Monday, April 23, 2012

New Content from Liquid Health

http://www.liquidhealthinc.com/node/85 What is an Adaptogen? Adaptogen;
Ayurvedic; Ashwagandha; Do these words mean anything to you? Until recently I
hadn’t even heard of these words, let alone knew what they meant, so I
decided to do a little research. Ashwagandha is a plant, whose root and
berries are used for medicinal purposes. Ashwagandha is one of many medicinal
herbs that fall under the category of Ayurvedic Medicine, which is commonly
practiced in India and is considered an alternative or supplementary form of
medicine. Ashwagandha is also considered an Adaptogen, which is “a
metabolic regulator which increases the ability of an organism to adapt to
environmental factors” (from Wikipedia.) Ashwagandha, also known as winter
cherry or Indian Ginseng, has been used for arthritis, anxiety, trouble
sleeping (insomnia), tumors, tuberculosis, asthma, a skin condition marked by
white patchiness (leukoderma), bronchitis, backache, fibromyalgia, menstrual
problems, hiccups, and chronic liver disease, among other things, according
to WebMD.com. Ashwagandha [1] has also been thought to be helpful as an
anti-inflammatory, as well as possibly improve one’s thinking ability and
preventing the effects of aging. According to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering
Cancer Center website, lab studies have shown that Ashwagandha may be helpful
in combating some cancers. They say that Ashwagandha was shown to reduce
“the level of an important antioxidant in tumor cells, which may enhance
the ability of radiation therapy to kill those cells.” In addition, they
claim that studies found Ashwagandha “kills some cancer cells and enhances
some immune cells possibly by damaging the cancer cells' ability to generate
the energy it needs to reproduce.” While more testing is needed in this
area, the studies done on animals and in labs definitely show promise. The
Sanskrit meaning of the word Ayurveda can be translated to be “science or
wisdom of life.” Ayurveda has been practiced for hundreds, if not
thousands, of years. Ananada Chopra, in the book Medicine Across Cultures:
History and Practice of Medicine in Non-Western Culture, talks about the 20
qualities that serve as a framework for diagnosis, therapy and dietetics
within the world of Ayurvedic Medicine. He says “the principle is to treat
with opposite qualities.” These qualities are: Heavy Light Cold Hot
Unctuous Dry Dull Sharp Stable Mobile Soft Hard Non-Slimy Slimy Smooth Coarse
Minute Gross Viscous Liquid On the website chiro.org, Edward C. Wallace,
N.D., D.C., says “An adaptogenic substance is one that demonstrates a
nonspecific enhancement of the body's ability to resist a stressor.”
Don’t think you have stress in your life? According to WebMD.com
“Seventy-five percent to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for
stress-related ailments and complaints.” These stress related ailments may
include: weight gain, headaches, increased blood pressure, chest pains, and
insomnia, among other things. We may not even realize we’re under stress,
attributing our symptoms to illness, but here are a few common effects of
stress (as found on the MayoClinic.com website): Common effects of stress...
... On your body Headache Muscle tension or pain Chest pain Fatigue Change in
sex drive Stomach upset Sleep problems ... On your mood Anxiety Restlessness
Lack of motivation or focus Irritability or anger Sadness or depression ...
On your behavior Overeating or under eating Angry outbursts Drug or alcohol
abuse Tobacco use Social withdrawal Since stressors are all around us every
day, wouldn’t it be nice to have a little help in resisting them? Enter a
group of adaptogenic herbs, known for their ability to help the body regulate
and deal with stress. Wikipedia.com says “the original definition
Adaptogens are non-specific remedies that increase resistance to a broad
spectrum of harmful factors “stressors” of different physical, chemical
and biological natures” – Ashwagandha is one of these Adaptogens [2]. A
few other common Adaptogens include: Siberian ginseng, Suma, Licorice root,
and Rhodiola rosea. In addition to using Adaptogens to help deal with stress,
you can also start a number of other things to decrease the stress your body
is feeling. Yoga, regular exercise, and meditation are just a few simple
things that can help you manage any stress related symptoms you may be
suffering from. Even if you think you aren’t stressed, pay close attention
to what your body is trying to tell you. Sometimes seemingly simple symptoms
can end up causing more major problems. As always if you are concerned about
symptoms you are suffering from, consult your physician before starting or
adding any supplements to your routine.

[1] http://www.liquidhealthinc.com/content/ashwagandha-news
[2] http://www.liquidhealthinc.com/immune-system-supplementhttp://liquidhealth.posterous.com/new-content-from-liquid-health-2621 http://www.liquidhealthinc.com/node/85 What is an Adaptogen? Adaptogen; Ayurvedic; Ashwagandha; Do these words mean anything to you? Until recently I hadn’t even heard of these words, let alone knew what they meant, so I decided to do a little research. Ashwagandha is a plant, whose root and berries ... http://liquidhealth.posterous.com

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