Alternative Therapies and Health News

1. Apply mayonnaise on your hair and cover it with a plastic shower cap to keep the mayonnaise from dripping. Leave the mayonnaise on for three hours. Then, remove the shower cap and shampoo the hair thoroughly. It may take two or more shampoos to get the hair clean. Take a fine toothed comb to get all the nits and lice out, section by section.
2. If you don’t have mayonnaise, try applying vaseline. But to remove Vaseline from your hair, saturate the hair in baby oil, rub through the hair thoroughly and then squeeze out as much as you can. Then wash the hair.
3. There is another treatment with vaseline. Put Vaseline on hair, and apply cap, leave on overnight. The next morning apply peanut butter to get the vaseline out. All lice and eggs will come out. It suffocates them.
4. Wash your hair with vinegar. It will kill all the nits in two days. Apply coconut oil to your head after shampoo. Add ten to fifteen drops of tea tree oil into the shampoo bottle and wash hair with it.
5. You can also use a vinegar wrap. Thoroughly wet a towel with a mixture of half vinegar and half water and wrap the head with the towel. Leave it on for one hour. And then wash your hair. Comb your hair to take out all lice and nits.
6. Mix a 50:50 solution of mineral oil(such as baby oil) and vinegar. Massage it into the hair and cover for 1 hour with a shower cap. Then wash off with a shampoo. Comb out the deceased lice.
7. Mix 10 drops of tea tree-oil to a new bottle of shampoo. Always use this solution when you shampoo your hair, to avoid lice from re-occuring.
8. Completely soak your hair with olive oil and wrap in a towel for two hours. Rinse and wash as usual. Comb your hair with a fine toothed comb to remove eggs and lice. Repeat after 3-4 days.
9. You can also buy a Tea Tree oil shampoo to wash your hair. And try buying this comb from your nearby Walmart, if this is available. This is called the LiceGuard Robi Comb. It is an electronic Lice Comb, that kills Lice without chemicals. Use it on dry hair. It costs around $ 22.00 (USD). But it’s worth it.
10. Try using Denorex Extra Strength dandruff shampoo. The lice will easily fall off dead. But be sure to use the extra strength one.
11. Make a natural lice shampoo. To a base of five teaspoons of Pure Olive Carrier Oil Or Pure Coconut Carrier Oil, add 5 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil, 5 drops of Rosemary Essential Oil, 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil, 5 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil and 5 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil. Add a small amount of regular shampoo to the mixture and apply this all over the hair. Leave this on for an hour and cover with a shower cap or towel. Rinse the hair and shampoo the hair. Then comb out all the lice and nits after using this mixture. Comb the hair with a nit comb, that you can buy in the drug store, next to the lice shampoos. However be careful not to use this mixture on babies or very small kids. Do not use it on pregnant women or people with high blood pressure either.
12. Never share your personal belongings with a lice-infested person. Do not share bed, comb, towels or clothes with such a person.

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To treat hair loss and to promote healthy growth of hair, try the following home remedies:

• Boil 1 cup mustard oil with 4 tablespoons henna leaves. Filter and store in a bottle. Massage on the bald patches regularly. Regular massage will produce abundant hair.
• Grind 1/2 lime seeds, and 1/2 black pepper seeds, to get a fine paste. This paste has a mildly irritant action. This increases blood circulation to the affected area and stimulates hair growth.
• Rub the bald area with onions till it becomes red. Then apply honey over the patch.
• Rub the scalp with 1 teaspoon oil in which raw mangoes have been preserved for over a year. Repeat the treatment frequently.
• Rub the scalp with fingers after washing the hair with cold water. The scalp should be rubbed vigorously till it starts to tingle. It will allow free circulation of blood in the affected area, making the hair grow healthy.
• Prepare Amla oil, by boiling dry pieces of amla in coconut oil. This is an excellent hair tonic for enriching hair growth.
• Make a juice of lettuce and spinach and drink it daily.
• Amaranth is another valuable hair loss remedy. Its leaf juice should be applied to the hair, that will help the growth of hair and keep it soft.
• The juice of alfalfa, with equal quantities of carrot and lettuce juice, taken daily, also helps in the growth of hair.
• The leaves of the margosa tree are also good for the treatment of hair loss. If hair has been falling tremendously or is not growing, it should be washed with the decoction of neem leaves. It will stop the hair fall and make it more richer in color. It will also kill lice.
• Apply coconut milk all over the scalp and massage into the hair roots. Prepare coconut milk by grinding the coconut shavings and squeezing them well.
• A fine paste made of pigeon pea or red gram can also be applied regularly on bald patches for beneficial results.
• Take a well balanced diet.

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Aloe Vera is one of nature’s gifts to mankind. Aloe vera is widely used around the world for its healing properties. Aloe vera contains numerous vitamins and minerals, enzymes, amino acids, natural sugars and agents which may be anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial.

