Alternative Therapies and Health News

Recent studies have shown that cocoa promotes the functioning of brain in ageing people. In the University of Nottingham, England, experiments were conducted on ageing women by engaging them in complex tasks. When they were given cocoa high in flavanols, there showed an increase in blood flow to the brain.

Flavanol is an antioxidant found in cocoa that increases the blood flow. It works by dilating the blood vessels. So the medical practitioners believe that cocoa can be used to treat health conditions like stroke or dementia that are caused due to a decreased blood flow to the brain. Dementia causes a decline in the cognitive function of ageing people.

Chocolates and other cocoa products available in the market contain less flavanol as it makes the chocolate taste bitter. The report of a study conducted in Netherlands states that older men who ate a small bar of chocolate everyday showed low blood pressure.

Chocolates are well known to promote and maintain the cardiovascular health. But only those dark pure chocolates contain good amount of the antioxidant flavanoid that reduces blood clotting, reduces cell damage and improves the blood sugar level. Yet another study has found that cocoa even stops the spread of tumor cells. Flavanols are also found in some fruits and tea.

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Osteoarthritis also known as degenerative arthritis is one of the most commonly occurring arthritis that attacks over several millions of people in the United States. The cartilage (between our bones) which serves as a cushion for our joints starts breaking down and eventually disappears. This causes friction in the joints and results in pain and loss of motion of the joint.

The areas most affected by arthritis are, hips, hands, feet, neck, spine and knees. As our body ages, our joints are used repetitively; this causes the cartilage to degenerate and causes pain and swelling in the joints.

If osteoarthritis is found in more than one member in the family, then it could be hereditary. Other factors that cause arthritis are obesity, diabetes, surgery in joints, gout and some hormone disorders. Some people are even born with abnormally formed joints.
When the traditional and conventional medical treatment does not provide enough relief from pain, people opt for alternative remedies. Following are some of the commonly used alternative therapies for osteoarthritis:

• Acupuncture is a kind of treatment used for relieving pain caused by the arthritis. In this treatment needles are inserted at specific junctions in the skin. Inserting the needles activate the pain relieving chemicals in the nervous system.
• Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are the two nutrients or molecular building blocks that are used as alternative supplements in curing osteoarthritis. They have shown to reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Glucosamine must be taken for at least one month before it starts showing any improvements in the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine, found in oyster and crab shells, is a very popular treatment for osteoarthritis.
• Some herbs like curcumin, ginger, stinging nettle and evening primrose are considered to be useful in reducing arthritis pain.
• Anti-oxidant vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids are good for reducing pain ands swelling in the joints. Some recommend avoiding food items like white potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and eggplant.
• Exercise and weight control is most essential and also very effective in reducing the symptoms of arthritis. 

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No child likes to visit a doctor. And it is often your care and concern that work miracles than your doctor’s medicines. There are some easy treatments for some common infections like the flu which can be treated at home with the parent’s attention and care.

• Flu can make your child dehydrated. Give your child plenty of water, fruits and other drinks to replace the fluid loss.
• Feed your child food items rich in vitamin C. This will boost his/ her immune system. Zinc also enhances your immunity.
• In a cup of boiling water put few drops of lemon juice and 2 sticks of cinnamon. Add two spoons of honey to the mixture and drink before going to bed.
• Do not give your child milk and other diary products.
• Make a soup with onion, garlic, cinnamon and pepper.
• Make ginger tea by boiling a spoon of ginger in a cup of water. Add tea leaves and sugar.
•  Take one spoon honey with quarter spoon cinnamon powder.
• Gargle with salt water. Add half spoon of salt to one glass of warm water.
• Soaking your feet in hot water will relieve you of headache and nasal congestion.
• Using pillow while sleeping will make breathing easier.
• Give your child some hard candy to suck to moisten the throat. Be careful while giving it to small children as it could result in choking.
• Raising the humidity of your child’s room will give him/her great relief. High humidity will ease sore throat and loosen phlegm.
• Make sure your child’s room has a good supply of fresh air.

