To learn more about Oregano and its properties you can find tons of information online, and sites that specialize in Essential Oils and Soapmaking have many articles and information on the oil of oregano. But learning everything there is to know about this oil can be quite time consuming, so I have put together some quick notes and tips here for your reference.

The benefits of Oregano oil are endless, but some of the most common uses include providing relief for respiratory or bronchial irritations, like asthma, and bronchitis. It has also been commonly used to help treat symptoms from colds, flu’s, and sinus infections. In addition, it can also be used to help relieve inflammation as well as muscle aches and pains. Oil of Oregano also contains anti-bacteria, anti-viral, anti-septic, and anti-oxidant properties. All of these are great at helping expel unwanted waste from the body. Anti-oxidants have been proven to remove free-radicals, which can cause cancer, from the body.

Additionally, Oregano Oil has its benefits for the beauty world as well. It is a great product to use when creating or making your own natural beauty products. For example, it can be added to soaps and shampoo’s to help cleanse and protect your skin and body. If you do decide to use this for your soap and cosmetic making needs, you will need to understand how to properly use this potent oil, and at what ratio it is best used in. To do this, when purchasing the oil, ask your manufacture for the usage guidelines and if they have it an MSDS is also very helpful.

I want to close in saying that due to Oregano’s powerful properties, it is advised that you not use this oil when pregnant, and avoid direct skin contact with it as well, because it can cause skin, eye, and mucuous membrane irritations. Always use with care, and always consult a professional before attempting to use essential oils in your natural beauty regimen, since many, including oregano, can adverse effects when used incorrectly.

Now as we are in the first half of the 21st century our clinicians are quickly discovering new supplements, nutrients, and medicine which similarly stretch the human lifespan even further. Juvenon is one such company as their mission is to create the supplements which science has shown to be conducive to increasing longevity.

Photo by GreenmonsterSome people tout companies like Juvenon as the holy grail of anti-aging whereas others find them only to be capitalizing on human emotions. Considering the company mainly produces supplements which are readily available in food and sometimes even produced in the body itself. Often these supplements are even sold above market value for the individual ingredients, which does imply an unnecessary cost but also implies value added, in this case the value is he combination of nutrients in one pill.

Juvenon released a product of the same name which is designed to slow the deterioration of the mitochondria in the cells. This should in theory help slow the process of aging and provide more energy to people as they get older. Truthfully the nutrients that are noted as the active ingredients by studies are readily available in supplement form in virtually any health food store but what the company does is bring these nutrients together into a single pill which takes the pressure off the consumer to put the working pieces of the puzzle together for themselves.

Is Juvenon worth it to the consumer as an anti-aging supplement? The answer may be best answered by your level of self-motivation. The nutrients are fine and show promise in clinical trials to aid in increasing longevity it’s just up to you to decide if paying a premium for a single pill is worth it over buying the individual supplements separately.

The following herbal remedies can be used to cure dozens of common problems.

1. Goldenseal has antibiotic properties that will fight infection. Prepare a tea as an effective antibiotic. Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of powdered goldenseal root into each cup of hot water. To benefit from the healing properties of this tea, consume up to 2 cups each day.

2. Chamomile for centuries has been used as a calming herb. It can speed the healing process, calm distress of the stomach and fight infection. Make a tea by adding 2-3 teaspoons per cup of hot water. Steep for 10-20 minutes and drink up to 3 cups per day.

3. Garlic is rich in powerful natural antibiotic and anti-viral properties, it can reduce cholesterol and prevent the forming of blood clots. It is important to make garlic a main staple in your kitchen. Use it daily in cooking and food preparation. To make a potent tea, steep 6 cloves of garlic for each cup of cool water for 6 hours. Strain and drink.

4. Slippery Elm Bark – helps with sore throats, cough and upset stomach. This herb is found in commercial throat lozenges and cough drops. It is available for bulk purchase in health food stores and herbal shops and can be made into a tea. Add 1-3 teaspoons per cup of boiling water. Simmer for 10 minutes and drink 3 cups per day.

5. Ginger may help reduce the risk of a heart attack by preventing blood clots. It is commonly used by pregnant woman for morning sickness and is also effective for motion sickness. Prepare a tea by adding 2 teaspoons of grated ginger for each cup of hot water. Steep the ginger for 10 minutes and drink up to 3 times per day.

Centuries old and proven effective. Herbal cures are inexpensive and safe. Try these common remedies for what ails you.

Vegans, individuals who do not eat any animal products whatsoever, are also at risk of B12 deficiency because B12 is mainly found in meat and animal products that they do not eat. Careful diet planning is essential for vegans and vegetarians and supplements are often recommended to help make sure that the body is healthy.

