Little scientific research has been done on the health benefits of borage, but the leaves, blooms and oil from the borage plant have historically been used to treat a number of different ailments, including eczema, joint and muscle pain, low milk...
Triphala powder is made from three types of dried fruits, baritaki, bibbitaki and amalaki. Taken together, they are most commonly consumed to keep the colon regular. In Ayurveda, the 3,000-year-old health system that originates in India, triphala...
Keeping your colon healthy is essential for overall health. Everything you eat passes through the colon and there is a potential for a build-up of toxins. If toxins persist in the colon they can cause weight gain, candida yeast and digestive...
Licorice, or Glycyrrhiza glabra, derives its name from the Greek "glyks," meaning sweet and "rhiza," meaning root. Licorice is a legume plant that grows as high as 5 feet tall in the Middle East and Europe where it grows wild and is cultivated...
Almond oil has many properties that are advantageous for maintaining good health, according to "Food as Medicine." As a folk treatment, almond oil is said to help digestive issues in the lower digestive tract, including constipation. The oil has a...
Bad breath, lack of concentration, dieting and sheer habit are several reasons people chew gum. You may find yourself craving gum throughout the day. Gum addicts commonly chew one or more packs of gum in a 24-hour-period. Constant gum chewing...
Much of what's called "licorice" actually contains little to no licorice. Licorice, produced from the roots of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, contains the active ingredient glycyrrhizin, which has properties similar to aldosterone, a hormone...
More than 3 million people in the United States suffer from constipation at least some of the time, according to the National Health Interview Survey. Constipation is identified as having fewer than three bowel movements per week; having hard,...
There are many supplements that can help you burn fat and lose weight, but many of them contain synthetic ingredients or harsh stimulants. While these supplements can be effective, they can also be expensive. Luckily, there are many natural herbs...
Raw potato juice is a traditional folk remedy for a multitude of ailments, from arthritis and gout to acne, eczema and stomach ulcers. Using the potato raw is crucial because the cooking process oxidizes the nutrients, eliminating the majority of...
The hibiscus flower is often used for making teas to be drunk as a natural supplement to weight-loss programs. The highly acidic flower is a natural diuretic, which aids in reducing water weight. In some people the flower acts as a mild laxative,...
Herbal laxatives affect the body in different ways. Strong herbs work directly on the intestinal walls, irritating the intestinal lining and stimulating peristalsis (contractions that move waste through the large intestines). Gentle herbs...
Whether you are constantly feeling "backed up" or are simply looking to prevent a future encounter with constipation, making the right food choices can help. The two main nutrients that will help you to keep your bowels move are fiber and fluid....
When considering marshmallow, a white, puffy candy toasting on a stick over a campfire may first come to mind. In fact, marshmallows were, at one time, made from the root of the marshmallow plant. Apart from its confectionery uses, marshmallow,...
Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant that is in many drinks and over-the-counter drugs and supplements. In moderation, caffeine usually does not have any negative effects. However, in high doses or in people who have a sensitivity to the...
Milk thistle, from the thistles of the flowering daisy family, are annual or biennial plants that are native the Mediterranean, the Middle East and northern Africa. Its seeds contain the flavonoid silymarin (silibinin, silidianin, and silicristin)...
Constipation is a common but uncomfortable gastrointestinal condition, usually caused by improper diet, insufficient liquid intake, stress, medications and sedentary lifestyle. According to Mayo Clinic, if constipation lasts more three...
Although primarily praised for their mild laxative effects, prunes and prune juice also contain antioxidants to help fight disease-causing free radicals. While no official dosage exists, generally a small glass of around 4 oz, or 120 ml is...
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, defines constipation as having a bowel movement fewer than three times per week, and where stools are hard, dry and difficult to eliminate. Usually, constipation is temporary, and it can...
Prune juice has a well-deserved reputation as a dietary aid to promote bowel regularity and prevent constipation. Several components of prune juice have a natural laxative effect. If you consume too much prune juice, however, you may experience...
Dandelion, the scourge of many a suburban lawn, is also used by herbalists to treat liver and gallbladder problems among other conditions, according to the University of Maryland or UMMC. Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. The...
To get the potential health benefits of Taraxacum officinale, more commonly known as dandelion, create a tasty chai tea beverage with the roasted roots. Grind dry roasted roots in a coffee grinder and combine with your favorite spices and herbs,...
Fennel is a member of the celery family that is indigenous to southern Europe and western Asia. Although the entire plant is edible, only fennel's oils and seeds, which have a flavor similar to black licorice, are used for their medicinal...
Dandelion root has been used for centuries in traditional medicine as a treatment for intestinal and liver problems. It is loaded with anti-oxidant vitamins such as vitamins A and C, as well as many necessary minerals. Dandelion root is still used...
Chickweed is the name for several types of an annual plant that chickens love to eat. Gardeners sometimes consider chickweed a weed, because it can outcompete many other plants. But chickweed is also a garden vegetable and herbal supplement....
While most people may think of dandelions as little more than weeds that make an unwanted appearance in the yard, health professionals have taken a more favorable opinion of dandelion. It is used by the alternative medicine crowd for a number of...
Silybum marianum, commonly known as milk thistle, is an herb with benefits for liver function, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. People can buy milk thistle extract under the name Thisilyn, a product containing 175mg milk...
Used in Ayurvedic medicine for improving digestion, to enhance the immune system, for diabetes and as a tonic for nervous system degeneration, Triphala is made up of three plant fruits, dried and powdered and used in equal proportions. The three...
Gardeners and homeowners consider the common dandelion to be a weed, but to herbalists, this bright-blossomed plant offers a storehouse of health benefits. Once native to Greece, today's dandelion appears throughout most temperate regions of the...