Grapefruit Seed Extract Makes Great Herbal Medicine

Grapefruit has been making a lot of headlines lately as the latest and greatest in diet plans. Supposedly, the acidic grapefruit is supposed to dissolve fat on contact. Whether or not this is true does not diminish the benefits of this miracle herbal medicine.

Grapefruit seed extract is one of the two most powerful natural antibiotics in the world, with garlic being the other. Grapefruit seed extract is a true antibiotic which means that it is 100% effective in killing bacteria.

Grapefruit seed extract is made from the seeds, peel and leaves of the grapefruit. One of the drawbacks of Grapefruit seed extract, GSE for short, is that it is not a substance that is easily produced at home. However one of the biggest benefits of GSE is that it is not only useful as an herbal medicine, it is also shown to be more effective (100%) at cleaning hospital environments than the commercial products (97%) used in most facilities.

GSE has been shown to be effective in killing multiple strains of bacteria that cause some pretty devastating diseases. Staph and MRSA have been proven to be deadly, as have as have pseudomonas and mycobacterium, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. Other bacteria that are successfully treated with GSE include Giardia, which can affect humans, as well as pets, Strep, Salmonella, Cholera, Chlamydia, Legionella (which causes Legionaire’s Disease), Herpes simplex 1, influenza, measles, as well as treating H.pylori, the organism that causes stomach ulcers.

One pleasant trend in hospitals now is the use of citrus essential oils as deodorizers. In the past they would use commercial grade air fresheners to cover the smells of the hospital, but many people have had allergies to these products, so now hospitals are using citrus essential oils to not only cover the bad smells in hospitals, but since citrus oils are also invigorating and uplifting, they help the patients feel better as well.

There are a variety of ways you can use GSE, from drinking it to using it as a nasal spray. Just remember that it must always be diluted or it can cause some damage and it should be used extremely carefully if pregnant. If you are going to drink it, be sure to mix it with citrus juice as it is extremely bitter and the only thing that will cover the taste is citrus juice.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Natural Healing with Ginger

Have you ever wondered why your mom gave you a ginger ale when you had a tummy ache? Well the reason is because Ginger ale (the real stuff, not the artificially flavored stuff) contains Ginger, and Ginger is one of the most curative herbs on the planet. It is well known for it’s antiemetic properties, but it is also a great herbal antibiotic as well.

Ginger has long been used in warm climates as well as in most of Southeast Asia, as it has a natural antibiotic affect against food borne illness, Shigella, E.coli, and Salmonella, which are three diseases that have been rampant in commercial food production in recent years. One of the most high profile cases of Salmonella recently is the case of the Peanut Corporation of America, which thanks to their toxic practices sickened more than 500 people in 43 states, and caused several deaths.

In addition to curing nausea, did you know that Ginger is also excellent for treating colds and the flu? It is particularly effective in children, and it’s safe to consume in large amounts, and it tastes good. Imagine being able to hand your sick child some candied ginger and they think they are getting a treat, when in fact they are taking medicine. You’d never have to fight them taking the prescription stuff again.

Ginger is an effective antitussive (anti-cough). It can rival even the prescription medicine with codeine that makes kids groggy. It is also a great antihistamine and expectorant, which will thin mucus secretions, making it easier to move it out of the system. Another of Ginger’s actions is that it relieves pain, reduces inflammation and encourages sweating, which helps to lower fevers.

While not a problem in the US, malaria and dysentery can be devastating and even deadly in some parts of the world. But thanks to Ginger’s powers the chills and fever associated with malaria and the diarrhea and vomiting associated with dysentery.

Ginger can be consumed in a number of ways including eaten candied or pickled (usually served with sushi) made into a tea from both the fresh and dried root, taken in capsule form, or as a tincture. Of course you can add it to cooking as well. Large amount of Ginger should be avoided if pregnant, but otherwise eat up, drink up and be healthy.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Herbal Medicine for Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been widely featured in the news lately. Diseases like E.coli, Salmonella, Staph and MRSA have become an increasing problem resulting in ever greater numbers of fatalities. But how do these strains of bacteria form a resistance to the drugs which are supposed to eliminate them and how can herbal medicine treat these infections?

Many people forget that bacteria are life forms, just like you and I. And just as we’ve evolved and adapted to conditions over millions of years, so do bacteria, only they do it 500,000 times faster than humans. While humans create a new generation about every 20 years or so, bacteria create a new generation about every 20 minutes. As such, not only do they survive pharmaceutical antibiotics, they in fact grow stronger, creating what the New York Times has termed as “superbugs”.

