An allergy is an immune system reaction to something that would normally be considered harmless, such as specific foods, environmental toxins, pollens, molds, mites and animal dander to name a few. Allergic reactions can be a simple as an itchy nose or as serious as death.

Symptoms of allergies include breathing congestion, scratchy eyes, tears, sneezing, coughing, nosebleeds, puffy face, eye circles, runny nose, swelling, hives, vomiting, stomachache, intestinal irritation, and anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal.

Common triggers of allergies include contact allergens like poison ivy, inhalant allergens like airborne dust, ingestant allergens like peanuts and injectant allergens such as bee stings. Symptoms may occur immediately or in the case of food allergies, up to 72 hours after the allergen was ingested. Overall, allergies are caused by an imbalanced immune system and toxic overload.

DIET:Many food allergies have delayed manifestations, making it very difficult to identify the culprit cuisine. Elimination diets are often used to narrow the suspects down; these diets work because you eliminate all possible allergy suspects from your diet for eight to twelve weeks, focusing on popular allergens like wheat, soy, milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. After the elimination period, you gradually introduce the suspects back into your diet one by one and note how you feel as and after you eat them. The guilty party should now be easy to identify.

A juice fast on vegetable juices from two to three weeks can also help detoxify the body and improve its ability to defend itself. People will allergies should keep well hydrated with pure, alkalized water.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Vitamin C can have a dramatic effect on hay fever and asthma as it counteracts the inflammation that is a hallmark of these allergies. Probiotics restore the healthy flora in the gastrointestinal tract, which can minimize allergic reactions and help balance the digestive system. All allergy sufferers should be taking a multivitamin balanced to their particular needs.

HERBS: Cayenne pepper is often used to treat allergy symptoms due to its anti-inflammatory properties, and can be taken in supplement form or sprinkled liberally on meals throughout the day. Many demulcent herbs such as marshmallow can also relieve allergy symptoms; however a personalized, individual approach is recommended for herbal treatment and those with serious allergies should consult a licensed herbalist.

We all feel anxious at some point in our lives and harbor a nervous feeling of fear or sense of impending doom. It is when these feelings persist with no connecting cause that anxiety can become a problem for your life and bodily health.

Symptoms of anxiety include excessive worry, sleep disturbances, shakiness, fear of being alone or with others, impatience, racing pulse, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, dry mouth, tingling of the hands and feet, lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue, trembling, indigestion, and diarrhea. Anxiety appears to be more common in females.

A panic attack is an acute anxiety episode that features several of the above symptoms, most noticeably sweating, shortness of breath, hot flashes and a racing heartbeat

DIET:If you find yourself feeling anxious too often with no known cause, making adjustments to your diet can help. Excessive consumption of stressor foods should be eliminated; these include refined sugar, honey, maple syrup, and dairy. Vegetable soups and clear broths should be added to your diet, in addition to a wide variety of vegetables of all colors. Eat more complex carbohydrates such as nuts, beans, seeds and whole grains.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Calcium, magnesium, vitamin B complex, 5-HTP, pantothenic acid, and adrenal and kidney glandulars all reduce anxiety by calming the nervous system. Sufferers of anxiety should take a high-quality multivitamin.

HERBS: Panax ginseng has a tonic effect on the adrenal glands; it improves blood flow to the brain and reduces stress. Valerian root is known as herbal Valium; this muscle relaxant and tranquilizer balance mood.

Bad breath, or halitosis, is an unpleasant odor that emanates from the mouth. Symptoms of bad breath include not being able to tell you have bad breath and a lack of dates.Bad breath is usually caused by a health problem in the mouth or gastrointestinal tract. Smoking, liver disease and poor protein digestion can also contribute to bad breath. Funky mouth odor is a sign of imbalance in the body and the underlying cause should be discovered to quell this annoying dis-ease. Listerine only goes so far.

DIET: Eat only whole foods, and heaps of raw foods as well. Drink plenty of pure, alkalized water with a squirt of fresh lemon juice. Chlorophyll may also help, as can an increased intake of dietary fiber, which removes toxins from the colon and decreases bad breath. Chew your food well and don’t overeat.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Supplements that can address bad breath, particularly if it has a gastrointestinal cause, are proteolytic enzymes, vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, PABA, Beta carotene, acidophilus, digestive enzymes, magnesium, zinc, and charcoal tablets.

HERBS: Chewing fennel or anise seeds will mask the odor; this traditional remedy also has a mild antimicrobial effect and can quell hunger (Puritans chewed the seeds during long-winded sermons to keep their stomachs from growling). Chewing fresh parsley, cilantro or basil will also help, and peppermint or bergamot tea can mask a musky mouth as well.

Candidiasis, or Candida, is an unhealthy overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans in the body. Candida is a naturally occurring yeast and is found in healthy intestines, skin, and vaginas. However when this yeast is allowed to grow and flourish, it can pass unchecked through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream and urine and mutate into an unhealthy fungus.