Research has shown Aloe Vera to be beneficial for a wide variety of conditions:

1. Speeds the healing process, particularly in burns, including those from radiation.
2. Good for acne, boils, burns, chafed and cracked skin, cuts, dandruff, gum sores, inflamed eyes, insect bites, rashes, sunburn, skin irritation, sprains, stings, warts, wounds, wrinkles, X-ray burns.
3. Helps moisturize and soften the skin.
4. When taken internally, it helps constipation, diarrhea and other intestinal problems.
5. Relieves itching and swelling of irritated skin.
6. Helps cure Eczema.
7. Helps in the treatment or prevention of some cancers, rheumatism and arthritis.
8. It is a great energy booster.
9. Relieves digestive system disorders such as IBS, Candida, Colitis, Acid Indegestion.
10. Good for people suffering from allergies.
11. Soothes and repairs damaged and inflamed tissues.
12. Lubricates Joints.
13. Used for treating heartburn, ulcers and digestive disorders.
14. When applied regularly, it prevents aging of the skin. It reduces pigmentation and lightens dark spots on the face.
15. Can be taken internally to help against asthma, insomnia, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, hemorrhoids and ulcers.
16. Supports Surgical Recovery. It decreases surgical recovery time.
17. Minimizes Frostbite Damage.
18. Screens Out Radiation. Aloe protects against skin damage from X rays.
19. Heals Psoriasis Lesions.
20. Eases Intestinal Problems. Aloe Vera juice is effective for treating inflammatory bowel disease.
21. Curtails HIV Infection. It stimulates Immune Response Against Cancer. It is good for people suffering from Lung Cancer.
22. Aids in blood circulation.
23. Lowers blood sugar level in people with type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes.
24. Assists proper kidney function and is very good for several kidney problems.
25. Good for colds.

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Stinky feet can be quite embarrassing. Here are some tips to deal with them:

• Wash your feet with soap atleast twice a day.
• Do slight dusting with a foot powder like Tinactin Antifungal Foot Powder twice a day, that can help kill odor-causing fungus. But, don’t apply powder on sweaty feet, dry them first, and then apply. Use a special foot powder. Don’t use cornstarch powder.
• To get rid of odor, soak your feet in one-third cup of natural apple cider vinegar added to a small tub/pan of warm water several times a week.
• Before wearing shoes, sprinkle baking soda inside your shoes to absorb moisture and odor.
• Brew two tea bags in one quart of warm water and soak your feet for 15-20 minutes. Do this every night until the problem is gone. Tea is terrific at keeping your feet odor free and perspiration free because it contains tannic acid.
• Put about one quarter cup of Pine Sol in a pan with enough warm water to cover the ankle. Soak until water is cool. Rinse and dry the feet. It works great for stinky feet.
• Cypress oil is also good for stinky feet. Rub the oil on your feet every morning.
• You can soak your feet in a solution made of 1 quart of water with kosher salt in it, or you can also use half a cup of vinegar instead of the kosher salt.
• Avoid eating foods that smell, like garlic and onion. They can also sometimes cause odor.
• Eat 15 to 30 milligrams of Zinc per day either alone or in your Multi-vitamin. This will reduce the odor within a week or two. But don’t take more than 30 mg. of zinc without medical supervision, as it can damage the immune system.

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The common cold can be treated by several methods like:

• Garlic soup should be taken once daily. The soup can be prepared by boiling three or four cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water. Even chewing Garlic helps in treating cold.
• Five drops of garlic oil combined with a teaspoon of onion juice, and diluted in a cup of water, should be taken two or three times a day. This is found to be very effective in the treatment of common cold.
• Ginger is another excellent remedy for colds and coughs. Take ten grams of ginger, cut into small pieces and boil in a cup of water. It should then be strained and half a teaspoon of sugar added to it. This decoction should be drunk when hot.
• Ginger tea, which is prepared by adding a few pieces of ginger into boiled water before adding the tea leaves, is also a good remedy for colds and for fevers resulting from cold. It should taken twice daily.
• Lemon is also used for treating cold. One lemon should be diluted in a glass of warm water, and a teaspoon of honey should be added to it. This mixture should be taken once or twice daily.
• Drink chicken soup to which some garlic cloves are added.
• Hot shower or bath is also good for cold.
• The roots of the bitter gourd plant are also used to cure a cold. Mix a teaspoon of the root paste, with an equal quantity of honey or tulsi leaf juice. Take it at night before sleeping.
• Turmeric is an effective remedy for colds and throat irritations. Add half a teaspoon of turmeric to 30 ml of warm milk, and take once or twice daily.
• Regular intake of vitamin C 75 mg for adults and 35 mg for children is good for common cold.
• Drink sassafras tea to shorten the length of your cold.
• A half teaspoon of Colloidal Silver for kids and a teaspoon for adults should be taken at the first sign of a cold.
• When you first sense cold, begin taking zincicon, extra Vitamin C with rose hipsicon, and garlicicon.
• Diffusing Oil of Oregano at the first sign of a cold can either keep it away entirely or at least decrease its severity. Put some water into the diffuser, add five drops of the oil, and light a candle underneath. Keep the mixture burning for at least 20 minutes.

