What in the World is Horny Goat Weed? 

 

While researching herbs and supplements, have you ever come across something and asked yourself, “what in the world is that?” This series of articles will give you insight about some of the lesser-known herbs currently available on the market. From there, you can decide whether it’s a natural remedy worthy of further exploration.

Today, it’s all about Horny G0at Weed!

Horny goat weed, also known as epimedium, is an herb that is used in a variety of ways in alternative medicine. Despite the unsophisticated name, this herb has been proven to have a variety of positive health effects, especially on joint pain and stiffness.

History

Horny goat weed grows mainly in China. It is a hardy wildflower plant, although the leaves are the part that is used medicinally. It has a variety of uses in traditional Chinese medicine, although it is mainly used as an aphrodisiac. According to Chinese legends, its use as an aphrodisiac was discovered when a farmer noticed amorous behavioral changes in his goats after grazing on the plant.

Uses

Horny goat weed has been shown to be an aphrodisiac due to a compound in the leaves that is similar to the medication, Viagra. However, horny goat weed may be used for both osteoporosis and joint pain. It appears to have phytoestrogen compounds that stimulate the activity of osteoblasts, which build bone. In addition, it appears to increase blood flow to joints, which, in some people, increases lubrication, decreases pain, and decreases degeneration.

Cautions

Because horny goat weed contains several active compounds, it can have side effects and interact with some other medications. It should be avoided by women who are breastfeeding or pregnant. Because it decreases blood clotting, it shouldn’t be taken by people with bleeding or clotting disorders. In addition, its phytoestrogens may make hormone-sensitive conditions, including certain types of cancers, worse. In addition, it lowers blood pressure. It should not be taken by people who are on anti-hypertension or anti-clotting medications. As with any new remedy, it is wise to check with your health team before starting.

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Can Fasting Boost Immunity? 

 

While fasting can help a person meditate and focus, plus assist in weight loss efforts, researchers are discovering that a prolonged fast may do much more.

A study was first performed in mice, but scientists at the University of Southern California recently completed a similar study in humans. The study indicated that fasting for two to four days — taking in no food, but drinking water — triggers bodily responses that can help to restore and strengthen the immune system.

Researchers believe that fasting may be particularly beneficial for senior citizens or for people who have immune systems that are weakened by cancer treatments.  Prolonged fasting also protected against toxicity in a pilot clinical trial in which a small group of patients fasted for a 72-hour period ( drinking water, but not eating any foods) prior to chemotherapy, supporting this research. Some scientists believe that prolonged fasts will be proven to “reboot” the immune system. Although more research is needed in this area, fasting is known to have several benefits:

• As soon as a fast is begun, the body goes into “starvation mode” and begins burning excess fat, glucose and ketones for fuel.
• Old, weakened white blood cells are also burned when the body needs fuel.
• After the older white blood cells are broken down, the body starts producing new cells, which scientists believe will create a stronger immune system.
• The USC study indicated that the body has a greater ability to fend off disease after a fast, but it will also be better at resisting the ill-effects of chemicals, such as chemotherapy and radiation used for cancer treatments.

One of the authors of the study asserted that fasting shows promise, especially for cancer patients. “While chemotherapy saves lives, it causes significant collateral damage to the immune system. The results of this study suggest that fasting may mitigate some of the harmful effects of chemotherapy,” said co-author Tanya Dorff, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and Hospital.

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The Benefits of Vitamin K 

 

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin best known for its ability to help blood clot and prevent excessive bleeding. It is also important in maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin K deficiency is rare.

Vitamin K is actually a group of compounds known as naphthoquinones. The group includes vitamins K, K1, K2 and K3, with K1 being the natural form that humans derive from foods.

How Your Body Benefits From Vitamin K

In addition to regulating blood clotting, vitamin K facilitates the transport of calcium within your body, making it beneficial to your bones. Having sufficient amounts of this vitamin may help reduce bone loss and osteoporosis, resulting in fewer fractures. By moving calcium through your bloodstream instead of letting it accumulate, it may also prevent calcification of soft tissues and arteries.