Approximately one-third of Americans are suffering from this yeast overgrowth, yet little is known in conventional medicine about Candida, and less is taught about how to treat the dis-ease. The use of antibiotics often encourages unhealthy yeast growth as it lowers the levels of healthy bacteria in your body that keep Candida at bay.

When Candida spreads beyond the gastrointestinal tract, it produces various toxins that impair health by reducing the body's supply of white blood cells and can also compromise the function of the central nervous system. Symptoms of Candida include allergies, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, fungal infections, gastrointestinal problems, headache, hyperactivity, irritability, mood swings, loss of libido, oral and/or vaginal thrush, PMS, respiratory problems, sexual dysfunctions, skin problems, sugar cravings and vaginitis. All symptoms can be aggravated by alcohol intake.

DIET:The standard Western diet creates a playground for Candida in the human body. Foods high in sugar and simple carbohydrates as well as foods that contain molds such as peanuts, cheese and bread all feed Candida well and promote its growth. Dairy and the lactose it contains also can cause problems, as do the antibiotics with which our food supply is tainted. You should also eliminate any foods with fermentation such as soy sauce, alcohol and pickled vegetables. Overall, a high sugar and highly acidic diet will promote the growth of Candida and these things should be avoided.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: A Candida cleansing is recommended, and nutritional supplements that can help are vitamin A, beta-carotene, all B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, chromium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc. Probiotics are also important; invest in a good formula containing acidophilus, bifidobacteria and fructooligosaccharide, a healthy sugar that stimulates the growth of good bacteria in the body. Adrenal extract and essential fatty acids are also advised.

HERBS: Herbs from the Berberidis family can help alleviate Candida as they contain berberain, a proven anti-fungal agent. Herbs in this family are barberry, goldenseal, and Oregon grape; they can help balance your digestive system and improve blood flow as well.

Cold sores or fever blisters are small, recurring blisters on or around the mouth that are caused by the virus herpes simplex 1. They are very contagious and can be spread to other mouths or to genitalia via oral sex.

The first outbreak of sores is usually accompanied by flu-like symptoms of which the cause is not readily determined. Recurring outbreaks start with a burning sensation that is followed by blisters that can be very sore and eventually burst, dry, encrust, and disappear. The virus stays in the body for life, but the number and severity of outbreaks can be controlled with proper diet and nutrition.

Outbreaks can be activated by stress, colds, hot weather, anxiety, nutrient deficiencies, fever, and other illnesses. Symptoms include blisters on and around the mouth, fatigue, neck pain and fever.

DIET: A whole foods diet can lessen the frequency and severity of cold sores. Fresh green salads, raw and steamed vegetables, yogurt and sauerkraut all contribute to a healthy functioning immune system. Avoid pineapple and citrus fruits, and refrain from dairy, sugar, white flour and processed foods. Drink plenty of pure, alkalized water to help rid your body of toxins.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: There are many alternative remedies for herpes breakouts; a popular one during times of outbreak is to apply L-lysine cream directly on the blisters, and take L-lysine supplements (4 grams daily for the first four days, then 500 mg three times per day for two weeks) can also be taken orally. However you should not take L-Lysine on a daily maintenance basis as it may create an imbalance among other amino acids. Some other important nutrients to help prevent and treat cold sores include vitamin B complex, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, vitamin E, zinc gluconate, acidophilus and thymus extract.

HERBS: Some herbs can boost resistance to cold sores by strengthening your body’s immune response; these include Echinacea, Siberian ginseng, nettle, and goldenseal. You can also apply licorice root tincture topically to inhibit the growth of the herpes virus.

Colds and the flu have been around as long as humans have. Most Americans have at least one cold a year, and half of them will catch the flu. Both conditions have roughly the same symptoms, with those of influenza being longer and more severe.

There are many over-the-counter drugs to combat these dis-eases, but creating a healthy and balanced body system with a strong immune system will keep you from ever getting the ailments, and you should focus on that. And while convention antibiotics may help quell a cold brought on by bacteria, they do nothing for the many strains of cold and flu created by viruses and can instead have negative effects on the body.

It is the health of your immune system and not the cold bacteria or flu virus that determines how sick you will get. Two people can have two completely different reactions to the same cold or flu exposure. Stress can be a major factor in increased susceptibility to colds and flu.

Symptoms of both colds and flu include body aches, cough, fatigue, headache, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and stuffy sinuses; flu viruses are more likely to give you fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

DIET: Unhealthy foods compromise your immune system and keep your body’s natural defenses dampened. Avoid processed foods, refined and natural sugars, simple carbohydrates, soda, coffee, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, food coloring and dyes, flavorings, preservatives, and foods high in partially hydrogenated oils.

Instead, choose organic vegetables and broth soups. Drink plenty of pure, alkaline water and avoid mucus-forming foods such as dairy products, wheat, and most grains. Also eliminate all commercial poultry and meats.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: A high-quality multivitamin can be useful to keep your immune system healthy; for dealing with a current cold or flu, try vitamin A (50,000-100,00 liquid vitamin A 3-4 times a day for no more than five days total; avoid using if you are pregnant), vitamin C, zinc, selenium, colloidal silver, colostrum, thymus extract, and beta-1, 3-glucan.

