Common Herbal Home Remedies

In an effort to save some cash, most families are now trying herbal home remedies whenever a family member has a mild fever or a slight cold, instead of going to the doctor right away.  It is such a relief to find a cure for common illnesses right in your own kitchen – it does not only give you the comfort that it is within your reach, but that it is also within your budget.


Common Herbal Home Remedies

Without your knowledge, your kitchen may be brimming with healthy stuff, particularly anti-oxidants found in most fruits and vegetables, that can increase the body’s immunity against certain diseases.  Cooking spices, such as onions, garlic and pepper seeds are just some of the anti-oxidants that you would often find in any kitchen.  These can all be chopped up and boiled together.  The resulting mix is a healthy concoction that can strengthen your body and even help in the detoxing process, where toxins from the body are eliminated.

For upset stomachs, drinking herbal tea, specially chamomile tea can provide relief. It has anti-inflammatory agents in it that can also relieve menstrual cramps,  headaches, toothache, and rheumatic pains. Some mothers give a small amount of it to their colicky babies.

Try Ginseng For Almost Anything

One of the most commonly used herbal home remedy is ginseng. Traditional Chinese Medicine has always lauded the benefits of using ginseng in relieving stress, increasing energy and vitality, enhancing physical performance and elevating the body’s natural resistance against chronic diseases.

Ginseng is readily available in most Asian specialty stores, and can be taken as tea, or in capsule form.  Recently, even North Americans and Europeans are discovering the benefits of ginseng in lowering high blood pressure, improving blood cholesterol, and lowering blood sugar. It can also be used to treat the common cold, provide some relief from coughing, headaches and muscle pains.

Caution In Use

It is important, however, to note that some home remedies may work for others, and will not for some. Some of these home remedies maybe alternative health herbal preparations that our mothers and grandmothers have used before us, and have been quite effective during their time. It is however, smart, to consult your doctor, if symptoms persist after using home remedies, as a simple fever maybe a sign of a serious infection, that can only be determined by medical tests.

Understanding Fiber and How It Can Affect Your Health

We often hear health gurus say that we need to make fiber-rich foods a regular part of our diet, but some of us do not really understand why we need to do this. There are many sources of fiber, and yes, eating foods that are rich in fiber can do some wonders to your health. However, like anything else, it should be taken in moderation, because eating too much of it can also upset your digestive system.                    
Here are some of the most common facts about fiber that you need to know:

1.  Fiber can actually help you feel full. Because foods rich in fiber take longer to chew and digest, you get that feeling of being full sooner than eating other foods.  This helps stop your cravings, and the feeling that you need to eat more to satisfy your hunger pangs.

2.  Fiber improves the body's internal systems.  A diet that is rich in fiber can help in the elimination process, which means the toxic elements that we ingest from time to time can easily be eliminated. A cleaner system will result to prevention of certain serious diseases such as colon cancer and even heart disease.

3.  When you take in fiber, make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water everyday.  This is to make sure that you don't get dehydrated which may happen if you regularly take in plenty of diet fiber without enough water. Water aids in moving the fiber through the digestive system.

Fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains are the best sources of  dietary fiber, so remember to include these in your regular diet. Recommended daily intake of fiber is about 25g per day, which means at least 5 servings of fruits or vegetables and 6 servings of grains (preferably whole grains) or nuts daily.
Most of today's chronic diseases can be prevented by eating the right kind of foods.  Fiber helps you maintain your weight, can bring benefits to the digestive system and can help in eliminating toxic waste through the colon. It can also create a more pH environment in the intestines, which can prevent carcinogenic substances from getting into the system and threatening your health.

Make fiber a daily part of your diet, and see improvements in your weight and your general health. 

What You Need To Know About Collagen

It is unavoidable that as we age, our body undergoes cellular changes which are often the results of various pollutants.  We are often exposed to toxins, that have harmful effects on the largest organ of the body, our skin. For instance, daily exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause damage to the collagen fibers of our skin, which can lead to premature aging.

Recent researches in skin care often focus on delaying skin aging, and most of these have studied the importance of collagen in keeping or renewing the skin’s natural elasticity. Collagen is naturally produced in the body, however, once it gets depleted, the time it will take for the skin to regain elasticity will be about 30 years.

