One of the most common symptoms of menopause, hot flashes are not something that must be tolerated. A cure for hot flashes, hot flushes or night sweats is not that hard to find. You just have to know where to look. However, products that help relieve menopause hot flashes for some women may not work for others. So, here we look at several herbal remedies that may be beneficial. Because of the health risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, natural remedies are becoming increasingly popular. Herbs and plants may not be a “new” cure for hot flashes, but they are effective, nonetheless. And we do know a lot more about them than we did at one time, so we do have “new” ways to look at them.

Hot flashes, hot flushes and night sweats are three different names for the same physical reaction to decreasing levels of estrogen. They may begin years before actual menopause and last for several years afterwards. The frequency and severity varies from one woman to the next. Researchers often describe them as “vasomotor” symptoms, because blood vessels and circulation are involved.

Typically the heat begins in a woman’s chest, travels up the neck to the face and head. When they occur at night, they may interrupt a woman’s sleep, increasing levels of fatigue and sometimes leading to insomnia. From the experiences of other women, we know that caffeine, alcohol, tobacco products and spicy foods can trigger them, as can anger, frustration and irritation. Regular exercise and drinking plenty of water seems to help.

Black cohosh has been the cure for hot flashes for many women. More research has been done concerning the effectiveness and safety of black cohosh than on any of the other herbs that can help menopause hot flushes. But, if you have tried it and it doesn’t work for you, there are other alternatives.

Scientists are still unsure why black cohosh relieves hot flashes, but evaluations of the chemical compounds of other plants have revealed an estrogen-like substance, aptly named phytoestrogens. Isoflavones are one type of phytoestrogen. If you read the ingredients on a remedy for hot flushes, you may see “soy isoflavones” or “isoflavones from red clover”. These may help menopause hot flashes because they have an estrogen like effect on a woman’s body. Some researchers have been concerned that isoflavones or phytoestrogens could have the same side effects as synthetic estrogens used in hormone replacement therapy. So, here’s what we know about the risks associated with long term use of synthetic hormones.

We know that estrogen replacement therapy can cause endometrial cancer. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus and estrogen causes the lining to build up, which, without menstruation, frequently led to cancer. Thus, doctors would prescribe an estrogen-progesterone combination therapy. The progesterone would cause the lining to be shed each month, leading to a return of monthly periods, and decreasing the cancer risk. For years, this “combination” hormone therapy was the most commonly recommended cure for hot flashes and other symptoms associated with menopause.

As with many medical treatments, the risks turned up with long term use of this type of therapy. The Women’s Health Initiative recently concluded a seven year study of women using hormone replacement therapies of both types. The conclusion is that hormone replacement therapy of any type increases a woman’s risk for blood clots and stroke. Combination therapy, which was thought to be safer than estrogen only, actually added the increased health risks of heart disease and breast cancer. An even longer study (more than twenty years) performed by Harvard scientists found that estrogen only increased breast cancer risks when used for more than 15 years. Typically a woman would not use hormone replacement therapy to relieve menopause hot flashes and other symptoms for many years, but when the risks are blood clots, heart disease and stroke, even short term use is rarely recommended as a cure for hot flashes.

While no long term studies have been conducted concerning women who use phytoestrogens or isoflavones to help relieve menopause hot flashes, short term clinical studies have revealed their effectiveness, lack of side effects and safety. Even the idea that phytoestrogens, which are found in soy beans, a health food, might not be safe for long term use seems silly. People eat soy all of the time and have for many, many years.

Red clover, the other most commonly used source of isoflavones, is grown for animal feed. Native Americans used the flower for tea and chewed the leaves raw. Healers used it to treat liver ailments, gall bladder ailments, ulcers, diabetes, tonsillitis, internal cancer, appendicitis, headaches and as a cure for hot flashes and other symptoms related to changing levels of hormones and aging.

Scientific research and the experiences of other women tell us that black cohosh helps relieve menopause hot flashes. Laboratory tests have revealed that black cohosh has no effect on even estrogen sensitive cancer cell lines. But, if this cure for hot flashes does not work for you, try soy or red clover isoflavones. All of our scientific and historical knowledge indicates that these are safe. For information about a woman’s supplement that contains both black cohosh and isoflavones at a reasonable price, please visit the menopause-and-pms-guide.com/ Menopause and PMS Guide.

Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for more than twenty years before becoming a freelance writer. Currently she writes informational articles for the Menopause and PMS Guide. Read more about menopause-and-pms-guide.com menopause hot flashes at menopause-and-pms-guide.com menopause-and-pms-guide.com

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Tags: Heart, herbal remedies, menopause, sleep

There is a whole raft of quit smoking pills available on the market these days. Most of them are advertised as being a ‘cure-all’ for your woes as a smoker and will alleviate all of your concerns about quitting smoking. They come in two main forms - pharmaceutical types made by the big drug companies or ’snake oil’ types made from ‘magic’ ingredients. However, I have my doubts about the need for pills at all.

Unfortunately, smokers are a pretty desperate bunch when it comes to trying to quit and anyone offering quit smoking pills has got a fair chance of making a sale. Having said that, one of my own edicts for people trying to quit smoking is to just keep trying and try as many methods as you can until you succeed.

Why do I advocate such a stance you may ask? Well, whether it be through sheer willpower, quit smoking pills, hypnosis, acupuncture, laser treatment or my own cognitive behavioural therapy approach, the benefits of quitting smoking are just so extensive, I implore all smokers to keep trying to quit.

I know most smokers are reluctant to spend money on products to help them quit, but from a logical point of view, it makes a lot of sense. Spending money on products may seem tedious but even if it costs $1000 to find ‘the cure’ that works for you, it is still less than half of a years smoking costs. And you get all the benefits of quitting smoking which are worth years of extra life!

However, whilst I think smokers should persist in finding ‘a cure’ that works, I am somewhat reluctant to recommend using medication and ‘herbal’ remedies. Why is this?

Well, smoking is an addiction to nicotine and smokers only smoke cigarettes to get at the nicotine. Despite cigarette smoke being so toxic, smokers are ‘conditioned’ to enjoy smoking because of the nicotine buzz that comes with it. The cigarette is not pleasurable at all, but the nicotine is because of the way it has established itself as a part of a smoker’s brain chemistry.

Quit smoking pills are generally thought to interfere with the brain chemistry in smokers heads. Brain chemistry in smokers is different from that in non-smokers and that is why smokers smoke. Their brain chemistry is different, and it was made different by smoking! It is a chicken and egg, egg and chicken kind of thing!

The pharmaceutical quit smoking pills most commonly known to aid in quitting smoking are Zyban and Chantix. Zyban is also traded as wellbutrin or bupropion and Chantix is also marketed as Champix and varenicline.

Whilst the exact processes that go on to discourage smoking with these products are not known, there is obviously some activity because both Zyban and Chantix are known to improve a smoker’s ability to quit smoking. The downside is that they also have side effects, as is common with many pharmaceutical drugs. Zyban and Chantix should only be considered after consultation with your doctor.

The effectiveness of both of these drugs has been studied extensively although as drug companies fund drug studies, there is a pre-disposition to find in favour of the effectiveness. Despite the pharmacological effects these drugs have, they are always prescribed alongside some form of counselling or advice. If they were capable of achieving great results without the support, I would believe in them - but they do not work without counselling help.

Alternative quit smoking pills are marketed on the internet and elsewhere. These generally make lurid claims about their effectiveness at quitting smoking. They are often described as herbal remedies and may contain ‘proprietary’ substances. This in my opinion, is all snake oil!

Again, like the pharmaceutical quit smoking pills available, snake oil solutions are sold with quit smoking guides to change the way you think about your relationship with cigarettes. This is the crux of quitting smoking though. People think they need a pill or a magic potion to achieve their goal but they don’t. I believe people just need to focus their minds on the problem at hand and they can overcome it.

If you start out trying to quit smoking thinking that you need the support of a drug, you already think that quitting smoking requires ‘outside help’. It doesn’t. If you stop thinking it is going to be difficult to quit smoking, do you realise it just might be a bit easier to quit?

Finally, whichever method you use to quit smoking, my most important piece of advice is that if a ’solution’ fails, try something else. There are over 50 ways of quitting smoking and quit smoking pills is just one of them. Never stop trying to quit.

