What is Arctium Lappa?
By Dr. Peter Klapper Ph.D. What is it?A member of the daisy family that can grow more than four feet tall, burdock is a common weed with burrs that can stick to clothes. Native to Europe and Northern Asia, Arctium Lappa is now common in the United States too. In Japan and parts of Europe, Arctium Lappa is eaten as a root vegetable. The plant has purple flowers that bloom between June and October, and its dark roots have strong roots in homeopathic medicine.How is it used? Arctium Lappa has been used for centuries as a blood purifier, a diuretic to eliminate excess water, and a topical remedy for eczema, acne, psoriasis, burns, and more. Arctium Lappa (burdock root) is one of the key active ingredients in our organic eczema relief for adults and our organic eczema relief for kids. How is it taken?Extracts of burdock root can be used as a tea, dried powder, liquid, or tincture, or applied topically as with our natural eczema treatments.How does it work?Burdock root has many healthful properties. For starters, it’s loaded with potent antioxidants, including quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acid. Antioxidants mop up damaging free radicals that have been linked to aging and disease. There’s more: burdock root also helps cool inflammation and has powerful antibacterial effects.Burdock root also contains inulin, a natural dietary fiber and powerful prebiotic. Prebiotics are precursors to probiotics that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut. Consuming more fiber can prevent or relieve constipation, help you maintain a healthy weight, and lower your risk of diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.Thinking of giving Arctium Lappa (burdock root) a try?If you are one of the millions of folks who is driven to distraction by the itchy and inflamed skin of eczema, consider trying our natural skin care treatments for eczema. Just a few drops rubbed into the affected skin three to four times a day, make sure to store it in a cool dark place, and tighten the cap after use to prevent oxidation.Where can I learn more?The medical literature is filled with information on the healing powers of Arctium Lappa or burdock root. Check out these articles:Mount Sinai Medical Center. Burdock.https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/burdock Chan Y-S, et al. (2011). A review of the pharmacological effects of Arctium lappa (burdock). springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10787-010-0062-4 Maghsoumi-Norouzabad L, et al. (2014). Effects of Arctium lappa (Burdock) root tea on inflammatory status and oxidative stress in patients with knee osteoarthritis. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25350500/
Learn more
What is Inula helenium?
By Dr. Peter Klapper Ph.D.What is it?Inula helenium, also known as elecampane, is a soothing herb with a long list of potential health benefits. It’s a sunflower-like plant from the daisy family that is native to Europe and northern Asia. Its roots and rhizomes are rich in flavonoids, polysaccharides, fatty acids, and other healthful compounds.What is its history?This herb is the stuff that legends are made of…literally. Folklore suggests that Helen of Troy wore this flower in her hair as she was abducted from her homeland and that this plant grew wherever Helen's tears fell during this time. Its genus name, Helenium, refers to Helen of Troy.How is it used? The list of potential health benefits associated with the roots and rhizomes of Inula helenium is a lengthy one. It has been used to treat coughing associated with bronchitis, asthma, and even whooping cough.How is it taken?Inula helenium is available in teas, tinctures, medicinal honey, syrup, capsules, extracts, or drops such as in Forces of Nature’s Allergy Maximum Strength. Health benefits aside, the root is also used to give absinthe its bitter flavor.How does it work?It’s rich in mucilage which helps thin the mucus that can trigger coughing. (Sometimes mucus is produced in response to irritation from an allergen.) A study in the journal Antioxidants showed that elecampane has anti-inflammatory effects in the lungs, which can also help ease coughing and congestion. This herb is also rich in the prebiotic soluble fiber inulin. Prebiotics help to encourage a healthy and well-balanced gut. Inulin has other positive effects too. It can slow metabolism and reduce blood sugar spikes in people with diabetes.Thinking of giving elecampane a try?Forces of Nature’s Allergy Maximum Strength contains Inula helenium along with other all-natural herbs such as stinging nettle, marshmallow, and Scots pines to reduce vexing allergy symptoms. Place 5 to 10 drops under your tongue at first signs of sniffling, sneezing, cough or other allergy symptoms. Repeat this every 15 minutes until symptoms subside. You can also add three to six drops in water and drink throughout the day.Where can I learn more?Interested in learning more about Inula helenium? Check out these articles: Eclectic School of Herbal Medicine. Elecampane Monograph. https://www.eclecticschoolofherbalmedicine.com/elecampane-monograph/ Missouri Botanical Garden. Inula helenium. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=277211
Learn more
What is Coffea Cruda?