For those of you out there who are concerned about the trend of over medication that seems to be occurring more and more frequently in the world of conventional medicine, there is hope. Herbal medicine is the answer.

You see, before there was penicillin, there were herbs. In fact man has been using herbal medicine to cure a wide variety of ailments for thousands of years. These herbs are organic, and because of this, they have a higher rate of absorption in the body, since they are not chemically synthesized. Another bonus to herbal medicine is the cost. With millions of people having no health insurance, the cost of prescription antibiotics can be financially crippling.

There are dozens of herbs and other organic substances that can fight off infections. One of the most readily available is Garlic. Now some of you may be thinking that the cure, or rather the smell, is worse that the disease, but that really isn’t the case. You can purchase odor-free garlic capsules in the vitamin section of most major grocery and discount stores.

If garlic seems to be too harsh for you (some people find it too strong), grapefruit seed extract comes in a close second in terms of effectiveness. So the next time you get a cold or the flu, reach for some garlic and leave the chemicals on the shelf.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Herbal Alternatives to Treat Depression

Depression affects all of us at some time or another, but for millions of people each year, depression is a serious problem affecting their daily lives. Often these people are subjected to years or a lifetime of prescription antidepressants, which can have a number of side effects from weight gain to seizures, and often over time these medications become less and less effective, necessitating constant adjustment for the patient to see results. But there are herbal alternatives which can be used alone or in a complimentary therapy to prescription medications, in order to use less of the prescription.

One of the most well known and widely accepted herbal treatments for depressions is St. John’s Wort. St. John’s Wort works by altering the levels of the brain chemicals serotonin and melatonin which regulate mood, energy levels and sleep patterns. It is also found in scientific studies to increase theta waves. These brain waves only occur in deep sleep or deep meditation. However for it to be effective, St. John’s Wort must be taken on a regular schedule so that it can build up in the body and it is most effective when used as a tincture or infusion. You can often find St. John’s Wort tea at natural food stores.

For the anxiety that often accompanies depression, you can’t beat Valerian. Valerian is the basis of the modern day valium, but it is often more effective in its natural form. It is a calming herb and muscle relaxer and is often recommended by chiropractors and massage therapist to ease chronic muscle pain. Valerian is also very useful in aiding sleep, which often suffers in those with depression because of the imbalance of melatonin and serotonin. Melatonin is a sleep regulator, so if the levels aren’t sufficient, sleep will suffer.

Other helpful herbs for treating depression include hops and borage. Hops is known for it’s anti-anxiety properties and can be infused into a tea. Borage is an adrenaline stimulant. This beautiful blue flower works with the adrenal gland to boost energy levels.

If you suffer from depression, know that there is something you can do, besides be subjected to drugs for the rest of your life. While these herbs may not be enough for everyone, but for some they may just be the cure you need.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

How Are Essential Oils Made?

Most people think of one type of product when they think of essential oils. But the term “essential oil” is actually a blanket term used to describe essentials, absolutes, CO2s, and hydrosols. While not technically oils, hydrosols are commonly used in aromatherapy and are effective. One thing that all of these products (except hydrosols) has in common is that they are volatile compounds. A volatile compound is a compound that will evaporate easily under normal conditions.

Essential oils are produced by distillation, most commonly steam distillation. Parts of plants such as lowers, stems, leaves, bark or roots are put through a distillation process that extracts the pure essence of that plant. Contrary to what the name implies, essential oils are generally not very oily feeling at all. They are usually quite light both in consistency and color, although some can be a darker shade of yellow or amber, depending on what they are made of.

Absolutes are very similar to essential oils, and in fact are used in the same ways with the same benefits, but the process of extracting the oil is different. Absolutes are extracted by a chemical solvent that is then removed in the final stages of production. Common absolutes are rose absolute and jasmine absolute. These types of flowers are very fragile and would be destroyed in the process if they were steam distilled.

CO2s are products that are extracted by pressurized Carbon Dioxide. The CO2 is pressurized until it becomes liquid and then it used as a solvent, similar to the process in creating absolutes. The difference is that at the end of the process, the CO2 is returned to normal pressure at which time it naturally evaporates, leaving no trace of the CO2 in the product. CO2s often have a scent that more closely resembles the plant from which they came and they are often a thicker consistency.

