One out of five people get a urinary tract infection every year. The good news is that urinary tract infections in men are less frequent than in women – but you need to know the symptoms and treatments in case you do get an infection. Natural remedies are gentler on the body and don't cause other problems.
Urinary tract infections in men and women are caused by bacteria such as E coli getting into the urethra. It is believed that men do not get utis as often as women because their urinary tract is longer, making it harder for the bacteria to travel up and invade the bladder and kidneys. Once past age 50, however, the infection becomes almost as frequent as in women – and harder to diagnose.
In younger men, the most common source of urinary tract infection is sexual intercourse. After 50, the other causes of male urinary tract infections become more prominent. These are blockages of the urinary tract such as kidney stones or an enlarged prostate, catheters in the urinary tract or bladder, and diseases such as diabetes that suppress the body’s immune system.
UTIs show a number of symptoms, but not everyone will have all of them. First and foremost is a painful, burning sensation in the urinary tract and/or bladder while urinating. There is a frequent need to urinate, but usually there is very little urine. What urine there is will be milky or cloudy, or perhaps even have some blood in it. The smell will be unpleasant.
There will sometimes be a feeling of tiredness and weakness and back pain. If the infection has reached the kidneys there may be fever, nausea and vomiting.
Symptoms of urinary tract infections in men over 50 are harder to diagnose. An abrupt change in behavior is the best sign. This infection causes stress to the rest of the body, and can show itself as mood swings and bad temper – especially in people who already have dementia. Incontinence, going to the bathroom more often than normal, nausea and vomiting, and coughing and shortness of breath can also be signs. Fever is an indication of a serious infection.
Antibiotics are used in contemporary medicine to treat the symptoms of urinary tract infections. Bacteria have become resistant to antibiotics over the years, making it necessary to prescribe ever stronger drugs. These drugs kill the good bacteria along with the bad, in turn causing other types of infection. If you are being treated with drugs for an infection other than a uti, you can end up with a urinary tract infection because the “good” bacteria are gone as well.
Buchu and bearberry leaf are the most-used natural uti remedies. Buchu, found in southern Africa, has essential oils and flavonoids that cleanse and balance the entire urinary tract. Bearberry leaf has cleansing properties, but it also tones and tightens the walls of the urinary tract, making it harder for the bacteria to embed themselves. These two herbs are often used in combination with other herbs and homeopathic remedies to soothe the body and provide immune system support. A natural uti remedy can be used two or three times a year to balance the whole urinary tract system and prevent an occurrence – or recurrence. There are generally no down side effects to natural remedies unless you have an allergy to one of them. This should be checked with your physician or naturopath before you staring using them.
Male urinary tract infections should be taken seriously. Don’t try to tough it out; it is an infection that won’t go away on its own. Natural remedies can help you flush out the bacteria while balancing your body’s systems quickly and without unwanted side effects.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
An Exercise-Free Method of Reducing Back Pain
I don't know about you, but I sit at my computer A LOT! And my back suffers from it. I found the following article by Ben Rifkin at Early to Rise. It helped me; maybe it can help you, too:
"Today, I'm going to let you in on a secret for reducing your back pain without doing any strenuous exercise. In fact, the only thing you have to do is eliminate a harmful habit that's destroying your body - and you don't even know it.
I'm talking about sitting in a chair.
Yes. You read that correctly. It doesn't matter if you're at the office, using a computer, driving a car, or watching a movie. Sitting in any seat is one of the worst kinds of abuse you can put your body through.
Here's why. A chair allows virtually all your major muscle groups to relax. Now you might think this is a good thing - but when you totally relax in a seated position, you start to slouch. And when that happens, you overstretch - for hours on end - the muscles in your neck, shoulders, and lower back.
You can easily spot someone in a permanent hunch from long-term slouching. To reverse this and eliminate your back pain, perform this simple exercise:
Stand with your back to a wall. If you feel the two sharp points of your shoulder blades against the wall... you are slouching. Your goal is for your shoulder blades to rest flat against the wall without tension. Use the wall to gently guide them down as you press your chest up and draw your shoulders back. At the same time, use your abs to press your lower back against the wall.
