Natural Bad Breath Remedies

September 28, 2010 By Natural Health Reporter Leave a Comment

If you have a bad breath problem, you’ve probably tried to cover it up with throat sprays. Well, those can temporarily work, but they don’t actually fix the problem. Before you can try true natural bad breath remedies, though, the first step is to identify what is causing your bad breath.

Bad breath can generally be caused by one of two problems. The first problem is with the digestive system, which can cause an odor to rise up and come out through the mouth. The second is, of course, a problem in the mouth itself. So, here are some treatment tips, based on which form you have.

In The Mouth

The first thing to do, if you have a problem with your mouth, is talk to your dentist. Whether it’s an abscess, an infection or some other problem, the dentist can help. So, don’t be afraid to tell them that you have a halitosis (bad breath) problem.

One way to prevent a bad odor in your mouth is to brush thoroughly and often. By thoroughly, I mean brushing your teeth, gums and tongue. Some toothbrushes come with attachments for brushing the tongue specifically, in fact.

Another thing you can do is steep some parsley or fenugreek in water. Allow it to cool and then use it as a mouth rinse a few times a day. Both fenugreek and parsley neutralize odors. In fact, you can even chew on some parsley throughout the day, if you want to.

Another way to help yourself naturally cure bad breath is to simply eat more fruits and vegetables and reduce how many dairy products and red meats you eat. Canker sores, infections of the gums and other mouth problems are less likely to occur that way, since your mouth will be a more alkaline environment. That, of course, also means less risk of odors.

Digestive System

If you have a major digestive problem, such as acid reflux, treatment is a bit different. If you have other issues, like stomach ulcers, it can also be a major problem. In such cases, it’s best to talk to your doctor. Treating that problem should help to reduce the odor.

Of course, sometimes you can show no signs of illness and still have bad breath. In those cases, it’s best to examine what you’re eating. As mentioned above, fruits and vegetables can be very helpful.

Remember that fruit should always be eaten on its own or to start off a meal. That’s because eating it after you have protein or fatty foods in your system can cause it to take longer to go through your body. In other words, it can ferment in your stomach and go from being one of the best bad breath remedies to a cause of a major bad breath disaster.

Filed Under Natural Remedies Tagged With bad breath remedy, cure bad breath, halitosis remedy, natural bad breath remedies, natural remedy for bad breath

Exploring Jet Lag Remedies

September 24, 2010 By Natural Health Reporter Leave a Comment

If you’ve ever traveled a long distance by plane, you may have experienced jet lag. If not, you have to at least have heard of it. You might assume that making rapid time changes and being exhausted from it is unavoidable. Not only can you avoid it, though, but it’s actually necessary. So, how about exploring some jet lag remedies?

Defining Jet Lag

Jet lag is known, in medical circles, as desynchronosis. The easiest way to explain it is that it happens when the clock inside your body, called the circadian rhythm, gets messed up. Typically, that happens when you cross several time zones by plane.

Of course, time zones are split by vertical lines that separate the globe into sections. That means that you get jet lag by traveling east to west or west to east. You won’t get it by going north to south or south to north, since you don’t actually cross any time zones that way.

Jet Lag Symptoms

Most people think of jet lag as causing extreme tiredness. That’s not all there is to it, though. It actually tends to cause tiredness during the day, but inability to sleep at night. For someone who needs to be on the go for a business meeting or similar event, that can be a real problem.

In addition to all that, some cases of jet lag can cause severe headaches. Others can cause mood swings, depression and stomach ailments. So, it can be a really serious and annoying problem, even if it is temporary.

Speed Matters

When you cross a time zone in a car, it can upset your circadian rhythm, but not by much. That’s because you’re only crossing one time zone and you’re doing so at a very slow pace. If you were to cross, say, three time zones, though, you’d have a worse problem. Anyone who travels by plane can encounter that issue.

