As an ethical consumer and Internet user, it is most of the times hard to find that very green product/service searched for, without spending a lot of precious time browsing through lots of resources that in the end do not deliver what the consumers expect but a quick visit to the ethical shopping category of ethical directory can save you time. More than that, the need of a green and clean environment is obvious these days and companies that apply to ethic practices are being rewarded in different ways.

Ethical Directory has been developed as a response to environment needs and to climate changes, two serious subjects nowadays. Any business that produces and delivers ethically produced services and products is welcomed to submit its website to this green directory, at no costs involved. The Ethical Directory aims to become a large resource for like-minded folks that turned their eyes to ethics and morality. Some of the features of this directory would be that anyone can recommend an ethical business for free, there are lots of business categories for any website that is subject to this directory so that people can browse and choose the appropriate one to submit their site to and last, but not least, listing is free.

The Ethical Directory approve listing from many categories like environment friendly products and services to organic and natural ones. However, any submission is due to an editor acceptance so that one is not related to products and services ethically produced i twill not get the approval.

Moreover, to keep its visitors up-to-date with lately climatic changes and environments issues, Ethical Directory has a blog updated with regularity, concerning facts that are environmental friendly or not.

Therefore any ethically minded person or business can be a part of this fast growing online resource and help transforming it into a vast collection of ethical products and services for people searching its.

As the new decade begins, the interest in organic food continues to grow. Over the past 5-6 years, organic foods have been making their way from remote locations to many mass populated grocery store chains. Just about every market across the country has an organic section or an organic option for almost everything in the store. On top of that, stores such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and other health food shops continue to open in more and more places, allowing people the opportunity and option to buy organic food. While organic food may be marginally more expensive than regular food, the benefits are well worth the extra cost.

One major benefit to consuming organic foods is the lack of pesticides and chemicals used to grow and maintain the produce. Fruits and vegetables are grown in healthy soil, which is the foundation of the food chain. Farmers that grow organic food also use clean water on the soil and when watering the produce. Non-organic fruits and vegetables are often grown outside the country, in places like Mexico, where the water is filled with pollutants. Organic fruit and vegetables are filled with up to 50% more nutrients, minerals, and vitamins than intensively farmed produce. With more of these, your body will have and retain more energy, resist diseases better with a more equipped immune system, and keep your body balanced with much lower levels of toxins and chemicals. All told, this means a healthy stomach, healthy digestive system, and healthy heart.

Another benefit to eating organic is having organically raised meat and poultry. Generally these animals are free-range and aren’t fed food with chemicals and growth hormones. This means by eating organic cows, chickens, and dairy products, you are keeping chemicals and growth hormones out of your body as well.

By supporting organic food production, you can help keep organic farms, farmers markets, and local communities in business. Organic food is fresh, good for the environment, and most of the time tastes better than non-organic food. Overall, organic food is a much better, safer, and healthier choice for you and your family.

Sarah Harris is the Marketing Manager at Adiamor Engagement Rings. Adiamor offers a large selection of engagement ring settings, loose diamonds, and other fine diamond jewelry at affordable prices.

Herbs can be used for a variety of things, in this article we will look at how herbs can be used to boost your sex life

Rhodiola Rosea

This plant, which grows in the Arctic region, has shown great promise in promoting a mojo couples. Extensively studied at Columbia University, researchers have found evidence that the herb can improve sexual desire, energy, performance, and orgasm in men and women. Other studies suggest that the herb may also help some men to prolong resistance. And for women, Rhodiola Rosea may counteract some of the unpleasant side effects of menopause. This herb is commonly found in any health store in pill form with no side effects or interactions with prescription have been reported.

