~ Traditional Home Remedies ~

[MysteRy]

Home Remedies At A Glance


Mother Nature offers a bountiful home remedies to cure all ills. Here is a ready reckoner for these home remedies that will come in handy while tackling your family's common illnesses. Listed below are a host of remedies for some common ailments.

Much before the existence of pills and the modern antibiotics, Mother Nature offered a bountiful home remedies to cure all ills. Here is a ready reckoner for these home remedies that will come in handy while tackling your family's common illnesses. So the next time you or anyone at home is feeling under the weather, head for the kitchen cabinet instead of your medicinal kit. Listed below are a host of remedies for some common ailments.
 

Cough

Add a gram of turmeric (haldi) powder to a teaspoon of honey for curing dry cough. Also chew a cardamom for a long time.


Cold

Mix a gram of dalchini powder with a teaspoon of honey to curb a cold. Prepare a cup of tea to which you should add ginger, clove, bay leaf and black pepper. This should be consumed twice a day. Reduce the intake as the cold disappears.


Hiccups

Take a warm slice of lemon and sprinkle salt, sugar and black pepper on it. The lemon should be eaten until the hiccups stop.


Toothache

Chew a clove or dip a piece of cotton wool in clove oil and place on the aching tooth for best results.


Itching

Apply neem oil to the affected area. Or make a fresh paste of some neem leaves and apply externally. Boil neem leaves in the hot water used for your bath. Also eat a teaspoon of neem juice along with sugar for quick relief.


Injury

For any cut or wound, apply turmeric powder to the injured portion to stop the bleeding. It also works as an antiseptic. You can tie a bandage after applying haldi.


Bodyache

Boil ten tulsi leaves in one cup of water until the syrup is reduced to half a cup. After cooling, add salt to the liquid decoction. Take this mixture daily to stop body ache.  Alternatively take half a gram of dalchini powder with one-teaspoon honey at least twice a day for best results.


Physical weakness

In order to reduce weakness and increase blood circulation, make a dry fruit milkshake made out of ten dry grapes, five  dates and two dry figs along with a glass of milk. Have it once or twice a day to feel fresh and energetic.


Diabetes

The best remedy for this disease is the bitter gourd, better known as 'karela'. Eat this vegetable as often as you can or have at least one tablespoon of karela juice daily to reduce blood sugar levels in your blood and urine. Besides, take ten tulsi leaves, ten neem leaves and ten belpatras with a glass of water early morning on an empty stomach. It will work wonders in keeping your sugar levels under control.

[MysteRy]

Magic Remedies At Your Fingertips


Much before the existence of pills and the modern antibiotics, Mother Nature offered a bountiful home remedies to cure all ills. Some home remedies to take care of your regular aches and pains.

INSOMNIA

Do you have a thandai mix at home? If not, just crush about 10 almonds and mix this powder in your milk and drink it warm just before hitting the pillow. Even plain warm milk is known to induce a good night's rest. You could also apply pure cow's ghee to the soles of your feet just before bedtime. Or mix coconut oil with water and apply on your head, palms and soles before going to bed. It ensures good sleep. 
 

CRAMPS

You must do a self-massage using mustard oil every morning. Just take a little oil between your palms and rub it all over your body. Then take a shower. This is especially beneficial during winter. You could also mix a little mustard powder with water to make a paste and apply this on your palms and soles of your feet. 
 

SUNSTROKE

The best remedy for sunstroke is a little juice of raw mango along with salt and sugar. Have this twice or thrice a day. You could also apply onion slices on your head and forehead as this has a cooling effect. Drink lot of fluids.
 

HEADACHE

If you have a regular migraine problem, include five almonds along with hot milk in your daily diet. You could also have a gram of black pepper along with honey or milk, twice or thrice a day. 
There are also a lot of external applications that have proved to be beneficial. Make an almond paste by rubbing wet almonds against a stone. This can be applied to your forehead. Alternatively neem powder applied gently on the forehead is known to make you feel good. Or a wet cloth bandage dipped in water with a few drops of eau-de-cologne is also known to be very effective. 
 

BACKACHE

If you have a chronic back problem, keep yourself warm and eat hot items. Include garlic in your daily diet. A self-massage with eucalyptus oil is known to be beneficial. You could also use mustard oil with some boiled fennel seeds. You could take a mixture of five black pepper corns, five cloves and one-gram dry ginger powder in your tea at least twice a day. 
 

ASTHMA

Always avoid cold and sour things in your diet. Boil a teaspoon of Bishop's weed seeds (ajwain) in a cup of water. Add a little salt to this decoction and take it at least once a day for quick relief. 
 

EPISTAXIS (Nose bleeding)

If it is a chronic problem, a daily intake of gulkand is extremely beneficial. Or make a murabba out of amla and have it every morning. For immediate relief, apply a bandage dipped in ice water on your forehead and nose.

[MysteRy]

Fruit Power - Part 1


Are you a fruit freak? Do you ask your children to eat fruits regularly? Here we tell you about the qualities of these fruits.

Fruits are indeed a boon to mankind. Mother Nature has filled them with so many positive qualities, that these fruits often save you from swallowing antibiotics and pills. The simplest of fruits are filled with nature's goodness. They have natural powers of curing numerous diseases, aches and pains.  Let us devour this juicy information about fruits. 
 

