Thursday, January 17, 2008

Homeopathic, Natural and Not-So-Natural Teething Remedies

Many parents know all to well the signs of teething in their baby but many feel powerless to help their child's teething problems. However, there is a range of teething remedies for all stages of your baby's teething. Knowing the remedy available and how and when to apply it is the key.

Homeopathic teething remedies are a great way to ease the discomfort of baby teething. Homeopathic remedies have been used for many years and can be highly effective, but you should only use a homeopathic teething remedy in conjunction with expert advice and guidance.

Apis mellifica is used to ease swollen gums before and after the eruption of teeth. Apis mellifica means 'whole honeybee' and was first discovered by the Rev. Brauns, in Thuringia, Germany, in 1853.

Calcarea carbonica: Some babies are late to teeth and the experience can be very distressing for late developers. Babies who need this remedy are usually chubby, slow to learn to crawl or walk and their heads often sweat during naps or sleep at night.

Essential oil of cloves has long been known as a natural local anesthetic. You administer the clove oil by adding one drop in one or two tablespoons of organic sunflower oil.

Kreosotum: This remedy can ease a child's stress when she has irritating saliva and severe discomfort during teething. Kreosotum is very beneficial if a baby's teeth succumb to decay soon after erupting from the gums.

Pulsatilla: especially good for teething babies who are clingy, nervous or tearful.

Sulphur: good if your baby has a reddish irritation or rash on the chin or diaper area during teething episodes. Diarrhea (often whitish) is not caused irectly by teething but because of stress from teething. The baby is irritable and anxious, feeling worse from being warm.

Other Natural Homeopathic teething remedies include a stick of licorice and chamomilla. As stated above, any parent contemplating using a homeopathic remedy for teething should do so only in conjunction with expert medical advice.

Natural teething remedies are becoming more popular as many parents want to avoid the use of any drugs or medicines on their baby. Many natural teething remedies have been around for thousands of years; there effectiveness depends on the child.

Bread, in various forms has been used for thousand of years, more recently the bagel has been used by parents in both Europe and America; the bagel being the right consistency - as is doesn't break apart too easily - and it's also a very easy shape for young child to grab hold of. Teething biscuits are also very popular. In the recent past many parents began to avoid buying teething biscuits as the biscuits often contained large amounts of sugar, salt and other ingredient not good for babies. But, things have changed and many manufacturers make teething biscuits free of these bad ingredients.

Vegetables are also commonly used to ease the pain of baby teething. Vegetables such as carrots and cucumbers make ideal soothers because of their texture - you can also put them in the fridge beforehand, as the coolness will also numb teeth and gums.

Some of the more dubious natural teething remedies include the wearing of coral as a necklace. The ancient Egyptians recorded this practice. Also amber necklaces have, and are still used, as natural teething remedies, as are silver spoons.

For those parents who don't care whether a teething remedy is natural or not the following can be tried.

The first recorded use of teething rings has been found on Sumerian sandstone tablets, around 3000 years ago. Perhaps teething rings could be considered natural but many were made of plastic using diisononyl phthalate - a chemical which can be cancer causing. The chemical is used as a softening agent during the manufacturing process and most teething toys contain about 10 to 20 percent phthalate. Many manufacturers have now stopped using this chemical but not all!

Other no-so-natural teething remedies include teething gels. Many teething gels contain a mild analgesic that act as a painkiller and also contain mild antiseptics that kill a variety of bacteria and fungi that might infect sore or broken skin in the mouth. Experts caution against the excessive use of teething gels as they contain benzocaine. There is a risk of allergic reaction. In addition, benzocaine can cause numbing of the throat and could lead to choking. Consult your doctor if you want to help relieve your child's pain with benzocaine.

Teething tablets are designed to melt quickly in the child's mouth and, in so doing, help alleviate the pain of teething. The active ingredients are usually Chamomilla (see homeopathic remedies above), which helps reduce irritability, and Belladonna, which helps reduce inflammation. Consult your doctor before using teething tablets.

The above are just some of the options available to parents to help ease a child's teething pains but there are many more teething remedies. Perhaps the best teething remedy for your baby is just good old fashioned patience, distraction and, above all, lots of cuddles.

Robin O'Brien is founder of a website dedicated to baby teething. There, you can learn everything from teething symptoms to natural teething remedies.

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Sunday, January 13, 2008

Homeopathic Remedy For Snoring

Snorers don?t really have the affinity for ?Z?s?, no matter how often these come out of their mouths. The funny thing about snorers is they don?t know that they snore, unless they have partners who leave them bruise marks to prove it.

