Most of us spend our lives running to and fro, having meetings, meeting deadlines, and doing tons of stuff that leaves us stressed and frazzled at the end of the day.  As you’re probably aware, stress can be horrible for our health; it keeps us from sleeping, zaps our energy, makes us look and feel older, and can even lead to various diseases and disorders.  That’s why it’s important to take time out of your hectic day to relax.  One of the best ways to do this is with herbal remedies.  Just drink a tea or take a natural supplement to help you feel calm and relaxed.  There are a lot of remedies for stress out there; here are some of the most effective:

Kava kava

This herb has not only been used for stress relief and relaxation, but also for easing anxiety and curing insomnia.  The effects are considered to be similar to the prescription drug valium, but generally without the “mental fog” feeling.  Since the effects are so potent, you should be careful what you do after taking it until you know how it affects you.

Lavender

Many people rely on lavender and other essential oils to soothe crying, fussy babies.  These oils have the same calming effect on adults as well.  You can massage them into your skin, put them in a bath, or just rub a small amount on your temples for a soothing and relaxing effect.

Valerian

This is one of the most widely used herbs for curing insomnia.  It calms the nervous system, making you feel calm and relaxed instead of stressed.  In addition, since it helps you get a great night’s sleep, you’ll feel more refreshed and ready to face the next day.

Reishi

This is a great supplement to take if you find your stress is caused by a constantly racing mind.  This herb produces a calm, clear mind and helps cure anxiety without making you feel sleepy or sedated.  It can also help you sleep if you have trouble “turning off” your brain at night.

With many prescriptions and over the counter medications, you can see an effect almost immediately.  However, most herbal supplements require longer periods of time before you’ll notice the full effect.  If taken properly and with patience, these remedies can provide a natural and effective alternative to drugs with fewer side effects.  You should also talk to your doctor before starting any herbal supplement because they may have dangerous drug interactions.

Hopefully one or more of these remedies will help you to calm down and lead a more relaxing and peaceful life.

Did you know that since the days of ancient Rome, lemons have been used as a medicinal treatment? And lemon juice has been used in north america (at least) to treat the common cold for ages. Why does it work? Let’s look at the origin of lemons to find out.

As you likely know lemons, like any other fruit, grow on trees. The fruit does not develop from the flowers on the tree, but rather are present with the flowers. Lemons are thought to be a hybrid fruit—originating from the citron and the mandarin. Lemons have a bright yellow skin that is thick and pale yellow pulp. Lemons are hearty fruit with a strong pungent odor and they’re sour as can bee too.

Now, let’s examine the common cold. Colds are caused by a virus that mutates. The strains of the common cold are too numerous to count. The average person may have two or more colds per year. Because the cold is caused by a virus, there is no cure. Modern medicine can only treat the symptoms.

The problem with colds is that they affect the entire body. Your cold may start with a sniffle, but it quickly progresses to sore throat, headache, chest congestion, fever, aches, sneezing, and chills. And if one person in the house has a cold, everyone is sure to get a taste of it no matter how much you clean. A cold virus is highly contagious. It may take a week or two for the virus to run its course and leave your system.

Here’s where the lemon and its medicinal juices come in as a natural remedy for cold symptoms. The lemon contains over eighty percent of the daily recommended value of Vitamin C. This is from the juice of one lemon! Vitamin C has been shown to boost the immune system. When more white blood cells are present to fight infection, the life of the offending virus is cut short. Instead of taking pills, drink lemon juice mixed with warm water and a splash of honey. The water cuts the acidity of the lemon. The honey is added for a more pleasant taste. Lemon juice also decreases the toxicity of the virus in the body. Your entire body won’t be wracked with pain and suffering like it is when the cold is untreated. In effect, lemon juice shortens the duration of the cold.

Give it a try. Your body won’t be filled with medicines that leave you feeling groggy and disoriented. When you first notice cold symptoms, begin drinking the lemon mixture right away. Twice a day should provide enough Vitamin C to do the job. Compare your outcome to ones in the past when over the counter medications were used. Stay well the natural way.

There are many uncomfortable things all women face as they get older, but perhaps the most uncomfortable is menopause.  Not only do women going through menopause experience annoying and painful physical and emotional symptoms, they’re also at a much higher risk of developing dangerous problems such as osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease.  

If you’re going through this change, you’ve probably seen a doctor and discussed medical treatments, but before you start on hormone replacement therapy or other drastic treatments, you should learn about some all natural remedies that are available as well.  In this article you’ll learn about five (5) natural ingredients that can help you solve your menopause problems:

Soy

Soy protein contains chemicals called isoflavones.  These act as a mild estrogen and can help with your hot flashes and night sweats.  Soy may also help keep your bones healthy.  Just be sure not to take too much, about 50 grams of soy protein per day should b plenty.  Getting too much soy may actually be harmful.

Black Cohosh 

This new supplement could be used to alleviate hot flashes, help with mood changes, and even help you sleep better.  While it has been tested and found to be safe, studies have only been conducted on a 6 month trial period.

Red Clover

Taking this supplement daily has been shown to not only decrease the number of hot flashes (one study showed a 58% decrease!); it can also help stop some of the long term health problems associated with menopause.  Red clover contains isoflavones and may decrease loss of bone mass, improve cardiovascular health, and may even protect you against certain cancers.

St John’s Wort

Along with physical symptoms, many menopausal women also experience symptoms of depression.  St Johns Wort can be taken to help control mild depression.  Just don’t take it if you’re already on a antidepressant because there can be complications when the drugs interact.
  
Vitamins and Minerals

You probably already know that you should take a calcium supplement to help decrease bone loss, but did you know you should also take magnesium to help you absorb and use all that extra calcium?  You should also increase your intake of Vitamins E and C to help with estrogen absorption.  You should be able to find a quality multivitamin for older women that will give you these nutrients and more.

There are a few things you should be aware of when using these or any other herbal remedy.  First is that you should consult your doctor before you take anything.  Many people equate the word “natural” with “safe”, but these remedies can have harmful drug interactions and side effects.  You should also take care to get a high quality supplement.  Check ingredients, look for seals (and research what the seals mean), and ask around on health websites or with a medical professional. 

Here you’ll find articles and tips about all the natural cure and remedies I can find.  If you have a natural cure, I haven’t listed, please post a comment and I’ll add it for everyone else to see.