There can be various reasons why we suffer from diarrhea; one reason is the body’s natural defense system ridding the body of toxins and unwanted substances. Other reasons include an allergy to something, eating contaminated food, a bacterial or viral infection or some people find themselves constantly running to the toilet with nerves.

While nothing really cures diarrhea there are some medicines that can help to relieve the symptoms and stress that are brought with condition. Along with drinking plenty of fluids you could try herbal remedies as relievers, if the problem is particularly troublesome.

Here are some of the most herbal remedies that can be used if you are suffering.

Argentum nitricum can be helpful to take if you are suffering the problem due to nerves, particularly if you anticipating stressful events such as exams, going to an interview or preparing to make a public speech. It is known to calm the stomach and the nerves that in this case cause diarrhea.

Bryonia may be helpful if the diarrhea occurs as a symptom of heatstroke. This should be taken along with plenty of fluid, preferably cold water. If you are suffering from this type of diarrhea, the mouth may be very dry and the symptoms worse, first thing on waking.

Chamommila is used in the relief of diarrhea that is accompanied by pains in the abdomen and gas. It is not unusual for the person suffering to feel hot and even be flushed in the face.

Colocynthis can help to relieve cramping pains in the stomach that are felt before the diarrhea begins. Usually relief can be felt if you bend over or put pressure directly onto the abdomen.

Ipecacuanha can bring relief if the diarrhea is accompanied by nausea or vomiting, it also helps with pains that are felt around the navel.

Phosphorus can be soothing if you have that empty stomach feeling after watery diarrhea, very often the person will have an intense thirst when affected this way.

Pulsatilla can help if the attack of diarrhea is brought on after you have eaten rich or fatty foods. If this is the case then the person will usually have nausea and pains in the abdomen to accompany the diarrhea.

Sulphur can be a relief for diarrhea that occurs first thing in the morning particularly if the anus is itchy, sore, red or swollen.

Although herbal remedies are made from plants and natural ingredients, care should be taken when diagnosing your illness and self-prescribing. Most of the over the counter remedies will of course include instructions for dosage and these should be followed carefully.

When using herbal remedies you are usually advised to take a dose of the treatment and wait for it to take effect, if you see some improvement in your condition then give the remedy time to do its thing. However if no improvement is seen then another dose may be taken providing your symptoms or illness doesn’t get drastically worse. The type of remedy you use will depend on how frequently you are supposed to take it throughout the day; certain remedies require only one dose daily while others require you to take it several times during the course of 1 hour.

Sometimes we don’t look after our skin like we should and then problems can start occurring. Sometimes we can have an allergic reaction to something or the skin gets damaged, there can be many and varied reasons why our skin suffers from damage. Most people turn to their doctor for problems with their skin; however you can use another form of medicine to cure your problem, herbal remedies.

Dealing with Eczema

Perhaps the biggest problem that the majority of those suffering from skin problems have to contend with is eczema. This is a persistent reoccurring skin problem that can cause intense itching. Flare-ups of the condition can be made worse by poor diet and stress and your doctor will usually prescribe a steroid cream.

Luckily there is other more natural ways you can help your condition, taking a vitamin E supplement everyday can help to keep eczema at bay and prevent attacks. For those who suffer from itching, redness, flakiness or scaling of the skin due to this condition then try breaking open a vitamin E capsule and applying the oil directly to the affected area on the skin. By doing this it will in most cases help to reduce the redness and scaling.
Scalp problems

If you have problems with an itchy, sore scalp then using a branded dandruff shampoo can help; again there are more natural ways to deal with the unpleasantness. Applying witch hazel directly onto the problem area or mixing a little with a natural herbal shampoo can help to reduce the itching and has soothing properties that will help to heal the skin.
Wrinkles

If you suffer from general skin disorders or wrinkles, then studies have shown that using Aloe Vera cream three times a day over a period of around four weeks can in fact help a great deal. Aloe has antibacterial agents and has a moisturizing effect that has shown to rejuvenate skin.

