It’s hard to know what is the best cookware for your health. When I was first married, cooking in aluminum pans was a hot topic. Aluminum use was linked to Alzheimer’s disease, they said. More recently, the topic of using Teflon coated skillets has been in the news. Teflon use is linked to cancer, they say. Earlier this year, my mother couldn’t wait to show me the newest thing out there, the GreenPan from Belgium. She was so excited to get one and was amazed that I hadn’t heard of them. This non-stick coated pan is PTFE free (the substance under question in Teflon). But since I’m skeptical of new products that haven’t stood the test of time, and choosing healthy cookware is an important decision to make for a family, I’ll stick with cast iron and stainless steel.

Cast Iron Cookware

Although used since the 4^th century in China, Abraham Darby perfected the production of cast iron pots in England in the early 1700s. Since that time, no adverse health effects have been reported from their use. In fact, using cast iron can increase the iron in your food—especially if cooking high acid foods like tomato sauce. Iron is important in the diet because the red blood cells carry oxygen from the lungs to all parts of the body through the bloodstream. An estimated 3.5 million Americans suffer with anemia (iron-poor blood); the symptoms of which include fatigue, lack of energy, headaches, and dizziness. Although you can overdose on iron, it is rare. Women lose iron through blood loss at menstruation. Athletes lose iron through perspiration; and those that consume excessive amounts of coffee and tea block their body’s absorption of this important mineral.

Made of heavy iron, cast iron pots or skillets are virtually indestructible. And once you season your cast iron, they provide cooking as non-stick as non-stick can get. However, maintaining that finish is an important part of cast iron care.

Stainless Steel Cookware

The next healthiest choice of cookware is stainless steel. Actually, stainless steel is made of several different metals. According to a report on the safe use of cookware by Health Canada, the only metals in a high-quality, stainless steel pan that may affect health are iron, nickel, and chromium. Nickel may cause a reaction in those allergic to that metal, but the iron and chromium are necessary in the diet and cannot leach into your foods in any dangerous amounts. For added safety, never store high acid foods like tomato sauce or rhubarb in stainless steel pans and if the surface of the pan has been destroyed with pitting or deep scratches, discontinue use.

As with any cookware, proper care is essential. The great thing about stainless steel is that you can clean the pans in the dishwasher. However, if you have burned or stuck food on them, do not use steel wool or metal scouring pads as they can scratch the surface. First wash the pan with a soft cloth in hot soap and water. If a little extra is needed, use a nylon scrubby with a non-abrasive cleanser. When done, rinse in hot water and dry immediately to prevent water spots from forming.

If your cupboards are still filled with Teflon-coated or aluminum pans, do not despair; choosing healthy cookware is easier than you might think. Cast iron can be found in junk shops for a bargain and resurfaced; and the cost of quality stainless steel pans has come down in recent years. When we were starting out, I would replace one pan at a time as the budget would allow until I could afford to buy the best cookware for our health. In the meantime, refrain from using the coated or aluminum pans with high-acid foods or at high temperatures.

Photo by yalin_cyp

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Regular candles are often made with all sorts of chemicals and other additives that aren’t particularly good for your health. However, there are a couple of natural alternatives for candles, including those made with soy. Soy wax candles have a number of benefits over regular candles, the first being that they are naturally better for your health!

Ingredients of Soy Wax Candles

Soy wax candles are made from soybean oil. Soy bean oil is extracted from soybeans (Glycene max). The soybean is a species of legume that is a member of the Fabiaceae botanical family; although the plant is native to East Asia, the majority of soy beans grown for candle making are now grown in the United States.

Soybeans go through a number of processes (including cleaning and de-hulling) before they end up as soy flakes. It is from the flakes that the soybean oil is extracted and is then hydrogenated; the hydrogenation process produces a “wax” that is solid at room temperature (source).

Soy wax is available in a variety of blends for candles and, if you are a candle maker, you need to check each supplier’s description carefully to figure out if anything else has been added to the soy wax (such as botanical oils) to make it into a soy wax blend. Different types of soy wax/soy wax blends are more suitable for making one type of candle over another: for example, glass containers vs. pillar candles (source).

