Joi's Healthy Blog - Philippine Herbal Medicine, Medicinal Plants, and Home Remedies

Food Cravings – Mind Matter or Health Issue?

2011-12-09T18:06:00.000-08:00

What causes food cravings?

Most doctors and dietitians agreed that food cravings stem from a complex combination of emotional, hormonal and biochemical factors. One of the greatest factors for cravings is blood sugar imbalance. Emotional and hormonal imbalance also contributes to food cravings.

Blood Sugar Imbalance

A major trigger for food cravings is low blood sugar. This is typically caused by lack of food as a result of going too long between meals/snacks, or following very low calorie diets.

According to some studies, people with cravings often have an underlying blood sugar imbalance in which their blood sugar levels are altered because they eat too much of the wrong type of carbohydrates. These fluctuations in sugar level can cause cravings, water retention, mood swings and excessive thirst.

Hormonal Imbalance

An enormous percentage of women crave sugar, carbohydrates, or alcohol. In most cases, these food cravings are not true eating disorders, but instead are signs of hormonal imbalance caused by a lack of healthy nutrition.

The fact that the strongest food cravings occur in the week prior to menstruation, or during pregnancy, suggests that hormonal swings have an influence on this type of urge to eat. Also, it's interesting that men - who typically are less affected by hormone imbalance than women - tend to develop fewer cravings.

Emotional Imbalance

Stress, depression, and boredom are the most common triggers for food cravings. In severe cases, cravings can lead to binge eating, an eating disorder which consists of episodes on uncontrollable overeating and can be followed by compensatory behavior in which the person purge what he/she ate.

If your emotional issues remain unaddressed, your food craving will remain constant. If your emotional issues change, so will your food cravings. The only parallel between both the constant and the changing food cravings is this: There is some underlying emotional issue crying out for your attention.

“The bottom line is this: As unpleasant as it is to face a negative emotion, the alternative is even more unpleasant. Everyone gets angry, upset, or jealous at some time — there's no question about it. Sometimes life circumstances or our personal choices make it tough to stay centered in peace of mind. In fact, the only question about these emotions is whether we choose to deal with them now or later.” - Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.

Food cravings mean that the body has its signals mixed up. When we are exhausted or blue, we have low blood sugar and/or low serotonin, and the body signals the brain that it needs a pick-me-up. This signal causes a sugar craving or carbohydrate craving.

How to suppress food cravings?

1. Don’t skip meals. If you skip meals your blood sugar level will fall too low, which causes food cravings and binge eating.

2. Too much sugar and too much salt can make the cravings worse.

3. Reduce the intake of drinks that acts as stimulants like coffee, tea, and caffeinated soft drinks. These drinks can cause fluctuations in blood sugar. Drinking a lot of water can help.

4. Avoid artificial sweeteners.

5. Reduce your intake of processed foods that are high in additives.

6. Exercise can help to curb your food cravings. Due to the influence of mood on our eating habits, especially cravings, it is vital to take regular physical exercise on most days. Exercise significantly improves mood by releasing chemicals into the bloodstream, and will definitely help you to control your urge to eat.

Beauty Agent Cucumber

2011-09-29T01:34:00.000-07:00

I love cucumbers. Don’t you think it’s quite a salad’s sumptuous ingredient! The taste maybe bland yet there is something in it that you feel like grabbing a slice and munch on it,--- the same thing how every woman would always want these pieces in their eyes. Oh yes speaking of, cucumber is known among others as a natural beauty agent. Cliché or what, it is a fact.

Artworks like wall paintings mostly use cucumbers as subjects. And these creations are marketed to spas and some beauty salons. This is how renowned cucumbers are to the health and beauty industry. In fact, in all beauty creams and lotions and even in soaps, toners, and astringents, cucumber is well represented .Some may fit well in the budget while the rest are just impractical to afford. If this is the case, then your nearby public market is the best beauty shop for you. All you need to make your skin radiates in beauty is all there. Remember our grade school go, glow, and grow? Then better count cucumber as your glow food filled with ascorbic and caffeic acids which are known to prevent water retention. So, for swollen skin especially the baggy skin underneath the eyes that make the eyes look puffy, cucumber is your best remedy. Why spend too much on eye creams to reduce swelling when a common vegetable can easily resolve the issue, anyway! More than what it is known for as an eyebag remover, it is also best recommended to treat dermatitis and sunburns.

Cucumber is 90 per cent water which makes this food diuretic. When taken internally, it is a good agent too for detoxification. It fights uric acid, as well, which makes arthritis patients loyal to cucumber even more. And because it is cool water, its juice when applied to skin directly gives a rejuvenating effect. So how about your favourite facial wash tried and tested to open the pores to easily remove deep seated dirt and afterwards a cool treat of sliced cucumber massaged directly on to face follows? Don’t you think it is more than a nice treat for the day!

Source:

Jocelyn Aps is the Business Development Manager at Artyii, Asia's leading community for emerging paint artists. Launched in November 2010, Artyii offers a powerful global platform to discover emerging Asian art. Over 500 artists from Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia have trusted Artyii, thus far. Membership is by-invite only. Apart from sharing art, artists can communicate with gallery owners.

Health Benefits of Pineapple

2011-09-14T00:25:00.000-07:00

I’ve been craving for pineapple and it made me write this article. Obviously, there are lots of pineapple benefits. Aside from the fact that this fruit has lots of fibers and vitamins, there are other health benefits that you might not know.

Pineapple contains proteolytic enzyme bromelain which helps in the digestion of protein. Pineapple can also help in preventing blood clot formation because of its bromelain content. Bromelain has been found to be a useful anti-inflammatory which is effective in supporting in the treatment of conditions like acute sinusitis, sore throat, gout and arthritis.

Anti-oxidant properties of pineapple

Pineapple is also known to be abundant in anti-oxidants. As we know, a buildup of free radicals can lead to diabetic heart disease and atherosclerosis; an increase in asthma attacks and increase the risk of developing certain cancers like colon cancer. So you better take some pineapple if you want to prevent having those diseases.

Pineapple against cancer

Australian research found that there are some beneficial molecules hidden in the stems of pineapples. These molecules have been found to have some defense mechanism against certain types of cancers like ovarian cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer and skin cancer.

Here are some other health benefits of pineapple:

1. It is regulates the gland and found to be helpful in cases of goiter(enlargement of the thyroid gland).

2. Helps in treating dyspepsia (chronic digestive disturbance).

3. Helps in treating bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tubes.)

4. Lowers blood pressure

5. Helps in treating arthritis (diseases of the joints)

6. Fresh pineapple juice is also used in removing intestinal worms.

7. Prevents constipation

Banaba Tea Leaf for Weight Loss

2011-05-15T07:45:00.000-07:00

I bought banaba tea leaf today and will try it myself. I read from a health blog that banaba tea leaf can help in reducing weight, help in treating urinary tract infection, and lower blood sugar.

I once had undergone shockwave lithotripsy because I had kidney stones. Right now I'm always having UTI so I hope this can also help me with it.

I was diagnosed with polycystic ovaries and one of the causes of PCOS is insulin resistance. As much as possible I want to restrict on my sugar intake, so I hope this banaba tea leaf can really help me.

I will update this blog if the banaba tea leaf is really effected.