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Here are some easy and quick ways to relieve stress for busy people like you.

Listen to music

Music not only relaxes your tensed muscles, but also relieves you from stress and helps you look at the bright side of life. In your busy hours, whenever you find time, turn on some music. Even singing a song that you like is an excellent stress outlet. You need not be a good singer; just sing the way you like. You could even readout your favorite poem.
While eating

Do not eat in a hurry. Enjoy your lunch and snack. Sugar, caffeine and alcohol increase the stress response of your nervous system. So avoid them as much as you can.
Let your imagination run wild

Close your eyes and give wings to your imagination. Try visualizing those beautiful things that can make you happy and improve your mood.
Do not hesitate to deny

If you feel that you are being assigned a job that you cannot do, or would be an over burden for you, never hesitate to say “no”. Saying “yes” wouldn’t help in such a situation because you would be in trouble and you would also be putting the other person in trouble (whom you had intended to help) if you are unable to finish the job. Handle such a situation diplomatically. Say no in a matter-of-fact way and in a polite manner so as not to offend the other person.
Be optimistic

Try to look at the good side of everything. This helps you boost your confidence and give you hope. “Things are not that bad after all”.
Accept failures

One must also learn to accept failures in life. Failures help you grow into a more matured and experienced person. If you find that something has not worked out the way you expected it to, try to sort out the reasons for failure. Try to find out some better means to carry out the work. Try out other areas where you can excel; the opportunities are endless.
Exercising

Exercising or even a walk can help you shift your attention from stressful situations. If you do not find time in between your busy schedule for exercise or walk, you could practice some breathing exercises inside your office room or house. Breathing exercises helps you relax your mind and body.
Games

There are games that you could play on your computer in between your busy schedule. Playing games is an excellent stress relief strategy.

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Dry skin can cause itching or rashes on your skin. It can affect any part of the body; but the most frequently affected part is the arms and legs. Dry skin is usually caused due to inability of the skin to retain moisture. Here are some simple tips for a smoother and younger looking skin.

• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Drink plenty of water (at least 8 glasses) to keep your skin hydrated.
• Add oil (almond oil or olive oil) to your bath. Using bath oils and moisturizers daily would help. Oil stays more on the skin than moisturizers.
• Do not take bath in hot water for long durations.
• Avoid washing your face frequently; it might cause dehydration.
• Avoid using deodorants which can cause skin irritation.
• Increase the amount of essential fatty acids in your diet. It will help replace the moisture content of your skin and hair.
• Exfoliate your skin at least three times a week to get rid of dead cells. If dead cells remain on your skin, it lets the moisture escape from its cracks.
• Apply moisturizer to your skin.
• Limit the use of soap while bathing. After you take bath, pat your skin dry; and do not rub.
• Wear gloves when you wash clothes and dishes.
• Burrow’s solution that contains calcium acetate will be a great relief. Dilute one part of Burrow’s solution with 30 parts of water and apply on your skin.
• Dry skin usually lacks lipids that are found on normal skin that helps retain water on your skin. Use creams that help replace lipids on your skin.
• Do not overexpose your skin to sun. Apply sunscreen or moisturizer to those areas of skin that are prone to exposure.
• Extreme weather conditions can also cause dry skin. Use humidifier at home while central heating.

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Our stomach secrets acids, that helps in the digestion of food. If the acids secreted by our stomach exceed the required amount, it causes acidity. But if the secretion is low, the food will not be digested properly. The gastric juice is produced in excess if we eat spicy food, consume non-vegetarian food, smoke or drink alcohol. Acidity also results due to lack of proper sleep. Here are some simple ways to treat acidity without the doctor’s help.

