Natural Home Remedies Blog

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Home Remedies: An Introduction

In our go-get-it-now society today, whenever we feel that there is something 'a little off' with us, we go over to the local pharmacy and purchase a whole range of patent medicines and take them. Sometimes we go to our family physician and get a drug prescription. This has become part of our everyday routine, almost automatic. However, this has not always been the case. This so-called Drug Revolution only kicked off after World War II, although doctors already had access to a multitude of remedies before that.

In contrast with modern medicine, folk medicine dates back to ancient times. This is why many of us feel that herbal medicine is outdated and old. Herbal remedies are very old but apparently not outdated. Archaeological evidence proves that primitive human beings made use of healing plants. Back then, it was only natural for humans to use whatever was available to them, whether it was to keep them warm, to feed them or to make them well. The quest for finding cures for certain ailments was obviously carried out on a trial and error basis over the centuries. These cures and techniques were originally handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth since back then this was the only way possible.

In the later years, with the introduction of the National Health Service and other government health agencies, people could consult physicians free of charge and these doctors are more inclined to prescribe modern synthetic drugs. This and the fact that people started to move into more urban areas where medical treatment was made more readily available and the fact that transportation and communication had generally increased, marked the decrease in the population's reliance on the cures that were based at home, in the kitchen and in the fields.Recently, there has been a new reaction bubbling in our society against our modern, technological age. Now, people are once again turning to simple, natural things and rejecting the sophisticated, complex and synthetic. People are again relying on herbal remedies for illnesses and herbal medicine has become a popular branch of alternative medicine. To some extent, the wheel has turned a full circle.

The use of these simple remedies can help relieve some of the annoyances that plague us everyday and can relieve you of some of the discomfort as these can be simple holistic alternative.

The entire field of folk and herbal medicine in one that is full of potential risk because some herbs can be toxic and can be inappropriate or even dangerous in some situations. Anyone who is thinking of using herbal cures should first consult an herbal specialist who is trained in the science of modern herbal medicine techniques.

Remember that before applying any of these remedies to yourself; please be aware that sometimes small aches and pains could be symptoms of something more serious. This may or may not be true but please use your judgment and consult with your doctor. Regular physical examinations and check-ups should be part of everybody's health regimen. One should also always strive to have a healthy lifestyle with proper diet and exercise.
Michael RussellYour Independent Herbal guide.

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Friday, September 01, 2006

Diet as a Natural Treatment for Acne

Since the skin is the largest organ on the body and it assists other major organs in the human body with eliminating waste, one of the best acne treatments is diet which has many home remedies for acne in the foods that we eat. If you are unhealthy inside it will be reflected in your skin.

Acne occurs when the natural oils that the skin produces clogs the pores of the skin. Normally acne is prevalent in the onset of puberty when the body starts to produce hormones, it has also been known to be a problem for women during pregnancy. Since acne is a problem for people world wide, there are many forms of acne treatments, acne products and acne medications on the market.
A natural treatment for acne is diet, which some say can be an acne cure and for many is the best acne treatment. When I was a teenager I had severe acne and tried using what were considered the best acne treatments at the time.

Retin-A was one of the most popular prescription acne medications on the market at that time.
Noxzema skin cream and Clearsil were two of the most popular acne products used among my friends and I. I learned the hard way that Alcohol should not be used as a home remedy for acne and with severe acne cutting back on processed foods replacing them with a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables. I thought that diet as a natural acne treatment was going to be bad because until that point I lived junk food.

Using diet as a natural acne treatment was not as bad as I had thought it would be. There are so many foods that act naturally as a home remedy for acne and are often the best acne treatments. At first I thought that it would be easier to just remember when to use acne medication or the other acne products that I was using at the time rather than to give up on junk foods.

The internal home remedy for acne prescribed by my doctor and mother turned out to be for me the best acne treatment used along with all natural acne products like tea-tree oil. To my surprise I enjoyed this change in diet and in a short time I felt like it was an acne cure that was noticeable with in the week.

