The prickly ash plant is a tall shrub that is often described as a small tree. It can usually be found growing up to a height of twenty feet. The shrub can be distinguished by its barbed stalks and branches. The leaves of this plant are covered with fine hair-like material when they are young. As the leaves mature, they become smooth and develop spots of resins on the outer surface. When crushed, the leaves give out a fragrance that is similar to that of the lemon. The shrub is responsible for bearing green colored flowers. These appear in bunches on old wood before the leaves. Reddish-brown casings can be found on the wood, which house black seeds that are spicy to taste. The prickly ash shrub can be found in the region that ranges from Canada to Virginia and Nebraska.
The Native American tribes used prickly ash for toothaches and infection. Subsequently, it appeared in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1829 to 1926. It was also found in the National Formulary from 1916 to 1947 as a treatment for rheumatism. This herb was often used in the South during cholera and typhus epidemics. There, it was able to produce positive results. Prickly ash is often used in combination with a variety of other herbs.
Samuel Thomson, a nineteenth-century herbalist, considered prickly ash to be a valuable natural stimulant. It helps with problems such as rheumatism, cold hands and feet, ague, and fever. This herb is responsible for stimulating circulation, which is essential for a healthy body. Prickly ash can also help circulation that is impaired. This is the case in cold extremities and joints. Additionally, this herb can help with arthritis and lethargy because of its stimulant action and because it shows promise as way to enhance the immune system and relieve exhaustion.
Prickly ash can be used as a poultice to help speed up the healing of wounds and preventing infection. Also, it helps increase the production of saliva. This helps to eliminate mouth dryness. The bitter and sweet qualities of this herb are responsible for helping to heal deficiencies in the heart, lungs, spleen, and intestine. These qualities also help to strengthen them. As an example, prickly ash has been used to treat ulcers, asthma, and colic. Prickly ash is also used to aid digestion. Additionally, it helps in relieving feminine problems such as premenstrual cramps. This herb also is used to treat skin diseases.
The bark and berries of the prickly ash plant are used to provide alterative, anthelmintic, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, astringent, blood purifier, sialagogue, and stimulant properties. Primarily, prickly ash is extremely beneficial in dealing with poor circulation, fevers, paralysis, mouth sores, ulcers, and wounds. Additionally, this herb is very helpful in treating ague, arthritis, asthma, blood impurities, cholera, colic, uterine cramps, diarrhea, edema, gas, gastric disorders, indigestion, lethargy, liver disorders, rheumatism, primary tuberculosis, skin diseases, syphilis, thyroid problems, and typhus.
In order to obtain the best results when supplementing with this, or any herb, it is important to consult your health care provider before beginning any regimen while on prescription medications. For more information on the many beneficial effects provided by prickly ash, please feel free to consult a representative from your local health food store with questions.
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According to researched in the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), three brain areas of a patient with panic disorder lack a key component which is a chemical messenger system that regulates emotion. Following a series of brain scans done on panic disorder patients to find anxiety disorder treatments, it is revealed that a type of serotonin receptor is reduced by nearly a third in three structures straddling the center of the brain. The finding published in January 2004 in the Journal of Neuroscience, is the first in living humans to show that the receptor, which is pivotal to the action of widely prescribed anti-anxiety medications, may be abnormal in the disorder, and may help to explain how genes might influence vulnerability. This research was conducted by Drs. Alexander Neumeister and Wayne Drevets of the NIMH Mood and Anxiety Disorders Program.
Statistics show that about 2.4 million Americans have panic attack strikes suddenly, and experience feelings of intense fear and physical symptoms sometimes confused with a heart attack. If these symptoms go unchecked, the disorder often sets in motion an unbearable psychological syndrome of agoraphobia, which is avoiding public places. Researches have long suspected that panic disorders are genetic components since it runs in families but the new finding suggests that genes might increase the risk of disorder by coding for decreased expression of the receptors. These findings have evidence in recent animal testing. In 2002, Dr. Rene Hen and her colleagues from Columbia University reported that a strain of gene “knockout” mice, engineered to lack the receptor during a critical period in early development, exhibit anxiety traits in adulthood, such as a reluctance to begin eating in an unfamiliar environment.
