Nosebleeds (medically known as epistaxis) can be caused by a number of factors including sneezing, trauma, dry air, nose picking, high blood pressure, and anticoagulants. Blood vessels found in the nasal passages are close to the mucosal surface while helping warm and humidify the air you breathe, also make them susceptible to bleeding. Continue reading "How to Stop a Nose Bleed"

Feverfew, used for centuries in European folk-medicine as a remedy for headaches, continues to be popular in Europe and Great Britain as a preventative treatment for migraines. The mechanism of action is unclear but may be related to a compound called parthenolide, which has been shown to block serotonin release from blood platelets. Whereas some studies of feverfew extracts, with standardized concentrations of parthenolide, failed to show benefit while others done with less-processed, whole-leaf preparations of feverfew did, suggests that there may be other compounds in feverfew that may also be effective against migraines. Continue reading "Feverfew for Migraines"

A natural substance found in cartilage, glucosamine is manufactured from shellfish shells. Glucosamine therapy is especially promising because it may treat the underlying disease by improving cartilage health. It strengthens and slows the breakdown of cartilage by stimulating production of proteoglycans used in the synthesis and repair of cartilage. Although providing more immediate pain relief, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDS) such as Motrin and Advil may actually accelerate progression of arthritis by inhibiting cartilage repair. Continue reading "Glucosamine Sulfate for Arthritis"

Warts can be an unsightly embarrassment for many. Standard medical therapies for the treatment of warts include excising the wart with electrocautery, freezing it with cryotherapy, or applying topical medications. However, interesting new natural cures such as duct tape for warts, and now garlic have shown some promise against this common ailment. Continue reading "Garlic For Warts"

Hormone replacement therapy not recommended
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), heavily touted in the 1990’s as the answer to hot flashes, is now not recommended for hot flashes or other menopausal symptoms due to an increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, blood clots and breast cancer. These dangerous side effects of HRT were the findings of the Women’s Health Initiative, involving over 16,000 women. Continue reading "Black Cohosh for menopause"

Several studies show that lavender oil, frequently used in aromatherapy, helps alleviate insomnia. In one study of four elderly patients, medications used for sleep were removed and as one would expect, time spent asleep decreased. When the sleep medications were replaced with lavender oil aromatherapy, time asleep return to the same level as seen with the medications. Continue reading "Lavender Oil for Insomnia"

Think drinking “diet” cola is a guilt-free pleasure? Think again when it comes to osteoporosis. Carbonated beverages and colas, including diet sodas, have been linked with increased bone fracture rates in teenage girls. While carbonated beverage consumption was associated with a 300% increased risk of fracture, cola beverages fared worse. They were associated with an almost 500% increased risk of fracture in physically active girls. Another study of 2500 women, whose average age was 60 years old, showed that the more cola consumed, including diet cola, the lower their bone mineral density. No such link was found in men. Unlike the previous study, only cola sodas were linked with lower bone density and not other carbonated drinks.  While some have speculated that soda’s link with osteoporosis  can be explained by a lower milk intake, this study did not show a higher bone density with milk consumption. Continue reading "Soda and Osteoporosis"

We all know how difficult it is to deal with jet lag. Increased daytime fatigue, irritability, and loss of mental alertness are familiar symptoms for all of us. Your body’s internal clock, regulated by your circadian system, becomes out of synch with the new day-night cycle at your travel destination. For a flight across six or more time zones, it generally takes 4-6 days to re-establish a normal sleeping pattern. Westbound travel is generally more easily tolerated since it is easier to lengthen rather than shorten our natural circadian rhythm. Continue reading "Melatonin for jet lag"

Niacin is the most effective intervention for raising HDL or good cholesterol. Not only will niacin (nicotinic acid) raise HDL cholesterol by 8-35% and lower LDL cholesterol by 10-25%, it has been shown to lower the risk of stroke and heart disease. Nicotinic acid should not be confused with another water soluble B vitamin, nicotinamide, which does not lower cholesterol levels. Continue reading "Niacin for cholesterol"

HDL or good cholesterol is considered “good” because it helps transport cholesterol from your arterial walls, back to the liver for excretion in your gastrointestinal tract. HDL also possesses antioxidant activity which prevents LDL or bad cholesterol from oxidizing and creating atherosclerotic plaque in your heart arteries (hardening of the arteries). Continue reading "Raising HDL"