Cypy Healthy

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of medical disorders that increase one's risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It affects a large number of people in a clustered fashion. In some studies, the prevalence in the USA is calculated as being up to 25% of the population.

The first line treatment is change of lifestyle (i.e., caloric restriction and physical activity). However, drug treatment is frequently required. Generally, the individual diseases that comprise the metabolic syndrome are treated separately (e.g. diuretics and ACE inhibitors for hypertension). Cholesterol drugs may be used to lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, if they are elevated. Use of drugs that decrease insulin resistance e.g., metformin and thiazolidinediones is controversial and not FDA approved.

Recent studies indicate that cardiovascular exercise is therapeutic in less than 31% of cases. The most probable benefit is to triglyceride levels, with 43% of sufferers showing improvement; conversely 91% of test subjects did not exhibit a decrease in fasting plasma glucose or insulin resistance.

Autohemotherapy: An effective tool to fight cancer
By. Francisco Contreras, MD.

When most people hear the word ozone, they think of a protective layer of our atmosphere but aren’t really sure what it is beyond that. Ozone is oxygen but with the molecular structure O 3 instead of O 2 . This additional molecule makes ozone a highly reactive oxidant. If inhaled, ozone can do some serious damage to our bodies. However, there is an application of this substance that is very therapeutic. But first, let’s take a closer look at ozone.

In nature, ozone has a good side and a bad side. In the stratosphere, it acts as a shield, deflecting harmful UV irradiation. However, in the troposphere, ozone is a major component of the smog that harms humans, animals, and plants. When we breathe it, ozone can cause serious pulmonary and systemic side effects because it is such a powerful oxidant. a*

It has been shown that ozone possesses broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. b*
This means that it fights the bacteria that cause infection. In the First World War, it was used by medics to save the lives of wounded soldiers suffering from gaseous gangrene. Today ozonated solutions and ozonated oils are still used to treat wounds and a host of infections. Ozone therapies are used to treat fistulae, abscesses, ulcers, gingivitis, stomatitis, and osteomyelitis. In addition, ozone has been widely used in sewage treatment and water purification processes because it is such an effective bacterial scavenger. c*

On the world scene, ozone therapy became an alternative medical approach in 1954, when Wehrly and Steinbart first described its application. They found that while the human respiratory tract reacts very negatively to ozone, human blood does not. In fact, when exposed to appropriate ozone concentrations, our blood tames the strong oxidant properties of ozone, thus eliminating any acute side effects. The benefits derived from this therapy are staggering.

Oasis doctors know that ozonation of the blood improves the exchange of oxygen in the blood, activates the immune system, and increases the efficiency of the antioxidant system. What is most exciting to us is how these three things combine to effectively retard or reverse tumor growth. It is obvious to our doctors that ozone is useful in the treatment of degenerative diseases like cancer.

Over the last seven years, doctors at Oasis have advanced the use of ozone therapy, the results have been extraordinary. Our patients have experienced measurable tumor reduction quickly, sometimes in as little as two weeks. For long-term results, we still believe that metabolic therapy is vital, but it is wonderful to get fast results, too. Let me explain how ozone therapy is administered.

Autohemotherapy is the process of bringing small quantities of blood into contact with ozone.d* This ozone therapy is performed each year on several hundred thousand patients around the world, mostly in Russia, Poland, Greece, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Belgium and Cuba.e* The medical ozone used in this therapy is an O 2 /O 3 mixture with a low ozone concentration. The ozone generators used to produce this mixture are incredibly precise.f*

Autohemotherapy is typically performed in one of two ways. The standard technique is to withdraw 150-250 ml of blood and expose it to a O 2 /O 3 mixture at a specified ozone concentration, followed by intravenous reinfusion of this blood into the patient. g*At the Oasis of Hope, we have the option of running an extracorporeal loop to ozonate all of the patient’s blood. This second technique involves automatically running the blood through a continuous recirculating device which mixes ozone and blood in a closed loop before reinfusing it. h*

The results from two very recent studies proved the safety and effectiveness of the ozonation of blood in humans. No significant changes in blood chemistry or other parameters were found. The patients felt no particular sensations during treatment. The treatment session was followed by a feeling of well-being and euphoria, lasting several hours. Most importantly, there was a total lack of side effects. The authors conclude that blood ozonation is clinically valid, without side effects and that there are at least four areas , namely infectious diseases, vascular disorders, degenerative diseases (particularly metastatic cancer), and pathologies related to immune depression, where this treatment could be useful when orthodox therapies have failed .i* All of these factors fall within the principles embraced by Oasis doctors.