Hydrosols, while not essentials, are also used in aromatherapy. These are fragrance waters that remain after the steam distillation process. These products do not require dilution before being applied to the skin, as they are much gentler. Hydrosols can be added to bath water or used as a perfume spray on linens and clothing without fear of oil marks.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

What is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the practice of healing through scent using plant essences, also known as essential oils. Essential oils don’t just work with your sense of smell, but when applied to the skin in a blend, they can also work transdermally.

Aromatherapy works in a number of ways. The first and most obvious way being through the sense of smell, or the olfactory sense. Scent directly affects the limbic system in the brain which controls things like emotion, behavior, long term memory and the olfactory sense. It is the primary reason why the sense of smell can trigger a memory more acutely than any other.

Aromatherapy can also be used transdermally, or through the skin. Essential oils can be blended together carefully by a qualified aromatherapist, and then applied to the skin in the form of a lotion, cream or massage oil. The essential oils are then absorbed through the skin and into the blood stream. An example of how the process works would be the nicotine patch or the birth control patch. They are treated with a specific medication and then applied to the skin. Since our skin is our largest and most sensitive organ, everything around us is absorbed through our skin and it’s up to our bodies to filter out the substances that we don’t need.

There are several ways to get the benefits of essential oils, including the use of essential oils blended into lotions, creams and carrier oils, through oil vaporizers, and essential oil scented candles and incense sticks. Be sure that the products that you choose are pure essentials, as the US currently has no regulation about the labeling of essential oils. It is possible that you could be getting a synthetic product, which is not suitable for aromatherapy. Look for oils labeled therapeutic grade, this is the highest level of purity.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Henna- Color your life with natural products

Henna is an Egyptian plant that has many uses, its usage goes back in time to before recorded history, and since it has such an ancient history no one really knows when its usage began. However ancient records going back at least 5000 years, record its use as an herbal medicine, ceremonial substance and an herbal cosmetic.

While henna and its use have its origins in North Africa and Asia, it has spread worldwide in the last ten years, gaining a huge following in the alternative medicine and herbal community. But it is still the most popular and well known for its use among the eastern Indian culture especially in a marriage event known as “the night of henna” in which the brides hands and feet are painted with very beautiful and intricate patterns as a means of driving away evil spirits and insuring good luck.

Though henna is often and primarily regarded as a colorant, it has a long history of use in herbal medicine. It is still used in many parts of the world today as an herbal remedy for the inflammation of arthritis, for headaches, as a treatment for sore throats, and as an herbal remedy for an upset stomach.

Henna also makes a wonderful colorant for your hair and is a key ingredient in many of today’s natural product lines and is often used as very popular spa product for coloring the hair.

There are different shades of henna and they can be combined and mixed to produce different results, for different shades of hair and it covers gray hair wonderfully. So try this wonderful herbal product and see how what amazing shades it can color your life.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

The Four Step Herbal Cleanse Can Remedy Many Ailments

Our bodies need food to survive, that’s no big surprise. Also no big surprise is that most of us eat when we get hungry. But we as humans need a variety of foods to obtain the necessary nutrients for optimal health, and while we all know that fast food and sugar and carbohydrates are bad for us, many of us may not be aware that certain foods can actually prevent the proper absorption of all of the key nutrients that we need.

If our bodies can’t process our foods (even if we do eat right) then we can’t absorb what we need. This is where natural healing plays a big role with the natural herbal cleansing process. This herbal treatment relies on implementing a mucusless diet in order to obtain optimal health, (this includes whole grains, organic fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats like those form nuts and seeds, no meat, dairy, bread , or sugary refined or processed foods are allowed) and then using natural healing and herbs to cleanse the bodies major systems and get them working.

The cleanse takes place in four areas, the first is considered to be the most important, the colon, and this blend of herbs includes things like cayenne, ginger, and fennel to help clear out the old mucus, then the next step in the herbal treatment is The liver/gallbladder and it includes such herbs as peppermint, wild yam, and catnip to help cleanse the billiary system, the third stage is the kidney/bladder and uses herbal medicines like parsley, uva ursi, and marshmallow root, to encourage the natural healing of the urinary system. And the fourth and final stage of the herbal cleanse is the blood, and this uses herbs like red clover, licorice root, and poke root, to help cleanse the blood and give you more energy. This alternative therapy can help you to feel better than you have in a long time.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Herbal Treats and Pain Relief for Tired Feet

Our feet are one of our most valued body parts they have always faithfully supported our weight and taken years of torment and abuse.