Thus, dermatological products using products that can stimulate production of collagen has become quite popular in reducing signs of aging.  Although most of the results are still in early stages, there have been substantial data to prove that products rich in olive oil, coconut oil and shea butter are great sources of collagen stimulating compounds that can bring benefits to an aging skin.

There are also other steps you can do to delay aging, aside from using products with collagen stimulating compounds.  Here are some of them:

1.  Protect your skin from the glaring effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays by applying a sunscreen lotion.

2.  Quit smoking and avoid drinking too much alcohol.  Both products, nicotine and alcohol have been found to accelerate cellular damage which contributes to premature aging.

3.  Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables,  and take Vitamin C and E supplements. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of Vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system. Vitamin C is also  a powerful antioxidant, which can prevent further cellular damage. Vitamin E is known to delay aging and increase skin elasticity. 

4.   Drink plenty of water.  Water serves as the medium for transporting essential vitamins and minerals that are necessary for good health, as well as healthy, vibrant looking skin.

5.   Get plenty of sleep.  Not getting enough sleep results to tired looking skin.  If it is not possible to get a 
straight 8 hour sleep, compensate by taking short naps during the day.

6.  Avoid stress.  One of the major reasons for skin that looks old and dry is one’s inability to cope with stress.  Stress can lead to sleepless nights which can affect the skin’s quality.  You can manage stress by having a positive attitude, learning how to relax and finding joy even in the trivial things in life.

7.  Apply skin moisturizers regularly.  Choose skin products that are rich in natural products such as shea butter, coconut virgin oil and green tea.  These products are recommended for their skin enriching and anti oxidant properties.

Premature aging can be  prevented by proper skin care, the right nutrition, enough sleep,  and the use of collagen stimulating skin products
.  Ask your dermatologist for other recommendations to keep your skin looking young and vibrant. 

Essential Food Minerals For a Cancer Diet

Minerals in the food we eat are now getting a lot of attention, as they relate to diets that can improve one's chances of avoiding the risk of cancer. When we talk about minerals that should be present in a cancer diet, there are two types that usually come to mind - the macrominerals such as calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, and the microminerals such as copper, germanium, sulfur, manganese, zinc and iron.

If we fill our daily diets with fruits and vegetables, it is easy enough to get most of the minerals that our bodies need. However, with the way some of today's produce are grown, we may not be getting the amount of minerals that can best sustain our body's requirements. It is far better to buy fruits and vegetables that are organically grown, rather than those that had been treated with commercial fertilizers which can deplete the natural minerals found in them. Organic farming does not use chemical fertilizers, and often use rock minerals on soils which can add to the normal mineral content of fruits and vegetables.

For cancer patients, or those who are facing a higher risk of cancer, the micromineral germanium has been found to improve the body's immune system and to stop further growth of cancer cells. Some foods that are rich in germanium are tomatoes, broccoli, celery, onions, rhubarb, and garlic.

Another mineral that is essential in preventing cancer is iodine. Iodine deficiency can be avoided by using seasalt for cooking, which contains more iodine than the commonly used table salt. Iodine can also be found in asparagus, soybeans, lima beans, garlic, brussels sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage.

Selenium is currently being heralded as an anti-cancer mineral, and works well when combined with Vitamin E. This mineral can improve functions of the pancreas and can prevent cancer tumors from forming or developing. Found mostly in grains such as nuts and beans, it is also present in most animal meat products.

When thinking of a cancer diet, include minerals that can effectively block the onset of cancer cells, and improve the body's immune system. Good sources of minerals that you may include are salmon, tuna, garlic, broccoli, kelp, chicken and products using whole grains.

Consult your dietician or your doctor who can prescribe a good combination of foods that will be perfect for a cancer diet. Remember though, that too much of anything can also result to other health risks, so make sure that you exercise variety in choosing foods that will help you fight cancer.

What You Need to Know About Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome

Adrenal fatigue syndrome is quite common now among men and women who are suffering from daily stress. This is a medical condition when the adrenal glands do not function properly. These glands are located above the kidneys and secrete the hormone, cortisol, which is the main hormone which helps us handle stressful situations. The adrenal glands can be overworked, when a person experiences stress and cortisol may become depleted once the adrenals can no longer handle the demands on it.

Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome Symptoms

A noticeable decrease in energy, digestion problems, irritable bowel syndrome and an overall inability to handle stress are just some of the initial symptoms of adrenal fatigue syndrome. If left untreated, the condition may lead to more serious issues like heart disease, intestinal and kidney disorders, hypertension and even stroke.

