Archive for February, 2010

Herbal Remedies- What Works

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

You may think that herbal remedies are not really worthwhile, but the truth is natural botanicals have been used for centuries to treat all kinds of problems.  In fact over 25% of all drugs used today contain active ingredients derived from plants.  As much as eighty percent of the world population uses herbs for healthy care.  In the US alones, over 1,500 botanicals reportedly are sold in dietary supplements.  Some of the more popular ones are chamomile, echinacea, garlic, ginger, ginko, and ginseng.   

  • Chamomile is well known as tea.  The chamomile plant is also used as an herbal remedy to treat muscle pain, cramping, and anxiety. 
  • Echinacea was used by Native Americans long ago.  Today it is still being used help the body resist the common cold.  It is also helpful in boosting the immune system to ward off infection. 
  • Ginseng is another ancient remedy.  Today it believed to help provide increased energy. 
  • St. John’s Wort is an herbal alternative for treating mild depression and anxiety. 
  • Garlic has been shown to naturally lower cholesterol and blood pressure.  It also has antibiotic properties.  Garlic can be taken in capsule, pill or powder form. 
  • Ginger is often used to reduce nausea.
  • Ginko Biloba is often taken to improve circulation and increase brain activity.

Your doctor should be consulted before any new medication or supplement is taken.  Some herbs do not interact well together and others may cause complication for certain conditions.  Even herbal remedies can sometimes have adverse side effects.

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Dealing with Stretch Marks

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Stretch marks are a dreaded side affect of rapid weight gain.  When rapid weight gain on any part of the body and the skin is stretch beyond its limit stretch marks can appear.  They are dreaded by many because they are unattractive and hard to get rid of. 

Stretch marks are in fact a series of small scars.  They appear when the collagen and the tissue below the skin surface is damaged from being stretched.  Weight gain causes the skin to be stretched and at some point the tissue below the skin can actually tear.  The healing of these tears is what causes the dreaded marks to appear.  Many women get stretch marks during or after pregnancy.  They often occur on the abdomen, breasts, thighs, and hips.  Body builders tend to get stretch marks from muscle that is built too quickly mostly on the arms or legs.    When the marks first appear they look red with slight indentions.  Later they fade to a white or silvery color.    

The only way to completely avoid stretch marks is to prevent rapid weight gain.  At times when that is not possible, as with pregnancy, it is important to keep the skin well moisturized. Stretch mark creams with vitamin e, vitamin c, lanolin, and emu oil can help with moisturizing.  Skin that is well moisturized will be more elastic.      

Laser treatments are one remedy for stretch marks.  These treatments are expensive though, and it can take more than six treatments to produce results.  There are ingredients that can be used in creams that can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks.  One good ingredient is Matrixyl.  It has shown promising results in stretch mark reduction when used all by itself.  Some natural ingredients like Vitamin e, aloe, and emu oil have been used for a long time to moisturize and prevent scaring.  Combining these ingredients in a cream or serum may make them work even better.    Skin penetration is increased when these oils and matrixyl are combined.  It takes several months of regular use for several months to decrease the appearance of stretch marks.

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What is Elastin

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Elastin in a protein that is in skin tissue. It is important because it helps skin remain tight but still flexible. This is what allows skin to bounce back after it is stretched or pulled. It is also responsible for allowing skin to stretch to do normal activities such as opening and closing the mouth and then return smoothly back to normal.

As we get older elastin tends to get depleted as do other proteins in the skin. The lack of elastin is on of the things that results in wrinkles and stretched out skin. Elastin is often added to anti-aging skin care creams and serums. This elastin comes from sources other than human, mostly cows or birds. Unfortunately, elastin added to skin in this way does not seem to have much effect. It is unable to penetrate deep into the layers of the skin where elastin is needed to be effective. Products containing elastin may help the skin retain moisture, but most likely won’t actually help it become more elastic.

There are other ingredients that can be used in creams and serums that will help aging skin. Some of the best ones are vitamin e, Matrixyl and Argiriline. These ingredients can promote cell turnover and help increase collagen production. The loss of the proteins of collagen and elastin cause drooping and wrinkling skin. Using a cream or serum regularly with one or more of these anti wrinkle ingredients will help firm the skin and reduce wrinkles.

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