Garlic - My Favorite Healing Herb

Garlic is a wonderful healing herb and, unlike many of the other herbs, it tastes great and can be incorporated into a variety of meals. Garlic has been used for over 5000 years as a healing herb and has strong antibacterial, and antiviral properties. But it's health benefits extend well beyond it's infection fighting properties. It is also reputed to help lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as help protect against heart disease and stroke.

And the benefits of garlic don't stop there. A recent study has shown that taking a garlic supplement once a day can reduce the risk of getting a cold by 50% and help you gain a speedy recovery if you do happen to catch one. In fact, I tried this out recently when I felt a sore throat coming on - I toasted a piece of bread and added some raw crushed garlic to it. It was a bit pungent but I woke up the next day good as new! Aside from colds, garlic has historically been used as a remedy for infections, athletes foot, worms, respiratory ailments, some cancers of the stomach, colic, ear aches, bladder problems and high blood pressure.

Garlic is jut plain good for you too! it is loaded with vitamins and minerals including Vitamin A, B and C, selenium, potassium, calcium, zinc and magnesium. But in order to reap the benefits, you must prepare it in a certain way. Researcher say it is the allicin that is released when garlic is crushed. If you are trying to serve yourself a garlic herbal remedy by adding garlic to your foods then make sure you crush it a bit ahead of time and don't add until the final 5 minutes of cooking. This will give the allicin enough time to develop and will insure you don't cook all the garlic health out of it.

Cooked garlic will not have as much benefit as raw and whole garlic cloves have little benefit at all. Another way to incorporate garlic into your meals without cooking is to make a garlic bread where you crush the gloves into a paste and toast bread - butter the toasted bread and spread the garlic on it - Yum!

Garlic can have an affect on blood clotting, so don't start taking supplements unless you discuss it with your physician first especially if you are on blood thinning medication or due to have surgery in the near future.
Also read How Garlic Helps to Improve Sexual Function

By Lee Dobbins 

Many Health Benefits of Green Tea

As you may know, the benefits of green tea are abundant and far-reaching. Green tea is used by many to lose weight, improve cardiovascular condition, or simply as a preventative health measure. Bottom line, studies show that those who drink green tea enjoy a longer, healthier life. The general benefits of green tea may include:

•     Lowers total cholesterol and LDL (bad)-cholesterol levels
•     Increases HDL (good)-cholesterol levels
•     Reduces blood pressure
•     Lowers blood sugar
•     Acts as "blood thinner"
•     Reduces the risk of cancer
•     Reduces the risk of heart attack
•     Decreases the risk of stroke
•     Decrease the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis
•     Protects against Parkinson's disease
•     Enhances immune function
•     Acts as an antibacterial and antiviral agent
•     Helps burn extra calories
•     Prevents dental cavities and gum disease
•     Builds stronger bones
•     Boosts longevity

Green Tea - Increase Metabolism Naturally

A University of Geneva medical study showed that over a 24-hour period, green tea extract increases the metabolic rate by 4%. This increase in fat oxidation was higher than in subjects who used a placebo or caffeine. In addition, this stimulation of thermogenesis and fat oxidation by the green tea extract was not accompanied by an increase in heart rate. Thus, green tea extract has a distinct advantage over stimulant diet drugs, which can have adverse cardiovascular effects, especially for obese individuals with hypertension and other cardiovascular complications.

Green Tea - Suppress Appetite Safely

Scientists at the University of Chicago have found that green tea caused rats to lose up to 21 percent of their body weight. Rats injected with a green tea extract lost their appetites and consumed up to 60 percent less food after seven days of daily injections. The lead scientist on the study explained that a person would have to drink green tea almost constantly to obtain these results.

Green Tea and Polyphenols

Green Tea is the #1 source of polyphenols, chemical compounds found in fruits and vegetables. These extremely high levels of polyphenols deliver green tea's unique results in several ways. Just one example is a subgroup of polyphenols, exclusive to green tea, called catechins. EGCG, the most abundant and powerful of green tea's 5 main catechins, is dubbed the 'super antioxidant' because it is 200 times more powerful than the popular antioxidant vitamin E. This super antioxidant eliminates free radicals, the unstable molecules in the body that are the major cause of both aging and disease, which are continually attacking the body. Unfortunately, polyphenols have a quick life span (short half life) of about 3 hours, thus the scientific reason behind researchers' recommendation to drink green tea a minimum of 8 times a day.

