What supplements, vitamins, natural herbs, etc. do you recommend for me?

Question

Hi, I am a 21 year old female, and I was looking to try some "alternative" medicines to boost my health. I have been taking a multi-vitamin everyday consistently for almost 2 months now and its seemed to really help my immunity and overall health. I've just been taking a regular "one a day" brand, and recently tried the energy enhanced one.

What I'm looking to aid/combat/boost:
-Fatigue and low energy. I am tired a lot, even though I regularly get 7-8 hours of sleep and excercise 3-4 times a week.
-I bruise easilly and have some spider veins on my thighs and face.
-I have difficulty concentrating and focusing when I'm trying to study. My mind wanders a lot.
-I get tension headaches regularly, and sometimes migraines.
-I have suffered from generalized anxiety disorder off and on for years.

Any recommendations would be appreciated- and please not anything to expensive- I'm a college student! Thanks. :)

Answer 1

FATIGUE: I would recommend Spirulina or Ultra Blue Green Algae. Ultra Blue Green Algae contains Spirulina. Spirulina may be more expensive. I get the Ultra Blue Green Algae from Walmart. It did not give me a BOOST of energy, but that is not always a good thing in itself. This just makes me feel better and I end up being able to do more.
ALSO
ALFALFA - With all of the vitamins and minerals, it is bound to make you healthier. I use it throughout pregnancy for iron and energy. (Walmart has a 300 count bottle for under $4)
Excerpts from The How to Herb Book
The name alfalfa means "Father of all Foods." It has been called the King of plants because it is extremely rich in vitamins and minerals including IRON, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine, sodium, potassium, silicon, and trace elements.

A good source of carotene (Vitamin A) and a little known vitamin –Vitamin K, the blood clotting vitamin which has been known to help peptic ulcers.
Has eight of the essential amino acids and the highest chlorophyll content of any plant.
Prevents tooth decay and helps rebuild decayed teeth, contains natural fluorides.

GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER: I recommend
***VALERIAN ROOT
The following information came from The How to Herb Book
"Valerian root is a powerful, effective antispasmodic. It quiets, calms, and has a healing effect on the nervous system. Valerian root is a marvelous weapon against stress and nerves.
*Promotes sleep if taken at night. Has no narcotic effect.
*Relieves pain.
*Good to normalize heart palpitations, slows action of heart while strengthening it. Good for circulatory system.
*Stimulates secretion and peristaltic action of stomach and intestines.
*Anti-flatulent (gas) for adults and infants.
*Used for children with measles and scarlet fever for restlessness and pain."

The following information came from this website
http://www.bulkherbstore.com/vrc...
"Traditionally valerian has been used medicinally to treat nervous disorders, hypochondria, migraines, insomnia, depression, cramps, croup, colic, flatulence, whooping cough, typhoid, fever, epilepsy, vertigo, convulsions, diabetes, cholera, sores, heart palpitations, stomach ulcers, vaginal yeast infections, premenstrual syndrome, bed-wetting and sleep disorders.

Hundreds of experiments have been conducted on valerian primarily in Germany and Russia. These studies have substantiated the herb’s effectiveness in the treatment of nervous, circulatory, digestive and sleep disorders. Valerian root targets the higher brain centers, suppressing and regulating the autonomic nervous system. Consequently, valerian is very effective in dispelling psychosomatic diseases which result from a glitch in the regulation of the autonomic nervous system. Valerian pacifies the fear of hypochondriacs, soothes the nervous and calms the hysterical."

VALERIAN is a natural product that should not cause side effects.
I have a friend who reported after his first night of taking Valerian that he had weird dreams and felt "loopy" the next morning. But he reported two weeks later that he was still taking the Valerian and was sleeping like a baby. Whether or not the Valerian caused his "episode" we do not know. But we do know that he is a happy camper now that it is in his system.

*You can buy Valerian Root Capsules at Walmart and other pharmacies.

HEADACHE
*Eliminate sugar, chocolate, refined foods.
*Thyme and Fenugreek combination.
*Eat a slice of cinnamon toast (generous on the cinnamon)
*Rub some pure essential peppermint oil on the temple in the area of the pain.
(You can get this peppermint oil at various health stores and online. It might cost $5 per 1/2 ounce, but a little dab will do ya. A good source is Choice 2: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com )

The How to Herb Book says:
Headaches are caused by many reasons; Hypoglycemia, congested colon, stress, spinal maladjustment, illness, mineral or vitamin deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, etc. Many times when you treat a headache you are treating the symptom and not the cause. Try to find out what is causing the headache and then remove the cause.