Vitamin K Deficiency

While rare, there are conditions that can lead to vitamin K deficiency. The first signs of a deficiency may present themselves as blood oozing from your nose or gums. Osteoporosis may be another sign of deficiency. Certain health problems such as Crohn’s disease, gallbladder or liver disease, celiac disease and cystic fibrosis may also lead to a deficiency in K. Prescription blood thinners and long-term hemodialysis are other risk factors for deficiency. Your doctor can determine if you have a deficiency with a simple blood test.

Vitamin K and Bone Health

Vitamin K helps your body use calcium to build bones. Low levels of vitamin K have been found in osteoporosis patients, especially in postmenopausal women. Studies of athletes found that vitamin K had a positive effect on their bone health.

Best Sources of Vitamin K

Foods highest in vitamin K include leafy greens such as turnip greens, spinach, kale and dark green lettuce. Cole crops such as cabbage and broccoli get their dark green color from this nutrient. Other foods rich in this vitamin are asparagus, beef liver and green tea. Heat does not destroy vitamin K, but freezing may.

Eating a healthy diet is the best way to get enough vitamin K to ensure healthy bones. Post-menopausal women and those who take certain medications may need to supplement their vitamin K intake in pill form. Your doctor can best decide if you need vitamin K supplementation.

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The Best Foods to Eat if You Have a Cold  

Having a cold can be an unpleasant experience, but many of us simply consider them a part of life and stick to the bedroom for a day or two. But, there are some things you can do to help yourself feel better and fight a cold besides loading up on over-the-counter medicines.

The next time you get a cold, add these foods to your diet for a few days, and your recovery could be quicker.

Citrus Fruits

Several recent research studies have shown that citrus fruit and its vitamin C content isn’t as good at preventing colds as we once thought, but eating citrus fruits at the very first sign of a cold can help to reduce the duration of your cold by a day or so. If you already enjoy citrus fruits like oranges, tangerines or grapefruits, how hard is it to add more to your diet? Even freshly squeezed orange or grapefruit juice can be very helpful.

Anise Seeds

Anise seeds can be found in cookies and breads, but when you have a cold, your best bet is anise tea. Anise seed contains anethole, a licorice-flavored volatile oil with antibacterial properties. Anise seeds are also high in minerals, including iron, calcium, copper and magnesium. Adding 1 teaspoon of crushed anise seed to 1 cup of very hot water and letting it steep for three to four minutes will make a delicious tea. You can also buy prepackaged anise tea in loose or bagged form. Add honey or lemon to taste and consume while still hot.

Chicken Soup

It’s true what grandma told you. Homemade chicken soup can make you feel better faster. The zinc in chicken may shorten the duration of a cold; the salty broth is hydrating and breathing the steam from a hot bowl of soup may help clear sinuses.

Spicy Foods

As long as your stomach isn’t bothering you, foods rich in spice can help clear up a cold by getting rid of congestion and helping you breathe. Look for foods that contain lots of spice or add simple items like pickled jalapenos, crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper to foods that you regularly cook at home. If your stomach is upset, it’s best to avoid spicy foods and stick to more bland options.

 

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Uses for Activated Charcoal 

 

Activated charcoal is formed from carbon. While it is similar to regular charcoal, the activated type is the only kind approved for medicinal uses. Activated charcoal has actually been used for hundreds of years for everything from stomach upset to wound cleaning. However, it is best known for its ability to remove toxins from the body. In fact, it is often used in emergency rooms as a first line of defense. It can also be purchased over the counter but should be used with care. Some of the many ways that activated charcoal can be used are listed below.

