herbal remedies
Acne is caused by many different factors. Not only does dirty, oily skin cause outbreaks in people, but so does the normal maturity of an adolescent into adulthood. Also sometimes something as small as stress can cause a breakout of acne in an individual. Each reason for an acne breakout will call for a different form of treatment per the individual. There is a wide array of medical treatments but one of the lesser known forms of treatment is simple exercise. When you exercise the body, you promote the blood flow through the body. This increased blood flow will assist the skin cells by bringing extra amounts of oxygen and necessary vitamins to the upper layers of the skin. The increased blood flow will also move waste from the skin cells which can cause acne outbreaks. Exercising can also reduce stress which is one of the main causes of acne breakouts. Medicated treatments work just as well if not better but they do not solve the root of the problem, just treat the effects of the problem. Benzoyl peroxide is a cream which is rubbed onto the skin. This works by having the topical seep into the pores thus drying out the skin and pushing all the dirt to the surface. Sometimes there are some small side effects from using benzoyl peroxide such as redness of the skin and even peeling of the first layer of skin. A second, commonly used treatment which works similar to benzoyl peroxide without all the side effects is simple alcohol. This dries out the skin, making it easier to push the ‘black heads’ to the surface. In some cases, people also steam their face which also tightens the pores. Hormonal treatments are also popular. These treatments are most commonly used by women and not available within the United States. This treatment used an antiandrogen cyproterone in unison with estrogen, also called Diane 35. This effectively reduces the androgenic hormone levels. In some cases people have tried anti-inflammatories. These are made of Nicotinamide which is vitamin B3. This treatment is most commonly used by dermatologist. However the best and easy way to treat a basic case of acne is to wash your face with warm, hot soapy water. This is the best way to clean the pores if the condition you are experiencing is not severe. It is wise to get the advice of a dermatologist if the acne persists or becomes worse. Claire Jefferies is writing on behalf of Acnigon, who offer effective acne treatment and new acne treatment.
There are many known causes of acne and one of the most common one is the hormonal effect on pilosebaceous unit which is where hair, sebaceous gland and hair follicle is situated.Treating acne can at times be frustrating since if you fail to get the right medications, you will spend a lot of time and money while trying to get a product which can wipe out the condition.
The mechanisms in which antibiotics work:
There are several mechanisms in which antibiotics work. The first one is to ensure that there is a decrease in the number of bacteria which is found around the follicle area. The antibiotics also ensure that the chemicals which are produced by white blood cells are not irritating and also help reduce the amount of free fatty acids that are found in the sebum area. This goes a long way to ensure that the inflammatory response is reduced drastically.
There are many brands of antibiotics for acne treatment. Some of the commonly used ones are:
Tetracycline
Tetracycline is commonly used when treating acne. The recommended dose is 500 mg taken twice a day until when a significant improvement is noticed. Afterwards, the dose can be cut by half a day or its use halted altogether. To act effectively, the antibiotics for acne should be taken when no food has been eaten as this helps in improving its effectiveness. Someone who eats frequently may not find this type of antibiotic to be an ideal choice. Children under the age of 9 years and pregnant women should not use this antibiotic to treat acne.
Doxycycline
This is a perfect choice for those people who cannot tolerate tetracycline or erythromycin. The dosage is between 50 to 100 grams twice within a day and there is need to take it with food lest it causes nausea and discomfort. Other than nausea, some of the side effects include sensitivity to the sun and may also cause the occurrence of sunburns.
Erythromycin
This drug has many advantages over Tetracycline since it comes with anti-inflammatory properties that helps in reducing the redness associated with lesions and also helping kill bacteria. It can also be taken together with food without destroying its effectiveness hence those people who cannot make it through the entire day without food will find it to be an ideal choice. The dosage which is taken depends on the extent in which you have been affected by acne. The dosage lies between 250-500 mg within a day. Although it could cause nausea and discomfort, pregnant women can also use it.
Minocycline
This is an antibiotic which have been in use to treat acne for many years. Some of the side effects which are associated with this drug include nausea, dizziness, changes in skin pigmentation and teeth discoloration. People who have used Minocycline for longer will experience some changes in the appearance of their skin and teeth. It should be known that antibiotics may cause yeast infection in many women and many of the oral antibiotics for acne may make birth control pills ineffective.
