Dietary Supplements & General Information

Writen by Peter Salazar

Dietary Supplements

A dietary supplement is a product that a person takes by mouth, which contains nutritional ingredients meant for addition to the normal diet. These extra nutritional ingredients may include minerals, vitamins, botanicals, herbs, amino acids, organ tissues, metabolites and glandular. Ingredients like extracts or combinations such as soft gels, liquids, oils, capsules, tablets and powders can also constitute a dietary supplement.

Dietary supplements can also be found as bars and in other forms but they are classified as food and not as drugs.

Classifications of Dietary Supplements

The dietary supplements can be classified into the following four classes.

Herbs and Botanicals

Dietary supplements of herbs consist of natural products. These products are active ingredients or extracts from plant roots, stems, seeds, leaves, flowers or buds. An herbal product can be an extract of two or more active ingredients or they may be whole plant. Herbal extracts are being used to maintain low cholesterol, good health and help in disease control. People generally have a wrong view that because they are natural, these dietary supplements are good for health.

An example of a dangerous dietary supplement is ephedra extract. This is generally used for weight loss and energy boosting. It causes muscle injury, blood pressure, nerve damage, and stroke or memory loss. It is banned, but any dietary supplement containing this herb extract should never be used.

Many herbs prove to be very good dietary supplements. Some of these are listed below.

Grape Seed Antioxidant

Grape seed dietary supplement has concentrated extract of active ingredients from the seed of grapes. This product shows antioxidant properties and acts as a free radicals remover.

Oxy-Gen 3 flavors

Oxy-Gen is an Aloe Vera dietary supplement that provides improved oxygen for the human body.

Other herbal dietary supplements include cranberry, garlic, green tea, ginkgo biloba, etc.

Vitamins

Vitamin dietary supplements contain essential vitamins that are needed by many cell reactions and body functions. Certain vitamins exhibit antioxidant behavior too which remove the free radicals from the body. Some vitamins present in dietary supplements are not manufactured within human body such as vitamin K and vitamin D. A healthy body that has a supply of good balanced diet doesn’t need vitamin supplements, as over usage of such dietary supplements can cause liver damage.

Vitamins are of two types: water soluble and fat soluble. The water soluble vitamins such as vitamin C and the 7 vitamin Bs can dissolve in water and hence are not stored in any significant amount within the human body. The fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A, D, E and K are stored in the fats of the body. Fresh fruits or vitamin dietary supplement is used by people to ensure proper amount of water soluble vitamins.

Vitamin A & D (25,000 IU/1,000 IU)

This dietary supplement is rich in vitamin A and vitamin D, which are both needed by many cell functions and body reactions for release of energy.

B-12 / Folic Acid Combo

B12 and folic acid belong to the vitamin B family and support action of the C vitamin. It also helps to strengthen the acid present in the stomach for better digestion.

Other vitamin dietary supplements include vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, vitamin K, Vitamin B12, B6, B3 and many more.

Minerals

Mineral dietary supplements contain minerals required by body fluids and tissues like bones, brain, teeth, liver, brain, blood, muscle and nerve cells. There are approximately 60 minerals that are present in a human body but 22 out of them are necessary. To have the proper amounts of minerals, good healthy food and dietary supplements are advised.

Dietary supplements contain two types of minerals required by the body. The major minerals, which are the ones that are required by the body in large amounts, are calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, chlorides and sulfur. Body requirement for these minerals is almost 250 grams each day. The trace minerals are copper, iodine, fluoride, manganese, iron, zinc and chromium and are required in small quantities. The amount that should be taken of trace mineral is about 20 milligram each day.

Liquid Life Ultra Calcium w/Ostivone

This mineral dietary supplement contains easily absorbing calcium along with several other trace minerals.

75 Plant Derived Minerals

75 plant derived mineral dietary supplement is natural and the purest source of minerals. It provides many minerals not produced within the body.

Nutritional Supplements

These dietary supplements include fish oils, compounds present in food such as flavonoids, CoQ10 and many more.

Who needs dietary Supplements?

