Helpful Herbs for Fibromyalgia....

In a recent magazine article I came upon this very informative article & thought I would share it since I seem to know a lot of people with this 'condition'. Now while these herbs won't necessarily cure, they could help with the symptoms of this exhausting disease. Of course taking the 2 more targeted drugs: Lyrica & Cymbalta along with pain relievers & antidepressants more & more are trying to find better avenues which can include: nutrition, acupuncture, chiropractic, massage & biofeedback.

So the top 10 herbs that could help are:

Ashwagandha: an adaptogen & it's key ability is to soothe frayed nerves & reduce spasms & inflammation.

Chamomile: we all know what a soothing herb this can be & a mild sedative in it's own right, but it also has anti-spasmodic properties.

Devil's Claw: native to southern Africa...the roots are used in medicinal preparations. it's an anti-inflammatory & has been found useful in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatic-type pain, neck & back pain, osteoarthritis & also tendonitis.

Echinacea: boosts the immune system and helps to reduce inflammation.

Elderberry: a powerful diaphoretic which means it induces sweating, thereby reducing fevers. It's a potent immune-system booster & very beneficial during the flu season.

Eleuthero: formerly called Siberian ginseng, it is actually NOT in the Panax ginseng family. The root, stem & bark are used in herbal medicine. It is an adaptogen and helps to increase endurance & stamina while also strengthening the immune system. It also acts as a nervine to help treat insomnia and frequent nighttime wake-ups. Some herbalists may also recommend it for chronic fatigue, immune deficiency & adrenal fatigue.

Licorice Root: another adaptogen & it helps by reducing inflammation and relieving adrenal exhaustion, depression, lethargy  & fatigue. It also reduces excessive immune-system response which can lead to inflammation. If you have HBP, kidney issues or take prescriptions, check with your doctor first.

Milky Oats: these are extracted from the immature seed of the common oat, which is the same as your basic oatmeal, which fills with white "milk" for one week out of the growing cycle. But they serve as an excellent tonic for the entire nervous system, helping to restore frayed nerves & provide a sense of calm & tranquility. It is especially helpful for those who suffer from chronic fatigue, panic disorders, depression & insomnia.

Valerian: this one is a very strong sedative with pain-relieving actions. It is very useful for those suffering from stress, insomnia, pain from muscle spasms, tension, headaches & other similar issues. If you feel greater agitation after taking it, then of course discontinue taking it.

Willow Bark: the bark of this tree contains salicin which is the pain-reliever pharmaceutical companies extract for their aspirin. But unlike theirs, this will not cause gastrointestinal issues.

As with any of these, check with your doctor first, if you are so inclined.

Dandelion and it's benefits!

We all know about the weed we once tried to get rid of on our lawns....many of us now think of it differently & know how beneficial it can be to our health! That IS IF we aren't too late & poured too many pesticides & poisons on them in recent years. All parts of the dandelion are great for us!!!!

They are extremely high in Vit. A, B6, B3, B9, B12, C, D & K and high in the minerals calcium, copper, zinc, phosphorus, iron, manganese & potassium!!!!

Helps lower blood pressure.

A mild laxative for constipation symptoms.

Contains the antioxidant luteolin (a citrus bio-flavonoid)

Stimulates urinary function to help flush out toxins from the kidneys

Promotes optimal digestive function.

Supports normal bile production.

Nourishes and boosts overall liver (hepatic) performance.

Serves to protect the liver from damage.

Helps to reduce cholesterol.

Helps with a sluggish digestive system, because of the bitters, so that the body can remove toxins & other waste quicker, as a result the liver doesn't have to work as hard.

Helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

Blood purifier according to folk medicine.

Great source of potassium.

Helps to regulate and normalize hormone production.

Fact: the greens of the dandelion plant provide 535% of the recommended daily value of Vit. K which may be the most important source of any other plant-based food to strengthen bones, but may also play a role in fighting Alzheimer's disease by limiting neuron damage to the brain. Dandelion greens also give the body 112% of the min. requirements of Vit. A, an antioxidant carotenoid which is particularly good for the skin, mucous membranes & vision.

There is also evidence dandelion greens might prove helpful in treating AIDS & herpes. The roots show an ever-increasing possibility in the fight against cancer! New studies have shown that it selectively kills only cancer cells as opposed to radiation & chemo which kills healthy cells too! During chemo, it can help support the liver & kidneys, boost the immune system, help to detoxify, can help with nausea & mouth sores.

However, dandelion can interfere with some prescriptions & that is called contraindications...SO if you are taking lithium, quinolones or have allergies to the leaf or have endocrine impairment, do not take the leaves or any part of the plant until it has been discussed with your doctor.

Benefits of Maca Root....

Do you find yourself wanting more coffee for the caffeine during the day?? Why not try maca instead? This is a root from Peru...a tuber, like a potato and offers an amazing energy boost for those with low energy. Unlike coffee though, maca offers energy to the body in a non-caffeinated way.

Maca is nutritionally dense & considered a super food by some. It contains high amounts of minerals, vitamins, enzymes & all of the essential amino acids. Maca root is rich in the b-vitamins, which are the energy vitamins. It also contains high levels of bioavailable calcium & magnesium.

The great thing about maca that I am really impressed with is the fact that it helps to balance our hormones. Due to an over abundance of environmental estrogens, most people's hormones are a bit out of whack. Maca stimulates and nourishes the hypothalamus & pituitary glands which are the "master glands" of the body. These glands actually regulate the other glands, so when in balance they can bring balance to the adrenal, thyroid, pancreas, ovarian & testicular glands!!

Instead of providing actual hormones to the body, maca works as an adaptogen which means that it responds to whatever the body needs at any given moment. If you are producing too much of a particular hormone, maca will regulate the production downward. However if you are producing too little, it will regular the production upwards.

Hormones regulate many things including mood, growth, sexual development, tissue function...but they also play a pivitol role in many diseases, like cancer & depression. It has shown to be beneficial for hormonal problems such as PMS, menopause, hot flashes, libido problems & sexual functions. It has been nicknamed "nature's Viagra".

You can sprinkle it over your food, you can add it to smoothies, it's great on bananas or you can also take it in capsule form. Recommended amounts are 1/2 tsp/day & work yourself up to 1 tsp/day over the course of a week...or...900 mg/day. If you are taking it daily, it's best to take a day off from it weekly.

Maca is a food staple in Peru & as of latest research, there are no known effects of toxicity. However we are all different & some may experience adverse effects when they start taking it. If you are pregnant or nursing, one should avoid it. If you are allergic to veggies like broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, etc. you should avoid it. If you are taking anticoagulants or birth control, stimulants or have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or cancer of the breast or prostate, you should avoid taking it.