Natural sore throat remedies

Before you go running to a doctor, try these simple but effective natural home remedies to battle a sore throat

Natural sore throat remedies

A sore throat burns, feels scratchy and may cause pain that makes it hard to talk or swallow. The usual cause is a virus or bacteria, though throat irritation may also be caused by smoking, dry heat, postnasal drip or an allergic reaction. Try these sore throat remedies to feel better fast.

What you can do for a sore throat
• For fast and effective sore-throat relief, nothing beats an old-fashioned saltwater gargle. Salt acts as a mild antiseptic, and also draws water out of mucous membranes in the throat, which helps to clear phlegm. Dissolve a half-teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water, gargle and spit out. Repeat up to four times a day.

• Alternatively, gargle with a baking-soda solution. Dissolve one-half teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of warm water.

• Run a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your bedroom. Adding moisture to the air will help keep the air from drying out and prevent the lining of your throat from becoming too dry. If you don’t have a humidifier, place a bowl of water on your radiator or heating vent each night. It will work as well as a store-bought device.

• Quit smoking. Cigarette smoke is extremely irritating to the lining of the throat. Breathe through your nose, rather than your mouth. It’s a natural way to humidify the air you breathe.

• If you’re plagued with a sore throat that seems to come back time and time again, buy a new toothbrush. Bacteria collect on the bristles, and if you injure your gums as you brush, they can enter your system and re-infect you.

• Bolster your immune system during cold and flu season with vitamins, herbs and good nutrition. The obvious supplement candidates are vitamins C and E, the minerals zinc and magnesium, and immune-boosting herbs such as goldenseal and astragalus. Also cook or supplement with garlic, ginger, shiitake mushrooms and reishi mushrooms, all of which have immune-boosting properties.

More sore throat remedies

• Honey has long been used as a sore-throat remedy. It has antibacterial properties, which can help speed healing. It also acts as a hypertonic osmotic, which means that it draws water out of inflamed tissue. This reduces the swelling and discomfort. Add several teaspoons to 1 cup of hot water or herbal tea.

• Hot lemonade with honey can also relieve pain. Combine the juice of half a lemon with hot water.

• Horehound reduces the swelling of inflamed throat tissue. It also thins mucus, which makes it easier for you to clear it from your throat. To make the tea, steep 2 teaspoons chopped herb in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes; strain and drink.

• Slippery elm contains mucilage that coats the throat and eases the soreness. Steep 1 teaspoon of the inner bark in 2 cups boiling water, strain and drink.

• Like slippery elm bark, marshmallow root (Althea officinalis) contains throat-coating mucilage. To make the tea, steep 2 teaspoons dried herb in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes; strain and drink. Drink three to five cups a day to help a sore throat.

• Take vitamin C three times a day. Whether your sore throat is caused by a cold, the flu or strep, this vitamin will help boost your immune system and fight off infection. Reduce the dose if you develop diarrhea.

• Echinacea. This herb’s antibacterial and antiviral properties will speed healing.

• Garlic, as another aid to fight off infection. Dried garlic has potent antibacterial and antiseptic properties.

• Zinc lozenge. In one study, people who sucked on a lozenge containing about 13 milligrams of zinc every two hours got rid of viral sore throats three to four days quicker than those who didn’t. But too much zinc can actually compromise immunity, which is why you shouldn’t take the lozenges for a long time.

7 foods that heal

Here are some foods that boost your health

Are you in the habit of popping a pill for every little malady? Well, don't. There are many ways to heal your body without pumping medicines into it. For example, you can cure minor conditions using simple medicinal foods. Here, take a look.



Garlic
Garlic is a known natural antibiotic. It is antiseptic and heals wounds quickly. It also fights infections such as cold and cough, lowers the blood pressure, reduces harmful cholesterol and keeps the heart healthy. Garlic boosts our immunity and acts as a nasal decongestant, apart from cleaning up the digestive system.

