Daily Random

Author: Gregg Hall The Chinese have used herbs for medicinal purposes for over 4000 years. Today, the medical community, who once shunned the use of herbs for medicinal purposes, is starting to take notice of the benefits of using herbs. Herbs are nutritionally sound and can offer a healthy, natural alternative to nourish and heal the body. Herbs can also give the body the nutrients that the body does not always get through a regular diet. Herbs can include leaves, bark, berries, roots, seeds, stems, gums and flowers. They can also come in many forms including tablets, capsules, bark pieces, powders, extracts, creams, lotions, oils, liquids and salves. When buying herbs of any kind, it is important to look for the word "standardized" on the label. Because most herbs are not FDA approved, the label on herbs provides important safety and dosage information. When purchasing herbs you should look for freshness. Those that are loose and sold in bulk have almost no nutritional valu...

By: Mark Hyman MD Copyright 2006 Mark Hyman MD Carbohydrates are the single most important food you can eat. That statement probably goes against everything you've ever heard, so let me explain. If you don't believe me, take this little test. Think of a carb! If you're like most Americans, bread, pasta, soft drinks, French fries, sugar, and similar foods probably flew into your mind. Yes, these foods are carbs -- highly processed and refined ones. And if these are the kinds of carbs you consume on a regular basis, let me warn you, (unless you regularly run marathons), you're most likely either overweight or heading down the road to weight gain. You may like them, you may consider them "comfort foods," you may think that they couldn't be so bad since they are so predominant in our current diet. But the biological bottom line is that human beings have not evolved to metabolize these types of carbohydrates. They slow down your metabolism and contribute to eve...

Author: Michael Brooks Cold and flu season is upon us. The first line of defense is to wash your hands often, and keep your work area clean by wiping it down with an alcohol solution. In addition, now is a great time to start boosting your immune system. A weakened immune system leaves your body susceptible to every cold and flu virus, especially during the holiday season when you are in close contact with others, often moving between time zones and changing climates. So, how exactly do you go about boosting your immune system? There are a number of great methods. Below are ten recommendations that will boost your body's immune system naturally. Vitamin C: You are probably already aware of this reliable supplement. Your body cannot store vitamin C so it is dependent on your dietary intake. To make sure you are getting enough it is recommended to take 1,000 mg a day to fight off infection. Goldenseal : You will find this remedy very effective in not only preventing infection but als...

Author: R. Drysdale Tea tree oil antifungal treatment is one of the most popular natural remedies for nail fungus infection. The product is made from the leaves of the Melaleuca alternifolia tree, or Tea tree. It is not made in the same manner as an ordinary cup of black or herbal tea however: this extract is an essential oil that is obtained by a steam distillation process. A concentrated component of the product, terpinen-4-ol, is believed to be an effective antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral agent. This is one natural remedy for which there is considerable scientific support: research into the medicinal possibilities of the Melaleuca is continuing in Australia, where the tree grows. The evidence of Tea tree oil antifungal activity is so convincing that producers of natural remedies for fungal nail infections have begun marketing it as a fungal nail remedy. Others have begun blending it with other essential oils or antifungal herbs to produce topical treatments for infected nai...