Archive for the “Herbal Remedies” Category
I find that many people are interested in the power of herbal remedies and I have been able to find a book that allows you to experiment with some herbal remeides for different health problems that may be stubborn to regular medicine.
The herbal remedies book itself is fantastic and can not be bought in stores. The book has information such as how to build a herb garden, how to harvest and store herbs, the actual use of over 60 different herbs and the ailments that they will help. You can imagine how some of this information will change your life.
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A sore throat may have many causes and it is important to find the right sore throat remedy for the particular condition that you have.
Common Causes Of A Sore Throat
Laryngitis: inflammation of the larynx. This usually results in losing your voice.
Tonsillitis: inflammation of the tonsils. Common in children.
Mononucleosis or glandular fever: accompanied by swelling of the glands in the throat.
Strep throat: a streptococcal bacterial infection of the throat or tonsils, often accompanied by fever.
Symptom of a viral infection: a sore throat is often the first symptom of a cold or flu.
Candida albicans or oral thrush.
Some of these conditions can become serious if not successfully treated. If your sore throat remedy does not work and the irritation or inflammation persists for more than 24 hours, or if you have swelling or a fever, it is important to see a doctor. You may need antibiotics or other medication. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: anti inflammatory, antibiotics, antiseptic solution, bacterial infection, cancer, chemotherapy, fever, glandular fever, HIV infection, home remedy, ibuprofen, inflammation, irritation, Laryngitis, natural remedies, pain, sore throat, thrush, Tonsillitis, viral infection
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Natural earache remedies are very popular because they are effective in so many cases. As a father with a couple of kids I have seen the problems that my kids and other peoples kids have for earaches and ear infections. Usually you just give them some kids Tylenol but this may not actually be needed.
Are Natural Earache Remedies Effective?
Most infections occur in the outer ear. These infections are easy to access with drops and they usually clear up fast. In these cases, yes, natural and home remedies can be very effective.
However, you should be sure what you are treating before you begin using any natural earache remedies because infections in the middle ear are much harder to treat and can be serious. Middle ear infections are characterized by severe pain which is usually more acute than in an outer ear infection. In some cases, swelling occurs behind the eardrum to the point where the eardrum perforates to allow the pus to escape. This can cause long term deafness. So it is very important to see a doctor before beginning any natural earache treatment, to be sure what type of infection it is.
Inner ear infections can also occur. Often these are not painful at all but the person’s balance is affected. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: deafness, ear infection, ear infections, earache, earaches, fever, home remedies, olive oil, pain, pus, sinus infections, Swimmer, tablespoons olive oil
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Are there any home remedies for scabies that actually work, or do you need to use prescription medications in all cases? This article will consider the causes of scabies and the natural remedies that are available.
What Is Scabies?
Scabies is an intensely itchy skin condition caused by a tiny mite that burrows into the skin and lays its eggs. The itching is caused by our body’s allergic reaction to the mite. The first signs are small, itchy bumps or blisters, usually located on the inner area of the wrists or between the fingers or toes. Scabies is easy to recognize by the pencil-like lines that are caused by the mite passing along just under the skin.
Scabies is usually passed from one person to another by skin on skin contact. It is common in children who can pass it along during normal play. It can be caught by simply holding hands with an infected person. In adults it is sometimes transmitted during sexual activity and in that case may appear in the genital area.
Scratching the area will often break the skin and can lead to bacteria entering and causing other dermatological conditions, for example impetigo.
We can also catch scabies from dogs. The common name for scabies in dogs is mange. If you think your dog has mange, take it to the vet immediately and do not pet it until the condition has cleared.
Feline mange is not transmitted to humans, so you do not need to worry about catching scabies from cats.
Killing Scabies Mites
If think that you or your children have scabies you should see a doctor to have the diagnosis confirmed. A doctor will normally prescribe a cream which will kill the mites if used according to directions. However this medication is harsh and because it must be used all over the body, not only in the affected area, it can cause problems for people with other skin conditions such as eczema.
Keep in mind that the itching will continue for a few days even after the mites have been killed, because their bodies and waste products remain under the skin. If you see no new lines or itchy spots, that is a good sign that the mites may have been destroyed. However, keep watching and treating because any eggs that have been laid may still hatch.
