In Part 1 of this article, we looked at two categories of natural remedies for migraine headaches. We presented 7 nutrients and 2 means of manual therapy for migraine relief.

In Part 2, we will look at additional natural remedies you can take for migraine headaches.

Choosing a Natural Remedy for Migraine

If you choose a natural remedy for migraine treatment, you get no guarantees. One person’s natural remedy for migraine may or may not work for the next person. Since prescription medications also offer no guarantees, and do have side effects, you may want to try a natural remedy for migraine. You should, of course, ask your physician for advice.

Simple Home-style Remedies

A natural remedy for migraine need not be complex. For years, people have been applying simple, home-style remedies that are FREE or low-cost. You may use any or all of these for migraine relief.

1. Sleep

This is a free natural remedy for migraine. Have the migraine sufferer lie sown in a quiet, darkened room and sleep for several hours. Sleep is the body’s time for healing, and is an important factor is migraine relief.

2. Ice Pack

A second free natural remedy for migraine is a simple ice pack. Try placing a cold compress on the sufferer’s head as he or she lies in a dark, quiet room. You may use a purchased ice cap filled with ice, but it is just as effective to use an unopened bag of frozen vegetables. A bag of frozen peas is especially easy to use, since it readily conforms.

3. Warm bath

A warm, soaking bath in a darkened room will often relieve migraine symptoms. Keep the water as warm as comfortable. Candlelight is sufficient, and can add to the soothing effects.

4. Epsom Salts Bath

Epsom salts is a natural mineral – magnesium sulfate – that is a sedative for the nerves and a muscle relaxant. Add one or two cups of Epsom salts to hot bath water and soak, keeping the water comfortably hot.

CAUTION: People with high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart disease should not use this natural remedy for migraine.

5. Deep Breathing

Sit quietly in a darkened room – soft candlelight is fine. Take a breath, as deep as possible, and slowly, slowly exhale it. Take a second deep breath, focusing on its depth, and the feeling as your lungs expand. Slowly release the breath, focusing on the lungs contracting. Continue to breathe deeply and slowly for 5 to 10 minutes, feeling calm and relaxed.

Aromatherapy

Since no one natural remedy for migraine will work for everyone, you may want to try aroma therapy as a complement to other remedies for migraine. Aromatherapy involves inhaling essential oils, or applying them to the skin. It is important not to apply them directly to the skin, but to mix them in a “carrier” oil such as sweet almond or apricot kernel that “carry” the essence. You can mix a small amount in your hand, or mix them ahead of time in a small, roll-on bottle.

1. Lavender

Lavender oil, extracted from the small, blue-violet flowers of the lavender plant, is a calming, soothing, sedative for the nerves. You will want pure lavender oil, not a perfume or lavender-scented oil. There are several ways you can use lavender oil as a natural remedy for migraine.

Inhalation: Place 2-4 drops in 2 cups of boiling water and inhale vapors.
Application: Moisten your finger tips with pure almond carrier oil. Add 2 drops of lavender essential oil, and gently massage your temples, behind each ear, and your neck.

CAUTION: Side effects are rare, but some people may develop an allergic reaction to lavender following inhalation or absorption through the skin.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using this natural remedy for migraine.

2. Other oils

In addition to lavender, you may want to experiment with other essential oils. A few that help migraineurs are: bay, eucalyptus, jasmine, melissa, peppermint, and rosemary. Since migraineurs’ attacks can be triggered by certain smells, you will want to choose the one that works best for you.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Surprisingly, apple cider vinegar can be a natural remedy for migraine. Boil together equal parts of natural apple cider vinegar and water in an open pan. When fumes begin to rise, and become comfortably strong, inhale for 50 to 60 deep breaths.

A third article in this series will round out our consideration of natural remedies for migraine headaches. Remember that all migraine sufferers should seek professional advice before using a natural remedy for migraine.

