Herbs are made up of flowers, berries, leaves, roots, bark,
seeds, stems and gums and come in many forms. When you buy
herbs whether they be in capsule, powder, oil, lotion, or
liquid form, it is important to look for ?standardized? ones.
The majority of herbs are not regulated by the FDA so read
labels carefully for dosage and safety information. Another
consideration is how fresh the herbs are. Herbs sold in bulk
have lost most of their nutritional value therefore it is
better to choose freeze-dried ones.

Herbs can play a role in assisting weight loss and curbing
appetite. As with any weight loss plan, exercise and proper
diet or necessary to safely and successfully lose weight;
however, herbs can assist in speeding up the process. Just make
sure to exercise caution as some herbs can have side effects.

As mentioned earlier herbs can be used be used in many forms.
Popular methods for preparing herbs include a tea made by using
an herb plant?s leaves, flowers and the whole herb and adding
boil water and allowing them to steep. You can add honey to the
tea to make if more palatable. A juice can be prepared using
small pieces of herbs that are heat sensitive. It is best
consumed right away before it has a chance to lose its vitamin
content. The following herbs have been noted for their
assistance in weigh loss.

Green Tea: Green tea, is similar to coffee in its stimulating
effect, yet it has the added benefits of antioxidants and
vitamin C. Green tea can be purchased in capsule form but the
liquid variety is proven to work better.

Brazilian Cocoa: Brazilian Cocoa is also similar to coffee.
Like coffee, this herb stimulates the central nervous system,
increases metabolism and acts as a mild diuretic. Also, like
coffee when this herb is over consumed it can cause
restlessness and anxiety.

Cayenne: Cayenne pepper when consumed in food stimulates
saliva. It also aids in digestion and helps speed the
metabolism at a safe level.

Evening Primrose: Evening Primrose has been proven effective in
reducing cholesterol levels and helping people process fats
correctly and loose weight.

Seaweed: Seaweed contains a trace mineral that is a natural
thyroid stimulant. It can be purchased in capsule or tablets
forms.

Psyllium: Psyllium seeds, consumed with water, prior to a meal
help control the appetite. Psyllium acts by making the stomach
feel full. As you feel full you are likely to consume less.

Queen?s Flower: Queen?s flower, though less popular has been
proven to be an effective plant used in alternative weight
control and diabetes.

About The Author: Miranda Thompsen is a staff writer at
http://www.diet-gazette.com and is an occasional contributor to
several other websites, including http://www.aging-guide.com.

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Acupuncture, massage, meditation, herbal tea, and plant
extracts are popular among devotees of alternative medicine,
but many traditional doctors believe these treatments are
ineffective or even dangerous. Alternative medicine has become
increasingly popular as more people face the aches, pains, and
illnesses that accompany aging. In some cases, individuals have
not obtained a cure with traditional medical approaches and turn
to other options to treat their illness. In still other cases,
people feel very strongly that natural methods of treatment are
better than traditional medicine, so they look for answers from
alternative practitioners instead of the family doctor.

There are risks associated with alternative medicine. Some of
the risks arise through the use of untested, ineffective, and
even unsafe substances. The manufacturers of these substances
sometimes exaggerate the claims of their effectiveness. They
may misrepresent the science related to the material to
convince consumers to buy the product, even if its use can
endanger a person?s health.

Some herbal remedies are advertised as being able to improve
memory, raise metabolism, or cure cancer and heart disease. In
reality, the remedies may cause harm if taken at high doses.
Another risk is that someone with a serious disease like cancer
will not receive traditional and proven treatments, preferring
to use alternative methods that may not be effective. In these
cases, people are risking their lives. Sometimes, patients may
be using alternative treatments, but not telling their doctors
about them. This can lead to dangerous drug interactions. If a
traditional doctor is unaware of the substance a patient is
taking, medications that produce harmful interactions may be
unknowingly prescribed.

It is possible to recognize potentially risky alternative
treatment. If a treatment sounds too good to be true, it
probably is. While this is a clich�, it is often very true in
situations involving alternative medicines. Be careful of
products labeled ?miraculous? or ?ancient remedy.? If you are
thinking about treatments such as acupuncture or reflexology,
check the qualifications of the practitioner before being
treated. Ask about the training received, and research the
treatment to determine if it has been scientifically tested and
found to be effective.

