March 15th, 2010 -- Posted in herbal remedies |
Paul Stamets’ Mycelium Running is a must have reference book for anyone working the land in any form, whether it be farming, forest management or environmental cleanup. But also for people who, like me, enjoy growing things, especially delectable edibles.
The book is filled to the brim with valuable information on how to improve soils for farming, gardening and forestry; create simple, low-cost biofilters for waste water (mycofiltration); and clean up toxic waste (mycoremediation).
A detailed description of Mycofiltration, the use of mushrooms to filter waste water, is given in one section of the book. It lists recommended mushroom species and materials to use in creating the mycofiltration bed, as well as dimensions, depth, layers, etc. Mycofiltration beds like this can be effectively used for both industrial waste water and farm runoff.
Not only does it solve the problem of farm runoff and E. coli contamination of nearby streams, it can also yield highly palatable food mushrooms, and the bed itself can be dug out every 2-3 years and then used as an excellent fertilizer for the farm.
Benefits of no-till farming are described in terms of how it supports saprophytic soil fungi, which in turn help protect the soil from erosion as well as break down organic matter at a rate that is better paced to benefit plant life than if the stubble were to be plowed under and broken down by anaerobic bacteria.
For forestry, not only do saprophytic fungi help break down and recycle organic matter. They also help combat many parasitic fungi (blights) that may kill large numbers of trees. Stamets gives useful suggestions on how to seed beneficial saprophytic fungi in blight infested forests as a natural “fungicide,” fighting fire with fire, so to speak.
Mycorrhizal mushrooms can also be seeded to support the forest, or they may simply be encouraged to grow naturally by using more enlightened methods of forest management.
Mycorrhizal fungi help extend the reach of tree roots to better absorb nutrients and water, thus making the trees healthier and more drought resistant. Mycorrhizal fungi also manufacture and provide trees with natural antibiotics against many pathogens, especially parasitic fungi.
Another cutting edge technology in Mycelium Running is Mycoremediation, the neutralization of toxins through the use of mushroom mycelium. The term Mycoremediation was coined by Paul Stamets, author of Mycelium Running, but was already in common use among mycologists before publication.
Petrochemicals and biological warfare agents can be effectively broken down by mushroom mycelium, as can dioxin and toxic industrial waste. Even toxic levels of chlorine, which is used as the universal biocide, can be neutralized by some species of mushrooms. Bacterial contaminants like Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli can be killed, and heavy metals can be absorbed by mushrooms to then be removed from a site.
At $50 per ton, mycoremediation is a very cost effective method to clean up toxic waste. Conventional incineration may cost upwards of $1,500 per ton.
The information listed above is still only the first half of this tome. The second half is filled with information on growing mushroom mycelium, which can then be used for the above-mentioned purposes, or for growing our own medicinal or edible mushrooms. And who doesn’t love gourmet mushrooms? In other words, this is not only a book for farmers, foresters, ecologists and mycologists. This is a valuable reference book for every home and household.
Dr. Rafael has worked in the natural health field since finishing Chiropractic College in 1996. He currently specializes in medicinal fungi, frequently consulting two reference books: Mycelium Running by Paul Stamets for chemical, biological and medicinal properties of mushrooms, and Mushrooms Demystified by David Arora as the most comprehensive identification guide of American mushrooms.
March 7th, 2010 -- Posted in Uncategorized |
Many people who have read about treatments of constipation have in high likelihood learned about prunes. The prune is often thought of as a good laxative, largely because of the high proportion of dietary fiber by weight. The thing that most people don’t realize is that prune juice alone is an excellent laxative.
The cultivation and exploitation of plums has gone on for hundreds or even thousands of years, according to the best archaeological evidence. Modern prune makers follow an ancient tradition. Plums are plucked and collected in one area where temperature is raised to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. In ancient times this was likely done in or near an oven. After drying, the prunes can be further processed to create related products.
The usual understanding for most people is that prunes are good natural laxatives because of their dietary fiber content. How then does prune juice, which has no fiber at all because of filtration, help those who suffer from constipation? The answer is that sorbitol, a polysaccharide sugar substitute, has some wondrous laxative properties.
