How to Help Hay Fever With Herbs

How to Help Hay Fever With Herbs



Springtime can be especially hard for those who suffer from allergies that cause a runny nose and eyes, sneezing, coughing and other unpleasant symptoms of hay fever. Fortunately for many people, other seasons of the year do provide some relief, when pollen counts are down and other conditions are not so conducive to triggering the symptoms of a hay fever attack. Herbs can help to provide relief from the symptoms, but it is also important to eat healthful foods, get enough rest, avoid stress and keep your immune system strong.







Things You'll Need:





Flaxseed




Nettle leaf




Eyebright herb




Oregon grape root




Cleavers herb




Yarrow flowers




Siberian ginseng




Evening primrose oil capsules




Eucalyptus oil




Peppermint oil




Towel




Large bowl




Hot water









1


Add one to two tablespoons of flaxseed to your food every day to reduce your hay fever symptoms. Also include some of the following in your daily diet: cayenne pepper, ginger root, garlic, onions and horseradish. Also eat whole grains, legumes and fresh green vegetables.





2


Make a tea from the following herbs: nettle leaf, eyebright herb, Oregon grape root, cleavers herb and yarrow flowers. Combine one teaspoonful of each herb for each quart of water. Boil the mixture and then reduce the heat to a simmer for 20 minutes. Drink one cup of this tea two to three times each day before your meals.





3


Try adding Siberian ginseng to your daily regimen if you fee tired. It’s available in capsule form; follow label instructions for dosage recommendations.





4


Take evening primrose oil in capsules for inflammation. They are available at drug stores and natural foods stores. Follow label instructions for dosage recommendations.





5


Use these herbs to help with more severe respiratory symptoms: yerba santa leaf, grindelia flowers, marshmallow root and usnea lichen. Formulas that contain these herbs are available in capsules at your natural foods store.





6


Treat yourself to an herbal steam. Boil about three cups of water and then pour it into a large bowl. Drop about six drops of eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil or both into the bowl. Lean over the bowl of steaming water with essential oils, drape a towel over your head and breathe deeply one or two times each day you are suffering from symptoms.








Tips & Warnings










If it is easier for you to remember to take your herbs in tincture form, you can purchase tinctures of the same herbs listed for tea in Step 2.








Always consult a qualified health care practitioner before using any herb, especially if you are pregnant or nursing or if you are taking any prescribed medications.



http://www.ehow.com/how_4489215_help-hay-fever-herbs.html

How to help cure a sore throat

How to help cure a sore throat



This is a simple and delicious way to help speed up the recovery of a sore throat. It also help prevent one from fully forming. Honey and lemon have tons of properties that are good for one's body. So what is the secret cure? Lemon and honey!







Things You'll Need:





Lemon




Honey




Knife




Tablespoon









1


Take a lemon, wash it, and cut it in half. Make sure to take out the seeds.





2


Take a tablespoon and fill almost all the way with honey. Honey is filled with antioxidants that help fight the germs, and boosts the immune system.





3


Fill up the rest of the tablespoon with lemon juice.








Tips & Warnings










You should take this once a day, until symptoms are gone.



http://www.ehow.com/how_4419679_help-cure-sore-throat.html

How to Help Athlete's Foot With Herbs

How to Help Athlete's Foot With Herbs



You don’t have to be an athlete to get athlete’s foot. This common fungal infection is officially called “Tinea pedis” and can be very annoying, itchy and worrisome. It often starts between the middle toes and spreads rapidly if left untreated. If you have athlete's foot, you can experience scaling, flaking and itching, sometimes accompanied by blisters and cracked skin. With the help of some common herbs such as tea tree, calendula and echinacea, you can begin to experience relief quickly—at least as quickly as with over-the-counter or prescription medications.







Things You'll Need:





Anti-fungal soap




Aloe vera gel




Tea tree oil




Anti-fungal foot powder




Calendula cream









1


To prevent athlete’s foot, keep shower areas clean and try to keep your feet and shoes as dry as possible at all times. If you know that a family member has athlete’s foot, be sure to apply a disinfectant spray each time that person uses the shower. Good foot hygiene can eliminate athlete’s foot.





2


To kill the fungus, wash all socks, bedding and towels in very hot water. Change linens once each week and continue the hot water wash until the problem appears to be gone.





3


Wash your feet with an anti-fungal soap, which is commercially available. Such soaps often contain tea tree oil and can be effective in controlling the fungus that is responsible for this ailment.





4


Apply aloe vera gel to your entire foot after you bathe, leaving it on until it dries before you put on shoes and socks or bedroom slippers.