Acne is a very troubling disease for those who suffer from the effects of this annoying condition. With severeacneproducts.com, you always have a unique way to discover how to treat this condition. Sandra Wellington is an expert writer on matters of skin health and has many years of experience in writing on this subject.
Now, I invite you to take a look at http://www.severeacneproducts.com where you will discover more with us on how effective anitibiotics are in treating Acne.
We all know that applying some highlighter on our face can give us an instant glow; however the aftereffect of using these chemical based substances regularly can be quite severe. In this article, we have discussed how one can have a glowing face instantly using natural methods.
Take a pan and fill it with water; add some skin friendly herbs to it and heat the mixture. For people with normal skin, herbs like rosemary and lavender are recommended; if you have oily skin, peppermint or thyme will suit you the best and individuals with sensitive or dry skin should use lime or chamomile.- Once boiled remove the water from the heat and place your face over the pan for taking an herbal steam. Take the steam for 15 minutes; this will open up your skin pores and offer you a deep cleansing experience.
- The next step involves skin exfoliation. You can prepare a homemade scrub for skin exfoliation. To prepare the scrub mix together 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 2 tablespoon almond paste. Apply this mix onto your face and rub it in gentle circular motions. Continue the scrubbing for 2 minutes and then wash off your face using lukewarm water.
Mash a cool cucumber and apply it all over your face. Wait for ten minutes and wash the face using lukewarm water. Dab your face with a clean towel so that it gets completely dry.- The final step involves application of a gentle moisturizer onto the face. While applying the moisturizer massage your facial skin gently for promoting blood circulation.
Once the above steps are completed as directed, you will find your skin glowing. Now, application of minimum makeup will give you a perfect party look.
How much melanin you will have in your skin depends mostly on your genetics. However, the levels of melanin in our skin also get boosted naturally when our skin get exposed to the sun rays i.e. the ultraviolet rays present in it. Sun rays triggers the production of the brown pigment called melanin within our skin, which becomes even darker after being oxidized.
Melanin also acts as the natural defense system of our skin against the harmful ultraviolet rays. However, still there are many who are not fond of dark skin and look for ways to reduce the levels of melanin in their skin. It is possible to reduce skin melanin naturally; however, you must be patient for experiencing the results as the process takes time. Below, we have offered some tips for reducing skin melanin naturally.
If you want to get rid of the melanin of your skin, you must ensure that you remain indoors during daytime, particularly when the sun stays at the peak. Continuing this for several months will result in gradual decrease of the melanin levels of your skin. Depending on the extent of tan one is having, an individual might require a year’s time or even more than that to notice the effects of this remedy on his or her skin.- To decrease your skin melanin levels, you must wear clothes that cover your neck, legs and arms and wear shoes covering your feet while going out in the sun. It is also advisable to wear gloves, hats and sunglasses for protecting the face from UV rays.
- Vitamins A, C and E are extremely effective in reducing skin melanin. Vitamin A’s synthetic form, Retin-A is used widely for exfoliating the hyperpigmented dead skin cells and promoting production of new cells. Vitamin C is classified as a tyrosinase inhibitor; as a result of this, topical application of this vitamin decreases production of skin melanin. Vitamin E cannot reduce melanin production directly, but is effective in reducing the hyperpigmentation caused by overproduction of melanin.
It’s January and it’s cold and damp outside! Perfect recipe for a cold. But I found a cool little home remedy for colds that people used to use years ago, and it’s so easy.
Just get a lemon, set your oven on “bake,” and bake the lemon for about 20 minutes or until the skin starts to crack. I don’t know what degree to set the oven to because in the old days there were no ovens with temperature settings. So I’d try 350 degrees which sounds safe enough.
Then squeeze out all the lemon juice — be careful handling the hot lemon — and drink it. That’s what they took to remedy the onset of a cold.
You could also squeeze some garlic and add the juice to the drink for a real strong anti-cold remedy. Your breath won’t smell great but you’ll have stopped a cold dead in its tracks.
Be back soon with more old home remedies. In the meantime I will be adding pages about folk medicine for colds and coughs to my website Old-Home-Remedies-Guide.com so please stop by for a visit!
Barb
That’s the title of my new page. Old-Home-Remedies-Guide.com will now have pages of herbal remedies used by Native American tribes.