STRAWBERRIES

Along with the other berries, the luscious strawberry has high nutritional content and great cleansing properties. It is very rich in potassium, natural sugars, vitamins and mineral elements. It has high water content that ranges from 80-90 per cent, which helps in cleansing the entire system.

It has many medicinal properties and is especially beneficial for the intestinal tract, liver, kidneys and the heart. It is supposed to cure rheumatic disorders. It must be eaten in large quantities during the winter in order to prevent tuberculosis and anaemia.

It also works as a good beauty aid for the complexion, skin disorders, acne and even sunburns. It is also a valuable dentifrice as it prevents tartar and strengthens gums and teeth. Externally, you could use this fruit to heal old wounds, sore eyes and ulcers.
 

PEACHES

Ever heard of a peach complexion. Peach is rich in potassium, calcium and sodium. It has 88 per cent water content and is a good thirst-quencher. It is also an excellent digestive because of its strong alkaline reaction on the body. In fact if you eat the fruit along with its skin, every night before bedtime, it can cure chronic constipation.

The peach has good laxative properties and is a good natural cleanser for the kidney and bladder. This fruit carries natural iron to the blood, which is then organized in vegetable cells and quickly assimilated. If you eat plenty of peaches, you are bound to feel energetic, light and fresh throughout the year. 
 

POMEGRANATE

There was person who drank nothing but pomegranate juice for three days. On the third day, the person found a tapeworm come out in the stools. Yes, the pomegranate is a wonderful fruit with some amazing medicinal and curative properties. It is very light on the stomach and easy to digest. But most importantly it is an excellent heart tonic.

It has 77 per cent water content and is extremely rich in sodium, vitamin A, B and C. It contains glucose, fructose, tannins and oxalic acid. It provides sufficient amount of minerals to the liver and assimilates vitamin A from our food intake. It increases resistance towards tuberculosis and tones up the heart, liver and kidneys. It is also known to relieve hypertension, mental tension and hysteria.

It is not just the fruit, but also the bark of the tree, its roots, leaves, flowers, rind and seeds that are found to be of great medicinal value. The dry powder made from its buds is used to cure diarrhoea as well as nose bleeds. And the juice of the fruit is excellent for digestive disorders. You can use the leaf to heal wounds and cuts. Its rind can be used as a toothpaste or gum powder. 
 

FIGS

The soft and sweet fig is a rich source of sugar, protein, fat and carbohydrate. The dry fig is also highly nutritious. And when taken with milk, it helps to prevent protein deficiencies. It is especially beneficial for growing children as it provides them with the required amounts of calcium, iron, phosphorus and minerals. It is also a natural tonic, which enhances energy and vitality.

It has some immense curative properties and is extremely beneficial for curing constipation, piles, phlegmatic cough and urinary diseases. It has been used to treat boils from time immemorial, or at least more than 2,000 years ago. It is also recommended during pregnancy in order to avoid long labour and general weakness after childbirth. 
 

APPLES

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. It certainly does. Its high vitamin and mineral content boosts the immune system. It also enriches body skin and hair. The mineral called Pectin, is found in large amounts in an apple. It is the same element that is found in antidiarrheal drugs.

The peel of the apple is extremely rich in vitamin A, whereas the actual fruit contains vitamin C, B-1, B-2, B-6, folic and pantothenic acid. You will also find minerals such as potassium and small amounts of copper, magnesium and phosphorus. You can bid good-bye to your coughs, colds and flu, by having an apple a day. Unless, of course, you are in love with a doctor!

[MysteRy]

Fruit Power - Part 2


Oranges, melons, grapes and papayas.  Now you have added reasons for devouring these fruits.

Orange

One of the world's favourite fruits, and America's number one flavour, the humble orange is loaded with Vitamin C, bioflavniods, potassium as well as calcium. This citrus fruit helps to keep the blood capillaries strong and healthy and can actually speed up the healing process in the body.
Vitamin C is found in the white fibrous layer, directly under the peel. Orange juice is a great favourite in the tropics and is even used to enhance the flavour of certain recipes. But do avoid it if you are prone to canker sores, as they can cause flare-ups.
 

Papaya

Papaya is a deliciously soft tropical fruit that has long been used to relieve flatulence and aid digestion. It is also used as a beauty treatment to lift dead flaky skin.

It has high content of Vitamin A and C, as well as magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and organic sulphur. It also contains papain, which is a natural enzyme, known to break down complex proteins into simple molecules. Pregnant women as well as those taking anti-depressant or anti-hypertensive drugs should avoid this fruit.
 

Melon

Melons are one of the most popular summertime thirst-quenchers. They come in many varieties ---- the watermelon, the yellow melon, the Persian, the Cantaloupe and the Honeydew. Melon contains Vitamin C and high potassium content, with traces of Vitamin B complex.
One should avoid eating melon juice after a heavy meal. The juice can disturb the digestive system after it interferes with the consumed food. Therefore always have a glass of melon juice on an empty stomach.
 

Grapes

Queen Cleopatra of Egypt, who was very conscious of her beauty and figure, made the humble grape quite famous. The fruit is indeed very rich in vitamins like A, C and B. It is also full of minerals like phosphorus. Due to its natural sugars like dextrose and fructose, grapes are an important part of slimming diets. They fill the stomach and suppress the appetite. About 8 per cent of grape juice is made up of plant proteins. Therefore, it helps to flush out toxins and waste materials from the kidneys.
 

