How about these right… I think you’ll find the following nuggets of wisdom particularly insightful. Leave your comments below. Check out the second one in particular…

Fresh concerns over safety of herbal preparations

Medicinal, herbal bitters contain blended ingredients in a water or alcohol (tincture) base. Originally sold as a digestive aids because of their ability to … Read More…

Home remedies, Part II

The “Roots of Healing” by Deb Soule recommends a black cohosh tincture. “The Herbal Handbook” by the British herbalist David Hoffmann suggests goldenseal. … Read More…

Alternative Healthcare: Prevention and home treatment of flu and other winter …

This might involve recommendations of herbal combinations, specific foods, and Qi Gung exercises. A common over-the-counter combination from this tradition … Read More…
That’s all the news for today guys, so until next time, thanks for stopping by.

You can use dandelions as an herbal plant and a medicinal plant; it’s no longer just a weed. You can use the dandelion roots to make tinctures or teas. The dandelion flower can be used to make dandelion wine and the leaves can be chopped and added to salads, soups or stews. The versatility of the dandelion herb is astounding.

Long ago physicians treated patients according to the Doctrine of the Signatures. They believed that herbs were signed by God to indicate their medicinal usage by color. Therefore, they treated jaundice with a dandelion tonic because of its yellow hue. In Victorian days cooks grew dandelions in their kitchen gardens for addition to their recipes and of course, to make dandelion wine.

The French call it the dent-de-lion or lion’s tooth. They feel that the petals reminds them of lion’s teeth. It has acquired many nick names along the years including, blow ball or puff ball, tell-the-time and clockflower. The puff ball moniker refers to days after the flowering, when a feather globe of seeds appears to be blown in the wind to a new destination. It is said that the dandelion can foretell the weather. If the day is to be fine the flower will open fully. If the flower ball remains tightly closed it is a sign of rain.

The dandelion grows across the United States and Canada. It has a long growing period that lasts from spring to fall. Early spring is the best time to harvest the green leaves before the dandelion flowers. Once the dandelion has flowered the leaves will be very bitter. The dandelion leaves have more iron that spinach and more carotene than carrots.

That common dandelion weed is packed with minerals such as calcium, magnesium phosphorous, iron, zinc and selenium. Added to that, it supplies vitamins B1, B2, B3, C and E. Who knew?

The dandelion as an herbal plant has many uses. You can use the flowers to make dandelion wine. Just grind up one cup of the flowers into 4 cups of white wine, put in an air tight container and let it steep for 4 weeks. Of course, strain out the flowers before drinking. The leaves make a tea or can be used chopped in a salad, soups and stews. The roots can be made into a caffeine free coffee after roasting or dry them for tinctures. The entire dandelion can be used as an herbal plant or a medicinal plant. Just make sure to dig deep when harvesting the dandelion as it has a very long tap root.

Another useful way to use the dandelion herb is to juice a big bowl of it with ½ of an apple. You will find it a very easy way to supplement your diet with the beneficial properties of the dandelion plant.

The dandelion as a medicinal plant can be used in a variety of ways. In the spring pick young leaves to be eaten in salads to take advantage of all those vitamins and minerals. Pick mature leaves, before the dandelion flowers, for their diuretic qualities to cleanse the bladder and urinary tract. The leaves made into teas will help ease water retention associated with PMS. The milky sap that oozes out of the stem is said to remove warts.

So the dandelion is no longer just a weed, it can be used as an herbal plant and a medicinal plant. Or view it as a fun memory of your childhood. How many of us can remember braiding “necklaces” out of dandelions as young children. Or, remember the delight of blowing on the puff ball to scatter its seeds. It is time to become reacquainted with the dandelion and all it is worth.

Copyright © 2006 Mary Hanna All Rights Reserved.

This article may be distributed freely on your website and in your ezines, as long as this entire article, copyright notice, links and the resource box are unchanged.

