Cure Colds with Echinacea

Echinacea is a herb that can reduce cold and flu symptoms, such as coughs, fever, and sore throat. It is good at shortening the duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms. It was commonly used by the North American Plains Indians for its general medicinal properties and has been used thought history to treat infections, wounds, scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria. It works by stimulating the body's immune system to fight infections. A study done by the University of Connecticut has shown that it can cut the chances of catching a cold by more than half and cut the duration of a cold by 1.4 days. It is recommended to get 3 grams daily in tincture or capsule form starting at the first sign of symptoms.

Benefits of Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is one of the best products on the market that money could buy. It is an extract that comes from the leaves of an Australian tree and has been used Aboriginal tribes of Australia for thousands of years. In World War II, soldiers and sailors included it in their field kit to treat topical infections and infected wounds. It is good at treating pimples, acne, athletes foot, mouth sores, boils, corns, gingivitis, insect bites, psoriasis, minor cuts and scrapes, burns, dandruff, ringworm, rashes, itchy scalp, and fungal infections. It has antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties. It is good at killing germs and fighting infections. It is best to buy pure tea tree oil.

Health Benefits of Avocados

Avocados are a fruit that are very rich in nutrients. They can grow in many different locations but are native to the Mesoamerican region. They contain folate, which helps to prevent heart disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease. Folate also reduces the risk of certain birth defects, such as spina bifida, and is good for healthy cell and tissue development. They contain vitamin E, which is good at slowing down the aging process and protecting the body against heart disease and some forms of cancer.
Avocados even contain a toxin that can kill cancer cells. They contain monounsaturated fat, which lowers bad cholesterol and raises good cholesterol. Monounsaturated fat is also good for cognitive and visual development. They contain lutein, which protects the body against prostrate cancer and certain eye diseases, such as cataracts and macular degeneration. The fruit can also be used to treat skin disorders and to heal people who suffer from digestive and circulatory problems. They are high in oleic acid, which is good for preventing breast cancer.

Avocados contain many minerals that are important for good health. They contain potassium, calcium, vitamin C and K, folic acid, copper, sodium, and dietary fibers. Potassium is good for regulating blood pressure. Sodium is good for reducing the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.

Aid Weight Loss with Calcium

Calcium is found to be good at helping weight loss. It is good at reducing hunger and studies have shown that calcium stored in fat cells in the body play an important role in regulating how fat is stored and broken down by the body. More calcium in a fat cells means more fat will be burned. It is also assumed that when a person is calcium deficient, the brain detects this and compensates by telling your body that it needs food, which works against someone who is trying to lose weight. A research found that when women who were calcium-deficient took a supplement, they lost 4 times more weight than women who didn't take a calcium supplement. Foods that are rich in calcium include low-fat yogurt, milk, beans, and dark leafy greens.

Boost Metabolism with Milk

Drinking milk is good for increasing metabolism to lose weight. It helps by building lean muscle and has nutrients that can repair tiny muscle tears. It also replenishes electrolytes so that you feel refreshed. Milk is a good source of calcium, which is good at building strong healthy bones. It is best to drink low-fat or fat-free milk.

Naturally Improve Your Vision

Lutein is a natural plant pigment and antioxidant that is good at improving eyesight. It is found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, peas, broccoli, egg yolks, and corn. Lutein is good at protecting and strengthening the eyes. It accumulates in the macular region of the retina in the eye and acts like internal sunglasses since it filters out the sun's ultraviolet rays. The antioxidant property of it helps to maintain cells and tissues for good health. A study done by the North Chicago VA Medical Center found that patients with age-related macular degeneration improved their vision significantly after taking 12mg of lutein each day for a year.

Naturally Lower Blood Pressure with Potassium

Potassium is a mineral that is found in clams, poultry, and in almost every fruit and vegetable. It is found abundantly in potatoes, dried peaches, avocados, and bananas. It is good at lowering and controlling blood pressure. There are potassium supplements that can be used, but it is better to obtain potassium through foods. Too much potassium can be harmful for older people, because kidneys are less effective at removing potassium from the blood as a person ages. It is best to consult a healthcare professional before taking an over-the-counter potassium supplement.

Treat Urinary Incontinence with Weight Loss

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional release of urine and it affects more than 13 million women in the United States. Obesity is a common risk factor for urinary incontinence. A research study done by the University of Alabama-Birmingham found that overweight women who lost just 3 pounds cut the amount of leaks due to urinary incontinence by 28 percent. Women who lost 17 pounds cut the amount of leakage by 47 percent.