*Some people have found that taking B Vitamins daily prevents them from getting headaches.
*Chiropractice care has worked wonders for Migraine and other headaches. (Ask for an adjustment.)

Do your own research on these herbs and natural remedies to find out how/why they will help you. I hope you find relief.

I really recommend the book that I quoted. I use it to find remedies for all of our ailments. It is packed with information to help you treat many kinds of problems. It was my first herb book and I refer to it almost daily.

Answer 2

I. Healthy people may develop bruises from any injury that doesn't break through the skin. Vigorous exercise may also cause bruises due to bringing about small tears in blood vessels walls.

The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) may lead to increased bruising. Aspirin, antidepressants, asthma medications, and cortisone medications also have this effect.

Treatment - A bruise by itself needs no medical treatment. It is often recommended that ice packs be applied on and off during the first 24 hours of injury to reduce the bruising. After that, heat, especially moist heat, is recommended to increase the circulation and the healing of the injured tissues. Rest, elevation of the effected part, and compression with a bandage will also retard the accumulation of blood.

Alternative treatment - Several types of topical applications are usually recommend to speed healing and to reduce the pain associated with bruises. Vitamin K cream can be applied directly to the site of injury. Astringent herbs such as witch hazel, Hamamelis virginiana, can be used. This will tighten the tissues and therefore diminish the bruising. The homeopathic remedy, Arnica montana, can be applied as a cream or gel to unbroken skin.

II. If anxiety is disproportional to life's circumstances and there are no obvious underlying reasons for the it, psychological and biochemical disturbances should be investigated. Alternative medicine has a lot to offer in this respect, common recommendations including avoiding caffeine, sugar and alcohol. Hidden food allergies may be a contributing factor or cause.

Nutrients such as calcium and magnesium, B-vitamins, niacinamide, B12 injections (especially if stomach acid production is insufficient), tryptophan with inositol and chromium, valerian root, and GABA can have a calming effect.

Certain foods can worsen anxiety.
Dairy products, chocolate, sugar, alcohol, wheat, salt, commercial salad dressings, ketchup (catsup), mustard, coffee, black tea, and red meat may worsen anxiety symptoms.

High-nutrient foods such as vegetables, brown rice, whole grains, seeds and nuts, fruits, poultry, fish, olive oil, and flax seeds/oil can help relieve stress and prevent anxiety. If you feel anxious, jittery, depressed or fatigued after eating a particular food, don't eat it.

Answer 3

I'm not going to tell you what brands to take or amounts to take. That would be to presumptuous of me. The only advice I can recommend is look for products that come from all food sources with natural and organic ingredients. The less tampering that is done with the product the better it will work. Sounds like your not eating enough raw citrus foods. Your veins are weak, boost up the biflavinoids.
The focusing part is easy, learn to use mantra meditation. I got straight A's in school after I learn to meditate.

Answer 4

Get your full 8 hours sleep at night I don't care what it takes. Keep taking your multi-vitamin. Try to reduce your stress levels by increasing your daily exercise routines. Donot drink coffee or products with caffeine in them, they job rob you of the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy. Have a well balanced diet of lots of fruits and vegetables. If you can afford it take panex ginseng, one half hour before your lowest energy period during the day. Ginseng boosts your energy levels for 4 hours and also boosts your immune system so you are less suseccable to colds virus and flu.

Answer 5

The first thing is those headaches - 1/2 gallon of water and 2 bananas (magnesium and potassium) per day and READ The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Davies.
2nd Find a way to eat properly.
3rd male and female - prenatal vitamins - there is a heart specialist in Ca who recommends the mix.

Answer 6

Bake a healthy breakfast before hand to ensure you don't grab a sugary scone out and about.

Answer 7

Aim for a 300- to be able to 400-calorie meal.

Answer 8

Baggy clothes hide your body and encourage lounging around. So regardless if you're relaxing at home, wear fitted clothes to keep you on track.

Answer 9

Keep cut-up fruits and veggies in the fridge to seize for snacks or easy dishes.

Answer 10

Whenever you can stay away from 500 calories from fat per day you can shed some sort of lb . every week.