Home Remedies, very useful for daily life - I

This was sent to me by a friend, Posting it here to help others :

ACNE, BLACKHEADS, AND PIMPLES:

Dab a small amount of toothpaste (paste, not gel) on pimples before bed; this helps dry out the pimples. Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and rose water, apply to face with a cotton ball, and allow to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. 15-20 days of this application helps cure pimples and also helps to remove blemishes and scars. Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected area overnight. Wash off with warm water next morning.

For acne that hasn't seemed to respond to anything, steep 2-3 tsp. dried basil leaves in 1 cup boiling water for 10-20 minutes, cool, and apply to affected area with a cotton ball.


ANEMIA:

Avoid drinking tea (regular, not herbal varieties) and coffee immediately after meals, as the tannin present in these interferes in the absorption of iron from the food. Drink a cup of herbal tea mixed with 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses each day. This provides 80% of the iron needed in one day. Foods high in iron: lean beef, lean pork, skinned poultry, shellfish, fish, liver, organ meats, egg yolks, pinto, kidney, lima, navy, chick peas, black-eyed peas, lentils, split peas, green peas, spinach, kale, collards, beet greens, chard, broccoli, raisins, prunes, figs, dates, dried peaches, dried apricots, nuts, peanut butter, whole grain breads.

Your body absorbs iron from meats easier than fruits and vegetables. To aid in the absorption of iron from fruits and vegetables, eat them with a good source of vitamin C.


ARTHRITIS:

A daily serving of fresh fish or fish oil capsules helps to give relief of arthritis and other joint pains. 3-4 walnuts eaten daily, on an empty stomach, will help.


ASTHMA:

Mix 1 tsp. honey with 1/2 tsp. cinnamon and take it at night before going to bed. Avoid taking aspirin, as this may invoke an asthma attack.


BAD BREATH:

Boil some cinnamon bark in a cup of water. Store it in a clean bottle in your bathroom. Use it as a mouthwash frequently. Parsley leaves are rich in chlorophyll, nature's own deodorizer. Chew some leaves regularly and your breath will remain fresh. You can chew some cardamom seeds to sweeten your breath.


BLADDER INFECTION:

Take a bag of fresh or frozen cranberries and boil them in water (they will fall apart). Cool and drink. Don't add sugar! This remedy is also useful for people with kidney problems.


BLADDER STONES:

Boil 2 figs in 1 cup of water. Drink daily for a month.


BRUISES:

Slice a raw onion and place over the bruise. Do not apply this to broken skin.


COLD AND FLU:

Here is a delicious recipe for a cold and flu soup: Sauté 6 crushed cloves of garlic in 1 tsp. vegetable oil until golden. Pour in a quart of beef or chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and whisk in 2 egg whites. Beat together 2 egg yolks and 2 Tbls. distilled white vinegar; pour this mixture into the soup. Season with salt and pepper and top with croutons, if desired.


CONSTIPATION (IN ADULTS):

Eat a few black licorice sticks. Take apple pectin.Make sure you're getting enough Folic Acid in your diet. Drinking ginger tea will help start a bowel movement.


CONSTIPATION (IN SMALL CHILDREN):

Soak 6-8 raisins in hot water. When cool, crush well and strain. When given routinely even to little infants, it helps to regulate bowel movement.


COUGHS AND ASTHMA:

Steep 3-4 cloves of garlic in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks. Use several drops at a time, several times a day for coughs or asthma. Garlic is an exceptional cleanser for the body and has antimicrobial action similar to other antibiotics.


DAMAGED, DRY HAIR:

A nourishing conditioner for dry or damaged hair which can be used for all hair types: Separate the white of an egg from the yolk, whip it to a peak. Add 1 Tbls. water to the yolk and blend until the mixture is creamy. Then mix the white and yolk together. Wet your hair with warm water, remove the excess moisture, and apply the mixture to your scalp with your fingertips. Massage gently until the froth is worked into your scalp, then rinse the hair with cool water. Keep applying the mixture until it is used up and then rinsed until all of the egg is washed away.


DANDRUFF:

Pour distilled white vinegar onto the hair, as close to the scalp as you can manage; massage into the scalp; and allow to dry for several minutes before washing as usual. Repeat daily until the dandruff disappears, usually within a few days.


