Types of headaches

Figuring out what makes millions of people all over the world suffer from one type of headache or another is of utmost importance. Basically, there are two types: primary and secondary headaches. Of these, primary headaches are more prevalent. These are not caused by a medical condition. They typically occur in the form of some severe physical or mental tension or stress. When stress or tension reaches severe levels, it restricts blood flow from the neck muscles and the head into the brain. This obviously leads to headaches. They can also appear as migraine, which affects countless people. Migraines can have various causes, ranging from hormonal imbalances or fluctuations, liver disorders, accumulation of too many toxins in the body, or in some cases, the use of contraceptive pills. Some unfortunate people suffer from chronic headaches that not only recur at frequent intervals over long periods of time, lasting a year or more in some cases. Such severe and repetitive headaches or cluster headaches show their victims virtual hell on earth.

Secondary headaches, as is evident, occur as a result of some other ailment, or physical or mental deprivation or some overindulgence. These obviously disappear once the initial conditions that triggered them are successfully treated or eliminated. Comparatively fewer people suffer from such headaches. Some might experience headaches when they skip a meal or even a regular cup of morning coffee. Others may have headaches due to certain foods, chocolate, alcohol and so on. Constipation, insomnia, diabetes and other medical conditions may also cause headaches in some people.

Herbal remedies work towards striking at the very root causes of headaches, whether primary or secondary. Usually, symptomatic treatments aiming at relieving pain succeed only temporarily. Unlike them, herbal remedies are useful in restoring sound health, due to which headaches will consequently go away. Some medicinal herbs contain flavonoid complexes like silymarin (a powerful anti-oxidant) and others have sesquiterpene lactones with their main ingredient being parthenolide. These inhibits the release of certain pain inducing chemicals from the blood that cause headaches. Some others have properties to reduce anxiety and tension and to counter the withdrawal symptoms of various recovering addicts, which are again the reason why such people experience debilitating headaches. Herbal remedies like feverfew, milk thistle, passiflora incarnata, ginkgo biloba, ginger, kava kava, and many others are quite effective in several different kinds of headaches, including migraines. Besides, you can also findt Chinese and Indian herbal remedies for headaches and many consider these extremely dependable.

Being natural products and much unlike synthetic products, herbal remedies hardly produce any side effects, rebound effects or dependency as they treat and cure, and even prevent the recurrence of headaches.

There are quite a few terms or expressions that represent chi in various countries or regions. In India, for instance, it is 'prana' (breath) and 'therapeutic touch' and in Japan it is ki, 'the life force energy'. Reiki, a Japanese healing technique, uses the 'spiritually guided life force energy' for curing illnesses.

Some of the earliest recorded philosophies in China mention the 'metaphysical energy' that flows through and sustains all beings under the sun. An Austrian immigrant to the United States, Dr. Wilhelm Reich, propounded the theory that what he termed as 'orgone energy' is the cause of everything in the entire universe. According to him, orgone energy is the same as 'bio-energy' or 'life energy' that fills all living beings.

While some ancient Chinese philosophies describe chi to be a separate force unconnected with matter, some others debate whether chi arises from matter or it is the other way round. There is yet another philosophy supported by Buddhists and Taoists that matter after all is an illusion. Without using the word chi, several philosophers in India go a little further in stating that a primordial force or energy creates, sustains and destroys all matter, in regular cycles. All matter is an illusion of the reality that is the primordial energy.

One of the principal concepts pertaining to chi (or qi) is that of harmony, be it in the state of the universe or in the life of an individual. Earthquakes, tornadoes, typhoons, tsunamis, cyclones or the other natural calamities that occur on land or at sea from time to time result from the disturbance in the chi – harmony. The same chi also engineers cosmic troubles in the astrosphere.

Your mental or physical health is also in direct relation to this harmony. When there is imbalance or disharmony, your health suffers. You have to draw on the energy resource of chi to restore the lost equilibrium in order to get back the lost health. Your mind or body will then return to its normal state of good health. Traditional Chinese medicine uses various therapeutic techniques like acupuncture, herbal medicines, special diets, martial arts and so on, for correcting the imbalances in the circulation or flow of chi through its channels. Thereby, it restores the health of the patients. Reiki practitioners say that, when the life force energy is low, illness occurs and their healing techniques raise the energy level for the illness to disappear. They use the 'therapeutic touch' to heal their patients.