Various researches with successful results have enabled the scientists in overcoming panic disorder. Most of the anxiety disorder treatments are concerned with controlling the symptoms panic attacks, reduce their number and severity, and reduce the anxiety and fear associated with having another attack. The effect is doubled if the medication if it is combined with some natural methods of treatments; for example counseling and home treatment, therapy and relaxation courses. Medication choices to treat panic disorder come in the form of SSRIs which are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Prozac, Zoloft and Paxil. Benzodiapines such as Xanax, Valium,
Ativan and Klonopin are also prescribed besides SSRIs. Along with the above mentioned, antidepressants with mixed neurotransmitter effects, such as venlafaxine but this type of medication is only given in later stages. Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), such as Tofranil, Norpramin, or Anafranil and Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Marplan, Nardil, or Parnate are also given at a certain level to treat panic attacks.
Most of the medical professionals would prefer a combination of medicine and other approaches. However the best medication for panic disorder is considered to be cognitive-behavioral therapy, which focuses on the way a person thinks and altering certain behavior patterns. It allows the person to build an optimistic approach and would tell the about some efficient ways to handle a panicky situation. Combining these two therapies results in less frequent panic attacks. A combination of anxiety attack medication would make the symptoms disappear in some time. The dosage of medicine and the therapy sessions are generally increased if the patient does not see the results within 6-8 weeks.
Overcoming panic disorder takes quite awhile as it depends on the severity of the case. Normally, medication is continues for a year or longer and then decreased gradually over several weeks. In some cases, panic attacks tend to occur after medication is stopped; hence doctors will continue the medication for a few more months for you just so that you can keep the symptoms under control. Most medical practitioners would advice and recommend patients to seek for therapy and self-relaxation techniques before administering medication to them. This is because once medication is given; the patient might be depended on the drug. Self relaxation methods come in the form of yoga and pilates. A walk on the beach and even jogging can help cope with panic attack and stress. Apart from that, patients are advised to join a group therapy in order to talk their feelings out and share with one another as well as help other people overcome their problems.
As a leading expert in the field of , Beth Kaminski is always on the lookout for ways to treat panic attacks. Visit her site for more information on her and much more.Article Source:
Cardiovascular disease is considered one of the most feared diseases, almost in any part of the world record shows the numbers of people who die with this disease increases every year. The amount of cholesterol intake in our body is a big factor on how to maintain the level of LDL also known as the “bad cholesterol”, this is responsible in creating block that build in the arteries that will control the proper flow of the blood. This solid alcohol, also known as cholesterol found in the blood is sometimes the result of the liver producing a lot of this cholesterol which is not good for the body, another thing is improper diet specially eating foods like dairies and meats without controlling ourselves will put our health in trouble. What should we do to make sure that we are in good health? First thing to consider are the everyday routine we are doing. Are we doing something to keep our body healthy? Try to spend 30 minutes a day to give your body some physical activities that will really bring your energy out and this will be a good help on keeping your cardiovascular system healthy. Obesity is also one of the main reasons of being unhealthy; better find solution about this thing. Cholesterol level in your body will also be lower if you are really serious in losing your weight. One more problem on some people are having a hard time about it because they cannot control on smoking and drinking alcohol, so better start changing that habit now. Although, you can still enjoy drinking 1 or 2 bottles a day and will really benefit you to maintain your good health. Second thing to remember in the proper food we should eat. Water is very important in our body we should follow the amount of water we need each day. If you can control eating foods such as animal and dairy products will definitely lessen your calories intake of your body. Foods that contain high level of beneficial acids which are usually found in salmon and mackerel will help your body a lot in keeping your cardiovascular system healthy. Lastly, dietary fiber foods reduces cholesterol level consider eating a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and avoid foods that contains a lot