Why do people try to quit smoking before they know how to quit smoking? Pete Howells is the author of the EasyQuit System available only online at easyquitsystem.com easyquitsystem.com. He also blogs, post articles and videos at easyquitsystem.com/blog/ easyquitsystem.com/blog and at quit-smoking-motivator.blogspot.com quit-smoking-motivator.blogspot.com

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Tags: acupuncture, brain chemistry, herbal remedies, quit smoking, quitting smoking, smoker, smoking

There are different treatments available to help control psoriasis. Treatment depends on the kind of psoriasis and no single treatment works for everyone.

Topical creams, ointments and powders, applied to the skin are the most common forms of treatment for psoriasis. They slow down or normalize excessive cell production and reduce inflammation. Anthralin, Dovonex, Salicyclic acid, corticosteriods and coal tar are common topical treatments.

Corticosteroids are often prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis. These steroids are anti-inflammatory agents and reduce the swelling and redness of lesions. Corticosteriods complement other psoriasis treatments that are used to treat chronic cases. Patients must use topical steroids properly to avoid unnecessary side effects. Some steroids are suitable for only short periods of time or may be applied only to certain areas of the skin.

When psoriasis is extensive then ultraviolet light treatment or phototherapy is used on patients. Phototherapy involves exposure of the skin to wavelengths of ultraviolet light under medical supervision. Ultraviolet light B (UVB) is an effective form of ultraviolet radiation for treating psoriasis. It is present in natural sunlight and penetrates the skin. UVB slows the abnormally rapid growth of skin cells associated with psoriasis. Treatment involves exposing the skin to an artificial UVB light source over a set period of time.

Systemic medications or prescription medications are administered to patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. Biologic drugs that are made from living human or animal proteins help block or eliminate various immune system cells that cause psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Other systemic medications like cyclosporine, methotrexate, soriatane, Accutane and sulfasalazine are also used to treat chronic cases of psoriasis.

Popularity amongst patients of alternative therapies like acupuncture, herbal remedies and magnets have grown. 36 percent of adults in the United States use some form of alternative and complementary medicine to counter psoriasis.

Over the years, patients have tried different diet regimens. The turkey diet, low-protein diet and the rice diet are common among them. Response to treatment depends on individual habits and medical histories and therefore varies from patient to patient. Over a period of time, patients begin to respond to the right treatment.

i-Psoriasis.com Psoriasis provides detailed information on Psoriasis, Psoriasis Treatment, Scalp Psoriasis, Psoriasis Cure and more. Psoriasis is affiliated with e-Rosacea.com Acne Rosacea.

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Seaweed or algae are not easy to collect or to make available on the market, therefore, they don’t always come cheap when compared to the sources of protein like soybean for instance. However, algae such as chlorella, for example, are considered complete from the point of view of the protein content, which has all the essential amino acids included. Studies have proved that chlorella has an enormous healing potential; therefore instead of finding recognition as healthy food, it was acclaimed as a natural remedy. Besides the high protein content, chlorella represents an important source of vitamins and minerals being recognized as an immune system builder, and a significant caloric intake.

Contrary to the expectations, chlorella makes an excellent element in the diet of those who want to lose some extra pounds. By bringing all the active principles necessary for the proper functioning of the organism, there is little to be completed from other sources. Therefore, instead of other protein intakes, over-weight people may include some extra fibers in their regular diet. At the level of the digestive tract, chlorella acts as a neutralizer of the excessive acidity in the stomach, being highly useful for people who suffer from gastro-intestinal reflux or ulcer. Chlorella is also helpful when it comes to constipation problems too, acting like a mild laxative.

Another kind of seaweed worth mentioning here is Fucus, a brown alga that grows in the Atlantic waters near rocky coasts. With a long tradition in the soap industry, Fucus has been recently included in the list of seaweed with a great healing potential for various health conditions. For instance, scientific research has concluded that the bacteria colonized on Fucus are great weapons against staphylococci resistant to antibiotics. Furthermore, Fucus in combination with essential minerals such as chromium and iodine is used in the treatment of nail and hair fragility, hair loss or baldness here included.

We should also mention that in some countries, seaweed salad is part of the daily menu, which is considered by some the key to healthy living. Chinese cuisine is by no means a stranger to such customs; you may try some algae dishes and see for yourself. To receive more info on herbal remedies and homeopathic cures, please subscribe to the silver bulletin e-news magazine utopiasilver.com/subscribe.htm” target=”_blank HERE.

Peter Salazar’s source for quality supplements is utopiasilver.com utopiasilver.com

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