Tuesday, 31 May 2016

Home Remedies for Migraine

 


Home Remedies for Migraines
 Home Remedies for Migraine

 


Migraine is a complex disorder caused around the brain and head involving the brain and the blood vessels. Migraine headaches are more severe and last longer than normal tension headaches. The pain that migraines bring can last for hours or even days.


Top five home remedies for treating migraines that grandmas suggest are:


  1. Apple Cider Vinegar: Being a power house of nutrition, apple cider vinegar helps in reducing migraine problem. It also offers a huge range of health benefits like, detoxification, managing high blood pressure, balancing the blood sugar, reducing pain in bones and promote weight loss.

  • To a glass full of water, mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar.

  • Add in one tablespoon of honey.

  • Drink this solution daily to prevent as well as treat migraines.

During migraine attack or when you start feeling the symptoms of it, increase the intake number of tablespoons to two or three.


  1. Ice Pack: The most popular and instant home remedy to get rid of tension as well as migraine is using an ice pack.

  • Wrap a few ice cubes in a clean towel and place it on your forehead for 10-15 minutes.

  • For better results, add lavender or essential oils to the water for the compress.

  1. Cayenne Pepper: The use of cayenne pepper is a great home remedy for migraines as it stimulates circulation and improves blood flow.

  • Mix one teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a cup of warm water.

  • Add some drops of lemon juice and honey to improve the taste.

  • Drink this as required.

  1. Ginger: Research indicates that ginger may prove effective in the treatment of common migraine problem.

  • Drink ginger tea a few times a day until you get relief.

  • Simply chewing a piece of raw ginger root can also help treat the problem and reduce symptoms like nausea.

  1. Massage: Massaging the head helps ease migraine headaches as it help in blocking the pain signals sent to the brain. It also boosts activity and stimulates certain receptors, thereby reducing the symptoms as well as frequency of migraines.

  • In a circular motion gently massage the head with your first two fingers.

  • Heat two tablespoon of sesame oil. Mix in half teaspoon each of cinnamon and cardamom powder. Apply this paste on forehead and massage it for better results.


Home Remedies for Migraine

Could you be Anemic and not know it?

Anemia is a symptom, not a disease it occurs when red blood cells impedes delivery of oxygen throughout the body.  And red blood cells become low haemoglobin. Anemia can be caused by a host of different problems. This type is known as iron deficiency anemia and need to increase the levels of essential minerals. While most of the people with it don’t realize and if left unchecked, anemia gets worse.


Different kinds:


  • Nutritional deficiency

  • Sideroblastic

  • Sickle cell

  • Iron deficiency

Causes:


  • Anemia is caused by blood loss, decreased or faulty blood cells, and by destruction of red blood cells.

  • Sufficient oxygen in the blood allows us to be physically active, and when less than normal, it causes feeling tired, weak and may feel grappled to breathe.

  • If anemia is left untreated for long term, it may cause health consequences, hair loss and anxiety.

Signs of anemia are –


  • Fatigue

  • Pale skin

  • Dizziness – feeling of light headedness

  • Cold hands or feet due to poor blood circulation

  • Chest pain

  • Headache – anemic people’s brain gets less iron than it’s needs, it’s arteries swell and get instant headaches

  • Shortness of breath

  • Weakness

  • Irregular heartbeat

To eat – iron rich foods to combat anemia includes red meat, fish, oysters, mussels, green leafy vegetables, and dried fruit.



Could you be Anemic and not know it?

Causes, Prevention & Treatment of Low Testosterone Levels

 


Testosterone
                     Testosterone

 


An important male sex hormone called testosterone plays an important role in controlling male physical features. Women also have this hormone but in smaller amounts than men. In males, it is secreted by testicles and in females, ovaries produce it. This hormone plays an important role in development of testis and prostate which are the male reproductive tissues. It also promotes the development of secondary sexual characters in males like growth of body hair, increased muscle and bone mass, and deepening of the voice at puberty. The brain and a small gland at the base of the brain called pituitary gland control the production of testosterone. The hypothalamus, located in the brain, tells the pituitary gland how much testosterone the body needs. The pituitary gland then sends the message to the testicles. Most testosterone is produced in the testicles, but small amounts come from the adrenal glands, which are located just above the kidneys.


