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.

Did you know that there’s methods to actually lose a few pounds, without even going to the gym? Lots of people are not keen on exercising. In case you do not have the time or are restricted from working out, you can still lose weight.

Organic foods are very healthy, and can help you lose some additional weight. Replace your potato chips and ice creams with some fruits or vegetables. Eating healthy is a key element in losing weight. Limiting your intake of food can also help. Eat smaller portions, but eat more often in the work of the day.

Colon cleansing is rising in popularity these days. The average person has 3-7 meals undigested in their method. This can make a person appear larger and heavier. However having this procedure done, does not make you lose weight.Colon cleansing will make you feel much healthier and even appear slimmer. By doing this, you are on the road to a happier and healthier lifestyle.

Another way to lose weight is by taking dietary supplements. By taking the recommended dose, you lose those annoying food cravings. It is true that dietary supplements are an simple way to knock off a few pounds. However, it may be not the alter that you need to get in to.
Taking a look at all these options of losing weight, eating the right foods appear to be the best. Changing your diet (long term) seems the smartest way. Who desires to take pills on a every day basis? Eating healthy is something that you can slowly introduce in to your lifestyle.
There you have it! You can lose weight without working out. Go and do it now.

While plenty of new products are introduced, professionals recommend still highly organic skin care products. Not only do these help the skin the natural way, they are as well as a lot less harmful. Combined with organic skin care, your epidermis can stay pretty & more resistant to destroy.

Below are three basic steps in keeping skin healthy, along with the use of organic skin care products.

Eat & maintain a balanced diet. Fruits & vegetables contain vitamins & minerals that help you maintain a healthy skin the natural way. Avoid processed & greasy foods. Familiarize yourself with healthy food that you can enjoy having & simultaneously won’t cause you any health issue. Supplements will also provide assistance in keeping your whole body healthy. Keeping the whole body healthy is the primary key for healthy cells. This is the most important organic skin care tip as it can suffer from an unhealthy diet.

1. Drink plenty of water. A immense percentage of the body consists of water. Water intake will help you neat the body. Water also hydrates the body & helps prevent dry skin. Well hydrated cells function well, cells that can function well can help maintain youth. The more active a person is, the more water they needs. Six glasses of water a day is the recommended amount of water intake, however, as for athletes & energetic people, more is necessary to replace the liquid they excrete through sweat. There is no replacement to drinking plenty of water & this is not only a great organic skin care rule but a great habit to adopt.
2. Exercise. Aside from boost in energy, moderate work outs help in keeping the blood circulation better. They also increase oxygen in the blood stream. Both help in maintaining the youth of your skin.
3. Always wash face with mild cleansing products. Cleansing products with strong substances can harm cells. Make positive that you use neat water in washing the cleansing products off from the skin, don’t rub it with the towel. It irritates the skin. Wipe gently with soft cloth. Organic skin care products are milder than those with synthesized or processed ingredients.
4. Look for organic skin care products. Products with natural contents do not force their way in helping you neat your skin. The nearer these contents are in nature, they work better since they somehow understand the body’s natural method in fighting harmful elements & potential diseases. Make positive you use these products according to the instructions.
5. Moisturizers are recommended for all skin types. Even oily dermis loses its natural moisture after using cleansing products. If your epidermis is not properly moisturized causes it to age faster. Toners help in cleaning traces of dirt & cosmetics not basically removed even with the use of cleansers. Sunblock creams & lotions are also thought about a must nowadays since ultraviolet rays have become a threat to skin.

Organic skin care gives you the chance to have a healthy skin, without, or at least with less worries in using harmful ingredients. The appearance of your epidermis indicates the state of your health. Healthy looking skin implies that you are a healthy person. It is also your main protection from outer sources of harm. Keeping it neat will keep you plenty of steps away from common diseases; it will also keep it strong to resist or diminish the impact of damages from our surroundings.

This is a delicious Persian desert often served at celebrations throughout Iran and neighbouring countries. It’s a simple combination of baked apples stuffed with sweet pilaf rice, and served with gently fragrant saffron cream. This recipe serves four people.

Ingredients

4 large cooking apples, e.g. Bramleys
1/2 cup basmati rice
A handful of dates, apricots and sultanas, roughly chopped
A handful of almonds and pinenuts, roughly chopped
A few threads of saffron
50ml milk (or non-dairy milk)
2 tblsp runny honey
Cream (or non-dairy cream)
A few cardamom pods

Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Gently warm the milk in a pan over a low heat, then remove it from the heat and dissolve the saffron threads and honey into it. Leave to steep for while you prepare the other ingredients.

Method

Place the rice in a pan with 1 1/2 cups of cold water. Bring to the boil, then turn to the lowest heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Turn off the heat, mix with the milk-saffron solution, and cover again for a few minutes. Then mix in the fruit and nuts.

