It’s summer time! That means we get to spend a lot more time outside, playing in nature. That also means we can be more likely to bump into a poison ivy or poison oak plant. These plants are probably one of the most common allergenic plants in the USA. These plants grow in every state except for Alaska. They are common along roadsides, forests, pastures, streams, and even in some backyards. The first symptom of poison ivy is a burning and itching sensation. This is followed by the development of a rash that is often accompanied by swelling, oozing, and blistering. Symptoms can appear anywhere from a few hours to seven days after contact and tend to be at their worst between the fourth and seventh days. Here are some natural therapies to help relieve the symptoms from poison ivy and poison oak.

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For many women, varicose veins are an everyday fact of life. These are abnormally enlarged, bulging, and lumpy-looking veins that are often associated with dull, nagging aches and pains. This is the result of malfunctioning valves inside of the veins. Because poor circulation contributes to the formation of varicose veins, they are more common in people who sit or stand in one position for prolonged periods of time. They can also happen to people who sit with their legs crossed and those who lack proper exercise. Excess weight, heavy lifting, and pregnancy put increased pressure on legs, increasing their likelihood of developing varicose veins. Here are some nutritional and natural therapies that can help reduce the appearance and presence of varicose veins.

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It’s unfortunate to say that stress and fatigue have become incredibly common in our society. Eight out of ten Americans say that they feel tired on a regular basis. Many of us feel tired most of the time and can’t seem to do anything about it. Some of us can’t sleep while some of us are just overly stressed out. Many of us even suffer from adrenal exhaustion. Overusing stimulants means dependency, irritability, and lethargy, further reducing energy in a downward spiral. Here are some healthy ways that nutrition and diet can help promote higher energy levels for us on a daily basis.

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Are you suffering from allergies this time of year? Do you find yourself carrying around a tissue 24/7 because you cannot stop blowing your nose? If so, you should make a pot of Respiratory Tonic Tea. This recipe comes from Rosemary Gladstar and is a wonderful aid in creating a healthy respiratory system. It is especially helpful for building strong and healthy lungs. In children, it helps with colds, flu, hay fever, asthma, ear infections, and general congestion.

• 4 parts fennel
• 4 parts rose hips (dried)
• 2 parts calendula
• 1 part coltsfoot
• 1 part mullein
• 1 part red clover flowers

Combine all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. To make the infusion tea, boil 1 quart of water per ounce of herv (or 1 cup water to 1 tablespoon of herb). Pour water over the herbs and let steep for 30-60 minutes. The more herb you use and the longer you let it steep, the stronger the brew.

Source: Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, Written by Rosemary Gladstar

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Stress is a word that gets tossed around a lot these days. Everything seems to “stress us out” and with good reason as we live in a very stressful world! The term “stress” refers to any reaction to a physical, mental, social, or emotional stimulus that requires a response or alteration to the way we perform, think, or feel. Obvious sources of stress include deadlines at work, relationships, financial issues, and much more. Other sources are less obvious and include things like traffic, noise, crowds, pain, extreme temperatures or weather changes, unwelcomed changes, and much more. Some people handle stress well but for others it can be devastating. Stress can cause fatigue, chronic headaches, irritability, changes in appetite, memory loss, low self-esteem, withdrawal, teeth grinding, cold hands, and much more. Here are some nutritional and natural therapies that can help in relieving stress and bring peace to your busy life.

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Infertility is a serious issue these days. It has been estimated that some 6.1 million American couples are impaired in their ability to have children. 2.1 million of these couples are infertile. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact cause of infertility because ovulation, fertilization, and the journey of the fertilized ovum through the fallopian tube to the uterus is a very intricate process. Many events must work together perfectly for pregnancy to occur. For men, infertility is most often the result of a low sperm count or anatomical abnormality. A variety of factors can result in low sperm count including alcohol consumption, endocrine disorders, exposure to toxins, radiation, recent acute illness or prolonged fever, and more. In women, the most common cause of infertility includes ovulatory failure or defect, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. It has also been said that psychological issues such as stress may play a role in infertility as well. Here are some natural and nutritional therapies that may help with lessening infertility.

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If eyes are considered the “windows to the soul” then the nails are the “windows to the body.” Nails are very useful in serving as an early warning system to evaluate health. Since the nails are one of the last areas in the body to receive nutrients carried by blood, nails show signs of trouble before other tissues do. White spots on nails have linked to zinc or thyroid deficiency. White bands or ridged nails have been linked to zinc, iron, or protein deficiency. Black bands signal low adrenal function or injury to the nails. Discolored nails could be a deficiency of vitamin B12 or a signal of kidney or liver issues. Yellow nails could signal vitamin E deficiency, poor circulation, lymph congestion, or too much nail polish. Here are some natural and nutritional ways to keep your nails healthy and beautiful!

