Herbal Medicine for Eczema

It is estimated that over 10 million people in the U.S. suffer from eczema, a skin disorder that is often difficult to treat.  Although conventional treatments in the form of medications are often prescribed to relieve the symptoms of eczema, many individuals opt to use natural remedies, such as herbal medicine, either as an alternative or complementary treatment to more conventional methods.  

What is eczema?
Eczema is a skin disease classified as dermatitis.  It is characterized by the inflammation of the epidermis or top layer of the skin.  It is often manifested in the form of small, multiple red rashes that may crack, blister, flake, scale, or ooze.  Because rashes can sometimes be dry and itchy, scratching can sometimes cause them to bleed.  The tearing of the skin can then lead to scarring and skin discoloration.

The first time eczema appears in individuals is when they are still infants.  Rashes often appear on knees, elbows, and certain areas of the face.  In many cases, this skin disease resolves by itself and fails to cause any problems in adulthood.  However, eczema can persist in certain individuals, usually triggered by a bout of allergies to certain irritants such as chemicals or food ingredients.  It can also appear suddenly on people who suffer from frequent stress.  

by Alex A. Kecskes

An old Chinese medical proverb says--The best doctor treats the problem before the problem becomes the disease. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) uses herbs and medications, acupuncture, massage, and qi gong  (coordinating breathing patterns with various physical postures and body motions). TCM has been practiced in Asia for over 4,000 years. To underscore its importance in health care, the ancient Chinese upper class saw doctors only for preventative care; if they became sick, the doctors were not be paid.

Traditional Chinese medicine brings to mind acupuncture and the use of natural herbs as healing remedies. Cupping is a lesser-known treatment that is also part of Oriental medicine, one that can provide an especially pleasant experience. One of the earliest documentations of cupping can be found in the work titled A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies, which was written by a Taoist herbalist by the name of Ge Hong and which dates all the way back to 300 AD.

The acronym ‘CAM' stands for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that include treatments such as herbal remedies, naturopathy, acupuncture, and meditation. CAM is currently not considered to be a part of conventional medicine, and because of this, it is not covered by all health care providers.  However, CAM is becoming increasingly popular and accepted by the medical community and many hospitals are beginning to include these alternative services. Helping the public to become more aware of the benefits CAM can offer is the first step to improving its availability for patients in need.

by Alex A. Kecskes

The lymphatic system is a complex network of ducts and vessels that transfer white blood cells and antibodies to your organs and tissues. These cells and antibodies arm your immune system and help your body combat infections. Unlike the circulatory system, which uses the heart to pump blood to vital organs and tissues, the lymph system must rely on hundreds of muscular units, your body movements, and water intake to move the lymph through the vessels. Normal lymph movement in the body can be reduced by stress, fatigue, inactivity, cold temperatures, infection, chemical or food additives, even one's age and heredity.

Posture is often overlooked as a health concern, but a person's posture has a direct effect on his or her breathing, organ function, and muscle integrity. With the majority of American adults confined to desk and chair for 40 hours of the week, attention to posture is crucial for optimum health. In Chinese medicine, correct posture is considered necessary for the proper flow of qi (the life force that traverses each living thing). TCM practitioners believe that good posture provides for not only the proper flow of qi, but of blood as well (leading to better brain and organ performance).

Poor posture is related to several TCM problems (such as back pain and other forms of musculoskeletal imbalance), and is sometimes believed to cause them. Consequently, practicing good posture can enhance a TCM treatment (such as acupuncture), while poor posture can inhibit results. Due to the active lifestyle common in their patients, ancient Chinese medical practitioners did not have to deal with patients' poor posture nearly as often as practitioners do today. Similarly, Liver Qi Stagnation was also not as common a problem in ancient China as it is today; it is believed to be closely related to posture. Liver Qi Stagnation refers to a pattern of disharmony in a person that is characterized by pain in the chest, the abdomen, the head, or along the Liver channel.  Also associated with this disharmony are feelings of stress, agitation, or anxiety. Liver Qi Stagnation directly coincides with posture problems, and helping the latter can greatly improve the Liver channel - alleviating muscle pain as well as mental tension.

Alex A. Kecskes

If you suffer from headaches and migraines, you can ease your pain without resorting to prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications that often have side effects. For thousands of years, acupuncture and Chinese Herbal medicines have been used to relieve headaches and migraines, as well as their underlying causes.

Alex A. Kecskes

With the holidays upon us, it's time to think green-in food, decorations & gift-wraps, trees, and anything else that helps sustain our planet for generations of holidays to come.

By Alex A. Kecskes

The first National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) program began in October 1985. The week-long event was designed to draw attention to breast cancer and the lack of public communication about this often devastating disease. The founding members of the Board of Sponsors, the American Academy of Family Physicians, AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation and Cancer Care, distributed brochures, addressed news reporters, and testified before a U.S. Congressional committee about the crucial need for widespread access to mammography. Their goal was early detection and treatment.

As early as 500 BC, the practice of yoga has been documented in India and practiced in multiple countries. Yoga is the tradition that combines physical and mental disciplines to achieve peace of mind and strength in body. There are several branches, or types, of yoga including Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Hatha Yoga. Various kinds of yoga include different physical postures, or 'Asanas' as they are called within the practice. Each branch of yoga has several elements in common, the most important being the over-arching belief of the connection between the power of the mind and the body. When practiced consistently, yoga can tone and strengthen muscles (as well as form a lean body), but can ease stress, provide peace, and help to fight addictions.

Smoking is an addiction that can be beat with the practice of yoga. Kundalini yoga, in particular, is thought to benefit smokers in their battle to quit. Kundalini is a more vigorous form of yoga than others. Strenuous and repetitive movements stetch people's limits and particular attention to heavy breathing draws people's attention to the lungs and their current health state.