How To-8: "How to Become a Herbalist"

How to Become a Herbalist

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

A herbalist is a person who studies herbal medicine, the healing properties of plants, as it is practiced in traditional China and Western cultures. In written records, the study of herbs dates back over 5,000 years to the Sumerians, amongst the earliest civilizations of the world. Traditional practices of herbalism remain in modern societies, China (Chinese herbology) for instance. With all the ills besetting us today, people are seeking a kinder, gentler way to heal, which is why there is a movement towards alternative methods of treating diseases and conditions. One of the most popular approaches is herbalism. Should you become a professional herbalist, it will be an amazing career - and one that's growing all the time.

Steps

1. Culture an interest in herbalism. It is not impossible to begin training in herbal studies without prerequisites, but a basic understanding of herbs and other botanical systems will allow a helping hand through your future. If you are still in high school, pay attention to your biology classes. Likewise, an interest in other aspects of science and a love of the outdoor environment are wise paths to travel before engaging in this career path.
   
2. Obtain recognized training as a herbalist. A career in herbalism can be pursued formally or informally, depending on the way in which you intend to practice herbalism.
   
   • If you're pursuing recognition as a folk herbalist within a limited or informal group of people (such as an indigenous group), find out what the standards are as set by the group and fulfill them.
     
   • If you wish to become a professional herbalist with broadly recognized credentials, there are many courses and diplomas offered around the world by leading universities and other educational facilities that you are able to choose from and work towards. No matter which path you choose, verify beforehand that the coursework can be applied towards certification by a peer-reviewed organization such as:
     
     • The American Herbalists Guild, Registered Herbalist (RH) designation[1]
       
     • The National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Diplomate in Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM)" or "Diplomate in Chinese Herbology (NCCAOM)" designation[2]
       
     • National Institute of Medical Herbalists (UK)[3]
       
     
     
   • You can also practice herbalism as a naturopathic physician by passing a series of rigorous exams and fulfilling academic and clinical requirements similar to those of a medical doctor (versus a traditional naturopath, who has no widely recognized standards to meet).
     
   
   
3. Choose your location wisely. You might be tempted to stay in the town or city where you were trained as a herbalist, but competition there is likely to be fierce.[4]
   
4. Consider entering a partnership. You can practice alone or with other herbalists or healers. Income potential is higher if you practice alone, but so are costs. Starting a private practice can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 and it may be up to three years before you turn a profit, whereas in a joint partnership you get support from your colleagues, increased referrals (if you work in a clinic), and shared overhead, health insurance, malpractice insurance, and other costs.[4]
   
5. Take precautions. What will happen if a patient sues you? Consider malpractice insurance if you're licensed or professional liability insurance if you're not. If you work from home, look into any additional insurance needed (such as "slip and fall" liability insurance") and zoning regulations in your neighborhood.
   
6. Study the relevant knowledge areas of knowledge that distinguish a professional herbalist.
   
   • The foundation of the herbal theory; the first uses of plants for medicinal purposes through anthropological history. Evidence from 60,000 years ago suggests Neanderthals used medicinal plants. More recently, written records from 5,000 years ago describe the well-established use of plants such as thyme and caraway as natural medicine. Today, traditional Chinese herbology still occurs from the times of the dynasties.
     
   • Specific remedies for different conditions; herbal therapeutics; the use of food and herbs in health and healing. There are many scientific orders, classes and families to understand and master. A typical herbalist prescribes specific herbs in tincture, fluid extract, capsule or tea form and may suggest dietary changes, exercises and other therapies to help the healing process. We can also inadvertently treat our body with herbs. The ingredient caffeine that gives us a mild lift which is familiarized with the cola/coke soft drink , for instance, is from the herbal motif of alkaloids. On the other hand, different types of alkaloids such as datura can lead to severe intoxication and eventually death. Remember, constructing a career in herbalism requires a concise background of biological origins.
     
   • Providing essential principles of herbs including diet and energy; teaching the principles of disease and diagnosis within multiple frameworks of medical systems; teaching herbal preparation, therapeutics and formula. Herbalism is all about how to use herbs for yourself and for everyone's good, and is a lifelong process. Herbs are a natural way to treat illnesses, and most taken for treatment will pass harmlessly through the system if needed for our body. We can't say the same for drug prescriptions which are stored in the liver and other organs, and eventually our bodies stop responding to certain drugs that may have been lifesavers if used for emergency treatment only. The uses and effects of herbs in medicinal practice are important principals. Signatures play a main part in determining the characteristics in herbs, and these can be color, root structure, fissures in the bark of certain trees and vines which are considered good herbs to use to remedy the blood system. Sometimes, just the name alone can indicate particular herbs, such as heartseye, eyebright, cancer root and throat root. Principals of herbs are a major source of the spiritual qualities of herbs and what defines a medicine.
     