Herbal Medicine - The Original Medicines

2010-03-30T06:23:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine a world without bottles of aspirin and antibiotics? How would you feel if your doctor had no drugs to prescribe for serious illnesses? This was the world of our not-so-distant ancestors and, what’s more, it still exists today in Third World countries. Yet it is precisely this primitive world that we owe for all the benefits of modern medicine we enjoy.

The pharmaceutical industry has learned to harness the power of many natural substances, producing synthetic versions which have become our prescription and over-the-counter drugs. These have brought undoubted advances, but often at the cost of debilitating side effects and complications.

Meanwhile, more and more scientific research is serving to remind us of nature’s own safer, gentler packages of healing power which lie behind so many of today’s drugs. The truth is that remedies like Grandma’s elder berry wine and the Chickasaw Indians’ infusion of willow root are scientifically proven! As more and more natural remedies are tested and refined, the apparent need for expensive drugs with dangerous side effects declines. Science is showing real medical advances are in store as we learn to combine old wisdom with new.

Does Garlic Really Work with High Blood Pressure?

2010-03-07T23:42:00.000-08:00

Does Garlic Really Work with High Blood Pressure?

Garlic has been known to help in lowering high blood pressure but many are confused if this simple bulb can really work with your BP.
Research shows that garlic may in fact reduce diastolic and systolic blood pressure!

“In a study, when people with high blood pressure were given one clove of garlic a day for 12 weeks, their diastolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels were significantly reduced. Eating quantities as small as one clove of garlic a day was found to have beneficial effects on managing hypertension.” http://www.netscape.com/fact sheet high blood pressure treatment with garlic

How does garlic work?

“Garlic dilates the muscles of blood vessels, which helps in lowering blood pressure. It consists of a compound called adenosine, which helps in vasodilation and is also a muscle relaxant. Although, both raw and cooked garlic can benefit blood pressure, raw garlic is more potent and benefits faster. Garlic also interferes with the formation of blood clots and helps in reducing cholesterol. It not only helps lower the risk of colon, gastro intestinal tract and stomach cancers but also improves immunity and prevents gas formation.” http://www.indianfoodforever.com/food-guide/hypertension.html

“It appears, according to research that the beneficial effects of garlic on blood pressure come more from the garlic sulphides than from allicin. Unlike allicin, garlic sulphides are not destroyed by cooking.” http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050701/103.html

To give a hint about high blood pressure; high blood pressure is a condition that is treated with a combination of prescription drugs, diet, daily exercise, avoiding caffeine, managing stress and, if you are willing garlic. Below is a quick definition along with a list of symptoms of high blood pressure:
“High BP, or hypertension, means a pressure above 140/90 mmHg. High blood pressure symptoms are usually absent unless hypertension is elevated above 240/120 mmHg.
Hypertension symptoms may be a combination of:
• headache, often upon awakening
• blurred vision
• ringing in the ears
• dizziness
• facial redness
• nosebleeds
• fatigue
• heart attack”

Garlic alone cannot help with your high blood pressures. You also have to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a healthy-natural-diet to prevent yourself from getting sick.

How to Peel a Potato Without a Peeler

2010-02-18T19:07:00.000-08:00

How to Peel a Potato Without a Peeler

Health Benefits of Onions

2010-02-11T17:55:00.000-08:00

Onions (Allium cepa) belong to the lily family, the same family as garlic, leeks, chives, scallions and shallots.There are over 600 species of Allium, distributed all over Europe, North America, Northern Africa and Asia. The plants can be used as ornamentals, vegetables, spices, or as medicine. There are over 120 different documented uses of the Alliums.

The onion has been used as an ingredient in various dishes for thousands of years by many cultures around the world. World onion production is steadily increasing so that onion is now the second most important horticultural crop after tomatoes.

Onion and other Allium vegetables are characterized by their rich content of thiosulfinates, sulfides, sulfoxides, and other odoriferous sulfur compounds. The cysteine sulfoxides are primarily responsible for the onion flavor and produce the eye-irritating compounds that induce lacrimation. The thiosulfinates exhibit antimicrobial properties. Onion is effective against many bacteria including Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella, and E. coli. Onion is not as potent as garlic since the sulfur compounds in onion are only about one-quarter the level found in garlic.

Onions have a variety of medicinal effects. Early American settlers used wild onions to treat colds, coughs, and asthma, and to repel insects. In Chinese medicine, onions have been used to treat angina, coughs, bacterial infections, and breathing problems.

Dry onions are a surprising source of fiber and a rich source of healthy sulfur compounds, similar to those found in garlic. Research on onions has lagged behind garlic research, but onions appear to have similar cardiovascular benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, at least in the short term.

Onions also contain phytochemicals called flavonoids, which help vitamin C in its function, improving the integrity of blood vessels and decreasing inflammation. All this spells help for your cardiovascular system. One particular flavonoid, quercetin, may inhibit tumor growth and help keep colon cancer at bay.

In addition, a newly identified compound appears to rival the prescription drug Fosamax in inhibiting bone loss in menopausal women.

Onions also contain vitamin C and chromium. Chromium is a mineral that helps cells respond to insulin, ultimately assisting with blood glucose control. Green onions, because of their bright green tops, provide a wealth of vitamin A.

Cardiovascular Help
Onions contain a number of sulfides similar to those found in garlic which may lower blood lipids and blood pressure. In India, communities that never consumed onions or garlic had blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels substantially higher, and blood clotting times shorter, than the communities that ate liberal amounts of garlic and onions. Onions are a rich source of flavonoids, substances known to provide protection against cardiovascular disease. Onions are also natural anticlotting agents since they possess substances with fibrinolytic activity and can suppress platelet-clumping. The anticlotting effect of onions closely correlates with their sulfur content.

Cancer Prevention
Onion extracts, rich in a variety of sulfides, provide some protection against tumor growth. In central Georgia where Vidalia onions are grown, mortality rates from stomach cancer are about one-half the average level for the United States. Studies in Greece have shown a high consumption of onions, garlic and other allium herbs to be protective against stomach cancer.

Chinese with the highest intake of onions, garlic, and other Allium vegetables have a risk of stomach cancer 40 percent less than those with the lowest intake. Elderly Dutch men and women with the highest onion consumption (at least one-half onion/day) had one-half the level of stomach cancer compared with those consuming no onions at all.

Western Yellow, New York Bold, and Northern Red onions have the richest concentration of flavonoids and phenolics, providing them with the greatest antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity of 10 onions tested. The mild-tasting Western White and Vidalia onions had the lowest antioxidant content and lowest anti-proliferative activity. The consumer trend to increasingly purchase the less pungent, milder onion varieties may not be the best, since the onions with a stronger flavor and higher astringency appear to have superior health-promoting properties.