It?s a good idea to ask your doctor about an alternative
treatment you are considering. Trained medical professionals
have the experience and education to help you make safe
decisions about your health.

About The Author: Discover a collection of articles discussing
medicine and treatments by visiting
http://medicine-connection.com

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Saw palmetto is a fan palm with the leaves with a bare petiole
terminating in a rounded fan of about 20 leaflets. The petiole
is armed with fine, sharp teeth or spines that give the species
its common name. The leaves are 1-2 m in length. The leaflets
50-100 cm long. The flowers are yellowish-white, about 5 mm
across, produced in dense compound panicles up to 60 cm long.
The fruit is a large reddish-black drupe and is an important
food source for wildlife.

Saw palmetto blankets forest floor in southern Highlands
County, Florida. Native Americans used the fruit for food, but
also in the treatment of a variety of urinary and genital
problems. The European colonists learned of the use of saw
palmetto. It was used as a crude extract for at least 200 years
for various conditions including asthenia (weakness), recovery
from major illness, and urogenital problems. Eclectic physician
H. W. Felter says “Saw palmetto is a nerve sedative,
expectorant, and a nutritive tonic, acting kindly upon the
digestive tract. Its most direct action appears to be upon the
reprodutive organs when undergoing waste of tissue…”

In modern times, much research has been done on extract made
from the fruits which are highly enriched with fatty acids and
phytosterols. This research has been the subject of a thorough
meta-analysis published in the medical journal JAMA and has
been shown effective for the treatment of men suffering from
enlargement of the prostate.

There are also small, positive clinical trials published on the
use of saw palmetto extracts topically and internally for
male-pattern baldness. In 2005, a long-term, placebo-controlled
trial showed that a combination of saw palmetto fruit and nettle
root extracts were effective in treating urinary tract symptoms
in older men. However, in February 2006, a large, blinded
placebo-controlled study published in the New England Journal
of Medicine showed no reduction of symptoms from enlarged
prostate by taking saw palmetto, as compared to placebo.

Other research has shown that it works by multiple mechanisms,
including inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, interfering with
dihydrotestosterone binding to the androgen receptor, by
relaxing smooth muscle tissue similarly to alpha antagonist
drugs, and possibly by acting as a phytoestrogen.

Because the fruit is the part used and because a prolific
quantity is produced by an adult saw palmetto tree, this herbal
medicine is considered ecologically sustainable.

Though in vitro studies suggest saw palmetto has properties
that might make it useful against prostate cancer cells or to
reduce prostatitis, clinical trials are lacking.

Though men taking saw palmetto may develop mild nausea, reduced
libido, or erectile dysfunction, the rate of such problems is
clinically and statistically far less common than in men taking
drugs to treat BPH symptoms. There are no known drug
interactions. Saw Palmetto should generally be avoided in
pregnancy and lactation and in small children due to lack of
experience and knowledge in these populations and because of
the purely theoretical risk of hormonal interference.

While saw palmetto is generally considered safe, one of its
primary active ingredients, beta-sitosterol, is chemically
similar to cholesterol. High levels of sitosterol
concentrations in blood have been correlated with increased
severity of heart disease in men who have previously suffered
from heart attacks.

Disclaimer – The information presented here should not be
interpreted as or substituted for medical advice. Please talk
to a qualified professional for more information about saw
palmetto.

About The Author: Copyright ? 2006, Heather Colman. Find more
Saw Palmetto resources at:
http://www.saw-palmetto-support.info/sitemap.html and
http://www.ebookpalace.com

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Many people who have suffered from a stroke have been left with
permanent problems that keep them from taking part in activities
that used to be normal for them. This can include activities
such as speaking, being able to walk, seeing, reasoning,
remembering, and understanding concepts. There are many
treatments that can help stroke patients and some of these
treatments actually use a mirror to get visual clues so that
patient can receive help.

Once Chinese form of alternative medicine that is being used to
treat stoke patients is acupuncture. Acupuncture uses a special
machine to stimulate needles that have been turned into
specific places in the body. While many doctors in the past
have disagreed on the effectiveness of acupuncture, more and
more studies are showing that acupuncture does have some great
benefits. Today acupuncture is more widely accepted in the
medical field and many doctors are seeing the great benefits it
has to offer.

