Archive for March, 2008
The many uses of tea tree oil
Tea tree oil is one of the most important compounds in the world of traditional medicine, useful for treating such diverse conditions as dandruff, athlete’s foot and acne. There are many products containing tea tree oil on the market, and they have a number of important uses. In addition, tea tree oil can be purchased as a pure essential oil. This essential oil can be added to commercial shampoos for dandruff protection, or it can be applied to the skin to treat acne outbreaks.
The history of tea tree oil
The tea tree is known to the world of science as melaleuca alternifolia, and it grows wild in Australia and some parts of Asia. The leaves of the tea tree were used by the indigenous peoples of Austalis and Asia to make a sort of tea. It is that traditional use that gave the tea tree its common name.
The oil of the tea tree has long been used by indigenous peoples in the countries where it is grown, and lately modern science has begun to take an interest in the many uses of tea tree oil. Where aboriginal peoples would use this tea tree oil to heal cuts and infections on the skin, today tea tree oil is used in the treatment of acne and other common skin conditions. The reason for this effectiveness is that tea tree oil contains compounds known as terpenoids, which have been proven effective in killing both bacterial and fungal infections.
It is this fungicidal property that makes tea tree oil so effective in treating athlete’s foot. Athlete’s foot is a common fungal condition, and tea tree oil has been shown to be very effective at treating athlete’s foot and other similar conditions.
Tea tree oil and healing
TTO has also proven effective at treating minor cuts and injuries. Australian aboriginies have long used tea tree oil to treat minor scrapes and injuries, and tea tree oil continues to be used for this purpose today.
TTO has also been proven effective as a topical antiseptic, and has shown promise in treating yeast infections, boils, lice and even yeast infections.
TTO is available in a wide variety of preparations, including shampoos, creams, lotions, ointments and soaps. Tea tree oil can be used as well as a pure essential oil, and this pure oil is often applied to acne lesions to help them heal more quickly. Pure tea tree essential oil can also be added to shampoo to make an effective and less costly alternative to dandruff shampoo.
Other uses of TTO
Other preparations of tea tree oil include as a spot treatment for toenail fungus, or diluted into a mouthwash for the treatment of thrush, also known as oral yeast. When gargling with a mouthwash containing TTO, however, it is important to not swallow the solution, since high concentrations of tea tree oil can be poisonous.
While allergies and allergic reactions to tea tree oil are rare, it is important to be on the lookout for symptoms of allergy and sensitivity. Such symptoms can include skin rashes and itchy skin. Anyone experiencing these symptoms should discontinue use of tea tree oil.
Spice is nice – great herbs with great benefits
Herbs can do much more than add much needed spice to the foods you cook. Herbs also have important health benefits, and many herbs have been shown to have remarkable healing properties.
Growing your own herbs
Fortunately, herbs are very easy to grow in your own home herb garden. They are also easy and quite inexpensive to buy, either fresh or in their dried varieties. When buying herbs, whether they are dried or fresh, however, it is important to exercise caution and to buy only the freshest herbs, or those dried herbs made by quality, reputable companies.
The best choice for many people, however, is to grow your own herbs in an herb garden. Unlike many other forms of gardening, an herb garden takes up almost no space. Most herb gardens can be grown using the smallest flower pots set in a sunny windowsill. There are every kits which allow the cook to grow a variety of herbs directly from seed, all in one handy container.
There are as many ways to use herbs in cooking and in healing as there are herbs. For instance, meats, stews and pasta dishes can all be enhanced with basil, garlic, oregano and rosemary. Foods that are naturally sweet can be further enhanced through the addition of herbs like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg, while extra heat can be added to many foods by adding a dash of white, black or red pepper.
Herbs and dieting
Dieters often appreciate the ability of herbs to add flavor and variety to food without adding extra calories. When adding fresh herbs to a recipe, the best technique is to gently crush the herbs in your hand in order to fully release their flavor. It is best to add the herbs near the end of the cooking process to preserve their flavor and nutritional value. A few of the most commonly grown herbs for the home garden are:
> Sweet basil – Sweet basil (ocimum basilicum), in both the dark opal and the green variety are quite easy to grow from seed, and they generally germinate at 7 to 10 days. Basil can grow to a height of 18 inches, and it provides excellent flavor to tomato paste, pastas, soups and stews.
> Chives – Chives (allium scboenoprasum) is a perennial plant which is popular in both herb gardens and more traditional garden patches. These tiny plants resemble spears of grass when they first sprout, but they can grow to a height of 12 inches. Chives are great in salads, sauces and all kinds of egg dishes.
> Dill – Dill (anethum graveolens) is another easily grown herb, and it makes an excellent flavoring for meats. Dill is also excellent for use in pickling.
> Lavender – Lavender (lavandula) is easy to grow as well, and it provides a fresh scent indoors and out. While not traditionally eaten, lavender is important in aromatherapy, and the dried leaves of the plant make excellent sachets for sprucing up closets.
> Mint – Mint (menthe spicat) is also quite easy to grow and it can easily be grown indoors as part of an herb garden. Mint is an excellent accompaniment to fruit drinks and lemonade, and we all know how well mint jelly goes with lamb dishes.
