Herbs & Alternative Medicine

Reishi mushrooms have been praised as "the medicine of kings" due to the wide range of health benefits that Eastern medical practitioners attribute to them. The fungus helps the body maintain its...

Moles are very common, but can often be an embarrassing problem for some, especially if they happen to grow on the face or in other conspicuous places. Moles can be removed by a doctor but this...

Herbalists have long known that comfrey has healing powers. The leaves, flowers and root all contain different curative substances. The root contains allantoin, which helps heal wounds, broken...

Green walnut hulls are the outermost layer of black walnuts. This vital herb has the ability to remove parasites from the body. According to Dr. Hulda Clark, author of the "Self Reliance in...

Hyssop is an ancient herb that is even mentioned in the Bible. In the Jewish culture it is considered a holy herb that was used for cleansing the temples. Modern herbalists have found it to be...

Oregon grape root is a medicinal herb used to treat various digestive tract issues, such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and diverticulosis. It has also been known to stimulate the...

Skullcap is an excellent herb for creating a tincture for a backache. American skullcap was historically used to treat rabies with much success. Today, herbalists prescribe skullcap as a muscle...

Bloodroot has long been known as an excellent antifungal and antibacterial treatment. Recent research, however, has also begun to show remarkable results when bloodroot is used in the treatment of...

Herbs are highly valued for both their nutritive and medicinal value and can be prepared as infusions, salves, or tinctures. A tincture is made by steeping herbs in alcohol, usually vodka or rum. ...

Yarrow root grows all over the word. It's traditionally used for such ailments as easing discomfort related to menstruation, such as heavy bleeding; gastrointestinal problems like bloating;...

Alternative measures for pain relief are all the same, regardless of the part of the body involved. It is a good idea to have the following items on hand ahead of time: ice and self-sealing...

Tendinitis occurs when tendons---the flexible, fibrous tissues that attach muscles to bones---become inflamed. Certain herbs aid the process of recovery for tendinitis by reducing pain and...

A tincture is a blend of an herb's essential oils, suspended in alcohol. A rosemary tincture can help give relief from colds or ward off infection. This tincture can be taken orally, or applied...

A tincture is a mixture of herbs and alcohol, used as a natural remedy for various ailments. Garlic is known for its cleansing and antibacterial properties. Using a garlic tincture can help give...

If you have a ready supply of either dried or fresh herbs--in powdered or cut forms--you can make your own herbal tinctures. An herbal tincture is essentially a liquid extract of the herb; you...

There are many natural herbal remedies that can be beneficial to the body. One of these wonderful herbs is hawthorne, which helps the heart to pump more blood and oxygen to the whole body, aiding...

Natural menopause relief can be obtained by making changes in the diet, taking supplements and using herbs. Symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings and depression can all be...

Ocimum Sanctum, also known as holy basil, tulsi and tulasi, is a strong smelling, annual herb that grows into a low bush with hairy stems and purple flowers. There are two types of Ocimum Sanctum,...

Dandelion tinctures are often used in alternative medicine to cleanse the liver and kidneys, and as a source of vitamins A, B complex and C. It also has calcium, phosphorus, iron and other...

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...

Vitex, also known as chaste tree or chasteberry, is a shrub native to western Asia. According to the Steven Foster Group, women have used vitex for over 2500 years to treat gynecological...

Chanca piedra, also known as "breakstone," is a small, annual herb that has been scientifically proven to reduce toxicity in the liver, reduce fever, reduce glycemic activity, and it has both...

Antibiotics are generally reserved for high-risk cases and not given to every woman who tests positive for group B strep (GBS). Some women even choose to take herbal treatments on their own, and...

A tincture, or extract, composed of the hulls of black walnuts--Juglans nigra--can be used as an alternative or herbal medicine, because the compound juglone is found in the hulls.

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...