Prune juice has very high levels of this mysterious sugar substitute called sorbitol. Unlike glucose, sorbitol is a long polysaccharide chain that is no easy to digest by the human stomach. As such, it resides in the intestinal space and absorbs a lot of water. Sorbitol’s non-digestible property means that it’s also often used as a sugar substitute in foods.
The pear is another food that is high in sorbitol. If you’ve chewed sugar free gum in the past, you might have noticed that a key ingredient is sorbitol. Unlike glucose, sorbitol isn’t processed and taken in as energy. Couple that with its slightly sweet taste means that it’s the perfect sugar substitute.
What gives sorbitol its powerful anti-constipation effects? Two things that we have mentioned are responsible: the fact that sorbitol goes through the gut without being digested and the fact that sorbitol has a tendency to retain a lot of water in the intestine. Together, this means that foods with sorbitol will become bulky with fluids.
The increased water content means that the colonic contents become softer and bulkier. A number of other constipation treatments have similar effects, two classes of which are known by their names osmotic and bulk laxatives. The benefits of prune juice are not restricted to helping stomach contents move faster, but also include important vitamins and sugars for energy. For a simple, natural food, it seems that prunes have many benefits.
Still have inquiries ? Maybe you can check out our resources about treatment for constipation. The site discusses the topic of constipation causes.
February 26th, 2010 -- Posted in natural remedies |
The reason why homeopathy has gathered quite a lot of adherents to its way of treating ailments may stem from the fact that it operates quite opposite principles of what conventional medicines follow. Many people seem to notice that certain alternative remedies such as what homeopathy offers may provide a necessary alternative especially when conventional treatments may not be able to provide an effective cure for certain diseases. Here are the other advantages that the practice of homeopathy may offer.
It is considered safe. Homeopathy is considered as a safe alternative form of treating diseases and other ailments. The main purpose of homeopathic remedies is to aid the body and the life force from fighting disease by improving its own capacity to heal. The remedies in no way work against the natural healing processes of the body. That is why most consider it as a relatively safe form of alternative treatment.
Homeopathic remedies are based on natural ingredients. Synthetic and man-made substances are considered as obstacles in the practice of homeopathy that may impede the body’s own natural healing powers. That is why homeopathic remedies are only made from ingredients that are naturally found in the environment. Homeopathic medicines are basically made out of natural ingredients.
Homeopathic medicines are easy to use. Most remedies developed through homeopathy come in the form of small sugar pills. They are usually convenient to carry and easy to take. Homeopathic medicines are also recognized and regulated by the FDA. There are also over the counter versions that can be conveniently obtained fro stores.
Homeopathic medicines are quite affordable. People may consider using homeopathic medicines simple because they are quite inexpensive. People may be able to undergo homeopathic treatment for ailments and diseases for fairly less as compared to costly conventional medical treatments.
Remedies can be used safely with other forms of treatment. Since it is considered relatively safe, homeopathic remedies may also be used along with other forms of therapy and medication. One way of using homeopathic remedies is by using the along with other supplements and herbs. These remedies won’t affect even if people may be taking other forms of medication to treat their condition.
Homeopathy in non-invasive. One good thing about the practice of homeopathy is that it is a non-invasive form of treatment. It does not in any way disturb the natural processes of the body because it may disturb the natural balance of vital forces that homeopathy aims to uphold. The practice also does not try to suppress the body’s natural ability to heal.
The advantages offered by homeopathy makes it quite popular among those who wish to find a good alternative to conventional medicine. For the advantages that it offers, homeopathy makes a good supplemental treatment that may help improve wellness.
Do not miss Brugman Meizon tips about natural acne remedies and bleeding hemorrhoids treatment.
February 24th, 2010 -- Posted in natural remedies |
Most people who suffer from constipation manage a type known as functional or idiopathic constipation. This type of constipation is so called because the underlying cause is not identifiable, yet the condition can be easy diagnosed due to the symptoms. Treatment at first consists of increased dietary fiber. If this is ineffective, patients are recommended to try a laxative.
Generally the opinion among the scientist and researcher population is that using laxative constipation treatments properly is safe. But as constipation is occasionally a chronic condition that necessitates use of laxatives over long periods, suspicions about unintended side-effects and health issues have arisen. One problem is the development of myths regarding this line of medication.
