Acid reflux is painful. Food and acid splash into the esophagus and cause belching, heartburn and, in some severe cases, chest pains. Some individuals have experienced pain so intense they thought they had a heart attack. If a person experiences acid reflux on a regular basis, the acids will irritate the esophagus, which may advance to scarring, ulceration, swelling, or hemorrhaging. What is the risk of acid reflux? Many experts agree, if acid reflux persists, it may lead to esophageal cancer.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is the unassuming powerhouse of herbal medicine. Often mischaracterized as a weed, dandelion (the leaf in particular) is packed with beneficial nutrients that allow it to make substantial, positive contributions toward supporting good health. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion is used to encourage liver health, nourish bones and joints, and support the body’s normal detoxification routes. The plant is easy to grow, easy to use, and its many positive attributes might surprise you.
The kidneys are among the most important organs in the human body. The kidneys help to detox and filter impurities from the blood, pulling waste products out and regulating fluid balance. They shunt unnecessary nutrients, excess water, and toxins to the bladder for elimination as urine. Kidney stones form when the kidneys are not able to process and excrete waste, excess minerals, and toxins and crystals of unprocessed minerals begin to develop. Kidney stones, if they’re large enough, may cause tearing and pain, some even block urine flow.
The following are some simple natural remedies that may help soothe the discomfort of kidney stones and speed up the body’s natural healing processes.
It's that magical time of year again; the holiday decorations are up, friends are planning parties, and everyone is feeling warm, fuzzy, and grateful. For some of us, however, this festive season can mean exposure to a bunch of foods and drinks that are less than friendly to our digestion. The best strategy, of course, is to avoid inflammatory or trigger foods—like kombucha, cruciferous veggies, mushrooms, and dairy, which can all cause bloating—as much as we can. Another option is to experiment in the kitchen and try to make some healthier versions of our favorite comfort foods.
But if these two preventive strategies fall through, and you find yourself regretting those cream-filled mashed potatoes (as delicious as they were), it's a great idea to have some digestion-saving natural remedies, like the ones below, on hand.