Treating Jet Lag

A medication called melatonin is one of the main ways to treat jet lag. In the US, it’s available over the counter. Some countries require prescriptions for it, though. An alternative is to use sunlight to treat the problem. By exposing yourself to bright sunlight for half an hour in the morning, your body can readjust to a new time zone.

There are also many other natural jet lag remedies that you can try. The biggest one is changing your diet when you travel. Reduce carbohydrate intake early in the day, for instance. Carbs will only make you sleepy. Also, don’t eat too many proteins before bed. They’ll only perk you up and make your jet lag worse.

Filed Under Natural Remedies Tagged With jet lag, jet lag remedies, jet lag remedy, melatonin, overcome jet lag, treat jet lag

Do Home Remedies For Scabies Really Help?

September 16, 2010 By Natural Health Reporter Leave a Comment

Scabies is a condition that usually affects children. So, as a parent, it’s important to familiarize yourself with all remedies, including home remedies for scabies. Let’s discuss what scabies is and which remedies for it work.

A Mite Mess

The idea of scabies is enough to make your skin crawl. In fact, it can literally make a person’s skin crawl. That’s because it’s caused when tiny mites burrow into the skin and lay their eggs. These mites tend to travel just below the surface of the skin, leaving tracks that look like pencil lines.

A Change Of Name

Scabies is transmitted by skin on skin contact, which could be anything from kids playing to a parent and child holding hands to two adults having sex. Scabies can also be transmitted by our K-9 friends, though. That’s because dogs are also susceptible to it, but, in their case it’s called mange.

Mange also occurs in cats. However, feline mange is not the same as canine mange at all. The feline version can’t be passed to dogs or to human beings.

Treatments

The first home treatment for scabies is to simply not scratch. That could mean using home anti-itch remedies. For example, chamomile lotion or aloe can help to relieve itchiness temporarily. This also requires parents to be vigilant, since it’s hard to keep kids from scratching when you aren’t looking.

One natural way to treat scabies is with a mixture of neem oil and turmeric powder. You used to have to mix it yourself, but it now comes pre-mixed in creams and lotions for scabies treatment.

Another natural treatment option is tea tree oil. However, it’s important to dilute it, since it’s extremely strong. You can put 10 to 20 drops of it in a tub of water and bath in it, for example.

Feel Good Facts

One thing you should know about scabies mites is that they aren’t like head lice or fleas. That is, they don’t usually spread. They stick mainly to human skin. So, you don’t usually need to worry about all of the fabrics in your house becoming infected. However, anyone who has scabies should wash the sheets and blankets every day after they sleep.

Another good thing to know is that scabies are fairly easy to get rid of. However, it’s important to be vigilant, since their eggs can hatch after initial treatment and new mites can sometimes survive.

Home remedies for scabies can work, but they usually take longer than traditional treatment. The primary reason to use home remedies is if you happen to be allergic to the traditional medication. In any case, talk to the doctor to confirm your scabies case and they can suggest treatment options.

Filed Under Natural Remedies Tagged With home remedies for scabies, home remedy for mites, scabies remedy, scabies treatments

The Basics Of Natural Earache Remedies

September 13, 2010 By Natural Health Reporter Leave a Comment

Relieve Ear Pain With Natural Earache RemediesEaraches can be a real problem for a lot of people. Kids are especially prone to frequent earaches. Many of them grow out of that, but some of them have the problem into adulthood. So, whether you have a problem with them or your child does, here are some things that you should know about natural earache remedies.

Inner Middle And Outer Ear

The first thing that you need to know is that infections come in two forms, outer and inner (middle) ear infections. Outer ear infections are the most common and can usually be simply treated with home remedies.

However, infections of the middle ear can actually wind up popping the eardrum. That can cause a person to become permanently deaf. Also, inner ear infections are not usually painful, but can be dangerous because they alter a person’s sense of balance. That can make it easier to fall, in many situations.

So, it’s absolutely vital that you talk to your doctor, or your child’s doctor, as the case may be. The doctor can identify the problem and tell you whether or not you can use home remedies to treat it. If they say yes, here are some treatments to try.