Since I’m from the Northeast, I started with native Northeastern tribes like the Algonquian, who populated New England and the maritime Canadian provinces. Tribes like the Penobscot, Montagnais and Mohegan, used single herbs to cure illnesses rather than herbal recipes.
Their understanding of herbs came from folklore. The use of muskrat root as a general health restorative was recommended to an Indian in a dream in which a muskrat appeared to him.
The early Native Americans also used the doctrine of similarities: if a plant resembled the condition you sought relief for, then you used that plant. For example, the ginseng root resembled the shape of a child, so it was used by women with fertility problems.
If you want to read more just visit my Native American Herbal Remedies page at
http://www.old-home-remedies-guide.com. This research is fascinating! I’ll be posting more soon.
COMPOSITAE/ASTERACEAE Helianthus annuus
Appearance
The large, terminal showy flower heads are made up of yellow ray-florets, which are sterile, and purplish-brown, tubular disc-florets. The fruit is a slightly flattened achene, frequently streaked with white and black.
Sunflower is a large annual herb with an upright, occasionally branched hairy stem. The many leaves are sizeable and chordate, opposite below and alternate and long-stalked above.
History
Sunflowers were initially grown by American Indians some time before 1000 BC. It was introduced to Europe in the 16th century yet somehow failed to emerge as a major food plant until it reached Russia, where large-scale cultivation started. Today it is grown as a field crop commercially in a great many areas of the world for oil, fodder and decoration.
There are many cultivated varieties, some with flower heads up to 40 cm wide. The popular name, Sunflower, and the generic name, Helianthus (from the Greek words helios ~ sun and anthos ~ flower), were purportedly given to the plant since it tracks the sun by day, continually turning in the direction of its direct rays.
Equally as possible an explanation is that the plant was so-named simply because the flower heads with disc and ray suggest the sun’s overall look.
The leaves and flowers were once used to attend to malaria.
Usage
- In homeopathy a tincture from the seeds is employed internally to relieve constipation and externally on cuts and bruises.
- The expressed fatty oil from the seeds contains glycerides of unsaturated lino-lenic and oleic acids (around 45 per cent) and saturated palmitic and arachic acids (about 4 per cent).
- It can be used in salves, plasters and liniments for rheumatic discomfort.
- It is also frequently used in food items as a salad and margarine oil, in soaps and as a lubricant.
- The seeds can also be roasted and eaten, employed as a coffee replacement and ground up into flour.
- The dried flower heads are also made use of medicinally in some countries. They have diuretic, carminative, anti-inflammatory and antidiarrhoeal attributes.
Growth Characteristics
Sunflower is a native of western North America. Flowers June to September
verbena officilanis
Appearance
Vervain is a perennial herb sporting a rectangular, stiff and erect stem, which is typically randomly branched. It is sparsely leafy in the top section, frequently with with semi-circular teeth;the diametrically opposed dull-green leaves are pinnately divided into oblong lobes, often with rounded teeth, the end lobe having a greater size than the others. The topmost leaves are smaller and sparsely divided. All parts of the plant are coarsely hairy. The small, double-lipped pale lilac flowers are displayed in elongated terminal spikes. Plants yield a foursome of nutlike burgundy coloured fruit.
History
The name, Vervain, comes from verbena, the classic Roman term for altar plants used in religious ceremonies. Vervain is native to much of Europe in sheltered spots spread around the countryside. Uncommon in Britain, where it is native, but principally in England and Wales. Vervain has a history interwoven with legends of sorcery, magic and its properties as a medicinal herb. Lovers used it in love potionsand the triumphant Roman soldiers carried it for protection.
Usage
- Vervain was once used to ward off plague.
- To this day it is a popular herbal remedy for nervous complaints.
- When worn round the head, it was believed to repel headaches and prevent poisonous bites from snakes, spiders and scorpions.
- The flowering stems are used medicinally. Their constituents include the glycosides verbenalin and verbenin, tannins, an essential oil, mucilage, saponins and mineral compounds. These substances give Vervain astringent, diuretic, stomachic, tonic, diaphoretic, antispas-modic, vulnerary, mild sedative and hypnotic properties.
- It is used internally in an infusion for various disorders associated with the stomach, liver and kidneys. It is great for stimulating the metabolism, treating general nervous exhaustion, insomnia and migraine.
- Externally Vervain is used in gargles and in compresses and bath preparations for skin disorders. An extract from the fresh plant is used in homeopathy.