So, how does the ozone actually work? Personally, I am fascinated by the cascade of effects ozone provokes when it is introduced into the bloodstream. Ozone decomposes in blood and interacts immediately with several substances, namely fatty acids, cholesterols, proteins, and carbohydrates. j* When the ozone decomposes a series of reactive oxygen species are quickly produced, the most important of which is hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ).

A sudden rise in H 2 O 2 concentration triggers very different biochemical activity depending upon the type of cell the H 2 O 2 penetrates. k* If the H 2 O 2 penetrates red cells and endothelial cells, three things happen. First, there is an increase in the delivery and release of oxygen by red cells toward the tissues.l* Then, in areas of the system that were constricted, endothelial cells enhance release of nitric oxide (NO) m* resulting in dilation of blood vessels and improving oxygen flow.n*Finally, the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) is inhibited due to the improvement of oxygenation in the neoplastic tissue. Remember, tumors feed on blood vessels. Thus, anything that reduces the formation of blood vessels helps to restrain tumor growth.

When H 2 O 2 penetrates cells known as leukocytes, it induces the production of specialized biological assassins called cytokines. These include interleukins, interferon, and tumor necrosis factor. o*The cytokines launch an array of immune functions, such as macrophages and neutrophils, which slow tumor growth and metastasis.p*

The presence of H 2 O 2 in the blood increases the efficiency with which the body eliminates oxidants. We know that persistent oxidative stress from free radicals, or oxidants, is at the root of degenerative diseases like cancer. Countless findings show that aging, chronic viral infections, cancer, autoimmune diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases are all accompanied by a reduction in the body’s ability to detoxify itself properly.

Without question, ozone therapy will rapidly become an essential tool for oncologists and an integral part of comprehensive treatment programs. Over the next few years, Oasis doctors will continue to refine the use of ozone therapy. I expect even more dramatic results.

The definition accepted in most aromatherapy schools is, "Aromatherapy is the therapeutic use of essential oils." Essential oils are defined as volatile parts of aromatic plants extracted by steam distillation or expression.

Although one of the lesser-known complementary therapies in the United States, aromatherapy has been accepted as part of nursing care in the United Kingdom. British nurses are insured by the Royal College of Nurses to use essential oils (both topically and inhaled) for improved patient care, provided their hospital approves and without a doctor's specific instructions. Further, some hospitals also allow non-nursing personnel to use essential oils. Aromatherapy is also used by nurses in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Germany, and Switzerland, and is becoming popular in the United States. More than 30 states allow the use of some complementary therapies (including aromatherapy) as a part of holistic nursing care.

Some essential oils were listed for oral use by the American Medical Association in Useful Drugs, published in 1930.Although Price and Price suggest that aromatherapy first made its appearance in the United States in the 1980s, aromatherapy massage oils were produced and sold nationwide from 1967 and early aromatherapy courses were established during the mid-1970s. However, since the 1980s, the popularity of aromatherapy as a complementary therapy has escalated. Aromatherapy products have become big business, as a trip to natural foods and herb products stores will confirm.

The perfume and the food and drink industries funded much of the research into natural essential oils. Essential oils were originally used in the perfumery before they were deemed too expensive and replaced with synthetic aromatic compounds. Essential oils were also used to add taste and smell to consumables until they, too, were replaced with synthetic compounds. The vast array of low-cost aromatherapy products on the market usually contains inexpensive synthetic fragrances, as a glance at the label will verify. It must be emphasized that most aromatherapists contend that synthetic aromatic compounds are not part of aromatherapy, and such compounds have been linked to the growing emergence of fragrance sensitivity.

(ARA) - Summer is the season of swimming, tennis, and being outdoors. But along with summer sports, the season brings sprained ankles, pulled muscles and shin splints. This summer, and all year round, athletes of all levels are turning to massage therapy to combat these mishaps.

Once considered an alternative medicine, massage has staked its claim to the mainstream. Americans make about 114 million visits to massage therapists each year, and spend about $6 billion total. Moreover, the American Massage Therapy Association reports that 2 million more people sought out massage therapy in 2005 than in 2004.

Robin Helton, massage therapy department chairperson instructor at Everest College, in Burr Ridge, Ill., says that the massage industry's huge growth is about more than just our nation's need for relaxation. "Medical professionals now recognize the benefits of massage, not only in alleviating certain medical conditions, but also as a form of preventative medicine, and a key to overall well-being."

