Herbal Remedies News

Aloe Vera grows in arid areas such as Africa and India. It has been used in herbal medicines for a long time for treating burns and also for diabetes and other medical conditions. It history is rather sparse as it is not known when it was first discovered to have skin healing properties. However, some of the first written records of its use appear in 16^th century BC. Some of the areas where it grew wildly have now been reduced due to desertification but since the 17^th century has been introduced to other countries with hot climates which mean that the plant is certainly not uncommon.

It is often sold as a gel or lotion to soothe and heal the skin especially when it has been burnt. There is scientific evidence to show that it is useful in the healing of first and second degree burns. The gel is also used in yoghurt, desserts and some juices. It is used for digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome and heartburn. It has been shown to improve glucose levels in diabetics. It has also been used to lower blood lipids in hyperlipidaemic patients. It has also been used to reduce symptoms for patients suffering from ulcerative colitis. Aloe Vera has also been useful when applied to the skin to help psoriasis. Some of the scientific evidence provided for the use of aloe vera in helping certain conditions has been contradictory and so more research needs to be done to prove its worth in certain conditions. However, with so many possible uses, it certainly seems like a plant which is well worth finding out more about.

Heartburn is a nasty burning sensation in the throat or chest which occurs often after eating and when lying down. It can be painful or just uncomfortable and may be caused by reflux where the acid from the stomach comes back out of the top. This can have serious effects on the body if it continues in the long term without being treated and so it is important to discuss the condition with your doctor.

The foods that you eat can cause the problem, things like spicy or fatty foods, chocolate, onions, tomatoes, garlic, black pepper, coffee, citrus, fizzy drinks, alcohol and mint can all cause problems as can lying down too soon after eating.

Stress can also be a trigger and so working on these things can be a help.

Although not proven in clinical trials, many people use aloe vera juice to soothe the irritation. It is taken before a meal and many people in Europe take it as a natural home remedy.

Sometimes slippery elm is used to help heart burn, although it has not been tested for this use as it is more commonly used to relieve sore throats. It contains mucilage which swell sin water and is thought to coat the throat and prevent the burning sensation.

Marshmallow is often used for the same reason usually in a tea but as with all herbal remedies a doctor should be consulted first as it can lead to problems with certain medications and can lower blood sugar so can be a problem for diabetics and hypoglycaemics.

Eczema is a general term for any type of skin inflammation. Sometimes it can be very mild, just dry flaky skin and in other people it can cause skin to be very red and inflamed, itchy, dry and sore. It is an allergic reaction because people that suffer from it tend to have extra histamine in their bodies which is what is produced when there is an allergic reaction to something. People with eczema tend to have a higher likelihood of having other allergies too.

There are a selection of things that can be tried to reduce the inflammation. Oregon grape root will do this and aloe gel will provide relief. Calendula cream can be soothing as can chickweed which can also reduce itching as can chamomile. Burdock root minimises how many skin cells are destroyed.

Scratching the itchy skin can cause infections and marshmallow root cream can reduce this risk. Turmeric poultice can speed up the healing process and also can relieve pain. To nourish the skin, oatstraw can be used daily either adding topically or to a bath. Rosemary may be added to the bath to stimulate circulation in the skin which should help healing.

It is worth trying different creams to see which suit your condition the best as different people find they get different results. Be careful when using different herbal remedies though as combining them such as putting both rosemary and oatstraw in bathwater may not be advisable. In severe cases of eczema it is worth seeing a doctor before applying any treatments to the skin.

The evening primrose is a wild plant that tends to grow in areas which have few other plants around such as roadsides and waste land. Many parts of the plant can be eaten. The plant tends to be cultivated in the USA and the first plants to arrive in Europe from USA happened in the sixteen hundreds. Some plants can now be grown in Europe due to being naturalized and adapting to the colder climate.

The young roots of the plant have a peppery flavour and can be eaten like a vegetable. The shoots can be eaten as part of a salad. For medicinal use, the whole plant tends to be used. It is often made in to an infusion which is astringent and can act as a sedative. In the past it has been used for various things including asthmatic coughs, pain-killer, whooping cough and gastro-intestinal disorders. It can be prepared to make a poultice which was used to ease bruising and speed up the healing of wounds on the body and is sometimes now used to help eczema.

These days it tends to be better known in the form of evening primrose oil and used to help premenstrual stress as well as the symptoms of the menopause. It is sometimes used to reduce breast tenderness and the rheumatoid arthritis. It is also undergoing testing to see if it can help to fight breast cancer. Clinical trials have not produced fantastic evidence in its favour but no well run tests have been carried out.