Signs and symptoms of a vitamin deficiency can take as much as five years to appear. A pro-active course of action is the wisest decision; sublingual methylcobalamin B12, a form of b12 that is especially helpful for the nervous system, and often with folic acid, is a quick, easy and relatively inexpensive way to stave off any hint of deficiency.

In the past, the only way for the body to absorb vitamin B12 effectively was thought to be injections, which were none to pleasant and quite expensive. Fortunately, research has revealed that the body can and does absorb the vitamin when it is taken sublingually, or under the tongue.

These same studies showed that larger doses of B12 were needed to get the same degree of absorption as that taken by injection; however, the amount is still tiny and easily attained without a great worry of overdosing since large quantities of B12 have not shown it to become toxic to a human.

Vitamin B12 is extremely important. A body cannot function without it. It regulates the sleep-wake cycle, metabolizes carbohydrates and enables the body to use fat as energy. B12 is also important in the regulation of cholesterol. When B12 and folate work together homocysteine is metabolized and cholesterol levels drop. Homocysteine is an amino acid.

It is very easy; all you have to do is know what herbs to use in what instances. There are quite literally hundreds of routes to take – some of these will be taken internally, while others will be applied topically around or in the anus to reduce hemroid symptoms.

In the same way that aloe vera can take away burning and itchiness from a sunburn, it can take away the burning and itchiness from hemorrhoids as well. Simply take some of the aloe and rub it along the anus to reduce the inflammation of the skin – this works like aspirin, but this is much healthier for you!

Salves such as golden seal, myrrh and white oak can be used to place on the hemorrhoids to reduce inflammation as well. If you need a good way to stop the bleeding of your hemorrhoids, you could consider making a paste out of comfrey root and placing it on the hemorrhoids. If you want to find a way to cleanse the area and dry it out, a good herb to consider is the witch hazel. Just be sure not to place this inside the anal canal. This is only for external usage.

Once you do get rid of the hemorrhoids, it is of the utmost importance to start changing what you eat and how you live your life. Just by taking Omega 3s and 6, drinking plenty of fluids, staying away from fatty and acidy foods and increasing your exercise you can significantly decrease your chance of getting your hemorrhoids back! Be sure to also include more fibers in your diet as well such as papayas, beets, nuts, rice and wheat!

Herbs and “natural treatments” are very popular these days, but just because they are natural does not automatically make them safe. Be sure to consult with a doctor to be sure that any herbs, vitamins, or supplements you are taking are safe and that they don’t interfere with any other medications you may be taking.

In this region the sun tribes or the Bushman has been taking this natural herb for a long time. The main reason for using the herb is to control hunger and thirst as well. As a result, the Bushman can go on with their hunting expedition or other activities without having any foods for long hours. In 1995, researchers have found the magic of hoodia Gordonii and gradually it comes into the form of Hoodia Gordonii plus.

Now the question is how Hoodia Gordonii plus work? A specific zone of our brain controls the hunger related works of our body. The function of this particular zone is to send us message if our stomach is empty or full. An active component of Hoodia Gordonii plus named p57 curbs the hunger zone of brain and gives us a message about the full stomach. This is indeed a natural way to control appetite and our weight is reduced significantly.

Hoodia Gordonii plus also contains green tea extracts, which also burns fat and improve metabolism. Thus the combinations of green tea with p57 work together significantly and help us to lose weight.

Before you are going to decide for Hoodia Gordonii plus you need to understand yourself about how much you want to reduce? This is an important factor in this concern. Because the performance of Hoodia Gordonii plus is not same for all. Some people can reduce 4-6 pounds in a week while it takes two months to reduce 10 pounds for some person.  However, Hoodia Gordonii plus starts to show its result from a week after you are starting to use it.

To get the best result from Hoodia Gordonii plus you should know the proper use of this. It is recommended to take three pills a day before breakfast, launch and dinner. As you are taking this before your meals you will not tend to eat more than your requirement due to the function of p57. However, it is advised to drink sufficient water before taking the pill because it suppresses your thirst too.

There are more than a thousand dietary supplements that can be found and bought in the market today. All of these are claiming to be very effective and safe. As a consumer who wants to get the best out the money spent on diet supplements, it should come to your senses that most of these products are overrated. Of course, all companies will claim that their products are among the best weight loss supplements.

Upon choosing a product for weight loss, it must contain a fat burner. It is useless to take in a dietary supplement for losing weight that is not formulated with fat burning elements. Products that are formulated with acai berries are a good option because it contains some of the most powerful antioxidants that can rinse off the unwanted fats or toxins. Fats and toxins stored in the body contribute a lot in the total body mass. When the body contains a lot of these, the body will be having a heavy weight. This is why acai berries should also be thought about when searching for weight loss supplements.