Grapefruit

Like other citrus fruits, the grapefruit too is loaded with the goodness of Vitamin C and lesser amounts of B, E and K complex. It also has a good amount of minerals like phosphorus, potassium and calcium.
So if you drink this juice along with iron-rich foods, the Vitamin C from this fruit will aid in the absorption of iron. It will help in prevention of colds, strengthening of capillary walls and general healing process of the body. But the high pectin content of grapefruit juice interferes with the absorption of dietary fat, so people with weak digestive systems should try to avoid it.

[MysteRy]

Juices For All Occasions


Fat-free fruit juices that can substitute the meals of the day.

The juice extracted from any fruit is not only refreshing but also a substitute to a complete meal. It is easily digestible, fat-free, without cholesterol, and therefore a very healthy diet alternative in these fast-paced times. Here are a few special juice recipes that are recommended for different times of the day.
 

Breakfast Special

An energy-packed alternative to a full breakfast.

10 strawberries.
1 banana
1 cup yoghurt.
2 cups of orange juice.
2 tablespoons honey.

Blend the strawberries along with the banana and yoghurt. Then add the orange juice and honey and blend once again. Serve immediately. You may use sugar instead of honey, depending on taste. 
 

Mid-Morning Special

A smooth thick juice that can well replace a snack.

1 cup milk
2 bananas
2 cups of pear juice.
1 cup blueberries.
A pinch of cinnamon powder.
2 tablespoons honey/sugar.

Blend the bananas along with the milk and pear juice, until the combination is smooth. Then add the blueberries, cinnamon powder and honey/sugar and blend once again. Serve immediately. 
 

Late Afternoon Special

Early evenings are very tempting snack times. Have this special juice.

1/2 cup cherry juice.
1/2 cup ginger juice.
3 cups cold soda.
4 teaspoons lime juice.
4 tablespoons sugar.
4 lime slices. 
Crushed ice.

Mix the ginger juice along with the cherry juice and limejuice. Add sugar to this and keep stirring until it dissolves completely. Fill the bottoms of your glasses with crushed ice and pour this juice on top of it. Then add the soda and garnish with slices of lime.
 

Health Special

A classic special that is highly nutritious and energizing. You could have it instead of lunch or dinner.

1 cup yoghurt.
1 cup orange juice.
1 1/2 bananas.
3 strawberries.
7 tablespoons wheatgerm. 
4 tablespoons blackstrap molasses.

First blend the orange juice and yoghurt together in a food processor. Then add the bananas and strawberries. Blend for just a few more seconds. Then add the wheatgerm and blackstrap molasses and blend until all the ingredients are smooth. 
 

Summer Special

An exotic summer cooler.

4 cups orange juice.
1/2 cup cherry juice.
2 tablespoons honey.
1/2 teaspoon pepper powder.
Salt to taste.

Mix the cherry juice with the orange juice, honey, red pepper and salt. Stir it well until the honey and salt are completely dissolved. Serve chilled.
 

Winter Delight

A hot and spicy winter special.

2 cups orange juice. 
6 cups pineapple juice. 
8 cloves.
A cinnamon stick. 
4 tablespoons honey.

Heat the orange juice, pineapple juice, honey, cloves and cinnamon stick in a pan. Give it one boil and then let it simmer for 20 minutes. Strain out the cinnamon and cloves and serve hot steaming mugs of this unique concoction.

[MysteRy]

Power of Vegetables


If you have always advocated beetroots and carrots to your children, it is rewarding to know how nutritious these salads are. Not only are they full of vitamins and minerals, but they also do not add to the body fat.
 

ASPARAGUS

This is the perfect vegetable to eat if you suffer from bouts of water retention. Asparagus is loaded with vitamin A, C, K, B complex, potassium, iron and a few minerals. It also facilitates normal clotting of human blood and is an excellent source of plant protein.
 

BEETROOT

Beetroot is a powerful blood and kidney cleanser and works like magic on the digestive system. It is filled with natural sugars and complex carbohydrates, but most importantly it contains a few minerals and manganese, iron and potassium. It also contains amino acids like phenylalanine, lysine and valine. But do avoid raw beets as the oxalates can combine with calcium to form kidney stones. 
 

BROCCOLI

If your immunities are weak, broccoli provides protection to the respiratory as well as the gastrointestinal tract. But it is best utilized when combined with some other juice.
You can get the goodness of both fresh oranges and milk from the unique broccoli, as it is rich in vitamin C as well as calcium. It also has a high content of vitamins A, E, K as well as important minerals like selenium and potassium. Although it has high protein, it does not have enough amino acids. Therefore it goes well with bean sprouts.
 

CABBAGE

This vegetable is perfect for restoring energy and vitality. It has an amazing effect on the lower intestinal tract. It can help protect the immune system against environmental damage caused by cigarette smoke and chemicals. But be careful, as too much of it will cause gas problems. The humble cabbage is full of vitamin A, C and K, calcium, potassium and organic sulphur. It also contains a group of chemicals called goitorgens that cause enlargement of the thyroid gland. So avoid having it in large quantities.
 