Some people are unmindful of the consequences of snoring. For them, it?s nothing but a bedtime issue, and mostly, not theirs but their partners?, who they keep up all night. However, snoring, regardless of the extent, can actually result to serious problems. It can affect you and your family socially. You, and those you sleep with, will eventually develop erratic sleeping patterns. This also means that you?ll all be prone to having restless days and irritable moods.

There are a lot of snore cures available. All of these insist that they can put an end to your sleeping woes. However, if a particular cure works for your next-door neighbor, it might not be as effective to you. To play safe, choose the homeopathic remedy for snoring. Like all others, this is not a guarantee that your snoring will be gone forever. But what could be safer than the all-natural cures?

The market shelves have anti snoring pills that claim to be an effective homeopathic remedy for snoring. Examples would be SnorEase, Snore MD, Snore RX, Snore Stop, and Dr. Harris? Original Snore Formula. These pills are made from herbs and natural enzymes from plants that work by allowing the body to absorb back secretions such as mucous so that nasal congestion may be reduced. This type of homeopathic remedy for snoring is also believed to provide more room for air to flow through by preventing enlargement of the nose and throat tissues.

Homeopathic remedy for snoring is not restricted to the pills. Other products that fall under this category include nasal sprays as well as nose drops. Such products are SnoreControl Oral Spray, Homeo-S Nasal Spray, Sinus Buster Nasal Spray, SnoreStop Oral Spray, and YSnore Spray and Nose Drops.

The homeopathic remedy for snoring is found to be the most popular snore cures among snorers and their sleeping partners. The most important fact about this type of snore medication is that these do not have any known side effects.

The other products and devices in the market may look promising, but we?ll never know if they?re as effective and safe as the homeopathic remedy for snoring is. Mouth gadgets and wrist devices may sound very innovative, but are we sure these won?t just leave us with an aching mouth and a painful wrist? Or worse, surgery anyone?

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Snoring and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Snoring web site. For more articles and resources on Snoring related topics, Snoring Causes and Treatments, Natural Snoring Remedies and much more visit his site at:http://snoring.need-to-know.net/

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Let Nature Work For You - Homeopathic Remedy for Snoring

There are hundreds of cures for snoring. In milder cases, a person may be relieved from snoring by trying different sleeping positions in such a way that the air passage is not constricted to avoid obstructions, losing weight, or avoiding certain substances that triggers snoring. For chronic snoring, doctors might recommend anti snoring devices or even surgery to relieve a person from snoring.

However, prior to having a surgery performed on you (which could cost you hundreds of dollars and might leave you with a scar and a cut jaw bone) you might want to try homeopathic remedy for snoring. Homeopathic medicines are derived from nature and use your body's natural defenses. Since it's made from natural ingredients, there are minimal side effects or none at all compared to artificial products that work by suppressing symptoms.

The homeopathic remedy for snoring study

A team of physicians in Portland, Oregon, conducted a study to compare the efficacy of homeopathic remedy for snoring (as a pill) versus a placebo in reducing the intensity or incidence of snoring. 90 patients were recruited and divided into two groups ? those receiving the homeopathic remedy for snoring and the placebo group. After the 10-day study period of taking the two distinct pills, 61.4 percent of the patients who received the homeopathic remedy for snoring reported improvements ranging from moderate to excellent compared to 21.7 percent from the placebo group.

There are hundreds of anti-snoring pills and any can be a homeopathic remedy for snoring. These pills contain natural extracts from plants and herbs that work by breaking down body secretions and mucus, the leading causes of congestion. The herbs used in these pills are known to prevent the swelling of the throat and nose tissues. The snoring sound is primarily produced a by the vibrations of the soft tissues in the air passage and having them opened or widened lessens the occurrence of snoring.

Not a pill alone

A homeopathic remedy for snoring is not just a pill. A range of products like nasal sprays or nose drops, which applies similar natural formulations, also work by clearing the air passages to take out any obstructions. SnoreControl and Zapnea are examples of nasal sprays homeopathic products.

These inexpensive homeopathic remedies for snoring may be your first option to chronic snoring. The advantage is that they have no known side effects and homeopathic remedies are the first line of natural products that were approved by the FDA a "drug product".