Fight Dementia with Coffee

A Swedish study has found that when middle-aged adults drank 3 to 5 cups of caffeinated coffee each day, they were 65 to 70% less likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer's disease later in life when compared to people who drank 2 or less cups each day. Coffee offers protection against the diseases by containing magnesium, antioxidants, and caffeine. It is also assumed that coffee decreases the risk of type 2 diabetes, which can contribute to dementia.

Reduce Salt to Cut Heart Disease

It is found that reducing salt in your diet can dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease. Just reducing salt intake by 1 gram everyday would cause 25,000 less cases of heart disease and 200,000 less deaths in the United States in a decade. A study showed that when people lowered their sodium intake by 25% to 30%, they had a 25% reduction in heart disease and stroke risk 10 years later when compared to people who ate their usual diet. It is recommended to eat less than 2,300mg of salt per day and it is recommended that middle-aged and older adults and people with high blood pressure have less than 1,500mg of salt each day in their diet.

A New Better Botox

This a new product called Dysport that is suppose to be better than Botox. It has been FDA approved to treat facial lines and cervical dystonia. It temporarily restricts the muscle actions that cause creasing and frown lines. It suppose to be better than Botox because it lasts approximately 4 months instead of 3 days and works faster. Dysport is made from the same active ingredient as Botox, called Clostridium botulinim toxin type A. It is also similar to Botox in that it is injected into the skin at the site of forehead wrinkles. There are side effects, such as nose and throat irritation, headache, pain and skin reaction at the injection site, upper respiratory tract infection, eyelid swelling and drooping, sinus inflammation, and nausea.

Prevent Cavities with Apples

The popular saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away" may be true or at least they can keep cavities away. Apples increase the flow of saliva, which washes away sugars from food and reduces bacteria buildup. Saliva is good at decreasing mouth acidity and washing away food particles.

Natural Ways to Treat Allergies

There are many natural ways to reduce and prevent allergy symptoms without the use of medications. There are vitamins, herbs, foods, drinks, and easy common things that you can do at home so that you don't have to suffer from allergies.

There are several vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies that are good at relieving allergy symptoms and strengthening the immune system. Vitamin B5, vitamin A, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids can help to relieve allergy symptoms, such as congestion, coughs, and runny nose. Quercetin is a plant compound that can be found in foods, such as onions, apples, and citrus fruits, that can prevent the secretion of histamine. Histamine is a chemical that the body produces during an allergic reaction that causes sneezing and other symptoms. Butterbur is a herb that is good at relieving hay fever symptoms. Licorice root, astragalus, and capsicum are also good at curing allergy symptoms.

There are foods and drinks that can be used to easy allergy symptoms. Spicy foods, such as hot ginger, cayenne pepper, onion, and garlic, can help to reduce mucous secretion, which can help to clear nasal passages. Honey can be used to help allergies. Taking 1 or 2 teaspoons of locally grown natural honey before the allergy season starts helps the body to get used to pollen before the allergy season is full blown and helps the immune system. Teas such as green tea and Mint Medley herbal tea work well to ease congestion.

There are easy things that can done at home that can help allergies. Cleaning carpets, bedsheets, floors, and curtains at least once a week reduces pollen and allergy in your home. Dust mites are another cause of allergies that are commonly found in bedding, carpets, and pet dander. It is good to wash bedding in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer to kill dust mites. It is also a good idea to enclose mattresses, box springs, and pillows in airtight zipped plastic or special allergy proof plastic. Using an air conditioner can help to clean, recirculate, and dehumidify the air.

Giving pets a regular bath can help to reduce allergies. Washing your hair regularly can help to reduce allergies because hair can hold a lot of pollen when you go outside. Wearing sunglasses when you go outside can reduce the amount of pollen entering the eyes. Nasal Rinses are very effective at removing the pollen stuck in the nasal passages. Doing a nasal rise will drain out some bacteria and mucous and help to reduce allergies.

Prevent Colds and Flu with Astragalus

Astragalus is a plant that is native to Asia and is considered to be one of the most important herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. The root of the plant is commonly used medicinally and it can be used to treat illness, such as colds, flu, night sweats, diarrhea, upper respiratory infections, chronic hepatitis, diabetes, and heart disease. It helps to prevent and treat colds and flu by increasing the production of immune cells and having mild antiviral and antibacterial properties. It can treat heart disease by relieving symptoms, lowering blood pressure, and improving heart function. It can help to treat chronic hepatitis by protecting the liver and it can be used ans an adjunctive therapy when it comes to cancer.

Astragalus also contains antioxidants, which can protect cells against damage caused by free radicals. It can be found in supplement form at some health food stores and may take 6 to 8 weeks to work best.