Oily fish
Now, this one comes with many benefits. Firstly, it is good for your brain and eyesight. Their fat is a natural painkiller with anti-inflammatory properties. Studies show that eating oily fish regularly helps reduce the pain of arthritis as well as lowers back and neck pain. They even work against menstrual cramps.

Milk
Milk, it seems, can make kicking the butt easier. Drinking milk before smoking worsens the cigarette's taste.

Oats
Finding it difficult to sleep? Eat a bowl of porridge before you hit the bed. Oats contain Melatonin that aids the regulation of your body's internal clock. They also have Tryptophan that helps the brain to produce Melatonin, and Serotonin, a relaxing chemical.

Ginger
It is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. It's an effective cure against nausea, motion sickness, morning sickness, food poisoning, heartburn, migraines and menstrual pain. Ginger also works wonders against common cold and flu.

Bananas
It's good to make bananas a part of your diet if you suffer from heartburn or indigestion. Bananas are natural antacids that work against stomach ulcers. They also reduce the risk of strokes and low blood pressure.

Green tea
It aids the treatment of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea increases metabolism and fat oxidation, thus reducing heart diseases and attacks. It improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, treats impaired immune function, keeps your teeth healthy, increases stamina, boosts endurance and aids digestion.

What your eyes say about your health

Here is what a few common eye symptoms could reveal about your body's health

Is there more to your health than meets the eye? According to experts, your peepers may hold clues to undiagnosed health problems and a routine eye test could reveal the truth.

Eyes are the window into the body, offering a great pre-warning for many life-threatening illnesses. Most of us think we only need their eyes checked for vision problems, but all of us should have regular examinations, as conditions such as diabetes can be detected in the eye before they start to cause problems in the body.

Here are some common eye symptoms that can be detected by opticians and what they could reveal about your health.

Red eyes
Could be: High Blood pressure
When an optician shines a light into your eyes, they see the tiny blood vessels in your retinas - the sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

High blood pressure can make these blood vessels appear twisted - or even cause them to burst so the eyes look red. A quarter of adults with high blood pressure don't know they have the condition, which can cause strokes.

Yellow deposits behind the eye
could be: Diabetes
Yellow deposits of fat, or small tears in the retina, are signs of Type 2 diabetes. A big change to your glasses prescription is another. Early diagnosis is key to avoiding long-term, sometimes fatal, complications.

Iris rings
Could be: High cholesterol
White rings around the iris — the coloured part of the eye — are a sign of high cholesterol levels.

Another clue is 'xanthelasmas' — flat, white fat deposits under the skin on or around your eyelids. Studies show people with both these symptoms have a higher risk of heart disease.

Pale inner eyelids
Could be: Anaemia
If the inside of your lower eyelids look pale when pulled down, you may be anaemic - lacking iron, which helps makes red blood cells. Anaemia can be treated with iron supplements, but can be a sign of internal bleeding, so see your GP.

Bulging eyes
Could be: Thyroid problems
Prominent-looking eyes can run in families, but eyes that appear to bulge may be evidence of an overactive thyroid. Abnormal levels of thyroid hormone cause the tissues around the eye to swell, making it appear the eye is popping outwards.

Droopy eyelid
Could be: Bell's Palsy or Stroke
A drooping eye can indicate Bell's Palsy, a temporary facial paralysis. It can also be a symptom of a stroke, especially if the speech is slurred.

More rarely, it could also be evidence of a brain tumour or an autoimmune disease that is known as myasthenia gravis

Yellow eyes
Could be: Liver disease
Liver conditions, including hepatitis and cirrhosis, can turn the whites of your eyes yellow — a symptom which requires an immediate doctor's trip. The colour is caused by bilirubin, a chemical created by the breakdown of hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule inside red blood cells.

Pale optic nerve
Could be: MS or Brain tumour
The optic nerve, which transmits information from the retina to the brain, is visible at the rear of the eye to an optician. A pale optic nerve can be an early manifestation of MS or evidence of a brain tumour.