More people are doing green tea diet as well. This is because green tea contains a fat burner that does not only burns fat but can also burn calories that are not used by the body. Since it was first used in the early civilizations in China, green tea extracts have been included in the modern day weight loss supplements.

Aside from a fat burner, green tea also has its own antioxidants that will not only drain excessive fats from the body, but it can also make a person look young and beautiful. The good thing about this tea is that it can improve the body’s energy levels to produce heat that will effectively burn fats and calories and drain them out from the body.

As you search for the most effective weight loss supplements, it should also be wise to choose something that contains fatty acids. These elements are very effective in increasing the body’s metabolism so that it can burn fats faster.

To know the vitamin deficiency symptoms better we must know how this vitamin helps us. D vitamin is essential in the strengthening of our bones and muscles, so a deficiency will have a direct impact in that area. In mild cases the symptoms will include aches and muscular fatigue, but as it gets more severe we’ll start noticing the appearance of new symptoms, which include:

Bone pain – This gets more noticeable in the back, hips and legs.

Muscular pain and tiredness – You’ll feel weaker without apparent reason; even form doing ordinary activities like climbing up stairs.

In children a severe deficiency will lead to the development of bowed limbs, a condition commonly called “rickets”. Infants besides having a high risk of developing this condition can experience respiratory problems and cramps.

Learning about the symptom vitamin D deficiency is useless if you don’t have good prevention against this problem. Getting sun exposure every day is good, despite what many sun-protection companies have led you to believe. We must go outside and get Sun exposure for 10 minutes to process this vitamin – without solar protection creams, this way we’ll reap the benefits of the Sun. Of course, the healthy way to do it is in the morning when the Sun isn’t too strong.

If you notice these symptoms, be sure to visit a doctor for proper testing and discard other underlying problems and conditions.

Heart Health Benefits of Hesperidin

Hesperidin has been found to have a beneficial effect on cholesterol in two different ways -

1) A study has shown that it can improve overall cholesterol levels. It raises HDL “good” cholesterol levels and lowers LDL “bad” cholesterol levels. It also helps lower raised serum triglycerides levels.

2) As an antioxidant, it is especially effective at protecting cholesterol cells from free radical damage. Such damage is a leading factor in the development of atherosclerosis, and atherosclerosis is a major risk factor for developing heart disease.

In one study (with animals), hesperidin health benefits included lowering blood pressure. Hesperidin helped increase the amount of blood an artery can pump by increasing the elasticity and therefore the amount an artery can expand. In those with high blood pressure, the arteries are often less elastic and the heart has to work harder to pump the blood around the body, creating high blood pressure.

Hemorrhoid Health Benefits of Hesperidin

A research study tested the effects of hesperidin combined with another flavonoid called diosmin upon sufferers of acute and chronic hemorrhoid symptoms. 120 male and female participants were either given a placebo or the diosmin and hesperidin mixture over a period of 2 months. Those who took the diosmin and hesperidin mixture reported half as many attacks as the placebo group and experienced considerably less pain from their symptoms.

Hesperidin helps hemorrhoids in several different ways. First, it improves the structural lining of the capilleries involved in hemorrhoids. Second, it decreases water retention of these capilleries, reducing pain. Third, it has anti-inflammatory effects helping to reduce pain.

Hypoglycemic Health Benefits of Hesperidin

When ingested, hesperidin increases the activity of an enzyme called glucokinase. This is beneficial for diabetes mellitus because glucokinase metobilizes glucose out of the blood stream, lowering blood sugar levels.

Best Sources for Hesperidin

Hesperidin is available as a supplement. This is a great way to get a high intake. Food sources however, are more bio-available. This means that more hesperidin makes it into the blood stream and to our cells, where it imparts its health benefits. One study found that drinking orange juice and grapefruit juice is the most bio-available way to ingest hesperidin. An additional note is that the white membranes of oranges and other citrus fruits, especially the white inside their peels, is the area that most of the hesperidin is found. So, when making homemade citrus juicer recipes , it is a good idea to scrape off some of the white peel and juice this with the flesh of the fruit.

Disclaimer: Natural treatments for type 2 diabetes can help regulate blood sugar and help your body respond better to insulin. However, never use these treatments as a substitute for your doctor’s instructions and always consult your doctor before trying any of the ideas below as they could interact with any medication you may be taking.

