Burdock is an herb that was first used in the 14th century by European herbalists to treat leprosy, according to Michael Castleman, author of "The Healing Herbs." In the following centuries, herbalists recommended burdock for a variety of ailments...
As the most common weight loss surgery for obese patients, gastric bypass can provide dramatic weight loss and its attendant health benefits. In this procedure, the surgeon staples off the upper stomach and re-routes the small intestine to the...
Uterine fibroids most commonly occur in middle aged women who have never conceived. These slowly forming masses generally cause no additional health problems. If too large, irregular bleeding, pelvic pain, cramping, and even infertility may be...
When you are creating a detox formulation, consider using baking soda, lemon juice or both to boost your detox efforts in a cleansing drink. Both ingredients are inexpensive and may, in fact, already be in your kitchen. If not, they're easily...
Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric -- a medicinal spice. It is commonly used in India to flavor foods such as curries. In herbal medicine, curcumin is used for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities, which provide benefit for...
An inflammation of the pancreas is called pancreatitis. The pancreas is a gland located near the stomach and gall bladder. The function of the pancreas is to produce and make hormones and enzymes used in digestion. If the pancreas is damaged,...
Gallstones are small stones that are created in your gallbladder. They can be as large as a golf ball and block the flow of bile if they become too large or get suck in your bile duct. Too much cholesterol in the bile, insufficient bile salts and...
Curcumin comes from the turmeric plant, a yellow spice that comes from Curcuma longa, part of the ginger family. Curcumin is the main curcuminoid, or polyphenol in turmeric. Polyphenols act as antioxidants, substances that prevent DNA cell damage....
The gall bladder is one of a small number of internal organs that humans can do without, if necessary. It's part of the digestive system and helps control the supply of bile to the digestive system. Bile is used to digest fats, so it's no surprise...
While drinking dandelion root infusion as a coffee substitute may sound unsatisfying, the beverage does possess health benefits. Add dandelion root tincture or powdered extract to hot water, or infuse pieces of dried root in boiled water. Look for...
Australian Organic Herbs come from a medicinal herb farm in Australia's New England tablelands region. The family-owned farm has Organic Certification "A" with Organic Herb Growers of Australia. It offers organic herbs that may be used as...
Your small intestine, where most nutrients are absorbed, is a 3-meter-long tube. Its inner membrane has numerous finger-like projections called villi that create a large absorbant surface, giving the small intestine a total area equivalent to a...
Many of the seasonings you rely on to flavor your favorite foods also provide a wealth of health, nutritional and medicinal benefits. Without knowing their historic and scientifically validated health benefits, you may instinctively gravitate...
A cholesystectomy is a surgical procedure where a surgeon removes your gall bladder. Reasons for cholesystectomy include infection, inflammation or the formation of gallstones. The surgery for gall bladder removal may be laparoscopic or open,...
If you often have that "knot in the gut" feeling that is associated with stress an anxiety, abdominal massage may help to relieve some of your uncomfortable symptoms. According to health experts at Mayo Clinic, massage has many healthful benefits,...
An avocado is a nutty, creamy subtropical fruit that is grown primarily in California. It is often included in Latin American cuisine in spicy dishes, which is appropriate because avocados aid digestion when it becomes disrupted from eating spicy...
The digestive system, which consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus, liver, pancreas and gall bladder, functions to intake food, break down food particles and absorb nutrients into the blood...
Gallbladder surgery is also known as a cholecystectomy. It is commonly performed to treat forms of gallbladder disease such as inflammation, infection, or gallstones. It can also be used to treat the abdominal pain that can occur with gallbladder...
If you have had gall bladder surgery, you are not alone. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, cholecystectomy, or gall bladder removal, is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United...
Generalized water retention refers to swelling that occurs throughout the body. It is often related to diet, hormones or activity level. Localized water retention is swelling in a specific part of the body. Feet, ankles, legs, hands and arms are...
The digestive system, which consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus, liver, pancreas and gall bladder, functions to breakdown food particles, move the contents through the digestive tract and...
The kidneys and the liver are responsible for important functions of the body. According to EllerBruch.NMU.edu, the kidneys work to maintain water and electrolyte balance, regulate the concentration of the acid base balance and to filter waste...
The digestive system consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus, liver, pancreas and gall bladder. It functions to break down food particles, transport them through the digestive tract and absorb the...
Cholesterol and bile salts are two of the major components of bile, a fluid that is produced by your liver and serves several important functions in your digestive system. Too much cholesterol can cause significant disease, including heart attacks...
Yoga has been an effective exercise technique, offering health benefits, including increased breathing and circulation, improved muscle tone and decreased stress and anxiety. Exercises in the form of postures, or poses, have targeted muscles,...
Food is composed of three major nutritional molecules--proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Components of each of these molecules are important to physiological function, and the body must absorb them from the digestive tract. Digestive enzymes break...
Ten percent of all adults in developed countries have gallstones, according to Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. For those older than age 65, the rate is 20 percent. While not all gallstones produce symptoms, stones are the most frequent cause...
The gall bladder is a small organ that sits just below the liver on the right side of your body. The main function of the gall bladder is to store bile, a digestive enzyme produced by the liver. Gall bladder problems can range from gall stones to...
Using olive oil to flush out the liver works by essentially overwhelming the gall bladder with more fat than it has bile to process. Unable to function, the gall bladder then signals the liver to immediately release all of its available bile into...
