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Guggul Herb for Cholesterol Control

Trans fats or trans fatty acids are known to raise LDL and lower HDL levels. Trans fats also known as partially hydrogenated oils can be found in thousands of food items primarily because they add taste, are cheap and can be stored for a long time. Trans fats are created by adding hydrogen to vegetable oils thus making it more like butter which is less likely to become rancid. These hydrogenated oils are used to deep fry foods in many restaurants since they can be re-used several times. However consuming trans fats not only raises bad cholesterol levels but also increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

According to the American Medical Association (AMA) upto 100,000 premature deaths can be prevented each year by stopping the use of trans fats. In fact the AMA which includes 240,000 doctors and medical students is now supporting legislation to ban the use of artificial trans fats in restaurants and bakeries nationwide.

Natural ways to reduce LDL and raise HDL

November 11th, 2008 | Tags: guggul for cholesterol, guggul herb, LDL HDL, trans fats, trans fats heart disease, trans fats LDL, trans fats stroke | Category: Cholesterol | Leave a comment

Diabecon for Diabetes Control

The US Centres for Disease Control recently published its latest numbers on diabetes. In the past decade, diabetes cases have doubled in the US with the most concentrations in the southern states. This rise in type 2 diabetes mellitus has been directly attributed to the increase in rates of obesity. Weight problems combined with physical inactivity are a major cause of high levels of blood sugar.

Almost 23.6 million americans have diabetes with almost 25% unaware that they have it. Most cases are of type 2 diabetes. Cases of type 2 diabetes increased from 4.8 per 1000 people from 1995-97 to 9.1 per 1000 people from 2005-07. Most new cases of diabetes were reported in the southern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. These states also have high incidences of obesity.

Diabetes can cause serious complications such as stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and blindness. Balancing blood sugar levels calls for changes in lifestyle with weight reduction and physical exercise playing a major part. Inclusion of certain herbs in the diet such as bitter melon and gymnema are also effective in naturally controlling diabetes.

Read our articles on natural diabetes control:

Diabetes - What it is, Symptoms and Risk Factors

How Gymnema works to control diabetes, blood sugar, cholesterol and obesity

November 6th, 2008 | Tags: diabetes control, diabetes news, herbs diabetes control, natural diabetes control | Category: Diabetes | Leave a comment

Dabur Shilajit Capsules

Shilajit the mineral pitch obtained from the Himalayan mountains has been ascribed numerous properties. Its most remarkable one is that of rejuvenation which has let to it being called the “fountain of youth”. In fact shilajit is said to have first been discovered by himalayan tribals who observed white monkeys licking the mineral pitch that oozed from the mountain rocks in the summer. These monkeys were known to live very long lives and had superior strength. Upon using it themselves, they found that it greatly increased their stamina and memory powers.

Shilajit has been referenced by many Ayurvedic texts as the ultimate panacea. It is used in a variety of ayurvedic formulations including the centuries old Chyawanprash. Shilajit contains fulvic acid along with other minerals and almost all of the benefits ascribed to shilajit, stem from its ability to revitalize body cells.

Ayurveda prescribes shilajit as a general health tonic and is generally recommended to be taken with milk. It is considered excellent for increasing physical energy, enhancing brain cells, strengthening bones and muscle tissue and building immunity. Shilajit is also a well known aphrodisiac and is also recommended in increasing fertility. Shilajit has also shown great benefits in the management of diabetes, arthritis and kidney problems.

Read more on Shilajit benefits, properties and research

October 30th, 2008 | Tags: benefits of shilajit, shilajit ayurveda, shilajit benefits, shilajit for rejuvenation, shilajit properties | Category: Rejuvenation | Leave a comment

Mentat is an ayurvedic formulation with herbs such as Bacopa monnieri, Centella asiatica, Withania somnifera and Mucuna pruriens which have been scientifically validated for their effectiveness in

Mentat for ADHD

enhancing brain functions, treating disorders of the brain and improving concentration. Mentat has been found very effective in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The following is a clinical trial published in Neurosciences Today (2002). 60 children suffering from ADHD were enrolled in the study. 30 children were given Mentat while 30 were given a placebo.

The following tests were administered before and after the study. Malin’s Intelligence Scale for Indian Children (MISIC), Conner’s 10 point rating scale, Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC) and brain SPECT (Simple Photon Emission Computed Tomography) scans and subtests. It was found that the Conner’s test and Gestalt closure subtest of KABC showed a statistically significant improvement in the children who were given Mentat as compared to the placebo group. Pre- and post-SPECT scan observations showed improvement in three children in the Mentat group as compared to one child in the placebo group.

While ADHD is often treated with stimulants such as amphetamine, methylphenidate and pemoline, 10-30% of children showed adverse side effects as demonstrated in a study (Fine S. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Selected review of causes, comorbidity and treatment. Psych Clin Pract 1997; 1: 249-259)

As a polyherbal formulation, Mentat has shown no side effects. Mentat has optimum concentrations of herbs Bacopa monnieri, Withania somnifera, Centella asiatica and Nardostachys jatamanasi. In fact, in normal adults, Mentat has been shown to be useful in improving attention span and short-term memory.

Read more on ADD, ADHD natural remedies

October 23rd, 2008 | Tags: add, adhd, mentat, mentat himalaya | Category: ADD and ADHD | Leave a comment

Amla powder for herbal hair care

Himalaya Herbals Hair Loss Cream

The main problems that many of us face with hair are

Hair itself is formed of keratin - the same fibrous protein substance that also forms our nails. Keratin however is essentially dead cells. It is the hair follicles beneath the scalp and sebaceous glands next to the follicles that contribute to the health of the hair. Maintaining a healthy scalp is therefore the first step toward getting healthy hair.

While there are many products in the market all purporting to promote healthy hair, the best treatment for your hair is to avoid chemicals and use natural, herbal products. For example, the pod-like fruit of Shikakai (a shrub found in India) is considered to be the best natural shampoo you can use for your hair. Not only does it gently cleanse hair, it is said to have a natural pH balance and conditions and strengthens hair roots. Said to have a cooling effect on the scalp, shikakai is also good is dandruff control.

Two other excellent herbal conditioners for the hair are Amla and Henna. Amla powder is obtained from the fruit of the Indian Gooseberry tree while henna powder is obtained from the leaves the henna shrub. Amla is said to be very good at preventing graying of hair. It also is a good exfoliante and revitalizes the scalp. Amla in fact is said to be the best herb for those with excess pitta dosha (based on ayurvedic texts) that is considered to cause hair health problems. Amla can be massaged into the scalp as an oil or by using amla powder paste.

The use of Henna powder as a hair conditioner and also as a natural hair dye is now catching on in the west. Both amla and henna give a luxuriant shine and body to the hair. In fact a combination of shikakai powder with amla and henna powder is a time tested natural hair care therapy used in India.

Another important hair care treatment is scalp massage. Massaging an oil preferably warmed such as Olive oil, amla oil or coconut oil, helps in blood circulation of the scalp and promotes secretion of sebum. It is generally recommended that the oil be gently massaged into the hair and left overnight before cleansing the hair the next day.

If you are experiencing excessive hair loss, try a natural herbal hair loss formulation like Himalaya Herbals Hair Loss Cream . An ayurvedic formulation with herbs such as Butea monosperma and Butea parviflora, this cream helps to increase hair follicles and promote re-growth of hair.

October 22nd, 2008 | Tags: amla hair, hair care herbs, hair loss cream herbal, henna hair, herbal hair care, shikakai hair | Category: Hair Care | Leave a comment