According to Feng Shui, the flow chi in the spaces that you and your belongings occupy influences your health, wealth, energy levels and many other things of your life, and even your luck. This traditional Chinese art gives clear instructions regarding where and how your things should be placed in your house, what color suits or brings luck to you etc, as their proper arrangement will regulate the flow of chi to your benefit.

Who knows, you may turn out to be a strong advocate of chi and its declared benefits, once you try Feng Shui or Reiki or some traditional Chinese therapeutic technique like acupuncture. Belief is the key.

With modern medicine to take care of every scrape and pain, we may find ourselves reaching for the Tylenol bottle and band-aids much too quickly. Popping pills has almost become routine and you can take them for anything that ails you. However, we don't have to be chained to modern medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for thousands of years keeping people healthy and happy and continues to do so to this day.

As we begin our study of traditional Chinese medicine, we must keep in mind that for those that practice traditional Chinese medicine, this is a way of life. It is not like the modern medicine we experience in the United States, in fact, it is quite different. This traditional form of medicine treats more than just the illness. You would not pop a pill every time you got a headache. You may consider other treatments such as massage or acupuncture to cure your headaches, especially if it is a chronic condition. There are three major branches of traditional Chinese medicine include only herbal, massage and acupuncture.

Today in China, traditional Chinese medicine is a distinct branch of medicine that is practiced in conjunction with modern western medicine. It is important to note that western medicine is far superior in treating trauma cases while traditional Chinese medicine excels in treating things such as: infections, chronic conditions and the side effects of chemotherapy and drug addiction withdrawals. This in no way is meant to infer that traditional Chinese medicine is inferior to its western counterpart. It is simply good to remember Chinese and western medicines are two distinct ways of treating illnesses. Traditional Chinese medicine offers a more comprehensive look at your overall health and will help maintain a better overall well-being while western medicine is more focused on treating the illness at hand.

However, for those who wish to go totally naturally and not want to take herbal remedies of any kind then there are other ways that you are able to suppress your appetite. There are certain foods which could be called "appetite control foods", these foods will help to give you the feeling that you are full and so you eat less, this is just what the many herbal remedies that work does.

These appetite control foods will simply trick the body into thinking that you have eaten lots of calories in a huge meal containing lots of calories when in fact you will have a full stomach but will have eaten hardly any calories. In the majority of cases this is considered to be a better way of fooling your body as you are actually eating but you are eating healthily and have that full and satisfied feeling that can be lost with herbal appetite suppressants.

Plain and simple: Water

The first totally natural appetite suppressant that is readily available to anyone is water. Normal tap water will work just as well as bottled spring or mineral water. If when you first start to get hunger pangs you should drink a full 8oz glass of water, wait for around 10 minutes before being tempted to eat anything and you will find that you don't feel as hungry or that you will need to eat less. Water is one of the most powerful and natural of all appetite suppressants available and best of all its free.

Leafy greens

The next best appetite suppressant is eating lots of vegetables, green veg works best, such as lettuce or cabbage. Green leafy vegetables will make you feel while providing you with very few calories.

Pickles

Finally pickles can work as a great work of making you feel full without filling your body with unwanted calories; the pickles should be of the natural variety and contain no artificial colors or preservatives. It is essential that they are natural pickles as many of the jars containing pickles also contain a great deal of sugar. So always remember to read the labels, as they should be clearly labeled with any additives and the sugar content.

Cleansing the colon

There are many names for cleaning the colon, including a colonic, colon hydrotheraphy, colon lavage or high colonic, however, the purpose is the same: to flush the colon and cleanse it with water.

The colon is an organ that when stretched straight is over 5 feet long and is the end of the digestive tract. The colon's primary purpose is to rid the body of waste products and reabsorb electrolytes and essential minerals. However, the waste material that accumulates in the colon is not always flushed as it should be with regular bowel movements. Over time, waste material such as dead tissue, mucus, impacted feces or parasites accumulates in the colon and can cause us to be sick or worse. These often-toxic materials can reenter our system and make us sick or tired and weak. Accumulation of this kind of material can also keep our bowels from functioning properly and often result in constipation.