Nutritive Values of Onions : Per 100 gm.
• Vitamin A : 50 I.U.
• Vitamin B :
• Vitamin C : 9 mg.
• Calcium : 32 mg.
• Phosphorus : 44 mg.
• Potassium : 300 mg.
• Carbohydrates : 10.3 gm.
• Protein : 1.4 mg.
• Calories : 45

Onion is Benenificial in the following conditions:
• Asthma
• Influenza
• Colds
• Tuberculosis
• Insomnia
• Pneumonia
• Antiallergy
• Obesity
• Reduce inflammation
• Slightly laxative
• High Blood Pressure
• Lowers cholesterol
• Prolong longevity
• Helps destroy worms and other parasites.
• Bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchial tube)
• Neuritis (inflammation of the nerves)
• Vertigo (inflammation of nerves)
• Diuretic (increases the secretion of urine)
• Diabetes mellitus - lowers blood sugar.
• Valuable for the hair, nails of the fingers and toes, and for the eyes.
• Sinus conditions - helps to drain mucus from the cavities and loosen phlegm.
• Whether fresh or cooked onions have antiplatelet, adhesiveness, thus preventing thrombosis.

Natural Cure for Toothache and Bad Breath

2009-08-07T01:51:00.000-07:00

Toothache results from the pressure upon a dental nerve at the tooth’s center. Bacteria trapped as plaque on the teeth react with sugar in the mouth and break down the calcium salts in the tooth’s substance. Chalky tartar around the base of the teeth causes numerous problems including bad breath (halitosis) bleeding gums, infection and dental loss.

Natural Cure

Reduce sugary foods to combat mouth acid and reduce decay. Chewing nuts, apples and raw vegetables cleanses and strengthens the teeth. Teeth also need calcium found in milk and its products, mineral water, green vegetables, nut, tinned salmon, sardines and other bony fish, calcium absorption into the bloodstream is aided by vitamin D made in the skin when exposed to sunlight and found in fish liver oil, mackerel, salmon and sardines.

A mouthwash made by infusing half and a handful of rose petals, blueberry leaves, violet petals and sage in a liter of water, used daily, eases gum inflammation and helps to protect and strengthen teeth.

One dose every 4-8 hours or 3-4 times per day: mercurius 6c tender, spongy gums which bleed easily, loose teeth and bad breath; chamomilla 6c for unbearable toothache, aggravated by cold air and warm food and drink and coffee at night; or coffea 6c for toothache aggravated by heat or hot food relieved by applying ice.

SOURCE: Home Remedies – A guide to symptoms and cures by Dr. Caroline Shreeve

Natural Cure for Mouth Ulcers

2009-08-03T18:17:00.000-07:00

Common mouth ulcers are small, gray sores with an inflamed mucous membrane. They vary from size and are found on the gums, roof of the mouth, under the tongue and inside the lips and cheeks. They are triggered by infections, poor immunity, stress, and accidental damage from broken teeth.

The symptoms are; Small grey saucer-shaped sores, a surrounding red tender halo, pain on talking and eating. Large ulcers cause pain in the underlying muscle and enlarged lymph glands.

Natural Cure

Cabbage juice speeds the healing of the mouth and peptic ulcers. Sip 7-10 fl oz daily, freshly juiced with a handful of mint leaves for added healing and improved flavor. Hold each mouthful in contact with the ulcers for as long as you can before swallowing. Three major antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E work together to boost immunity and strengthen the mucous membranes. Beta-carotene from which the body manufactures vitamin A is found in brightly colored fruits.

Aloe vera can be used to make a mouthwash to combat sore mouth ulcers. Mixed the juice with boiled water and gargle.

Boil a handful of carrot leaves in 300 ml of water for 5 minutes, let it cool slightly and use as a gargle and mouthwash.

You can also dip a cotton bud in pure clove or tea tree oil and apply neat to ulcers several times a day. Add a single drop of essential oil of rose, clary sage, geranium or savory tumbler of tepid water and use as mouthwash.

SOURCE: Home Remedies – A guide to symptoms and cures by Dr. Caroline Shreeve

Health Benefits of Red Rice

2009-07-06T23:58:00.000-07:00

The natural bran of this rice is not removed, which gives it high fiber content. It is also rich in vitamin B – thiamin, riboflavin and niacin. Red rice is popular in a diabetic diet because they have high proportion of complex carbohydrates and lower glycemic index than white rice. High fiber and high-carbohydrate foods like red rice have been shown to improve blood lipids, blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (Hemoglobin A1C), a longer-term measure of blood sugar control.

Philippines and Its Herbal Medicine

2009-07-02T22:47:00.001-07:00

Long before the introduction of modern medicines and western curative methods, herbal medicines had been widely used in the Philippines. The curative effects of the herbs were tested by the traditional healers on their patients on a trial-and-error basis. The knowledge and skills on the curative application of any given herbal medicine has been handed down fro generation to generation.

Apart from prescribing herbal medicines, the traditional healers were known to give psychological comfort and moral support to their patients. In the old days, they were respected and enjoyed high status. Through generations of selective process, the herbs that were known to be effective were kept alive. The ineffective ones were soon forgotten.

In the days when drugs from the West just started to be used in the Philippines, they were not only too expensive but also too scarce. The rural folks and the poor continued to rely on herbal medicines available in abundance locally. Western medical care has reached a very limited number of people, mostly in urban areas. As modern drugs were increasingly available, at much cheaper prices, the popularity of herbal medicines waned considerably and faces extinction. Traditional healers and the use of herbal medicines have begun to vanish along with the knowledge about curative applications. Herbal medicines have become legacy of the past and the number of users is fast dwindling.

Hospitals that have sprouted up in the provinces and later in the districts have in no small part contributed to dying art of traditional healing. Doctors trained in western medicine have arrived to introduce new concepts almost every corner of the country. Of course, modern medicine is a wonder compared to the use of herbs. After all, there is still no herbal medicine comparable to antibiotics, vaccines, anti-inflammation, and symptomatic drug.

Health Benefits of Watermelon

2009-06-24T01:30:00.001-07:00

Watermelon is a popular fruit here in the Philippines, especially when summer, there’s no other summer fruit like the thirst quenching watermelon. Watermelon is said to be the summer fruit because it is on its best quality when harvested during the summer season.
Watermelons can be round, oblong, or even square, as seen in Japan, they have the square watermelons. These square watermelons are not genetically modified. The Japanese figured out how to grow a square watermelon. The technique is very simple; they insert the watermelons into square glass cases or square wood cases while the fruit is still growing on the vine, so when the watermelon is ready to harvest it’s on a square shape. There are also watermelons that have yellow flesh. I think the yellow flesh is much crunchier than the red-flesh watermelon.

Health Benefits of Watermelon

Watermelon is said to help quench the inflammation that contributes to conditions like colon cancer, asthma, diabetes, and arthritis. The health benefits of watermelon are really great. No matter how it is sliced, it is packed with some of the most important antioxidants found in nature.

It is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A. A cup of watermelon provides 24.3% of the daily value for vitamin C, and, through its beta-carotene, 11.1% of the DV for vitamin A. Watermelons are packed with some of the most important antioxidants in nature.

Watermelon is also a very concentrated source of the carotenoid, lycopene. Well known for being abundant in tomatoes and particularly well absorbed from cooked tomato products containing a little fat such as olive oil, lycopene is also present in high amounts in watermelon and mangoes. The antioxidant function of lycopene-its ability to help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen damage-has been linked in human research to prevention of heart disease. Protection of DNA (our genetic material) inside of white blood cells has also been shown to be an antioxidant role of lycopene.

Watermelon is rich in the B vitamins necessary for energy production. Our food ranking system also qualified watermelon as a very good source of vitamin B6 and a good source of vitamin B1, magnesium, and potassium. Part of this high ranking was due to the higher nutrient richness of watermelon. Because this food has higher water content and lower calorie content than many other fruits (a whole cup of watermelon contains only 48 calories), it delivers more nutrients per calorie-an outstanding health benefit!