The incorrect or at least poorly conceived myths regarding laxative use can be divided into three kinds. The first kind concerns the idea that using laxatives causes nerves to become damaged in the colonic tract. THe second kind is related to the idea that laxatives are carcinogenic or mutagenic agents which give rise to cancer. THe third kind is about the idea of laxative “intolerance”, i.e. the efficacy wears off over time.
On the topic of the first misconception, reports about nerve damage came up first in a survey of patients who were using laxative constipation treatments. Colonoscopy showed discoloration in their intestinal lining, and some were diagnosed with damage to the nerves. But the correlative link was never made definitive. Many criticized the findings by pointing out in general patients with constipation had more chance of nerve damage, regardless of laxative use or not.
Regarding the second, studies linking laxatives to cancer came from animal experiments. Animals fed very high concentrations of an anthraquinone laxative showed higher mutations in the DNA. However this study was beset by the problem that the amounts fed were much higher than human doses. Therefore, extrapolation to human doses is not straightforward. The same kinds of study have shown that artificial sweeteners and peanut butter cause mutations, but only at very high concentrations that are not often seen in people.
On the topic of the third, informal reports from patients who said they were seeing diminished effectiveness from medication initiated the idea of laxative intolerance. The counterpoint to this is that controlled studies in both animals and quadraplegic patients who used laxatives for as long as 34 years did not suffer from intolerance effects.
It would seem that laxatives should not be discounted for their great utility against constipation because of these misconceptions. Patients should continue to research for themselves and ally with their doctors to understand the evidence concerning laxative efficacy.
Uncover the newest information and writings in regards to treatment of constipation. Extra resources provided for constipation natural remedies can be located here.
February 22nd, 2010 -- Posted in natural remedies |
Homeopathy is the second most popular treatment system in the world and is widely accepted as an alternative to traditional medicine. And like its conventional counterpart, homeopathic medicine is used to treat a wide array of medical conditions, from acute conditions such as headaches, colds, and flu to chronic ones such as asthma, cancer, and diabetes. It works on the principle of like cures like, meaning the substances that cause symptoms that are similar to those of healthy people. The second homeopathic principle is using the lowest dosage possible for every treatment.
On the market these days, various types of homeopathic products are available in the form of pills, liquid dilutions, tinctures, and ointments. There are medications that are manufactured for particular age groups such as babies and children, while others can be taken by everyone regardless of age.
Looking for the right homeopathic product to cure your condition? Doing so involves something more than just scanning through the labeling of the products. The following are several pointers to keep in mind before you choose a homeopathic remedy.
1. Familiarize yourself with the basic principles of homeopathic medicine. That way, you are better armed with the knowledge you will need when looking for the right homeopathic treatment for your condition. Read online articles and research that are relevant to the field.
2. List all the symptoms that you are going to cure, taking into consideration everything from head to toe. Factor in other problems such as emotional and mental conditions. Highlight the severe symptoms. Doing an inventory of all your symptoms makes it easier for you to trim down the possible homeopathic remedies for your condition.
3. If you are not sure with a certain homeopathic product, then do not try it. Homeopathic remedies work only when the right ones are taken at the right dosage and potency.
4. Do you have any kind of allergy? Yes, homeopathic medicine is a safe and natural method of treatment, but it may cause an adverse reaction if a homeopathic product contains substances that your body cannot tolerate. It is important that you read carefully the list of ingredients of a certain product to see if one or two of them might cause an allergic reaction. If this is so, look for other remedies.
5. Consider the possible interactions with other medications. While homeopathic remedies are known to work well with other medications, it is best to be on the safe side.
6. To eliminate the guesswork from choosing the correct homeopathic product, you may opt to get those with multiple ingredients or those that are created to treat different conditions. For example, a remedy for flu may contain ingredients that can relieve headache or body pains.
7. Start with a lower potency first and then take remedies with higher potencies gradually.
Resorting to homeopathy can be a wise decision especially if you have chosen the correct remedy that can provide you relief from your condition. It is recommended that you consult your doctor to make informed choices.
Do not miss Brugman Meizon tips about natural acne remedies and bleeding hemorrhoids treatment.
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