Natural Remedies For Christmas Ailments
I like to think of this as my Christmas survival guide – the healthy way to deal with those everyday stresses we are faced with. With the best will in the world it is easy to overstretch and overstress yourself over the holiday period. Lots of intense activity, probably more food and drink than usual – and richer probably than your everyday diet – can all combine to put you out of sorts. Instead of the medicine cabinet, try these natural remedies to help prevent, and alleviate, those Christmas blues. It can be your seasonal ‘first aid’ kit so make sure you keep it handy.
Shock and bruising
Arnica is a wonderful homoeopathic remedy for shock – and you often get quite a few of those in the heat of family exchanges or unwrapping the world’s most unsuitable present. Taken as a couple of tablets under the tongue it will help you recover, and in its cream salve form it works wonders on bruises. In all that rushing about you can get bumped more than usual as your mind is distracted with all those lists and trying to remember if cousin George is still vegetarian or if that was just a short-term effect brought on by last girlfriend. Rub the cream onto the bruise – but only if the skin is unbroken – and it’s anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties will not only bring you relief from the pain but bring the bruising out faster so it passes quicker. As Arnica also helps restore emotional balance – which can seesaw rather violently at this time of year – it is always an excellent remedy to have on hand during the festive season
Healing cuts, scrapes, grazes
Under stress our nerves can show in many ways and one of the most popular seems to be picking or biting at cuticles until they bleed, or you might just not be looking carefully enough as you slice the turkey or fight your way through the crowds to get to the last ‘most popular toy of the year’ in the store. Calendula is a herb that has been used for centuries in folk medicine whenever cuts or sores need healing. It contains triterpenes which encourage new cell growth, as well as being antiseptic, and Nelson’s make a Hypercal cream which contains calendula and hypericum which can ease the pain of the wound and Boots the Chemist also make their own version. Make sure wound is clean first by bathing with warm water into which a few drops of tea tree oil have been added as this too is antiseptic and will help clear any infection.
Burns
As I am incapable of wresting a roast from the oven, or ironing anything at all, without burning myself somewhere I have amassed several useful remedies. My first option is another homoeopathic remedy from Nelsons, this time specifically for burns, and the second is lavender oil. Apply either immediately to the skin and you will soon feel the heat receding, use the oil neat and reapply as needed. Though if the burn is around food you might want to use the Nelson’s cream instead as lavender oil is rather pungent. If you have an aloe vera plant in the house, then that too is an excellent remedy to treat burns and scars. Just remove a leaf, cut across the tip and squeeze out the gel onto your skin. Aloe vera is one of the remedies used treat radiation burns after Hiroshima and it is very effective at quickly reducing heat and keeping the skin supple and moisturised.
Stomach upsets
Well first of all prevention is better than cure, so make a Christmas resolution to be kind to your liver and don’t overload it with too much food and drink – particularly rich foods and things you are not used to having regularly. Avoid things that can irritate or upset the stomach, so cut down on coffee and acid foods and try these natural remedies instead.
** peppermint tea as it soothes the stomach and aids digestion.
** ginger helps with nausea so drink ginger ale or steep ginger slices in a cup with honey and add hot water or eat some candied ginger.
** bananas soothe the stomach and counteract the acids that can cause an upset stomach. They are also easily digested and can help ease diarrhea.
** nux vom is a homoeopathic remedy that is excellent for when you have over-indulged in too much, or too rich, foods. Two tablets of 6 x potency under the tongue and repeated hourly will soon help you overcome any nauseous feelings.
Headaches
Lavender oil can be helpful here, just put a couple of dabs either side of your temples, just above your eyebrows and gently massage it in with a circular motion. Do not get the oil anywhere near your eyes. If the headache is very severe you can try a mixture of peppermint oil with lavender and clove in equal parts and inhale this regularly to clear your head If your head is aching then an ice pack might help, so put some crushed iced in a plastic bag, wrap it in a dry towel, and use it as a compress. Ice all been used in the drinks? No problem, just run the cold tap and soak a facecloth then wring it out, lie down and place on your forehead. Close your eyes until you feel better.
Emotional overload
If you find yourself weeping into the Brussel sprouts -and who wouldn’t – then keep a bottle of Rescue Remedy to hand. Just a few drops on the tongue of this mixture of floral and herb extracts helps restore emotional balance, reduces shock, calms the nerves and is my first port of call for anyone who is suffering from anxiety and stress. Lavender oil is another fast lifter of the spirit, just open the bottle and inhale, or dab a couple of drops on your wrist and keep sniffing to keep yourself calm and on an even keel -works with virtually everything but no guarantees for insufferable in laws or being left with all the washing up.
Winning Natural Remedies For Insomnia
Natural sleep aids are for treating insomnia the normal way, which means without having to take medications and therapies.
A natural remedy for insomnia is highly recommended as it will help your body to get used to normal sleeping without having to risk your health, and without having to spend so much. The following are some of these natural remedies.
• Mood. Motivate yourself. You know you are having difficulty in trying to fall asleep, try to do thing that can help you relax like taking a warm bath, having a nice glass of milk, and listening to soothing music. Avoid activities that will stimulate your brain to be active again. Watching television, preparing work materials, working out before going to bed will only get your mind and body on their active mood.
Set a fixed bed time and getting up time. Follow these each day or at least as much as possible.
Also, choose hours that you are most likely to relax only, when you have no work left to do.
• Food. Avoid having heavy meals at night. Your digestive system will need to be active for a period of time to digest most of the amounts of food you ate.
• Massage. Massage has been said to relieve stress.
