Saturday, August 31, 2013

20 Painkillers in your Kitchen


These do so much more than kill Pain, they have many uses

A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO TAKING MEDICATION!!!!


Make muscle pain a memory with ginger

When Danish researchers asked achy people to jazz up their diets with ginger, it eased muscle and joint pain, swelling and stiffness for up to 63 percent of them within two months. Experts credit ginger’s potent compounds called gingerols, which prevent the production of pain-triggering hormones. The study-recommended dose: Add at least 1 teaspoon of dried ginger or 2 teaspoons of chopped ginger to meals daily.









Cure a toothache with cloves

Got a toothache and can’t get to the dentist? Gently chewing on a clove can ease tooth pain and gum inflammation for two hours straight, say UCLA researchers. Experts point to a natural compound in cloves called eugenol, a powerful, natural anesthetic. Bonus: Sprinkling a ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves on meals daily may also protect your ticker. Scientists say this simple action helps stabilize blood sugar, plus dampen production of artery-clogging cholesterol in as little as three weeks.











Heal heartburn with cider vinegar

Sip 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar mixed with 8 ounces of water before every meal, and experts say you could shut down painful bouts of heartburn in as little as 24 hours. “Cider vinegar is rich in malic and tartaric acids, powerful digestive aids that speed the breakdown of fats and proteins so your stomach can empty quickly, before food washes up into the esophagus, triggering heartburn pain,” explains Joseph Brasco, M.D., a gastroenterologist at the Center for Colon and Digestive Diseases in Huntsville, AL.








Erase earaches with garlic

Painful ear infections drive millions of Americans to doctors’ offices every year. To cure one fast, just place two drops of warm garlic oil into your aching ear twice daily for five days. This simple treatment can clear up ear infections faster than prescription meds, say experts at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Scientists say garlic’s active ingredients (germanium, selenium, and sulfur compounds) are naturally toxic to dozens of different pain-causing bacteria. To whip up your own garlic oil gently simmer three cloves of crushed garlic in a half a cup of extra virgin olive oil for two minutes, strain, then refrigerate for up to two weeks, suggests Teresa Graedon, Ph.D., co-author of the book,Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy. For an optimal experience, warm this mix slightly before using so the liquid will feel soothing in your ear canal.








Chase away joint and headache pain with cherries

Latest studies show that at least one in four women is struggling with arthritis, gout or chronic headaches. If you’re one of them, a daily bowl of cherries could ease your ache, without the stomach upset so often triggered by today’s painkillers, say researchers at East Lansing ’s Michigan State University . Their research reveals that anthocyanins, the compounds that give cherries their brilliant red color, are anti-inflammatories 10 times stronger than ibuprofen and aspirin. “Anthocyanins help shut down the powerful enzymes that kick-start tissue inflammation, so they can prevent, as well as treat, many different kinds of pain,” explains Muraleedharan Nair, Ph.D., professor of food science at Michigan State University . His advice: Enjoy 20 cherries (fresh, frozen or dried) daily, then continue until your pain disappears.









Fight tummy troubles with fish

Indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases...if your belly always seems to be in an uproar, try munching 18 ounces of fish weekly to ease your misery. Repeated studies show that the fatty acids in fish, called EPA and DHA, can significantly reduce intestinal inflammation, cramping and belly pain and, in some cases, provide as much relief as corticosteroids and other prescription meds. “EPA and DHA are powerful, natural, side effect-free anti-inflammatories, that can dramatically improve the function of the entire gastrointestinal tract,” explains biological chemist Barry Sears, Ph.D., president of the Inflammation Research Foundation in Marblehead , MA . For best results, look for oily fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring.







Prevent PMS with yogurt

Up to 80 percent of women will struggle with premenstrual syndrome and its uncomfortable symptoms, report Yale researchers. The reason: Their nervous systems are sensitive to the ups and downs in estrogen and progesterone that occur naturally every month. But snacking on 2 cups of yogurt a day can slash these symptoms by 48 percent, say researchers at New York ’s Columbia University . “Yogurt is rich in calcium, a mineral that naturally calms the nervous system, preventing painful symptoms even when hormones are in flux,” explains Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a professor of gynecology at Yale University .