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Arthritis refers to severe pain in the joints and muscles. The pain can be reduced by the following remedies:

• Drink natural apple cider vinegar mixed with water and honey. Add two teaspoons of vinegar and two teaspoons of unprocessed honey to a glass of water, and drink this three times a day. Be sure to drink a lot of water daily.
• You can also get relief by soaking arthritic joints in hot natural apple cider vinegar. Use a quarter cup of vinegar mixed with one and a half cups of water. For areas too large to soak, you can soak a cloth in this mixture, put it on the affected area, and wrap a towel over the soaked cloth to keep in the heat. Once you feel less pain and have more freedom of movement from the apple cider vinegar, keep moving the joints to make them flexible.
• Lose weight to take stress off your joints.
• Taking 500 mg of Glucosamine with chondroitin 3 times daily helps to keep joints healthier and more flexible.
• Certain foods can trigger the pain, like white potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, spicy foods, citrus fruits.
• Garlic boosts the immune system and can helps reduce the pain of arthritis. Garlic may be taken raw or cooked according to individual taste.
• Increase the Omega-3 Fatty Acids in your diet. It can be found in salmon, sardines, other oily fish, walnuts, flax, soy, olive oil, nuts, and avocados.
• Get plenty of beta carotene from yellow and orange vegetables and fruits and green leafy vegetables.
• Take B Complex supplements daily. It can be found in whole grains, dried beans, split peas, and lentils.
• Take 75 mg of niacin during the entire day. Food sources for niacin include meat, milk, eggs, fish, poultry, peanuts, enriched breads and cereals, barley, buckwheat, split peas, coffee, and tea.
• Take foods rich in Vitamin C that include citrus fruits, cantaloupe, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts.
• Take Vitamin E. It can also be found in wheat germ, nuts, and green leafy vegetables.
• Take 200 micrograms of Selenium a day. Selenium is also found in almonds, barley and oranges.
• Take Zinc. Sources of zinc include turnips, corn and oysters.
• Take a teaspoon LIQUID Certo (This is the product used to prepare jams and jellies) and 3 ounces unsweetened grape juice. Mix Certo and grape juice and drink the concoction two or three times a day.
• Herbs are also good for curing arthritis. Take 1 tbs juice of fresh leaves of bathua, drink every day on an empty stomach for 2-3 months. Do not add anything to the juice and do not eat anything for 2 hours before and after consuming the juice.
• Take Warm mustard oil, spread it over Madar leaf ( Indian ) and foment the joint by spreading the leaf over the joint and keep it there for a few hours for relief.
• Take 3-4 walnuts or 1 fresh coconut on an empty stomach.
• Prepare a rub for Arthritis by taking 1 pint rubbing alcohol, 1 ounce spirits of peppermint, 1 ounce olive oil, 1 ounce wintergreen, 1 ounce witch hazel, 1 ounce pine oil and 50 menthol crystals. Mix well, and store in a tightly covered glass jar. Rub on affected areas.
• Watch your diet, reduce fat, sugar, salt, and cholesterol.
• Herbal tea such as Yarrow, willow bark, dandelion, and burdock tea are all helpful for relieving the pain of arthritis.
• Raw potato juice is also very good for rheumatic and arthritic conditions. Cut a medium-sized potato into thin slices, without peeling the skin, and place the slices overnight in a large glass filled with cold water. The water should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. Fresh juice can also be extracted from potatoes. Drink it on an empty stomach in the morning.
• Take one cup of green juice, extracted from any green leafy vegetable, mix it in equal proportions with carrot, celery, and red beet juices. A cup of fresh pineapple juice is also very good as it reduces swelling and inflammation.
• A teaspoon of black sesame seeds, soaked in a quarter cup of water and kept overnight, has been found to be effective in preventing joint pains. The water in which the seeds are soaked should also be taken along with the seeds first thing in the morning.
• Drinking water kept overnight in a copper container accumulates traces of copper, which is said to strengthen the muscles.
• Calcium is found to be very good for arthiritis patients. It should be taken in the form of calcium lactate. Two teaspoons of calcium lactate, each providing 400 mg of absorbable calcium, may be taken three times daily in water, before meals for at least four months.
• Bananas are also very good. A diet of only bananas for three or four days is advised in treating this condition. The patient may eat eight or nine bananas daily during this period. However a doctor should be consulted before doing this.
• Lime is also beneficial for arthritis. The juice of one lime, diluted with water, may be taken once a day, preferably first thing in the morning.
• A tea made from the herb called ‘alfalfa’, especially from its seeds, is good for the treatment of arthritis. One teaspoon of alfalfa seeds should be added to one cup of water. Three to four cups of this tea should be taken daily for atleast two weeks.
• The soup of green gram is also very good. It can be prepared by mixing a tablespoon of green gram in a cup of water, with two crushed garlic cloves. It should be taken twice a day.
• Treatment with castor oil is also beneficial. Boil two tablespoons of castor oil over a stove burner. Pour the oil into a glass of fresh orange juice and take before breakfast daily till the disease is cured. Take it for three weeks, then wait for 3 weeks and then take it for another 3 weeks. But it is essential that the patient must take an alkaline diet while adopting this mode of treatment otherwise the value of the treatment will be lost.
• Warm coconut oil or mustard oil, mixed with two or three pieces of camphor should be massaged on stiff and aching joints. It will increase blood supply, and reduce inflammation and stiffness.
• The body should be kept warm at all times . Joints should not be bandaged tightly as this limits movement. Quit smoking.
• Take rest, should have plenty of indirect ventilation. Dehumidify your home.
• Sea bathing is also beneficial for arthritis. The natural iodine in sea water is said to relieve arthritis pain. If sea bathing is not possible, the patient can relax for thirty minutes every day in a tub of warm water, in which a cup of common salt has been mixed.
• Eat Alfalfa or take alfalfa capsules. It’s very rich in minerals needed for the formation of bones.
• Take chondroitin sulfate 700 mg a day to strengthenjoints and ligaments. Take it in tablet form.
• Bogbean is a very powerful aquatic herb for curing joint pains. Since this herb cleans the urinary tract, drink lots of water.
• Take some Whole cloves and mineral oil. Fill a small or medium jar with the whole cloves. Pour the mineral oil over the cloves to cover completely. Set up for a week or two. Before going to bed, dab the oil mixture onto the affected areas and rub in. The stiffness will be greatly lessened.