Ginseng

Ginseng, which works similarly to Ginko Biloba (see below), increases blood flow through the legs of a man, but has also shown promise in helping women increase their desire, performance, energy, and orgasm. This is most likely because it affects the dopamine system, which is the complex system of the brain that researchers believe triggers the sexual desire. More than half of all men and women in studies with Ginseng report an improvement of “being in the mood” more often. In general, ginseng has been found to be perfectly safe for use, except in pregnant or breastfeeding, due to its estrogen-like effects. The only other common effect of its use is causing excitability, but that’s exactly what we’re here!

Maca (Peruvian Ginseng)

Better known as “Peruvian Ginseng”, this herb grows in the highlands of Peru. The Incas have conveyed the stories of legendary powers roots generations. Maca is known for the improvement of lust and orgasm in men and women, and having a, say, an effect similar to Viagra. Used to give added strength ancient Peruvian warriors in battle, also stayed away from women while the warriors were out (perhaps for fear of what transpired while they go?). This herb has shown fairly consistent results in animals and humans to increase endurance and libido in both sexes, as reported by Discovery Health. So far no cases of toxicity in this herb, which makes it relatively safe to take for almost anyone.

Horny Goat Weed

As its name implies, horny goat weed is a plant leaf, high altitude, which has long been believed that, er, increase libido. For men, in particular, this herb is thought to play a role in correcting erectile dysfunction or ED. The problem is that the herb appears to be inconsistent in its commercial preparation, which means that if you get a bad batch, will do what is assumed. This herb can be easier to digest in the form of tea and no side effects when taken in this way.

Kava

Kava has a very studied and documented the ability to calm nerves and reduce stress in men and women. One of the most common causes of decreased libido and sexual dissatisfaction is anxiety, tension, stress and other issues caused by relationships, work, or even the thought of sexual activity in itself. For many men, it only takes one time for tool failure, and will not be able to let go of that moment in his mind. Remain in force long after, making the development of what appears to be a form of erectile dysfunction. The mind is a powerful tool for improving health, but can also be a factor in our self-induced sexual dysfunction, if we leave. Although kava may help sexual dysfunction caused by self-induced mental problems, not notice much if any improvement on a real-diagnosed case of erectile dysfunction. You may have heard about this supplements questionable legal status, but is legal in all major countries except Canada and France, who simply do not know what they’re missing!

L-Arginine

This amino acid has been called a substitute for Viagra for men and women. It works in both sexes, increasing the amount of blood flow through the bodies Whoopee. The increased blood flow so that man will give a greater, stronger erection, while for women it can help in stimulating greater. Men can take L-Arginine in the form of herbal pills, while many women the best results are obtained by applying a cream directly where it counts.

Vitamin E

Some, like vitamin E to call the “sex vitamin”. It gets the name of a couple of reasons. One, Vitamin E is said to aid in the production of sex hormones, which aids in the attraction, desire and mood. Two, it prevents the age and disease, of course, indirectly, increases the longevity of one’s sex life. Some women prefer to use vitamin E as a lubricant during sex to increase substantially their experience. Always make sure that vitamin E did not reduce the effectiveness of a condom, if used, such as latex is prone to disintegrate with certain oil-based lubricants.

For the Guys…

Ginkgo Biloba

Many men know about the alleged effects of Ginko Biloba boost in the bedroom, but initial studies Ginko Biloba recognized for its ability to improve circulation and memory in adults. If you take the same conclusions, and apply to men with ED, we can see how increasing the circulation in theory could produce a strong erection. The same chemical, nitric oxide, which is stimulated by Ginko Biloba to relax the arterial walls in the circulatory system, also known to increase blood flow through tofu man’s dog. All scientific and technical jargon aside, basically works like Viagra. The most popular way to add the herb to your diet is through a pill or tablet form.

