Blocked Nose : Causes, How To and Home Remedies

Blocked nose, is caused by the inflammation of the mucus membranes that line the inner walls of the nasal cavity. Common cold, allergies, flu and sinus infections are the most common causes for this condition. Less frequently, excessive use of certain nasal sprays and drops may also be responsible for a blocked nose.

Do you want to know about some of the effective ways to get rid of stuffy nose? There are a lot of medicines available in the market these days to get rid of stuffy nose. Therefore, natural remedies are always considered to be better options for dealing with stuffy nose, as compared to drugs and medicines.

. Avoid eating heavy food items, such as dairy products. These products make the nose stuffier. You should make sure to eat light food items such as fruits and soups.

. Drink fresh fruit juices. Make sure to take hot bath and shower. The stuffy nose would be opened up in a great way with the help of steam from hot water.

. Vicks Vapor-rub is a very good solution for stuffy nose. The strong scent of the vapors helps in unclogging the stuffy nose.

. Take hot water steam to get relief from stuffy nose. Take this steam two to three times in a day to get immense relief.

. A simpler home remedy involves sniffing an onion, which makes the nose run and thus unblocks it.

. Drinking plenty of hot soups, hot lemon tea and even hot water with honey is beneficial.

. Increase your intake of zinc and Vitamin C for long-term effects.

. Avoid lying flat when your nose is blocked since it restricts breathing. Instead prop up your head, by using more than one pillow, so that the nasal passage drains while you are sleeping and it is easier to breathe.

. Apply raw mustard oil on both sides of the nose externally every night before going to bed. This naturally warms up the nasal cavity and loosens the accumulated mucus inside that is often responsible for the congestion.

. Mix equal portions of coconut oil and ginger extract and warm this mixture gently on a low flame and then apply it on the forehead about an hour before taking a bath.

. Use eucalyptus oil to massage your forehead every day.



~source:natural-homeremedies.com~

Scars : Causes,How To and Home Remedies

Scars as in Wikipedia,are areas of fibrous tissue (fibrosis) that replace normal skin after injury. A scar results from the biological process of wound repair in the skin and other tissues of the body. Thus, scarring is a natural part of the healing process.

Scars usually fade over time but never go away completely. If the way a scar looks bothers you, various treatments might minimize it. These include surgical revision, dermabrasion, laser treatments, injections, chemical peels and creams.

Making scars smaller and less obvious is a common dermatologic concern. Let's now take a look at what both traditional and alternative medicine have to offer us for help with this problem. You should remember however, that these remedies are not likely to produce instant results.


. Vitamin E is considered best for the healthy glowing skin. Application of vitamin E oil or capsule to the scar will completely vanish the scar in few weeks.

. Applying calendula gel or cream to a scar twice a day reduces inflammation and increases healing in an early scar.

. Apply essential oil of lavender on the scars with a cotton ball twice a day.

. Take a few mint leaves and crush them. Tie these crushed leaves in piece of muslin cloth and extract juice. Use it all over your face.

. Application of tea tree oil to the affected area will help in curing the acne scars.

. Soak a cotton ball in blanched green tea and apply this on the scar.

. Application of olive oil is also beneficial in getting rid of any kind of scars.

. Apply cucumber juice to the scars and leave for 15 minutes and wash the face with cold water.

. The most effective home remedy for scars is application of honey several times a day. It will give a natural glow to the skin and will remove all scars.

. Lemon juice is natural bleach and helps in lightening the scars and blemishes of the skin.

. The best method of scars treatment is the application of sandalwood paste with rose water. Apply paste overnight and wash the face next morning.

. Application of Aloe Vera gel to the fresh wounds prevents the formation of permanent scars.

. You can also mix three fourth teaspoon of Aloe Vera juice with natural glycerin and use this on the scars.

. Applying cocoa butter is also a good remedy in getting rid of the scars.



