Honey! Natural Treatment for Gum Disease

 

Gum disease is also known as periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues and bone that support the teeth. Untreated gum disease can become very serious, causing teeth to become loose or fall out.

Gum disease is usually caused by a buildup of plaque, an invisible sticky layer of germs that forms naturally on the teeth and gums. Plaque contains bacteria, which produce toxins that irritate and damage the gums.

Below is an article on simple and Natural Treatment for Gum Disease that uses honey.

 

There is quite a bit of talk going on about the antimicrobial properties of the sweetener, Xylitol, which is a product manufactured from cornstalks. The dental hygienist community (discussion groups) is where I am seeing most of this and my understanding is that it is a pretty good product as a sweetener and good for your teeth and gums. Something made me think, however, about going more natural and 'honey' came to mind. I wondered about the antimicrobial properties of this natural and healthy food and what I found really surprised me!

I was able to learn quite a bit about honey's properties - Yes, honey is a good antimicrobial and have a great number of applications for treating all sorts of ailments aside from gum disease. Everything from eczema to prostate problems is being effectively treated with honey... Honey!

 

Before you run to the cupboard, however, you should know that the variety of honey's are widely varied in their effectiveness, so not all types are the same.

Some honeys are apparently no better for your teeth than refined sugar, but at the other end of the spectrum, there are varieties which are outstanding for their antimicrobial properties. It appears that the majority of research on honey's antimicrobial properties and effectiveness in treating gum disease come out of New Zealand in the past dozen years. Most of this may be attributable to Dr. Peter C. Molan, Associate Professor of Biochemistry at the University of Waikato, New Zealand.

 

"Honey contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide which is believed to be the main reason for the antimicrobial activity of honey. Types of honey differ greatly in their antimicrobial potency, varying as much as a hundred fold. The research has shown that honey not only stops the growth of the dental plaque bacteria, it reduces the amount of acid produced, which stops the bacteria from producing dextran. Dextran, a component of dental plaque, is the gummy polysaccharide that the bacteria produce in order to adhere to the surface of the teeth."

 

Honey derived from the Manuka (Leptospermum scoparium) tree, found in abundance in New Zealand, claims the highest potency of antimicrobial properties. In fact, Manuka honey's antibacterial factor is unaffected by enzymes in the body that destroy hydrogen peroxide components. (Normally, peroxide isn't considered a good antimicrobial, orally, because the body quickly dilutes it.) It also has an exceptionally high level of plant-derived antimicrobial activity. Antioxidants in honey also prevent the formation of free radicals and the nutrient supply of honey is an important factor in new tissue re-growth, having been damaged by infection.

 

In addition, a 'medicinal' honey has been developed in New Zealand and Queensland, Australia to fight against 'superbugs,' such as multiple-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), attributable to a reported 100 deaths a week in the UK, according to one report.

"Laboratory testing is required to establish the level of anti-bacterial activity in honey. The honey is compared with a standard reference antiseptic (phenol) for potency. So, for example, a honey with a rating of four would be equivalent in antiseptic potency to a four percent solution of phenol (carbolic disinfectant). Honey should have a rating of four or higher before it can be regarded as a 'Active Honey'. Laboratory tests have shown to be very effective against bacteria, the rating should be at least ten but does not need to be any greater. Honey New Zealand produces a range of Active Honeys: Manuka, Rewarewa and Wild Flora.

 

"Manuka honey has UMF (this stands for Unique Manuka Factor) in addition to the usual hydrogen peroxide anti-bacterial activity making it doubly potent. UMF honey is more effective than hydrogen peroxide against some types of bacteria. The level of UMF activity is found in laboratory testing by removing the hydrogen peroxide from the honey and using the same test method for testing an 'active honey'. A rating is found describing the anti-bacterial activity remaining in the honey after the hydrogen peroxide has been removed. This is called Active UMF 10+. UMF is an additional anti-bacterial component that is unique to Manuka Honey. No-one for the scientific discoveries of New Zealand active honeys has so far discovered the substance involved, so it is called UMF." (Honey New Zealand)

 

How is the honey used on the teeth? Some recommend simply rubbing it into the gums after brushing. Since Manuka honey retains it's antimicrobial properties when diluted up to 50 times, it may likely be able to be used as an oral irrigant (when diluted with distilled or filtered water) and directed between the teeth or sub-gingivally into periodontal pockets using an oral irrigator. However, since the honey can ferment, it is recommended that the solution be used immediately and not made up ahead of time and stored for later use. (It should be noted that honey is not to be given to infants under 24 months.)