Blemished skin

If you suffer from acne or pimples then you can treat this with haemafine syrup, this is an ancient herbal remedy for most types of skin disorder and works by purifying the blood. It not only improves your complexion but also gives the skin a healthy looking glow and can be used for many types of problems relating to the skin.

If you just need to rejuvenate your skin

Even if you don’t suffer from any particular skin problem but could do with pampering tired skin a little a herbal remedy can be a great substitute to the creams and lotions found in most druggist stores.

If you suffer from dry skin problems then try mixing 2 tablespoons of milk with 2 of honey, smooth this over your face and leave to dry before rinsing off.

For those with normal skin three to four tablespoons of oatmeal mixed with the juice taken from a grapefruit and spread onto the face and left for around 15 minutes can work wonders.

If you have oily skin then try a mixture of 2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup of almonds, 2 tablespoons of dried lavender and 2 cups of white cosmetic clay. Combine these to a very fine powder in your kitchen blender then apply to your face and leave for around 15 mins before rinsing off.

Depression affects millions of Americans every year, it can be little more than the blues or weeks or even months and years of feeling down, sad, irritable and a whole host of other feelings which can leave a person severely incapacitated.

While great strides have been made in the medical world and there are many drugs that can help you overcome depression, there is an alternative. Herbal remedies have been used by the Chinese for thousands of years and are now becoming more popular in the western world as an alternative form of treatment.

One remedy that the Chinese have used in many different remedies is Ginseng; athletes take ginseng due to the effects of its stimulating properties. Ginseng is said to help relieve mild depression and restore loss of energy that is generally associated with depression. It is also known as a balancing herb that is well known for its calming effect. It is said to help with those who suffer from problems with sleep when associated with stress and depression and is considered to be a general all round tonic.

St Johns wort is a very popular remedy that is commonly associated with depression and anxiety. It has often been called the “natural Prozac” but care should be taken if you are taken prescription anti-depressants. It is thought to calm the mind and de-stress if taken on a regular basis.

A very popular product when it comes to easing the symptoms of depression such as anxiety and panic attacks is “rescue remedy” from Bach. This is a combination of 5 herbal remedies specially selected for their calming and comforting properties. The herbs combined in this cure are rock rose, impatiens, clematis, star of Bethlehem and cherry plum, the ingredients are mixed in a grape alcohol solution and those who take it consider it a marvel. With the remedy being ready mixed you simply add 4 drops from the supplied dropper in a glass of water and sip it throughout the day. The rescue remedy is also available as a handy spray that fits neatly into your pocket or purse and is always at hand. The remedy claims it can help you get through life’s ups and downs the natural way and helps to bring back a more positive outlook on life.

Valerian root is also thought to help with depression particularly with insomnia when it is associated with depression and anxiety.

Damiana is an herbal remedy to bring back the loss of sex drive that is associated with depression and anti-depression medication.

Amoryn is a ready mixed combination of St Johns wort and 5-HTP, it is said to be as effective in fending off depression as Prozac or similar ant-depressant medications but without the side effects associated with anti-depressants. Along with depression this remedy is also thought to be effective when it comes to relieving panic attacks and feelings associated with anxiety in general.

The Chinese word, lingzhi, which means “the mushroom of immortality” or “the herb of spiritual potency”, is the name they gave to a particular mushroom, eons ago. The Japanese call the herb ‘reishi’, the Koreans ‘keonji’ and the biologists Ganoderma Lucidum. It has many other names in the different regions of Asia as well. It is actually a miracle fungus, from which scientists have isolated several ingredients. To mention only a few of them, there are polysaccharides, terpenes, triterpenes or ganoderic acid, organic germanium, in addition to many other bioactive components. They have found these to alleviate or relieve the pain and suffering that human beings experience due to a number of diverse ailments.