   
   

Tips

• Investigate any school/university before enrolling. Research and even visit once or twice to roam the grounds to get to grips with the environment you will be studying at. To gain a first hand look into herbs it is best to enroll in a specific educational program of herbal studies which has access to a plethora of botanical enlightenments. These could be herb gardens, greenhouses and native forest which are readily accessible to use for an effective and realistic understanding of the scientific aspects of herbalism.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Become a Doctor
  
• How to Be a Plant Doctor
  
• How to Herbalise Your Horse
  
• How to Cultivate Herbs
  
• How to Grow an Herbal Tea Garden
  

Sources and Citations

• Washington State University Mesopotamia: The Sumerians
  
• Wikipedia Herbalism
  
• Institute of Natural Healing Diploma: Become a Herbalist
  
• Institute of Natural Healing Medical Herbalist Courses
  
• Education Portal Career Degrees to Become a Herbalist
  
• Internet Health Library Medical Herbalism
  
• Witchcraft and Wicca with Welsh Paganism Herbalism and Herbology
  
• Google Book Search Herbal Homoe Recipes
  

1. ↑ http://www.americanherbalistsguild.com/membership/professional


2. ↑ http://www.nccaom.org/examinfo.htm


3. ↑ http://www.nimh.org.uk/accreditation.html


4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_4_33/ai_100732362/pg_5

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Become a Herbalist. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To-7: "How to Eat for Longevity"

How to Eat for Longevity

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

A proper nutrition helps prevent premature aging. In addition to it boosts the immune system.

Steps

The immune system is vital to repair and maintain body tissues and keep organs working for Wounds heal fast in any part of the body. Nutrition is considered by many the core of alternative medicine On the other hand a weak immune system would compromise the individual's health to a great extent. A good nutrition Improves cardiovascular function. Besides exercise, weight control, not smoking and other factors, nutrition plays an important role in the preservation of health. It is mother nature’s medicine Food also rebuilds brain power. It renews brain cells that make it possible to preserve the ability of reaction time, perceptual speed, and fluency with words to mention a few. In conclusion a healthy diet is essential to live a longer, productive and happy life.

A wholesome diet.

1. Food supplements
   
2. Vegetables
   
3. Meat
   
4. Milk
   
5. Fruits
   
6. Oils.
   
7. Grains
   
8. Get whole grains only. Complete kernels, germ, and endosperm.
   
9. See examples:
   
10. Brown rice
    
11. Bulgur. 'Cracked wheat'.
    
12. Oatmeal
    
13. Whole corn kernel
    
14. Whole wheat flower
    
15. Eat vegetables raw or slightly cooked. Vegetables lose
    
16. Vitamins and other nutritional properties as they are cooked at high temperatures. It is always best to serve meals made from Fresh ingredients. Not frozen or canned ingredients. Include the following categories:
    

I. Dark green vegetables.

1. • Spinach
   
2. • Broccoli
   
3. • Water crest and more.
   

II. Orange vegetables.

1. • Pumpkin and more
   
2. • Carrots
   
3. • Acorn squash
   

III. Dry beans and peas.

1. • Soy Beans
   
2. • Black beans
   
3. • Split peas.
   

IV. Other vegetables.

1. • Artichokes
   
2. • Asparagus
   
3. • Bean sprouts
   
4. There is a large variety of delicious colorful fruits. Their fine aroma,
   
5. AND flavors make them most desirable.
   

V. Fruits.

1. • Avocado
   
2. • Melon
   
3. • Apples
   
4. • Apricots
   
5. • Grapes
   
6. • Grapefruit
   
7. • Blueberries
   
8. • Avocado
   
9. • Mangoes
   
10. • Lemon
    
11. • Bananas
    
12. • Cantaloupe
    
13. • Honey dew
    

VI. Milk.

1. Select fat-free or low-fat milk, yogurt, and cheese. If You must avoid lactose, you may wish to chose soy milk. Soy Milk is available in most food stores.
   

VII. Meat.

1. When possible avoid red meat consumption. And when you do, select the leanest cuts. Note: When cooking stew, boil the meat and discard the greasy water before stew preparation. This detail prevents the accumulation of unnecessary fat in the body. Always remove the skin of chicken before cooking. There is usually a thick layer of fat under it.
   

VIII. Oils.

1. Allow me to mention here the fact that in many cases you don’t need to add oil to your daily diet. You and your family receive the oils from beans, avocados and nuts. Again if you must use oil, do it sparingly.
   

IX. Food supplements.

1. Minerals.
   
2. Calcium.
   
3. It is essential to almost every function of the body. The most abundant mineral in the body. The average man has about three
   
4. pounds of calcium and the average woman, has holds two pounds. A great portion of the calcium is stored in the skeleton. And when you don't take calcium orally as a food supplement, your body borrows it from the bones, making them more prone to brake when you fall. This is why one must supply calcium every day. And one must do this throughout the lifetime. Especially necessary during the Growing years, during pregnancy, and breast feeding. The lack of calcium in combination with the presence of high sodium may lead to a high risk of hypertension. Plus lack of calcium can cause the loss of calcium from the bone (especially in the jaw and the backbone), which can give structural deformities. Plus, deficiency of calcium can cause extreme nerve sensitivity, muscle spasms, and muscle cramps. Calcium is one of the main food supplements required for your good health. In short, you must include this mineral in your food supplements.
   