 

Source http://alternativemonster.info/Honey-Natural-Treatment-for-Gum-Disease.html

 

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Natures Way To Relieve Arthritis Pain

 

Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one or more joints, as we grow older chances of Arthritis Pain is very high. There are fruits that said to help Arthritis Pain remedy. Pineapple, Ginger and Papayas are common and abundant fruits that Medical authorities had found to help relieve arthritis pain. Below is the full article about Pineapple, Ginger  and Papayas that help relieve arthritis pain.

 

PINEAPPLE AND PAPAYAS

 

Medical authorities say that pineapples and papayas can relieve arthritis pain.

Research shows that pineapples and papayas have potent anti-inflammatory properties from high levels of bromelain and papain, which are natural enzymes. These enzymes reduce the inflammation in two ways.

 

First, the enzymes neutralize hormones in the body called prostaglandins. These are chemicals that spark pain in the body's nerve cells.

 

Second, they reduce painful pressure from fluid buildup in the joints. This is achieved by the enzyme dissolving joint debris, like tiny bone chips, calcium deposits, dead tissue and blood cells that can clog joints, leaving them stiff and swollen. University teams have found that eating the fruits can diminish inflammation by 25%.

 

Bromelain and papain can turn a leathery-tough steak buttery soft, so you can imagine what they will do for stiffened joints. It will loosen them and restore movement. One of the most important functions of bromelain is to neutralize free radicals, the destructive compounds produced when the body uses oxygen.

 

Pineapple is also rich in vitamins B1 and B6, which also helps to ease arthritic pain, while papaya is one of the highest sources of vitamin C. Both of these fruits are low in calories - 40 to 80 calories per cup - and promote good digestion and the elimination of toxins and waste in the body.

 

GINGER

 

Ginger contains proteolytec which is a digestive enzyme similar to those found in papaya and pineapple. Ginger stimulates circulation in the digestive tract, helping to speed up the delivery of nutrients to the bloodstream and increases muscle tone in the stomach. Ginger's proteolytec enzymes are also valuable for nutritionally supporting the joints. Ginger has been successfully used for centuries as an anti-inflammatory.

 

Ginger tea compresses may be used to relieve arthritic pain and headaches. Keep a batch of ginger tea ice cubes in the freezer for making the compresses. This way, both hot and cold ginger remedies are readily available. For arthritic aches, soak a wash cloth in warmed ginger tea and apply to the site of the pain. Repeat as necessary.

 

For tension headaches, soak a clean wash cloth in melted (but still cold) ginger tea ice cubes. Place cold compress on the back of the neck or shoulders for 15 - 20 minutes. Repeat with fresh cool tea as necessary.

 

Ginger is naturally rich in assorted phytochemicals that work collectively to nourish and support the entire cardiovascular system. Functions such as blood pressure, cholestral absorption, blood clotting, and circulation are all nutritionally benefited.

 

To read the rest of the article please go to:
http://naturesway.50webs.com/

 

Source: http://alternativemonster.info/Natures-Way-To-Relieve-Arthritis-Pain.html

 

 

 

5 Nutrients You're Not Getting Enough Of

 

Every day our body needs nutrients many of us did not have enough or right combination of it. Below is an article of 5 important Nutrients we must have.

 

After a long hard day at the office, I crave a manly dinner. Something that will sharpen my mind, feed my muscles, and infuse me with energy to keep up with two young kids till bedtime.

 

So, often, I have a bowl of cereal. With bananas and whole milk. Mmm.

Do I feel like I'm depriving my body of key nutrients? Quite the opposite, actually. My favorite dinner isn't just for kids. It contains high levels of three nutrients that American adults need much more of: B12, potassium, and iodine. Our shortfalls with these nutrients—along with vitamin D and magnesium—have serious health consequences, including a higher risk of heart disease and stroke, fatigue, and weight gain.

Here's the good news: These nutrients are readily available in the foods you know and love. You can get more of one simply by spending more time outside. That doesn't sound so hard, does it? Here's how to fortify your diet—and your health.

 1. VITAMIN D
This vitamin's biggest claim to fame is its role in strengthening your skeleton. But vitamin D isn't a one-trick nutrient: A study in Circulation found that people deficient in D were up to 80 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. The reason? Vitamin D may reduce inflammation in your arteries. Also, a University of Minnesota study found that people with adequate vitamin D levels release more leptin, a hormone that conveys the "I'm full" message to your brain. Even more impressive, the study also found that the nutrient triggers weight loss primarily from the belly. Another study found that people with higher D levels in their bloodstream store less fat.