In olden times, people depended upon nature, mainly on herbs, for their health problems. Then, the health sciences developed along with modern technology to produce infinite chemical combinations in the shape of medicines for the treatment and cure of various disorders of the mind and the body. With that, people turned away from herbs and towards prescription and non-prescription medicines, because these offered easier and faster methods of getting rid of their diseases. However, more and more people who are aware of the side effects of synthetic drugs are switching their loyalties to various herbal remedies. Prominent among these natural remedies is this wonder mushroom, “the miraculous King of Herbs” (at least as the Chinese believe it to be), Ganoderma Lucidum.

Uses of Ganoderma Lucidum

The list of disorders or ailments for the treatment of which Ganoderma Lucidum its users say is extremely effective is long because of its wide spectrum of beneficial properties. It stabilizes blood pressure, lowers blood sugar and corrects the high cholesterol ratio. It generally strengthens the immune system. It fights bacteria, viruses (especially those causing liver diseases) and many side effects caused by the treatment of malignant tumors and cancers (because of which it offers itself as a supportive medicine in chemotherapy and radiotherapy). It is also used in the treatment of several other body disorders and ailments. It prevents bronchitis, help to relieve asthma, cough and many other related breathing complaints. It also helps the heart to function better and acts as a cardiotonic, or heart strengthener by relieving the usual feeling of a tight chest; further, it acts against plaque that builds up in the arteries. As it has sleep-inducing properties and it can help cure insomnia. The list of possible uses in seemingly unending. Most impressive of all is that it works with hardly any side effects.

It helps restore sound health, energizes the body, improving the body’s vigor and vitality. It prevents quite a bit of cell degeneration as well as senility. That is why perhaps the Taoists see it as ‘the elixir of eternal youth’. And that is why many people seek its powers for increasing their life-span. No wonder, more and more people intending to keep a good physical shape and maintain good health are using Ganoderma Lucidum continuously over long periods of time and reaping its innumerable health benefits.

Ganoderma Lucidum is, without doubt, an unparalleled miracle elixir for longevity and can typically be bought in supplemental capsule or liquid form from specialty herb or mail order stores.

Dong quai is an ancient Chinese herbal remedy that people have used as a spice, tonic as well as for medicinal purposes. It has been used for over a thousand years and is reputed to cure a wide variety of different ailments and ills. Some of its most common uses have been in relieving constipation, treating anemia by helping to raise the red blood count and has also proven to be very effective when it comes to problems associated with menstrual disorders.

The Chinese have used and relied on a system of health care called traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years; dong quai has been a part of this system when treating with herbal remedies. Treatments have been given for respiratory, reproductive and circulatory problems to name but just a few.

Dong quai is a plant widely grown in China, Korea and Japan in high altitudes and it is the yellowish brown thick roots which are commonly used for medicinal purposes. It takes three years of cultivating the plant before it can be used, after which time the plant is harvested and the root used in tablets, powders and other medicinal forms.

It is an herb that is used for a wide variety of illnesses and complaints and in laboratory tests has proven to be effective in reducing pain, dilating blood vessels and relaxing uterine contractions. Other studies have suggested that dong quai could successfully restore an abnormal heartbeat, stop the accumulation of platelets in blood vessels. It also shows that it could be used in the treatment of insomnia successfully, protects the liver from damage, act as a mild laxative and helps to fight off infections.

It is an herb that is considered to be amongst the most versatile and safe, recent studies of women who suffer from menopausal symptoms are thought to be benefiting from its use. In particular it is thought to have great results with hot flashes when associated with the menopause.

There are various methods for the use of dong quai, with dried and powdered herb being the most popular forms followed closely by liquid. When using the dried herb which is taken from the raw root it should be boiled or at the very least soaked in wine before eating. The powdered herb is found readily in capsule form here the recommended dosage is usually around 500 to 600mg and can be taken up to 6 times a day. Liquid is usually taken in the form of drops, the usual recommended dose for drops is between 40 and 80 drops per day which is equivalent to taking 2 to 4 teaspoons.

While dong quai is considered to be one of the safer herbal remedies there are still some considerations to be taken into account. While these are rare and only occur when high does are taken you should still be aware that you can develop sensitivity to sunlight, develop skin inflammation and exposure to sunlight should be avoided.