Different sized pupils
Could be: Stroke or tumour
Healthy pupils are around the same size and react similarly to light. If this is not the case with you, check yourself for problems such as stroke, brain or optic nerve tumour, a brain aneurysm or MS.

Treat yourself to a spa at home

Who says you need to spend megabucks on a spa treatment every week? Here are some simple pampering tricks that you can indulge in at home

Begin to relax
Shut down your phone and television. Switch on your favourite relaxing music and sip on some camomile green tea.

Face up to it
Clean your face: Use a makeup remover and then use a gentle face cleanser to get rid of impurities.
Scrub and exfoliate: Dermatologists say that this process helps in removing the superficial layer of dead skin. Be careful not to use harsh products nor scrub too hard, otherwise it could prove to be abrasive and harm skin.
Moisturise well: Use a rich creamy nourishing moisturiser generously on your face. With circular and upward movements gently massage it in. Wash off your face with cold water.
Mask it right: Use a soothing face mask that has nourishing, moisturising, brightening and tightening properties.

Body beautiful
Polish and shine: Exfoliating the entire body is essential. Use a body scrub to get rid of dull deal skin. Rub it all over the body in a circular motion and then wash off with lukewarm water.
All steamy and hot: Take at least two sets of hot towels and wrap yourself in them one after the other. You can also use hand-held, table-top steamers along with this. The hot steam improves your circulation and gives you a radiant glow.

Do-it-yourself foot spa
- Fill a wooden bowl (any pretty bowl will do) with warm water, epsom salts, a few drops of shampoo or foot soak, a few drops of your favourite essential oil and of course fresh rose petals. Let your feet luxuriate in your homemade spa bath for eight to 10 minutes.

- Trim your nails. Use a nail file to shape them. Avoid trimming and filing too deep at the corners to prevent painful in-growing nails. Toe nails are best left square.

- Apply a cuticle gel and push back your cuticle one after the other with an orange stick. Rub in a cuticle cream or a few drops of argan or olive oil.

- Scrub your feet with a scrubbing gel or cream for ten minutes and then wipe it clean.

- Use a pumice stone to give a light brush to your heels. Slough off the dead skin. Wash it off.

- Wipe your feet dry and then apply a foot cream or a moisturiser generously. Massage it in.

Want radiant skin? Make this body scrub at home...
Here is a simple home-made mask that can bring a radiant glow to your skin...

Creamy lentil exfoliant
Ingredients:
Half-a-cup of masur dal (red lentil)
1 tablespoon of milk
1 tablespoon of cream
2 teaspoon of besan (gram flour)

Method:
Soak masur dal for a few hours and grind to a coarse paste. Add milk, fresh cream, besan. Avoid cream if you have oily skin. Apply this paste all over your body and scrub gently. Wash off.

How to deal with grey hair

You may be petrified of seeing that grey hair on your head. But before you jump the gun and try to get rid of your greys, here are some interesting facts that you probably didn't know about them.

This is the most common fact we've about grey hair that plucking one leads to many more greys. But it's just a common myth. One grey hair doesn't turn all the surround hair white. But you must pluck your hair as this act can damage your hair follicles.

Just because you have grey hair doesn't mean that you don't have to maintain them anymore. They require the same amount of care and grooming as much as your regular pigmented hair. Since they have a coarse texture, they tend to be dull and so need conditioning treatments regularly.

Another myth is a fear that people have when they start getting grey hair. People think graying of hair is a sign of ageing and turning old. But that's not completely true. Genetics is also responsible for greying hair.

Your hair could also turn grey prematurely if you're a smoker. So apart from health issues, smoking affects your skin, teeth and hair too.

6 steps to get gorgeous mane at home

Follow these tips and skip those frequent trips to the salon.

Shiny hair can now be achieved without splurging on beauty treatments. Just make sure that it is strong enough to be styled at home (styling brittle hair is a bit risky as it will break).