Causes of high and low levels:


Testosterone levels change from hour to hour being highest in the morning and lowest at night. These hormone levels are highest at the age of 20 to 30 and after 30 to 35, it slowly goes down. Causes for level fluctuations are as follows:


• Low level or hypogonadism occurs due to testicle injuries, chromosomal abnormalities, ovarian failure, or chemotherapy of nearby tumors.

• Gland malformations, decreased blood flow to glands, taking anabolic steroids to enhance muscle mass, gland inflammation due to diseases or pituitary or hypothalamus associated tumors.


Hypergonadism or high levels occur due to adrenal or testicular tumor, precocious puberty and hyperthyroidism.

• The medical conditions which are associated with the cause for excess testosterone are rare.


Prevention & Treatment of testosterone levels:


• Treatment for low levels depend upon its cause. It’s replacement therapy is done sometimes and weight loss is the best medicine at other times.

• Any form of exercise done regularly or being physically active can raise its levels.

• Getting enough sleep, managing tension and eating vitamin D rich foods can help in prevention of it’s levels getting reduced.

• Treatment of higher levels can be done by medication by getting diabetes under control, using an anti-androgen drug.

• Through diet control by eating more soy products, adding more flax seeds to your diet, avoiding refined carbohydrates, or by reducing your fat consumption can reduce the testosterone levels.


You may get yourself checked for testosterone levels by booking a test with us here



Causes, Prevention & Treatment of Low Testosterone Levels

Monday, 30 May 2016

Many Kinds of Indian Tea & it's Benefits

 


Tea
                                  Tea

 


British East India Company brought Tea to India as a recreational drink. However, today it is the second largest tea producers in the world. Assam and Darjeeling are exclusively Tea producers in India.


Every Indian household are fond of starting their day with a hot steaming cup of tea. The health benefits offered by different variety of Teas are as under:


WHITE TEA


White tea is the healthiest and purest of all teas because it is least processed of all teas. It is made from new buds and young leaves of the plant and has highest content of antioxidants .This loose leaf tea brews a light colour with subtle flavour and is best served as it is, unadulterated


White Tea is rich in antioxidants that protect the body from damage by free radicals and delays ageing. It contains Flavonoids, a class of antioxidants, which impedes the growth of cancerous cells. It lowers blood pressure and blood cholesterol, thus protects heart. It guards against the common cold and flu, and is known to accelerate metabolism, which helps in staying slimmer.


GREEN TEA


Green tea is the most popular type of tea and is a “true” tea that has undergone minimum oxidation during processing. Green tea is often scented with flowers or mixed with fruits to create scented or flavoured teas.


It contains Polyphenols like flavonoids and catechins which act like antioxidants. It is rich in caffeine which blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine and increases the concentration of neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine which increases brain function. It is great for those who intend to lose weight. It lowers risk of various cancers, cardiovascular diseases, type II diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease


OOLONG TEA


Oolong tea, is most commonly recognized as traditional Chinese tea and is somewhere between green and black in oxidation. It helps in reducing cholesterol, provides protection against cancer and diabetes.


Oolong Tea boosts your metabolism and helps you to lose some extra kilos. It lowers cholesterol, aids digestion and stabilizes blood sugar levels. It also prevents tooth decay and promotes healthy hair growth.


BLACK TEA


Black tea is the tea most of us grew up with. It is generally stronger in flavour and contains more caffeine than the less oxidized. It is prepared by boiling black tea leaves in hot water till all the flavour of the leaves is dissolved in the water. It can be served either with freshly squeezed lemon or with sugar & milk. One can add ginger or cardamom to enhance taste.


It enhances oral health and boosts our immunity. The phyto-chemicals found in black tea help in strengthening bones and relieves stress. It contains tannins which have a therapeutic effect on gastric and intestinal tract.


HERBAL TEA


Herbal tea is the only tea that does not contain any leaves from the Camellia plant family. They are of three types-


(i) Rooibos teas – It is also Known as Red tea, and is made from a South African red bush.
(ii) Mate teas – It is made from the leaves and twigs of the yerba mate plant and is particularly popular among coffee drinkers because it tastes like coffee.
(iii) Herbal Infusions – Teas which contain extracts of pure herbs, flowers, and fruits are known as Herbal infusions.


