Arnica (Arnica montana and Arnica fulgens) is an herb that grows in the mountainous areas of Europe, Siberia, and Canada. It also grows in high altitudes of the north-western United States. The rhizome (root) and flowers are used in herbal medicine to treat swelling and bruising.

Flowers are harvested when they are at the peak of blooming, and the rhizomes in autumn, when nutrients and healing constituents are stored in the roots for winter.

Uses

Arnica creams, ointments, gels and tinctures are the usual forms. Homeopathic “pillules” and gels are also common forms …

If you are like many parents, deciding how best to medicate your child for ADHD is not an easy task. Along with the increased prescription of stimulant drugs for children has come a heightened awareness of the risks these medications can pose, and more and more parents are searching for natural alternatives.

According to the Drug Enforcement Agency, the manufacture of stimulant drugs has increased by more than 500 percent since 1991, and over 50 percent of the prescriptions for these drugs are written by pediatricians.

Unsurprisingly, these alarming statistics have …

Between 1918 and 1919 over 20 million people died from the influenza virus. There were not many ways known to treat the virus and as a result it spread quickly and killed many. The influenza virus is spread through respiratory secretions, from coughing and sneezing, and will usually run its course within one to two weeks.

Symptoms include chills, fever, headache, soreness, backache and fatigue. Individuals who are at higher risk for developing more severe disease often have an underlying medical condition that affects their immune system, such as …

All back pain is not sciatica; nor is all sciatica-like pain in the lower back, buttocks and legs caused by a herniated disc. Too much attention is paid to serious sounding names of diseases and most of us tend to associate even ‘similar’ symptoms to them.

Sciatica is popularly known to be a symptom of a disc problem. Tenderness, tingling, pins and needles, numbness or a burning sensation in a limb is commonly associated with sciatica. Even though some people are quick to jump to such conclusions, it is not …

What is asthma?

One in 10 children and one in three adults suffer from chronic asthma.

An acute asthma attack is caused by inflammation in the airways of the lungs, causing contraction and narrowing of the airways (bronchioles), restricting airflow and making breathing very difficult.

Chronic asthma is a lung condition characterized by frequent asthma attacks and requiring medical management to prevent and minimize acute attacks.

This can take the form of conventional Western medicine, homeopathic or naturopathic treatment. While many asthma attacks are relatively mild and can be treated and controlled at home, …

Despite the fact that conventional treatments are effective, their use involves a fair amount of caution. This is mainly due to the side effects that accompany them. In cases where there is a pressing need for treatment, these side effects are often sidelined. The result is managing these side effects after they start appearing one by one.

One such side effect of using conventional medicine for treating depression pertains to sexual activity. Results of surveys conducted in this field do not match the claims made by most drug manufacturers. The …

Childbirth is a normal and natural process that many believe has been corrupted by traditional medicine practices. These practices mandate delivery of children in a sterile hospital environment in which there are high rates of infection, cesarean section and medical intervention. Alternative medicine practitioners are now turning to homeopathy medicine for childbirth to help alleviate pain as well as encourage a safe birth.

Homeopathy is the practice of disease treatment that involves the administration or application of minute dosages of naturally occurring substances to provide a healthier balance of …

Asthma is a disease of the lungs where the airways become blocked or narrowed causing difficulties in breathing. These effects are usually temporary, but they cause shortness of breath, breathing trouble, and other symptoms. Asthma is a chronic disease affecting nearly 20 million Americans. Worldwide, asthma prevalence ranges from 1.9 percent to 36.7 percent in various countries, according to the International Study of Asthma and Allergy in Children.

Asthma is commonly divided into two types: allergic or extrinsic asthma and non-allergic or intrinsic asthma. Although asthma can cause severe health problems, …

What is Dry Eye Syndrome?

Tears naturally cleanse the eye, washing out dust and minute debris while at the same time keeping the eye moist. Tears also contain enzymes that neutralize any harmful microorganisms that may colonize in the eye causing a variety of eye problems.

Tears are formed in several glands around the eye. The water layer is produced in the lacrimal gland which is located under the upper eyelid, while several smaller glands in the lids produce the oil and mucus layers. Each time you blink, the …

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Contrary to popular belief, insomnia is a symptom that is experienced by someone who is experiencing other health problems. A doctor will try to find the root cause of the problem that is causing the insomnia, rather than trying to treat the insomnia itself. Insomnia is, by definition, the inability to effectively initiate and maintain regular sleep. Sometimes insomnia can occur when an individual does not get enough sleep or sleep for a long enough period of time.

Sleeplessnes is a very common …