AstroNutrition Health & Fitness Blog

By Mary Hanna

Europe has been using Saw Palmetto to promote prostate health for years. Enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the herb saw palmetto has been studied in European labs for it’s effectiveness in treating the disorder. American labs lag far behind in their research of enlarged prostate and herbs to treat it. Modern medicine in America frequently relies on pharmaceuticals sometimes to the detriment of natural herbal remedies. For instance, Doctors usually proscribe Proscar (T) and other prostate drugs which take time to become effective, unlike the Saw Palmetto herb which will kick in within 30 days.

The medicinal part of ‘Serenoa Repens’ or the Saw Palmetto is derived from the partially dried ripe fruit of the plant. The Saw Palmetto herb is indigenous to Southeastern United States but is most prevalent in Florida. It is the sterols and the fatty acids that are found in the berry that are the active ingredients. In Germany ninety percent of treatments for BPH use the saw palmetto herb, while in Italy it is fifty percent. Their successes have been many since BPH is nearly universal in the aging process of men.

A Study done in Russia tested 150 men with an enlarged prostate who had been diagnosed with BPH and other prostatic problems. Their findings concluded that Permixon, a European brand of standardized saw palmetto herb extract, had a long term efficacy and acceptability as therapy for BPH. The test was conducted over a period of 24 months and it was found that the quality of life from the base line study improved dramatically. The men had decreased prostate size, better urinary flow and increased sexual activity. The saw palmetto herb works by protecting the gland from irritating testosterone levels and will promote it to shrink.

Even better news about the herb saw palmetto, is that when used to combat enlarged prostate its side effects are almost none and it is non-toxic. Some men complained of gastrointestinal disorders but these were relieved when the herb was taken with food. There were some concerns in the early stages of study that the saw palmetto herb would mask prostate cancer by lowering the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. After much more study this was found not to be true.

Many studies show that you must buy a brand that is ’standardized with at least 85-95 percent fatty acids’ with 320 grams of the herb. In a few cases when large amounts where used it caused diarrhea in some patients. Studies have shown that the saw palmetto extract is effective in 90% of the men in clinical trials in over a four to six week period. Pharmaceutical drugs have been shown to need up to a year for significant improvement. Another benefit is that saw palmetto extracts are about one quarter of the price of pharmaceutical drugs.

There have been other herbs that have be cited as beneficial to enlarged prostate such as, stinging nettle, pumpkin seed, zinc, green tea, South African star grass and melatonin. None are as effective or show the promise of the saw palmetto herb.

In conclusion the benefits of the Saw Palmetto herb for an enlarged prostate are many. It will reduce symptoms of BPH, with occasional mild gastrointestinal distress but this is infrequent. The herbal remedy will not interfere with a prostate cancer diagnosis and it has no known drug interactions. The dosage has widely been agreed on by scientists as 320 grams per day and will cost you significantly less then a prescription drug.

If you have an enlarged prostate and you are looking for an herbal remedy speak to your Doctor about taking the saw palmetto herb to relieve your symptoms. Always speak to your Doctor before adding any medicines to your regime whether they are natural herbs, vitamins or supplements.

About The Author

Visit Mary Hanna’s websites at: Gardening Herb Cruise Travel and Container Gardening Secrets

By Robert Shields

Having practiced the use of Alternative Medicine for many years, and taught their use on my courses, I would give you some advice on what is available as an alternative to prescribed drug medication.

However, I must say emphatically that if you are presently under the guidance of your doctor and he or she has prescribed medication, then please do not ignore his or her prescription and simply use an alternative. You must consult your doctor. Speak to your doctor and ask if he or she supports you avoiding the drugs prescribed.

I also apologise to those of you reading this that are experts and/or practitioners in the fields of medicine that I refer to as, no doubt, you may feel I could have said a lot more on each subject

My Suggestions:

The following are my suggestions and have proved effective in the treatment of the ailments mentioned. The list is by no means comprehensive, as it would take a full book to cover every possibility and it is no substitute for a qualified therapist. Indeed, if any of my suggestions do not work, that simply means they are not right for you and a professional will be able to prescribe a correct remedy:

ANXIETY and PANIC ATTACKS
Try using the Homeopathic remedy Aconite.
These remedies come in various strengths and you should use 30x only. The reason is that the lower strength (6x) works on the physical and the higher strengths on the mental/spiritual levels. Higher than 30x should be prescribed by a qualified Homeopath only.