Natural Remedies
The traditional Indian home remedy for scabies is to make a paste of neem oil and turmeric powder and apply it to the affected area. You can now buy prepared neem oil creams and lotions for scabies treatment.
Tea tree oil is another natural substance that has been used for scabies. You may find a lotion that combines tea tree, neem and turmeric. Tea tree oil can be harsh and should not be used undiluted on the skin.
Tea tree oil can be added to baths. Use 10-20 drops in a warm bath 2-3 times a day. This is a good preventive measure for people who may have had contact with an infected person, plus helping to treat anyone who is infected.
Chamomile lotion can ease the itching of scabies. Where scratching has damaged the skin you may want to use an anti bacterial cream or wash with anti bacterial soap.
Clothes And Other Fabrics
Unlike fleas, scabies mites do not hop. This means that they are less likely to be found in carpets and furniture. However, an infected person should always put on clean clothes after showering and change bed linen every morning or after a nap.
Do Natural Remedies Work?
Natural remedies appear to kill the mites in some cases. However, they work more slowly than the medication that the doctor will prescribe so a person will continue to itch and be infectious for longer if they use only natural remedies on a confirmed case of scabies. Home remedies for scabies may be best used as a preventive measure for other family members who are not yet showing symptoms, or where there is scabies in your child’s school class.
Tags: allergic reaction, blisters, eczema, home remedies, home remedy, impetigo, itching, natural remedies, neem oil, prepared neem oil creams, Scabies, Tea tree oil, waste products
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Gout is difficult to treat but there are a few gout home remedies that you can use to ease the symptoms of this debilitating, painful condition.
What Is Gout?
Gout is also known as metabolic arthritis. It is a form of arthritis caused by a combination of blood acidity and abnormally high levels of uric acid in the blood. The uric acid forms crystals which are deposited on the joints, causing pain and distortion in the joints.
A gout attack will cause acute arthritis and it is intensely painful. The big toe is one of the most commonly affected joints. If the condition persists, then over a period of time the crystal deposits will form lumps around the joints and sometimes in other areas. These deposits are called tophi.
Diet is an important factor in causing gout. Genetic factors play a part and gout is more common in some racial groups than in others. It is more common in men than in women and it mainly affects people over 50.
Home Remedies For Gout
Ice packs placed on the affected joint are the best way to relieve pain other than medication. You can use an ice pack for 20-30 minutes several times a day.
During a flare up of gout you should drink plenty of water to help the body clear out the urates. Follow a low protein diet, avoiding meat, fish, sweetened foods and drinks, and alcohol.
Bicarbonate of soda is a traditional remedy which works for some people. However, this will raise sodium levels which can have an effect on blood pressure. Do not take bicarbonate of soda if you have been told to cut down on salt.
Potassium supplements have been suggested in some cases. Most fruit is high in potassium, especially bananas. Black cherries have been helpful for some sufferers.
Some people have reported good results from taking ginseng supplements. Another possibility is to mix turmeric and ginger and add this to food. Turmeric and ginger have anti inflammatory properties.
Doctors will generally prescribe medication, or you can take non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Ibuprofen from the drugstore. These are not natural remedies but may be something you are willing to take. However, do not take aspirin, which can make it worse.
Prevention Of Future Attacks
Anybody who has had gout in the past will be susceptible to future attacks unless they take preventive steps. The most important of these is diet.
The best diet for gout prevention is low in fat and low in protein. In particular, avoid beef and seafood which are high in animal based purine. Vegetable based purine does not seem to have the same effect.
It is also important to avoid certain foods and drinks which are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). This is a very common sweetener in the USA and it can lead to hyperuricemia in blood. Just two soda drinks a day have been linked to an 85% increase in risk of gout. Beer should also be avoided.
Consumption of dairy foods, on the other hand, seems to lower the risk of gout.
If you are overweight you can greatly reduce your chances of having attacks of gout in the future by stabilizing your weight within the healthy range for your height.
Always consult with your doctor before trying any gout home remedies to check that they are suitable for your individual case.
Tags: anti inflammatory, arthritis, food, gout, home remedies, low protein diet, natural remedies, pain, United States
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Natural bad breath remedies mostly depend on identifying and treating the cause of the bad breath. Of course you can simply spray your mouth with peppermint at regular intervals through the day but this does not get rid of the problem, it only covers it up.
Bad breath or halitosis has two main causes: a problem in the mouth, or a problem in the digestive system.
