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Horsetail has been used as an herbal medicine for hundreds of years. Image Credit: YasmineV/iStock/Getty Images Horsetail, a relative of the fern, is a perennial herb whose relatives populated the forests over 270 million years ago. Modern-day horsetail has been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years, dating back to the ancient Romans and Greeks. Its scientific name, Equisetum arvense, is derived from the Latin words equus meaning “horse” and “seta” meaning bristle....

Cup of tea with teapot Image Credit: leungchopan/iStock/Getty Images Black tea contains the fermented leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. When served with hot water it makes a strong tasting brew popular around the world. It may appear that a hot cup of tea could help a condition such as constipation. However, black tea can in fact trigger constipation. Caffeine in the black tea helps contribute to symptoms, so doctors don’t recommend drinking black tea when constipated....

Surgeons about to operate on a patient Image Credit: XiXinXing/XiXinXing/Getty Images Many types of surgery — particularly procedures involving the digestive system — lead to various post-operative side effects including weight loss. Bowel resections, which involve removing portions of either the small or large intestines, are no exception. But weight loss is only one of many possible complications of bowel resection procedures. Advertisement How the Procedures Work Bowel resections entail surgeons removing portions of dead or diseased intestines and then reconnecting the healthy portions of the bowels....

The Stairmaster can burn a lot of calories. Image Credit: damircudic/E+/GettyImages The StairMaster is an exercise machine that has either foot pedals that move up and down or a small staircase that revolves. Both machines simulate walking up stairs. Mayo Clinic considers stair climbing a weight-bearing activity that can help slow bone mineral loss and may control blood sugar. Using a StairMaster also burns calories. Advertisement What Cardio Does The StairMaster is a cardiovascular machine....

There are numerous varieties of rice; which one you use is an important factor influencing the calories in rice. Image Credit: Suthicha Poonakaow / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages There are numerous varieties of rice; which one you use is an important factor influencing the calories in rice. White rice will have different nutrient profiles and caloric content than other varieties of rice. The calorie count of a bowl of rice depends on the type of rice you are eating....

Excessive or intense exercise can lead to abnormal bleeding between periods. Image Credit: milanvirijevic/E+/GettyImages No matter how spontaneous you are, there are certain things you count on happening ​mostly​ at a regularly scheduled time: your Tuesday night yoga class, your morning subway train — and your monthly period. Advertisement So if you notice bleeding during or after exercise — even though Aunt Flo isn't due to arrive for days or even weeks — you might be wondering can working out make your period come early?...

Make sure you're not imagining the height changes by repeating your measurements in a controlled environment, such as a doctor's office. Image Credit: mabe123/iStock/Getty Images For most people, losing weight isn’t going to make a difference in your height. The exercise you put in to do it, though, might. The improved posture gained from regular, functional exercise can make you look noticeably taller. Advertisement However, if you have obesity losing a significant amount of weight may leave you standing a little taller....

Adding sugar to your green tea makes it harder to lose weight. Image Credit: Sujata Jana / EyeEm/EyeEm/GettyImages Water is the best way to satisfy your thirst, but tea, particularly unsweetened green tea, is also a healthy choice. It’s an excellent source of antioxidant flavonoids, and drinking several cups of green tea a day has been associated with a significantly lower risk of dying from heart disease. Advertisement While scientists haven't reached a consensus as to whether or not green tea can enhance your weight loss efforts, drinking green tea in lieu of soda, sports drinks or other high-calorie beverages is undoubtedly a step in the right direction....

Is it OK to do a leg workout one day, then go for a run the next? That depends on a few factors. Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative How Bad Is It Really? sets the record straight on all the habits and behaviors you’ve heard might be unhealthy. In This Article When You Shouldn't When It's OK Importance of Rest Days How to Split Up Your Workouts Bottom Line Gym jibber-jabber would have you believe that working the same muscle groups back-to-back is as bad as giving the finger to Hulk....

You can replicate some of your favorite barbell lifts at home with a pair of dumbbells. Image Credit: COROIMAGE/Moment/GettyImages If you don’t own a barbell, you might think that heavier lifting at home isn’t an option. But you can recreate your favorite barbell moves with a set of dumbbells and a smarter strategy. Specifically, slowing down the speed of your reps. Advertisement "Tempo work is one of the best ways to make us stronger, work on control of movement and make exercises harder when we don't have more weight to put on the bar," Morit Summers, CPT, creator of Brooklyn-based training studio Form Fitness, tells LIVESTRONG....