You can also use Aromatherapy, to relax the mind and body. Lavender is the most common and my advice is to buy only the best quality.

There are also Bach Flower Remedies that may help. The two most common are Mimulus (cause of fear is known) and Aspen (cause of fear unknown).

DEPRESSION
This is a complicated problem as there are so many forms of depression. Normally it is caused through having lost someone or something.

Depression is always best treated under medical or experienced supervision but the following may help:
Bach Flower Remedy: Sweet Chestnut (for deep despair)
Homeopathy: Ignatia 30x or Nat. Mur. 30x

Depression should never go unsupervised and should be treated by an experienced doctor or therapist.

TRAVEL SICKNESS/MORNING SICKNESS
You could try taping a small magnet (not too strong) on the inside and centre of each wrist about a quarter of an inch below the bottom of the palm. Search your chemists/pharmacists for the magnets as they are often sold there (In the UK try Boots Stores).

Alternatively you can use the homeopathic remedy Cocculus 6x. (Remember - 6x works on the physical aspect of an illness).

PMT (PREMENSTURAL TENSION)
By far the best for this problem is the herb AGNUS CASTUS(Chaste Tree). This is STRONGLY recommended and should be taken over a period of three months before it becomes fully effective.

The next best is Evening Primrose Oil and a Homeopathic remedy is Pulsatilla 6x.

If there is a problem with the reproductive system, painful periods etc. I STRONGLY recommend AGNUS CASTUS, preferably in powder/tea form but can also be in tablet form.

The above are only a very few of the problems that can be treated with Alternative Medicine and depending on feedback. I also realise that there are many other forms of Alternative Medicine treatments that I have not mentioned, but it is only space that prevents me including them.

About The Author

Robert Shields teaches Hypnotherapy and Fear Elimination Therapy He has taught Hypnotherapists since 1986 and is a qualified hypnotherapy trainer in the U.S.A., Canada and the United Kingdom. His 31-lesson diploma ( http://hypnotherapy-training.com )course presently costs $197.97 or UKP98.00.

By Heather Colman

Aloe Vera has been used throughout history for its soothing, healing, and softening properties. You have likely seen it in a variety of products such as cosmetics, lotions, sunblock, and sunburn products. In fact, when most people think of Aloe Vera, they immediately think “sunburns”. While it is true that the product works well for relieving the pain and discomfort of sunburns, it has many other redeeming qualities.

Aloe Vera, in a gel form has been used to preserve fresh foods such as legumes and fresh fruits. It can sometimes add many weeks to the lives of otherwise short lived fruits and vegetables.

The topic of this article is about the relief it can provide, so when speaking in terms of medicinal uses Aloe Vera has many. The plant has healing properties as it works to reduce inflammation and ease pain caused by eczema, burns, and cuts. Generally used as a topical treatment it has been used to heal burns, wounds, and even ulcers. Research shows that a specific compound within the plant and its sap works to provide the skin with a protective coating, which in turn stimulates our immune system, to ultimately promote faster healing.

Aloe Vera has even been proven to eliminate scarring when applied topically. A portion of the plant is also considered to be a short-term cure for constipation as the aloin is considered a laxative. However, this should only be used a last resort, as it is known to cause extremely painful cramping when used as a laxative. There are so many possible uses for Aloe Vera, that it will be impossible to list them all.

Sometimes the plant is used to treat poison ivy as well, relieving the pain and itchiness. With poison ivy, because the Aloe Vera forms a protective coating over the skin, it may prevent the spread of the rash to other people. Scientists and researchers are also conducting studies on it’s uses with cancers and diabetes. The plant is also believed to have anti-bacterial elements and have been shown to combat against many viruses, to which there are no cures. Generally, when you have a virus, the only thing you can do is let it run its course. However, studies show that Aloe Vera may be effective against the flu, chickenpox, and even herpes.

