Herbs For Hot Flashes

It's often said that nearing retirement age is a liberating experience for women especially once children have all grown up and you can start focusing on yourself. But liberating is hardly a term to describe symptoms of menopause once you go through it. While different women may have different symptoms, research shows that up to 85% of women report having hot flashes particularly within the first 2 years of menopause. ^[1]

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The exact cause behind hot flashes remains unknown although studies suggest it can be due to hormonal changes produced by the hypothalamus. These hot flashes can occur anywhere along a woman's face or upper body and may range from warmth to sweating to chills ^[2] which can severely affect mood, concentration and sleep. ^[3]

Hormonal therapy is often used to relieve hot flashes but this has been linked to increased risk for breast cancer, encouraging many to turn towards natural remedies like herbs instead. ^[4] While most researches on hot flashes are focused on treatment, ^[3] studies conducted are still relatively young and limited. Nonetheless, certain herbs do show promising results such as these 10:

10 Herbs For Hot Flashes

Red Clover

When Austrian researchers from the Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology assessed the effects of red clover isoflavone supplements in 109 postmenopausal women by randomly giving them 2 capsules everyday for 3 months, they found that compared to those under placebo, red clover intake reduced overall menopausal symptoms with no apparent side effects. ^[5] The phyto-estrogen enriched isoflavone was found to decrease both intensity and frequency of hot flashes. ^[1]

Sage

One study that involved giving 71 participants 1 tablet of fresh sage leaves everyday for a 2 month period demonstrated sage's clinical value in the treatment of hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms. Sage was shown to significantly decrease intensity of hot flashes by 50% after 4 weeks use and as much as 64% after 8 weeks use. Frequency of hot flashes was also found to reduce week after week within the 8 week period. ^[6]Organic sage may also be taken by drinking few cups of its tea daily. ^[1]

Soy

Like red clover, soy products are rich in isoflavones that correct hormone imbalance. In a systematic review of 277 publications and 17 randomized controlled trials, analyses revealed that isoflavones in soybean greatly decreased hot flashes severity by 26.2% as opposed to those taking placebo. ^[7] However, since the safety and efficacy of some soy supplements remain questionable, doctors still recommend to obtain soy from natural sources like tofu and soy milk. ^[2]

Black Cohosh

Although this is a popular herbal remedy for menopause, experts are still trying to unlock the mechanisms behind its efficacy resulting in various studies with mixed if not inconclusive results. But one expert in medicinal plants mentioned that this herb stimulated the hypothalamus-- the same area that triggers hot flashes. ^[8] Other studies associate black cohosh to the pharmaceutical estrogen in alleviating hot flashes while one study revealed it can prevent excessive sweating. ^[1]

Flaxseed

Although this herb has also produced researches with debatable results, several clinical trials have found it to be enriched with lignans which are confirmed to stabilize estrogen levels and possess antioxidant properties. Consequently, one French study of over 58,000 postmenopausal women found that flaxseed intake can reduce breast cancer risks. ^[3]

Although many data on botanical treatments for hot flashes are sometimes controversial with some findings seemingly based on subjective opinions, scientists are making progress in isolating active compounds that can eventually result in formulating treatments with more hopeful results. ^[4]

Ginseng

Unfortunately, hot flashes are just one of the major discomforts which women have to go through on their menopausal stage. The availability of herbal plants like ginseng comes very handy in dealing with hot flashes. Researchers concluded that ginseng supplementation plays a major role in stimulating the ovaries which result to the production of estrogen. Normally, women with low levels of estrogen suffer from hot flashes. ^[9]

Licorice

In a study conducted in United Kingdom, researchers concluded that consumption of licorice helps in reducing the possibility of hot flashes to occur by almost 80%. As mentioned earlier, low level of estrogen in the body is usually blamed for the occurrence of this symptom.

Scientific studies show that licorice root is an excellent source of phytoestrogen isoflavonoid which is considered as a good plant-based source of estrogen. This compound normally triggers the occurrence of fluctuating hormones in women. ^[10]

Dong Quai

Traditionally used as medicine, tonic and spice in Japan, China and Korea, dong quai was found to be an excellent herb for women suffering from hot flashes. Often referred as the female ginseng, dong quai is believed to be an good herb for hot flashes primarily because of its estrogen-like effects. ^[11] In a scientific study conducted in Israel, results showed that almost half of the respondents have noticed the disappearance of hot flashes. ^[12]

Motherwort

Hot flashes are normally accompanied by a couple of other discomforting symptoms. Motherwort is an excellent herb that doesn’t just help in dealing hot flashes. It also aids in driving away other disturbing menopausal symptoms like dizziness and light-headedness. It actually helps in reducing the frequency, duration and severity of hot flashes. ^[13]

Since the 1600s, motherwort has been in used by the European culture due to its calming effects which makes it an excellent natural solution to insomnia, anxiety, depression and of course, hot flashes. ^[14]