HERBS: Astragalus, echinacea, goldenseal, licorice, and St. John’s wort all increase immune function, and goldenseal is excellent in helping to reverse inflammation of the mucus membranes. Garlic is also an excellent herbal remedy for colds and flu.

Constipation is one of the most common chronic ailments in the U.S., with over 20% of the population suffering from a persistent case of no-go. Characterized by sluggish elimination of the bowels, constipation makes the passage of stools difficult and/or infrequent and is caused by modern lifestyles and the Western diet, high in processed, refined, and artificial foods.

Constipation creates a toxic buildup of waste products in the body and can transform the gastrointestinal tract into a playground for unhealthy microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Every person has a different definition of what is “normal” for them, however experts recommend one healthy bowel movement for each full meal you eat in a day. Recent research shows that women who have only three or fewer bowel movements per week have a four hundred percent greater risk of developing breast cancer, compared to woman who move their bowels at least once a day.

Many factors can cause or worsen constipation, including dehydration, environmental toxins, lack of exercise, food allergies, pharmaceuticals, low thyroid function, poor diet, stress, enzyme deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, imbalances of the autonomic nervous system, and poor posture. Symptoms include infrequent and strained bowel movements.

DIET: Diet is the most important factor in alleviating constipation; you should have a diet high in fiber, complex carbohydrates and proteins from organic poultry, lamb, and wild-caught fish. Fiber-rich foods include beans and legumes, ground flax seed meal, bran, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Magnesium is one of the best supplements to improve the causes and symptoms of constipation, and digestive enzymes taken at every meal are also highly recommended. Also advised are vitamin C, the essential fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) as well as daily supplements of probiotics.

HERBS: Some herbs that can help cure constipation are aloe vera, blackthorn, cascara sagrada, dandelion root, rhubarb and silymarin.

Humans cough because our bodies are trying to expel an irritant of some sort from the lungs; coughs can be either productive (of mucus) or unproductive (dry and grating). There are many different types of coughs, from hacks stemming from allergic reactions to scratchy hay fever coughs to chronic bronchitis. If you have a persistent cough, you should consult a health care provider as coughs can quickly turn into something more devious such as pneumonia.

Coughs can be caused by a simple illness, like upper respiratory infection or the common cold; they can also signal a much more serious illness. Coughs can also be due to irritation from the environment, by mucus dripping in back of the throat, as a sign of nervousness, or as a symptom of an underlying health disorder.

A cough is a signal that there is an unbalanced in your body, and it should not simply be suppressed. Coughs must be treated.

DIET: Eat a diet rich in whole foods, with lots of raw fruits and vegetables; avoid mucus-producing foods, such as sugar, salty foods, dairy and starches. Eight ounces of warm pineapple juice and two teaspoons of honey can make an effective and natural cough syrup.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Zinc lozenges can sooth a cough; be careful not to buy commercial cough drops that contain sugar and can actually irritate a cough. Vitamin A, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, vitamin E and folic acid are all useful nutrients to combat a cough.

HERBS: Coltsfoot, horehound, marshmallow and mullein are all herbs that can soothe a cough. Coltsfoot tea in particular can help quite a scratchy cough that just won’t quit.

Life is full of ups and downs, but when sadness lingers for a long time with no sign of letting loose its grip, it is a labeled as an emotional disorder known as depression. Many Americans suffer from some form of depression during their lives; our modern lifestyles of inactivity and bad foods create a negative body environment, perfect for fostering a depressed brain.

Symptoms of depression include feelings of despair, fear, hopelessness, panic, pessimism, sadness and worthlessness; physical symptoms include a racing heartbeat, high blood pressure and gastrointestinal upset. In severe and untreated cases, suicide may be the final symptom. If you or a loved one is suffering from depression, professional help is highly advised.

DIET: Anyone suffering from depression should first get tested for food allergies, which are often behind psychiatric disorders as they literally depress the immune system and indeed the body system as a whole, including the brain. Avoid additives, artificial colorings and flavorings, carbohydrates, sugar, sugar substitutes, trans fats, hydrogenated oils, dairy, alcohol and caffeine.

Instead, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, high quality lean proteins and essential fatty acids. Drink plenty of pure, alkalized water.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: To combat depression, make sure you are taking B complex vitamins, especially vitamins B1, B3 (niacin), B6, and B12; vitamin C, calcium, magnesium potassium, zinc, and plenty of omega 3 oils and other essential fatty acids.

HERBS: Bergamot, geranium, jasmine, melissa, neroli, and rose all act as natural antidepressants and can be quite helpful.

Diarrhea is a common ailment that affects everyone at some point. While most cases clear up on their own in a day or two, chronic diarrhea may signal a more serious underlying health problem.

When you have diarrhea, you must be very careful not to become dehydrated by drinking plenty of pure, alkalized water and by consuming beverages with electrolytes, which are important salts for the body. Consult a health professional if diarrhea lasts longer than three days or if you have blood in your stool.