Cover Your Ears

Ear infections are often caused by exposure to cold wind or water. So, particularly in bad weather, it’s important to wear hats and ear coverings. We can’t always control our children, though. So, the next best thing is to get them warm and dry as quickly as possible, if they go out uncovered in cold or wet weather.

Swimmer’s Ear

If you or your child swim often, it can create an infection of the ear. That can also happen if your child insists on putting their head under water in the bath tub. That doesn’t mean they should stop swimming or bathing, obviously. However, you may want to start putting a couple drops of white vinegar in their ears after each bath or swim. That will help to ward off ear infections.

Olive Oil And Garlic

Olive oil can help to clear out ear wax. Garlic can help to reduce infection. So, you can try blending 3 tablespoons of the former with one clove of the latter and then drop three drops into the ear.

The problem with natural earache remedies, such as the garlic and olive oil one, is that they require laying down and being as still as possible for an extended time. In this case, at least half an hour is required. So, not all kids will tolerate such a treatment. If that’s the case, talk to your doctor about faster alternatives. Also, be sure to talk to the doctor if any of the above treatments don’t start to work after a day or two.

Filed Under Natural Remedies Tagged With ear infection, earache remedy, home remedy for earache, natural earache remedies, swimmers ear

Home Remedies For Bladder Infection Problems

September 11, 2010 By Natural Health Reporter Leave a Comment

Although there are home remedies for bladder infection problems, you can’t just try them all. First, it’s important to understand what is causing you to have bladder infections. Then, you can tailor a treatment plan to your own needs.

Bladder Infection Definition

There are four areas involved in the processing of urine. They are the bladder, of course, the kidneys and the transportation systems that move the urine from one to the other (ureters) and out of the body (urethra). If an infection occurs in any of the four it’s more accurately called a urinary tract infection, or UTI.

How It Happens

There are three major causes of a UTI. One is when bacteria get into the urethra. That can happen occasionally or be the result of a chronic illness that causes bladder problems. Another form of UTI can be transmitted through sexual relations and a third can happen as a result of certain types of surgery having to do with the urinary system.

Urine is actually a very sterile substance. In fact, it is used in some circles to clean and kill bacteria. However, when it doesn’t pass through the system quickly enough or becomes contaminated by outside sources, bacteria can show up and quickly multiply.

The Symptoms

There are several possible symptoms of a UTI. One of the big indicators is if you have a burning feeling when you try to pee. You may also have the feeling that you need to go often, but not be able to go much at all. Also, if you do go, the urine could be cloudy or even have a reddish tint to it.

You also need to look out for more severe symptoms, such as nausea and stomach pain. High fevers are another indication. Any of those severe symptoms can indicate the potential for kidney damage. So, you should talk to your doctor immediately.

Home Remedies

One of the best ways to treat or prevent a bladder infection is by drinking a lot of water. If your infection is strictly in the urethra, a water flush can often get rid of it. It requires a lot of water, though. Specifically, you should be drinking about 8 ounces of water every half an hour to flush out the infection.

Another thing that you can do to help prevent or cure a UTI is drink a lot of cranberry juice. The proanthocyanins in cranberry juice are very beneficial to your urinary tract health. They keep bacteria from sticking to urinary passage walls. That means that urine can flush the bacteria out of your system a lot quicker.

If you can’t handle drinking so much water and juice in one day, you’re in luck. One of the home remedies for bladder infection that you can do is take cranberry in pill form. Such supplements are sold at many health food stores and can work just as well as drinking the juice.

Filed Under Natural Remedies Tagged With bladder infection, bladder infection remedy, home remedies for bladder infection, urinary tract infection, UTI, UTI remedy

Choosing Remedies For Menstrual Cramps

September 5, 2010 By Natural Health Reporter Leave a Comment

An unfortunate issue for almost all women is severe menstrual cramping at certain times in their lives. That’s why choosing the right remedies for menstrual cramps is so important. After all, we all want fast relief at such times.