Herbal remedies have been around for a long, long time and have been used to help cure a variety of health concerns. Most of the remedies used before comprised mainly of herbal remedies since there were no other alternatives at the time. Herbal remedies were used by different cultures in different ways for different ailments and diseases, all before the development of our modern day pharmaceutical medicines.

Nowadays, we have been used to using different pharmaceutically developed medicines for our ailments and diseases, reducing the need for herbal remedies. Although such is the case, a lot of people still are using herbal remedies to address their health concerns, even if there are pharmaceutical drugs readily available to us.

One of the appeals of herbal remedies is the fact that they are tagged as “natural”, which means that they are made up of natural ingredients, giving them the appearance of a much healthier alternative to our modern day medicines and drugs. However, though such is the case, people seem to forget that most of the pharmaceutical medicines and drugs that people are using nowadays are also made up of natural ingredients, similar to those herbal remedies that we see and use. The only difference is that the ingredients in pharmaceutical remedies have been processed and developed specifically so that they contain the exact amount of dosage and potency. These pharmaceutical remedies have been rigorously tested before they were even permitted to be sold in the market, which is why their effects and side-effects remain constant.

With herbal remedies, however, their potency is not constant and standard. The same type of herbal remedy may not be as potent as the other since a lot of factors help determine the level of potency that a herbal remedy gets. Factors such as soil conditions, rainfall, as well as exposure to the sun can greatly affect the quality of the ingredients that make up the herbal drug, and can influence the potency of the remedy. And since these herbal remedies do not undergo the same level of safety and preparation, as well as the same level of inspection and testing before approval for use in the market as with pharmaceutical medicines, their quality is not always assured.

Another potential danger of using herbal remedies is that there are over 37 percent of these herbal remedies that are either known to be safe, or whose safety is unknown. This is a large percentage for people to rely too much on herbal remedies in addressing their health concerns. Since herbal remedies are not regulated by the Food and Drugs Association (FDA), there is no way of knowing for sure if the types of herbal remedies that you are using are actually safe to use or not.

Also, what makes herbal remedies potentially dangerous is the fact that it is not just made up of the ingredients that it indicates that it is made of. Since there are no strict policies and rules on how these remedies should be prepared and produced, other natural ingredients may find their way into the herbal remedy. These other ingredients may have adverse effects on the person using them, which is why people using herbal remedies cannot be entirely sure of the quality and effectiveness of the herbal remedies that they are using.

Vanessa Arellano Doctor

http://primeherbal.com

* Menopause Defined Menopause is defined as the time in a woman’s life when she has not menstruated for one year, indicating the end of fertility. Menopause typically occurs around the age of 50, but some women menstruate well into their 50s, while others experience menopause sometime in their mid-40s.

Perimenopause refers to the period of hormonal changes leading up to menopause; it can begin as early as the late 30’s. Women in perimenopause may experience such symptoms as irregular periods and hot flashes.

Menopause is not a disease — rather, it is a natural part of the aging process. The hormonal changes which accompany menopause are often responsible for a number of unpleasant physical symptoms, and women may experience some emotional distress as well.

However, it is important to remember that not all women have difficulty coping with the physical changes that occur during this time. Menopause does not signal an end to sexuality or femininity; in fact, many women embrace their new-found freedom from worries about becoming pregnant and the discomforts of menstruation.

For women who do experience uncomfortable symptoms during menopause, there are many options for treatment. While some women opt for hormone replacement therapy, a growing number of women are finding that lifestyle changes and natural remedies are highly effective in easing this mid-life transition.

* Causes of Menopause

As you approach middle age, your ovaries begin producing increasingly lower levels of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that regulate menstruation and fertility. Fewer eggs are produced, and ovulation becomes less regular during this time.

Throughout this process, your periods may become unpredictable; eventually, your ovaries will shut down completely and menstruation will cease altogether.

Although some women menstruate every month until their final period, it is much more common to experience a gradual cessation of menstrual periods. This process can take several years, and it is not possible to predict which period will be your last.

