Vaginitis herbal remedy | Vaginal infection alternative treatment

Vaginal infection, soreness or inflammation is referred to a vaginitis. Symptoms include itching, irritation and abnormal vaginal discharge. Depending on the infection, the discharge may or may not have an odor.

The infection may be caused due to overgrowth of yeast or candida which is very common among women of reproductive age, bacterial infections, sexually transmitted disease or due to practices such as douching, allergic reactions to soaps and other products.

A vaginal gel manufactured by the Himalaya Herbals company contains various soothing healing herbs that help to treat vaginal infections. In one study published in the Indian Journal of Clinical Practice (2002), 38 women diagnosed with vaginitis were asked to use V-Gel twice daily for two weeks. After 7 days of treatment, symptoms of soreness, itching and discharge was significantly reduced. After 14 days, soreness and itching disappeared in 95% of patients and discharge was absent in 64%. The foul odour was not observed in any patient on 14th day of treatment.

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Diabecon and oral hypoglycaemic agents | Control of diabetes with alternative therapy

People with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), can usually control the disease with a suitable diet and oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA) like sulphonylurea and biguanides. However after approximately 10-15 years a stage of secondary failure to OHA is reached and most patients require insulin injections.

A double blind, placebo controlled study was conducted to evaluate Diabecon in patients with secondary failure to OHA. Diabecon is a herbal and mineral formulation manufactured by Himalaya Herbals.

40 patients with type 2 diabetes over 30 years of age and with normal body weight were included in the study. All these patients failed to respond to OHA even in maximal doses of combination therapy i.e. glibenclamide 15 mg plus metformin 1000 mg/day for over 3 months despite good diet control and absence of infections, etc.

2 tablets three times a day for 6 months were administered. The fasting and postprandial plasma glucose measurements were made on a monthly basis while the glycosylated haemoglobin, insulin measurements and C-peptide assay were done at baseline, after 3 and 6 months of the trial. A total of 32 patients completed the trial (17 in the drug treatment group and 15 in the placebo group).

In the Diabecon treated group there was a decrease in both fasting and postprandial plasma glucose levels but only the latter reached statistical significance (p=0.004). There was however an increase in the plasma glucose levels in the placebo group. There was a significant decrease in the glycosylated haemoglobin levels from 9.2 ± 1.2% (p=0.04). In the placebo group there was no decrease in HbA1c levels.

In the Diabecon treated group, the plasma insulin and C-peptide levels (both fasting and stimulated) tended to be maintained, or slightly increased even at the end of 6 months. In the placebo group, however there was a decrease in both plasma insulin and C-peptide levels (both fasting and stimulated). This indicates that Diabecon helps to maintain pancreatic beta cell function. Except for one patient each, who complained of gastritis and skin rash, there were no other side effects.

Chronic Pharyngitis herbal remedy | throat inflammations

Pharyngitis is an infection of the throat that causes it to get inflamed. Pharyngitis can be painful and can last for a long time. Tonsils may get enlarged causing difficulty in breathing or swallowing. There may also be a cough or fever.

Chronic pharyngitis may be caused by a primary infection in the pharyngeal tissue itself but most of the time it is due to infections in other parts of the upper respiratory tract or some other systems. Such types of infections can be attributed to environmental pollution like vehicle fumes, dust, gases, chemicals and smoke.

Septilin is a herbal formulation of herbs such as Guggul, Tinospora cordifolia, Emblica officinalis, Rubia cordifolia, Moringa pterygosperma, Licorice and several others. It has been subjected to various clinical studies to treat infections and has been found safe and efficacious.

The following is a study on the role of Septilin in treating chronic pharyngitis published in the Indian Medical Journal, (1992). 35 patients with chronic pharyngitis were put on Septilin, 1 tablet b.i.d. or t.i.d. depending on age, for 6-8 weeks. The majority of cases (28 out of 35) showed good to fair response with Septilin treatment. Its long-term use was devoid of any side-effects. There was cessation of symptoms such as soreness, pain, tiredness of voice, irritable cough. Septilin is an indigenous remedy containing anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiallergic properties which enhance the body’s resistance against infection in the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract, but it is different chemically from antibiotics and antihistamines. Its long-term use was devoid of any side-effects. Patients not improving on conventional antibiotics showed improvement with this remedy.