You can’t exactly wait all week for a cure to kick in because, by then, the cramps would be done anyway. So, let’s look at the causes of menstrual cramps and some treatments that will work quickly to ease cramping pain.

Menstrual cramps fall into two categories, though they feel the same. They’re called primary and secondary dysmenorrhea. Primary usually happens in younger days, under the age of 25. Age or pregnancy and child birth generally cause the cramps to decrease later in life.

Secondary dysmenorrhea, though, can be experienced by women of any age. It’s caused by other issues, such as an IUD for birth control, endometriosis or ovarian cysts.

If you believe you have secondary dysmenorrhea, you should talk to your doctor immediately. He or she can help you to identify and treat the root cause, which could be serious in nature. It’s better to get treatment quickly and not allow things to get out of control.

Natural Treatments For Menstrual Cramps

If you have primary dysmenorrhea though, there are easier options. There are actually many natural treatments for the cramping including:

Warmth

Warmth is one of the greatest remedies for cramps. The best part is that everyone can come up with something warm, so it’s one of the easiest treatments. You can use a wet, hot cloth on your womb region. You can take a hot shower or bath. You can even use a heating pad or hot water bottle. In any case, the heat can help.

There are a couple reasons that heat helps. One is that it relaxes the muscles in your body. The other, of course, is that it relaxes you mentally. That brings us to the next point.

Stress Reduction

Stress reduction is absolutely vital for reducing menstrual cramping. The more stressed you get about the pain, the more pain you’ll be in. So, it’s important to use relaxation techniques, such as heat application, to suck the stress out of your body.

Supplements, Herbs And Exercise

Finally, some of the best remedies for menstrual cramps are supplements, herbs and exercise. Zinc, calcium and vitamin B are a few of the beneficial supplements that you could take. As far as herbs go, you might try cohosh, cramp bark or primrose oil. As for exercise, well, that should be done all the time. Even when you have cramps, try light exercises or yoga. You’ll find yourself feeling better in no time at all.

Filed Under Natural Remedies Tagged With menstrual cramping, natural treatments for cramps, relieve cramping, remedies for menstrual cramps

Potential Natural Remedies For Asthma

April 13, 2010 By Natural Health Reporter Leave a Comment

Asthma is a very serious medical condition. Difficulty breathing is not something that should be taken lightly. In fact, severe asthma attacks can lead to death. That’s why it’s so important to follow the doctor’s advice and use your designated medication if you have an attack. However, there are many natural remedies for asthma that can prevent attacks from occurring.

Of course, not all natural asthma treatment options work for all people. Finding a prevention technique that works for you could take time. Here are some possibilities to try, though.

Easy Breathing

There are actually some breathing techniques that seem to help with asthma prevention. One is the Buteyko Breathing Method. It involves shallow breathing, which improves oxygen exchange.

A study of sixty people with asthma showed that most cut down inhaler puffs by two puffs every day. However, this shallow breathing technique is not a substitute for carrying an inhaler with you at all times.

Diet Adjustments

Changes in diet can help to reduce stress on the body. Specifically, changing your diet can reduce inflammation. Since inflammation is viewed as one of the possible asthma causes, limiting it is definitely good.

One place to start is to consume less arachidonic acid in your diet. Meats, egg yolks and shellfish are especially high in it. You can also start eating more omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in oily fish. Although, it’s often easier to just take it in a supplement pill form.

Fruits and vegetables can also be very helpful. Carrots, tomatoes, apples and leafy vegetables are great. Also, bromelain, which is an extract from pineapples, can reduce inflammation associated with causing asthma attacks.

Butterbur

Butterbur is another possible asthma prevention option. It’s an extract from a plant and it’s good at reducing inflammation, too. The trouble is, it can have some side effects. Some of those include headaches and nausea.

There are also other cautions, when it comes to butterbur. For example, people with liver or kidney problems shouldn’t use it. Also, pregnant or nursing women shouldn’t use it either.

