Home Remedies

Garlic: A Natural First Aid

Home Remedies Solution — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:13:23 +0000

Garlic is one of the most used among natural medicines and also serves as food. Even in history garlic is one of the best first aid that the ancient Egyptians used in early times.

Garlic in its natural form contains an antibiotic called allicin. It also contains sulfides. Garlic is said to fight against certain types of cancers.

Nomenclature

Common name: Garlic, Rocambole, Ajo, Allium,
Stinking Rose, Rustic Treacle,
Nectar of the gods, Camphor of the poor,
Poor man’s treacle, and clove garlic

Botanical name: Allium sativum

Usage

Garlic is great for almost any bacterial or viral infection including

Coughs
Colds
Athlete’s foot
Jock itch
Ringworm
Splinter
Bee stings
Intestinal parasites
Staph infections
Garlic has been used to aid in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol
Asthma treatment to reduce the intensity of attacks
Garlic is also said to boost metabolismGarlic can also be used as a mosquito repellent

How to use

Garlic cloves may be swallowed whole or infused in honey to make syrup

Garlic oil may be placed on any affected wound externally, Gauze can be used to separate skin and garlic clove(s).

Side Effects

Allergic reactions
Skin inflammation
Stomach upset
Bad breath when excessive intakes occur

Shape Up Naturally – The Right Way To Exercise

Homemade-Remedies — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:22:42 +0000

There are people who are naturally blessed with a beautiful body. It seems that no matter what they eat and how much of that they stuff their body with, they don’t get an inch of the ugly fat. Others are not so lucky, though. Either they have to go on a fad diet or submit themselves to surgical procedures just to achieve the body shape they’ve always dreamed of. You must know, though, that starving yourself can have serious repercussions, and going under the knife can be very risky, not to mention expensive.

So what’s the thing to do to shape up naturally? One key is exercise. You need to burn fat and the most effective way to do this is to exercise. The idea is not alien to you, anymore, that’s for sure, but there’s plenty of misinformation about exercise on the net and elsewhere that people don’t always get the results they desire.

There are different types of exercise and there are those that are specific to losing weight. If you want to lose weight fast, consider step aerobics, bicycling, swimming, and playing racquetball. These exercises let you lose between 500 up to 1,000 calories.

Quite a lot of people don’t exercise properly, the reason why they don’t lose weight easily. If you plan to engage in any of these cardio exercises, make sure to consult with your doctor first as these tend to increase your heart rate and make you sweat a lot, which may not be a good thing if you are a diabetic or have heart problems to begin with. If your doctor declares you to be fit enough to be doing cardio exercises, choose which of them you are likely to enjoy more.

If you want to go for step aerobics, it’s important that you begin the exercise slowly, then just gradually increase your speed as you go along. Remember, you cannot lose weight overnight no matter what you do, so even if you go full blast on step aerobics, you can not expect yourself to look fit and beautiful at the end of your first session. So, start slow, but be consistent. Consistency is very important in any weight loss program. Cardio exercises may be done for about 20-30 minutes, 3 or four times a week.

It cannot be denied that there may be times when you will feel bored with the routine and decide to temporarily stop doing the program, but this is the last thing you must do. In the event that you will feel bored, you can try a different program for the time being. Maybe you can ride your bicycle this time and drive around the park, or perhaps, you may want to try swimming. A change of routine can be motivating under the circumstances. On the other hand, if you don’t want to change your routine, the best thing is to ask a friend to do the exercises with you. Anything when done with a close friend is always enjoyable.

Before beginning your workout, spend some time warming yourself up. Stretch your muscles and take deep breaths. Then when you are through with your routine, allow yourself to cool down for 5 minutes at least and 10 minutes at most.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!

