Health Specialist » herbal medicine

An African Bush Doctor’s Prescription For Better Health

Health Specialist — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 05:53:18 +0000

Bush Medicine is traditional herbal medicine- the oldest system of healing in the world. Bush medicine started in Africa about 30,000 years ago. In the African-Caribbean culture plants are referred to as Bush such as fever bush or toothache bush and are revered for their healing and spiritual properties. Every culture in world practiced and still practices bush medicine to treat the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual problems of the people. Today 70 of the worlds population still uses traditional herbal medicine bush medicine as its primary source of health care.

For the past 75 years medical doctors and drug companies have tried to discredit traditional herbal medicine while at the same time sending ethnobotanists all around the world to acquire the knowledge of local plants from bush doctors in order to make new pharmaceutical drugs. Often once a drug company has appropriated local plant knowledge- usually without compensating the locals in any way, they patent the plants and pressure the governments into banning the local population from having access to the plants they have depended on for millennia. Fortunately there is now a worldwide effort underway to protect local plant knowledge from unethical exploitation. People are returning to their traditional herbalists because of the failure of pharmaceutical drugs to treat chronic health problems safely and effectively.

I am from a long-line of African bush doctors. My family has practiced traditional herbal medicine for many generations. My grandmother was a prominent bush doctor in Trinidad, the country of my birth. The African-Caribbean culture is a largely intact culture where we have retained much of the knowledge of our bush doctors. Here are some simple tips for improving your health from me, Christopher Scipio- your friendly neighbourhood bush doctor.

1. Eat less. Unless you are very physically active you are probably eating a third more calories than you need. Excessive caloric intake is one of the biggest factors in reducing life expectancy.

2. Dont eat alone. People eat too quickly, chew their food less, and tend to consume less nutritional meals when they are eating alone. Having company provides many health benefits and is much better for your mental and emotional well-being.

2A. Pay attention to your eating environment. Loud noises, lack of a comfortable sitting position, too many distractions and a less than peaceful environment can all contribute to digestive problems and may cascade into other health issues. Eating in a relaxed quiet environment with good company is a great habit to get into.

3. Along the theme of eating less- use smaller plates and cutlery and consider using chop sticks or your fingers to eat with. The oversized cutlery just promotes the wolfing down of food. I love using chopsticks for lots of different kinds of meals and there is much sensual pleasure with eating with your fingers the way we Africans do.

4. Reduce your carbs, especially bread and pasta. Obesity and many of the health problems that go with it like diabetes were virtually unknown until we started consuming such large quantities of bread, pasta and baked goods. I recommend not eating bread or pasta more than 3-4 times per week and substituting beans and dishes like hummous as a replacement.

5. Get and use a juicer. The juice you buy in a store is dead. Many juice enzymes die within an hour of extraction. Most juices have been pasteurized to further deplete their nutritional value. Making your own juice is a joy. I like starting the day with a blend of carrot, apple, Hawaiian ginger and beet juice, but there are so many juices to discover. I recommend the book on healing juices by Heinermann.

6, Cook your own food. It is more than worth the time. I know you are busy but you can work cooking into any schedule. Consider getting a slow cooker. Consider cooking large batches on your days off and keeping them ready in the freezer. Cooking your own food is the only way of knowing what actually is put into your food, plus it sends the right message to your body that you care.

6A. Dont assume restaurant food is healthy. Many restaurants are fond of using iceberg lettuce which is very cheap and is usually grown in high-tech hydroponic factories but has virtually no nutritional value and dont even ask about the chemicals used to keep lettuce looking fresh. Most restaurants dont use organic ingredients and many restaurants use microwaves to heat their meals. Just take a tour of the kitchen of your favourite restaurants and you may be horrified.

7. Bless your food and remember where it comes from. This modern life is a very disconnected from reality kind of life. Often there is little though given to where food comes from, how it was harvested and processed and by whom? Do you know where you food came from? If not you better bless it and bless it well before you take it and all the vibes that go along with it into your sensitive body.