Massage Offers a Range of Benefits for Even Casual Exercisers

Exercise is one area where massage therapy is fast making an impact. Professional athletes cite massage as vital to their performance, and even casual exercisers have begun incorporating it into their weekly workout routine.

Helton points out that while any type of exercise can take its toll on the body, massage can help alleviate many exercise-related problems. "Massage therapy can help care for the wear-and-tear and minor injuries caused by exercise," Helton states. In fact, Helton says that not just exercisers, but anyone who does strenuous activities could benefit from a massage, including parents with small children, gardeners or physical laborers.

The Many Benefits of Massage for Exercisers

In addition to simply relaxing tired bodies, massage has numerous advantages that can directly benefit active people, including:

* Improving circulation

* Reducing recovery time between workouts

* Increasing flexibility and range of motion

* Helping prevent future injuries

* Easing discomfort in trouble spots

Leroy Tavares, Jr., education chairperson and licensed massage therapist at Everest Institute in DeKalb, Ga., explains that improving circulation can help build muscle. "Massage helps increase the flow of vital nutrients which are necessary for building muscle."

Massage can also help you recover faster from workouts by removing waste products that exercise creates, such as lactic and carbonic acid. Everest Institute’s Tavares, who is also a certified personal trainer and former head coach for the American Diabetes Association marathon team explains, "It is the build up of lactic acid that makes you sore and massage helps remove those waste products faster, which can shorten time off between workouts."

Massage can also improve flexibility and range of motion, which can help prevent future injuries. "Massage relaxes the muscles and stretches connective tissue, which can actually help prevent future injuries caused by tight muscles and joints," says Tavares.

Everyone has their own trouble spot -- sometimes these trouble spots are the result of past injuries, while other times they are just due to years of wear-and-tear. "A trained massage therapist can focus on your unique trouble spots, to ensure they give you as little trouble as possible," says Tavares.

Massage Makes An Attractive Career Option

Because massage is being used in a growing number of settings, it is expected to remain in high demand over the coming years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects demand for massage therapists to grow by 23.6 percent over the coming years and “Money Magazine's” lists massage therapists among its Top 20 careers.

"In the past, when you said massage therapist, people would think of spas, candle-lit rooms and soft music, but now people are realizing that a massage career can open so many doors -- whether you want to pursue the healthcare angle, or the athletics angle, it offers so much," says Tavares.

Levitra and Cialis both are oral therapy medications that are used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Still levitra stands one step ahead of cialis. Studies conducted earlier have portrayed that the percentage of people benefited by levitra is more than those benefited by cialis.

Both levitra and cialis are the medications that have been approved by FDA. Levitra has captured the pharmacy industry by its effective results and fewer side-effects. It helps attain an erection within 15 minutes after taking the medicine. Its effect lasts for a longer period of time, nearly about 16 hours. On the contrary, cialis starts its effect after 30 to 36 minutes and any long term positive effect with this medicine has yet not been reported. Hence, levitra works quicker and has longer lasting effects.

One should not consume any of these medicines without the prescription of the doctor. One pill of levitra is taken daily whereas cialis usually requires the patient to take 2 pills in a day.

Levitra can be taken with or without food. There are no food or alcohol restrictions with the intake of this medicine. You can go ahead enjoying parties and romantic dinners. Whereas if your are consuming cialis, you may require to take it empty stomach. You doctor can guide you better regarding the dosage of the medicine.

Levitra has proven to have lesser side-effects as compared to cialis. Although levitra has been found to be a safe medicine for heart patients, the use of cialis in a similar condition can be dangerous. The side-effects that can be caused while consuming cialis are as under-:

•Headache
•Flushing
•Stomach upset
•Nasal stuffiness
•Diarrhea
•Dizziness
•Skin rash
•Blurred vision
•Urination problems

Side-effects other than those listed above can also occur. Levitra may cause a few mild side-effects such as dizziness or a slight headache.

The success rate with levitra is calculated to be more when compared to cialis. Although both the drugs work alike, recent findings suggest that levitra may work much better.

Levitra has revolutionized the pharmacy industry. Erectile dysfunction cannot land you in a state of embarrassment any more. Use levitra and get an easier and much harder erection. Refurbish your sex life and enjoy the climax of sexual intercourse. Make you spouse happier by gratifying her sexual urge.