Dietary supplements are needed by all those people who have deficiency of certain nutrients in their diet or body due to lack of proper vitamin and mineral rich foods or lack of enough food. Athletes, vegetarians, older people and pregnant women can use dietary supplements for better health.

Dietary Supplement Selection and Use

Dietary supplements provide extra nutritional ingredients and are not a replacement of food. Natural foods provide many complex compounds that are needed by the human body in many function and cell metabolism. These products are only to be used to improve body function. Before you actually opt for a supplement bear the following points in mind.

It may be wise to avoid all the dietary supplements that have large or mega servings. Over usage can cause nutrient toxicity. Many dietary supplements contain herbal and botanical extracts that are known to cause severe side effects. You must have complete and viable information about the ingredients. Natural vitamins are more expensive and if any company offers very low prices then they may not be genuine. Check the label of the supplement and note the amount of nutrients in each serving. The label of the medicine should have USP written on it which means that the dietary supplement meets the US Pharmacopeia standards.

There are some known dietary supplements that a person should not take. Some of these include Aristolochic acid that is toxic for the kidney, comfrey that causes liver disease, kava that causes liver damage, Tiratricol that can cause heart attacks, chaparral that causes hepatitis, and usnic acid that is toxic to the liver. There are other dietary supplements in the market that have side effects, as well.

Peter Salazar source for quality supplements is http://www.utopiasilver.com.

To go directly to this product go here: http://utopiasilver.com/products/supplements/

Headaches and Botox Injections

Writen by Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C.

Most people are unaware that the use of Botox for the prevention of migraine headaches came about purely by accident. It all happened through the use of Botox by plastic surgeons. Patients undergoing plastic surgery, who were also experiencing headaches, noticed that their injections of Botox helped with their migraine headaches.

Botox, also known as botulinum toxin, is a neurotoxin (a toxin that attacks nerve cells). It was originally approved by the FDA for use in conditions where hyperactivity of muscles was an underlying problem of related health and medical conditions. The theory is that Botox weakens or paralyzes muscles by inhibiting the release of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is an ester of choline that is thought to play an important role in the transmission of nerve impulses at synapses and myoneural (muscle-nerve) junctions. By inhibiting the release of acetylcholine the nerves cannot cause a muscle contraction, thus relaxing the muscle. Botox is administered by being directly injected into the affected muscles.

There are differing theories as to how Botox works to eliminate migraine headaches, but the exact reasoning remains unclear. One theory is that muscle tension and spasms are a cause of migraines and by eliminating the muscle tension with an injection of Botox it will also eliminate the cause of the headaches. If given Botox before the headache begins it is possible to eliminate the headache before it even starts.

When muscles spasm it can irritate nerves that innervate them. When these nerves send signals to the brain in an increased amount it causes pain and possibly headaches. Botox may affect these nerve cells, inhibiting their transmission, causing a lessening of the perception of pain. Many researches think that migraine headaches are a result of inflammation of blood vessels. However, muscle tension may also play an important role in the cause of headaches.

When researchers test a medication’s effectiveness they usually test it through a double-blind study. This means that some patients are given the medication being tested while others are given a placebo. A placebo is an inactive substance, such as sugar, that is given in place of the medication that is being evaluated. Some tests have been performed that did not involve double-blind studies, but showed that Botox could prevent migraine headaches. One double-blind study involving Botox and headaches showed only a small positive effect.

Initial studies may not have shown the full effectiveness of Botox for the prevention of headaches. The injections were not placed in the typical locations of the headache pain, but in areas normally injected during plastic surgery. In subsequent studies, using larger doses and injecting into more specific localities for the headache pain, the results were improved. These tests were concerning migraine headaches. However, with tension headaches, or muscle tension headaches, the studies have shown improved results. This is to be expected due to the weakening or paralyzing nature of Botox on the muscles that are experiencing tension.

When being injected with Botox for the prevention of headaches it may take several weeks before the injection takes effect. For this reason it is usually necessary to have it injected no more often than once every 3 months or so. People that have Botox administered for the treatment of headaches typically need it injected every few months. If there is too long of an interval between injections the headaches may be experienced by the patient.