Treating Bad Breath In The Mouth
Gum infections, trapped stale food, abscesses and problems with the teeth can all cause bad breath. Do not be ashamed to discuss this with your dentist, who may be able to help you identify the cause and treat the issue.
Brush your teeth and gums frequently and thoroughly. Brush your tongue at the same time. Some toothbrushes have a rough surface for brushing the tongue or you can buy a special implement for this purpose. Be sure to floss your teeth too.
Increasing the proportion of fruit and vegetables in your diet and reducing consumption of meat and dairy products will help to make your mouth an alkaline environment where canker sores and gum infections are less likely to flourish.
Parsley can help to neutralize the mouth and get rid of bad breath. You can either chew parsley leaves or make tea from fresh parsley, allow it to cool and then use it as a mouthwash every few hours.
Fenugreek is another good herbal bad breath remedy. Make tea by steeping the seeds in water, strain and use as a mouthwash or drink to improve the digestion.
Bad Breath Remedies For Digestive Problems
Bad breath is often caused by problems in the digestive system, especially the stomach. If you have a recognized digestive condition such as acid reflux, stomach ulcer or other stomach disease or disorder you should discuss this with your doctor. Your condition (or the treatment for it) may be contributing to your halitosis.
If you are not sick then consider making a few changes to your diet to help your digestion improve. Again it will be helpful to eat more fruit and vegetables. Avoiding certain combinations of foods is also important.
Fruit is very fast digesting and should be eaten alone or at the start of a meal so that it can pass through the system quickly. Do not mix it with fatty foods such as cream or pastry. If fruit is eaten with or after proteins and fats its process through the stomach will be delayed. It may begin to ferment or rot in the stomach, causing a bad smell. So eat plenty of fruit as a first course or a snack but never at the end of a meal.
Meat is difficult to digest and can provoke problems if your digestive system is weak or slow. It takes a long time to pass through the system and may begin to putrefy. Reduce the quantities of meat that you eat and wait at least 4 hours after eating a meat based meal before you eat anything else.
Avocado is believed to have amazing properties for the digestion and is one of the best bad breath remedies, cleaning out and neutralizing any poorly digested food.
Tags: abscesses, canker sores, dairy products, dentist, digested food, Gum infections, stale food, stomach disease, stomach ulcer
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There are two types of cough and you will need a different cough remedy for each.
Dry Coughs
A dry cough is when you have a tickle in the back of your throat. When you cough, the throat becomes irritated, making you cough more. In this case you need to stop coughing. Remedies that soothe the throat are required.
Honey can be very soothing to an irritated throat. The traditional honey and lemon drink is great for a dry cough. You can also add ginger to warm the body, turmeric to treat the inflamed throat and – strange as it may seem – pepper, which can be a great cough remedy.
You can also gargle with raw spinach juice to relieve the throat. You will need a juicer that can handle leaves, or use a blender and then strain the resulting liquid. You can add turmeric and/or garlic for added effectiveness if you wish. Warm the juice to body temperature before you use it. Gargle a few times and then swallow some of the juice. If you hate the taste, try mixing equal parts spinach and carrot juice.
Almonds can be a good remedy too. Soak whole raw almonds overnight or for at least 6 hours. Peel off the brown skin. Crush, grind or blend them and mix with a little honey. This will form a paste which can be eaten alone or on bread.
Marjoram tea can be good for a dry cough. Marjoram is a relaxing herb that eases tension and stress. It can also ease the irritation in your throat.
Wet Coughs
A wet cough is when you are coughing up mucus from the chest. In this case you should not suppress the cough. You need remedies that loosen the mucus so it will come up more easily.
A wet cough is often associated with a chest infection, cold or flu. Garlic can help to treat the infection. Use raw garlic if you can take it, or add it at the last minute to soups and other hot dishes.
Onion also has anti bacterial properties. Juice or blend one medium size onion, add the juice of one lemon and a couple of tablespoons of hot (not boiling) water. Sip this warm liquid slowly.
Grapes can be very good for a wet cough. If you have a cold or flu, you might try eating only grapes for a couple of days. This mono diet will be very easy for the body to digest, leaving it free to focus all of its resources on fighting the virus.
