One of the most important things we can do to cope with stressful times in our lives is to get a good night’s sleep. Deep sleep helps the body heal and allows our body to balance itself to prepare for another day.
Unfortunately, stress often deprives us of restful sleep by making us tense and unable to relax. Herbal Sleep contains three herbs that can help the nervous system to calm down so a person can relax and get to sleep.
With the amount of stress and anxiety experienced by so many people living in modern society, millions of prescriptions for anxiety-relieving drugs are written every year. For instance, 44 million prescriptions were written in 2009 for Xanax (alprozolam), a drug used to treat anxiety disorders and panic attacks. Lexapro (alprazolam), used to treat generalized anxiety disorder and excessive worry, was prescribed over 27 million times in the same year. All together over 173 million prescriptions for drugs used to treat anxiety (and also depression in some cases) were issued in 2009.
Americans need to take a lesson from the Polynesian people and switch from using caffeine and alcohol to self-medicate for stress and fatigue and start using kava kava. Kava is the traditional herbal beverage of the South Seas. In Fiji you can find Kava Bars as commonly as one can find a coffee shop in America. In parts of Polynesia, it is consumed every day as a recreational drink that relaxes the body.
by Steven Horne, RH(AHG)
Today, almost everyone is subjected to conditions that cause far too much stress and anxiety. One possible answer for reducing nervousness, insomnia, anxiety, muscle tension and other symptoms of stress is the Polynesian herb, kava kava.
This plant is native to the South Pacific islands where it has been cultivated for over 2,000 years. If you think of the “laid back” energy of the Polynesian people, kava kava may play a role in creating that mellow and relaxed “island” feeling.
Mangosteen Fruit Concentrate and Mangosteen Pericarp Extract
Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) consists of a white, fleshy fruit surrounded by an outer purple rind also called pericarp. The fruit and especially the pericarp are rich in xanthones. Xanthones are a class of active phytochemicals. Several xanthones have specifically been isolated from mangosteen with mangostin being one of the most studied. However, many xanthones (40+) have been elucidated and isolated from mangosteen.
Mangosteen fruit, rind, leaves and roots have a history of use in Singapore, India, China and several other oriental countries. The historical uses include using the rind to overcome dysentery, diarrhea, cystitis and gonorrhea. Topical use for wounds and infections is also noted.
A native to China, Russia, Korea and Japan, schizandra is a highly valued herb in Oriental medicine. Its Chinese name, wu wei zi, means five flavored herb. This is because schizandra has all the five flavors recognized in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine). These five flavors are sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent. This means schizandra balances all five of the Chinese "elements" (earth, wood, water, metal and fire).
Sometimes the stress of life just gets to be too much. It wears us down and we feel “burned-out.” This shows the subconscious association of fire with passion, excitement and motivation. This same association exists in Chinese medicine. When a person becomes deficient in fire energy, they become tired and nervous, feel overwhelmed, vulnerable and “broken hearted,” and lose sexual desire.
Nervous Fatigue Formula is a Chinese herbal formula that nourishes this deficient fire energy. It is a tonic for the heart, nerves and glands, particularly the adrenal glands, which become exhausted under constant stress. A key indication that a person could benefit from is fatigue during the day coupled with disturbed and restless sleep patterns at night. Disturbing dreams are often an early warning sign that we are approaching “burn-out.” As the problem comes more severe we wake up frequently at night or suffer from night sweats.
by Steven Horne, RH(AHG)
Have you ever been so tired that you couldn’t sleep? It sounds like a paradox, but the body need energy to be able to relax and fall asleep and when energy levels are too low, sleep is disturbed.
Most parents have seen this happen with their children. The children get so tired and agitated that they won’t go to bed, but when you finally have a confrontation they drop from exhaustion. They were tired, but their stress level was too high to allow them to fall asleep.
Passion Flower gets its common name from Spanish explorers, who viewed the cross-like shape at the center of the flower as a symbol of the agony or passion of Christ’s crucifixion, the “Passion of our Lord.” The symbolism is appropriate for a plant that helps to relieve stress and pain.