Use the right tools

If you want to straighten or curl your hair, apply a styling serum first. It will ensure that your hair texture does not look rough. After you are done styling, apply hold spray to keep your hair in place. With the right tools, products and some key blow-drying tricks, you can easily create magic.

Wash and condition

Gently massage a small amount of shampoo on your roots and let the runoff cleanse the ends. Without washing it off, slather some hair conditioner — concentrate on the mid-shaft to the ends; avoid the scalp and roots. If you have coarse hair, opt for a creamy conditioner.

Tip: When towel-drying your hair, gently squeeze — don't rub. After that, apply a good styling product. Then use a wide-tooth comb to remove the tangles and to evenly distribute the styling gel.

Section your hair

To make blow-drying easier, work your hair in sections. Part your hair from ear to ear and separate the front section from the back. Now divide the sections into smaller ones. Twist each section into loose mini buns and secure using hair clips. If you have thick or curly hair, divide your hair into as many sections as you can. This will make styling easier.

Blow dry

This leaves your hair with bounce and lustre. Use the nozzle of the dryer to regulate airflow. Work on one section at a time. Place a round brush near the root and pull your hair taut with it. Aim airflow down the hair shaft and slowly roll the brush out — from roots to ends. Repeat until the section is completely dry.

Tip: Avoid damaging your scalp or burning your hair. Make sure that you keep the dryer moving back and forth in small circles, instead of concentrating on a single spot.

Hold it with spray

Once the rollers are on, spray your hair lightly with a fine mist of medium-hold spray. Leave on the rollers for sometime. Hold the spray 10 to 12 inches above your head and apply in a long, single spray over your entire head.

Beautiful hair requires more than just oil and hair masks. What you eat is equally important. Here are a few ways to keep your hair healthy...

Know your ABCs

Vitamin A: It protects the nourishing oil of your scalp and also boosts shine. In case you are lacking vitamin A in your diet, make sure to take supplements. Sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach are said to be rich in vitamin A.

Vitamin B: There are 11 B-complex vitamins and all of them are essential for increasing blood supply to your scalp. Walnuts, salmon and oysters are known to be excellent sources of this vitamin.

Vitamin C: To prevent dry scalp, hair breakage and stressed hair, vitamin C is important. It also boosts your immune system. Blueberries, broccoli and oranges are a few options.

Roll it up

Once you've blow-dried your hair, wrap it around a medium-sized Velcro roller and secure with bobby pins. Make sure not to wind the rollers too tightly, or else, the hair might get stuck. Repeat it. To give your curls more staying power, choose smaller rollers.

Your under eye dark circles guidebook

Fighting dark circles seems like a dying cause as their stubbornness is only added by the fact that dark circles can be a shadowy curtain on our impeccable skin.

No wonder how well you dress or how perfect your make-up is, dark circles can take the spotlight in a very unattractive manner. Dark circles, bags under the eyes and tired eyes can be unappealing and the sad truth is that no amount of make-up or designer clothes is going to hide dark circles. But there must be a solution, right? Today, we will try to uncover the dark secrets of dark circles and find out the causes of dark circles and ways to prevent and treat dark circles.

What are dark circles? 

We have tiny blood vessels, which are like a web under the skin. But these capillaries are so fine that the red blood cells queue up to pass through; in the process some of them leak in the surrounding area. Enzymes are produced during the cleaning up session. The breaking down of these red blood cells leaves them black and blue. The reason why this is so visible is that the skin around the eyes is the thinnest.

Causes of Dark Circles #1 

Sinus and Allergies can cause dark circles 

If you thought sinus and allergies can only drive you crazy, well it can also be the cause of dark circles. Dark circles around your eyes are a sign for allergies. Histamine reaction and constant rubbing of the eyes are the reasons of the dark circles.

Causes of Dark Circles #2 

Anemia and Kidney Infection 

Kidney problems or iron deficiencies translates to dark circles. Increase your iron intake and drink plenty of water to reduce dark circles. But before you self-diagnose yourself and claim that anemia and kidney infection is the cause of dark circles, we advise you to get a professional opinion.