Sustainability of Soy

Unlike regular paraffin candles, which depend on the availability of oil supplies, soy candles use a resource that is readily renewable. Soybean crops are primarily produced in the states of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana and each year new crops produce soybeans for the manufacture of soy candles. Therefore the production of soy candles support American farmers and help support the national economy.

Do Soy Candles Burn Clean?

Soy candles do burn clean; paraffin candles add toxicity to your environment. The choice seems simple but in addition to checking the ingredients of the candle, you also have to check the type of wick that the candle was made with. Cotton or hemp candle wicks don’t produce soot like metal wicks. All candles, even those made with soy, produce a little soot from the smoke, but the amount of soot produced depends on the type of wick used too.

Economic Benefits

Soy wax candles tend to burn more slowly than regular paraffin candles so you get more value for your money! You might notice that the price of paraffin candles is usually cheaper than soy candles. However, you need to take into account that a soy candle (of the same size) might last up to twice as long as a paraffin candle, so the soy candle actually works out to be more cost effective.

Essential Oil Soy Candles

Paraffin candles often have a synthetic aroma added to them. Soy candles are great for adding essential oils to, meaning that your soy candle will have true therapeutic benefits too, depending on the type of essential oil that you chose. You can buy essential oil soy candles with pre-made blends already added to them or you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to an unscented soy candle on burning. You can still add synthetic aromas (fragrance oils) to soy candles but be aware that fragrance oils are not natural and do not hold any therapeutic value.

Soy Candle Benefits

Soy wax candles are biodegradable, environmentally friendly and help support the national economy. By understanding the ingredients of soy wax candles, you can figure out the actual health benefits of a particular soy candle. As an aromatherapist, there is only one way that I make aromatherapy candles since I discovered the benefits of soy! And the addition of essential oils are the finishing touch to a candle with true therapeutic benefits.

Photo by Yortw

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Today, a lot of manufactured soaps contain a range of ingredients that often cause your skin to dry out or can irritate your skin. However, if you look at the ingredients of natural soaps, mostly handmade by independent businesses, you will realize that soap doesn’t have to be like this. One such type of soap is Castile soap. Castile soap is made with vegetable oil and not animal fat. It has a variety of different uses and a number of benefits.

History of Castile Soap

The history of Castile soap is sketchy, depending on which resource you read, but most sources tend to agree that Castile soap is the name of a soap that originated in the Castile region of Spain. If you go back further in time, you will find that Castile soap has its roots in Aleppo soap. Aleppo soap originates from the region of Syria, from where it made its way to Europe through the Crusades (1095-1291) (source). Aleppo soap dates back thousands of years.

Ingredients of Castile Soap

Aleppo soap is a hard soap that is made from olive oil, laurel bay oil, sodium hydroxide and water; other ingredients such as essential oils are often added to it (source). The ingredients of Castile soap are based on those of Aleppo soap. Today, Castile soap is made from a variety of vegetable oil ingredients but originally it was made from olive oil, with the exclusion of laurel bay oil, because early European soap makers didn’t have easy access to laurel bay oil, the other main ingredient of Aleppo soap from which Castile soap originated from. However, the term “Castile soap” is often used to describe a wide range of vegetable oil based soaps today so it is important to check the actual ingredients of Castile soap before buying it. Castile soap is available as either liquid or hard soap.

Uses of Castile Soap

Castile soap has a wide variety of uses, depending on the type of product that you choose. You can use Castile soap:

• as an all purpose general cleaner in your home

• to wash laundry

• wash your car

• to bath your pet

• for your baby

• for personal skincare.

(source)

Benefits of Castile Soap

Castile soap has a number of benefits over regular soap, due to its natural ingredients; its benefits are more or less the same as Aleppo soap, as both soaps contain similar ingredients. Castile soap is:

• kinder to the environment as it is non-toxic, unlike regular cleaning detergents

• is beneficial for a wide variety of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis

• is an excellent skin toner as it is nourishing to the skin

• gentle enough to use with your pet or with baby

• is relatively cheap, particularly if you dilute the product for use with pets and children

• is easy to clean with as it doesn’t cause skin irritation like a lot of regular household cleaners.

