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HERB OF THE MONTH: GINGER Ginger is the stem of a plant that has been used in natural medicine for thousands of years. Ginger, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, is used to treat several illnesses including digestive disorders. Ginger can be used as a healthy part of a fat burning program to help you lose weight. USAGE: Drink a cup of hot ginger tea
three times a day before every large meal. According to Holistic Online, drinking ginger tea helps to improve and increase digestion. Digestion is an important step in the metabolic process and poor digestion can slow down the body's ability to burn fat. F.Y.I - Obesity means having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing too much. Both terms mean that a person's weight is greater than what is considered healthy for his or her height. Children grow at different rates, so it isn't always easy to know when a child is obese or overweight. Ask your doctor to measure your child's height and weight to determine if he or she is in a healthy range. If a weight loss program is necessary, involve the whole family in healthy habits so your child doesn't feel singled out. You can encourage healthy eating by serving more fruits and vegetables and buying fewer sodas and highcalorie, high-fat snack foods. Physical activity can also help your child overcome obesity or being overweight. Kids need about 60 minutes each day. Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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February
Teaching BRAIN dISEASES HERB OF THE MONTH: BRAHMI Brahmi contains active constituents such as heraponin and bacosides, which are known to help in improving the transmission ability of nerve cells to the brain. Brahmi is also known for its powerful antioxidant properties. Hence is a very useful herb in scavenging the free radicals in our body. It is also known to improve memory capacity, improve ability to concentrate, and also reduce anxiety which is induced due to stress. It is also a nervine tonic known for its nootropic properties - it improves cognitive ability, i.e. functioning of the brain. Brahmi has been found to be effective in treating brain related disorders such as mental fatigue, dementia, poor memory, psychosis, epilepsy, neuralgia, and depression. Brahmi can also be effective in treating Parkinson´s disease when combined with other Ayurvedic herbs such as Kapikacchu and Ashwagandha, and in treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, it gives good results when combined with herbs such as Harridan and Ginko biloba F.Y.I. - The brain is the control center of the body. It controls thoughts, memory, speech and movement. It regulates the function of many organs. When the brain is healthy, it works quickly and automatically. However, when problems occur, the results can be devastating. Inflammation in the brain can lead to problems such as vision loss, weakness and paralysis. Loss of brain cells, which happens if you suffer a stroke, can affect your ability to think clearly. Brain tumors can also press on nerves and affect brain function. Some brain diseases are genetic. And we do not know what causes some brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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March Teaching NEUROMUSCULAR DISORDERS HERB OF THE MONTH: ST. JOHN'S WORT
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St. John's wort medically referred to as Hypericum perforatum L., is an herbal supplement that comes from a flowering plant. Proponents for the use of St. John's wort claim that its leaves and flowers contain the active ingredients hypericin and hyperforin, which can be used to improve the symptoms of various conditions. St John’s Wort is one of the best non-narcotic herbs for dealing with nerve pain, and is thus very useful as a fibromyalgia herb.
F.Y.I. - Neuromuscular disorders affect the nerves that control your voluntary muscles. Voluntary muscles are the ones you can control, like in your arms and legs. Your nerve cells, also called neurons, send the messages that control these muscles. When the neurons become unhealthy or die, communication between your nervous system and muscles breaks down. As a result, your muscles weaken and waste away. The weakness can lead to twitching, cramps, aches and pains, and joint and movement problems. Sometimes it also affects heart function and your ability to breathe. Examples of neuromuscular disorders include Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Multiple sclerosis Muscular dystrophy Myasthenia gravis Spinal muscular atrophy Sometimes, an immune system disorder can cause them. Most of them have no cure. The goal of treatment is to improve symptoms, increase mobility and lengthen life. Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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April TEACHING JOINT DISORDERS Sun
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HERB OF THE MONTH: ASHWAGANDHA Ashwagandha is a small shrub grown in India that bears small berrylike red fruit. It is popularly known as Indian ginseng because of its remarkable rejuvenative and adaptogenic benefits. Ashwagandha's ability to enhance physical performance, increase energy and stamina has made it the herb of choice for athletes. Research indicates that Ashwagandha is a powerful anti-inflammatory. In fact, in animal studies Ashwagandha has been found to be more potent than hydrocortisone, reducing swelling and degenerative bone changes more than the steroid. In a clinical trial involving 77 RA patients who were given 3 grams of Ashwagandha orally three times a day with milk, over 75% experienced moderate to good improvement of symptoms. When combined with frankincense, turmeric, and a zinc complex, Ashwagandha helped to significantly reduced pain and disability for patients with osteoarthritis compared to the untreated control group in a randomized clinical trial.