The modern mum-to-be is a stressed out individual, having to cater to increasing pressures of a fast paced society and work place. Yet at the same time, she knows that her wellness is crucial especially during her pregnancy if she wants a smooth delivery process and the birth of a healthy happy baby.

This increased awareness has led to the search for alternative approaches in addition to traditional health services. Pregnancy massage therapy is one such alternative approach. It has much therapeutic value as it enhances the function of muscles and joints, improves blood circulation and relieves mental and physical fatigue.



Pregnancy Massage can be prenatal, postnatal or during the labour process, although many refer pregnancy massage to just prenatal and post-natal massage to mean massage that takes place a few days after delivery.

In a prenatal massage, the massage is focused on reducing pregnancy discomforts and aims to enhance the physiological and emotional well-being of both mother and foetus. A relaxed mother also helps in the development of a brainy and healthy foetus. Also, the massage helps to strengthen and prepares the muscles that are useful for a natural delivery process.

Many women fear a long delivery process. Yet, many desire one that is as natural as possible and without the use of epidural or any other drugs. During labour, massage techniques exist to help shorten the delivery process while easing pain and anxiety.

Post-natal massage focuses on toning the new mother�s body, reduce fluid retention and and helps the body be brought back to balance and shape. It also helps to rejuvenate and re-energize the new mother and thus enhance her ability to bond with her baby.

The pregnant female should always first consult her doctors if she is suitable for massage or for any other alternative therapies that they wish to try. Her overall objective is to achieve a good mental state and physical health and to have a wonderful birthing experience.

Nowadays many people are familiar with the appellation of “low testosterone level”. What does it mean? It means that male body produce less amounts of this hormone than necessary.
Testosterone is the major androgenic hormone produced by the cells of the testes. This hormon regulates gonadotropic secretion and wolffian duct differentiation and stimulates skeletal muscle.

There are two different effects of testosterone:

Anabolic effects: promoting growth, muscle building.

Androgenic effects: developing the primary (male sex organs) and secondary sex characteristics (deepening of the voice and growth of facial hair for example).

Testosterone level in the body is analysing thrugh the serum total testosterone test.
This test measures the total of two forms of testosterone – free and bound. Normal test levels of combined bound and free testosterone range anywhere from 300-1100 ng/dl (nanograms per deciliter) depending on age and individual factors. Concentration of testosterone much less than 300-1100 ng/dl is to be considered as low testosterone level.
Low testosterone level is one of the reasons of male cryptorchidism, hypogonadism and the symptoms of the male climacteric.

The quick and effective way to increase level of this hormone in the body is to administer synthetic testosterone.

There are few forms of synthetic testosterone:

Injectable forms:

Testosterone Suspension - is an preparation containing free testosterone in a water.
Testosterone Enanthate, Cypionate and Propionate – esters of testosterone.

Such forms of testosterone are injected in buttocks every one-two weeks.
The big disadvantage is that testosterone injections are quite painfull.
by: Eugene Shtalman
Article Source: www.iSnare.com

Many people buy candles as decorative objects while a few actually buy then for the scent they emit while burning. Candles provide a fantastic way of brightening and freshening any room. Aromatherapy of Rome candles come in a huge variety of scents and colors. Each candle has been created to evoke a different set of feelings. Aromatherapy has been researched for many years and is now accepted to be a valid method of therapy that uses scented materials to help treat and cure certain common ailments. Aromatherapy is said to help the patient relax, relieve stress and improve one's overall quality of life. It is for this reason that Aromatherapy massage of Rome candles have become so popular.

Aromatherapy of Rome candles are available online and through specialty retail stores. You can buy Aromatherapy of Rome candles in boxed sets or as single candles. Every Aromatherapy of Rome Candle will be labeled with the name of the fragrance and a comment on what effects this particular scent should have on the human patient. Aromatherapy of Rome candles are most commonly used to relieve stress and treat other ailments, such as migraines or muscle aches.

Candle Gift Baskets

Many stores offer sets or gift baskets full of an assortment of Aromatherapy of Rome scented candles. These sets make ideal gifts and are readily available in retails stores or on the internet at an Aromatherapy of Rome site or at various auction sites. Some use Aromatherapy of Rome candles at work. It is said that the calming effects of the candles can sooth even the most hectic work day. Most however use them at home as a way to create a relaxed environment in any room. People that have children and are under a lot of stress will benefit most from this practice. One of the most common uses of Aromatherapy of Rome candles is to burn one while taking a long hot bath. The candles create a relaxed atmosphere and actually enhance the relaxing therapy of the hot bath. Candles can be burned separately or in combinations to create a pleasant stress free atmosphere that just about anyone can enjoy. To find the candles, visit your local retailer or search the internet. All it takes is to try one and you will be hooked as your stress just melts away leaving you with a pleasant and relaxed state of mind.
Author: Kerry Ng
Source: Free Online Articles from ArticlesBase.com

Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, the Bancroft School of Massage Therapy was founded in 1950 by Henry LaFleur, proprietor of the Bancroft Health Center, a facility specializing in Swedish Massage and Sports Massage since 1938. He purchased the George School of Massage in Boston, Massachusetts, moved it to Worcester, and renamed it the Bancroft School of Massage.