So try green tea today to take advantage of what many people have already discovered and live a happier healthier life.

Author: Gerald Meyer
Read - Five Effective Ayurvedic Tea Recipes for Weight Loss

High Blood Pressure? Natural Alternatives Can Help!

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a dangerous condition that can lead= to stroke, enlarged heart, congestive heart failure, kidney and eye damage, atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries, and premature death.

According to a recent report released in The New England Journal of Medicine of 16,000 adults surveyed over the age of 24, nearly 30 percent had blood pressure of at least 140/90 and more than one-third of them were unaware of their condition.

Blood pressure refers to the force of the bloodstream against the walls of the arteries as they deliver blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Normal, healthy blood pressure ranges from about 110/80 to as high as 140/90. The higher number refers to systolic pressure, which is the hearts contractions. The second number, the diastolic pressure, measures the rests between heartbeats. Here are the categories to consider when evaluating blood pressure:

    Normal - Less than 140/90
    Borderline - 141/91 to 159/94
    High - 160/95 or more

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Although there are still questions about the roots of essential hypertension, many researchers name two culprits: The typical American diet and lifestyle factors. Following are 9 major factors that can contribute to this potentially deadly condition:

1. High-fat, high-sodium diet . . . Interestingly, vegetarians who normally eat a low-fat, low-sodium diet have a profoundly lower incidence of hypertension than non-vegetarians.

2. Fat imbalance . . . Too much saturated fat in the diet. We need more essential fatty acids to help clear the system of fat solids.

3. Nutritional deficiencies . . . People whose diets are low in potassium, magnesium, calcium and vitamin C are at greater risk of hypertension.

4. Obesity (read 6 Proven Fast Weight Loss Tips )
. . . High blood pressure is almost six times more common among overweight people ages 20 to 44, and twice as common in those 45 to 74

5. Smoking . . . Chronic smoking decreases blood flow to the brain, increasing the risk of stroke.

6. Alcohol . . . Heavy drinking is another indicator of high blood pressure.

7. Stress . . . In many instances, stress can be the major factor causing high blood pressure.

8. Atherosclerosis . . . A buildup of fatty deposits can narrow the blood vessels, leading to a rise in blood pressure. The increased resistance means the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the body, placing it under strain.

9. High sugar intake . . . People who had more sugar in their diet had markedly increased blood pressure.

Anti-Hypertensive Diet Guidelines

The following recommendations can help you keep your blood pressure at healthier levels:

    Follow a low-fat diet.
    Increase your intake of potassium, magnesium and calcium.
    Reduce your intake of salt.
    Restrict your consumption of refined sugars.
    Exercise more often. Since excess body fat is a primary risk factor in hypertension, it is critical to maintain a healthy weight. The importance of regular exercise cannot be over-emphasized.

Essential Nutrient Intake
What you eat has a powerful influence on your blood pressure as well as almost every other aspect of your health.

For most people, the sodium/potassium ratio is more significant than sodium alone. We should be consuming about five times more potassium than sodium (5:1), but the typical American diet includes half as much potassiumas sodium (1:2).

By eating more POTASSIUM-rich foods, you can reverse the ratio and promote healthy blood pressure. Foods such as bananas, oranges, tangerines, beans, dried peas, and potatoes provide a wealth of natural potassium.
MAGNESIUM is another vital nutrient for blood pressure. It is believed that magnesium activates the bodys cellular membrane pump, which pumps sodium out and potassium into the cells. Some clinical trials have shown that magnesium supplementation reduces blood pressure. Magnesium- rich foods include nuts (especially almonds, cashews, and pecans), rice, bananas, potatoes, wheat germ, kidney and lima beans, peas, soy products, molasses, oat, bran, and fish.

CALCIUM is important. People with high blood pressure are advised to increase Calcium intake and to eat more calcium-rich foods such as nuts, salmon, sardines, low-fat dairy foods, watercress, kale, broccoli, turnip greens, collard greens, and mustard greens.

Here is a list of other nutritional supplements that can help prevent high blood pressure:

    HAWTHORNE is an herb that has been shown to widen blood vessels, especially the coronary arteries.
    CAYENNE reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, which can lead to hypertension.
    VALERIAN has sedative activity, which has a beneficial effect on blood pressure.
    VITAMIN C supplementation has exerted a valuable blood-pressure-lowering effect in people by promoting the excretion of lead, which is linked to hypertension.
    COQ10 shows promise for hypertensives. Coenzyme Q10 is a nutrient that naturally occurs in our bodies and can be supplemented to assure adequate daily intake.
    GARLIC helps reduce cholesterol as well as blood pressure.