This exercise can and should be done any time you have been or are going to be seated for a long period of time. Don't be surprised if the effect is instantaneous and you feel much more energized and pain-free. But even if you don't feel that way at first, keep practicing your good posture - and back pain caused by sitting will become a thing of the past. "
You can have a massive impact on your health just by making simple, small changes to your lifestyle. Learn more easy-to-follow techniques for feeling better and getting healthier right here."
This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, the Internet’s most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.
"Today, I'm going to let you in on a secret for reducing your back pain without doing any strenuous exercise. In fact, the only thing you have to do is eliminate a harmful habit that's destroying your body - and you don't even know it.
I'm talking about sitting in a chair.
Yes. You read that correctly. It doesn't matter if you're at the office, using a computer, driving a car, or watching a movie. Sitting in any seat is one of the worst kinds of abuse you can put your body through.
Here's why. A chair allows virtually all your major muscle groups to relax. Now you might think this is a good thing - but when you totally relax in a seated position, you start to slouch. And when that happens, you overstretch - for hours on end - the muscles in your neck, shoulders, and lower back.
You can easily spot someone in a permanent hunch from long-term slouching. To reverse this and eliminate your back pain, perform this simple exercise:
Stand with your back to a wall. If you feel the two sharp points of your shoulder blades against the wall... you are slouching. Your goal is for your shoulder blades to rest flat against the wall without tension. Use the wall to gently guide them down as you press your chest up and draw your shoulders back. At the same time, use your abs to press your lower back against the wall.
This exercise can and should be done any time you have been or are going to be seated for a long period of time. Don't be surprised if the effect is instantaneous and you feel much more energized and pain-free. But even if you don't feel that way at first, keep practicing your good posture - and back pain caused by sitting will become a thing of the past. "
You can have a massive impact on your health just by making simple, small changes to your lifestyle. Learn more easy-to-follow techniques for feeling better and getting healthier right here."
This article appears courtesy of Early To Rise, the Internet’s most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com.
Natural UTI Treatments That Get Results
The antibiotic your doctor gave you for uti treatment worked really fast. By the end of the second day you were feeling much better. It’s been a few months, and now the urinary tract infection is back. Should you get more antibiotics to treat it?
Antibiotic uti treatments work against E coli, which can become resistant to the drug over time. What took two days to relieve the first time can end up taking over a week for later attacks. Plus, the antibiotic doesn’t know a good bacterium (that your body needs) from a bad bacterium – so it kills them all. You have to be careful, or you can end up with something else, like a yeast infection, or worse. Some of the side effects of an antibiotic, like nausea, diarrhea, headache, rash and abdominal pain, can be as bad as the uti.
You might want to consider a natural remedy this time instead. Herbal uti treatments relieve the infection without harming other body systems. Rather than causing your body to become resistant to them, natural remedies actually work to keep you healthy and your body in balance. (However, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should not use these treatments.)
The two most effective herbs for treating a urinary tract infection are Buchu (Agathosma betulina) and Bearberry Leaf (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi).
Buchu, or Round Leaf Buchu, is found near streams in scrublands in the lower elevations of mountains in western South Africa. The leaves of the plant produce a natural tonic that cleanses and flushes the entire urinary tract system. Its active oils, isomenthone and diosphenol, have diuretic properties (they increase the production of urine). Flavonoids, also found in Buchu, provide anti-oxidant and anti-infection properties, causing the body to combat bacteria, allergens and inflammation.
Bearberry is a small, woody evergreen found in the cooler northern climates of North America, Europe and Asia. Further south, it can also be found in mountain ranges. Arbutin, the active ingredient, is found in the leaves of this plant as well. Besides being a diuretic and antiseptic, arbutin also has astringent properties, tightening and strengthening the urinary tract.
Alternative remedies for urinary tract infections often contain one or both of these herbs, usually in a medley with other natural ingredients that help relieve symptoms of the infection such as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), Echinacea and Billberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).
