The generically named medications, phenylephrine and guaifenesin are combined into a number of medications marketed in the United States under many brand names, including Deconex DMX. Phenylephrine is a decongestant, which helps relieve nasal congestion. Guaifenesin is an expectorant that…
Read more
Uva ursi, a medicinal herb also called bearberry, kinnikinnick, bear’s grape and a number of other names. According to Bastyr University, the reason the herb is called bearberry and bear’s grape is that wild bears love to eat the berries….
Read more
Valerian is a plant that is native to both Europe, Asia and North America. It has been used medicinally for nearly 2,000 years, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). Its use as a therapeutic herb…
Read more
Overview If you are ready to start saving for retirement but your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan, an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) may be your answer. IRAs are qualified retirement plans, meaning they feature substantial tax incentives to help…
Read more
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are investment accounts that offer tax advantages when you follow Internal Revenue Service regulations. In addition to restrictions on contributions, the IRS levies taxes on most distributions, and an additional penalty for premature withdrawals. If you…
Read more
Overview Supporters claim chelation therapy improves upon the natural detoxification processes of your body by helping it remove certain substances like plaque-producing calcium from arteries. However, chelation therapy was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in the early 1970s…
Read more
Epidural anesthesia is a common choice for women in labor. This procedure works by injecting an anesthetic into the epidural space found near the spinal column. The drug is administered via catheter, a small tube, on a continuous basis. Medical…
Read more
The sinuses are air-filled cavities that help to intercept dust, dirt, pollen and bacteria that you breathe in. However, during allergy seasons, the sinuses may become filled with pollen and other matter, resulting in infection and painful symptoms such as…
Read more
Valerian, or Valeriana officinalis, is a perennial plant sold as a dietary supplement in the United States. The herb is available in tincture, extract, capsule, tablet and tea forms, with most supplements prepared from the roots, stolons or rhizomes of…
Read more
Qigong is a low-impact fitness discipline that comes from traditional Chinese medicine. It has religious, fitness, medical and sport applications. All types involve focusing the mind, body and breathing to influence the flow of “qi,” which is a person’s life…
Read more
One of the rights you have as the owner of an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is to name your beneficiaries, or who will inherit the account in the event of your death. Once you pass your IRA on to your…
Read more
Because home remedies are made from natural ingredients, they usually have fewer side effects than prescription medications. This may be one reason why some parents look to home remedies for treating minor illnesses like colds, fever and rashes. Many of…
Read more
Overview Red clover products get heavy promotion for symptoms of menopause. Women who endure hot flashes and mood swings often rely on herbals such as red clover that contain phytoestrogens. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) explains…
Read more
An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a long-term savings account that offers tax advantages for investors who follow Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations. While there are many different types of IRA accounts, they all share similar characteristics, except for the…
Read more
Overview Rescue Remedy is a specific Bach flower remedy developed by the homeopath Edward Bach during the last century. Rescue Remedy is different from the other remedies in that it is a combination of five Bach flower dilutions. It is…
Read more
Eucalyptus oil is a good source of free radical-fighting antioxidants, inflammation-soothing tannins and germ-fighting cineole, making it a potential treatment for a number of different conditions. All these potent ingredients also make eucalyptus oil potentially dangerous—the volatile oil is toxic…
Read more
Chronic stress is the result of the fight or flight response occurring for a long period of time, a response that should typically last for a few minutes under extreme circumstances. According to the Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, stress…
Read more
Overview While both Roth and Traditional IRAs are known as Individual Retirement Accounts, they have very different regulations regarding contributions and distributions. In part, this is due to their tax status. While you do not have to pay taxes as…
Read more
Approximately 7.7 million in America over the age of 18 have PTSD, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. PTSD, the acronym for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental disorder that occurs after a person experiences a traumatic event,…
Read more
Don’t let clove’s inclusion in some cigarettes overshadow its other uses. Water distilling the clove buds yields an oil with a pale yellow color and slightly spicy aromatic note. Aromatherapist Patricia Davis cautions in her book “Aromatherapy: An A-Z” that…
Read more
Lemon balm has medicinal properties that may help treat sleeplessness, stress, anxiety and cold sores, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Researchers theorize that lemon balm gets its sweet scent and some of its soothing powers from substances…
Read more
Overview Approximately 4 million American adults and children use homeopathic medicine each year, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. However, homeopathy is viewed with skepticism by many because some of its basic precepts are at odds…
Read more
Overview The premise of magnetic therapy is that human tissues emit electromagnetic impulses that become disordered when you are sick or injured. The goal of the treatment is to restore health by correcting the disturbances. Magnetic therapy is a type…
Read more
A fever is the body’s way of trying to fight off infection, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Even a slight fever can make it difficult for viruses and bacteria to survive and be a sign of a…
Read more
Overview Individual Retirement Accounts are tax-advantaged investment accounts that are intended for long-term savings. Roth and Traditional IRAs share some characteristics, but their contributions and withdrawals are treated differently for tax purposes, and they have different rules regarding mandatory distributions….
Read more
Silymarin is the biologically active component of milk thistle. This flavonoid complex is extracted from the seeds of the milk thistle plant. The terms, silymarin and milk thistle are frequently used interchangeably, according to the Mayo Clinic. Silymarin milk thistle…
Read more
Overview Essential oils are made from plants by extracting the essence of the plant to form the essential oil. All parts of the plant can be used in the manufacture of the oil–from the flowers, leaves and stalks to the…
Read more
Everyone feels a little anxious now and then, but the trick is to keep it from pervading your life where it affects your work, health and relationships. Over 40 million Americans suffer from some type of anxiety disorder, according to…
Read more
Overview Reiki (RAY-ke) is a form of Japanese energy healing that has grown in popularity in the United States as part of the “new age” alternative medicine movement, as its practice in Japan wanes. Reiki was reintroduced by Mikao Usui…
Read more
1. Slick Road Ahead Driving in the rain is tricky because it isn’t only the visibility that becomes an issue, but the slippery roads and pooling water. A wet road is much more slippery than a dry one. There’s a…
Read more