~source:homemademedicine.com~

Jetlag : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Jet lag,as in Wikipedia is a physiological condition which results from alterations to the body's circadian rhythms; it is classified as one of the circadian rhythm sleep disorders. Jet lag results from rapid long-distance transmeridian as on a jet plane. It makes difficult for the people to adjust to the external environment like doing work, routine sleeping and loss of appetite.

The symptoms of jet lag can be quite varied, depending on the amount of time zone alteration, time of day and individual differences. They may include the following:

.Headaches
.Fatigue, irregular sleep patterns, insomnia
.Disorientation, grogginess, irritability
.Mild depression
.Constipation or

It is possible to minimize the effects of jet lag by following some basic steps before, during, and after the flight.

. Drink plenty of water, especially during the flight, to counteract the effects of the dry atmosphere inside the plane.

. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Avoid items that pinch, restrict, or chafe.

. During extended stopovers on a long-haul flight, try to grab a shower.A shower not only freshens you up but gets the muscles and circulation going again and makes you feel much better for the rest of the flight.

. Take enough sleep a night before traveling.

. While seated during your flight, exercise your legs from time to time. Move them up and down and back and forth.

. Avoid alcohol, caffeine on the flight. Caffeine can cause dehydration and disrupt sleeping schedules.

. Add few drops of rosemary oil to � a cup of water and drink. After few hours, have a Valerian tea.

. The best jetlag treatment is Epsom salt bath.

. Get plenty of exercise in the days prior to departure and try to avoid sickness such as the flu, colds and so on.


~source:medicinenet.com~

Toothache : Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

A toothache,as in Wikipedia, is an aching pain in or around a tooth. In most instances, toothaches are caused by tooth problems, such as a dental cavity, a cracked tooth, an exposed tooth root, or gum disease.

The severity of a toothache can range from chronic and mild to sharp and excruciating. The pain may be aggravated by chewing or by cold or heat. Other signs and symptoms that may lead you to seek care include the following:

.Pain with chewing

.Hot or cold sensitivity

.Bleeding or discharge from around a tooth or gums

.Swelling around a tooth or swelling of your jaw

.Injury or trauma to the area


You can prevent the majority of dental problems through flossing, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, and having your teeth professionally cleaned twice a year. The dentist may apply sealants and fluoride, which are especially important in children.

There are several remedies available which may ease a toothache. Following is a brief description of some of the home remedies for toothache.

. Over-the-counter pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) may be used.

. Relief may be obtained from biting on a cotton ball soaked in oil of cloves.

. Chewing leaves of guava tree will also provide relief from pain. This is one of the simplest toothache treatment.

. Garlic clove when placed on the aching tooth provides immediate relief from pain.

. Apply a mixture of a pinch of pepper powder and a quarter teaspoon of common salt on the aching tooth as it will give relief.

. Chewing fresh leaves of spinach makes the gums strong and prevents tooth decay.

. The juice of wheat grass is an excellent home remedy for toothache and tooth decay.

. Application of ice pack on the cheeks also reduces pain.

. Pouring few 3-4 drops of vanilla extract on the aching tooth will immediately provide relief and is also good home remedy for toothache.

. Mix a pinch of pepper powder and clove oil and apply on the paining tooth.

. Chewing raw onion for three minutes will kill all the harmful germs in the mouth.

. Intake of sugar should be restricted to prevent any kind of tooth problems.

. Mix mustard oil and turmeric powder and apply on the teeth. It is highly beneficial in curing all the teeth problems. This is one of the best toothache cure.

. Good amount of vitamin C and calcium should be taken to make the teeth strong. It is a good diet for toothache.

. Gargling with hydrogen peroxide after every meal will remove all the germs and bacteria from the teeth and strengthens the teeth.

. In 1 cup of water boil 5 gram of peppermint with a pinch of salt. Drink it for toothache pain relief and other pains.

. One drop of oregano oil on the tongue and rub on the hurting tooth will immediately took away the pain.

. Apply rock salt with the garlic paste on the aching tooth to achieve better results.