Causes of Dark Circles #3 

Aging can be responsible of dark circles 

Unfortunately, aging not only loses elasticity of the skin but also responsible for dark circles. Aging makes the skin thinning, which increases the chances of damaging the skin and becomes far more visible.

Causes of Dark Circles #4 

Sun exposure can cause dark circles 

UV rays damages the skin, hence it is important to apply sunscreen under direct sunlight. The sun increases the melanin in the skin and brings it to the surface of the skin. Dark circles are obvious after a trip to the beach or the park.

Causes of Dark Circles #5 

Dark circles are attributed to insomnia and lack of sleep 

Dark circles appear if you are tired and lack sleep. It is also a reason for bags under your eyes. If you don't sleep enough, your skin turns paler.

Causes of Dark Circles #6 

Hormonal changes 

When women go through hormonal changes during their period or pregnancy, they will start noticing dark circles. Hormonal changes make the skin paler, enhancing the dark circles around the eyes.

Causes of Dark Circles #7 

Lack of nutrition 

It is rare but lack of nutrition can make dark circles more noticeable. Lack of iron is one cause of dark circle, but dark circles appear if you lack nutritious diet. A healthy diet or a balanced diet can help you fight dark circles.

Causes of Dark Circles #8 

Hereditary 

Genes can make the capillaries weak, genes can also be responsible for skin tone and the texture of the skin.

Causes of Dark Circles #9 

Smoking and drinking 

Late night parties, smoking and drinking can play havoc with your skin and result in dark eye circles. Dark eye circles could be a sign of loss of water from the body (dehydration) due to excessive drinking and intake of caffeinated drinks.

Causes of Dark Circles #10 

Dehydration 

Dehydration is one of the most common reasons for dark circles under the eyes. The reason is the close proximity to the skin underneath the eye in relation to the underlying bone. When the body does not have a proper amount of water, the symptoms are often evident in this specific area.

Causes of Dark Circles #11 

Dark circles and liver disease 

Dark circles also indicate liver dysfunction due to various liver ailments. An example of such a liver ailment is hepatitis.

Treatment for Dark Circles #1 

Healthy diet 

A healthy and nutritious diet filled with vitamins like A, C, K, E and nutrients can help to get rid of dark circles.

Treatment for Dark Circles #2 

Avoid unhealthy habits 

Smoking, drinking and insomnia are causes of dark circles, but adequate sleep, avoid smoking and alcohol can help you achieve healthy skin. Cutting back or stop smoking and drinking couple of days before an important day can reduce dark circles.

Treatment for Dark Circles #3 

Be active 

Lack of exercise or fitness can be the cause of dark circles. Lack of activity in your life prevents the follow of blood and oxygen to different parts of the body. Hence you will see dark circles around the eyes if you are inactive.

Treatment for Dark Circles #4 

Improve blood circulation 

Dark circles appear under the eyes when the circulation is poor, what you can do is slash cold water on your face. Cold water improves the circulation in the body, hence cold shower is a great way to relax and rejuvenate your body after a hot and tiring day.

Treatment for Dark Circles #5 

Sun protection 

Stepping out in the sun? Don't forget to use sunscreen and sun protection, these sun protection creams can help you reduce and prevent damaging your skin. Damaged skin brings out the dark circles which cause havoc to your flawless skin.

Treatment for Dark Circles #6 

Stay hydrated 

Lack of water makes the blood vessels to dilate and swell, making it visible under the eyes where the skin is thin. Drinking water will reduce this process. Even caffeine induce drinks can make you dehydrated and enhance dark circles.

Treatment for Dark Circles #7 

Moisturise every night 

Trying to fight dark circles? Try applying moisturizer every night to keep the kin nourished and hydrated.

Treatment for Dark Circles #8 

Apply make up 

Not a original idea, but concealer can help you hide the dark circles to a certain extent. If the dark circles are too prominent its time to visit a specialist.