Health Matters

Horsetail grass is a perennial flowerless plant also known as bottle brush, horse willow, toadpipe, Dutch rushes, Corn Horsetail, Quyroughi, Atkuyrugu, and Shavegrass. Its medicinal value is found in the hollow, jointed stems. Roman physician Galen first recommended its use for treatment for bleeding ulcers, arthritis, kidney and bladder troubles, and tuberculosis. The Chinese still use it as a remedy for eye inflammations such as conjunctivitis and corneal disorders, to cool a fever, and to treat dysentery, flu, swellings, and hemorrhoids. The dried or fresh green stems of horsetail are usually collected in summer.

The horsetail is one of the most diuretic species in all the plants. This means it is effective in eliminating water from the body. The secret is in the chemical ingredient equisetonin and because of it horsetail can actually increase unination up to 30%. Therefore, it is often used in products for weight loss. Equisetonin and potassium are also beneficial for this and calcium, magnesium, ascorbic acid and caffeic acid also contribute to this diuretic ability.

Another one of the benefits of horsetail is its ability to help knock out bacterial diseases of the lower urinary tract and flush out bladder and kidney stones. Slowly healing wounds are speeded up with horsetail because of the quantity of silica in the plant. This also helps repair bony tissues by helping to fix calcium. Then the body can store a greater quantity of calcium and this results in stronger bones or tendons. Try it if you are dealing with osteoporosis.

Horsetail is an excellent herbal source of silicon, magnesium, calcium, iron, chromium, manganese, and potassium. Because of this mineral content horsetail is recommended for anemia and general debility. Try it also in treating lung damage such as tuberculosis or emphysema, as well as prostatitis, enuresis, urinary tract infections and muscle cramps. Horsetail nourishes the body’s connective tissue as well as nails, hair, skin, and bones.

Horsetail’s toning and astringent action make it of value in the treatment of incontinence and bed-wetting in children as well as treating BPH in men (problems related to an enlarged prostate). Recent research suggests that horsetail is effective in removing lead accumulations in the body.

Taken internally, horsetail bulk herbs are able to help stop bleeding from ulcers and diminish heavy menstrual bleeding. Gargle the tea to treat a sore throat, bleeding gums, or mouth ulcers. Applied externally as a compress, it will help to heal fractures, sprains, wounds, sores, and skin problems.

Externally make a compress with 10 grams of powdered herb in 1 liter of water. If you take horsetail internally, drink plenty of water. An average daily dose is 6 grams of the stem a day. To make horsetail tea, pour boiling water over 2 to 3 grams of the herb, boil it for 5 minutes, and then strain the mixture after 10 to 15 minutes. Drink some several times a day between meals.

Overuse of licorice with horsetail (and too much alcohol) may deplete potassium in the body and cause a risk of cardiac toxicity and thiamine deficiency. Because of its potency, some advise people with these conditions to avoid horsetail: pregnant, breast-feeding, those with impaired heart or kidney function, with liver problems, those taking a cardiac glycoside, and who have a history or potential of thiamine deficiency. The plant contains equisetic acid, which is nearly identical to aconitic acid. This can be a heart and nerve sedative that is poisonous when taken in excessive amounts.

Ginger, (scientific name: Zingiber officinale) is the root of a plant native to Asia but cultivated in the West Indies, Jamaica, and Africa. It is one of the most widely used herbs in the world. Used for thousands of years previously, it was introduced to Spain by Francisco de Mendosa in the early 1500’s and from there to the new world.

Ginger Root is a perennial tuber that creeps and grows underground. The stalk grows two feet or more with narrow leaves. The stalk dies in the fall and the tuber is harvested, dried, and ground into the herb powder. Coated or black ginger means the root was not peeled but immediately scalded after harvesting. Uncoated or white ginger was washed and scraped to prevent sprouting. Since some think ‘the whiter the better,’ white ginger is at times bleached or limed but this causes it to lose some nutritional value.

Chemicals in ginger that give it value include volatile oil (up to 3%), acrid soft resin, lignin, gum, starch, vegeto matter, asmazone, acetic acid, potassium acetate, and sulphur.

Ginger has been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat nausea. Pregnant women report relief from morning sickness after consuming small amounts of ginger root, ginger tea, and ginger ale. When given in large doses, ginger also relieves chemotherapy related nausea. Many find ginger more effective in relieving motion sickness than Dramamine. It will also stimulate appetite, fight body odor, and promote perspiration.

Ginger also helps treat joint pain by stimulating blood circulation, so it is used to treat illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis and Raynaud’s syndrome. Externally ginger causes redness of the skin.

Ginger is often used for treatment of flatulence, indigestion, diarrhea, and menstrual cramps. It does this by mimicking some digestive enzymes used to process protein in the body. It also relieves gastrointestinal distress.

Ginger roots are bulk dried herbs that benefit the heart as well. As little as 5 grams of dried ginger a day slows the production of triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol in the liver. Ginger also prevents platelets from sticking together, a condition that would increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Ginger is sometimes recommended for relief of cold symptoms for it is said to loosen phlegm and fight chills by spreading a warm feeling throughout the body. Many simply like to use it in cooking as a seasoning or a tea. One recipe for gingersnap cookies calls for a teaspoon of the powder.

Ginger is available in capsules, pickles, extracts, and prepared teas that can be made into compresses. The ginger root may also be consumed raw, but avoid small, wrinkled, or soft tubers.
Steep ginger in hot water to make a tea, or just add it to a variety of dishes. The usual dosage is 1/3 of an ounce of fresh ginger root per day. Preserved Ginger is made by steeping the root in hot syrup. Store ginger root dry in your refrigerator for short periods. You can also freeze ginger root for up to three months.

Pregnant women should be careful not to overdose on ginger because it may stimulate uterine contractions. People taking blood thinners, barbiturates, beta-blockers, insulin or diabetes medications should consult a physician before use since ginger may conflict with these medications. Ginger may also interfere with the absorption of dietary iron and fat-soluble vitamins, and cause stomach upset in higher doses. Also, because ginger helps thin the blood, it should not be taken two weeks prior to surgery.

Ginger root has many benefits both internally and externally. To make sure you get all of them, be sure to buy herbs in bulk in a pure form.

Aloe vera juice is a natural product derived from aloe vera plant. Aloe vera is considered to be one of the most valuable home remedies for different types of skin care or skin problem. The aloe vera gel is made from the leaves of the aloe vera plant and you can use directly on your skin for the natural healing components for immediate results.

Cosmetic products are sometimes made with aloe vera and some people won’t use any other product. These products include lipsticks, anti-aging cream; make up, moisturizers and other topical creams.

It is highly unlikely for someone to be allergic to any aloe vera products. If you want healthy and vibrant skin tone, then drinking aloe vera juice is one of the best things for your skin. It helps to detox your body and cleanse you of all the impurities that cause acne and other skin problems.

Your skin will look great, and you will get a lot of complements about it as well. Aloe vera juice benefits encompass the reduction of the aging process, tighter skin, smooth skin and healthy skin. The aloe vera juice helps to add moisture to your skin; not only your face. You will have beautiful skin that attracts attention.

If you want to know how aloe vera juice can benefit your health, go to Aloe vera juice benefit.