Tame chronic pain with turmeric

Studies show turmeric, a popular East Indian spice, is actually three times more effective at easing pain than aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, plus it can help relieve chronic pain for 50 percent of people struggling with arthritis and even fibromyalgia, according to Cornell researchers. That’s because turmeric’s active ingredient, curcumin, naturally shuts down cyclooxygenase 2, an enzyme that churns out a stream of pain-producing hormones, explains nutrition researcher Julian Whitaker, M.D. and author of the book, Reversing Diabetes. The study-recommended dose: Sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon of this spice daily onto any rice, poultry, meat or vegetable dish.








End endometrial pain with oats

The ticket to soothing endometriosis pain could be a daily bowl of oatmeal. Endometriosis occurs when little bits of the uterine lining detach and grow outside of the uterus. Experts say these migrating cells can turn menstruation into a misery, causing so much inflammation that they trigger severe cramping during your period, plus a heavy ache that drags on all month long. Fortunately, scientists say opting for a diet rich in oats can help reduce endometrial pain for up to 60 percent of women within six months. That’s because oats don’t contain gluten, a trouble-making protein that triggers inflammation in many women, making endometriosis difficult to bear, explains Peter Green, M.D., professor of medicine at Colombia University .








Soothe foot pain with salt

Experts say at least six million Americans develop painful ingrown toenails each year. But regularly soaking ingrown nails in warm salt water baths can cure these painful infections within four days, say scientists at California ’s Stanford University . The salt in the mix naturally nixes inflammation, plus it’s anti-bacterial, so it quickly destroys the germs that cause swelling and pain. Just mix 1 teaspoon of salt into each cup of water, heat to the warmest temperature that you can comfortably stand, and then soak the affected foot area for 20 minutes twice daily, until your infection subsides.








Prevent digestive upsets with pineapple

Got gas? One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72 hours, say researchers at California ’s Stanford University . That's because pineapple is natually packed with proteolytic enzymes, digestive aids that help speed the breakdown of pain-causing proteins in the stomach and small intestine, say USDA researchers.








Relax painful muscles with peppermint

Suffering from tight, sore muscles? Stubborn knots can hang around for months if they aren’t properly treated, says naturopath Mark Stengler, N.D., author of the book, The Natural Physician’s Healing Therapies. His advice: Three times each week, soak in a warm tub scented with 10 drops of peppermint oil. The warm water will relax your muscles, while the peppermint oil will naturally soothe your nerves -- a combo that can ease muscle cramping 25 percent more effectively than over-the-counter painkillers, and cut the frequency of future flare-ups in half, says Stengler.








Give your back some TLC with grapes

Got an achy back? Grapes could be the ticket to a speedy recovery. Recent studies at Ohio State University suggest eating a heaping cup of grapes daily can relax tight blood vessels, significantly improving blood flow to damaged back tissues (and often within three hours of enjoying the first bowl). That’s great news because your back’s vertebrae and shock-absorbing discs are completely dependent on nearby blood vessels to bring them healing nutrients and oxygen, so improving blood flow is essential for healing damaged back tissue, says Stengler.








Wash away pain injuries with water

Whether it’s your feet, your knees or your shoulders that are throbbing, experts at New York ’s Manhattan College , say you could kick-start your recovery in one week just by drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Why? Experts say water dilutes, and then helps flush out, histamine, a pain-triggering compound produced by injured tissues. “Plus water is a key building block of the cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones, your joints’ lubricating fluid, and the soft discs in your spine,” adds Susan M. Kleiner, Ph.D., author of the book, The Good Mood Diet. “And when these tissues are well-hydrated, they can move and glide over each other without causing pain.” One caveat: Be sure to measure your drinking glasses to find out how large they really are before you start sipping, she says. Today’s juice glasses often hold more than 12 ounces, which means five servings could be enough to meet your daily goal.