Acupuncture basically offers electrotherapy and is supposed to
help balance the energy in the body. When acupuncture has been
used on stroke patients within the first year after their
stroke it has been found to be very effective. Acupuncture has
helped to improve their speaking and other motor skills, as
well as the way the blood circulates through the body. When a
stroke occurs, it is because of lack of blood flow to a certain
part of the brain, and this causes tissue damage in the brain,
which is permanent. Many stroke patients lose many of the
abilities they used to have and this becomes very frustrating
to them. Rehabilitation is a very important part of stroke
recovery, and using acupuncture as a part of this
rehabilitation can provide wonderful benefits to stroke
patients.

Although acupuncture is relatively new to many peoples�
thinking, it has been around for hundreds of years, originating
with the Chinese. Modern medicine has found that acupuncture
does have many benefits if it is done correctly. If you are a
stroke patient and you decide to turn to acupuncture for help,
be sure that you have it done by someone that is licensed to do
it. You do not want to go to just anyone, but want to find
someone who has a great reputation, so they can help you and
not hurt you.

About The Author: Karina Jacobsen is a staff writer at
http://www.alternativehealthadvisor.com and is an occasional
contributor to several other websites, including
http://www.wellness-digest.com.

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
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� Do you want to look and feel younger?
� Do you want to lose weight or detoxify your body?
� Do you have digestive problems or suffer from chronic
sickness?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, you must read this
article.

Our bodies are made up of 70% water; it is an essential
nutrient for our body. Water is needed for virtually all body
processes, from digestion to elimination. Water is involved in
metabolism, circulation and detoxification. Your body needs
water.

Alkaline Water – The Healthiest Water in the World!

Not all water is created equal and because water is vital to
our bodies and for our health, we recommend drinking the best
water available. Typically bottled and filtered water is better
than drinking tap water. Distilled water is not recommended
because everything has been taken out of it � including the
minerals. It is essentially dead water because it has no life
in it.

The best water for your health is Alkaline Water. A water
ionizer takes regular tap water and purifies and alkalizes it
to create Alkaline Water. Before we explain the many health
benefits of a water ionizer and the �miracle� water it creates,
let�s first explain the concept of alkaline water and how it
affects our body.

Better Health with a Water Ionizer

Regardless if you eat an apple or a veggie casserole, all food
generates waste. This waste is then removed from our body
through our skin and when we eliminate. The problem is that
many times our body can not get rid of all the waste it
produces. This is due to several things including our dietary
habits, stress, and our inability to properly digest our food.
This acid waste builds up in our systems and show up in the
form of i.e. cholesterol, kidney stones and arterial plaque. It
also causes premature aging and disease. To help our bodies get
rid of these wastes its imperative to decrease our intake of
acidic foods such as coffee, alcohol, soft drinks and sugar and
increase our consumption of alkaline foods like fresh fruits and
vegetables, green drinks and alkaline water.

The pH scale measures the acidity or alkalinity of a substance.
The scale ranges from 0 (pure acid) to 14 (pure alkaline) with 7
being neutral. In our blood we have substances which aid in
stabilizing our blood pH called alkaline reserves or buffers.
The blood pH must remain at a constant rate of 7.36. If the
blood becomes too acidic the alkaline reserves will immediately
raise the pH in order to maintain the blood pH at 7.36. These
alkaline reserves consist of bicarbonates and we need these
bicarbonates to get rid of the acid waste our body produces. If
we don�t have a sufficient amount of bicarbonates in our blood
our health will be compromised and we won�t be able to get rid
of the acid waste from our body resulting in cholesterol,
premature aging, kidney stones, etc..

Why do you need a Water Ionizer?

A Water Ionizer converts tap water to strong alkaline water
with a high pH. By using a water ionizer and drinking alkaline
water, you will increase the amount of bicarbonates which help
our bodies get rid of acidic waste.

Alkaline water is more easily absorbed into the body tissues
because it has smaller water clusters, with only 5-6 molecules
and is in a hexagonal shape. Regular tap water has about 10-13
molecules with an irregular shape, making it more difficult for
the body to absorb. As a result, alkaline water from a water
ionizer is 6 times more hydrating than regular water, offering
improved detoxification and health benefits.

