GINGKO BILOBA - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

What is Gingko Biloba?

Alternate names: Maidenhair tree, Kew tree, Japanese silver apricot

Ginkgo is one of the oldest living tree species. The extract of ginkgo leaves is used medicinally in North America, where it's one of the most popular medicinal herbs, and many other countries around the world. In traditional Chinese medicine, the seeds of the ginkgo tree are used.

Why Do People Use Ginkgo?

* To improve mental function
* Alzheimer's disease
* Age-related memory loss
* Macular degeneration
* Sexual dysfunction
* To enhance blood circulation

Ginkgo leaves are believed to contain compounds that thin blood and help to improve muscle tone in the walls of blood vessels. This may enhance blood flow.

What are the Safety Concerns?

Constituents in ginkgo leaves may affect blood clotting, so ginkgo leaf extracts shouldn't be used by people with bleeding disorders. People with epilepsy (or anyone with a history of seizures) should avoid ginkgo, because it may increase the frequency of seizures.

Ginkgo leaf products may affect blood sugar levels, so people with diabetes should only be used under the supervision of a health care provider.

The safety of ginkgo in pregnant or nursing women and children isn't known.

What are the Side Effects of Ginkgo?

Side effects of ginkgo leaf include excessive bleeding. Rarely, seizures have been reported in people using either the ginkgo leaf or seed. Other side effects include digestive problems, headaches, allergic skin reactions, or muscle weakness.

People should not consume fresh ginkgo seeds. Roasted ginkgo seeds may cause diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, vomiting, or allergic skin reactions. Side effects of fresh ginkgo seeds or over 10 roasted ginkgo seeds may include difficulty breathing, seizures, unconsciousness and death.

What are the Side Effects of Ginkgo?

Side effects of ginkgo leaf include excessive bleeding. Rarely, seizures have been reported in people using either the ginkgo leaf or seed. Other side effects include digestive problems, headaches, allergic skin reactions, or muscle weakness.

People should not consume fresh ginkgo seeds. Roasted ginkgo seeds may cause diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, vomiting, or allergic skin reactions. Side effects of fresh ginkgo seeds or over 10 roasted ginkgo seeds may include difficulty breathing, seizures, unconsciousness and death.

Possible Drug Interactions

Ginkgo can increase the effect of blood-thinners (antiplatelet or anti-clotting drugs), such as clopidogrel, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, and aspirin, which may result in uncontrolled bleeding or hemorrhage. Certain herbs, such as danshen, devil's claw, eleuthero, garlic, ginger, horse chestnut, papain, red clover, and saw palmetto, can also increase the risk of bleeding if combined with ginkgo.

Ginkgo has been found to interfere with the metabolism of drugs processed by an enzyme called cyp3A4. Ask your doctor to check if you are taking medications of this type.

Ginkgo may increase the risk of seizures if combined with other drugs or herbs that do the same, such as antidepressants, bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), certain antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporins, Corticosteroids, fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic), theophylline, methylphenidate (e.g. Concerta, Ritalin), drugs that suppress the immune system, such as azathioprine and cyclosporine, borage, evening primrose, and wormwood.

Ginkgo shouldn't be used with the drug cyclosporine (used to suppress the immune system), because it has been found to decrease the effect of that drug. Theoretically, ginkgo may have the same effect with other immunosuppressant drugs.

Ginkgo may interact with insulin and other drugs for diabetes, such as metformin (Glucophage), glyburide (Glynase), glimepiride (Amaryl), and glipizide (Glucotrol XL). It shouldn't be used with medications to prevent seizures.

There have been some cases of high blood pressure in people taking ginkgo and thiazide diuretics, such as chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide, metolazone, and polythiazide.

CHAMOMILE - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

What is Chamomile?

Other names: Matricaria recutita, German chamomile, true chamomile, Hungarian chamomile

Chamomile is a flowering plant in the daisy family. It is native to Europe and Asia. The flowers are used medicinally.

Chamomile comes in capsule, liquid, and tea form.

Why Do People Use Chamomile?

Chamomile has a long history of use in Europe for digestive ailments. The active constiuents of chamomile have anti-inflammatory properties, and ease spasm and discomfort in the digestive tract.

* Indigestion
* Anxiety
* Insomnia
* Canker sores
* Colic
* Conjunctivitis, eye irritations
* Crohn's disease
* Diarrhea
* Eczema
* Gingivitis
* Hemorrhoids
* Menstrual disorders
* Migraine
* Irritable bowel syndrome
* Peptic ulcer
* Skin irritations

* Ulcerative colitis
* Minor wounds

Safety

Chamomile is part of the Asteraceae plant family, which includes ragweed and chrysanthemum, so people with allergies may react when they use chamomile either internally or topically. Call your doctor if you experience vomiting, skin irritation, allergic reactions (chest tightness, wheezing, hives, rash, itching) after chamomile use.

Chamomile should not be taken during pregnancy or breast-feeding.

Chamomile contains coumarin, a naturally-occurring compound with anticoagulant or blood-thinning effects. It should not be combined with warfarin or other medications or supplements that have the same effect or be used by people with bleeding disorders. It shouldn't be used two weeks before or after surgery.

WHAT IS AYURVEDA?

What is Ayurveda?

Also known as: Ayurvedic medicine

Ayurveda is the traditional medicine of India, which originated there over 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda emphasizes re-establishing balance in the body through diet, lifestyle, exercise, and body cleansing, and on the health of the mind, body, and spirit.