5. Vitamins
   
6. B-9 Folacin. Folic acid is essential for DNA synthesis and growth of the cells also is important for red blood cell formation. It helps in energy production as well as the formation of amino acids. Folic acid is essential for forming HEME. By the way, ‘Heme’ is the substance with iron in hemoglobin. This substance is vital for oxygen transport. It makes possible the division of healthy cells and multiplication. Also plays a roll as coenzyme for RNA and DNA synthesis. B-9 Folacin is also required for protein metabolism and in treating anemia. Good digestions are possible in part to folic acid. What’s left to say? It is also basic in the rejuvenation of the nervous system plus works at improving mental as well as emotional health. Folic acid is very important in the development of the nervous system of a developing fetus. In conclusion this nutrient may be effective in treating depression and anxiety. What are the symptoms of B-9 deficiencies? Diarrhea could be a symptom of shortage of folic acid. The same goes for heartburn and constipation. In addition, the mother to be should by all means include this food supplement in her diet since deficiency of folic acid on an unborn baby may increase the risk of the baby being born with spinal bifida and other severe deficiencies in the nervous system. I will go as far to mention that when there is a deficiency of folic acid, you might suffer from low energy, acne, a sore tongue, cracking in the corners of the mouth. I hope the aforesaid shall be convincing enough for you to go ahead and include in your diet B-vitamin as one of your food supplements. After all your good health is your family'sprimary concern.
   
7. B Vitamin.
   
8. There are eight individual vitamins in the B vitamins group. We often call them B-complex. The B vitamins work together to enhance the metabolism, to improve the immune system and the nerves. Vitamin B keeps the skin and muscles in a healthy condition, encouraging the cells to grow and multiply.
   
9. Vitamin B1 - Thiamine is important in the production of energy.
   
10. Vitamin b2 – Riboflavin, needed by the body for health, growth and human reproduction. Present in lean meats, eggs, legumes, nuts, green leafy vegetables, dairy products, and milk.
    
11. B3 – Niacin. A deficiency of niacin causes pellagra. The symptoms include inflamed skin, digestive troubles, and mental infirmities.
    
12. B-6 Pyridoxine. Helps the immune system. Contributes to maintain normal brain functions and in the formation of red blood cells. It is also important in the chemical reactions of proteins. The more protein we eat, the more the body uses Pyridoxine.
    

IX. Water.

1. It is possible to be overfed and and undernourished at the same time. One of the functions of water is to transport the nutrients throughout the entire body, including the brain, eyes and bones.
   
2. Now most physicians are prescribing nutritional changes, food supplements, and stress reduction excersise for health maintenance.
   

Tips

• The human body needs an average of 8 glasses of water per day.
  

Warnings

• Consult your Doctor before starting a diet program.
  

Things You'll Need

• Be always health consious.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Achieve Great Exercise Results
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Eat for Longevity. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To-6: "How to Live a More Environmentally Friendly Lifestyle"

How to Live a More Environmentally Friendly Lifestyle

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Here are some low-budget, easy tips (beyond the ordinary) on how to decrease your ecological footprint. Also included are how these steps will help you, the environment, and those of us who need to live in it.

Steps

1. Consider decreasing your meat consumption. More land has to be put into agricultural production to produce meat than to produce plant products. This means less "nature" for us to play in and wildlife to live in and more http://www.mbayaq.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/download.asp
   
2. (Women) Use a menstrual cup or cloth pads. This will really decrease the amount of waste you put into landfills each month. Menstrual cups are easy to use and very portable. Cloth pads take a little more effort, but less than you might think. And, while reusable products are a little expensive at first, in the long run they save you money. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menstrual_cup) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloth_menstrual_pads)
   
3. Don't take notes in notebooks. Use a three ring binder and take notes on the back of paper that needs to be recycled. Recycle after it has writing on both sides. This will save energy that goes into recycling and slow global warming.
   
4. Buy some canvas bags and use them at the grocery store. Keep them in your car so you don't forget to bring them. Alternatively use the plastic grocery bags as trash bags for small cans.
   
5. Buy food from the bulk bins at your local health food store. Most food in those stores is more expensive but the bulk bins and bulk spices are often cheaper than grocery store equivalents and use less packaging. Bulk pollution from agriculture.
   
6. Be particular about the fish you eat. Many fish are over harvested or their capture has negative impacts on ocean ecosystems. You can download a regional seafood guide from the Monterrey Bay Aquarium at bins are a great place to begin exploring meat-free options such as textured vegetable protein.
   
7. Reuse things when they break. Reusing things instead of throwing them away will result in less garbage in landfills and less resource consumption.
   

Related wikiHows

• How to Buy and Use a Menstrual Cup
  
• How to Safely Get Rid of an Old Computer
  
• How to Freecycle
  
• How to Get Rid of Old Books
  
• How to Reduce Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  
• How to Use Your Roof As a Space Heater
  
• How to Take Action to Reduce Global Warming
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Live a More Environmentally Friendly Lifestyle. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To-5: "How to Increase Your Metabolism"

How to Increase Your Metabolism

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

If you're trying to lose weight and think your metabolism might be the culprit, there are changes you can make to improve it. But with the commercialism surrounding "metabolism-enhancing" products, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction (or advertising) and pin down techniques that are scientifically proven to change one's metabolism.