By Dr. Peter Klapper Ph.D.Coffee may keep you up at night, but Coffea cruda promotes a good night's sleep and more. Confused? Don’t be. This is the guiding principle of homeopathy, a 200-plus-year-old medical system developed in Germany. In a nutshell, homeopathy posits that like cures like (as long as the strength is diluted…but more on that later).What is it: A popular homeopathic remedy, Coffea cruda comes from unroasted coffee beans. The beans are macerated (softened) in water or alcohol and filtered. After that, the liquid is repeatedly diluted and vigorously shaken (succession). This is how all homeopathic remedies are made. These remedies usually have an X or C next to their name on the label. An X means that a substance is diluted in a ratio of 1:10, and a C means that a substance is diluted in a ratio of 1:100.How is it taken? Coffea cruda can be taken as a pill, liquid, pellet, or drop. It can also be applied topically as it is with Force of Nature’s Sleep Well Remedy and Nerve Pain Treatment.How does it work? Homeopathic medicine operates under the premise that like cures like. Put another way: what ails you can also cure you as long as it's properly diluted. Coffee can lead to sleeplessness, which is why most health experts say to avoid caffeine starting in the early afternoon. Homeopathic Coffea cruda, however, may help relieve insomnia and sleeplessness. It may also help treat other conditions caused or worsened by excitability or hypersensitivity. Just like caffeine can give you the jitters, Coffea cruda can promote calmness.How well does it work? Coffea cruda is a mainstay in the homeopathic world. Its purported benefits include easing sleeplessness, insomnia, addictions, toothaches, headaches, fainting due to over excitement, labor pains, and other pains brought on and worsened by a nervous system on overdrive.There’s even a so-called 'Coffea cruda personality,' and people who fall into this camp tend to respond well to this homeopathic all-star. People with the Coffea cruda personality may be quick to anger, nervous, excitable, and/or overly sensitive. One study in a 2011 issue of Sleep Medicine showed that coffee cruda increased polysomnographic total sleep time (the total amount of sleep time scored during a recording) and non-rapid eye movement sleep or the stages before you start dreaming (REM sleep) among people with coffee-related insomnia habits.Is it safe? The best way to make sure that you get what you pay for is to choose a high-quality Coffea cruda product from a reputable company like Forces of Nature.Thinking of giving Coffea cruda a try?If you’re having trouble sleeping and have a ‘Coffea cruda personality,’ roll Sleep Well Remedy under your nose, on your forehead, upper chest, back of your neck, and feet upon early awakening to go back to sleep. If you are hypersensitive to pain or have nerve pain, roll Nerve Pain Treatment over the affected area, rub into the skin up to 3 to 4 times daily, as needed.Where can I learn more? Check out this article on Coffea cruda: National Center of Homeopathy. Coffea cruda. https://www.homeopathycenter.org/materia-medica/coffea-cruda/
Learn more
What is Valerian officinalis?