CARROTS

Carrot juice is the most amazing natural liver cleanser. It also protects the respiratory tract, larynx and esophagus from environmental damage. It has high vitamin A content, which prevents night-blindness in people. Carrot also contains B complex as well as vitamin C, iodine, potassium, manganese and amino acids like arginine, valine, tryptophane and hisidine.
 

CUCUMBER

A beautician's secret, cucumber is excellent for facial skin. It also promotes the growth of healthy hair and nails. And of course, we all know the wonders that it performs on baggy eyes and dark circles. It contains vitamins like B and C, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.
 

LETTUCE

Lettuce is a very good tranquillizer for excitable adults and hyperactive children.
It contains a good amount of Vitamins A, C, K and minerals like calcium, potassium, iron and iodine. It is also a source of protein.
 

SPINACH

Spinach is rich in Vitamin C, A and B complex. It is also abundant in minerals like phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium, iron and protein. But because of the presence of oxalic acid in spinach, it should be eaten with other sources of protein.
Spinach also stimulates the liver and also has a laxative effect. But as the oxalates combine with calcium to form kidney stones, it is not advisable to have it in excessive amounts.
 

TOMATO

Freshly squeezed tomato juice is an excellent liver tonic. It cleans out all the toxins in your system making you feel light and fresh. It is also a source of vitamin C and minerals such as potassium and calcium. But always remember to have fresh tomato slices or juice, as preserved tomato loses its nutrition value.

[MysteRy]

Benefits of Garlic


Did you know that garlic contains more than 100 biologically useful chemicals, with tremendous health benefits? Here are just a few of them.
 

Here's why you should be munching on garlic!

Pregnant? New research suggests that garlic is very beneficial if taken during pregnancy.
 

Pre-eclampsia

This is a condition when your blood pressure increases, and there is excessive protein retained in the urine. If you take garlic during pregnancy, it cuts the risk of you developing pre-eclampsia.
 

Boosts the baby's weight 

Taking garlic boosts the weight of babies in the womb. Thus, when they are born, they are heavier than they would have been if you hadn't taken garlic. Some babies are born too small, so garlic is a definite boon in these cases.
 

Other Benefits of Garlic

Reduces cholesterol

Garlic plays an important role in reducing the 'bad' cholesterol in the body. There have been numerous studies of the effects of garlic on reducing cholesterol, and they have well substantiated this fact. So if you have high cholesterol, increase your garlic intake. It also helps reduce blood pressure.
 

Reduced risk of stroke

Reduced cholesterol and blood pressure translates into a reduced risk of heart attacks and heart diseases.
 

An aphrodisiac?

Did you know that garlic plays the role of an aphrodisiac? Garlic improves blood circulation, and also helps prolong an erection! Great help for temporary impotence. Of course, the smell can bring your raised libido crashing down!
 

An anti-carcinogen

Yes, garlic also helps reduce the risk of cancer, due to its anti-carcinogenic properties. It helps prevent cancerous compounds from forming and developing into tumors. It also inhibits the growth of tumors. In fact, tumors that have already formed can be reduced by 50 to 70 percent by increasing garlic intake!
 

Blood clots

Garlic helps prevent blood clots from forming, and it's extremely beneficial especially if you are prone to blood clots in the legs. Garlic also helps regulate blood sugar. It is a natural antibiotic, and it has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties.
 

How To Take Garlic

Mash 2-3 small cloves of garlic and eat it raw or boiled, before going to sleep. You could have it with a glass of milk or with water. Avoid taking garlic in the daytime as the smell may linger.

[MysteRy]

Carrot Benefits


Here are just some of the reasons you should make sure your child gulps down at least one glass of carrot juice a day.

Did your child have a glass of carrot juice today?

Here are just some of the reasons you should make sure your child gulps down at least one glass of carrot juice a day. 

1.Carrots are excellent for the eyes.

2.Carrots contains large quantities of vitamin A, in the form of beta carotene.

3.Juicing a carrot removes the indigestible fiber. Thus, the nutrients in it are available to the body in much larger quantities than if the carrot was eaten whole. This is because many of the nutrients are trapped in the fibre, and while fibre aids digestion, some part of the fibre is indigestible. Thus, you don't get the benefits of the nutrients that are trapped in the indigestible fibre. Did you know that if you eat a carrot raw, you only get access to about 1% of the available beta carotene? But, when you or your child has a glass of carrot juice, you your system absorbs almost 100% or the beta carotene!

4.Does your child drink more Pepsi or Coke than water? While you may feel that these are just sweetened substitutes, you are wrong. In fact, these beverages have substances that require more water to eliminate them from the system. So, whenever your child asks for a soft drink, give him juice instead. Juice increases the water intake.

5.Carrot juice has anti-carcinogen properties. Thus, it helps prevent cancer. It is also believed to have cancer-curing properties.

6.Beta carotene is an anti-oxidant, and thus it prevents cell degeneration. Anti-oxidants also slow down the ageing process. Another fruit which is an excellent anti-oxidant is the berry.

7.Carrots are also good for the skin.

8.Carrot juice is like a tonic. It will improve the overall health of you and your child, and increase immunity. In fact, two glasses of carrot juice a day can increase your immunity by as much as 70%!