Handling Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome

Because this condition is stress related, it is important for a person suffering from it to know how to relax and calm the mind during stressful times. In fact, the best treatment would be to avoid anything or any situation that can cause stress. Deep breathing exercises will also help to relax the mind and relieve stress.

A good way to handle stress is to get a good night sleep. It may be difficult for some people to achieve the number of hours required to get a good night sleep because of negative thoughts that usually fill the mind during a stressful time. Taking short naps during the day will help one replenish lost sleep. Taking a few minutes walk before bedtime can also help.

Avoiding refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta and cakes can also help. Eating too much sweets and simple carbohydrates found in most processed foods can increase your blood sugar, which can make your adrenals work harder. Substitute sweets with fruits and honey coated cereals. Eating at the right time is also important, in order to keep the cortisol levels maintained, without really straining the adrenals.

Making sure that you get enough vitamins and minerals from the food you eat may not be that easy. This is why supplementing your diet with vitamin pills is a good way to keep your energy level at its prime. In some serious cases, a hydrocortisone injection is prescribed to normalize the functioning of the adrenals. Too much of this treatment, however, can permanently damage the adrenals in the long run.

Adrenal fatigue is a serious matter, and one that should not be taken lightly. Addison disease, which leads to sudden decreases in the glucose level can be fatal, and is often a result of frequent adrenal fatigue.

If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, consult your doctor and avoid self-medication, as you may do your body more harm than you intend.

All in My Mind: How to Overcome Adrenal Fatigue, Chronic Fatigue & Fibromyalgia

Affordable Home Remedies Against Early Wrinkles

Wrinkles are inevitable. Sooner or later, men and women will have them, and many will fuss about them. They may not be prevented, but for sure, they can be delayed. Having wrinkles is but a normal part of the ageing process, however, if you get them at a very young age, there may be other factors that are causing them.

For instance, if you are a heavy smoker, chances are you will get wrinkles sooner than other non-smokers your age. This is because of the free radicals that are produced by smoking which can damage the skin, losing its elasticity, which is the precursor to wrinkles.

There are other factors that can cause premature wrinkles. One of the most common factors that speed up the aging process, and thus produces wrinkles is stress. Stress often lead to lack of sleep, poor nutrition, more smoking and drinking alcohol, which all contribute to fast aging. Even frowning can cause some crow's feet on the eyes and on the forehead.

If you went on a diet where you lost weight rapidly, you may see some wrinkles around your face, your neck and your arms as the fat cells around these areas are reduced. With a fat reducing diet, you may have not given your body enough Vitamin E, which will cause your skin to lose its natural firmness.

For the budget conscious, who can not really afford expensive treatments for wrinkles, here are some home remedies that may help prevent the onset of premature wrinkles and prevent new ones from forming:

1. Egg whites are great moisturizers, especially on the skin around the eyes.

2. Coconut oil is not that expensive and can be rubbed with a gentle massage on your face before bedtime.

3. You can use some seedless grapes, mashed and massaged on your face before sleeping. Leave for about 20 minutes and then wash off with warm water.

4. Mix the juice of pineapples and apples and apply on your face for about 15 minutes. Wash off and then let it dry.

5. Make a mixture of yoghurt, lemon juice and honey and use as a face mask.


On top of these home remedies, you should also include a lot of fruits and vegetables on your diet. Choose fruits that are rich in antioxidants, mostly berries such as raspberries, strawberries and prunes. Antioxidants have been known to delay the aging process because they prevent the cell damage that free radicals can do to the body.

Get plenty of sleep, and drink enough water during the day. You should aim for about 7-8 hours of sleep. If this is not possible, try and get some 30 minute power naps during the day. Sleep not only revitalizes the body, but also provides the opportunity for hormones to work better. Drink at least 8 hours of liquid everyday. Water not only refreshes the body, but also moisturizes our skin.

Remember to protect yourself from exposure to the sun which can also cause premature wrinkles. Use a good sunscreen everytime you go out and wear sunglasses, to protect your eyes and to prevent you from squinting in the bright sunlight, which can also leave wrinkles around your eyes.

Get a good skin moisturizer and apply this before you go out and before going to bed. Sure, you can age gracefully, but you can also delay the onset of wrinkles and enjoy a more youthful looking skin for many years to come.