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  Good Morning,  Nutrition and Hormonal Balance As an acupuncturist in the area of fertility, I realize tha...

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Sunday, August 11, 2013

Herbal Remedies for Dermatitis and Hives (Uticaria)

 



Herbal Remedies for Dermatitis and Hives (Uticaria)

Dermatitis encompasses several skin disorders. Any skin inflammation may be considered dermatitis. Substances that irritate the skin, allergic reactions to drugs, detergents, and other chemicals are all culprits. Dermatitis can affect almost any area of the body. Redness, scaling, and thickening of the skin may occur. Pinpointing the cause of the problem is the first step toward alleviating the symptoms.

Dermatitis is not an age specific disorder and can appear on any one and can appear anywhere on the body, although as mentioned above, it is most often seen on legs, feet, arms and ears. There are often predispositions to this disorder. It is seen in heredity and can be traced through family history.

Dermatitis is divided into different classifications. Acute and chronic dermatitis are differentiated by a time period as well as symptoms. Acute dermatitis is seen with erythema and edema in papules, vesicles and sometimes large blisters. Chronic dermatitis is seen as lichenification, scaling and fissures. There is a thickening of the dermal layer. Contact dermatitis is another classification, which is skin irritation due to exogenous agents such as water and other fluids, abrasives such as cleaning products, chemicals such as acids and alkalis as well as solvents and detergents.

Urticaria, or hives, is the most frequently appearing dermatologic disorder in the clinic. It appears as raised, circumscribed areas of erythema and edema involving the dermis and epidermis that are very pruritic. Uticaria is an allergic reaction limited to the skin. It often results from: an allergy to certain foods; medications; insect stings or bites. Hives may appear as a symptom of some viral infections such as hepatitis, measles, and mononucleosis. Parasitic infections are common causes of urticaria in tropical climates. Non-infectious diseases are sometimes associated with urticaria, including lupus erythematosus, and hyper- and hypothyroidism. Some women develop urticaria during menstruation. Psychological factors may play a role in the etiology of chronic urticaria.

There is different etiology. One is allergic response from the interaction of antigen and antibody. Most urticaria especially acute urticaria is due to immune response. Second kind is due to histamine release. The third is factors cause blood vessel dilation. Fourth etiology is from irritation of blood vessel and inheritance. Allergic reaction is the most common reason for urticaria. Some biological, chemical and physiological factor can directly stimulate the release of histamine. Emotional stimuli, exercise can stimulate the release of histamine also. Urticaria can also be caused by lack of certain digestive enzymes. Some drugs, emotion, drinking alcohol can induce urticaria in sensitive people due to blood vessel dilation.

Urticaria may be acute (lasting less than 6 wk) or chronic (lasting more than 6 wk). Pathophysiology Urticaria results from the release of histamine, bradykinin, leukotriene C4, prostaglandin D2, and other vasoactive substances from mast cells and basophils in the dermis.

These substances cause extravasation of fluid into the dermis, leading to the urticarial lesion. The intense pruritus of urticaria is a result of histamine released into the dermis. Histamine is the ligand for 2 membrane-bound receptors, the H1 and H2 receptors that are present on many cell types. The activation of the H1 histamine receptors on endothelial and smooth muscle cells leads to increased capillary permeability. The activation of the H2 histamine receptors leads to arteriolar and venule vasodilation. This process is caused by several mechanisms. The type I allergic IgE response is initiated by 26 antigen-mediated IgE immune complexes that bind and cross-link Fc receptors on the surface of mast cells and basophils, thus causing degranulation with histamine release.

Causes include: Food, drugs, infection, insect bite, emotion, physical stimulation can all cause urticaria.

1. Food: Food is often the major causative factor in acute urticaria. Such as seafood, shell fish, chicken, eggs, tomato, strawberry, garlic.

2. Drugs: such as vaccine, aspirin, and insulin.

3. Inhaled particles: pollen, dust, and animal dander.

4. Infection: Bacterial infection such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, UTI, upper respiratory tract infection, prostitis, hepatitis, and parasite ovum.

5. Insect bite: insect sting often causes urticaria. Mite, tic often cause urticaria papulosa.

6. Physical factor: Cold, heat, sunshine, friction and pressure can cause immune or non-immune urticaria.

7. Hereditary: Urticaria patient often has family history of allergies.

Herbal Remedies for Dermatitis

Herbs that are beneficial for dermatitis (if you are not allergic to them) include burdock root, chamomile, cedarwood, dandelion, marigold, red clover, thyme, and verbena.