F.Y.I. - If you have a sports injury, treatment often begins with the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) method to relieve pain, reduce swelling and speed healing. Other possible treatments include pain relievers, keeping the injured area from moving, rehabilitation, and sometimes surgery. For arthritis, injuries, or other diseases, you may need joint replacement surgery to remove the damaged joint and put in a new one. Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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May TEACHING CHRONIC BRONCHITIS Sun
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HERB OF THE MONTH: MULLEIN Mullein Tea is quite popular as a medicinal tea due to its high mucilage content and for the treatment of respiratory ailments, including chronic bronchitis, asthmatic coughs, hoarseness and congestion. The highly respected medicinal herb mullein has a high content of mucilage and saponin. Mullein tea helps relieve bronchitis, especially when accompanied by congestion, hoarseness, fever and coughing. The saponins and iridoid glycosides can help relax the bronchial tubes, loosen thick mucus, soothe the respiratory tract and promote expectoration. F.Y.I. - Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, the airways that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that often brings up mucus, as well as shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness. There are two main types of bronchitis: acute and chronic. Chronic bronchitis is one type of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The inflamed bronchi produce a lot of mucus. This leads to cough and difficulty getting air in and out of the lungs. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause. Breathing in other fumes and dusts over a long period of time may also cause chronic bronchitis. Treatment will help your symptoms, but chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition that keeps coming back or never goes away completely. Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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June TEACHING SHOCK HERB OF THE MONTH: CAYENNE PEPPER
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PROPERTIES & ACTIONS: Stimulant (improves blood circulation), diaphoretic (increases perspiration), carminative (improves digestion), tonic (strengthens and energizes a particular body organ or the entire body system), sialogue (stimulates secretion of saliva), rubefacient (increases superficial circulation, which often lessens localized pain from arthritis, inflammation, etc., antiseptic (kills or controls the growth of bacteria). Cayenne Pepper Tincture is a necessity in the natrual first aid kit.
USAGE: If a person is conscious or unconscious: 1) Administer 1 dropperful of Cayenne Tincture under the tongue, followed by Shepherd’s Purse tincture, 1 dropperful under tongue (to normalize circulation). F.Y.I - Shock happens when your blood pressure is too low and not enough blood and oxygen can get to your organs and tissues. Causes of shock include internal or external bleeding, dehydration, burns, or severe vomiting and/or diarrhea. All of these involve the loss of large amounts of body fluids. Shock often accompanies injury. Specific types of shock: Hypovolemic shock, caused by internal or external bleeding, Septic shock, caused by infections in the bloodstream, Anaphylactic shock, caused by a severe allergic reaction, Cardiogenic shock, caused by the inability of the heart to pump blood effectively, Neurogenic shock, caused by extreme emotional upset due to personal tragedy or disaster Treatment of Shock DO NOT let the casualty move unnecessarily, eat, drink, or smoke. DO NOT leave the casualty unattended. Reassure the casualty constantly. Treat any cause of shock which can be remedied (such as external bleeding). Lay the casualty down, keeping the head low. Raise and support the casualty’s legs (be careful if suspecting a fracture). Loosen tight clothing, braces, straps or belts, in order to reduce constriction at the neck, chest and waist. Insulate the casualty from cold, both above and below. Contact the emergency service. Check and record breathing, pulse and level of response. Be prepared to resuscitate the casualty if necessary.
Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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July TEACHING FITNESS AND EXERCISE HERB OF THE MONTH: INDIAN GOOSEBERRY Indian gooseberry is a tree that grows in India and the Middle East. Indian gooseberry has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. Today people still use the fruit of the tree to make medicine. Indian gooseberry is used for high cholesterol, “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis), diabetes, pain and swelling of the pancreas (pancreatitis), cancer, upset stomach, eye problems, joint pain, diarrhea, dysentery, obesity, and “organ restoration.” It is also used to kill germs and reduce pain and swelling caused by the body’s reaction to injury or illness (inflammation). Indian gooseberry seems to work by reducing total cholesterol levels, including the fatty acids called triglycerides, without affecting the “good cholesterol” called high-density lipoprotein (HDL). F.Y.I - There are 1,440 minutes in every day. Schedule 30 of them for physical activity! Regular exercise is a critical part of staying healthy. People who are active live longer and feel better. Exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight. It can delay or prevent diabetes, some cancers and heart problems. Most adults need at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days per week. Examples include walking briskly, mowing the lawn, dancing, swimming for recreation or bicycling. Stretching and weight training can also strengthen your body and improve your fitness level. The key is to find the right exercise for you. If it is fun, you are more likely to stay motivated. You may want to walk with a friend, join a class or plan a group bike ride. If you've been inactive for a while, use a sensible approach and start out slowly. Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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AUGUST TEACHING SHORTNESS OF BREATH Sun
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HERB OF THE MONTH: THYME Best known as a common culinary herb, thyme is a “must have” herb for your natural medicine cabinet. Thyme, a member of the mint family, owes its medicinal value to its volatile or essential oil, usually found at concentrations of about 1 percent of the dried leaves. Thyme has long been employed to help treat acute bronchitis, laryngitis, whooping cough, gastritis, diarrhea, and lack of appetite. When steeped in baths, it has been used to help relieve rheumatic pains and aid the healing of bruises and sprains. “It purgeth the body of phlegm, and is an excellent remedy for the shortness of breath.” —Nicholas Culpeper you're short of breath, it's hard or uncomfortable for you to take in the oxygen your body needs. You may feel as if you're not getting enough air. Sometimes mild breathing problems are from a stuffy nose or hard exercise. But shortness of breath can also be a sign of a serious disease. Many conditions can make you feel short of breath. Lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema or pneumonia cause breathing difficulties. So can problems with your trachea or bronchi, which are part of your airway system. Heart disease can make you feel breathless if your heart cannot pump enough blood to supply oxygen to your body. Stress caused by anxiety can also make it hard for you to breathe. If you often have trouble breathing, it is important to find out the cause.
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Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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September TEACHING HIV/AIDS HERB OF THE MONTH: ASTRAGULUS Scientific name Astragulus Membranaceus-- has a history of use as an herbal medicine and is used in traditional Chinese medicine.Astragalus may restore immunocompetence; potentially beneficial for cancer and AIDS patients. It generates anticancer cells in the body and boosts the immune system. - action: anticancer, specific (Acts on a particular thing) stimulant [Temporarily arouses or accelerates physiological or organic activity.], stimulates virtually every phase of immune system activity. In a study published in the 15 November 2008 Journal of Immunology, researchers shed light on the antiviral and antiaging benefits of Astragalus. In their paper, a team of researchers from the UCLA AIDS Institute described how their work with cycloastragenol reduces the aging process of immune cells, and enhances how these cells respond to viral infections. The compound works by boosting production of telomerase, an enzyme that allows for the replacement of short bits of DNA, known as telomeres that play a key role in cell replication. F.Y.I. - HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It kills or damages the body's immune system cells. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is the most advanced stage of infection with HIV. HIV most often spreads through unprotected sex with an infected person. It may also spread by sharing drug needles or through contact with the blood of an infected person. Women can give it to their babies during pregnancy or childbirth. The first signs of HIV infection may be swollen glands and flu-like symptoms. These may come and go a month or two after infection. Severe symptoms may not appear until months or years later. A blood test can tell if you have HIV infection. Your health care provider can perform the test, or call the national referral hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO (24 hours a day, 1-800-232-4636, 1-800-232-4636 in English and en espa単ol; 1888-232-6348 - TTY). Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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OCTOber TEACHING ANEMIA
