Even during pregnancy, it is possible to catch a cold. Because pregnancy has an impact on your immune system and hormones, cold symptoms may worsen or last longer than normal. Unfortunately, certain treatments and medications are not recommended...
Dried fenugreek seeds are used in herbal medicine to treat or prevent medical conditions including high cholesterol, diabetes, inflammation and loss of appetite. Fenugreek also adds flavor to Indian and Asian foods. However, fenugreek can cause...
Many options are available when selecting medication for high blood pressure, or hypertension. If you are at risk for hypertension, but not yet suffering from this condition, medication is not typically needed. If you are at risk of hypertension,...
Gout is a form of arthritis caused by a build-up of uric acid and usually affects a single joint, commonly the big toe, although it can affect other joints. Gout is more common in men than women and is characterized by extreme pain, swelling and...
Parkinson's disease occurs when brain cells that produce dopamine, a brain chemical that transmits messages relating to movement and coordination, begin to die off. As a result, a person with Parkinson's disease may experience tremors, stiffness...
According to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, fenugreek has historically been used for diverse health conditions, including treating symptoms of menopause, digestive ailments, and inducing childbirth.Today,...
Herbs have been used for many years to help prevent blood clots that cause stroke and other conditions. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that blood clots are a serious and potentially life-threatening health problem that...
Fibromyalgia affects about 2 percent of Americans, and more women than men develop this condition, according to The Family Doctor website. Fibromyalgia is a disorder associated with chronic pain in your muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints....
The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine and the Mayo Clinic agree that aloe vera is probably safe for the average adult when applied to the skin. However, they caution against taking aloe by mouth in some circumstances....
Chicory is a plant used both for food and for herbal medicine. Both the leaves and the root are edible, with the root usually used for medicinal purposes. Chicory root is also sometimes used to make a coffee- or tea-like beverage. However, not...
Shepherd's purse, also known as lady's purse, pickpocket, witches' pouches and various other common names, is a European native now naturalized as a wayside weed throughout the world. Its botanical name, Capsella bursa-pastoris, literally...
Studies of garlic have shown it to have a range of potential health benefits, particularly when taken as a supplement. It typically is consumed in food, pill form or in an oil extract. Crushed garlic bulbs contain a compound called allicin, which...
Keeping your cardiovascular system healthy will help you avoid serious disorders such as coronary artery disease, heart attack and stroke. Maintaining a low level of blood cholesterol is very important in reaching this goal, as is keeping your...
According to "The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies," the dimpled look of cellulite forms when fat cells harden and thicken. Cellulite is a like a traffic jam in your subcutaneous fat structures. It forms a disordered jumbled structure...
It's very common to be congested while you're pregnant. Congestion during pregnancy, also called rhinitis of pregnancy, is usually caused by changing hormones and increased blood flow, which can cause swelling in the blood vessels of your nose....
Turmeric has been used for centuries as a culinary herb and for medicinal purposes. It is also known as Indian saffron, curcumin, jiang huang and its scientific name is Curcuma longa. When used in cooking, turmeric gives the dish a golden yellow...
About 102 million people in the United States have high cholesterol, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 35 million of these Americans have cholesterol levels high enough to put them at significant risk for developing...
For most women, pregnancy is not the ideal time to try to lose weight. Your growing baby increases your requirements for certain nutrients, making it necessary to consume a variety of foods. Protein plays a major role in the development of your...
Your doctor might order Lipitor (atorvastatin), a statin drug, to treat high cholesterol. Lipitor can cause problems in some individuals. It is important to recognize side effects and report them to your physician. Frequent blood tests to monitor...
Statins are medications used to reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood. While cholesterol is necessary for the body to function properly, too much cholesterol can cause arteries to clog. The excess cholesterol can cling to artery walls,...
Aloe or aloe vera is an herbal medicine derived from the leaves of the aloe plant. It is used in numerous lotions and creams to help skin conditions, particularly burns. One primary internal use is to help relieve nausea when you are sick. Aloe is...
Marshmallow, or Althaea officinalis, the plant that inspired the fluffy white campfire confection, grows in the wild in southern and western Europe, parts of Asia and northwestern North America. Modern marshmallows contain no trace of their...
There are herbs that can give an all-natural colon cleansing. Most colon cleansing evacuates the colon and intestines of contents, flushing out toxins and parasites. Natural colon cleansing ingredients can include many herbs. These colon cleansing...
A diuretic is a substance used to relieve water retention through increased urination. There are several types of diuretics, including natural diuretics, herbal diuretics and diuretics in the form of drug. Usually a diuretic is indicated when a...
The Caribbean island of Jamaica has a rich cultural history that includes the practice of traditional folk medicine. Herbal folk remedies have been practiced for centuries in Jamaica. While the country is now home to modern hospitals and medical...
Eloxatin (oxaliplatin) is a medication used to treat rectal and colon cancer. It is a chemotherapeutic drug that belongs to the drug category of platinum-containing antineoplastics. Eloxatin helps to reduce cancer cell growth in your body....
Sage is an herbal remedy that is often prescribed by herbalists, naturopathic physicians and other health care providers trained in botanical medicine. The University of Michigan Health System states that sage can be used as a mouthwash or gargle...
Wobenzym is a blend of systemic enzymes that was first sold as a pharmaceutical drug over 40 years ago. Now sold over the counter in stores specializing in alternative medical treatments, Wobenzym is still used by some to treat inflammation. The...
Arthrotec is a medication used to manage the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis in people who have an increased risk for developing intestinal and stomach ulcers. According to Drugs.com, Arthrotec is a combination of diclofenac...