Bitter melon or momordica charantia as it is correctly named is a climbing vine that has green leaves and fruits that are very bitter. However, it is the bitter fruit and leaves that has been used and taken advantage of due to their medicinal properties.

Uses of bitter melon

Bitter melon has been used with positive results to treat numerous diseases including cancer, diabetes and many other infectious and potentially dangerous diseases. Since HIV and AIDS came into the spotlight, bitter melon has been used to fight these diseases, as well as being an herb widely used in Chinese medicine. The Chinese regard it as a popular form of vegetable. It is also a very popular remedy when used as an herbal tea.

The fruits and leaves of the bitter melon hold a great source of vitamins and minerals which include iron, vitamin B, calcium and phosphorous. Exactly how much of these nutritional contents are actually taken into the body’s digestive system in unknown but it is a very popular choice among those who go to the herbalist for preparations.

Along with helping several potentially serious diseases, the bitter melon is also used for less life threatening problems. It is thought to work well when used in the treatment of hemorrhoids and if the juice from the leaves is squeezed and drunk then it is thought to help with a troublesome cough. It has also been used successfully in the treatment of roundworm as well as to reduce high fevers.

Bitter melon and diabetes

People who suffer from type II diabetes have been known to benefit from the bitter melon. It is thought that it helps to reduce and normalize the blood sugar level in those suffering from this type of diabetes. Results have been scientifically proven on people who have drunk bitter melon juice over a period of time. It is thought that the substance momordicin, which gives the fruit its bitter taste, is what’s responsible for correcting the blood sugar levels.

While bitter melon has proven to be helpful in reducing the blood sugar level, it should by no means be the sole treatment for your diabetes. However, it can work alongside treatment and medication provided by your doctor to help keep your diabetes under control, people did benefit by being able to reduce the amount of the diabetic drugs they had to take while taking the bitter melon.

Bitter melon can be bought from many health food stores already mixed and is available in leaf, tea, pill or capsule form. For those who wish to grow there own it couldn’t be easier. You can either choose to grow the plant yourself from scratch or buy it from the market and prepare it yourself.

Preparing bitter melon

Just take the leaves from the plant and give them a thorough wash, then finely chop the leaves. Get the equivalent of two glasses of water and put 6 tablespoons of the finely chopped leaves into the water and boil them for 15 minutes. Allow the mix to cool down then strain the juice from the leaves, drink 1/3 of a cup of the juice 3 times a day.

One of the most poplar herbs to come to light over recent years is wheatgrass, wheatgrass is now thought be the most widely used herbal supplement for many reasons. One of the reasons is that is contains chlorophyll, this is mother natures most amazing health prompting nutrient. Wheatgrass contains no less than 20 amino acids, several hundreds of different enzymes that cannot be found in any other food and over 90 other vitamins, minerals and nutrients. When taking all this into account it is not hard to see why it is fast becoming popular.

People from all walks of life have befitted from taking wheatgrass, athletes, those on diets, those who live busy lifestyles and anyone who wants to keep their immune system healthy.

Wheatgrass has been described as the closest thing to the fountain of youth that man has ever found. Which says a lot for it, in the UK people are so impressed with the product that even royalty have taken to endorsing the remedy, the “Prince of Wales trust” is aiming to educate people on the many health benefits of taking this supplement.
Wheatgrass is available in many forms, including pills, powder, pasta or you can even buy your own “grow you own kit”.

Benefits of wheatgrass

Great success has been reported in reversing chronic degenerative diseases with wheatgrass, it is thought that there are two reasons behind why this happens. First wheatgrass provides an optimal nutritional environment during the healing process and secondly the detoxification process is expounded which increases the elimination of waste that has accumulated in the body.

Other ways which wheatgrass can be beneficial include reducing the amount of bad cholesterol and lowering high blood pressure. It is also thought to be effective in fighting off certain types of cancer and reducing the risk of these cancers.