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Experts have said that one in ten Americans have some type of hearing problem. Hearing loss is the third most common health problem for people over the age of 65. A recent JAMA study shows that nearly 15 percent of school aged kids have some type of hearing problem. 85 percent of hearing loss involves tinnitus, which is a ringing in the ears. The good news is that there are many natural and nutrition based remedies that can help. Here are some of ways to reduce hearing loss.

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They always seem to pop up before an event that requires lots of photography! Cold sores and canker sores can be very frustrating. They are high contagious and you can get them from kissing, sharing eating utensils, drinking glasses, and even towels. Typically, they pop up 20 days after exposure as a series of red and painful bumps. Some people even experience flu-like symptoms or a fever! Here are some natural healing therapies to use with cold sores and canker sores.

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It’s been a long day and you are so tired. All you want to do is curl up on the couch with a good book to relax. You plop down and within 5 minutes, your leg gets “twitchy”. It’s that feeling of not being able to keep your legs still that can drive you up the wall! Some people even get painful spasms when they lie down. Most cramping occurs at night as minerals move between the blood, muscles, and bones. A good diet and natural supplements have been shown to be successful in preventing muscle cramps, spasms, and twitches. Here are some natural healing therapies that have also been shown to help out with this frustrating condition!

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We don’t know about you, but our skin gets super dry at times! During the winter months, the skin on our hands can sometimes look like coarse sandpaper. A balance of oil and moisture is crucial for healthy and attractive skin. There are two types of dry skin- simple dry skin and complex dry skin. Simple dry skin results from a lack of natural oils. Complex dry skin lacks both oil and moisture, and is characterized by fine lines, brown spots, discolorations, enlarged pores, and sagging skin. Here are some natural healing therapies that have been shown to help with dry skin.

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Bumps and bruises are a fact of life! Many of us accidently walk into things, fall off our bikes, trip while walking, or do something that will inevitably leave a bruise. A bruise occurs when the tissues underlying the skin become injured. This skin isn’t broken, but the capillaries below our skin’s surface rupture, causing blood to drain into the surrounding areas. This blood seeps into the layers of the skin and result in pain, swelling, and that “black-and-blue” mark. Fortunately, there are many natural ways to help bruises and prevent them from happening.

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It’s becoming more common with our older community. Alzheimer’s disease now effects over 4 million Americans. As many as 10 percent of senior citizens over the age of 65 have Alzheimer’s and 50 percent over the age of 85 are affected. It has been predicted that by 2014, as many as 14 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s. It is a progressive and degenerative condition that attacks the brain. Memory loss and disorientation are some of the first symptoms. This is a very serious condition and should never be taken lightly. Here are some nutritional and natural therapies that may be helpful for Alzheimer’s disease.

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This article was submitted to us by Dacia Cress, owner of YogaMoxie Studio, LLC in Kannapolis, NC. Dacia is currently working on her 500 hour yoga teacher training. She holds a B.S. in Communications from Mississippi University for Women, enjoys nature walks and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband Randy are parents of one daughter and two kitties. She can be contacted via email at dacia@yogamoxie.com.

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When people first hear about IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), some tend to laugh at the name. Unfortunately, there is nothing funny about IBS and 45 million Americans will attest to that! IBS is the most common digestive disorder seen by physicians. Twice as many women suffer from the condition as men. The symptoms include abdominal pain, anorexia, bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea (often alternating), gas, intolerances to certain foods, mucus in the stools, and nausea. Most often the pain is felt after eating and sometimes severe headaches can accompany this condition. Fortunately, there are natural ways to soothe the symptoms of IBS. Here are some of the natural and nutritional remedies we recommend.

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This topic really cannot be taken too lightly. Nothing is more important to our health than proper rest so that we can rejuvenate our bodies and spirits, to bloom again with new love and new creativity to share with others. Any one of us knows that even one missed night can bring on diminished capacities, wreck the blood sugar and make every step a difficult one. But what happens when sleep does not rejuvenate? This becomes a serious health and mental issue in a short amount of time.

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“Oh great, it’s that time of the month!”

This statement usually generates a series of groans from everybody in the room. It’s the time that a woman just doesn’t feel like herself. Some women only experience abdominal cramps and a cranky mood. Others feel horrifically bloated, overly tired, and irritable to the point where they want to go into hibernation for a week! PMS occurs in the week or two before women get their periods. Symptoms include mood changes, lethargy, loss of concentration, breast swelling and tenderness, fatigue, trouble sleeping, upset stomach, diarrhea, headache (or migraine), changes in appetite, and weight gain. With the onset of menstruation, PMS symptoms usually disappear. Nobody knows why some women are more prone to PMS symptoms than others. It’s believed that some women are more sensitive to the hormonal upheaval that occurs during the menstrual cycle. If you experience PMS symptoms, try some of these nutritional remedies to help make “that time of the month” more manageable.

