Fibromyalgia and cupping therapy

 

 

 

Some studies indicate that cupping, when combined with acupuncture, may reduce fibromyalgia symptoms more effectively than conventional medications such as amitriptyline. Cupping therapy is typically practiced by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. The theory behind cupping is that it moves or stimulates your body's natural energy — also called qi.
Cupping therapy involves heating the air inside a glass cup, which removes some of the air from the cup. The cup is then quickly placed on the skin, and the resulting vacuum pulls the skin part of the way into the cup. The cup may be left in place for several minutes and then removed, leaving behind a bright red, circular welt. In wet cupping, the skin is pricked with a needle before the cup is placed.
Studies of cupping typically measure the procedure's effectiveness by comparing it to that of other forms of treatment. However, high-quality research studies usually also include a group of people who receive a placebo — a sugar pill or a fake version of the procedure being studied. Because a sham version of cupping hasn't been devised, this level of quality is not yet available for cupping studies. So while some of the available studies do suggest a possible role for cupping in treating fibromyalgia, the definitive answer as to what its role actually is will have to wait for larger and more rigorous studies to be completed.

Kava Kava

 

Kava Kava Benefits

Kava is used to help one relax and communicate better with those around them. It has many additional medicinal properties, including it’s use as a diuretic, anti-anxiety aid, and to fight urinary disorders.
It’s also beneficial for fighting depression, fatigue, asthma, infections, arthritis and stomach upset. Taken in large amounts, the tonic induces a mild state of euphoria. While is does have sedative properties, it doesn’t induce the feeling of grogginess like prescription tranquilizers.
While Kava has been proven a useful treatment for anxiety and the feeling of nervousness, it is better used as an occasional remedy rather than daily.
Kava is very popular in Germany. Physicians there often prescribe Kava for anxiety before resorting to prescription medicines such as Valium. Kava has proven to be similar to Valium in it’s therapeutic effect.
The substance in Kava called kavalactone is what is believed to offer the anti-anxiety benefits of this plant. Unlike prescription tranquilizers, Kava leaves your mind sharp while it relaxes your body and relieves tension.
In a study conducted in 1993, researchers found that people using Kava for anxiety were able to perform the tasks that users of prescription anti-anxiety drugs are told to avoid, such as driving and operating machinery.
Kava is soothing to the muscles and is also used to treat headaches (This plant has the same effect of about two hundred milligrams of aspirin) and insomnia.
Another mostly unknown benefit of consuming Kava is for it’s anti-inflammatory effect on the urinary system. It has been used for Urinary tract infections and ailments of the bladder with some success. Kava is also relaxing to the uterus and is helpful to some women for relieving menstrual cramps.
Kava is popular with performers of music and also athletes. It helps to reduce nervousness of public performances and relaxes the muscles before an event. Since it enhances sociability, mental clarity and decision making, it can also be taken before important meetings of any kind.



Kava Uses

• Treat anxiety
• Treat stomach upset
• Treat asthma
• Treat infection
• Treat arthritis and rheumatism
• Lessen fatigue
• As a diuretic
• Treat urinary disorders
• To help relax
• Treat headaches
• Treat cramps and muscle pain
• Treat boils
• Prevent infection
• As a general strengthening tonic
• As a mild sedative and tranquilizer
• Treat insomnia

 