There are three types of diarrhea: acute, chronic, and traveler’s, but all have the same symptoms: loose stools accompanied by a frequent need to eliminate, abdominal pain, cramps, and flatulence.

Diarrhea is caused by the body's attempt to rid itself of an excessive buildup of toxins or invading pathogens such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Anxiety, stress, pharmaceuticals and travel can exacerbate the condition, and high doses of vitamin C can create loose stools as well. Chronic diarrhea can be caused by serious illnesses such as cancer, colitis, hyperthyroidism, IBS and parasites.

DIET: With the onset of diarrhea you should avoid solid foods, especially fruits and consume plenty of pure, alkalized water as well as other liquids such as broth soups and vegetable juices. Slowly reintroduce steamed and mashed vegetables to your diet, and finally return to whole foods like organic produce, high quality proteins and sprouted wheat bread.

For gastrointestinal health, always avoid commercially processed foods, sugars, refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, alcohol, caffeine products, sodas, and commercial non-herbal teas.

Instead, eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, high quality lean proteins and essential fatty acids. Drink plenty of pure, alkalized water.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Probiotic formulas such as acidophilus and Bifidobacteria can replenish healthy intestinal flora that diarrhea depletes; other useful supplements for diarrhea include vitamin A, vitamin C, activated charcoal tablets and digestive enzymes.

HERBS: Many herbs can help lessen the symptoms and severity of diarrhea, most noticeably Robert’s Formula, which is best taken with licorice root tea. Other herbs that may be beneficial include goldenseal, cumin, ginger, nutmeg, Oregon grape, red raspberry, astragalus and oregano oil.

Fibromyalgia is a poorly understood and widely mistreated dis-ease whose dominant symptom is chronic muscle pain throughout the body. Often associated with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia is rarely detected and affects as many as six million Americans, mostly females between the ages of 34 and 56, who are often told that their vague symptoms of pain and discomfort are “all in their heads.”

Fibromyalgia can be caused by a traumatic event such as a fall or whiplash, or it may appear on its own for no apparent reason. Some suspected causes of fibromyalgia include dental amalgam fillings, hormone imbalances, infection, neurotransmitter imbalances, sleep problems, problems with the thalamus gland, chemical and food allergies, chronic stress, dysfunctions in muscle metabolism and breast implants.

DIET: A healthy and balanced diet is essential for dealing with fibromyalgia; consuming an organic, vegetarian diet can improve symptoms such as muscle pain, stiffness and sleeping problems. Eat fresh vegetables and fruits, quality vegetarian proteins, tempeh, tofu, beans, quinoa, wild caught fish, complex carbohydrates like whole grains and yams. Essential fatty acids are also very important to your diet, and drink plenty of pure, alkalized water.

Avoid commercially processed foods, sodas, commercially prepared juices, sugars, refined carbohydrates, alcohol and caffeine.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Fibromyalgia symptoms can be eased with vitamin C, vitamin E, niacinimide, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA-an essential fatty acid), magnesium, selenium, zinc, inositol, methionine, phosphatidyl choline, cetyl myristoleate and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe).

HERBS: Cayenne and chamomile are the two herbs most widely used to fight fibromyalgia. Cayenne improves overall circulation and enhances digestion and metabolism, and chamomile can relieve anxiety and tension, both of which can exacerbate the symptoms of the dis-ease.

Headaches are the most common health complaint in the world and can have a myriad of causes and cures. Most headaches are a minor annoyance and do not indicate a more serious underlying health problem, although this is a possibility and recurring headaches should not be ignored.

Taking conventional medicines (for example, acetaminophen) for headaches to alleviate pain only addresses the symptoms of the headache and not the cause. There are many different types of headaches, from migraine to tension to dental headaches. Too much TV, alcohol or even reading books can cause a headache.

Many headaches are caused by dehydration or food allergies; stress is also another major factor in recurring headaches. If you are experiencing recurring, debilitating headaches, you should seek the help of a health professional to determine the underlying causes and rectify the situation.

DIET: Food allergies can play a major role in headaches and should be screened for in the case of frequent and recurring headaches by an elimination diet. Avoid processed foods, sugars, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, caffeine, sodas, margarine, additives, preservatives, and partially hydrogenated oils. Reduce your intake of foods containing saturated fats, like dairy products, eggs, and red meat.

Instead, follow a diet of natural, organic foods. Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, wild-caught, cold-water fish, and complex carbohydrate foods such as red potatoes, squash, and yams. Drink plenty of pure, alkalized water.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: To treat and prevent headaches, try B-complex vitamins, vitamin B3, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, potassium, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), evening primrose oil and DL-phenylalanine.

HERBS: Many people find headache relief with cayenne pepper, feverfew (both particularly helpful for migraines), garlic, ginkgo biloba, and ginger. You can also try bay leaves, chamomile, coriander, skullcap, turmeric, valerian root, wild yam and willow bark. Aspirin is a synthesized version of willow bark.

Irritable bowel syndrome affects the colon and is one of the most common forms of chronic gastrointestinal disorders. IBS can severely disrupt the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, anxiety and depression; any of them can be chronic.