As for women only…

DHEA

DHEA, known by its full name as dehydroepiandrosterone, can not exactly be a natural herb or vitamin A but is a natural hormone produced by the adrenal glands. DHEA, which can now be purchased directly at the counter, can be used by women who experience age-related decreases in the hormone. It has been shown in studies to be a powerful tool to restore sexual desire. A dose of 50 mg was recommended by the New England Journal of Medicine in September 1999. In some circles of DHEA has even been called the equivalent of what should be Viagra for women. The use of this supplement should be discussed with your doctor before experimenting, because there is a slight chance of risk of heart attack, breast cancer, and unwanted hair growth (it is a male hormone, after all). Therefore, if you want good sex using DHEA, you may have to endure more shaving and increased spending lots of time in the tools section of Sears!

Why health benefits of these supplements are not being published on labels…

The reason you never find any of these claims on the bottle of one of these supplements is that the FDA does not allow non-prescription supplements to advertise health benefits. Why? One of the biggest problems over the counter supplements is poor standardization and regulation, which basically refers to the fact that no two manufacturers use the same method of extraction and the level of power in your product. This is why it is always a good idea to research before choosing a manufacturer’s products.

Safety First…

Although there is no evidence suggesting that these supplements may help improve sexual function should not be used to medicate a problem that should draw the attention of their physicians. Note that while these supplements are “natural”, that interact with your body and can react with other prescription drugs. In case of doubt whether a particular supplement is mentioned here is safe for you, talk to your doctor before trying it.

Adapted from Planet Green

Beautiful to behold in nature, many plants have been used medicinally for thousands of years. Here are ten proven medicinal herbs that scientists have tested in clinical studies. Few people are aware of the multitude of scientific studies done on plants. This information should not be used as medical advice.

Garlic

“If we were to design a drug that had perfect properties according to what we know about heart disease and associated risk factors, we couldn’t improve on garlic,” says Amanda McQuade-Crawford, herbalist and director of the Ojai Center of Phytotherapy in Ojai, Calif. Regular use of garlic is associated with the prevention of cardiovascular disease, she explains. Garlic raises protective HDLs (high-density lipoproteins), while it lowers harmful LDLs (low-density lipoproteins) and triglycerides (blood fats). Garlic is also known to help lower high blood pressure, she says. Garlic aids in cancer prevention by raising the body’s level of glutathione transferase, a liver enzyme known to detoxify the body of carcinogens, says McQuade-Crawford. In China, researchers found gastric cancer was reduced where garlic intake was high. Other researchers have noted improved helper/suppressor ratios of T-cells in AIDS patients who take garlic. Proven to work against various micro-organisms including bacteria resistant to antibiotics, garlic is known to be antifungal and antiviral, she adds.
Hawthorn

The berries of this flowering shrub are best used for the heart, says McQuade-Crawford. Hawthorn aids the heart’s pumping action by opening the coronary arteries to nourish the heart muscle. The herb can also slow a rapid heart rate and strengthen a failing heart. Hawthorn usually lowers high blood pressure, especially a raised diastolic high blood pressure, and it benefits low blood pressure due to weak heart muscles with arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm).

“Hawthorn takes a long time to do its best — six months or longer. In the style of a true herbal tonic, it can be taken safely and effectively over time for its best effects,” notes McQuade-Crawford.
Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba extract from the ginkgo tree has been shown to benefit visual function by improving microcirculation to the eyes especially among patients suffering from senile macular degeneration, a common condition thought to involve free radical damage, says Steven Schechter, N.D., author of Fighting Radiation & Chemical Pollutants With Foods, Herbs &Vitamins (Vitality, Ink).

More than 280 scientific studies indicate standardized ginkgo extract prevents and/or benefits ailments such as vertigo, tinnitus, inner ear disturbances, memory impairment, ability to concentrate, anxiety, depression, neurological disorders, senility, circulatory disorders, edema and Raynaud’s disease (a vascular disorder). Ginkgo extract improves the quality and increases the quantity of capillary circulation, thus increasing blood flow to the brain, heart and tissues in organs and glands, Schechter says. In addition, he notes, the flavonoids in ginkgo are potent free radical scavengers.
Ephedra

Also known in Chinese as ma huang, ephedra may be the world’s oldest herb cultivated for medicinal purposes, dating back nearly 5,000 years, says McQuade-Crawford. It’s commonly used in cold formulas as a decongestant.