If you are feeling run down and have a lack of energy then drinking a glass of wheatgrass juice can bring back lost energy and get you back on your feet again after illness. It is also used to increase the body’s natural ability to heal and in recent studies has proved to be effective.

For those who have trouble with indigestion and heartburn then you could benefit from taking wheatgrass on a daily basis, wheatgrass is thought to help with the digestive system and process and calm and soothe irritated linings.

When it comes to keeping your oral hygiene in top form again wheatgrass is thought to be effective, it is thought to help fight tooth decay and also help with bad breath. Those who have skin problems can also benefit from including wheatgrass in their daily diet as it promotes healthy skin.

All in all it is not hard to see why wheatgrass is fast becoming a popular supplement to many daily diets. Although some studies have been made and wheatgrass has made improvements in areas, for some of the ailments listed above evidence has been inclusive. However on saying this millions of people throughout the world are trying this remedy and it is fast becoming the number one herbal supplement, which must say something for it.

There are many reasons why constipation can occur in adults, they range from simply not eating a healthy diet that includes fiber to other more serious underlying medical problems. Therefore it is important that if you suffer from severe constipation for any length of time or it is a recurring event you should talk with your doctor.

Of course if it proves to your diet that is causing your problems and not a serious underlying problem then changing your ways is the most effective remedy for your constipation. If constipation occurs every now and again which is the most usual case then you could turn to an herbal remedy for relief.

Along with an herbal remedy you should also increase the amount of fiber you are eating in your diet as this is essential for a healthy digestive system. Fruit, vegetables and whole grains are all excellent sources of fiber.

For occasional bouts of constipation bulk agents are recommended, they are the gentlest form of laxative and recommended especially if you have irritated or sensitive bowels. They can be used safely throughout pregnancy and while nursing and are even safe for those who have inflamed bowels.

The most popular form of bulk herbal laxative is psyllium; this gentle remedy can be purchased from most drugstores and a study conducted in 1978 showed that constipation due to irritated bowel syndrome was improved in 80% of people.

Laxatives in the form of syrup and pills and which include senna and cascara and are still popular forms of laxatives that are found in drugstores. Both of these herbs work by irritating the intestines and so get “things” moving along. However you should only use any laxatives herbal or otherwise over the short-term period. The short-term period is classed as no longer than a week, any longer and you run the risk of your body becoming totally lazy and becoming dependent on medication.

Cascara is thought to be the most gentlest of the two due to it working through the nervous system and only partially irritating the intestines. It also helps to improve the tone and function of the intestine; as such many druggists recommend it as a tonic to the intestinal tract.

Licorice can be used effectively alongside a laxative that allows you to reduce the amount of laxative taken while still receiving the same benefits. Licorice works by making the intestine more susceptible to the laxative; irritant laxatives can also be used alongside herbs that relax the intestines and also help to prevent stomach cramps. Peppermint, fennel and ginger all are excellent choices.

One way to make taking a laxative easier and more pleasant is to soak a fig or date that are in fact natural laxatives in licorice tea.

Be aware that any choice of laxative will have a time delay before they start to work, bulk laxatives can take as long as 24 hours before they begin to work while irritants between 6 and 12 hours.

Traditional Chinese medicine or TCM as its many followers call it is a large health care system that consists of Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, dietary advice and exercise. TCM is so unlike the health care system that we Westerners are used to; the underlying principle of TCM is to bring back balance to the “Chi”.

The “Chi” is said to flow throughout the body when we are healthy through what are called Meridian channels, however sometimes these channels can become blocked and the “Chi” cannot flow and this is when symptoms of illness begin to show.

TCM is a system that has been used throughout the world to successfully treat many illnesses with gastrointestinal and gynecological disorders being the most successfully treated disorders.

The five elements of TCM

TCM is made up of five basic elements; this includes the organs within our body. The five elements are water, fire, and earth, metal and wood. When using herbs in Chinese medicine these are divided into five categories relating to taste. These are pungent, sour, bitter, salty and sweet.

