Natural Constipation Remedies

Constipation is a very uncomfortable feeling and when the stools become hard and dry it makes it worse to try and eliminate them. Constipation is caused by loss of enough the muscle contractions that help to move food through the digestive system.

When constipation occurs it is due to undigested food that moves too slowly in the large intestines and stops the body’s process to  empty the bowels. The stools build up and remains in contact with the intestines which absorbs the extra water drying out the stool.

Bloating, gas, and discomfort sets in. There are a few natural remedies that you can do to help get yourself going. Warm water usually triggers the muscles to contract and helps stimulate the bowels.

There are herbs that are known as “alterative herbs”( that restore your bowels to a normal health) that can be effective in relieving cases of chronic constipation. The dried roots of yellow dock, dandelion, burdock root, and Oregon grape. These herbs are bitter, but when consumed, they can promote digestion, stomach acidity, and bile flow.

You can purchase these herbs in tincture form and use 1 dropper 3-7 times a day.

Flaxseed provides fiber with essential oils that help to lubricate and soften the stools.

Figs also provide fiber and aids in digestion.

As always, check with your doctor before using any herbal tinctures or supplements.

Trouble Sleeping?

Trouble Sleeping? Sleep is important because it affects our health and our moods, energy, behaviors, and emotions. Although, there is no real “normal” amount of sleep it is important to get about seven to eight hours sleep.

With lack of sleep you can feel fatigued, and your immune system is not able to defend the body against disease. But there are some natural remedies can help.

Try snacking on a banana or crackers before bed as the level in “serotonin” the hormone that reduces anxiety will help. Melatonin supplements can help you get into a healthy sleep cycle and taking these supplements can actually help improve your sleep.

Valerian can be taken, but the taste is bitter so it is best to put it into some juice or tea.

Try the “super supplements” ginseng and nutrient rich alfalfa and royal jelly.

Chamomile flower, Hops, or Skullcap herbal tea will  help you relax before going to bed.

Avoid stress, when possible, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, pain relievers and over the counter decongestants.

As always, check with your doctor before taking any supplements

Natural Remedies and Motion Sickness

If you are like me the very thought of mountains roads, rough seas, and a hitting turbulence in the air just conjures up memories of nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and those cold sweats that a person feels dealing with motion sickness.

Even though it will not kill you, motion sickness is a miserable feeling and one you don’t want to ever experience. The reason a person suffers with motion sickness is that the inner ear, is what controls balance and plays a main role in motion sickness.

The inner ear catches every motion, and reports it back to the brain, which then triggers the symptoms. You can develop motion sickness with visual stimuli, anxiety, bad odors, and fear. The inner sends confusing messages to the brain even though you may be at rest sitting in a car, which then causes over stimulation and releases stress hormones causing havoc.

Natural remedies like herbal teas, essential oils, and even acupressure can help ease symptoms of motion sickness.

Ginger tea prevents nausea and can be more effective than any other over the counter remedies for motion sickness. It helps relieve cramps, nausea, and any digestive upset.

Peppermint tea works just as well.

Essential oils like Basil relieves cramping and soothes nervous stomachs and digestive upsets. Just place a few drops on a cloth and inhale

Peppermint oil also provides relief from nausea  just place a few drops on a cloth and inhale.

Neroli oil can also help with nausea and helps calm the stomach.

A certain acupressure area to stop nausea is located on the inside of your lower arm about 2 inches from your wrist. Apply light pressure in a circular motion. You can find wristbands that when worn will stimulate the area.

Test Taking Anxiety

Have you ever experienced test taking anxiety? For many people, taking an exam is very high on among life’s many challenges. Those who suffer extreme test anxiety, though find that the exam becomes both a physical as well as mental ordeal.

Increased by a fear of failure, the most typical symptoms of test anxiety can include- headaches, tightness in the chest, lower-back pain, tense neck muscles, shallow breathing, and even teeth grinding.

These chronic conditions can have long range effects on the person, and of course, a little anxiety before a test is normal, and some people have discovered that a little apprehension actually enhances the test performance.

However, extreme stress and fear of failure can lead to mental blocks and have an overwhelming effect. Learning to think positive and keep the test in perspective can lower tension. Trying relaxation exercise, rest, and herbal remedies to decrease the emotional pressure resulting from the anxiety.

Valerian- can be helpful getting ready for a test. It can cause drowsiness in some but more often it simply helps soothe the nerves by providing a sense of calm and can help improve retention of information. A high dosage of valerian is recommended to have the calming effect before a test.

St John’s Wort- can help those who experience depression before a test due to failure. This medicinal plant has an antidepressant effect when taken for a while.

Kava-Kava root- has more than 15 compounds that work directly on the nervous system to help ease anxiety and promotes relaxation.

Stay away from caffeine as it can intensify the anxiety and sometimes triggers panic attacks. It is a good idea to avoid tea, coffee,cola, and any other caffeinated drinks before taking a test.

Do we really need fat in our body?

A lot of attention has been focused on our need to reduce levels of dietary fat because the human body actually does need fat. Of course the type of “fat” which is found in vegetable, olive and peanut oils and polyunsaturated fat that is found in corn, soybean, and fish oils. These fats actually do more than help reduce cholesterol levels and help provide energy for our body.

These oils are essential for brain development. When the body can’t break down and absorb these fats, then the body becomes “ fat intolerant” and the overall of   our health will suffer.

Fat intolerance happens when the digestive system isn’t working properly. Since digestion is a must for the liver, making bile, the pancreas producing digestive enzymes and the gallbladder releasing bile into the intestines.

Fat intolerance can develop if these organs are inflamed or not functioning properly. Symptoms can range from water retention and gas, to vomiting and anemia. Diet and natural healing therapies can relieve symptoms and help stimulate the metabolism of fat.