Aside from that, there’s more. All parts of the plant that butterbur comes from can’t be taken. In fact, many parts of it are toxic. So, you have to be sure to get the extract from a reliable source where only the inflammation-reducing components have been used.

Again, it’s important to remember that natural remedies for asthma are to be used for prevention only. It’s also better to talk to your doctor before trying any. If you have an actual asthma attack, there’s no substitute for your medication.

Filed Under Natural Remedies Tagged With asthma attack prevention, asthma remedies, natural remedies for asthma

Ringing Ears – Remedies For Tinnitis Do Exist!

April 12, 2010 By Natural Health Reporter Leave a Comment

Ringing in the ears is also known as tinnitis.  There are many remedies for tinnitis, so it’s not the end of the world.  Although, it can be extremely annoying!

The first thing you should know is that tinnitis doesn’t necessarily mean you’re losing your hearing.  It also doesn’t necessarily stick around for a long time. Generally, it’s a temporary condition.

Manifestation:

Tinnitis can manifest itself as a ringing sound in one ear or both ears.  It can also be more of a buzzing, hissing or otherwise fuzzy sound.  Sometimes the ear, or both ears, might be painful, but not always.  Also, the sound might occur all day or only for a few minutes here and there.

Causes:

Tinnitis can be caused by a lot of things.  Ear infection is one of the most common causes.  Another is high or low blood pressure, especially a rapid change in the blood pressure one way or the other.  Ear wax, thyroid problems or allergies are also common causes.

An inner ear problem, known as Menieres disease, a head injury or a deficiency of some sort can also cause tinnitis.  Some such issues are easier to treat than others.  For example, if you can figure out what you are deficient in, you can usually take a supplement pill to counteract the tinnitis.

Natural Tinnitis Remedies:

One of the many natural tinnitis remedies that you could try is massage.  Head and neck massage, or even massaging the ear itself, can sometimes relieve the problem. Acupuncture might also be helpful to you.

As mentioned earlier, vitamins and supplements may also help.  However, be warned that over dosing on some vitamins and minerals can cause more problems for you.  So, it’s important to figure out what you’re deficient in, if anything, before taking supplements.

Herbs, such as Gingko Biloba, can also be used to treat tinnitis.  Gingko can also help with issues associated with tinnitis, such as concentration trouble, dizziness and headaches.  So, it’s definitely worth looking into.

Talk To The Doc:

It’s important to note that some forms of tinnitis are more serious than others. So, you should identify the cause of your tinnitis early, by talking to your doctor.  He or she can let you know if natural remedies are a good idea for your specific case or not.

Retrain Your Brain:

Finally, although they aren’t remedies for tinnitis itself, some find that hypnosis or therapy can improve their situation.  The idea is to retrain your brain to not notice the buzzing or ringing as much.  That way, you can concentrate better.  The problem with such therapy is that it doesn’t actually fix the problem.  So, be sure that your tinnitis is not being caused by a serious medical issue before going that route.

Filed Under Natural Remedies Tagged With home remedies, natural tinnitis remedies, remedies for tinnitis, ringing ears, tinnitis, tinnitis remedies

A Few Examples Of Home Remedies For Boils

April 7, 2010 By Natural Health Reporter Leave a Comment

Boils are also known as furuncles or skin abscesses and they can be very painful and annoying, even though they aren’t usually dangerous. There are many home remedies for boils, but a lot depends on the type of boils you have.

Boils And Staph:

Staph, or Staphylococcus Aureus, can be a very serious illness. It can also be easily spread from one body part to another and, worse yet, from one person to another. Staph infections can sometimes cause boils and often come with fevers. If you suspect Staph, you should see your doctor right way.

Average Boils:

Of course, most average boils aren’t nearly as dangerous as Staph. They’re usually more like particularly painful and pus-filled pimples. Doctors traditionally treat boils with a process called lancing, but that’s not a good home treatment.

