Elm trees are native to eastern North America from Canada to Georgia, from Texas to Minnesota, but especially in the Appalachian Mountain region. The slippery elm is less susceptible to the Dutch elm disease that ravaged so many of the other species. It is also called red elm, Indian elm, moose elm, and sweet elm.

The Slippery Elm grows to a height of 30 to 60 feet. The leaves are about 6 inches long, growing alternately on the branch, and have a rough texture and coarsely double-serrated edges. The flowers appear before the leaves in early spring in clusters of ten to twenty. The fruit is half an inch long containing a single central seed. Slippery Elm may be distinguished from American Elm by the hairiness of the buds and twigs and by the very short-stalked flowers.

Slippery Elm has been the object of poachers because of the $23 billion dollar bulk herbs industry in the United States. From mid June to early July the bark is slippery and easy to peel. The trees are stripped and left to die while the bark is sold for great profit.

One illegal and immoral use of the bark is as an abortafaciant. Longer pieces of the bark are moistened with water, then inserted into a pregnant woman’s uterus. Drugs from the bark are said to induce an abortion. This practice resulted in so called “Elm Stick Laws” in many states limiting the size of the bark sold. Because of this possible effect, pregnant or lactating women should avoid using slippery elm. There are no other documented hazards in taking the herb.

Elm was used by colonists to make pudding, to thicken jelly, to preserve grease, and as a survival food on long trips. It was used medicinally to treat toothaches, skin injuries, gout, arthritis, stomachaches, coughs, and intestinal worms.

The inner slippery elm bark was also used to waterproof canoes, baskets, and dwellings. It can be made into a gruel. In times of famine, early American settlers used it as a survival food; George Washington and his troops survived for several days on slippery elm gruel during their bitter winter at Valley Forge.

The fibrous inner bark is a strong and durable fiber, which can be spun into thread, twine or rope. It can be used for bowstrings, ropes, jewelry, clothing, snowshoe bindings, woven mats, and can even be used in some musical instruments. The wood was used for the hubs of wagon wheels, as it is very shock resistant because of the wood’s interlocking grain. Once cured, the wood is also excellent for making matchless fires with the bow drill method, for the wood grinds into a very fine, flammable powder under friction.

Taken internally, slippery elm bark is used to relieve gastrointestinal conditions, ulcers, and respiratory irritations. The bark also contains a substance that is used by some as a remedy for sore throats or as a cough medicine. External uses include treatment of skin conditions, vaginitis, and hemorrhoids. It will also make the skin smoother and softener.

The recommended dosage is three 500 mg capsules daily for adults. Tea can be made with one part slippery elm powder to eight parts water. It can also be added to oatmeal or juice. For a poultice, add coarse powdered bark to boiling water. Apply to the needed area when cool. For children, remember that herbal dosages are generally calculated for a 150 lb adult. If a child weighs 50 lb, the correct dose is 1/3 of the adult dosage.

Get more information about slippery elm bark uses now by browsing BulkHerbBenefits.com today!

Elderberries are small, dark berries that grow in clusters on elder trees (also called elderberry bushes). The European Elder is found in temperate climates across Europe and North America. It is a hardy plant often growing in the moist soil along roadsides and streams.

Elderberry bushes are fast-growing and have compound leaves and tightly clustered bunches of tiny white flowers in late spring, followed by clusters of berries in late summer. The European elderberries are black to dark blue, and are most frequently used in recipes, extracts, and syrups. The American Elder, also popular, is said to be slightly sweeter. It is found most anywhere east of the Rockies. Some species have life spans between 80 and 100 years. But let’s explore more elderberry benefits both in history and today.

For centuries, the elderberry herb has been used in folk medicine for a variety of ills, including arthritis, asthma, constipation, and as a cure for the common cold. In 400 B.C., Hippocrates referred to the elderberry as his “medicine chest.”
Elderberries contain potassium and large amounts of vitamin C, and have been proven in quite a few recent studies to strengthen the immune system.