Wash and core the apples, then stuff them with the rice and nuts mix. Bake in a covered dish for 20 minutes.

Whilst the apples are cooking, make the cardamom cream by extracting the seeds from a few cardamom pods, grinding them finely in a coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle, and then mixing thoroughly with your cream or non-dairy alternative.

Serve the apples drizzled with the cardamom cream.

Here is 5 of the most effective natural organic skin care tips! Enjoy

1. Reduce stress. Stress is by far the biggest enemy of skin as it causes pimples and premature wrinkles. You should always try to reduce stress and lead a happy life. There are many ways to go about reducing stress, such as exercising on a regular basis and relaxing your mind through entertaining books and long walks.

2. Avoid too much sugar. One of the most prevalent causes of premature wrinkles and aging skin is having too much sugar in the diet. Many people neglect this fact in natural organic skin care. Excessive sugar forms some harmful substances in our body which serve to kill our natural fibrous protein known as collagen. Since collagen is responsible for maintaining the elasticity of skin, it is very important for the prevention of aging signs.

3. Use natural essential oils as topical treatments. Essential oils such as olive, almond, coconut, lavender, and flaxseed oil are excellent for skin health. These oils are often added to natural organic skin care products in addition to some other ingredients like phytessence wakame, which is another naturally obtained ingredient excellent for the treatment of wrinkles.

4. Eat a well-balanced diet. There is no substitute for a well-balanced diet consisting of whole grains, fibers, fruits and vegetables and a lot of water. Apple is rich in fiber and is therefore recommended by many skin specialists in natural organic skin care. One apple can replace a whole meal and can provide all the necessary nutrients required for getting a flawless complexion.

5. Keep your digestive system healthy. Not eating enough fiber often results in constipation and this condition causes many skin related problems including premature wrinkles. Similarly, drinking at least 8 glasses of water daily is required to keep our digestive system active and healthy. 30 – 38 grams of fiber is required by an average person on a daily basis and this amount should be obtained from nuts, seeds and whole grains.

If you are visiting this blog, you already know that you are what you eat. I would suggest broadening that motto with, you also are what you drink…

Soft drinks & juices

When it comes to carbonated soft drinks, they should be completely eliminated from our menu. Contrary to common belief, even juices may be unhealthy. In fact they may contain artificial flavorings or sweeteners that replace sugar which may be detrimental to your health.  You should always check the ingredients label before you buy. Drinking fruit and vegetable juices can be very beneficial, but only when they are freshly squeezed. Juices from the store that contain added sugar or worse, aspartame and other sweeteners have the opposite effect. When it isn’t an option to have freshly squeezed juice, try to choose organic juices with no artificial additives. It is also important not to buy drinks in plastic bottles, as they may also affect our health. Recent studies conducted by scientists from the University of Copenhagen found that juices packed in PET bottles contained an increased level of antimony trioxide (a suspected carcinogen, listed as a priority pollutant by the US Environmental Protection Agency) which is used as a catalyst in PET production.

Tea & coffee

Tea is the second most popular beverage in the world next to water. If you are a tea enthusiast, it would be better to choose an organic blend that comes from leaves grown without the use of chemical pesticides or fertilizers. The organic teas have better flavor and contain more polyphenols and catechins which are antioxidants that are beneficial to your health. Those who prefer the energizing power of coffee also have a wide selection. When buying coffee, you can choose organic coffee which is grown without chemicals, and also choose from shade-grown coffee which is even more environmentally friendly. Shade-grown coffee comes from farms with thick layers of trees and bushes that also provide home to numerous species of animals. There is also a more modern method of growing coffee, introduced in 1970s, called sun cultivation where coffee is grown in rows under the sun with little or no forest canopy. Sun cultivation has become popular because the process is more rapid and the yields are higher. However, it requires increased use of fertilizers and pesticides, and has led to deforestation of many areas of coffee cultivation.

Alcoholic beverages

Who doesn’t like a drink or two, especially on a Friday evening? These days we have a wide variety of organic alcohol beverages to choose from – beers, wine and even some more sophisticated spirits like gin, vodka, rum, or whisky which are all available at liquor stores and at bars. To be certified as organic alcohol, the beverages must be made of ingredients grown on certified farms and processed in a certified organic distillery or brewery. If you have some time and patience, you can buy kits to prepare your own wines or beers as well. This way you will be able to control precisely where the grains and fruits come from and also create a unique beverage suited to individual taste.

Written by PennySaverUSA.com. Visit us online to find classifieds with organic food.

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.

Oregano can be used for many things other than just a kitchen herb, and its medicinal uses are well documented in both Chinese and Western medicine. Before looking at the medicinal uses, however, a quick review of the herb itself and the active ingredients, will provide some of the theoretical information needed to understand these uses.