• Have fruits, especially banana every day.
• Avoid fried and spicy food, chocolates and vinegar.
• Raw salad should be avoided.
• While eating, chew the food properly.
• Avoid smoking and drinking.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Sucking pieces of clove for some time will give you great relief.
• Eating almonds will also give you relief from acidity.
• Tender coconut water is highly beneficial for acidity.
• Drinking milk is also good to keep acidity at bay.
• Consume small pieces of jaggery after your meals.
• Consuming yoghurt will give instant relief from acidity.
• Boil cumin seeds in water and drink it.
• Chewing mint leaves in empty stomach will also help.

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The anti-ageing property of red wine makes it an elixir of life. Research has shown that drinking red wine can slow down ageing process. The purple colored grape skin is used for preparing red wine. According to the scientists, melatonin present in the grape skin protects the cell from getting damaged. According to the scientists, if women took a daily supplement of melatonin from the age of 35, they could delay the ageing process. Other food items containing melatonin are onions, bananas, rice and cherries. A family of enzymes called the sirtuins found in red wine has shown to increase the lifespan of organisms like yeast, worms and flies. It is also considered to be effective in people suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Grapes are rich in antioxidants. The antioxidant Resveratrol present in grape is known to have excellent health benefits. Researchers at the Litwin-Zucker Research Center for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders in Manhasset, New York discovered that resveratrol present in red wine lowers the level of amyloid-beta peptide that is responsible for Alzheimer’s disease.

The antioxidant resveratrol also aids in slowing down the aging process. In a typical diet, resveratrol is present only in a very limited amount. Its benefits were tested on several life forms like the yeast cells, fruit flies, nematode worms and mice. Study conducted at the Harvard University showed that resveratrol present in wine reduces the negative effects of high calorie, thereby extending the lifespan. It reduces the risk of liver damage, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and blood sugar. Recent studies and experiments on animals show that the anti-oxidants present in red wine inhibits the growth of certain cancerous cells.

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These eye exercises help relax the eye muscles and improve the nerve coordination between the eye and the brain. Exercising your eye constantly might not help you restore your vision, but it will certainly prevent further deterioration of vision.

Through these simple exercises you could prevent further vision damage.

• Take off your glasses and contact lenses before you begin to exercise.
• Rub the palm of your hands until it is warm. Cover your eyes with your cupped palm, and do not let any light enter through the gaps of your fingers. Imagine black color and focus on it. Breathe slowly and evenly. Do the exercise whenever you find time.
• Roll your eyes in a clockwise direction first and then in anticlockwise direction.
• Look straight. Focus on an object at a long distance. Shift your focus to an object far away at the right side without turning your head. Similarly, turn your focus to the left side.
• Leave your eyes closed for 5 seconds and then open it for 5 seconds. Repeat 10 times.
• Close your eyes and look directly at the sun. Turn your head from side to side as much as you can.
• Focus on a distant object for half a minute; and then, focus on a nearby object. Repeat this at least 5 times.
• These days, 3D stereo images are used as tools for training the eyes to treat vision problems.
• Hold your fingers slightly away from your nose, and then slowly bring it close to your nose. Let your eyes follow the movement of your fingers.

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Graying of hair is a result of decline in melanin. Premature graying results due to over anxiety, stress or due to the lack of some nutrients in the diet. The factor could be hereditary also.

Some ways to avoid or treat premature graying are:

• Cut gooseberry into pieces and dry it. Boil the dry pieces in coconut oil.
• Soak gooseberry with few leaves of henna overnight. Grind them and apply them on your scalp and hair. After an hour, wash your hair. 
• Add curry leaves liberally in food. It strengthens the hair from the root.
• Take fresh butter made from cow’s milk and massage on your scalp once in a week. It prevents premature graying of hair.
• Pantothenic acid, para-aminobenzoic acid (paba) and inositol are nutrients that lowers premature graying of hair. Having yoghurt daily during meal time reduces the risk.
• Grind curry leaves in yoghurt and apply them on your scalp. Wash after half an hour.
• Make a paste from fenugreek and hibiscus leaves and apply them on your scalp and hair.
• Boil the paste of henna leaves in coconut oil. Apply them on your scalp and hair. Wash away after two hours. 
• Grind one tablespoon of amla and mix it in lime juice. Apply them on your scalp before going to bed. Wash your hair the next day.
• In a cup of black tea, mix one tablespoon of black tea. Massage this mixture on your scalp. Let it remain on your scalp for an hour. Wash it.