Heal sinus problems with horseradish

Latest studies show sinusitis is the nation’s number one chronic health problem. And this condition doesn’t just spur congestion and facial pain, it also makes sufferers six times more likely to feel achy all-over. Horseradish to the rescue! According to German researchers, this eye-watering condiment naturally revs up blood flow to the sinus cavities, helping to open and drain clogged sinuses and heal sinus infections more quickly than decongestant sprays do. The study-recommended dose: One teaspoon twice daily (either on its own, or used as a sandwich or meat topping) until symptoms clear.








Beat bladder infections with blueberries

Eating 1 cup of blueberries daily, whether you opt for them fresh, frozen or in juice form, can cut your risk of a urinary tract infection (UTIs) by 60 percent, according to researchers at New Jersey’s Rutgers University. That's because blueberries are loaded with tannins, plant compounds that wrap around problem-causing bacteria in the bladder, so they can’t get a toehold and create an infection, explains Amy Howell, Ph.D. a scientist at Rutgers University .








Heal mouth sores with honey

Dab painful canker and cold sores with unpasteurized honey four times daily until these skin woes disappear, and they’ll heal 43 percent faster than if you use a prescription cream, say researchers at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates . Raw honey’s natural enzymes zap inflammation, destroy invading viruses and speed the healing of damaged tissues, say the study authors.








Fight breast pain with flax

In one recent study, adding 3 tablespoons of ground flax to their daily diet eased breast soreness for one in three women within 12 weeks. Scientists credit flax’s phytoestrogens, natural plant compounds that prevent the estrogen spikes that can trigger breast pain. More good news: You don’t have to be a master baker to sneak this healthy seed into your diet. Just sprinkle ground flax on oatmeal, yogurt, applesauce or add it to smoothies and veggie dips.








Cure migraines with coffee

Prone to migraines? Try muscling-up your painkiller with a coffee chaser. Whatever over-the-counter pain med you prefer, researchers at the National Headache Foundation say washing it down with a strong 12- ounce cup of coffee will boost the effectiveness of your medication by 40 percent or more. Experts say caffeine stimulates the stomach lining to absorb painkillers more quickly and more effectively.








Tame leg cramps with tomato juice

At least one in five people regularly struggle with leg cramps. The culprit? Potassium deficiencies, which occur when this mineral is flushed out by diuretics, caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. But sip 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily and you'll not only speed your recovery, you'll reduce your risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as little as 10 days, say UCLA researchers.











Friday, August 30, 2013

Treatments for Sinus Pressure

Do you suffer from Sinus Pain? I do so I have found ways to treat it
I hope this is helpful, I know it has been for me



Some Aromatherapy tips:

*To help clear sinuses and ease breathing, place 1-2 drops of Sweet

Marjoram oil on a handkerchief or tissue and inhale deeply.

*Eucalyptus* This great oil is good for a host of things including bronchitis, chicken pox, colds, cold sores, coughs, diarrhoea, fever, hay fever, the flu, shingles, and sinusitis.

*Neroli* For depression, fainting, impotence, menopause, psoriasis, and stress.

Use for colic, fainting, fever, gas, headache, migraine, morning sickness, vomiting and sinusitis.

*Thyme* For bronchitis, coughs, sore throats, and sinus troubles

*At the first sign of a headache try gently sniffing from a bottle of

Peppermint essential oil. This is said to work especially well for sinus

headaches. Caution: Peppermint is a stimulating oil.

*Essential Oils for the Flu Season which many also help with sinus problems as well.

Bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
Mouth, throat and tonsil infections

Eucalyptus Oil (blue gum Eucalyptus globulous)
Anti-viral antiseptic. Warms, opens and clears respiratory airways. Also 
assists the immune system. Diffuse for cough, bronchitis, sinusitis and 
throat infections.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Analgesic, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antitussive, bactericidal. Cough, 
congestion, sore throat and sinusitis. Can also be used topically for 
muscular aches and pains.

Lavender (angustifolia or officinalis)
Lavender has many uses and properties. For respiratory ailments it 
targets bronchitis, laryngitis, asthma and throat as well as whooping 
cough. It adds a sweet touch to your blend and also helps with 
associated headaches.