It should be noted, though that the remedies mentioned above do provide relief, but they should not ever be accepted as permanent treatment for dental problems. A dental check is strongly recommended when a person experiences a toothache. Home remedies only lower the rate of bacterial growth, or kill the pain causing bacteria but they fail to cure the cavities or infections in the teeth, which are the main cause of pain.


~source:emedicinehealth.com~

Lower Your Cholesterol : How To and Home Remedies

Cholesterol is a fatty molecule that is manufactured by your liver. You need cholesterol in order to help you manufacture certain types of hormones. However, too much cholesterol circulating through the blood can lead to develop some serious health problems.

The body uses cholesterol to produce many hormones, vitamin D, and the bile acids that help to digest fat. It takes only a small amount of cholesterol in the blood to meet these needs. If a person has too much cholesterol in the bloodstream, the excess may be deposited in arteries, including the coronary arteries of the heart, the carotid arteries to the brain, and the arteries that supply blood to the legs.

The only way to find out if you have high cholesterol is through a cholesterol test. A cholesterol test is a blood test that will look at the key lipids, or fats, that are in the blood, such as:

-LDL
-HDL
-Triglycerides
-Total cholesterol

If you have any of the conditions listed below, you are at risk of having high cholesterol and should get checked if you have not already done so:

-Sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise)
-Poor diet
-Smoking
-Certain medications
-Age (the older you are, the more you are at risk)
-Family history of high cholesterol
-Certain diseases (diabetes, certain thyroid gland conditions)

Lowering your cholesterol reduces your risk of contracting heart disease and dying from a heart attack. Here are several tips and remedies on how to lower your cholesterol.

. Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily as it stimulates the excretory activity of the kidneys.

. Onion juice reduces cholesterol level and works as a tonic. It cleans blood, helps digestive system, cures insomnia and regulates the heart action & helps in lowering cholesterol.

. A mudpack applied over the abdomen improves digestion and also improves the functioning of the liver and activates kidneys to promote excretion.

. Soy products or soy compounds known, as isoflavones are the best to regulate the cholesterol levels in the blood. They act as human hormones.

. Sunflower seeds are also highly beneficial in regulating the cholesterol levels and is good herbal remedies for cholesterol.

. Exercise such as swimming, running, and jogging,yoga and walking can also strengthen your heart, bones, and other muscles of the body, in addition to helping you to lose weight.

. Avoid foods rich in cholesterol and saturated fats like eggs; organ meats, cheese, butter, beef, whole milk and vegetable oils.

. A rich fiber diet is recommended for the patients with high blood cholesterol levels.

. Diet high in vitamin B6, choline and inositol are also effective in reducing blood cholesterol. Wheat germ and yeasts are the rich sources.

. Don't smoke. Smoking increases your cholesterol.

. Take fish oil for Omega 3. Omega 3 has many health benefits including lowering cholesterol naturally.

. Lecithin is a fatty food substance that is highly beneficial in controlling cholesterol levels. Egg yolk, vegetable oils, whole grain cereals, soybeans and unpasteurized milk are the best sources of lecithin.

. Boil 10 pieces of cinnamon sticks (2.5cm each) in 5 teacups of water and put a tablespoon of honey and drink this when it is hot. This is very effective natural remedy for cholesterol.

. Eating 1 clove garlic a day for 12 weeks helps in reducing cholesterol gradually.

. Take evening primrose oil to lower your cholesterol. Evening primrose oil helps to lower high blood cholesterol.


~sources:ehow.com,cholesterol.about.com~

Hiccups : Causes, How To and Home Remedies

A hiccup or hiccough,as in Wikipedia is a contraction of the diaphragm that repeats several times per minute. In humans, the abrupt rush of air into the lungs causes the vocal cords to close, creating a "hic" sound.

The exact cause of hiccups is not known but some believed causes are:

.Eating too much and too fast
.Sudden excitement
.Hot and spicy foods
.Stomach disorders
.Kidney problems
.Infection in lungs

A bout of hiccups, in general, resolves itself without intervention, although many home remedies claim to shorten the duration. Medical treatment is occasionally necessary in cases of chronic hiccups.Home remedies are generally sufficient to resolve hiccups.