When choosing a natural remedy for uti treatment, be sure to do your homework. Search for products that use ingredients taken only from the active parts of the herbs, not a mish-mash of all parts of the plant. Find companies that have rigorous testing and manufacturing standards. This will help to assure that the product is effective and safe to use. Be sure to check the ingredients carefully in case you may have allergies to any of them. Be sure to talk with your doctor, or with a licensed naturopathic physician, about using herbal uti treatments for your urinary tract infection, and for ways to improve your overall health.
Four Seasons Herbal Shop carries a proven, safe herbal remedy for urinary tract infections called Uti-Clear.
Antibiotic uti treatments work against E coli, which can become resistant to the drug over time. What took two days to relieve the first time can end up taking over a week for later attacks. Plus, the antibiotic doesn’t know a good bacterium (that your body needs) from a bad bacterium – so it kills them all. You have to be careful, or you can end up with something else, like a yeast infection, or worse. Some of the side effects of an antibiotic, like nausea, diarrhea, headache, rash and abdominal pain, can be as bad as the uti.
You might want to consider a natural remedy this time instead. Herbal uti treatments relieve the infection without harming other body systems. Rather than causing your body to become resistant to them, natural remedies actually work to keep you healthy and your body in balance. (However, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding you should not use these treatments.)
The two most effective herbs for treating a urinary tract infection are Buchu (Agathosma betulina) and Bearberry Leaf (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi).
Buchu, or Round Leaf Buchu, is found near streams in scrublands in the lower elevations of mountains in western South Africa. The leaves of the plant produce a natural tonic that cleanses and flushes the entire urinary tract system. Its active oils, isomenthone and diosphenol, have diuretic properties (they increase the production of urine). Flavonoids, also found in Buchu, provide anti-oxidant and anti-infection properties, causing the body to combat bacteria, allergens and inflammation.
Bearberry is a small, woody evergreen found in the cooler northern climates of North America, Europe and Asia. Further south, it can also be found in mountain ranges. Arbutin, the active ingredient, is found in the leaves of this plant as well. Besides being a diuretic and antiseptic, arbutin also has astringent properties, tightening and strengthening the urinary tract.
Alternative remedies for urinary tract infections often contain one or both of these herbs, usually in a medley with other natural ingredients that help relieve symptoms of the infection such as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), Echinacea and Billberry (Vaccinium myrtillus).
When choosing a natural remedy for uti treatment, be sure to do your homework. Search for products that use ingredients taken only from the active parts of the herbs, not a mish-mash of all parts of the plant. Find companies that have rigorous testing and manufacturing standards. This will help to assure that the product is effective and safe to use. Be sure to check the ingredients carefully in case you may have allergies to any of them. Be sure to talk with your doctor, or with a licensed naturopathic physician, about using herbal uti treatments for your urinary tract infection, and for ways to improve your overall health.
Four Seasons Herbal Shop carries a proven, safe herbal remedy for urinary tract infections called Uti-Clear.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Eyebright for Itchy, Watery Eyes
Summer is finally here! Sports, gardening, camping, fairs--so many fun things to do. But, do you have that itchy, watery eyes thing going on? Allergy season is in full swing, too.
You could try Eyebright. The scientific name is Euphrasia officinalis, and it is also known as Augentrostkraut, Casse-lunette, Euphraisiae herba and meadow eyebright. Varieties of eyebright are found in meadows across Europe, Asia and North America. Eyebright is a small plant, growing from two to eight inches tall, with white to purplish flowers and serrated leaves. If it is in poor soil it will be sparse and scattered. In good soil it can resemble a small shrub. A partial parasite, it takes some of its food and water from the roots of other plants--usually grasses. It blooms from July through September, is harvested in late summer and air dried.
The active ingredients in Eyebright are probably the tannins. Tannins are astringent chemical substances also found in red wine, tea and fruit.
Used since the Middle Ages, pure eyebright causes burning tears. This follows the homeopathic principle of using like to cure like. Eyebright’s anti-inflammatory and astringent properties make it valuable in the treatment of mucus membrane irritation in the eyes, nose and throat.