Our feet are a huge indicator of health problems elsewhere in the body and our feet have an enormous influence over our overall health. Foot problems that are left unaddressed can lead to such things as lower and upper back pain, poor posture, and even headaches, never mind the foot pain that usually comes first. Feet are one of the most sensitive parts of the body containing over 70,000 nerve endings, that is why foot massages feel so nice and reflexology is such a hugely popular spa and therapeutic massage service.

Some of our greatest foot treatments can come from Mother Nature herself. There are some very effective herbal treatments for foot pain relief and other foot problems.

To soak and cleanse the feet in general an herbal treatment of lavender, oats and a variety of essential oils can be used depending on the mood you are in, for an invigorating feeling use peppermint or eucalyptus, for a relaxing foot bath use essential oils of chamomile and lavender.

If there is a bacterial infection or foot problem, such as a nail fungus, a good blend of essential oils would be tea tree and rosemary, tea tree is one of the strongest anti bacterial, anti viral, and anti fungal essential oils there is, try this in your foot bath for conditions like toe nail fungus or athletes foot.

Al ways remember to wear good, supportive, quality footwear, this can also mean less wear and tear on the feet, and anything we can do to take care of our feet is a good thing because if we take care of our feet they will take care of us.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Natural Products for Baby

Making your own spa and personal care products for your baby is not only incredibly simple, but it’s very cost effective and it is an all natural alternative to the commercially available baby care products that are anything but natural.

Most commercially available baby care products, even the high end “spa products” from baby wipes to baby wash contain an ingredient called propylene glycol; propylene glycol (or PG) is the main ingredient in many products, from household cleaning chemicals to anti-freeze for your car! That doesn’t sound like a product that should touch a baby’s delicate skin at all, but all natural and organic products are often too expensive for today’s budget conscious parents.

One of the most commonly used herbs in children’s spa products is calendula. Calendula is a bright sunny flower that is renowned for its gentle, soothing effects on the skin. An infused oil of calendula and chamomile is a great basic natural product for your baby, it can be used as is or, with a few extra herbs and essential oils a custom blend can be created for diaper rash, eczema, chicken pox, cradle cap, or contact dermatitis. It is also great massage oil for babies as well.

Another great spa product for your baby is an all natural baby powder, that with the addition of a few additional herbs and essential oils, can be adapted for any number of skin conditions, from diaper rashes to heat rashes.

And who could forget about an herbal bath blend for baby. For a soothing and relaxing blend for babies a combination of herbs including calendula, chamomile, lavender, and roses is a great way to help your baby get ready for bed at night. This is also a great way to help ease the discomfort of colic.

If you or a friend has children or is expecting it is a very rewarding experience to make your very own spa products for your baby, you will be glad you did!

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Reiki- An Alternative Therapy and it’s Health Benefits

Many people that are not very familiar with alternative medicine and natural healing practices may not know what reiki is or how it works on the body.

Reiki is a simple non- invasive healing system that works to help achieve balance in the body mind and spirit by the use of “Life force energy”. Reiki is a very gentle and subtle type of energy work that allows the practitioner to transfer and flow of energy from a limitless source to the patient through the hands of the practitioner. This type of therapy is very old, and despite criticism from skeptics, it is gaining momentum as a popular alternative therapy.

In a recent article put out by the associated press it reads “Alternative medicine has become mainstream. It is finding wider acceptance by doctors, insurers and hospitals like the shock trauma center at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Consumer spending on it in some cases rivals that of traditional health care.

People turn to unconventional therapies and herbal remedies for everything from hot flashes and trouble sleeping to cancer and heart disease. They crave more "care" in their health care. They distrust drug companies and the government. They want natural, safer remedies.”

Some of the potential benefits of reiki are, it can help to relieve pain, it supports the immune system, it can aid sleep, it can reduce blood pressure, it can assist the body in clearing toxins, it can potentially increase vitality and help to postpone that aging process, and it can also help with spiritual and emotional growth.

Reiki is a very gentle therapy and can be used quite successfully with other forms of alternative therapy especially therapeutic massage, aromatherapy and herbal remedies. When used in conjunction with other forms of alternative medicine reiki can actually help these therapies to work better.

Reiki is a very effective form of natural medicine and has been shown to have great benefits for the body, mind and spirit.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Making Your Own Natural Products With Herbs and Essential Oils

Making your own natural products for bath and body is a fun, inexpensive, and very therapeutic experience and it is something that the entire family can do.