. Place a teaspoon of dry granulated sugar on the back of the tongue and then swallowing it.

. Fill a glass with ice cubes and water, and then drinking it slowly (the rapid change of temperature in the esophagus may shut down the hiccup response).

. Pull the tongue with your fingers.

. Holding the breath will stop the hiccups.

. Eating a spoonful of peanut butter stops hiccups quickly and is one of the effective home remedies for hiccups.

. Gargling with water is also considered effective.

. Make a mixture by adding 2 tsp of common salt in a cup of plain yogurt and eat it slowly. This is very effective home remedy for hiccups.

. Eating a bowl full of yogurt with a pinch of salt is also a good hiccups remedy.

. Boil 1/2 tsp of cardamom fresh powder in 2 cup water, sieve it and drink a glassful of this warm water to stop hiccups.

. Sucking crushed ice provides immediate relief from irritating hiccups.

. Eating a teaspoon of peanut butter will immediately stop the hiccups. It is good diet for hiccups.

. Tickling the throat with a cotton swab is also effective.

. Sucking small piece of ginger will also cure recurring hiccups.

Most cases of hiccups resolve themselves in a short period of time and are rarely a medical emergency. See your doctor if hiccups last more than three hours, or if they disturb your eating or sleeping habits.


~sources:healthscout.com,medicinenet.com~

US Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fat Consumption over the Last Century

Omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) are essential nutrients that play many important roles in the body. They are highly bioactive, and so any deviation from ancestral intake norms should probably be viewed with suspicion. I've expressed my opinion many times on this blog that omega-6 consumption is currently too high due to our high intake of refined seed oils (corn, soybean, sunflower, etc.) in industrial nations. Although it's clear that the quantity of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fat have changed over the last century, no one had ever published a paper that attempted to systematically quantify it until last month (1).

Drs. Chris Ramsden and Joseph Hibbeln worked on this paper (the first author was Dr. Tanya Blasbalg and the senior author was Dr. Robert Rawlings)-- they were the first and second authors of a different review article I reviewed recently (2). Their new paper is a great reference that I'm sure I'll cite many times. I'm going to briefly review it and highlight a few key points.

1. The intake of omega-6 linoleic acid has increased quite a bit since 1909. It would have been roughly 2.3% of calories in 1909, while in 1999 it was 7.2%. That represents an increase of 213%. Linoleic acid is the form of omega-6 that predominates in seed oils.

2. The intake of omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid has also increased, for reasons that I'll explain below. It changed from 0.35% of calories to 0.72%, an increase of 109%.

3. The intake of long-chain omega-6 and omega-3 fats have decreased. These are the highly bioactive fats for which linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid are precursors. Arachidonic acid, DHA, DPA and EPA intakes have declined. This mostly has to do with changing husbandry practices and the replacement of animal fats with seed oils in the diet.

4. The ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats has increased. There is still quite a bit of debate over whether the ratios matter, or simply the absolute amount of each. I maintain that there is enough evidence from highly controlled animal studies and the basic biochemistry of PUFAs to tentatively conclude that the ratio is important. At a minimum, we know that excess linoleic acid inhibits omega-3 metabolism (3, 4, 5, 6). The omega-6:3 ratio increased from 5.4:1 to 9.6:1 between 1909 and 2009, a 78% increase.

5. The biggest factor in both linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid intake changes was the astonishing rise in soybean oil consumption. Soybean oil consumption increased from virtually nothing to 7.4% of total calories, eclipsing all sources of calories besides sugar, dairy and grains! That's because processed food is stuffed with it. It's essentially a byproduct of defatted soybean meal-- the second most important animal feed after corn. Check out this graph from the paper:

I think this paper is an important piece of the puzzle as we try to figure out what happened to nutrition and health in the US over the last century.