Many people suffer from arthritis. Before eating each meal, drink a glass of water mixed with two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. This won’t reduce arthritis pain immediately but after two to three weeks you should notice a marked difference in the amount and severity of the pain.

Do you or someone in your family suffer from an upset stomach? Drink a cup of water containing two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. This will help cure an upset stomach.

Yeast infections are a common ailment among many women. You can prevent a yeast infection naturally by making a douche with one quart of warm water and adding one tablespoon of vinegar. The vinegar will help readjust the pH level of the vagina to combat the infection.

If using the power of acid as a natural healer, try to find a non-distilled variety rather than distilled vinegars. Distilled vinegar can be helpful in many instances, but to get the most healing from vinegar, select raw, non-distilled vinegar. It may cost a little more and be more difficult to find, but isn’t your health worth it?

Even with the amazing medical strides in recent years, sometimes the simplest and most natural solutions are best. Take vinegar, for instance. The power of acetic acid in vinegar has been shown to be effective for healing for centuries.

People planning a trip to the beach probably want to include a bottle of vinegar in their first aid kit. Why would they want to do this? Vinegar poured directly over jellyfish stings is extremely effective at reducing the pain. You can also dot vinegar on a bee or mosquito sting to reduce the pain associated with them.

Add a cup of vinegar to warm water. Pour this over your hair after you shampoo and it will remove any soap or sebum oil remaining on your hair. It will also restore the acid mantel. If you have brunette hair, vinegar will also add natural highlights.

Don’t you hate having the hiccups? Some people count to ten while holding their breath to get rid of them. Others try a teaspoon of sugar or peanut butter. Try swallowing a tablespoon of vinegar. It’s said to stop the hiccups instantly.

Lightly rub vinegar on any area of the skin affected by sunburn to relieve the pain. If the pain reappears, reapply more vinegar.

Add a teaspoon of vinegar to a glass of warm water. Gargle and then swallow the water and vinegar mixture. This will soothe a sore throat.

Put one-fourth of a cup of apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Add one-fourth cup of honey. Stir them together and take one tablespoon of this mixture six to eight times a day to help you get over a cold quicker.

Speaking of colds, you can relieve the cough associated with them by mixing one-half cup of apple cider vinegar, one-half cup of water, one teaspoon of cayenne pepper, and four teaspoons of honey. Stir these ingredients until they are thoroughly incorporated.

When you start coughing, take one tablespoon of the mixture. You may want to take another at bedtime to help control coughing during the night.

Sinus infections can also be treated naturally with vinegar. Add one-fourth of a cup of vinegar to a vaporizer and use it. This will moisten the sinuses and reduce the effects of chest colds.

* You can also use relaxation techniques such as deep breathing exercises when dealing with PMS. If you’re more relaxed your body will produce less cortisol – a stress hormone which may cause you to retain excess weight.

* Try acupressure to relieve headaches, bloating, and menstrual cramps. By using pressure points along the neck, abdomen, and foot you can reduce the symptoms of PMS. You can learn more about acupressure by researching it on the internet or finding someone who performs acupressure.

* Limit or eliminate alcohol. Alcohol has been shown to affect the liver, which is the body’s first line of defense in fighting viruses and bacteria. A strong liver will also allow the production of estrogen to increase, which results in premenstrual syndrome. The liver is also partially responsible for the production of prostaglandins which regulate contractions of the uterus leading to cramping.

· Herbal teas. Certain over the counter teas, such as the Yogi brand of tea, contain herbs and vitamins that can help relieve PMS.
It seems everything you do from diet and exercise to how you relax can affect your hormones. When your hormones are out of balance you may notice more symptoms associated with PMS. By improving hormonal harmony during PMS you can reduce the symptoms and feel better.

Alternative Cures is a compilation of experience and knowledge from over 300 of America’s top doctors, herbalists, nutritionists, homeopaths and naturopaths. It is an A-Z of conditions and cures using the most effective natural home remedies.

Whether you are suffering from sinusitis, warts, acne, chronic fatigue, flu, shyness, heart disease, chapped lips or age spots, the book offers more than a 1,000 remedies to help you to combat symptoms.

The book also informs you about the benefits of alternative healing including acupressure, acupuncture, herbal therapy, flower essences, traditional Chinese medicine, breath therapy, music therapy and others. The book includes an illustrated guide to acupressure points and guidelines for safe use of remedies described in the book.
Alternative Cures: More than 1,000 of the Most Effective Natural Home Remedies

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So once you have established whether or not your child has a fever, now it’s time to take steps to bring the child’s fever down safely.
There are natural things you can do to bring down a fever without resorting to using fever-reducing medicines.

