In a fast paced life you may be tempted to snatch at fast and processed foods to save time, slug back cups of coffee and tea to keep you going and use quick-fix over-the-counter medicines to stave off colds and flu. All these things start to build up dangerous amounts of toxins in the body. Add to that the effects of pollution and the body can easily become overburdened.
Sometime nothing else will satisfy other than a soothing cup of tea or coffee. However we are hearing more evidence of the far reaching ill effects of too high a caffeine consumption with nutrition gurus like Patrick Holford recommending we cut out coffee completely and reduce tea to just two weak cups a day. Caffeine increases the production of stress hormones and long term this can throw out the fine balance of the body’s hormone system and create many health issues.
If you are one of the many people that suffer from allergies throughout Spring and Summer you will be accustomed to the sneezing, watery eyes, snuffling and heacahes associated with some of these allergies. It can make these warm months more of a nightmare that a joy to extreme sufferers and a beautiful display of Summer blooms can make you want to run for cover rather than coo over their colours and scents.
Herbs can be added to your box of remedies to help you through the balmy months and give you relief of some of the symptoms.
If your visiting a hot, tropical climate you run the risk of developing some form of gastrointestinal illness. This can be caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites. Some of the buglike culpirits are salmonella, shigella, E Coli, staphylococci, campylobacter jejuni, hepatitis A and cryptosporidiosis. The biggest danger is ingesting infected food or water. Icecream is a no no; watch out for cocktails served in reused coconut shells, ice, raw seafood and buying food from street stalls. A moment of carelessness can completely ruin your holiday and leave you spending most of your time in the hotel loo.
In Chinese Medicine the lungs are also responsible for controlling the skin pores. If the lungs are weak or diseased the skin pores remain open and the body is more susceptible to infection. The external pathogens responsible for infections are connected to wind in Chinese Medicine and therefore colds, flus, asthma and allergies are related to cold, windy days and drafts. The fact that people shiver when they get a cold is also related to the wind in Chinese Medicine.
Raynaud’s affects approximately 10% of the population and is a condition that affects the blood vessels in the extremities of the body such as fingers, toes and nose. The keynote symptoms are numbness in the extremities caused by the blood vessels reacting to the cold and constricting in appropriately. Typical signs are that the numb finger tips take on a white waxy appearance. It can take time for the fingers or toes to thaw out and it is not recommended that you hold the affected area in hot water or on a radiator as this can cause further blood vessel damage. There are no known causes of Raynauds the following factors increase your risk of developing the condition:
Tulsi, or more commonly known to me and you, the Basil Leaf, is reputed to be the elixir of long life! Its qualities aid stress reduction, increase stamina, reduce inflammation, remove cholesterol from the blood, help the body to detoxify and is used herbally to reduce the instance of gastric ulcers aid digestion and cure fevers. It is a strong antioxidant and has antibacterial, antiviral and adaptogenic properties.
If you suffer from high blood pressure and your doctor feels that a lifestyle change rather than medication could be the answer have a look at how herbs can help to ease your condition. Combined with a healthier lifestyle herbs can help you to regulate and balance your blood pressure.
Just when you think your cold is over you start to get the tell-tale signs of a sinus infection – headaches, sinus pain, fatigue and high temperature. This common ailment can be tackled with Herbal Remedies. Take a look for yourself:
Licorice
Licorice root fights inflammation and boosts the immune system to tackle the infection.
Giving up smoking is no easy task and nicotine cravings are easily succumbed to if you have no form of support. Herbs can offer assistance to help your through the first few weeks of giving up and help the body to detox and repair.
Lobelia
Lobelia is extremely effective in helping people to kick the habit. It is similar to tobacco but has non of the nicotine addictive qualities. Lobelia cigarettes are one way of weaning yourself off nicotine and creating a distaste for tobacco.
DISCLAIMER
| Menu |
|---|
|
