7 Native American Herbal Healing Secrets

Are you aware of the fact that Native Americans lived in this country for thousands of years and never had one case of many of the common illnesses we face daily? I believe the reason they were healthier is because they lived off the land and used herbs and other plants as their food and medicine. These herbs are still available to us and can be found in your local pharmacy, health-food store or at many websites online.


Let's take a look at seven of the herbs used by these healthy people:

1. Arnica

- This herb was used by Native Americans for joint pain and muscle aches. Modern research has determined that this herb stops inflammation and contains a natural pain reliever (caffeoylquinic acid). A study performed in Great Britain found that it also reduces pain and stiffness associated with carpel tunnel syndrome. In addition, this wondrous substance boosts circulation to injured tissue. For this purpose buy it in a topical gel or cream form and rub it into skin where you have scrapes or bruises.

2. Black cohosh - This herb mimics estrogen and helps balance hormones. Studies have found that it relieves PMS symptoms, including irritability and menstrual cramps. No doubt, this is the reason the Algonquins named it "cramp bark." It also helps ease menopausal symptoms in older women such as hot flashes and night sweats. This herb is thought to be as effective as prescription hormone therapy, minus the adverse side-effects. On top of these benefits, a new study suggests that this herb may cut the risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 60%.

3. Sagebrush - Native Americans often burned this herb to purify the air at ceremonies. Come to find out, this plant contains several ingredients which have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. When it is burned, the space around it is sanitized as these ingredients are released into the air. When these ingredients are breathed into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, they can kill harmful germs. By the way, the plant we're talking about here grows wild in the western US and is not related to the spice used in cooking.

4. Saw Palmetto - By now probably everyone knows that saw palmetto can cut the risk of prostate cancer, but recently it has been discovered that when used by women, it gets rid of facial hair. It is responsible for these two seemingly unrelated benefits because it balances the body's hormones. It is also being used to help some patients who have polycystic ovary syndrome.

5. Stinging nettle - New research indicates that this herb has many benefits and that it is 50% more effective at overcoming nasal allergies than the most popular over-the-counter meds. It seems that this herb impedes the production of histamine, which is a chemical produced by the immune system that causes congestion, sneezing and other related allergy symptoms. It is a natural pain reliever and anti-inflammatory, as well, and helps shrink swollen nasal passages.

6. White Willow - Native Americans made tea from this herb and drank it to ease aches and pains. The bark of this plant contains salicin, which is the same chemical in aspirin that is responsible for the relief of pain. There is a difference in how the same substance from two different sources is absorbed by the body: aspirin works faster, while white willow relieves pain longer. An added benefit of white willow is that it doesn't irritate the stomach. You can either drink this as a tea or take it in capsule form.

7. Yarrow - The Navaho called this tiny flower "life medicine," and it contains ingredients that can numb pain on contact. It also contains natural coagulants that help stop bleeding from wounds. It is also an antiseptic and kills surface bacteria. The Cherokee bathed in the leaves of this plant after battles to help speed healing time. It can also be used for skin rashes and conditions like eczema. Look for it in your health food store in cream or ointment form.

Native Americans were very attuned to the land and discovered the medicinal properties of these wondrous herbs which helped keep them healthy. The real beauty of using these herbs is that they don't produce the adverse side-effects of prescription and over-the-counter medications. I don't know about you, but that's enough for me to give these a try if the need arises.
Gene Cook 

Anemia - Herbal treatment, Ayurvedic Remedies and Home Remedies

What is Anemia?
Anemia is a condition in which the blood is deficient in the body. This deficiency of blood is caused due to the deficiency of iron, which is an essential component of the protein complex, hemoglobin, present in the blood.
In anemic persons, the count of hemoglobin in the blood goes down. Hemoglobin is composed of heme, which is an iron complex, and a protein named globin. If iron is lacking in the diet, then heme will not be formed and so also hemoglobin. The main function of hemoglobin is to carry oxygen to different parts of the body. Hence in absence of hemoglobin, the blood will not be able to provide oxygen to all parts of the body, which will lead in a characteristic weakness.

Why is Anemia caused?
 The root cause of anemia is generally deficiency of iron in the diet. However, there are many other ways in which loss of blood can take place from the body. The following are some of them:-

People with hemorrhoids (i.e. piles) often lose great amounts of blood if there are open sores. If the loss is beyond acceptable limit, then the person would suffer from anemia.

Internal hemorrhages can occur in the body leading to loss of blood, and thus causing anemia.

Hemolysis is a condition in which a breakdown of the red blood corpuscles takes place. People suffering from hemolysis will be anemic. Such anemia is called as aplastic anemia.

Chronic diseases like cancers cause anemia, especially when the person undergoes treatments by radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Deficiency of vitamins in the body - especially folate and vitamin C - is also responsible in causing anemia. This anemia is called as vitamin deficiency anemia.

There is a hereditary type of anemia called as the pernicious anemia. People with this condition are not able to absorb vitamin B12 in their bloodstream effectively. Hence vitamin loss occurs.

 

What are the Symptoms of Anemia?

 There are many ways in which anemia can be observable from the outside. The following are some of the most common symptoms of anemia:-

People with anemia will have a pale appearance of skin due to the loss of blood. There will be discoloration of the nails and the lips.