However, the question arises about the safety of these regular injections of a neurotoxin. Since 1989, when it was first used as a headache treatment, it has appeared to be fairly safe. Most migraine headache medications are taken orally and eventually end up in the blood stream. Because of this common symptoms of migraine headache medication will be dizziness and drowsiness among other symptoms. Since Botox is injected directly into the muscle tissue and does not get absorbed into the blood system as does the typical headache medicine there are fewer side effects. Most commonly, the only side effects of injecting this neurotoxin is pain in the area of injection for a couple of days or drooping of the eyelids for a few days.

Studies are still being performed on this medication and as yet the FDA has not approved it for the treatment of headaches. However, physicians do prescribe it to their patients and if you think you are a candidate to use it you should discuss it with your doctor. If you do not respond to other headache medications it may be something to talk with your physician about. As the studies continue the effects and safety issues involving this medication should become more clear.

Dr. Larry A. Johnson, D.C. has patented a popular chiropractor-recommended cushion for the home treatment of headaches, both tension and migraine. Visit his site about headaches – tension and migraine for more information.

Depression: Avoid Road Rage

Writen by Justin Meyer

Because two symptoms of depression are a feeling that the world is out to get you and anger, it is very easy to succumb to road rage. This is dangerous as it can lead to physical confrontation, as well as other dangerous actions. It is important to find ways to keep calm and maintain control when you don’t have the option of walking away.

The first thing to do is to slow down. When getting angry, the natural instinct is to speed up, but by doing that you are just going to instigate things. Slow down and let the problem move away from you. If that isn’t an option, then move your car around a little bit. Involve yourself in changing lanes or the radio. Keep your eyes on the road, but make an effort to not think about whatever is instigating you.

If all else fails, pull over. You can always do that, even if you are on a highway (go to the next exit or pull onto the shoulder if it is not for a while). Stop for a bit, and take some deep breaths. Review your meditation techniques and find a way to calm yourself down. Remember: the world is not out to get you, and whatever happened, it is not that important. Moving on from these incidents is the most important thing that you can do.

You can read more about depression at http://www.curemydepression.com

A Champion Bodybuilder – Do You Have What It Takes?

Writen by Greg Ryan

My career began in the eighties. I never found myself going to a health club, much less taking time for myself, until I was in college. I had to occupy my time between classes somehow, so one day I went to the gym. I grew up without self-discipline, confidence, or faith in myself. As a youth, I was overweight and short. In my late teens, during the first few years of my career and with the help of a few close friends, I was fortunate to have discovered three very important things about myself that changed me forever: hope, belief, and motivation.

Hope

I did not set out to be a champion bodybuilder. Nor did I really want to. But I did hoped I could get in better shape with some hard work.

Belief

When I first stepped into a health club, it was frightening. I had two friends that exercised with me on a regular basis. The confidence they had in me started positively affecting my attitude and fear of failure. After awhile, I noticed those fears I had about myself slowly began to disappear.

Motivation

As I developed more confidence, I started to realize how important it was for this change to come from the “inside out.” Looking better, having more energy and getting physically stronger are great things to experience, but what I am most grateful for is that my heart was also changing. I felt better about myself. I had purpose and I was doing something positive. That heart-felt motivation became the glue that has kept me going for all these years. No matter what you do in life, if you have purpose, and if it is good for others, life will be rewarding.

Here are a few principles I have learned along the way may help you become a true bodybuilding champion.

Principle #1: Be Sold Out! Whether you are a competitive bodybuilder or just do it as a hobby to stay in shape – have the attitude that you are going to exercise and eat right for life.

Principle#2: Ask not, have not! If you do not know something, ask a man/women that you feel does. Knowledge is powerful.

Principle #3: Leave your ego at the door! Your ego is your biggest competitor by far. The reality is, it’s NOT all about you. If you think it is, you will never be a Champion for any length of time.

Principle #4: Work-out smart not hard! Bodybuilding is about efficiency, not effort.

Principle #5: Know when to stop. If you need time off, take it. If you do not want to compete anymore, but are afraid not to, then you are doing it for the wrong reasons.

Principle #5: Have fun. Don’t be wound up like a clock all the time. Relax!