Use eyebright medications for irritation caused by allergies, dust and other airborne particles, blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), conjunctivitis (pink eye) and other inflammations of the mucus membranes around the eyes. Relieve tired eyes and sties with eyebright. Anti-inflammatory and astringent properties also make it a good treatment for colds, sore throats, sinus infections, bronchitis as it helps to dry up mucus. You can take eyebright internally as a tea or in capsules or tinctures, or apply it externally as a poultice.
Do not make your own Eyebright medication, as the strength of the ingredients can be variable. There are many fine commercially-available products that contain Eyebright mixed with other herbs and tissue salts that increase its effectiveness, such as Elder Flower and Golden Seal, Natrum mur and Kali mur.
One of the best is AllergiClear. Find it and other all-natural herbal remedies at my website: Four Seasons Herbal Shop.
WARNINGS:
The above article is for information only. Inflammation or irritation of the eyes or sinuses can be signs of potentially serious infections. Before using any Eyebright product, you should consult your physician. You should not use this information instead of seeking the advice of a physician. These symptoms can be a warning of an underlying condition that is more serious.
Side effects of Eyebright used as a poultice include: itching, sensitivity to light, swollen eyelids, watery eyes, and changes in vision and eye pressure. Side effects of Eyebright taken orally can include nausea, sweating and confusion. Headache is possible for both.
You should not use Eyebright if you have had recent eye surgery of any kind or while wearing contact lenses. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Eyebright.
There is no guarantee of the accuracy of this data. There is no clinical proof of the effectiveness of Eyebright for any of the above-mentioned symptoms.
You could try Eyebright. The scientific name is Euphrasia officinalis, and it is also known as Augentrostkraut, Casse-lunette, Euphraisiae herba and meadow eyebright. Varieties of eyebright are found in meadows across Europe, Asia and North America. Eyebright is a small plant, growing from two to eight inches tall, with white to purplish flowers and serrated leaves. If it is in poor soil it will be sparse and scattered. In good soil it can resemble a small shrub. A partial parasite, it takes some of its food and water from the roots of other plants--usually grasses. It blooms from July through September, is harvested in late summer and air dried.
The active ingredients in Eyebright are probably the tannins. Tannins are astringent chemical substances also found in red wine, tea and fruit.
Used since the Middle Ages, pure eyebright causes burning tears. This follows the homeopathic principle of using like to cure like. Eyebright’s anti-inflammatory and astringent properties make it valuable in the treatment of mucus membrane irritation in the eyes, nose and throat.
Use eyebright medications for irritation caused by allergies, dust and other airborne particles, blepharitis (inflammation of the eyelids), conjunctivitis (pink eye) and other inflammations of the mucus membranes around the eyes. Relieve tired eyes and sties with eyebright. Anti-inflammatory and astringent properties also make it a good treatment for colds, sore throats, sinus infections, bronchitis as it helps to dry up mucus. You can take eyebright internally as a tea or in capsules or tinctures, or apply it externally as a poultice.
Do not make your own Eyebright medication, as the strength of the ingredients can be variable. There are many fine commercially-available products that contain Eyebright mixed with other herbs and tissue salts that increase its effectiveness, such as Elder Flower and Golden Seal, Natrum mur and Kali mur.
One of the best is AllergiClear. Find it and other all-natural herbal remedies at my website: Four Seasons Herbal Shop.
WARNINGS:
The above article is for information only. Inflammation or irritation of the eyes or sinuses can be signs of potentially serious infections. Before using any Eyebright product, you should consult your physician. You should not use this information instead of seeking the advice of a physician. These symptoms can be a warning of an underlying condition that is more serious.
Side effects of Eyebright used as a poultice include: itching, sensitivity to light, swollen eyelids, watery eyes, and changes in vision and eye pressure. Side effects of Eyebright taken orally can include nausea, sweating and confusion. Headache is possible for both.
You should not use Eyebright if you have had recent eye surgery of any kind or while wearing contact lenses. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use Eyebright.