About The Author

Mary Hanna is an aspiring herbalist who lives in Central Florida. This allows her to grow gardens inside and outside year round. She has published other articles on Cruising, Gardening and Cooking. Visit her websites at http://www.CruiseTravelDirectory.com, http://www.ContainerGardeningSecrets.com, and http://www.GardeningHerb.com

Natural Substitutes For Beta Blockers

Beta-Adrenergic Blockers are medicines that are used for patients with high blood pressure. But like any other medicine even these have various adverse effects and that is why people as well the doctors and scientists are now looking for natural replacements and substitutes of these beta blockers. For instance, people who have asthma are not given beta blockers and so those with asthma definitely need a medicine that is made up of natural products and do not have side effects or at least effects that are life-threatening or the ones that get far too serious. If a patient is taking some other medicines along with the beta blocker then chances are that the beta blocker will interact with the other drugs and thus cause side effects.

Now what the beta blockers do is it blocks some the adrenalin effects and thus keeps the blood pressure in control. Passionflower is an herbal plant that works as a strong and effective relaxation as well. It certainly has no side effects. It is as good as many other anxiety cure medicines and this is medially proved. The capsules and tinctures of passionflower can be found in the health food stores.

Chamomile tea is also a very famous relaxation remedy. It has been used by people all over the world for a long time now. Just one cup suffices to keep the blood pressure in our body in control. The tea needs to be fragrant and fresh in order to work effectively and so the person who buys it should check that out.

The right breathing exercises always work as anxiety cures and therefore they help control the blood pressure and thus block the harmful effects of the adrenalin. While keeping the back straight and thus sitting in an upright position one has to place the tip of the tongue just behind the upper front teeth and then exhale through the mouth. After emptying the lungs the air is to be taken in through the nose while counting four mentally. Then the breath is to be hold until you count seven. This enter cycle needs to be repeated for about fifteen minutes.

But there are herbal medications that claim to be natural and also a substitute of the beta blockers are not safe to use. These drugs are not approved by the doctors or the scientists and are not prescribed by them either. These herbal remedies are known as over-the-counter drugs and ca
1000
n not be fully trusted. Very few of the natural medicines are proved to be effective at all to stop heart failure or even to be able to keep the blood pressure in control.

There are a few natural remedies that are prescribed and promoted for various cardiovascular conditions. Like, L-arginine which is among the best known of all the natural substitutes for a heart condition. This medicine is quite promising but the real effect of it is still not clear. The theory in which is works shows that it should work wonderfully. The long term benefits are almost known but as it is natural and therefore safe to use, patients do choose to try it out for themselves.

Pomegranate juice is another health drink that is a natural remedy for a heart condition. It has got a lot of polyphenols that work as anti-oxidants. But it is been said that relying solely on this juice as a cure for a heart problem or for controlling high blood pressure is not a very good idea. This juice is natural and healthy and therefore safe but needs to be assisted by other medication to cure cardiovascular problems.

Those are only a few strategies of many to help you lower and even successfully take control of your high blood pressure. More simple yet powerful strategies and step-by-step instructions about what to do and how to do it right, you can find in a special report by Samuel Baron “Natural Treatment For Hypertension”.

By: Samuel A. Baron

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Samuel Baron is a great fan of natural therapy, weight loss and dieting expert and the author of the special report “Natural Treatment For Hypertension” for those who suffer from high blood pressure and are aware of the dangers of conventional medical treatment and want to give a try to natural ways to take control of HBP.

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Cardio Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From – Home | Health & Fitness | Cardio

Heart Rate Monitors For Various Workouts
What Is A Heart Rate Monitor?
Cure for Heart Disease, You Be The Judge!
Cardio – The Sure Way to Lose Weight
Could Your Baby Be Suffering from A Congenital Heart Defect?
Attaining Security for Your Family
What’s The Best Pedometer?
Heart Disease Diet
Fast Acting Blood Pressure Natural Remedies
Nursing Field Choices