Principle #6: Put variety in your workouts. Never think your workout program is the best. Change it up every three months.

Principle #7: Only compete once a year! If you are a competitive bodybuilder only compete in one show a year. If you do more, you will burn out and lose valuable muscle.

Principle #8: Never compete for a trophy! If you are a trophy hunter you will never be a true champion. True champions do it for the journey.

For further information you can email at greg@resolutions.bz

LOSE WEIGHT IMMEDIATELY! FREE MINI COURSE click here http://www.resolutions.bz. Discover the common sense way to lose weight with out dieting that the doctor’s DON’T want you to know. Greg Ryan is a best selling author, former employee of Kathy Smith, and high profile fitness expert.

Home Remedies for Yeast Infection

Writen by Paul Jesse

Yeast is a fungus that lives within the gastrointestinal tract, mouth, throat, esophagus and the genitourinary areas of the body. Yeast normally lives in balance with other bacteria’s but curtain conditions can change this health balance. Once this delicate balance has been disturbed yeast infections can affect your body.

Though yeast infections are very common women illness, men can experience them as well. Though less common, men can become infected with male yeast infections. The main cause is prolonged antibiotic use as antibiotics kill all bacteria, including those that are healthy. Steroids are also a serious cause of male yeast infections.

The most common locations for appearing of yeast infections are the mouth, skin and the male genitals. Women should also be familiar with male yeast infection symptoms since it is possible for partners to transmit the yeast infection back and forth.

Symptoms of Male Yeast Infections:

The major symptoms of male yeast infections are: irritations, itch and soreness of male genitals. They can also become red and have small white blisters.

Why do men suffer from male yeast infections:

The most common reason is unprotected sexual contact with a woman who has vaginal yeast infections.

Low immunity caused by stress or chemotherapy.

Diabetes, because the higher sugar level in the urine creates a good environment for the growth of male yeast infections.

Both female and male yeast infections treatments include consuming large quantities of probiotics or “good” bacteria. These natural supplements can create a healthy balance of good bacteria and yeast that both naturally live in our intestines. Even eating large quantities of yogurt can help, because yogurt contains active good bacteria.

Top Home Remedies for Yeast Infections:

Honey – Smeared liberally over the infected “region” is said to bring balance to the area and contain the fungal growth. Let it saturate for five or ten minutes and then bathe.

Yogurt – Eating yogurt daily can help prevent or help clear up a case of yeast infection according to some. The L.Acidophilus bacteria in live or active culture yogurt is said to help balance the fungal growth in the affected area.

Tea Tree Oil. Saturate a tampon with tea tree oil and leave inserted overnight.

Aloe spread over the region may quickly help with the itching.

Colloidal Silver taken daily has been claimed by some to quickly clear up candidiasis.

Grapefruit Seed Extract. 10-15 drops in your morning juice everyday for a month is claimed to sometimes permanently clear up an infection. Some also recommend a daily dose of olive leaf extract together with the grapefruit seed extract.

Don’t bow down to the medical companies. Try a home remedy for yeast infections first. We have more home remedies for your empowerment here.

Paul Jesse

Disclaimer: Always check with your doctor or health provider before starting any course of home remedy. The remedies presented here are for information purposes only.BestHomeRemedies.com is not responsible for the use or misuse or results of any action taken on behalf of the information here.

How to Reduce fat?

Writen by Paul Cris

It is very obvious for anybody to gain pounds of weight during the holiday time. But holidays can be spent constructively too. Turbulence program is a course designed for the purpose of loosing maximum fat and gaining strength. There are 6 ways to improve your overall physic and make a promising resolution on the New Year’s Day.

Strength training is a different exercise from the rest where you perform a workout within a short duration. If you are performing about three repetitions per day of a particular workout, you will be performing it only one here. But you will reap the same advantages here too. You will be maintaining your average strength but at the same time saving your time.

During the program schedule do not consume anything junk but only concentrate on the efficiency of the exercise.

Before beginning any workout you need to spend some time doing warm-up exercises and then start your workout on a treadmill. Even in weekends do not let your time for lame enjoyment but spend at least some bit of time for performing the workouts. This maintains the strength in your body.