9.Carrot juice is rich in so many minerals, that it's no less than a miracle juice! You could also add some spinach or beetroot to your carrot juice. Squeeze some lime into the glass, add seasoning if you must, and a tasty glass packed with nutrients is ready! 

[MysteRy]

Garlic, The Wonder Food


A clove of garlic a day keeps cancer away. But it does more than that. It also keeps the possibility of a love life away! Take heart however. There's always Close Up to remedy the situation!

Garlic contains a chemical called Allicin, which has already proved to have numerous health benefits. A team of Israeli scientists recently used this chemical to successfully kill cancer cells as well as malignant tumors in mice. Allicin is not present in an unbroken clove of garlic. It only gets released when the clove is crushed, so when using garlic in cooking, make sure you crush it and use it. Don't add the entire unbroken clove in your food, as though this will give you the flavour of garlic, it will not provide you with the benefits of its anti-carcinogenic properties. The clove needs to be damaged, so it is more effective crushed than cut. When crushed garlic is added to a dish, any parasites, bacteria or other microbes get killed even before the temperature kills them, so if you are worried about eating outside food - the safest option would be to order food with a strong garlic flavour. Chances of food poisoning would be slim! Garlic, as we all know or should be knowing, is a natural antiseptic, and eating a clove of garlic a day also helps ward off most infections.

Italians and Chinese eat plenty of garlic in their food, and have very low incidences of cancer. Pizzas and pastas, Italian dishes rich in maida and cheese, have liberal dozes of garlic, with the result that Italians seem relatively immune to other problems associated with such a diet such as high cholesterol and heart ailments. Similarly, Chinese food is rich in garlic, and the Chinese too are statistically less prone to cancer and heart ailments.


How should you eat the clove?

Needless to say, crushing a clove of garlic and eating it raw would not be the most pleasant of experiences. Garlic has a very strong flavour, and it needs to be mixed with other foods in order to be enjoyed. The best way to eat garlic would be to add it in food while cooking it. Allicin gets distributed throughout the meal, providing you with the benefits of its anti-carcinogenic and antiseptic properties.

Make sure you peel the garlic before cooking it. Cooking garlic in its peel destroys its curative properties. Similarly, peeling the garlic days before and crushing and storing all the crushed garlic together to be used a little at a time may be very convenient as a time saver, but you lose many of garlic's potent health properties. The natural compound of Allicin as found in garlic loses its beneficial properties within hours because it begins to react with garlic's other components as soon as the clove is crushed.


Peel the garlic and let it sit for fifteen minutes before cooking. Just before cooking, crush it. Consume soon after.

While you can get garlic supplements if you are looking for the easier way out, it is highly recommended that you get your daily doze of garlic the natural way - through the clove itself. As already mentioned, garlic has numerous other health benefits, and eating the garlic fresh would give you all these benefits. If you can consume the garlic raw, there's nothing like it! Peel it, crush it fifteen minutes later and down it, followed by a little milk. Do this every night - so you will not smell of garlic the entire day. Before long, you will see your health and immunity improve, and you needn't fear cancer again.

[MysteRy]

Home Remedies for Headache


There are lots of causes of headache like stress, tension etc. Most of us have a habit of popping pill in our mouth when we get headache. However, headache can also be cured using home remedies. Read on to find out about the home remedies which can help to cure headache.

Headache is quite common complain and affects people of all age group some time or another. There are mainly three types of headaches, headache from tension and stress, headache due to migraine and repetitive headaches. When the headache is due to stress and strain, the person feels increasing pain as the stress increases. In this type of headache the pain is felt from the back of the neck and continues to the top and front of the head.

Headache from migraine is also heredity and this is seen mostly in females rather than males. These are most affected by nervous abnormalities as well as shock, grief, mental emotions, gastro-intestinal abnormalities and many more. Repetitive headaches are usually cause by drinking alcohol and smoking. No matter what type of headache you experience, there are some symptoms and causes that are common.

Common Symptoms of Headache

Pain in head, neck and eyes

Stimulation and depression

Difficulty in viewing things

Confusing state of mind


Common Reasons of Headache

Stress, strain and tension

Eye disorder or eye strain

Allergy

Due to low blood sugar or high blood pressure

Constipation or dehydration

Sudden exposure to cold temperature

Insomnia


Home Remedies for Headache

If you are suffering from repetitive headache, eat an apple with salt in empty stomach daily.After this drink warm water or milk. Consume this continuously for 10 to 15 days for better results.

If you are having sinus headache, you can inhale steam of water boiled with fresh or dried ginger powder.

To get rid of chronic headache, you can keep your legs in hot water before going to bed at night. Continue it for 15 to 20 days.

Inhale the steam of hot water which contains few drops of eucalyptus oil.

Apply a paste of 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in water on your forehead.

Crush and pound lemon crusts and make it a fine paste. Apply this paste in thick form on your forehead.

Juice of spinach juice 200ml and carrot juice 300ml mixed together can be taken regularly. This helps cure migraine headache.


How to Avoid Headache

Take your meal regularly on time and pay attention to nutrition as well.

Eat banana on regular basis if you have headache most often.

Try to live a life free of stresses.

Do parnayama regularly. This will help you remain free of headache and stress as well.

When you are experiencing headache, eat something sweet even a teaspoonful of sugar for instant relief. Sweet and mild tastes are considered as cure for headaches.

