Coriander Seed

Coriander seed is derived from an annual herb known as Coriandrum sativum and it is actually the typical term that is used to refer to the tiny ribbed brown fruit of this herb. For many centuries, the bright and delicate green leaves of this herb are applied as a form of culinary herb, hence coriander seed is also known as cilantro or Chinese parsley.

The coriander seed is basically indigenous to the Mediterranean Europe and West Africa. Now, it is widely cultivated in many countries especially those with temperate climates. In the ancient times and till now, the coriander seed is commonly applied as a flavoring especially to a variety of commercial foods, specifically frozen dairy desserts, beverages, puddings, and candies. And it is reported that the pleasing aromatic oil of the coriander seed is a typical ingredient applied in lotions, perfumes, as well as in creams.

But coriander seed is more than just a flavoring and a spice used in cooking. It has several medicinal benefits and it greatly promotes natural healing. Historically, in the ancient Greece, later in Great Britain, Rome, China, and India, the coriander seed is greatly used by some healers. It is particularly applied in traditional medicine for treating gastrointestinal disorders.

The coriander seed is also used in the traditional healing practice in India known as Ayurvedic medicine as it is mixed with the cardamom seed and caraway. In fact, some of the traditional European healers and herbalists prepared it along with caraway, fennel, and anise seeds.

The coriander’s oil which usually taken from the coriander seed has also been applied through the ages. The Egyptians particularly believed that it gives immorality and it was essential for enhancing a man’s sperm count. However, the coriander seed is now applied by the modern herbalists to treat stomachaches as well as to enhance the digestion. The coriander seed is also used in the recent times for the purpose of reducing stress for the people to be able to express their thoughts.

There are also some reports which noted that the coriander seed’s oil, as it contains geranial, vitamin C, linalool, and potassium, greatly helps in the proper functioning of the digestive system, and circulatory system. It is also good for the skin condition. Even those who have migraine headaches used this herb in a form of tea a couple of times every day for the reason that this herb has the potential for relieving the pain.

But even though there has a long story of the coriander seed’s folk applications and functions, still no exact research has been conducted to provide some concrete proofs for its effects in humans. But still many of the laboratory and animal studies along with the anecdotal evidence suggest that it has some effects as a mild digestive aid as it provides relief to flatulence, soothes upset stomach, and revive appetite. In addition, coriander seed has some properties for fighting fungal and bacterial infections, and it is reported to be diuretic.

Today, due to its multiple anecdotal and laboratory-based benefits to humans and its being rich in vitamins and minerals, the coriander seed now comes in the form of oil, liquid, fresh herb, dried herb or tea. The coriander seed is largely made available in the different health food stores.

Chinese Cinnamon Bark

Chinese cinnamon bark is a useful bark of the medium-sized evergreen tree that is native to China and Vietnam. There are basically many species of cinnamon tree which is now widely cultivated particularly in the southwestern part of China, Cambodia, India, Japan, Java, Sri Lanka Sumatra, and Vietnam. Many herbalists believed that the Chinese cinnamon bark has great potential for treating several forms of disorders and discomforts. Thus, the Chinese cinnamon bark is applied in Chinese, Indian, and Western traditional medicine.

The Chinese cinnamon bark is traditionally used as a spice, so it is known as a popular flavoring in many cuisines, and it is then noted for its delicious aroma. Its name actually derives from the Greek word “kassia” which means “strip off the bark”.

There are basically a number of medicinal uses of the Chinese cinnamon bark. The first mentioned medicinal uses were first recorded in the Chinese formularies as early as 2700 B.C. Generally, Chinese cinnamon bark is applied as a healing aid for gas and stomach upset, rheumatism, diarrhea, abdominal pain, as well as some kidney ailments.

In addition, there is what they call as cinnamon “drops” which largely consists of the necessary cinnamon oils and cassia that are also widely applied for many of similar purposes. Since the Chinese cinnamon has an antiseptic quality, the Chinese cinnamon bark and the necessary oils that it contains are also useful for some topical products like the lotions, soaps, and liniments, including toothpaste and mouthwash.

The recent therapeutic applications of the Chinese cinnamon bark are usually founded in its conventional use as a traditional medicine and on some animal and clinical trials. Although there are some animal or test-tube clinical trials that do not ensure the safety and effectiveness of the Chinese cinnamon bark to humans, many German health authorities still agreed on the application of the Chinese cinnamon bark and cassia for those mild gastrointestinal tremors and also for rousing the appetite.

