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.

All women will have a menstrual cycle from their teen years into their 40s and later. The vast majority of women also experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Simply put, their hormones are fluctuating all over the place.

Many women want to know how to improve hormone harmony naturally during PMS. Some men may want to know, too, so they can help the women in their lives to get over this distressing and often debilitating condition.

There are several things you can do to balance your hormones naturally to avoid, or lessen the symptoms of PMS:

* Start with a low-fat, high fiber diet. Beans and lentils are great choices to add during your monthly cycle. They are rich in B vitamins, high in fiber, and provide a number of minerals your body needs.
Some people also believe they increase the level of serotonin which calms the brain. If you’re eating lower fat foods, you’re also helping your body produce less estrogen which may ease some of PMS’s symptoms – including anxiety and irritability.

* Reduce sodium in your diet, particularly if you tend to retain water. The problem is many of the foods women crave leading up to their periods are chock full of sodium. Many experts recommend limiting your sodium intake to less than 2,000 mg per day. Too much sodium in the diet can lead to water retention, abdominal bloating, and breast tenderness, which most women would like to avoid during this time of the month.

Onions, mushrooms, and grapefruit are all good examples of foods which can reduce water retention in the body naturally, for added comfort, less water weight gain, and less of a bloated and cramped sensation.

* Get plenty of exercise. Exercise does more than improve your general overall health. Spending 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week in an aerobic exercise increases the endorphins in your system, and this helps improve your mood.

* Take time to meditate. Meditation can help reduce tension headaches and reduce other physical complaints women generally have during PMS. If you meditate consistently you may notice a reduction in the discomfort generally felt during the time leading to menstruation.

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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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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.

You notice that you have gotten a paper cut or scraped your arm on something and torn the skin.  A cut can be a serious matter.  It creates an opening in your body where one shouldn’t be, which bacteria can use to make you sick.

When you get a cut, what do you do?  Most people head to their medicine cabinet or the store for something to heal the cut.  Before going there, consider a more natural remedy that could be around your house or as close as the neighborhood health store.

Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years to treat everything from cuts to digestive ailments.  Before there were proper manufactured medicines like we have today, there was the earth and the bounty it provided.  The earth is still here and the herbal remedies are just as useful today.  Herbal remedies have fewer side effects than some more modern products, and work for people with tons of allergies to medications.  Here are some common types:

1.  Tea tree oil ñ this essential oil has been called a quintessential treatment.  Tea tree oil stimulates the immune system by attacking bacteria, viruses and fungi that invade the body through all sorts of means.  It can be applied to a cut to encourage healing and scar tissue formation.  As soon as the wound has begun to heal, apply the oil directly to the area instead of using a bandage.  The wound can heal naturally and get air at the same time.

2.  Calendula  this is the name of a plant that is similar to marigolds.  The leaves and the petals have been used to heal wounds.  Calendula cream is sold over the counter as an anti-itch and anti-inflammatory for poison ivy.  Cuts can get dry as they heal and cause itching.  Inflammation makes a cut itchy and red also.  A salve can be applied to healing cuts to moisturize the skin and kill any bacteria still lingering.  Don’t apply calendula to infected or weeping wounds.

3.  Myrrh ñ this plant is mentioned in the Bible.  In ancient times it was used as a healing agent.  The sap from the tree is beneficial as an antibacterial agent.  Applying myrrh to a cut helps to speed healing in the body.

4.  Aloe Vera he aloe plant has long been a staple for healing.  It is great for burns but also for cuts.  As a cut heals it can also hurt.  Taking a piece of the succulent aloe plant and rubbing it on a cut encourages circulation and healing.  The juice of the plant also reduces inflammation and pain.

After you get a cut, decide how you will treat it to get the best and fastest healing possible.  Herbal remedies allow for healing in a natural way without extra ingredients and chemicals.