A study published in the British Medical Journal Lancet showed a significant improvement in eczema when patients took high doses of Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) in capsule form. There have been some reports that EPO can help in cases of atopic dermatitis. It takes a rather large number of these expensive capsules to produce results and it can take at least six months to see any results.

Flaxseed oil taken internally or applied externally often eases symptoms of eczema.

Aloe vera gel and Calendula lotion or cream can sooth irritated skin.

Take 500 milligrams of Black Currant Oil twice a day. Give children under 12 half that dose. This takes six to eight weeks to produce the desired effect.

Burdock Root - Helps to purify blood and restore the liver to aid in a restful sleep. Helps to reduce build up of toxins in the skin resulting in boils and other skin disorders. Helps gallbladder functions and stimulates the immune system.

Chamomile - Chamomile's medicinal properties range from skin inflammations to lightening hair to treating digestive problems. As a mild sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial, it improves digestion by relaxing the muscles throughout the gastrointestinal system and it can induce an overall sense of calm and well-being.

Dandelion - is a leading remedy for detoxing the liver. It stimulates the flow of bile, a fluid that aids fat digestion, which is why it's used for liver and gallbladder disorders. Dandelion has scientifically documented potent diuretic properties. It relieves constipation and eases bloating and swelling. Dandelion should be used for 4 to 6 weeks at a time. For it's liver benefits dandelion is helpful for skin disorders.

Red Clover - is an herb suggested for chronic conditions affecting the skin. It is a diuretic, but it's unknown exactly how it works for skin conditions. Use nonfermented red clover which is safe. Red clover contains a substance called genistein, which has anticancer properties.

Thyme Leaf - The pungent oils found in Thyme are an effective anti microbial in the treatment of respiratory infections. When taking Thyme, people often note tasting it on their breath as the oils permeate through the respiratory system to reduce the proliferation of viruses during infections. It also warms the digestion and reduces metabolic congestion, aiding to clear the body of conditions for infection.

Aloe vera looks like a cactus with soft leaves. The fluid contained in the leaves has been used for centuries to treat burns and minor wounds. Today, aloe gel is used frequently as an ingredient in cosmetics, creams, ointments and suntan lotions. A study published in 1996 in Tropical Medicine and International Health found that aloe vera was very effective in the treatment of psoriasis. By the end of the 16-week study, a cream with aloe vera extract caused a significant clearing of psoriasis in 25 of 30 patients, compared to two out of 30 with the placebo. However, a study published in May 2005 in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found that the effect of commercial aloe vera gel on stable plaque psoriasis was modest and not much better than placebo.

Apple cider vinegar and many different types of vinegar (derived from dates, figs, etc.) have been used by many ancient cultures for medicinal purposes. Apple cider vinegar has been used throughout the years as a disinfectant or soothing agent. The Psoriasis Foundation hears from people who apply apple cider vinegar to their skin as a treatment for psoriasis. People add it to the bath, mix it with a moisturizer, soak fingernails and toenails in it, and apply it directly to the skin with cotton balls or pads.

Capsaicin, a natural ingredient found in cayenne peppers, has been shown in some studies to work on redness, scaling and itching of the skin. Researchers have shown that capsaicin interrupts the action of substance P, (a molecule which affects how the brain recognizes pain and itch sensations) at the nerve ending. In two separate studies with psoriasis patients, 0.025% capsaicin cream used topically was effective in decreasing scaling and redness. The main side effect was a short-lived burning sensation. Several studies indicate that topical capsaicin products can also help reduce joint pain associated with psoriatic arthritis. Capsaicin can cause a severe burning sensation if it comes in contact with the eyes, nasal passages or mucous membranes.

Emu oil is reported to be helpful for dermatitis suffers of all kinds, as this oil has a protective and softening effect on the skin. The exact mechanism by which emu oil works is not known.

Oats and oat extracts have been used for centuries as soothing topical agents. Oat plant derivatives have been used to manage dry, itchy skin conditions. Many bath products include colloidal oatmeal as the active ingredient. You can make your own oatmeal bath. Combine one cup oats, one quarter cup dried milk and two tablespoons apricot kernel oil. Pulverize the oats and dry milk in a food processor or blender. Gradually mix in the oil. Place the mixture in a cotton bag, sock or handkerchief and put in the tub while filling. To release the preparation, squeeze while soaking in the bath.
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The Power of Calcium in Human Body!