“Ephedra is a great bronchial dilator,” McQuade-Crawford says. It helps asthma sufferers by opening the sinus passages and has an antihistamine effect which aids chronic and acute allergies. Ephedra also acts as a circulatory stimulant to blood pressure and heart function; it elevates blood pressure. Ephedra’s main constituent is ephedrine, which increases adrenaline secretion in our bodies. The boost you get from ephedra stimulates certain glands, muscles and tissue functions, while it suppresses others.

“In the long term, ephedra’s adrenaline overdrive can lead to chronic stress and even to degenerative disease,” warns McQuade-Crawford. She notes this is important for people using ephedra for dietary weight loss or “pep pill” purposes because the effects of ephedra linger in the body long after the herb is gone. “Ephedra shouldn’t be used with drugs for the heart or for the lungs and never with antidepressant drugs. It’s not for use with the weak or the ill and when used long term, dosages should be conservative,” McQuade-Crawford cautions.
Licorice

Licorice has been most recently researched as an antiviral and in the treatment of gastrointestinal ulceration, explains McQuade-Crawford. Its soothing, anti-inflammatory and relaxing actions help smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract on contact. “Licorice gets into a painful, contracted, tight digestive tract and coats the raw places, relaxes the clenched-up muscles and acts as a local anti-inflammatory,” she says. Licorice also increases bile secretion. Licorice is indicated for any gastrointestinal ulcers, including mouth ulcers. The root is indicated for chronic coughs and bronchitis as a soothing decongestant. It’s also indicated in small amounts to reduce sugar cravings.

The Chinese often use licorice to improve the taste and the effects of other herbs in complex formulas. Japanese research has shown licorice to decrease high testosterone levels in women with ovarian cysts and to increase their fertility. Large amounts of licorice or long-term use raises blood pressure in some people.
Bilberry

A strong antioxidant, bilberry benefits your circulatory system, eyes, heart and brain, and helps generate overall good health, says Schechter. Bilberry fruit contains a type of flavonoid called anthocyanosides, which are responsible for increasing flexibility of capillaries and increasing blood flow.

Research shows that standardized extract of bilberry can enlarge range of vision and improve sharpness of images, enhance ability to focus, and improve blurred vision, eyestrain and nearsightedness. Bilberry extract also helps strengthen coronary arteries and helps prevent atherosclerosis and venous insufficiency, which causes swollen ankles and feet. “Since adding bilberry to my own health program, I’ve noticed my muscles seem to recover slightly faster, I experience less muscular pain and my vision has improved from 20/100 to approximately 20/50,” says Schechter.
Echinacea

Decades of research prove echinacea’s value for aiding the immune system, Schechter explains. Studies have determined echinacea’s ability to activate white blood cells and stimulate the regeneration of the cellular connective tissue and the epidermis. Schechter notes that echinacea’s infection-fighting properties stem from its ability to neutralize a harmful enzyme involved in the infection process. Echinacea also increases two vital components of your immune system that consume and eliminate invading organisms and foreign particles.

German studies have shown echinacea extract contains proteins that help protect noninfected cells against viral infections, one reason why echinacea is regarded as an influenza preventor. Another German study found echinacea effective in allergy treatment because it helps prevent tissue inflammation due to harmful foreign toxins.
Milk Thistle

“I consider standardized milk thistle seed extract the most beneficial herbal product for liver detoxification, regeneration and protection, and, in general, one of the most universally necessary herbal products for the 1990s,” says Schechter. He notes that the stress of toxins from chemical pollutants, pharmaceuticals, alcohol, tobacco smoke, drugs and different forms of radiation have cumulative side effects that need to be addressed.