 

The shortfall: Vitamin D is created in your body when the sun's ultraviolet B rays penetrate your skin. Problem is, the vitamin D you stockpile during sunnier months is often depleted by winter, especially if you live in the northern half of the United States, where UVB rays are less intense from November through February. When Boston University researchers measured the vitamin D status of young adults at the end of winter, 36 percent of them were found to be deficient.

 

Hit the mark: First, ask your doctor to test your blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. "You need to be above 30 nanograms per milliliter," says Michael Holick, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of medicine at Boston University. Come up short? Eat foods like salmon (900 IU per serving), mackerel (400 IU), and tuna (150 IU). Milk and eggs are also good, with about 100 IU per serving. But to ensure you're getting enough, take 1,400 IU of vitamin D daily from a supplement and a multivitamin. That's about seven times the recommended daily intake for men, but it takes that much to boost blood levels of D, says Dr. Holick.

 

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 2. MAGNESIUM
This lightweight mineral is a tireless multitasker: It's involved in more than 300 bodily processes. Plus, a study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that low levels of magnesium may increase your blood levels of C-reactive protein, a key marker of heart disease.

 

The shortfall: Nutrition surveys reveal that men consume only about 80 percent of the recommended 400 milligrams (mg) of magnesium a day. "We're just barely getting by," says Dana King, M.D., a professor of family medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. "Without enough magnesium, every cell in your body has to struggle to generate energy."

 

Hit the mark: Fortify your diet with more magnesium-rich foods, such as halibut, navy beans, and spinach. Then hit the supplement aisle: Few men can reach 400 mg through diet alone, so Dr. King recommends ingesting some insurance in the form of a 250 mg supplement. One caveat: Scrutinize the ingredients list. You want a product that uses magnesium citrate, the form best absorbed by your body.

 

DID YOU KNOW? There are 46,000 foods in the average supermarket. How to choose what to put in your cart? Here's your shopping list: The 125 Best Foods.

 3. VITAMIN B12
Consider B12 the guardian of your gray matter: In a British study, older people with the lowest levels of B12 lost brain volume at a faster rate over a span of five years than those with the highest levels.

 

The shortfall: Even though most men do consume the daily quota of 2.4 micrograms, the stats don't tell the whole story. "We're seeing an increase in B12 deficiencies due to interactions with medications," says Katherine Tucker, Ph.D., director of a USDA program at Tufts University. The culprits: acid-blocking drugs, such as Prilosec, and the diabetes medication metformin.

 

Hit the mark: You'll find B12 in lamb and salmon, but the most accessible source may be fortified cereals. That's because the B12 in meat is bound to proteins, and your stomach must produce acid to release and absorb it. Eat a bowl of 100 percent B12-boosted cereal and milk every morning and you'll be covered, even if you take the occasional acid-blocking med. However, if you pop Prilosec on a regular basis or are on metformin, talk to your doctor about tracking your B12 levels and possibly taking an additional supplement.

 4. POTASSIUM
Without this essential mineral, your heart couldn't beat, your muscles wouldn't contract, and your brain couldn't comprehend this sentence. Why? Potassium helps your cells use glucose for energy.

 

The shortfall: Despite potassium's can't-live-without-it importance, nutrition surveys indicate that young men consume just 60 percent to 70 percent of the recommended 4,700 mg a day. To make matters worse, most guys load up on sodium: High sodium can boost blood pressure, while normal potassium levels work to lower it, says Lydia A. L. Bazzano, M.D., Ph.D., an assistant professor of epidemiology at Tulane University.

Hit the mark: Half an avocado contains nearly 500 mg potassium, while one banana boasts roughly 400 mg. Not a fan of either fruit? Pick up some potatoes—a single large spud is packed with 1,600 mg. Most multivitamins have less than 100 mg of potassium, so eat your fruits and vegetables, folks!

 5. IODINE
Your thyroid gland requires iodine to produce the hormones T3 and T4, both of which help control how efficiently you burn calories. That means insufficient iodine may cause you to gain weight and feel fatigued.

 

The shortfall: Since iodized salt is an important source of the element, you might assume you're swimming in the stuff. But when University of Texas at Arlington researchers tested 88 samples of table salt, they found that half contained less than the FDA-recommended amount of iodine. And you're not making up the difference with all the salt hiding in processed foods—U.S. manufacturers aren't required to use iodized salt. The result is that we've been sliding toward iodine deficiency since the 1970s.

