Alergies and Asthma Problems

For millions of Americans afflicted with allergies, spring each year brings a new round of sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and itchy eyes. Rather than embracing the sunshine and balmy temperatures that accompany spring, allergy sufferers spend much of their time indoors with their windows shut tight as they fret over the latest weather report on the high pollen count.

More than 60 million Americans are affected by allergies. Hay fever alone affects one in five persons in the United States. Allergies are the result of a hypersensitivity to substances in the environment that in normal individuals causes no difficulty. These substances, known as allergens, can be natural substances (such as pollens), insect bites, synthetic chemicals and foods.

In an allergic reaction, body’s immune system identifies a foreign substance as a harmful antigen and starts allergic reaction. Asthma, which can be brought on by allergies, is a chronic condition characterized by a narrowing of the bronchial tubes, swelling of the bronchial tube lining, and mucus secretion that can block the airway – making breathing more difficult. General symptoms include shortness of breath at rest or with activity, wheezing, prolonged expiration (difficulty in getting air all the way out), coughing, and chest tightness.

Often described as a major public health problem in the United States, asthma affects approximately 15 million people, with nearly six million of whom are under the age of 18. This condition can be helped by Allergies/Asthma, one of our Deva Flower Remedies, located on Alternate Health Networks. This remedy aids in deep breathing, while clearing nasal passages and sinuses. It also fights breathing related bacterial and viral inflammations.

-Herbal Wizard

Power Food - Asparagus

For such a small vegetable, asparagus demands a whole lot of patience. After all, the plant initially needs to grow some three years before you can harvest it. But the wait is always worth it, because in early spring, a time of the year when very few green things emerge from the ground, the roots send up shoots that can reach up to seven inches in as little as a day. Even better, these tasty spears help fight cardiovascular disease, strengthen bones, and my even boost the libido.

Nutritionally speaking, size doesn’t matter, but color does. The white variety pales in comparison to its verdant green counterpart. And you ask, what do green stalks bring to the table? This member of the lily family contains the most foliate of any vegetable. Foliate helps rid the body of amino acid homocysteine, associated with cardiovascular disease. It is full of vitamins, including kidney supporting potassium, and selenium, a trace mineral that helps regulate the thyroid for normal metabolism. Asparagus also makes an excellent source of vitamin K, which promotes bone health and blood clotting. Asparagus also wards off signs of aging, helping to ward off skin damage from sun exposure and repairs DNA.

Choose firm stalks with tightly closed heads. The base should look well-hydrated – not dry. Kept in the fridge, asparagus should last several days. Instead of cutting off the fibrous base, hold a stalk loosely and snap off the bottom. The stalk will naturally break where it starts to get tough. Remember, cooking leaves most asparagus nutrients intact, although it can be sliced lengthwise and then tossed with your favorite salad.

-Herbal Wizard

Olive Leaf for High Blood Pressure

In 2004, nearly one in three adults in the United States suffered from high blood pressure. High blood pressure is one of the high risk factors that, in conjunction with other risks, such as high blood cholesterol, obesity, or diabetes, could lead to stroke, the third major cause of death for both men and women in the United States.

In addition, high blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease and diabetes. The first line of defense against premature death is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, starting with a balanced diet that includes daily servings of fruit and vegetables, coupled with increased physical activity.

The olive tree has a strong symbolic character – it stands for peace and strength. Historically, olive leaves were used to treat fevers, as well as for the topical treatment of wounds or infections. In Yemen, people used to eat and chew olive leaves, and it was reported that Yemenites rarely suffered from diabetes. Olive leaf tea is commercially available in Europe, recommended for use in case of high blood pressure.

We use the olive flower essence in a number of our Deva Flower Remedies, sold on our website Alternative Health Networks. The olive flower with a greenish white color, having the Latin name of Oleo Europaea, helps those who suffer from complete exhaustion and mental fatigue, leading to confusion. Olive flower helps to alleviate all of these symptoms.

- Herbal Wizard

St John's Wort for Depression

In 2002, the National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD) conducted, what was termed a landmark study on St. John’s wort, concluding that it was not effective for the relief of depression. The only problem was that the study was designed to test the effects in patients with moderate to severe depression, while the body research on St. John’s wort supports its use with mild depression. There was nothing wrong with testing the hypothesis for St. John’s wort effectiveness beyond mild depression, but there is something very wrong when the study conclusion was extrapolated beyond what the science demonstrates, and to suggest that it didn’t work at all.

St. John’s wort suffered a significant loss of faith – and sales – as result of both the researchers and the press broadly proclaiming that St. John’s wort didn’t work. We at Alternative Heath Networks use St. John’s wort as a very important ingredient in a number of our products.

-Herbal Wizard

Certified Organic

Did you know there are an estimated 90 million people in the United States that purchase and use organically certified products and the number is increasing every year?

Why would anyone want to buy organic, when the prices are about 20% to 30% or even higher?

In a study conducted by Packaged Facts called “The US Market for Organic Foods and Beverages” that sales of organic products are increasing at an annual rate of about 22 percent. An average of 1500 new organic products hit the market every year. By 2009, the market is projected to be in excess of $32 billion!!

The largest growth sector is Organic Personal Care products with a recent growth rate of 38% annually. That is why we, Alternative Health Networks, are including more and more organic herbs in our Blended Herbal Products every year.

-Herbal Wizard