(source)

Quality of Castile Soap

Castile soap is made from natural ingredients, including olive oil which is rich in antiseptic, astringent and emollient properties (source: Carrier Oils for Aromatherapy and Massage, Len Price). However, just as you should check the actual ingredients of the type of Castile soap that you intend to purchase, you should also check the quality of the ingredients. Olive oil is available in a variety of grades too, so the quality of the type of olive oil used in the making of a particular Castile soap will affect the benefits of the soap. Overall, Castile soap is one of the best natural choices for soap and has a number of uses and benefits over regular soap. Vegetable oil based soaps contain many natural ingredients that are both kinder to the environment – and to you!

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Candida. Yeast infection. Jock itch. Athlete’s foot. Thrush. Ringworm. Different words for the same beast—fungus. We’ve all been affected. But what do we do about it? A quick search through that big superstore we all love to avoid shows products up to $18 a tube. But do they really work? And what are the possible side effects of using them? Not to worry. There are some herbal alternatives.

Garlic

Studies have shown that the chemical constituent ajoene found in garlic (Allium sativum) is effective against several strains of fungi. Not only does it work to take garlic orally to treat systemic yeast infections such as Candida albicans, but it is even more effective when applied topically to skin and nail fungus.

I would suggest caution here and advice you to use the oil from a garlic capsule (which is diluted) rather than a garlic clove. Many years ago, as a young mother studying herbal medicine, I sent my babies to bed with smashed garlic cloves taped to the soles of their feet. It was supposed to be absorbed into their blood streams and fight their colds. It only caused blisters to form which made shoes impossible and walking painful—for days.

Teatree Oil

Teatree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has been shown to inhibit the growth of over 50 fungus strains. Applying a few drops of the oil, mixed with an equal amount of vegetable oil, directly to the affected area two to three times a day, has shown to eradicate infections better than some over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Taking Teatree oil internally can be fatal.

Black Walnut

Unripe hulls of the black walnut (Juglans nigra) have been used as a folk remedy for topical fungal infections, especially ringworm, for centuries. The active constituent in the hull that contains the antifungal properties is juglone. According to one study, juglone has “moderate antifungal activity” and is as effective as some commercially prepared products.

Black walnut hulls can be powdered and added to an antifungal powder mix. You can add them to your infused oils when making salves and ointments or you can make a black walnut tincture. To reap the antifungal properties, however, it is recommended for topical use.

Pau-d’arco

The bark from a tree found in the Amazon rainforest, Pau-d’arco (Tabebuia ssp.) contains three anti-yeast compounds and is effective in treating Candida albicans and other fungi. You can purchase Pau’d-arco in capsules or loose. It makes a mild and tasty infusion so herbalists frequently recommend drinking several cups of the tea each day.

Of course, herbs working synergistically together in a formula are more effective than those used singly.  When I used to make a salve for diaper rash, I would add several of the anti-fungal herbs to the mix. James A. Duke, PhD supports this in his book The Green Pharmacy, “In one test of ten plant species whose oils were antifungal, researchers noted that ‘combinations of the antifungal essential oils increased their activity remarkably.’”
 

Resources:

Duke, J. A.  (2000). The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook. Rodale Books.

S Yoshida, S Kasuga, N Hayashi, T Ushiroguchi, H Matsuura and S Nakagawa, Antifungal activity of ajoene derived from garlic. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. March 1987 vol. 53 no. 3 615-617

Nenoff P, Haustein U-F, Brandt W:
Antifungal Activity of the Essential Oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree Oil) against Pathogenic Fungi in vitro.
Skin Pharmacol 1996;9:388-394 (DOI: 10.1159/000211450)

Clark, A. M., Jurgens, T. M. and Hufford, C. D. (1990), Antimicrobial activity of juglone. Phytotherapy Research, 4: 11–14. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2650040104

Photo by LensAlive

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This summer I wrote about the safe use of pesticides in the yard and garden. But with Fall here, I though I’d share my tips for natural pest control inside your home!