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Frostbites happen in very cold climates, when the body tissue becomes frozen. The blood vessels in the affected area get damaged, blood flow gets restricted and the tissues become numb or sometimes they even die out.

Fingers, toes, cheeks, nose and ears are affected. The affected area becomes red and swollen accompanied by a burning sensation. The parts become almost numb. The damage could even spread to nerves and bones. Serious cases can lead to amputation and even death.

To treat frostbite,

• Bring the person indoor as soon as possible.
• Keep the affected area still.
• Do not rub or massage the affected area.
• Do not use very warm water over the affected area. Submerge the area in a container of water slightly warmer than the room temperature (only slightly warm).
• Wrap the patient’s body in layers of clothing. The air between the layers of cloth will help keep your body warm.
• Wrap the fingers and toes individually so that they do not rub against each other.
• Eat carbohydrate rich food.
• Drink plenty of warm fluid.
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol while recovering.
• Do not wear tight fitting clothes; it will decrease the circulation.
• Keep the affected area in an elevated position to minimize swelling.
• Wear hat, scarf and earmuffs to keep warm.
• Do a lot of physical exercise to keep your body warm.

Once you have been attacked by frostbite, it is more likely to happen again. Children are more susceptible to frostbite than adults.

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Migraine headache is an acute pain on either side of your head. It occurs because of overworking your head and neck muscles. Other reasons could be eye strain, bright light, loud noise, hunger, sleeplessness and stress. Headache could also be a side effect of some other health problems.

Some home remedies for relief from migraine headaches:

• Take few cabbage leaves, crush them properly and wrap them on a cotton cloth. Tie it and place it on your forehead.
• Placing ice, wrapped in a kitchen towel, on your forehead will give you great relief from migraine.
• For quick relief from headache, apply clove paste on the forehead.
• Smells of Lavender, Peppermint, Sandalwood, or Eucalyptus is very effective in relieving stress. The scent of green apple is also an excellent remedy for migraine.
• Grape juice gives excellent relief from migraine.
• Mixing spinach juice with carrot juice in equal proportions has been found to be very useful in treating migraine.
• Having a cup of coffee will also relieve you from migraine.
• Have two teaspoons of honey before each meal.
• Avoid food containing monosodium glutamate. 
• Consume food items rich in magnesium.

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Suryanamaskara is the traditional way of sun worship in India. The word literally means “salutation to the sun”. The rays of the morning sun are greeted with suryanamskara. It is a combination of certain yogasanas and pranayamas.

It does not take much space and can even be done within the four walls of your apartment. It needs only enough space to lie down and stretch your arms.

Suryanamaskara includes a series of twelve postures and is done in a cyclic fashion. It is done early in the morning facing the east. The asanas are performed accompanied by mantras.

1. Pranamasan: Stand straight and erect with palms of your hands folded before your chest. “Om mitraya namah” “the friend of all”.
2. Hasta Uthaan Asana: Raise your hands keeping them together in the same position and arch yourself backwards as much as you can. This has to be done while breathing in. “Om Ravaye Namah” “the shining one”.
3. Padhasta Asana: Breathe out and bring your hands to your feet by bending at the waist and keeping your legs straight and unbent. “Om Suryaaya Namah” “the one who induces activity”.
4. Ashwa Sanchalan Asana: Inhale and stretch the right leg behind keeping your toe and knees touched to the ground. Your left foot will remain between your hands. Lift your head and neck up. “Om Bhanave Namah” “the illuminating one”.
5. Parvat Asana: While exhaling, stretch your left leg back to reach the right leg . Lift the hip high. Head should face down between the two arms. “Om Khagaya Namah” “the one who moves quickly in the sky”.
6. Ashtanga Namaskar Asana: Inhale, bring the knees down, followed by the chest. See that the hands, feet, chest and knee touch the ground. “Om Pushne Namah” “the giver of strength”.
7. Bhujang Asana: Exhale, raise your head, look up and arch your spine. “Om Hiranyagarbhaya Namah” “the bright centre of all energy”. (Half of the cycle is complete.)
8. Exhale and repeat the fifth step. “Om Marichaye Namah” “the lord of dawn”.
9. Go back to the position in the fourth step “Om Adityaya Namah” “the son of aditi”.
10. While exhaling, go back to the third step. “Om Saavitre Namah” “the benevolent mother”.
11. Raise your hands and position yourself as in step 2. “Om Arkaya Namah” “the one fit to be praised”.
12. Hands together in the namaskara position as you began. “Om Bhaskaraya Namah” “the one who leads to enlightenment”.