Summary . . . The consequences of untreated high blood pressure are too serious to go untreated. By making smart choices about the foods you eat, the intake of beneficial nutritional factors and your exercise regimen, you can help control your own blood pressure.

By Roger Jirves

Also Read Relationship between High blood Pressure and Erectile Dysfunction

Cardamom Oil and Its Refreshing Properties

Cardamom Oil extracted using Steam distillation from whole fruits of Cardamom grown in South India. This oil is also available in co2 total extract version, retaining nice spicy complexity. For CO2 Extract of Cardamom, please call or email.

Cardamom oil is known for a good digestive tonic and it also a component of many sensual aphrodisiac blends. The basic aroma is same as cardamom pods freshly picked up from the farm. In our perspective Steam distilled is better than Co2 Extract of Cardamom oil. Physically the oil is deep pale colored, rich and little viscous oil. It has middle note. It is known as delighted natural essential oils in our collection of 100+ essential oils. The basic aroma is pleasing, completive and seems very attractive. It is very useful for a new perfumer to give very sensual smell without doing a lot with aromas and blending. It is also used in Pharmaceutical syrups, food flavors and other drinks to give a pleasing digestive note.

The aroma of Cardamom Oil is so much elevating that can attract tranquil and lucidity. Cardamom oil can arouse the vital energy (Qi) of the lungs and is especially beneficial when coughing or bronchial mucus is the result of digestive weakness. One of the best ways to use cardamom for bronchial support is to add a few drops to a basin filled with hot water and do a steam inhalation for several minutes. This process is used since ancient times in India.

If we talk about British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, The cardamom oil is recommended for flatulence and dyspepsia and it has ability to treat them well. Cardamom oil helps relieving spasm, mucous and very useful for treatment of colitis, IBS (Irritable bowel syndrome), indigestion and cramps. If one is suffering from digestive problems due to nervous tension, the cardamom oil can help him better. So because of these properties, it stands on category of digestive problems treating agents with black pepper oil, clove oil, nutmeg oil etc. It also helps to treat nausea and morning sickness.

Cardamom Essential Oil is an antiseptic essential oil with booster of phagocytic action of the immune system. One can also used it in massage blends and tonic for skin care due to its anti-fungal properties.

The Essential Oil of Cardamom is extracted from seeds of plant Elettaria cardamomum. This plant is highly useful in Asian as well as Indian cookery. Due to warming properties , it is now highly recommend in massages and headache relieving blends in place of Peppermint Essential Oil, Spearmint Essential Oils. It has pretty uplifting, invigorating and refreshing aroma with nice taste.

Mr. Ankur Tandon

Also Read Ayurveda Health Benefits of Cardamom

Antioxidants Naturally Found in Foods

Why do we need to eat foods that are found to be naturally high in antioxidants?

What are antioxidants?
Which foods do we need to eat, in order to naturally fight free radicals?
Scientists have found that the body forms unstable oxygen molecules, called free radicals; every cell produces tens of thousands of them each day. A free radical is basically an atom with an odd number of electrons in its outer ring. Since electrons have a very strong tendency to exist in a paired rather than an unpaired state, free radicals indiscriminately pick up electrons from other atoms, which in turn convert those other atoms into secondary free radicals, thus setting up a chain reaction, which can cause substantial biological damage. This, in short, is bad. There are also many kinds of free radicals, which we are exposed to everyday, for example, pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke and herbicides.

Antioxidants are thought to neutralise and stabilise these free radicals.
So, which antioxidants are naturally found in which foods?
We have:

Vitamin E: a fat-soluble vitamin found in vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals. Some of the foods containing the highest amounts of vitamin E are wheat germ oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, hazelnuts, peanuts, spinach, broccoli, kiwi and mango.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin involved in the metabolism of all cells. It protects vitamin A and essential fatty acids from oxidation in the body cells and prevents breakdown of body tissues.

Vitamin C: Ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin present in citrus fruits and juices, cabbage, green peppers, broccoli, spinach, tomato, kale, guava, cantaloupe, kiwi, papaya, and strawberries.
It is important in forming collagen, a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also aids in the absorption of iron, and helps maintain capillaries, bones, and teeth.