Elderberries are also a great source of anthocyanins, containing three times as much as carotenoids. These are powerful antioxidants that protect cells from damage caused by environmental toxins, poor diet, and stress. They also reduce the damaging effects of bad cholesterol and discourage platelets from sticking to blood vessel walls, thus reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

Elderberries actually enhance night vision because they make rhodopsin or visual purple in the eyes. This helps in seeing in reduced lighting. It also helps in dealing with stress according to recent studies.

The white flowers of the elderberry bush may be pressed into tonics, lightly battered and fried into fritters, or stirred into muffin or sponge cake mix for a light, sweet flavor. Elderberry may be purchased either as a juice or juice ingredient, and as a dietary supplement. Suggested dosage is 400 mg of a 6 percent anthocyanin extract daily.

The ripe berries, cleaned and cooked, can be made into many things: extracts, syrups, pies, jams, or used as garnish, dye, or flavoring. Some eat them uncooked but they do contain toxins and it is better to be safe by washing and cooking them before eating. Also, elderberries are bitter and need sweetener to be palatable. Many like to cook them with other fruit like apples or pears to sweeten them. The tiny seeds in the berry leave a gritty taste, even after cooking, but the seeds are safe.

The red-berried elder contains toxins and is best avoided. Stick with blue, black, or dark purple elderberries, and leave the reds alone. And remember, the leaves, twigs, stems, roots, and unripe berries of all elderberry plants are not edible, and contain toxins that can make a person quite sick.

There are many ways you can enjoy the power of elderberries. The important thing is to make sure the form in which you buy elderberries will give you all the benefits it offers.

It would appear that the laser profession and removal of hair by laser market are tending to be driven by market forces, with minimum air space given to medical findings. So what information should you have about possible laser hair removal risks? This article gives you the insight you need.

Scarring
Laser scarring has been the most feared side effect of laser hair removal but thanks to the modern technology of Q switched and pulsed lasers, the incidence of scarring is now minimal.

Hyper Pigmentation
Whichever the type of laser used, there may be hyper pigmentation of skin after applying lasers. In this reaction the skin becomes darker due to increased pigment deposition. Usually tanned skin has a greater chance to develop this. The good news is that it can be effectively treated with the use of bleaching materials and fades quickly.

Hypo Pigmentation
Lightening of the skin, or hypo pigmentation, can be experienced, mainly in tanned skin types and where there are a large number of exposures to laser procedures. It normally fades quickly; permanent hypo pigmentation is rarely documented. This problem is mostly experienced with use of alexandrite, Q-switched ruby and Nd:YAG lasers.

Injury to Eye
Laser eye safety is vitally important during any treatment involving lasers. To safeguard yourself from any damage to the eyes, wavelength-specific laser safety eye protection gear must be employed by both operators and customers.

Tattoo Darkening
If you have tattoos in the area of the body being treated, you should be aware that darkening is sometimes experienced and discuss this with your physician before undergoing laser procedures.

Crusting of the Skin
10% of customers treated for removal of hair by laser with long-pulsed ruby and alexandrite lasers may develop crusting. This is normally due to repeatedly over treating an area of the body with laser. For these customers, appropriate post treatment care is very much recommended in order to avoid further problems.

Post-Laser Infections
Wound infection is uncommon after laser procedures. If by chance any wounds can be seen on the skin after removal of hair by laser, infection can be avoided with antibiotic and anti viral materials.

Reddening
The skin may be briefly reddened after significant laser exposure. It is one of the minor side effects of laser hair removal. Proper cooling and the use of appropriate exposure time during the treatment minimizes this problem.
Skin Blistering
With the invention of new and efficient cooling equipment, blistering has been almost eliminated as a risk effect of laser hair removal. Tissue cooling can be carried out through a contact chill tip or freezing spray to safeguard the skin. These measures serve to safeguard the skin from over heating.