* Symptoms of Menopause

Menopause symptoms vary from one individual to another; not all women experience the same indicators of the change of life, but the following are the most commonly recognizable signs:

– Irregular periods;
– Vaginal dryness;
– Hot flashes;
– Mood swings;
– Anxiety or depression;
– Sleep disturbances;
– Thinning hair;
– Increased abdominal fat;
– Decreasing fertility.

* Diagnosing Menopause

In the majority of cases, a description of the symptoms should be enough for your doctor to determine that you are going through the process of menopause.

Hormone tests can detect decreasing levels of estrogen and progesterone and confirm the diagnosis; in addition, hormone testing can rule out any other condition, such as impaired thyroid function (which can produce many of the same symptoms as menopause).

* Treating Menopause

In the past, many doctors treated women for menopause using hormone replacement therapy to replenish estrogen levels. However, amid increasing concerns about the dangers of hormone therapy (which include increased risks of heart disease and caner), women are more and more frequently turning to lifestyle adjustments and herbal remedies to treat their menopause symptoms.

– Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies for Menopausal Women

Some simple adjustments in your day-to-day habits can alleviate many of the unpleasant symptoms and discomforts of menopause:

> Keep hot flashes under control. Dress in layers, so you can remove one or two when hot flashes strike. Exercise regularly, eat right, and try to identify and avoid things that cause them. Common triggers are alcoholic beverages, foods that are spicy, hot coffee or tea, hot rooms, and hot weather.

> Get plenty of sleep. Exercise during the day, but not too close to bedtime; this can increase melatonin levels necessary to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. Avoid caffeinated beverages if you have trouble sleeping.

> Eat right. Good nutrition is more important than ever as you grow (gracefully) older, and getting plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lots of calcium can counteract many diseases associated with aging.

> Exercise regularly. Exercise reduces stress, helps to balance the neurotransmitters that regulate mood, controls hot flashes, and helps to prevent many age-related diseases. These include heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

> Don’t smoke. Smoking is never good for you. It increases stress levels, brings on hot flashes, and
contributes to heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. It is never too late to quit smoking.

> Combat vaginal dryness and discomfort with over-the-counter lubricants.

* Herbal Remedies for Menopause

Herbal treatments and natural supplements can effectively ease menopause symptoms safely, without the health risks associated with conventional medications. Many effective natural menopause treatments contain one or more of these herbal extracts:

- Ginseng increases the production of estrogen and protects against hot flashes;
– Dong quai helps to maintain reproductive system function, boosts heart health, and increases the efficacy of other herbs;
– Damiana increases libido and calms hot flashes;
– Black cohosh is a natural pain reliever;
– Aloe gel relieves vaginal dryness naturally;
– Sarsaparilla improves sexual desire;
– Calendula relieves vaginal dryness
– St. John’s Wort relieves mild depression.

In addition, many women find that soy products are extremely helpful in reducing hot flashes. Phytoestrogens are also helpful for relieving menopause symptoms, and they are often available in supplement form.

With herbal remedies and adjustments to your lifestyle, you can cope with menopause and enter the next phase of your life without undue distress or difficulty.

is this for real,
or a clever scam.
please help me, if this is real, it is my only option

However, the world is a different place. It is now filled with fear, anxieties, and other forms of stress. Terms like ADD and ADHD have become standard when describing children. Obesity has risen in children causing an onslaught of childhood disease and general unhealthiness. What is the answer to it all? Perhaps yoga could be the right path for your child.

What Is Yoga?

Many people have their own ideas of what yoga is and all that it involves.
Yoga is a group of Indian spiritual practices that aims at achieving the union with the Supreme Consciousness. There are some yogas that go beyond that and aim at the spiritual transformation of the human nature and obtaining immortality. The Western Hemisphere embraces the physical aspects together with the practice of asanas more than anything (asanas are postures of Hatha Yoga). This is often used as a form of exercise that is good for the body but easy on its joints.

Why Choose Yoga?