Beta-carotene: Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A. It is present in liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches, and grains.
Studies have been done on beta-carotene's effectiveness for heart disease, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, fibromyalgia, male infertility, and psoriasis.

Coenzyme Q10: CoQ10 boosts energy, enhances the immune system, and acts as an antioxidant. A growing body of research suggests that coenzyme Q10 may help prevent or treat some of the following conditions: heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and others. Primary dietary sources of CoQ10 include oily fish, organ meats such as liver, spinach, broccoli, peanuts, wheat germ and whole grains.

Selenium: Selenium is a trace mineral that is essential to good health but required only in small amounts. It helps synthesize antibodies; helps synthesize co-enzyme Q10and helps transport ions across cell membranes. The best sources of selenium are Brazil nuts, wheat germ, molasses, sunflower seeds, whole wheat bread and dairy foods.

You should note that there are many other antioxidants naturally found in foods.
You should also note that the best way to take antioxidants is naturally, through fresh, vibrant food.
One more thing; sometimes less is more. Some of these antioxidants are only needed in small amounts, so check into whether you need to take more or not, before you start overdosing on antioxidants!

Author - Ciara Carruthers

Scratching Your Dry Skin

The problem with dry skin is not just that it is dry. It is not just that it looks dull. It is not just that it can be flaky. One of the main things about dry skin that can drive people crazy is when dry skin becomes itchy.

Some people can have dry skin and never be bothered by any itching their dry skin might bring up. However, there are other people who might scratch, scratch, scratch away and still not feel relief from their dry skin. Having annoyingly itchy skin may occur at any time if you naturally tend to have dry skin. There are other people who experience the worst itch during dry winter months and even moisturizers and creams do not seem to help.

You can experience itchy dry skin just about anywhere on your body. Legs can become annoying when you are at work or school, the top of you head can be embarrassing because dry skin and constant itching can lead to dandruff-like flakes, and itchiness on the face can lead to a less than pleasant look.
 

Yes, it is hard to stop scratching, but the important thing is that you need to learn how to do so.

Even if scratching at a patch of dry skin seems to yield results in the form of dead skin cells flaking off, scratching is doing you no good. Constantly scraping away at your skin with your fingernails will only serve to aggravate your skin further and worsen your condition. For some people with dry skin that happens to be the result of a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis, scratching can have some very nasty results.

Scratching your dry skin can lead to skin cracking or splitting, which can be very painful and lead to potential infections, giving you yet one more problem to deal with when it comes to your skin.
So if you cannot scratch, what do you do to relieve the itch? First off, if your skin is so dry that it is creating an unbearable itchiness, you need to look into a better moisturizer.

If you do not currently use a moisturizer, you need to get one, pronto. It would be a very good idea to get a moisturizer that is an extra emollient in order to enhance the strength of the moisturizing power, as your skin needs it badly. Avoid moisturizers with fragrance; you want a moisturizer with performance, not one that smells nice (not to say that you should get one that smells disgusting; most moisturizers smell fine even without any extra scents).

There are also products out there meant to help exceptionally dry skin in terms of both moisturizing as well as stopping the itch. You might want to try one of these products if your itchy skin is driving you crazy. If one moisturizer works during several months of the year and suddenly you find it is inadequate during winter months, try switching it up with something more powerful during those times.

You may also want to buy a humidifier to help keep the air in your home a little less dry.
Even if you have dry skin, you do not have to be at the mercy of its itch. Make a note of any products that may worsen your condition instead of making it better and get rid of them right away. By taking a few steps, such as avoiding long, hot showers, and using moisturizers, you can stop the itch and be free from the concern of harming your skin by forever scratching away.

Also read  Ayurvedic Treatment and Home Remedies for Dry Skin

Author - Louise Forrest

Testosterone Deficiency - How to Identify ?

Testosterone deficiency, also known as hypogonadism, is a condition in which the testes are unable to produce enough testosterone to fulfill the body's needs. Testosterone deficiency has many possible causes, including genetic abnormalities, injury to the testes, and being on certain medications. Normal aging also may play a role in the decline of male testosterone levels. It is also known as low testosterone.

