What Every Pregnant Woman Should Know about Herbs
Because herbs come from nature, many people believe they're safe to take at any time. But, that's simply not true. In fact, many herbs
should not be taken while trying to conceive or during pregnancy and post-partum, while breastfeeding. The constituents of plants -
phytochemicals and other active compounds - can interact with hormones that circulate during the prenatal period and as the fetus is developing.
Some herbs can stimulate the uterus to contract. And, if you have other health conditions for which medication is prescribed, there is
potential for a drug-herb interaction...
Fight Persistent Ear Infections With NAC
Commonly known as NAC, N-acetylcysteine is an amino
acid that supports critical functions and helps
fight infection. Our body manufactures NAC
using the cysteine from the foods we ingest. Sources
include most meats and certain plants, including
broccoli, red pepper and onion. Bananas,
garlic, soy beans, linseed (aka, flax seed) and
wheat germ also contain cysteine.
Natural Medicine Approaches for Alleviating Earache
The splitting pain of an earache: while mostly common
in children, adults can also be affected. We all know
the itchy, scratchy, stuffy, feverish, achy feelings
that come with a sore throat and a head cold, but ear
pain is probably the worst. It starts with an overworked
immune system, affecting one of our most vulnerable
systems - the respiratory tract - which includes the
mouth, throat, nose and ears.
Garlic for Good Health
Fondly known to herbalists as "the stinking rose,"Garlic
(Allium sativum) has been used for centuries for a variety
of health concerns ranging from treatment of skin conditions
to fighting infection. Today, research shows that garlic
contains more than 200 phytochemicals that have protectiveblood sugar and cholesterol levels, enhancing immunity
health benefits, such as regulating blood pressure, lowering
and working against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Why You Need a Multivitamin
Among the millions of U.S. adults who use nutritional
supplements, multivitamin and mineral formulas are the
most popular. It's a smart choice for everyone, even
active, healthy people who eat a variety of fresh, organicfoods.
Move Well, Move Often - It May Save Your Life
Move well and move often: it's smart advice for maintaining a strong, healthy body from head-to-toe, inside and out. With mounting evidence of the ill-effects associated with sitting too much, moving well has become essential for living well.
Your Body, On Water
Athletic or not, we all need water. And plenty of it. Hydration affects how our body works in daily activities, how prone it is to injury, and how well it recovers from injury.
Yoga Eyes and You
The idea that certain eye movement patterns can correct vision abnormalities such as near- or farsightedness has been around since the 1920s. While there's no scientific evidence to support these claims, exercising the eyes does have health benefits.
Digital Devices & the Health of Your Eyes
Serious vision problems don't necessarily happen all at once; they can creep up on us over time if we're not careful. That's why early - and daily - intervention is critical. The following strategies can help minimize eye strain and prevent CVS from becoming a problem for you now and in the future.
Vitamin A for Eye Health
Part of a family of substances called retinols, Vitamin A is important to our overall health and, specifically, our skin, immune system, and eyes. It's important to know that Vitamin A can be acquired from both plant and animal sources of food, and the source can make a difference in the type and amount of Vitamin A the body absorbs....
Fermented Foods
You can support your gut health with fermented, nutrient-potent foods. Ranging from tangy to bitterly-sweet in flavor, these foods originated decades ago in the cultures of Japan, China, India, and Germany.
Ah, The Health Benefits of a Good Stretch
You know you should do it, but in a rush, you often skip it: Stretching. It's important to your health, regardless of how intensely you do - or do not - exercise Regular stretching helps increase muscle flexibility, which is one of the important factors of fitness. Muscles that are limber have better reaction times, help protect joints, support posture, and reduce stress and body aches.