8. Balance yourself daily with yoga, tai-chi or Qi- gong. 20 minutes a day in your own home of one of these practices and Ill personally guarantee your health will improve no matter how healthy you were before-hand. You can go to classes as well but what I recommend is that you empower yourself by learning how to do simple routines at home so you are not dependant on a class.

9 Get and give a massage at least once per month. Weekly is even better. Give and receive this vital practice as often as possible. Even a mediocre massage is better than none at all so recruit your partner or a friend if you cannot access a professional and dont be reluctant to lay your hands on others as well.

10. Love More. Love is the ultimate healing. Love your partner, love children, love your neighbours, love your community, love the environment, love your God, love your life, love yourself.

11. Dont forget to laugh. Laughter is great medicine. Give yourself permission to be silly, dont be so serious and youll have a longer and happy life.

12. Just say no to drugs. Ronald and Nancy Regan were worried about recreational drugs and I agree that recreational drugs are harmful to your health but the drugs that I see devastating the communitys health the most are coffee, alcohol and cigarettes- in that order. Dont believe the self-serving propaganda from the Starbucks lobby about the possible benefits of drinking coffee. There are no net benefits to drinking coffee and it is particularly devastating to womens health as is heavy alcohol consumption and cigarettes.

13. Eat like an adult not a child. You a big boygirl now so eat like one. Dont be a slave to cravings and food addictions. Eat for nutritional value and not strictly for taste or as an emotional panacea. On my hot list of non-nutritional foods are chocolate, ice cream, sodas, white bread, white rice, and white pasta.

14. Eat soft foods. Eat wet foods. Softer foods are much easier for your body to digest and are much more likely to have a high water content. Wet foods are also easier to digest and help provide the water you need. Your body is mostly water, the earth is mostly water, so try to limit dry, hard, dead foods like crackers, bread, and cereals and embrace soft wet foods like soups, purees I love hummous and baba ganoush, fruit, steamed vegetables, smoothies, organic plain yoghurt, etc.

The human body is a wondrous miracle of engineering and grace. Treat your body well and it will reward you with many years of health and happiness. Neglect or abuse your body at your own peril.

Christopher Scipio
HomeopathHerbalist
African Bush Doctor

Grow Your Health With Herbs

Health Specialist — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:59:45 +0000

Ask the average American to define herbs and he or she will tell you that herbs are green leaves that have some medicinal properties. Some may even add that herbs like Thyme and Sage are used for cooking. This is how most people define herbs; which is quite good knowledge considering that most folks are ambivalent about the actual use of herbs in their own lives.

A herb the word rhymes with curb is a plant that is grown for medicinal or culinary value.

Typically, the green leafy part of the herb is used, occasionally roots also are put to use. A culinary herb is non-woody and soft. Used for their aromatic flavor and texture, culinary herbs include bay leaf, basil, chervil, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, tarragon and thyme.

The world of medicinal herbs is even more diverse and surprising. Even the most innocuous looking leaf blade may possess a treasure trove of medicinal properties. A medicinal herb is generally a shrub or other woody plant used for therapeutic purposes. Herbalism or Phytotherapy is the practice of folk or traditional medicine that aims to cure dis-eases in the body using plants and the active constituents found within them.

This resurgence of interest in herbs was brought about by various systems of holistic healing. Now, more than ever before, people are beginning to realize that good health does not refer to an absence of disease. Rather, it is a balance of physical, mental, emotional and social wellness. Herbal health care is becoming increasingly popular because herbs provide natural stimulants that activate the bodys own defense mechanisms.

When orthodox medicine took over the reins of mainstream health care, herbs and their medicinal values got relegated to the background. One reason could be the problem of availability. Another more important reason is that unlike a pill or a tonic, herbs usually take more time to bring about an effect.