of fats that will really destroy your heart in becoming healthy. Cholesterol levels reduce a lot by taking foods that will maintain your good health. Grains are known fiber rich foods that will help the blood flow properly and will circulate in the nerves and bloodstream freely. Products made from whole grains are already available and try to practice eating brown rice instead of white rice that are really process with less nutrients. In addition, foods like soy, seaweeds, sprouts and nuts are also rich in nutrients that our body need. We need to have vitamins in our body such as Vitamin B6, E and C. There are a lot of options if you want to control your cholesterol level, grape seed extract, chromium, camitine, panthotine and even raw garlic will help you reduce fats. This supplements will help on increasing the good cholesterol or the HDL and there are already facts on how effective these natural foods. Omega- Fatty acids and sterols are plants that also proven to helpful on maintaining the body to have a healthy heart. Also known for lowering the level of cholesterol are the blueberries, they can really help a lot. Of course, if you wake up every morning by drinking a glass of water or fruit juice that are rich in vitamins that will assure you of keeping your body on tip top shape all the time. With all the information that teaches a lot of people on how to maintain a good health by having a healthy heart, the possibility of taking proper treatment for every symptoms of health problem must be taken for granted. Be strong enough to face the consequences and make sure to find solutions which can help you to become more aware so that you can live a normal life.
Perhaps one of the most embarrassing health concerns a man can have is premature ejaculation (PE). Even though PE is treatable, many men do not seek a solution for their problem. If it is not addressed, men often start to suffer psychologically from severe lack of confidence, which in turn impacts their careers and love life.
While we hear a lot about women’s performance anxiety, but not much attention is paid to a man’s ability to “last” in the bedroom. While some men may be perfectly content with ten minutes of intercourse, their partner may need twenty to reach orgasm. As a result, the pressure is on for men!
25% to 40% of men suffer from PE, with ejaculation occurring within two minutes of penetration. While there are many different reasons men battle with PE, stamina can be one of them. Natural compounds found in have been shown to boost stamina as well as muscle health, which in turn can have quite the impact in the bedroom.
Aside from stamina, sensation or sensitivity issues can manifest as PE. A fact to consider is that in many cases, PE is actually defined as when the male ejaculates before his partner reaches orgasm in at least half of the times he has intercourse. This could mean that a man does not clinically suffer from PE at all, but rather that he just reaches orgasm sooner. In these cases, a stimulating topical lubricant can make a world of difference. Enlast is designed for both men and women, and is safe to use with condoms. It puts you back in the driver’s seat when it comes to your sex life.
Regardless of the cause of your PE, you are the only one who can decide to take action right now!
Not taking care of the matter now can lead to a host of different problems. Premature ejaculation does not only lead to lower self esteem, it is also a cause for performance anxiety experienced by millions of men worldwide. As a result, decreased libido is only the next step in this downward spiral. A combination of these problems can lead to increased general stress and relationship problems down the line.
Male Enhancement
Are you unhappy with your sexual life? There is a tremendous amount of pressure on our sexual performances. This pressure is applied from a number of sources, from the media to perhaps even our partners. While women complain about pressure to have an orgasm during intercourse, the modern man has a lot to worry about himself. After all, women associate larger penis size in men with increased sexual expertise. Although at first sight a woman has no way of telling your “size”, the mere worry about how your partner will judge your endowment will affect your performance even before reaching the bedroom.
Sexual performance depends on so many factors it is not surprising that a majority of men have sexual insecurities. Even if size is not such much a problem, libido or even ejaculate volume can be a concern. Few real solutions are available, and even fewer address all of these problem areas. is a complete program that targets all areas that result in male enhancement. The program does not require any surgical procedures or scary pumps. Instead, it is completely discrete and not even your partner will need to know about it. Sexual insecurities cannot be solved with a “solution” that almost demands the world to know there is a problem in the first place. Going to a clinic is a step most men don’t even consider, and playing around with weights or pumps is just plain humiliating.