Alkaline Water will also increase your energy. It is rich in
oxygen and will increase the amount of oxygen in the blood.
This additional oxygen has antioxidant properties and helps to
neutralize free radicals.

Water Ionizers are proven to treat fungal disease, skin
conditions like eczema, psoriasis, rashes, and acne. A water
ionizer can help high blood pressure, burns, wounds, blisters,
insect bites, cold sores, gallstones, kidney stones, gout, and
dandruff. Ionized, alkaline water helps treat conditions such
as osteoporosis, arthritis, headaches, muscle pain and relief
from the effects of cancer treatment.

What is a Water Ionizer and how does it Work?

A water ionizer is a small appliance that typically sits on
your counter, connected to your kitchen faucet. A special
attachment redirects tap water from the faucet to the water
ionizer. As the water moves through the water ionizer it is
filtered through the activated charcoal. From there it passes
into a chamber equipped with platinum coated titanium
electrodes. This is where electrolysis takes place – the most
important part of the process. During this process the water
ionizer splits the water into 2 flows, alkaline water and
acidic water, both offering incredible health benefits. The
alkaline water comes out of the faucet in the sink – ready to
drink! A separate hose coming from the water ionizer sits in
the sink releases acidic (oxidized) water. This acidic water is
excellent for sterilizing, washing hands, treating minor wounds
and burns and insect bits. It destroys over 99% of bacteria,
including E-Coli.

A water ionizer turns ordinary tap water into strong alkaline
water with a high pH. It is a powerful antioxidant with
antiaging properties and help to treat disease and many health
problems. One of the best things you can do for your health is
use a water ionizer and drink more water. After all, nothing is
more important than your health.

DISCLAIMER: The information in this article is intended for
educational purposes only. The author of this article is not a
medically trained physician; therefore, any theories or
suggestions put forward are intended to supplement and not
replace the advice of medically or legally trained
professionals. All matters concerning your health require
medical supervision. Please ensure that you consult your doctor
prior to adopting any suggestions put forward by e-Smart Living,
as well as about any condition that may require medical
diagnosis or medical attention. E-Smart Living is not
responsible in any manner whatsoever for any injury sustained
either directly or indirectly from information put forward in
this article.

About The Author: Shelley Moore is the owner of
http://www.e-smartliving.com. She has spent over 15 years in
the health and wellness industry. She is a certified Personal
Trainer and Health and Wellness Specialist and has traveled
extensively, studying alternative forms of medicine and ancient
healing methods.

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
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Of course, with the growth rate of population in the
environment and the alarming effects of technology in food and
water, it is imperative that you start taking detox diets.

It is relatively important for the human body to detoxify to
get rid of the toxins that uncontrollably enter into the
system.

In essence, people can naturally detoxify toxic substances
without support. Yet, with the growing amount of toxins that
are being ingested into the body through water consumption,
environment, and the food that people eat, can build up.

Eventually, when these things accumulate more than what the
body can accommodate, it can crush the bodys ability to
naturally detoxify. In time, this will lead to nutritional
deficiency, hormonal imbalance, and disorganized metabolism.

Prolonged effects of these cases will lead to diseases, that
will readily wear out the body and may even cause death. Hence,
it is important to create an alternative that will promptly help
the body to gain back its detoxification capacity and fight back
imminent diseases.

It is also important to understand that detoxification do not
work in isolation. It requires careful understanding of the
different substances that will help the body recuperate and
fight back diseases. Wrong consumption of substances that other
people may claim that these things can help in detoxification
can impact the overall process.

Hence, a simple detox diet will do. It does not necessarily
mean that detox diets have to be super technical or
complicated, in that, only the people who have background in
health and medicine can understand.

Detoxification experts contend that detox diets should be
appetizing and enjoyable as well. The point here is that if
your detox diet tastes better, you will definitely stick to it.

What is a Simple Detox Diet?

A simple detox diet merely refers to the removal of elements or
foods that are triggering problems with your physical condition
and fitness. By eliminating foods that build up toxins in your
body, you initiate your body to discharge accumulated
obstructions and let your body nurse back to health naturally.

Simple detox diets concentrate more on fresh, simple foods.
These things will enable you to generate simpler time
detoxifying your body.