Poisoning

Activated charcoal is primarily used for people who ingest too much medication or a poisonous substance, such as a household cleaner. However, it does not work on all chemicals, including alcohol or cyanide. If you ingest a poisonous substance, contact emergency medical professionals, such as a Poison Control hotline (in the US, call 1-800-222-1222) or contact an emergency room at a hospital.

High Cholesterol

In a far more everyday scenario, activated charcoal may be able to lower cholesterol, including triglycerides.

Diarrhea

Activated charcoal is often used for digestive system complaints. Although it may not help in a single case of diarrhea without a known cause, it has been shown to be helpful for people who have diarrhea while undergoing chemotherapy.

Stomach Upset and Gas

In the same way, this substance can help relieve some instances of indigestion by absorbing gas, especially after eating certain foods, such as beans. However, activated charcoal should only be taken occasionally for these concerns.

Itching due to Kidney Failure and Bug Bites

Activated charcoal has proven helpful for those with itchy skin because it can absorb compounds that cause itching. It is most helpful for those undergoing dialysis as well as for those who have suffered a bee sting, spider bite or snake bite.

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Natural Cures for Dandruff  

 

An itchy scalp can be a sign of a flaky dandruff condition many dread. Fortunately, this common scalp issue can be remedied with the right natural ingredients. Here are the essential oils and everyday ingredients that may eliminate dandruff.

Vinegar

This incredibly handy, all-purpose product cleans, disinfects and acts as an excellent product for the scalp. One great type of vinegar for dandruff treatment is apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar has a powerful advantage over regular white vinegar by eliminating certain kinds of fungus as well as yeast on the hair or scalp. Moderate dandruff can be treated by applying about one part apple cider vinegar to two parts of your daily shampoo and then mixing it together for daily use.

Tea Tree Oil

This essential oil is derived from the leaves of a narrow-leaved paper-bark tree native to Australia and New South Wales. Tea tree oil has antifungal properties and may prevent overproduction of bacteria on the scalp. Tea tree oil also works at eliminating itching and flaking at the follicle of the hair. Inflammation is a big trigger for dandruff, and tea tree oil shampoo can be useful when applied daily for treatment.

Probiotics

Dandruff’s root cause is sometimes a lack of proper nutrition. Incorporating quality probiotics into the diet — either through food or supplementation — can help lower inflammation and yeast count. Probiotics may lower yeast count on the skin as well as overall inflammation from improper flora balance.

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Potential Ways to Lower Blood Pressure Naturally  

 

High blood pressure is becoming more prevalent throughout Western civilization as people are living longer but eating more processed foods and carrying excess weight, particularly around their midsections. In fact, high blood pressure, known as hypertension, has become so widespread that hundreds of thousands of Americans who are middle-aged and older take medication for this problem daily.

However, there are a few simple ways to potentially lower blood pressure naturally, which may even eliminate the need for medication altogether in some individuals.

CoQ10

This supplement is well-reputed for having very few negative side effects yet being able to lower systolic blood pressure, the top blood pressure number, by up to 17 points.

Magnesium

A mineral found in many multivitamins, magnesium helps drop systolic blood pressure more than 5 points in otherwise healthy people and around 9 points in those with heart disease.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is found in red wine. Although too much alcohol or binge drinking can raise blood pressure, half a glass of red wine each day can actually lower blood pressure.

Decrease Salt

A great deal of salt in Americans’ diets comes from processed and canned foods. However, limiting salt intake can decrease blood pressure up to 8 points.

Exercise

Non-exercisers who take up moderate exercise, such as walking, can see a drop of around 9 points in their systolic blood pressure. Moderate exercise should be performed for about 30 minutes most days of the week.

Lower Stress

Finding ways to decrease stress will directly decrease blood pressure. Stress reduction is different for many people; some options include practicing yoga, meditating, listening to music or getting a massage.

Eliminate Tobacco

Products containing nicotine, such as cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco, raise the blood pressure by constricting blood vessels. However, breathing secondhand smoke can be just as detrimental as smoking.

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