Enhancing your libido, penis size and sexual performance does not depend on pumps or surgery. Instead a healthy lifestyle in combination with the right natural supplements can make a significant and permanent difference in your romantic life.
Aging and a poor diet can cause decreased blood flow, which in turn leads to more disappointing erections as you grow older. Men do not have to settle for this supposedly natural “side effect” of the aging process. For centuries people have used herbs and other natural products to enhance their health and also their virility. Several compounds derived from plants help improve blood circulation and enhance sexual stamina. is one natural product that combines the three most powerful compounds in the perfect dosage: Yohimbe, Maca, and Tongkat Ali.
While most people believe a man’s penis size and semen volume is genetically determined, this is not entirely true. Diet, exercise, body mass index (BMI), and blood circulation all have an effect on your sexual performance. While helps you improve your blood circulation, Enlast can increase sensation and libido for both of you! Deer Antler Plus and Natural Gain Plus increase your stamina and size.
Which supplement you choose will depend on your focus:
Everyone wants a healthy and active sex life, but all too often, we forget that we cannot enjoy lovemaking if we aren’t physically fit. A proper diet combined with exercise can affect every aspect of our lives. We are born with one body, and will not get another one. If we expect the one we have to serve us well, we have to take care of it.
One important way of taking care of the body we have is to feed it a balanced diet of nourishing foods, and stay away from those that are detrimental to it.
There’s no one right way to eat that will apply to every human body because each one is unique. And, because of illness, stress, pregnancy, exposure to toxins, the quality of the food supply, and many other factors, no single diet is the ideal diet for everyone at every stage in life. Follow the basic guidelines that will help you find the regiment that’s right for you.
Pile massive amounts of love foods onto your plate and get the essential sex vitamins and minerals, Vitamin E, C, and A, plus selenium. Foods high in nutrients and low in fats will help you stay healthier and dramatically enhance your sex drive.
Loving tomatoes are a good source of vitamin C, which aids in the formation of hormones that are involved in sexual vitality such as estrogen, and progesterone. Passionate peaches are rich in vitamin A, which is important for sexual health, providing various benefits such as a strong thyroid and the making of the hormone progesterone.
Erotic black beans are high in another sex vitamin that helps you stay energized and feeling sexually vibrant. Steamy hot onions can help stave off heart disease so that you don’t need heart disease drugs, which zap a man’s libido and sexual performance. Sensual clams can have amatory effects due to their high levels of zinc, which has been shown to help control prostatitis and impotence.
Diet experts say that the exotic banana is rich in potassium, which is essential for the proper functioning of nerves and muscles, the key to successful lovemaking. The magical asparagus is a rich source of potassium, phosphorous and calcium, all of which are essential for energy, and it stimulates the urinary tract and kidneys (sex drive is derived from the kidneys).
Whatever diet you follow, select fresh foods whenever possible. A varied diet also helps avoid getting too much of something that’s not good for you. One thing for sure, a prudent and carefully planned diet can be one of the best tactics for a healthier sex life and longevity.
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When you think of heart disease, you probably think of a risk of death for men. However, since 1984 more women have died from cardiovascular disease than men. While more men are at a greater risk of having a heart attack than women, women are only half as likely to survive a heart attack as a man. The risk factors and symptoms of heart disease may be different for women. That’s why women’s health information on the topic of heart disease is so important.
Risks and Symptoms
For anyone, smoking is makes heart disease more likely. While women’s health information shows that premenopausal women have some protection against artherosclerosis because of the presence of estrogen, that protection isn’t enough to cover the added risk of smoking or diabetes. Atherosclerosis is a condition in which blood vessels become clogged and narrowed because of the buildup of fatty substances.