5


Wash your bedroom slippers in very hot water, with 10 to 20 drops of tea tree oil in the washing machine.





6


Purchase an anti-fungal foot powder. It will not only keep your feet dry, which is important in depriving the fungus of the moisture it needs to survive, but it can also help to heal your fungal infection.





7


Apply echinacea or calendula cream to affected areas two to three times each day. Continue your treatment after your symptoms are gone because the fungus can easily return.








Tips & Warnings










If you have old running shoes that you have worn when an athlete’s foot infection was occurring, replace them.








If your immune system is strong, you can ward off infections of this type. Eat well, get plenty of sleep and take immune boosting herbs such as echinacea or astragalus orally, in capsule, tea or tincture form, for two weeks periodically to help your immune system be its strongest.








Always consult a qualified health care practitioner before using any herb, especially if you are pregnant or nursing or if you are taking any prescribed medications.








If you don’t treat athlete’s foot promptly, it can spread to your toenails, causing a fungal infection that can be much more difficult to heal.



http://www.ehow.com/how_4473335_help-athletes-foot-herbs.html

How to Help Arthritis with Essential Oils

How to Help Arthritis with Essential Oils



Many people suffer from arthritis and the pain, stiffness, inflammation and swelling that goes with it. Essential oils are a great way to help arthritis naturally. Read on to learn what essential oils to use for arthritis as well as the ways to use the essential oils to help sooth the joints affected by arthritis.







How to Help Arthritis with Essential Oils




1


The first thing is to know what essential oils to use for arthritis and some of the things they can help with.

Black Pepper (Piper nigrum)--circulatory stimulants
Chamomile German (Matricaria recutita)--anti-inflammatory
Chamomile Roman (Anthemis nobilis)--analgesic
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globules)--analgesic, anti-inflammatory
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)--anti-inflammatory, circulatory stimulants, analgesic
Juniper (Juniperus communis)--eliminates toxins
Lavender (Lavandula officinalis)--analgesic
Marjoram (Origanum majorana)--analgesic
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)-analgesic
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)-circulatory stimulants, analgesic

Analgesic-relieves or diminishes pain





2


Once you have an idea on what essential oil(s) you would like to use, it is best to research the essential oil(s) to make sure that you don't have any health conditions that you shouldn't use that essential oil with.





3


Once you have the essential oils you would like to use, you can pick the best method of use for you. A massage oil, compress, foot or hand bath are great for arthritis located in a few joints and in small areas. If you have arthritis in many different joints or areas that are hard to put into a large bowl it's best to take a bath and rub massage oil over the entire body, that way all the joints can benefit. See tips for how to use the essential oils for different methods.





4


When the essential oils and method of use are picked start with the bath or compress. You will want the water fairly warm, make sure it's nice and warm but not hot enough to be uncomfortable or burn the skin. Soak for as long as you would like but get out before the water cools. Dry completely.





5


After the bath or compress take the essential oils mixed with the base oil and rub into the area. If the arthritis is just in a few joints or small area use the concentrated massage oil, if the arthritis is over different areas of the body use the massage oil for the full body.





6


Repeat steps 4 and 5 daily, the essential oils will help relieve the effects of arthritis. Some people will notice a difference right away and others may take some time depending on how their body responds to the essential oils and the severity of the arthritis.








Tips & Warnings










Massage oil for joints (concentrated)--for every 2 tbsp of base oil with 25 to 30 drops essential oil added








Massage oil for full body--2 oz. base oil with 25 to 30 drops essential oil added








Compress--a total of 8 drops on the compress








Full body bath--a total of 8 drops mixed in the tub with a handful of epsom salt.








Foot bath-2 to 6 drops mixed in the water with 3 tbsp. epsom salt.








Hand bath-2 to 4 drops mixed in the water with 2 tbsp. epsom salt.








Test all essential oils on the skin before use to make sure that you won't have a reaction to the essential oil, if you do discontinue use of that essential oil.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2181185_help-arthritis-essential-oils.html

How to help a sore throat

How to help a sore throat



Sick again and you do not want to pay a high doctor bill. I will give you a little secert that my dad taught me that works.







Things You'll Need:





water




salt









1


Take a glass and fill it with about 8 oz of water.





2


Next take a tablespoon of salt and put it in the water.





3


Stir it around in the water for a few seconds.





4


Now gargle the salt water until all the water is gone.





5


This will ease up on the pain of a sore throat. And it does work.








Tips & Warnings










make sure you follow the directions and do it twice a day.