Making simple detox diets are relatively uncomplicated, but you
may need some time to see perfect it. To get you started, here
are some easy guidelines in making simple detox diet.

1. Create a plan

Planning is important if you want to achieve something.
Creating simple detox diets require simple planning. You just
have to set up the list of foods that you should be eating.

After that, it is best to shop in advance so that you can
budget your time in preparing your meals.

2. Go for real!

Simple detox diets do not necessarily mean focusing more on
health supplements or herbs. To make a simple detox diet, you
just have to concentrate on authentic, whole foods.

This would mean cutting back foods that are chemically and
commercially packed such as instant meals, canned foods, and
preserved items. These things make use of chemicals to preserve
foods, that, in turn, build up in the body creating more toxins.

3. Go for green and leafy vegetables

Vegetables are one of the best detoxifying agents. Hence, it is
best to create a meal plan that has no less than 50% leafy,
green vegetables. Vegetables will help your body get rid of
toxins brought about by pollution, smoking, and other
environmental stress.

4. An apple a day keeps the doctor away

This old adage should never be underrated. There is more truth
in it than you can imagine. What most people do not know is
that apples are one of the best choices for a cleansing and
detoxifying program. Besides, apples do not put in substances
that may bring about dental caries.

5. Wash it out!

Always consume plenty of water a day. Eight glasses of water
will do, however, it is best to drink more if possible.

Aside from being the worlds universal solvent, water washes
away unwanted toxic wastes in the body. Keep in mind that
detoxification works as it tries to get rid of toxic materials
out from the body through the so- called ?organs of
elimination? such as the skin and kidneys.

This goes to show that if you drink plenty of water, you will
have more liquid in the body that can wash away harmful
chemicals in it and excrete them through the skin as you
perspire.

A simple detox diet should always be easy to start with.
Otherwise, your detoxification program will never work out. In
fact, detoxification just has to be simple.

About The Author: For more great detox related articles and
resources check out http://detoxhaven.info

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But first of all, let?s define what acupuncture is. Acupuncture
is a form of traditional Chinese medicine which has been
practiced for centuries in China and has spread around the
globe in modern times. It is widely practiced in many countries
including the United States. Acupuncture involves piercing the
skin with needles along the energy meridians of the body in an
attempt to heal illness or treat addictions.

Now let?s look at some of the minor side effects which may
occur. These are harmless and should clear up on their own
without further treatment and include bruising, bleeding after
removal of the needle, and psychological effects which might
cause dizziness and fainting. These side effects are similar to
what one would experience with a shot or having blood work
drawn.

We will now examine the rare but serious side effects of
Acupuncture.

Infection

Since the needles pierce the skin, there is the potential for
introducing bacteria into the bloodstream and causing an
infection at the puncture site or elsewhere in the body. An
important consideration is the sterilization process of the
needles to be used so that the chance of the needles being
contaminated is reduced. Also improperly sterilized needles can
transmit AIDS/HIV as well as other deadly diseases such as
hepatitis and encephalopathy (mad cow disease.)

Nerve damage

Nerve damage can occur as a result of a nerve being pierced or
nicked when inserting the Acupuncture needle.

Organ punctures

Inserting the needle deep into the lung can cause a
pneumothorax to develop which means air will escape out of the
lung and be trapped there causing the lung to collapse. The
same potential exists for the other vital organs of the body.
There is the chance a kidney or the protective sac around the
heart could be punctured. There is also a risk of stroke
induced by Acupuncture if the needle is inserted improperly at
the base of the skull.

Luckily, acupuncturists are highly trained to avoid the above
harmful consequences of acupuncture and indeed they are quite
rare. To reduce your risks make sure you go to a licensed
qualified practitioner and ask about their procedures for
sterilizing needles.

About The Author: Karina Jacobsen is a staff writer at
http://www.alternativehealthadvisor.com and is an occasional
contributor to several other websites, including
http://www.wellness-digest.com.

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
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There can be no reason why you should not try the natural home
remedy. After all, there are no side effects. Your health will
not be at risk. In addition, no natural home remedy can cause
harmful consequences in your body. It works fast and prompt,
and the most important and imperative reason is that you will
save money. For thousands of years, people have been using home remedy
treatment and cures, the simple, effective and not complicated
way. It is also a natural way of giving a solution in the
simple health ailments.