Due to our sedentary lifestyle, processed foods and industrial advances, we have managed to discover a large number of chronic illnesses that were virtually unknown in the past. Medicines used to treat these diseases have side effects. In time, these medicines also become ineffective as the human body develops a resistance to the medicine. After battling it out for many years, practitioners of conventional medicine are finally willing to admit that herbal extracts are an effective source of healing.

Herbal medicines provide a healing system that is in tune with nature. The medicines are characterized by simplicity, depth and effectiveness. They are cost effective too. Absence of side effects also greatly enhances their allure.

Some interesting uses of herbs are

- Chamomile tea sipped slowly throughout the day helps decrease acidity and soothes the digestive system

- Alfalfa is a highly nutritious herb as it is a natural source of vitamins and minerals.

- Valerian root can be used to treat insomnia.

- Two fresh garlic cloves taken at night increases ones resistance to flu and colds.

- Feverfew is a herb that if taken consistently, effectively reduces the frequency of migraines.

Herbs, like any drug, bring about a physiological change in the body. If taken continuously for prolonged periods, they may affect the bodys natural ability to heal. The aim of herbs is to bring the body back into balance so that there is no longer any need for medicine. Herbal medicines may not be the best, pure or only form of medicine. Indeed, it should be used as a complementary medicine that helps doctors achieve the most important goal of all that of total cure in the easiest, most effective and shortest route.

Herbal Medicines- How they work

Health Specialist — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:00:00 +0000

The medical use of herbs is widespread. In a multi-ethnic group of patients attending an emergency department in New York 22 reported that they used herbal medicines; use was highest among Asians, 37. It is important therefore for clinicians to document use of herbal medicines as part of the patient’s drug profile. Plants synthesize complex organic molecules for their structure and function, and therefore are a rich source of chemicals. Active chemicals purified from plants are accepted effective medications e.g. digoxin, and morphine. When parts of plants or crude extracts of plants are used for medicinal purposes they are called herbal medicines.

What is the active ingredient in herbal medicines?

Most herbal medicines contain hundreds of chemicals and there is often no agreement as to which is potentially active. An example is garlic, comprised of many sulfur compounds, several of which are candidates for possible therapeutic activity.

How can one be sure that herbal medicines contain what is on the label?

The only regulatory requirement in The US markets is that all products intended for medicinal use, including natural health products, are issued a Drug Identification Number. However, these numbers are not required for raw materials such as bulk herbs. Herbal medicines are not required to pass any regulatory analysis to be sold as a health food supplement. There are many examples of herbal medicines that have been adulterated with other more toxic herbs, potent drugs e.g. phenylbutazone, synthetic corticosteroids and other prescription drugs, or heavy metals.

How are herbal medicines standardized?

The chemical constituents of plants vary depending on the species, variety and part of the plant, with conditions of growth soil, water and temperature, and with the age of the plant. These complexities and variations of chemical content make standardization essential. In some cases standardization is attempted, but it is difficult and seldom accomplished.

Plants are rich sources of chemicals and potential sources of effective herbal medicines. However, more research, regulation, and standardization are required before herbal medicines can be recommended as effective and safe therapies.

Benefits of Taking Hoodia Gordonii

Health Specialist — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:08:00 +0000

If you are in search for effective products that can make you lose weight quickly and safely, you can found a lot of information that are made available for you on the internet. A product which is getting much attention from the media nowadays is hoodia gordonii.

This product is based on the cactus-like plant that can be found in Kalahari Desert of South Africa. If you want to know if this product can provide effectiveness with your goal to lose weight, better to read on.

There is a miracle molecule in hoodia gordonii which is called p57. This p57 ingredient triggers the brain not to feel hungry and also thirty. But of course, even if you do not feel thirsty, it is recommended to drink water, about 8 glasses a day. You do not have to wait for your brain to trigger that you are thirsty before drinking water. You should know that your body needs water, so make sure to drink the appropriate amount of water each day.

