Over-the-counter, or off-the-shelf, medications are available without a doctor's prescription. Hospice Net.org reports that when taken on a regular basis, some of these medications have fewer side effects than prescription medications and can...
About 20 percent of all Americans use herbal remedies and other dietary supplements to enhance their health and well-being, according to the "Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine." Supplements are not meant to substitute for a healthy diet and...
Inflammation is the way in which your body reacts to injury, irritation or pathogens. The Cleveland Clinic notes that inflammation is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as redness, warmth, swelling, joint pain, joint stiffness, fever,...
The world of alternative medicine and supplements is full of plants and roots claiming to enhance your health in a variety of ways. One such supplement, astralagus, is a popular supplement in North America and is a staple in traditional Chinese...
Headaches can range in intensity, location of pain and length of duration. Medicines, as well as herbs and supplements, that work on one type of headache, may prove ineffective in treating others. Bromelain, a substance derived from pineapples,...
Glucosamine is the primary building block for certain plant species including fungi, yeasts, arthropods and invertebrates that live in the ocean. It can also be manufactured in synthetic form for certain health uses. If you take glucosamine and...
A healthy immune system is crucial in maintaining health and preventing illness. Despite a healthy diet and lifestyle, individuals may not get enough vitamins and minerals to help keep the immune system functioning optimally but taking supplements...
Once found mostly in health food stores, herbal remedies and other supplements have gone mainstream. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine statistics derived from interviews with over 23,000 adults,...
Alzheimer's disease affects 5.3 million people in America, according to the Alzheimer's Organization. Deaths caused by the disease rose 46.1 percent between 2000 and 2006, even while deaths from breast cancer, stroke and heart disease decreased....
Some yogurt manufacturers claim that their products provide you with live cultures to help your digestive system work better. While the body does benefit from live cultures you may not be getting the right kind or amount from your yogurt. The...
You may have heard that cinnamon has the potential to lower blood sugar. And with type 2 diabetes on the rise as of 2011, it might be useful to know how much cinnamon you need to lower your blood glucose. The Centers for Disease Control and...
Low-density lipoprotein, also called LDL or "bad" cholesterol, is made up of fat and protein. Unlike high-density lipoprotein or HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol builds up in arteries and leads to medical problems such as atherosclerosis, heart...
Fungal skin infections are inflammatory skin disorders caused by microscopic fungi. Although anyone can get a fungal skin infection, they are more common in children, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine." In many cases,...
In holistic and alternative medicine, supplements of antioxidant substances are sometimes used to assist in post-workout recovery after strenuous exercise. Antioxidants are thought to help your body preserve muscle tissues and prevent or treat...
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, is a condition affecting millions of children, reports MayoClinic.com. This disorder surfaces during childhood and often continues into adulthood. Marked by difficulties in concentration, social...
You may seek an herbal dietary supplement to help you lose some inches and pounds. However, it’s important to check with your health care provider if you’re considering a supplement. Manufacturers don’t have to prove...
Being physically active, excitable and easily distracted are natural traits of childhood. But when your child's levels of restlessness and inattention start to interfere with her daily functioning, a diagnosis of ADHD may result. Attention Deficit...
In 2007 alone, around 38 percent of adults in the U.S. used some form of complementary medicine, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. This type of medicine may include vitamins and herbal or natural remedies,...
Papaya is a tropical fruit that contains numerous vitamins, minerals and enzymes. While papaya extract is popular in alternative medicine as a supplement suggested to promote weight loss, heal the skin and reduce inflammation, its effects beyond...
Heart health is an important factor in living a long, healthy life. Increasing cardiovascular function through herbal supplements such as astragalus, bilberry, hawthorn, soy, garlic and ginseng could provide heart healthy advantages, but research...
Probiotics are live bacteria, similar to those found in the human gastrointestinal tract, and are also known as "the good bacteria," according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Probiotic supplements can be found in...
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, dietary supplements are products that contain vitamins, minerals, herbs or botanicals, amino acids or a combination of these ingredients. The products are not meant to...
Interstitial cystitis is an inflammatory disorder of the bladder. It primarily affects women. Symptoms are similar to those of urinary tract infections. In IC, however, no infectious organisms are present. Although IC is considered incurable, a...
Leptoprin is a weight-loss supplement designed for people who are considered medically overweight and not for use by those considered to be at a normal weight. Leptoprin is a pricey supplement that contains unique herbs and is unlike others on the...
Weight loss through Ayurveda incorporates a lifestyle change instead of encompassing a fad diet or unrealistic weight loss plan. Ayurvedic medicine originated in India thousands of years ago and is considered complementary or alternative to...
Diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels become too high, resulting in a number of complications. Keeping blood sugar levels in the appropriate range is the primary aim of treating diabetes. There are a number of different medications,...
For busy people and dieters on restricted eating plans, diet supplements and vitamin pills can serve as an insurance policy against various complications related to nutritional deficiencies. According to the Cleveland Clinic, multivitamins are...
A dietary supplement is intended to supplement your diet. Examples of these ingredients include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, herbs and enzymes. Supplements can come in the form of liquid extracts, tablets, capsules, gelcaps and powders....
Dietary supplements are defined by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act as a product that supplements a diet and contains one or more dietary ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals or herbs. Like other supplements, herbal dietary...