Milos Pesic is an expert in the field of Snoring and runs a highly popular and comprehensive Snoring web site. For more articles and resources on Snoring related topics, Snoring Causes and Treaments, Natural Snoring Remedies and much more visit his site at:http://snoring.need-to-know.net/

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Friday, January 11, 2008

Alternative Homeopathic Medicine

What are the various types of alternative medicines?

The first classification of alternative medical system is based on complete systems of both practice and theory. These systems may have either evolved separately or earlier than their conventional medical counterparts.

Examples of these alternative medical practices that developed in Western cultures include naturopathic and homeopathic medicine. Medical systems that originated in cultures outside the Western world include Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.

The second type of alternative medicine is called mind-body intervention. This makes use of various techniques to improve the capacity of the mind to affect various functions of the body. Some techniques that used to be considered as alternative now have become conventional. They include cognitive and behavior therapy as well as patient support groups.

Nowadays, even spiritual practices are being considered as a valid form of therapy. These include prayer, meditation, mental healing and therapies that make use of creative outlets such as music, dance and art.

The third classification of alternative medicine involves therapies based on biology and makes use of natural products such as herbs and vitamins. Examples of this type include herbal products and dietary supplements. They also include natural yet scientifically unproven methods such as making use of shark cartilage as a cancer cure.

Another type is called body-based manipulative methods, which are centered on moving parts of the body. Examples of this are osteopathic manipulation and massage.

The last category is termed energy therapy. It makes use of the body?s energy fields. There are two types. Biofield therapies intend to affect energy fields that surround the body by applying pressure and manipulation. Examples of this are Qi Gong, therapeutic touch and Reiki. On the other hand, Bioelectromagnetic?based therapies involve the use of magnetic and pulsed fields.

Before trying out anything, be sure to consult your doctor for advice.

Alternative Medicine provides detailed information on Alternative Medicine, Alternative Herbal Medicine, Alternative Medicine Schools, History of Alternative Medicine and more. Alternative Medicine is affiliated with Chiropractic Clinics.

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Top 5 Homeopathic Cures for Morning Sickness

What is Morning Sickness?

Morning sickness is a series of nausea fits associated with the early stages of pregnancy. Some pregnant mothers complain of having this sickness throughout the pregnancy, but typically this something that occurs early on. It is not too uncommon to avoid such activities as long car rides, sailing, amusement park rides and other jarring activities that will only upset the symptoms of this. Most mothers who experience this complain of similar symptoms of ailments such as stomach viruses or eating bad food. The experience is most unsettling and makes the pregnancy more grueling than what it is.

Common Homeopathic Cures For Morning Sickness Relief

Although a doctor can prescribe something for the symptoms, most mothers find this to be superfluous. And indeed for the most part, it is. There are some natural treatments for this condition that will avoid the use of a doctor and will ultimately help calm the symptoms. Some of these include, cut out excessively fatty and spicy foods. Avoid strong odors such as coffee and garlic. Eat several small meals instead of three large ones. Try acupressure; wear sea bands three quarter of an inch down your wrist in between tendons. Infuse bathwater with grapefruit, orange, mandarin or lime aromatherapy oils. Try ginger. If you don't like the taste of it raw, try ginger tea or invest in some all-natural ginger ale at your local health food store. Take 10-20 g of vitamin B6. Try taking homeopathic remedies such as Nux Vomica 30C, Sepia 30C or Ipecuana 30c three times daily for five days. Try supplementing with two slippery elm tablets during each meal, which help soothe the digestive track.

Herbal vs. Non-Herbal Remedies

For the health conscious mother, herbal remedies, some of which are mentioned above, can be induced as opposed to some of the non-herbal types. These can be very helpful in alleviating some of the symptoms without utilizing chemically enhanced prescriptions. Whatever your decision, there are many home remedies available that should do something for the symptoms you are experiencing. Of course, wearing maternity clothes that fit propertly (such as mimi maternity clothes) also helps. This should take the stress of worrying about your own sickness and get on with the excitement of having a baby.

Article By Michelle O'Connor, Kids Toy Boxes

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Thursday, January 10, 2008

Symptoms of Allergies and Homeopathic Remedies

Symptoms of Allergies:

? Sneezing, itching and irritation of nose, ears, throat, skin.

? Stuffy, runny or tingling nose.

? Burning, watering, itchy or red eyes.

? Cough, wheezing and shortness of breath.

? Flu-like symptoms

? Skin rashes?Eczema, Hives, etc.

? Feeling of sinus pressure in and around the nose and cheeks.