Again, Aloe Vera, is not something new to any of us, you likely already knew about its uses for sunburns, but many people are unaware of its other benefits. Perhaps some of you had parents that kept the plant in there homes for uses on cuts, burns, or other ailments. The plant goes back many years, even beyond the years of Cleopatra, who used it as a lotion for her skin. Each year, more and more benefits are found in the uses of this healing plant.

About The Author

Copyright � 2006. This article about aloe vera sent in by Heather Colman from: aloe-vera-voice.info.

By Gaetane Ross

Time management is basically about being focused. The Pareto Principle also known as the ‘80:20 Rule’ states that 80% of efforts that are not time managed or unfocused generates only 20% of the desired output. However, 80% of the desired output can be generated using only 20% of a well time managed effort. Although the ratio ‘80:20′ is only arbitrary, it is used to put emphasis on how much is lost or how much can be gained with time management.

Some people view time management as a list of rules that involves scheduling of appointments, goal settings, thorough planning, creating things to do lists and prioritizing. These are the core basics of time management that should be understood to develop an efficient personal time management skill. These basic skills can be fine tuned further to include the finer points of each skill that can give you that extra reserve to make the results you desire.

But there is more skills involved in time management than the core basics. Skills such as decision making, inherent abilities such as emotional intelligence and critical thinking are also essential to your personal growth.

Personal time management involves everything you do. No matter how big and no matter how small, everything counts. Each new knowledge you acquire, each new advice you consider, each new skill you develop should be taken into consideration.

Having a balanced life-style should be the key result in having personal time management. This is the main aspect that many practitioners of personal time management fail to grasp.

Time management is about getting results, not about being busy.

The six areas that personal time management seeks to improve in anyone’s life are physical, intellectual, social, career, emotional and spiritual.

The physical aspect involves having a healthy body, less stress and fatigue.

The intellectual aspect involves learning and other mental growth activities.

The social aspect involves developing personal or intimate relations and being an active contributor to society.

The career aspect involves school and work.

The emotional aspect involves appropriate feelings and desires and manifesting them.

The spiritual aspect involves a personal quest for meaning.

Thoroughly planning and having a set of things to do list for each of the key areas may not be very practical, but determining which area in your life is not being giving enough attention is part of time management. Each area creates the whole you, if you are ignoring one area then you are ignoring an important part of yourself.

Personal time management should not be so daunting a task. It is a very sensible and reasonable approach in solving problems big or small.

A great way of learning time management and improving your personal life is to follow several basic activities.

One of them is to review your goals whether it be immediate or long-term goals often.

A way to do this is to keep a list that is always accessible to you.

Always determine which task is necessary or not necessary in achieving your goals and which activities are helping you maintain a balanced life style.

Each and everyone of us has a peek time and a time when we slow down, these are our natural cycles. We should be able to tell when to do the difficult tasks when we are the sharpest.

Learning to say “No”. You actually see this advice often. Heed it even if it involves saying the word to family or friends.

Pat yourself at the back or just reward yourself in any manner for an effective time management result.

Try and get the cooperation from people around you who are actually benefiting from your efforts of time management.

Don’t procrastinate. Attend to necessary things immediately.

Have a positive attitude and set yourself up for success. But be realistic in your approach in achieving your goals.

Have a record or journal of all your activities. This will help you get things in their proper perspective.

These are the few steps you initially take in becoming a well rounded individual.

As the say personal time management is the art and science of building a better life.

From the moment you integrate into your life time management skills, you have opened several options that can provide a broad spectrum of solutions to your personal growth. It also creates more doors for opportunities to knock on.

About The Author

Subscribe to my “How To Relieve Stress” tips and secrets mailing list and receive a free copy of “Reduce Stress Now” ebook. 54 pages on how to reduce stress in your life.

http://www.ideas-from.us/stress-management/
http://www.ideas-from.us/self-help/index.htm

By Stephen Hall

The magazine look-alike you receive in the mail may say “pain gone in 15 seconds” or “arthritis cured overnight!!!” There’s always a price cut on a pretty high price with the high price figure having a slash through it. The lower price is what YOU the “special customer of the day,” will pay, but only f you act now! “Call within five seconds or you will loose out on this special one time deal!” the ad commands. But I ask you, I really do, if taking one supplement is all that important if you are neglecting the rest of your body. How about curing your arthritis only to have major-league free-radicals running around inside your body footloose and fancy free setting you up for cancer later on in life?