House Flies

Living in a rural area, we have more than our share of house flies. Since they usually fail to wipe their feet before coming inside and crawling all over my counter tops, I would prefer that they not come in at all. Two ways to keep the flies outside include the trap and the baggie of water.

Available at your local hardware or feed store is the disposable fly trap. It is a plastic bag with a funnel-like top. You put an attractant in the bottom of the bag and hang it up out in the yard. If you have animals, it is a good idea to hang it somewhere close to the barnyard. The flies, attracted by the liquid inside, go into the funnel but cannot fly out. When the bag is full, you throw it away and hang a new one.

In our neck of the woods, you often see zip-shut bags full of water hanging on folk’s doorways. These baggies of water repel flies from coming into the house by refracting the light that shines through them—confusing the fly and causing it to go in another direction.

Despite our best efforts, though, flies do end up inside. Then how do you get rid of them? We use fly strips. These strips are covered with a very sticky attractant. Once the fly lands on it, it is stuck. You hang them in areas where flies congregate, like in the kitchen or mud room. When the strip is full, you throw it away and hang a new one.

Fruit Flies

During the canning season, we often have trouble with fruit flies. The tiny pests hover around the compost bucket or the bushel of apples waiting to be turned into applesauce. A few hovering about is not too annoying, but when you put up bushels of food each week, with scraps and peelings collecting, the fruit flies can get out of hand. You can buy a fruit fly trap for around $8 at the hardware store. It works similar to the house fly trap but on a smaller scale. I found a way to save myself $8, though, and designed my own fruit fly trap.

Place some apple or tomato peels in the bottom of a canning jar. Whatever attracts the fruit flies will work. Next, roll a piece of copy paper into a funnel with a tiny hole at the bottom. Tape it to keep it rolled and insert into the jar so that the mouth of the jar is sealed and that the funnel tip does not touch the scraps. Just keep it on the counter. By the next morning it will be full of fruit flies. You can read detailed instructions for making your own trap here.

Roaches

When we lived in Florida we had a palmetto tree right at the corner of the garage. These trees are the favorite habitat of the palmetto bug, also known as the American cockroach. Invariably, we would have these pests coming into our garage. One season the rubber seal at the bottom of the door had torn and given the bugs easier access. Not having the money to replace the strip, we had to devise a way to keep the bugs out of our belongings. Using just a few household items, my husband made a fool-proof roach trap.

Taking a wide-mouthed jar, he wiped the inside with vegetable oil. Then he put a blob of peanut butter in the bottom of the jar. He made several of these jars and set them inside the garage door. The bugs would go into the jar to get to the peanut butter but couldn’t get out because the sides were slicked with oil. The next morning he would go outside, cap the jars, and throw them into our dumpster.

Ants

Nothing is more annoying than a trail of ants running through the kitchen or bath. But there are several ways to destroy or repel those unwanted armies.

Keep a spray bottle of half white vinegar/half water in the kitchen. Several times a day spray the counter tops and wipe with this solution. Ants do not like the smell and it will eliminate the scent trails that they leave, thereby confusing those to follow.

Mix borax with something sweet like jelly or honey and put in a bottle cap in a corner where the ants travel. They will eat the borax and die. Do not use this method, however, if you have small children or pets that would find the bottle cap.

Sprinkle baby powder or cinnamon along the trail. Both substances are natural ant repellents and will discourage the ants from coming that way.

Do you have any other non-toxic ways to deal with bugs in the house? Please share in the comments.

 Photo by MorrowLess

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There are several different types of anxiety disorders but many have similar symptoms; the overwhelming similarity between all types of anxiety disorders is that they can totally disrupt your life to the point that you are afraid to go anywhere or do anything because of the fears associated with your condition. Although prescribed medication may help, it can become addictive and it can also present a whole new range of symptoms and side effects. If you want to try and cope with your anxiety disorder in a natural way, try some of these suggestions.

Types of Anxiety Disorders and Their Symptoms

Anxiety disorders are a serious mental illness that many people do not understand; because there are no visible physical symptoms, as in the case of a broken leg for example, people think that there is nothing wrong. However, for someone suffering from an serious anxiety disorder, the simple act of keeping a social engagement can present a whole minefield of emotions and “what ifs”; sometimes it just becomes easier to avoid the situation, even if this means missing out on a friend’s birthday or a family wedding.

