As we continue on this alphabetical journey exploring for healthy vitamins, supplements, herbs, and other health-related factors that all begin with the same letter, this time we turn to the letter ‘E.' That's ‘e' as in excellence, extraordinary, energizing, and easy – ‘easy' as in easy to use these products and remedies as you continue to find new and better ways for monitoring and caring for your general health. Here goes, in alphabetical order; and, remember, be sure to discuss your use of any of these with your physician before making the deep dive with and of these for medicinal or other health purposes, whether it's short-term use or part of a planned extended regimen:
- Vitamin E: Found in abundance in foods such as olive oil, almonds, peanuts, meats, and leafy green vegetables, vitamin E has antioxidant properties. It is known best for its importance to your vision's health as well as reproduction, and the well-being of your blood, brain, and skin, per Mayo Clinic. Antioxidants work to guard your body from destructive free radicals, which have been linked to heart disease and other serious afflictions. While an E deficiency has been linked to neuropathy (nerve pain), its benefits can include slowing down the progression of Alzheimer's disease and improving the symptoms of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
- Echinacea: In many households across the USA, echinacea has jumped ahead of Vitamin C as the go-to supplement when it comes to its reported capacity to boost the immune system for the never-ending battle against the cold virus as well as other infections. Per National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are nine known species of echinacea, which all just happen to be native to North America. Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia are the two most common forms of the plant found in dietary supplements. Echinacea is also used as a topical preparation applied to the skin for wounds and other skin problems.
- Eucalyptus oil: Per healthline.com, this oil is sourced from eucalyptus trees that once were native to only Australia but which can now be found cultivated in many parts of the world, their medicinal applications making them a favorite among many cultures. Eucalyptus oil, for instance, has long been known for treating coughs and can be found as a key ingredient in over-the-counter medications. Used in jelly-like rub-on substances, the oil can not only help silence a cough, but when rubbed onto your chest can help loosen the mucus causing the cough.
- Elderberry: This plant-based substance also falls into the category of immune-boosters with its rich provision of antioxidants and vitamins that can also help alleviate inflammation and reduce stress while also adding a layer of protection for your heart. Like echinacea, mentioned earlier, elderberry is believed to be a good deterrent against colds as well as influenza. Among its other apparent uses, per webmd.com, are for treating constipation, headaches, fever, stress, and minor skin irritations.
- Electrolytes: These are substances found in your body, the balance of which plays an integral role in the normal function of your calls and other organs, per medicinenet.com. They include sodium, potassium, chlorine, and bicarbonate. Their functions are diverse; for example, sodium helps control the amount of water in the body, with its transmission into and away from cells contributing to various bodily functions. This movement of sodium contributes to the generation of electrical signals within your body, which are an inherent part of your brain, nervous system, and muscles. Anyone who is familiar with intense workouts and athletic participation knows that it is not only important to replenish your body's fluids during and after workouts to avoid dehydration, but also to restore electrolytes that have been lost to keep your body humming along efficiently.
- Eyebright: Once again we come to a plant-based product with health-inducing powers, in this case eyebright, a plant whose above-ground components go into the production of medicinal compounds. And from that, per rxlist.com, we can see many healthful applications, as eyebright taken orally can help treat inflamed nasal passages, fever, bronchial conditions, conjunctivitis (pink eye), earaches, skin ailments . . . and, as you might have guessed, eyebright has been used to treat various other eye-related conditions such eye fatigue and inflammation of the blood vessels.
- Elm bark. Well, now we go barking up a tree, but for good reason. Elm bark has been used for many years, with one if its uses dating back to the 18th century American Revolution, per healthline.com, when American soldiers started using slippery elm bark to help hasten the healing of gunshot wounds. As you might have guessed, slippery elm bark comes from the slippery elm, a tree native to the central and eastern United States as well as the Canadian province of Ontario. Native Americans apparently were the first to find a therapeutic use for the bark, which, when mixed with water creates a substance known as mucilage known to be soothing to any part of the body it touches. It is also used for fevers and sore throats, among other illnesses. A powder form of slippery elm bark is used for the treatment of IBS and SID in dogs.