How Concerned Should You Be?
removal of hair by laser is an vitally safe treatment; the problem we have described are very uncommon. To keep yourself as safeguarded as possible, always use a reputable laser clinic with a physician you can trust, and you will most likely encounter no side effects of laser hair removal at all!

Ingrid Preube
laser hair reduction

Aloe Drinks - Aloe Vera - Health Benefits Of Aloe Vera

Are you looking for the health benefits of Aloe Vera?

In this article, I will tell you about the benefits of Aloe Vera and it’s other positive uses.

The benefits of aloe vera are manifold. There are large numbers of health benefits of aloe vera plant that has been utilized for medical purposes in all over the world from about 3500 years old. For most people, the health benefits of aloe vera juice outweigh any risks, however it is important to use this supplement wisely and pay careful attention to your body’s responses to it. One of the most important health benefits of aloe vera juice is its operation as an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent, helping to prevent the onset of disease in the body. Although the benefits of aloe vera are very useful for skin disorders, the juice is used in cases of people suffering from heartburn, ulcers and other digestive disorders. Aloe Vera has been shown to have various beneficial effects on the body.

Ancient records show that the benefits of Aloe Vera have been known for centuries. Some of the health benefits of Aloe Vera Juice are that it actually keeps the stomach acids evenly balanced and prevents less stomach aches. In Pakistan, the advantages of aloe vera have been recognized for hundreds of years. When looking at the benefits of Aloe Vera you will find that the gel from the leaves can be used to heal the problem you are having with skin irritations or you can simply by the creams, lotions, soaps, and gels sold in products at the store. You will also find the benefits of Aloe Vera juice help regulate your body so that it is balanced without having to figure out what nutrients you are missing. Modern science has yet to prove conclusively the benefits of Aloe Vera juice but you can actually find evidence of its effectiveness dating back many generations. Many practitioners of colonic irrigation have found that one of the use of Aloe Vera juice is that it facilitates the process. Another of the health benefits of aloe vera is that aloe vera is full of lots of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that may even help strengthen the immune system. If you do a quick search through various Internet sites, you’ll quickly discover that the benefits of Aloe Vera juice cover a large range of possibilities.

Aloe Vera is also very efficient in the treatment of acne, it can be used as a natural acne treatment product as it reduces acne a lot, many products are mainly using Aloe Vera as a natural herb.Therefore, in my humble opinion, the benefits of Aloe Vera juice do not measure up to the possible side effects and possible risks.

Do you know that Acne and other skin problems can be healed by using Aloe Vera products?
Visit my blog: http://www.aloeveratips.com and get the latest information and tips on using Aloe Vera and Aloe Vera Products. => How to Make Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Vera Juice Drink: Drink Aloe Vera Juice for Less Constipation

Aloe vera juice is the liquid that comes out of the aloe vera plant when cut or squeezed. For hundreds and probably thousands of years, it has been used medicinally as a soothing balm for burns, cuts and scrapes. Today it is used for the same purposes, and also many more. I love aloe vera juice of gel for sunburn treatment, and I also find it makes a great skin protector to be used after shaving or on dry patches of skin.

Aloe vera juice has more recently become very popular as a drink and for use internally. By drinking 2-4 oz twice a day, aloe vera juice can alleviate or eliminate your constipation. It is a strong laxative when used in strong concentrations. You can also help your constipation when taking it in capsules. Look for aloe capsules or drinks that have other herbs to tone down its strong effect in the colon.

Aloe is also packed with vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients. This array of nutrients gives it its natural healing power.

There are some aloe vera juice and herbal combinations that you can drink to help soothe an upset stomach. Since aloe is good for skin repairs it is also good for internal tissue breaks. If you have an ulcer or tissue breaks in the esophagus or stomach lining, using aloe will probably give you a little bit of pain until it heals that area.

Most of us know that aloe vera is excellent for treatment of minor cuts and scrapes, burns and also sunburn. It is used in all kinds of cosmetics and I like to have a bottle 99% pure aloe for emergencies and of course to apply on my face and hair before bedtime.