Tea Tree Oil: First Aid Kit In A Bottle

Remedy Solution — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 04:18:58 +0000

Due to the rising costs of medicines, hospitalization, and so on, it’s no longer surprising to see people turning to natural and alternative ways to remedy common health concerns. These remedies not only cost less, but they have fewer side effects, too. Essential oils are on the rise, and Tea Tree Oil is considered as one of the most popular essential oils that more and more people are appreciating for its health benefits.
In the old times, tea tree oil was used by the aborigines as a general antiseptic for wounds. Recently, medical studies have proven that this natural oil does have lots of benefits. It is a natural curing agent for bacterial, viral and fungal infections. It has been found to be so effective in treating a wide range of diseases, particularly those involving the skin. If you are suffering from Athlete’s foot, nail fungus, warts, blackheads, acne, and dandruff, you’ll experience significant relief just by using Tea Tree Oil. At the same time, the oil offers relief to minor cuts and scrapes, burns, and insect bites.
Beauty experts themselves recognize the benefits of Tea Tree Oil. In fact you can find this oil as one major ingredient in a number of skin care products, such as soaps, moisturizing creams, shampoos, mouthwash, deodorants, and the like.
Tea Tree Oil is non-toxic and will not irritate the skin. There are no known contraindications, too, but it’s not advisable to use it during pregnancy and lactation. While it’s generally safe, Tea Tree Oil should not be used in large quantities because a few drops of the essential oil can go a long way.
There are different ways you may be able to use Tea Tree Oil to promote wellness. It can be used in steam inhalation to relieve nasal congestion and fight off infections. Just add two or three drops of the oil to a steaming bowl of water. Keep your head covered, bring your face closer to the bowl and inhale deeply for 5 up to 10 minutes.
For skin infections, add 5 drops of Tea Tree Oil to your bath, and bathe as you normally do. If you have dandruff, you may use this water to shampoo your hair with, or alternatively, you can add two or three drops to your shampoo and wash your hair as usual.
To boost the immune system, use the oil as a massage once a week. Just mix 3-5 drops of Tea Tree Oil to 30 ml of base oil.
For cold sores, acne, blemishes, nail fungus and nasal ulcers, you can apply the essential directly on the affected area. You can also do the same if you have minor cuts and scrapes, but remember not to use it on deep wounds and tattoos.
Tea Tree Oil can also relieve soar throat or throat infections. To experience its healing effects, add 8-10 drops of the oil to a glass of water and gargle two or three times within 20 minutes.
With all these benefits, it’s no wonder why Tea Tree Oil is often regarded as a First Aid Kit in a bottle.

Natural Good Health are the Keys to A Healthy Body

Remedy Solution — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:15:22 +0000

Health is wealth, indeed. Especially in these difficult times, you will surely appreciate what it means to be healthy. So many people are unable to meet their financial obligations and are accumulating piles of unpaid bills. Being in debt is already a big headache, but being in debt with a failing health can put you in a very compromising situation. Indeed, to get sick in the midst of the economic crisis is like adding salt to injury … or worse.
Some people are led to believe that you have to spend a lot in order to achieve wellness; why, because nutritional supplements cost so much. The truth is, you really do not have to rely on supplements alone. While, many of them do work to boost your immune system, they are not the be-all and the end-all of a healthy body. You’ll be surprised to know that the keys to staying fit and healthy will not burn your pocket at all. In fact, they can even save you tons of money.
The first key to a healthy body involves making wise food choices. Maybe you have taken to eating at fast food and pack-and-go restaurants. Yes, they are more convenient, but then the foods are often processed and packed with chemicals and toxins. Over time these stuff can clog your colon and cause lots of health problems. Why not take time to prepare and bring your own lunch and snacks to work? Carrots, watermelon slices, sunflower seeds, and nuts make healthier alternatives to burger meals, potato chips and French fries. Health experts agree that eating raw vegetables and fresh fruits everyday is essential, thus, make sure to include these in your daily diet.
The second key to staying healthy is exercise. For sure you must have heard thousands of times already how regular exercise can give you a beautiful body. It is true, exercising regularly helps tone your muscles and gives your body shape, but more importantly, exercising promotes better circulation and faster metabolism, and boosts the immune system. It’s not necessary to enroll yourself in gym classes to exercise. Brisk walking at the park or around your neighborhood for at least 30 minutes everyday is also a form of exercise, and it’s free.
Drinking lots of water is the third key to a healthy body. The benefits of water cannot at all be taken for granted. In many cases it can even prove to be a lifesaver. Dehydration, which results from insufficient or lack of water intake, can have serious complications, so always see to it that you keep yourself hydrated.
Finally, maintain a happy disposition. Laugh as much as you can, even if it makes people wonder what you’re up to. Laughing out loud promotes a healthy heart and keeps you wrinkle-free, too. A hearty laugh at the end of the day unburdens you of stress and helps you sleep better. As they say, “laughter is the best medicine”. There’s certainly a lot of truth to that statement.