A fast-growing, perennial, creeping vine that produces exquisite flowers, passion flower is native to the tropical and semi-tropical areas in the southern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. Primarily known for its tranquilizing effects, this herb was an old remedy in the Yucatan for treating children with insomnia, hysteria and convulsions.
GABA (Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid) is an amino acid that acts as a major calming neurotransmitter in the brain. It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which means it inhibits over-activity of nerve cells in the brain. Many people with anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy, and other brain disorders do not manufacture sufficient levels of GABA.
GABA plays a critical role in normalizing the nervous system. In fact, it is estimated that 40% of the synapses in the human brain utilize GABA. Proper levels of this amino acid in the brain contribute to motor control and vision and calm the mind, reducing anxiety, fear, hyperactivity and stress-related sleep disorders. This also increases mental clarity.
by Steven Horne, RH(AHG)
Most of us have experienced being kept awake by too much noise, but what happens when it's your own mind chatter that keeps you awake? Sometimes, especially when you're under a lot of stress, you just can't make your brain "shut up" so you can sleep. You lie awake, thinking about your problems, or worse yet, drop to sleep exhausted, only to wake up a few hours later with your brain churning with worries and fears.
So, what do you do when you just can't get your mind to quiet down so you can sleep? You can take your herbs, of course!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, July 2, 2010 Comment by Andrew W. Saul Editor-In-Chief, Orthomolecular Medicine News Service
(OMNS July 2, 2010) More hot dogs are eaten at the 4th of July holiday than at any other time of the year. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (yes, an all-too-real trade organization) says that "during the Independence Day weekend, 155 million will be gobbled up" and that Americans will consume more than seven billion hot dogs over the summer. "Every year," they proudly proclaim, "Americans eat an average of 60 hot dogs each." (1)
Vitamin D has long been known to support bone health. But new studies reveal that this vitamin plays many important roles beyond bone health. Recent scientific evidence suggests that vitamin D plays a vital role in maintaining innate immunity, protecting cardiovascular health, and protecting cells, among numerous other health benefits. Emerging data shows that vitamin D deficiency may contribute to the development of various chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, some inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and certain cancers.
Melatonin is naturally produced in the pineal gland at the base of the brain. This hormone is essential to three common and inevitable elements of life, namely: energy, sleep, and unfortunately, aging. Melatonin is produced in the pineal from serotonin. When it gets dark, the pineal gland, which is very sensitive to light, begins to convert the neurotransmitter serotonin into the hormone melatonin.
Melatonin helps us get a normal night’s sleep so we can wake up refreshed, alert and energized. It also benefits the immune system helping to promote tissue repair and healing during sleep. Unfortunately, as we age, we produce less melatonin, which means we often have a more difficult time sleeping and healing.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter produced by the brain. It helps elevate mood, promote restful sleep and reduce cravings for carbohydrates. Many antidepressant drugs, such as Prozac and Zoloft, work by increasing the amount of serotonin available to the brain. However, there are more natural ways of enhancing serotonin and one of them is to use a supplement called 5-Hydroxy-tryptophan or 5-HTP for short.
In the brain, the amino acid tryptophan is converted into 5-HTP, which is then converted into serotonin. The amount of serotonin in the brain is directly linked to the level of tryptophan and 5-HTP in the brain. The seeds of a woody shrub in Africa, Griffonia simplicifolia, have been found to contain 5-HTP, so we have a way of naturally increasing serotonin levels using an extract of this plant.
by Steven Horne, RH(AHG)
Insomnia is widespread in America. About one-half of all Americans suffer from some degree of insomnia and about one-third suffer from life-disrupting insomnia.
There are many causes of insomnia, but one of the reasons why insomnia may be such a big problem in modern society is artificial lighting. To understand why, let's take a look at how we fall asleep naturally.
Lemons are a great medicine, and one of those foods that show that the difference between food and medicine isn’t always that distinct. Lemon is a very popular remedy in Spanish medicine, where whole books have been written about its use.
