Archive for the 'Alternative Therapies' Category

4 Common-Sense Natural Remedies for Sunburn

Alternative Therapies, Natural Home Remedies, Traditional Herbal Remedies 2 Comments »

As the weather warms up and we head outside to enjoy all kinds of activities, sunburns are becoming more of a concern. Although you should wear sunscreen every time you go outdoors (even in the winter or on cloudy days), the threat of sunburn is greater in the summer when we spend more time in the sun.

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Finding Natural Treatments for Insomnia

Alternative Therapies, Natural Home Remedies 11 Comments »

When you have trouble sleeping, it can seem like your entire world grinds to a halt. You might be less productive during the day, you might snap at coworkers and loved ones, or you might just feel like you’re in a permanent fog. However insomnia affects you, it’s an unpleasant and uncomfortable way to live.

Long-term insomnia can compromise your immune system and make you more vulnerable to accidents. Before it gets to that point, look into some form of natural treatment for insomnia. There are many ways to help yourself fall asleep if your problem is simply turning off your mind in order to allow sleep to overtake you.

If, however, you have a more serious problem falling and staying asleep, perhaps you need a more serious remedy. Diet and exercise are among the best natural treatments for insomnia as well as a whole host of other problems. Ensure that you are exercising regularly (but not close to bedtime) and that you are getting enough calcium, potassium, zinc, and Vitamin C – these can all help your body function well and allow you to sleep.

Other natural treatments for insomnia are meditation and yoga. There are some yoga poses which are used specifically for promoting sleep, and when done properly they are among the most effective natural treatments for insomnia. Meditation can help you to quiet the panic that insomnia often causes in those who simply can not sleep.

If you are looking for a more involved natural treatment for insomnia, acupuncture and deep tissue massage may be very effective in helping you drift off. Many natural treatments for insomnia are simple and only require you to change the way you think about sleeping and bedtime. Keep an open mind and you’re sure to find the natural treatment for insomnia that works for you.

Natural Migraine Treatments can Reduce your Migraine Misery

Alternative Therapies, Natural Home Remedies, Traditional Herbal Remedies No Comments »

It’s estimated that over 29.5 million Americans suffer from migraines. If you have ever experienced one of these headaches, you are familiar with the misery that they cause. Migraine sufferers often feel desperate to find an effective treatment. What works for one person may have no effect on the next person, so many people may go through several different treatments before discovering one that works for them.

There are a few natural migraine treatments that have been used successfully and somewhat reliably by migraine sufferers. These natural treatments are often preferred over pharmaceutical treatments because their side effects are generally less severe.

One of the oldest natural migraine treatments is the herb feverfew. This herb has been preferred over other natural migraine treatments for centuries and is said to be extremely effective. It may have some unpleasant side effects, though, so do your homework before trying this natural migraine treatment.

Other natural migraine treatments include healthy doses of magnesium, vitamin B12, and fish oil. These food-based natural migraine treatments work more as prevention than treatment, but they can be extremely helpful in the long term. They do not come with side effects, but care should be taken to avoid overdosing on any one vitamin or mineral.

Not all natural migraine treatments have to be ingested, though. Some of the best natural migraine treatments are external. Acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments, and massage therapy are some of the most effective natural migraine treatments for both long term and short term relief. There’s nothing quite like a soothing and gentle massage to ease away the stress of a migraine!

As more migraine sufferers choose natural migraine treatments over medical treatments, these natural migraine treatments become more mainstream and readily available to all of us. Try them for long term or short term relief and decide for yourself whether they can provide relief that’s on a par with medicinal treatments.

Identify and Treat a Yeast Infection in your Belly Button

Alternative Therapies, Natural Home Remedies 5 Comments »

Although some are afraid or too embarrassed to talk about it, a yeast infection in the belly button is a problem that many people face. Yeast infections are not commonly known for attacking the belly button, but this condition is common in overweight and obese people whose larger midsections provide a warm and damp place for the infection to thrive. Even people of a healthy weight can develop a yeast infection in the belly button.

You may notice a yeast infection in your belly button as a bad smell or moisture in the area. Resist the urge to play with the area and begin treatment as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can result in a painful and difficult to control infection.

The most effective treatment may be to use yeast infection treatments that are available over the counter. A yeast infection in your belly button is the same type of yeast infection that can strike in any warm, damp environment on your body, but it is normally very easy to clear up. A day or two of treatment may be all you need to cure a yeast infection in your belly button.

Other simple ways to cure a yeast infection in the belly button are to cleanse the area with hydrogen peroxide or tea tree oil. Both of these substances are known to kill the bacteria that cause yeast infections. However, they should never be used for oral or vaginal yeast infection without prior advice from your doctor.

The simplest way to avoid getting a yeast infection in your belly button or other damp parts of your skin is to was the areas thoroughly and dry them completely. Since a yeast infection is not the only condition that can cause the symptoms described, it’s always a good idea to see your doctor for advice before attempting home treatment.

More Natural Remedies for a Sore Throat

Alternative Therapies, Natural Home Remedies 1 Comment »

We’ve already taken a look at some herbal remedies for sore throats, but there are plenty of other natural remedies for a sore throat that don’t require any herbal ingredients.

One of the best natural remedies for a sore throat is very simple: get plenty of rest, drink lots of extra fluids, and apply warmth to your throat. This can be in the form of a warm compress from the outside or warm tea from the inside.

The application of cold is also among the best natural remedies for a sore throat. Eating a frozen juice pop can help you stay comfortable and even calm the post nasal drip-induced tickle at the back of your throat. Don’t suck on the popsicle, though, since that can strain your throat muscles. Just bite off small pieces and let them melt in the back of your mouth.

Some other natural remedies for sore throats that have been used for many years with great success are cool mist humidifiers and hard candies. Most of us can remember parents or grandparents suggesting these natural remedies for a sore throat instead of reaching for a bottle of medicine – and they were on to something! The mist from a humidifier can keep your throat moisturized and comfortable, and letting hard candies dissolve in your mouth has a similar effect.

If you ask ten people for their favorite natural remedies for a sore throat, you’re likely to get ten different answers – and all of them will swear their method is the best. One of the more unique home remedies for sore throats is drinking apple cider vinegar: mix a tablespoon of it with a tablespoon of honey in a cup of warm water, then drink.

The best natural remedies for a sore throat are the ones that work for you. If you find something that works particularly well, then stick with it. If you haven’t yet found an effective remedy, just keep looking – there are hundreds out there to choose from!