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Archive for December, 2011

Goldenseal Root Benefits

December 20th, 2011 Comments off

Goldenseal, also known as Orange-root (Hydrastis canadensis) is a perennial herb that belong in the buttercup family. It is native to southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States. The plant is well known for its thick, yellow knotted rootstock. The stem of the plant is purplish and hairy above ground. It also has hairy leaves and small, inconspicuous flowers with greenish white stamens in the late spring. The plant also bears raspberry-like fruit.

History:

During the colonization of the Americas, goldenseal was already extensively used by many Native American tribes as a medicine and as a coloring agent. Native American tribes including the Cherokee, Catawba, Iroquois and Kickapoo used goldenseal root. The Cherokee tribe used golden seal to treat Cancer, debility and dyspepsy. The Iroquois tribe made a decoction from the root to treat whooping cough, diarrhea, liver problems, fever, sour stomach and flatulence. The tribe also used it as an emetic for biliousness. Goldenseal root was also used as a diuretic, appetite stimulant, and as a treatment for skin diseases, ulcers, arrow wounds and gonorrhea. Read more…

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6 Tips to Read Before Having Your First Acupuncture Therapy

December 9th, 2011 Comments off

It is believed that acupuncture can help with a lot of different health problems, for example, a wide variety of pains, headaches, diseases, mental problems etc. Even though it is not actually scientifically proven that acupuncture can be useful for treating all of those health issues, this therapy has become popular because people report that it has helped them.

Most of the people who are interested in trying out acupuncture are also usually a bit worried and maybe even scared because they don’t know exactly what to expect from this strange Chinese therapy. Let me give you a few tips that you should read before paying a visit to the acupuncturist.

1) Don’t be afraid – it is almost never painful.

In 95% of the cases, it doesn’t hurt when the needles are inserted in your body if you are relaxed. It is mostly because acupuncture needles are much thinner than the regular sewing needles. Also they are never inserted deep and in some cases (mostly Japanese acupuncture) the needles just touch your skin without any insertion at all.

2) Don’t worry – you are not going to lie there naked.

Acupuncture points are all over your body and which ones will the acupuncturist use depends on the diagnosis. It is very popular to use points on your back, feet and ears. Usually you have to uncover just a small area of your body. You can expect that the acupuncturist will use approximately some 15 to 30 needles. Read more…

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