Do you need to cleanse your colon?

There are many symptoms associated with having a buildup of toxic materials in the colon that many people may not consider as a side effect of poor colon health including: headache, constipation, blemished skin, bad breath or body odor, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, irritability and other common ailments. Although it may be more common than the common cold, there is a cure for colon toxicity. A vast majority of us could indeed benefit from a colon cleansing.

Enemas versus colonics

An enema is a much more common term that you have most likely heard. Although the procedure is similar, enemas are designed to cleanse only the rectum, or first eight to twelve inches of the colon. On the other hand, a colonic cleanses a much greater portion of the colon. With an enema, a small amount of water is used to clean out the rectum area while a colonic uses 1-3 gallons of water to properly cleanse and clear out the colon of toxic waste.

Effects of a colonic

A colonic will have many positive effects on your colon and overall well-being. It will clean out your colon, help train your colon muscles, and can also hydrate your body. The buildup that your colon experiences cannot only make you feel under the weather, but it can also keep your colon muscles from functioning properly. Since are bodies are comprised of almost 70% water, the water used in the colonic will be absorbed by our colon and help to dilute the toxic chemicals in the colon as well as the toxic matter stored in other parts of our bodies.

Continuing healthy bowel movements

A colonic will typically create a much more typical bowl movement schedule for you, however, your first movement after a colonic may be delayed for up to a few days. A smaller amount of people may experience diarrhea or loose bowels immediately following a colonic and this may be due to the extra water being introduced to the colon or it may be the overwhelming amount of toxic material that was contained in your colon that needs to be expelled. Either situation is completely common and normal and merely an indication that your colon muscles were in need of the cleansing, strengthen and rejuvenation.

Acne, pimples, rashes and boils – oh my!

For removing acne, pimples, rashes and boils, you can use a paste made from turmeric powder and sandalwood powder (one teaspoon each) mixed with milk. A paste of nutmeg in water works as well. Aloe vera can be applied topically. Its pulp (1/2 cup, twice a day) can also be consumed to help these symptoms.. Applying a paste of one teaspoon of coriander juice and a little turmeric powder on the face, after washing it thoroughly, is quite effective as a remedy for the affected skin. For getting rid of pimples, you can use a paste of cumin seeds (one teaspoon) in water. Topically apply it and let it stay for an hour before washing the skin. Fenugreek leaves made into a paste will also work, if applied regularly, for preventing pimples.

Herbal exfoliants

You can exfoliate your skin using herbal products. Exfoliation helps in the regeneration of the skin cells by promoting the shedding of dry and dead cells. Papaya or pomegranate can be used as natural peel. Products containing the fruit can be applied and after some time peeled off from the skin, instead of washing off.

Defy ageing

Your skin may become dry and wrinkle because of premature ageing. In order to combat it, you can massage your face with clarified butter (ghee), almond oil or coconut oil before bedtime. Aloe vera gel will also be good if topically applied. Alternatively, use grated cucumber as a face pack.

Rejuvinate

If your skin has lost its color, which happens due to a variety of factors like improper or irregular sleeping habits or poor diet or undue exposure to the sun, you may use any of the following methods using herbal products. Make a paste of one teaspoon of fresh cream, five almonds (ground) and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply this paste on the face and neck and chest and leave it for about 15 to 20 minutes. You can also apply mashed papaya or its juice on the affected skin. A paste of basil leaves and water or a paste of sesame seeds and turmeric in water can be applied on the discolored skin. Your skin will regain its pigment.

The meridian system

A key element to Chinese massage as well as Chinese medicine in general, is the meridian system. This system works much like a flowing body of water in your body. The goal is to achieve flow within the twelve different meridians in the body. Each meridian represents a different organ of the body, including: the heart, the sac surrounding the heart, lungs, spleen, kidney, liver, the triple warmer which is a function of the organ, small and large intestine, stomach, urinary bladder and gall bladder. The first six are directly related to transformation or yin organs while the second set of six organs are tied to the yang or transportation organs.

Whenever one of these meridians becomes blocked, just as a damn blocks the flow of a river, does traditional Chinese massage attempt to unblock by clearing the debris causing the river to back up. In other words, a blockage in the flow of your chi through the twelve meridians is what causes stress, sickness and disease.