Damiana

For decades, natural and alternative medicine practitioners have been using damiana in helping people deal with symptoms of menopause, especially hot flashes. Insufficient levels of progesterone and estrogen in the body are the usual subject of blame whenever hot flashes begin to pester women. Reduction in the level of these hormones usually triggers the hypothalamus to be confused whether a woman feels cold or hot. ^[15]

Herbs For Hot Flashes - References:

[1] http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/natural-remedies-for-hot-flashes/

[2] http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART00700/menopause-symptoms

[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_flash

[4] Botanical Modulation of Menopausal Symptoms: Mechanisms of Action?http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23408273

[5] The effect of red clover isoflavone supplementation over vasomotor and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21870906

[6] First time proof of sage's tolerability and efficacy in menopausal women with hot flushes.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=sage+for+hot+flashes

[7] Extracted or synthesized soybean isoflavones reduce menopausal hot flash frequency and severity: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22433977

[8] http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/12/health/herbs-for-hot-flashes-new-attention-mixed-results.html

[9] http://www.vitaminstuff.com/herbs-ginseng.html

[10] http://www.livestrong.com/article/474977-is-licorice-root-good-for-hot-flashes/

[11] http://www.livestrong.com/article/138857-dong-quai-hot-flashes/

[12] http://www.families.com/blog/does-dong-quai-help-with-hot-flashes

[13] http://www.livestrong.com/article/283942-benefits-of-motherwort-for-menopause/

[14] http://awesomehealthandwealth.com/2011/04/natures-support-for-hot-flashes-motherwort/

[15] http://awesomehealthandwealth.com/tag/damiana/

Article researched and created by Cathy Ongking and Elfe Cabanas, © herbs-info.com 2013

http://www.herbs-info.com/herbs-for-hot-flashes.html

10 ways to kill ant organically

10 Ways To Kill Ants… Organically

1. Baking soda is poisonous to ants, spinkle it around your plants to ensure ants will stay away.

2. Flour & Baby Powder will keep ants from reaching your plants, ants will not cross the powder – so circle your plants with it.

3. You can use coffee grounds, chili powder, cinnamon, peppermint or black pepper. All deter ants and if you pour coffee grounds directly on an anthill, they will eat the coffee grounds and implode.

4. Grits, instant rice & cream of wheat can be sprinkled around plants. The ant will eat a piece of whichever you sprinkle, drink water and the grain expands and kills the ant. :)

5. Fill a spray bottle with 1 part vinegar and 1 part water and spray on plants. The acid in vinegar will kills ants.

6. Mix together one-third cup of molasses, six tablespoons of sugar, and six tablespoons of active dry yeast into a smooth paste. Use the mixture to coat strips of cardboard. Keep out of reach of pets and small children. You can leave mixture on a saucer outside anthill and they’ll eat it and die!

7. Fold contact paper in half, with the sticky side out and make a circle around base of plant. The ants get stuck on the paper – problem solved.

8. Cut off the bottom of a paper cup and cut a slit up the side of the cup and coat outside with vaseline and place around base of plant. You can also use packing tape.

9. Mix one cup of borax, two-thirds a cup sugar and one cup water. Dip cotton balls in the solution and place in areas near your anthill Ants will leave the plants alone and ingest the sweet mixture. The borax kills the ants.

10. Diatomaceous Earth is a commonly sold organic pesticide that will destroy the insects outer skeletons, causing the pests to die from dehydration.

Bell Peppers

Bell peppers ~ Look on the underside of the pepper, the ones with four bumps are "female" and those with three bumps are "male". The ones termed "female" peppers, or those with more bumps, contain more seeds and will be used largely for collection of seeds and replanting (hence "female"), but are also sweeter and better for eating raw. The ones with three or fewer bumps are better for cooking and contain fewer seeds.

Homemade Cottage Cheese

Ingredients:
1 gallon milk
1/2 cup vinegar
1 teaspoon salt

Directions:
- Heat the milk to 190F (this can be achieved by turning off the heat just before the milk begins to boil).
- Add the vinegar and allow the mixture to cool.
- Once cool, pour the mixture (which should consist of curds and whey) into a colander and drain off the whey.
- Pour the curds into a bowl and salt to taste.
- A little cream could also be added, for a more creamy cottage cheese.

Serve as you would store bought cottage cheese!

Mouse traps

BOOKS EXHIBITION

Getting people closer to books. A place for meeting, for favoring links between young and older people. A place where people could stroll and sit comfortably. A fun place, but also a serious and environmentally respectful one. How to operate on this unique, emblematic place, without interfering, integrating into the space and respecting its privileged environment? We had to choose noble materials which blended with the natural look of stone: wood, metal, fabric. We had a small budget, so recycling came as the best option. Our aim was to give a second, third (even fourth!) life to pallets, wine and cava boxes, copper tubes and fair carpets. With the intention of creating spots where people could choose their own way of reading, of telling a story: sitting on benches, lying on the grass, hidden inside the tents, under the trees…

Original post http://www.1001pallets.com/2013/04/books-exhibition/

Detox Water

glow in the dark pots

light up plant pots,  simply buy a pot you like and glow in the dark paint then get to painting!! LOVE DIY as long as it works, will have to try it and find out

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS:
3c flour
1tsp salt
1/3c oil
1c warm water

 Combine all ingredients until it forms a dough. Roll into a big ball and take about 1"-2" pieces off. Pat flat with your hands or use a rolling pin. Put on a griddle on the stove and let the sides cook until there are lil brown specks.

pallet corner idea

After a long winter of indulging in comfort foods, you may feel like you need to press a reset button on your body for spring. The good news is it’s possible to rid your body of toxins and restore alkalinity simply by eating right. Here are seven of my favorite foods to help detoxify, hydrate, and refresh your body all naturally, just in time for spring and summer!

