Ease Chronic Fatigue with 3 Great Ayurvedic Herbs

AHA Publisher — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 08:00:26 +0000

Karen Sanders via NaturalHealth365 – Over a million people in the United States are currently diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), it is likely that millions more are battling similar symptoms but don’t meet all the standards for a formal diagnosis. What are the signs of CFS? Well, symptoms – including overwhelming fatigue, confusion, memory loss, joint pain, anxiety, and depression – can be debilitating; in severe cases, careers, marriages, and relationships may be jeopardized. Yet, CFS remains a “mystery” to Western medicine, although – like many health issues – natural health experts believe that environmental toxins like EMF pollution from wireless technology, nutritional deficiencies, and emotional stress play a significant role on energy levels. Conventionally speaking, there is no cure for CFS, but, sadly, these same physicians will often prescribe NSAIDS and antidepressants to help ‘manage’ symptoms – which offer plenty of negative side effects. Unfortunately, studies have demonstrated that when CFS remains undiagnosed for many years, the condition rapidly worsens. How Can Ayurvedic Medicine Help You Overcome Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? In Ayurveda, chronic fatigue syndrome – or Bala-kshaya – is believed to be caused by a buildup of toxins, resulting in a disconnect between mind, body, and spirit. Treatment is holistic and includes meditation, diet, massage, breathing techniques, and herbal therapies. Naturally, it’s an intelligent decision to minimize your toxic burden – as a top priority – along with incorporating immune-supportive therapies. Once you remove toxic threats, try a cleansing diet, followed by “panchakarma” – a more extensive detoxification process involving massage oils and herbal therapies. The third stage normally consists of rejuvenating herbal therapy to help restore energy and vitality. Don’t underestimate the value of ashwagandha, rhodiola, and brahmi – three powerful, healing herbs. Ashwagandha, scientifically known as Withania somnifera and also called “Indian ginseng” and “winter cherry,” is a Rasayana – an herb believed to prolong life, combat disease, and protect both body and mind from stress. According to Alakananda Devi, director of the Alandi Ayurvedic Clinic in Boulder, Colorado, ashwagandha restores energy and improves CFS patients’ neurological and muscular functions. It also helps regulate sleep cycles, boosts the immune system, and reduces anxiety and depression. Do CFS Patients Really Need Toxic Antidepressant Medications? In an animal study published in 2000 in Phytomedicine, ashwagandha extracts performed as well as Ativan, a benzodiazepine, to reduce anxiety. Researchers also found that ashwagandha’s antidepressant effect was equal to that of imipramine, a pharmaceutical medication sold under the name Tofranil. Noting that ashwagandha reduced brain levels of tribulin, a chemical marker of anxiety, researchers concluded that the study supported ashwagandha’s use as a mood stabilizer and an anti-anxiety therapy. In an animal study published in 2002 in the Journal of Medicinal Food, ashwagandha, in conjunction with other herbs, restored brain levels of natural antioxidants and measurably reduced the oxidative stress contributing to chronic fatigue. Scientific Studies Continue to Confirm the Effectiveness of Ayurvedic Herbs As useful as ashwagandha is in fighting CFS, it is not the only Rasayana herb that has received scientific attention. Rhodiola Rosea, the root of a plant that grows in Arctic regions, is also used in Ayurveda to restore neurological function, enhance energy, reduce fatigue, alleviate depression and restore natural sleeping patterns. According to NYU Langone Medical Center, rhodiola may help people function better when they are under stress. The medical center cites a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 56 physicians on overnight duty who were given rhodiola could retain higher levels of mental function than the placebo group. Noted herbal authority, Chris Kilham, points out that extensive clinical studies have confirmed that rhodiola increases strength and stamina while promoting mental clarity. Like ashwagandha, rhodiola combats chronic fatigue syndrome on many levels and does so without serious adverse effects. Yet another Ayurvedic herb alleviates “brain fog,” enhances memory, and lifts mood. Brahmi, scientifically known as Bacopa monnieri and also called Indian pennywort, is prized in Ayurveda as a mental tonic to treat Alzheimer’s disease, age-related cognitive deficits, and chronic fatigue syndrome. Researchers have found that constituents called bacosides have a relaxant effect on veins, allowing for enhanced blood flow and supporting mental clarity, concentration and focus. Are There Any Clinical Studies Supporting Brahmi’s Benefits? Yes. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study published in 2008 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 300 milligrams a day of Bacopa extract were given for six weeks to elderly volunteers. Using a battery of diagnostic tools, including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale and the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, researchers found that those in the Bacopa group had enhanced word recall memory scores. Researchers noted that the group who had taken Bacopa had declining levels of depression and anxiety; in the non-Bacopa group, levels continued to rise. The team noted that Bacopa had the potential for safely enhancing cognitive performance. How Can I Use These Herbs for Chronic Fatigue? Although ashwagandha, rhodiola, and brahmi are generally safe, they can interact with other herbal remedies, prescription medications, and supplements. Naturally, it’s best to consult a trusted doctor before using these herbs to treat chronic fatigue syndrome and follow serving instructions carefully. And, of course, make sure to obtain your herbs from a reputable source. Remember, herbs are only part of the Ayurvedic approach to healing. An Ayurvedic practitioner can recommend simple dietary and lifestyle changes that can speed up your recovery time. Chronic fatigue syndrome can be a frustrating, baffling, and debilitating condition, but you don’t have to let it control your life – or feel compelled to take toxic prescription medications. Many people have found relief with safe, natural Ayurvedic remedies that work to eliminate toxins, bring the body back into balance, and restore good health. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov GlobinMed.com NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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How Lifestyle Changes Alter Your Risk of Dementia