Here are a few things to try at home, instead:

Heat

Heat is one of the best ways to relieve the infected boil situation. If you put a sterile hot compress on the boil every 15 minutes, it will soon get the pus to the surface. Between treatments, be sure to use anti-bacterial soap to wash both the boil area and your hands. Keeping things clean is very important.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice found commonly in Indian curry. It has many anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. So, it can be good at curing a boil, if you catch the problem and start taking turmeric early enough.

There are many ways to take turmeric. You could try it in a tea, curry or soup, for instance. It doesn’t necessarily matter how you take it. All that matters is that you get in a teaspoon worth of turmeric at a time and take it three times each day.

A Warning About Hydration:

Staying well hydrated is always a good thing. Dehydration can cause many illnesses, after all. It can also make you generally feel tired all the time.

If you take turmeric, though, drinking water is even more important. That’s because turmeric can make you sweat. Sweating dehydrates your body. Since you lose so much water, as you sweat, that water must be replaced. If it isn’t, you could suffer from dehydration symptoms.

Cystic Acne:

Remember, not all conditions that look like standard boils are. Cystic acne, for example, is not the same as a boil. Sometimes cystic acne spots will go away with no treatment. Other times, though, it may require antibiotic treatment.

Although home remedies for boils can be great, don’t assume that they’ll fix every problem. It all depends on what sort of condition you have. So, be sure to get a diagnosis from your doctor and discuss remedy options with them. That way, you’ll get the best, fastest results.

Filed Under Natural Remedies Tagged With boils treatment, cystic acne, furuncles, home remedies for boils

Stop Itching With These Great Home Remedies For Hives

March 4, 2010 By Natural Health Reporter Leave a Comment

Around 20% of all people will have hives for some reason at some point in their lives. So, it’s no surprise that so many of those people are in search of great home remedies for hives. After all, they can be itchy, uncomfortable and annoying.

Causes Of Hives

The first thing that you need to understand, before you can treat hives, is what causes them. Most of the time, hives are created by an allergy to some sort of substance. Foods are a big source. In fact, many foods, such as eggs and shellfish, routinely cause a hives outbreak for people.

Hive Length

Hives are collections of fluid from leaky capillaries. Those hives can go way on their own after anywhere from a day to several weeks. While they’re present, though, they can be itchy and painful. Also, for some people, hives appear chronically and hardly ever go away.

Treatment Options

The main thing about treating hives is to reduce itchiness. Not only can uncontrolled itchiness drive you crazy, but it can cause scratching. That scratching can create infections and cause hives to spread to other areas of the body.

There are several natural ways to reduce itching. Ice is one way. Even a frozen bag of vegetables can relieve the itch associated with hives temporarily. Another option is to use aloe vera gel or vitamin E oil. Both are natural compounds that stop itchiness.

Oatmeal paste can also be useful as a treatment for hives. A cup of oatmeal, a tablespoon of corn starch and some water can create the perfect paste. Then, you just need to put the mixture on your hives.

Avoidance

Obviously, one way to reduce your hives is to avoid the cause. For example, if you get hives from eating strawberries, don’t eat strawberries. The problem with that theory, though, is that it requires more vigilance than you might think.

You see, many products contain ingredients that you may not expect. So, you have to be careful to read labels to ensure that you aren’t eating the thing that you are allergic to in disguise.

Also, many products are made in the same facilities with other products. For example, people with severe allergies to peanuts may not be able to eat anything that was made in a facility that has peanuts, even if peanuts aren’t in that specific food.

Chronic Hives

Finally, remember that great home remedies for hives still aren’t a cure all. If you have a chronic problem with hives, consult your doctor. He or she can help you to identify the source and treat the problem efficiently. They might agree that home remedies are the best way to do that. However, they might recommend traditional medications. Either way, you’ll be on your way to clearer, more comfortable skin.

Filed Under Natural Remedies Tagged With chronic hives, hives remedy, hives treatment, home remedies, home remedies for hives, remedies for hives
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