Only limited research has been carried out on the benefits of herbal tea but it is said that their benefits are attributed to the kind of infusion used. Herbal tea, in reality contain very little amount of tea.


So next time while you are sipping your tea, be happy that you are sipping good health and longevity.



Many Kinds of Indian Tea & it's Benefits

Home remedies for hair care

There are very few of us out there, who are happy with the way our tresses are. Some of us want our locks to be thick, some crib about lack of shine, some are bugged by split ends, some are perturbed because of untimely graying and some feel OMG! The growth rate is damn slow.


So, it won’t be wrong to say that all of us want to change one thing or the other about our hair. Here are some tried and tested home remedies, and believe me that you will grow an inch taller every time somebody compliments your tresses, once you are regular with these remedies.


1.      Avocados and eggs


To add shine to your dull and damaged hair mash a ripe avocado, mix it with one egg and apply to your hair. Leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing it off, stick to this remedy at least once every week to get a lustrous mane.


2.      Olive Oil


Use warm olive oil to massage your scalp and leave the oil overnight. Shampoo as usual the next morning. It is a great remedy against dry and brittle hair as olive oil restores moisture of our hair.


3.      Onions


It might sound bit smelly and crazy, but this remedy is one of the oldest and most effective when it comes to accelerating hair growth. Peel and chop two onions, blend it and take out the juice, apply the juice for 15 minutes on your hair scalp and wash it off using a mild shampoo. Sulphur present in onion helps in collagen production and thus accelerates hair growth.


4.      Apple Cider Vinegar


Mix apple cider vinegar with water in 3:4 ratios. After you are done with washing your hair, just use a cup of this solution to rinse your hair. It cleanses the scalp and maintains perfect PH of scalp which accelerates hair growth.


5.      Coconut oil and camphor


To get rid of dandruff, add some camphor to warm coconut oil and apply to your scalp and leave overnight. Wash your hair the next day, repeat this remedy twice a week for about a month and you will be pleasantly amazed at the results.


6.      Wrap it up against split ends


The best remedy for split ends is to wrap your hair in a cotton towel to absorb excess moisture, after washing your hair.  To avoid split ends, try to naturally dry your hair rather than using blowers and dryers.


7.      Fenugreek and coconut milk


Mix one teaspoon of paste made out of fenugreek seeds with two teaspoon of coconut oil. Apply it to your scalp before washing it off after 30 minutes. This remedy helps in protecting natural hair color and also promotes hair growth.


8.      Henna and yogurt


Applying a henna pack at least once a month helps in adding luster to your dull hair and it acts as natural conditioner as well. Henna pack can be made by mixing dry henna powder with yogurt.


These remedies help you with your hair care regime making your hair the way you dream them to be. However, it is always better to compliment these remedies with a balanced protein rich diet for a healthy mane.



Home remedies for hair care

Grandma Tips for Curing Constipation

 


Constipation
                    Constipation

 


Issues like constipation are natural yet embarrassing and we, more than often avoid discussing them, in our daily life.  I don’t know why we torture ourselves; by keeping such things bottled up inside, when there are number of easy home remedies for constipation. So, if you have not pooped from two days, try some of these solutions to fix up your potty woes.


  1. Let the lemon work

Squeeze a lemon in a glass of warm water and sip it till the glass is empty. It helps to flush out the toxins from your colon and that stuffy poop as well, relieving you from constipation.


  1. Do it with some sweetness

A tablespoon of Black-strap molasses can help you getting the much required relief from constipation. Black-strap molasses is rich in vitamins and minerals specifically, magnesium which helps in getting things moving through your colon.


  1. Get your system running with some oil

It might sound weird but a spoonful of olive oil is enough to stimulate your digestive system and get the ball rolling for you.


  1. Caffeine shot

A mug of steaming coffee aroma freshens up your mind as well as stomach. Caffeine is a natural stimulant for your gastrointestinal tract. However, do remember that coffee is a diuretic so if you overdo, it might dehydrate your system and aggravate your constipation.