The testes produce testosterone regulated by a complex chain of signals that begins in the brain. This chain is called the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The hypothalamus secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) to the pituitary gland in spurts, which trigger the secretion of leutenizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary gland. This hormone stimulates the Leydig cells of the testes to produce testosterone. Normally, the testes produce 4-7 milligrams (mg) of testosterone each and every day.

After puberty, testosterone production increases rapidly, and will decrease rapidly after age 50. Recent estimates show that approximately 13 million men in the United States experience testosterone deficiency and less than 10-percent receive treatment for the condition, which is growing in cultural acceptability.

Studies also have shown that some men with obesity, diabetes, or hypertension may be twice as likely to have low testosterone levels, though as stated, low testosterone and testosterone deficiency can be caused by taking certain medications, chemotherapy, infections and other basic causes.

Signs of testosterone deficiency depend on the age of onset and the duration of hormonal deficiency. Congenital testosterone deficiency is usually characterized by underdeveloped genitalia, and sometimes even undeterminable genitalia. Acquired testosterone deficiency that develops near puberty can result in enlargement of breast tissue (gynecomastia), sparse or absent pubic and body hair, and underdeveloped penis, testes, and muscle. Adults may experience diminished libido, erectile dysfunction, muscle weakness, hair loss, depression, and other common mood disorders.

Author Kristy Annely
Also Read 

Ayurvedic Ways to Increase Testosterone

Diabetes and Men's Sexual Health

Erectile Dysfunction refers to an inability to achieve or maintain an erection hard enough for sexual intercourse. It falls under the blanket term impotence, which also covers other sexual problems such as lack of arousal and the inability to orgasm. Erectile dysfunction is not simply an occasional inability to perform sexually that occurs to every man; if you have erectile dysfunction, you will be unable to achieve or maintain an erection over 50% of the time.

Although erectile dysfunction often occurs with age, it is not a normal part of aging and can be treated. For men with diabetes, erectile dysfunction occurs an average of 10-15 years earlier than in other men.

Why does diabetes often lead to erectile dysfunction? Diabetes is linked with many nervous system disorders, and erectile dysfunction can be caused by nerve damage. Nervous system damage can cause erectile dysfunction because the nervous system tells your body when you are aroused. If you are emotionally aroused but your nervous system cannot send the message to your penis, then you will not get an erection. Diabetes can also cause blood vessel disorder. Vascular damage (damage to the blood vessels) alters the blood flow in the body. As an erection is caused when corpora cavernosa in the penis are filled with blood, vascular damage can affect erections. Erections are caused by the interplay of the nervous system and the vascular system, along with other factors.

People with diabetes are more apt to be depressed. Depression might be caused by poor blood sugar control and hormonal imbalance. Psychological factors can play a large role in erectile dysfunction.

How can you prevent erectile dysfunction if you have diabetes? 

Control your blood sugar levels. This will help you prevent possible nerve damage or damage to your vascular system. These are two of the complications from diabetes that can lead to erectile dysfunction.

Talk to you doctor or health team. They will be particularly helpful for you if you are trying to maintain even blood sugar.

Quit smoking. Smoking damages your blood vessels by making them contract.

Don't drink excessively. Excessive alcohol consumption can also damage your blood vessels.

Exercise. Having a steady exercise regimen will help keep your nervous system and vascular system healthy.

Eat well. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables has been proven to prevent complications in diabetes, and will help you control your blood sugar levels.

Calm yourself. If you are struggling with anxiety, depression, or other psychological issue that is inhibiting your sexual performance, see a professional. Often just the fear of erectile dysfunction is enough to hamper performance.

Treatments

If you are suffering from erectile dysfunction, consider seeing a urologist. A urologist specializes in sexual health and will be able to help you decide on the best treatment program. You might be prescribed medication, such as Viagra, that will help you achieve an erection. You might also consider using a vacuum pump to help blood enter the penis. To maintain the erection you place a ring at the base of the penis. You might consider having an implant or penile injections.

You can also opt for Herbal treatments like Vajikarana therapy . Know more about  Ayurveda Vajikarana Therapy 

Before taking any medical action, try using the tips above to manage your erectile dysfunction. Diabetes does not necessarily have to lead to complications, which includes erectile dysfunction. You can lead a normal sexual life, even as you grow older. Knowing this information might help you find sexual energy you didn't know you had!

Author - Vivian Brennan

Also Read Suffering From Type 2 Diabetes? How to To Avoid Erectile Dysfunction!