Herbs & Alternative Medicine

Black cohosh (sometimes spelled as "cohash") is a plant native to North America whose roots have been harvested since the 19th century to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from arthritis to...

Because the colon is one of the primary organs used for internal detoxification and elimination, colon cleansing can be an integral part of maintaining your health. Poor diet, exposure to...

Andrographis, the king of bitters, is an annual/biennial herb that is native to Southeast Asia, China and India. It benefits human health by stimulating the immune system so the body can fight off...

A toenail fungus, onychomycosis, can be unpleasant to look at, as well as painful. According to the Mayo Clinic, the fungus can be caused by yeast, mold or a type of fungi called dermatophytes....

A herbal tea based on a native Canadian Ojibwa shaman recipe, Essiac tea has gained popularity for its supposed medicinal benefits. Essiac tea is used as an alternative cancer treatment, although...

As cancer rates continue to increase and confidence in the adequacy and overall safety of traditional medical treatments is eroding in some quarters, many people are choosing to prevent or treat...

Marshmallow root is an herb with jagged leaves that house tiny, dusky blue flowers. The root is the most often used part of the herb. Marshmallow root is a very old remedy for sore throats, chest...

Eastern red cedar, a juniper conifer native to more than 30 states east of the Rocky Mountains, has been used for centuries by Native Americans as a general tonic and natural remedy for a number...

Eye irritation occurs for many reasons. Smoke, dust and other environmental irritants can cause eye irritation, although eye strain and a lack of sleep also contribute. Symptoms of eye irritation...

Anxiety is caused by many factors, such as stress and depression, and is different for each person. At times, anxiety can become severe enough that it can interfere with a person's life. A person...

A skin tag is a small growth of skin that can often be found on the neck, face and under the breasts (this occurs mostly in women). The skin tag, also known as acrochordons, is usually long and...

Shingles, also known as zoster virus, is a viral disease that causes painful rashes on a small area of one side of the body. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus, which is the same virus...

Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious illness that attacks your respiratory tract. According to Flu.gov, there are two strains of the flu virus that people should be cautious of. H1N1 (swine)...

Antifungal creams found in the local drug store can be expensive and contain harsh chemicals. These chemicals may work quicker than natural antifungal remedies but also expose the skin to...

Cold sores are never nice and neither are the side effects form some of the store medicines.You can use around your own home for a natural cold sore treatment. Including both internal and external...

Ginseng is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine. Commercial ginseng preparations can be hard to find. However, dry ginseng root is available in many Chinese pharmacies and groceries and...

Painful menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, affect up to 15 percent of all women, according to Medline physician Melissa Conrad Stoppler, MD, and the condition can be severe enough to to disrupt...

Toenail fungus is an infection that can cause the toenail to be thick, crumbly and discolored. Invading the toenail through small cuts between the toenail and the toe, toenail fungus can be...

Preparing pau d'arco tea only requires you to boil water. While reputed to cure fungal infections in mice, studies prove inconclusive in people. Many people still prepare this tea as a...

Plantar warts are rough, flattened, callus-like growths that develop on the heel and bottom of your feet. Plantar warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and often have tiny black dots...

Ahitaba (scientifica name: Angelica keiskei), was discovered in Japan in the Longevity Islands. This Asian herb is a type of Angelica and belongs to the celery family. It is also known as...

Styes of the eye are caused by a bacterial infection on the edge of the eyelid or even underneath the eyelid. They can look like a pimple or a small red lump and cause minor pain and itching....

The term "corn silk" refers to the threadlike strands that protrude from the end of an ear of corn. Its purpose it to catch pollen that floats in the air and fertilize the corn. Corn silk intended...

Many of the same herbs that are used to treat depression and anxiety can be used successfully to treat anger. Unlike prescription drugs, which are often prescribed only for extreme cases of mental...

Kidney stones are crystals that form in the kidneys or the bladder, and are composed of calcium salts, struvite, or uric acid. The shape of the stone is often a clue to its composition. Calcium...