If you drink aloe vera juice, here are some of the benefits you can expect:

-Good for blood circulation

-Benefits and regulates blood pressure

-Good for disorders of the bones and joints

-Benefits the immune system

-Defends the body against hostile organisms

-Provides exceptional nutritional value for health and energy

-Excellent for healing tissue damage inside the body

Using aloe vera juice for stomach problems is a wise idea. It has a long history of helping people with a variety of skin and internal problems. Its use for skin repair is one of its major properties.

Aside from juice, aloe is also available in powder but it is not recommended since its nutritional is decreased. When you buy aloe, you only want 100% stabilized aloe gel drinks, which are packaged in containers that block light. Light and oxygen deteriorate the properties of aloe.

Check your aloe label to see if it has been manufactured in your country. In the US, those products manufactured out side of the US do not always have good manufacturing practices and produce aloe of lower quality and of questionable value.

Use a good quality aloe that only contains the gel center of the plant and not the whole leaf. If you have constipation then drinking the juice, or adding some gel to your smoothies, or taking capsules of aloe will quickly give you relief. If you take to much aloe, you may experience some cramps, so just back off on the amount used and try again.

Rudy Silva, trained in Physics and Nutrition, gives you tips and information on how you can keep your colon working naturally and free of constipation. Go here for more information: http://www.remedies-for-constipation.com

Click here to get detailed information about Aloe Vera Amp

Aloe Vera information for all.

You’re Leaving At Last!
The preparations have been made, the excitement is running high, you’ve waited for months and at last it has arrived - your dream holiday come true! You can’t wait to get on the flight and slump into your seat while the stewardess does all the serving.

Mummy I want to be sick!

If you have ever faced a similar situation you will probably travel with an armoury of medicines in your luggage. Illness before or early on in your holiday can wreck a year or more of planning, not to mention the excitement and anticipation built up in the final weeks of waiting, eventually spoiling what should have been a well-earned break.
Even if you don’t have children, when your own body is taken out of the stress of the office it may succumb to opportunistic infections as it ramps down from fight or flight mode to restore itself. This is even more likely if you are holidaying in a remote location where your immune system is not used to killing the local viral/bacterial strains.

How do you support your immune system?
Comprehensive advice on vaccinations and emergency procedures for dangerous exotic diseases is freely available but what universal over-the-counter healthy product can one take, without unpleasant side-effects, to prevent the most common travel bugs from taking hold? After all they have just as much potential to turn a relaxing holiday home into an expensive away-from-home sick-bay and spoil all the would-be pleasant memories.

Olive Leaf Extract is one such herbal product, available in liquid and capsule forms for different applications. Apart from being effective against a wide range of pathogens, olive leaf extract has no harmful side-effects and has a multitude of other benefits, some of which have only recently been rediscovered by modern man, although used for centuries by the ancients. Not only can it be taken when sicknesss strikes, it can be taken beforehand to downgrade an attack when it comes.

A spicy gourmet meal.
Now picture going out for an exciting, romantic meal in a faraway country, only to discover too late the food is well seasoned for reasons other than taste - a little over the eat-by date! You know trouble is on the way, and romance is on the way out! This is an occasion designed for Olive Leaf Extract tincture.

Is there research to support all this?
Absolutely! Olive Leaf Extract has been shown in the laboratory to kill or inhibit a wide range of bacteria, viruses and fungi and because of this it is the ideal preventative against germs even before they have been taken on board, making the situations described above treatable before they have a chance to become a problem. More often than not, if correctly taken, Olive Leaf weakens the attack to the point where your immune system can easily deal with it and your holiday can continue without missing a beat. In other cases the infection is toned down to the degree that a day or two of taking olive leaf extract and resting is all it takes to have you well again. Generally only a very small number of cases have to ever be referred to the local pharmacy or doctor.

To learn how to take Olive Leaf Extract tinctures and capsules to increase your immunity and prevent the above situations click any of the coloured links above.