DARK CIRCLES AROUND EYES:

Make a paste out of 1 tsp. tomato juice, 1/2 tsp.. lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder, and 1 tsp. of flour. Apply around eyes. Leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing.


DEPRESSION:

3/4 cup of cooked spinach a day is enough to give dramatic relief from depression if you are deficient in B vitamins.


DIARRHEA:

Eat boiled sweet potatoes seasoned with salt and pepper before bedtime to cure chronic diarrhea.


DRY SKIN:

Combine 1 cup oatmeal, 1 cup warm water, 1 Tbls. vanilla extract, and 1/2 cup baking soda in a blender or food processor until you have a smooth paste. Pour this paste under the running water while drawing the bath.. Very soothing to dry, itchy skin.


EARACHE:

Steep 1-2 tsp. chamomile flowers in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Strain out the water, and apply the hot flowers in a cloth for alleviation of the earache.


ECZEMA:

Rub a whole nutmeg against a smooth stone slab with a little water and make a paste. Apply on affected parts. (Note: It is believed by some rural, old fashioned practitioners that instead of water, one's own early morning saliva can be used for better results.)


ENERGIZER:

Simmer 1 cup honey and 3 cup water together slowly. Allow 1 cup of the water to evaporate. Strain off the top surface, and put the remaining liquid into a stoneware crock or dark bottle. Put a towel over it so it can breathe, yet be free of dirt. Place in a cool place. You can add cinnamon, clove, or the juice of 2 lemons, if you like.


EYE PROBLEMS:

Simmer 1 cup water and 1 tsp. honey for 5 minutes. Dip a cloth in the liquid and apply to the closed eye.


FACIAL CLEANSER:

Mix 2 Tbls. cornstarch, 2 Tbls. glycerin, and 1/2 cup water until smooth. Heat in a small pan placed in a water bath inside another pan. Heat until thick and clear; it will have the consistency of pudding. Do not boil. Cool completely, Use in place of soap to cleanse your skin. (If mixture is too thick, you may thin it by adding a little water, 1 Tbls. at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. )


FATIGUE:

Take a glass of grapefruit and lemon juice in equal parts to dispel fatigue and general tiredness after a day's work.


GUM IN HAIR:

Soak the gum-coated hair in Coke® and it should wipe out easily.


HAIR LIGHTENER:

To lighten hair, use 1/4 cup chopped fresh rhubarb to 2 cups boiling water. Cool, strain, and apply as a rinse.


HANG-OVER:

Eat honey on crackers. The fructose in the honey will help to flush out the alcohol in your system.
HAY FEVER: Steep 1 tsp. fenugreek seed in 1 cup water, covered, for 10 minutes. Drink 1 cup a day to help hay fever symptoms.


HEADACHE:

Eat 10-12 almonds, the equivalent of two aspirins, for a migraine headache. Almonds are far less likely to upset the stomach.


HICCUPS:

Only 2 remedies have I ever know to actually work. The first listed makes the most sense, since a hiccough is simply a spasm of the diaphragm, and you need to disrupt this spasm. The second offers no rhyme or reason, but works nonetheless. Breath in as deeply as you can, then exhale as hard as you can; repeat 10 times; when exhaling the last time, keep the air pushed out, not taking another breath for as long as you can stand. This normally works the first try, but repeat if necessary. Be sure to sit down when doing this. This is a remedy only feasible when sitting at a bar. Have the bartender fill a small glass with club soda. Light a match and drop it, then drink the water quickly (being careful not to drink the match). It works, but I don't know why! Drink 1/2 glass water, slowly. Keep a tsp. of sugar in your month and suck slowly.
Suck 2-3 small pieces of fresh ginger. Take a large mouthful of water with out swallowing, plug both ears, and slowly begin to swallow the water. Unplug your ears and you're hiccup free!
Eat a heaping teaspoon of peanut butter all at once.