You can buy the following products from a store :

• Buy a product called 024. A tube of 024 is good for tendinitis, bursitis, arthritis and muscle relief.
• Spray WD 40 on the affected area once in the morning and before bedtime. Rub it well. Do this for about 1-2 weeks. The pain will be gone.

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Bad Breath can be caused by certain foods, smoking, coffee, stomach problems and poor oral hygiene.  Here are some tips that may help you to get rid of it :

• Brush your teeth twice a day and floss. Also brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth. If your problem is very severe, brush your teeth after every meal.
• Avoid foods like garlic, onion, cabbage and other spicy stuff. Sometimes cheese, and mutton may also cause bad breath.
• Parsley leaves are rich in chlorophyll, and they neutralize bad odors in your mouth. So keep some parsley around, and when you need to freshen your breath, chew a little of it. You can also use Clove, fennel, and anise seeds to freshen up your breath.
• Use a mouth wash. And gargle with it.
• Eat food that is rich in vitamin C such as orange, apple, lemon etc.
• Eat a chewing gum or mouth freshner with mint.
• Take a lemon. Squeeze juice from it and mix with half a cup of water. Gargle with it.
• Avoid tobacco smoking, and alcohol.
• Cut down your intake of coffee and tea.
• Chew some cardamom seeds to sweeten your breath.
• Make regulars trips to the dentist to see if you are suffering from any gum disease or have any dental cavities.

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Sunburns are caused by excessive exposure to the sun’s ultra-violet ( UV ) rays. While going outdoors use good quality sunglasses, hat and sunblock/sunscreen creams with an SPF of 30 or above. Do not use harsh soaps to wash sunburns. Some remedies to treat sunburns are :

• Mix glam flour in curd and apply on face. Wash off after 30 minutes. Do it daily till your sunburn is gone.
• To get relief from a sunburn pain, apply cool water compresses on the affected skin or fill a bathtub with cold water and dissolve one pound of baking soda or oatmeal in it. Soak in the bath for 30 minutes, until you feel relieved. You can also soak in a tub of cool water to which one cup of white vinegar has been added.
• Cut fresh cucumber slices and rub them on the affected area. Or you can grate some potatoes and apply them on the burnt skin.
• Mix 2 teaspoon tomato juice and 4 tablespoon buttermilk and apply on the face. Leave for 1/2 hour, and wash off.
• Mix olive oil with equal quantity of vinegar and apply an hour before you bath for relief from sunburn.
• Make a paste of Barley, turmeric and yogurt in equal proportions. Apply it over the area of sunburns for relief.
• A thin paste of sandalwood applied to the sunburnt area is also beneficial.
• If your skin is sunburnt, it will continue to burn until cold water is splashed on the face. Ice is also good, but it is bad for severe burns.
• Lavender essential oil is a miraculous cure for sunburn. It is best to apply a few drops, then spread it gently with a piece of tissue. Don’t take a shower immediately after application of the oil.
• Make a pot of boiling water and dip many tea bags in it to make a strong tea. Add ice until the tea is just slightly warm. Put a bath towel into the pot and keep turning the towel until it has soaked up all the tea. Have the sunburned person lie on the floor and place the wet towel over the sunburned area of the body. Leave the towel on for half an hour for a moderate burn and an hour for a strong burn.
• Prepare a Sunburn Soother by mixing 1 cup white wine vinegar, 5 tablespoons salt, 5 tablespoons plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons aloe gel. Combine all the ingredients and stir briskly until smooth and creamy. Store in a refrigerator. Shake well before use. Apply it on the affected areas every hour or so, until the burning sensation is gone.
• Generously apply aloe gel to any burned area. You can also apply vinegar on the affected skin, it will stop inflammation and pain. Avoid products made from benzocaine, lidocaine and petroleum jelly.
• Rub mustard oil on the affected skin and allow to it dry, this will take out the heat from the skin.
• You can also apply peppermint oil or apple cider vinegar to the burnt skin using cotton ball.
• Including antioxidants like vitamin E and vitamin C in your diet is very helpful in curing sunburns. Tomato is a good antioxidant. Consume lots of fruits and fluids to prevent dehydration.
• If the burn is very severe, go and see a doctor.