There is no guarantee of the accuracy of this data. There is no clinical proof of the effectiveness of Eyebright for any of the above-mentioned symptoms.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Naturopathic Doctor or ND, the Alternative Medicine Provider
So you’re fed up with your doctor or your health in general. You’ve read lots of articles on the internet and in magazines about natural healing in its many different forms. And your friends and family have given you some helpful suggestions. But what’s right for you? How do you know that you won’t do yourself more harm than good by “doing it yourself.” Find a naturopath to help you.
Naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine is a healing system which works with the body’s own ability to heal itself. Hippocrates, born in Greece around 460 B.C., and known as the Father of Medicine (the Hippocratic Oath is based on his teaching), is credited as being the first practitioner of naturopathy. In his many writings he advocated that a sick person should be treated in a holistic manner, not just whatever part was affected. He doubted that illness was caused by evil spirits or angry gods. His treatments emphasized rest, eating right, fresh air and cleanliness.
Dr. Thomas Allinson of Scotland, physician, dietetic reformer, businessman and journalist, is credited with developing the theory of Hygienic Medicine in the 1880s. He championed a regimen of diet, exercise, fresh air and bathing. Whole grains were part of the diet he promoted, and his whole grain bread recipe is still in use today. He was also an early believer that smoking caused cancer.
John Scheele, a New Yorker, coined the term “Naturopathy” in 1895. He sold it to Benedict Lust. Lust, schooled in natural healing in Germany, taught a combination of basic medical sciences and natural healing at the first naturopathic medical school in North America.
The practice of naturopathy declined in the 1930s, as science became able to isolate the healing components of plants and develop medicines that were stronger than those contained in the plants themselves. As the side effects of these stronger medicines came to be known, along with bacteria becoming immune to antibiotics and the spiraling cost of modern medicine, the gentler, holistic art of naturopathy returned.
Naturopaths believe in the healing power of nature – vis medicatrix naturae. Their basic tenet is to do no harm. They are strong advocates of preventative measures to protect the body rather than treating a person after a problem has developed. And as with Hippocrates, they treat the whole patient, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Today, naturopathy takes advantage of many avenues of healing: homeopathy, herbs, chiropractic, naprapathy, nutrition, acupuncture, yoga, relaxation therapy, counseling and many more. Some naturopathic doctors are also trained in the use of diagnostic imaging, blood tests, and ultrasound as further aids in their practice. They do not use surgery or synthetic drugs in their treatments.
At this time, there are two types of naturopaths. A person who uses title Naturopathic Doctor, or ND, “In addition to a standard medical curriculum…is required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health).” (Peter Barry Chowka of NaturalHealers.com)
The college they attend has to be accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and they must pass rigorous exams given by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. Fifteen states, the District of Columbia and four Canadian provinces license naturopaths.
Traditional naturopaths use the same natural treatments as those who are licensed. They usually have years of study and generally belong to professional organizations that oversee naturopathic practices; however, they have not taken accredited training. They often work in partnership with MDs, rather than as physicians themselves.
“A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illness.” Hippocrates
Find natural herbal remedies for adults who want to stay healthy and active at my website - Four Seasons Herbal Shop.com.
Naturopathy, or naturopathic medicine is a healing system which works with the body’s own ability to heal itself. Hippocrates, born in Greece around 460 B.C., and known as the Father of Medicine (the Hippocratic Oath is based on his teaching), is credited as being the first practitioner of naturopathy. In his many writings he advocated that a sick person should be treated in a holistic manner, not just whatever part was affected. He doubted that illness was caused by evil spirits or angry gods. His treatments emphasized rest, eating right, fresh air and cleanliness.
Dr. Thomas Allinson of Scotland, physician, dietetic reformer, businessman and journalist, is credited with developing the theory of Hygienic Medicine in the 1880s. He championed a regimen of diet, exercise, fresh air and bathing. Whole grains were part of the diet he promoted, and his whole grain bread recipe is still in use today. He was also an early believer that smoking caused cancer.
John Scheele, a New Yorker, coined the term “Naturopathy” in 1895. He sold it to Benedict Lust. Lust, schooled in natural healing in Germany, taught a combination of basic medical sciences and natural healing at the first naturopathic medical school in North America.