HICKEY:

Coat area liberally with lotion. Rub with the back of a cold spoon vigorously for as long as you can stand to, changing out spoon for new cold one every 10 minutes. Recommended time for this treatment is 45-60 minutes. Why it works: a hickey is a bruise; the discoloration of a bruise is caused by blood accumulating under the skin from broken capillaries; this remedy breaks up the old blood so it can be reabsorbed by the body more quickly, therefore diminished the discoloration.
Rub white toothpaste over the hickey, allow to dry, and later, wipe it off with a warm facecloth. After a few applications, the hickey will be faded. Do not use gel toothpaste.


More to follow .....

Healing Diseases/Conditions

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NEXT : More Healing Diseases - Remedies

Stress Management

In homeopathic medicine ailments such as food allergy, hypoglycemia, high blood pressure, asthma and digestive disorders are regarded as being manifestations of stress, so treatment is likely to be long-term and constitutional; however, in acute circumstances, one of the following remedies may be useful, according to a person's circumstances:

• Phosphoric ac. for stress due to grief or bad news
  
• Picric ac. for stress due to overwork.
  Ignatia for stress following emotional upset such as a broken love affair
  
• Nux for stress brought on by burning the candle at both ends, including smoking, eating or drinking too much, making the sufferer irritable.

The following remedies can be used to treat stress-related conditions, such as anxiety, nervousness, tension, and mental fatigue. Be sure to match your symptoms with the remedy that has the most similar characteristics.

Ignatia imara (Ignatia)

Symptoms: Emotional strain; mental stress; negative effects of grief, worry, disappointment, shock; hysteria; sad, moody, sighing; insomnia; headache, often following anger or grief, which becomes worse from stooping; intolerance to tobacco.

Worsened by: suppressing emotions, tobacco, coffee, brandy, smoke or strong odors.

Better from: lying on the painful side, warmth, walking, hard pressure.

Phosphorus

Symptom: Restlessness; overexcited state that causes weakness and exhaustion; burning pains; chilliness with thirst for cold drinks; expressive, animated, overdramatic; acute senses; bothered by light and noise; nervous- ness and fear; sense that something bad will happen; fearful of being alone and crave company; easily frightened or upset, though can be reassured or distracted; crave salt, spicy food, ice cream; tendency to bleed easily (this should be evaluated medically); nosebleeds.

Worsened by: cold or heat, lying on left or painful side, thunderstorms.

Better from: massaging or rubbing; cold food or drink.

Your homeopath may suggest you learn some form of relaxation or meditation and perhaps take supplements of vitamin B complex; taking exercise may also be advised.

Arthritis

Most of the major homeopathic remedies are useful to treat arthritis. Homeopathic remedies to relieve immediate pain and joint stiffness may include Rhus toxicodendron or Bryonia. What remedy is selected depends on the symptoms. Some homeopathic remedies include:

Aconitum: 3X, every hour in rheumatic subjects with fever, restlessness, anxiety.

Actea spic: The arthritis is centered in the hands and feet. Joints are painful and swollen.

Apis mellifica: 3X for much swelling, little pain.

Arctium: 6X, every four hours for pain in joints, colalgia, neuralgia.

Arnica montana: The person is in denial. Denies that anything is wrong and prefers to be left alone. Is nervous and overly sensitive. The person may be suffering from rheumatoid arthritis related to cold, damp conditions. Soreness and bruising are problems.

Belladonna: The pain strikes suddenly. The person does not like stimulus of any kind. The afflicted joints are swollen and red. The pain is "sharp" and related to chills or getting wet.

Berberis vulgaris: 1X, every four hours for chronic synovitis of the knee.

Bryonia alba: 3X for pain worse with movement, part sensitive to touch.

Calcarea carlionica-ostrearum: The person is fearful and confused. Suffers from rheumatoid arthritis affecting the shoulders and upper back, which is made worse with wet or damp conditions.

Chamomilla: Useful when the person is angry and restless. The pain is severe.

Cimicifuga racemosa: The person is overly talkative and restless, appearing to be alternately happy and miserable. The pain appears more in the muscles than in the bones.

Dulcamarta: 3, hourly for subacute rheumatism due to cold and wetness.

Hepar sulphurls calcareum: 6, four d when suppuration has taken place.

Kalmia latifolia: 3 T 3h for acute nonfebrile rheumatism with migratory pains.