ERICACEAE Vaccinium myrtillus
Appearance
The alternating, briefly stalked leaves are oval, finely serrate and vivid green; they are easily distinguished from those of Cowberry. The pitcher-shaped pinkish or greenish-pink flowers with rather short turned-back lobes grow singly or in pairs in the upper leaf axils. A low deciduous subshrub with a creeping rhizome and numerous erect, leafy, branched, green and angled stems..The fruit is a globose, edible, blackish berry with a blue-grey bloom.
History
Vaccinium is the ancient designation for this and related plants. The specific epithet refers to the leaves, which are similar to those of Myrtle (Myrtus communis). The derivation of the ‘bil’ and ‘whortle’ in the traditional names is unknown; ‘blae’ means blue-black.
Often associated with improvement of night sight, bilberries are cited in a popular story of World War II RAF pilots eating bilberry jam to sharpen vision for night missions. However, a contemporary study by the U.S. Navy found no such benefit and origins of the RAF story cannot be established.
Although the effect of bilberry on night vision is unproven, laboratory research in rats have provided preliminary evidence that bilberry consumption may inhibit or reverse eye conditions such as macular degeneration.
Usage
- The sweet fruits, which are rich in vitamins, have long been a popular food. They have also been a traditional treatment for diarrhoea.
- The leaves of non-flowering twigs and the fruits are used medicinally. The constituents of the leaves include tannins, organic acids, a glycoside (arbutin) and plant insulins. These substances give the leaves astringent, antiseptic, diuretic and weak hypoglycaemic properties; they are used in an infusion for gastritis, enteritis, and diarrhoea.
- Dried berries are chewed to control diarrhoea.
- They are also incorporated in natural herbal tea mixtures with an antisclerotic action. It is advisable not to take this infusion in strong doses or over a long period of time.
- The ripe berries are used fresh or dried. They comprise of sugars, pectin, organic acids, tannins, mineral salts, vitamins B and C and organic pigments (anthocyanins).
- Wine and an alcoholic extract from the berries also provide a costive action.
- The pressed liquid from the berries and conserves are good for mouth and throat infections.
- The wholesome berries can be enjoyed raw or stewed and made into pies.
Growth Characteristics
Albeit bilberries are indigenous to Europe and grow on humus-rich acidic damp soils in heaths, woods and on moors, they are present in very acidic, nutrient-poor soils throughout the temperate and subarctic regions of the globe. One attribute of bilberries is that they produce single or paired berries on the bush rather than clusters, as the blueberry does.
Flowering time April to June (Northern hemisphere)
Indoor Herb Garden
Container and indoor growth
Herbs are probably the most suitable and attractive container plants and virtually every species may be potted with great success, whether initially propogated by seed or nursey seedlings. My first herb garden was indoors – cooking with herbs was just so convenient with a source close at hand. Since the first attempt – almost 30 years ago – I have dished out dozens of mini gardens to friends as gifts. Many of them got over the mystique surrounding herbs in days of yore and became keen herbies.
Herbs ideally suited for planting indoors include popular choices such as basil, chives, coriander(silantro), lemon balm, thyme, marjoram, parsley, stevia, sage and winter savory. However, small pots of many other varieties should certainly survive very well if indoor growing circumstances are favourable. (See below.)
Terracotta strawberry containers are particularly suited for herb growing, allowing taller and bushier herbs (hyssop, for example) to be grown in the top, and for trailing herbs (oregano, thyme) to grow down gracefully from the side openings. When selecting a pot or tub, be sure to check its has adequate water drainage openings and that it is thoroughly clean. Containers must permit good drainage to prevent waterlogging and consequent root impairment.
Besides satisfying these requirements, ensure that the dimensions and colour of the pot match the plant you are planning to grow: un-glazed clay-based pots are widely used and combine nicely with green foliage; timber containers also play a role in attractive presentation and can be utilized as window boxes or on a veranda.
Container plantings offer an array of possibilities to the herb garden enthusiast: a pot including a single species can be arranged with other containers for variety; or you can place several herbs together in a single large container, provided that the grouped herbs need the equivalent growing requirements.
A space-saving and appealing technique for growing is the hanging basket. This allows creeping foliage to cascade over the sides, while central positions can be filled by parsley or chives.