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It’s that time of year where a cold can creep up on you without any warning. Your nose starts running, your throat is sore, and your body feels run-down. Usually, a cough pops up a few days after you experience these symptoms. It just isn’t any fun at all! Fortunately, there are many ways to beat the common cold in the comfort of your own home! Here are some natural remedies that will have you back on your feet in no time at all.

• Try taking vitamin C and Zinc lozenges at the first sign of a sore throat or congestion. This can shorten the duration of the cold and may even stop it all together.
• Sip hot liquids such as turkey or chicken broth.
• Remain as active as possible. Not only is staying in bed for ordinary sniffles unnecessary, it will probably make you feel worse! Moving around helps to loosen built-up mucus and fluids. Unless you have a fever, a brisk walk outside should make you feel better.
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Indigestion is extremely common in the United States. Almost everybody has suffered from an occasional bout of this frustrating condition whether it was caused by eating too much, eating on the run, or eating the wrong mix of foods. Symptoms include pain in the upper part of the torso as well as nausea, bloating, or burping. In some cases, people experience the feeling of heartburn, which causes a burning sensation in the throat. People who are prone to indigestion may suffer from a condition called hydrochloric acid (HCL) deficiency. Levels of HCL can diminish over time, especially when we age. To find out if you are HCL deficient, talk with your natural health practitioner. Here are some natural remedies to help curb the effects of indigestion. Burp!

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There is nothing more frustrating than that untimely zit. Why is it that breakouts always seem to occur the night before a photo shoot, wedding, or speaking engagement? Fortunately, there are some natural ways to curb the symptoms of troubled skin simply by paying attention to your diet. Here are some nutritional remedies for dealing with those pesky breakouts!

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Stinky breath happens to the best of us. Many of us have such strong “morning breath” that it could peel the paint off the walls! It’s always pretty awkward when somebody randomly offers us a breath mint. Let’s not forget about that good ol’ garlic breath we bring back to the office after lunch! Halitosis is typically caused by poor dental hygiene. However, many other factors are involved including improper diet, inadequate protein digestion, indigestion, and too much unfriendly bacteria in the colon. Here are some simple steps you can take to keep your mouth kissable.

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If you have ever had a migraine, even the thought of these powerful headaches will make you cringe. Migraines are severe, throbbing headaches that can be accompanied by nausea, visual disturbances, fatigue, and dizziness. An estimated 25 to 30 million people in the United States suffer from them. Three out of four of these people are women. Just before the headache begins, many people will see lights or experience numbness of the hands or mouth. Many things can trigger a migraine including allergies, constipation, stress, liver malfunction, too much or too little sleep, emotional changes, sun glare, flashing lights, lack of exercise, and changes in barometric pressure. Here are some natural remedies you can use the next time one of these vicious headaches attacks you!

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>The Cranberry and Garlic Solution is a small “miracle” I discovered in 2008. I was very sick with a particularly nasty virus that caused flu symptoms plus a total loss of my voice for two solid weeks. I could make no sound whatsoever. After one month had passed my voice was still not back to normal and I could feel the pressure of congestion in my head and chest. I went to the doctor twice over the course of this illness and was prescribed antibiotics. This was the sickest I could remember being for many years. I was better but not well.

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We take a million and a half pounds of tranquilizers annually yet we sleep 20 percent less than our ancestors did. Fifty-eight percent of Americans regularly experience insomnia symptoms. Commercial sleeping pills can interfere with the ability to dream and interrupt the natural sleep pattern. They also lose their effectiveness in as little as 3-5 days with use. Most of us need 7-9 hours of sleep every night. Are you having trouble sleeping? Here are some of our favorite natural ways to help you fall asleep and stay rested.

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Did you know that your scalp has at least 100,000 hairs? On an average day, you lose anywhere from 25 to 50 hairs. This is perfectly normal when you have a happy and healthy scalp. What happens if you are experiencing hair problems? Many of us experience the frustration of hair loss at least once in our lives. Some of our hair is brittle and breaks off too easily. In healthy hair, the cuticle should lay flat like shingles, leaving your hair soft and shiny. In damaged hair, the cuticle shingles are broken and create gaps that make hair porous and dull. Unhealthy hair can be a result of many things including stress, mineral deficiencies, lack of usable protein, poor circulation, recent illness, and liver malfunction. It can also be a result of an unhealthy diet. Here are some hair-happy foods that can help your mane stay manageable.

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