Many substances can cause allergies in differing degrees for different people (each allergic condition is varied in reaction and severity). Many people do not have allergies at all, yet others suffer greatly from foods and exposure to environmental elements. It is not only physically uncomfortable or dangerous, but also emotionally unsettling. After all, who wants to have to avoid eating delicious foods or skip out on outdoor activities with their friends?

Certain people have such severe allergies that they cannot be exposed to the allergen at all. Allergic reactions can be so bad as causing coma or even fatality. This is a terrible circumstance, because the individual will often live in fear whenever they are near any threatening substance or environment.

Any substance is virtually considered an allergen and this makes it hard for some people to avoid those because, at first they don't even know that they're allergic to these allergens. One of the most common symptoms of allergic reactions is itching and if you constantly fear that you will break into itching at the onset of eating new foods please ensure that you take proper medication prior to consumption.

Fortunately, there are many Ayurvedic allergy herbs which are known to be effective as treatment to itching. These herbs are all natural and safe for prolonged use. These herbs should be tried by everyone prior to the consumption of conventional and commercial medication.

One of the herbs used to treat itching is babul. The bark of this plant is very effective in controlling severe itching of the skin that may be caused by allergies. It is also a good treatment for other related skin problems which makes it an all-around great medicinal herb. Another native plant that is effective in treating the itch is the butea. The seeds of this herb have been used for many years as an effective treatment in controlling itchiness due to allergies as well as due to a variety of skin diseases. Skin problems that are treated with the butea seeds include ringworm, eczema and scabies among many other things.

Of course, there are a plethora of herbs available that treat itchiness related to allergic reactions. These therapeutic herbs include cassia leaves, madhuca, linseed, and holy basil leaves.

AlgrCare is potentially the best Ayurvedic allergy treatment available; this powerful herbal formula includes Kantkari, Ardusi, Tulsi, Yastimadhu, Haridra, Mari, Piperimul, Vansakapur, Laving, Taj, and Elaichi. These ancient herbs are effective and safe and can be used sparingly to finally remove the itchiness caused by allergies as well as many other related symptoms including fever, watery eyes, and inflammation. There are also no side-effects with AlgrCare, making it a relieving alternative for the many people who suffer from using allergy medications.

Nicole Kerala has been studying Ayurveda and alternative medicine for over 10 years. Nicole has found that using ayurvedic herbal remedies has helped countless people to enhance their quality of life. More information about Ayurvedic herbal treatments can be seen here: Natural Ayurvedic Care

categories: allergies,herbal remedies,alternative medicine,natural cures,natural medicine,herbal products,herbs,organic,health and wellness,medicine

All species of medicinal mushrooms appear haunted by this issue. Particularly so, it seems, is red reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), the oldest medicinal mushroom in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Please note, however, that the information in this article applies generally to all medicinal mushroom species.

First off, stay clear of cheap, mass-produced medicinal mushrooms. If they are just dried and pulverized, then the medicinal compounds are still inaccessible behind the mushrooms' cell-walls. You'll be wasting your money on inert matter.

There are many real therapeutic brands on the market, though. But even among them, there are significant differences. They all claim to be the best, naturally, because they all want to sell their particular brand. So let's sift the data, get the facts straight, and clear up misleading information that is out there.

Following are the three primary ways of creating reishi extracts. Each method yields different medicinal compounds, all of which are shown in scientific studies to have important properties.

1. Hot Water Extraction (polysaccharides, etc.)

2. Alcohol/Ethanol Extraction (triterpenoids, etc.)

3. Fermenting (arabinoxylanes, etc.)

The water soluble compounds, primarily polysaccharides, are powerful anti-tumor agents, immune enhancers and strong antioxidants. [1]

Through alcohol extraction, we get triterpenoids, a large group of lipids with many sub-groups. Research shows triterpenoids help regulate clotting, blood pressure and cholesterol. More importantly, they are the anti-inflammatory compounds that are the reason why reishi often gets recommended for arthritis, asthma and allergies. [1]

Finally, by fermenting the red reishi, the original medicinal compounds break down to form new compounds with unique healing properties. These "secondary metabolites" have among other things been shown to be immune enhancing and help regulate blood sugar, as well as having unique anti-tumor properties. [2]

This article is intended to give general guidelines to help you choose an effective reishi product, not to recommend any particular brand. But there are at least two reishi companies on the market which both state only hot water extract is useful while alcohol extracts are of no value.

Naturally, the reason they say so is because they want to sell their own brand. However, those statements are scientifically untrue. Hot water and alcohol extractions both contain critical compounds.

To find the best red reishi products, look for those brands that use at least the first two extraction methods in combination: Hot Water Extraction and Alcohol Extraction. Better yet would be brands that incorporate all three extraction methods, including Fermentation.

As a last point, when you look for the best reishi extract, one thing to look at is the form it comes in. For example, any reishi extract that fully dissolves in a water-based liquid such as coffee probably only contains hot water extracted reishi. So while reishi/ganoderma coffee certainly makes for a superbly delicious and healthy cup loaded with polysaccharides, it won't include the important anti-inflammatory triterpenoids.

On the other hand, alcohol tinctures can actually contain both water soluble polysaccharides and alcohol soluble triterpenoids. The way you know is that the polysaccharides will fall out of solution because of the alcohol, and will make the tincture cloudy. That's alright though; you just need to shake before you take. Capsules and tablets may be one or the other or both. The only way to know is ask the manufacturer or read their information.

[1] Boh B, Berovic M, Zhang J, Zhi-Bin L, 2007. "Ganoderma lucidum and its pharmaceutically active compounds." Biotechnology Annu Rev 13:265-301.

[2] Tang YJ, Zhang W, Zhong JJ. "Performance analyses of a pH-shift and DOT-shift integrated fed-batch fermentation process for the production of ganoderic acid and Ganoderma polysaccharides by medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum." Bioresour Technol. 2009 Mar;100(5):1852-9.

Dr. Rafael has worked with natural health since the 1990's, recently focusing on medicinal mushrooms. He partners with Davida Sara on premium reishi extract and cordyceps extract plus the newly popular mesima mushroom and more.

categories: herbs,herbal,supplements,wellness,nutrition,medicine,allergy,arthritis,asthma,diabetes,blood pressure,cancer,disease,self help