To understand how various herbs, vitamins and minerals can help manage your type 2 diabetes, you need to understand what is actually going on in your body. In your body, your cells need energy to perform their cell duties. They get this energy from glucose which comes from the starches and sugars that you eat. However, your cells cannot ingest glucose directly. They need a helper.

Enter insulin. Insulin builds a bridge between your cells and the glucose. This allows your cells to “eat.” The problem with type 2 diabetes is that the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. This leaves you with hungry cells that cannot perform to their fullest.

Knowing this, there are many supplements, vitamins and minerals that can help with the production of insulin and the regulation of blood glucose levels.

1) Ginseng

Ginseng is a species of slow-growing plant with fleshy roots. It can be found growing naturally in many of the countries in the northern hemisphere. However it is primarily found in North America and eastern Asia. It is primarily touted for its anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant properties.

Some research done on Asian ginseng suggests that it may lower blood glucose levels. Other studies performed on North American ginseng show that it may improve blood sugar control and glycosylated hemoglobin (a form of hemoglobin in the blood used to monitor blood glucose levels over time) levels.

We recommend Panax Red Ginseng.

2) Chromium

Chromium known to enhance the action of insulin. A shortage of Chromium inhibits the body’s ability to use glucose requiring the levels of insulin needed to meet energy needs. Studies suggest that 200 to 1000 mcg of chromium daily can improve insulin efficiency and glucose tolerance.

Chromium can be found naturally:

However, due to the relatively small amounts found naturally, it is generally much easier to take them in a concentrated form. Chromium can be found here.

3) Magnesium

Magnesium is a naturally occurring element that is used in nearly every major bodily process.

According to the U.S. Government’s Office of Dietary Supplements:

Magnesium is needed for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis. There is an increased interest in the role of magnesium in preventing and managing disorders such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. Dietary magnesium is absorbed in the small intestines. Magnesium is excreted through the kidneys.   Source here. Emphasis added.

Magnesium can be found in most multi-vitamins. It can also be found as a stand-alone supplement – Dyno-Mins Magnesium.

4) Cinnamon

Cinnamon: Good for baking, good in apple cider, good for your diabetes?

Multiple studies have been published on the effects of cinnamon on blood glucose levels and LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). In one study participants were given approximately one quarter teaspoon to one teaspoon of cinnamon for 40 days. At the end of the study all groups saw significant reductions in their fasting blood glucose levels, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.

For more on the effects of cinnamon see this article on About.com

One of the best sources of cinnamon for diabetics is Enhanced Cinsulin with Glucose Management Proprietary Blend.

5) Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera gels is typically used for burns and various other skin conditions. However, recent studies have shown that Aloe Vera can have an effect on blood sugar levels. Scientists have identified certain compounds in the gel that reduce blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels.

Aloe Vera can be found in a pill form, but is usually only carried by specialty health food and natural supplement stores.

6) Polyphenols

Polyphenols are a group of chemical substances found in plants – most notable are peanuts, pomegranates, beer, olive oil, chocolate, coffee and tea. They are an antioxidant and can help reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer.

Studies suggest that a polyphenol found in green tea may have a positive impact on insulin levels and glucose control. However, small clinical trials have been inconclusive. However, it has been proven that the polyphenols in green tea inhibit amylase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down simple sugars that can travel through the blood stream. Thus helping to control blood sugar levels.

Don’t like to drink green tea? Try Green Tea Extract.

7) Vanadium

Vanadium is a naturally occurring element found in about 65 different minerals. While typically used in steel production, Vanadium has shown to improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes. It appears to mimic many of the actions of insulin in the body.

The use of this supplement does not come without a warning though as the levels required to be effective can be toxic. As with all supplements, be sure to consult your health care professional before using.

Vanadium can by found in products such as Vanadyl Sulfate.

8) Momordica Charantia

Momordica is a plant that is native to tropical locations in South America, Asia, East Africa and The Caribbean. It can also go by the names of bitter melon, Karela or balsam pear. Ancient Indian practitioners have used the extract of the unripe fruit of the plant to treat conditions such as diabetes, infections and cancer.

Momordica works in much the same way as insulin to reduce blood sugar levels. A study published in the British Biomedical Journal of Science in 2005 “showed that M. charantia extract normalized blood glucose level, reduced triglyceride and LDL levels and increased HDL level. The animals reverted to a diabetic state once the M. charantia extract was discontinued.”

Momordica Charantia can come in a pill or liquid form and is usually only carried by specialty retailers.

And Many More…

This is only a short list of supplements that have been found to be a natural treatment for type 2 diabetes. Stop by your local health food and supplement store sometime. The people working there are usually very knowledgeable and can offer guidance on natural remedies to help improve insulin efficiency and control blood sugar levels.