Half of the glossy, strap-shaped leaves of the Clivia miniata arc gracefully to the left and the other half to the right, reminding you of two hands offering a gift--in this case, a single spike supporting 30 or 40 brilliant, orange flowers. The...
A labret piercing is a piercing of the lower lip, usually placed lower than a traditional lip piercing. It may be centered, placed to one side, or done in pairs. A pair of labret piercing may be called "snake bites" or "spider bites," depending on...
Milk thistle, also known as Marian, St. Mary's or Our Lady's thistle, has a lengthy reputation as a liver-protecting herb. Although little scientific evidence exists to confirm the plant's effectiveness as an herbal healer, milk thistle is highly...
Activated charcoal is used as an antidote to treat certain types of poisoning, such as spider bites, mushroom poisoning and snake bites. If you think that you or someone you know has been poisoned, you should contact the emergency services...
Wilderness activities like camping and hiking can make for relaxing vacations, but can also result in accidents, even for careful participants. Getting basic first aid and CPR training before you head out into the wilderness can help you to stay...
Throughout history, herbs have been used to treat various ailments, such as wounds, snake bite, fever, flu, diarrhea and the common cold. Today, natural and alternative health practitioners still believe in the medicinal value of herbs to treat...
Homeopathic medicine is based on the philosophy that "like cures like." Homeopaths treat symptoms by giving infinitesimal amounts of a substance that--in larger amounts--would cause the same symptoms in a healthy person. Homeopathic apis mellifica...
Chaste tree, or vitex agnus-castus L., is an herbal supplement that has a variety of uses. It's also called vitex, chaste berry, Monk's pepper and agnus castus. It's most often used to aid hormonal imbalances and the conditions caused by hormonal...
Echinacea, known botanically as Echinacea angustifolia, is a member of the Compositae family. It is a perennial plant that grows up to 20 inches high and has a tap root. It has hairy and lacy leaves and purple flowers with a cone-shaped disk at...
Before heading out on an outdoor adventure, spend some time preparing yourself both mentally and physically for the trip. Learn not only how to respond to problems but also how to prevent them. It is important to understand and pack appropriately...
Marigold has been used as a medicinal herb in Europe for centuries. Today, it is even listed in Germany's official drug monographs. Marigold is applied on the skin or taken by mouth to treat many types of ailments. However, its efficacy has not...
Black cohosh root is most commonly used to alleviate the symptoms of menopause and menstruation. According to "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A Balch, C.N.C., it can also be used for snake bites and to...
Cancer, in any form, is a devastating illness that is often treated with toxic treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments are often so toxic and harmful to the body that they lead to hair loss, extreme fatigue and...
Ginger was in use in ancient China and India; it became popular in Western cultures around the 13th century, when people began to use it as a spice. It was traditionally used to treat various ailments including hangovers, upset stomachs and gas....
Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is a condition that affects about 75 percent of women, according to Dr. James F. Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." It may be caused by inadequate production of progesterone and excessive...
Juniper is used medicinally throughout the world, but it can cause serious side effects, which restricts its use apart from using small amounts. Despite its long history of medicinal use, particularly in Europe and China, there is no available...
Black cohosh is a herbaceous perennial found in the Northeastern United States. Native Americans used the root of the black cohosh plant to treat women's health problems. Later, American physicians used black cohosh for arthritis, fatigue and...
A labret is a form of facial piercing. Specifically, a labret is a piercing of the lower lip and above the chin. The piercing can take many forms, ranging from a ring to studs and even plates. Labrets are one of the most common forms of facial...
Depression is a pervasive and often debilitating condition that can significantly impact your ability to perform well at work or school, enjoy social activities and enjoy the company of your loved ones. Although symptoms vary by person, loss of...
Gout is a painful type of arthritis that affects joint tissues, particularly in your big toe. It is characterized by redness, swelling, tenderness and joint tissue inflammation. The symptoms of gout often occur at night. The condition is typically...
Bipolar depressive disorder is a psychological condition characterized by alternating periods of depression and mania, with depression being predominant, according to Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." The depressive...
Depression is a condition that affects both the body and the mind. Although symptoms vary from person to person, common symptoms include pervasive feelings of sadness, fatigue, sleep problems, body aches and lack of interest in daily activities....
Fennel use dates back to several ancient civilizations for conditions that included enhancing eyesight. It was brought to the United States by early settlers and is now used medicinally for a variety of ailments. However, the efficacy of fennel...
Arthritis is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the muscles and connective tissues of your joints. The two primary types of arthritis are osteoarthritis, which involves gradual deterioration of joint-cushioning cartilage, and...
Tinnitus is characterized by chronic ringing or buzzing sounds that have no external source. It is not a condition in and of itself, but rather, a symptom of an underlying condition such as infection, inner ear injury or hearing loss. Caffeine,...
Your kidneys, fist-sized, bean-shaped organs, are situated on either side of your spine behind your upper abdomen. The kidneys filter toxins from your bloodstream, especially those produced during food metabolism. The organs also help regulate...
Prostatitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the prostate gland. The prostate is a small gland encircling the urethra in males and is responsible for producing fluids to transport sperm during ejaculation. This condition affects...
Vanilla is a spice that comes from a fruit-bearing orchid. Vanilla extract is a liquid form of vanilla concentrate commonly used in cooking and baking. For centuries, people have used vanilla as an herbal remedy. Today, vanilla is mostly used as a...
Colds and sore throats are particularly common during the winter and spring months, especially in temperate climates. Adults in the United States catch an average of two to four colds per year, according to the University of Maryland Medical...