A tincture is a maceration of herbs in a menstruum, which can be alcohol, glycerin or vinegar. Tinctures represent the most effective way to extract resins form dried herb, by using 190 proof...

Kava kava root has been used in herbal remedies and alternative medicine circles as an anti-anxiety medication. The natural root is used to relax muscles and promote sleep. According to "Women's...

Tendinitis is the inflammation or swelling of a tendon, usually caused by overuse or injury, and can cause restricted movement and pain. While there are many over-the-counter and prescription...

Astragalus root has been used in Chinese medicine for about 2,000 years. The herb helps to strengthen the immune system, liver and heart. It is also considered an energy and lung tonic. Often,...

Milk thistle, also known as blessed or holy thistle, has long been used by herbalists for liver disorders, including cirrhosis and hepatitis. The seeds are harvested when the flowers whither and...

Cayenne Tincture can be a remarkable tool towards better health. Keep reading to learn how to mix up your own batch to have on hand.

Mullein is commonly used as a tea or a tincture in remedies for congestion. The flowers also are steeped in an oil infusion used to relieve earaches and soften blockages caused by a buildup of...

Juniper berries are used medicinally primarily for urinary tract infections and as a diuretic. If juniper grows in your vicinity, you may want to try tincturing your own medicine. Purchasing...

Bruises occur when the skin is hit hard enough to break the blood vessels below the surface of the skin. The broken blood vessels allow some blood to leak out into the tissue surrounding the area...

Many drugs are available to treat bladder and prostate problems in men, but some of the side affects that accompany these medicines may be worse than the actual symptoms you are experiencing. As a...

Herbal tinctures are made by steeping plants in alcohol. The result is an extract, or tincture. Tinctures last a long time and are more concentrated than teas. You might have to drink cups and...

As long as humans have suffered with illness, we have sought means to cure and treat those illnesses. In the modern era, though we have all manner of pharmaceutical solutions at our disposal, some...

The green hulls of black walnuts (Juglans nigra) are used to make the tincture home remedy. The hull is what is on the outside; the walnut is in the middle of the hull. If you have never seen a...

A sweet and spicy ingredient in many candies and pastries, licorice extract is also a powerful compound often used in natural healing. Licorice extract is taken from the licorice rhizome, and has...

Asthma happens when an irritant of some type causes spasms in the bronchi, the passageways that carry air into the lungs. Whether the irritant is stress related, a severe cold, smoke or allergies,...

Problems in the colon can develop from poor eating habits, or from carrying tension in your gut. Interrupted passage of food and waste through the intestines confines gas and solids, causing...

A mysterious herb that has been used for centuries to cure digestive ills, wormwood also has a seedy past as a potentially psychedelic ingredient in recreational liqueur.

Many people have wild violets growing on their property. They probably do not think much about them other than they are a burst of purple or a shock of white on the lawn. Violets are an herb that...

All of us have been plagued with a toothache now and again. Although there is no substitution for routine visits to a dentist and proper dental hygiene, there are temporary measures you can take...

Horsetail (equisetum arvense), also called bottle brush and shavegrass, may have some beneficial properties. However, some serious cautions regarding side effects and drug interactions pertain....

If you are trying to have a natural childbirth but are worried about delayed labor, herbal treatments can help ensure a reduced-pain and smooth childbirth. Herbs such as black cohosh and blue...

Herpes can be an uncomfortable and embarrassing disease. Many prescription drugs are used to control outbreaks, however they require long-term use. If you are seeking alternative healing methods...

Glue ear is an infection in which thick, yellow mucus is discharged from your ear. This ailment affects up to 40 percent of children under the age of 6 and is characterized by a sensation of...

Menopause is a transitional time with unpredictable hormone levels and uncomfortable symptoms. The changes that are common during menopause are caused by abrupt drops in estrogen levels. Many...

Herbal and traditional medicine use similar tactics in treating sinus infections. Herbal and medicinal remedies go right to the site of the infection to loosen congestion, reduce inflammation and...