Is Curcumin a Miracle Cure?

I’ve been hearing a lot about curcumin lately. It is a compound found in the spice turmeric. If you’ve ever had Indian food with curry, you have no doubt eaten turmeric. It is what gives curry its yellow color. But, could curcumin help cure and prevent some diseases? Research is point in that direction. A recent nine month study showed that curcumin may be beneficial for people with pre-diabetes. As you know, diabetes, probably due to the obesity problem in America, is on the rise. But, a study conducted in Thailand recently showed that people who consumed curcumin lowered their … Continue reading →

Natural Ways to Boost Your Energy

Energy drinks, such as 5-Hour Energy and others are a booming industry. Many people rely on these energy drinks to get through the day. I’ve seen them being pulled out of purses, laid on people’s desks, and sold out at the convenience stores. I’ve never tried these drinks myself, so I can’t speak for them, but wouldn’t it be better to try something natural first? There are several ways to naturally boost your energy levels throughout the day. Many of them are just common sense, but there are a few tricks in there, too. First of all, getting enough sleep … Continue reading →

Botox Treatment for Migraines

Some people swear by Botox, while others think it is a joke. And while it is best known as a cosmetic treatment that paralyzes certain facial muscles to temporarily minimize lines and wrinkles, there is another application for Botox: the treatment of painful migraines. Treating migraines with Botox is not new. In fact, doctors have been using it “off-label,” meaning without it being sanctioned for such use. Last year, the FDA went ahead and officially approved the use of Botox for migraine headaches in adults. What this means is that if you suffer from migraines, you have another treatment option … Continue reading →

Alternative Treatments for Pain

While most of the time we think about using medication to ease pain, the reality is that sometimes other treatments are better, sometimes because these other treatments can bring better relief and sometimes because personal preference or a physical condition makes us seek out other ways to deal with the pain. There is growing evidence that alternative treatments can be very effective with fewer side effects than those that are associated with pain medication. Plus, growing evidence shows that the mind/body connection may be more effective in managing pain long term. Here are some of the more common alternative treatments … Continue reading →

Botanicals for Health and Beauty

Botanicals are wonderful for use around the home. Ancient Europeans made liberal use of herbs for many applications. Now, scientist are finding that these gifts of the natural world have powerful anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and and antibacterial properties. Here is a guide to some of the more common herbs and their basic remedies. Lavender Lavender is a favorite herb for most people because of its pleasant scent. It can be an effective antimicrobial, which means that it kills germs. Because of this, using lavender to wash or clean makes good sense. In fact, the root word of lavender is “lavare,” which … Continue reading →

Lowering Cholesterol Naturally

My cholesterol is probably high. I haven’t had it checked lately, but I know I’ve been putting on weight (20 pounds to be exact), not exercising (although I am trying to start a routine), and eating bad foods (think fried and processed and not enough fiber). My best friend does all the same bad things I do – weighs too much, no exercise, eats poorly – but his cholesterol is great. Why? Because he takes a pill every day to keep it down. Now, bad cholesterol is no joke, but I don’t want to take a pill to lower mine. … Continue reading →

Should You Pee on a Jelly Fish?

It is always funny when common beliefs are taken one step further into the really weird. I was having a conversation the other day, and we were talking about some common health issues that come up in summer and how to solve them. Someone mentioned this little tip: if you see a jelly fish in the ocean, you should pee because that will scare it away, and it won’t bite. Um, while I have no idea if jelly fish have an aversion to human urine, I’m guessing that peeing near a jelly fish, besides being a little disgusting, won’t really … Continue reading →

Get the Healing Benefits of Tea

For centuries, tea has been seen in many cultures as not just a warm beverage but a medicine with distinct healing powers. Physicians and learned men would prescribe different kinds of teas for different ailments. And while that practice may seem so different in our own modern culture, the truth is that there are proven health benefits to tea. Getting out the maximum healing powers of tea can sometimes be a little tricky. For example, green tea is known for its array of antioxidants that are healthful for your body. Studies have shown a real connection between drinking green tea … Continue reading →

Aromatherapy for Depression

There are a lot of reasons you can get depressed. You can lose a loved one, a beloved pet, or your job. You can get divorced, be physically or emotionally abused, or be under a lot of emotional or financial stress. Some people get depressed when they retire, because it is a major lifestyle change. Some people are just depressed because they are lonely. No matter what the reason for the depression, whether it is chronic or acute, aromatherapy may help. What can you use to help your depression? Room diffusers, air fresheners/room sprays, massage oils, and skin and hair … Continue reading →

Aromatherapy Massage

What’s better than a massage? How about an aromatherapy massage! Aromatherapy is the alternative medicine practice of using essential oils (made from volatile plant materials) to help your mental and physical health. Examples of essential oils include tea tree, sandalwood oil, lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint, clove, and sweet orange. Aromatherapy message is the practice of using essential oils during a massage. While you can perform this at home, there are also professionals that can use just the right essential oils to help improve your attitude and maybe even your health. If you try it at home, don’t apply too much pressure. … Continue reading →