Honey has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of medical conditions such as wounds, burns, skin ulcers and scrapes. Now researchers are discovering strong antimicrobial properties in a special type of honey which is made by honeybees that gather nectar from a particular flower, indigenous to New Zealand. This special honey is called "Manuka Honey" and it is now being used as a main ingredient in various health care products on account of its incredible ability to heal.

Even though honey was used as a medicine thousands of years ago, it lost its popularity as a wound dressing when antibiotics were invented during World War II. However, new research is bringing this natural remedy back into the contemporary medical use, especially with the increase in Staph infections and findings of antibiotic-resistant strains bacteria.

Manuka Honey helps wounds in several ways. Its thickness provides a protective barrier around the wound. The hydrogen peroxide it contains is released slowly, killing bacteria that may exist in the wound. Manuka Honey also reduces inflammation and speeds up the growth of healthy tissue. It even makes wounds smell better. Scientists believe this could be because when the bacteria in wounds eat the sugar that's in the honey, they give off sweeter smelling gases. Patients that use the honey dressings on their wounds report that they experience less pain, leaking of wound fluid and scarring.

The special bacteria-killing properties found in Manuka Honey comes from the nectar of the flowers on the tea tree (Leptospermum) which grows wild in New Zealand. This antibacterial component has become known as the "Unique Manuka Factor" or more commonly known as UMF. Manuka Honey has been proven in clinical studies to destroy MRSA and heal staph infections where antibiotics have failed. This is gaining increased interest within the medical community as more cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria plague our hospitals and communities. Manuka Honey has worked in very desperate cases where nothing else has.

To make Manuka Honey, beekeepers set their hives close to tea trees so the bees will gather their nectar. Since the Manuka tree is indigenous to New Zealand and certain parts of Australia, this special type of honey is becoming quite a commodity.

Studies so far have found no negative side effects to using Manuka Honey for medical purposes either internally or topically on the skin.

Ken D'angelo

One U.S. manufacturer called Honeymark International uses Manuka Honey in all their health care products and is now developing a line of cosmetic products containing Manuka Honey, due to be released later this year. "Honeymark currently has products to treat conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, infected wounds, arthritis, ringworm, athlete's foot, etc.," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "Shortly we'll be introducing a Shampoo, Conditioner, Moisturizer, Liquid Hand Soap, Antiseptic Spray, Sanitizing Hand Gel and an Anti-Aging Serum, all containing Manuka Honey."

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit http://www.HoneymarkProducts.com

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Natural, herbal remedies can help arthritis sufferers who have tried traditional pain medications without success. Many natural remedies and supplements have been found to actually reduce cartilage deterioration and even rebuild a patient's lost cartilage.

Many people are also seeking natural remedies because of the increasing cost of prescription medication. Conventional over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can be very helpful in decreasing joint pain, but they do produce side effects and can cause problems in long-term users.

Before adding any supplements to your daily routine, check with your healthcare advisor, as supplements can cause adverse reactions and may not be right for your situation. Before discontinuing a prescription medication, consult a physician.

However, with a doctor's approval, there are many natural solutions, which may aid in managing arthritis.

Acupuncture - This is a popular alternative to medication for pain relief. Although the pain-relieving effects may be temporary, these sessions can be very beneficial for those who find that drugs or supplements are insufficient or have unacceptable side effects

Aromatherapy - Aromatherapy focuses on using pleasurable aromatic botanical oils by either massaging them into the skin, adding them to the bath water, inhaling them directly or diffusing their scents into the surrounding environment. The oils have been known to affect moods, help with relaxation, lessen or end fatigue and anxiety, and help the brain and nervous system via olfactory nerves stimulation when inhaled. It is another holistic treatment used by some arthritic sufferers for pain relief and stress management.