A typical Chinese massage

In a typical Chinese massage, the client will be instructed to lie on the floor or on a table, and unlike western or Swedish massage will not be covered with a sheet. Instead, the client will be instructed beforehand to arrive in loose clothing and will remove their shoes upon entering the massage room.

After diagnosing the client's ailments, the therapist will begin a 1/2 hour to 1-hour session that focuses on various acupressure points to help relax and cure the client's problems. Some advanced therapists may use traditional Chinese massage in conjunction with herbal Chinese medicine. Herbs will be prescribed to compliment the treatments received and help improve the flow of chi and balance of yin and yang.

Chronic pain

Chronic pain is often treated successfully with traditional Chinese massage and may be done without improving the overall flow through the meridian system or flow of chi. It is useful not only in treating chronic pain in the back, neck and shoulders but also for more minor and short lived injuries such as sprains or pulled muscles.

In olden times, people depended upon nature, mainly on herbs, for their health problems. Then, the health sciences developed along with modern technology to produce infinite chemical combinations in the shape of medicines for the treatment and cure of various disorders of the mind and the body. With that, people turned away from herbs and towards prescription and non-prescription medicines, because these offered easier and faster methods of getting rid of their diseases. However, more and more people who are aware of the side effects of synthetic drugs are switching their loyalties to various herbal remedies. Prominent among these natural remedies is this wonder mushroom, 'the miraculous King of Herbs' – at least as the Chinese believe it to be), Ganoderma Lucidum.

Uses of Ganoderma Lucidum

The list of disorders or ailments for the treatment of which Ganoderma Lucidum its users say is extremely effective is long because of its wide spectrum of beneficial properties. It stabilizes blood pressure, lowers blood sugar and corrects the high cholesterol ratio. It generally strengthens the immune system. It fights bacteria, viruses (especially those causing liver diseases) and many side effects caused by the treatment of malignant tumors and cancers (because of which it offers itself as a supportive medicine in chemotherapy and radiotherapy). It is also used in the treatment of several other body disorders and ailments. It prevents bronchitis, help to relieve asthma, cough and many other related breathing complaints. It also helps the heart to function better and acts as a cardiotonic, or heart strengthener by relieving the usual feeling of a tight chest; further, it acts against plaque that builds up in the arteries. As it has sleep-inducing properties and it can help cure insomnia. The list of possible uses in seemingly unending. Most impressive of all is that it works with hardly any side effects.

It helps restore sound health, energizes the body, improving the body's vigor and vitality. It prevents quite a bit of cell degeneration as well as senility. That is why perhaps the Taoists see it as 'the elixir of eternal youth'. And that is why many people seek its powers for increasing their life-span. No wonder, more and more people intending to keep a good physical shape and maintain good health are using Ganoderma Lucidum continuously over long periods of time and reaping its innumerable health benefits.

Ganoderma Lucidum is, without doubt, an unparalleled miracle elixir for longevity and can typically be bought in supplemental capsule or liquid form from specialty herb or mail order stores.

An infusion that you drink differs from an herbal tea in that you use a large amount of herbs and the herbs are steeped in water in a container that is airtight for at least several hours and preferably overnight. The infusion can then be drunk iced, at room temperature or reheated and drunk hot. Infusions are always prepared using boiling water and it is essential that they remain airtight while steeping. Infusions can be made from the herbs leaves, which are dried, the dried roots or bark or the dried flowers or seeds of the herb.

The method used to infuse the herb to extract its medicinal properties varies depending on the part of the herb you are using for the infusion. Here are some of the proper infusion methods for medicinal herbs.

When using the leaves of the herb place 1 ounce of dried leaves in 1 quart of boiling water. Make sure that you screw the lid onto the container tightly and allow to steep until the water is completely cool, when the jar is cool to the touch then strain out the dried leaves and used as desired.

If you are making an infusion with the roots or bark from the herb then put 1 ounce in a pint jar and add boiling water. Once the water has been allowed to completely cool, and then strain away the bark or roots and drink as desired.

If using dry flowers from the herbs then place 1 ounce in a quart of boiling water and allow to steep for 2 or 3 hours. Strain away the dry flowers before drinking.