It’s just not right! All this focus on one itsy-bitsy area of the body, let’s say its “instant gallbladder wellness” or “urinary tract perfection” or whatever seems to be the pill/supplement for the complaint DU JOUR. If you had eaten the proper foods and by that I mean whole foods, (i.e. organic whole grains, eggs, seaweed, and steamed clams (steamers are a whole organism, my friends!), chances are you wouldn’t have a localized complaint in your body. You can get away with eating improperly a little bit if you take a whole foods supplements like Supreme Greens, Juice Plus, or do a whole-body system of healing like The Healing Codes, you’re providing your body with first things first, which is the way it oughtta be! I mean, doesn’t that make fundamental sense??? To take care of your wholeness before you take care of your seperate parted-ness?

The next time you get one of those brightly colored, oversized and mini-minded looks like a magazine but certainly isn’t one giant one-sided advertisments in the mail, do what I do, its a strenthening exercise for the biceps- rip it into as large an amount of itsy-bitsy pieces pieces as you can! Then go sprinkle the conffetti in the drive-thru of your nearest fast food retaurant! Have a mini parade, a one car fanfare, for the whole foods groups. And guess what? YOU won’t be the clown in that parade, no sir, you’ll be the winner of the best float, albeit the only float, in the whole-foods parade!
I love Dr. Whitaker. I mean I LOVE HIM. Pick up n his comments by going to Dr. Whitaker.com. He has this to say about garlic, for example, after touting chicken soup as an immune inhancer!
“Garlic also has a well-deserved reputation as an immune enhancer. Garlic provides the phytochemical allicin, its most active compound, to strengthen your body’s immune response, and assist your liver function. Raw garlic is the best source of allicin. If you can’t handle the taste raw, try microwaving or baking garlic until it is tender. This will take away some of the burn and sweeten the taste.” Now there’s some good advice! Won’t cost much, garlic, and it won’t be hard to find, either. Add it it a chicken soup full of vegetables thrown in at the last moment for softening up but not long enough to kill the enzymes, ( approximatley 1 to two minutes before serving) and you ‘ve got a pretty potent potion for immunity.
Another thing dr Whitaker is big on is rest and relaxation. Heck, they don’t cost anything! He says, about stress, that it isn’t “…. a parking ticket, a missed bus, or a hectic day at work. It isn’t a family argument, a tight budget, or a snooty sales clerk. Stress isn’t even a divorce, the loss of a loved one, or a health challenge.

Stress is actually your body’s response to these internal and external events and situations. And while small doses of stress can keep you on your toes, chronic, everyday stress and your subsequent reaction to it may have serious implications for your health and well-being.

Exercise, prayer, meditation, yoga, and deep breathing are all popular stress management tools. They decrease stress and anxiety and, consequently, improve your overall health.” Now when was excercise (walking is the best exercise) costly? And you can’t bottle up deep breathing, put a label on it and charge people $49.99 for a month’s worth of deep breaths. Sure, Dr. Whitaker has his own line of products, but he continuously touts the freebies first, such as treating the WHOLE BODY first through exercise, meditation, and yoga!This emphasis is pricless, in my opinion, for he takes things you already have, namely a set of legs, and invites you to make use of them, for your health, stress reduction, as well as boosting your immune system. And he’s not getting rich off of giving this advice. His newsletter is free to anyone who wants it. If you’d like to subscribe go it visit the website I mentioned before. There’s a short application form. Fill it out and you’ll be all set!

About The Author

STEPHEN HALL is a 58 year-old person who makes his living selling dvds of both domestic and imported kinds. He is opinionated and stubborn. His beliefs sometimes get mixed up with he truth! Not so in this case!Visit his website which has this piece at http://www.puregoldenhealth.com.