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.

Exercise Back Pain Away

Back pain can be a serious problem that is commonly caused by issues, such as injury, sitting too long, overuse of back muscles, muscle strain, and bad posture. Regular exercise can help with stiffness and weakened back muscles and reduce the occurrences and severity of future back pains. It can also help a person to recover faster from an injury, prevent reinjuries in the back, and reduce the chances of disability from back pain. When exercise is done in a controlled, gradual, and progressive way, it can distribute nutrients into the disc space and soften the tissues in the back to keep the discs, muscles, ligaments, and joints healthy.

There are certain exercises that can be done to strengthen back muscles. Strength-training is good at working the upper and lower body muscles. Lifting weights at least 3 times per week is a good way to reduce back pain. Stretching exercises are good at lengthening back muscles, increasing mobility of the joints of the spine, and relieving back pain. Doing cardiovascular and aerobic exercises, such as walking, bike riding, swimming, and jogging, a few times a week for 30 minutes each session are also a good way to strengthen muscles. Having strong abdominal muscles is just as important as having strong back muscles when it comes to supporting the lower back and preventing lower back pain.

The Facts of Therapeutic Substitution

There currently are pharmacies that are practicing therapeutic substitution when it comes to filling prescription medications. Therapeutic substitution happens when a drug that is considered to be therapeutically equivalent to a second drug, even though it might not be chemically equivalent to the prescribed drug, is given to the person filling the prescription without their permission or acknowledgment. That means that a pharmacy can change your prescribed medication to a different one without asking for your permission or letting you know beforehand. It can happen due to costs to the insurer, changes in insurance coverage, new drugs on the market that can treat the same condition, a medication is no longer covered by the insurance company, when your doctor wants you to switch to a drug that might be more effective, and when another drug is available at a lower cost. Pharmacies can also do a substitution if the drug you are prescribed is not on the pre-approved list that insurance will cover.

There are negative sides to therapeutic substitution because the new drug might not work as well or might differently that the one originally prescribed. It could have side effects that you are not aware of or might have a negative interaction with other prescriptions that you make take. The new drug might have a dosing schedule that could be inconvenient for you.

It is recommended to check the label of your medication after it is filled to make sure that it is the one that was originally prescribed. If you have questions or feel unsure about something, don't feel afraid to talk to your pharmacist.

The Benefits of Canola Oil

Canola oil is one of the healthiest cooking oils that is sold. It is genetically engineered and processes from the rapeseed plant, which is considered part of the mustard plant family. Canola oil is not harmful health-wise. It has a neutral taste and is low in saturated fats. Saturated fats are not good for you because they raise the total blood cholesterol level, including LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).

How to Stop Onions From Making You Cry

There are simple ways that you can stop from tearing up when you are around onions. The tearing up mechanism happens because when you cut into an onion, its cells rupture and releases enzymes that produce a gas called propanethial sulfoxide. When the gas reaches your eyes, it reacts with tears to produce a mild sulfuric acid. The brain signals the eyes' tear glands to produce more liquid to flush it out. The more that onions are chopped, the more your eyes tear up.

It is a good idea to chill an onion in the freezer before cutting it because cold temperatures can slow down the release of enzymes. You can also pour a tablespoon of vinegar onto the cutting board. The acid in the vinegar stops the chemical reaction of the sulfur in the onion and causes a reduction in tears. It is another good idea to put an onion under water before chopping it. The water would absorb the onion's gas.

The Health Benefits of Clove Oil

Clove is a plant that is originally from the lowlands, valleys, and hillsides of the southern Phillipine islands. It has been used for centuries for medicinal and homeopathic properties. It is full of minerals, such as calcium, hydrochloric acid, iron, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and vitamins A and C. Clove oil is commonly extracted from the the flower of the clove and it can be used to treat toothaches, indigestion, cough, asthma, headaches, stress, blood impurities, bronchitis, muscle aches, sprains, arthritis, and rheumatism. Many of the benefits of clove oil is due to its antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, aphrodisiac, antioxidant, anti-parasitic, and stimulating properties.

The Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil can have a positive effect on blood cholesterol levels, heart disease, skin cancer, earaches, constipation, colon cancer, upset stomach, dry skin, and stretch marks. It also contains vitamins E, K, A and hundreds of micronutrients. Many of its health benefits are due to its high amount of monounsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and moisturizing properties.

Olive oil has a positive effect against heart disease by controlling LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels. It is good at activating the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones and lowering the chance of the formation of gallstones. When it is taken orally, it can increase metabolism, help digestion, and lubricate mucous membranes. Putting extra virgin olive oil on skin after sunbathing can help to prevent skin cancer.

Natural Ways to Cure Coughs

There are ways to cure coughs without taking medications. The use of dark chocolate, honey, and vitamin C are a few natural ways to cure coughs.

Dark chocolate can help coughs. It has a compound called theobromine that is better than codeine at suppressing coughs without the side effects of drowsiness and constipation. Theobromine has an affect on the vagus nerve, which is responsible for coughing.

Honey can help coughs and works better than cough suppressants for relieving night time coughs and helping to fall asleep. It is assumed that honey works by soothing the throat and stimulating saliva, which calms the coughing reflex. It is found that darker honeys are preferred because they have more antioxidants in them than lighter color honeys. It is not recommended to give honey to children younger than one year old due to the risk of botulism spores.

Vitamin C can help coughs by boosting the immune system at the early stages of a cough. It also reduces inflammation and controls histamines to help stop coughs.

Ease Burns with Aloe Vera

Aloe vera gel has soothing and anti-inflammation properties that act like a second skin to protect a burned area from air, which can irritate exposed nerve endings. It also helps new skin to form and provides important nutrients that are needed to produce healthy tissue growth. It reduces inflammation and kills bacteria and other foreign organisms at a burn site. It also decreases the time it takes a burn to heal. Aloe vera works on any type of burn, including sunburns, burns from hot surfaces and liquids, and steam burns.

Ignite the Body's Weight Loss Hormone

There is a hormone called leptin in the body that can suppress hunger. It is produced in the fat cells of the body and it travels to the brain after a meal to tell the body that you are full and don't need to eat anymore. When the meal is digested, leptin levels decrease and you gain an appetite again. There are things that you can do to help leptin levels and reduce hunger.

It is a good idea to eat foods that are low in triglycerides. Triglycerides are negative in the fact that it prevents leptin from reaching the brain. Studies have found that foods higher in carbohydrates and lower in fat can raise leptin levels.

It is also a good idea to sleep 8 hours each day and exercise regularly. Sleeping less than 8 hours lowers leptin levels in the blood and brain. Regular exercise lowers triglyceride levels and helps the brain to absorb more leptin.

Relieve Eye Puffiness with Black Tea

Black tea is full of astringent compounds called tannins and caffeine that are effective at reducing swelling and discoloration under the eyes. They are also good at tightening puffiness and bags under the eyes. Eye puffiness is usually due to swelling of tissues around the eyes and fluid buildup. It is recommended to let a cool tea bag rest on each eye for 10 minutes.

Use Oatmeal to Soothe Skin

Oatmeal can be used to soothe dry skin, inflammation, rashes, and eczema. It contains oats that contain avenanthramides, beta-glucan, and silicon that cause the soothing effect. It can also help to heal sun burns and relieve itching. When it is mixed with lemon juice and milk and applied to the face, it can be used to reduce the appearance of pores on the skin and tighten them.

Prevent Headaches with Magnesium

Magnesium can be used to reduce muscle tension and spams that can cause headaches. It can also treat and prevent migraines. It is good to use dietary supplements that contain at least 200 mg of active elemental magnesium. Someone with kidney problems should consult a medical practitioner before taking magnesium.

Fight Insomnia with Cherries

It is found that cherries can be used to help you sleep better. They contain a high amount of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin naturally makes you feel tired. It is also produced by the body during sleep and during night hours to regulate sleeping patterns by the pineal gland. Melatonin does not have any negative side effects and is safe and natural. It is found in the skin of cherries and eating just a few cherries works just as well as taking pills to fight insomnia. It is best to eat a handful of cherries right before bedtime to get a good rest.

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.