Having enough magnesium is essential for over 325 different biochemical reactions in your body, including producing energy from the foods we eat, enabling muscles to relax, and regulating blood pressure.

When taking magnesium, it is also helpful to increase calcium intake as calcium will enable more of the vitamins and minerals to enter the bones. Calcium-rich foods such as almonds, tofu, plain yogurt, oats, and seafood can easily be used in a daily diet. If you have a cold already, you may want to avoid the obvious calcium food – milk – as it can make post nasal drainage worse.

Don’t forget to include foods such as carrots, garlic, onions, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, tuna, natural peanut butter, bananas, cantaloupe, kiwi, citrus fruits, brown rice, oatmeal, flaxseed, black beans, and lentils. These are high in vitamins B6 and B12 which may help you recover from a cold quicker. In addition, some of them have vitamin C, long thought to be helpful in the case of colds, and zinc, also now believed to be beneficial in warding off colds, or helping a person recover more quickly from a cold.

Many people believe it’s easier to get the vitamins and minerals they need from over-the-counter products. You can do that, but it is more desirable to get your nutrition from natural sources.

So if you are concerned about your family’s health this winter, you can take preventive steps, and acan also easily eat some of these super foods to keep colds at bay this winter. Let’s face it, super foods taste better than the nutrients which come out of a bottle, so you’ll also be able to enjoy getting and staying healthy during cold season.

Some people experience them so often the condition is considered chronic. Most people choose to treat chronic sinus infections with traditional methods, but some choose holistic treatments. What is the difference, and is one better than the other?

If you’ve ever had a sinus infection, you know the symptoms: headache, facial pain and heaviness, low grade fever, fatigue, or stuffy ears. You may feel like your head weighs a ton and you’re miserable. You also want to find relief so you can get back to your life and feel better.

Doctors will often prescribe an antihistamine or decongestant if you visit them to consult with them about your sinus infection. These medications will help keep your sinus passages open; they also allow the congestion to drain.

Some people use over-the-counter decongestant nasal sprays, but using them for more than three days at a time can lead your sinuses to become dependent upon the spray to remain open. The possibility of becoming “addicted” to these sprays is so great that it would be best to talk with your doctor or nurse about using them at all.

You may notice your sinus pressure and discomfort lessening after you take a warm shower. This is because the moist heat loosens the congestion and allows it to drain. Using a damp, warm washcloth placed on the forehead or over the bridge of the nose and onto the cheeks (where sinuses are located) can also help. Be careful about the temperature of the cloth, however, as you don’t want to burn yourself.

Non-traditional and holistic treatments vary. Some of them include, but are not limited to:

* Aromatherapy which uses essential oils from flowers, fruits, and herbs to alleviate sinus congestion. Common essential oils to treat sinuses are eucalyptus or benzoin.

* Ear acupuncture, or auricular therapy, is used to stimulate a precise point on the ear by applying direct pressure. Since the ear has many nerve endings and blood vessels, manipulating the right spot can aide in natural healing and achieving proper balance within the body.

* Color light therapy is another holistic approach which may help those suffering from chronic sinus infections. Claims are made that unhealthy bodies can be made better by concentrating on specific colors to achieve healing. Those suffering from chronic sinus infections can get relief with green-colored light.

* Herbal remedies have been shown to be effective in treating sinus infections and many other conditions. Mullein has decongestant properties and will also soothe the mucous membranes. Walnut leaf tea helps stop nasal discharge and post nasal drip. Stinging nettle is a natural antihistamine. Blood root is used to treat nasal congestion and sneezing.

* Mesotherapy, which is used primarily in France, involves injecting tiny doses of medication into the affected area. Herbal and homeopathic medications are also used. This allows the sinuses to drain and is proven to be helpful in treating sinus pain and migraine headaches.

Both methods of treating chronic sinus infections can be effective. Is one better than the other? That depends on who you listen to. Traditional medicine is more widely accepted and easy to obtain. Holistic treatments, on the other hand, may not be readily available where you live.

