.

Aging skin can benefit from natural products such as vitamins, minerals and essential oils that revive and regenerate the skin.

Creams made from botanical oils and extracts will hydrate the skin, giving back the moisture that the natural affects of aging causes.

Natural, herbal products such as those made with balancing formulas of witch haze, mallow and botanical oils can also help to firm sagging skin and prevent the fine lines, scars and wrinkles acquired from pregnancies, weight loss or acne.

These products specifically target problem areas — and if used regularly, can prevent and lessen skin problems.

Herbal products are designed not only to help and be kind to your skin, but also require no animal ingredients or testing.

They don’t use detergents, synthetics or colors that might cause skin sensitivity and harm the eco-system.

Air pollution, bacteria and viruses can wreak havoc on your skin and play a huge role in your overall health.

Combat these modern-day maladies by using herbal products that have been beneficial to humans since the beginning of time.

They’re not magic potions and they can’t cure everything, but they deserve a place in your life.

Vitamins That Are Good for Your Heart

We usually think of the word vitamin in conjunction with good health. They’re nutrients you body needs to function properly.

But some vitamins are more beneficial than others and work harder in promoting good health.

Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body.

You want it to stay strong – especially considering that heart disease is the number one killer in the United States.

There are vitamins that can specifically promote heart health.

Vitamin B6 – Vitamin B6 is a vitamin that your body needs in order to produce hemoglobin, which is what carries the oxygen throughout the blood to reach your body’s organs efficiently.

Vitamin B6 can help maintain a normal range of blood sugar levels, too.

Foods that are rich in Vitamin B6 are chicken breasts, oatmeal, pork loin, ready to eat cereals and roast beef.

Some vegetable choices are Avocados, soybeans, lima beans and Garbanzo beans. Bananas are another choice for vitamin B6 consumption.

Vitamin B12 – Vitamin B12 is necessary for the synthesis of the red blood cells and the maintenance of the nervous system.

Low vitamin B12 levels can result in anemia and neuropathy. Neuropathy is the degeneration of the nerve fibers, which can cause various forms of nerve damage.

Vitamin B12 is necessary for proper blood flow and making sure each organ (including the heart) receives what it needs.

The heart can’t pump blood efficiently without red blood cell production. Foods rich in vitamin B12 are meat, dairy products and eggs.

Lesser-known items are soy products, seaweed and algae products.

Vitamin E – Vitamin E is a vitamin that protects your body’s cells from free radicals, which is what contributes to certain types of cancer.

It’s also good for helping lower cholesterol so that blood can flow freely to and from your heart.

Foods that are rich in vitamin E are almonds, sunflower nuts, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts and peanut butter.

Vegetables that are high in vitamin E are spinach and broccoli. Fruit choices would be kiwi and mango.

Recommended intake of vitamin E for both men and women is 15 mg. a day. This is what’s needed for the development of a healthy heart.

Children should consume about 7mg. daily for 4 year olds and up and 6mg. for the toddlers that are 1-3 years old.

Eating a healthy diet and exercising can promote a healthier heart. Sometimes, they aren’t quite enough to get your heart going.

Vitamins can help kick start it so that it can function longer and you can live a longer healthier life.

The Dangers of Vitamin Supplements

Claims that certain supplements can cure anything and keep you healthy and wise have boosted the vitamin business to billions of dollars per year.

Most people today want to stay young and avoid diseases and have bought into the idea of supplements to enhance their health.

Health food stores in America abound with shelves laden with goods that promise miracles for your health.

But there are certain dangers involved in surreptitiously ingesting vitamin supplements.

Some danger occurs if you’re taking other medications that the supplements might have an adverse reaction to.

Some people think that “natural” is safe, but that isn’t always true. Some supplements that might endanger your health are:

• Weight loss supplements that contain “theophylline.” Theophylline is taken from a black tea extract and bitter orange. It’s sometimes prescribed for asthma, but can cause seizures and irregular heartbeat.
• Aristolochia. An herb supplement that sometimes causes cancer or kidney failure.
• Bitter orange. A weight loss supplement that may cause seizures.
• Kava. Can be the source of liver failure.
• Pennyroyal. An herb that’s linked to nerve damage and liver and kidney failure.
• Comfrey. An herb that sometimes causes liver damage.
• Lobelia. An herb that can cause tremors, dizziness, breathing difficulties and low blood pressure.
• Androstenedione. Can increase cancer risk and decrease the good HDL cholesterol.