> Sage – Sage (saivia officinalis) is another perennial plant that is grown indoors and out. This popular herb is excellent for use in chicken, turkey and pork, and it is often used for flavoring sausage as well.
The health benefits of wild yams
The plant known as the wild yam is actually a perennial vine which features a pale brown rhizome coupled with a thin reddish brown stem with can grow up to 36 feet in length. The wild yam features large oval leaves with a fine hair on the bottom of the leaf, and the plant produces attractive flowers of greenish yellow. These small flowers appear from June to July.
The fruit of the wild yam is also yellowish green and it ripens in September, remaining on the vine for a time during the winter months. The rootstocks of the wild yam are crooked, and they feature horizontal branches with long runners. The wild yam has many other names, including devil’s bones, rheumatism root, yuma, Mexican yam and China root.
Wild yams and traditional medicine
The wild yam has been used in traditional medicines for many years, and it is thought to provide many benefits, including relief from the menstrual cramps, hot flashes and headaches often associated with menopause.
It is thought that wild yam provides these benefits due to its estrogen like and progestin like properties. The rhizome is known to contain compounds known as sopanins, which are a precursor to the production of estrogen, progesterone and cortisone.
The outer bark of the wild yam is also high in these saponins, and this may explain some of their ability to sooth menopausal symptoms. In addition, wild yam has been studied for its ability to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms, and traditional cultures have long used it to treat the liver and endocrine system. And in addition to treating menopausal symptoms, wild yam has also proven effective at treating menstrual cramps and other similar problems. Wild yam has even been effective at treating common digestive concerns such as irritable bowel syndrome and cramping.
Side effects and precautions
While wild yam is generally safe and effective for a number of conditions, it can have side effects and caution should be used when beginning treatment with this plant. If you experience any side effects or discomfort when taking wild yam, it is important to discontinue taking it and seek the advice of your doctor.
As with all supplements and medications, both prescription and over the counter, it is important to consult with your doctor when taking wild yam. It is important that your physician have a complete record of all treatments and medications you are taking, whether he or she prescribed them or not. That is because even herbal remedies can have significant side effects and drug interactions. Keeping your physician apprised of all your treatment is the best way to ensure your good health.
In some cases large does of wild yam have been shown to cause diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. In addition, women who are pregnant or those who are breast feeding should not take wild yam because it does carry the risk of certain birth defects and spontaneous abortion. In addition, those who suffer from hormone imbalance, hormone sensitive cancers or depression should not take wild yam.
The health benefits of Siberian root
Siberian root has been used as an energy tonic in China for thousands of years, but the western world has only recently discovered the healing power of this herbal remedy. Siberian root has long been studied for its ability to reduce stress in men and women, and those taking it often report being better able to endure physical and emotional stress.
Siberian root is thought to also be quite effective at fighting fatigue and at curing a variety of ailments. This ability has led to quite a following for Siberian root, and many of the biggest enthusiasts find that it works best when used in the traditional Chinese way. The Chinese have historically used Siberian root to reinforce the vital energy of the body, known to Chinese medicine as qi. Others enjoy the power of Siberian root to ward off colds and flu, and to enhance memory functions.
The power of Siberian root
Siberian root is known to contain many unique compounds that can positively affect the adrenal glands. These small glands rest on top of the kidneys, and they are known to secrete hormones that are effective in fighting stress. Taking Siberian root is thought to enhance the ability of the body to handle physical stress and to enhance the disease resistance of the body as well.
Therefore, many believe the Siberian root may be able to prevent many diseases that are caused by stress. Users who take Siberian root have reported that they are better able to withstand the rigors of physical labor, and to work at greater speed and with greater accuracy. Siberian root is also said to allow people to adapt more readily to heat, high altitudes and low oxygen situations. Others use Siberian root to enhance their mental alertness and improve their concentration.
Siberian root and chronic fatigue syndrome
In addition, Siberian root is one of the few herbs that has been found to be effective against chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Siberian root is also thought to be effective against normal fatigue and many users report feelings of greater energy after taking this herb.
Some people even feel that Siberian root is able to increase both male and female fertility and to reduce male impotence. In traditional Chinese cultures Siberian root was often used as an aphrodisiac and a fertility enhancer, and modern medicine is studying these effects.
Traditional uses of Siberian root
Siberian root has also been used in traditional medicine to treat symptoms of menopause, and to relieve the symptoms associated with menopause. It is thought that Siberian root may also affect the hormone levels and tone the muscles of the uterus. These abilities may make it valuable for relieving menstrual cramps and other associated problems.
Siberian root is available over the counter in a number of different places, including health food stores, grocery stores and supermarkets and even on the internet. There are a number of online retailers of Siberian root, and they can provide some very competitive prices.
No matter where you buy your Siberian root, or what conditions you use it to treat, however, it is important to purchase high quality brands form manufacturers who use the most modern manufacturing methods. How herbs such as Siberian root are handled after harvest, and how they are processed, can have a profound impact on their therapeutic value.