Article courtesy of Native Remedies

In the pursuit of progress, we have inadvertently impacted our health in a negative way. Experts are now wondering whether progress has been worth the health hazards that it has brought along with it.

The consequences of progress have been less quality time, a dependence on comforts, a desire for material possessions and the like. These in turn have ensured that almost all of us get caught in the daily grind to earn more and ensure better physical comforts for ourselves. What we have forgotten is that while in this struggle for success, we are ignoring the one gift that we have all been provided – our bodies. The first thing that we compromise is the quality of food that we eat and the amount of effort we are willing to put behind arranging a healthy meal.

Consider the dangers; fast foods, preservatives and pesticides provide no additional nutritional value. Quick-fix drugs suppress symptoms and increase the amount of toxins in our body. Further, environmental pollution compounds the toxic effect on humans.

All of these factors result in an overburdening of the body with toxins. The body’s natural detox system cannot handle this level of toxins on its own. A body laden with toxins is an invitation for ailments like allergies, insomnia and asthma. Headaches, fatigue, tension, a coated tongue and acne are also common symptoms that indicate an increased level of toxins in the body.

Regular cleansing of the internal body has become more crucial than ever before. Herbal detox is one method of detoxifying your body naturally. Our ancestors probably knew the threat posed by toxins, and even though they were not as exposed to toxins as we are today, they ensured that their diets included detox-friendly herbs. This ensured that the level of toxins in their bodies never really increased beyond manageable levels.

Herbs can help in the detoxification process by aiding the organs that help in natural detoxification. These include the liver, urinary system, digestive systems, skin and lungs. The herbs used in various detox treatments can be classified based on the organ they work upon. Herbal remedies can be prepared from these herbs based on specific individual conditions:

Laxatives and diuretics herbs
* Licorice root
* Psyllium seed
* Alfalfa
* Yucca root
* Violet leaf
* Guar gum
* Marshmallow root

Herbs that provide support to the liver
* Cascara sagrada bark
* Milk thistle seed
* Dandelion

Parasite expeller herbs
* Black walnut hull
* Pumpkin seed

Herbs that soothe irritated digestive and urinary tracts
* Irish Moss
* Passionflower leaf

Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herbs
* Witch hazel bark, twigs, and leaves
* Capsicum
* Gentian root
* Cranberry

Multipurpose herbs ( Demulcents, blood purifiers, energizers, laxatives and diuretics)
* Horsetail
* Slippery elm bark
* Mullein leaf
* Black cohosh
* Burdock root
* Echinacea
* Fennel seed
* Fenugreek
* Ginger root
* Papaya

There are many herbal detox products that are prepared using a combination of these herbs. These products are developed for various specific needs like balancing sugar levels, breaking down organic wastes in the body, calming tense nerves, neutralizing acidity and loosening hardened phlegm in the lungs.

Eating a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods is a great way to assist your body’s own natural detoxification processes. However, if you’re looking to jumpstart these efforts, consider adding an herbal fiber cleanse to your annual routine. Choose a cleanse with psyllium husks and digestive herbs such as sienna, fennel seed and slippery elm bark.

Source: Alternative Medicine Review

Article courtesy of Native Remedies

Thyroid dysfunction can lead to abnormal levels of weight gain, general fatigue, sleeping disorders, anxiety, depression, allergies, skin diseases, pains and gastrointestinal problems. Thyroid dysfunction normally relates to production disorders that involve either excessive or inadequate production of thyroid hormones.

Hypothyroidism, or inadequate production of thyroid hormones, is more common than hyperthyroidism, or excessive hormones. Detection of a thyroid condition is done mainly through thyroid function tests. These tests check the level of hormones (T4, T3 and TSH) in the blood. While T4 and T3 are secreted by the thyroid, TSH is the thyroid-stimulating hormone secreted by the pituitary gland, which stimulates thyroid function.

There are two common problems with diagnosing thyroid function. First, it is possible that you may or may not be able to recognize symptoms of thyroid problems, while you may see abnormal levels of thyroid hormones. Secondly, blood tests may show normal levels of thyroid hormones, while you may have debilitating symptoms of thyroid problems. While detailed investigation may produce a definite diagnosis in such complicated cases, you can try to improve overall thyroid health by modifying your diet.

