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Asthma management and potential reversal...

Posted by darren craddock in Uncategorized on March 23, 2010 | 1 Comment

For many asthma sufferers the potential of reversing this chronic health concern is almost a dream. Few sufferers believe that they could function without their trusted inhalers and other medications. In order to get a better understanding of this health challenge, we must first understand what causes it, what worsens it and also what can improve and even potentially reverse it.

Asthma is essentially a condition that involves a respiratory system disturbance that results in a constriction of the airways making it progressively difficult and in extreme cases impossible to breathe. For those families with a member suffering from asthma, it is very beneficial to observe and take note of when attacks happen, noting times of day, following certain foods, during and subsequent to stressful incidents or altercations, after exposure to certain locations etc.  Basically there are a series of things that can lead to constriction of the airways and these situations are thus obviously best noted and avoided. It is also good to remain vigilant noting any other elements that tend to worsen symptoms. If at all possible involve the patient in this observation since the more they can personally become aware of what triggers an increase in symptoms the more likely they are to avoid such elements or situations.

Commonly speaking, some of the major elements that have such effects on asthma symptomology are the following; most asthma sufferers benefit greatly from excluding dairy products from their diet, often seeing a major improvement within a few days. Other dietary factors that can be of concern are corn and nuts. Allergens in general can be a major factor in asthma and practicing a one by one exclusion and reintroduction program where you remove a potential offending element from your diet or surroundings for at least a week, carefully observing any changes, and then reintroduce such elements. Other factors besides dietary elements are pet dander, dust, household and garden chemicals, new paint etc…. Also humidity levels can have an effect as can mold.

From practice as an herbalist I have recommended all of the above approaches in addition to stress management techniques such as deep breathing or calming visualizations. I have found all of these to be very helpful but perhaps the three most important practices have been the exclusion of dairy products, the relaxing practice of slow deep breathing and the use of certain herbs that strengthen the lungs especially one of my favorites named Mullein. Mullein can be taken in tincture or capsule form and should be taken daily. Consult a local herbalist or drop me an email for more information. I also recommend a great herbal tincture called lung renewal, which has mullein in addition to a number of other great lung herbs.

Several asthma sufferers have come to me for advice and after following my recommendations are now living life normally without the need for asthma medications. Natural approaches work if you just stick to them and especially if you seek expert advice to help guide you along the path to wellness.

Herbal therapies...

Posted by darren craddock in Alternative Health News on March 18, 2010 | No Comments

As most of us are aware, the use of herbs as medicine has been part of human culture for thousands of years and has truthfully evolved into a science. Modern allopathic medicine is relatively new in comparison, being only 150 or so years old in its current form. For us to say that herbal medicine is a true alternative to modern drugs is in essence a truth and yet some in modern medicine would dispute that statement wholeheartedly. On a personal note my children and myself have never needed or used pharmaceutical drugs, always turning to herbs for everything from bruises to colds, from infections to inflammation, and always successfully and without side effects.

Many folks feel overwhelmed when they start to venture into the world of herbs. After all there are thousands of herbs and there is often conflicting information with regards to their appropriate use. In this article I aim to outline some basic principles of herbology and also to convey some important information as to how to choose and use good quality herbs.

Firstly it is important to become aware of how to take your herbs. From experience and study, I am convinced that tinctures are the best way to get the highest amount of effective active ingredients contained in a plant. These tincture are essentially extracts made from fresh or dried herbs that have been soaked for a period of time in pure grain alcohol and distilled water, the ratio of those two being dependent on the type and state of the herb or herbs used. Some tinctures also use glycerine as a liquid medium of extraction. I personally prefer herbs preferred in a tincture form with fresh herbs and I also find that is beneficial to use herbs in combination with other herbs in a formula. This yields a more effective remedy, one that will always provide the results you need to ensure you health and recovery from illness. This is why it is better to obtain your herbal formulae from a reliable source that has an experienced herbalist on staff.  It is also good to start reading about herbs and grow some in your back yard. At home the easiest way to prepare herbs is in tea form. You can make teas from most herbs, the leafy materials being prepared differently from harder materials such as twigs, roots and barks. Leaves and flowers can be made into teas by pouring one cup of boiling water over the herb, covering it and leaving it to sit for about 15 minutes. Then you strain and drink. Harder materials such as twigs, roots and barks should be brought to a rolling boil and then simmered for about 15 minutes.