When using dried seeds of the herbs in your infusion place 1 ounce in a pint of boiled water and allow to steep for no longer than a half hour. It is important not to leave it for any longer otherwise the infusion will taste very bitter. Strain away the seeds before drinking the infusion.

Herbal bath infusions are very popular, when used this way the medicinal properties absorb into the skin through soaking. Add 2 quarts of your chosen strained infusion to your water before soaking.

An herbal infusion poultice can be used to treat infections and wounds. Wash the affected area first with the infusion and then soak a cloth in the infusion liquid before applying to the affected area.

What is the difference between a drug and a dietary supplement?

According to the definition set by food and drug administrations in different countries, drugs are chemicals that can prevent, prolong the life, treat other effects of a health condition, improve the quality of life, and/or cure ailments and diseases, or alter the function of any part or chemicals inside the body. These drugs have approved therapeutic claims. For example, paracetamol is a drug given to bring down the body temperature in fever. Ascorbic acid is indicated for the treatment of scurvy. Iron supplements are given to treat mild cases of anemia.

Herbal supplements are not classified as drugs but as dietary supplements. The main difference is that they do not have approved therapeutic claims unlike in the case of drugs. Moreover, dietary supplements could either contain vitamins, minerals, herbals, or amino acids, all aimed to add to or supplement the diet of an individual. They are not intended to be taken alone as a substitute to any food or medicine.

Most of the manufactured medicines we now have once came from animals and plants. Through the years, chemists isolated the life-saving or life-curing components and separated them from the harmful ones. This lead to the further drug research and drug development that lead to the production of a different variety of drugs for many ailments and conditions from synthetic sources. But still we have semi-synthetic drugs, as well as drug that more or less approximate more natural composition. Since herbal supplements are made from a mixture of crude herbs reduced into powder or gel form, and later on packaged as tablets and capsules, there is a possibility that life-threatening or at least body chemistry-altering components are still present, thus the expression of concern from the medical community.

Is there a growing concern with the use of herbal supplements?

Yes. With the rising popularity of using and consuming anything herbal or organic is the proliferation of fake herbal supplements that threaten to endanger lives. If that's the case, then why are herbal supplements given drug administration approvals? One way of ensuring the safety of the people is to have all candidate drugs, food, drinks, and dietary supplements registered with the proper authority. Otherwise, they would pose more risk with these things being sold in the black market for a hefty sum. We could ensure the quality and safety of herbal supplements if they get proper classification with the food and drug administration. Moreover, people may be able to file the proper complaints in the event a worsening of health condition is proven to be linked to the use of a particular herbal supplement.

Is using herbal supplements worth the risk?

Yes. It cannot be discounted that many who have tried herbal supplements experienced an improvement in their health-whether this is due to the herbals themselves or due to a placebo effect, as long as they do not worsen the condition of an individual, then using them is worth the risk. But of course, certain things must be considered before taking those herbal supplements:

Your doctor knows best.

First of all, clear your condition with your doctor. Ask him/her if taking a particular herbal supplement is safe given your health condition. People with heart, liver, or kidney trouble or malfunction, are usually not advised to take these, or at the minimum is to take these herbals in minimum amounts. All substances pass through the liver and kidney to be processed and filtered respectively. Kava, which is used to relieve people from stress, has been pulled out from the Canadian, Singaporean, and German markets because it contains substances that cause liver damage. Certain herbals such as Ephedra used for losing weight, contains chemicals with heart-inducing effects that can increase heart rate, which in turn can exhaust the heart and cause heart attacks in several documented cases by the American Medical Association.

Follow the directions for use.

Never take more herbal supplements than what is directed by the doctor or as instructed on the bottle. Each individual reacts differently to the components of herbal supplements. While it is perfectly safe for one individual to take in a supplement of primrose oil capsules, another person may be allergic to it. So, do not even think about downing one bottle of

It has no approved curative effect.

No matter how the product pamphlet or the label of the bottle sounds about how it has been found to be helpful in certain health conditions, these herbal supplements are not therapeutic. So do not substitute these for the medications prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of certain diseases, or for the maintenance of blood pressure, lowering of blood sugar and cholesterol, and fight off infections.