Up to 80% of T4 is actually converted to T3. T3 actually exerts the same biological effects of regulating metabolism as T4 , but it is more potent and briefer. Iodine is a major component of both these hormones, and its deficiency in diet is one of the major causes of hypothyroidism. Iodized salt, seafood and vegetables have sufficient iodine content to help prevent occurrence of hypothyroidism.

For hyperthyroidism, there is a need to suppress thyroid function. There are some vegetables that can gradually calm down an overactive thyroid. Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, turnips, kale, beans and Indian mustards deserve mention among vegetables that can help in inhibiting the excess production of thyroid hormones.

The primary function of the thyroid gland is to maintain metabolism. Essential fatty acids are involved in biologic functions of metabolizing nutrients. These Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats also act as anti-inflammatory agents, affect moods, and perform many other cellular functions. The body cannot synthesize these essential fatty oils, and therefore these must be supplied to the body through the diet. The main food sources of essential fatty acids are fish and shellfish, Soya oil, canola (rapeseed) oil, chia (Salvia hispanica) seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseed (linseed), leafy vegetables, and walnuts. Regular consumption of these foods can extend a helping hand to the thyroid.

As a general principle, avoid refined foods, refined sugar, wheat, caffeine and alcohol, and exercise regularly. A thyroid supplement can also help in providing the necessary support to this important gland of the endocrine system.

Article courtesy of Native Remedies

Our fast-paced schedules usually leave little room for physical activity. However, staying physically fit is an important component in overcoming concentration problems.

Your level of fitness impacts your ability to concentrate, focus, and work/study, and a healthy, active body can help ensure that mental performance will be even better.

For parents, encourage your kids to take a break when they arrive home from school. With many schools cutting back on recess, kids need to be allowed a period of movement to expend the energy that has pent-up through the day at their desks.

Research has shown that children who play perform better academically, with an increased ability to stay focused and on task. They are less fidgety, and show improved overall behavior.

However, the benefits of exercise applies to all children and adults, including those who do not suffer from learning and concentration difficulties.

Recreation allows for physical and social development in people of all ages, helping to prevent or fight obesity, maintaining positive mood by relieving stress, and improving relationships-which therefore have a great impact on self-esteem and emotional happiness.

Although recommendations vary, the best evidence suggests that just 20 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise 4x a week accrues as many benefits to health as prolonged or frequent activity.

Does even that sound daunting? If you’ve been out of the exercise loop, don’t stress. Becoming healthy should be a long-term goal, so don’t put pressure on yourself or your kids to become super athletes overnight.

Get in Motivation Mode. Work up to your goal. However, especially for those challenged with time management skills, putting in a little extra effort may be necessary to kick-start your fitness plan.

Make Time. Plan out three chunks of time a week (nights, long lunch breaks, mornings, etc.) that work for your schedule or your family. Write out exercise time on your calendar and stick to it, just like it’s any other appointment. If you find that you want to add more time, do so… but setting your goals low helps you ensure that you not only want to accomplish it, but maybe even exceed it.

Track Progress. Keep it simple, but write down when you exercise. Give your kids a little calendar to mark the days they participated in some form of physical activity. This will not only keep you on track, but allow you and your kids to see progress. It doesn’t have to be detailed down to heart rate or miles jogged…  just a simple ‘x’ off the task can provide the satisfaction needed to keep it up.

Adopt a Holistic Lifestyle. Exercise alone cannot be viewed as a cure-all for concentration problems, but it certainly helps! Incorporating changes in a number of areas including diet, sleep, water intake, surroundings and emotional elements can also be very beneficial in promoting overall health.

Have a Backup Plan & Leave Room for “Error”. Most ADD/ADHD challenged adults and kids hate routine, so feel free to add some flexibility to your allotted workout times. However, don’t let procrastination interfere with your success. Instead, if you miss your morning “appointment”, make it a goal to get to it before dinner. For kids, try and mix up their exercise routine with activities they won’t get bored with, such as obstacle courses in the backyard or doing soccer one day and swimming the next.

In combination with a healthy lifestyle, natural remedies can help both children and adults to maintain healthy consistent behavior, clear focus, and optimum performance by providing a sound platform to support wellness and vitality.