Natural Health

Milk Thistle (image taken from Holland and Barret)

Milk thistle is a commonly used as herbal remedy for aiding liver health as it is thought to have natural detox benefits. Milk thistle has been proven to help protect the liver from the effects of smoking and alcohol intake[1].

The milk thistle supplement comes from a weed with a distinctive white marking on its leaves, and distinctive purple flowering heads. It can grow to around five feet tall and grows throughout Europe, but it is naturally established in Australia and California[2].

During the 16th century this plant became quite popular for consumption and almost all parts of it were eaten. Although the leaves have prickles, these can be trimmed and boiled to make a substitution for spinach, or can be used raw in salads[1].

In supplement form, milk thistle is generally available in both liquid and capsule form which is taken orally as a diet supplement. Read the rest of this entry »

Natural health, particularly herbs have shown impressive results that they actually do work and therefore form a part of getting a healthy lifestyle. However before using any of them it is best to find out more about them and also consulting with your physician before taking any. This is especially if you are taking prescription drugs or have some medical condition that may not quite agree with some natural products. In the natural, the body has allergic reactions and sensitivities, meaning that some of the herbs used by an acquaintance may not have the same effects on you on some level. When taking herbs the same rules of taking prescribed medicine apply. That is, they should only be taken in small amounts and if they work, doubling the dosage will not make them work any faster. The following are just pointers and they do not necessarily define their interactions with prescribed drugs. That subject should be addressed by your physician. Read the rest of this entry »

Ten natural remedies to help you cope with everything from sunburn toinsect bites and stings. Read the rest of this entry »

Hair turns grey because of the loss of pigment granules in the cortex of the hair as we age. The rate and age at which this happens is largely determined by our genes. Premature greying can be caused by poor diet, illnesses such as thyroid disorders, pernicious anemia and stress. Read the rest of this entry »

Gout causes excruciating pain and inflammation in joints, and sometimes fever. Elbows, knees and knuckles can be affected, but it is usually the big toe. Caused by a build-up of uric acid crystals in the joints, it sometimes runs in families and is common in very overweight people. Acute attacks of gout may require medical treatment. Read the rest of this entry »

This common condition of the middle ear usually affects children and results from repeated ear infections, colds and upper respiratory infections. Repeated courses of antibiotics for ear infections have also been implicated. The ‘glue’ refers to thick yellow mucus. This is produced by the lining of the middle ear and reduces hearing. Children with a glue ear need medical attention. A tiny plastic tube called a grommet may be fitted into the eardrum to allow the middle ear to drain. Read the rest of this entry »

Glandular fever, also known as infectious mononucleosis, is a viral infection most common in teenagers and young adults. It is caused by either the Epstein-Barr virus or the cytomegalo virus. Both viruses are spread in saliva, and this has earned glandular fever the nickname ‘the kissing disease’. Symptoms include a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes (glands), headaches, a fever and exhaustion. Glandular fever usually lasts for about 6 weeks, although it can take months to restore energy levels and some people experience recurrent attacks of fever and weakness. Read the rest of this entry »