  1. Get going

Sedentary life style is one of the foes which clog your system, so, get moving if you want your stuff moving. There are specific yoga poses and exercises like squats to help you relieve constipation.


  1. Do it right with Flaxseed

Take 1 table spoon of flaxseed oil with a glass of orange juice. Be patient while trying this remedy as it takes about 5 to 6 hours for your bowels to get moving.


  1. Epsom salt

Epsom salt is rich in magnesium, it also draws water from your surroundings and makes your stool soft and makes passing them out easy. 2 Teaspoon Epsom salt with a glass of water helps you alleviating your constipation symptoms.


  1. Prune it out

A glass of prune juice in the morning and evening helps you with your uncomfortable bouts of constipation. Prunes are known to have natural laxative properties as it contains high amounts of fiber, and sorbitol.


  1. Baking soda

It is one of the most popular and effective home remedy for constipation. It is bicarbonate and it gets the air out of your system from one way or the other, it also re-alkalizes the stomach, neutralizes the acid a little bit and helps in moving the waste out of the gut.


  1. Yoghurt

It works by enriching your system with healthy gut flora and prevents constipation. Having a bowl or two of yoghurt in breakfast will help good bacteria to flourish and relieve pain.


So, next time, when your system fails in pooping out, ensure that it gets moving by the above mentioned Grand-ma tips.



Grandma Tips for Curing Constipation

Sunday, 29 May 2016

Home remedies for cough, common cold and fever

Remedies for Common Cough & Cold
    Remedies for Common Cough & Cold

 


With every seasonal change, the weather takes a toll on our biological system and almost every household is bugged with ailments like fever, cold and cough.


There are some simple home remedies which effectively treat fever and colds, and even protect you from the harmful effects of popping unnatural mainstream prescription medicines. Some of them are:


1. Holy Basil


Holy Basil also known as “Tulsi” is of prime religious importance in all Hindu households. Since ages, the leaves of “Tulsi” are known for their potent anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. Take about 10 to 12 leaves of this herb and boil it in half liter of water. Let the decoction cool and sip it slowly, repeat at least thrice a day to get rid of fever, flu, sore throat. It also helps in unclogging the respiratory system by clearing phlegm.


2. Ginger


Drinking ginger tea or taking a teaspoon of grated ginger with honey is very effective in treating respiratory tract infections, coughs, colds and even bronchitis. It boosts immunity and its thermogenic properties protect our body from cold.


3. Honey


Honey is rich in antioxidants and its anti-microbial traits help in soothing cough and promotes undisturbed sleep. Its anti inflammatory properties also help in reducing sensitivity of the throat by coating it.


4. Garlic


Garlic contains a compound “Allicin” which makes it one of the most effective home remedies against ailments. “Allicin” imparts anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral properties to garlic. It clears persistent mucus, alleviates stubborn coughs and also help in subsiding viral fever. To relieve fever, cold and cough, it is best to crush 4 to 5 cloves of raw garlic and consume it.


5. Cinnamon


Cinnamon is a spice that adds unique flavor to Asian and Mediterranean cuisines. Its thermogenic and anti-bacterial properties cure sore throat, colds and cough. Mix 1/2 table spoon of freshly ground cinnamon with some honey and take it 2-3 times a day for 3 days to get rid of stuffy as well as runny nose.


6. Turmeric


Turmeric is a famous Indian spice which forms an integral part of almost all curry dishes. It contains a compound “Curcumin” which gives powerful anti bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties to Turmeric. It is an easily accessible home remedy which fights viral infections, coughs and colds. Just take 2 tea spoons of turmeric powder mixed either with a cup of warm milk or with warm water to get relief.


7. Raisins


Raisins are very effective when it comes to curing colds and fevers. They contain phytonutrients which load them with powerful antibiotic and antioxidant properties. They are natural home remedy for viral fevers, soothing cough and sore throat. Grind a handful of raisins, with 2 tea spoons of sugar and water, heat the mixture till it forms a thick paste, and consume 1 table spoon of this paste before hitting the sack at night.

The above ingredients are readily available in every household, so it is best to use them for natural healing without any side effects.



Home remedies for cough, common cold and fever