More than 120 scientific studies have shown that milk thistle extract regenerates, regulates and strengthens liver functions. Because free radicals attack the liver, primarily the fat tissue in the liver, the antioxidant qualities of milk thistle are extremely beneficial. Milk thistle stimulates your body to produce superoxide dismutase, which is one of two primary antioxidants the body can manufacture.
Astragalus

Astragalus has been used as an immunity booster in China for nearly 4,000 years, according to Rob McCaleb, founder of the Herb Research Foundation in Boulder, Colo. Astragalus extracts can increase immune system efficiency by increasing immune activity. One study found that astragalus extracts could increase the impaired immune function of blood cells up to and sometimes beyond normal cell ability.

According to Planetary Herbology (Lotus Press) by Michael Tierra, N.D., astragalus helps strengthen digestion, raise metabolism, strengthen the immune system and promote wound healing. It can also treat chronic weakness of the lungs, shortness of breath, low energy, prolapse of internal organs, spontaneous sweating, chronic lesions and deficiency edema.
Ginseng

Ginseng is one of the most widely studied herbs, having been the subject of more than 3,000 scientific studies to investigate how ginseng helps improve a person’s physical and/or mental performance, notes McCaleb. Studies have shown ginseng helps increase memory and learning by improving circulation. It’s also been shown to reduce cholesterol and protect the liver from toxins. Ginseng, according to Tierra, is known to strengthen the lungs, nourish body fluids and calm the spirit. It may be used for shock, collapse and heart weakness, as well as for promoting longevity and increasing resistance to disease.

A Japanese study showed cancerous liver cells could be reverted to normal cells in a Petri dish culture when treated with Panax ginseng extract. Siberian ginseng has also been shown to stimulate the immune system.

1. Organic products meet stringent standards -- Organic certification is the public’s assurance that products have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without persistent toxic chemical inputs.

2. Organic food tastes great! -- It’s common sense – well-balanced soils produce strong, healthy plants that become nourishing food for people and animals.

3. Organic production reduces health risks -- Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us.

4. Organic farms respect our water resources -- The elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, done in combination with soil building, protects and conserves water resources.

5. Organic farmers build healthy soil -- Soil is the foundation of the food chain. The primary focus of organic farming is to use practices that build healthy soils.

6. Organic farmers work in harmony with nature -- Organic agriculture respects the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.

7. Organic producers are leaders in innovative research -- Organic farmers have led the way, largely at their own expense, with innovative on-farm research aimed at reducing pesticide use and minimizing agriculture’s impact on the environment.

8. Organic producers strive to preserve diversity -- The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades.

9. Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy -- USDA reported that in 1997, half of U.S. farm production came from only 2% of farms. Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms because it offers an alternative market where sellers can command fair prices for crops.

10. Organic abundance – Foods and non-foods alike! -- Now every food category has an organic alternative. And non-food agricultural products are being grown organically – even cotton, which most experts felt could not be grown this way.

Watch this cool video

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z1C8VKtLwY

What is hydroponics gardening?
Derived from the Latin Hydro, meaning water and Geoponics, meaning the study of agriculture, hydroponics is the science of growing plants using a solution of suitable nutrients instead of soil. Most types of plant can be grown very successfully using hydroponics.

In conventional gardening the plants are grown in soil and take their nourishment from the chemical compounds contained within that soil. The hydroponic gardener replaces the soil with a balanced, nutrient rich, solution that the plant can absorb with ease. Because the plant does not have to work so hard to absorb the available nutrients it saves energy which can then be utilised for stronger growth.

Because of this energy saving, plants grown using hydroponic methods outperform conventionally produced plants in both growth and fruit production. Due to the consistent results and good profit margins, more and more commercial growers are turning to hydroponic production. Totally organic production is possible using specially designed organic nutrients, giving excellent, inexpensive, vegetables and herbs.