Ultimately, the choice of which treatment to use to treat chronic sinus infections is up to you, but at least you have a better understanding of the options to be able to make an informed decision.

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You may also want to try a gargle made with hot water, powdered ginger, lemon juice, and honey. The ginger has anti-inflammatory properties, and honey is a natural antibiotic. Add the astringent properties of the lemons and you have the perfect sore throat gargle.

Add one teaspoon each or powdered ginger and honey to 1/2 cup hot water and the juice of 1/2 lemon. Of course, you may want to use the same ingredients in tea, instead.

Cooler weather often brings sore throats for young and old alike. Learning how to soothe a sore throat naturally can not only solve your sore throat problems, but it can also save you money.

There’s a reason people have been using these tried-and-true remedies for sore throats – they’ve been proven to work. Why not try one of these remedies the next time your throat feels sore? It will save time, and money.

Generally speaking, they also accompany colds and flu as well. Whatever the reason, many people want to know how to soothe a sore throat naturally, especially when the weather gets colder.

Sore throats are caused by inflammation to the back of the throat. Generally it’s more a nuisance than anything, but it can develop into something more serious. Dryness, burning in the throat, painful swallowing, and hoarseness are often associated with sore throats.

They can be caused by bacterial of viral infections and be part of the common cold or flu, as well as more serious diseases such as mumps, measles, and tonsillitis. There are a number of different ways to treat your sore throat naturally without spending a lot.

You can purchase sore throat lozenges or sprays to help a sore throat feel better, but why spend the money when there are a number of options you can try from the comfort of your own home for pennies instead of big bucks. These tried and true natural remedies may be right at hand, as the ingredients are commonly found in most homes.

Gargling with lemon juice in water is one of the most common home remedies for dealing with sore throats. The juice acts as an astringent which helps shrink the swollen tissues in the throat. It also creates a hostile environment for bacteria and viruses to live, much less thrive.

Mix a teaspoon of lemon juice into a cup of water. Fresh lemon juice is best, but pre-squeezed lemon juice you can find in the store will work just as well. To make the gargle even more effective, use warm water. It will soothe the throat as well as provide the above benefits.

Laryngitis can occur for a number of reasons. The less serious form, acute laryngitis, may be caused by too much strain on the vocal cords, postnasal drip, allergies, inhaling caustic chemicals, or inhaling smoke fumes. Chronic laryngitis, or that which is more severe, may be caused by excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, or being exposed to dust or chemical irritants over a long period of time. Someone with chronic laryngitis may develop the condition due to sinusitis, bronchitis, allergies, or nasal polyps.
 
What to do when your voice goes

The best thing you can do for your voice if it goes is to avoid talking as much as possible. This will give your vocal cords an opportunity to rest and heal. You may also want to inhale steam from a bowl of hot water or shower.

Warm, soothing drinks such as tea with honey may also help. Avoid situations where you’ll be around smokers or chemical fumes. Use over-the-counter pain relievers or sore throat lozenges to help ease the pain during recovery.
 
Natural remedies may also provide some relief from laryngitis. You may have seen eucalyptus in some of the over-the-counter lozenges. Make a tea with fresh eucalyptus leaves to soothe the throat and treat laryngitis.

You may also want to use chamomile tea, which will also help relieve chest colds and sore throat. Peppermint tea would also help soothe and calm laryngitis. Ginger is another herbal remedy which may provide laryngitis relief. Some herbalists swear by garlic as the best home remedy for laryngitis, sore throat, or sinusitis.

When you’re suffering with laryngitis, for whatever reason, you’re miserable. You want to be able to talk buy may not be able to be heard. Understanding laryngitis, what causes it, and what to do if you have it can make enduring it less bothersome. It’s also helpful to know there are natural remedies you can try to make the wait less painful. Remember laryngitis generally lasts less than seven days but if you want help for laryngitis, these ideas may provide the relief you need.

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?

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.

* 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.

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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* 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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