Astragalus herbs information - Chinese herb helps immune-system, colds and flu more

What is Astragalus Herb?

Astragalus is an herb that has many possible benefits, including fighting infection and the common cold, to benefiting cancer and AIDS patients. Traditional Chinese medicine has used astragalus membranaceus for a remedy for weakness, edema, respiratory infections, diabetes, night sweats, diarrhea, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Studies confirm it contains medicinally active compounds, including a polysaccharide that stimulates the immune system.

Benefit Astragalus Herbs:
The beneficial herb known as the astragalus is a twining leguminous perennial plant, which can reach 11 and a half to 39 inches high when fully grown. This plant has a multi branching stem, which slants slightly upward and which is also slightly hairy in appearance. The herb possesses pinnate leaves which grow alternately and each has 9 to 21 leaflets, which are elliptical in shape, each being about a quarter to three fourths of an inch long and about one thirds of an inch wide across. The racemes on the plant are axillary in position and the peduncle of the plant is very slender, bearing anything from three to nine flowers, which arise at the very top of the plant. The plant also possesses a spindle shaped pod, which is slightly inflated, is a little over an inch long and is beaked at the tip. The astragalus herb produces about twenty to thirty seeds.

Uses Astragalus Herbs:

The main use of the astragalus is in the form of a classic energy tonic. Some even consider it superior to the ginseng for use with younger patients. The herbal medical system in China link the herbal remedy to an ability for warming and toning the wei qi - which is the concept of a protective energy, circulating in the human body immediately beneath the skin. This energy is supposed to help the human body to adapt rapidly to external influences and changes in temperature, particularly to cold weather and climates. The resistance of the immune system is also raised by the astragalus and the herbal remedy is also acknowledged for its ability to improve the physical endurance of all users.

Apple Pectin Herb Information, Blood sugar regulation, cholesterol. Fiber source.

Apple Pectin Herb

Apple Pectin is said to have beneficial effects on the digestive tract and the ability to maintain intestinal balance. It binds with cholesterol and fats before they are absorbed in the body and swiftly eliminates them from the intestinal tract, which may help to reduce the risk of coronary problems. This binding action is also believed to slow absorption of dietary sugar after meals,which also may be helpful in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Apple Pectin is believed to remove unwanted toxins from the colon and effectively promotes colonic health by cleansing the intestinal tract.

Apple Pectin Benefits and Information

As a dietary fiber, apple pectin is helpful in maintaining good digestive health. Fruits rich in apple pectin include the peach, apple, currant, and plum. Protopectin, present in unripe fruits, is converted to pectin as the fruit ripens. Pectin forms a colloidal solution in water and gels on cooling. When fruits are cooked with the correct amount of sugar, and when the acidity is optimum and the amount of pectin present is sufficient, jams and jellies can be made. In overripe fruits, the pectin becomes pectic acid, which does not form jelly with sugar solutions.

An indigestible, soluble fiber, apple pectin is a general intestinal regulator that is used in many medicinal preparations, especially as an anti-diarrhea agent. Our ancestors believed the old proverb an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Today, nutritional scientists research for evidences that verify how apples are good for our health. Apples are rich in pectin, a soluble fiber, which is effective in lowering cholesterol levels.

Researchers at the University of California, Davis, found that apple pectin also acts as an antioxidant against the damaging portion of cholesterol in the blood stream. Many researchers suggest that people who eat fatty foods should, if possible, wash down this food with apple juice rather than the usual drink. Researchers have found that raw apples are the richest of fruits in pectin, with the jonagold variety of apple leading other varieties.


History Apple Pectin Herb

We know that apples have been consumed by man since 6500 B.C., and were prescribed for virtually every ailment as a "heal-all" through the ages. Remember the adage, "An apple a day....."?

Our ancestors knew the "secret" of the Apple and its life giving properties. Apple is particularly rich

in Pectin, the name applied to any one of a group of white, amorphous complex carbohydrates with

a high molecular weight. These water-soluble fibers are found in plant tissue, most commonly ripe fruits such as citrus fruits (particularly the peels), crabapples, plums, currants and apples, and researchers have found that raw Apples are the richest fruit sources in Pectin, with the "Jonagold" leading other varieties. The characteristic structure of Pectin is a linear chain of α-(1-4)-linked

D-galacturonic acid that forms the pectin-backbone, a homogalacturonan. The fiber has a gel-forming effect when mixed with water (which makes it an effective binding agent when cleansing the intestines and colon). Protopectin, which is present in unripe fruits, is converted to Pectin as the fruit ripens. Pectin forms a colloidal solution in water and gels on cooling, and when fruits are cooked with the correct amount of sugar, and when the acidity is optimum and the amount of Pectin present is sufficient, fruit jams and jellies will result. On the other hand, when fruits are over-ripe, the Pectin becomes pectic acid, which does not form jelly with sugar solutions. Modern researchers suggest that a high-fat/low-fiber diet may be one of the leading causes of death; and, thus, people are encouraged to include Apple Pectin in any form (raw fruit or powder or juice) to help protect them from the ailments that may be caused by such a lifestyle. Rich in important vitamins, tannins and an especially high Pectin content, the Apple is especially beneficial to maintaining good health.