Steps

1. Understand what metabolism is. In the simplest terms, metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories. The rate differs significantly from person to person. You and your friend can have the same activity level, diet, and weight but still gain or lose weight at different rates based on differences in metabolism.
   
2. Determine what is influencing your metabolism. There are some factors that you can change, and some factors that you can't.
   
   • Age - metabolism slows 5% per decade after age 40[1]
     
   • Sex - men generally burn calories faster than women[1]
     
   • Heredity - you can inherit your metabolic rate from previous generations[1]
     
   • Thyroid disorder - problems in the thyroid gland can slow or quicken metabolism but this is rare[1]
     
   • Proportion of lean body mass - metabolism increases with muscle mass[1]
     
   
   
3. Calculate your resting metabolic rate (RMR). RMR is often used interchangeably with basal metabolic rate (BMR); although they are slightly different, estimating either is sufficient for the purpose of losing weight. To calculate your RMR, use the Mifflin-St Jeor equation (which is more reliable than the Harris-Benedict equation[2]). There are also calculators online that can do this for you:
   
   • RMR = 9.99w + 6.25s - 4.92a + 166g-161
     
   • w = weight in kilograms; if you know your weight in pounds, divide by 2.2 to get your weight in kilograms
     
   • s = height in centimeters; if you know your height in inches, multiply by 2.54 to get your height in centimeters
     
   • a = age in years
     
   • g = gender = 1 for males, 0 for females
     
   
   
4. Adjust your diet accordingly. Your RMR will tell you how many calories you need to maintain your body at rest. Your daily consumption to maintain your weight should be:[3]
   
   • RMR x 1.15
     
   • E.g. RMR = 2000, so the maintenance intake is 2000 x 1.15 = 2300
     
   • To lose weight safely, consume no more than your maintenance intake but no less than your RMR.
     
   • Count calories by recording what you eat and looking up how many calories each food item contains (either on the food packaging or in tables provided in books or online).
     
   
   
5. Eat small, frequent meals. Extending the time between meals makes your body go into "starvation mode", which means it'll hold onto as many calories as possible and store them as fat. This is why fasting and skipping meals will only make things worse. In addition to having four to six small meals per day[4] eating healthy snacks will also increase metabolism.[1]
   
6. Drink water. As with food, depriving your body of water can encourage it to "hoard" rather than "burn". In order to encourage your liver to focus on metabolism rather than water retention, make sure you drink an appropriate amount of water.
   
7. Boost metabolism temporarily with aerobic exercise. Different activities burn different quantities of calories, but the important thing is to raise your heart rate and sustain the activity for approximately 30 minutes.
   
8. Boost metabolism in the long run with weight training. Muscle burns more calories than fat (73 more calories per kilogram per day, to be exact)[1] so the more muscle you build, the higher your resting metabolic rate (RMR). Every bit of muscle that you gain is like a little factory that burns calories for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is the only way to increase RMR, which accounts for 60 to 70 percent of the calories you burn daily.[5]
   

Tips

• There are no "fat-burning" foods. You might've heard that certain foods (like celery and grapefruit) increase metabolism, but it's just a myth.[4] While some foods and drinks like red peppers and green tea have been studied for their potential metabolism-increasing properties, there is no conclusive evidence that whatever influence they have on metabolism is significant enough to result in weight loss.[1]
  
• However, some believe that certain extremely low-calorie foods, such as celery, cause the body to burn more calories in the act of consumption than are absorbed by the body. Still, half an hour walking will burn many more calories than half an hour of chewing celery.
  
• Sugar-addicts diets will similarly tell you to not even use sugar substitutes as they cause the body to expect more energy and wrongly adjust accordingly.
  
• Very low carb diets are said to burn more calories because the body spends time and energy in a system of changing fats, cholesterol and proteins into glucose, when you eat no significant amount of carbs.
  
• That system is called the "krebs-cycle" or "tricarboxylic acid cycle," and it is necessary because the human body uses several forms of glucose for all energy requirements, all the time, even when you do not consume carbs. Krebs is also called the "Citric Acid Cycle." It is found in aerobic metabolism: this is the breakdown of proteins, fats and carbohydrates from food eaten to create the energy pathway at the cellular, mitochondria level.
  
• If you try the lo-carb approach be sure to take multi-vitamins and essential oils, omega-3 and drink eight 8-oz. glasses of non-carbonated water (including tea and coffee) per day.
  
• Cheese vs. Milk: Some real cheddar cheeses have nearly zero carbs, but most low-fat and fat-free milk products have lots of sugar. Read the labels.
  
• Always consult a dietician or doctor before making a major change in your diet and exercise routine.
  

Warnings

• Avoid smoking as a weight-loss method. While nicotine is a metabolism booster and appetite suppressant, the health hazards far outweigh any benefits.
  
