Constipation is a health condition which quite commonly occurs both in adults and children. It is connected with certain problems with bowel movements, or, in other words, with inability to pass hard stools on a daily basis. Those who suffer from constipation usually have very hard stools  difficult to pass, so the person must strain. This health condition is linked to many serious health problems due to inability to effectively release toxins and harmful chemical wastes produced in the body.

The most typical causes of constipation include such factors as improper nutrition and bad eating habits, eating too much of fatty, processed or fats foods, irregular meals, digestive disorders, insufficient water intake, insufficient amounts of physical movement during the day, stresses and so on. Very frequently, constipation and irregular defecation are accompanied with such symptoms as indigestion, increased acidity, heartburn, heaviness and discomfort in the stomach, loss of appetite, bad breath, hemorrhoids, nausea, depression, insomnia, lumbago, varicose veins and others.

The first thing which a patient with constipation will most likely be recommended to do is to change his or her eating habits and nutrition. Adding to a daily diet such foods as plums, grapes, apricot, spinach, pears, guava, figs, oatmeal and other purgative foods will certainly help to get rid of constipation. Chewing properly, avoiding eating on feet and doing lots of physical exercises are a must. Drinking a glass of milk or a glass of warm water with lemon can also assist in easing constipation.

Aloe gel and senna are considered to be the best herbal remedies for constipation. Also, some like using corn syrup, olive oil, honey, buckthorn berries and other remedies as stimulant laxatives. Specialists in alternative medicine recommend using such herbal remedies for constipation as psyllium seeds, fennel seeds, flaxseed, cinnamon, ginger root, marsh mallow root, orange peel, hibiscus, kelp, dandelion, licorice root and others. Most of these herbs can be used in the form of herbal tea, but seeds and roots can be powdered and simply added to the meals.

Indigestion, also known as dyspepsia or agnimandya (in Ayurvedic medicine) is quite a common condition caused by irregular secretion of digestive enzymes. This problem is accompanied with quite unpleasant symptoms, like a feeling of heaviness, burning or extra gases inside. Indigestion, as well as heartburn, is caused by too fast eating, not chewing well or eating in a wrong manner, overeating, eating improperly cooked foods, fried or too oily foods, food allergies and so on.

A variety of herbal remedies for indigestion that are available in our health food shops can help us relieve the symptoms of this problem. Those include peppermint (Mentha piperita), coriander (Coriandrum sativum), marjoram (Satureja hortensis), angelica (Angelica archangelica), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), gentian (Gentiana lutea), hops (Humulus lupulus) and others. These herbs can be used for preparing special herbal teas to relieve bloating, fullness and flatulence, meteorism and irritated stomach. In addition, such herbal remedy as ginger root tea (Zingiber officinale) is known for its excellent natural properties to calm down upset stomach and relieve the symptoms of indigestion.

Also, those who suffer from frequent indigestion can use effective home made remedies for this condition.In particular, it is said that drinking a little of pineapple, orange or lemon juice is a very powerful remedy which assists digestion. Also, it is possible to eat 5-10 grapes to stimulate digestion.  Adding some drops of such herbal remedies for indigestion as Aloe vera or chamomile extracts to your green tea can be useful for relieving gas and soothing the stomach. Also, it is possible to use a special tea made from anise or cumin seeds.

Finally, there are a number of recommendations from the specialists on how to avoid indigestion and improve digestive secretion. Eating small meals and eating slowly is a key rule. Avoiding alcohol and too fatty meals can also help. Do not go to sleep 3-4 hours after having meals, avoid sleeping on the right side of the body. Besides, experiments showed that such factors as stresses, nervous tension and anxiety also play an important role, therefore for effective digestion it is recommended to avoid worries and stresses.

Vision is one of the key senses we have, and it is very important to take a good care about our eye health. Unfortunately, in our times the incidence of various eye problems, starting from common myopia and conjunctivitis and ending with cataracts and glaucoma, is increasing. Look at the people around you, how many of them are forced to use glasses even in their young ages?

Herbal medicine offers a number of effective solutions: herbal remedies for eye care and home remedies for almost all known eye conditions. First of all, it is important to provide our eyes with all the nutrients vital for an excellent eye health. Those include carotenoids, Vitamins C and E, which have powerful antioxidant properties, rejuvenate and protect our tissues, as well as prevent macular degeneration. Also, everyone who has problems with eyes and vision are recommended to add to their diet various foods rich in natural mineral zinc as it can assist in building and strengthening retina and eye tissues.

Such conditions as tired eyes and eye irritation are quite common nowadays. To clean and prevent possible eye irritations, it is recommended using such herbal remedies as yarrow (Achillea millefolium), rue (Ruta graveolens) or celendine (Chelidonium majus). Also, it is possible to use Castor oil and such as effective herbal remedy as cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)  known for its wide spectrum of therapeutic properties  (including relieving digestive, dental, urinary and heart problems), which can assist in  relieving irritation and improving vision.