Most sufferers of IBS are women, and the symptoms of this illness can greatly affect a sufferer’s quality of life. Once dismissed as a psychosomatic disease, IBS is now believed to be caused by a variety of factors including poor diet, lack of proper nutrition, food allergies, unbalanced levels of hydrochloric acid, impaired immunity, infections, a sedentary lifestyle, "leaky gut" syndrome, pharmaceutical drugs and stress.

Many people also attribute unexpressed emotions as a major cause of IBS and consider it an emotionally based condition, which is not to say that the effects are any less real. By far the most sufferers of IBS are women, and most of them have never been diagnosed.

DIET: One of the major causes of IBS is a diet high in processed foods, refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats; these foods should be avoided completely. Consuming a healthy diet is one of the most important things you can do for your health, if not the most important. It can take months for the corrective aspects of a new diet to manifest themselves in the health of your bodily system, so be patient with yourself and give your new healthy choices time to take effect.

Avoid sugars, refined flour, artificial anything, soy foods, wheat, dairy, alcohol and caffeine. Also avoid processed foods, smoked meats, canned meats, seaweed, and processed cheese.

Eat a diet of organic meats, poultry, wild caught fish, organic eggs, homemade yogurt, and organic fruits and vegetables, which are the most important part of your new diet. You may also find relief by the intake of freshly juiced green vegetables. IBS is often a dis-ease of bad nutrition, so the proper nourishment of your body is essential to combat this illness and return your body to a healthy state.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Useful supplements to heal the body of IBS include vitamin A, zinc, and evening primrose oil. Probiotics such as acidophilus and Bifidobacteria can also be helpful, and two other highly effective supplements are fructo-oligosaccharides as well as soil-based organisms.

HERBS: Relief for the symptoms of IBS can be found with enteric-coated peppermint oil. Other useful herbs to try include chamomile, ginger, lemon balm, rosemary, valerian. Some find that a mixture of equal tinctures of bayberry, gentian, peppermint, and wild yam works as well.

Motion sickness is an illness caused by travel in a car, train, boat, airplane or roller coaster. Quick acceleration and deceleration disrupts the sense of controlled balance provided by the inner ear and causes discomfort. Anxiety, poor ventilation, and moving too much after eating too much can also cause motion sickness.

Symptoms of motion sickness can be mild or severe and include uneasiness, headache, and nausea to vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, inability to concentrate, excessive sweating, excessive salivation and severe distress.

DIET: For short trips, avoid drinking and eating anything. For longer trips, fresh lemon or lime juice, green tea or organic ginger tea can alleviate the symptoms, as can a bowel movement before travel.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: To prevent and minimized motion sickness, try vitamin B complex, vitamin B6, magnesium, and charcoal tablets. Ginger supplements are also highly advised, as is fresh ginger (see below).

HERBS: Ginger is by far the most effective herb in the prevention and treatment of motion sickness. Take ginger as an infusion, eat it raw, or as ginger capsules. Crystallized ginger is high in sugar but can also alleviate motion sickness symptom and is popular for use with children due to its sweet taste.

Multiple Sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that impairs the central nervous system in a progressive manner. The body’s immune system attacks the protective insulation of nerve fibers, which causes a buildup of plaques and the scarring and hardening of multiple nerve fibers. Once nerve pathways are damaged, nerve impulses direct muscle movement to slow down or to stop altogether.

Most cases of MS strike between the ages of 20 to 40 and in temperate climates; women are affected twice as often as men. Conventional physicians consider the dis-ease incurable, but we are only beginning to understand this illness and begin to treat it.

Each case of MS is different, but symptoms tend to include loss of muscle control, problems with balance, blurry vision, chronic pain and fatigue, heightened sensitivity to heat and painful tingling sensations in the extremities. In advanced cases, patients can experience difficulty speaking, spastic movements, weakness in the limbs, paralysis, severe fatigue and urinary incontinence. Symptoms tend to be episodic.

MS is caused by the breakdown of the myelin sheath of the nerve, caused by the buildup of plaques, though the cause of this is unknown and unconventional health practitioners are looking at alternative therapies to combat this debilitating dis-ease.

DIET: To alleviate symptoms of MS, consume a diet of organic, whole foods with plenty of fresh organic fruits and vegetables and very little saturated fat. Emphasize a diet rich with essential fatty acids and polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats like those found in salmon, olives and flaxseed.

Avoid alcohol, chocolate, dairy, eggs, commercially prepared foods, fermented foods, hydrogenated oils, solid fats, margarine, red meats, salt, shellfish, sugars, yeast, hydrolyzed vegetable proteins and food additives and preservatives.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Supplementation of essential fatty acids, especially omega-3 oils such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), evening primrose oil and flaxseed oil is essential for MS sufferers.

In addition this, MS patients should take supplements of beta-carotene and carotenoids, bioflavonoids, B-complex vitamins, vitamin B1, B3, B5, B6, B12, vitamin C, D, E, folic acid, calcium, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, selenium and zinc. Also helpful may be alpha lipoic acid, aspartic acid, dimethylsulfoxide, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamic acid, glycine, methylsufonylmethane as well as the amino acids carnitine, choline, cysteine, glutathione and methione.