• Meditation. Having a peace of mind lets you have a good night sleep. Clear your mind of the stress from work, personal problems, and financial troubles. Meditate for 15 minutes and relax not only your mind but also your body.
Natural sleep aids are mainly sleep coping mechanisms and activities that help one condition his or her body for sleep.
5 Ways to Naturally Relieve Headaches
Natural pain relief is something that many people opt for these days, since many medications have unpleasant side effects and can be bad for your body. While it`s easy to rely on a handful of pills to take care of a headache, there are other, non-medicinal methods of natural pain relief that are available. These herbal remedies enable you to treat your pain without having to resort to chemicals and drugs that could be harmful.
Natural remedies for headaches have been around since cavemen used plants to heal their ills, but for several generations now, we`ve tended toward the more chemical solution. It`s time to get back to basics, though, since natural pain relief techniques are not only very effective and have no lasting side effects, they can also be considerably cheaper than more modern methods.
1. Drink a cup of tea. Herbal remedies are often some of the best ones when it comes to relieving pain, particularly for tension headaches and migraines. There`s just something relaxing about a cup of tea and when made with the right herbs, you can have a potent natural painkiller on your hands. Try feverfew mixed with chamomile for a soothing tea that reduces or eliminates headaches.
2. Get a massage. Tension headaches are caused by the tightening of muscles, often due to stress or unaccustomed exercise. A massage works to gently stretch these tightened muscles and help them release the tension there. By manipulating the muscles, particularly in the neck and shoulders, as well as the base of the skull, the tightness is eased and the pain will be eliminated. This is something you can do yourself, if you simply work the area where your neck muscles attack to the skull, but it does work best if someone else, preferably with experience, does this for you.
3. Drink some water. Did you know that 80% of Americans are somewhat dehydrated most the time? Most people drink soft drinks with their meals and snacks. Unfortunately, having a cola will not actually rehydrate you, it merely makes the situation worse, but if you are drinking sodas, then you probably avoid water. The state of dehydration, however mild, can cause headaches. Drinking water is a very important part of preventing headaches, but it can also be used to treat them. If you suspect your headache might be caused by dehydration, then try drinking a glass or two of water and waiting.
4. Take a supplement. In some cases, herbal remedies come in the form of supplements and can be a great relief for chronic headaches. Cayenne is one of the more common natural pain relief options that can be used. You might also want to try supplements with feverfew or gingko biloba, both of which have a long history of being used to ease headaches, in addition to other benefits.
5. Use acupressure. Acupuncture is a well-known alternative medical treatment for quite a few health issues, but you might be pleased to know that the idea behind it works just as well without the actual needles. Try squeezing the fleshy area between the thumb and forefinger for up to 5 minutes for quick headache relief. Rubbing with small circular motions directly in front of the ears, in the little dip found there, can also help.
Whether you choose herbal remedies, acupressure or another natural pain reliever, this much is clear, there is no longer any need to take chemicals and drugs that could do your body a lot of harm. Instead, look at nature for the answers and stay healthier in the long run.
Home Remedies For Dog Constipation
There comes a time in everyone’s life when constipation rears its ugly head. The same holds true for dogs, unfortunately. Lack of exercise and proper diet can lead to bouts of constipation (sound familiar?). While you may seek a variety of ways to “eliminate” this problem in your own life, let’s explore some home remedies for dog constipation which can be utilized in the eventuality it occurs in theirs.
As mentioned earlier, a proper diet and exercise are key components in ensuring your dog has the ability to move his bowels as often as necessary. House dogs usually need to be walked twice a day while maintaining a proper diet. If your dog becomes constipated, one method to alleviate this problem is by adding one to two teaspoons of bran to his meal. This allows for extra moisture in the stool.
Another method to soften the stool would be to add psyllium (Metamucil in the adult world) to his diet. Half a teaspoon twice a day, in addition to drinking plenty of water, will suffice. A third option would be mineral oil. This may be used in cases where there is a large build-up of hard stool. Two teaspoons, twice a day should be added to his meal, but for only a week. There are several other steps you can take to alleviate your dog’s constipation. Keep his food moist by adding a bit of water. If your dog is getting on in years, add some raw meat and vegetables to his diet.
There are certain signs which can alert you to potential problems, and for which you can take immediate steps. Long hair on dogs can cause feces to become entangled; therefore, keep your dog properly groomed. Dogs tend to eat everything in sight, ensure no bones or other material has been ingested. Just as we experience constipation due to certain medications, dogs are no exception. Psychological stress is another indicator relating to constipation.
While it has been suggested that all breeds and dogs of any age are prone to constipation, there are other aspects which you may need to consider, and for which many dog owners are culpable. Never feed your dog from the dinner table. While you may indulge the dog with a few scraps here and there, you are contributing to his constipation.
Foods that contain flour, sugar, rice, dairy and high protein are the main source of the problem. Ice cream, cookies, bread, chocolate, or other unhealthy food items can cause your dog unnecessary pain. As mentioned earlier, a lack of fiber and dehydration are common causes. Another cause for concern would be a condition known as mega colon. This simply means your dog has an inflamed colon which prevents the discharge of feces.
The time to visit the vet will become evident when your dog’s inability to defecate is hampered by a decreased appetite, passing blood in minimal amounts, and overall lethargy. Keep in mind, contributing to the overall health of your dog should be of the utmost importance. A dog’s love is unconditional, therefore, he or she is totally dependent upon you to maintain a healthy and harmonious life. Be ever vigilant to any signs of stress and ensure his diet and exercise regimen is appropriate and on-going.