What could yoga do for a person? How could they benefit? Well, at its physical level, yoga has been proven extremely beneficial for certain disorders. Further reasons to try this form of alternative health therapy would be:

â?¢ Increasing Flexibility â?” yoga acts on many of the joints of the body. It goes beyond the norm to include those that are not commonly exercised but need to be for achieve full mobility
â?¢ Increasing lubrication of the joints, ligaments, and tendons â?” The positions practiced also work the ligaments and tendons that help release the necessary lubrication to prevent injury. Natural lubrication is essential to joint and body health and an increase in it is even more beneficial, particularly for a sedentary society of children.
â?¢ Organ health â?” Yoga massages all the organs and stimulates a strong circulatory systems and ample blood supply. These help fight against disease.
â?¢ Awareness â?” Yoga gives children of all ages an introduction to self-awareness and awareness of the self in relation to the earth and to others.
â?¢ Complete Detoxification â?” Multitudinous toxins can accumulate in even the very young. These come from all manner of dietary, medicinal, and environmental pollutants and substances. The increase in circulation and ample blood supplied by yoga practice enhances the detoxification and excretion process, making for healthier, toxin-free children who have more energy and feel better.
â?¢ Toning â?” Yoga is an excellent source of toning for young muscle groups. It works to build muscles, strengthen, and enhance flexibility as it works to correct the problems of inactivity

Is Yoga Really For Children?

The benefits mentioned are for everyone who incorporates yoga into their lives. There are benefits that are specifically designed for children. Some of these benefits include:

â?¢ Self-control â?” The simple breathing and biofeedback techniques that are used slow the nervous system allowing children to develop a sense of self-control and allowing them to connect with their feelings.
â?¢ Concentration â?” The poses and sequences used help release physical and emotional energy that help children concentrate and helps them test better in the learning atmosphere
â?¢ Skills â?” The games and tools used help develop trust, compassion, communication, and teamwork skills
â?¢ Relaxation â?” Storytelling, mental imagery, and music help promote a sense of calmness that allows the imagination to flow
â?¢ Wellness â?” Lessons learned help develop healthy habits around food, exercise, electronic media, and other choices that can affect decisions

When it comes to the children, one should take all aspects into consideration. The children are truly our future and their overall happiness matters for the proper balance of health. When a child is sick then the parent will take them to the doctor, have the necessary prescriptions filled, and follow the doctorâ??s orders. However, overall health is not just about avoiding illness but the fine balance of physical, mental, social, and emotional wellness, such that yoga can provide.

A Good Place To Start

It seems that to start understanding a subject, one would have to have a bit of information. A definition of a word or phrase can be a great place to start and may even give you further information on where to continue the search. Wikipedia offers a quick and decisive definition for just about anything you could think of. Alternative healing is defined as healing practices that are outside the realm of mainstream scientific medicine. This encompasses many avenues of healthcare choices. Some forms of alternative medicine worth looking into include:

â?¢ Herbal medicine â?”the practice of using herbs to heal and/or maintain wellness. Herbs are both ingested (in foods and teas, etc.) and used topically (in ointments).
â?¢ Naturopathic Medicine â?” This involves the theory that health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. Health is not just the presence or curing of disease or illness, it is also emotional health.
â?¢ Massage Therapy â?” The power of touch is used to increase circulation and relieve stress and physical malady as it increases mental relaxation.
â?¢ Holistic Medicine â?” This theory that â??The whole is more than the sum of its parts,â? as applied to medicine and healing. This means that the body and all its parts work together so should be accessed together and healed together.
â?¢ Meditation â?” This practice includes a going beyond the conditioned thinking mind to a deeper state of relaxation. Different forms of meditation focus on different goals such as greater focus, creativity, and self-awareness.
â?¢ Homeopathy â?” This is derived from the Greek word meaning similar and is a form of alternative medicine that believes that a person can heal from the very same thing that is making them ill. When introduced in a controlled environment, the body will enact its own healing powers and fight off the intruder.
â?¢ Chiropractic medicine â?” This focuses on the musculoskeletal system of the body. By physically adjusting and manipulating the body the physical body comes into alignment with spiritual/emotional, releasing positive energy and promoting healing.