HERB OF THE MONTH: ALFALFA Alfalfa is a perennial flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae cultivated as an important forage crop in the US, Canada, the Middle East, South Africa, and many other countries. The chemicals in alfalfa also aid the production of hemoglobin, which reduces the symptoms of anemia. Alfalfa also has Vitamin A, D, E and K; particularly good in later pregnancy to boost Vitamin K, which helps prevent postpartum hemorrhage. Usage: Iron Boosting Tea: 1 part Alfalfa, 1 part Yellow Dock & 1 part Dandelion. Steep for 15-20 min. Drink daily. NOTE: Please avoid medicinal usage if on blood thinning drugs. F.Y.I - If you have anemia, your blood does not carry enough
oxygen to the rest of your body. The most common cause of anemia is not having enough iron. Your body needs iron to make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is an iron-rich protein that gives the red color to blood. It carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Your iron might be too low because of: Heavy periods Pregnancy Ulcers Colon polyps or colon cancer Inherited disorders A diet that does not have enough iron, folic acid or vitamin B 12 Blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia, or cancer Aplastic anemia, a condition that can be inherited or acquired
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Anemia can make you feel weak, cold, dizzy and irritable. It is confirmed with a blood test. Treatment depends on the kind of anemia you have. Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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NOVEMber TEACHING KIDNEY STONES HERB OF THE MONTH: PARSLEY Parsley is extremely rich in Vitamins A and C; it reduces inflammation and cleanses the body of toxins. Traditionally parsley tea has been a used to treat urinary tract infection, kidney stones, and liver, bladder and prostrate problems. Culpepper's Complete Herbal & English Physician book states: "that using the whole plant is best, including the root, and when it is fresh gathered. A strong infusion cleanses the kidneys and the urinary passages in a short time. It is likewise good in jaundice, and other complaints arising from obstructions of the liver. It is also helpful for gas, in both the stomach and the bowels." It is best to use fresh parsley, including the stems, to make a tea. But if you can get the roots as well it will make the treatment even more potent and helpful. Drink 4 cups per day for 7 days. Your symptoms will greatly decrease after 3 days, but continue drinking the tea for 4 more days. NOTE: If you are pregnant, parsley oil, juice, and seeds should be avoided because they are uterine stimulants. Parsley eaten in food is fine, but pregnant & nursing mothers should refrain from using parsley medicinally.
F.Y.I - A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that forms in the kidney from substances in the urine. It may be as small as a grain of sand or as large as a pearl. Most kidney stones pass out of the body without help from a doctor. But sometimes a stone will not go away. It may get stuck in the urinary tract, block the flow of urine and cause great pain. The following may be signs of kidney stones that need a doctor's help: Extreme pain in your back or side that will not go away Blood in your urine Fever and chills Vomiting Urine that smells bad or looks cloudy A burning feeling when you urinate Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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DECEMber TEACHING GLAUCOMA HERB OF THE MONTH: FRANKINCENSE OIL Frankincense Oil is extracted from gum or resin of Frankincense or Olibanum tree, whose scientific name is Boswellia Carteri. The health benefits of Frankincense Essential Oil can be attributed to its properties like anti septic, disinfectant, astringent, carminative, cicatrisant, cytophylactic, digestive, diuretic, emenagogue, expectorant, sedative, tonic, uterine and vulnerary. Usage: 1-2 drops of Frankincense Essential Oil in palm Rub palms together Cup hands over opened eyes for 3 min, 2x a day (NOTE: Make sure oils are THERAPUTIC GRADE).
F.Y.I. – Glaucoma damages the eye's optic nerve. It is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. It usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, damaging the optic nerve. Often there are no symptoms at first, but a comprehensive eye exam can detect it. People at risk should get eye exams at least every two years. They include African Americans over age 40 People over age 60, especially Mexican Americans People with a family history of glaucoma
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Early treatment can help protect your eyes against vision loss. Treatments usually include prescription eye drops and/or surgery. Anyone with problems or health conditions related to any of these herbs or their actions should not use them. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician or NGE health practitioner before starting on any herb.
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