Modernization and accreditation

In April 1980, Steve Tankanow, a student apprentice and friend of Henry's, purchased the health center and the school, allowing Henry to devote his time to teaching. Under Steve's guidance, Bancroft moved to modern quarters in the same building, officially becoming BSMT in November of 1981.

Tanakow then began work on gaining academic recognition for the school, and for the profession of massage therapy as a whole. In November 1985, BSMT became the first "massage therapy" school to be licensed by the Department of Education of the­ Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an allied health school offering massage training.

In 1996, the school purchased its own building on Shrewsbury Street and designed an 18,000 square foot (1,700 m²) training facility.

Complementary health

In February 2002, Bancroft signed an alliance with Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) to give Bancroft graduates an opportunity to apply their credits from Bancroft towards completion of the Complementary Health Associate Degree program at Quinsigamond.

Hoxsey Therapy is a fraudulent, pseudoscientific practice promoted as a cure for cancer. Also known as the Hoxsey Method, it is primarily practiced by the Bio-Medical Center in Tijuana, Mexico. The American Cancer Society has stated that "...There is no evidence that the Hoxsey herbal treatment has any value in the treatment of cancer in humans."[
The Hoxsey Method is an herbal cancer remedy that is not considered seriously by the American Medical Association. Harry Hoxsey, a vaudeville performer with no medical or scientific education, and a radio personality, Norman Baker, marketed a mixture of herbs in the 1920's with the claim of curing cancer. Hoxsey himself traced the invention of the treatment to his great-grandfather, who observed a horse with a tumor on its leg cure itself by grazing upon wild plants growing in the meadow. John Hoxsey gathered the herbs and mixed them with old home remedies used for cancer.
Treatment
Hoxsey herbal treatment includes a paste of antimony, zinc and bloodroot, arsenic, sulfur, and talc as external treatments, and a liquid mixture of licorice, red clover, burdock root, Stillingia root, barberry, Cascara, prickly ash bark, buckthorn bark, and potassium iodide for internal consumption.
In addition to the herbs, the Hoxsey treatment now also includes antiseptic douches and washes, laxative tablets, and nutritional supplements. A mixture of procaine hydrochloride and vitamins, along with liver and cactus, is prescribed.
During treatment, patients are asked to avoid consumption of tomatoes, vinegar, pork, alcohol, salt, sugar, and white flour products.
Controversy
Very little peer-reviewed research has been completed to study any claims of therapeutic benefits from the Hoxsey Therapy. Records from the Bio-Medical Center claim that the success rate of treatment is around 80%. A study by the Office of Technology Assessment found that some of the component herbs have anti-tumor properties. A non-peer-reviewed study found that biochanin A, found in red clover (an ingredient in the Hoxsey method), inhibits carcinogen activation in cell cultures in vitro.
The Hoxsey Method is not supported by the American Cancer Society or National Cancer Institute, as neither have found objective evidence that the treatment provides any tangible benefit to cancer victims. A controlled experiment using lab mice did not find any difference in tumor growth between untreated mice and those given the Hoxsey tonic. The FDA investigated 400 people claiming to have been cured by the Hoxsey method and found no indication that any had been cured by the mixture.

Side-effects
.The topical paste is highly caustic, and can burn or scar the skin.
The oral treatment can cause:
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
anxiety
trembling
abdominal cramps
heart block
Pokeweed has caused deaths in children.
Red clover may increase the risk of bleeding for people who take anticoagulants. It also mimics the behavior of the hormone estrogen, and thus is unsuitable for women with estrogen-positive breast tumors.