 



The Power of Calcium

Calcium is an element founds in bones, shells and limestone, among
other materials. Calcium, along with vitamin D, helps build and
maintain healthy bones and teeth. In addition, calcium:
*helps lower blood pressure and control heartbeat *helps regulate
muscle contractions *plays a role in blood clotting *prevents fatal
bleeding from breaks in the walls of blood vessels *maintains cell
membranes *aids in the absorption of vitamin B12 *activates enzymes
such as lipase, the fat-splitting enzyme

Your bones furnish reserves of calcium to keep plasma constant at all
times.

Dairy products are the preferred sources of calcium. Children need 3
servings a day whereas pre-teens, teens and older adults need four
servings a day. The following foods provide about 400 milligrams of
calcium:

*Sardines with bones -- 3 1/2 ounces *Yogurt, plain low-fat with milk
solids added -- 1 cup *Yogurt, plain nonfat -- 1 cup *Tofu processed
with calcium salts (content of tofu varies widely so consult label)
*Cafe latte -- 12 ounces

300 milligrams of calcium:
*Milk -- 1 cup, any kind *Yogurt -- 1 cup *Cheese -- 1 1/2 to 2
ounces *Part-skim ricotta cheese -- 1/2 cup *Salmon, canned with
bones -- 6 ounces *Collard greens -- 1 cup cooked frozen *Soy milk --
1 cup, varies with brand *Fortified orange juice -- 1 cup

200 milligrams of calcium:
*Cheese -- 1 ounce (cheddar, part skim mozzarella, provolone, process
American or swiss) *Ice cream or ice milk -- 1 cup *Turnip greens or
kale -- 1 cup cooked *Cheese pizza -- one slice

100 milligrams of calcium:
*Cottage cheese -- 3/4 cup low-fat or creamed *Broccoli -- 1 cup
cooked, frozen *Navy or pinto beans -- 1 cup cooked *Taco -- one
small *English muffin -- 1 *Almonds -- 1/3 cup *Figs, dried -- 4
*Frozen yogurt -- 1/2 cup

50 milligrams of calcium:
*Black beans or lima beans -- 1 cup cooked *Clams,canned -- 2 ounces
*Shrimp -- 3 ounces canned or 4 1/2 ounces fresh, steamed *Hamburger
bun -- 1 *Orange -- 1

Most adults need 1,000 milligrams a day; adults over 50 need 1,200
milligrams. Children and adolescents need 1,300 milligrams to build
and grow strong bones and calcium stores. Pregnant and breast-feeding
women need only the amount recommended for their age. Most Americans
do not get enough calcium in their diets, especially women.

When calculating the amount of calcium you get in your diet, keep in
mind that certain dietary factors, lifestyle characteristics, medical
conditions and medications can affect the absorption or excretion of
calcium in your body. For example:

Calcium from foods rich in oxalates (such as spinach, sweet potatoes
and beans) or in phytates (such as whole wheat bran, beans, nuts and
soy isolates) may be absorbed poorly. Protein and sodium in foods
boost the amount of calcium excreted in urine, while phosphorus an
vitamin D reduce the amount excreted in urine. Caffeine reduces the
absorption of calcium. Cigarette smoking may decrease the absorption
o calcium. Diseases such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes, and
medicines such as corticosteroids and glucocorticoids reduce the
absorption of calcium, and increase the amount excreted in urine.
Alcohol in moderation does not appear to adversely affect calcium
availability.

If you are not getting enough calcium in your diet, you should take a
supplement. They do not provide the same overall nutrient benefits as
foods, however. If you do take calcium supplements, follow these
guidelines.

If you take high amounts, be sure to get at least 18 milligrams of
zinc per day, too. Avoid supplemental calcium from sources such as
dolomite, oyster shell and bonemeal, which may be contaminated with
lead or arsenic. Take supplements with meals, and spread the daily
dosage out over several meals instead of taking it all at once. Read
labels carefully; not all supplements contain the same amount of
calcium. Supplements made from calcium carbonate have the most; 40
percent of the pill is the calcium itself. This number drops to 38
percent for pills made with calcium phosphate, to 21 percent for
pills with citrate, and to 13 percent for lactate and 9 percent for
gluconate. So you would have to make many more calcium lactate pills
than calcium carbonate pills to get the same amount of calcium.

A calcium intake of up to 2,500 milligrams is safe for healthy
people.
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Anti-Aging Enemies---

 



Anti-Aging Enemies

1. Sugar: One of the reasons inflammation occurs is from a rapid rise in blood sugar, which causes biochemical changes in the cell. When blood sugar goes up rapidly, sugar can attach itself to collagen in a process called "glycosylation," or the Browning Reaction, increasing inflexible and inflammation. CRP is not found in foods. However, its levels in the body are strongly influenced by diet. The body makes CRP from interleukin-6 (IL-6), a powerful inflammatory chemical. IL-6 is a key cell communication molecule, and it tells the body's immune system to go into asperity, releasing CRP and many other inflammation-causing substances.