When you exercise remember that your abdominal cavity is being exercised. The sit-ups are simply an ache to the lower back. Therefore all the standing exercises, pushups or squats are extremely workable.

Before entering into the gym remember to bring the turbulence training templete with you. It should not merely happen that you do not even understand how to start the workouts. It provides a table for systematically performing the workouts.

Paul has been providing answers to lots of queries through his website on a wide variety of subjects ranging from satellite phones to acne. To learn more visit http://www.askaquery.com/Answers/qn1700.html

You are welcome to republish the above article only if you add our hyperlinked URL.

Body Detoxification by Using Detox Foot Patch

Writen by Muhammad Hazman Mohamed Noor

In today’s society where we are constantly met with different pollutants and toxins that may enter one’s body through various avenues, having an outlet for such materials is a wonderful way to cleanse the body. Body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods is a great way of achieving a more cleansed body, both inside and out. The following paragraphs will highlight some general information regarding body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods and will provide a number of reasons why using a detox foot patch may just be a step in the right direction to cleansing the body and resulting in a better, more vibrant life.

Body Detoxification by Using Detox Foot Patch: What Is It?

Detox foot patches are square-shaped adhesive patches which individuals can attach to the bottom of their foot and keep them in place throughout the night while they sleep. The overall purpose behind body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods is to provide an outlet for waste products which may linger within an individual’s body. These waste products may originate in the body due to a number of environmental factors such as food ingested and toxins in the air. Body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods is a wonderful way to remove these items from the body in a convenient manner.

Body Detoxification by Using Detox Foot Patch: How Does It Work?

The natural ingredients which the detox foot patches are comprised of work together to produce body detoxification by using detox foot patches to pull out various toxins. The toxins that are released from the body as a result of using these detox foot patches are ones which cause individuals to feel stressed, fatigued and may even lead to a variety of health problems. Foot patches of this kind are used quite frequently in regions throughout Asia and are making their way over to the other continents as well due to their fantastic results. The success that individuals have experienced by achieving body detoxification by using detox foot patch treatments is readily seen by viewing the usage rate of such a method in Asia.

Benefits of Body Detoxification by Using Detox Foot Patch

By taking advantage of using detox foot patches to produce body detoxification, one is on the correct path to treating various symptoms which may ail them. Body detoxification by using detox foot patch will provide many of those individuals who use patches of this type with a more restful, relaxed feeling and may even help to cure some minor health problems which they may experience as a result of large quantities of toxins within the body.

Reasons to Use Detox Foot Patches

There are a number of reasons why individuals find comfort and relief via the use of detox foot patches and why they favor using a method of this kind. The first reason why individuals wish to procure body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods is so that they may obtain overall body cleansing. Overall body cleansing will enable the individual to achieve a variety of things such as restfulness, less stress and greater overall health for many individuals. These reasons alone are a large part of why individuals feel that achieving body detoxification by using detox foot patches is a marvelous thing to do.

Convenience is another reason why individuals choose to obtain body detoxification by using detox foot patch avenues to achieve this result. Due to the fact that body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods can be achieved while one is sleeping, there is no need to worry about wearing the patch during the daytime when one is working or doing other activities. These wonderful patches work while one is peacefully sleeping.

Body detoxification by using detox foot patches is also a non-messy way to achieve total body cleansing as there are no liquids or ointments to apply to the patch. Simply stick the detox patch to the bottom of the foot and go to sleep. The detox foot patch will work its wonders while the individual sleeps through the nighttime.

Another reason why individuals are looking into body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods is due to the reasonable and affordable cost at which these items can be purchased. Very often one can procure a detox foot patch treatment method for around $30 to $40 per box. This is quite reasonable when one thinks of what they are getting for the price which is a more relaxed and cleansed body.

Body detoxification by using detox foot patch is also gaining popularity because it is a non-invasive procedure used to cleanse one’s body. Although there are other body cleansing methods which are advertised these days, body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods is done on a strictly external basis. This is quite appealing to many individuals who wish to have a treatment of this type administered.