The resulting decrease of blood flow causes the symptoms of coronary heart disease. High levels of cholesterol are a risk for heart disease. Especially bad are high levels of LDL cholesterol. Diabetes is as great a risk for a heart attack as heart disease is. A woman with diabetes has the same risk of heart attack as a woman with heart disease.
According to the best women’s health information, diabetic women should manage their blood sugar and get aggressive treatment with LDL cholesterol lowering drugs. The leading cause of death for women with diabetes is cardiovascular disease.
A woman’s risk of atherosclerosis rises over the age of 55. Family history can be a risk factor if a woman has a brother or father diagnosed with atherosclerosis before the age of 55 or if she has a sister or mother diagnosed before the age of 65. The latest women’s health information shows that obesity makes a woman much more likely to develop heart health problems.
Problems linked to obesity include coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure and heart disease related death. According to women’s health information, metabolic syndrome is the combination of abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and high cholesterol. Metabolic syndrome is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
When a woman is the strong one in the family, she may be less likely to complain about small aches and pains. This can lead to missing early signs of heart disease. According to the best women’s health information, silent ischemia is a result of atherosclerosis that doesn’t cause pain or any specific symptoms.
A woman who is at risk of heart disease should have an EKG to rule this out. Women need to look to women’s health information to learn about their risk of that man’s disease – cardiovascular disease.
Roland Parris Jefferson III is an online researcher based out of Los Angeles, California. For free tips, resources and expert advice on Women’s Health, please visit our Resource.
When you first feel the signs of a migraine attack coming along, do you immediately pop the pills that your doctor prescribed? If you have the common headaches, muscle or joint pains, do you ‘prescribe’ a medication for yourself and look for an over-the-counter pain killer?
It’s good to rely on medications for the more serious medical conditions that you may have- but for the common aches, pains and health complaints, it really makes much more sense to rely on natural remedies.
This is especially true because of the recent spate of health news about how some over-the-counter medications are discovered to actually cause more complications to your health after treating a supposedly simple ache or pain in your body.
Why ‘Natural’ is the Way to Go when Treating the Most Common Aches, Pains & Health Conditions
Let’s say that you feel a headache coming along and you swallowed a couple of Aspirins. This over-the-counter drug is used to relieve minor aches, pains and is also used to reduce fever.
Aspirin is also used as an anti-inflammatory medication and when given in low doses, can be used to repair damaged blood vessels; that is why it is used on a long-term basis by some individuals who have problems with their heart.
But the side effects of aspirin include stomach bleeding and gastrointestinal ulcers. When improperly given to children with flu or chickenpox, taking Asprin may cause Reye’s Syndrome to appear.
This is not to say that Aspirin is something that you should completely steer clear of. In fact, this drug is one of the most widely-used medications in the world.
However, it does pay to realize that rather than risking the possibility of experiencing undesirable side effects when you are taking over-the-counter medications for the most minor aches and pains – you do have the option of going ‘natural‘.
Although some individuals may scoff at natural treatments being old-fashioned or mere old wives’ tales, there really are a lot of which are equally effective as over-the-counter drugs. And the one advantage that natural treatments have over pills is that they do not cause any side effects.
In addition, natural treatments are less expensive, more effective, they are gentler to your body and they are environment-friendly.
The Top 10 Best Natural Treatments & Home Remedies for the Most Common Aches, Pains & Health Concerns
So what are some of the best natural treatments and home remedies for the most common aches, pains and health concerns that people experience on a regular basis? Read on to find out:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar may be a staple ingredient in most kitchens, but did you know that this is a great natural remedy for heartburn?
If you are experiencing heartburn, it could be due to overeating, stress, indulging on too much spicy food or having too many trips to the refrigerator to steal a snack or two at midnight.
Rather than taking your typical dose of antacids, you can down a spoonful or two of apple cider vinegar. What this does is to break down the excess foods that you have consumed and restore the normal balance in your stomach.