It is said that even if you will jog for about 2-3 miles, you wont feel thirsty if you have taken hoodia gordonii, since the ingredient of hoodia gordonii which is p57 will work by telling the brain not to feel hungry and thirsty but it is advisable to drink anyway.

The hoodia gordonii plant comes from the family of rare cactus-like plant that takes it maturity for about 5-7 years. This plant has bright and juicy flowers that have strong smell. This plant can be found in Kalahari Desert. The San people used to eat this plant for centuries; they remove the skin and spines and chew it especially if they need to go for long hunting.

There are plenty of hoodia plants, about 40 varieties, but hoodia gordonii is the most effective.

Hoodia gordonii is a popular appetite suppressant. Yes, you can use hoodia gordonii in order to make you lose weight effectively. But in order to get the more effective results, you have to take the right dosage, you have to follow the instructions given to you by the manufacturer or company.

In order to see great effect, you have to take hoodia gordonii 30 minutes before meal and take it with a glass of water.

There are lots of benefits and advantages that you can get in taking hoodia gordonii. These benefits are
-Hoodia gordonii will suppress your appetite as soon as you take it, and it you made sure that you take the right dosage.
-Hoodia gordonii is all natural product, so it will provide you with great results without any side effects.
-In taking hoodia gordonii it can reduce at least about 1000 calories of food from your body.
-Since hoodia gordonii can control your appetite, it is the best effective natural appetite suppressant.
-Hoodia gordonii can enhance your mood and increase your stamina, so you will feel great.
-Hodia gordonii can make you lose weight by not overeatin since it has an active molecule that signals the brain that you are full and satisfied.

Yes, if you want to lose weight, take hoodia gordonii since it has a lot of benefits and can make you lose weight naturally and safely.

Use Hoodia Gordonii to Solve Weight Problem

Health Specialist — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:48:00 +0000

Being obese or overweight is a problem. So if you are obese or overweight, you have to solve it or do something right away, dont let obesity ruin your lives.

Obesity can give other illnesses or diseases that can harm your health, so do not neglect being obese or overweight. You have to do something about it before it actually ruins your life.

Actually, obesity can change the way you relate with people due to lack of confidence and tend to be shy with the way you look. So due to this it can change the way you mingle with others and even with your loved ones. Certainly, you do not want your life to do destroy because of weight problem? Do not just lock yourself to your room and stop mingling with others, there are lots of things that you can do to solve it. Just start acting in order to solve your weight problem.

If you are looking for ways to solve your weight problem, definitely there are heaps available for you in the market. If you are searching for products that can aid you to lose weight effectively, you have to of course take time in searching for the right product that can certainly make you lose weight.

Yes, there are plenty of products out there, but of course, do not simply buy one and use one without even checking it out some valuable details about the product.

Maybe you have heard about hoodia gordonii. Yes, hoodia gordonii is a popular appetite suppressant which can make you lose weight effectively. Since this hoodia gordonii is a cactus-like plant which you can find in Kalahari Desert was been proven and tested to suppress hunger and thirst. Hoodia gordonii was found by scientists to have a miracle molecule which works by tricking the mind by signaling it that you are satisfied and full.

The San people used this cactus-like plant for centuries in order to suppress their hunger particularly when they have to go out for long hunting. Yes, it is proven to be effective since it was used for long period of time.

If you are interested to purchase hoodia gordonii for your weight problem, you have to make sure youre purchasing the real product. You have to check it out in order to prevent the fake ones, since fake products can harm your health. So be careful in looking and purchasing for one.

There are ways in order to help you out find the real and genuine hoodia gordonii. You have to purchase hoodia gordonii with company or website that is reliable. Check out if they can give you the necessary information about the product. Information and details are important, so make sure that they are provided to you.

Checking out certification can help you find out if the hooda gordonii product is real. You have to look at it before you actually purchase the product. These certifications can prove that the product is real and genuine.