Natural Methods to Protect Yourself From The Sun

Remedy Solution — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:16:03 +0000

Are you using sunscreen when you go out of the house? You must! After all, exposure to the sun is a big contributor to dark spots, wrinkles, and premature aging. The question is, is your sunscreen really protecting you from the sun or is it doing you more harm than good?

If you are using a chemically-formulated sunscreen, then you are not doing your skin any favor at all. Why? Because among the active ingredients that compose chemically-formulated sunscreens are:

• PABA, which is known to be both a mutagen and carcinogen that damages the human cell DNA,
• Benzophenone, which absorbs ultraviolet light but breaks down into free radicals causing skin aging and/or cancer, and
• Triethanolamine, a known carcinogen when combined with nitrites

Most sunscreens also contain SLS,DEA, parabens, propylene glycol, and alcohol which are toxic to the body.

When choosing a sunscreen product, therefore, look for one with 100% natural ingredients, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, virgin coconut oil, almond oil, jasmine oil, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and natural extracts. Such a product guarantees 100% protection from the sun without compromising your health in the process.

Beauty from organics

Remedy Solution — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:24:05 +0000

Merry Christmas everyone! Stay healthy and stay organic!

A lot of people are not aware that their favorite shampoos, beauty creams and hand and body lotions contain chemicals that may cause cancer, hormonal imbalances, irritation, and ironically, pre-mature aging. Phtalates, propylene glycol, parabens, alcohol, fragrance, and SLS, to name a few, are all toxic to the body, yet these are the stuff our beauty products are made of! Even baby products contain these ingredients.

I shudder with disbelieve why regulating agencies approve the distribution of these products. Sure, the amount of one ingredient may be minimal, but the fact is, more than one toxic ingredient is present in each product, and how often do you use a certain product? Not just once, more two or more times everyday!

You don’t have to risk your health just to look beautiful because you can be both clean and beautiful without the chemicals.

Go organic with your choice of shampoos, beauty creams, lotions, make-ups, and experience real beauty.

Eat right to improve your skin

Remedy Solution — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:42:43 +0000

Aside from using organic skin care products, it’s also important that you eat right. You need to stuff your body with foods and fruits that promote healthy skin, such as:

* strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and plum because they are rich in antioxidants, and you know that antioxidants are responsible in fighting off free radicals that cause premature aging;

* green tea because it contains polyphenols that keep away bacteria that also promote aging;

* salmon and walnuts because they are high in Omega3 and Omega6, the fatty acids responsible in moisturizing your skin;

* avocados because it contains B-complex vitamins and essential oils. Eating avocados help to soothe irritated skin;

* mangoes because they are rich in Vitamin A. Mangoes help repair damaged skin cells;

* almonds because they are rich in Vitamin E, the vitamin that’s so essential in making your skin healthy.

Then of course, you must drink lots of water everyday because it keeps you hydrated.

Eye Wrinkles-Natural Preventive Techniques

Home Remedies Solution — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:59:07 +0000

Although wrinkles are part of the aging process, there are certain conditions that cause them to appear much earlier. The layers of the skin under the eyes are thin and fragile so they tend to break easily. Some women go to the extent of submitting themselves to surgical procedures in the hope of diminishing the lines. This can be very expensive though not to mention risky. Natural and organic sunblock creams make a great alternative to these procedures. But apart from that, there are natural ways you can prevent or delay the onset of eye wrinkles. For instance,avoid squinting. So use dark glasses or a wide-brimmed hat when you go out. You should also avoid pulling or tugging at the skin around the eyes when you wash your face and put on make up. It’s been suggested to use your ring finger when you have to apply a concealer, foundation or moisturizer because it’s a weaker finger so you won’t have to apply too much pressure on the area.