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Asthma is a serious condition that should always be checked by a doctor. Medications like aspirin, advil, chemotherapy and antibiotics can sometimes cause asthma attacks . Here are some remedies to reduce the effect of asthma :

• Mix 10-15 drops of garlic juice with warm water and drink it for quick asthma relief.
• Mix 1/4 cup onion juice, 1 Tbsp honey and 1/8 Tbsp black pepper. And eat the paste.
• Mix licorice and ginger together. Take ½ tbsp in 1 cup of water for relief from asthma.
• Drink a glass of 2/3 carrot juice and 1/3 spinach juice, 3 times a day .
• Add 30-40 leaves of Basil in 1 liter water, strain the leaves and drink the water throughout the day.
• Take some Radish, Honey and Lemon juice, put them in a blender. Mix for 20 minutes and then put in a pan and keep on the stove on low heat. Take one teaspoon in the morning everyday.
• If you don’t have your medicine on hand when you sense an attack, drink a cup of coffee. Or drink any Soft drinks with caffeine (colas). caffeine is known to calm the effects of an attack.
• Eat some honey or hold a jar of honey under the nose and inhale the air, you will start breathing easier and deeper.
• Three or four dry figs should be cleaned thoroughly with warm water and soaked overnight. Then eat them in the morning,
• The juice of one lemon, diluted in a glass of water should be taken with meals everyday.
• Take five grams of Indian Gooseberry mixed with one tablespoon of honey. It should be taken every morning.
• Buy wild cherry tree bark from your local herbal store. And make tea with the bark. You can drink it hot or cold everyday.
• The roots of the bitter gourd plant is also used for the treatment of asthma. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an equal amount of honey or juice of the tulsi leaves, given every night for a month, acts as an excellent medicine for this disease.
• Prepare a soup of drumstick leaves, by adding a handful of leaves to 180ml of water and boiling it for five minutes. Allow it to cool, add a little salt, pepper, and lime juice. Take once daily.
• A teaspoon of fresh ginger juice, mixed with a cup of fenugreek decoction and honey, is very good for asthma. The decoction of fenugreek can be made by mixing one tbsp of fenugreek seeds in a cupful of water. Take this once in the morning and once in the evening.
• Take ten garlic cloves and boil in 30 ml of milk. This mixture should be taken once daily. Steaming ginger tea with two minced garlic cloves in it can also be taken every morning and evening.
• The herb bishop’s weed has been found valuable in asthma. Half a teaspoon of bishop’s weed should be mixed in a glass of buttermilk and taken twice daily.
• Safflower seeds are also beneficial in the treatment of bronchial asthma. Half a teaspoon of powder of the dry seeds, mixed with a tablespoon of honey, should be taken once or twice a day.
• Use a herb called ‘ginkgo biloba’, it contains ginkgolide B which is very helpful for asthma patients.
• Mullein oil is also good for asthma. Take it in the form of tea.
• Eat salmon 3 times a week and take salmon oil capsules.
• Put some Roman chamomile flowers in a bowl of boiling water for a steam inhalant.
• Mix 1-2 ml eucalyptus essential oil in a 23 ml carrier oil(almond, sunflower or whaeatgerm oil) for a chest rub. Place a few drops on a pillow or handkerchief as an inhalant.
• Take some sage leaves and burn them to inhale.
• Take some thyme leaves, mix with water and put on a stove. Inhale the steam.

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People who often get Eczema rashes on their skin, need to take the following precautions:

• If you are allergic or sensitive to certain foods, then avoid them totally, because they can trigger eczema. Dairy products, eggs, nuts, preservatives and citrus fruits are more likely to trigger eczema.
• Avoid substances you are allergic to. Wear cotton clothes that are loose as they do not irritate your itchy skin. Do not expose your skin to water for a long time, as this can lead to skin dryness. Use a good quality moisturizer.