What is Antler Velvet and where does Antler Velvet come from and why should we use Antler Velvet

Information of Antler Velvet Herb

What is Antler Velvet and where does Antler Velvet come from?

Deer antler velvet is a name that's used to describe the antler velvet harvested from the antlers of growing deer, moose, caribou and elk. The antlers are removed from the animal before they solidify into solid bone, and the velvet is harvested with no harm coming to the animal.

Deer antler also contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, and a full spectrum of amino acids.

Most deer antler velvet sold as a dietary supplement comes from Korea or Australia.

What does it do and what scientific studies give evidence to support this?

Deer antler velvet has been used in China for over 2000 years.

The effects of deer antler velvet on health will depend on the animal from which it was taken (deer, caribou, moose or elk) and the diet of the animal. Scientific studies on deer antler velvet are scarce.

Deer antler velvet is a natural source of glucosamine, chondroitin and collagen. The body uses glucosamine to manufacture glycosaminoglycans that are found in cartilage tissue.

Deer antler velvet also contains male and female hormones, including Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) - a hormone that's produced in the liver as a response to growth hormone stimulation. IGF-1 (somatomedin C).


Why should we use Antler Velvet?

Betty Kamen, PhD on the cover of her book 'The Remarkable Healing Power of Velvet Antler" states - 'Natures link to: Arthritis Relief, Vitality, Growth Factors, Sexual Function, Immune Enhancement, Athletic Performance' and there in lies the reason. Quite simply there is no other single product, either natural or man made, that of that we know can rival Velvet Antler's potential benefits to both health and wellbeing.

We will go further and say that if you are considering taking a health supplement then the most beneficial natural product you could take is Antler Velvet for the very reasons outlined above.

Information Anise herbs. Easy breathing and healthy lungs, indigestion, gassiness, fresh breath. history and used

Information of Anise Herb

An herb is a plant whose leaves, seeds, or flowers are used for flavoring food or in medicine. Other applications of herbs include cosmetics, dyes, and perfumes. The word derives from the Latin herba, meaning "green crops."

Anise bears a strong family resemblance to the members of the carrot family, that includes dill, fennel, coriander, cumin and caraway. Many of these relatives have been described as having a licorice flavour, to some extent, but anise is the true taste of licorice— its oils are distilled into the flavouring for licorice candy (not from the herb licorice, which has a different taste). Anise is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, the Levant, and Egypt. The early Arabic name was anysum from which was derived the Greek anison and the Latin anisun. It is one of the oldest known spice plants used both for culinary and medicinal purposes since ancient times. There is evidence that anise was used in Egypt as early as 1500 B.C. To aid digestion the Romans enjoyed anise-spiced cakes after heavy meals and it was spread throughout Europe by Roman legions. In the Bible there is mention of paying tithe with anise in the book of Matthew. In 1305, anise was listed by King Edward I as a taxable drug and merchants bringing it into London paid a toll to help raise moneys to maintain and repair London bridge. Of the any of the qualities attributed to anise we like what one writer warned: “it stirreth up bodily lust”. This accredited to the same spice that could ward off the Evil Eye or keep away nightmares if placed under one’s pillow. Anise is used in the manufacture of many commercial cough syrups and sore throat medications, used to flavour other medicines and to scent soaps and perfumes. It is also claimed that anise is an effective bait for rats and mice and the distilled oil dabbed onto a fishing lure will improve a fisherman’s chances. Dogs are also attracted by anise — it is often an ingredient in dog food and the seeds may be used to lay drag hunt trails and also by anti-blood sport movements to put hounds off the scent.

History of Anise:
Anise may have first come from Asia, but it has since spread to Europe, Northern Africa, the Middle East, and North America. Ancient Egyptians and Romans used it as a spice, and it has also been used throughout history for medicinal purposes and for its fragrance.

Food and other uses:
The stems of the anise plant, which have the same characteristic flavor as the seeds, are eaten as a vegetable. The seeds are characteristically used in cookies such as Italian biscotti and German springerle, in bread, and in sausage. Anise seeds are also used as a seasoning in curry and hoisin, while the oil is used in several liquers including anisette and ouzo, and in the liquor absinthe. The oil of anise is also used in toothpaste, chewing gum, cough syrups, and soap, among other products.

Anise seeds can be used to prepare a tisane or herbal tea, which has been recommended as a lactation aid, and there are several such teas available commercially which include anise extract with other components. However, since there is apparently a possibility of toxic reaction to anise in newborns, parents and particularly nursing mothers should check with a pediatrician.