Herbal teas have the ability to come to the aid, whether it is nausea, fever, food poisoning or stress on the digestive system. To calm the gastrointestinal tract use peppermint, lemon-balm leaves or chamomile.

Herbal teas for infection or inflammation of the liver, pancreas, or gallbladder caused by an infection  to treat these infections mix equal parts of yarrow, peppermint and catnip. Drink several times a day.

Caraway tea- is known for its natural remedy for poor digestion. It helps to improve the functioning of the digestive organs and helps relieve gas.

Centaury Tea- has a bitter taste, but it is commonly prescribed to help improve digestion. Drinking one cup before meals are best.

Fat intolerance is sometimes caused by a digestive-enzyme deficiency which can be checked and confirmed by your Doctor. As always, before trying any natural herbal remedy always check with your doctor, especially if you are on medication.

Remedies for Sinus Infections

Remedies for Sinus Infections                              

The nasal sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity, and a common cold can spread into the nasal sinuses causing inflamed mucous membranes that can lead to an infection. 

The nasal passageway that connects the sinuses to the nasal cavity is narrow and is easily obstructed due to colds, allergies, or even polyps. The obstruction prevents drainage and traps air that can’t escape through the nostrils and causes mucus to build up.

A nasal infection develops when a bacterial or viral infection u develops usually a cold that spreads into any of the sinuses causing inflammation and swelling and often in the frontal or maxillary sinuses

The infection can be chronic or acute, and most bacteria caused, usually lead to the need for antibiotics. Symptoms of acute sinusitis are pounding headaches, sneezing, pressure, heavy yellow mucus, and fever. Acute sinusitis usually clears up in a few days.

Chronic sinus problems are caused by smoking, nasal growths, or nasal injuries. Sinusitis can be connected to food allergies, so it is best to talk with your doctor.

 Natural remedies can be effective in dealing with infections such as Horseradish poultice- helps draw out the infections by stimulating the blood flow and metabolism.

Expectorant medicinal plants can help as well if you frequently get colds and sinus infections ,you should try and incorporate fresh garlic, horseradish, or cayenne pepper into your diet.

These antibacterial plants help loosen nasal fluids and tame the swelling of the sinus membranes. Horseradish is probably the most effective, and you can grate and sprinkle over your food or purchase it at a health food store in tincture form.

Inducing sweating can help stimulate the immune system, by killing bacteria and helps promote the expelling of toxins. Using a netti pot you can add a spoonful of chamomile, Goldenseal, thyme, peppermint or diluted saltwater.

Inhaling steam with essential oils such as: eucalyptus, or tea tree oil are very effective. The steam is antibacterial and thins the mucus and helps loosen nasal secretions while the oils stop the inflammation and swelling.

Dry air will irritate inflamed sinuses so it is best if you use a humidifier to moisten the nasal passages or use pots of boiling water to add moisture to the area.

Be careful when you have a cold, use paper tissues and throw them away after using them.
Drink plenty of water to keep the nasal mucous fluid, and avoid coffee, and soda as they are dehydrating.

Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables daily so that you receive the necessary vitamins and minerals.
Limit dairy products because they are known to create thick mucus in the throat, nose, and sinuses and are ideal grounds for bacteria.

Athelet's Foot

Athlete's foot is a fungus infection- dampness promotes the fungal growth, so it is important to keep your feet dry. Some people are more prone to this infection than others, and diet can also play a role in athlete's foot.

I just posted a post on this fungus, and to read more go to:

http://www.bubblews.com/news/6084989-athlete039s-foot-how-do-we-get-it

Natural Remedies For Dealing With Depression

Yes, there are some natural remedies that can be taken for those who are suffering with depression.
I wrote a post about the herbal remedies at:http://www.bubblews.com/news/5656500-natural-remedies-for-treating-depression

Feeling sad, agitated, moody, tired, listless then you may want to try one of these remedies.

High Blood Pressure

There is nearly one out of every three adults who have hypertension worldwide- which is known as the “silent killer”. High blood pressure can affect people of all shapes, sizes, and age.  High blood pressure occurs when the smallest arteries also known as “arterioles” constrict, causing the heart to pump harder in order to distribute the blood throughout the body. Since the heart is a muscle- the harder it works the bigger it gets; what can happen is an enlarged heart.

Pressure against the walls of the arteries occurs when the heart contracts (systolic) pressure, and when the heart relaxes between beats (diastolic) pressure.  The pumping of the heart and how well it works circulating the blood throughout the body can be affected by many factors, health, heart muscle, and elasticity of the artery walls.
Stress, alcohol, nicotine, drugs and weight often lead to heart disease. Blood pressure can fluctuate but a normal range is 120/80. When the hearts systolic reaches 140 and the diastolic exceed 90- disease is present. Left untreated it can cause –strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure. Controlling blood pressure can cut your stroke to 30-40%, and heart attacks 20-25%.

A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is blocked due to a blood clot. A heart attack occurs when blood supply to the heart muscle is blocked.
There are methods that can be taken to control your blood pressure by diet, exercise, life style and natural remedies. Reduce your stress the best way you can, try yoga, aerobic exercises, walking, and hiking. Avoid smoking completely and lose weight. Just these few methods will enable you be able to control or prevent high blood pressure.

 Diet is important and you need to watch your cholesterol levels which if they are high, can put you at risk of cardiovascular disease. Cut back on red meat, eggs, salt, and foods high in fats. Be watchful of caffeine and alcohol they constrict the blood vessels so take these in moderation. Easting fish is recommended because it has unsaturated fatty acids that can have the effect of lowering blood pressure. By just losing 10 pounds you can lower your blood pressure.