The practice of naturopathy declined in the 1930s, as science became able to isolate the healing components of plants and develop medicines that were stronger than those contained in the plants themselves. As the side effects of these stronger medicines came to be known, along with bacteria becoming immune to antibiotics and the spiraling cost of modern medicine, the gentler, holistic art of naturopathy returned.
Naturopaths believe in the healing power of nature – vis medicatrix naturae. Their basic tenet is to do no harm. They are strong advocates of preventative measures to protect the body rather than treating a person after a problem has developed. And as with Hippocrates, they treat the whole patient, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Today, naturopathy takes advantage of many avenues of healing: homeopathy, herbs, chiropractic, naprapathy, nutrition, acupuncture, yoga, relaxation therapy, counseling and many more. Some naturopathic doctors are also trained in the use of diagnostic imaging, blood tests, and ultrasound as further aids in their practice. They do not use surgery or synthetic drugs in their treatments.
At this time, there are two types of naturopaths. A person who uses title Naturopathic Doctor, or ND, “In addition to a standard medical curriculum…is required to complete four years of training in clinical nutrition, acupuncture, homeopathic medicine, botanical medicine, psychology and counseling (to encourage people to make lifestyle changes in support of their personal health).” (Peter Barry Chowka of NaturalHealers.com)
The college they attend has to be accredited by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education and they must pass rigorous exams given by the North American Board of Naturopathic Examiners. Fifteen states, the District of Columbia and four Canadian provinces license naturopaths.
Traditional naturopaths use the same natural treatments as those who are licensed. They usually have years of study and generally belong to professional organizations that oversee naturopathic practices; however, they have not taken accredited training. They often work in partnership with MDs, rather than as physicians themselves.
“A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings, and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illness.” Hippocrates
Find natural herbal remedies for adults who want to stay healthy and active at my website - Four Seasons Herbal Shop.com.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Inept Herbalist
I love herbs. I enjoy learning about them and finding them wild. I love to make teas and potpourris, salves and bath sprinkles.
But grow them? Ha, ha. It's a spring ritual. I have tried seeds and seedlings. I have tried all kinds of potting soil and fertilizer. I have tried them in my back yard. I have killed them all. Well, not the basil; but I don't know why.
Flowers I can grow, but not herbs. I thought at least some herbs were supposed to be hardy. Aren't some of them considered weeds? So why can I grow flowers but not weeds? Maybe basil isn't an herb?
So I'll just keep getting them from friends and from the internet.
All helpful suggestions would be welcome!
But grow them? Ha, ha. It's a spring ritual. I have tried seeds and seedlings. I have tried all kinds of potting soil and fertilizer. I have tried them in my back yard. I have killed them all. Well, not the basil; but I don't know why.
Flowers I can grow, but not herbs. I thought at least some herbs were supposed to be hardy. Aren't some of them considered weeds? So why can I grow flowers but not weeds? Maybe basil isn't an herb?
So I'll just keep getting them from friends and from the internet.
All helpful suggestions would be welcome!
Meadowsweet – Natural Aspirin and So Much More
You might be walking in the woods and come upon a swath of it in a low, wet meadow, sporting its fern-like leaves and clusters of dainty, creamy white, aromatic flowers. Would you realize that you’re looking at a great source of headache and other pain relief? It might be Meadowsweet.
The scientific name is Filipendula ulmaria. Native to Europe and western Asia, it is now also found in North America where it has become naturalized. Other names for this lovely plant are Queen of the Meadow and Meadow Queen, Pride of the Meadow, Lady of the Meadow, Meadow Wort, Meadwort and Bridewort. It blooms from June through August or September.
Meadowsweet has a very pleasant almond-like scent and delightful flavor. Because of its strong, pleasant fragrance, it was strewn on floors with rushes and other greens to mask odors and placed around churches for weddings (thus Bridewort) and other special occasions. Queen Elizabeth I was especially fond of it for her chambers. It has long been used as a flavoring for wine and beer (like honeyed beer or mead, thus the name Meadwort), and in jams and preserved-fruit concoctions.
So what about pain relief?
