Over the past few days, a group of Cochrane Researches have released data from a study that tested hawthorn extract. A goal of the study was to determine if hawthorne extract had any positive affect on the body of patients going through heart failure. They did this by providing a total of 855 patients; with a placebo given for some, and hawthorn extract to others, it was going to be possible to see what groups had the great positive change(s).

The study concluded hawthorn extract had “significant” positive impacts upon the people that took it over the patients that took the placebo. The patients that took the hawthorn extract saw:

• increased maximal workload
• increased tolerance for exercise
• reduced the oxygen consumption of the heart
• reduced shortness of breath and fatigue

Unfortunately, a few people reported mild nausea dizziness, as well as heart and stomach complaints.

While herbal supplements have a wildly positive affect on your body, some individuals should not take them. This can include the following people:

- You’re currently taking over the counter or prescription medications. With herbs, they can give you serious side effects when mixed with these medicines. This can include aspirin, blood thinners, and blood pressure medications.

- A medical treatment is available for your condition.

- You are either pregnant or breast-feeding. Don’t take any medications, be them prescription, over the counter or herbal medicines when you’re pregnant or breast feeding. Talk to your doctor to see if they are allowed, as medicine that may be safe for you as an adult may not be safe for your child.

- You’re about to have surgery. Herbal supplements can affect surgery, such as decreasing the ineffectiveness of anesthetics or cause dangerous complications, such as high blood pressure or bleeding. Tell your doctor about herbs you’re taking.

Bilberry, or vaccinium myrtillus, protects yoru eyes from fatigure and eyestrain. It approves the circulation of your eyes. During the WWII, the British Royal Air Force pilots ate local Bilberry preserves before flying at night and realized that their vision at night was much clearer. After an investigation, it was determined Bilberry was beneficial for the eyes.

Bilberry works by improving the regeneration of the retinal purple, something required to have a good eyesight. It fights capillary fragility by containing a high amount of proanthocvanidins, a type of flavonoid. It also contains anthocyanin, one of nature’s antioxidant, which lowers blood pressure and reduces blood clotting.

Clinical tests have shown that the oral administration of Bilberry helps improve accuracy in healthy people and is beneficial for those with eye disorders like myopia, retinitis, and glaucoma.

Green tea is all the rage at the moment. You’ve seen it on the TV and read about it in magazines. So today, let’s look at the benefits of green tea. There are 4 main benefits of drinking green tea, and we’ve listed them below:

1) Lowering LDL cholesterol - Studies have shown that green tea lowers the amount of low density lipoproteins (LDLs) in the blood stream. LDLs are responsible for the buildup of plaque in the arteries that could lead to heart disease.

2) Protection against Cancer - Studies point to green tea extracts ability to neutralize free radicals, chemicals that could damage cells. Green tea extracts could also limit cell replication, which is the main feature of cancer.

3) Help you to lose weight - Research has shown that green tea extract increases the body’s thermogenesis, the generation of body heat, which in turn burns the calories and fat needed to lose weight. Studies have shown that drinking green tea daily helps speed up your metabolism. This, when combined with a good diet and exercise will help you lose weight.

4) Promoting General Health - Green tea extract contains powerful antioxidants which can help boost the body’s immune system and protect against illness and disease.

There are even more green tea benefits that we have not covered here, and scientists are discovering new benefits all the time. Green tea is widely available in a whole array of products, check them out on the link below:

Having trouble sleeping? Herbal supplements can help you get a good nights sleep. Here are the top 5 herbal sleep aid supplements…

Top 5 Herbal Sleep Aids:

1. Chamomile
   Chamomile is one of nature’s oldest and gentlest herbal sleep aids. It is most often drunk as a tea, which has a mild and pleasant taste. In addition to promoting calm and restfulness, chamomile is also used in cases of stomach irritation.
2. Valerian
   Valerian is a root that has long been used as an herbal sleep aid. It has a characteristic smell, like old socks, which comes from isovaleric acid. Valerian can be used to help occasional sleeplessness, but is also particularly helpful taken long-term.
3. Melatonin
   Melatonin is a hormone that the body produces at night. It is sometimes called the “sleep hormone” because it is so important to healthy sleep. People who are blind, who suffer from jet lag, or who live in places with extended sunlight hours may have trouble sleeping because their bodies do not produce enough melatonin.
4. SAMe
   SAMe (S-adenosyl-methionine) is an amino acid derivative, and is found normally in the body. It is typically used as an antidepressant, but is also commonly used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome or as an herbal sleep aid. Its actions in the body help to promote healthy sleep cycles, especially when taken daily for several weeks.
5. Tryptophan
   Tryptophan is an amino acid that is a precursor to seratonin. Low seratonin levels can cause irritability, anxiety, and sleeplessness, so adding more tryptophan to your diet can help you relax and will promote healthier sleep patterns.

So before you head to the doctor for a prescription, try herbal products.