Shoulder blade exercises, physical therapy, stretches: these are just some of the ways to alleviate shoulder blade pain. Image Credit: Caiaimage/Sam Edwards/Caiaimage/GettyImages Shoulder blade exercises, physical therapy, stretches: these are just some of the ways to alleviate shoulder blade pain. Advertisement Causes of Shoulder Blade Pain There are a number of reasons why you might be experiencing shoulder blade pain. The National Institute of Health (NIH) lists some possible causes, including:...

A green smoothie for lunch or a snack nourishes your body. Image Credit: Johner Images/Johner Images Royalty-Free/GettyImages Running a half marathon is more than running 13.1 miles on the day of the race. This feat is the culmination of hours of training over several months. It’s also the culmination of months of proper nutrition, so make sure you include a meal plan for half marathon training as part of your prep....

Walking is an aerobic exercise. Image Credit: oneinchpunch/iStock/Getty Images If you walk for 50 minutes each day, the exact number of pounds you lose will depend on several factors, including your age and your current weight. The speed at which you walk and the type of terrain you walk on will also affect calorie burn and the total number of pounds you lose during a week. Advertisement Calories To lose a pound of body fat, you need to burn about 3,500 calories....

Hydroxycut claims to help you lose more weight than dieting alone. Image Credit: yorkfoto/iStock/GettyImages Online retailers, health food stores and even food chains are stocked full of diet pills. One supplement that makes claims of weight loss is Hydroxycut. Their categories range from weight loss and premium weight loss to non-stimulant and sport, so doing your research prior to purchasing is key. Advertisement Tip There are currently no reliable scientific studies that document the amount of weight you can lose in one week by using Hydroxycut....

Purchasing your crab raw gives you a superior taste and texture over crab that has been frozen and defrosted. Whether you purchase your raw crab from a reputable dealer or buy a live crab and harvest the meat yourself, raw crab meat spoils quickly. It's important to check the raw crab meat to make sure it is fit for eating before you add it to any of your dishes. Checking it carefully can ensure that your crab dinner is a delicious and safe experience for all of your guests....

Cooking lobster tails is easier than cooking a whole lobster. Image Credit: rez-art/iStock/GettyImages If you’re ready to commit to cooking lobster, making lobster tails is a great place to start. Boiling lobster tails is one of the most common cooking methods, and it’s beginner-friendly. Advertisement Still, if you're new to cooking shellfish, you may not know the first thing about turning raw lobster into the steaming, bright red delicacy you're used to being served at restaurants....

Canned mushrooms can replace fresh ones in most recipes. Image Credit: HandmadePictures/iStock/GettyImages Canned foods are a convenient and inexpensive way to add fruits and vegetables to your diet. The rich texture of canned mushrooms makes them a good meat substitute in vegetarian mushroom recipes. Advertisement Using canned mushrooms can add a small amount of fiber and other nutrients — including iron, magnesium and B-complex vitamins, according to the USDA — to your favorite dishes....

Learning how to do a box jump with proper form is the key to staying safe — and getting the most out of the plyometric move. Image Credit: vgajic/E+/GettyImages Image Credit: vgajic/E+/GettyImages Instructions Tips Benefits Regressions Progressions Type Strength Stand facing a sturdy box or step with your feet hip-width apart. Bend your knees into a quarter-squat and bring both arms behind you. Swing your arms forward and quickly drive through your legs to jump onto the middle of the box or step....

A close up of spaghetti with herbs and bacon. Image Credit: DAJ/amana images/Getty Images At its best, pasta should be al dente. When pasta is al dente, it is cooked through but still firm enough to bite. When pasta becomes overcooked, it takes on a gummy and unpleasant texture. Overcooked pasta also scores higher on the glycemic index than correctly cooked pasta, which means that it has a greater impact on your blood sugar levels....

Compound movements are a great way to build muscles. Image Credit: Cavan Images/Cavan/GettyImages Muscle growth is a slow process and takes both consistency and patience. Gaining 15 pounds of muscle in three months is difficult, let alone 50. Training, eating and supplementing properly can help accelerate what is naturally a slow process. Advertisement Muscles Are Important You may want to gain muscle for aesthetic purposes. Having more muscle mass fills out your frame and can make you look leaner....