Now What?

Okay, you have a slight idea of alternative medicine and some of the many forms that it takes, but what do you do with it all? For starters you could use your favorite search engine and type in the same word and you will be amazed at all the links that will come up; thousands of links for your approval and perusal. It could take years to read all the information that is available for each type of alternative medicine and all that is involved, so perhaps taking a different approach is best.

Talking Helps

Making an appointment with your general physician can be a good resource. Many physicians are starting to incorporate certain alternative health practices. They will be a good insight for these certain forms and may even have names or groups that specialize in those practices. Most likely those groups will have a website listed on contact information where you can visit their website and get a better understanding.

Asking friends or relatives if they have any insight on a particular form of alternative medicine would be beneficial to your search. A personal touch and experience can speak wonders and often lead to an online resource for that group.

Whether you dive into the wacky realm of the World Wide Web or ask someone and then narrow your search, the internet is a wonderful tool for accessing vast amounts of information with just a click of your mouse. Once you find a certain avenue to take, then narrow your research within that subject. Before you know it, you will be full of knowledge on the subject of choice.

There may be an avenue you could explore that will not have the negative affects that drugs or herbs may have on your compromised body. The Usui system of healing may be the answer you are looking for. Usui healing is also known in the alternative medical world as Reiki. To understand why this older form of healing has become so popular, look into its past.

Reiki History

It is told that in the 1920â??s a Japanese Buddhist Monk by the name of Dr. Mikao Usui ended a retreat of fasting meditation with the healing powers of touch. Usui had a strong background in kiko (energy cultivation) and a martial art that had a strong resemblance to Zen. He also studied Zen and the system of Reiki carries all these influences. He unified all his learning into the practical form of Reiki. In 1936, a woman named Hawayo Takata brought this practice to the Western hemisphere via Hawaii and it has been taught and performed ever since.

What is Reiki?

The word Reiki comes from the Japanese words â??Reiâ? (spiritual) and â??kiâ? (energy). The word translates to mean â??spiritual life force.â? The Usui system of healing (Reiki) uses the flow of energy from practitioner to patient to enhance the bodyâ??s natural healing capabilities by balancing energy. Reiki incorporates elements of each of the alternative healing methods. For example, the Usui system may incorporate

â?¢ Spiritual healing
â?¢ Auras
â?¢ Crystals
â?¢ Charka balancing
â?¢ Meditation
â?¢ Aromatherapy

Other natural healing methods may be employed as well.

Reiki or Usui utilizes specific techniques to restore and balance the natural energy source within the body. It touches on all levels of being, both spiritual and physical, including body, mind, and spirit.

Why Is Usui So Popular?

Usui, or Reiki, has gained popularity in the past 10 years due to a better understanding and acceptance of the beliefs that this form of healing is based on. Other cultures in other nations have been reaping the benefits of Reiki for years but some Western cultures have been known to have a tough time grasping ideas and concepts that seem not to have concrete evidence that they can put their hands on.

Recently there have been more acceptances of other cultures and what they can bring to the different aspects of our world. We have run ourselves crazy and the anxiety levels have risen such that many programs, news articles, and studies have taken it as their main focus. We are hoping for a solution that does not involve taking chemical induced pills.

Cases of Cancer have been on the rise and the word has gotten out on positive testimonies around the Usui healing world. Patients have spoken of full relaxation and calmness felt during these powerful treatments. Some have testified to heat or tingling from the practitionerâ??s hands. Many have claimed to feel energized and ready to fight the fight â?” no matter what it may be in their life.

Not Just For The Ill

There are clients of Reiki that have reaped benefits and even though they did not feel ill beforehand. We may have feelings of unease or anxiety and not have a physical ailment. Life is crazy and if a healing treatment makes us feel better then why not give it a go? Usui healing has been used to maintain wellness, not just stop the path of sickness. The positive energy that is transferred can help someone get through the next week.