Baths are not only a necessity of hygiene and daily living, but they can also be used as part of religious ritual (there is extensive mention in the Bible, the Quran, and the Torah about the use of ritual baths, and many religions today still use this practice)and as a means of alternative medicine( some of the most renowned herbalists in the world prefer bathing as their modality of treatment) And even the great Mae West said “When all else fails, take a bath” They are good for the body, mind and spirit.

Some of the best natural products are ones that can be made with very simple ingredients, herbs and essential oils, and perhaps some other ingredients to yield a product that is not only useful for the body, but is satisfying to the spirit too, after all doesn’t it make you feel good to make something with your own hands? They make great gifts for friends and family too!
One really great example is making a natural body powder. A combination of white clay powder (also known as Kaolin) cornstarch, a few herbs and essential oils of your choice and you have a nice a silky textured product that is both very absorbent and has whatever scent or combination of scents that you would like.

This one is a favorite for kids to get involved in because they end up with a great natural product and get to make a lovely mess in the process and have fun. They can even collect some lovely feathers and make some nice feather dusters to go with the powder (although I would visit a fly and tackle shop for this, they usually have a great selection and they are clean)
This is a great family project that you should try with your family.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Ibogaine- Alternative Medicine in the Battle with Addiction

Ibogaine is an herbal product made from an indigenous African plant, Tabernanthe iboga; it has been used by the native Bhiwi tribe for centuries for religious ceremonies and spiritual vision quests.

In 1962 however that all changed when a New York based Heroin addict named Howard Lotsof, took Ibogaine believing it to be the latest and greatest in illicit party drugs. Much to his surprise when he awoke 30 hours later, he felt no withdrawal symptoms and further felt no need to seek drugs. He began to casually experiment with other addicts and was able to achieve similar results.

In the last four decades Ibogaine, like all alternative medicine and natural products, has met with its share of resistance in the world market. Ibogaine has the potential to have an enormous impact on a worldwide epidemic that has been raging out of control for centuries, most believe that the conflict is because it is in the best interest of big government and big business to do so, if word got out that there were natural products that could cure addiction in mere hours the government (through taxation) and the pharmaceutical giants (through loss of sales) would stand to lose billions, never mind that it is the right thing to do.

Ibogaine is often compared to another Natural product, kratom, and while both of these herbs are alternative therapies for addiction that is about where the similarity ends, ibogaine is believed to be a onetime use cure, and kratom is meant to be a gradual reduction until use ceases. Also they seem to according to research occupy completely different brain receptors.

Ibogaine is just another example of how alternative medicine and herbs have the potential to greatly impact lives the world over.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.

Kratom-Alternative Medicine has an Herbal Treatment for Opiate Addiction

For millions of people worldwide the sad reality of being addicted to drugs was never what they had intended to happen, after all who wakes up one day and says “I think today I’ll become a junkie” Of course, No one.

All too often in our country, the addiction begins when a doctor hands out a prescription for a narcotic pain pill (such as Vicodin, Percocet, Oxicontin, and even Methadone) for some affliction, under very honest circumstances. Eventually the prescription becomes ineffective and a higher dose is required, and so begins the cycle, people don’t even realize they are getting addicted, and are usually just trying to find relief from pain.

Well for those of us that believe there is a better way, Alternative medicine has found an herbal treatment for both addiction and chronic pain conditions, it is called Kratom. Kratom comes from Thailand and has been used for centuries for spiritual and religious practice as well as medicine and pain relief.

As far back as 1897, it was suggested that Kratom might be an excellent herbal treatment for opiate addiction, and even in recent years patients in rehab in Australia were given kratom as an alternative medicine for withdrawal.

In the alternative medicine world kratom is often compared to another herbal treatment Ibogaine, however it is important to note that kratom and Ibogaine occupy different receptors in the brain, so they work differently, and kratom is meant to be given in a gradual decrease, while Ibogaine is largely believed to be a one-time dose, as a cure for addiction.

Kratom is also believed to be an excellent pain reliever. According to some patients who have written about their experience, it worked far better than even Dilaudid and Morphine after surgery. And there are also similar reports by others who have used it for treating everything from migraines to cancer.

This is just another example of how we can find herbal treatment for almost any condition of the modern age if we only have the patience and wisdom to stop, look, and listen.

Check out http://www.moriahherbs.com/, it is your source for natural healing. At Moriah Herbs you are part of the vision, our mission is your well being.