Those who suffer from glaucoma can use the following herbal remedies for eye care: rue (Ruta graveolens), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), celendine (Chelidonium majus), Bach flower remedies and so on. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is also one of the unique herbal remedies for eye care, which can improve vision, lower the risks of retinal deterioration and so on. Starflower (Borago officinalis) can make wonders for tired and red eyes, and Eyebright (Euphrasia officianales) is recommended for such problem as conjunctivitis.

Those people who regularly suffer from such problem as migraines or chronic headaches know so well that it is not always effective to use prescription drugs and medicines. In many cases, they cause unwanted side effects and can not provide us with expected lasting relief. That is why more and more people choose natural supplements and herbal remedies for migraines, trying to achieve lasting results.

Unfortunately, the majority of supplements and herbal remedies for migraine can hardly bring up a fast and effective pain relief. However, in a long-term context, there is a number of important natural elements and minerals which can be provided with special natural supplements and reduce the occurrence of migraines. The most common of those include:

• Magnesium. The studies showed that a lack of magnesium in the body is among the leading reasons of headaches and migraines, therefore using a natural supplement as well as natural foods rich in magnesium (fish, whole grains, greens and so on) can be helpful.
• Coenzyme Q10. It is a substance which can lower the risks of migraines up to 50%. Daily dose of Coenzyme Q10 should not exceed 150 mg.
• Riboflavin. This important vitamin B can have positive effects and lower the risks of migraines. In a study involving 55 participants suffering from chronic headaches, the specialists gave half of those a 400 mg of riboflavin daily, and after 3 months more than a half of this group demonstrated substantial improvement. Additionally, riboflavin has a huge variety of other important health benefits.

Anxiety is a common effect of daily stresses and emotional overloads we have to face. There are chronic forms of anxiety, which are characterized by repeating senses of worry and certain physical symptoms. Such diseases as obsessive-compulsive disorder are also linked to chronic anxiety. Also, anxiety can occur in acute forms, including panic attacks, PTSD and other mental disorders which are sudden and have quite threatening symptoms.

Herbal medicine has many effective solutions which can relieve the symptoms of these disorders, assist in calming down nervous tension and help to get rid of fears. Use the following herbal remedies for anxiety:

• Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis). This herb can effectively reduce the symptoms of stresses and anxiety as it is considered to be one of the most powerful natural sedatives. Using extracts or herbal tea with Lemon Balm is reported to restore nervous system function and improve the function of digestive system.
• Valerian Root (Valeriana Officinalis). It is another excellent sedative, which is usually used in capsules or dietary supplements. This herbal remedy can relieve anxiety, promote sleep and improve cardio-vascular health. However, sometimes Valerian root causes slight side effects, like headaches, increased drowsiness and so on.
• Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata). This herbal remedy is especially effective for chronic anxiety and it has great calming qualities. It can be used in the form of extracts, herbal teas or tinctures, and it is a recommended treatment for such health problems as insomnia, hypertension, asthma, and others. It can be used for treating hyperactivity in children.
• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita). A cup of chamomile tea has amazing soothing and relaxing effects, it can help you reduce anxiety, relieve muscle pains and stomach pains.
• Saint John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum). It is one of the most common herbal remedies for depression, which can be also used to gain emotional stability, improve sleep quality and relieve anxiety.
• Lavender (Lavandula augustifolia). This herb has an amazing relaxing and calming don aroma, which can effectively calm down nervous system and normalize blood pressure.
• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). Fennel can relieve such symptoms of anxiety as nausea and stomach discomfort.
• Skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata). This effective natural sedative can relieve nervous tension and anxiety, induce sleep and so on.
• In terms of aromatherapy, in order to reduce the symptoms of anxiety it is effective to use such essential oils as sedarwood, lavender, lemon, bergamot, geranium, sandalwood and other essential oils.

Many modern people suffer from such dental problem as gingivitis, or gum disease, a type of periodontal diseases. This health condition is connected with a severe gum inflammation cause by various reasons: mainly by poor dental hygiene, but also certain viral infections, genetic predisposition, poor or unhealthy diet, taking certain medications, hormonal changes during menopause and pregnancy, and so on. Regardless of what the causes of gum inflammation are in your particular situation, it is necessary to find the most effective treatment of the problem in order to avoid hard complication and losing the teeth.

The list of ideas for home remedies for gum inflammation is quite long. It includes not only herbal remedies for gingivitis, but also several important recommendations for making changes in your diet and life-style. Undoubtedly, only a proper dental care and oral hygiene can guarantee you excellent dental health. Brush you teeth 2-3 times a day, floss regularly and visit your dentist for regular check ups once per 6 month. Choose special toothpastes for sensitive teeth, or the toothpastes with such herbs and oils as peppermint oil, basil, sage oil, babool, neem and other herbal remedies.