• Expect your metabolism to slow down as you lose weight. The more weight your body is carrying, the more calories your body has to burn in order to sustain itself, even at rest. When you begin restricting your calorie intake, you'll lose weight relatively easily because your body's high caloric needs are not being met. But after you begin to shed the weight, the body has less mass to carry and thus needs fewer calories. In order to continue losing weight, you will have to restrict your caloric intake even further in order to maintain a difference between what your body needs and what you are providing.[1] Let's go through a hypothetical example:
  
  • You are 200 lbs and your body needs 2500 calories a day to sustain itself.
    
  • You cut down your caloric intake to 2000 calories.
    
  • You lose 25 lbs. Now your body only needs 2250 calories to sustain itself because it's carrying less weight.
    
  • If you continue with your 2000 calorie per day diet (the diet that helped you lose the first 25 lbs) you will still be losing, but at half the speed. In order to maintain a steady weight loss you will need to reduce your caloric intake further. However, it is at the utmost importance you do not try to consume fewer calories than your RMR!
    
  • Another possible problem: If you continue with your 2000 calorie per day diet (the diet that helped you lose the first 25 lbs) you may actually gain weight back because of varying levels of exercise. Let's say you lose 50 lbs. on your 2000 calorie diet. Your sustaining calories might be 1800. You're actually consuming enough calories to gain weight, but how would that happen if you had stayed to your diet. This can happen when your exercise has burned through many calories. If you slowed on exercise at this point you would actually gain weight again. The point here is to recheck your RMR when you lose weight and compare it to your consumption.
    
  
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Decrease Your Metabolism
  
• How to Lose Weight Fast
  
• How to Calculate Your Body Mass Index (BMI)
  
• How to Gain Weight
  

Sources and Citations

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/make-most-your-metabolism


2. ↑ http://www.adajournal.org/article/PIIS0002822305001495/abstract


3. ↑ http://books.google.com/books?id=gRrp3yphhC0C&pg=PT259&lpg=PT259&dq=%2B%22caloric+intake%22+%2Brmr&source=web&ots=En__f5a15l&sig=j7IwWkrMdgfTuDb5Fd27QqWNW14


4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/rev-up-your-metabolism


5. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/jump-start-your-metabolism

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Increase Your Metabolism. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To-4: "How to Unclog a Clogged Ear"

How to Unclog a Clogged Ear

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Ear wax is a common and natural cause of clogged ears. Here are some instructions on how to safely unclog the affected ear.

Steps

1. Take a small bowl, and add some warm water.
   
2. Add an equal or slightly lesser amount of hydrogen peroxide.
   
3. Fill the ear syringe with this mixture.
   
4. Lie on your side, and insert a small amount of the mixture into the affected ear with the syringe. (unaffected side to the "down side")
   
5. Remain lying on your side for 5 to 15 minutes. You should be able to hear the Hydrogen Peroxide bubbling in your ear.
   
6. Place the second small bowl under your ear when the bubbling stops, and turn your head to drain the ear into the bowl.
   
7. Refill the syringe, and with the bowl under your ear, squirt the mixture into your ear with a slight amount of pressure. You should be able to feel the pressure from the liquid, but don't squeeze the syringe so hard that it causes pain. Repeat this step until you are out of the water/peroxide mixture.
   

Tips

• Using boiled water (allowed to cool down of course) helps reduce the risk of ear infection!
  
• Heating the peroxide may help. Fill a sink with hot water, and place the bottle of peroxide in the hot water for a few minutes before performing procedure.
  
• It is best not to use a 'waterpic', or other mechanized water jet. If you cannot hear due to ear clog out of one or the other ear, it is best to see your health professional (a doctor, nurse practitioner or physicians assistant) at your local health clinic.
  
• There is also a special product you can buy for the same purpose. Works great!
  
• A simple mix of white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide and mineral oil, 1/3 each in a small bottle fitted with a eyedropper will clear out your ears with less mess. Squirt a few drops daily into your ears and the hydrogen peroxide will fizz and "scratch " that impossible to scratch itch, kill off any infection and start to break up ear wax, the white vinegar will also soften ear wax and create a hostile place for infection and the mineral oil will help flow the ear wax out. This is an excellent treatment for pets with ear problems especially older dogs with heavy wax problems and ear sensitivity.
  

Warnings

• Don't do this if you have experienced recent head trauma or air travel.
  
• This procedure is intended to remove natural ear wax from ears. If there is a foreign object obstructing an ear, consult a doctor.
  
• Placing cotton in your ear while lying on your side may help to prevent spills. (Never force the cotton into the ear canal, just 'snug' it into the outer ear opening, and be sure to lay with the ear being treated on the UP side.)
  
• Do not try this if there is any opening in the eardrum. (ie. ruptured eardrum, or tubes)
  
• Make sure when using the syringe to insert the mixture, there is enough room around the tip of the syringe for air to escape from your ear.
  
• Do NOT try to attach any kind of 'needled dispenser' to the syringe! At no point should any part of the syringe enter the ear.
  
• For your comfort, make sure the water is warm, as cold water will cause a violent reaction. Squirting cold water in the ear is how comatose victims are tested for consciousness.
  

Things You'll Need

• 2 small bowls (1 to contain the cleaning solution and fill the syringe the other to catch the drained solution.)
  
• Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
  
• Water
  
• Ear Syringe (can be purchased at your local pharmacy)
  
• cotton
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Clean Ear Wax from a Behind the Ear Hearing Aid
  
• How to Get Rid of Ear Wax
  
• How to Clean Your Ears
  

Sources and Citations

• eHow to Care for Swimmer's Ear
  
• eHow to Get Rid of Swimmer's Ear
  
• eHow to Treat Ear Infections in the Wilderness
  
• eHow to Use an Ear Thermometer
  
• Why Ear Candling Is Not a Good Idea
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Unclog a Clogged Ear. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To-3: "How to Stop Your Craving for Soda"

How to Stop Your Craving for Soda

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night, dying for soda? Are you tired of the stained teeth and constant caffeine rushes? Well in order stop craving soda, it takes will power and patience!

Steps

1. First, determine which sodas are caffeine free. Buy caffeine free soda!
   
2. Buy other liquids, like milk, orange juice, apple juice, or lemonade.
   
3. Hide your stash of soda and every time you feel like wanting a soda, drink a large glass of water.
   
4. If you wake up in the night and head to the kitchen for a soda, pour yourself some milk instead.
   
5. Fill up your empty Sprite bottles with cold water, and your Coca-cola bottles with tea.
   
6. Your body naturally gets addicted to all the sugar and caffeine, so find another sugary supplement, like a small bag of candy or a fat-free Snickers bar. Even cake! (THAT doesn't stain your teeth!)
   
7. Work out and get exercise. Then drink lots of water to make up for your loss of liquid.
   

Tips

• Dont cut cold turkey. Buy less and less soda over a month or more. Drink less and less.
  
• At parties dont drink alot of soda. Drink lemonade or tea.
  

Warnings

• Don't cut cold turkey!
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Know You're Hungry (and Avoid Eating when You're Not)
  
• How to Get out of a Rut
  
• How to Stay Healthy in Small Ways
  
• How to Stick With Exercising Every Day
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Stop Your Craving for Soda. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To-2: "How to Follow a Low-Sodium Diet"

How to Follow a Low Sodium Diet

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

A healthy adult needs between 1500 and 2400 milligrams of sodium per day, but many people end up having more than 3000 mg of sodium a day. Even just one teaspoon of salt contains approximately 2300 mg of sodium, and a single item from a fast food restaurant can have almost as much (a KFC chicken pot pie has 2160 mg): [1]. Since chronic excess sodium is associated with hypertension and possibly other conditions for a minority of the population, some people are looking for ways to keep their sodium intake under control. An acute sodium overdose may also cause immediate medical symptoms, such as cracked, bleeding lips, nausea, and, in extreme cases, death: [2].

Steps

1. Eat at home. It may be difficult or impossible to control the sodium content of foods prepared by others, whether you eat at somebody else's home or at a restaurant.
   
2. Avoid processed foods. Fresh produce, meat, and freshwater fish are typically salt-free or extremely low sodium, while processed and restaurant foods, such as soups and frozen dinners, are usually quite high in sodium. If you don't have access to fresh vegetables, then sodium-free or low sodium canned vegetables are better than high sodium canned vegetables. Many frozen vegetables are low in sodium as well. Get into the habit of reading labels for sodium content. Remember, you can always add salt, if it's really needed, later.
   
3. Remove sodium from the surface of foods. For some products, the salt can be removed, such as by draining canned olives and soaking them in fresh water, or crumbling salt off the surface of pretzels or saltines. Choose "salt on top" products over those with salt mixed in. For example, avoid buying saltines with "unsalted tops", as the salt is typically inside the crackers instead of on top, making it impossible to remove. "Salt on top" products also provide more salt taste per amount of sodium, so are a good choice from that perspective, as well.
   
4. Evaluate seasonings for sodium content. Many products, such as bullion, bacon bits, grated parmesan or romano cheese, and assorted "seasonings" are mostly salt, so avoid those, whenever possible (instead of ketchup, mustard and pickle, try lettuce, onion and tomato on your burger). For products which include a separate "seasoning packet", the amount of the packet used can be reduced or it can be eliminated entirely. For example, ramen noodles, especially baked ramen noodles, can be reasonably healthy, provided you don't use the entire contents of the seasoning packet. However, these flavorings and "seasoned salt" are still better than adding straight salt, even if only slightly.
   
5. Dilute sodium in foods. If you do purchase high sodium products, such as soups, one method to reduce the sodium level is dilution. For example, if you prepare soup as instructed on the label, it will have a high sodium content. Instead, you can start with the canned soup as a base, then add potatoes and fresh vegetables such as celery, onions, and carrots. The result is more soup, with a lower average sodium content, and higher average vitamin content, with a lower average cost (because fresh vegetables are also typically less expensive than canned soup). For another example, say you start with ham, which is quite high in sodium. To serve that directly would result in a high sodium intake for everyone who eats it. However, if you mix ham cubes in with unsalted mashed potatoes, you can prepare a tasty dish which has a reasonable sodium level. In addition, canned vegetables that are high in sodium, such as beans, peas and corn, should be rinsed before cooking.
   