Hit the mark: Sprinkling more salt on top of an already sodium-packed diet isn't a great idea, but iodine can also be found in a nearly sodium-free source: milk. Animal feed is fortified with the element, meaning it travels from cows to your cereal bowl. Not a milk man? Eat at least one serving of eggs or yogurt a day; both are good sources of iodine.

 

Source: http://health.yahoo.net/experts/menshealth/5-nutrients-youre-not-getting-enough

 

Original Author Bill Phillips and the Editors of Men's Health

PCHRD develops anti-dengue solution from atis leaves

The fast rising cases of dengue victims and increase in mortality rate strike another headache to our government health officials. Most of dengue victims came from poor families that could hardly buy some mosquito repellant.   I found another article written by Danny O. Calleja  that would greatly help in preventing dengue cases, using the leaves of Atis that is locally available.   "Atis (Anona squamosa), a tropical plant that usually grows spontaneously in the Philippines, aside from bearing fruits of white, sweet, soft, juicy and mild agreeable flavored flesh, also yields leaves where government health researchers found extracts for the formulation of an effective anti-mosquito repellant.   As a result of its latest studies on atis, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) said it has came out with the Atis Lotion Mosquito Repellent that was formulated using the extracts of its leaves mixed with other locally available materials.   PCHRD, one of the five sectoral councils of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is a partnership-based national body responsible for coordinating and monitoring health research activities in the country. "This mosquito repellent will surely be a great help to the efforts of the government to address the dengue fever-menace currently spreading terror among residents especially school-age children in various parts of the country," Tomas Briñas, the regional director for Bicol of the DOST in announcing here Tuesday the PCHRD discovery.   It is not only against dengue, in fact, but against all mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and filariasis especially in areas of the country where incidence is high.   It also serves as a personal care product used in preventing mosquito bites that cause itchiness, inflammation and discomfort to individuals, he said. The repellent uses a washable, mineral oil - based formulation and its biodegrable since, it is derived from advantage against other well known repellents which are chemical based in formulation.   The Atis Lotion is composed of 10.125 percent mineral oil, 1.02 percent Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose, nine percent Propylene Glycol, 0.22 percent Methyl Paraben, 0.135 percent Propyl Paraben, 70 percent water and 10 percent plant extract, Briñas said.   Indeed, atis is considered as among the country's important crops given its various uses not only for food but more for natural medicines.   The leaves, bark and seeds contain alkaloid and chloroplatinate, a group of nitrogen-containing compounds that are physiologically active as poisons or drugs that are used as ingredients for medicines that kill lice, Briñas said. The flesh of the fruit, he said is reported to contain upwards of 10 percent of sugar, mostly glucose at 5.40 percent and some fructose of 3.60 percent. In the Philippines the leaves are applied as a poultice to children with dyspepsia. Crushed seeds with coconut oil are applied on the scalp to rid it of lice. A decoction of the seeds is used as an enema for the children with dyspepsia.   According to Sanyal and Ghose, externally the leaves, the unripe fruit, and the seeds which contain acrid principle possess vermicidal and insecticidal properties.   The crushed seeds, in a paste with water, are applied to the scalp to destroy lice.   The same is used as an abortifacient if applied to the uteri in pregnant women.   The bruised leaves, with salt, make a good cataplasm to induce suppuration and fresh leaves crushed between the fingers and applied to the nostrils cut shorts fits and fainting.   The ripe fruit, bruised and mixed with salt, is applied as a maturant to malignant tumors to hasten suppuration. The unripe fruit is astringent and is given in diarrhea, dysentery and atonic dyspepsia.   The bark, according to Briñas has been reported by Nadkarni as a powerful astringent and tonic to stop diarrhea. The leaves are used as an anthelmintic and its decoction for rheumatic baths to alleviate pain.   For infected insect bites, juice extract after pounding an unripe fruit is applied directly to affected parts three times a day to cure the infection. The seeds are considered a powerful irritant to the conjunctiva while the roots are considered a drastic purgative.   Atis tree is small that grows only three to five meters high. Its leaves are hairy when young, oblong, eight to 15 centimeters long, with a petiole one to 1.5 centimeters long.   Flowers occur singly in the axils of the leaves, about 2.5 cm long, pendulous, three-angled, light green to yellow.   Fruit is large, slightly heart-shaped, six to nine centimeters long, the outside with knobby polygonal tubercles. When ripe, the fruit is light yellowish-green The PCHRD studies also revealed that atis possesses anti-inflammatory properties as it yielded two new cyclic peptides, cyclosquamosin H and I, together with six known cyclic peptides, squamin A, squamin B, cyclosquamosin A, D E and cherimolacyclopeptide B from the seeds. Compound 7 showed an inhibitory effect on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.   Extracts of atis fruit pericarp was also tested for cytotoxic activity against Dalton 's lymphoma cells and HeLa cells.   The chloroform extract was found cytotoxic to the different cell lines tested and suggests the potential for AS fruit pericarp for the development of treatment for cancers.   The PCHRD said atis has an antihyperglycemic effect and alleviated liver and renal damage associated with STZ-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. The diabetic groups treated with aqueous leaf extract were compared with standard glibenclamide.   As hepatoprotective the study on diethylnitrosamine-induced liver injury in Swiss albino mice showed hepatoprotective effect, with improvement in biochemical parameters and confirmation by histopathological studies. The PCHRD also said that the ethanol crude extract of the fruit of atis for antimicrobial activity against some pathogenic microorganisms showed inhibitory activity against S aureus and S pneumoniae.   Results conclude the plant extract may serve as a valuable source of compounds with therapeutic antibiotic potentials.   Likewise, phytochemical study revealed the presence of quercetin in the atis seed extract and the results of the effects of quercetin suggest an involvement of this phytochemical in the mediation of antithyroidal activity, it added."   Source http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Health_21/PCHRD_develops_anti-dengue_solution_from_atis_leaves.shtml   #