Drink lots of water.

Avoid fried food and junk food.

Take good sleep and stick to the schedule. It will help you get rid of many health problems.

Avoid excess rich food items in your diet like cream, cheese, red meat and chocolate.

Include fruits and vegetables and add as much fiber as possible in your diet.

Increase intake of foods rich in protein, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B12, vitamin D

Dairy products are also helpful in keeping away headaches.

The best thing to look for is the main cause behind your headache. If you have the patience and you see positive results after few days, you should opt for natural and home remedies.

[MysteRy]

Essential Oils


Did you know clove oil can relieve your toothache? Essential oils are used for a variety of purposes. Learn about some of the common ones.

What are essential oils?

An essential oil is a highly concentrated water insoluble liquid. It contains an aromatic compound that has been extracted from a specific plant. The oil is said to be 'essential' because its scent uniquely identifies it as being from a particular plant.

An essential oil can be extracted from virtually any part of the plant. This includes leaves, stems, seeds, roots, flowers, barks, etc. The process of extracting oil from the plant is a difficult and time-consuming one. A large volume of plant matter typically yields only a small quantity of pure oil. For example, an extracted essential oil may be only 1 percent of the weight of the extracted plant. This pure oil can be used for a variety of purposes, ranging from applications in the food industry and domestic cleaning products to being used in medicinal preparations. A branch of alternative medicine called 'Aromatherapy' is completely devoted to the use of these fragrant oils.


What are the common essential oils available?

Essential oils are generally not used in pure form. They need to be diluted first which can be done using water or another oil called as a carrier oil. An essential oil can even be used in an incense stick. Here are some of the common essential oils available and a few of their uses.

Lavender: Lavender is the most well known essential oil largely because it can be used for a variety of purposes. Its scent is naturally soothing and its fragrance is supposed to contain antibiotic properties. Because of this property, lavender oil can be used for domestic cleaning purposes. This can be accomplished by adding a few drops of lavender oil to a bucket of warm water and using this water to wipe down your kitchen cabinets and appliances. In aromatherapy, lavender oil is used to relieve stress. A few drops of lavender oil, mixed with a carrier oil, can be used to give a relaxing massage. Simply inhaling the lavender fragrance is also good for calming a stressful mind.

Chamomile: This is another essential oil that is popular for its soothing properties. It is primarily used medicinally, in order to provide relief from a variety of aches and pains. This oil is especially helpful in treating children as it can be used for treating stomach aches, insect stings, and providing relief from the pain associated with teething troubles. Chamomile is also said to be an excellent way to get the creative juices flowing.

Clove: This oil is not very well known as most people only use the entire clove for cooking purposes. This essential oil has a distinctive spicy scent and is known for its pain-relieving properties. An ointment containing clove oil can be applied to the body to reduce the pain caused by arthritis. It is also an ingredient in herbal toothpastes as it acts as an antiseptic. The sharp fragrance of clove oil is said to be able to provide relief from headaches as well as induce alertness.

Rose: Rose oil is primarily used in the cosmetics industry because of its flowery scent. When burnt as incense sticks, it provides a soothing fragrance that is used to combat anxiety. Applying a preparation containing rose oil makes the skin suppler, and gives it a glow.

Peppermint: This is another oil that can be easily recognised by its scent. Peppermint is used to deal with gastric ailments like upset stomachs, indigestion, stomach aches, etc. Chewing on a peppermint lozenge gets rids of bad odours in the mouth and keeps your breath smelling sweet. In aromatherapy, it is used to refresh you and keep you energised.


Essential oils are beneficial if they are used carefully. Never apply or ingest a pure essential oil. If you plan to use them for medicinal purposes, always do so under the supervision of a qualified aromatherapist, who will guide and advise you on the proper way to use these wonderful products.

[MysteRy]

Healing Power of Ginger


Ginger is more than just a cooking spice. Read about the ailments that can be cured by using this little wonder.

Ginger is obtained from the plant Zingiber officinale. The term 'ginger' refers only to the edible part of the plant and not the entire plant itself. The edible part of the plant is called as the rhizome. This is a horizontal stem, which grows underground. Ginger was first grown in China. Today, cultivation of ginger takes place all over the world including India, West Africa, and the Caribbean islands.

The word ginger is derived from the Sanskrit word 'stringa-vera', which means horn-like body. This is because it resembles the antlers of a deer. This spice is mentioned in the writings of Confucius, the famous Chinese philosopher. It also finds a place in the Koran, which is the sacred book of the followers of Islam. It was one of the earliest known spices in Western Europe, with its use dating back to the ninth century A.D.

Healing Properties 

Consumption of ginger for medicinal purposes is primarily to aid in digestion. It contains calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, sodium, potassium, minerals as well as vitamins A, B complex, and C. Consumption of ginger encourages the gall bladder to release bile, which stimulates digestion. This increases the assimilation of nutrients from the food consumed. Besides helping digestion, ginger is also used to give symptomatic relief from stomach cramps, diarrhoea, and bloating caused due to gas.

Ginger gives relief from the nausea associated with morning sickness during pregnancy. It can also be used to treat nausea caused due to chemotherapy or seasickness. Ginger contains the volatile oils zingerone, shoagoles, and gingerols, which give it its characteristic odour and flavour. Laboratory tests conducted prove that the gingerols display analgesic and anti-bacterial properties.

Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to relieve pain in the joints caused due to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. To relieve arthritic pain, ginger is used externally, either in a bath or as a compress. To prepare a ginger bath, add a small quantity of boiling water to a slice or two of fresh ginger. Cover the vessel to prevent the volatile oils from evaporating into the atmosphere. After around ten minutes, add this mixture to your regular bath water.

Ginger can lower cholesterol levels in the body, which decreases high blood pressure and minimises the risk of a stroke. It also has blood thinning properties, which reduce the chances of heart disease.

Consumption of ginger makes the body feel warm and promotes perspiration. This property is especially useful when a person is suffering from a fever, since perspiration causes a fever to break faster. Consuming ginger is also beneficial if you have a cough, cold or a sore throat. The best way to consume ginger is in the form of a ginger tea. Boil two cups of water with two tablespoons of grated fresh ginger for around ten minutes. Strain the mixture into your cup. Add a teaspoon of honey and some lemon for taste.

Available Forms

Ginger is available in a variety of forms. Fresh ginger is the term given to entire, raw roots. These are pale yellow on the inside and have an outer skin that is a light brown or creamy white colour. A piece of the ginger rhizome is referred to as a 'hand'. Whole fresh roots are those that are plucked while they are still slightly immature. When removed from the plant, these roots have a light green outer skin colour. This form of ginger is especially popular in oriental markets.

Ginger is also available in dried form. It is usually sun-dried and is available either as a whole root or in a sliced form. A dried rhizome with the outer skin left on is black in colour while rhizomes without the outer skin are white colour. Dried roots may be ground to obtain powdered ginger. Fresh young roots can be peeled, sliced and cooked in sugar syrup to obtain preserved ginger, available in canned form. If the ginger is air dried after cooking in sugar syrup and then rolled in sugar, it is referred to as crystallized ginger.


The next time you have a sore throat, leave that bottle of medicine in your cabinet. Opt for a cup of delicious ginger tea instead. You will be back to feeling your best in no time.

[MysteRy]

Traditional Home Remedies


Members of the older generation in India relied heavily on Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. It was largely due to their experience and knowledge of the medicinal properties of various herbs. Read on.

Doctors at home

When one thinks of traditional home remedies one gets a cosy feeling associated with wise grandmothers and simple, natural ingredients like turmeric, ginger, pepper, and honey. Members of the older generation in India relied heavily on Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine, as they were not convinced of the efficacy and safety of modern allopathic treatments. It was largely due to their experience and knowledge of the medicinal properties of various herbs that they were able to treat common diseases like diarrhoea, gripes, cough, cold, fever, etc. Even today, it is quite common for parents to try to treat common illnesses at home by these methods rather than rush to the doctor at the first sneeze.

It is well known that the immune systems of babies below the age of one year are immature. Hence, they are very susceptible to falling sick with slight changes in weather, diet, etc. It is for this reason that most Indian households stock up on medicinal herbs to tackle common situations such as gripes in the middle of the night or a sudden rise in body temperature.
 

The First Step: Diagnosing the Problem

According to Indian tradition, whenever an infant cries abnormally for a long period of time, the first step should be to change his clothes and make him wear loose, comfortable, fresh clothing. It is advisable to avoid synthetic clothing as this affects the baby's sensitive skin and may cause itching and a rash. If the baby continues crying, lightly press the baby's stomach, ears and back. The baby will react immediately if it is experiencing pain in any of these areas.
 

Stomach ailments

If a baby (less than nine months of age) has a pain in the stomach, the recommended remedy is to crush 10 to 15 grains of dill seed in a teaspoonful of water. This extract should be mixed with a few drops of mother's milk and administered to the baby.

Another common stomach ailment is constipation. Everyone is aware how uncomfortable it is to be constipated. One loses one's appetite, feels that one's stomach is distended and dreads the next trip to the bathroom. If adults find constipation so discomfiting, one can only imagine what a baby must feel. Tradition has a cure for this too. Administer a few drops of castor oil mixed with a teaspoonful of mother's milk or lukewarm water. The dose of castor oil should be adjusted according to the age of the baby and the severity of the constipation. This once-a-day dose should be terminated once normal bowel movement has been restored.

 
Cold

Having a cold can be quite a nuisance, but for a baby it is particularly uncomfortable. There is a traditional method to alleviate the baby's discomfort. If the baby is less than six months old, take 4-5 nagarvel paans and place them on a sieve. Place the sieve on a cooking pan over a fire. 1 paan should be placed in the centre of the sieve to allow it to get moderately hot. These warm paans are then placed on the baby's chest one after another. However, make sure that the paans are not so hot that they burn the baby's skin. This procedure should be continued for about five minutes by re-heating the cooled paans.

In the case of babies over six months of age, one can use balls of soft cotton cloth in place of the paans. The balls of cloth should be heated on an indirect fire. The moderately warm balls of cloth should then be pressed gently against the baby's chest and back. Here again, make sure that the balls of cloth are at a temperature that will not affect the baby's tender skin. If it is not possible to heat the balls of cloth on an indirect fire, one can heat a piece of soft cotton cloth using a hot iron and then roll it into a ball.