6. Take the salt shaker away. By not using salt when cooking or eating, many people can reduce their sodium intake by 30%. You can replace the salt shaker with a pepper mill, rosemary, garlic powder (not garlic salt), chili powder, or other spices. Freshly ground pepper can be especially good, and can eliminate the bland taste which we are so accustomed to interpret as meaning "it needs salt". The salt is still available, but if you put it in a less accessible spot (like deep inside a cupboard or in a high cabinet) it is less likely to be used.
   
7. Read labels and visit web sites for sodium content. Many restaurants have web sites with nutritional info, including sodium content. A good general website which lists nutritional data for fresh foods, processed foods, and many fast food restaurants is http://www.nutritiondata.com. When shopping for food, a good rule of thumb is to compare the listed number of calories per serving with the number of milligrams of sodium, and avoid products where the sodium number is greater than the calorie number. Assuming a 2500 calorie-a-day diet, this strategy should keep you within the recommended sodium range.
   
8. Consider using a sodium substitute. There are many salt replacements on the market, including magnesium chloride and potassium chlorine. These will provide a similar, but not identical, flavor, without the negative effects of sodium. They can be found in the seasoning section of your local grocery store. However, be aware that others may not be able to tolerate the taste of salt substitutes, so don't add them to dishes, but rather allow each person to add some themselves, if they wish. Also, smaller amounts are better when using these products, as too much gives the food a chemical taste.
   
9. Be cautious of "softened" water. Water softeners sometimes add a substantial amount of sodium: [3]. Avoid drinking such water; instead use bottled water or a reverse osmosis filter. Ideally you should also avoid cooking with "softened" water (although using bottled water for cooking could be quite expensive).
   
10. Drink plenty of fresh water. Water helps the body in many ways, and may help to eliminate excess sodium. Can't stand plain water ? Try adding a slice of lemon.
    
11. Watch what you drink. Many drinks are quite high in sodium, such as a small Burger King chocolate shake, with 298 mg of sodium: [4]. If you are thirstier after you finish the drink, that's a sure sign of a high sodium content.
    
12. Beware of high-sodium medications. Many meds contain sodium. While no prescription med should be discontinued without consulting a physician, you may want to ask your doctor if any sodium-free or low sodium alternative meds are available.
    

Tips

• These steps can and should be combined. For example, prepare baked ramen noodles, without the spice packet, then add fresh vegetables and potatoes, then add freshly ground pepper. If it still needs salt, add a small amount of the seasoning packet.
  
• For best results, change your diet and implement these steps gradually.
  
• It may help to keep a food diary for a week. Record everything you consume, including beverages and seasonings, and find out how much sodium each item contains. Eliminate the highest sodium sources and replace them with no-sodium or low-sodium substitutes.
  
• When you buy meat to cook, check to ensure that it is not "seasoned" (i.e., salted), as is sometimes the case with cuts of pork and chicken sold at grocery stores.
  
• Garlic can not only add flavor to most meals, but it is an excellent replacement for salt as a taste enhancer.
  
• If possible, add salt near the end of the cooking process or just before eating. This way, less salt will suffice since there is less time for it to penetrate into food.
  
• Buy fresh or frozen vegetables instead of canned. When canned vegetables are the only option, you can rinse the veggies in water to remove some of the sodium.
  
• Stay on track, think about people you love that want you to do this.
  

Warnings

• Some high blood pressure medications do not mix with salt substitutes--check with your health care provider or pharmicist before using!
  
• Many low sodium products contain salt substitutes, such as potassium or magnesium chloride, instead of the usual sodium chloride. Such products can have an unpleasant aftertaste. If you don't like this taste, be careful to check the ingredients list for salt substitutes on all low sodium products.
  
• Those with impaired kidney function and those who have had an organ transplant should avoid salt substitutes, particularly those containing potassium chloride.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Make a Salt Shaker Disappear
  
• How to Turn Salt Water Into Drinking Water
  
• How to Create a Custom Made Salt and Paper Helmet
  
• How to Eat Salt Water Taffy Without Making a Mess
  
• How to Eat Unpleasant Tasting Foods
  

Sources and Citations

• Mayo Clinic, Why is processed food so salty?
  
• How to Follow a Low Sodium Diet - A comprehensive guide by the Heart Failure Society of America, source of some of the facts presented in this article. In PDF format.

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Follow a Low Sodium Diet. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

How To-1: "How to Avoid Genetically-Modified Foods"

How'>http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Genetically-Modified-Foods">How to Avoid Genetically Modified Foods

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit
Whether genetically modified (GM) foods are beneficial or harmful is still controversial, but some people would prefer to avoid them until the evidence is clear. Most foods we eat may contain ingredients derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs)--everything from baby formula and food to our dairy to even our meat. If you live in Europe, avoiding GM foods is easier since laws require labeling. However in the US and Canada food manufacturers are not required to label if their food is genetically modified or not. As such, here are some guidelines for steering clear of GM foods in your diet, if that is your choice.