One more reason to enjoy watermelon before summer ends: this sweet, crunchy, cooling fruit is exceptionally high in citrulline, an amino acid our bodies use to make another amino acid, arginine, which is used in the urea cycle to remove ammonia from the body, and by the cells lining our blood vessels to make nitric oxide. Nitric oxide not only relaxes blood vessels, lowering high blood pressure, it is the compound whose production is enhanced by Viagra to prevent erectile dysfunction. Arginine has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in obese type 2 diabetic patients with insulin resistance.

Health Benefits of Yerba Buena

2009-06-14T23:40:00.000-07:00

Yerba Beuna is a herb from the mint family. Its scientific name is Clinopodium Douglasii from the kingdom Plantae and takes the form of mat-forming perennial with elongated leaves and in summer, it bears small whitish or purplish flowers.

In Spanish speaking countries, the term “yerba buena” refers to the particular local species of mint. The term has been and is currently used to cover a number of aromatic mint relatives of the Clinopodium. The word Yerba Buena is Spanish for "good herb" and was the former name of the California city of San Francisco. All plants so named have medicinal properties and some have culinary value as teas or seasonings.

Yerba Buena has been known as a medicinal plant worldwide. Yerba Buena has been consumed for centuries as tea and herbal medicine as a pain reliever (analgesic). Today, this folk medicine's efficacy has been validated by scientific research. In the Philippines, Yerba Buena is one of the 10 herbs endorsed by the Department of Health (DOH) as an effective alternative medicine for aches and pains.

As an herbal medicine, a decoction (boil leaves then strain) of Yerba Buena is effective for minor ailments such as headaches, toothaches and joint pains. It can also relive stomach aches due to gas buildup and indigestion. The fresh and dried leaves can both be used for the decoction. And because Yerba Buena belongs to the mint family, soaking fresh leaves in a glass of water (30 to 45 minutes) makes for a good mouth wash for a clean, fresh smelling breath.

Benefits & Treatment of :
• Arthritis
• Head aches
• Tooth aches
• Mouth wash
• Relief of intestinal gas
• Stomach aches
• Indigestion
• Drink as tea for general good health.

Banaba Health Benefits and Side Effects

2009-06-08T23:19:00.000-07:00

Banaba herb has been known as an herbal medicine in the Philippines. It is also known as Queen’s flower and Crepe Myrtle in India. Banaba has been used to cure diabetes in Ayurvedic medicine for a long time in India. In the Philippines, it is widely used as an herbal medicine to control blood sugar level and treatment for diabetes.

Recent studies, medical research, and laboratory tests showed that the active ingredient of this herbal plant is the corosolic acid which is a potent compound that has insulin like effect that lowers glucose in the body. Corosolic acid also showed some improvements on controlling the blood sugar of type 2 diabetics. Aside from this benefit, banaba contains high concentrations of dietary fiber and minerals such as zinc and magnesium, fights obesity, helps regulate blood pressure, aids digestive system, ease urination and it is also good for the kidneys.

At this point it is difficult to predict the blood sugar response to a banaba supplement and it is difficult to know what dosage works best and how often to take a banaba supplement or how it interacts with other supplements used for blood sugar control. There have been no findings of any negative effects when taking banaba extract, however, caution is advised against taking banaba with any diabetic drug or any other drug. It is also not known how a banaba supplement would interact with oral medicines used in diabetes and how it would interact with insulin. If you are a type II diabetic, discuss with your doctor regarding the use of a banaba supplement to see if this herbal supplement is appropriate for your particular condition.

HEALTH ALERT: SWINE FLU INFLUENZA VIRUS (SIV)

2009-04-28T01:42:00.000-07:00

Swine Flu is a virus for which there is no vaccine, no threat to your family and there are undoubtedly tens of thousands of harmless undiagnosed cases throughout the world. The news stories are probably taking a hundred questionable respiratory deaths in Mexico and guessing.

There actually is a very, very small chance that this virus could cause severe illness and whenever this occurs hospitalization and even fatalities are reported. The likelihood of a pandemic is miniscule, but newspapers, government agencies and the manufacturers of pharmaceuticals do their best work and make their biggest sales when people are scared.

The usual boring admonitions apply: wash your hands, stay well-rested and well-hydrated. It would be better if you use alcohol-based hand sanitizers after you wash your hands or when you’re out in public to prevent this infection.

People who work with swine are at increased risk of this virus because it is more of an airborne, you cannot get SIV from eating pork. The symptoms of the swine flu from human to human are much like that of seasonal flu. Common symptoms include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing, while runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported. It is believed to be spread between humans through coughing or sneezing of infected people and touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth. Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food, as stated before, this is airborne. Although it is an airborne virus, people here in the Philippines are so cautious with eating pork.

Critical Alert: The Swine Flu Pandemic – Fact or Fiction? (AA)

Food Cravings – Mind Matter or Health Issue?

2009-04-28T00:05:00.000-07:00

Almost all of us have our own food cravings but according to studies, women tend to crave more than men. This is because women’s food cravings have something to do with their hormones. There are some factors we need to understand why we crave for high-sugar and fatty foods. These things are important to know and figure out because if you crave for foods that are high in fats and sugar, you may have some complications regarding your health. Eating a lot of high sugar foods can cause diabetes and can be an issue if you are having weight problems. So eating the right food and eating in moderation is the way to living a healthy life.

What causes food cravings?

Most doctors and dietitians agreed that food cravings stem from a complex combination of emotional, hormonal and biochemical factors. One of the greatest factors for cravings is blood sugar imbalance. Emotional and hormonal imbalance also contributes to food cravings.

Blood Sugar Imbalance

A major trigger for food cravings is low blood sugar. This is typically caused by lack of food as a result of going too long between meals/snacks, or following very low calorie diets.

According to some studies, people with cravings often have an underlying blood sugar imbalance in which their blood sugar levels are altered because they eat too much of the wrong type of carbohydrates. These fluctuations in sugar level can cause cravings, water retention, mood swings and excessive thirst.

Hormonal Imbalance

An enormous percentage of women crave sugar, carbohydrates, or alcohol. In most cases, these food cravings are not true eating disorders, but instead are signs of hormonal imbalance caused by a lack of healthy nutrition.
The fact that the strongest food cravings occur in the week prior to menstruation, or during pregnancy, suggests that hormonal swings have an influence on this type of urge to eat. Also, it's interesting that men - who typically are less affected by hormone imbalance than women - tend to develop fewer cravings.

Emotional Imbalance

Stress, depression, and boredom are the most common triggers for food cravings. In severe cases, cravings can lead to binge eating, an eating disorder which consists of episodes on uncontrollable overeating and can be followed by compensatory behavior in which the person purge what he/she ate.
If your emotional issues remain unaddressed, your food craving will remain constant. If your emotional issues change, so will your food cravings. The only parallel between both the constant and the changing food cravings is this: There is some underlying emotional issue crying out for your attention.

“The bottom line is this: As unpleasant as it is to face a negative emotion, the alternative is even more unpleasant. Everyone gets angry, upset, or jealous at some time — there's no question about it. Sometimes life circumstances or our personal choices make it tough to stay centered in peace of mind. In fact, the only question about these emotions is whether we choose to deal with them now or later.” - Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.