Mercurius: 12, every two hours for pain and swelling of joints, worse at night, profuse sweat, pericardial complications.

Mercurius sulphuricus: 6, every four hours for rheumatic synovitis.

Pulsatilla nigricans: 3X, every hour in women and children with pain worse by heat, better by cold.

Rhus toxicodendron: The person is apprehensive and depressed, particularly at night. Lack of movement causes pain and stiffness. F

Sulphuricum: 1-30, every two hours when the pains are worse at night, by warmth.

Remedies - Ayurvedic home remedies

Remedies

Ayurvedic home remedies are a blend of commonly used herbs and spices to cure common symptoms and diseases. To cure or prevent any ailment natural herbs are taken in ayurveda as juices, paste, powder, infusion and decoctions etc. ayurveda also prescribes some exercises, massaging techniques, colors, aromas, gems and cleansing therapies as home remedies.

According to Ayurveda all the home remedies comprise of mostly the things that have their usage in homes and have multifarious medicinal usage also. Few such substances are clove, cinnamon, black pepper, cumin, fennel, rock salt, turmeric, coriander, ginger, honey, licorice, garlic, onion, basil and mint.

Remedies - Arthritis

Symptoms

Following are the signs that indicate the presence of this ailment:

• Severe pain in the affected joints.
  
• Muscles, ligaments and cartilage become inflamed.
  
• Movement of the joint becomes extremely painful, especially in cold, windy and damp weather.

It is notable that if this disease is not taken care of properly at the initial stages the joint becomes immobile and may also become permanently deformed.

Causes

This ailment is caused due to the aggravation of Vata (air) dosha and accumulation of Ama (toxins). Ama gets deposited in the weak areas of the body, joints with a simultaneous aggravation of Vata that is known as Ama Vata (arthritis).

Weak digestion, constipation, overeating and very little physical activity are the symptoms that can develop in a patient of arthritis.

Remedies

• Ama must be digested and Vata reduced in the body.
• Digestion should be improved and fasting for one day is beneficial for digesting Ama.
• Two teaspoons of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey mixed in a cup of warm water is good for curing arthritis.
  Dosage: Taken twice a day proves.
• Bake one or two egg- plants. Mash and fry in about 2 tablespoons of castor oil. Spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, garlic and salt can be added while frying.
  Dosage: Take once daily for two to three months for relief.
• Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder with warm water helps cure arthritis.
  Dosage: Taken twice a day
• One raw clove of garlic every day is very beneficial. This clove can be fried in ghee (clarified butter) or castor oil. Dosage: Once daily for two-three months.
• Guggulu (a herb) is very helpful in curing arthritis. If available, eat half a teaspoon twice a day after meals with warm water.
• Paste of 1 teaspoon red chilies and fresh ginger mixed in half a cup of sesame oil and strain. Gently rub this oil on the affected joints. ·Camphor, wintergreen and cinnamon oils are also beneficial for external application.

Dos and don'ts

Following is the diet suggested for the patients suffering form arthritis:

• Vegetable juices and soups
  
• Coconut water
  
• Coconut milk
  
• Carrot juice
  
• Beet root juice
  
• Cucumber juice
  
• Cooked vegetables like squash, zucchini and pumpkin
  
• Spices like cumin, coriander, ginger, asafetida, garlic, fennel and turmeric Green salad with a dressing of lemon juice and a little salt
  
• Khichadi (recipe made by cooking rice and mung dal )
  
• Regular physical exercise and massage with oil should form an important part of the routine.

The patient of arthritis must avoid the following:

• Eating hot, spicy and fried foods, sweets, wind forming foods like cabbage, Cauliflower, spinach, broccoli, okra and potatoes.
  
• Too much tea, coffee, alcohol, white sugar, yogurt, chocolate, cocoa.
  
• Antibiotics, painkillers, steroids and nicotine
  
• Sleeping during the day
  
• Staying up late at night
  
• Mental tensions like worry, anxiety, fear, stress and grief.

