The mention of fir needle most likely conjures up scenes of a winter wonderland, but this tree and its essential oil are year-round sources of enjoyment as well as good health. Fir needle essential oil is extracted through a process of steam distillation from fir needles, which are the soft, flat, needle-like “leaves” of a…
Rocky Mountain spotted fever is one of the most deadly infections in the world. (1) The good news is that medical treatment can help you recover, if you get the treatment early. Natural remedies can also help you during your healing after medical treatment. It is very important to know at least the basics about…
There’s a good chance you know at least one person with autism, which is now the most well-publicized pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) there is. (1) There's been an alarming rise in autism rates over the past 20–30 years, leading to a growing body of research and improvements in treatment development. But did you know that an estimated 31 million…
Between 7 percent to 47 percent of "working age" adults experience shoulder pain at least from time- to-time, especially those who work in office settings and have occupations requiring use of their arms in elevation (like hairdressers/barbers, switchboard operators, assembly line workers, etc.) (1) Although thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) has always been considered a somewhat…
Basil essential oil, derived from the Ocimum basilicum plant, is commonly used to enhance the flavor of many recipes today. However, its uses extend far beyond the culinary world. Basil essential oil (sometimes called “sweet basil oil”) has been used for centuries to treat all kinds of health concerns. As a natural anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibiotic…
PMDD, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder, is more than just PMS. While PMDD shares many PMS symptoms, it is a severe condition. In fact, PMDD symptoms can cause significant physical and emotional distress. The hormone-induced symptoms can be debilitating, and it's estimated that PMDD affects somewhere between 2 percent and 10 percent of menstruating women. (1)…
Essential oils have been shown in studies to have very few negative side effects or risks when they are used as directed. But given how popular essential oils have become in recent years, and how many different brands of oils are now available, it's not surprising that there's some growing concerns regarding essential oil safety.…
Coconut oil might just be the most versatile health food on the planet, so much so that I consider it a top superfood. Not only is it my favorite cooking oil, but coconut oil uses are numerous and can extend to being a form of natural medicine, be used for natural beauty treatments and so…
Miscarriages are very common, but that does not make them less distressing. They are the unintended loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation. More than 2 in every 10 pregnancies in the United States is believed to end in miscarriage. That number goes up to about four in every 10 once very early miscarriages…
Difficulty concentrating, impulsiveness, excessive energy and inability to sit still are some of the most common symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The number of children diagnosed with ADHD continues to increase, but researchers don’t know why. Currently, it's estimated that 9 percent of American teens and over 4 percent of American adults have…