Food cravings mean that the body has its signals mixed up. When we are exhausted or blue, we have low blood sugar and/or low serotonin, and the body signals the brain that it needs a pick-me-up. This signal causes a sugar craving or carbohydrate craving.

How to suppress food cravings?

1. Don’t skip meals. If you skip meals your blood sugar level will fall too low, which causes food cravings and binge eating.
2. Too much sugar and too much salt can make the cravings worse.
3. Reduce the intake of drinks that acts as stimulants like coffee, tea, and caffeinated soft drinks. These drinks can cause fluctuations in blood sugar. Drinking a lot of water can help.
4. Avoid artificial sweeteners.
5. Reduce your intake of processed foods that are high in additives.
6. Exercise can help to curb your food cravings. Due to the influence of mood on our eating habits, especially cravings, it is vital to take regular physical exercise on most days. Exercise significantly improves mood by releasing chemicals into the bloodstream, and will definitely help you to control your urge to eat.

Milk Tea – Healthy or Not Healthy?

2009-02-03T20:16:00.000-08:00

Last Friday my boyfriend and I went to the mall and while roaming around, we got hungry. We’ve came across this Japanese kinda resto or something. It’s called Bubble tea. My boyfriend wants to eat sashimi and sushi and I’d like to eat some pizza. Fortunately, they’ve got pizza! Booyah!

I was so amazed that they have pizza along with their nice Japanese foods. And they have so many tea flavors. I really love the hot Japanese Green Milk Tea. That was so awesome. I’ve bought 1 hot Japanese green milk tea while we’re there eating pizza. Then before got home, I bought another one. I was addicted to that beverage. I also tried their Royal milk tea. It was really good and the tapioca pearls are so good. I wish they have more branches so I can buy their delicious beverage every day.

I was thinking that milk tea is a very healthy drink because you have the milk and also the tea. Milk has so many health benefits as well as tea. So I read more about milk tea and found out that milk counteracts the health benefits of tea. There are some researches saying that milk cancels the health benefits of drinking tea.

If you are looking for the health benefits of drinking tea here they are:
1. Tea contains antioxidants that protect your body from aging and toxins
2. Tea contains less caffeine than coffee, so if drinking coffee gives you the jitters, you may want to switch to tea
3. Tea may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
4. Tea can protect you against cancer. Tea contains polyphenols which have cancer-fighting effects.
5. Tea is calorie free unless you add sweeteners or milk
6. Tea increases your metabolism
7. Tea may reduce the risk of high blood pressure

“The beneficial effects of drinking black tea are completely prevented by the addition of milk, said Dr Verena Stangl, a cardiologist at the hospital.

“If you want to drink tea to have the beneficial health effects you has to drink it without milk. That is clearly shown by our experiments,” she told Reuters.

“Since milk appears to modify the biological activities of tea ingredients, it is likely that the anti-tumor effects of tea could be affected as well,” said Stangl.

The study revealed that a type of protein found in milk called caseins decrease the amount of heart healthy compounds known as catechins that are found in tea.

So I think it’s better to drink green tea or black tea alone.

Health Benefits of Onions

2008-10-27T03:42:00.000-07:00

Onions had been widely used as an ingredient in various dishes for thousands of years all over the world. Here in the Philippines, almost all of the dishes have onions. There are many variations of onions; you can see red, yellow, and white onions each with their own flavor intensity. Onions can be eaten raw, fried, dried or roasted.

Onions are also known to have medical values. They are used to treat colds, coughs, and to repel insects. Dry onions are a surprising source of fiber and a rich source of healthy sulfur compounds, similar to those found in garlic. Research on onions has lagged behind garlic research, but onions appear to have similar cardiovascular benefits, such as reducing blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, at least in the short term.

Onions also contain phytochemicals called flavonoids, which help vitamin C in its function, improving the integrity of blood vessels and decreasing inflammation. All this spells help for your cardiovascular system. One particular flavonoid, quercetin, may inhibit tumor growth and help keep colon cancer at bay.

Onions also contain vitamin C and chromium. Chromium is a mineral that helps cells respond to insulin, ultimately assisting with blood glucose control. Green onions, because of their bright green tops, provide a wealth of vitamin A.

Earwax: To Remove or Not to Remove?

2008-09-21T23:31:00.000-07:00

I personally had been treated with my ear infection just this year. It was extremely painful and I feel like I’m going to be deaf. Then I decided to go to the doctor to see what’s on my ear. I’m surprised there was something on it. A white-like-plastic or something… I don’t know what it is. The doctor said maybe dirt and there’s an infection. I have to take antibiotic and get back to him and see if the infection is still there. I got back after a week and the infection was gone.

After a month the pain got back, I’ve got ear infection again unfortunately. I go to another doctor and she said that whenever I take a bath, I should wear ear plug because the water is getting on my ear and another reason is that, I’m removing my earwax so frequently (almost every day). That’s because whenever I feel itch on my ear, I rush on my room and get a cotton buds.

My doctor also said that I should have a little earwax on my ear because if it is too clean, my ears would really get dry and itchy. She said that my ears are so dry so she recommended some vitamins. I got better after that. I’ve used my earplug for about 6 months and fortunately, the infection doesn’t come back. I should always be careful with my ear.

Now to answer the question, TO REMOVE OR NOT TO REMOVE EARWAX, according to some doctors, earwax removal should be left on your ear. You don’t have to remove it unless you are experiencing symptoms associated with earwax buildup and blockage of your ear canal. These symptoms include earache, progressive hearing loss, tinnitus, noises on your ear, itching, odor or discharge. According to what my doctor said, you should leave a little earwax on your ear because if it’s too clean, the ears would get too dry and itchy and the tendency is, you will have to use cotton buds to relieve the itch which can make the scenario worst, just like on my case.

So the verdict, LEAVE YOUR EARWAX ON YOUR EARS! Don’t be so stubborn and have self discipline! I’ve learned my lessons pretty well. Heheheh

Herbal Medicines in the Philippines Approved by the Department of Health

2008-09-02T01:09:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for the list of herbal medicines in the Philippines and particularly looking for those plants that are approved by the Department of Health, here they are:

Acapulco (Cassia alata)

Used to treat fungal infections
The leaves are known to be sudorific, diuretic, and purgative which are used to treat intestinal problems and used to get rid of intestinal parasites
Used to treat bronchitis
Because of Akapulko’s anti-fungal properties, it is a common ingredient in soaps, shampoos, and lotions in the Philippines.