Despite possible side effects, there are many instances when supplements are effective.

For example, if you’re a vegetarian, senior citizen or a woman who’s menopausal or post-menopausal, you may not get all the vitamins you need.

People on a severe diet plan, smokers, heavy drinkers and pregnant women may also need extra vitamins to supplement their diets because many vitamins are difficult to absorb.

It’s always best to consult a health professional if you suspect that your body needs dietary supplements.

Also, check with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to see if there are current bans on a particular supplement.

Some Herbal Remedies to Increase Fertility

Fertility drugs can sometimes cause undesired side effects in women seeking pregnancy.

Another route to consider that may increase fertility is the use of herbal remedies that will help the uterus become toned and healthy, balance hormones, reduce stress and calm the nervous system.

Some herbs that are considered useful in curing fertility problems are:

• Raspberry leaf – This is perhaps the most popular of all herbal remedies used to increase fertility. It’s high in calcium and is also used as a tonic for the uterus.
• Red clover blossom – Some consider this as the most useful herb to increase fertility and establish pregnancy. Used daily, it can help balance hormones. This herb is also high in magnesium and calcium and contains trace minerals.
• Damiana – Stimulates nerves, metabolism, circulation and the genitals. The leaves are used in tonics and teas to restore impotence and sexual vitality. Damiana also helps to relax the nervous system.
• Nettle leaves – Chlorophyll and minerals contained in this herb are great to balance hormones. When used as a tonic, it helps to keep the uterus healthy. Kidneys and the adrenal glands are also benefited by the use of nettle leaves.
• False unicorn root – Used as a tonic to promote a healthy uterus. It also helps the ovaries, bladder and kidneys to become more alkaline.
• Dong Quai – Has been proven successful in promoting fertility during the time between ovulating and menstruation. This herb should only be used in combination with other herbs that promote fertility.

Calcium and Magnesium are also significant in ensuring the conception of a healthy baby and the ability to carry it for the full nine months.

Research the use of vitamins, minerals and herbs to better understand how you can benefit from their use in the quest to establish a pregnancy.

Fertility problems are complicated and varied, but many couples have used herbal remedies with excellent results.

Keep in mind that nutrition and lifestyle can be important factors in treating infertility.

Mood-Enhancing Vitamins

Depression can affect anyone – and it usually will to some degree throughout life.  It brings with it negative thoughts from worthlessness to guilt to inadequacy.

It can also cause symptoms such as a loss of appetite, fatigue and lack of sleep.

When those symptoms surface, it makes coping more difficult.

While it’s true that depression can be treated by medications and various treatments that mental health professionals advise and control, you can also provide yourself with some relief by using mood-enhancing vitamins to take the edge off and help you cope better.

Vitamins B1 and B3 are good for improving your mood. They can be found in lean meats, green vegetables, poultry and fish. They can also help alleviate the fatigue and loss of appetite you feel during episodes of depression.

Vitamin B6 is good for helping the brain produce serotonin, the feel good hormone. Serotonin is what our brain produces to maintain a healthy, positive outlook in life. Vitamin B6 can be found in foods such as whole grains, bananas, fish and spinach.

Vitamin B12 is good for producing other brain chemicals that enable us to have that feel good feeling. It helps us gain focus and clarity, removing the brain fog you might feel from time to time.  It can be found in foods like fish, milk, eggs, poultry and liver.

You may notice that the first of the mood-enhancing vitamins mentioned are all in the B group!

Doctors will often provide their patients will a Vitamin B booster if they’re experiencing a rough time emotionally.

Vitamin C is another excellent vitamin to help increase your mood and energy levels. Your thoughts are clearer and you can confront your problems a little easier. Vitamin C can easily be found in foods like citrus fruits and orange juice.

Folic Acid can help decrease the homocysteine levels within the body, which is what enables depression to take root in your thoughts. Folic acid can be seen in foods like liver, lentils, whole grain breads, potatoes, spinach and brussel sprouts.

The minerals that help eliminate depression are calcium, zinc, magnesium and chromium. They’re beneficial in improving your brain’s functions.

When we think clearer and are more focused, depression is diminished.

Depression can be a serious thing to deal with. Always consult your doctor before taking these vitamins in case something stronger in a prescription form is needed instead.

Use the vitamins wisely and they can help lift the depression that haunts you.