Catnip is perhaps best known for its ability to give cats a “high”; however, it has many other uses as well. For many years herbalists have used the leaves to treat fevers, pain, anxiety, and even intestinal parasites. It can also be used as a natural pest repellent. Background: Catnip is a perennial member of the mint family. It is thought to have originated in Europe and was imported to America. It is easily grown and is not fussy about soil conditions or watering. Catnip has erect, square, branched stems and heart-shaped, saw-toothed leaves that
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Gallstones are stone-like deposits that can develop in the gallbladder. They are usually made of either cholesterol or bilirubin and can grow to the size of a golf ball. They are most common in women over the age of forty with certain medical conditions. Gallstones may be symptomless for a time, but a gallstone attack
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The use of spa treatments is nothing new when it comes to pampering ourselves. Activities like soaking in a tub of hot water to relax and relieve stress took place long before towns like Spa, Belgium, and Bath, England, became famous for their public bathing pools. Spa treatments, just like regular bathing habits, can also promote cleanliness. For example, facial scrubs wash away dead skin cells and oils. Manicures mean healthy nails and cuticles, while pedicures help keep feet free of germs and pesky toenail issues. But spa treatments offer more than just a pretty
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Asthma is an unfortunately common condition that is defined as a chronic inflammation of the airway passages. The causes of asthma are unknown. Symptoms include shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness and pain in the chest, which can be accompanied by coughing. When an asthma attack is occurring, the lining of the airway becomes inflamed
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Cosmetics are anything that we use to make ourselves more beautiful, whether by restoring the health and natural appearance of our features or by adding makeup. Many products that fall under either of these headings can be made at home with surprisingly minimal effort. This is great news, especially when it comes to restorative products. When using something that is meant to improve your health, it’s nice to be able to select your ingredients and know exactly what goes into the final product. Many people have found that commercial cosmetics and their skin don’t get
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The world likes to call free thinkers crazy. Dare to act on your thoughts by preparing yourself for a world where governments don’t function and societies break down, and you’re well and truly nuts. You must be one of those freaks who sees a conspiracy around every corner or a kook living in some alternative
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Lost in the healthcare debate is the serious problem of Big Pharma spending on marketing, advertising, and physician courting. While legislators and the public argue of the future of ObamaCare, pharmaceutical firms are putting down serious cash to ensure their drugs stay in your life no matter what. It’s no longer about your good health, preventing pain, or extending life. Large pharmaceutical companies around the world are spending more on marketing and advertising than they do on research and development, according to York University studies of pharmaceutical promotion. The net result is that what happens
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For many of us, getting older means a gradual increase in a range of ailments from minor to significant. Without a little outside assistance, things that our bodies were once able to do naturally and easily suddenly seem to go haywire. At the very minimum, waking up requires acknowledgement of a plethora of aches and pains that weren’t there just a few years ago. I loathe the fact that my once 20/20 vision now needs reading glasses; my knees have begun to make little popping noises, especially when it rains or it is extremely humid,
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Nutritionists and other health experts have been praising the virtues of nuts for many years. In recent health news, walnuts have risen to the top of the pack. Walnuts are the new star of the nutrition world because of numerous scientific studies showing how much they can benefit your health. They promote cardiovascular health by
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One of the most important survival skills you will ever learn is how to properly administer first aid. This is something I have given considerable thought to because I live forty-five minutes away from town, and the hospital there is only so-so. But in all honesty, the more we can do at home, the better. Apart from the distance involved, which could be the difference between addressing something quickly or facing the consequences, the quicker we all rely less on modern conveniences, the better off we will be. We eat off the land; many of
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