My mother was happier that I was eating something besides chips and was also happy with what we thought was an acne cure. She was also happy that she did not have to spend a lot of money on acne medications or worry about which over the counter acne products were the best. Who would have thought when I drank naturally sweetened juices and lots of water that it would be a natural acne treatment. My breakouts were far and few in between all because of using diet as an acne treatment turned out to pretty much be an acne cure for me.

There are so many acne treatments on the market today that profess to be the answer to all of your problems but the truth of the matter is you will have to find the best acne products or try to find the best home remedies for you by simply researching on your own.

Some people will require acne medications because more serious illness are the reason for their acne problem. Home remedies for acne through diet can alleviate many of your outbreaks because we truly are what we eat. If the eyes are the window to the soul then the skin is a reflection of your overall health so the beginning of a real cure starts from within.

To effectively treat your acne, you need to fix the problems in your body that are causing your acne. Acuzine is a great product that attacks the main, internal causes of acne.

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Thursday, August 31, 2006

Home Remedies: Hemorrhoids, Hangovers, Head lice

Home remedies can often be substituted for other medications when the health or other problem is not too serious.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are commonly known as piles. One of the treatments for this is an infusion of watercress which is applied externally as a lotion. Crushed fresh leaves of plantain are also applied externally on the affected area. A poultice or compress of witch hazel is also effective. One of the earliest cures for piles was yarrow, marigold and meadowsweet which was applied externally. With this condition, eating a good portion of carrots and oats is helpful. Another cure that is also recommended is eating a large leek and drinking a glass of nettle liquid several times a day.

Halitosis

Halitosis, or simply bad breath, could be a very embarrassing condition. Halitosis may be caused by some disorder of the stomach. To avoid this, a suggestion is taking a concoction of powdered vegetable charcoal and bicarbonate of soda. Other cures are avens, dill and peppermint.

Chapped Hands

Chapping of the hands can be caused by many things. It could be due to strong detergents and chemicals and the main cure for this is intensive moisturizing. A remedy that is effective for chapped hands is taking a piece of melted mutton fat then straining it and pouring it into a basin to harden. Before totally hardening, it is worked into a ball and then it is held before a fire until the surface begins to soften. The substance is then rubbed into the hands.The next traditional cure is a little more complicated. Unsalted hog's lard is washed in spring water and then in rose water. The lard is then mixed with honey and egg yolks then with fine oats and formed into a paste. This paste is rubbed into the hands.

Hangover

Hangovers can be very annoying and painful. Drinking a lot of water is said to be very effective in curing a hangover. Some would even recommend eating a beaten raw egg. Other traditional cures are eating raw cabbage and rosemary.

Hay Fever

Hay fever is one of the many types of allergic reactions. Thought to calm the symptoms of hay fever is clove tea. An infusion of plantain and of nettles can also be effective. A hot infusion of balm is also taken to soothe the sufferer. One traditional cure for hay fever is adding chamomile to boiling water and then inhaling the steam while boiling and another involves soaking elecampane in boiling water, straining it and drinking a glass at regular intervals until the symptoms subside.

Head Lice

Head lice are a condition that is very embarrassing and bothersome. It is also very easily transmitted. A common treatment is using cinnamon, applied externally, to wash away the head lice. Lice are also cured with the application of fresh parsley juice. Rosemary was also thought to be effective. A slightly smelly remedy that is also effective is mixing equal parts of kerosene and water and applying it to the hair as a lotion.
Michael RussellYour Independent Herbal guide.

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Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Home remedies for snoring

Someone writes: I since loudly during my sleep and find it inconvenient for those sharing the room with me and embarrassing for myself. How can I get rid of it?

Persons who generally sleep in a supine position throughout are liable to snore. Try sleeping on your side. That will reduce the severity of snoring.

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