Steps

1. Become familiar with the most common applications of genetic modification. These are the products (and their derivatives) that are most likely to be genetically modified:
   • Soybeans - Gene taken from bacteria (Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4) and inserted into soybeans to make them more resistant to herbicides.[1] See How to Live With a Soy Allergy for more information on avoiding soy products.
   • Corn - Gene from the lepidoptera pathogen microorganism Bacillus thuringiensis inserted into corn genome to produce the Bt toxin, which poisons insect pests.[2] May be present in high fructose corn syrup which is prevalent in a wide variety of foods in America.
   • Rapeseed/Canola - Gene added/transferred to make crop more resistant to pesticides
   • Sugar cane - Gene added/transferred to make crop more resistant to pesticides
   • Rice - Genetically modified to resist herbicides; not currently available for human consumption, but trace amounts of one GM long-grained variety (LLRICE601) may have entered the food supply in the USA and Europe.[3]More recently, golden rice, a different strain of rice has been engineered to produce significantly higher levels of beta carotene, which the body uses to procduce vitamin A. Golden rice is still undergoing testing to determine if it is safe for human consumption.[4]
   • Cotton - Used for making cottonseed oil.
   • Dairy - Cows injected with GE hormone rBGH/rBST; possibly fed GM grains and hay.
2. Buy food labeled 100% organic. The US and Canadian governments do not allow manufacturers to label something 100% organic if that food has been genetically modified or been fed genetically modified feed. However, you may find that organic food is more expensive and different in appearance from conventional products. Also, just because something says "organic" on it does not mean that it does not contain GMs. In fact, it can still contain up to 30% GMs, so be sure the labels say 100% organic.
   • This applies to eggs, as well. Eggs labeled "free-range", "natural", or "cage-free" are not necessarily GE-free; look for eggs to be 100% organic.[5]
3. Purchase beef that is 100% grass-fed. Most cattle in the U.S. are grass-fed, but spend the last portion of their lives in feedlots where they may be given GM grain, the purpose of which is to increase intramuscular fat and marbling. If you're looking to stay away from GMOs, make sure the cattle were 100% grass-fed or pasture-fed (sometimes referred to as grass-finished or pasture-finished). The same applies to meat from other herbivores such as sheep. There is also the slight possibility that the animals were fed GM alfalfa, although this is less likely if you buy meat locally. With non-ruminants like pigs and poultry that cannot be 100% grass-fed, it's better to look for meat that is 100% organic.
4. Seek products that are specifically labeled as non-GM or GMO-free. However, it is rare to find products labeled as such. You can also research websites that list companies and foods that do not use genetically modified foods, [6], but be aware that information is often incomplete and conflicting interests may not be declared.
5. Shop locally. Although more than half of all GM foods are produced in the US,[7] most of it comes from large, industrial farms. By shopping at farmers' markets, signing up for a subscription from a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm, or patronizing a local co-op, you may be able to avoid GM products and possibly save money at the same time.
   • More and more small farms are offering grains and meat directly to customers, in addition to the usual fare (vegetables, fruit, herbs).
   • Shopping locally may also give you the opportunity to speak to the farmer and find out how he or she feels about GMOs and whether or not they use them in their own operation.
6. Buy whole foods. Favor foods that you can cook and prepare yourself, rather than foods that are processed or prepared (e.g. anything that comes in a box or a bag, including fast food). What you lose in convenience, you may recover in money saved and satisfaction gained, as well as increased peace of mind. Try cooking a meal from scratch once or twice a week--you may enjoy it and decide to do it more often.

Tips

• If you have the land, time, and resources, grow your own food. As long as you make sure you're not buying GM seeds, and aren't near any GM plants which could cross-pollinate, you'll know for sure that the food which comes from your garden is not genetically modified.
• At chain and non-chain restaurants, you can ask which, if any, of their foods contain GMs, but the wait and kitchen staff are not likely to know.
• Producers who label their food GM-free aren't making any health claims regarding the product.

Related wikiHows

• How to Avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup
• How to Get Started in the Slow Food Movement
• How to Choose the Most Important Organic Foods
• How to Save Money at a Farmers' Market

Sources and Citations

1. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soybean#Genetic_modification" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soybean#Genetic_modification
2. ↑ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgenic_maize#Bt_corn" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transgenic_maize#Bt_corn
3. ↑ http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/biorice.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/biorice.html
4. ↑ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4386933.stm" rel="nofollow">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4386933.stm
5. ↑ http://www.truefoodnow.org/documents/guide%208_11%20layout.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.truefoodnow.org/documents/guide%208_11%20layout.pdf
6. ↑ http://www.truefoodnow.org/documents/guide%208_11%20layout.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.truefoodnow.org/documents/guide%208_11%20layout.pdf
7. ↑ http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml" rel="nofollow">http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/gmfood.shtml

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Avoid Genetically Modified Foods. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Health News-8: Why we scratch?

US researchers have found that scratching is linked to the suppression of unpleasant feelings inside the brain, which helps in relieving an itch.

Courtesy: ‘Newscape’, The Hindu, Madurai, Feb.2, 2008

Health Tips-24: "Fruit Power"

A study has found that apples contain protective antioxidants that reduce the risk of dementia. Oranges and banana may also help.

Courtesy: ‘Newscape’, The Hindu, Madurai, Feb.2, 2008