If your causes of gum inflammation are most likely linked to your life-style and unhealthy eating habits, enrich your diet with fish and the foods containing vitamin C and calcium, give up smoking, decrease your exposure to physical and psychological stresses. In order to avoid physical damage in your mouth, eat only soft, not spicy and warm foods. Avoid eating too sweet and too acidic foods, as well as drinking soft drinks. Try a gum massage or other therapeutic dental procedures. This everything can definitely improve your situation.

Specialists name calendula, echinacea and grapefruit extract as the most effective herbal remedies for gingivitis. However, not everyone can use these extract as they can be a little aggressive against the gums. Consult your health care specialist about using the following therapy: mix 8 drops of grapefruit extract and 10-12 drops of warm water, take the mixture on you fingertips and massage your gums gently. Also, you can prepare and use one of the easiest home remedies for gingivitis: add 5 drops of peppermint extract, 5 drops of sage extract and 3-4 drops of propolis extract to 200 ml of warm water. Rinse your mouth with this mixture every time after having meal within 2-3 months, then make a 1-2 months break.

Chewing a clove bud is another excellent example of using natural home remedies for gum inflammation. Clove is one of the most efficient herbal remedies for almost any dental problem, it can calm down toothache, fight with a great number of dental bacteria and assist in small oral wounds healing. Finally, such herb as Aloe vera is another wonderful and very effective herbal remedy for many dental problems, which can be an ingredient of various home remedies for gingivitis. You can simply take a pulp of Aloe vera plant and rub it into your gums.

High cholesterol levels is a problem of millions of modern people regardless of their race, nation, gender or age. Specialists estimated that in the year 2008, only in the Great Britain there were more than 60 thousand people who suffered from negative effects of high cholesterol level. This common metabolic condition can cause quite serious consequences, including heart disease, atherosclerosis and other related health problems. Unfortunately, within the last decade hyper-cholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels) has been a diagnosis for many young people and teenagers.

At the same time, a positive fact is that there are natural ways to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. One of such ways is adding certain foods and products like whole grains, fish, olive oil, olives, almonds, walnuts, pomegranate,  avocado and others, which can assist in cholesterol level lowering. Recently, Austrian scientists discovered that such natural product as rapeseed oil can be also added to the list of cholesterol level lowering products. It is especially effective for decreasing blood fat and cholesterol levels in those people, who suffered from such conditions from birth.

18 participants of the scientific experiments in Vienna were offered a low fat diet enriched with this oil. During the first 60 days of the trial, the participants had about 15 g of rapeseed oil every day, and for the next ninety days their daily dose of this oil was increased up to 22 g. As a result, after about a half-year treatment 29 percent of the participants demonstrated an improvement of the cholesterol concentration. Moreover, Polish medical scientists confirmed the findings of their Austrian colleagues and recommended to combine rapeseed oil with garlic, in order to achieve better effects.

It turned out that rapeseed oil contains unsaturated fats which assist greatly in triglycerides (blood fat levels) and cholesterol lowering. Also, this oil has lower amounts of saturated fats than other oils (in particular, olive oil). If you need to keep cholesterol levels under control, add some of high quality rapeseed oil to your salad or other meals. Or, it is possible to use this oil for frying. Remember that therapeutic effects could be achieved only if a high quality rapeseed oil is used. In Britain, you can look for British Cold Pressed Oil which is produced using the technique of cold pressing. Finally, do not forget to consult a health care specialist prior to staring a rapeseed oil therapy.

Allergy is a real problem of many modern people. Specialists understand it as an abnormal reaction of our immune system on certain environmental factors or substances, such as oranges, almonds, pomegranates or other foods, pollen, insect stings, pet dander, mold spores, certain medications, and so on. The most common symptoms and signs of allergy are skin rushes, itching, sneezing, coughing, redness of the eye, swelling, sinusitis, bloating and many more. Nowadays, there are various treatments for allergies. Those include immunotheraty (vaccination) and pharmacotherapy (using such medications as antihistamines, theophylline, hydrocortisone, etc.).

Recently, the results of a revolutionary scientific breakthrough were published by New Scientist magazine. Japanese biologists of Japan’s National Institute for Agrobiological Sciences in Tsukuba designed a special type of rice which can protect us against allergy instead of causing it. This unique herbal remedy can assist in fighting against pollen allergy, one of the most common and disturbing types of modern allergies. For many years this remedy was tested on animals, and now the specialists announced that this rice should be safe for humans and it is the time to start clinical trials.