This does not cure the sore throat it only soothes it.








Also it will not fight againist strep throat. For that see a doc.



http://www.ehow.com/how_2268957_help-sore-throat.html

How to Help a Hangover With Herbs

How to Help a Hangover With Herbs



The best way to help a hangover is not to drink too much alcohol. But after a big wedding reception or New Year’s Eve party, many people suffer from this malady. The symptoms of a hangover include headache, upset stomach, extreme thirst, diarrhea, and sometimes, in extreme cases, vomiting. You might experience sensitivity to bright lights and to loud noises as well. Sometimes you just want to crawl under the covers and die. None of it is pleasant and a hangover is sometimes referred to as “flu in a bottle.” When you drink too much alcohol of any kind, your liver goes into overdrive to attempt to filter out the toxins that the alcohol introduces to your system. It takes time for your body to return to normal, but herbs can help.







Things You'll Need:





Water with lemon




Ginseng root in tea, tincture or capsules




Milk thistle tablets




Ginger root




Dandelion leaf




Yellow dock root




Chicory root









1


After the party, drink lots of water. Two 8-ounce glasses of good water, with a little fresh lemon juice added, can help greatly in flushing the alcohol out of your liver.





2


If you know beforehand that you will consuming a large amount of alcohol, you can reduce the chances of a bad hangover by taking ginseng and milk thistle. You can purchase dried root at your natural foods store and simmer them in water for 20 minutes to make a tea. Or take these herbs in tincture or tablet form.





3


A tea you make from dandelion leaf and root, yellow dock root, ginger root and chicory root can help to cool and detoxify your liver. Simmer these herbs in water for 20 minutes and then drink one cup of this tea, cooled, several times throughout the day you are suffering from a hangover.





4


Eat healthy foods, like fruits and vegetables and whole grains the day after you consume a large amount of alcohol. The addition of some magnesium, in the form of a supplement, can also help. Vitamin B6 has also been used to relieve hangovers.





5


If you can force yourself to get some exercise, a brisk walk or short jog can help to get your blood flowing and bring more oxygen to your entire body.








Tips & Warnings










Know what you’re drinking and know your capacity for that particular kind of alcohol. Five margaritas might not sound like a lot, but if each one contains three full ounces of alcohol, you’re going to be sorry later.








A hangover should only last one day: if it continues longer, a serious medical condition might exist and you should seek medical attention.








If you suffer from frequent hangovers, evaluate your use of alcohol and consider quitting drinking or at least cutting down on your alcohol consumption.








Always consult a qualified health care practitioner before using any herb, especially if you are pregnant or nursing or if you are taking any prescribed medications.








Never drive a vehicle after drinking alcohol.








The old standby “hair of the dog” cure, where you drink more alcohol such as a Bloody Mary for breakfast the morning after, is not a wise idea and can make you feel worse in the long run.



http://www.ehow.com/how_4479988_help-hangover-herbs.html

How to Heal Your Body With Crystals

How to Heal Your Body With Crystals



Crystals are made up of minerals, as are our bodies. Therefore, there is a natural affinity between crystals and humans. Although they look like simple stones, crystals are anything but. Rather, they are filled with vibrating energy, energy that we can harness to heal our bodies. Many miraculous healings have been reported with the use of crystals. With a little bit of practice, you, too, can learn to heal your body with crystals. Here is how you can do that.







Things You'll Need:





1 large white quartz crystal







How to Heal Your Body With Crystals




1


Go to a quiet place, alone, where you will not be disturbed for at least 10 minutes. Stand in the center of the floor.





2


Pick up a large white quartz crystal.





3


Drop your arms down to your sides, holding the crystal in your right hand





4


Close your eyes.





5


Imagine a white light coming up from the floor.. Imagine it traveling through your feet, up through your legs, up to your stomach and through your chest. Imagine it traveling down your arms and out your hands. Imagine the light traveling out of your right hand and through the crystal. Imagine the crystal glowing with the light. “Feel” it getting warm.





6


Touch: When you feel your crystal getting almost too hot to hold, touch it to the part of your body that needs healing. Feel the heat penetrating your skin. Imagine the crystal healing your body.





7


Bring the crystal up to your face, holding it about an inch away from your eyes. Slowly move it down your body, over your neck and then over your heart and your solar plexus, your abdomen and then your pelvis. This movement will totally cleanse your chakras of any negative energy.





8


Repeat this crystal healing ritual once a week for perfect health.


http://www.ehow.com/how_2323177_heal-body-crystals.html