Cancer Immunotherapy is the use of the immune system to reject cancer. The main premise is stimulating the patient's immune system to attack the malignant tumor cells that are responsible for the disease. This can be either through immunization of the patient, in which case the patient's own immune system is trained to recognize tumor cells as targets to be destroyed, or through the administration of therapeutic antibodies as drugs, in which case the patient's immune system is recruited to destroy tumor cells by the therapeutic antibodies.
Since the immune system responds to the environmental factors it encounters on the basis of discrimination between self and non-self, many kinds of tumor cells that arise as a result of the onset of cancer are more or less tolerated by the patient's own immune system since the tumor cells are essentially the patient's own cells that are growing, dividing and spreading without proper regulatory control.
In spite of this fact, however, many kinds of tumor cells display unusual antigens that are either inappropriate for the cell type and/or its environment, or are only normally present during the organisms' development (e.g. fetal antigens). Examples of such antigens include the glycosphingolipid GD2, a disialoganglioside that is normally only expressed at a significant level on the outer surface membranes of neuronal cells, where its exposure to the immune system is limited by the blood-brain barrier. GD2 is expressed on the surfaces of a wide range of tumor cells including neuroblastoma, medulloblastomas, astrocytomas, melanomas, small-cell lung cancer, osteosarcomas and other soft tissue sarcomas. GD2 is thus a convenient tumor-specific target for immunotherapies.
Other kinds of tumor cells display cell surface receptors that are rare or absent on the surfaces of healthy cells, and which are responsible for activating cellular signal transduction pathways that cause the unregulated growth and division of the tumor cell. Examples include ErbB2, a constitutively active cell surface receptor that is produced at abnormally high levels on the surface of breast cancer tumor cells

Chinese food therapy is a practice of healing using natural foods instead of medications. Chinese food therapy is a modality of traditional Chinese medicine, also known as Chinese Nutrition therapy. It is particularly popular among Cantonese people who enjoy slow-cooked soups. One of the most commonly known is a rice soup that goes by many names including congee and jook. This is a traditional breakfast of Asian people all over the world. Congee recipes vary infinitely, depending upon the desired health benefits as well as taste.
Chinese food therapy dates back as early as 2000 BC. However, proper documentation was only found around 500 BC. The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine also known as the Niejing, which was written around 300 BC, was most important in forming the basis of Chinese food therapy. It classified food by four food groups, five tastes and by their natures and characteristics.
This theraphy is based on chinese philosophy "yin-yang". Yang foods are believed to increase the body's heat (eg. raise the metabolism), while Yin foods are believed to decrease the body's heat (eg. lower the metabolism). As a generalization, Yang foods tend to be dense in food energy, especially energy from fat, while Yin foods tend to have high water content. The Chinese ideal is to eat both types of food to keep the body in balance. A person eating too much Yang food might suffer from acne and bad breath while a person lacking Yang food might be lethargic or anemic.
As a separate categorization, some foods are considered to be especially restorative/healing to the body.
Some common food therapy items and recipes
Bird nest
Oral secretion of swiftlets, collected from the binding material of their nests.
Alleged effects: promote beautiful skin for women; "strengthen the spleen and open up the stomach" ( meaning improve appetite.)
vegetables and fruits are believed to nullify the effect of bird nest if taken within the same day.
The dried material is soaked in water to rehydrate.
The soaked bird nest is cleaned by hand to remove other nest building debris such as grass and feathers.
The cleaned and crumbled bird nest is double steamed with rock sugar as a dessert or with a small amount of pork as a soup.

Korean or Chinese ginseng
Root of a plant that has the Yang properties.
Alleged effects: promote circulation, increase blood supply, revitalize and aid recovery from weakness after illness.
The ginseng root is double steamed with chicken meat as a soup. (samgyetang.)

American ginseng
Root of a plant similar to Korean ginseng, but it has the Yin properties.
Alleged effects: cleansing of excessive Yang in the body, aphrodisiac.
The ginseng is sliced, a few slices are soaked in hot water to make a tea.
Most American ginseng is produced in Wisconsin, USA.

A Cantonese cough remedy
Dried duck gizzards, watercress, apricot kernels:
Note: the following does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a physician.
Alleged effects: relieve both Yin (resulted from cold) or Yang (resulted from dryness) type of coughing.
Watercress is for removing excessive yang in the body.
The sweet apricot kernels and bitter apricot kernels target the lungs.
The dried duck gizzards are used to balance the Yin Yang of the recipe.
Watercress is available in most supermarkets while the rest of the ingredients can be found in most Chinese herb stores.
The ingredients are slow cooked for couple of hours into a soup, a small piece of pork is optional for flavor.
Do not use Yang type meat such as beef or chicken in this recipe because they nullify the effects of the watercress.