HERBS: Many holistic health practitioners recommend a chamomile tea enema.

Nausea is an uncomfortable sensation that occurs in the stomach and or small intestine that may be accompanied by vomiting or a feeling that you need to vomit.

Overeating, food poisoning, parasites, inner ear disorders, alcohol consumption, the flu, pregnancy, a lack of digestive enzymes, a toxic colon or toxins in the liver can cause nausea. Anxiety and emotional distress may trigger attacks of nausea, as can over consumption of zinc or too many vitamins and minerals at the same time. Many people report nausea when taking B vitamins on an empty stomach.

DIET: Avoid processed fats, aspartame, monosodium glutamate, raw fish and foods containing chemical additives. Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day, and during a nausea attack nibbling on whole grain crackers or sipping lemon water may be helpful.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: To treat nausea, take vitamin B complex, vitamin B6 and magnesium with food.

HERBS: Chamomile, ginger, and peppermint teas are all proven herbal remedies for nausea.

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the central nervous system with no known cure or cause. Symptoms of this slow and progressive disease include slow movements, muscular rigidity, a resting tremor and a shuffling walk and postural instability. The first sign of the disease is a slight tremor in the hand, arm or leg that gradually becomes worse, especially during times of fatigue and stress. As the disease progresses, the body becomes stiffer and weaker and the tremors spread to both sides of the body and the head. Speech becomes difficult and blinking decreases noticeably. Depression, dementia, and severe incapacitation often follow.

The causes of Parkinson’s disease are unknown, although it has been associated with the buildup of toxic heavy metals in the body. The disease seems to involve and imbalance of the brain chemicals dopamine and acetycholine. Dopamine deficiency can be caused by nutritional deficiencies, cerebral vascular disease, side effects of anti-psychotic drugs, carbon monoxide poisoning, drug abuse, and a rare infection (encephalitis lethargica).

DIET: Eat a diet rich in organic, whole foods, as well as plenty of raw foods including dark green leafy vegetables, rutabagas, sprouts, sesame seeds, and sesame butter. Drink plenty of pure, alkalized water.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Amino acid assessment is crucial and Parkinson’s sufferers should consult and orthomolecular doctor. Other supplements that may be helpful are GABA, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B complex, lecithin vitamin C, vitamin E, evening primrose oil, multivitamin/mineral complex, DHEA and selenium, a supplement known to detoxify mercury poisoning.

HERBS: The Ayurvedic herb Mucuna pruriens can also be helpful, and passionflower can enhance the benefits of conventional medicines like levadopa that are prescribed for Parkinson’s disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of the joints, a serious illness that largely affects women between the ages of 20 and 50. RA makes the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissues; this inflammatory disease affects many organs but is best known for the disability, deformity and inflammation of the body’s joints and other connective tissues. RA can strike overnight or develop gradually, and this disease can cripple. Symptoms include night sweats, depression, lethargy, fatigue, fever, weakness, joint stiffness, vague joint pain, and the appearance of painful, swollen joints.

RA can be caused by food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, toxicity, abnormal intestinal permeability and microorganisms in the body. Inflammation amplifies the destructive autoimmune response greatly, and the alleviation of the symptoms RA often comes from dealing with this inflammation.

Foods known to trigger rheumatoid symptoms include milk, yeast, wheat, nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and potatoes), corn and eggs. Genetic susceptibility is also taken into account, as are lifestyle factors, nutrition, toxicity, smoking and abnormal bowel function.

DIET: Diet plays a very important role in reducing and preventing the onset of arthritic conditions. The consumption of fatty meats, hydrogenated fats and conventional dairy products create a highly acidic environment in the body and should be eliminated from the diet. Also avoid sugar, refined flour, caffeine, soda and alcohol. “Bad” fats such as hydrogenated oils can contribute to the symptoms and possibly cause RA, while “good” fats like those containing the essential fatty acids can protect against the disease and alleviate symptoms.

Like all arthritic conditions, excess weight puts more strain on the joints and will aggravate the symptoms of the disease. Sufferers of RA should take care to alkalize the body environment by drinking plenty of pure, alkalized water and by eating large amounts of leafy green vegetables and green power foods like wheat grass and parsley.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: A proper balance of vitamins and minerals is essential in the treatment of any kind of arthritis. Suggested supplements should be taken under the supervision of a health care professional and include vitamin C, D, A, B1, B6, E, niacinamide, oron, zinc, copper, selenium, manganese, pantothenic acid, sulfur, bee pollen, royal jelly, eicosapentaenoic acid, evening primrose oil and manganese. Capsuled shark cartilage is also now being used to combat the pain of RA.

HERBS: Anti-inflammatory herbs help alleviate the symptoms of RA; in particular a tincture of meadowsweet, willow bark, black cohosh, prickly ash, celery seed, nettle, wild yam and valerian in equal parts. Also helpful: yucca plant, devil’s claw, licorice and alfalfa. Many patients find that green tea often alleviates the symptoms of arthritis as well.