Learn more about herbs at home by purchasing a simple but good herb book. One that I find is a good beginning text is Today’s Herbal Health by Louise Tenney.  A simple book in E book format comes free with the Herbal Essentials tincture pack, available from Enerhealth Botanicals. This herbal powerpack offers the most flexibility and protection for general use. These tinctures can be used in a wide variety of combinations to treat the most common ailments you might encounter. This pack gives you the option of herbal treatment over pharmaceuticals, providing you with a collection of herbs that will help you with some of the most common ailments you might face.


How to choose the best green superfood formula?...

Posted by darren craddock in Green Superfood, Organic Food on March 17, 2010 | 5 Comments

Green superfoods are natural, normally powdered food supplements providing a concentrated source of nutritional elements that deliver a much higher nutrient density than what is contained in commonly consumed daily foods. Green superfoods, in addition to being a superb source of nutrition, are also considered by many experts to be an effective medium to effect improvement in a wide range of health conditions. Green superfood blends are commonly available in health food stores, yet there are great differences in quality and effectiveness.

Most green superfoods contain ingredients that are not traditionally eaten in the west, but which are to a certain extent more common in Asian countries, such as seaweeds. Seaweeds are highly nutritious, especially in minerals and are commonly eaten in most Asian countries. They support proper thyroid function and it can be said that thyroid health is generally much better in such nations. Some of the more common seaweeds used in green superfoods are kelp and dulse as well as fresh water algaes such as spirulina and chlorella.

Cereal grasses such as those from barley and wheat are also commonly found in green superfoods. They are known for their high mineral and vitamin content. Wheatgrass, barley grass and other such ingredients and formulas go a long way to correct nutritional imbalances that many of us suffer from due to the difficulty in obtaining a highly nutritions diet in a culture that is so often on the run. Organic superfood options like these algaes and grasses can also help to provide reliable, consistent energy without resorting to sugary and refined foods that sooner or later cause problems with blood sugar.

A wide range of green superfood products are now available in stores and online. As more people become aware of the need to correct poor eating and exercise habits, there is no doubt that green superfood will become a more common supplement to many people’s daily diets. With a shake or smoothie, green superfoods become an easy way to ensure balanced and health enhancing nutrition.

Now that we know how beneficial green superfoods can be, how can we choose the appropriate one? Several factors need to be considered. Firstly always choose a superfood that has powerful nutrient rich elements that come first on the list of ingredients. These would be the dense superfoods such as the fresh and sea water algaes; spirulina and chlorella, barley and wheat grass. Also be sure that the formula contains high level of B vitamins, so important for your nervous system and many other energy related processes in the body. Ascertain whether your chosen blend contains fillers of any kind. Some ingredients may seem to be good but always remember that the nutrient dense ingredients should always come first in order of quality and price. For example, spirulina is quite expensive. If it comes towards the end of the list and something less expensive such as spinach comes first, you will know that your provider is cutting corners and favoring profit over quality. Also make sure that the blend is organically grown. Why pay for a great mix of ingredients if you then have to be concerned with pesticide residues.

All this being said my recommendation for the best available blend on the market today would be Enerfood Organic Green SuperFood. It is an energy drink that is packed with vitamins, protein and minerals. This yields improved mental clarity and great nutrition without bulking or filler ingredients and without sugars or sweeteners. It is also highly bioavailable  as well as being vegetarian and vegan. It is naturally low in fat while being high in protein, vitamins, minerals and many of the micro-nutrients that are difficult to find in our normal daily diets.

This unique formula also helps cleanse your body. Enerfood green super food powder attracts toxins and eliminates them safely and naturally.

Enerfood Super Green Energy Drink provides dense and highly concentrated absorbable nutrition in a powdered form. That means when you mix it with fluids, the vitamin and mineral-rich molecules can be easily processed by your body’s digestive system. This way your stomach and intestines can absorb the nutrients and minerals and put them to work right away.