The various application of the Chinese cinnamon bark does not only end there. Chinese cinnamon bark is always combined with the several ingredients in a number of herbal formulations. In fact, only few have supported the claim that Chinese cinnamon bark can be used solely as a remedy; however, it has been examined in some clinical trials for its potential to treat a variety of diseases.

The only findings that come out after several clinical trials on the potential of the Chinese cinnamon bark for medicinal applications were conducted are the claims that the herb really aid proper digestion. Since it contains useful compounds known as catechins, which help relieve nausea, the herb’s oil found in the bark aids the body to process food by breaking down the fats during digestion. In relation, the herb’s bark also has the potential for relieving bloating as well as flatulence for the fact that the Chinese cinnamon bark functions as a carminative or gas reliever. As such, there is a great possibility that it may relieve mild abdominal discomfort that is mainly caused by excess gas.

For its various uses and functions, the Chinese cinnamon bark is now commercially available in the form of tea placed in tea bags at many health food outlets especially to those stores where it is always sold as a digestive aid.

Chondroitin

Many people are affected with osteoarthritis today. And with the increasing number of people who suffer with this ailment, which is basically a painful condition caused by the destruction of the cushioning cartilage between the bones, many experts recommend chondroitin to give them a source of relief.

Chondroitin sulfate is a compound that has the capability to block the enzymes that can ruin the essential cartilage tissue. The chondroitin is also thought to encourage water retention as well as elasticity especially in the joint cartilage. These are mainly the main reasons that chondroitin is revered as the best solution for relieving osteoarthritis.

Chondroitin, according to some clinical trials, is as effective as the aspirin and the other well-known nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. These drugs are specifically bets for relieving pains caused by arthritis, and it then reduce the danger of causing stomach irritation and some other gastric disturbances.

Since the early days of its conception, there are basically few studies on chondroitin. In fact, there were some doubts about its effectiveness and safety, particularly in the case of taking it orally. Some of the experts then reserved their decisions on the effectiveness of the chondroitin.

Until the mid-1990s, many experts have found out that chondroitin is actually well absorbed in the body for about up to 15 percent intact. After such discovery, so many backup researchers in people who are suffering from osteoarthritis encouraged both the American College of Rheumatology as well as the European League Against Rheumatism to suggest the chondroitin supplement in their publicized guidelines for treating osteoarthritis.

From such discovery and recommendation, the chondroitin supplement is mostly sold along with glucosamine, which is another compound that provides some positive effects to cartilage formation and repair. There are now some studies that are conducted to hold some findings on the function and further benefits of both chondroitin and glucosamine, for they believed that these compounds really worked better if combined.

Some of the recent findings demonstrate that chondroitin has really the capabilities for enhancing the joint mobility and slow the cartilage loss. Such findings, support the claim that chondroitin helps to rebuild cartilage and reduce the joint pain. However, there is still no exact evidence to show such level of effect when it is applied to other joints such as thumbs, fingers, ankles, and the spine.

It is interesting to know that chondroitin is actually not a major treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, which is a less typical, but more disabling type of arthritis that leads to serious immune dysfunction as well as inflammation, instead of the cartilage wear and tear of osteoarthritis. However, it is still believed that chondroitin will greatly aid in restoring the stability of the joint, even if it will not be strong enough to repair the cartilage damage.

Chondroitin now comes in the form of tablet, powder, and capsule. Sometimes it is combined with the glucosamine in the form of supplement. In fact, it is being sold in various health food outlets along with formulas for arthritis, so other anti-arthritis ingredients such as MSM, vitamins, and anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain, boswellia, sea cucumber, manganese, horsetail, and zinc may be included as well.

Herbal Cosmetics

Herbal cosmetics have been widely offered since the ancient times up to these days. This is perhaps for the reason that herbal cosmetics really work. With that major reason, herbal cosmetics now greatly range from skin care products, to hair care products, to herbal bath teas, and to lotions, creams, powders, and a lot more.

Historically, herbal cosmetics are used by women since the ancient times, in a natural form. Most of the ancient women then turned to the bounties of nature to help enhance their own beauty. In fact, it is noted that the ancient Romans have applied beauty packs of eggs and honey, and the Egyptians then have used oils and perfumes for increasing their beauty.

Nowadays, when many cosmetic counters provide cleansers that are full of artificial ingredients, many people turned to consider searching for natural alternatives, and that is in the form of herbal cosmetics.