Lavandin (Lavandula intermedia)
has a top note of fresh camphor and may be better suited for respiratory 
ailments.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Headache, cough, stomach upset and sinus congestion.

Peru Balsam (Myroxylon balsamum)
Anti-inflammatory, balsamic, expectorant, antiseptic. Assists in 
decreasing mucus for asthma, bronchitis and coughs.

Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti viral. Also a powerful 
immunostimulant. Diffuse for bronchitis, cough, whooping cough and 
sinusitis.

 
Massage Treatment for Sinus Pressure

Throbbing pain in your forehead, toothache, headache, congestion: sinus pain is unpleasant at best. Workday relief can be difficult since sinus medications can make you tired and a humidifier may not be possible. Massage, however, can provide relief from sinus pain without making you drowsy.

Causes
Sinus pain typically comes from sinusitis, a sinus infection or sinusitis, causing swelling and inflammation of the paranasal sinus cavities or from excessive mucus due to cold or flu.

Symptoms of Sinusitis
The symptoms of sinusitis include pain, especially when bending over or when waking up, headache, toothache, irritability, and puffiness in the face, especially around the eyes. Sensitivity along the sinus cavities of the face and forehead is also a sign of sinusitis.


How to Massage the Sinuses
Place the fingertips at the inner edges of the eyebrows, and lightly press. Work in small circles outward from the middle of the forehead to the temples, controlling the pressure for your own comfort. Anchor your thumbs at the temples and return the fingers to the middle of the forehead. Sweep the fingers up from the brow to the hairline, then across the forehead as though you were sweeping the sinuses clear.

Place the fingers along the sides of the nose close to the eyes. Take a deep breath and as you exhale, press lightly on the bridge of the nose. Hold for several seconds then release. Repeat along the underside of the eyebrows.

Move the fingers next to the nostrils. Press in to the face and hold for a few seconds. Repeat three times, adjusting pressure for your comfort.

Massage the sinus drainage channels using small circles. These channels are located at the underside of the cheekbones and the underside of the jaw from chin to ear. Use light pressure, followed by a sweeping motion along the same path.

When Massage Is Too Painful
If the sinuses are too painful to massage, use your thumbs to press along the back of the neck. Start at the base of the skull and move your thumbs in toward the center. Repeat, moving down the neck. Finally, massage the toes, squeezing from the tips of the toes, along the sides to the base of each toe.

You are working pressure points, which help relieve the pressure in your sinuses without directly contacting them.

When You Shouldn't Massage
You should not massage the sinuses if the cause of the pain is bacterial or viral infection. This is because massage may help spread the infection. Massage should not be done if there is a fever, aches, or an acute sinus infection. Massage is safe for allergic sinus pain and chronic sinus infections, as long as it is comfortable.

Knead to Relax? Give Yourself a Foot Massage

Knead to Relax? Give Yourself a Foot Massage
Parts Adapted By Jennifer Gruenemay, ACE-Certified
I have the worst painful feet in the world, and having type 2 diabetes I have even more pain with foot ulcers and neuropathy has set in from being frost bitten years ago in a winter storm so I cherish Foot care and massage therapy but unfortunately I don't always have someone who will do it for me and going to a spa is out of the question. So I do it myself and I am sharing with you what methods I do and tools.


Relaxing Foot Bath

At the end of your work day, soak your feet and ankles in warm water with Epsom salts and a few drops of essential oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, and/or rosemary. Enjoy this refreshing soak for at least 10 minutes and allow the warmth, salts and oils relax your muscles.


Self-Massage for Your Feet

Use a massage ball or even a golf ball to massage your soles of your feet. While you’re sitting, step on the ball, and roll it under your feet. Adjust the pressure as needed by slightly lifting your leg. Notice if there are any tender or tight spots. Roll the ball slowly to massage your feet.



Trouble Spot: Your feet
The Solution: A tennis ball and frozen water bottle
Whether you have a job that requires you to be on your feet all day or you're a devoted runner, lots of factors can play into foot pain. The key to keeping it at bay is to massage and ice those feet after a hard day (or a long run).