2. Simple Carbohydrates: Staying away from sugar and high-glycemic (simple) carbohydrates, which the body rapidly converts to sugar, is one of the best ways to decrease inflammation. C-reactive protein (CPR) is a key factor of inflammation.

In a major study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, people with elevated CRP levels were four and one-half times more likely to have a heart attack. Not only is elevated CRP more accurate than cholesterol in predicting heart attack risk, but high CRP levels have turned up in people with diabetes and pre-diabetes and in people who are overweight.

A recent study by Simin Liu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Harvard Medical School found that women who ate large amounts of high-glycemic (or diabetes promoting) carbohydrates, including potatoes, breakfast cereals, white bread, muffins, and white rice, had very high CRP levels. Women who ate a lot of these foods and were also overweight had the highest and most dangerous CRP levels.

3. Saturated Fats : are found primarily in animal products, including dairy items, such as whole milk, cream, and cheese, and fatty meats like beef, veal, lamb, pork, and ham. The fat marbling you can see in beef and pork is composed of saturated fat. Some vegetable products including coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and vegetable shortening-are also high in saturates.The liver uses saturated fats to manufacture cholesterol. Therefore, excessive dietary intake of saturated fats can significantly raise the blood cholesterol level, especially the level of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), or "bad cholesterol. " Guidelines issued by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), and widely supported by most experts, recommend that the daily intake of saturated fats be kept below 10 percent of total caloric intake. However, for people who have severe problems with high blood cholesterol, even that level may be too high.

4. Excess Sun Exposure : Exposure of up to 20 minutes in the sun is imperative for Vitamin D activation. It is the sun that is so important in cases of Seasonal Affective Disorder . BUT, excess sun exposure without a sunscreen of at least SPF of 15 can damage the skin by starting the inflammation process. Scientists agree that one of the most significant factors contributing to aging is chronic inflammation. [1]. This inflammation process is due to an excess of free radicals which produce harmful oxidation or "oxidative stress" that can damage cell membranes and cell contents. [2]. These free radicals cause inflammation.

5. Hypertension : The main factor in most cases of high blood pressure is an increase in resistance to blood flow. This can occur if the diameter of your arterioles becomes smaller. Your heart has to work harder to pump the same amount of blood, and the pressure at which the blood is pumped increases. Sympathetic tone is constantly too high, arteries are constantly constricted, and blood pressure remains elevated to levels that can eventually damage the heart and arteries, kidneys, and other organs. Because the sympathetic nervous system deals with fear and uses adrenalin and nonadrenalin as its chemical messengers, it is not surprising that anxiety is a factor in essential hypertension.

6. Alcohol : Alcohol stimulates the inflammatory process within the body. Drink only in moderation.

7. Sedentary Lifestyle : To build and maintain muscle strength and bone mass, start (or continue) a regular program of weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or weight training. A cardiovascular workout is imperative in order to maintain wieght and oxygenation of red blood cells. Maintain a healthy weight for your age and sex. (See guidelines for men and women).

8. Smoking : If you smoke, stop. Nothing you can take as a supplement can counter-act the negative effects of smoking on your health and longevity. Stopping the habit can! Tobacco, in the form of cigarettes, is the most addictive drug in the world. Nicotine is one of the strongest stimulants known, and smoking is one of the most efficient drug-delivery systems. Smoking actually puts drugs into the brain more directly than intravenous injection. It is true that one of the "benefits" of smoking is the brief relief of internal tension; unfortunately, within 20 minutes the tension is back stronger than before, demanding another fix. Learn to STOP Smoking NOW!

9. Excessive Stress : Stress can kill you. It is the underlying factor which can undermined any one suffering from an illness, fear, or just plain insecurity. The mind and body altercation brought on by our own self affliction. Anxiety is a vague, uncomfortable feeling of fear, dread or danger from an unknown source. For some it may be a one time episode. Other become constantly anxious about everything. A certain amount of anxiety is normal and helps improve our performance and allows people to avoid dangerous situations.

10. High Cholesterol : Too much cholesterol in the blood is what creates a problem. A risk factor for both heart attack and stroke, high blood cholesterol increases the chance of plaque or blockages developing in arteries. Lowering blood cholesterol can slow or stop the buildup of plaque. While your risk of cardiovascular disease depends on many factors, from genetics to lifestyle habits, keeping your blood cholesterol levels within ideal ranges can greatly lower your risk.
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