There are several different types of hydroponic system, but all share the same basic principle of supplying the plants with nutrients and water. The most common systems are:

Water Culture, Aquaculture, or Nutriculture
This is a Hydroponics system in which the plant roots are immersed in water containing a complex mixture of dissolved nutrients. A simple example of water culture is the Hyacinth bulb growing in a wine goblet shaped glass, its roots growing down into the hollow goblet stem.

Aggregate Culture
In this system a material such as sand, gravel, or marbles supports the plant roots. It is important to note that the support material, unlike soil, does not absorb nutrient. It merely traps it in the spaces between the grains or stones allowing the plant roots to freely take up the liquid.

Continuous Flow Hydroponics Systems
In these types of system the nutrient solution flows constantly over the plant roots. This is the most commonly used system for commercial production.

Aeroponics
This system is one in which the plant roots hang in the air and are misted regularly with a nutrient solution.

There are a number of pre-packaged hydroponics systems available for both the commercial grower and hobbyist. Individuals, who lack building skills, or are inexperienced plant growers, should consider one of these kits as an introduction to hydroponics, a fascinating and challenging hobby. Similar systems can be built at lower cost, however, by those of you who have the expertise.

The requirements for healthy, strong, disease-free plants are covered in my next article entitled — What do your plants need?

Minerals have an important role in the promotion of hair growth. When you have a mineral deficiency your hair will suffer as a result. However, overdosing on minerals could cause you severe hair loss.

Ok? So what should I do?

You must eat foods that have the minerals you need for healthy hair. By getting your minerals from food sources you make it nearly impossible to overdose on minerals.

1. Trace Mineral Silica

If you are missing a mineral in your diet it’s probably the trace mineral silica. It’s the most important mineral when it comes to healthy hair and probably the one mineral that’s usually absent from most American diets. Supplementing your diet with silica alone will probably help you more than any of the other minerals combined because Silica helps utilize several other nutrients. Boron, copper, manganese, magnesium, fluorine, phosphorus, zinc and strontium all benefit from silica supplementation.

The only problem is that its very hard to get trace minerals because of the way most western civilizations cook and process their food.

So How do you supplement Silica in the body? It’s difficult but not impossible.

You can get enough trace mineral silica in your diet by eating Oats, millet, barley, whole wheat, and algae.

2. Iodine

Iodine is very important when it comes to combating hair loss. You must have Iodine for healthy hair. However, you need a certain kind of Iodine. Not just any Iodine will do. The kind of Iodine that you would get in your generic table salt isn’t the type of iodine you need for hair growth. That type of iodine could easily cause you to overdose on iodine and actually cause you more hair loss.

You don’t want that.

So stay away from iodized salt and and start getting your iodine from food sources. These include kelp, yogurt (low fat), cow’s milk, boiled eggs, strawberries and Mozzarella cheese.

3. Zinc

Zinc is another mineral that you could easily overdose on. Too much zinc could actually block the absorption of other minerals.

However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t need zinc for healthy hair. Zinc is very important when it comes to tissue growth and hair growth in particular. It helps to secrete the scalp with much needed oil and avoid dandruff that could possibly cause hair loss. It also helps with the absorption of other nutrients that you need.

Organic beef, beef liver, lima beans, organic / wild turkey, chickpeas, split peas, raw cashews, pecans, green peas, almonds, ginger root and organic egg are all good food sources of zinc.

4. Iron

Avoid taking iron supplements. You should get all of your Iron from food sources. If you you decide to take an iron supplement anyway then avoid ferrous sulfate which is hard to absorb.

Oysters, liver, lean red meat, poultry, tuna, salmon, Iron-fortified cereals, dried beans, whole grains, eggs, dried fruit, dark green leafy vegetables, wheat, millet, oats, brown rice, Lima beans, soy beans, dried beans and peas, kidney beans, almonds, Brazil nuts, prunes, raisins, apricots, broccoli, spinach, kale, collards, asparagus, dandelion greens.