Essential oils, sometimes called volatile oils, are the basis of aromatherapy. They are fragrant substances that can be found in a variety of plants in locations such as under bark or peels and in leaves, according to the National Cancer...
If you are disappointed in the way your face has aged, you need not start looking for a plastic surgeon. There are exercises that can help you combat the signs of aging in your face and neck without resorting to plastic surgery. Facial exercise is...
Colon cleaning is a popular alternative medicine treatment. Conditions for which it is promoted range from acne to acid reflux to colon cancer. Some patients also seek out colon cleansing for general health benefits such as increased energy. You...
The dietary supplement liquid chlorophyll is a green-colored chemical produced by plants. Sources for liquid chlorophyll include alfalfa, algae, barley grass, blue-green algae called spirulina and wheat grass. Health claims associated with liquid...
Held as a sacred plant by the Romans, sage, or Salvia officinalis, has a long and colorful history in healing and folklore. If you suffer from excessive sweating, this bitter-tasting plant may offer some relief. The use of herbs to treat physical...
A throat infection, often caused by bacteria or a virus, can make your throat sore and tender, making it painful to swallow or even talk. Because the streptococcus bacteria may cause the infection, it's imperative to see your doctor, who might...
Thyroid problems may result from either an overactive or an underactive thyroid gland. Kelp, a type of seaweed, may be beneficial in treating an underactive thyroid in specific cases, but it may be detrimental for people who are suffering from an...
Sweating, or perspiring, occurs when body temperature rises, which stimulates the secretions of fluids onto the skin's surface. When the fluids make contact with the air, they begin to evaporate, which causes a natural cooling effect. Ginger, a...
Visualization, also referred to as guided imagery, is an alternative medicine technique that requires participants to use mental images to change or heal something physical. Therapeutic visualization for weight loss is a common mind/body method...
The seed of the linum usitatissimum plant, known as flaxseed, represents one of the richest sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids available. Flaxseed converts to oil for cooking and salads, and retails as a dietary supplement in capsule...
In general, you should not expect probiotics to be either a cause of or a cure for nausea. However, there may certainly be some indirect actions from probiotics that could result in this distressing symptom or help relieve it. Probiotics are...
L-arginine is one of the 20 amino acids that your body uses to make proteins and enzymes. You get arginine from the foods that you eat, and your body can also synthesize it from an alternative amino acid called L-citrulline. While rare, L-arginine...
Orange peel extract is derived from what is known as the Seville orange, bitter orange or Citrus aurantium. Orange peel has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine and in the Amazon as an herbal remedy for indigestion and nausea, according...
Many women can tell you exactly where they are in their menstrual cycles not by the number of days that have passed since their last periods, but by the bloating, back pain or cramps that they are experiencing. Menstruation typically lasts up to...
Children's flexibility seems to make them ideal yogis. If you seek to instruct children through a safe yoga workout, you have certification options available at various price ranges. As with any exercise program, caution must be used when training...
Peppermint favoring is found in edibles such as candy, ice cream and tea. The volatile oil extracted from the leaves of the peppermint plant cannot be considered entirely harmless, however, states the University of Michigan Health System. Diluted...
Keloid scars -- a type of scar composed of tough, fibrous connective tissue -- can develop as a side effect of wound healing. Unlike other scars, which typically develop at the injury site, keloid scars can continue to grow after wounds heal,...
Damiana is a medicinal shrub of the Turneraceae plant family that is native to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. The leaves of this herb are used for therapeutic purposes, usually in the form of tea blends, fluid extracts or supplement...
Stress and anxiety are a common part of life for almost everybody. The key is to learn how to deal with them so they don't become unmanageable and start overpowering you. Excessive stress can be toxic and can lead to illnesses, a weakened immune...
Probiotics are a type of alternative medicine that can be used to help promote general wellness. While there is little evidence to support or dispute their effectiveness, probiotics have been used for centuries to help regulate bowel function and...
Depression can make you feel like you've been hit by a truck. You might feel like staying in bed all day, avoiding social contact and ceasing any activities you used to enjoy. Depression is a real medical illness requiring professional...
National Public Radio reports that as of 2010, 72 million adults are considered obese within the United States and more than 60 percent of Americans are either overweight or obese. Being overweight and obese may not only be aesthetically...
More than just feeling a little tired, chronic fatigue syndrome is a real and serious medical condition, although it is not easily diagnosed. Since the presentation of the condition can vary among individuals, treatment may differ depending on...
The wolfberry, commercially called the goji berry, is native to the Himalayan mountains of Tibet and Mongolia. This red berry is about the size of a grape. Since the early 21st century in the United States, the goji berry has gained rapidly...
Back massage is defined as "a hands-on treatment in which a therapist manipulates muscles and soft tissues to improve health and well-being" by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Massage can influence the activities of the musculoskeletal,...
When you sit down to eat a meal you probably do not give much consideration to the digestive process taking place inside of you. From the moment the food enters your mouth it is met by digestive enzymes needed to breakdown the food into nutrients...
Attention deficit disorder (ADD), also referred to as attention deficit hyperactity disorder (ADHD), typically manifests in childhood but can last into the adult years. Hyperactivity, short attention span, impulsivity and trouble concentrating...
When a doctor takes your blood pressure, he reads you a pair of numbers, such as 120 over 80. The first number, according to the American Heart Association, is systolic blood pressure. This represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart...
Noni, a tropical fruit originating in Polynesia, has been used for centuries as a naturopathic medicine and general health tonic. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, noni juice is a powerful antioxidant, or...