Staying healthy by checking labels

Remedy Solution — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 02:29:09 +0000

When shopping for your beauty products, it’s always wise to check the labels first. Make sure that they don’t contain any of the following ingredients:

1) SLS/SLES and ALS/ALES – these are foaming agents that bring dirt to the surface. Unfortunately, they cause eye and skin irritation.

2) preservatives such as parabens, BHA/BHT, DMDM Hydantoin, Phenoxyethanol and TEA. Parabens are allergenics and they promote premature aging. BHA/BHT has been linked to cancer. DMDM Hydantoin is believed to weaken the immune system. Phenoxyethanol is an irritant and it causes allergy, while TEA or triethanolamine is carcinogenic.

3) DEA or diethanolamine – it’s an emulsifer that helps to combine water-based liquid and oil. But DEA is said to affect hormonal activity.

4) moisturizers and emollients such as mineral oil, dimethicone, isopropyl palmitate,petrolatum or paraffin, and urea. These ingredients soften, relax and sooth the skin, but in the process of doing so, clog the pores, speed up aging, worsen acne, and in the case of urea, cause cancer.

5) fragrances in the form of parfum and phtalates. Parfum causes allergy and is an irritant as well.Phtalates damages the liver and reproductive organs

6) solvent such as propylene glycol. This one damages the kidneys and the liver.

7) antibacterial agents such as triclosan. Triclosan causes endocrine and reproductive malfunctions. It’s alarming, really, but chemically formulated skin care products, including hair shampoos, have at least one of these ingredients.

Natural Hyperthermia Treatment

Home Remedies Solution — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 08:18:04 +0000

As the weather gets colder, I figure this might be of help if it does occur.

Hyperthermia, or fever as it is more commonly called, results from a variety of reasons. Often, it suggests an underlying condition; perhaps, you are suffering from an infection of some sort. Fever manifests itself in lyme disease, pneumonia, whooping cough, viral hepatitis, urinary tract infection, and the like. Sometimes, though, fever could simply be an indication of dehydration.

High fever can actually be good for you, especially if the temperature is not beyond 102 degrees Fahrenheit, because high fever can kill the harmful microbes that invade your system. In fact, for fever this mild, doctors even recommend that you do not take steps to bring it down just yet as that temperature is good for your body. However, if you have cardiac problems, high fever can worsen your condition.

Nonetheless, if you have to bring the temperature down, here are some natural ways by which you can do it without running to the nearest drugstore for a few tablets of paracetamol.

Tepid Sponge Baths

One effective remedy is to take tepid sponge baths, giving particular attention to the folds of your body, particularly, the groin area, the armpit, and between the legs.

Hydrate

While fever can be a manifestation of dehydration, a body temperature that is too high can, in turn, dehydrate you. Avoid taking solid foods while the temperature is still high. If you want some flavor to your drink, take fresh juices every once in a while.

Vinegar Cure

Vinegar is great in fighting off fever. Massage your body with apple cider vinegar, cover yourself up and get into bed. Alternatively, wear a pair of socks soaked in vinegar. Another option is to half fill a basin with water, then fill the other half with vinegar. Take a sponge, dip it in the mixture, and sponge it on your face, and on your body, giving much attention to the folds of your body.

Miracle Cure Using Egg Whites

Amazingly, egg whites have also been found to relieve hypothermia. Accordingly, all you have to do is soak a pair of socks in egg whites, then put them on your feet.

Get Comfy

Since fever can cause considerable discomfort, it is always advisable to make yourself as comfortable as possible. For instance, you can have a massage at home, while listening to soft, soothing music. Rest is highly recommended, so avoid watching too much tv, reading, or engaging in strenuous activities.

Another suggestion is drinking raisin juice. You can make raisin juice by soaking around 10-15 pieces of raisins in water, crushing them, and then straining them after. The juice that’s left after straining can be drank to relieve hyperthermia. Drinking mint tea, ginger tea, and a mixture of honey, lime juice, and ginger juice, can also bring the fever down. Accordingly also, drinking warm milk with a pinch of turmeric can reduce the temperature.