Herbal remedies for spider veins

 

There are numerous remedies for treating those annoying little spider veins, those small little varicose veins that are just beneath the skin’s surface, are usually harmless. Although harmless, those who have them feel their spider veins are unattractive, and even ugly.

These tiny red, blue, or purple veins appear on the thighs, and lower legs. They occur when the veins dilate and their valves in the vein which normally prevent blood from flowing backward, are not working properly. Blood gathers in the veins causing them to bulge- this is happening because of the burden on the legs, from standing for long periods of time or sitting with the legs crossed.

Spider veins do not cause pain like varicose veins but they can make the legs feel tired or heavy. There are many herbal supplements as well as medicinal teas that can be used to help treat spider veins. These natural remedies can help with circulation.

The following herbs can help repair and prevent vein damage and improve blood flow and lower the risk of spider veins developing.  Horse chestnut, Butcher’s Broom, Bilberry, Hawthorn, Yarrow, St John’s Wort, and Gotu Kola are excellent to use along with   chickweed- which dissolves plaque from the veins.

Medicinal teas such as- Hibiscus flowers, raspberry and blackberry leaves along with hawthorn leaves will help as they contain flavonoids which improve the veins.

Cold water footbaths, along with herbal remedies improve circulation in the legs and fight spider veins. The cold will contract the dilated veins and helps to allow the blood to flow and elevating your legs will encourage blood flow.

Always check with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.

Natural relief from gout

Gout is a form of arthritis resulting from a change of uric acid in the body, this can be inherited or can occur from stress, crash dieting, or using diuretics. It causes the uric acid naturally produced by the body to accumulate in the joints and form crystals- causing inflammation and swelling. Joints that are affected are the big toe, fingers, ankle, elbow and wrist. In chronic gout arthritis the uric crystals spread and all the joints may become sore and stiff.

Uric acid is normally flushed away by the kidneys, however if the body lacks a certain digestive enzyme known as uricase, uric acid starts to accumulate  in the blood and tissues, forming sharp needle-shaped crystals which jab and push their way into the joints.

While the people most affected are men this disease sometimes attacks women after menopause. Women who feel “aches in there joints” or “swelling” especially after dieting or using diuretics should talk to their doctor about possible onset of gout. Crash dieting more than 3 days can increase the level of uric acid in the body.

Symptoms of gout are easily recognized; severe pain, inflammation that’s red and burning to the touch. Gout was called the rich man’s disease because eating rich foods and drinking alcohol is one of the main causes.

There is natural relief that you can get by using oils, herbal supplements, and medicinal teas. Treatment for gout using essential oils can bring relief- Benzoin compress, it is a warming essential oil known for its ability to heal irritated or inflamed skin, Wintergreen paste-used for painful, swollen, or inflamed joints, and Clove compress- is an antiseptic oil which numbs pain and eases gout.

Medicinal teas are also very beneficial for easing gout symptoms- Celery-seed helps the kidneys to dispose of uric acid. Birch-leaf has a diuretic effect and drinking the tea will increase urination. Slippery elm, Sage, fenugreek, turmeric, and white willow are all excellent for relief of gout symptoms.

Using herbal supplements can be helpful- Burdock- reduces swelling, Frankenses- provides relief from inflammation.

Tinctures work quickly- Alfalfa, buckhorn, cayenne, oregano, dandelion all work well to bring relief to gout symptoms. Devils claw eases achy joints by reducing the pain.

Since rich foods can trigger gout it is best to avoid them and eat only raw fruits and vegetables. Stay away from red meats, meat gravies, mushrooms, herring, and limit your caffeine intake. Juniper berries are great for gout due to their powerful anti-inflammatory abilities.

To prevent gout take vitamins A and E and vitamin B-complex to prevent any deficiencies this can bring on an attack of gout. Always consult your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.

 

Herbal treatments for arrhythmia

The heart is a muscular organ that controls the circulation of the blood. The heart has two pumps lying side by side; the right side collects the blood and sends it to the lungs for the removal of carbon dioxide and oxygen. The new blood then enters the left side of the heart and is pumped out through the aorta for circulation. This pumping action consists of a reoccurring contraction.