The herbal remedies of Chinese medicine

Although the majority of herbal medicines are plant based, some do include minerals. Herbal remedies can come in many forms and the one you are prescribed will depend on the area to be treated and the herbs to be used.

The diagnosis of the problem is made by the state of the patients Yin and Yang and the organs that are affected. A single herb could be used for treatment or in many cases a combination of herbs will be used to compliment each other.

Although the herbs used mainly consist of plant material they should be used with caution and only be prescribed by a practitioner of Chinese medicine. When combined into remedies they can be as powerful as western drugs prescribed by a doctor and when used correctly can either work alone or alongside traditional drugs.

Additional treatment

Along with prescribing herbal remedies the practitioner of Chinese medicine may also advise you to change your diet. Foods are generally classed as either cooling down the body or heating it up and changes to the diet can be an important factor when it comes to healing. Once a diagnosis has been made then acupuncture is commonly used alongside herbal remedies to encourage and restore the “Chi” to proper balance.

The Yin and Yang

Yin and Yang are opposites and equals, for example where there is night there is day, dark and light, cold and hot. For everything there is an equal that keep things in balance. The same is said to happen in your body and if your body becomes unbalanced then illness begins to show as symptoms.

It is the five elements within the organs of the body that affect the balance of Yin and Yang and this is the basis for diagnosis, if the Yang element is depleted then you will be advised to balance them through changes to your diet, acupuncture and herbal remedies.

The Chinese believe that all ailments and illnesses can be cured simply by restoring the Yin and Yang and keeping them both in harmony will lead to a happier and healthier person. 

Tai-chi is a form of exercise which anyone can do and which can have many beneficial effects on the physical and mental health. It is an ancient system from China that consists of slow, flowing movements that are excellent for correcting balance and helps to keep the joints supple and flexible.

The two main aspects of Tai-chi are conditioning the body while being able to focus the mind. By simply practicing the set of exercises that make up Tai-chi for 20 minutes per day, you are able to let go of stress much more quickly while increasing your stamina and health.

The health benefits of Tai-chi are numerous and include learning how to breathe more efficiently, a lowering of blood pressure, an increase in bone density, more flexible joints and a feeling of overall wellness.

The styles and types of Tai-chi

There are three main types and styles of Tai-Chi; these are Yang style, Chen style and Wu style.
All types and styles have around 24 to 35 steps which all flow into one long movement, but they can be learnt a few steps at a time until you can do the individual steps without having to pause. Once you have accomplished this you are then able to move on to combining the steps into one fluid movement.
There is always a starting movement and an end movement, while in-between there are movements with names such as “part the wild horse mane”, “hand strums the lute” and “grasp the bird’s tail”.

The Yang style

The yang style is exceptionally good for developing strength and softness at the same time and is the most popular form of all Tai-Chi. It is a slow form of the exercise which focuses on continuity with the hands being held relaxed and open for most of the time. It is the best place to start when taking up Tai-Chi and consists of 24 steps.

The Chen style

The Chen style is harder to pick up and has a varied pace with a lower stance. There are many lulls and crescendos during the movement and this form consists of 35 steps from the opening move to the closing.

The Wu style

The Wu style comprises of making a series of smaller but more deliberate movements, this form is especially good for those who want to improve their balance and leg strength.

Pushing hands style

Pushing hands is a form of sparring or Training for those who perform Tai-Chi, the whole aim of it is to unbalance your opponent by making a series of gentle pushing movements, while keeping your balance. The winner however is victorious due to skill rather than using brutish force and rough pushing. Skills such as using your energy to its best advantage, being relaxed, using your reactions and awareness all go towards winning.

There are four basic movements to the pushing hands style, the single palm push hands, double fist push hands, double palm push hands and the free style push hands. They are relatively easy to master, however the skills needed to use them can only be developed over time and practice.

Learning Tai-Chi

There are various way you can learn the basics of Tai-Chi, there are many DVD`s and videos, books with full color pictures or taking a class. Without a doubt if you are serious about learning this ancient system then following an instructor is the best way to go, by doing so you are able to learn the correct form of the movements.