Urolithiasis natural remedy | Urinary tract infection remedies

Urolithiasis is generally referred to the formation of hard stones in the urinary tract or kidneys. Stones are caused due to excess of substances that promote stone formation or the lack of substances that prevent stone formation or excessive salt concentration in the urine. Most urinary stones are composed of calcium. Children and adults can be affected by it.
Urinary stones can be caused due to excess absorption of calcium. It can also be caused by extended periods of immobility, inflammatory bowel disease, bowel surgery, overdose of Vitamin C and Vitamin D, renal failure, steroid use, Cushing syndrome, paraneoplastic phenomenon and multiple myeloma.
Passing urinary stones can cause severe pain. In some cases stone disease can cause infection and even be fatal.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and surgery are the conventional treatments for urolithiasis.
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Cystone is a herbal formulation comprised of herbs such as Didymocarpus pedicellata, Saxifraga granulata, Rubia cordifolia, Cyperus scariosus, Achyranthes aspera, Onosma bracteatum and Vernonia Cinerea. These herbs are known in Ayurvedic medicine to promote urinary tract health and to prevent and get rid of urinary calculi.

Bacopa monnieri and epilepsy research

The effect of Bacopa monnieri and its active component Bacoside A on epileptic rats was published in the journal Epilepsy Behavior. 2010 Feb. Epileptic rats exhibited loss in motor skills and also alterations of GABA receptors which aid in neurotransmission. Compared to normal rats, the rats with epilepsy were unable to perform tasks such as finding their way in a maze.

On being treated with Bacopa monnieri, the behaviour of the rats became almost normal. These results suggest that deficit in memory, motor skills and changes in GABAergic activity, are induced by the occurrence of repetitive seizures. Treatment with Bacopa monnieri and bacoside A prevents the occurrence of seizures thereby reducing the impairment of GABAergic activity, motor learning, and memory deficit.

Sugar increases stroke risk | Added sugars in diet can increase risk of stroke and diabetes

Processed sugars that are found plentifully in snacks, candy, sodas and baked goods not only increase the risk of diabetes but also the risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Sugar is addictive and sweetened foods actually tend to increase hunger. Processed sugars which can also be called simple sugars are absorbed quickly by the body. This raises blood sugar levels and consequently triggers release of insulin. Insulin helps to store sugar into cells which then gets deposited as fat. Insulin also reduces fat utilization.

The increase in fat increases triglyceride and cholesterol levels. People suffering from obesity tend to also be diabetic and have high blood pressure. Some reasons for this is that insulin levels also affect salt and water retention. When refined sugars or simple sugars are consumed, the body quickly absorbs it and important vitamins and minerals are not absorbed. These are instead leached from bones and other organs leading to vitamin deficiency.

Some medications that are prescribed to lower high blood sugar have the adverse effect of depleting coenzyme Q10 or COQ10. This enzyme produced by the liver is actually necessary for converting fat into energy. It also makes heart muscles strong. A similar effect is seen with cholesterol medications such as statins.

It is therefore important to avoid refined sugars. While fruit sugars are natural, processed fruit juice can contain high levels of fructose. It has been seen that the body gets de-sensitized to sugar so the more you consume the more quickly it absorbs it and the more its capacity to absorb. Abstaining from sugary products has the reverse effect. The body will need and crave less sugar.

Exercise is also an important part of metabolizing sugar and burning fat. Once sugar is deposited as fat in the cells, the only way to get rid of it is by exercising. Exercise also suppresses insulin allowing fat to burn.

Herbs such as Gymnema sylvestre and Bitter Melon have been shown to be very efficacious in suppressing sugar cravings and helping to normalize blood sugar levels.

Occassional high blood pressure increases risk of stroke

A recent study indicated that people with occasional high blood pressure may be at a higher risk of stroke than those having consistently high blood pressure. This could be because people who only occassionally saw spikes in blood pressure tend to dismiss it and not opt for any treatment.

In one of the studies published in the medical journals Lancet and Lancet Neurology, 8,000 patients who had had a heart attack were tracked over several years. It was found that those who had consistently variable blood pressure rates were at least six times more likely to have a stroke than those with regularly high blood pressure.

More than 50% of all adults are affected by high blood pressure and the research suggests that more people ought to consider getting their blood pressure checked at home regularly to monitor fluctuations.

Hypertension can be controlled naturally by several methods such as daily physical exercise, reduction in salt intake, reduction in weight, stress and anxiety. Certain herbs such as Arjuna and herbal formulations such as Abana have also been found effective in helping to maintain normal blood pressure levels.

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