Ampalaya (Momordica charantia)

Ampalaya contains a mixture of flavanoids and alkaloids make the Pancreas produce more insulin that controls the blood sugar in diabetics.
Best known to treat diabetes
Good for rheumatism and gout
Helps in lowering blood
Can be used as a cough & fever remedy
Treatment of intestinal worms, diarrhea
Is an antioxidant, parasiticide, antibacterial & antipyretic
Helps prevent some types of cancer

Bawang or Garlic (Allium sativum)

significant protective action against a fat induced increase in serum cholesterol and plasma fibrinogen and in fibrinolytic activity.
Used as a carminative, aphrodisiac, expectorant, and stimulant
Human population studies show that eating garlic regularly reduces the risk of esophageal, stomach, and colon cancer
Garlic has antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal activity, it may work against some intestinal parasites
Garlic is regarded as one of the most effective remedies to lower blood pressure
It stimulates peristaltic action and the secretion of the digestive juices
It is an excellent agent as a worm expeller
Garlic has also been used successfully for a variety of skin disorders Pimples disappear without scar when rubbed with raw garlic several times a day

Bayabas or Guava (Psidium guajava)

Contains quercetin which is an antioxidant that blocks enzymes that are responsible for building sorbitol, the sugar that forms the cloudy white clusters that cause cataracts
Rich in folate which helps to fight bad breath that causes gum disease gingivitis.
Very rich in astringents (compounds those make your gums feel tighter and fresh after you chew guava leaves or eat a raw guava or use some toothpaste) which binds up loose bowels in diarrhea.
One of richest in vitamin-C and iron which are proven to be preventive against cold and viral infections
Can help improve your skin texture and avoid skin problems more than the best of beauty creams or skin toner gels can do
Helps reduce cholesterol in blood and prevents it from thickening, thereby maintaining fluidity of blood and reducing blood pressure.
Very helpful for those who want to lose weight without compromising with their intake of proteins, vitamins and fiber

Lagundi (Vitex negundo)

It has been clinically tested and studied to be effective for colds, flu, asthma and chronic bronchitis.
The seeds are boiled and eaten to prevent the spread of toxins from the poisonous bites of animals
The flowers are used for diarrhea, cholera and liver disorders.
The saps from the crushed leaves are used for colds and sore throat.
Leaf decoction of lagundi are used for wounds, ulcers, treat gastric colic, flatulence and it can also help those lactating mothers to produce more milk for their babies.

Niyog - Niyogan (Quisqualis indica L.)

It is effective in the elimination of intestinal worms, particularly the Ascaris and Trichina
Only the dried matured seeds are medicinal -crack and ingest the dried seeds two hours after eating (5 to 7 seeds for children & 8 to 10 seeds for adults). If one dose does not eliminate the worms, wait a week before repeating the dose.

Sambong (Blumea balsamifera)

Sambong is known for its remarkable treatment for kidney stones or nephrolithiases, urolithiases, a diuretic and other diseases
Leaves of sambong can be infused and used as a substitute for tea and also used for colds
Can also be used for heart diseases and hypertension
It is also high in essential oils and contains considerable amounts of camphor oil

Tsaang Gubat (Ehretia microphylla Lam.)

Used for stomach pain
Effective for gastroenteritis
Used as mouth gargle since the leaves of this plant has high flouride content
Also used as body cleanser and body wash

Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii)

It is an aromatic plant used as herbal medicine worldwide.
Has been consumed as tea and herbal medicine as a pain reliever
Effective alternative medicine for aches and pain
Effective for minor ailments such as headaches, toothaches and joint pains
Used as mouthwash

The worst form of ignorance we have about herbal medicines is they maybe growing right in our own backyard and we only think of them as useless weeds. We fail to recognize them because we don’t know or understand what they are. In fact, studies show that our country is home to around 8,000 to 12,000 species of herbal plants. Imagine if we could develop their full potential to help give us a healthy and long life.

Dangers of Perfume to Unborn Child

2008-09-02T00:25:00.000-07:00

While searching on the World Wide Web, I’ve come across www.current.com, and was shocked that perfume can actually affect unborn child.

So women who are planning on becoming pregnant should avoid using perfumes or other cosmetic products because those are high in chemicals, which are absorbed into their bodies and can affect the child inside them.

There are also lots of pregnancy articles at http://articles.mercola.com you can learn a lot from this site about pregnancy like:

Link Between High Soy Diet During Pregnancy and Nursing and Eventual Developmental Changes in Children

Just Say No to Nuts During Pregnancy

Vegetarian Diets and Birth Defects

Living a Healthy Life

2008-06-24T00:54:00.000-07:00

I’ve been disciplining myself and been looking for natural health products to live a healthy life because I was having a problem with my kidney. After 2 months of eating healthy foods and drink lots of water, I come to my doctor and see if there’s any improvement on my kidney. I recently have this .52 cm stone in my left kidney. Fortunately, it’s gone and passed out by itself. I didn’t even notice it passing through. My ultrasound result was clear and clean.

Reading a lot of natural health articles help me a lot. One of the sites I’ve been searching a lot for health information was Mercola.com which is owned by Dr. Joseph Mercola. Thanks a lot for this people who are providing the latest natural health information for the people around the world.

Ampalaya (Bitter Melon) Health Benefits

2008-05-28T03:30:00.000-07:00

Bitter melon or bitter gourd is commonly known here in the Philippines as ampalaya. The fruit of this plant is bitter, even the leaves and stem. It is known as the most bitter of vegetables. Here’s a trivia for you guys if you haven’t heard or read; ampalaya is a member of the squash family.

The bitterness of this plant comes from the high concentration of quinine, which is used as anti-inflammatory and painkiller. It’s also effective for treating malaria. Aside from these properties, amplaya have been used as herbal medicine due to its numerous healing properties. Bitter gourd or bitter melon had been popular for its properties to treat diabetes. Clinical studies show that bitter melon increases the production of beta cells in the pancreas which leads to improvement of insulin production of the body. Ampalaya is also effective for people who are constipated because it can stimulate digestion, also effective for treating HIV infection and lowering blood sugar.

I love eating ampalaya with egg. It’s truly very delicious and very healthy. Some people don’t like the taste of ampalaya because of the bitterness. But if you eat bitter melon stir-fried with ground beef or sautéed with egg you’ll love it. But if you still can’t take the bitterness, you can put your amplaya on the freezer. Let it stay there for about 3-5 hours then it’s ready to cook.

A fantastic and very fascinating food art

2008-05-25T23:16:00.000-07:00

You can be very artistic with foods ;)

Health Benefits of Banana

2008-04-22T02:32:00.001-07:00

A friend forwarded this email to me and he told me to eat more bananas because I am sick. After reading this article, you would be amazed about how bananas can help you with your diet. You wouldn’t know unless you read this!

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana.
This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills - eat a banana.
The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anemia:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure.
So much so, the US Food and Drug Admin istration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power:
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power.
Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest
ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey.
The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

Heartburn:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight:
and at work?
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps.
Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs.
The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness.
It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases.
It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control:
Many other cultures see bananas as a " cooling " fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of
expectant mothers.
In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD):
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer tryptophan.

Smoking &Tobacco Use:
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking.
The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance.
When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels.
These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.

Strokes:
According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!

Warts:
Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills.
When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.
It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around.
So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say,
" A banana a day keeps the doctor away! "

High Mercury Level in Canned Tuna

2008-02-22T02:11:00.000-08:00

High Mercury Level in Canned Tuna

Recently I’ve read a health news article about high mercury level in canned tuna. I was alarmed because I’m always eating canned tuna. I don’t want to eat pork or beef because it may affect my current condition. I’m actually a kidney stone former and the doctor said, if I just have a good diet, there would be a great possibility that I will not form a kidney stone again.

The last time I was diagnosed was November 2007 and the kidney stone actually passed out after my shockwave operation. It was so painful while the stone is passing through and I don’t want to experience that pain again.