Massage your feet with the tennis ball: Place it under one heel, and then stand and sink your body weight onto the ball. Slowly roll the ball from the heel to the base of the toes, spreading your toes wide when the ball passes near. Repeat on the opposite foot. A soup can or a golf ball can also stand in if you don't have a tennis ball handy. Use the water bottle to ice your feet down afterward, rolling it back and forth under each foot.
You may consider massage a luxury – something reserved for the rich and pampered. But money has no bearings when you can get a great massage for free, courtesy of your own two hands. A good foot massage in particular is convenient, easy to give yourself and can help you de-stress any time of the day. Follow these tips on how to be your own foot masseuse and rediscover why touch is so powerful…

The benefits of massage go beyond putting a relaxed grin on your face and a spring in your step.

Many studies, including those performed by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, have found numerous benefits of massage:

Smoking Cessation
Adult smokers who gave themselves a hand or ear massage during cravings reported lower anxiety, better mood and fewer symptoms of withdrawal when they quit smoking.
Immune System Boost
Women suffering from breast cancer who received massages three times a week for five weeks experienced improved immune function. This helped speed recovery from chemotherapy and radiation treatments. (See related article: 7 Foods That Fight Back: Immune System Boosters)

Pain Management
Patients with fibromyalgia who were massaged for 30 minutes, twice a week for five weeks experienced less stiffness, pain and fatigue, and also slept better.

Improved Infant Health
Premature infants who were massaged gained more weight – a marker of improved health – and were active for longer periods of time than babies who did not receive tactile (touch) stimulation.

What if you’re not a smoker, a breast cancer or fibromyalgia patient, or a pre-term infant? You don’t have to suffer from a physical condition to benefit from massage. Simple massage techniques can help you de-stress at the office, relax at home or boost your mood any time of the day.
Consider these additional health benefits of massage:
Improves circulation
Reduces stress and anxiety
Lessens symptoms of depression
Reduces injury swelling and promotes recovery
Improves flexibility and range of motion
You don’t need an expensive full-body Swedish massage to reap these benefits.

A quick foot massage can boost your energy levels and make you more productive at work – it’s the best 5-minute break you’ll take all day.

So before that midday slump hits, peel off your shoes and give your tired, achy feet some TLC.

With this easy how-to guide, you can be your own massage therapist – anytime, anywhere.
Lend Your Foot a Hand
You really only need your hands to give yourself a great foot massage. But if you have the luxury of a warm water foot bath to soak your feet, you can take your massage from great to spectacular.

Before your massage begins, remember these key tips:

- Use a firm touch, but don’t press too hard.

- If you are pushing so hard that it hurts, lighten up your touch. (See related article: Stand Up to Common Foot Problems)

- If it tickles (feet can be very sensitive) press harder, but again, not so hard that it hurts.

- Any time your hands feel overworked, take a moment to shake the tension loose, then continue with your massage.

The 10-Step Massage
Now that you’ve got the basics down, you’re ready for a great foot massage.
Step #1: Soak feet in a warm bath for a few minutes and then dry completely to clean and soften the skin. If a bath is not accessible to you, skip this step.

Step #2: Sit in a comfortable chair and prop your left foot up on your right knee in a position that’s comfortable for you.

Step #3: Use just a dab of lotion or a few drops of massage oil and rub it all over your foot using firm finger strokes.

Step #4: Wrap your hands around your foot with thumbs on the soles and fingers on the top. Holding your foot firmly, start making circular motions with your thumbs. Cover the entire area of the bottom of your foot, working your way from the heel, through the sole, up to the ball of your foot, and finally to your toes.

Step #5: Use your thumbs to make long, deep strokes on the soles of your feet, moving upward from the heel to the ball. If you feel some soreness in one area, spend a few extra seconds there to soften it up.
Step #6: Don’t forget your toes! Spend a good 30 seconds or more on each toe. One at a time, rub and massage each toe all the way from the base to the tip. Use small circular motions and then long strokes from base to tip, and don’t forget the area in between your toes. Once all of your toes have been massaged, give each one a gentle upward tug to loosen up the joint.