Staying warm is important for all types of cough. Being in a warm, moist environment is ideal. You can inhale steam with some essential oils – eucalyptus for loosening mucus or juniper for a dry cough. Some people like to take a sauna.
It is possible to find a natural cough remedy that works but if your cough persists you should see your doctor in case it is a sign of a more serious problem.
Tags: chest infection, cough, irritation
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High blood pressure remedies can be useful for people suffering from this dangerous condition. High blood pressure or hypertension is usually diagnosed when the blood pressure is consistently 140/90 or more (including being over one of those measurements but not the other).
Normal pressure is defined as between 90/60 and 120/80. Between 120/80 and 140/90 there is a gray area where you have a slightly increased risk of the complications associated with hypertension (including stroke, heart attack and kidney failure) but not so much that hypertension would be diagnosed. If you are in this band you should have your blood pressure checked regularly and take steps to lower it.
There are many things that you can do to help control your high blood pressure. The best is to combine them all.
Reduce Weight
There is a strong link between obesity and hypertension. If you are overweight your doctor will already have suggested that you try to lose some weight. However, it is best to lose weight slowly and you probably want to deal with your hypertension fast. So it is good news that there are other high blood pressure remedies that you can try too.
Reduce Stress
Stress is well known to lead to high blood pressure. There are many stress busting techniques that you can learn but one of the best for lowering the blood pressure consistently is meditation. A few minutes of deeply relaxing meditation morning and evening can have a big effect on your stress levels throughout the day.
You can learn meditation with a local class or on your own from a CD. Most Buddhist groups teach meditation but it is not only a Buddhist practice. Many yoga teachers include meditation in their classes or you may find relaxation classes which will be based around meditation.
Avoid Salt
Salt can cause or contribute to high blood pressure when the levels of salt in the diet are too high for the kidneys to process quickly. How much difference salt makes to blood pressure depends on the individual and how efficiently their kidneys deal with salt. Some people are salt sensitive and even a diet that is moderate in salt will contribute to hypertension. But most of us eat high levels of salt and a reduction will help almost anybody who has high blood pressure.
This does not necessarily mean you have to stop using salt completely. A pinch of salt in a pan of vegetables will not give you much sodium. However, you should not add salt at the table or eat foods that are high in salt – including most packaged foods.
So throw out the TV dinners and start cooking from fresh. A diet based around fresh vegetables, fruits and grains with some beans and low fat dairy products will be best for your hypertension. Check the sodium content on any frozen, canned or packaged foods. Cut down on meat, fats and sugar as well as salt.
If your diet has not included many fruits and vegetables until now, it may also help to increase your potassium consumption to balance out some of the sodium. High potassium foods include bananas, cantaloupe, spinach and yogurt.
Other Substances To Avoid
Alcohol can make hypertension worse. Subject to what your doctor says about your individual condition, you can probably have the occasional alcoholic drink but you should avoid drinking a lot at one time or drinking regularly. Some people find it easier to quit completely.
Liquorice raises the blood pressure so you should always avoid liquorice if you suffer from hypertension. This may sound easy but liquorice can be found as an ingredient where you might not expect it. It is often used in medications, e.g. for coughs, sore throats and peptic ulcers, so always check labels.
You should also avoid non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Motrin and Ibuprofen.
Consult with your doctor to have your blood pressure checked and ask about high blood pressure remedies for your individual case.
Tags: anti inflammatory, coughs, fat dairy products, heart attack, high blood pressure, hypertension, kidney failure, meditation, obesity, peptic ulcers, relaxation, sore throats, stroke
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Many people rely on home remedies for boils. Boils (also known as skin abscesses or furuncles) are not serious but they can be ugly and painful.
Boils can be caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, by an infected hair follicle or an ingrowing hair. Staph infections are likely to spread to other parts of the body or to other people if not treated. You should see your doctor, especially if you think you may have a Staph infection or if you develop a fever along with your boil.
Simple Boils
Simple boils are easier to treat and can often be eliminated by natural methods. They are a little like large, hard pimples, pus-filled lumps in the skin. Most methods of treatment involve removing the pus. A doctor may do this by lancing the boil with a sharp instrument but it is not recommended to do this at home. It is very likely that you would make the situation worse.
External Treatment
The best way to treat boils externally at home is to bring the infection to a head using heat. Apply a sterilized hot compress every 15 minutes. This should bring the pus toward the surface of the skin and it will start to drain off. Continue, being sure to wash the area and your hands frequently with antibacterial soap.