As part of my diet, my doctor told me not to eat fatty foods and those foods with high uric level. He also suggests not eating so much food with high calcium level. Right now, I’m just eating fish, fruits and vegetables. And to be honest, I feel so great with my current diet. No bloating, no hyper acidity and my metabolism is doing well.

But as I said before, I am alarmed by this article I’ve read from Dr. Mercola

“About half of the canned tuna in the United States is imported. The federal government advises pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children to avoid fish with high levels of mercury. Elevated mercury levels have been linked to learning disabilities in children and to heart, nervous system and kidney damage in adults.”

Here’s the link Mercury Levels Higher in Some Imported Tuna

Ginger Herbal Medicine

2007-12-13T21:49:00.000-08:00

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is widely used in the Philippines as a spice and also an herbal medicine.

Ginger has been revered in Indian and Chinese civilizations for over 5000 years for its powerful health imparting properties. In fact, Indian ginger is said to have the most potent medicinal properties.

Ginger plants can grow to about 1 meter tall. Ginger rhizomes are the most important part and most widely used for foods and medicine. Although they grow underground, they are swollen stems, not roots like what we are thought to believe. Ginger plants also have flowers which are purple with a cream blemish based. These flowers sprout directly from the rhizomes.

Fruits - red in color. Each has three chambers containing several small black seeds. Ginger plants that are cultivated in commercial plantations don't usually bear fruit.

When cooking, ginger gives an aromatic and exquisite taste to foods. Most Filipinos drink “salabat” or ginger tea, which has been known to stimulate digestion. It also has a good effect on the circulatory system as it makes the platelets less sticky. It can also be used as mouth freshener, or when you are in a voice lesson, or a singer, ginger can help you improve your golden voice.

Other health benefits of ginger:

· Effective for reducing the severity of nausea even in cases of pregnancy.
· Ginger tea can help relieve menstrual cramps.
· It has anti-inflammatory properties that can lessen the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.
· Can be used to treat flu and colds

· Ginger is contraindicated in people suffering from gallstones as the herb promotes the release of bile from the gallbladder.

Oregano – Not Just Adding Spice, Also a Known Medicinal Plant

2007-12-13T19:01:00.000-08:00

Most people thought that oregano is just a spice that adds tastes to their pasta, pizza and other foods to satisfy their delicate tastes. But for me, it’s the other way around. Here in the Philippines, oregano is well known for its herbal powers. It can cure colds, headaches and other illness. It’s just this year when I discovered that oregano can be a spice to some foods. In Europe, its most widely used as spice because Europeans love pasta and pizza.

Oregano as a spice

A number of species of Oregano are native to the Mediterranean, all of which are traded as spices. Fresh Mediterranean or European oregano is sometimes available in gourmet produce sections of supermarkets and in Italian or Greek markets. Choose bright-green, fresh-looking bunches with no sign of wilting or yellowing.

Here in the Philippines, you can buy dried oreganos on the supermarkets at their spices section.

Oregano as a medicinal herb

Oreganos come from a plant family of lamiaceae, a mint family with a scientific name of origanum vulgare. They have a very aromatic warm and slightly bitter quality. They have also been known as a herbal medicine for its strong anti-oxidant properties. They are also known for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antiviral properties. They are also rich with vitamin A and vitamin C.

Oreganos can help prevent arthritis, heal wounds, insect bites, and insect stings. It can relieve upset stomach and can cure urinary tract problems. You can boil 1 cup of fresh oregano leaves in 3 cups of water for about 10 minutes. You can drink this concoction to cure colds. You can also drink the concoction daily for your arthritis.

Sambong – Herbal Medicine for Kidney Stones

2007-11-26T01:52:00.000-08:00

Sambong is a remarkable medicinal plant that is commonly found in the Philippines, from Luzon to Mindanao. It usually grows in open grasslands.

Sambong are half-woody plant with soft hairs on its leaves. It has a strong aromatic smell and grows up to 3 centimeters in diameter.

Sambong is known for its remarkable treatment for kidney stones or nephrolithiases, urolithiases, a diuretic and other diseases. It can also be used for heart diseases and hypertension. Leaves of sambong can be infused and used as a substitute for tea and also used for colds. It is also high in essential oils and contains considerable amounts of camphor oil.

Sambong is commonly used in the Philippines and it is actually one of the top 10 medicinal herbs that have been approved by the Department of Health. Sambong products are now available tablet form in the Philippines.

When I have a kidney stone before, my doctors prescribed me this sambong forte. And I can say that it’s effective. My grandma told me to boil the leaves and drink it because it’s far more effective than the tablet form. But I can’t take it and every time I try to drink the infusion, I vomit because of the taste and I don’t like the smell, so I opt to drinking the tablet form.

Of course, drinking this medicinal herb alone can’t help you cure your illness. You need proper diet and self discipline to be successful in treating your ill health.

Lagundi - Herbal Medicine from the Philippines

2007-11-22T23:21:00.000-08:00

Lagundi is a medicinal plant, actually a shrub that grows in the Philippines. Its scientific name is Vitex Negundo and comes from the family of Verbenaceae.

This medicinal plant normally grows wild in many places or along watercourses and other humid spaces and mixed open forest like Mt. Banahaw in the Philippines.
You can usually see it as a small tree about 8 meters tall with a pale reddish brown bark. Lagundi's distinctive features are the pointed leaves with five leaflets set like a hand.

The parts of this plant that is widely used are the leaves and the flowering tops. The roots along with the leaves of lagundi are used for pain, expectorant and also a diuretic. Also, the root is used in a great variety of diseases: dyspepsia, colic, rheumatism, worms, boils, and leprosy. In Indo-China a decoction of the root is prescribed for intermittent fevers (30 grams of roots in 1 liter of water). The saps from the crushed leaves are used for colds and sore throat. Leaf decoction of lagundi are used for wounds, ulcers, treat gastric colic, flatulence and it can also help those lactating mothers to produce more milk for their babies. The seeds are boiled and eaten to prevent the spread of toxins from the poisonous bites of animals. The flowers are used for diarrhea, cholera and liver disorders.

In the Philippines, it is now promoted and endorsed by the Philippine Department of Health as an effective herbal medicine with proven therapeutic value. It has been clinically tested and studied to be effective for colds, flu, asthma and chronic bronchitis. It is now available on capsule and syrup form because before, you have to boil it and take it orally. But I guess the natural decoction of this herbal medicine is better than its new form.

Procrastination – The Worst Traitor of All!

2007-08-28T22:53:00.000-07:00

When I’m alone and all by myself, I’m thinking of things that I should do and those things that I MUST do… thinking that certain things should be done. But when I’m about to do it, there’s something inside me that wasn’t able to make things up. So I always end up to thinking and thinking and thinking ‘til it’s over and I didn’t do the task I should do.

This thing is what we all know as the procrastination. It’s a traitor! A virus in oneself, no one can cure it except you. I’m so tired with this thing that kept things undone. And when it’s the end of the line, you can’t do anything more because you let the time passed by without doing anything.

I’m doing this article because I’d like to do the necessary. I want to share my experience to other people who are also experiencing this procrastination thing.

