If you are experiencing pain in your joints and/or muscles, the cause could be something minor, but you don’t want the discomfort. Before reaching for pills, here are some natural ways to deal with your pain.

Maybe you have just started working out again or have started a new job that is very physical. You may go home with sore, aching muscles. Those muscle aches can also be a result of the effects of aging.

How to Stop Aching Muscles

Ever had a knotted muscle? It can be painful to deal with. Even stretching out that muscle is difficult to do. But, here are some ways to get relief fast:

* Cold compress – Applying cold to a muscle numbs and dulls the pain. Nerve endings can’t send messages to the brain. It is a little startling at first, but after about twenty minutes your muscle will calm down.

* Hot compress – Now that you have your pain under control, applying heat will unknot the muscle. You can use a heat patch or a hot water bottle, if you prefer. During this phase, give your muscle a little kneading. You can work the kink out of your muscle and increase elasticity in the muscle.

* Massage – It may be hard for you to knead your own muscles when they ache. Go to a professional. Let them know where you are carrying your pain and they can recommend the proper massage technique. Sometimes the knot is deep in the muscle and requires special attention to get relief.

How to Stop Aching Joints

Each time you move, there is a creaking sound. Here are some ways to stop the pain without medication:

* Non-weight bearing exercises – For many, there is nothing that can be done medically for them. The reason for the joint pain is weak muscles or ligaments surrounding the joint. One exercise that is good is swimming. The natural resistance of the water can help strengthen weaknesses without adding to your pain. Also, performing flexibility movements that target specific muscles and ligaments can stop the transfer of pain to the joints.

* Increase nutrition – Weaknesses can be due to a lack of nutrients in the diet. Increase levels of antioxidants and protein to nourish muscles and joints. Increasing omega-3 fatty acids can reduce incidents of inflammation in the body. Eating more cold water fish can help.

* Acupuncture – This is an alternative therapy that can release pain in the joints by removing blockages that stop the flow of life-giving energy to the body. The procedure is virtually pain free and new sterile needles are used each time. Some clients feel less joint pain after only a few sessions.

Are you dealing with aching muscles or painful joints? Look for natural remedies to heal your pain.

It’s also important to eat more magnesium-rich foods, and adding them into your diet really isn’t difficult. These would include dried apricots, leafy green vegetables, sesame seeds, black beans, broccoli, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, cooked spinach, whole grain cereal, and whole wheat bread.

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.

It’s not called “common” for nothing. Before long, millions of people will be affected by the common cold or the flu. Some people use traditional methods to stay healthy, including watching what they eat, and keeping their immune system strong with certain foods and herbs. You may want to try some of these “super foods” to keep colds at bay this winter.

Colds and flu are similar in that they’re both respiratory illnesses. They also have some of the same symptoms. While there are similarities, such as both being viral infections, there are also differences.

Symptoms from colds generally begin slowly, and consist of runny or stuffy noses, wet or productive coughs, mild fatigue, and slight body aches.

Flu, on the other hand, makes itself know quickly (often within three to six hours); symptoms include fever, more severe body aches, chills, moderate fatigue, dry or burning cough, severe chest congestion, and headache.

Obviously, preventing a cold is preferable to treating one and you can do much to reduce your chances of catching a cold: washing your hands with hot soapy water, avoiding touching your eyes or nose, getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and maintaining a healthy diet. In fact, adding vitamin and mineral-rich super foods to your daily diet can be your front line to avoiding a cold this season.

Start by incorporating more immune-boosting foods such as garlic, onions, mushrooms, fish, oats, tea, and even Mom’s home-made chicken soup. You could also include vibrant fruits such as blueberries, oranges, raisins, and kiwi fruit.

California avocados, ginger, horseradish, and turmeric round out the foods you’d want to add to increase your immune system. Of course, you’d be hard-pressed to find a recipe that incorporated all of these foods at once, and you probably wouldn’t want to. But a little bit each week should help keep your immune system strong.

Sinus congestion and infections are common throughout the year, and nearly everyone will have them at one point or another in their lives.

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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Some people were told to gargle with warm salt water as a child when they had the first sign of a sore throat. This practice has been debated due to some concerns about further damage being caused to already irritated tissues. The consensus seems to be more recently that gargling with warm salt water is still a good idea. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water and then gargle. TO kill even more germs, add a tablespoon of Listerine to the mixture. You can also add lemon juice, as above.

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.

People get sore throats for all sorts of reasons, especially this time of year. They may have yelled too much during a sporting event, developed allergies with post nasal drip, talked too much, or been around people who smoke.

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.

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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