Health Benefits of Sage

Sage is a herb that is native to the Mediterranean region and it is currently sold in most supermarkets. It can be used as an ingredient in dishes but it is mostly used in beverages. It is an antioxidant, which makes it good at helping the body fight off the effects of free radicals. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties and it is good at treating sore throat, inflammation and infection of the mouth and throat, gingivitis, profuse sweating, hot flashes associated with menopause, indigestion, fevers, nervous exhaustion, lactation, migraine headaches, and high blood sugar. It has memory enhancing benefits and it can be used to treat cold and flu. It is good at treating bronchitis because it can cause you to sweat, which can help to relieve the body of toxins.

Sage tea can be made by adding one teaspoon of sage to one cup of boiling water and letting it steep in a covered cup for 15 to 30 minutes. Adding honey can make the tea taste better. A compress scan be made out of sage tea by dipping a cloth into the tea and placing the cloth on the appropriate area, such as the forehead to treat migraine headaches, the abdominal area to treat cramps or other digestive problems, or over cuts or sores to make them heal faster and provide relief. For a sore throat or to clear up sinuses, make a cup of regular-strength sage tea.

Health Benefits of Thyme

Thyme is a herb that is native southern Europe and western Asia. It has many benefits and has been used for thousands of years to preserve food. It is now cultivated commercially in many parts of the world. Thyme contains an essential oil that is rich in thymol, which is a powerful antiseptic, antibacterial, and strong antioxidant.

Thyme is good at treating colds and it is commonly used in cough drops. It is also used in mouthwashes to treat inflammation in the mouth and throat infections. It has expectorant and bronchial antispasmodic properties that make it good at treating acute and chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract.

Thyme is also good at easing menstrual cramps and PMS symptoms. It is effective at treating wounds, ulcers, and abscesses. It can help digestion and remove mucus from the intestinal tract. Thyme teat can be made by adding one teaspoon of crushed thyme to a half cup of boiling water, letting it steep for 10 minutes, and then straining it. It can be sweetened by adding honey.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Whiten Teeth with Strawberries

Strawberries have an astringent called malic acid that can remove discoloration from teeth. You can use strawberries to whiten teeth by crushing a few fresh strawberries into a pulp. You would then add a pinch of baking soda and enough water to mix it into a paste. Apply the paste to a toothbrush and spread the mixture onto your teeth. Let it set for five minutes. Brush your teeth for a few minutes with the paste and then rinse with water. This can only be done every 3 or 4 months because using it more than that can have a negative effect by eroding tooth enamel due to the acid in strawberries.

The Health Benefits of Cranberries

There are many good health benefits to cranberries, they are good at preventing heart disease, protecting gums, and preventing urinary tract infections. The health benefits are due in part to the large amounts of proanthocyanidin antioxidants that each berry has. Antioxidants are good for the body because they protect cells from damage from unstable molecules called free radicals. Cranberries can also protect the body against cancer, stroke, and viral infections.

Cranberries have been used for a long time to treat urinary tract infections by preventing the adhesion of certain bacteria. It can also prevent the formation of kidney stones, lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL).

It is good for oral health because it reduces the production of cavity and plaque that produces bacteria in the mouth. It also reduces the bacteria associated with peptic stomach ulcers.

Fight Cancer with Fruits

Citrus fruits, such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruit, contain flavonoids, which are anti inflammatory compounds that stimulate the detoxification of carcinogens by the liver. There are certain flavonoids in the skin of tangerines that promote the death of brain cancer cells. In some fruits there are compounds that give them their dark color and contain powerful cancer fighting properties. Citrus fruits have been shown in studies to reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer in the digestive system, such as the esophagus, mouth, and stomach. They also have anticancer molecules that affect the growth of cancer cells.