Types of anxiety disorders include:

• panic attacks – symptoms of panic attacks include chest pain, sweating, shortness of breath, unrational fear, nausea, dizziness, headaches, feeling that you are going to faint.

• social anxiety disorder – over-worrying of every day situations and what others may think of you in social settings.

• post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – PTSD usually occurs after a trauma or life changing event; these include rape, assault, unexpected death of a loved one, serious car accident, a natural disaster or another major personal life changing event.

• obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) – if you suffer from OCD you believe that if you don’t perform a certain set of actions (rituals) in a certain way, something terrible will happen, for example constant hand washing.

(source: Mayo Clinic and WebMD)

If you suffer from some of the more serious anxiety disorders (such as PTSD and OCD), you should consult a medical practitioner for additional advice.

Counseling for Anxiety Disorders

You might find help with some types of anxiety disorders through counseling. In addition, a support group for people who suffer from anxiety disorders and/or panic attacks might provide you with peer support from others who are experiencing the same feelings as you – and understand what you are going through.

Yoga for Anxiety Disorders

Yoga is reputed to be one of the best forms of exercise to help with conditions such as anxiety disorders; yoga focuses on how you breath, in addition to physical exercise, and breathing “incorrectly” is one of the main features of anxiety disorders, such as panic attacks. In addition, according to the Yoga Journal, scientific studies have shown that breathing through your left nostril can reduce symptoms of OCD (source). You can either practice on your own, with a personal instructor or join a local group, depending on your degree of comfort.

Hypnotherapy and Relaxation Exercises for Anxiety Disorders

Hypnotherapy is an altered state of consciousness and is another way in which you can try to alleviate your anxiety disorder. Hypnotherapy both induces a state of relaxation, in addition to getting you to focus on the cause of your anxiety (source). Make sure that you consult a qualified practitioner in this area of expertise. In addition, a series of relaxation exercises might help your condition.

Bach Flower Remedies and Aromatherapy for Anxiety Disorders

If you are looking for a natural solution to manage your anxiety disorder, you might want to consider either Bach flower remedies or aromatherapy. One of the most popular Bach flower remedies is the Bach rescue remedy which can be used as a tool for shock and anxiety. Take Bach rescue remedy before a job interview, a flight or an important meeting to help you manage your anxiety levels. It is a completely natural remedy, made up of flower essences, that helps to restore your emotional balance.

Aromatherapy is another tool that you might wish to consider using for anxiety. Aromatherapy is a therapeutic practice that uses the aromas (essential oils) of plants to help with certain health problems. Suitable essential oils for anxiety include neroil, ylang ylang, lavender, rose, sandalwood, frankincense, benzoin and jasmine. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner for further advice on how to use essential oils for anxiety.

When to Consult a Qualified Medical Practitioner

Although all of the above suggestions are reputable, natural ways that may help you cope with your anxiety disorder, you should still consult a medical practitioner if your disorder is chronic, worsens or presents more serious symptoms. Choose a medical practitioner that understands the complexity of anxiety disorders and the debilitating consequences that anxiety presents. There are alternatives to prescribed medication to cope with your anxiety disorder, depending on the level of anxiety that you suffer from, and you don’t always have to suffer the side effects of a prescribed medication to live a life free from a disabling condition such as anxiety.

Photo by drsandy38

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If you live in the south western states, you will be familiar with garden visitors such as hummingbirds. Hummingbirds are busy, little birds who, by all accounts, do not have a relatively long life; they need a constant supply of nectar (sugar) to keep them in the air. Many people try and attract hummingbirds to their gardens by planting hummingbird-friendly plants; however, if you don’t have the space for a large garden, you can still attract hummingbirds to your space by using a hummingbird feeder – and there are several natural solutions to make sure that your hummingbird feeder is hummingbird-friendly too.