Like slippery elm and willow bark, Meadowsweet contains salicylic acid, the main ingredient in aspirin. Salicylic acid has been known for hundreds of years for its ability to relieve pain and reduce fever. When Felix Hoffmann developed aspirin in 1897, he was looking for something to relieve his father’s rheumatism.
As with other natural remedies, Meadowsweet can help with many different problems. Its pain-relieving properties can alleviate headaches, arthritis, rheumatism, and other aches and pains. Cold and flu symptoms and other respiratory troubles are lessened. Ulcer pain and heartburn can be settled. It is a proven diuretic. Meadowsweet also has bacteriostatic properties and can be used to fight infection and treat skin diseases.
The whole plant can be harvested and dried to make a natural remedy; usually as a tea or tincture. But be very careful that you are choosing the right plant! If you aren’t skilled at making your own herbal remedies, Filipendula ulmaria is available in proven, safe doses in over-the-counter products such as RealHeal, available from Four Seasons Herbal Shop.
The scientific name is Filipendula ulmaria. Native to Europe and western Asia, it is now also found in North America where it has become naturalized. Other names for this lovely plant are Queen of the Meadow and Meadow Queen, Pride of the Meadow, Lady of the Meadow, Meadow Wort, Meadwort and Bridewort. It blooms from June through August or September.
Meadowsweet has a very pleasant almond-like scent and delightful flavor. Because of its strong, pleasant fragrance, it was strewn on floors with rushes and other greens to mask odors and placed around churches for weddings (thus Bridewort) and other special occasions. Queen Elizabeth I was especially fond of it for her chambers. It has long been used as a flavoring for wine and beer (like honeyed beer or mead, thus the name Meadwort), and in jams and preserved-fruit concoctions.
So what about pain relief?
Like slippery elm and willow bark, Meadowsweet contains salicylic acid, the main ingredient in aspirin. Salicylic acid has been known for hundreds of years for its ability to relieve pain and reduce fever. When Felix Hoffmann developed aspirin in 1897, he was looking for something to relieve his father’s rheumatism.
As with other natural remedies, Meadowsweet can help with many different problems. Its pain-relieving properties can alleviate headaches, arthritis, rheumatism, and other aches and pains. Cold and flu symptoms and other respiratory troubles are lessened. Ulcer pain and heartburn can be settled. It is a proven diuretic. Meadowsweet also has bacteriostatic properties and can be used to fight infection and treat skin diseases.
The whole plant can be harvested and dried to make a natural remedy; usually as a tea or tincture. But be very careful that you are choosing the right plant! If you aren’t skilled at making your own herbal remedies, Filipendula ulmaria is available in proven, safe doses in over-the-counter products such as RealHeal, available from Four Seasons Herbal Shop.
(In later articles I hope to provide do-it-yourself instructions.)
So go out for a hike – it’s good for you! Take an herbal guidebook with you, and you just might come upon an ancient remedy. And for the aches and pains from overdoing it the first time – look for Meadowsweet herbal products.
WARNINGS:
The above article is for information only. Before using any product containing Meadowsweet you should consult your physician. You should not use this information instead of seeking the advice of a physician. Your symptoms can be a warning of an underlying condition that is more serious.
If you are sensitive to salicylates, sulfites or aspirin, or if you have asthma, you should not take this remedy. You should not take Meadowsweet if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Side effects may include upset stomach.
There is no guarantee of the accuracy of this data. There is no clinical proof of the effectiveness of Meadowsweet for any of the above-mentioned symptoms.
So go out for a hike – it’s good for you! Take an herbal guidebook with you, and you just might come upon an ancient remedy. And for the aches and pains from overdoing it the first time – look for Meadowsweet herbal products.
WARNINGS:
The above article is for information only. Before using any product containing Meadowsweet you should consult your physician. You should not use this information instead of seeking the advice of a physician. Your symptoms can be a warning of an underlying condition that is more serious.
If you are sensitive to salicylates, sulfites or aspirin, or if you have asthma, you should not take this remedy. You should not take Meadowsweet if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Side effects may include upset stomach.
There is no guarantee of the accuracy of this data. There is no clinical proof of the effectiveness of Meadowsweet for any of the above-mentioned symptoms.
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