Alternative medicine does come in many forms. Some include oral therapy in the form of herbs and elixirs and others are on a touching level, such as Reiki or Usui. However it is referred, this form of healing has produced benefits that are worth looking at. A little research and an open mind for Usui can be the start of complete happiness in your life.

Some skeptics say that uses of herbs only are in our mind, and that they do not truly aid in the healing process. However, some of these skeptics also admit that the original foundation of some of todayâ??s medicines do come from nature. Aspirin is from the derivative of willow bark. Historically people have used teas made with willow bark to reduce fevers. Other herbal medicines were used to help treat constipation, ease pain, or act as a stimulant or a relaxant. Some recent research has shown that some herbs work just as good has the conventional medicines found at your local pharmacy.

There are many different herbs used both in past and in present. Some have been tested for their effectiveness only in animals while others have human trials to back up their claims. Some people do not pay attention to todayâ??s studies but rely on family history of use. For example, Mom always gave ginger ale for a stomach ache and Grandma swore that a strong herbal tea would knock out that fever. Some herbs have multiple medicinal uses and may be ingested in some cases and used topically in others.

Making Sense Of The Vocabulary

Herbal cures have their own set of vocabulary. Many are used to show how the herb is mixed with a compound. A few examples of vocabulary words used are:

â?¢ Tinctures â?” exact meaning is the “alcoholic extracts of herbs.” This is obtained by combining the herb with 100% ethanol alcohol, resulting in an end percentage of 40-60% ethanol once combined
â?¢ Elixirs and Herbal Wine â?” This also pertains to the alcoholic extract of the herbs. Elixirs are mixed with spirits such as vodka while herbal wine is clearly made with wine. Both types produce an ethanol percentage rate of 12-38%
â?¢ Tisanes â?” This pertains to using herbs mixed with hot water
â?¢ Decoctions â?” Boiling the herbs a long time and used with roots or bark
â?¢ Macerates â?” This occurs when herbs such as sage and thyme are infused with cold water and allowed to sit up to 10 hours

As stated above, some herbal medicines are best used topically and can cure a variety of ailments. These are called topicals and they also have their own vocabulary. A few that one may come across are:

â?¢ Essential oils- These are the herbs concentrated and many can burn or harm the skin if used directly (undiluted). It is advised to mix the essential oil with olive oil to use safely and effectively.
â?¢ Poultices â?” This is also known as a compress. It is used by taking the herb, crushing it, rehydrating with a small amount of water, and applying to the wound directly or wrapped in a bandage.

A couple of other ways that herbs are used and applied are:

â?¢ Syrups â?” These are the herb extracts that are mixed with syrups or honey. A high percentage of sugars used are greater then the equal parts of water and herb used. This is processed for three weeks.
â?¢ Inhalation â?” Used as an aromatherapy and not direct inhaling, the herbs can help in deep cleansing of the skin and tools for relaxation.

Plentiful Plants

There are many herbs and plants used in herbal natural healing. They help prevent and cure a number of ailments and some may have multiple healing qualities. There are countless derivatives of plants and herbs and to list them all would create its own dictionary. A few to think about are:

â?¢ Soy â?” This and other plants contain phytoestrogens which are plants with estrogen activity. They have benefits for symptoms of menopause.
â?¢ Echinacea â?” Strong extracts seem to limit the length and the severity of the common cold.
â?¢ Elderberry â?” Used in literary references in the form of wine but also used to speed the recovery of type A and B flu.
â?¢ Feverfew â?” Used for migraine headaches for patients that are not pregnant.
â?¢ Pawpaw â?” Can be useful for killing worms or lice
â?¢ Honey â?” Not only popular with bears but for people with high cholesterol and the need to heal some wounds.

This is just a sampling of the healing power and uses of herbs. There are many to discover and the effectiveness will differ in people just like the over the counter medicines that are offered to us today.