We have all had a sore throat, which is the painful inflammation of the throat and is often accompanied with dryness, rawness, painful swallowing, excessive throat clearing, postnasal drip, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, hoarseness, and/or laryngitis- the loss of the voice.

Bacterial or viral infections can cause a sore throat, as can tonsillitis, overuse of the voice, cigarette smoke, allergic reactions, mouth infections and the cold or flu. Symptoms are usually mild and sore throats often clear up on their own in a day or two with proper rest and hydration. If however your sore throat is accompanied by a rash or persists for longer than two weeks, you should seek the help of a health-care professional.

DIET: Maintain proper hydration by the increase intake of pure, alkalized water, herbal teas, diluted fruit juices and broths. Your diet should be rich in organic and whole foods with an emphasis on vegetables. Avoid sugars, alcohol and dairy. Raw organic honey can sooth symptoms and heal a sore throat, as can a salt-water gargle.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Helpful nutrients include vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C with bioflavonoids. Zinc lozenges are also soothing; make sure to purchase those with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners.

HERBS: Gargling with an infusion of lavender or hyssop can soothe a sore throat brought on by environmental irritants. Also useful: Echinacea, garlic, ginger, goldenseal, and slippery elm.

Throats made sore by infection should gargle with an infusion of sage or licorice, and a salt-water gargle often helps as well.

A sprain occurs when a joint ligament and muscle becomes overstretched or injured; symptoms include muscle spasms and pain when the concerned joint is moved. There are three types of strains:

GRADE 1 involves mild pain, tenderness and swelling; no ligaments are torn.

GRADE 2 involves a partial tearing of the ligament. Patient will have obvious swelling, bruising, and difficulty trying to use the joint to perform normal operations.

GRADE 3 involves a complete tear of the ligament and includes swelling, extreme bruising, hemorrhaging under the skin and the inability to use the joint at all. Patient should seek medical help as soon as possible.

DIET: Keep your body strong and healthy with a diet of organic, whole foods. Consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and pure, alkalized water.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: To reduce swelling, proteolytic enzymes can be taken apart from meal times on an empty stomach. Vitamin C, bioflavonoids, calcium and magnesium can help with muscle spasms and alleviate inflammation as well.

HERBS: A tincture of horsetail, nettle, and willow bark can help alleviate pain and inflammation.

Stress is the single most important cause of disease. Stress is part of life, however, and it is not so much the existence of stress that causes disease, but rather our reactions to it.

Stress is any external or internal stimulus that causes pressure. Some stress is healthy; for example the stress that occurs during the creative process that ultimately leads to a breakthrough, or the stress placed on muscles during working out to make them stronger. Stress can prompt us to become better people.

However most people see stress as all negative and do not deal with it in a healthy manner; at this point stress can lead to impaired immune function, emotional distress and physical and psychological illnesses. Stress can also aggravate any existing health condition.

Any stimulus that upsets normal body functioning or disturb one’s mood can be considered unhealthy; we all know that even positive experiences like parties or getting married or starting a new job can be stressful. Remember, it is not the existence of stress and life problems that are inherently negative for your body system, but rather how you react to stress that portends your present and future health. In other words, take a chill pill.

Each individual must learn what works for him or her to reduce the negative effects of stress. Yoga, natural settings, journaling, breathing techniques, laughter, petting a puppy, exercise and spending time with friends and loved ones can all alleviate stress. Along with a healthy diet, learning to properly deal with the stresses of life is the number one lifestyle change you can make in order to live a long, healthy life.

DIET: Avoid caffeine and alcohol; these things only alleviate the symptoms of stress for a short time (and in the case of alcohol, often make it worse). Consume a diet rich in organic and whole foods: fresh fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates and adequate amounts of essential fatty acids. Drink plenty of pure, alkalized water every day, as dehydration can be a cause of stress.

Avoid sugars, refined flour and carbohydrates, additives, preservatives, and processed foods. Treat yourself right.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: To improve your ability to deal with stress, take vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, vitamin B6, B12, C, and E in conjunction with a multivitamin. Also important are essential fatty acids, especially omega-3 oils.

HERBS: Many herbs calm the nerves, sooth the mind and relieve stress. Chamomile tea is by far the most popular remedy; also try passionflower, valerian root and American ginseng.

Sunburn occurs from the overexposure of the body to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation of sunlight, which causes inflammation and burns to the skin. It is most common in fair-skinned people and symptoms appear almost immediately to within 24 hours after sun exposure. Symptoms include pain, swelling, blisters and the discoloration of the skin from pink to dark red. Headaches, chills, fever, weakness and infection may also accompany a bad burn. Severe sunburns can lead to shock, and burns on the lower half on the body are generally more severe. Skin can remain tender and sensitive to sunlight for weeks.

Repeated overexposure to the sun can cause skin cancer and increases the signs of aging, like wrinkles. Some pharmaceutical drugs increase the body’s susceptibility to sunburns.