Herbs with invasive root systems (mint, lemon balm) are best planted separately as they tend to overcrowd the other species in a mixed planting. Check first with your nurseryman.
Indoor Herb Garden
Herbs indoors
Potted indoor herbs need a well-lit, bright position but do not like the severe direct heat of the sun. A kitchen window-sill which receives several hours of sun each day is ideal. Even decent reflected light will suit such plants as chervil, chives, lemon balm, mint and parsley – none of which benefit from too much heat.
Indoor herbs ought to be examined on a daily basis for moisture and watered on a regular basis to avoid the soil from drying out.
Container-grown herbs do not need to be limited to window boxes or patio positions. In reality, some of the more delicate herbs are better cultivated indoors; certainly in places where winters are severe.
Indoor herbs flourish in a normal, and stable, room temperature of around 17 °C, but will endure cooler night temperatures as long as these do not fall too low. Dry heat is exceedingly detrimental, and relatively high levels of humidity ought to be maintained; this can be contrived by standing the pots on a layer of moist gravel in their drip trays. They will also reap the benefits of an occasional misting of their foliage, and they require decent air circulation. They should not, however, be permitted to stand in a draught.
Indoor Herb Pots
My previous post examined the features of pots and containers for creating your indoor herb garden kits as well as appropriate kinds of herb for inclusion therein. I would at this juncture like to concentrate on several other options you might want to consider if you want to gain optimum pleasure and functionality from a new indoor herb garden.
The incentive to cultivate herbs inside the garden or house is often a productive one: not merely will the plantings
guarantee a stable supply of fresh and all-natural flavouring for cooking but, in accordance with the variations you want to grow, they will provide possibilities for an array of uses in both the remedial and make up fields. Herbs are, more importantly, among the most convenient of plants to cultivate, and they need minimalroom for effective growth.
Contemplating your herb garden
You might desire to cultivate herbs for culinary requirements, for their fragrance, or for their medicinal elements. There are a great number of various herbs, hence your primary factor in planning the garden is its essential function or purposes. Some people grow them as an ornamental feature; others incorporate the plants to fulfill diverse requirements. The options are practically infinite, the eventual preference according to your preferences, on the needs you have and, to some degree, on your inventive ability.
Even though usually informal, your indoor herb garden should be planned in accordance with the height and width of container, the functionality desired and growth features as well as the plants’ needs. Aesthetic considerations are pretty much as important as practical ones, and herbs of comparable height and spread grown in sizable pots should be arranged, with the taller-growing plants (rosemary, lemon verbena) in the back of the container, and the shorter, denser bush-growth in front. Spreading and fast-growing herbs (mint, lemon bairn) should be provided individual pots to refrain from choking of other plants.
Herbs wanted frequently (parsley, sage, thyme, chives) ought to be quite easy to access and not covered up by other foliage, and annuals should be planted independently from perennials. Endeavor to create visual interest by mixing up textures and shades of foliage – paler hues of green and grey, for example, can be used to contrast with bolder greens; set feathery foliage against heavier-leafed plants.
Other options
Being such versatile plants, herbs provide convenient options – creeping thyme may be potted in or close by a busy room where it will emit an enjoyable fragrance when brushed against. Attractive flowering herbs such as tansy, lavender, yarrow, rosemary and calendula provide lively sections of colour to a kitchen area or any other room. Lavender, thyme and scented geranium, could be located close to the front entrance, featuring a sweet-smelling welcome for friends.
Selecting The Varieties
- For flavouring and garnishes, the following baker’s dozen comprise a good choice: basil, bay leaf, caraway, chives, coriander, fennel, garlic, lemon balm, marjoram, mint, parsley, sage and thyme.
- A fragrant herb garden provides you with the constituents for fragrant sachets and potpourri. Beneficial here might be: angelica, basil, bay, bergamot, chamomile, fennel, hyssop, lavender, lemon balm, lemon thyme, lemon verbena, mint, rosemary and roses.
- The flowers and leaves of these varieties provide substances for teas and herbal drinks: bergamot, borage, chamomile, catmint, hyssop, lemon balm, lemon verbena, lovage, peppermint, rosemary and thyme.
- A medicinal herb garden might include: angelica, basil, bay, bergamot, borage, chives, comfrey, fennel, garlic, lemon balm, parsley, rosemary, sage and thyme.