How to Cure Eczema

• Add 1 tsp camphor to 1 teaspoon sandalwood paste and apply on the rashes. The eczema may heal in a few days.
• Make a nutmeg paste by rubbing a nutmeg against a smooth stone slab with a little water and make a paste. Apply to affected eczema area.
• Take some Instant Tea, 1 Tbsp. Vinegar and 1 Tbsp. Honey. Mix together with water and drink all at once. This works really well.
• Drinking tomato juice also clears up the eczema in some days. If you want, you can add some pepper or your favorite spice to give the juice flavor.
• Apply Pure Tea Tree Oil directly to infected area. The excema will disappear completely in a couple of days.
• Put natural vitamin E on the affected skin, it will relieve you of itching.
• Zinc taken orally and applied directly on the affected skin is also effective.
• Make a bath solution with Green Tea, Lemon Juice, Rosemary, Olive Oil & Water. Make strong green tea. Add 3-Tbsp Of Lemon Juice, 1-Tsp ground Rosemary, One Tsp Olive Oil to One Cup of Green Tea. Let this solution cool to room temp. Bath skin with this.
• Emu oil is also an excellent remedy for healing severe eczema. Use “Refined” Emu Oil. It will give the best results. Apply a single drop of emu oil to the affected area 3 times a day. It will get rid of eczema within a week. It is also extremely efective for the treatment of burns and it is a natural anti-inflammatory for the treatment of arthritis and even carpel tunnel syndrome.

Or you can buy the following from a neighbourhood store to treat eczema :

• Buy a Pine Tar soap from your local herb store. Wash the affected area with it every night. It will clear the eczema in a week.
• Use Noxema instead of lotions. It really works. But remember to use the original Noxema, not the new and improved stuff.
• Use Crisco on the rashes. Completely cover all your rashes in Crisco 2-3 times a day. It will be all white and greasy, but the Crisco absorbs quickly. And the eczema will be gone.
• You can also buy Suave’s Intensive Healing that is found most commonly at your neighborhood Wal-Mart store. It works wonders. Apply it 3-4 times a day and use it everyday during the dry season.
• Shark cartilage and lotion of blueberry leaves also reduces inflammation.

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If your eyes are tired and stressed, try these simple tricks:

• Take 2 used teabags, refrigerate them for some time and place on your tired eyes for 20 minutes. Voila ! You have fresh and beautiful eyes.
• Or boil some tea in a little water and let it cool. Dip 2 cotton pads in it and place the pads on each eye for 15 minutes. This is an effective treatment for tired eyes.
• Place cucumber slices on your eyes for half an hour. And then wash your eyes with cold water.
• If you have tired eyes, wash them with cold water several times a day. This treatment reduces inflammation, relaxes the eyes & provides relief from eyestrain & fatigue.
• Dip two cotton pads in rose water and place them on your eyes for atleast 20 minutes.
• Lavender oil is also known to offer relief for tired and strained eyes. Add a drop of lavender oil to 500 ml of water and shake the solution well. Dip two cotton pads in it, squeeze out the excess water and place one pad on each eye.

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Face Masks for Dry Skin

• Egg Yolk & Honey Mask: Take 1 tablespoon honey, 1 egg yolk, 1/2 teaspoon almond oil and 1 tablespoon yogurt. Mix together and apply on face. Honey smoothes the skin, egg and almond oil moisturize, and yogurt refines and tightens pores. Leave for 20 mins to half an hour.
• Banana Face Mask: Mash 1/4 ripe banana and mix with half a cup natural yogurt and 1 tablespoon of honey. Apply this pack on face and neck and leave for 20 minutes and then rinse off.
• Olive oil and Egg Mask: Mix 1 egg yolk with 1 tbsp. olive oil & 1 tbsp. plain yogurt. Apply on face and leave for 20 minutes.

Face Masks for Oily Skin

• Egg Yolk, Avocado & Mud Facial Mask: Buy fuller’s earth mud / clay from any health store. Mix 1 tablespoon dry clay, 1 egg yolk, 1/4 of a mashed avocado and enough witch hazel to create a smooth mixture. Mud dries excess sebum while Witch hazel tones the skin.
• Lemon Face Mask: Mix 1 tbsp. lemon juice with 1/4 cup ground oatmeal and 1 tbsp. yogurt. Apply on face and leave for 20 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

Face Mask for Normal Skin

• Turmeric Mask: Take some turmeric powder, and mix with gram flour and rose water. Apply on face for 20 minutes and then wash off with water.
• Homemade Clay Mask: Clay masks hydrate and tone your skin. Take some fuller’s earth clay (if your skin is sensitive, try green clay), 1 tsp honey, water. Mix together and apply on face. Wah off after 20 minutes.