Helping Glaucoma

 The disease that is caused as a result of damage to the optic nerve due to abnormal high pressure inside the eyes is known as glaucoma. Glaucoma is of two types; primary angle glaucoma and closed angle glaucoma. It can be caused due to certain factors such as poor nutrition, stress, collagen deficiency and high blood pressure. Glaucoma causes loss of vision and blindness.
Glaucoma Home Remedies
There are several home remedies for glaucoma which are simple to follow and easy to use. Some of the common home remedies for glaucoma are:
A. One of the most effective home remedies for glaucoma is vitamin C. It is an antioxidant which is water soluble and helps in improving vision and relieving the eye pressure. But remember to consult your physician before taking any supplements.
B. Consume lots of fruits and vegetables in order to get essential amines. Drink water or other healthy fluids in small amounts after fixed interval of time.
C. Rutin is also one of the effective home remedies for glaucoma. It is rich in vitamin C and is also a bioflavonoid. It is known to increase the metabolism of collagen in the eye. All you need to do is consume 40 to 60 mg of rutin three times in a day. This will reduce the pain and will be very beneficial in treating glaucoma.
D. Marijuana is very helpful in lowering intraocular pressure and gives immediate effect. But remember not to use this method regularly due to certain obvious reasons.
E. Jabarandi is an ayurvedic herb which is found in Indian subcontinent. This herb has been used since a very long time for treating glaucoma. It contains pilocarpine which is very helpful in treating glaucoma.
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F. Vitamin A and vitamin B are very effective in treating glaucoma. Vitamin B improves the eye sight whereas vitamin A improves the night vision. Just consume 1000 mg each of these vitamins on regular basis in form of multi vitamin supplement tablets or you can consume food rich in these vitamins. Consult your physician before trying any supplements.
G. Ginkgo bilboa is also very beneficial for glaucoma ailment. It increases blood supply to the optic nerves which results in detoxification. In order to slow down the deterioration of optic nerves you should try adding sulfate of zinc in ginkgo bilboa.
H. Consume food rich in vitamin E which will help in clearing the retina and cornea. This will make your eyes healthy and improve the vision. You can even try vitamin E supplements but consult your doctor before taking such supplements.
I. Berries are very effective in curing glaucoma. Bilberry helps in giving strength to retina and optic nerves.
J. Fennel can also prove to be very effective in treating glaucoma. You can eat it raw or use in salad. Those who do not like to eat it can try making a tea out of fennel and then drink it.
K1. Spinach is a good source of carotenoid. This carotenoid is very helpful for the eye tissues and retina. Therefore try to eat spinach on regular basis.
These were some of the most effective, safe, and easy to use home remedies for glaucoma.

Turmeric

Turmeric, an orange-colored spice imported from India, is part the ginger family and has been a staple in Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian cooking for thousands of years.

In addition, ayurvedic and Chinese medicines utilize turmeric to clear infections and inflammations on the inside and outside of the body. But beyond the holistic health community, Western medical practitioners have only recently come on board in recognizing the benefits of turmeric.

Blocking cancer
Doctors at UCLA recently found that curcumin, the main component in turmeric, appeared to block an enzyme that promotes the growth of head and neck cancer.

In that study, 21 subjects with head and neck cancers chewed two tablets containing 1,000 milligrams of curcumin.  An independent lab in Maryland evaluated the results and found that the cancer-promoting enzymes in the patients’ mouths were inhibited by the curcumin and thus prevented from advancing the spread of the malignant cells.

Powerful antioxidant
The University of Maryland’s Medical Center also states that turmeric’s powerful antioxidant properties fight cancer-causing free radicals, reducing or preventing some of the damage they can cause.

While more research is necessary, early studies have indicated that curcumin may help prevent or treat several types of cancer including prostate, skin and colon.

Potent anti-inflammatory
Dr. Randy J. Horwitz, the medical director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine and an assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Tucson, wrote a paper for the American Academy of Pain Management in which he discussed the health benefits of turmeric.

“Turmeric is one of the most potent natural anti-inflammatories available,” Horwitz states in the paper.

He went on to cite a 2006 University of Arizona study that examined the effect of turmeric on rats with injected rheumatoid arthritis. According to Horwitz, pretreatment with turmeric completely inhibited the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in the rats. In addition, the study found that using turmeric for pre-existing rheumatoid arthritis resulted in a significant reduction of symptoms.

“Raw is best”
Natalie Kling, a Los Angeles-based nutritionist, says she first learned about the benefits of turmeric while getting her degree from the Natural Healing Institute of Neuropathy. “As an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiseptic, it’s a very powerful plant,” she says.

Kling recommends it to clients for joint pain and says that when taken as a supplement, it helps quickly. She advises adding turmeric to food whenever possible and offers these easy tips. “Raw is best,” she said. “Sprinkling it on vegetables or mixing it into dressings is quick and effective.”

If you do cook it, make sure to use a small amount of healthy fat like healthy coconut oil to maximize flavor.  Kling also recommends rubbing turmeric on meat and putting it into curries and soups.

“It’s inexpensive, mild in taste, and benefits every system in the body,” Kling says. "Adding this powerful plant to your diet is one of the best things you can do for long term health.”