CasualWellness.com

For centuries the Chinese have utilized herbs for their
nutritional benefits for medicine and dietary purposes. Western
medicine is starting to take notice of herbs use in medicine
purposes including weight lose.

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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or hot flashes are an alternative to the use
of hormonal therapy. This route is taken when it has been
determined that hormonal therapy is too dangerous for a
particular patient. This is particularly true for women who
have had breast cancer.

But as recent studies have made all too clear - hormone therapy
can actually increase the risk of breast cancer, stroke, and
heart problems. The herbal remedies for hot flashes are all
scientifically based and in many cases the hormonal treatments
are based in part from the herbal remedies.

Certain plants are capable of creating estrogenic and
progestational effects, thereby achieving the same or similar
results as hormone therapy. In the United States the idea of
using herbal remedies for hot flashes is just finally gaining
widespread acceptance while in Germany 70% of doctors prescribe
herbal remedies. In Europe herbal remedies are also covered by
insurance in the same manner as hormonal therapy.

Herbal remedies for hot flashes include Black Cohosh, also
known as Squawroot, Black snakeroot, Rattle weed. Hot flashes
are some of the early symptoms of menopause and include night
sweats, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Your hot flashes can
generally last from just a few seconds to 6 minutes or longer
and come on several times a day. The degree will vary from
person to person and in some can be very severe.

Hot flashes can not only be very embarrassing but also
debilitating as well. They can cause you to have problems
sleeping at all or to toss and turn all night. One of the most
effective herbal remedies for hot flashes involves using the
rhizome of the Black Cohosh plant. Native Americans would boil
this plant to make a tea that would treat various illnesses
that affected women. This herbal remedy works by blocking the
receptors for estrogen, which results in the LH (a hormone)
being lowered.

You will need to consult with your herbalist to determine if
this will work for you. They will tell you how to take this
herb to gain the best results for your case. Or you may want to
try one of the many herbal remedies already available in health
food stores that contain black cohosh. Many doctors today have
also been studying homeopathic medicine as well to provide
another alternative.

The use of herbal remedies for hot flashes is a natural
process. When used as prescribed they have not had any reports
of toxic side effects. That certainly isn’t the case with
hormone replacement therapy!

About The Author: Discover how YOU can remedy hot flashes and
menopausal symptoms without HRT. Pick up your free special
report “Coping with Hot Flashes the Natural Way” by clicking
here: http://www.survivemenopause.com

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by: Jon M. Stout
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Article Title:
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Using Green Tea to Increase Weight Loss and Control Diabetes

Article Description:
####################

Many of us battle our weight and are looking for ways to help
control our weight easily and more naturally, helping us to avoid
weight related health problems. One of the most serious weight
related health complications is diabetes. And, while it’s likely
that we’ll never find a magic pill, it is becoming more evident
that there are ways to help improve our chances of both losing
weight and controlling Type II diabetes.

Additional Article Information:
########################=
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851 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line
Distribution Date and Time: 2007-01-09 15:00:00

Written By: Jon M. Stout
Copyright: 2007
Contact Email: mailto:jon.stout@GoldenMoonTea.com

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Using Green Tea to Increase Weight Loss and Control Diabetes
Copyright (c) 2007 Jon M. Stout
Golden Moon Tea
http://www.GoldenMoonTea.com

Many of us battle our weight and are looking for ways to help
control our weight easily and more naturally, helping us to avoid
weight related health problems. One of the most serious weight
related health complications is diabetes. And, while it’s likely
that we’ll never find a magic pill, it is becoming more evident
that there are ways to help improve our chances of both losing
weight and controlling Type II diabetes.

Type II diabetes is a disease in which the body does not properly
use insulin, the hormone that converts sugar and other food into
energy. This results in a higher than normal level of blood
glucose in the body.

Doctors are not entirely sure what causes diabetes, but being
overweight and sedentary is definitely a contributor, as is
family history. Today, about 20.8 million people in the US have
diabetes. Nearly one third of these people don’t realize they
have the disease. In addition, about 54 million people are
pre-diabetic, meaning their blood glucose levels are higher than
normal, but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes.

To help control diabetes or a pre-diabetic condition naturally,
it’s important to help keep blood glucose levels stable. Losing
weight can help regulate blood glucose levels, but, losing weight
the right way may help us lower our glucose levels even before
we’ve lost a lot of weight.

