by Cheryl Hoard Many physicians in Germany prescribe Kava Kava Root (Piper methysticum)as a first line of defense for symptoms associated with anxiety. Alternatively, the common chemical prescription is Valium which belongs to a class of conventional drugs called benzodiazepines. Kava Kava does not cause the side effects associated with these drugs and in […]
natural
Is your Essential Oil Natural, Standardized or Synthetic?
by Cheryl Hoard Essential oils are the fragrant soul of a plant. They are the characteristic scent or odor of a plant. Many chemical constituents make up this volatile oil. Peppermint essential oil (Mentha x piperita), for example is made up of menthol, menthyl acetate, menthone, cineole, pulegone, limonene, phellandrene, pinene, beta-bisabolene […]
If I Found Myself in a Serious Health Situation
by Cheryl Hoard If I found myself in a serious health situation, I would make changes in my life. I believe the more change one makes, the more chance there is to do well. How many changes you make will depend on how important it is to you and how much effort […]
Herbal Support For Diabetes
by Cheryl Hoard There are quite a few herbs which support proper blood sugar levels as well as soothe other symptoms or related conditions of diabetes. Lapacho, also known as Pau D’Arco a famous rain forest herb, has reportedly been used successfully for diabetes. While not citing any research studies for […]
Herbal Spring Tonics
by Cheryl Hoard Spring is a traditional time for all kinds of cleaning. Spring house cleaning is a common occurrence in many cultures as well as the use of spring tonics for the body. These spring tonics are usually blood and liver purifying herbs. The folk concept behind these spring cleaners was to counteract […]
German Commission E Monographs and The European Market for Herbal Remedies
by Cheryl Hoard In 1978 the German government established a committee, called Commission E, comprised of physicians, pharmacologists, toxicologists, representatives of the pharmaceutical industry and lay persons. Phytomedicines, simply called herbal remedies, are commonly used and very popular in Germany. The German government saw the need to create a process to affirm […]
Do you know what’s in your Shampoo?
by Cheryl Hoard Do you read the labels of your shampoos and soaps? If you do read the ingredient list, do you know what all those chemicals are and what they do for your skin and hair? Did you know that the surfactant, sodium laureth sulfate (SLS), is not actually made from coconut oil […]
Catnip as Mosquito Repellent
by Jeffrey S. Hoard Herbal folklore has long included the use of aromatic herbs and oils as insect repellents. Most of us are familiar with the use of citronella oil (Cymbopogon nardus) in candles and in products designed to be used on the skin. Other aromatic herbs used for centuries for their insect repellent […]
Herbs & Essential Oils for SARS
By Cheryl Hoard As one physician put it in a recent national television interview about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), now is the time to “live well”. This doctor describes living well as eating wholesome foods, exercise and stop smoking. A few weeks before this TV interview, another MD voiced the opinion that addition to […]
Aromatic & Herbal Remedies for Animals
by Cheryl Hoard Many alternative health disciplines are successfully used to treat animals, especially our beloved pets. Herbalism and Aromatherapy are utilized safely and effectively for animals as well as humans. Plants have been our medicine since the earliest written record. Herbalism encompasses various and broad uses of plants as healing agents. Aromatherapy is the […]