Face Mask for Combination Skin

• Rose Water Mask: Take some natural rose water or crushed rose petals, mix with natural yoghurt, honey and some water. Apply on face and wash off after 15 minutes.

Face Mask for Sensitive Skin

• Oatmeal Face Mask: This soothing mask is great for chapped, sunburned or irritated. Take 1 cup natural yogurt, honey and ½ cup oatmeal. Mix the ingredients together & apply on face for 15 minutes.

Face Masks for Aging Skin

• Sugar mask: This mask works well for ageing and maturing skin that uses sugar, since it is a natural exfoliant and will help soften the lines and wrinkles on your face. Take 2 spoons powdered sugar, 4 tbsp warm water and dissolve. Apply to the face and leave for 10 minutes. Gently massage and wash off.
• Banana Mask for wrinkles: Mash 1/4 banana until it is very smooth. Apply on face and leave for 15-20 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Then use cold water to close the pores.
• Egg White Mask: Simply apply eggwhite on your face covering all your wrinkles and fine lines. Wash off after half an hour.

For more tips on skin care, visit  Home Remedies For A Glowing And Beautiful Skin.

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Here are some tricks to make your lips soft and smooth in a few minutes …

1. Take a soft toothbrush and apply a little Petroleum Jelly Vaseline on it. Gently brush your lips back and forth or in circles. The dry and flaky skin will come out without pain or bleeding.
2. Apply vaseline on your lips and leave it overnight. You will have beautiful lips the next morning.
3. Try applying UnderEye Gel on your lips. It will soften and smooth your lips within minutes.
4. Take a used tea bag, refrgerate it for sometime and place on your lips. Your lips will look soft in a few seconds.
5. Crush some rose petals and mix it with glycerine. Apply on your lips everyday. You can also use natural rose water with glycerine.
6. Apply some milk cream to your lips. It is a natural balm for smoothening your lips.

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Constipation can be caused by a number of reasons - poor diet, diet with less fibre or low fluid intake. If you have constipation, do the following …..

• Mix 1 tablespoons of honey in 1 cup of lukewarm water and drink on an empty stomach in the morning.
• Squeeze the juice of half a lime in a glass of hot water, with half a teaspoon of salt. This is an effective remedy for constipation.
• Drink 2 cups of water with 1 teaspoons of soda on an empty stomach in the morning.
• Eat 2 apples(with peel) on an empty stomach.
• Drink 1/2 cup of warm marinate of sauerkraut.
• Drink carrot juice.
• Eat chopped onion.
• Eat boiled beet with oil. Grate beet, add salt and oil.
• Or you can take Aloe Vera powder (1/8 or 1/6) in a teaspoon, mix with any juice (cranberry juice,orange juice or any other juice). It tastes bitter but it is excellent. Eating fiber like bran, prune, cereals etc regularly, doing some physical exercise, drinking apple cider vinegar (1 or 2 teaspoon a day) regularly are the best preventions against constipation.
• For normal constipation, just a small amount of walnuts (1/3 to 1/2 cup) chopped and eaten in cereal will do the trick.
• Eat food rich in fiber like: Kiwifruit, oranges, Brown rice, onions and other healthy food.
• Drink a cup of prune juice. It works faster on an empty stomach but will work regardless. It’s a natural laxative. Raisins will also do the trick.
• Bael fruit is also very good. It is regarded as the best of all laxatives. It cleans and tones up the intestines. It should be taken regularly. About sixty grams of this fruit are sufficient for an adult.
• Pears are also beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Patients suffering from chronic constipation should adopt an exclusive diet of this fruit or it’s juice for a few days, but in ordinary cases, a medium-sized pear will have the desired effect.
• Guava is another effective remedy for constipation. It should be eaten with seeds, so that it provides roughage to the diet and helps in the normal evacuation of the bowels. One or two guavas should be taken everyday.
• Grapes are very beneficial in overcoming constipation. Grapes also tone up the stomach and intestines and relieve the most chronic constipation. One should take at least 350 gm of this fruit daily to overcome constipation.
• Orange is also beneficial in the treatment of constipation. Taking one or two oranges daily in the morning or bedtime is an excellent way of stimulating the bowels.
• Papaya and figs are also very helpful for the treatment of constipation. Half a medium-sized papaya should be taken at breakfast for it to act as a laxative. Both fresh and dry figs have a laxative effect. Four or five dry figs should be soaked overnight in a little water and eaten in the morning.
• Raw spinach is also very good for the cleansing, reconstruction, and regeneration of the intestinal tract. Raw spinach juice, about 100 ml, mixed with an equal quantity of water should be taken twice daily, to cure the most aggravated cases of constipation within a few days.
• A teaspoon of linseed swallowed with water before each meal provides both roughage and lubrication to the bowels.