2. Natural Oils
If you feel a headache coming on, try rubbing lavender or peppermint oil on your temple.
You can also apply the soothing natural medication on your neck – and sniffing its aroma may actually lessen the pain that you are feeling – as indicated in .
Another type of natural oil that you can use to treat toothaches is clove oil. That shooting pain on your gum is no fun at all and while you are waiting for your dentist to address the problem; places a couple of drops of clove oil on your tooth and gum.
Another alternative is to bite on a crushed garlic clove, which has antibacterial properties.
3. Green Tea
Yet another natural treatment that you can use as a substitute for antihistamines is green tea.
When you have this habit of reaching for the really strong prescription medications like antihistamines the minute that even the mildest of allergies attack – it will actually cause your body’s immune system to get weak.
As such, it pays to go for natural and body-friendly treatments like green tea. Down two to three cups of this soothing beverage when you have an allergy attack and wait for this natural wonder to work.
In addition to being a natural antihistamine, green tea also has the following benefits to your health:
• Lowers the blood pressure and prevents hypertension. • Provides protection against cardiovascular diseases. • Protects against certain types of cancer. • Speeds up the body’s recovery after a heart attack. • Thins the blood and helps prevent blood clotting.
4. Cayenne Pepper
Although cayenne pepper puts the sizzle and spice in most foods, it can be actually soothing when used as a natural remedy for cuts.
Aside from stopping the bleeding immediately, sprinkling cayenne pepper on the affected area will actually ease the pain.
5. Flaxseed
Women who are experiencing discomfort due to undergoing the menopausal stage will be glad to know that there is a natural remedy for it: flaxseed.
Hot flashes are a particularly common problem for menopausal women and flaxseed can effectively prevent this.
All you need to do is mix about 1.4 ounces of ground flaxseed into the foods that you are eating and it will relieve menopausal symptoms as effectively as prescription medications.
6. Honey-lemon Tea
If you’re in a job which requires you to talk almost all day, then you might often experience sore throats.
This could also be a sign of the common colds or a flu coming on – and you can counteract the pain on your throat by gargling with warm salt water.
Then, follow it up with a cup of hot honey-lemon tea and you’ll feel better in no time at all.
7. Honey, Mustard, Potato
No, this is not a recipe for a salad – they are actually the natural first-aids which you can use to treat a burn.
Don’t subscribe to the myth that rubbing toothpaste on the burnt area will help heal the burn.
Sure, it may feel cool and soothing to your skin but it is not actually doing anything to help heal your burnt skin.
What you can use instead is honey which has antibacterial properties; a slice of raw potato whose juices will soothe the burn; or mustard which can also double up as a burn salve.
Finally, Aloe Vera gel is also a great natural treatment for burns, which you can apply after rinsing the affected area with cold water.
8. Chamomile Tea
If you have digestive problems, down a cup or two of chamomile tea.
What the herb in the tea does is to relax the spasms in your stomach.
9. Tart Cherry Juice
One of the most common pains that most people immediately treat with medication is .
Let’s say that you just came from a workout and you feel drained, and it seems as if every muscle in your body is aching.
For this, you can depend on the natural treatment of drinking a bottle of tart cherry juice. This helps the sore muscles on your body recover, and it also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
10. Turmeric
If you are experiencing arthritis or joint injuries, the Indian spice turmeric will work wonders for you.
All you need to do is include a couple of tablespoons of turmeric or yellow curries while cooking meat or any curry dish – and you will generally feel better afterward.
With these top 10 natural remedies for the most common aches, pains and health complaints, you will feel better afterwards – and you would not have to go through any side effects at all.
Neelima Reddy, author of this article writes for AltMedicineZone.com. The Alternative Medicine blog publishes information on various Alternative Treatments like Yoga therapy, Medication, Aromatherapy, Chiropractic techniques, Reiki Healing, Tai Chi, Massage therapy, Acupuncture, Hypnosis, Ayurveda, etc. For more information Visit