I’m the most chronic procrastinator I know. I’m always thinking of things but I don’t act to finish it. I’m stagnant to thinking and I don’t want that thing. My mind is empty, I hate it! So I want to change the worst me. I have this list of things written into my notebook. I list all the things that I must do and checked those that are done. And after I evaluate it, I’m happy that I finished something. I’m proud of myself and I feel complete.

There are things that you can do stop procrastinating things and so as to stop cramming when it’s deadline. You can have a list of things that you should do and you can promise to yourself that you can do it. It’s not always the deadline, there’s always a second chance. Although time already passed, you can still do things you want the next time.

Green Blood! Not Only on Cartoons but for Real!!!

2007-06-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

While reading for health news and health information updates, I came across to Dr. Mercola’s health blog. I was looking for some great articles and I’m caught by this title: Man with Green Blood Shocks Surgeons. I was thinking if this is for real or such a joke but when I read the article, I also got shocked!

Man with Green Blood Shocks Surgeons

The Perfect Food For ALL

2007-05-31T03:06:00.000-07:00

Achieving optimal health requires eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables and some fruits. But, if you're like an estimated 91% of Americans, you don't even come close to the recommended daily amounts of 5-9 servings.

Perfect Food® Super Green Formula Powder:

Contains spirulina to support healthy immune function.*
Is packed with live probiotic cells to promote digestive health.*
Possesses more greens per serving than other leading green food formulas
Contains algae and cereal grasses that provide a natural source of alkalizing minerals.
Contains natural vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene and natural vitamin C, too.

The Popular Fitness Vibration Plates – To Be or Not To Be?

2007-05-30T23:04:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about the popular fitness vibration plates? This fitness machine have become popular in the U.S. It’s more popular to celebrities who are toning their body and even NASA tested this machine. The machine works by using vibrating your body to tone your muscles and make it easier for you to become fit and sexy. Advertisers of this machine also say that the equipment helps you improve your flexibility and strength and can also prevent osteoporosis.

The machine costs about $3,000 to $10,500 and weighs about 264 to 500 pounds and usually has handles to hang onto.

“You don’t really feel like you’re working that hard, but then you get that sweat going and once the vibration stops, you can really feel it in your legs or upper body,” - Michaela Zakheim, 45, a vibration plate user.

Fitness trainers love to use them but some users said that they don’t like the fact that they can’t watch tv or even read while working on the machine.

However, researchers warn the public about the possible bad effects of this machine to your body. Clinton Rubin, a biochemical engineering professor, believes that the power plate’s vibration levels could cause low back pains, blurred vision, cartilage damage and even brain damage.

The Best Diet of All

2007-05-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

You probably heard this and that diet plans. Eat this type of food, avoid that kind of food, don’t take this and that… I myself have been looking for the best diet; I keep on reading and reading until I found myself lost. I’ve been struggling to be slim, and to be healthy. But one day I just realized that the best diet is SELF DISCPLINE. You can’t do all the diet plans written on the Internet or other media types if you don’t have self discipline. You can’t do the exercise thing if you are so lazy and keeping yourself just to be the way you are. You have to change your inner self first. Your attitude towards dieting is a big factor. In addition, if you would summarize all the listings about diet, you’ll just come up to a conclusion: to have a successful diet you have to be in moderation, eat the right food and do exercise to burn calories.

COFFEE! I know you have your good side

2007-05-01T22:39:00.000-07:00

Coffee can be good for your health despite of its known bad effects to our health. Health researches have been conducting studies/ research about coffee and they’ve found out that it can be also good to our health. According to researches, coffee can help avoid the type 2 diabetes and may even help fend off certain cancers. As of now, researchers have been conducting clinical research to point out and to have a clear answer on the diabetes-preventing effects of coffee.

The New Trend - Free Cervical Cancer Vaccine in New Hampshire

2007-04-24T02:35:00.000-07:00

New Hampshire is offering a free cervical cancer vaccine to girls ages 9 -18. The normal cost of this vaccine is about $360 for 3 shots over 6 months, according to AP. It is said that it is a response to the high demand for free vaccine that’s why medical practices have created a list of patients with ranks according to priority.

Virginia Tech Massacre – Gunman Cho Seung-Hui may be under the Influence of Psychiatric Drugs

2007-04-23T00:08:00.001-07:00

According to the investigators at Virginia Tech, Cho may be under the influence of depression drugs which may cause suicidal behavior, psychosis and homicidal ideation. Some people couldn’t help thinking about the Columbine High School rampage happened almost 8 years ago and wondered if antidepressants were involved.

It is not possible that antidepressants are involved on these issues. It is very common story and most attacks are committed by those people under antidepressant medications. I wonder what the FDA would do next.

Antidepressants - Take it or Leave it

2007-04-03T21:21:00.000-07:00

Nowadays, most people when depressed take over the counter antidepressants. Media is one f the factor why these medicines become so popular. They advertise about the benefits of antidepressants here and there. But did you know that antidepressants are not necessary and that they have no significant benefits to your health?

Surveys have been made in America about early 90’s where the participants are those people that are having mood problems. 25% of the patients were incorrectly diagnosed with depression. This is because those people are only reacting to those normal stressful events like death of a family member, losing a job, and relationship breakups. These events are normal and just part of our lives; we get really depressed by these events so there’s no use of taking antidepressants. It is also advised that only those people who are diagnosed to have clinical depression should take the antidepressants.

Here are some general side effects of taking antidepressants:
Anxiety
Weight gain
Abdominal pain
Nausea
Sleep disruption

The Birth Of Healthy Soda

2007-04-02T02:11:00.000-07:00

Soft drink, also known as soda is a drink that does not contain alcohol. The term soft drink originally referred to carbonated drinks. Nowadays, soft drinks or sodas are very popular all over the world.

Actually, big soda companies like PepsiCo and Coca-Cola came up to introduce their new carbonated drinks that are fortified with vitamins and minerals. Companies prefer not to call them soft drinks but rather as “sparkling beverages”. The reason for this is because the traditional soda or soft drink has been linked to obesity.

Sparkling juices, green tea drinks and bottled water have become more popular in United States. It was in 2005 when the amount of soda sold drastically dropped and even the diet soda businesses were affected.

Marketing those artificially sweetened soft drinks as healthy beverages is actually “a joke” said by Tom Pirko, president of a food and beverage consulting firm. ‘‘Putting something synthetic and not natural into their bodies when they consume diet colas,'' Mr. Pirko said. ''And in the midst of a health and welfare boom, that ain't good.''

The Bright Side of Dark Chocolates

2007-03-26T00:22:00.000-07:00

Chocolates are known to be high in calories and high in fats. That’s why eating too much chocolate can raise blood cholesterol level and makes you gain weight. And the fact that chocolates contain insufficient fiber, you won’t feel full.

Dark chocolates are known to have less fat than milk chocolates and are also known to have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants polish off free radicals – unstable compound that can damage healthy cells.

If you have high blood pressure, a daily bar-sized serving of flavonol-rich dark chocolate might lower your blood pressure and improve insulin resistance, researchers report in Hypertension: Journal of the American Heart Association.

According to some researches, adding milk to chocolate can decrease or eliminate its antioxidant properties.

"Our findings indicate that milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate ... and may therefore negate the potential health benefits that can be derived from eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate." - Mauro Serafini, PhD, of Italy's National Institute for Food and Nutrition Research in Rome.