Color of Your Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbirds appear to be drawn to the color red, whether it is a flower or a feeder. Although opinion varies on the scientific reasoning for this, many ornithophilous flowers (those that require pollination by birds) are naturally red in color. Some scientific studies have concluded that the color red is not seen by insects and therefore hummingbirds are free to feed on red-colored flowers undisturbed; however, other scientific studies have disproved this theory (source). Either way, you will find that most hummingbird feeders are red in color.

Food to Put in Your Hummingbird Feeder

Hummingbirds naturally feed on the nectar found in certain flower species; nectar is rich in natural sugar, such as sucrose, glucose and fructose. It does not contain artificial colors or dyes and therefore you should not add the red food coloring that is sold in some retail outlets to your hummingbird feeder. Hummingbirds are attracted to the color of the feeder alone and it is not necessary to add red coloring to the food too. There have been no scientific studies carried out on the effects of red food coloring in hummingbird feeders but unverified reports indicate that it might possibly cause health problems for hummingbirds (source).

If you are buying commercial hummingbird food, make sure it contains only natural ingredients. Another alternative is to make your own hummingbird food from sugar and water. Add a quarter of a cup of natural cane sugar to one cup of warm water (source). Make enough so that it will be used up in a day or two; this way you will not have to boil the water.

How to Keep Ants Away From Your Hummingbird Feeder

Ants are attracted to the sugary content of hummingbird feeders. Once one ant finds the food, it seems like the entire ant workforce turns up! However, there is a natural way to keep ants from invading your hummingbird feeder through the use of an ant moat.

Ant moats provide a barrier between the hummingbird feeder and an ant’s ability to reach the feeder. The moat is filled with water to prevent the ants from negotiating their way across the barrier. Simply put, the moat is hung between the hanger and the feeder itself; you can buy ant moats in most hummingbird feeder supply stores. However, you will need to keep refilling the ant moat every few days as in hot weather the water will evaporate.

How to Keep Bees Away From Your Hummingbird Feeder

Bees are also attracted to hummingbird bird feeders by the sugary sweetness of the food. Too many bees swarming around the feeder will deter hummingbirds from using the feeder. You can buy “bee tips” that fit onto your hummingbird feeder to prevent bees from reaching the food, but only if you have a specific type of feeder. The following alternative tip was given to me by a local bird food supply store.

Use a vegetable based oil, such as that used in aromatherapy or in ordinary cooking, and dab a drop of oil on each feeder hole; although this will deter the bees, who do not like the stickiness on their feet, it does not deter the hummingbirds. You will need to keep applying the oil on a regular basis (particularly if it rains or drys out) and it will make cleaning your feeder a little harder, but I found that this solution worked for me throughout the summer months!

Natural Tips for Hummingbird Feeders

Although some hummingbird species migrate further south to Mexico and beyond for the winter months, certain species of hummingbirds are present in southern California and southern Arizona year round. You might find these natural tips useful for your hummingbird feeder next summer or, if you are lucky enough to have year-round visitors, give these natural solutions a go next time you fill up your feeder. You can then enjoy the activity around your hummingbird feeder knowing that it is completely natural!

Photo by AnnCam

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Bach rescue remedy is one of the most popular, and most well known, flower remedies for naturally treating conditions such as shock and stress; it is useful to have a bottle handy if you are going for a job interview, just received bad news, taking a journey, speaking at a public event or attending a stressful family situation. Bach rescue remedy helps to restore emotional balance to your health when a situation occurs to disrupt this balance. There are five flowers that are used in Bach rescue remedy.

History of Bach Rescue Remedy

The Bach rescue remedy was created by Dr Edward Bach (1886 – 1936). Dr Bach was an English physician who suffered a major breakdown at the age of 31. After recovering from this trauma, his work led him to match physical health with emotional health, through the course of which he recognized certain personality types matched certain physical illnesses. He experimented with and prepared several plant remedies that corresponded with the personalities of his findings.

The rescue remedy was created from five specific remedies that Dr Bach had prepared; he used this particular combination to save a fisherman’s life in 1930 (source: The Essential Writings of Dr Edward Bach, Dr Edward Bach). Rescue remedy helps you to cope with sudden fear and shock that may arise out of both minor and major traumas.