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Common cold is an infection that attacks most of us. There is no permanent cure for this. But there are some very simple and natural ways in which you can fight this infection without a visit to your doctor.

• Mix two table spoons of lemon juice to one table spoon honey. Pour this mixture to a small glass of warm water and stir. Drink this preparation twice a day.
• You can prepare nasal drops at home. Add a quarter teaspoon of common salt to 5ml of warm water. Using a dropper instill 2 drops in each nostril four times a day.
• Chop 4-5 cloves of garlic and put them in a glass of water. Boil the water for some time. Drink this before going to bed.
• Taking onion would be very effective as it reduces the amount of mucous in the nasal cavity. Garlic also aids in the cleansing of the body’s blood.
• Cut ginger into small pieces and boil them in a cup of water. Add half a tea spoon of sugar into it. Drink when hot.
• Ginger tea is very effective in curing cold. Smash small ginger piece and add it to plain tea (without milk). Instead of sugar, add honey.
• Turmeric is very effective in curing throat infections. Mix half a spoon of turmeric powder in milk and drink it before going to bed.
• Smash 8-10 pepper and mix it to a table spoon of honey. Consume it in empty stomach early in the morning.
• Prepare a concentrated solution of table salt with warm water and gargle several times in a day. It is a very good remedy for sore throat. 
• Sit before the fire place as much as possible.
• Avoid sour foods and cold foods.

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Marijuana is a psychoactive drug made from the plant Cannabis Sativa. Cannabis Sativa is an herb. The chemical compound tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) present in the drug is shown to have excellent medicinal value.

Because of its medicinal and therapeutic values, it is claimed to be an excellent drug in the treatment of cancer and AIDS patients.

Marijuana has shown to play an important role in the treatment of AIDS. Studies have been conducted by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco where patients who smoked marijuana experienced great relief from chronic foot pain related to AIDS.

Marijuana reduces pressure in the eye. Hence, it is helpful in treating the eye disease Glaucoma that causes blindness.

It is also a relief for patients suffering from nausea and vomiting as a result of chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

Relief for AIDS patients

• Marijuana is a relief for pain, aching, numbness and sensory neuropathy associated with AIDS. Sensory neuropathy is a nerve disorder that is common among HIV patients that shows symptoms like numbness, intense pain, and tingling in the hands and feet. 
• It helps maintaining appetite thereby maintaining the patient’s weight. It increases appetite and enhances the craving for food.
• Marijuana helps in easing muscle and joint pains.
• The report of a study in the journal Neurology claims that Marijuana reduces HIV nerve pain. In an experiment, 50 people having HIV nerve disorder were asked to smoke Marijuana 3-4 times a day. Results showed that the nerve pain got reduced to 34% in these patients. According to studies and reports, marijuana cigarettes have shown to reduce the chronic nerve pain in HIV patients by 70%. No serious side effects have been detected.

Smoking Marijuana has not been directly related to lung cancer, though it can cause bronchitis.

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The medicinal value of the Aloe vera plant is familiar to mankind since centuries. Its therapeutic value has been exploited in all cultures since ages. It can be included in medicines or even used directly.

