Treating Chronic Kidney Disease Through Herbs

Suffering from a kidney disease is a very difficult ordeal. Detection of it can even be hard sometimes because sometimes its symptoms may not appear until the kidney has lost 60% of its function. This article aims to give readers a brief idea about a few effective herbal remedies for this illness.

If you are suffering from a chronic kidney disease (or CKD), it is imperative that you make yourself familiar with the proper medical treatments associated with CKD, as well as the supportive alternative medicine such as herbs and herbal remedies that may be helpful in treating this illness.

Among the most common side effects of chronic kidney disease is Proteinuria. This condition is characterized by a substantial amount of protein build up in the urine which tells doctors that a patient's kidney damage is worsening. Because the kidneys cannot typically pass large amounts of protein through the urine, when a high level is present, further evaluation and testing is needed to address end stage renal disease.

To effectually address the issue of proteinuria in your kidney disease, consult and discuss thoroughly with your physician how you can minimize the risk. Concurrently, try to meet with a homeopathic healthcare specialist to discuss about the need for herbs and other alternative herbal remedies to cure CKD. There are some herbs that may help to reduce the amount of protein passing through the kidneys and, as a result, work to maintain the health of your kidney glial cells. Of course, alternative herbal remedies are used as supportive treatments. They should not be in any way replace your medical procedures.

Cistanche is the herb that is most commonly used by CKD patients in treating proteinuria. This herb has the ability to tone up the tissue and muscle that support the kidney and is proven to alleviate kidney disease complications such as incontinence and other muscular complications - even preventing the need for bladder sling surgery. In doing so, your glial cells need not to work as hard and, thereby, may reduce the amount of damage and protein excretion you experience.

As you can see, chronic kidney disease can be easily treated if you just do some research. The application of herbs and herbal remedies for kidney disease can be of great help to any person diagnosed with CKD. Herbs do not only provide effective remedies, it will also help you save money since alternative medicines are cheaper.

By Phoebe Bradshaw

Prevent Hair Fall and Dandruff the Natural Way

Hair loss and dandruff are one of the most irritating disorders that can even make a person depressed at times.
There is a huge market for hair disorders such as hair fall, dandruff, alopecia etc. Companies are making a quick buck and exploiting in the name of herbal remedies. Many of these remedies are not purely herbal and may contain some herb as a component with inorganic and harmful chemicals as the prime component. Such products give only temporary relief, for example, anti-dandruff shampoos widely marketed, give relief only for a day or even lesser period.Ofcourse, there are genuine products in the market and the companies need not be pointed out for it is not their fault alone, but also of consumers who wants a quick remedy! Application of such temporary remedies and easily accessible products is not the right solution for the hair disorders, the solution lies in the age old systems of traditional medicine.
Such traditional medicine with modern science and technology can throw some effective long term and easy to use remedies. While I don't remember at this point of time any such ready to use natural remedy manufactured by companies, I am suggesting some time tested age old traditional or natural methods for containing hair fall and dandruff. Though some of the methods are cumbersome or the ingredients not readily accessible, this is the only way and natural way for preventing as well as curing the irritating disorders.
The ripened fruits of Soap nut, botanically called Sapindus emarginatus, are soaked in hot water for 10-15 minutes and then crushed with hand in the same water to get the extract.The extract can be daily used beneficially with no side effects as a shampoo. It gives rich lather and can be compared in lathering property to synthetic lathering agents generally found in manufactured shampoos.
Another time tested natural shampoo, is the thoroughly ground powder of Blackgram, which should be made into a viscid paste with which the hair is washed and the scalp massaged. This is a good soap for the body also. For starters, the paste when applied, may be rough as compared to the soap, but a beautiful soap with all goodness.
Both the above, Soap nut juice and Black Gram powder are natural shampoos, with no loss of natural oil from the body and in addition are anti dandruff.
Prior to head bath the following applications are useful
Prior to shampooing or head bath, the scalp is thoroughly massaged with a combination made of crushed fenugreek seeds and sour curd. Leave for 15-20 minutes and wash with the shampoos suggested above.
People who do not like to apply oil in day times may apply oil like pure coconut oil before going to bed and then shampoo the natural way in the morning. This restores the lost oil from the scalp.
Another remedy widely used in India and known as a c-vitamin rich fruit all over the world, Powder of Indian Gooseberry is an excellent rejuvenator for the hair. It brings lustier, prevents or contains dandruff and helps strengthen the roots.
There are several such remedies, but access to the raw materials or genuine products is a problem in addition to the time consuming preparations. At least choose a product that has less of synthetic components and more of naturals. Never go for a shampoo full of chemicals, just because it gives tons of lather!

Ravikumar Uppaluri

Scar Treatment - Remove Scars Through Herbal Ways

Scars are the fibrous tissue formed on the skin in order to repair broken tissue. When there is an injury, the skin produces more cells in order to re-grow the punctured skin. This tissue is known as a scar.

A scar is easily visible because the cells that go in making up the scar are of lesser quality than the original cells. For example, the scars on the skin are not able to grow any hair since they have no hair follicles. Also they are lesser-resistant to UV radiation.

It is a fact that scars can never be completely healed. There are several medical and cosmetic methods to cover up scars, but none of them can claim to remove a scar completely. The scar can be masked by some methods, like laser surgery, steroid injections, dermabrasion and radio therapy, but none of these methods can remove the scar fully. On the contrary, there might be permanent injury to the skin. On the other hand, Ayurveda deals in some safe herbal methods to remove scars. These methods are generally simple home remedies, and they have no side-effects at all. You can try out these methods before going in for complicated surgical procedures.

Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Scars

- Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Aloe vera is a good home remedy for the treatment of residual scars. Its juice acts as natural bleach. Its juice is applied to the scars, which then slowly reduce and vanish.

- Cucumber (Curcumis sativus)

The cool cucumber helps in the removal of scar tissues also. A paste is made of the cucumber and is applied directly onto the scars. This helps the scars to smoothen out after a few applications left overnight.

- Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)

The Indian gooseberry, or the amalaki, is very important in the prevention of scars after healing. Amalaki is the richest source of vitamin C, which is needed for cementing open wounds.

Dietary Guidelines for Treatment of Scars

Vitamin E is essential in the healing of a wound. When you are injured, increase the intake of vitamin E in the diet. This is available in the form of nuts, eggs, oilseeds, wheat germ, etc. Taking a lot of vitamin E speeds up the healing process. Because of this the possibility of scars remaining after the injury is very less. It must be noted that vitamin E must be had when the wound is still healing. After the scar is formed, the effects of vitamin E in removing the scar are minimal.

Vitamin C is also essential during the healing process. Vitamin C contains collagen, a cementing material that is very necessary during blood clotting. This can be got from most sour foods, including creams. Creams are considered to be best for this purpose. Cocoa cream is very beneficial in the treatment of superficial scars.

Keep your diet adequate with green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits. Taking a good amount of protein-rich food is also necessary for fast healing with less scars left.

Home Remedies for Treatment of Scars

- Take some vitamin E capsules. Open them and smear the powder or the oil of these capsules onto the scars. This will help the scars heal.

- Aloe vera paste can be mixed with the powder of vitamin E capsules. This can be rubbed onto the scar for better results. This must be done several times a day.

- You can also apply honey directly on the scars and leave it overnight. This application must be done frequently so that the scar gets enough time to get healed completely.

- Put the oil of the tea tree onto the scar and gently rub it in several times a day. The scar will vanish in a few days.

- Alternatively, green tea can be slightly blanched, dabbed onto a cotton swab and then massaged onto the scar. This will also help the scar to gradually vanish.

- Rub ice cubes onto the scars. This is a simple remedy to treat the scars. But the ice must be rubbed several times on the face.

- Olive oil is very good in removing scars. However if you don't get olive oil for some reason, then you can take any oil and massage it on the scar several times a day. After many days of such treatment, the scar will eventually wear off.

- If the scar is due to a pimple, then the following remedy is useful. Mix a tablespoon of sour cream, a tablespoon of yogurt, a tablespoon of ground oatmeal and a few drops of lemon juice and blend it thoroughly. Apply this paste onto the face for ten minutes. Then wash it off. Do this four times in a day. Remember to use low-fat sour cream if you have an oily skin.

- Cut a clove of garlic into half and rub it on the pimples when you have them. This helps to treat the pimples without leaving a scar behind later on.

Author: Dr.Anna Hardy

Enlarged Liver -Natural Cure for Enlarged Liver

The liver is an extremely important organ as it is the seat of the five digestive fires of the human body and also the converter of plasma into blood. So, from an Ayurvedic point of view, the liver is the master controller of the entire body. However, the liver is susceptible to a large number of disorders also. One of these is the abnormal enlargement of the liver, which is known as hepatomegaly.

Normally, an adult liver is about the size of a small football. Sometimes, however, the liver becomes enlarged. This is known as enlarged liver, or hepatomegaly (hep-uh-to-MEG-uh-le). Enlarged liver isn't a disease. It's a sign of an underlying problem, such as hepatitis, congestive heart failure or cancer. Treatment of an enlarged liver depends on the cause.

A swollen liver is the symptom of many possible disorders, and needs prompt professional medical investigation. It is often related to a similar symptom: swollen spleen. There are many condition that may cause swollen liver or enlarged liver, including liver disorders such as hepatitis and various other diseases not directly related to the liver.

Natural Cure for Enlarged Liver

A swollen liver is the symptom of many possible disorders, and needs prompt professional medical investigation. It is often related to a similar symptom: swollen spleen. There are many condition that may cause swollen liver or enlarged liver, including liver disorders such as hepatitis and various other diseases not directly related to the liver.

The Indian aloe is used in treatment of hepatomegaly. For treatment, the pulp of a single leaf of the plant is taken and mixed with black salt and ginger. This is taken every morning for ten continuous days.

Mix ½ teaspoon saunf, ½ teaspoon dhania, 5nos kali mirch, 5nos lasun, 5nos tulsi, ½ teaspoon adrak. Boil in 1-1/2 cups of water for five minutes, strain and add one teaspoon honey when warm and take twice a day after meals.

Mix amla powder--300 gms with dried ginger powder 100gms. Take one teaspoonful of this powder with water once in the morning and once in the evening.

Drink alcohol in moderation, or not at all. alcohol can lead to fat accumulation, inflammation and scarring in the liver. If drinking continues, liver damage may be fatal.

Chicory juice obtained from its flowers, seeds and roots is very beneficial in the treatment of several liver problems. Its juice is commonly prescribed to treat enlargement of the liver.

The kantakari herb is used in the treatment of enlargement of both the liver and the spleen, which is known as hepatosplenomegaly.

Gokulakanta: This herb is used for treatment of several liver problems including jaundice, hepatitis and derangement of the liver. Its root is prescribed in such conditions. A specially prepared decoction of the root (60 grams root powder mixed in half a liter of water and boiled for about half an hour) is given in doses of 30 to 60 milliliters twice or thrice daily.

Eat four to six small meals every day instead of only three main meals. Include : fresh fruits, vegetables and unprocessed foods in your diet. Drink plenty of water to flush toxins. Intake of supplements to boost the immune system. Required supplements are: Vitamin A, Vitamin B-complex, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium.

By: Corwin Brown