One of the most important principles to helping lose weight and
lowering blood sugar at the same time is exercise. Exercise burns
off the excess glucose in our blood, having an immediate effect
on our glucose levels. But, it also helps burn calories, which
helps shed weight. In addition, the right kind of exercise can
help build muscle, which helps you to burn more calories all the
time.

Another important aspect to helping control weight and blood
sugar is your diet. Going on a low calorie diet to lose weight is
not enough if you want to stabilize your blood sugar. The kinds
of foods you eat are just as important as the number of calories
you consume. For example, eating 1500 calories a day made up of
lean protein, whole grains, vegetables and fruits is far better
for your blood sugar than eating 1500 calories made up from white
bread, soda with sugar and white flour pasta.

It’s critical to minimize sugar and simple carbohydrates when
controlling blood sugar. And, this will automatically help you
lose weight, too. Foods that contain white flour and sugar are
harder for your body to process and make your blood sugar levels
sky rocket. In addition, they don’t keep you feeling full for
very long, so you’ll likely consume more calories in a day.

On the other hand, eating lots of lean protein along with fresh
fruits and vegetables, along with limiting bread and bread
products to those made only from whole grains can help you feel
more satisfied on fewer calories and keep your blood sugar stable
as well as protecting your health while you lose weight.

Another Little Known Secret

Another way to help keep your blood sugar levels stable and help
control your weight is to drink tea. In study after study, tea
has been shown to help regulate blood sugar and speed up the
metabolism. So, adding a few cups a day of tea to your diet may
be a simple and effective way to promote weight loss and healthy
blood sugar levels.

One article reported in the UK Tea Council talked about the
various studies that have linked tea with weight and diabetes
control. The important ingredient seems to be EGCG, a powerful
anti-oxidant. Study after study has shown that EGCG has many
healthy benefits.

Anti-oxidants are important because they fight the free radicals
that our bodies create as we process our food. These free
radicals can cause cell damage and lead to disease if we don’t
keep them in check. A diet rich in anti-oxidants, such as those
found in fruits and vegetables, helps keep the free radicals from
taking over.

But EGCG, the most potent anti-oxidant in green tea, may be one
of the most powerful of all. Green tea has a higher level of EGCG
and contains this anti-oxidant in its most natural state because
it has not been fermented during processing. Black tea, which is
fermented, is still healthy, but doesn’t prove to have quite the
disease fighting properties that you get from green tea.

This same EGCG that fights disease also seems to regulate blood
sugar, and this may help control diabetes and help promote weight
loss. In addition, green tea is thought to speed up the
metabolism, making it even more beneficial for weight loss.

So, as you can see, there are really two major steps to
controlling weight and blood sugar - diet and exercise. Proper
eating habits and physical activity are the most important things
you can do to protect your body from weight related health
concerns. And, don’t forget your cup of green tea to go along
with that healthy diet. It may be the easiest healthy thing you
do all day!

———————————————————————
Jon M. Stout is the Chairman of the Golden Moon Tea Company.
Golden Moon Tea carefully selects the finest rare and orthodox
teas, which are processed slowly and handcrafted with extreme
care. At their website, you can learn more about their current
tea offerings, including their exceptional green tea
(http://www.goldenmoontea.com/greentea), white tea, black
tea, oolong tea (also known as wu-long and wu long tea -
http://www.goldenmoontea.com/wu-long) and chai. Visit
http://www.goldenmoontea.com for all details concerning
the Golden Moon Tea Company’s fine line of teas.

—

surprise to learn that many Chinese people are
meticulous in regards to tea wares. The reason for this is that
tea wares (such as teacups and teapots) play an integral role
in the preparation of tea. A proper Chinese tea ceremony would
not be truly successful without the use of proper tea wares. In
fact, it has been said that the true essence of a Chinese tea
ceremony could not be experienced if the tea wares involved
were lacking.

One of key items in the typical Chinese tea set is the Chinese
teacup. These days teacups come in different designs and forms.
They even vary in accordance with their intended use. This
article will detail three of the best-known and most popular
Chinese teacups currently available. These teacups are even
available in the market and can be found online at Web sites
such as http://EnjoyingTea.com.

Filtering Tea Cups

As the name suggests, tea drinkers primarily use a filtering
teacup or mug to filter the tea. This kind of Chinese teacup is
usually designed and crafted with internal filters. Here are few
examples of filtering teacups:

* Poet Filtering Teacup–a perfect companion for enjoying loose
tea leaves, this Chinese teacup is actually a porcelain mug. It
comes with an internal porcelain filter and its own lid,
allowing room for tea leaves to expand and provide full
infusion of the leaves. This variety of Chinese teacup commonly
depicts a picture of a Tang dynasty poet inspired by outdoor
beauty.

* Yixing Clay Filtering Mug–The Jiangsu province, an area
situated 120 miles northwest of Shanghai China, is the home of
this teacup. The Yixing wares have enjoyed a reputation as the
best vessels for tea for centuries. They were made from purple
clay and are said to absorb the flavors and aroma of the tea.
This style of Chinese teacup also has the ability to withstand
high temperatures and is slow to conduct heat. This allows the
handle to remain comfortably cool to the touch even when the
cup contains particularly hot tea. And, of course, this Chinese
teacup has an internal filter.

Specialty Tea Cups

* Four-Season Character Teacup–With four-season calligraphy
character at all sides, this is but an exquisite porcelain
teacup lives up to its name.

* Small Peony Flower Gaiwan–As implied by its name, a lovely
peony flower design adorns this porcelain Gaiwan. Becoming
popular during the Chine Dynasty in China, Gaiwan actually
originated from Ming Dynasty. While small enough to be held
comfortably for drinking, this Chinese teacup is large enough
to accommodate tea brewing, as its origins would suggest.

Cast Iron Tea Cups

* Black Cast Iron Teacup–Having long been considered as
perfect for enjoying tea, this teacup can serve as a great
companion for any cast iron teapot. Being a classical teacup,
it is made from sturdy iron and has enamel coating on the
interior that prevents rusting. Worth noting is that this
Chinese teacup now comes in different colors.

About The Author: Patricia Miller contributes articles to
several online magazines, most recently
http://products-center.com and http://mygud.com

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be devastating no matter what your age or gender.
For those who suffer from hair loss, not much will stop them
from seeking out a hair loss remedy. While there has yet to be
found an ultimate cure for hair loss, there are certain things
that can help combat the effects.

First and foremost, if you are experiencing hair loss then it
is imperative that you see a doctor to ensure that there are no
hormonal deficiencies at work. A simple blood test should be
enough to ascertain if your hormone levels are to blame for
your hair loss. If this is the case, there are certain hormone
treatments that have proven successful as a hair loss remedy.

Diet can also be a significant component in hair loss. If you
are currently eating a poor diet and experiencing hair loss,
then experiment with a change in your eating habits. Limit
those foods that contain high levels of salt, preservatives,
and fat. Studies have shown that a diet high in protein has
been successful as a natural hair loss remedy. Try increasing
your protein intake with green, leafy vegetables, eggs, soy,
and other protein rich foods.

Others have had success with consistent scalp massage as a hair
loss remedy. A five minute scalp massage several times a week
will go a long way to stimulating hair follicles. There are a
number of oils that you can use for scalp massage including
almond, coconut, and castor oils.

Depending on the culture, there are many different oil
combinations that seem to have had success as a hair loss
remedy. The Internet is a wonderful resource for finding some
of these hair loss remedy =ECrecipes.=EE You can also find an
online community where you can check in with people who have
tried several options. They will be able to tell you what their
experience was; just keep in mind that not every person reacts
the same to each hair loss remedy. Success is on an individual
basis and depends largely on the particular person’s body
chemistry.

Hair loss can be frustrating and upsetting. But it doesn’t have
to run your life. Experiment one at a time with each particular
hair loss remedy. You may find that you’re not far away from
stopping hair loss in its tracks.

About The Author: For easy to understand, in depth information
about hairloss visit our ezGuide 2 http://hairloss.ezguide2.com

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che pain can be excruciating and even with the
abundance of drug related headache cures, more and more
sufferers are seeking natural headache remedies and more
effective migraine headache treatments and prevention.

Having been involved in training Aromatherapists and
Reflexology Practitioners over many years at and also running
the Scottish Group of the Guild of Complementary Practitioners,
I have become very aware of the power of what many people term
Alternative Medicine. (I prefer =ECcomplementary=EE)

However, the medical profession in general tend to ignore the
natural remedies that have proved effective over thousands of
years and they persist in poisoning our systems with Drug
Therapy, which often exacerbates many conditions or in fact
triggers other conditions and at the very least creates nasty
side effects.

So it’s entirely understandable that people are turning away
from traditional allopathic medicine and seeking =ECAlternative=EE
forms of headache pain relief and information of natural
headache remedies and prevention methods.

It’s incredible that our highly trained medical professionals
lean towards the modern drug therapy (toxic chemicals) and
completely ignore the more natural and effective remedies that
have been tried and tested over many thousands of years.

Many common and annoying ailments can be alleviated and often
prevented by the use of these natural products.

For example, probably the most common type of headache is
caused by tension or stress and a build up of toxins in the
brain, and is generally treated with “over-the-counter” drugs
from the pharmacy, like Paracetomol or Nurofen or similar pain
killers, which can cause stomach problems and as mention, often
cause further problems due to a build up of toxins in the body.

Our modern day lifestyle tends to be very stressful and so the
stress / tension headache is extremely prevalent in modern
society. Wouldn’t it therefore be more sensible to alleviate
the stress and thus prevent the headache pain, which in turn
then does away with the need for pain killers.

Let’s just take a look a few simple ideas for relieving stress
and general tension…

One of the simplest and best ways of easing stress and tension
and also eliminating toxins from the body is to simply
“Breathe” properly.

Every breath we take fills our lungs with oxygen, which is then
carried by the haemoglobin in the red blood cells to every cell
in the body. Every cell must receive this life-giving oxygen to
remain alive and healthy and so you can see how very important
proper breathing is for maintaining health in general and not
just for relieving stress and eliminating toxins.

Of course, it is essential that the air we breathe is as fresh
and pure as possible, which can be difficult in the highly
polluted atmosphere of our inner cities and once again if we
constantly breathe in toxic and polluted air we can actually
bring on toxic headache pain. So first make sure that you
breathe in “fresh air”.

Try this simple breathing exercise… Simply sit in a relaxed
position, preferably with the eyes closed and take a deep
breath, drawing the air deep into the lungs as if trying to
fill the stomach. Hold the breath for a count of four and
imagine the oxygen flowing through your body and filling every
cell with clean, fresh life-giving energy.

Next breathe out slowly through your mouth imagining your whole
body relaxing as if deflating as the toxins pour out. Just
picture every cell in your body releasing all the toxins and
impurities that cause the problems and exchanging them for that
oxygen and feel the tension just flow from you whole body.

Pause for a few seconds and repeat the process, each time
trying to fill the lungs even more. Hold the breath for four or
five seconds once again and then slowly allow the body to relax
as you breathe out all the toxins that are causing the problem.
Repeat this breathing exercise at least ten times and you’ll
find that you are much more relaxed and less tense.

This simple exercise is very powerful and not only helps you
relax and get rid of any stress and tension, but also rids the
brain of the toxins, which can be the chief cause of common
headache pain.

I hope this brings some relief without having to reach for the
usual drugs.

However, for more severe headache pain there are numerous
natural remedies that have been used with great effect for
thousands of years and I’ll try to bring you some tried and
tested pain relief methods in future articles.

About The Author: Visit Helen Williamson’s Health & Wellness
Website for http://www.health-vitality.com Natural Health
Remedies and Get more articles and advice at our Natural
Headache Cures Blog http://headache-cures.blogspot.com for
headache pain relief information.

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le teapots, perhaps English teapots are one of
the most elegant styles. The teapots made of bone china are
typically floral and have a dainty, fragile look that make you
feel like royalty when you touch them. With care, they will
last for many lifetimes and serve many guests.

Bone china is not your only option, however. Now English
teapots are made from a variety of different substances. If you
think that English teapots are an extravagance, you’ll be
pleased to know that the price range varies according to your
selection. Plus, besides serving tea from them, think of the
other possibilities for using them.

Consider giving an English teapot whenever you need a gift for
a friend or relative. You could start a collection of service
for them and continue adding to their existing collection
whenever you need to give them another gift. They’ll be
appreciative and you can make life simpler for yourself as well
by not having to spend your time shopping for a gift.

Even better is to start your own collection. Of course you will
probably want to add the matching cups and saucers. Imagine your
collection in a china cabinet illuminated by a soft, glowing
light. Won’t your friends enjoy admiring them? When your
friends or relatives ask what you want for a gift for your
birthday or a holiday, you could ask for a teapot or additional
pieces to your own set. Later, when you’re ready, you could
consider giving your pieces to someone special as an heirloom.