Cherry Plum

Cherry Plum (Prunus cerasifera) is a tree or shrub that has white flowers which flower in the spring months. Cherry Plum gives you the emotional strength and composure to take control of a situation. It is useful if you fear you will lose control of your thoughts and actions.

Clematis

Clematis (Clematis vitalba) is a flowering climbing plant with a wide variety of colorful flowers. It is a summer to early Fall flowering plant. Clematis gives you the ability to concentrate on real life and put into action your hopes and dreams. It is useful if you are a day dreamer who has difficulty focusing on current events in your life.

Impatiens

Impatiens (Impatiens glandulifera) is another late summer to early Fall flowering plant that has mauve-colored flowers. As the plant’s name suggests, impatiens gives you the potential for patience, empathy, initiative and independence. It is useful if you are impatient, an over-reactor or irritable.

Rock Rose

Rock Rose (Helianthemum nummularium) is a summer flowering plant that has yellow flowers. Rock rose gives you the ability and strength to handle emergencies without panic or terror. It is useful if you find yourself experiencing sudden fear and panic.

Star of Bethlehem

Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum) is a spring flowering plant that opens up with white flowers in sunlight. Star of Bethlehem allows you to deal with events and feelings that have deeply affected you. It is useful for treating shock and trauma that has emotionally left you scarred.

(source of all flower remedy descriptions: The Encyclopedia of Bach Flower Therapy, Mechthild Scheffer).

Bach Flower Remedies

The five flowers that make up the Bach rescue remedy are only a few of the flower remedies that Dr Bach created. Dr Bach initially identified twelve healing remedies which were followed by the discovery of further flower remedies. The rescue remedy is his most famous first-aid remedy that is now used by many people on a daily basis for various situations; rescue remedy is available in several formats including as a dropper, spray and cream. It is extremely useful to keep a bottle of it handy to deal with the next unscheduled emergency that you might find yourself in!

Photo by Cassey

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The prostate gland is a small organ, located just below the bladder, which surrounds the urethra. Only men have prostate glands. In a young man, the prostate is about the size of a walnut. However, as a man ages the prostate enlarges. The two functions of the prostate are: help control urination and assist in sexual function. As the gland enlarges, both of these functions are hindered.

What is Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)?

BPH is the medical buzz word for an enlarged prostate gland. By age 40, 10% of men exhibit prostate enlargement to some degree. By age 50, that number increases to 50%. As the prostate grows, it pinches off the urethra and makes it difficult for a man to urinate forcefully enough to totally empty his bladder. Because the bladder does not totally empty, he may feel a need to urinate more frequently. The telltale symptom of BPH is getting up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom. However, do not self diagnose. If you suspect that you may have an enlarged prostate, see your doctor to rule out prostate cancer before trying any home remedies.

What are the causes?

Though some would say that this is a natural part of aging for all men, those from more developed regions have a higher incidence of BPH than their counterparts in other parts of the world. Although experts believe that changing hormone levels (that come from aging) is the main contributing factor, other things can cause flair ups of prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). The most frequent cause is stress. Others include unhealthy diet, sitting for prolonged periods, alcohol, caffeine, sedentary lifestyle, or sexually transmitted disease.

Do herbal remedies help?

Over a decade ago, noted herbalist and retired ethnobotanist for the USDA James A. Duke, made a public declaration in front of members of the FDA and the National Institutes of Health that he would bet his own prostate gland that his herbal treatment would produce the same results as the newly approved pharmaceutical Proscar. The recipe for his Prosnut Butter is below.

Dietary treatments

In her book, Family Herbal, Rosemary Gladstar recommends the following foods and supplements for a healthy prostate:

• Pumpkin seeds (1/4 to ½ cup or more daily)
• Cucumbers (2 to 3 daily)
• Calcium/magnesium (600 mg combined daily)
• Vitamin E (400 units daily)
• Zinc (20 to 50 mg daily)

She also recommends blending watermelon, with the seeds, and unsalted pumpkin seeds for a cleansing drink.

In addition to these recommendations, you may want to eliminate saturated and hydrogenated fats, sugar, processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine.