Another reason why individuals are starting to persue options relating to body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods is because it is a new and inventive treatment regimen. The appearance of a new treatment method on the general market is a very attractive thing to consumers. Body detoxification by using detox foot patch avenues is a new treatment method in certain parts of the world, although it has been used in Asia for many years, which is impressing individuals near and far.

Summation of Body Detoxification by Using Detox Foot Patch

In summation, body detoxification by using detox foot patch methods is a wonderful way to experience an overall cleansing of the body. Its natural ingredients and carefree application method provide consumers with an option for body cleansing treatments which is non-invasive and quite affordable. For these reasons, looking into body detoxification by using detox foot patch treatment methods may be the perfect way to result in a better, more revived you. If this sounds like something which may be the perfect method to try, then it is definitely worth looking into a bit further.

Muhammad Hazman is an Internet Entrepreneur, Webmaster of DetoxFootPatch.Com. For more information about Health Detoxification, Detox Recipes and other health matters visit http://www.DetoxFootPatch.com/

Ask a Dentist About Your Neck and Shoulder Pain

Writen by Alyn Weiss

If your physician can’t pinpoint the cause of your neck and shoulder pain, perhaps the solution is in the hands of your dentist. It is reported that the majority of North Americans put up with headaches, migraines, jaw pain, neck and shoulder pain as a result of jaw joint dysfunction, or a bad bite. Physicians therefore may not have the answers, but a neuromuscular dentist most likely will. Here’s why, according LVI Global, the world-renowned institute for advanced dental studies:

A “bad bite” (malocclusion) may in turn change the jaw-to-skull relationship causing the jaw to twist into a strained position. Involved this the muscles of biting, chewing, talking, head posture and breathing are the bones of the neck. If the shoulder, back and neck muscles are forced to compensate for the tight, sore and contracted muscles of the jaw, it will cause the shoulder pain you may have been experiencing. Neuromuscular dentists can relieve the strain on the jaw and surrounding muscles by correcting the bite.

Neuromuscular dentistry not only benefits sore muscles, but also can help to relieve migraines and headaches brought on by TMJ/TMD.

For more information regarding temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and related disorders, please visit LVI at http://www.leadingdentists.com

To learn more about neuromuscular dentistry, log-on to: http://www.leadingdentists.com

Common Herb Proven to Reduce Excessive Sweat

Writen by Rob Johnson

Could an ordinary common kitchen herb really reduce excessive sweat? Hyperhidrosis sufferers reading this will certainly hope so.

Hyperhidrosis is the medical term for excessive sweating far beyond what the body needs to do to control body temperature. It results in moisture laying on the surface of the skin instead of evaporating like it normally would. Some sufferers have problems with grip because of near-permananet wet hands and others need to have several changes of clothing each day. It usually affects the hands and feet but can extend to other parts of the body including the head, trunk and under arms.

Treatment is limited to Iontophoresis (using electric currents to disrupt the sweat glands), Botox injections and a surgical procedure called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS)whereby the nerves serving the sweat glands are blocked or cut. None of these treatments are without risks and all are very expensive. Their effectiveness also seems to vary from patient to patient and and horror stories are common – particularly relating to the surgical option (which requires each lung to be collapsed in turn in order to reach the nerves in the chest cavity).

Clearly then, the prospect of a totally natural, risk-free treatment involving an inexpensive kitchen herb will be greated heartily by anyone with an excessive sweat problem – particularly when the herb in question has actually been medically proven.

The treatment, tested by a group of researchers at the School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran, is a simple “tea” solution made from the dried leaves of a common herb, and water.

In the medical study, thirty-five patients (18 men and 17 women, aged 8-49 years) who had been diagnosed with either palmar or plantar (hand or foot) hyperhidrosis were given the treatments three times a day for six weeks.

The solution was simply applied to the skin (they didn’t drink it) where excessive sweating was a problem. After six weeks of this treatment the people in the study who received the tea experienced significantly more relief from their sweating than the people who were given a placebo.

In fact, the solution was shown to reduce sweating in the hands, feet and under arms by as much as 37% as a result of the herb’s astringent properties.