Cut the fleshy leaf of the plant and remove its green outer cover. Use the colorless fleshy part inside as medicine to be applied on skin and for other ailments. Use only fresh leaves from the plant as it gets oxidized very quickly when exposed to air.

Action on the epithelial tissue

Aloe vera is popularly known as the “burn plant” as it is an excellent treatment for burns.  It heals the burn easily, reduces the pain and even removes the scar. Aloe vera is also used to treat wounds and skin infections. It was used as early as the 1930s for treating x-ray burns.

Aloe vera acts on surface membranes like the damaged epithelial tissue. Hence it is considered to heal eczematous skin.

As a laxative

The inner lining of the aloe vera is used as a laxative that can be taken by mouth. It has proved to be an effective treatment for constipation. It also facilitates digestion by alkalizing the digestive juices.

Action on the immune system

Aloe vera also boosts the immune system functioning. Asthma and some forms of arthritis have also shown to benefit from aloe vera. Experiments have shown that aloe vera has the potential to enhance the immune response of AIDS sufferers. After using aloe vera, the asthma patients were able to cut down the use of inhalers.

Other uses 
If aloe vera is applied twice daily on the scalp for two months, it is considered to cure dandruff.

Evidences from studies have shown that aloe can reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.

Lowers blood glucose level by stimulating insulin secretion by the pancreas. 

Aloe is produced for commercial purposes to be used in several cosmetics and medicines.

At home, while planting aloe vera,

• They must be grown outdoors under light shade providing filtered sunlight.
• Since aloe vera contains a lot of water, it is very sensitive to frost.
• See to it that the soil is completely dry before pouring more water during winter.
• During summer the soil must be completely soaked.

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Dandruff is common among both men and women. It usually happens due to nutritional lack and poor blood circulation. It could also be hereditary. One must have a healthy and balanced diet, and also drink plenty of water.

Listed are some natural ways to treat dandruff:

• Mix vinegar with lemon in the ratio 2:1. Apply it on your scalp for 2-3 hours. Wash your hair with water. Continue the treatment for few months.
• Before going to bed apply olive oil on your scalp. In the morning wash your hair with shampoo.
• Mix coconut oil with castor oil in equal proportions. Warm the combination. Massage your scalp with this warm oil. Apply lemon juice after 3 hours. Let it remain for 2 hours more on your scalp. After that, wash your hair with shampoo. Repeat for 2-3 times a week.
• Rub aloe vera gel onto your scalp before hair wash. Aloe vera is considered to be an excellent treatment for dandruff.
• Applying henna on your hair mixed with lemon juice will also help. Let the henna remain on your hair and scalp for 2-3 hours before washing your hair.
   

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A migraine headache is more than a regular headache. A migraine headache brings an unbearable pain along with nausea. It can also cause vomiting and blurred vision. A migraine headache can make your normal, daily activities difficult. Here are some important diet tips for migraine relief.

Fast on orange juice and water

You have to undertake a thorough cleansing of the system and follow vitality-building measures. To begin with, you should fast on orange juice and water for 2 or 3 days. If you don’t prefer or cannot take the orange juice, you can take juices of vegetables like carrots, cucumber and celery.

Food to avoid
Foods to be avoided are sugar, white flour products, confectionery, pastries, rich cakes, sweets, greasy foods, refined cereals, tinned or preserved foods, condiments, pickles and sauces.

All-fruit diet

After the short juice fast, take an all-fruit diet for about five days, taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits.

Take well-balanced diet

Thereafter you should follow a well-balanced diet of seeds, nuts, vegetables, grains and fruits. Supplement this diet with milk, buttermilk, yoghurt, vegetable oils and honey. Further short periods of the all-fruit diet may be necessary at intervals of a month or two, according to the requirement of the case.

Frequent small meals and copious drinking of water

You should eat frequent small meals rather than taking a few large ones. Avoid the habit of overeating. Copious drinking of water is advised.