For ages, they relied on the natural herbs and plants together
with foods that have a natural way of healing those ailments.
It must have worked. By the time that men discovered the
natural way, they use it as nothing else. Man learns to
experiment because of curiosity. Natural home remedy is as old
as human history.

Did you know that taking drugs and medicines like Zantac,
Nexium, Tagament, and Prevacid should only last until eight
weeks? There is a bad effect if you continue taking it past the
maximum time.

Applying natural home remedy is the correct way to release
yourself from the burden of the ailments that keeps on
bothering you physically and mentally. If you follow some of
the natural home remedy tips correctly, you will find that it
is effective.

You may prefer natural home remedy treatment because it is
simple, effective, useful, and cheaper way of cure. Rather than
visiting the doctor and paying expensive bills, taking many
medicines prescribed for you to take.

Because of man?s inquisitiveness, would you believe that
somehow, they have discovered that thru aromatic plants and
charcoal can be use against arthritis? In fact, it is now use
as a massage supplement in hospital, hotels and massage spa.

Here is a sample of natural home remedy:

If what is ailing you is Nail Fungus ? if you find that, your
nail changes its shade and become yellowish, a fungus called
tinea may be contaminating it. Seeking the doctor?s advice may
give you prescription for expensive ointments for its
treatment.

Now, here is a safe and accurate treatment for this. All you
need is vinegar, Tea Tree Oil, Colloidal Silver, and Vapor Rub
Brand.

Mix the element that you will need in the medication of nail
fungus until it become ointments slowly apply it above your
fingernails.

Apply this kind of solution daily as your nail grows. Make sure
to do this constantly. You can apply it after you take a bath or
before you sleep at night. Make sure to wash your nail before
applying the ointment. This may help you solve your problem.

Study the result of the medication treatment.

Take note that if your nails continue to thicken, changes color
become chalky, become wet, and turn into a chalky and beginning
to crumble away, please be able to seek medical treatment.

As an advice

Before starting a home remedy always, check with your general
practitioner or health provider or any one knowledgeable enough
about the natural home remedies. Do not take it for granted.
Remember that any action taken by you will not be blamed to any
one else. It is you and yourself alone. As much as possible, do
it with extra care and caution.

About The Author: Burt Cotton
http://www.alternative-health-gadgets.com

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What causes acne?

Acne is caused primarily due to the blockages of pores on the
skin. These blockages stop the oil (sebum) from draining to the
surface of the skin. Bacteria grow in these blockages, which
lead to an infectious inflammation of that area; this is known
as acne. Several factors contribute to the development of acne.
These may include hormones, diet, evolutionary biology, vitamin
deficiency, and stress, among others.

What can I do to cure my acne?

There are a number of remedies for acne available in the
market. However, since the causes of acne are so myriad, not
every type of treatment works for every individual. It is
usually through a system of trial and error that the
appropriate remedy is found, especially in the more severe
cases of acne. The problem with some of the new systems of
treatment is that if they don?t work, they may actually
exacerbate the symptoms of this infection. This is why people
are looking more and more towards more natural and organic
remedies for acne as a starting point.

Aromatherapy treatment for acne

Aromatherapy has had a reputation as a natural treatment for
acne for many years. Of the aromatherapy oils, tea tree is
probably the best-known as an acne remedy, though other oils
such as lavender have been anecdotally reported effective. The
advantantage with using essential oils such as tea tree for
treatment is that these oils are a natural organic cosmetic.
Thus, there are no side effects to this kind of treatment.

What is tea tree oil?

Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained from the Melaleuca
tree of Australia. Tea tree has anti-septic and anti-fungal
properties. Before the advent of modern medicine, this oil was
an essential part of the First-Aid kits of the Australian army.

How do I use it?

Tea tree oil should be applied on the skin and never taken
internally. For treating acne, mix tea tree oil with aloe vera
gel in the ratio of five per cent tea tree oil to ninety five
percent aloe vera gel. Apply this solution to clean skin.

What are other aromatherapy treatments for acne?

Several other aromatherapy remedies have been shown to inhibit
the growth of acne causing bacteria. Some of the popular
essential oils used for acne treatment are Jasmine, Lavender,
Myrrh, Palma Rosa, Sandalwood and Ylang Ylang.