* If you are concerned about your child’s temperature, you can try bathing them or giving them a sponge bath with lukewarm water. Bathe the child in a few inches of warm water; the act of the water evaporating is what actually cools the child. Keep the bath short, no longer than ten minutes, and don’t give them more than once an hour. Never use cold water or rubbing alcohol to try to bring a child’s fever down.

* Ensure your child has plenty of clear, non-caffeinated liquids or juice. This will keep your child hydrated and urinating. If they refuse a drink, you may want to offer them a popsicle; very few children will turn one of those down. The easiest way to determine if your child is hydrated enough is to look at the color of their urine. It will be light-colored and they will urinate at least once every four hours. Pedialyte is an excellent way of quickly restoring electrolyte balance in a dehydrated child.

* Let them rest. It’s not unusual for children who are feverish to want to sleep and rest. Keep them home from school if they’re running a temperature because that’s usually when most people are contagious. Give them quiet activities such as coloring, watching television or a video, or playing with toys.

* Don’t overdress your child if they’re feverish. Overdressing your child doesn’t allow the body to cool itself through perspiration evaporating from the skin. It also causes the body to become warmer. Dressing your child in a single layer of clothing (pajamas or lightweight clothing) and a sheet will probably be plenty.

There are times you may want to use a fever reducer to bring your child’s temperature down. Remember, however, to never give a child aspirin to bring down a fever as it could result in the child developing Reyes Syndrome. You also don’t want to use adult medicines when trying to keep a fever down in children.

When in doubt, always call your doctor, but otherwise, there are steps you can take quickly, easily and safely at home to reduce your child’s fever and set them on the road to recovery.

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Do you or someone in your family have eczema or another common skin problem? If you look at the ingredients on commercial skin treatments, you may find evening primrose oil listed on the label. This powerful oil has been proven effective for treating rashes, dry skin, eczema, and even acne.

Evening primrose oil is taken orally over the course of the day to treat eczema or atopic dermatitis. It can be given to children and adults. Dosages are generally determined by weight and guidelines are printed on the label.

Another benefit of evening primrose oil is the anti-inflammatory properties in has. If you or someone you know suffers from osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, you may want to suggest they supplement their diet with evening primrose oil. Reports show those taking this supplement have decreased inflammation and joint swelling.

Diabetes and diabetic neuropathy are common today due to more and more people developing Type 2 diabetes. Evening primrose oil has been shown to reduce the tingling, numbness, and sensation of loss that diabetics with neuropathy can suffer from. By supplementing the diet, evening primrose may help prevent the nerve damage associated with diabetes. The diabetics you know will thank you for suggesting they take this.

Evening primrose oil has been used for centuries and is a proven remedy for many common ailments.
You’ll find evening primrose at many larger discount stores in the pharmacy section, at pharmacies, and at health food stores. If you can find evening primrose plants, you may even want to learn how to make your own herbal remedies. Now you know about the benefits of evening primrose oil, you might want to get some for yourself.
We recommend this pack due to its high concentration and great value: Source Naturals Evening Primrose Oil, 1350 mg, Softgels, 120 softgels (Pack of 2)

Health care is a major issue in the news these days. Turn on the television and someone is most likely talking about it.

Whether you are fortunate enough to have health insurance or not, you are probably concerned with your health and that of your family. For those looking for alternatives to traditional medicine, you may want to look into the benefits of evening primrose oil.

Evening primrose has been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years among Native American tribes. Medical science has been studying this herb and found that it has healing properties which may be beneficial for a number of illnesses and conditions.

While all parts of the evening primrose plant can be used medicinally, it is the oil from this flowering plant that is most effective. Evening primrose oil is made by gathering the seeds of the plant and pressing them to release the oil. This oil contains gamma linolenic acid (GLA) which is an essential fatty acid.

One of the many uses of evening primrose oil is to counteract the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. This oil contains eight to ten percent GLA which is higher than many plants.

By using evening primrose, many women notice breast pain, bloating, depression, and cramps are reduced each month. Some women have even found the symptoms have disappeared altogether. There are a number of different formulas available. Follow the oral dosing instructions on the package to receive the most benefit from this oil.

Best of all, you can get it in a high concentrate for a not very high price. Comparison shop-we recommend this great value pack from Source Naturals:
Source Naturals Evening Primrose Oil, 1350 mg, Softgels, 120 softgels (Pack of 2)

Garlic may also bolster the immune system as a whole, which could mean garlic could help the body fight off illnesses that modern antibiotics aren’t appropriate for. You can find many supplements on the market which contain garlic. Quite often it’s mixed with Echinacea, which also acts to boost the immune system.

You don’t have to wait until you’re in the throes of a cold or the flu to start taking garlic. In fact, if you start taking garlic pills or eating garlic regularly, before you catch a cold or flu, it may be even more effective by preventing the infection in the first place.