When the boil is fully drained, the whole area should be treated with antibacterial soap or lotion. Repeat until the area has healed.
Internal Treatment
If you catch the boil early, you can often prevent it from developing by taking the spice turmeric. Turmeric is an Indian spice commonly found as an ingredient in curry. It is believed to have anti inflammatory and blood purifying actions as well as being good for the digestion.
You will need around a teaspoon of turmeric 3 times a day. You can make it into a drink or add it to food. Eat it in curry or add turmeric to soup. You can also take it mixed into yogurt, or try making a tea of turmeric, powdered ginger, lemon juice and maple syrup. You can even add it to chocolate milk.
Drink plenty of water if taking turmeric, as it tends to provoke sweating and you may be more likely to become dehydrated.
Other Types Of Boils
Cystic acne will often produce boil-like symptoms. Unlike a boil, a cystic acne pimple will often go away in time without ever coming to a head. However, you may need antibiotics, either internally or in the form of a cream. Do not try to force the pus out by squeezing. This can lead to scars.
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a serious form of abscess that occurs in clusters in sweat glands or hair follicles, usually in the armpit, under breasts or in the groin area. This disease is rare and often runs in families. It is not easy to cure and will not respond to home remedies for boils.
Tags: abscess, acne, anti inflammatory, antibiotics, Boils, fever, food, furuncles, Hidradenitis suppurativa, home remedies, pus, scars, staph infection, Staph infections
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To find the best home remedies for bladder infection, you need to understand what causes bladder infection and how to stop it happening with natural treatments.
What Is Bladder Infection?
The bladder is the place where urine is stored when the kidneys have produced it. Bladder infection is more correctly called urinary tract infection (UTI) and it can be an infection in either the bladder, the kidneys, or the passages that the urine travels along from the kidneys to the bladder (the ureters) and from the bladder when we pass urine (urethra).
Causes Of Bladder Infection
Urinary tract infection is much more common in women than in men. UTI often begins when bacteria, usually originating in the colon, enter the urethra from the outside world. Another form of UTI can be sexually transmitted. UTI can also be caused when tubes are placed in the urethra to control urine flow during and after surgical operations.
Urine itself is sterile and does not contain any bacteria, viruses or fungi. In fact it is believed to have mild anti bacterial properties. However, this is not always enough to protect against infection in the passages, especially where the urine is not flowing fast enough through the system and stagnates in the bladder.
Symptoms Of Bladder Infection
You can guess that you may have a bladder or urinary tract infection if you have a burning sensation when you urinate. You are also likely to have frequent urges to urinate although you may pass very little. In some cases the urine looks cloudy or reddish.
If you also have fever, nausea or constant pain in the lower abdominal area then this is a sign that the infection may have spread to the kidneys and you should see a doctor immediately to prevent possible permanent damage to the kidneys.
Home Remedies For Bladder Infection
One of the most important things to do if you have a UTI is to drink plenty of water. Have one 8 oz glass every 20-30 minutes. Assuming that your kidneys and bladder are functioning correctly and the infection is limited to the urethra, this is often enough to flush out the system. The body’s natural healing process together with the mild anti bacterial properties of urine may be able to deal with the infection by themselves when fresh urine is washing through the system quickly.
However, if you want to give your body a helping hand, cranberry juice is the best known natural remedy for UTI. This has been used for over one hundred years to help people with infections of the bladder and associated passages. It appears to work because proanthocyanins in cranberry juice help to prevent bacteria sticking to the walls of the urinary passages. They can then be washed out more easily by the urine.
You can either eat cranberries, drink juice diluted in water (unsweetened) or buy supplements of cranberry extract from a health food store. Research seems to show that cranberry extract supplements are the most effective.
In the case of sexually transmitted bladder infection both partners will need tests and treatment although often only one partner has symptoms. If the other partner is not treated too, the infection will recur. Medical tests can identify this type of infection.
If the infection spreads to the kidneys it can become very serious, and in some cases this can happen even when the symptoms have been controlled. There is also a risk of recurrence. Therefore you should always see a doctor even if these home remedies for bladder infection seem to have worked for you.
Tags: bladder infection, fever, health-food store, home remedies, natural remedy, nausea, pain, urinary tract infection
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