Every heart beat is controlled by electrical impulses that synchronize the exact order of muscle contractions in the atria and ventricles, the four areas of the heart. Arrhythmia- means “lack of rhythm”. A disruption of the order, resulting in irregular heartbeats, the irregular heartbeat results from abnormalities in the electrical impulses, in the valves or in the muscles.

When the layer of the heart wall, the myocardium becomes inflamed or there is decreased blood flow to the heart; the disruption of the heart muscles which occurs in arrhythmia also leads to reduced blood flow throughout the body.

Some other influences that are linked to arrhythmia are alcohol abuse, smoking, caffeine, anemia, even stress just to name a few. Natural remedies along with medications can help with treatment of arrhythmia.

Regular exercise helps protect and strengthen the heart muscles so that they can function effectively. Walking, bicycling, jogging are all good options. If you are a senior and have a weak heart you would be wise to try a gentler exercise such as- yoga, stretching, or Tai Chi.

Natural herbal tinctures can help with arrhythmia treatments. Try Hawthorn, Ginkgo-(treats arrhythmia occurring from lack of blood flow), and motherwort- which helps increase circulation and blood flow, garlic, cayenne, or oatstraw.

 

Medicinal teas are effective and pleasant tasting as well- Berry red clover, Uva Ursi, Burdock root, Black cohost, parsley, linden, and lemon balm help to stabilize the heart activity. Try increasing the use of garlic in your foods it helps improve blood flow to the heart.

It is important to make sure you aren’t lacking in certain vitamins like vitamin E and minerals such as-Magnesium which has been shown to improve heart rhythm and heart muscle weakness. As always check with your doctor before taking any natural herbal supplements.

 

 

Herbal relief for rheumatoid arthritis

There is relief for rheumatoid arthritis with herbal remedies. Rheumatism is not a disease, but a term for conditions noticeable by a main symptoms-inflammation and pain in the connective tissues, muscles, or joints usually causing impaired movement.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the most serious and most mysterious of the arthritic diseases. No one is immune to it- 80-85% of all cases occur between 25years to 50 years old. Three times as many women are affected than men. This condition can be triggered by infection, injury, or emotional shock.

Some types of rheumatism are easily identified. Rheumatoid arthritis and lupus are both autoimmune diseases, in which the body’s immune system will feed off its own tissues. This disease affects the joints of the hands, arms, hips, legs, and feet. The inflammation can attack connective tissue throughout the body. Lupus will often start with joint pain but has many crucial symptoms including a noticeable rash.

Doctors at times may simply label the joint pain rheumatic and fortunately the help with herbs and the right diet can help relieve the joint pain which at times can be crippling. Medication, exercise, rest, heat, or surgery can help keep the inflammation from spreading.

Analgesics which are anti-inflammatory are helpful in mild cases. For more severe cases corticosteroids are used.  However, natural herbs can bring relief from the pain and help with the inflammation without taking prescribed medications. These herbal treatments have helped ease the discomfort brought on by disease.

Herbal remedies to help reduce joint pain and to fight inflammation taking the following supplements will help. Curcumin, quercetin, bromelain, omega-3 and alpha lipoic acid, and frankenses-provides relief from inflammation.

For pain these herbal tincture will help- devil’s claw, wild lettuce- a very strong natural pain reliever, white willow bark- also a pain reliever.

Medicinal teas work as well- Dandelion, nettles, oat straw, horsetail, alfalfa, are all rich in minerals that are needed to help repair cartilage and tissue damage.

To help combat inflammation try the following natural herbal extracts- Boswellia, feverfew- and anti-inflammatory, can also be taken in an herbal tea. Licorice- fights inflammation, turmeric, and cayenne.

Your diet can help with the rheumatism eat yogurt and fresh pineapples for their anti-inflammatory enzyme. Drink plenty of water and eat lots of fruits, vegetables, and fiber rich whole grains. Avoid white potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes, eggplant, these foods can cause joint pain. Stay away from sugars, fats, and white flours.

Remedies for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease that happens when bone mass diminishes dangerously, leading to losing height and an increase in fractures due to the slightest injury.  The most common breaks are usually in areas of the body with the greatest use and abuse, particularly the spine, pelvis and hip.