Anemic people are not able to work for long hours. Fatigue is very common.

There will be restless and breathlessness occasionally.

At the same time, the heartbeat will be quite rapid. Minor activities can raise the heartbeat excessively.

Insomnia is commonly observed.

Anemic people will constantly feel giddy and nauseated.

In some cases there could be digestive problems like indigestion, constipation and flatulence.

 

 How can Anemia be avoided?
 There are many ways to prevent anemia. The following are some of the main preventive methods:-

A healthy diet, rich in iron, must be consumed. Whole grain cereals, legumes and pulses are good sources of iron. Nuts and dry dates also contain iron. Among the meats, organs such as kidney and liver contain iron in them.

Anemia that is caused due to deficiency of vitamins can be avoided by a proper intake of vitamins in the diet. The food must be properly balanced and contain the proper amount of nutrients. Consult a diet chart for better guidance.

In order to prevent anemia conditions that are linked with pregnancy, women can take multivitamin pills and other nutritional supplements at the advice of the doctor.

Anemia caused by vitamin deficiency can be aggravated by smoking. Smoking interferes in the proper absorption of several vitamins in the body. Hence these vitamins - especially folate and vitamin C which are water soluble - are flushed out of the body without getting assimilated.

Since pernicious anemia is hereditary, in order to avoid it you must consult with the doctor if you have a patient of pernicious anemia in your family.

 

How can Anemia be controlled with Simple Home Remedies?
There are various dietary guidelines that can be followed to control anemia. Some of them are given below:-

Apples are very good for anemia as they have high iron content. They should be eaten regularly; preferably after every meal.

Beetroot is also a very good source of iron. Apart from iron it contains various other minerals that are protective in function to the body.

Figs must be eaten regularly, at the rate of three to four per day.

Organ meats like kidney and liver must be included in the diet.

Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, etc. must be eaten in excess. They should be eaten at regular intervals and not all at once.

 

Other methods to control anemia are as follows:-

Cold water bath is known to have beneficial effects in anemia. A person with anemia must have at least two cold water baths a day.

Flushing out the bodily toxins is necessary. This can be achieved by massages from professionals.

For about ten minutes every day, the anemic person must breathe deeply.

Anemic people must not lead a lazy lifestyle even though anemia tends to make people lethargic. They must indulge in light exercises to keep the circulation healthy.

Yoga has positive effects in anemia. The preferable asanas are paschimottasana and shavasana. These bring the body into a relaxed state of equilibrium and facilitate circulation of blood.

Ashi Jas

Hypothyroidism: Herbs to Take and Herbs to Avoid

Hypothyroidism is a condition where your thyroid gland is not producing as much hormone as it should. This causes metabolic activities to slow. Undiagnosed hypothyroidism can make you feel run down, depressed, cold or tired. It can slow down your heart rate, make your hair dry and brittle, give you itchy skin, muscle cramps, infertility or menstrual disorders.
Extreme hypothyroidism can cause goiter (a lump in the neck that is actually the inflamed thyroid gland), facial puffiness also known as myxedema, yellow skin, weight gain and mental impairment. The condition is commonly treated by replacing the thyroid hormone that your body is not producing.
The most common treatment involves supplementing thyroxin and monitoring thyroid levels for life... But there are herbs that can help with the side effects of hypothyroidism, even though it is not recommended that people try to go without the hormone. Left untreated, in addition to all the symptoms listed above, hypothyroidism can cause elevated cholesterol levels and increase the rate at which plaque builds up in your arteries.
Some health food stores sell what is billed as a natural replacement for thyroid hormone. Because herbal remedies are not regulated as drugs, it is not known if these medicines are helpful or even safe. The best bet is to consult with your doctor about the level of hormone you need to take and supplement with professional formulated herbal products to give you a better quality of life.
Valuable Herbs for Hypothyroidism
Black Cohosh is especially good for treating menstrual problems associated with hypothyroidism. It's a popular treatment for menopausal women, treats symptoms of PMS and may help with infertility.
Kelp is sometimes given to people with hypothyroidism because iodine deficiency is linked to the disorder in some parts of the world.
St. John's Wort could be helpful if you suffer from depression a symptom that often accompanies low thyroid function
Cayenne supplements can help with blood circulation and making the heartbeat stronger. An improvement in circulation can alleviate the cold extremities that are common with hypothyroidism.
Herbs to Avoid
Some studies indicate that there are certain herbs, foods and drugs that should be avoided if you have hypothyroidism. It is thought that stimulating the immune system in the early stages of the disorder can cause the thyroid to deteriorate at a faster rate, so avoiding those herbs can help you hang on to what thyroid function you have.
Which are these herbs?
Ginseng, astragalus, bamboo, burdock, echinacea, ginger and lemon balm are among the herbs that you should avoid in the early stages of hypothyroidism. There are other herbs that are recommended to be avoided as well as certain foods and medicine. Visit herbs for hypothyroidism to learn more.

Monica Villarreal and Gail Kaufman are editors at yourbodycanheal.com. To learn more about valuable herbs for hypothyroidism and herbs to avoid visit: herbs for low thyroid function.
To obtain a FREE health report that includes key foods and herbs for low thyroid function visit: natural health remedies.

Monica Villarreal