If you’re worried about breaking a piece, you can usually buy
or find a replacement through replacement services and
websites, so don’t worry about replacements. Instead, think of
your tea parties. Picture a table set with your gorgeous English
teapot and matching cups, saucers, creamer, and sugar bowl.
Imagine your guests commenting on your exquisite pattern and
questioning its origin. See yourself explaining how you
received the set and how much you love it.

What’s left to do? Take action and find the set you want. Your
biggest challenge will be deciding among the beautiful
selections. Take your time. Choosing the exact style, color,
and pattern you like is part of the fun. If you have trouble
deciding and if your budget allows, you may want to order
several teapots or sets for yourself. The more sets you have,
the more guests you can invite to your tea parties.

Once you do make a selection, you’ll have pieces you’ll cherish
forever. Remember - don’t just look at your teapots. Use them.
You now have a wonderful reason to have more company so that
you can share your valued set.

You deserve to treat yourself and teapots are one of the best
ways to do so. When is the best time to treat yourself? Without
a doubt, the best time to treat yourself is always right now!

About The Author: Owner of The Teapot Shoppe, the author enjoys
writing about tea party planning and how to choose teaware. Her
newest website, named The Tea Party Club will contain a wealth
of information on teaware, tea party etiquette, and more.
http://www.theteapartyclub.com

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st remedies for common ailments seem to have been
forgotten in today’s society where a trip to the pharmacy can
yield a medicine that will cure anything. The next time you
have one of these common ailments, try doing what grandma did
and take a trip to your kitchen cabinet instead of to the drug
store. It will be kinder on your wallet as well as your health!

While supplements of vitamin C, D and zinc will shorten the
lifespan of a common cold, a hot lemon drink is also extremely
good. Cool lemon juice and honey are a great soother for a sore
throat and gives the body much-needed vitamin C at the same time
The juice of one lemon in a glass of water is sufficient.

When you have the cold or flu the constant rubbing of tissue on
your nose and lips can cause chaffing and soreness. Try a smear
of vaseline or petroleum jelly on those sore lips and nose.

A ’streaming cold’ where the nose and eyes water profusely, can
be inconvenient and even embarrassing but believe it or not, you
can help alleviate these runny symptoms with an onion. Simply
dip a slice of onion into a glass of hot water for two seconds,
then sip the cooled water throughout the day. In fact, onion is
a good thing to have around when you have a cold and putting
half an onion on the bedside table at night can get rid of your
cold symptoms because its odor is inhaled while you sleep.

For those unpleasant times when you suffer from diarrhea, two
tablespoons of brown vinegar will usually fix the problem.

In addition to common kitchen products, many herbs can be used
to treat ailments instead of expensive drugs. For example, if
you suffer from headaches dizziness or tinnitus, you might try
feverfew leaves.

The Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oils are useful for treating a
variety of respiratory ailments. These are excellent for the
treatment of colds and coughs. They can be massaged into the
chest or burned in an oil burner to help clear the airways and
prevent congestion. Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic and
can be dabbed on cuts, bites and stings. It is often used to
treat spots and pimples and when diluted with water, acts as a
mouth gargle (keep in-mind it should never be swallowed).

The herb black cohosh is a powerful relaxant as well and is
extremely effective in easing painful menstrual cramps. Ovarian
cramps will be relieved as well as bringing on a delayed
menstrual cycle. It is also effective in the treatment of
arthritis, osteo-arthritis, rheumatic pain and neurological
pan. In small doses, appetite and digestion are greatly
improved and is very beneficial for the nervous system in
general.

About The Author: Lee Dobbins enjoys learning and writing about
herbs and home remedies. Please visit
http://www.herbs-home-remedies.com for more on alternative
healing.

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A growing number of people have become interested in
alternative medicine to treat illnesses. Alternative medicine
as a practice has created a significant amount of controversy
both inside and outside the traditional medical field.
Alternative medicine refers to a treatment or substance that is
unproven under the application or accepted scientific standards.
The most common types of alternative medicine include herbs,
supplements, therapies and activities that are outside
traditional medical practice. Some of these raise questions
about their safety and effectiveness.

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 the sole species currently classified in the
genus Serenoa family. It has been known by a number of
synonyms, including Sabal serrulatum, under which name it still
often appears in alternative medicine. It is a small palm that
is endemic to the southeastern United States, most commonly
along the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains, but also as far
inland as southern Arkansas.

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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