Some research recommends taking large amounts of garlic to reduce recovery time if you get sick, but you may want to discuss doing so with a doctor, since garlic tablets can interfere with some prescriptions, particularly with regard to how they interact in the stomach and are digested.

Eating raw garlic is probably the best way to get the most benefit from it; however, making a tincture of 1/4 pound of peeled and separated garlic in 1/2 quart of brandy might be less offensive to others.

Place the ingredients in a clean glass jar with a lid. Seal the jar tightly and shake the mixture every day for two weeks. After the time is up, strain the jar and put the tincture in a bottle with a dropper. Take 25-30 drops a day to build up immunity.

You can also make a cough syrup out of garlic. Slice a pound of garlic and place it into a glass bowl. Pour one quart of boiling water over it and allow it to sit for 12 hours. Drain the water and add sugar to it until a syrup consistency is obtained. You can also add honey to make it taste better. Use this in place of over-the-counter cough syrups.

While you can get odorless garlic tablets so your breath isn’t offensive, some of the essential ingredients which make garlic beneficial are removed in these. Taking enteric-coated garlic tablets will enable the garlic to remain intact until it reaches the location in the digestive tract where flu bugs, or viruses, reside.

If you’ve wondered how garlic can fight off flu bugs, it does so by having antibacterial, antiviral, and antibiotic properties. Start taking garlic before the cold weather sets in, to build up your immune system. If you do get a cold or the flu, keep taking it. The illness may not stick around as long as if you fight it with garlic.

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The cold and flu season is upon us and many people prefer to use natural methods to fend off germs and stay well. You may have heard about effective natural remedies. One of the suggested remedies is garlic. Can garlic fight off cold and flu bugs to keep you feeling great during the colder months of the year?

Flu, no matter which strain, can be dangerous if your body is already weakened due to other medical conditions or a weakened immune system. However, most people who come down with the flu usually recover within a week or so.

Of course, you know to cover your mouth if you sneeze or cough, wash your hands often, get plenty of fluids, eat a healthy diet, and get plenty of rest when you feel a cold or flu coming on. You can also add garlic to your repertoire of cold and flu season remedies.

Garlic has been used for hundreds of years in herbal medicine because it is a broad spectrum antibiotic. While doctors won’t generally prescribe antibiotics for viruses, garlic is much more than an antibiotic. The compound allicin has powerful antibacterial and antiviral properties which may provide more benefits than fighting off a flu bug.

If you suffer from heartburn you are not alone.  It can turn a relaxing meal into a four-alarm fire inside your body.  For those who are suffering with heartburn, here are fifteen foods that may be safe for you to eat.

What is heartburn?  Another name for heartburn is acid reflux.  Heartburn occurs when acid from the stomach moves backwards from the stomach, up into the esophagus.  When stomach acid comes in contact with such delicate tissue it can cause pain and discomfort.  Left untreated, heartburn can cause problems such as esophageal strictures due to the erosion of the lining there.

No one wants that to happen.  You may take medicine to control your heartburn, but the simplest thing you can do is learn what foods you can and cannot eat.  While most of the foods we will discuss here are on the heartburn-free side, each person is different.  Some foods that may really irritate your stomach and lead to heartburn may not faze someone else.

The way to know more about your heartburn is to find out your triggers.  These are foods, time of day and other situations that trigger heartburn.  Keep a journal of daily meal times and ingredients in foods to chart when heartburn occurs.

In the meantime, here are some foods that you can start with.  Just because you have heartburn doesn’t mean you have to starve or give up good taste.

1. Apples and bananas. T hese fruits do not contain a lot of citric acid.

2. Broccoli. Roughage cleans out your digestive system and contains lots of fiber.

3. Bread. You can eat white or multi-grain, but multi-grain is better for your health.

4. Extra lean red meat Cutting away the fat can keep that food from causing heartburn.

5. Graham crackers. They make a nice healthy snack.

6. Chicken breasts without skin. Lean meat can be cooked with the skin if it is removed prior to eating.

7. Fat-free cheese choices like low-fat cream cheese. Too much fat can get the heartburn going again.

8. Water. It hydrates the body.  If you don’t like water, add a flavoring packet.

9. Low-fat salad dressing. They do not contain the same fat content but will have the same taste yet with fewer calories.

10. Cookies. Many sweets have to be avoided but you can have a few like cookies, licorice and jelly beans.

11. Oatmeal and bran cereals.

12. Pretzels. The salted kinds are okay but avoid flavored ones.

13. Fish. Bake your fish to avoid adding fat.

14. Egg whites. Boil the eggs and discard the yolk.

15. Potato chips or baked potato. Stay away from the greasier form of chips or fried French fries.

Use these fifteen foods as a start for your diet.  Continue to monitor what you eat and when to keep heartburn at bay.