By Dr. Peter Klapper Ph.D. Get to know more about the healing powers of Valerian Root. Commonly called Valerian Root, Valerina Officinalis is often used as a sleep aid, but that’s not this perennial plants only potential health benefit…not by a long shot.What is it: Valerina Officinalis is a perennial plant native to Europe and Asia that also grows in North America. This plant can reach five feet tall and emits a strong odor. Its roots and underground stems treat insomnia, migraine, fatigue, and stomach cramps. Valerina Officinalis has been used to treat these conditions since ancient Greek and Roman times.How is it taken? Valerina Officinalis is sold as a supplement, liquid, or topical preparation. Dried roots can be prepared as teas or tinctures too. For added benefits, Valerina Officinalis may be combined with other calming herbs, including passionflower, hops, lemon balm, skullcap, and kava. Sleep Well Control, a topical roll-on product that promotes good quality sleep, comprises a blend of organic Valerian, Kava, and Lavender. Heartburn & Acid Reflux Relief includes Berberis Vulgaris, Iris versicolor, garlic, marigold, and ginger.How does it work?Exactly how Valerina Officinalis helps cure what ails you is not fully understood. Still, researchers believe that it increases the amount of a brain chemical called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which has a calming effect. Stress exacerbates heartburn symptoms and causes sleep loss and other physical complaints.How well does it work? Some studies show that Valerina Officinalis helps people fall asleep faster and improves their sleep quality, so they wake up feeling more refreshed. Unlike many prescription sleeping pills, Valerina Officinalis doesn’t cause morning drowsiness. Valerina Officinalis may also help ease anxiety and depression and reduce menstrual and stomach cramps.Is it safe? Valerina Officinalis is generally regarded as safe when used for up to 28 days. Side effects may include headache, upset stomach, and brain fog, but these are mainly seen when Valerina Officinalis is taken as a pill or drink. Of note, Valerina Officinalis should not be taken with alcohol or sedatives as it may worsen drowsiness associated with both. There’s also not a lot known about the use of this herb in pregnancy, and during breastfeeding, so most doctors will tell you to avoid it during these times.Where can I learn more? Check out these websites for more information on Valerina Officinalis. University of Michigan Health. “Valerian.” National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. “Valerian Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.” The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Valerian. Ready to give Valerina Officinalis a try?If you’re having trouble sleeping, roll Sleep Well Remedy under your nose, on your forehead, upper chest, back of your neck, and feet upon early awakening to go back to sleep. If heartburn is causing your distress, place six to nine drops of Heartburn & Acid Reflux Relief under your tongue and repeat this every 15 minutes until symptoms improve.
Learn more
What is Thuja occidentalis?
By Dr. Peter Klapper Ph.D.Have you ever heard of the ingredient Thuja occidentalis? If you use any of our products and browse the ingredient list, we actually use Thuja occidentalis in several medications. So, what is it?Thuja occidentalis, also known as northern white cedar, is an evergreen coniferous tree that is native to Canada and most of the north-central and northeastern United States. The leaves and leaf oil from this tree are used as a medicine that can help treat infections such as bronchitis, bacterial skin infections, and cold sores. The plants oils are so effective that Thuja is known to loosen phlegm, boost your immune system, can work as a diuretic, treat skin conditions such as warts, and help with muscle and joint pain.At Forces of Nature, we see the benefit that natural ingredients have on the body. It’s why we have worked with homeopathic doctors to create a new standard in natural, organic medicine. But we were not the first to use it.Thuja occidentalis actually date back to the 16th century. The French explorer, Cartier, learned after stepping foot on North American soil with sick sailors, medicine could be created from nature. Native Americans showed him the powerful healing properties from the tree and its oils. The sick sailors recovered from scurvy using the tree’s foliage and has since been the first documented use of indigenous medicine from North America. How We Approach Natural MedicineWe combine certified organic homeopathic medicines with certified organic concentrated essential oils to treat specific ailments. This one-two combination delivers an incredibly powerful and effective result to safely treat common ailments. Homeopathic medicine works with your body on a systemic level to fight and prevent illness at the root of the cause. Essential oils cleanse and soothe while promoting healthy skin. These two modalities deliver superior effectiveness when combined for fast, therapeutic healing while some medicine just suppress symptoms.Our Thuja is shipped direct from