To prevent sunburn, wear sunscreen on any exposed part of the body including the scalp, top of ears, back of hands, etc. If you are fair-skinned you should apply sunscreen everyday, even if your sun exposure is minimal.

DIET: Keep your body strong and healthy with a diet of organic, whole foods. Consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and pure, alkalized water.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Take vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, and potassium orally; you can also mix together vitamin A, vitamin E, essential fatty acids, zinc oxide and aloe gel and apply this tincture topically to the sunburn to alleviate pain and swelling.

HERBS: Cool aloe vera gel is the best remedy for sunburned skin and should be applied liberally. A salve made with St. John’s wort and calendula flowers can also soothe a bad burn.

TIP: Ketchup on your fries isn’t going to cut it. Instead, enjoy a classic Italian salad of sliced onions, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese drizzled with olive oil. Add tomato slices to sandwiches and salads and to keep things colorful, use yellow, green and purple tomatoes in addition to red ones.

Swelling refers to the enlargement of any part of the body and is caused by infection, allergic reactions, injury, inflammation and the retention and shifting of bodily fluids.

DIET: Fresh-squeezed pineapple juice can often reduce swelling due to its high bromelain content. Keep your body healthy with a diet of organic, whole foods; this includes fresh fruits and vegetables and plenty of pure, alkalized water. Avoid salt, which helps your body to retain water, and can promote swelling, as well as alcohol, soda, refined sugars, caffeine, commercial fruit and vegetables juices and dairy.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Useful nutrients to supplement your diet with include vitamin B-complex, vitamin B6 and vitamin C with bioflavonoids. Also important to help the body recover from swelling are proteolytic enzymes and bromelain, taken on an empty stomach.

HERBS: Herbal teas are advised to combat the effects of swelling. The application of a hot ginger root pack topically can help to increase circulation to the area and soothe the accompanying pain and stiffness.

Tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendon, the fibrous chord that attaches muscles to joints or to other muscles in your body. Usually inflammation occurs in the tendon and the lining of the tendon as well, although it may occur in either one separately as well.

Symptoms of tendonitis include pain and tenderness around the concerned tendons as well as restricted movement to the area. Pain can be mild or severe, depending on the degree of the inflammation. Bones around the affected tendons may “creak” and become enlarged.

Tendonitis is caused by the decreased circulation to the tendons from repeated or chronic trauma- usually excessive exercise or strain. It can also be caused by diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disorders, gout, Reiter’s syndrome, high blood cholesterol levels and sexually transmitted diseases.

DIET: Those suffering from tendonitis should avoid nightshade plants (white potatoes, eggplant, tobacco and tomatoes). Inflammation is often caused by food allergies, and proper assessment of food allergies is essential, either by following an elimination diet or by consulting a health care professional.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Some useful supplements for tendonitis are vitamin B complex, vitamin B6, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, vitamin E, bromelain, essential fatty acids, cod liver oil, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium and D-phenylalanine.

HERBS: Find relief by taking a tincture make of equal parts of willow bark, cramp bark and prickly ash.

A urinary tract infection is an irritation of the urinary tract anywhere from the urethra to the end of the bladder lining. Also called cystitis or a bladder infection, UTI’s usually affect sexually active, menstruating women but can affect anyone. UTI’s can be chronic, recurring, or a single episode and they often follow sexual intercourse, as unhealthy bacteria are pushed into the urethra.

Symptoms include pain and burning sensations during urination, an increased need to urinate and pain located in the lower back and pubic region. UTI’s must be treated. Untreated bladder infections can become very serious and affect the kidneys, leading to blood in the urine, fever, nausea, vomiting and back pain. If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should consult a health care professional immediately.

UTI’s are caused by bad bacteria that are unable to be eliminated from the urinary tract by normal means (urination), and menopause can exacerbate this problem. To prevent UTI’s, always urinate after sexual intercourse- as soon as possible, anyway. Diaphragms and contraceptive sponges can also contribute to UTI’s as they can block the bladder from full emptying out. UTI-prone women should consider other forms of birth control.

DIET: Cranberry juice has been proven to prevent UTI’s as it stops bacteria from adhering to the wall of the urinary tract. Drink fresh squeezed cranberry juice every day if you are prone to UTI’s, or if the taste is too much, take supplements in pill form.

A healthy diet is important to stave off infection and keep your body working properly. Eat a wide variety of organic fruits and vegetables as well as whole grains, free-range meats and wild-caught fish. Avoid processed foods, alcohol, coffee, sugars, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, dairy, wheat, refined carbohydrates and trans fats. A diet high in sugar promotes a body environment that encourages the growth of bacteria; the elimination of natural and refined sugars from your diet can help prevent UTI’s.

Drink plenty of pure, alkalized water throughout the day, and then drink some more. Proper hydration is essential to prevent and fight UTI’s.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS: Useful nutritional supplement for the prevention of UTI’s include vitwamin A, beta carotene, zinc and acidophilus.

HERBS: To treat a urinary tract infection, try a tea or infusion of fresh parsley, buchu, corn silk, couch grass, goldenseal, marshmallow leaf and uva ursi.