? Ear fullness and popping

? Difficulty swallowing, throat hoarseness with soreness

? Headaches and/or heart palpitations

? Fatigue, Joint aches, Muscle pains.

? Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea

? Swelling especially in the lips, other parts of the mouth and throat, eyelids, genitals, hands and feet (angioedema)

? Anaphylactic Shock is a serious allergic reaction, which requires immediate attention.

Homeopathic Remedies:

Allergies signal a defective or depleted immune system and are considered in Homeopathic parlance?the body?s communication that something is not right. Homeopathic doctrine believes that the allergen is just the trigger to the problem and not the underlying cause. Homeopathic remedies can remove the underlying cause for the allergic tendency and eliminate it completely.

A Homeopathic practitioner does not treat the disease itself, but looks at the entire individual and how the whole body reacts. An appropriately selected Homeopathic remedy that is individually chosen to the totality of symptoms that the person is experiencing, not just the allergy symptoms, stimulates the body?s vital force and immune system so that the body can heal itself. However, Homeopathic remedies can also be used to treat the acute phase of the allergic reaction.

Homeopathic treatment is safe and gentle, without any side-effects. Homeopathic remedies are prescribed on the basis of physical, emotional and genetic make up of the person. Therefore, unlike pharmaceutical or OTC medications?one pill doesn?t fit all.

Homeopathy is very effective in managing all the symptoms of Allergies and also plays an important role in preventing relapse of the condition and improving the general health of the person. Another important aspect of Homeopathic remedies is that people on multiple remedies for other issues can safely take additional remedies without concerns regarding negative interactions. All Homeopathic remedies are natural substances that work with the body and not against another remedy.

Homeopathic remedies are non-habit forming; no addictive characteristics and have a proven 200 year safety record with the FDA. Since Homeopathy treats the body in totality, it leads to a permanent long-lasting cure, unlike the temporary suppression of symptoms created through pharmaceutical or OTC medications.

Homeopathic remedies are best used under the supervision of an experienced Homeopath. It is not advisable to resort to self-diagnosis for any body symptom?albeit something as common as allergies could signal something more serious than merely an allergic reaction.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, international speaker specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net

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Homeopathic HGH

The term homeopathic HGH is often used to refer to products that claim to either contain human growth hormone and replace it in the body, or stimulate the human pituitary gland to produce more of the hormone. These are not homeopathic remedies in the classic sense. The controversial practice of homeopathy relies on the idea that symptoms can be alleviated by administering very minute amounts of natural substances (usually herbs) that will cause the same symptoms (like cures like). Thus, if you have a sore throat, homeopathy dictates that you take a dilute solution of an herb that causes sore throat in order to get rid of the symptom.

So called homeopathic natural HGH supplements for anti aging are not based on this idea - if they were, they would contain a miniscule amount of an ingredient that causes symptoms of aging, not a hormone that allegedly restores youth! If you understand this concept, you will understand why, rather than trying to produce homeopathic HGH, homeopaths will usually direct treatment at a specific symptom, such as joint pain, or lack of energy.

Having said that, products marketed as homeopathic HGH do exist. They don't really contain real human growth hormone and if they did it would not be beneficial because the hormone must be injected to have any effect. These natural HGH supplements either aim to stimulate production of HGH by the pituitary, or they aim to replace the hormone by providing amino acids necessary to bestow the same effects on metabolism and health. Because true human growth hormone must obtained by prescription and injected at regular intervals - usually at tremendous expense - the natural HGH supplements are popular among middle aged and elderly consumers seeking to protect or regain the energy and good health of youth.

The idea behind HGH injections, homeopathic HGH and all the other approaches is that human growth hormone, which decreases in the body over a lifetime, can prevent or reverse physical aging if youthful levels can be restored. A few studies have noted positive changes in seniors treated with injected growth hormone (increased strength, bone mass, decreased fat storage, younger looking skin), however, it is misleading to draw conclusions from these results: the numbers of people tested were too few, the studies did not continue for long enough, and the side effects were not assessed over the long term. Moreover, it is a long way from HGH injections in a senior to natural HGH supplements in a middle aged baby boomer.

The bottom line is that the homeopathic HGH industry is a booming anti aging market, catering to the masses of baby boomers who seek to prolong their quality of life late into their senior years. Bit it is based on too little information. Let's hope that more rigorous scientific research is carried out to answer the questions about efficacy and safety of natural HGH supplements, and produce an affordable product that we can have confidence in

R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. You can learn more about HGH on the AntiAging Information site.

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