The scientists aimed to create an effective treatment for cedar pollen allergy, which is a very common ailment in Japan and every fifth today’s Japanese has to fight against it. Running nose and sneezing are the most characteristic symptoms of this allergy, and newly created transgenic crop can suppress these unpleasant symptoms very successfully. Genetically modified formula of this new herbal remedy includes seven proteins, which are produced in in the endoplasmic reticulum and this way are not being digested before they act as an anti-allergen.

Fumio Takaiwa, a leader of the research, and his colleagues are certain that this research is a perfect start to looking for similar effective natural treatments for many other forms and types of allergies. Nowadays, the world’s scientists are creating lots of genetically modified vegetables and fruit with high content of useful elements, vitamins and nutrients. At the same time, the opponents of genetically modified foods seriously question all these scientific breakthroughs. They are convinced that long-term effects of such foods on human body have not been studied enough and it is too early to talk about positive sides of using GM foods.

Bad breath is quite a common and very embarrassing problem. It is caused by a poor dental care and oral hygiene, irregular brushing and flossing your teeth that results in excessive amounts of bacteria on the teeth and tongue. If you are facing difficulties fighting against bad breath, herbalists can offer you a series of effective and safe solutions. You can use the herbs which can assist in lowering the amounts of bacteria in your mouth and eliminating bad breath.

Those are, first of all, such herbs as Parsley (Petroselinum gen.), Basil (Ocimum gen.) and Coriander (Coriandrum sativum). These herbal remedies are rich in chlorophyll, a green pigment. It is a very powerful natural freshener with very strong deodorizing effects. Also, it is possible to use Dill (Anethum graveolens). To get rid of bad breath instantly, it is possible to chew on some dill seeds or drink a cup of special dill tea (should be prepared like usual black tea).

There are more herbs which can refresh your breath. The plants of Cardamon family (Zingiberaceae) contains a chemical element, which can be found in Eucalyptus. It has excellent antiseptic properties, can kill almost all know oral bacteria and refresh your breath. The same can be said about such herbs as Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and Clove (Eugenia aromaticum).

Anise seeds have been used for centuries as an effective herbal remedy for many health problems and ailments. It is a truly legendary herb, but not many people know that a special mouth rinse made of anise can replace the most effective modern mouth washes based on chemicals. All you need to do is steep a pinch of anise seeds in 100 ml of boiling water and wash your mouth after having meals.

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is called “a disease of our epoch”. For the last 50 years its incidence has been drastically increasing. Statistics shows that currently every one of four Americans suffers from this health problem. Hypertension affects thousands of people throughout the world regardless of their age, gender and general health condition. High blood pressure is usually associated with narrowing of the arteries, fastened heartbeat or greater volumes of blood. These conditions are among the most common causes of hypertension, along with such factors as overweight and obesity, sedentary life style, poor diet, stresses, etc.

Hypertension can be treated by using a complex program, which should include proper nutrition, exercise, maintaining healthy weight and, certainly, the gifts of our Mother Nature. Garlic is considered to be among the most effective natural remedies for high blood pressure. Some “gurus” suggest preparing a unique “hypertension relief”, which is a mixture of garlic with raisins, but I believe that there are really few people who would wish to try this exotic remedy. Another suggestion of the experts can be more attractive: those who are trying to combat high blood pressure should eat lots of grapefruit. This fruit contains a lot of Vitamin P, which is known for its property to lower blood pressure. Carrot juice is one more very effective and beneficial natural remedy for hypertension.

Other natural and herbal remedies for the people with hypertension include, first of all, Hawthorn berries, Garcinia (Garciniacambogia ) and a wonderful herb known as Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris). These herbs can help to cleanse and relax blood vessels. It is also possible to try an infusion of Lime Blossom (Tiliaeuropea ), Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia Serpentina), Siberian Ginseng, Motherwort and Mistletoe (Viscum album). Taking a spoonful of lemon juice mixed with 2-3 drops of honey every morning can assist in lowering blood pressure, strengthening blood vessels and heart muscle, and also in increasing flexibility of the arteries. At that, in this mixture you can use onion juice instead of lemon juice.

For the people who suffer from hypertension it is recommended to eat regularly such fruits and vegetables as apples, bananas, tomatoes, boiled potato, spinach and other leafy vegetables, cucumbers, watermelon, papaya, oranges, guava, pumpkin, berries and so on. It can be very effective to fest one day a week. On that day, instead of eating usual meals it can be good to drink fresh fruit juices or natural juice mixtures. Also, specialists strongly recommend to reduce the consumption of salt and red meat, as well as to refrain from drinking coffee and alcohol, avoid smoking and eating too spicy meals. Finally, in order to keep your blood pressure under control, it is very important to avoid stresses and learn some effective techniques of relaxation, including yoga, deep breathing, distraction, positive thinking,etc. Aromatherapy and relaxing massages can also be helpful.