There are also foot tools you can find to rub your feet on if massaging is hard for you, check out amazon or ebay and search for foot massage tools.

I have a foot massager with heat from sharper image
they are nice too when your hands are just too tired to do the work ;)
They are really nice to have

Step #7: Now that your toes are happy, it’s time to focus on your foot as a whole again. Wrap both hands around your foot, placing your thumbs on the soles again. Trace your thumbs from the center of the foot out to the sides, starting at the heel and working your way up to the toes. At the same time, your fingers should be gently massaging the top of your foot. Repeat this massage technique over the whole area of the foot as many times as you like. This one feels great!

Step #8: Do the twist. Holding your foot firmly, gently rotate it at the ankle – first to the right and then to the left. Then twist your foot gently from side to side to loosen up the ankle even more.
Step #9: Massage the entire foot again, like you did in Step #1.

Step #10: Don’t forget your other foot. Repeat each step and voila! Your massage is done.

After this massage your feet will feel like a million bucks! Put on a pair of comfy cotton socks or slippers, prop your feet up and enjoy the sensation.

How to Use a Footbath with Herbs

By Rudy Silva
Recently I read a book by William L. Fischer called “Hidden Secrets of Super Perfect Health at Any Age”, Book II, 1986. In chapter 10, The F-M Circulizer System, he discusses the use of an herbal footbath. After reading this chapter, I understood the importance of using herbs in a footbath to improve your health. It’s a simple concept yet this is the first time I have read about this idea.This book was written in 1986 and Fischer claims this herbal footbath has been in use overseas since 1946!

When you use a footbath and heat the water, the veins in your feet start to dilate. Over a period of 20-30 minute, the warm water affects your entire vascular system and you get an improved circulation of blood throughout your body.

By adding herbs to hot water, the minerals from the herbs enter the soles of your feet and move into you blood stream. What this means is that you can introduce into your blood stream a variety of herbal chemicals into your body using the footbath. During the your footbath, these herbal chemical will be quickly circulated throughout your body and get used where there is a deficiency.

The herbal footbath can result in improved health provided you pick the herbs that are beneficial to your health. You can start by adding herbs that are high in minerals. Most people are deficient in alkaline minerals and have an acid body. Adding minerals into your body is a definite plus.

Here’s how to prepare and use an herbal footbath.

* Buy these four herbs that are high in minerals – alfalfa herb, parsley, horsetail herb, kelp herb. Buy 1-2 oz of each. This might cost you $10.00 or less

* Mix all 4 herbs

* Prepare an herbal infusion by boiling 2 - 3 cups of water. After boiling pull the water off the hot plate. Add 2 tablespoons of the mixed herbs. Let this mixture sit for 20 minutes. The longer you let this mixture sit the stronger the infusion will be.

* After 20 minutes, start your footbath and press the heat button

* Strain the herbal infusion using a strainer and a cloth so that no herbal particles are included in the tea infusion

* Add the infusion into the footbath

* Place you feet into the footbath for 20 – 30 minutes.

Use the footbath every other day for 30 days before going to bed. Then take a 7-day rest before you use another herbal mixture. If you want to treat a specific ailment, find the herbal mixture and use it in your footbath. Use it every other day for 30 days.

I have been using the footbath with herbs rich in minerals for 3 weeks and here’s what I noticed.

* Improved sleep

* Less pain in my shoulder joint

* More energy

*Eyes see clearer longer though out the day

* Warmer hands and feet

The footbath spa that I’m using is the Homedics model JetSpaUltra. I like this unit because it has a jet stream action and bubbling. It has a button for heat and a rotator to do manicuring. I don’t use the manicuring but you might. My daughter of 8 years likes play with these rotating items. And, it is easy to fill and clean. 

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Firm Up those Arms

To keep those arms from getting the giggly wiggles
or to firm up your arms
do the following at least 3 or more times a week, the more the better and faster the results

25 arm forward circle rolls
10 push ups (knees work)
25 arm backward circle rolls
20 dips (use a chair or table)
1 minute of deep breathing while raising hands above your head and down
Do everything Again!!