Asthma is a serious and chronic condition in which the airways of the lungs become inflamed and constricted. This condition makes it difficult to breathe in and exhale air. Using herbal medicine...

Horsetail is an herbal that has a higher silica content than any other herb in the plant kingdom. Silica helps protein molecules to bind together. That characteristic is what makes horsetail...

Nearly everyone has gallstones, though most of us never know it. Smaller stones pass painlessly through the small intestine or stay happily in the gallbladder. However, when gallstones become too...

All of you avid readers out there know what I'm talking about. Whether it's from poor lighting or marathon reading, strain on the eye can cause a stye. Sometimes, a stye cream can provide relief,...

The lungs play a vital role in the operation of the body and it is imperative that they work properly in order for the body to function optimally. Sometimes lungs can become obstructed with...

A runny nose is the common way of describing the medical condition rhinorrhea. Characterized by a thin, watery discharge from the nose, a runny nose is generally not dangerous. The discharge is...

IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome, is characterized by a group of symptoms which include pain and cramping in the abdomen and lower intestine. Other symptoms of IBS can include chronic diarrhea and...

People have been using peppermint oil for hundreds of years to help relieve pain, cure illnesses, reduce fevers and fight off infections. Peppermint oil is used in a variety of ways: you can apply...

Licorice is a hardy perennial with tiny blue flowers and small, oval leaves. The root of this plant is woody and contains the oils and flavor that we associate with black licorice candy. Alhough...

Many of the same herbs that are used to treat painful menstruation or premenstrual issues can be used to reduce sexual urges. Herbs used in this manner are referred to as anaphrodisiacs. Many...

Nausea is your body's way of saying that something isn't right. Sometimes the reasons for nausea will be obvious, sometimes not so obvious. Dizziness or vertigo is generally a symptom, often...

Earwax is a beneficial in a couple of ways, including helping to maintain a pH balance in your ear and protecting against the penetration of water into the inner ear, both of which are important...

Feverfew is a hardy perennial herb that grows on stiff, fibrous stems. It produces small flowers with white petals and yellow centers. The leaves are broad, abundant and multi-lobed--they're the...

Low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, is a type of cholesterol that can lead to a build up of plaque in the arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can, in turn, adversely affect...

According to natural-homeremedies.org, burdock root is an amazingly versatile medicinal herb that can be used to fight colds, to promote liver health, to provide important antioxidants, to fight...

The role of the lungs is vital to the human body in order for it to operate properly. The lungs bring in oxygen, which our cells need to function, and carry away carbon dioxide, a gas produced...

Mothers Milk tea is an herbal blend that is meant to stimulate breast-milk production. Herbs can mimic female hormones because they contain phyoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are plant estrogens that...

Parkinson's disease is a disorder that affects the neurological and muscular systems. It causes tremors that can be quite strong. If you or a loved one are affected by Parkinson's, you may wish to...

In the modern age of big medical bills, many consumers are choosing cheaper home remedies. Some of the most prominent choices in this regard are herbal remedies, which use natural ingredients that...

Graviola, a tree that grows in the tropical regions of North and South America, has been touted as a cancer-fighting herbal remedy. A 2001 study published in the Journal of Natural Products...

Lexapro is a commonly used anti-depressant. Unfortunately, as with many medications, people sometimes experience side effects, which can include insomnia, problems with ejaculation, prolonged...

South Pacific islanders have been using the kava root extract for millennium, not only in community ceremonies, but also to simply relax, increase awareness, and decrease the tensions of the day....

An infected tooth can lead to a tooth abscess, which is a collection of pus in or around the root. The accumulated pus may seep into the surrounding tissue and cause the formation of a gum boil....

Abdominal or visceral fat, as it is also known, is not only unsightly, it is unhealthy. Excessive belly fat can be a leading indicator of heart disease, diabetes type 2 and high blood pressure....

"Loose" coughs have a real health purpose--they clear out mucus and sputum, which often contain germs and debris. Coughing is part of your body's cleansing system. However, dry, hacking coughs...