AHA Publisher — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 07:00:03 +0000

Damon Hines via NaturalHeatlh365 – The first signs of dementia are subtle: irritability, short-temperedness, and small changes in personality that grow increasingly acute. The full-blown symptoms are anything but subtle: a loss of short and long-term memory, inability to reason, a lack of emotional control, confusion, disorientation. Roughly 50 million people live with dementia. Experts have predicted the disease to be “the biggest health crisis of our time” and the 21st century’s leading killer. So, the big question remains, is dementia preventable? Many integrative healthcare providers say “yes!” Even in conventional medical terms, according to a report from the Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care, 40 percent of dementia cases worldwide can be delayed or prevented with simple lifestyle changes. How to Combat the Biggest Health Crisis of Our Time: Better Education and Personal Decisions Will Lead to More Successful Outcomes Annual statistics indicate that dementia was the leading cause of death in Britain in 2018, with one in eight people dying from the disease. In addition, the number of people with dementia living alone is expected to double by 2040. The United States isn’t looking much better, in terms of dementia statistics. Unfortunately, due in part to the lack of effective (conventional) treatments, the risk of a person developing dementia has been going up – for many years! Many seniors tend to be overmedicated and malnourished. No doubt, Western medicine is doing a poor job at alerting the public about the true dangers to brain health. Of course, when it comes to looking at lifestyle habits, it’s a real challenge to determine the risk to an individual. But, no doubt, more people need to learn about the environmental risk factors that cause dis-ease in the brain. A poor diet, chronic stress and loneliness can wreak havoc on brain function. It’s Time to Take Action: Make Those Lifestyle Changes (Now) Before It’s Too Late The Lancet Commission reports that dementia cases can be prevented or delayed by 40 percent by addressing 12 lifestyle factors, including midlife obesity, excessive alcohol intake, exposure to air pollution, depression, social isolation, high blood pressure, smoking, and a lack of physical activity. It’s important to remember that dementia is not an inescapable part of aging. The Lancet Commission’s findings are, for the most part, a risk assessment, and a list of healthy behaviors and choices people can engage in to reduce the risk of developing dementia. Keep in mind: these are long-term lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy diet for only a month or going to the gym for a few weeks isn’t going to have a significant effect on overall brain function. Dementia typically appears in one’s sixties or seventies, although it’s been known to arise as early as one’s thirties. While changing an unhealthy lifestyle at any age is helpful in reducing the risk of dementia, the earlier the change is made, the better! Don’t wait for a diagnosis of dementia. Strategies for reducing one’s risk and tackling lifestyle changes (now!) – both personally and as a society – are the best ways to defeat this dreadful health condition. Start taking those small steps toward a healthier lifestyle with better (organic) food choices and cleaner water for drinking and cooking. Remove toxic personal care and household cleaning products from your home and purify your indoor air space, as soon as possible. Each positive change in your life will feel so good. Ultimately, it’s up to us to make a change and demand more from our government “health” officials. A healthier society is one that uses an integrative approach to healthcare for each and every one of us. Let’s hope that day is coming soon. Sources for this article include: TheLancet.com This article has been modified. To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Ease Chronic Fatigue with 3 Great Ayurvedic Herbs

How Lifestyle Changes Alter Your Risk of Dementia