Remedies - Cold & Cough

Symptoms

Following are the signs that indicate the presence of this ailment:

• Running or blocked nose
  
• Sneezing
  
• Sore throat
  
• Congestion
  
• Headache
  
• Low fever with body pain
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Lethargy
  
• Insomnia

Causes

The aggravation of kapha due to the intake of cold food, drinks and fried stuff etc causes cough. Seasonal changes is also one of the reasons for cough Improper digestion of food transforms into a mucus toxin (Ama) and this circulates through the body and reaches the respiratory system, where it causes colds and coughs.

Remedies

• The body should be kept warm - especially the feet, chest, throat and head. Sweating is very helpful.
  
• Take half a teaspoon of ginger juice with half a teaspoon of honey, three times a day (morning, noon and night). In winter, warm the mixture by mixing a teaspoon of warm water in it.
  
• Mix half a cup of warm water with one teaspoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of honey.
  Dosage: Take several times a day.
  
• In cases of dry cough (especially during the night), peel a small piece of fresh ginger. Sprinkle some salt on it and chew.
  
• Take equal amounts of cardamom, ginger powder, black pepper and cinnamon (1 teaspoon each). Add sugar equal to the total amount of mixture and grind to make a fine powder.
  Dosage: Take half a teaspoon twice daily, with honey or warm water after meals.
  
• In cases of sore throat, a clove or two cardamoms or a few raisins can be chewed.Gargling with warm salty water two to three times a day is also beneficial.

Dos and don'ts

The food and activities that are to be avoided are as follows:

• Cold foods and drinks
  
• Ice cream, sweets
  
• Fried foods
  
• Milk products (cheese, creams, yogurt)
  
• Sweet fruit juices
  
• Breads
  
• Meats
  
• Nuts
  
• Pastries
  
• Sleeping during the day
  
• Taking a cold shower
  
• Exposure to cold wind, fans, air conditioners

Following are the substances and activities that should be taken in cough:

• Boiled or steamed vegetables
  
• Vegetable soup
  
• Spice teas
  
• Herbal teas
  
• Hot milk with a piece of crushed ginger
  
• Half a teaspoon of turmeric powder mixed in milk provides relief.

Remedies - Constipation

Symptoms

Following are the signs that indicate the presence of this ailment:

• No bowel movements at least once a day
  
• Pain in the abdomen
  
• Heaviness in the stomach
  
• Wind formation
  
• Mucus coated tongue
  
• Headache
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Pain in the lower legs
  
• Hypertension, fever
  
• Nausea
  
• Vertigo
  
• Palpitation
  
• Drowsiness

Causes

The aggravation of vata causes constipation. Improper eating habits including eating a lot of food, eating food which is difficult to digest (such as meat) and not eating enough vegetables and salads also lead to constipation.

Irregular sleeping habits or emotional disturbances (stress, grief, fear or worry) are other causes for the obstruction of the passage of stool, accumulation of toxins in the colon or excessive stimulation of the nervous system.

Smoking, consuming too much tea and coffee, or intake of prescription or illicit drugs can also cause constipation.

Remedies

• Drinking a glass of warm milk before going to bed helps in easy evacuation in the morning. In case of severe constipation, mix two teaspoons of castor oil in the milk.
  
• Drink one liter of warm water and walk around for a few minutes immediately after waking up early in the morning.
  
• Drinking lemon juice mixed with warm water two to three times a day eases constipation.
  
• One or two teaspoons of aloe gel can be taken twice a day.
  
• A common Ayurvedic medicine for constipation is Triphala Churna. It is a powder made by grinding three kinds of herbs. A teaspoon of this powder taken with warm water or milk at the time going to bed is beneficial.

Dos and don'ts

• The diet taken during constipation must be easily digestible.
  
• Plenty of fruits, vegetables and salads
  
• Freshly cooked food, and chew food thoroughly.
  
• Eat only when hungry and maintain at least 4 hours between meals.
  
• Use spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric powder, fennel and asafetida as they make the food easy to digest.
  
• Whole grain bread and cereals
  
• Regular physical exercise is also important for maintaining proper bowel movements.
  
• Sleeping hours should be regulated and efforts should be made to have a sound sleep.
  
• Fried foods, beans, gas forming vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli, nuts and dried fruits should be avoided.
  
• Do not mix too many kinds of foods in one meal.

More to come later, Be Here Be Healthy...