Among the many herbs that are included as ingredients in some herbal cosmetics formulations are the chamomile, chervil, fennel, dandelion, lime flowers, and rosemary leaves. Greatly, all of these herbs are used as cleansing and mildly astringent. With the advent of the herbal cosmetics, many experts have recommended the infusion of such herbal cosmetics into a tea for a much lighter and refreshing rinse for the skin. And such recommendation really works, for the herbal cosmetics are designed to relieve irritated skin.

Aside from that, many herbal cosmetic specialists also suggest the infusion of lavender, mint, thyme, and witch hazel to the natural antiseptics. Accordingly, this formulation will greatly help especially those who suffer from skin frequent outbreaks.

And as herbal cosmetics continue to create a great impact to the lives of most people, many herbal cosmetics companies have designed some herbal baths which in turn can be made into a spa experience, of course with the production of simple bath bags. As it is commonly noted, herbal cosmetics have the potential for relieving depression and stress. This is perhaps one of the reasons that herbal bath teas become the most commonly purchased item in the market, that they are proven to soothe both the mind and body.

With the great appreciation on herbal cosmetics, it is no wonder that many companies have established their own herbal cosmetic portals on the web. So today, wherever you look at, either surf on the internet or you walk into a certain herbal cosmetics counter; you will definitely find several herbal cosmetics in several forms. That is how popular the herbal items are.

Carnitine

We all need energy, right? For that, we all need carnitine for our body to produce energy. But what really is carnitine?

Carnitine is an amino acid-like compound that basically functions in order to help the body in producing the energy that we need in our everyday life. Although carnitine is in dairy food as well as in meats, some people still take carnitine in the form of a supplement. Why? It is probably for them to enhance their vitality since carnitine has the potential for such purpose.

In the process of producing energy, the carnitine usually carries fatty acids to the factory portion of the cells. In there, the fatty acids are then converted into energy that the human heart, muscles, and the other body tissues can apply.

With a carnitine deficiency in transferring the fatty acids to the right place, the body will gradually corrode and so a feeling of being drained and tired is largely experienced by people. Perhaps one of the major parts of the body that greatly depends in the carnitine is the human heart. So those who are prone to heart attacks are usually given with carnitine in a supplement form to speed up their recovery after a heart attack. Carnitine supplement is also largely given to treat angina or chest pain, congestive heart failure, as well as arrhythmia or irregular heartbeats.

Carnitine is such an important compound in the body. One of the main reasons for that claim is the fact that carnitine plays a vital role in metabolizing a number of other significant substances, which also aid to explain why the carnitine maintains a promise for a variety of ailments.

One of the findings has shown that carnitine has the power to enhance endurance especially in those who are weakened by disease. The compound also boosts an immune response to those who are infected with HIV.

With its acetyl-L-carnitine, which is a form of carnitine that is created naturally in the brain is recently being studied and researched in a supplement form for its great potential as a treatment for memory loss that is largely related with aging and Alzheimer’s disease. And in the field of athletic performance, some findings have noted that there is a positive effect of this compound that appears most pronounced for endurance-associated events like cycling and long distance running.

The carnitine supplements which are now greatly made available from various health food stores are specifically beneficial for those who have conditions that can hinder with its absorption, such as various liver and kidney dilemmas, long-term alcohol use, metabolic stress, and a high fat diet in some instances. With any of these concerns, it is then suggested by most experts to better consult with the doctors for guidance before taking the carnitine supplements. It is also considered that a simple urine test can in fact identify the possibility of carnitine deficiency.

And since the amino acids are often prefaced with the letter D or the letter L on supplement labels, it is much better to buy only the L form for the reason that this form closely resembles the form that is being produced naturally by the body. A higher than the standard doses of this compound may apparently promote an unusual body odor.

Cayenne

Cayenne is basically an herb that is prized for thousand of years for its great healing potency. Cayenne, which is also called as Capsicum, obtains its name from the Greek, “to bite” which is basically an allusion to the hot spicy qualities of its fruits and seeds. From the cayenne plant, a product known as “cayenne pepper” was produced and was first introduced into Britain from India in the year 1548. Today, cayenne pepper is revered for its various beneficial health effects.

Cayenne is actually a shrubby herb of two to six feet high. Since it has a very pungent taste and aroma, the potent and hot fruit of cayenne has been applied in many areas as medicine for many centuries. Historically, cayenne is though useful for a variety of conditions of gastrointestinal tract, involving the onset of stomach aches, cramping pains, and gas. Aside from that, cayenne was also applied to treat disorders of the circulatory system. And in the traditional herbal medicine, cayenne is still used as a circulatory tonic, which is a substance that is believed to enhance the circulation.

