Archive for April, 2009

For many centuries herbs have been used very successfully & safely in treating female conditions. Herbs have been used to treat PMT, bloating, pregnancy, heavy or minor periods, urinary infections and the menopause. Now they are also used to treat stress and are used as mild sedatives to help you get off to sleep without the side effects of benzodiazepines. Plant hormones are very similar in structure to human hormones which accounts for their effectiveness in gently stimulating natural processes in the body.

Uva ursi

Also called Bearberry this herb has a soothing as well as an astringent effect and marked diuretic action. This has great value in diseases of the bladder and kidneys, by strengthening and imparting tone to the urinary passages. The diuretic action is due to the glucoside arbutin, which is largely absorbed unchanged and is excreted by the kidneys. During its excretion, arbutin exercises an antiseptic effect on the urinary mucous membrane. Bearberry leaves are, therefore, used in inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract such as urethritis and cystitis.

Shepard’s Purse

Shepherd’s Purse has been used medicinally for centuries. In Chinese medicine, it is used for dysentery and eye problems. People still chew the seeds of the Shepherd’s Purse to improve their vision. Shepherd’s Purse has been used regulate menstrual problems, and by midwives to stimulate uterine contractions and prevent post-partum haemorrhage. In fact, Shepherds purse is the best herb to immediately stop post-partum haemorrhaging. During World War I, Shepherd’s Purse was used by British Soldiers to help slow the bleeding from wounds. Shepherds Purse can also be used for excessive menstrual flow and a myriad of other bleeding related issues. Shepard’s purse has also been shown to reduce urinary tract irritation and is often used as a mild diuretic.

Raspberry Leaf

Raspberry Leaf tea supports the female system by aiding healthy menstruation as well as toning the uterus in preparation for childbirth. Infusions of raspberry leaf have been traditionally used as an important gynaecological aid by women of the Cherokee, Iroquois and Mohawk nations of North America. The high mineral content of Raspberry leaf also assists in the production of breast milk. The tonic and relaxing action of the leaves reduces the pain of uterine contractions and makes them more effective and productive, thereby easing and shortening the duration of childbirth.

Valarian

In the 16th century, it was used to treat nervousness, trembling, headaches, and heart palpitations. During World War II, it was used in England to relieve the stress of air raids. In addition to sleep disorders; valerian has been used for gastrointestinal spasms and distress and epileptic seizures. The herb has recently been used very successfully to treat stress.

Fucus

Fucus vesiculosus which is also known as Bladderwrack is really nothing more than a form of kelp seaweed and has been used medicinally for centuries. The main use of the herb has been for the stimulation of the thyroid gland as a treatment for obesity and cellulite. The high iodine content of the herb stimulates thyroid function which boosts metabolism. Jimenez-Escrig et al (2001) found Fucus to have the highest antioxidant activity from a range of edible seaweeds, possibly due to the presence of Fucoxanthin (Yan et al. 1999). Used to prevent breast cancer in Japan and is also helps clear fibrocystic breast disease. The seaweed contains nearly 30 minerals.

Passiflora

Passiflora that is well known for its sedative properties. Since its introduction into European herbal medicine systems, passionflower has been widely used as a sedative, antispasmodic and nerve tonic. Passion flower is used primarily as a sedative or nervine to combat excess nervousness and anxiety, to tranquilize, and to induce sleep. The herb has also been used as an anodyne, anti-spasmodic and anti-convulsant to treat dysmenorrhoea and muscle cramps. A cup of Maracuja tea or 2 glasses of juice will naturally calm down the most hyperactive child, and for this reason it is highly valued by Brazilian mothers. Italian physicians have placed great emphasis on passion flower in the treatment of asthma. Passionflower has traditionally been used as an aphrodisiac.

Asbestosis disease is a breathing disorder caused by breathing in asbestos fibers. After a long peroid of accumulation of these fibers in your lungs, they can cause scarring of lung tissue. And that is the reason why the abestosis symptoms include severe shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and lead to heart problems.

Like all the other asbestos-related diseases, asbestosis is a latent disease. This means that asbestosis disease will develop many years later after a one’s initial exposure to asbestos. Typically it takes about 15 years or more years, before the asbestosis symptoms start to show.

Who can get asbestosis disease? In fact practically anyone who has had direct or secondary exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing products can develop asbestosis disease.

But of course, not everyone who is exposed to asbestos will develop asbestosis, but according to study, everyone who develops this asbestosis disease has been exposed to asbestos.

Those who are at the highest risk work or have worked at jobs where they encountered asbestos regularly. Those occupations which are of high risks include shipyard workers, railroad employees, power plant employers, steel mill workers, oil refinery workers, contractors/construction workers, firefighters, and those employed at vermiculite or talc mines or in factories that produce asbestos-containing products.

Even family members of those working in the above occupations, have known to develop asbestosis disease too. It is because the former brought back home asbestos particles on their work clothes or their hair.

Asbestosis disease can also happen to anyone who live in communities near an asbestos mine or in the vicinity of a factory that manufactures asbestos or asbestos-containing products. It is advisable to consult your doctor if you lived near an asbestos factory or mine and suffer from those mentioned asbestosis symptoms.