Berry Green Smoothies

Start your day on a healthy note by blending together a cup of greens like spinach, kale, and celery with a handful of berries to make a delicious smoothie. These leafy greens contain chlorophyll, a molecule that helps eliminate harmful environmental toxins that can contribute to illness and liver damage. The berries’ bounty of antioxidants and enzymes help fight free-radical damage that may lead to disease, and their sweetness takes over the more bitter taste of the greens—you won’t even notice they’re in there!

http://www.shape.com/healthy-eating/healthy-drinks/6-satisfying-vegan-smoothies

Green Tea

Polyphenols, antioxidant-rich phytochemicals found in green tea leaves, help to detoxify the body by eliminating harmful free radicals. Studies have also shown that increased consumption of green tea may reduce your risk of several cancers. And that's not all: Research has linked drinking green tea to improving memory and reducing belly fat when combined with exercise, thanks to the catechin EGCG, a powerful antioxidant. Win-win!

Want to detox sans the caffeine? Herbal "detox" teas—Yogi Detox is one of my favorite brands—contain a blend of caffeine-free herbs with special cleansing properties.

Curry Powder

The main spice in curry powder, turmeric gets it beautiful yellow color from a compound called curcumin. In holistic medicine, curcumin is used to help aid with digestive disorders and liver issues. Curry powder is also an anti-inflammatory and contributes to the production of glutathione, a powerful liver-protecting antioxidant. Next time you’re in the kitchen, reap the benefits by sprinkling some curry powder on eggs, roasted veggies, lentils, or chicken masala.

Cabbage

Cabbage, made up of approximately 92 percent water, is a natural diuretic that can help expel excess fluids from the body, so you can’t go wrong by filling up on this water-based food. It’s packed with glucosinolates, organic compounds that contain nitrogen and sulfur which help flush out unwanted toxins. Plus, cabbage delivers a good dose of many essential vitamins, including C, K, E, and A, minerals, dietary fiber, and folic acid. Click here for a yummy salad 

Detox Apple and Cabbage Salad

whole foods as FWB, or "foods with benefits," meaning they'll give back to you—all you have to do is consume them, and let the nutrients do their work! The FWB in this salad are cabbage, apples, and fennel.Cabbage, a natural diuretic, helps expel excess fluids in the body. Fennel seeds are full of antioxidants that help to de-bloat and are naturally anti-inflammatory. Apples contain pectin, a fiber that aids in digestion.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:
Dressing:
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons agave nectar
1 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Salad:
1/2 head savoy cabbage
1/2 head red cabbage
1 Fuji apple
1/4 red onion
1/2 cup walnuts, roughly chopped
1/2 cup golden raisins

Directions:
1. To make dressing, place all ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk to combine.
2. Using a mandoline or sharp knife (for best results, invest in a nice-quality mandoline), thinly slice cabbages, apple, and red onion to resemble extremely fine confetti. Transfer to a large bowl and add walnuts and raisins. Toss gently to combine. Drizzle with dressing. Using salad tongs, mix until evenly dressed.

Nutrition score per serving: 278 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated), 44g carbs, 9g protein, 9g fiber, 30g sugars, 371mgsodium

Adapted from Cook Yourself Sexy by Candice Kumai, Rodale Books, 2012

Water

The best things in life are free—including tap water. Start off your morning with a glass of water, and stay hydrated all day by carrying a reusable water bottle (I bring a Klean Kanteen with me everywhere!). Drinking water before a meal can help take the edge off hunger, and of course it's important to drink up before and after a workout. Aim for nine cups a day, as recommended by Mayo Clinic, to help flush out toxins through your liver and kidneys.

Pineapple

Fresh pineapple is not only sweet and delicious, but it also aids in detoxing your body, thanks to the presence of bromelian, a powerful digestive enzyme. This enzyme has been proven to aid in digesting protein, breaking down fats, and reducing inflammation. Pineapple is also packed with manganese, which has been recommended by nutritionists as a way to boost your mood if you’re experiencing symptoms of PMS—how’s that for an added bonus?

Lemon

Drinking a glass of water infused with lemon (or adding lemon to a mug of hot water) is a proven strategy to help cleanse your body. Lemons contain antibacterial properties that help purify the blood and balance the pH level of your colon. The citrus fruit's vitamin C will also help boost your immunity. Lemon juice is so versatile in cooking—you can add it to salad dressings, marinades,