Research continues to show that free radical damage and inflammation are primary causes of aging and degenerative diseases like cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants are nutrients, primarily found in plants, which prevent free radical damage and reduce inflammation.
Research also shows that people who eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, known to be loaded with natural antioxidants, have less degenerative disease. As a result, many nutritionists are recommending we should eat 5-7 generous servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Unfortunately, research also shows that very few people actually do this.
by Steven Horne, RH(AHG)
I don't know how hot the weather is where you live, but here in St. George, Utah, it's really hot. Most days in July and August are over 100°F degrees. That's why the early pioneers who settled this area called St. George "purgatory" and Leeds (where I live) "north purgatory." Thank goodness for air conditioning.
When I have to work outside in this heat, I can get tired pretty fast, but fortunately, I've learned a great way to help "beat the heat" using Nature's Sunshine's Thai-Go. You see, Thai-Go is loaded with sour, antioxidant-rich fruits and berries that not only reduce free radical damage, either, they actually reduce thirst and help you feel cool.
There are many causes for the various eye conditions. Sometimes an eye condition can be related to another medical condition. Some eye conditions are caused by stress placed on the eyes. Some are inherited.
However, as people age, the problems they develop with their eyesight are primarily caused by free radical damage. Free radicals can damage the retina of the eye, the light sensitive layer at the back of the eye, causing macular degeneration. Inflammation of the blood vessels coming into the eye will cause cellular debris that congests the eye fluids causing the pressure build-up in glaucoma. Cataracts are most likely caused by free radical damage to the lens.
One of the biggest problems with many herb books is that they simply list a bunch of diseases that herb has been used for without telling you important information such as 1) what part is used, 2) how it is prepared and 3) how it is administered. All of these things make a difference in how the herb works.
Eyebright is a perfect example of a plant that has fallen victim, not so much to misinformation, but rather to a lack of important data about how it is most effectively used. Most people who are familiar with herbs, will immediately connect eyebright as an eye remedy, and they would be partially correct.
by Steven Horne, RH(AHG)
Millions of Americans have sung the question, "Oh say, can you see?" Unfortunately, for many millions of senior citizens, the answer to that question is, "No." That's because diseases like cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration rob thousands of people of their vision every year.
The sad thing is that one simple nutritional change could save many people's vision. That change is to get more antioxidant nutrients into the diet. Antioxidants are extremely critical to eye health because the eyes are extremely prone to oxidative stress and free radical damage. In fact, oxidative stress is the underlying cause of cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration.
The nervous system is a complex system that regulates and coordinates body functions, including the coordination of muscles, the senses, speech, memory, thought and emotion. Nervous system health, especially brain health, becomes a common concern as we age. As we get older, physical changes occur in the brain that can lead to cognitive decline, including a decrease in levels of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine, which plays a large role in memory and learning. Other factors that can adversely affect cognitive health include alcohol abuse, chronic inflammation, vascular diseases and stress.
A study shows that chlorella, a single-celled organism that has been used for many years as a nutritional supplement, can help flush methylmercury from your system. Mice fed methylmercury were given chlorella, and the amount of methylmercury excreted in their urine and feces was approximately twice the amount excreted by mice not treated with chlorella.
by Steven Horne, RH(AHG)
A common cause of pelvic pain, endometriosis is a disorder where endometrial (uterine) tissue is found outside of the uterus. This tissue responds to hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle just like the uterine lining. It falls apart at the same time the uterine lining sheds causing menstruation. This can cause internal bleeding that results in swelling and inflammation of surrounding tissues. It may even cause scar tissue to form.
PMS and Your Liver by Steven Horne, RH(AHG)
Jokes help us defuse difficult and painful situations, which is why PMS is the brunt of many jokes. It’s no fun for women, or their family members, when PMS creates feelings of anger, irritability, depression, moodiness or emotional sensitivity. I know we typically blame it on hormones, but I have a new excuse—blame it on the liver.
Most of the women I’ve seen who have serious problems with PMS have underlying health issues with the liver. This doesn’t come as a surprise, as many symptoms of PMS are identical to symptoms of liver imbalance, both physically and emotionally.