Herbal remedies

• Stinging nettles is a wonderful anti-inflammatory and diuretic that gives direct results for an enlarged prostate. Drink 3-4 cups of nettles tea daily.
• Saw palmetto is the herb of choice for the prostate. Take 320 milligrams of a standardized extract with 80-95% fatty acids each day.
• If you like to make your own remedies, mix equal parts nettles and saw palmetto for a tincture.
• James Duke’s Prosnut Butter: Mix in blender about ½ cup pumpkin seeds, the contents of one saw palmetto capsule and a few drops of licorice extract, until a smooth paste. Spread on crackers; eating a few tablespoons each day.
• Take 160 to 200 milligrams daily of a standardized extract of Pygeum. Look for one with 13% sterols.

In addition to these recommendations, many commercially prepared herbal formulas are available at your local health food store.

Sources:

Duke, P. J. (2000). The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook. Rodale Books.

Gladstar, R. (2001). Family Herbal. North Adams, Mass.: Storey Books.

Photo by Arty Smokes (deaf mute)

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Anxiety is a condition that is suffered by many people – and it is a condition that many people also seek help with; there are several ways to deal with anxiety, one of which is the use of synthetic prescription drugs such as valium (diazepam). However, there is a natural alternative to such drugs, including the use of herbs such as valerian. Learn why valerian and valium are not the same, even though they are commonly mistaken for each other.

A Description of Valium

Valium is not derived from nature; it is synthetically made in a laboratory by scientists. Valium belongs to a group of drugs known as benzodiazepines; benzodiazepines are anti-depressant drugs that are commonly prescribed to help you manage anxiety and associated symptoms, such as insomnia (source). However, benzodiazepines are often difficult to withdraw from and require a prolonged period of withdrawal to avoid a repeat of symptoms.

Plant Profile of Valerian

Valerian (Valeriana fauriei) is a herb that belongs to the Valerianaceae plant family; it is a perennial plant that has highly aromatic roots. There are various species of valerian but common or garden valerian is of the most value medicinally. Valerian likes to grow in woody areas, or near water, and in partial sun/shade; it is commonly found in Europe and Western Asia (source: The Aromatherapy Garden, Julia Lawless). The roots of Valerian are used medicinally either as a herb or as an essential oil in aromatherapy.

Medicinal Use of Valerian

Valerian is not new to the medicinal world; it has been around since the second century A.D. It was extremely popular as a medicinal aid in Medieval times (source). Lawless writes that it was used during the First World War to treat shell-shock victims. In the West, valerian has been used for insomnia, migraine, rheumatism and as an analgesic; in the East, the Chinese used valerian for backache, menstrual problems and colds (source: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Julia Lawless).

How Valium and Valerian Work

The exact way in which both valerian and valium work is not recorded but the reason that many confuse the two as one and the same (apart from the similarity in names) is that both valerian and valium affect the body in similar ways. Valerian is believed to increase the amount of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain which helps to regulate brain cells and reduce anxiety. Valium works in much the same way, although research shows that valerian does not have such a strong effect as valium (source).

Ways to Take Valerian

You can administer valerian in a number of ways; these include:

• as an essential oil in aromatherapy; do not use undiluted

• as a tea

• as a herbal extract

• as a tincture.

Consult a qualified aromatherapist, herbal practitioner or medical practitioner respectively for further advice before taking valerian in any of these ways, as your personal circumstances may dictate the suitability of the use of valerian for you.

Cautions for Using Valerian

Valerian is “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) by the United States Food and Drug Administration. However, it is advisable to use valerian in moderation; do not combine it with any other prescribed medication. Do not take valerian if you are pregnant, nursing, whilst operating heavy machinery or driving; reduce your use of valerian gradually to avoid any unwanted side effects (although there is no recorded evidence of valerian dependency or adverse withdrawal symptoms).

Valium or Valerian?

Valerian is a natural alternative to valium in helping to deal with anxiety-related problems. Valerian and valium are not the same, although they do affect the body in nearly the same way. Valerian may be a natural choice for you in treating anxiety.

Photo by Lel4nd

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