Let’s fight Dengue

Aedes Mosquito

Dengue cases in the Philippines rise up at a very high level. The Department of Health (DoH) has recorded a 40% jump in dengue cases in the 1st 6 months of 2010 compared to the same period last year.

Based on available data, DoH said 25,283 cases have been recorded between January 1 and June 26 this year. Death cases also rapidly increase. People are trying anything they can do to prevent and cure dengue. Previously I have mention here the plant called mangagaw or tawa that said to help cure dengue. In our place mangagaw  or tawa is used as juice to prevent dengue specially during symptoms of fever.

Below is an article posted in the abs-cbnNEWS.com titled Can fruits really cure dengue? Posted at 07/19/2010 7:41 PM | Updated as of 07/21/2010 10:26 AM.

Papaya Tree

MANILA, Philippines - Papaya leaves can help dengue fever patients fully recover from their illness, a recent study showed.

Dr. Sanath Hettige, who conducted the research on 70 dengue fever patients, said papaya leaf juice helps increase white blood cells and platelets, normalizes clotting, and repairs the liver.

Speaking to Sri Lankan news agency Lankapuvath, Hettige said these are the main aspects of the body that are affected by dengue fever.

There is a condition to this remedy, however.

According to Hettige, the papaya leaf juice will not be as effective during the final stages of dengue fever since, by then, the patient's organs are already badly affected by the disease.

Given this, he suggested that patients consume the remedy as early as possible.

Juice recipe

Hettige said adults should consume 10 ml of fresh papaya leaf juice (without water, salt or sugar) twice a day, along with their prescribed medication, to get its full effect.

Kids aged between 5 and 12, meanwhile, were asked to take in 5 ml 2 times a day.

Here's how to make papaya leaf juice, as told by Hettige to Lankapuvath:

1. Take fresh, mature leaves from a papaya tree. Leaves from the "Red Lady" papaya (papaw) variety are more effective.

2. Wash the leaves with clean water.

3. Crush the leaves in a pestle, without water or salt.

4. Squeeze the crushed leaves to extract the juice.

Durian also a cure?

Durian Fruit

Durian, known for its distinct taste and odor, is also rumored to be a cure for dengue fever. Like papaya leaves, durian is said to do wonders to a patient's platelet count.

In a hospital in Davao City, several dengue patients are consuming the fruit in hopes of recovering from the disease, a local newspaper reported over the weekend.

The Department of Health, however, said that no study has been conducted yet on the efficacy of durian on dengue fever cases.

"There's no established proof yet," Dr. Jo-anne Lobo, specialist in infectious diseases among children, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Dengue fever is an acute illness caused by a bite of a striped Aedes aegypti mosquito. In the Philippines, dengue fever outbreaks usually occur during the rainy season, or from June to September.

Common symptoms include fever, headache, rashes, severe muscle pain, and a drop in platelet count. In extreme cases, hemorrhaging and death can follow.

These are all result of peoples initiative to help fight dengue. Specially there is no specific cure for dengue.

 Source http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/07/19/10/can-fruits-really-cure-dengue