4 Natural Products That Help Deal With Everyday Health Issues
Ever since the beginning of time, people have been using natural remedies to treat common health issues. From headaches to chronic pain, anxiety, and stomach issues, alternative medicine seems to gain more and more popularity, as people try to keep away from medication or invasive procedures.
There is an abundance of natural remedies, incredibly effective and inexpensive, that can help to deal with health issues, as well as contribute to your overall health maintenance. It is believed that over 80% of people all over the world use herbal medicine to treat common health issues, such as skin problems, allergies, fatigue, and many others. If you plan on giving herbal medicine a go, but don’t know which product works for which issue, below is a list of ingredients and their properties, to help you get started.
CBD Oil
The use of CBD oil has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, with more and more scientific studies that confirm its benefits, being published. As opposed to THC, the main cannabinoid substance found in cannabis, CBD is not psychoactive, making it a solution for those who are not looking for the mind-altering effects of the plant. CBD oil is made by extracting and combining CBD with various oils, such as hemp seed oil, or coconut.
Multiple benefits have been attributed to the use of CBD oil and other CBD infused products, and researches are working to bring scientific evidence for each one of them:
- Pain relief: The human body produces endocannabinoids, neurotransmitters responsible for binding cannabinoid receptors in the nervous system. The endocannabinoid system is responsible for regulating sleep, pain, and appetite. CBD can reduce chronic pain by impacting neurotransmitters and reduce inflammation.
- Anxiety: to treat anxiety and depression, patients are prescribed pharmaceutical drugs, which can have numerous side effects. CBD oil has been used to treat anxiety, depression, and insomnia, in both adults and children, and by acting on the brain’s serotonin receptors.
- Neurological disorders: some studies have shown that CBD can also treat several neurological disorders such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease, as well as prevent neurodegeneration that can cause Alzheimer’s disease.
Ginseng
Chinese healers have been using ginseng for hundreds of years and have found many ways to explore its beneficial properties. Ginseng can be classified into three main categories, based on how long it was left to grow. Fresh ginseng needs to be harvested before four years, white ginseng is harvested between 4 and 6 years, whereas red ginseng is harvested after six years or more.
There are also two main types of ginseng, each of them used for different purposes. American ginseng is believed to work as a relaxing agent, whereas Asian ginseng is used for its invigorating properties. Ginseng has many benefits for both the body and the mind, such as:
- Increases antioxidant capacity: Korean ginseng reduces inflammation and increases antioxidant levels in skin cells, helping people with eczema.
- Increases brain function: compound K and ginsenosides protect the brain against damage and can reduce mental health exposure and improve mood swings.
- Increase energy levels: polysaccharides and oligopeptides components found in ginseng can help fight fatigue episodes and reduce stress, as well as improve energy levels.
- Erectile dysfunction: red ginseng is being used for treating erectile dysfunction and protect against oxidative stress. More studies have shown that Korean ginseng helps with muscle relaxation and increases blood circulation because it helps with the production of nitric oxide.
Echinacea
Echinacea is also known as purple coneflower and is often used as an herbal supplement. Echinacea tea is commonly used to treat the flu, but its benefits don’t stop there. It is known as one of the most popular herbs in the world and can be found widely in Europe and North America. Native Americans have used Echinacea for hundreds of years to treat various health issues, especially because it contains a wide variety of active compounds and antioxidants, such as polyacetylenes, caffeic acid, and alkamides.
Besides treating the common cold, Echinacea is also used for various medical purposes:
- Increased immune system: if continuously used, Echinacea helps boost your immune system and combat viruses and infections. It has been proved that Echinacea can lower the chances of developing a cold by over 50%.
- Controls blood sugar levels: for people who have diabetes, Echinacea can help control blood sugar spikes and can be used alongside insulin treatment.
- Reduces inflammation: Echinacea can reduce excess inflammation, which is a natural response your body has when it heals. Studies have proved that Echinacea supplements can also reduce chronic pain and swelling associated with inflammation.
- Manages anxiety: the compounds found in Echinacea, such as caffeic acid and rosmarinic, can lower anxiety levels, as it regulates the fear reflex that most people who suffer from anxiety experience.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is already a popular supplement. Many people in their everyday diet use it because of its rich concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D and vitamin A. It is extracted from fish tissue coming from herring, anchovies, and tuna and is recommended especially for people who don’t make a habit from including fish products in their diet.
Fish oil has a tremendous amount of health benefits, all of which are scientifically-backed:
- Heart issues: fish oil helps increase “good” cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, as well as lower triglycerides by as much as 30%.
- Mental disorders: studies have suggested that people who suffer from mental disorders have a low level of omega-3 in their blood. By using fish oil supplements, one can reduce the risk of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
- Eye health: eye health begins to deteriorate with age, exposing people to age-related macular degeneration. The risks can be reduced by consuming fish oil.
- Pregnancy: supplements that contain omega-3 are often prescribed for pregnant or breastfeeding women, to help with the growth and development of the baby.