Apart from following the above diet tips, consider these treatments.

Take warm-water enema to cleanse bowels

Take a warm water enema daily during the initial 2 or 3 days of the juice fast to cleanse the bowels.

Hot bath and cold compress to head

You can try easy and best techniques for migraine relief like a hot fool bath, cold compress (4.5\JC to 15.6\JC) applied to the head, fomentation over the stomach and spine, and towels wrung out of very hot water and applied frequently to the neck.

Exercise and walk

You should also take plenty of exercise and walk in fresh air.

Hydrotherapy

Combination of hydrotherapy and Aroma Therapy is effective for migraine relief. Soak your hands in hot water at the first sign of a migraine to regulate blood circulation and avert migraine. You can make this hand bath treatment more effective by adding an essential oil like marjoram or lavender. Add 10 drops of either essential oil or a combination of the two to a basin of hot water. Relax, breathe deeply, and soak your hands in the water for 15 minutes.

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Migraine is a paroxysmal ailment, which is accompanied by a severe headache. Normally, headache comes on one side of the head. Migraine is also associated with disorders of the liver, the digestion and the vision. This problem appears when a person is under great mental tension or suddenly gets over that stale.

Migraine may be due to a number of causes like low blood sugar, infection, allergy, excessive intake of certain drugs, low energy, a weak constitution, nutritional deficiency, improper sleep and rest, consistent overwork, excessive smoking, drinking, and sexual indulgence. In case of women, menstruation is also a major cause. This form of migraine usually disappears after menopause.

Here are some useful herbal remedies for migraine.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Regular intake of this herb can reduce the number and severity of migraine attacks. The leaves of feverfew have parthenolide that saves from dilation of blood vessels and inflammation. Eating two fresh leaves everyday can help you to a great extent. It is extremely bitter, and so you may face mouth or tongue irritation. To avoid this problem, wrap the leaves in a piece of fresh bread and eat. You can also try feverfew capsules. You also get standardized parthenolide extract. Take between one-quarter and one-half milligrams of parthenolide everyday to prevent migraine. Take up to two grams during an acute attack.

Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)

It has potent anti-inflammatory properties, and its daily intake helps prevent migraines. Ginger improves blood circulation, relaxes the blood vessels, and decreases the production of pain-causing prostaglandins. Take fresh ginger for a better effect, because the pungent oils in the raw herb have the most active properties. Eating one-quarter inch slice of fresh ginger root everyday, either in raw or lightly cooked form, helps in migraine prevention. If you prefer dried ginger, get good-quality powdered ginger and take 1,000 mg daily. During migraine attack, take 500-1,000 mg at the first sign and repeat it every two hours up to six times a day.

Grapes

The juice of ripe grapes acts well on migraine. Take it several times in small doses.

Niacin

Niacin can better treat migraine. Valuable sources of this vitamin are whole wheat, yeast, green leafy vegetables, nuts, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, liver and fish. Vitamin B complex tablets containing 100 mg of niacin can do the same job.

Lemon crust

The crusts of lemon can effectively treat migraine and give great relief. Pound these crusts into a fine paste in a mortar, and apply the paste as a plaster on the forehead.

Vegetable juices

Carrot juice, in combination with beet and cucumber juices or spinach juice, can treat migraine very well. Mix 200 ml of spinach juice with 300 ml of carrot juice. Or, mix 100 ml each of beet and cucumber juices with 300 ml of carrot juice. Both these combinations can treat your migraine problem.

Cabbage leaf compress

Cabbage leaf compress works well on migraine. Crush few leaves of this vegetable, place it in a cloth, and bind it on your forehead at bedtime or at convenient time. Renew the compress when the leaves dry out.

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A cancer diet should contain the following vitamins.

Vitamin A

Role: acts as anti-oxidant and necessary for healing.
Natural sources: green and yellow fruits and vegetables, organic animal liver, carrots.

Vitamin B Complex

Role: important for nerves and production of energy.