Cayenne Cream - Cayenne peppers contain an substance called capsaicin which is responsible for their spicy effect. This also causes a burning sensation when it comes in contact with skin, and inhibits the body's production of substance P which is heavily involved the relaying signals of pain to the brain. You may need to apply the cayenne cream to painful areas two to three times per day for at least one week before you find relief.

Chondroitin - The most popular dietary supplements for arthritis sufferers are chondroitin, fish oil and glucosamine. Chondroitin can draw fluid into the cartilage, improving shock-absorbing ability and weight control, as more weight equals more joint pressure.

Fish Oil - Fish oils help with controlling inflammation in the body and may provide relief when arthritis is caused by an immune system dysfunction as in lupus. A vegetarian alternative to fish oil is flax seed or borage oil. More information can be found at http://www.omega3fats.com

Glucosamine - Recent studies have shown that the cartilage-building substance called glucosamine is effective for the long-term relief of osteoarthritis pain. In some people, glucosamine appears to even slow the deterioration of joints over time and reinforce joint cartilage. Whether or not it can actually reverse the disease is still unclear. Glutathione

Glutathione - Glutathione is an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties and can be safely boosted by consuming its precursors available in the supplements, N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) or undenatured whey protein. You can find out more about it here http://www.1whey2health.com

Magnets - Although magnets that are worn as jewelry or placed on bed linens have been reported by some to be effective pain relievers, results are still preliminary; doctors claim that these magnets are not strong enough.

MSM - Methyl-Sulfonyl-Methane is an organic sulfur supplement that appears to slow down the degeneration but is not yet proven and approved. It is used in the reduction of inflammation and can be used in conjunction with glucosamine, in some instances.

Nettle leaf - Nettles can reduce a patient's need for NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) by up to 70 percent.

Vitamin B - It is an effective pain reliever. It works best on the knee and can help stop degeneration that is caused by free-radical molecules, not only in the joints but in other areas of the body as well.

Vitamin E - This antioxidant is used primarily for osteoarthritis.

Ginger - Ginger is an antioxidant that acts as an inflammatory with no major side effects.

These are merely a few examples of what an arthritis sufferer can use when seeking pain relief from natural remedies. Due to the lack of scientific study and testing on many of these alternate treatments, there is no proof of their effectiveness.

Nothing can cure osteoarthritis, but nutritional supplements, the application of heat or cold to affected joints, exercise, and weight loss can improve the function and flexibility of your joints, and perhaps even slow the progress of the disease.

_______________________________________________

Copyright � 2005 Priya Shah

Priya Shah is the editor of The Glutathione Report and Health Naturale. For a comprehensive report on arthritis, visit Arthritis Remedies

This article may be reprinted as long as the resource box is left intact and all links are hyperlinked. _______________________________________________

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Moshe Feldenkrais, who died aged 80 in 1984, was an engineer and physicist who worked on France's early atomic research program and on the British antisubmarine project during World War II. But it was the martial arts, and the body mechanics involved in them, that most fascinated him.

The recurrence of an old knee injury set him off on the research that was to be his life's work. Like Matthias Alexander, in healing himself he invented a method that not only helps treat people with serious physical problems (most notably, spasticity) but is also increasingly used by musicians, dancers, and sports�people to improve their awareness and performance.

Elements of Therapy

Functional Intecration This is the one-on-one application of the Feldenkrais method by a trained practitioner, usually in 45- to 60-minute sessions. The practitioner uses gentle manipulation and movements to encourage the body into new, easier ways of moving. In Feldenkrais terms, this feeds information directly of into the nervous system with the result that the body effectively reprograms the brain.

Awareness

Through Movement In contrast to the comparatively passive approach of functional integration, awareness through movement is taught in group classes and comprises a series of directed movements for students to follow actively. It is not conventional exercise, however, because the object is for each student to stay attentive and tune in to precisely what the body is doing. Movements may be very slight, perhaps only lifting one foot a fraction off the floor. But even this may quickly bring a realization of unnecessary muscle tension, release from which can lead to a state of profound relaxation.

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