In North America, Ayurveda is considered a form of alternative medicine. Like traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda is a whole medical system, meaning that it is based on theories of health and illness and on methods of preventing and treating health conditions.

What does a typical Ayurvedic assessment involve?

An initial assessment with an Ayurvedic practitioner may last an hour or longer. The practitioner will ask detailed questions about your health, diet and lifestyle. He or she will listen to your pulse. Unlike mainstream medicine, 12 different pulse points are assessed in Ayurveda.

The Ayurvedic practitioner also examines the tongue; its appearance is believed to provide clues about areas of the body that may be out of balance. The appearance of the skin, lips, nails, and eyes is also observed.

After the assessment, the practitioner will determine an individual's unique balance of doshas, or metabolic types. One dosha is usually predominant and may be imbalanced, usually due to poor diet and unhealthy habits.

The practitioner also determines your prakuti, also called your constitution or essential nature. From there, the practitioner can create an individualized treatment plan, which often includes diet, exercise, herbs, yoga, meditation, and massage. The treatment plan generally focuses on restoring balance to one particular dosha.

What are the doshas?

According to Ayurveda, everything is composed of five elements: air, water, fire, earth, and space. These elements combine to form the three doshas, vata, kapha, and pitta, or metabolic types. In Ayurveda, doshas account for some of our individual differences.

The vata dosha is a combination of space and air. It controls movement and is responsible for basic body processes such as breathing, cell division and circulation. Vata body areas are the large intestine, pelvis, bones, skin, ears, and thighs. People with vata as their main dosha are believed to be quick-thinking, thin, and fast, and are susceptible to anxiety, dry skin, and constipation.

The kapha dosha represents the elements of water and earth. Kapha is believed to be responsible for strength, immunity, and growth. Kapha body areas are the chest, lungs, and spinal fluid. People with kapha as their main dosha are thought to be calm, have a solid body frame, and are susceptible to diabetes, obesity, sinus congestion, and gallbladder problems.

The pitta dosha combines fire and water. It is thought to control hormones and the digestive system. Pitta body areas are the small intestines, stomach, sweat glands, skin, blood, and eyes. People with pitta as their primary dosha are thought to have a fiery personality, oily skin, and are susceptible to heart disease, stomach ulcers, inflammation, heartburn, and arthritis.

An imbalanced dosha is believed to interrupt the natural flow of prana, or vital energy. The disrupted energy flow is then thought to impair digestion and allow the build up of body waste, or ama, which further impairs energy and digestion.

What might an Ayurvedic treatment plan involve?

* Diet: Recommendations are individualized to a person's dosha and the season. Foods can either balance or cause imbalance to each dosha.
* Cleansing and detoxification: This may be done through fasting, enemas, diets, and body treatments.
* Herbal medicine: Examples of Ayurvedic herbs are triphala, ashwaghanda, gotu kola, guggul, and boswellia.
* Yoga
* Meditation
* Exercise: Individualized to a person's constitution
* Massage: Medicated herbal oils are often used.

How are Ayurvedic practitioners trained?

In India, there are many undergraduate and postgraduate colleges for Ayurveda, where the training can involve up to five years of study.

Outside of India, some people who have been trained in another health profession (e.g. medical doctor, nurse, naturopathic doctor) study Ayurveda before or after their training. Other practitioners attend Ayurvedic college only.

Because of its growing popularity, Ayurvedic treatments, particularly at spas and salons, are increasingly being performed by people who have not received formal training in Ayurveda. That's why if you are interested in consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner, it is important to seek a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner and learn about his training.

What should people do if they are considering or using Ayurveda?

Talk with your doctor first if you are considering Ayurveda for a health condition.

Ayurveda should complement, not replace, conventional care. If you are experiencing any new symptoms, consult your doctor as a first step.

Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner, rather than trying to treat yourself with Ayurvedic products.

Be sure the Ayurvedic practitioner knows your full health history and is aware of all medications you are taking.

KHASIAT GINSENG

PERUBATAN:

Menstimulasikan tubuh bagi merawat sakit samada fizikal atau mental. Digunakan dalam rawatan tekanan darah rendah, meningkatkan daya tahan tubuh, mengurangkan tekanan serta mengawal pencapaian kepuasan hubungan kelamin. Akarnya yang kering juga diguna bagi tujuan menahan sakit.

Telah terbukti sejak ribuan tahun hingga kini sebagai herba bagi menahan penyakit termasuk barah (cancer) , masalah penghadaman serta meningkatkan daya ingatan. Herba ini diguna bagi mengatasi masalah keletihan, kelesuan dan tidak bermaya semasa mengalami stress. Semasa menopouse ia membantu membaiki sistem bagi menstabilkan hormon. Amat istemewa untuk Diabetis, Hipertesi, High Blood Cholesterol, Anamea, Impotence dan Low Libido.

KHASIAT:

Ginseng membantu awet muda bagi meningkatkan kasih sayang. Ia meningkatkan pencapaian kepuasan hubungan kelamin. Ginseng merupakan pengganti yang baik kepada penggunaan dadah dalam perubatan.

PEMBIAKAN TANAMAN:

Ginseng memerlukan kepakaran dalam membiakkanya. Terdapat pelbagai masalah musuh dan penyakit di semua peringkat pertumbuhan. Pembiakkan dari biji benih memerlukan masa 6 tahun untuk matang. Pokok memerlukan perlindungan 50 hingga 70 peratus. Pemungutan hasil hendaklah dijalankan pada musim kering. Akar perlu dikeringkan selama satu bulan sebelum digunakan kering. Dapat tanam secara hidroponik dengan masa matang yang lebih cepat.