a small organic cooperative high in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. These are pristine growing conditions, far from pollution sources and population sources, with limited production. Per pharmaceutical guidelines, we sent the material to an independent FDA lab which verified our Thuja as pure and authentic via monograph and chromatograph testing.Our Products That Use Thuja OccidentalisSeveral of our products use Thuja occidentalis and are an integral part of the makeup of these medications.Those include:Athletes FootA natural athlete's foot treatment that quickly relieves and cures the itching, burning, and irritation from fungal infestations associated with athlete’s foot and jock itch.Eczema Eczema Control is an advance natural eczema remedy that works on a cellular level to balance your skin’s overactive immune response, ease the itch and irritation. The active ingredients help relieve eczema symptoms naturally, without side effects.GoutOur gout pain medication works quickly to relieve the burning, stabbing, and stinging pain while increasing mobility.H-BalmH-Balm Extra Strength is a powerful solution for outbreaks including Shingles, Cold Sores and Canker Sores. Use it for emergency care during an outbreak or when you feel one coming on (prodrome).Muscle Pain Our natural muscle pain reliever treats both localized and systemic muscle pain, soothing and healing muscles at the source.Rosacea Our natural rosacea treatment features a blend of certified organic homeopathic medicines and certified organic essential oils that safely relieve itching, rashes, and irritation of rosacea, regulating skin tone while reducing redness on the skin and swollen blood vessels.SinusOur natural and organic sinus medicine is made from potent medicinal plants with the demonstrated ability to safely relieve sinus congestion without adverse side effects. Effective to treat congestion, sinus pain, and sinusitis symptoms.Skin TagOur natural skin tag remover contains naturally occurring phytochemicals and antioxidants. Skin tags will gradually flake away or fall of entirely with this remedy.WartOur natural wart treatment is an advanced extra strength wart remover. It safely removes warts on the fingers, face and body. Results have been seen within one week.
Learn more
What is Melaleuca quinquenervia?
The structure of niaouli oil is rather unique.Its main components are terpene oxides and cineole. Due to the high presence of cineole, we can conclude this oil has an expectorant effect and strengthening qualities which are associated with its levels of terpene alcohols.
Learn more
What is Hydrocotyle Asiatica?
By Dr. Peter Klapper Ph.D.When it comes to dermatological issues, when the root cause is an immune disorder such as psoriasis, eczema, and possibly rosacea, certain homeopathic medicinal plants can be of great benefit to provide an immune response to help return the skin back to its normal state. Our go to in this case is homeopathic Gotu Kola (Pennywort), it stands heads and shoulders above most others to help heal skin ailments. The scientific name of this herbal plant is Hydrocotyle Asiatica or Centella Asiatica. Recent published medical studies establish efficacy for this herb to treat dermatitis related conditions. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease caused mainly by immune imbalance. The anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects of Pennywort have been demonstrated to have a positive healing effect in the treatment of AD. Collectively, the data demonstrates the pharmacological role of Pennywort is its anti-inflammatory action on the skin, which supports its action to be used as a therapeutic agent for AD. This includes eczema and psoriasis. According to the Journal of American Academic Dermatology, selected natural therapies have been reported to promote wound healing, reduce edema or purpura, and provide anti-inflammatory effects. Because of high rates of use of natural medicines amongst the global populations, more and more doctors and health practitioners are familiarizing themselves with their common uses, potential benefits, and complications.
Learn more
What is Rosehip Seed Oil?
The beauty of rosehip seed oil is its high levels of triple unsaturated fatty acids. This creates the ideal medium for healing damaged skin from atopic dermatitis (AD) including psoriasis and rosacea.
Learn more
What is Matricaria chamomilla?
There are four distinguishable chemotypes of German Chamomile. Of those, the a-bisoblol type performs the dynamic healing properties associated with true German Chamomile.
Learn more
What is Calendula officinalis
This wildly efficacious remedy promotes healthy regeneration of damaged skin and soreness in muscles/joints. It promotes rapid healing of affected areas when applied topically.
Learn more
Why we use Thuja Occidentalis to Remove Warts
Scientifically, Thuja occidentalis, in specific concentrations, has the demonstrated the ability to safely eradicate warts on the body. Thus, Thuja represents an effective agent for the treatment of warts due to its wide variety of naturally occurring antimicrobial phytochemicals.
Learn more