Oregano is also called pot marjoram, and is native to Europe; mainly the Mediterranean areas of Southern Europe, and also to central and southern Asia. It can be grown in most temperate climates and has a place in most herb gardens in the western world. Like many such plants, it is high in flavonoids that are well known for their antioxidant properties. It also possesses antibacterial properties that render the herb useful in the preservation of foods.

Used by the Chinese in the treatment of gastric problems, jaundice, vomiting and fever, oregano also contains the monoterpene phenol known as thymol that has strong antiseptic properties, and its isomer, carvacrol, another antibiotic that acts synergistically with thymol to increase the antibacterial effect of both. The ingredients of oregano oil are very similar to those found in thyme, which is used medicinally for much the same type of conditions as oregano.

Oregano extracts have been used for centuries to treat a variety of conditions such as those above that can be caused by microbial action, and also other conditions relating to the digestive, respiratory and immune systems. The overuse of prescription drugs for fairly common respiratory and digestive problems has resulted in the over-prescription of antibiotics. People tend to rush to their doctors at the first signs of a cough or a sneeze, and in the current litigious society, the physicians are loathe telling their patients the truth: that they are overreacting, and that they do not require antibiotics for their treatment.

Should the patient’s condition worsen the doctors find themselves at the receiving end of a massive claim for damages because the patient has had to take a few more days of work than they should have. Perhaps a slight exaggeration, but there is no doubt whatsoever that certain medications are being prescribed when there is no need, simply so that the physician cannot be accused of making the wrong call and the resultant financial cost that would ensue.

Hence, many respiratory and gastrointestinal problems are becoming more common, because they are becoming increasingly resistant to the common penicillin clones that are normally used to treat them. Natural remedies are becoming more popular because they are now becoming more effective than the more ‘traditional’ pharmaceutical antibiotics. Oregano oil is one of those that contain at least two very effective antibiotic and antimicrobial substances that act synergistically to help cure many bacterial digestive and respiratory problems.

Throat infections, pneumonia and diseases of the trachea and other upper respiratory infections are generally bacterial infections, and doctors and researchers are increasingly seeking more effective drugs to which the bacteria have not developed resistance. Wild oregano is one of these that have been described by ancient civilizations over 5 millennia ago as being suitable cures for heart and lung conditions, and also snake bites and other wounds.

Oregano oil is once again receiving prominence in the search for alternative cures to which bacteria have not become resistant. Thymol and carvacrol can aid digestion and also calm upset stomachs. Oregano combats digestive problems caused by bacteria and also reduces intestinal gas and similar general conditions. Many other plants have similar properties, such as thyme and marjoram, that share similar constituents, and it is likely its effect in suppressing microbial activity that renders oregano so effective in treating these problems.

Oregano extract is available in the form of Oil of Oregano for the treatment of these conditions, or the herb itself can be used in cooking and in salads. It is very aromatic and goes with practically any type of salad.

Its effect on respiratory problems is also likely due to the antibacterial action of the thymol and carvacrol. Oregano oil has also been found effective in treating toothache, earache and relieving the itch of insect bites. It contains a number of minerals, such as manganese, copper, iron, zinc, potassium and calcium, essential in human biochemistry, and vitamins A and C that are strong antioxidants. The effect of oregano in helping to support the immune system through its antioxidant effect is also likely to be a significant factor in its curative properties for so many diseases and infections.

Not only is it effective in killing off some campylobacter and staphylococcus infections, to name only two, but it has also been shown to be a potent agent in killing off the common amoeba Giardia lamblia, that causes flatulence, vomiting, diarrhea and other problems of the digestive tract. This could explain some of its curative effects for many gastrointestinal conditions.

Other uses are for the treatment of yeast, fungus and parasitic infections, such as candida, although you must make sure that in using oregano, you are using it in the right form. The oregano you use must be the oily extract, because dried oregano has few health benefits apart from its mineral content, and the oregano you buy from local store will not be the same.

If you are finding it difficult to throw off a bacterial infection, in spite of prescribed antibiotics, give oregano oil a try. Bacteria, yeasts and fungi do not become resistant to it, and you might be pleasantly surprised with the ease with you have resolved your problem. The same is true of any persistent digestive problem you might have. That could be due to amoeba (if serious), bacteria or parasites, and oregano can deal with each of these. It will not kill off all bacteria or parasites, but you will have a better chance of overcoming the bacteria by using it than if you didn’t try it.

Oregano is definitely more than a kitchen herb, and in fact it probably has more medicinal uses that culinary ones. Although you should seek the advice of your physician if you are pregnant, there are few side effects and it is well worth trying if you are finding it difficult to throw off your condition or infection. Oregano Oil extract is available at your local or internet health food store.