[MysteRy]

Home Remedies for Diarrhoea in Infants


Teething is the most common cause for diarrhoea in infants. However, diarrhoea in infants can also be caused due to infection, viral gastroenteritis, bacteria etc. Diarrhoea in infants can be treated with home remedies. Read on to find home remedies for treating diarrhoea in infants.

Diarrhoea in infants can make them weak as they get dehydrated easily and faster than adults. So, it is important for every parent to become conscious and learn few things so that they can save their child from getting into serious complications. This knowledge might prove beneficial at any point of time.

The symptoms of diarrhoea in infants are frequent watery stools, irritation, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite, weakness in the body and vomiting. In severe cases even puss and blood passes in stool. The causes behind infant diarrhoea can be infection, viral gastroenteritis, bacteria and many more. Here are some of the home remedies for treating diarrhoea in infants.


Tips to Treat Infant Diarrhoea

Have a quick look at the tips for treating diarrhoea in infants.

Hydration is the Key – Remember feeding your child with the ORS or oral rehydration solution in every 20 – 25 minutes. You can make the solution at home by mixing 8 tea spoons of sugar and 1 tea spoon of salt to 1 liter of water. Keep the solution safe and feed your child with little amount at a time throughout the day.

Continue Breastfeeding – For mothers who are breastfeeding their infants, they should continue feeding them. This will save the child from getting dehydrated.

Diet – Infants who have started solid food can be given a mixture of carrot and banana. Soups in which sugar and salt are mixed should be given. You can give banana, rice, yogurt, buttermilk and small amount of apple juice. Avoid giving your child a heavy meal. Feed him with small quantities a number of times. This will put less pressure on the digestive system and relieve the system too.

Gripe Water – This is a certified remedy especially if the diarrhoea is due to teething. Make sure the gripe water is certified and organic one to save your child from any kind of adverse effect.


Home Remedies for Infant Diarrhoea

Here are some home remedies for diarrhoea in infants.

Offer buttermilk eliminating other dairy products from diet.

Give mixture of honey and dried ginger powder to the infant every few hours. This will help curbing diarrhoea.

Equal amount of dried aniseed and sugar also helps. Keep this mixture on the tongue of your child every one hour.

Give pomegranate juice at regular intervals. This will help in rehydrating the child.

Cut one apple and boil it in water till it is tender. Add one teaspoon of sugar and 2 pinches of nutmeg. Feed the child with the mixture.

Add 3 cups of water to one chopped papaya. Boil for 10 minutes and then strain the papaya from water. Feed 2 teaspoons four times a day.

Avoid giving peaches, plums and apricots.

Yogurt is the only dairy product that works as binder and aids the digestive system and helps to cure diarrhoea.


Look for the cause because teething is the most common cause behind infant diarrhoea. Give your child a clean organic teething toy or massage the gums of your child with clean hands. This will relax the baby and provide comfort.

The most important thing is that you should not wait for long. If your child is not responding to the home remedies or is having high fever along with uncontrolled diarrhoea, you should immediately contact your pediatrician. Perhaps he needs professional care and medication. Get immediate medical attention.

[MysteRy]

Home Remedies


Counter constipation, diarrhoea and other stomach problems with the help of Mother Nature. Here are some home remedies to prevent and cure stomach ailments.

A balanced combination of a healthy diet, avoidance of excess of caffienated drinks and a moderate level of physical activity are vital factors for the prevention of constipation. If your baby or young child is acutely constipated, apply some oil like coconut oil in and around the anus with your little finger.

You may also use child suppositories (capsule shaped medicines with gel). Insert them a couple of inches inside your child's rectum. After inserting the suppository, let your child clench his legs and buttocks for a few moments. These must not be used if your child has severe abdominal pain. Glycerine containing suppositories, available as OTC preparations, are perfectly safe and can be used in young infants also. But suppositories should not be given often.

Isabgol husk is a widely used bulk agent and can be used once in a while for children above 5 to 6 years along with a glass of water, milk or a cup of curds. One to two teaspoons can be given once or twice a day.

Make sure to give your child lots of liquids like water (room temperature or lukewarm), nimbu pani, buttermilk and coconut water, to promote bowel movement.

Take a ripe tomato (small), and boil it in about half glass of water. After it is nicely cooked, squeeze and extract the juice and filter the seeds and skin. Add a pinch of salt and give about 3 - 4 spoons of this extract every day. The stool pattern will become normal. 
 

Homemade baby foods for diarrhoea

Rice Kanji
Boil a little water and add 30 grams (or a handful) of rice powder to make the solution into a thin liquid. Add one level teaspoon of salt and water to this liquid to make it up to 1 litre. 
 

Water, sugar and salt solution
This solution is an essential medicine for diarrhoea. It is necessary for adults as well as for children and infants. Prepare the solution according to the instructions given below, and make sure you taste it. It should not be too salty. Add lime juice (sour/sweet) or orange juice to taste.   
 

Adults
For 1 litre of water (roughly three soft drink bottles or cans) add 1 level teaspoon of salt and 8 level teaspoons of sugar. Mix and taste. 
 

Children
For 1 litre of water, add 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 8 level teaspoons of sugar.  Mix and taste. 
 

Infants
For 1 litre of water, add 3/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of sugar.  Mix and taste.