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Some tips to deal with fever :

• When you are suffering from fever, dress in lightweight clothing to allow heat loss through the skin. Avoid using socks, slippers, or a hat because heat escapes through the head and feet.
• Use a lightweight blanket if you feel cold or if you are shivering, but leave the feet exposed.
• It is always advisable to keep quiet and lie in your bed, since activity increases body temperature.
• Drink lots of water and fruit juices. Your body needs extra fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Prefer liquid food over solid food. Eat foods that are easily digestible. Completely avoid heavy foods like fast food, chicken, fish, raw foods and fried foods.
• Take complete rest. Take cool baths. Children should also be given cool baths instead of aspirin. Avoid exercises and sudden temperature change.

If you have a fever that just won’t break, try the following remedies :

• Take a cloth, dip it in cool water and place on the forehead. Keep some cloth pieces handy. Change the cloth every 5 minutes. It will absorb the body heat.
• Take a raw onion, peeled and sliced, and place the slices in the bottom part of your socks, such that they will touch the soles of your feet. Put on the socks before you go to bed and sleep with them on your feet. When you get up in the morning, your fever will have reduced considerably.
• Garlic will also help in bringing the fever down. Put some fresh cloves of garlic into a blender to make a paste that will spread about 1/4″ thick on gauze. Put a little olive oil on the feet so the garlic will not irritate them. Apply the garlic pads to the soles of both feet and keep them in place by wrapping with gauze. Don’t cover the soles of the feet entirely so that heat can escape. Leave the pads overnight.
• To reduce fever, try rubbing alcohol on the insides of elbows and back of knees and on the forehead and neck. This will bring the fever down.
• Finely grate an apple and spread it 1/2 inch thick on a piece of double-layered cheesecloth about 6 inches in length. Apply this over the forehead. Make a similar poultice for the throat area or chest if necessary. Leave on for one hour.
• Crush 10 grams of raisins and ginger. Boil them in 200 ml of water till it reduces to 50 ml. Strain and drink this solution warm.
• To immediately reduce high body temperature, boil powder of 2 to 3 tsp dry roasted fenugreek seeds. Strain the water and add a drop of ghee to it and drink. Drink juice made out of sweet basil leaves twice or thrice a day.

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When you age, you tend to get wrinkles and fine lines on your face. Here are some methods to remove those ugly wrinkles:

• Apply the leftover egg whites in the bottom of the shell to the lines under your eyes and around your mouth.
• Apply almond oil under the eyes and massage with light stokes using a finger. You can also use odorless castor oil under the eyes or on the neck.
• Prick 3 capsules of vitamin E and pour the contents into a small bowl. Add 2 tsp’s plain yogurt, 1/2 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp. lemon juice to it. Apply to face with a cotton ball. Leave on skin for about 10 minutes. And then rinse with water.
• Or make a solution using the follwing ingredients: ¼ cup comfrey infusion, ¼ cup witch hazel, 10 drops patchouli essential oil. Mix well and store in a clean bottle. Apply to effected areas with a cotton ball.
• Apply coconut oil on the face and neck where wrinkles set in and gently massage every night at bedtime.
• Regular facial is very effective to control wrinkles. Gentle massage increases blood circulation, which results in tightening of the muscles and tissues, thus providing a younger look.
• Apply curd to your face and wash off after half an hour.
• Blemishes and age spots can become lighter by applying lemon juice mixed with rose water a few times a day.
• Apply a paste of turmeric powder mixed with sugarcane juice to remove wrinkles and to prevent skin ageing.
• Cut some grapes in half and gently crush on your face at wrinkle lines. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse with warm water. Wrinkles will disappear.
• Rub the core of pineapple on the face for a few minutes and leave for 10-15 minutes. This is excellent for fine wrinkles.
• Apply the juice of green pineapples and apples on the face daily and leave for 10-15 minutes. This is excellent for fine wrinkles and cracked skin.
• Use a good moisturiser daily. There are a number of good products available in the market that help to resore your skin’s vitality.

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Hiccups start from the diaphragm, a dome shaped muscle in the chest. Some of the home remedies for hiccups are as follows :

1. Gargle with water or place an ice bag on the diaphragm for sometime
2. Sip ice water quickly
3. Place a tablespoon of sugar in mouth and suck slowly. In most cases, it is a sure remedy.
4. Eat a spoonful of peanut butter. It stops hiccups immediately. It can work for children also.
5. Drink a glass of soda water quickly.
6. Hold your breath as long as possible, and let it go out. The lungs expand and push down on the diaphragm, stopping hiccups immediately.
7. Mix 2 teaspoon common salt in a cup of plain yogurt and consume it. It is a good remedy.
8. For recurring hiccups, suck small pieces of fresh ginger.
9. Plug your ears with your fingers and drink something with a straw.
10. Lay on your back.
11. Put a paper bag over your mouth and nose and breathe several times.
12. Close your eyes and gently press your eye balls
13. Yell or sing as loud as you can.
14. Suck on a lemon wedge. The hiccups will be gone.

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