Health Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberries are a fruit that is commonly eaten and has a lot of health benefits. It is rich in the antioxidants called anthocyanin and ellagitannin. Anthocyanins help to reduce inflammation, protect cell structures in the body, and prevent oxygen damage to the body's organ systems. Ellagitannins are effective at fighting cancer cells, especially colon and cervical cancer. Strawberries can be used to clean and whiten teeth and to freshen breath. The peak season for ripeness is between April and July.

Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, folate, and omega-3 fatty acids. Strawberries have more vitamin C in them per serving than oranges. Vitamin C is important because it helps the brain to function properly and helps the body to rebuild blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It also helps to keep blood pressure low. One serving of strawberries has 210 mg of potassium, which is a mineral that helps to regulate the electrolytes in the body and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Strawberries are also high in folate, which are important when it comes to the manufacturing of red blood cells.

How to Relieve Mosquito Bites

Mosquito and other insect bites can be itchy and very annoying but there are simple methods that can be used to relieve the itching. Good ways to relieve an itchy mosquito bite include rubbing a wet bar of soap over the area or placing an ice cube or very cold water over the area. Taking a cold shower can help by reducing the swelling of the welts that can be caused by mosquito bites and it helps to reduce swelling by the constricting the capillaries near the surface of the skin and causing fewer antigens and antibodies to cause a reaction. You can also use common household items to relieve the itch, such as nail polish, toothpaste, mouthwash, vinegar, honey, underarm deodorant, rubbing alcohol, ammonia, bleach, or a hot tea bag placed on the area.

Canker Sores

Canker sores are small shallow ulcers in the mouth that can be caused due to issues, such as stress, tissue injury, a virus, irritation to spicy foods, or biting the inside of the mouth. There are foods, such as citrus and acidic fruits and vegetables, that can cause canker sores. To prevent canker sores it is recommended to brush your teeth regularly to keep the mouth free from irritants, avoid foods that cause irritation in the mouth, especially acidic and spicy foods, and avoid irritation from chewing gum. Hard and crunchy food can also cause canker sores.

The sores usually go away without any treatment but there are over the counter products that can provide temporary relief and healing. If the sores are unusually large, are spreading, last longer than three weeks, won't go away, cause high fevers, or the pain doesn't allow you to drink enough fluids, then it is recommended to visit a doctor as soon as possible. A doctor will be able to prescribe a medication that can help.

Fight Heartburn with Chewing Gum

It is found that chewing sugarless gum can help to relieve heartburn. Heartburn happens when acidic digestive fluids travel from the stomach to the esophagus making your chest feel like it's on fire. Gum works by lowering the acidity in the throat and stimulating the production of saliva. Saliva is alkaline, so it helps to neutralize the acid in the esophagus. Also when you swallow saliva, it helps to wash and cleanse the esophagus of everything, including acid.

The Health Benefits of Chamomile

Chamomile is a daisy-like plant that is originally found in Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean region. It has a long history of being used as a medicinal herb and as a tea. Its dried flowers are commonly used in herbal tea.

Chamomile has many health benefits associated with it. It can be used to reduce blood sugar and lower the levels of compounds that can cause diabetic complications. It has been found to be able to boost the immune system and fight illnesses. It can help intestinal discomfort with its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce gas. Its foliage and flower heads have been used as antispasmodics to reduce muscle spams and diaphoretics to help produce perspiration. It can also be used to relax the nerves, ease menstrual cramps, and help stomach ulcers. Chamomile creams can be used to help pain and reduce irritability on the skin, such as burns, wounds, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash. The longer and more regularly chamomile is used, the better it works.

The Facts of Swine Flu

Swine flu is an influenza virus that usually only affects pigs but the virus mixed genes with another influenza virus to create a new type of virus that is also able to infect humans. The current swine flu virus is so different from other viruses that humans have been exposed to in the past that there is very little to none natural immunity to it. The body would have a hard time defending itself against the virus and there are no vaccines for the virus yet. The antiviral medicines Tamiflu and Relenza could help if the medicine is given within two days after symptoms begin. Health authorities are recommending the medicines mainly for people that have more severe symptoms. Most people who have caught the virus have recovered from it.

Common symptoms of the disease include fever, muscle pains, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, chills, headaches, weakness, and diarrhea. If you are having symptoms it is recommended to isolate yourself from everyone else and stay home to prevent spreading the disease. Get medical help immediately if the symptoms become severe.

The virus can be transmitted form person to person by sneezing, coughing, and physical contact, such as shaking hands, kissing, or any kind of touching. You can try to prevent contracting the disease and spreading it by washing your hands or using alcohol based cleansers frequently throughout the day, not shaking hands or having any physical contact with someone, and avoiding contact with people who have symptoms of the flu. Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes as much as possible. You cannot get the disease by eating pork.