Traditionally, cayenne is frequently rubbed on the skin as a cure for rheumatic pains as well as arthritis that is basically caused to what it now termed as “counterirritant effect”. The counterirritant is that something that roots the onset of irritation to a tissue to which it is used, therefore distracting from the main irritation. A clear example for this is the joint pain in the case of arthritis.

But cayenne is not just a healer from the ancient history. Numerous recent clinical trials have been conducted to validate the health benefits of this miracle herb and fortunately, the therapeutic value of cayenne has been validated and the claims are now being supported.

Recent studies have noted that cayenne is helpful for treating dyspepsia symptoms. In fact, the New England Journal of Medicine has reported that three Italian doctors explained how they were able to make their dyspepsia patients feel better after prescribing the cayenne pepper powder.

Aside from that, cayenne is also useful for treating digestion discomforts since it is found out that this miracle herb can rebuild the tissue in the stomach including the peristaltic action in the intestines. It therefore assists the eradication and assimilation and it aids the human body in producing hydrochloric acid, which is said to be important in for the proper digestion as well as assimilation, most especially of proteins.

Cayenne is also beneficial for those who have heart disease such as heart attacks. In fact, some reports have noted that this herb has been known to stop heart attacks within 30 seconds. That is how great the effects of cayenne, that it even encouraged thousands of heart attack patients to take the extract for a much better condition. It has also a pain-relieving effect that it is used as a treatment for post-herpetic neuropathy or the pain that stays after an attack of shingles. Along with that, it is also applied for peripheral neuropathy and nerve pain after cancer surgery and arthritis.

With its multiple health benefits, cayenne is now offered in health outlets in the form of either pill or powder. It is often added to tonics to ward off disorders and for persons who are addicted to it seems to be valuable possibly by decreasing the dilated blood vessels, therefore providing a relief for chronic digestion.

Cat’s Claw

A Miracle Herb from the Rain Forest of Peru

Cat’s claw is a new botanical nutrient that is being called by many people as the “Miracle Herb from the Rain Forest of Peru”. The discovery of this herb has been continually pulling increasingly more interest among the proponents of the natural health care. Even though this herb is virtually not known in the United States until now, the valuable effects of this Peruvian herb which is also commonly known as “una de gato” in Spanish and “cat’s claw” in English, have greatly encouraged some clinical studies since 1970s at research facilities in Austria, Peru, Germany, England, Hungary, and Italy.

Cat’s claw is basically a high-climbing woody vine that thrives abundantly in the upper Amazon corners of Peru, Columbia, Ecuador, and other South American nations. At the base of it, there dwelt a two curved thorns that bear a resemblance to that of the claws of a cat, hence the name “cat’s claw” is given to it. Functionally, these thorns allow the vine to climb up trees and other plant life into the forest canopy. The cat’s claw’s botanical name “Uncaria” is then derived from the Latin uncus, which stands for “hook”.

Since the studies conducted in different parts of the world about the potential of cat’s claw for medicine, have suggested that the herb itself may be valuable in the treatment of arthritis, bursitis, allergies, diabetes, lupus, chronic fatigue syndrome herpes, organic depression, cancer, stomach disorders and intestines, as well as menstrual irregularities, many experts have largely noted that there is basically two species of cat’s claw that are harvested for medicinal purposes.

Speaking of such species of cat’s claw, there noted is the Uncaria quianensis, which is applied mainly in Europe, and the Uncaria tomentosa, which is typically imported into the United States. These two species of cat’s claw is in fact considered as identical among the many herbal practitioners in South America.

For so many years, the people in the Amazon regions of places to which the cat’s claw is indigenous have applied cat’s claw to treat a wide range of health complaints. Such ailments include arthritis, cancer, and stomach and liver disorders. Cat’s claw is also valuable as a treatment for skin conditions and even contraception.

Traditionally, cat’s claw is used as a decoction or a crude extract that is largely prepared by the process of boiling the inner bark of the stem and some parts of the cat’s claw’s roots. And with the advent of science, cat’s claw is found out to be valuable for its immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties. With those findings, there are certain evidences which show that cat’s claw may have antiviral and cancer-fighting potential as well.

Generally, cat’s claw is identified by some clinical studies as having properties like adaptogenic, anti-micobial, and antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor. For those main properties of cat’s claw, many studies have speculated that the herb has even the potential for treating serious illnesses like the HIV, and for that reason, the cat’s claw becomes the top-selling herb in the United States. However, there is really no strong back up for such claim since very few well-designed clinical trials have been done with human subjects on cat’s claw.