There are about 10 million women in the United States that have osteoporosis. Aging, physical inactivity, poor nutrition, smoking and genetics are major factors. Women are at a higher risk after menopause because estrogen production has decreased calcium and vitamin D, both extremely important for strong bones. It has become a problem responsible for accidents of the spine and hip in older women.

If there isn’t enough calcium in your diet, your body will “steal” it from your bones to provide it to the heart and muscles. Over time that will result in porous, fragile bones. With this progressive disease in bone density a person can experience some symptoms such as back pain, stooped posture, an increased curvature of the spine and the likelihood of fractures.

High factors of osteoporosis are; a life style of inactivity, smoking, excessive caffeine, and alcohol are just a few. Prevention actually needs to start at childhood with a diet containing calcium and vitamin D both extremely important for strong bones. A diet rich in calcium or supplements along with exercise are important to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Keep active by jogging, walking, and any good form of exercise.

Calcium can be found in yogurt, milk, and cheese. Some nondairy products are almonds, soy, rice milk, orange juice, leafy greens, and canned sardines. Calcium supplements are also available to include in your diet.

These herbal remedies can help with building bone mass; Sea vegetables like- Wakame and Kombi- these are nature’s potent bone builders. If horsetail and nettle leaf extract are added they create a powerful combination. Horsetail helps increase the body’s intake of calcium.

Since women are prone to osteoporosis they should drink Lady’s mantle tea. This herbal tea helps to maintain estrogen production and controls its effects on the body. Drink 2 -3 cups a day.

Since the spine is susceptible to osteoporosis, it is important to protect it. Pay attention to how you move, and not overload your spine which may cause a fracture. Be sure not to lift more than you can carry and  lastly, women who frequently diet maybe at a higher risk of this disease because constant dieting can prevent the body from getting all the bone building nutrients that is needed, and over time these women who are too thin are likely to develop osteoporosis.

 

 

                       

Natural remedies for arthritis

As you have read in my many posts, you are aware that I am a big believer in natural remedies.  There are natural remedies for treating arthritis an inflammation of joints.

There are roughly almost 100 different conditions, many which do not involve inflammation but do result in aches and pains in the joints and connective tissues all over the body.

The Arthritis Foundation estimates that there are about 20 million Americans that suffer from some form of arthritis, serious enough to require medical attention. Inflammation of the joints, swelling, stiffness and limited movement of the joint are some of the symptoms of arthritis.

The most common types are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.  Osteoarthritis effects the joint causing the wasting away of the joint cartilage, affecting older people whose bone tissue loses its ability to regenerate.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the membranes that produce fluid allowing for a smooth movement of the joint. Gout is another form of arthritis, it is a metabolic disease causing swelling of the foot and hand joints due to an excess of uric acid.

Certain foods can help fight inflammation of the joints- eating certain fish varieties, like salmon, sardines, mackerel, and herring on a regular basis help. These fish have omega 3’s essential fatty acids.  These fish contain highly unsaturated ingredients which are vital to the body’s cells; they can delay the development of arthritis because of the chemicals that help fight inflammation.

There are natural herbal remedies that can be taken to help with arthritis. Medicinal teas have been known to provide vitamins and certain teas like- stinging nettles can not only help with inflammation it can help with gout by its ability to help the kidneys to expel the uric acid which builds up in cases of gout. Horsetail tea- provides minerals that help rebuild bones and tissues.

 Natural herbs for arthritis are - Burdock root- helps reduce swelling, Devil’s claw- eases pain, and nettle root is an ant-inflammatory. Alfalfa, white willow root, celery seed, slippery elm, and sage,

If you want a faster method for it to enter your body goes with tinctures. Celery seed, feverfew, black cohosh, and meadow sweet . Meadow sweet contains salicin a natural form of aspirin and is used for rheumatism and arthritis. This natural herb can be purchased not only in liquid form but also in bulk and used as a tea.

Lastly, don’t forget to try turmeric an herb from the ginger family, this herb helps reduce inflammation and stiffness. This herb is an anti-inflammatory not only helps the joints but also delays any liver damage that could lead to cirrhosis.