What are natural, organic cosmetics?

A further contributor to the increase of acne and skin diseases
among our generation is the increased proliferation and usage of
skin care products. Many of these products contain harmful
chemicals that adversely affect the skin and result in
irritation of the skin and acne. Natural, organic cosmetics
contain fully natural ingredients including essential
aromatherapy oils such as tea tree. The use of these cosmetics
helps our skin retain its balance and stay healthy. Healthy
skin is better able to combat and withstand skin infections,
such as acne and eczema.

About The Author: Sharon Hopkins, webmaster of
http://www.aromatherapies.net site writes about alternative
healing methods to treat acne naturally using aromatherapy. She
also writes for other sites on Massage Therapy, Yoga,
Hair-n-Skin-Care site and several other health sites.

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
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If we do not drink enough water, the body will do various
things to conserve water. These conservation strategies can
lead to various unpleasant symptoms, but from the body?s
viewpoint these are less harmful than being depleted further of
water.

For example, simply drinking more water can relieve many cases
of constipation. If the body is short of water, it will extract
water from the faeces, making them hard and difficult to pass.
The end result is constipation. An abundant intake of water can
quickly solve this problem for many people. Many years ago when
my children were small I had a nanny to look after them for a
few months. Every Sunday she would disappear into the bathroom
and appear several hours later looking white faced. Eventually
I asked her what was going on, and she told me that she had
been severely constipated all her life. She managed to go once
a week but it was extremely painful. I suggested that she
should try drinking more water. After a few days she was amazed
that she was no longer constipated. She told me that as a child
she had been taken to various specialists, who could not find
anything wrong, but no one had suggested that she should drink
more water. What a simple solution to an excruciatingly painful
problem.

Dr F Batmanghelidj in his excellent book ?Your Body?s Many
Cries For Water? documents how he has helped people suffering
from a wide range of illnesses including asthma, headaches,
depression, colitis and hypertension, just by getting them to
drink more water.

For many years top models have been fanatical about drinking
water to maintain a clear skin. No wonder – water helps to
flush out toxins and plump out the skin making it look more
youthful. If you want to lose weight, try drinking a large
glass of water whenever you feel peckish. Wait ten minutes, and
then decide if you still need that food.

A study by Dr David Lewis sponsored by Brita, the UK water
filter company, shows that water plays a vital role in our
immune systems ability to fight infection, making those who
drink sufficient less likely to suffer from flu and colds. This
study also showed that those who drank enough water were less
likely to suffer from the winter blues and recovered from
stress more easily.

Athletes know that, if they wait till they are thirsty before
drinking, they are probably already dehydrated, and that means
that their performance will be affected. Even if you are not an
athlete your performance at work, at home and at school can be
affected by insufficient water.

How do you know if you are drinking enough water? Most experts
think we should be drinking at least 2 litres (approximately
4.25 US pints) of water a day ? not as tea, coffee, cola or
beer ? but as water. You will need even more if you are
exercising or if it is hot.

To begin with you may find this difficult, because you don?t
feel thirsty. It seems that the body damps down the thirst
reflex when it goes unanswered for so many years. Initially you
may find you need to go to the toilet more, but gradually your
system gets used to the extra intake.

Try this: for several days commit yourself to drinking 2 litres
of water per day. Put it into a jug or bottle and drink it
whether you are thirsty or not. After a few days you will
probably find that your body starts to indicate that it is
thirsty, and you will wonder how you managed to drink so little
in the past.

Of course, the two litres a day is a guide. Probably a more
accurate way is to check your urine. Ideally your urine should
be very pale (straw coloured). Darker urine is usually telling
you that you are not drinking enough water, although B vitamins
will colour your urine as will some medication. (It can also be
a sign of health problems, so if it is still dark after you
have upped your water intake consult an appropriate health
practitioner or doctor.)

Want to look younger and feel better quickly? Checking you are
drinking enough water could do just this. Think about how lank
and miserable plants look when they don’t get enough water.
Pretend you’re a plant and perk yourself up with more water.

About The Author: Jane Thurnell-Read is a writer on health. Her
health and happiness web site http://www.healthandgoodness.com
has lots more articles and information on good health. There’s
also an international therapist listing service, so you can
find a caring complementary/alternative medicine practitioner.

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