These are the directions if you want to make the solution at home…

Use three spoonfuls of dried leaves mixed with 250 ml (8.5 ounces) of room temperature water and leave to steep for 24 to 48 hours.

After straining, the resulting solution can be applied to underarms, hands or feet. The researchers also suggest a further treatment for plantar hyperhidrosis which affects the soles of the feet. They recommend a dry powder of the herb, placed in the shoes. The powder can be made by grinding dried leaves with an electronic or hand mill.

The solution or powder should be applied to the problem area three times a day and the area should be completely dried before application.

Rob Johnson is the creator of No Sweat! The Natural Hyperhidrosis Treatment for reducing and controlling excessive sweat.

For a completely natural program which includes many techniques for reducing excessive sweat, including a free report about this common herb visit: http://www.natural-hyperhidrosis-treatment.com

Anise (Pimpinella Anisum)

Writen by Bruce Burnett

References to anise date back to the sixth century BC when Pythagoras mistakenly believed that simply holding the seeds in the hand could prevent epileptic seizures. The Romans cultivated anise for its fragrance, flavor and medicinal properties. A popular Roman spice cake included anise, bay leaves and cumin. It was served after heavy meals, especially wedding feasts, and performed the dual roles of both a dessert and a digestive aid. Anise today is still widely used for its aromatic, culinary and medicinal qualities.

The spice has traditionally been used in protection and meditation incenses. It is supposed to ward off evil and sleeping on a pillow containing aniseeds will prevent nightmares. A sprig of anise hung on the bedpost will reputedly revive departed youth.

Anise is native to the Eastern Mediterranean and, although an annual, it is not easy to grow in northern climes because it requires a soil temperature of 70 degrees F. (21 degrees C) to germinate and a long, hot summer for the seeds to ripen. It also has a long taproot, which makes transplanting difficult, so it’s best grown from seed. Coriander makes a god companion plant, improving the seed formation on anise, which prefers full sun in well-drained alkaline soil. The plant is quite fragile and needs protection from strong winds. Once growing, thin the anise plants to a distance of half a metre and keep them watered during hot, dry weather.

Due to the presence of the compound anethole, aniseeds are an effective reliever of gas, bloating and indigestion, which is why they are often served after a meal, particularly in Asian restaurants. Throughout the Mediterranean, anise based liqueurs – ouzo in Greece, pastis in France, sambuca in Italy and anisette in Spain – are served as after dinner drinks. However, a cup of anise tea is a refreshing way to cleanse the palate and settle the stomach after a heavy meal without the added calories and alcohol of a liqueur. Aniseeds are also customarily given to children to relieve colic and nausea. The antispasmodic properties of the seeds make them helpful in countering menstrual pain, asthma, bronchitis and spasmodic coughs such as whooping coughs. Anise is an effective expectorant. It contains the compounds creosol and alpha-pinene, which have been shown to loosen mucus in the bronchial tubes. For flatulent colic aniseeds may be combined with equal amounts of fennel and caraway. For bronchitis it mixes well with coltsfoot, white horehound and lobelia.

Anise also contains the compounds dianethole and photoanethole, which are chemically similar to the female hormone estrogen. For this reason traditional herbalists have often recommended the spice for promoting milk production in nursing mothers and for relieving menopausal hot flashes. In both instances three cups of anise tea per day is advocated.

It is best to buy the whole seed for culinary use – and grind it yourself as needed – as already ground aniseed quickly loses its flavor and aroma. Store the seeds in airtight containers away from sunlight. If you notice that the seeds are turning brown, they are going stale and should be discarded.

Aniseeds are used to flavor cakes, breads, eggs, fruit and cheese. In Mediterranean cuisine, anise is used in meat and vegetable dishes. In savory dishes it is interchangeable with fennel for flavoring soups, sauces, fish and poultry dishes.

Don’t confuse anise with star anise, a star-shaped fruit that grows as an evergreen bush in China. The essential oil of star anise has a similar, but harsher, taste to anise and is preferred in Asian cooking. The milder flavor of anise is the choice of western cuisine.

Here’s a healthy recipe for breakfast oatcakes using the spice:

Anise Oatcakes: