Showing posts with label Curcumin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Curcumin. Show all posts

Friday, January 10, 2014

Home Remedies for Migraines

What is a Migraine?

The word ‘migraine’ is derived from a Greek word which translates into English as half-skull. A migraine headache is a chronic neurological disorder. Symptoms are marked by:
  • Recurring, moderate to severe headaches
  • Often along with autonomic nervous system symptoms 

Migraines can be produced by the body’s neurological responses to certain triggers:
  • Hormonal changes
  • Flashing lights
  • Chemicals, or additives such as MSG, in foods and medications. 

Typically a migraine will affect one-half of the head and may pulsate from 2-72 hours. You may have nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light and/or sound, and the pain may be increased by activity; some people perceive an aura. Migraines are believed to be a neurovascular disorder that affects about 15% of the global population at some point in life.

Types of Migraines and Other Headaches


Tension headaches

Tension headaches, or stress headaches, are the most common headache for adults, characterized by mild to moderate band of pain, tightness or pressure in the forehead or back of the neck and head. They are nearly always triggered by an environmental or internal stress. Severity of these headaches often increases with frequency and can last from one-half hour to numerous days.

Home remedies for a tension headache include:

  • Adequate rest and sleep 
  • Good posture
  • Reduction of stress and depression
  • Adequate nutritious diet
  • Not overexerting your body and mind
  • Holding a pencil between your teeth to ease the muscles in the temple area

Sinus Headaches

More than 4 out of 5 people who presume they have a sinus headache are actually suffering from a migraine headache. Sinus and migraine headaches have some symptoms in common. Sinus headaches are normally caused by an infection/inflammation of nasal passages leading to congestion, which causes both pressure and pain.

Cluster headaches

Cluster headaches are a neurological disorder distinguished by recurrent and severe headaches on one side of the head, usually near the eye. A person suffering from cluster headaches may have swelling of one eye. If you have a cluster headache, your doctor may prescribe very strong prescription anti-inflammatory medication. In the meantime, rest, follow a regular sleep schedule, and avoid alcohol.


Ocular Migraine

These headaches are most commonly associated with migraines, but can cause vision loss or blindness lasting less than an hour, plus the pain of the headache. They are at times called monocular, one-eye or retinal headaches. These headaches are, as of yet, poorly understood.

They are usually caused by one or more of three things:

  • Being overtired
  • Following cataract surgery
  • Migraine headaches

Vision problems that affect the one eye include:

  • Flashing lights
  • Blind spots in vision
  • Blindness of the eye

The headaches may last anywhere from four to 72 hours:

  • Affecting one side of the head
  • Be moderately to severely painful
  • Pulsate
  • Become worse when you are more active
  • Possible nausea/vomiting/sensitivity to light or sound

Home remedies for ocular migraines include:

Curcumin
  • Applying cold compresses to reduce both swelling and the headache
  • Close your eyes or go into a darkened room
  • Remove all stimuli
  • Lie down
  • Drink lots of water at room temperature
  • Use an over the counter (OTC) homeopathic lubricating eye drop
  • Take a supplement that encourages blood flow such a natural product containing rutin and white willow bark
  • An herbal complex that will help with inflammation and blood flow may contain turmeric and Chai Hu (Bupleurum root) 
  • Curcumin (Turmeric) - use as a supplement to reduce inflammation, or add turmeric to food

Home Remedies for Migraines 


While different types of headaches are covered in this article, many of these remedies can help ease the pain of a headache regardless of what type it is. Some home remedies that may help to relieve the pain are:


  • Muscle relaxation exercises, possibly mediation and yoga
  • Go to bed and wake up at regular times–get enough rest
  • Rest/relax in a dark, quiet room if you feel a migraine coming on
  • Place a wrapped ice-pack on the back of your neck while hands and feet are submerged in as hot a water as you can tolerate
  • Apply gentle pressure to painful locations on the scalp
  • Vick's VapoRub - apply to the forehead, temples, wherever the pain is most intense.
  • Keep a headache diary to see what triggers the migraines; also which treatment is the most effective

Supplements and herbs that help to ease a migraine include:
  • Peppermint oil - applying to the forehead and temples may bring relief for some people
  • Butterbur - take  only in supplement form - 100 mg every 3 hours, to a maximum of 300 mg per 24-hr period.
  • Feverfew - eat a few leaves a day, make into a tea, or take 0.2 percent parthenolides concentration in 100 - 150 milligram tablets daily
  • Willow bark - make into a tea, or take capsules as directed by the manufacturer  
  • Ginger - make a tea with boiling water, fresh, grated ginger root; add honey and lemon
  • Caffeine- drink in the form of coffee, black or green tea
  • Valerian - is available in various forms: tablets, capsules, tea, liquid, drops and also cut and sifted valerian root. Side effects and precautions include: headaches, dizziness, itching, stomach problems, unsteadiness, low body temperature, excitability and uneasiness. If valerian is used for more than two months it may actually cause sleep difficulties. Many of valerian’s compounds tend to relax people, which may lead to migraine relief.
  • Coriander Seed - pour boiling water over the seeds and inhale the steam
  • Dong Quai - has not been studied enough to actually be recommended for migraines; however, modern medicine often mixes with other herbs to relieve headaches
  • Lavender Oil - breathe in the oil or apply a diluted solution to the temple area; it can be toxic at a certain dosage level and can also irritate the skin if not diluted enough
  • Rosemary - the oil can be diluted and applied on the skin or inhaled; leaves can be dried and ground for use in capsules and for teas, tinctures, and liquid extracts I have used a tea for a migraine made with 1 tsp ground rosemary, 1½ tsp. of xylitol (natural sweetener), juice of ½ lemon plus 1 cup of BOILING WATER. Let steep for about 5 minutes; drink while hot. I found it quite effective.
  • Linden - pour boiling water over it and make into a tea
  • Raw potato cuttings - folk medicine uses raw potato cuttings wrapped in thin cloth either wound around the head or placed on the temples
  • Horseradish - the simplest method of using horseradish is as a condiment; it stimulates blood flow and can help in digestion and elimination that could be the source of the headache
  • Honeysuckle - more research is needed for the relation between honeysuckle and migraines but it is thought to relieve inflammation. Check out the various forms at your health food store.
  • Mullein - tinctures of this plant are used in homeopathy for migraine headaches
  • Yarrow -  comes in a wide variety of forms including capsules and tinctures; it has anti-inflammatory properties that may relieve a migraine headache
  • Tea Berry - can be made into teas, tinctures, oils or extracts; it is a potential migraine treatment
  • Common Hops - use 1-2 teaspoons of the flowers per cup of boiling water—steep for five minutes; drink 1 cup at bedtime or 1-2 cups during the day—may help relieve migraine
  • Betony - the leaves may be used as a juice, poultice or ointment; its mildly sedative properties help to relieve a headache
  • Evodia - is used for headache relief. Check with your health food store concerning the availability and forms obtainable that may be used for migraine headaches
  • Magnesium 12 - adding this supplement to your daily regimen can prevent migraines and constipation, and may even help prevent asthma attacks
  • Coenzyme Q10 (COQ10) - add this supplement to you vitamins to treat and prevent migraines
  • Riboflavin (also known as B2) - available in yeast extract spread, liver, dried herbs, spices and peppers; almonds; dried roasted soybeans (Edamame); Roquefort, Brie and Limburger cheese plus many others; wheat bran; fish—particularly trout, mackerel and Atlantic salmon; sesame seeds and sun-dried tomatoes; also available as a supplement




Links for Other Conditions:

Rashes and Allergies:

Respiratory Conditions / Colds and Flu


Cardiovascular / Gastric Conditions


Pain


Miscellaneous

Home Remedy For Hair Loss




Sources and Citations


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Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Home Remedies for Arthritis

Approximately 43 million Americans suffer with the pain of some form of arthritis. Merriam-Webster defines arthritis as: “a disease that causes the joints of the body to become swollen and painful.” Symptoms may vary depending on the type of arthritis; pain and stiffness of joints is common; swelling, redness and a decreased range of motion are also possible. An article I read online claims that there are more than 100 different types of arthritis with the two most often seen being: 
  1. Osteoarthritis  (most common), a condition often seen as people age or have a joint  injury, and 
  2. Rheumatoid arthritis that occurs when your body’s immune system goes amiss and misreads signals, then attacks the body. 
Gout, another form of a potentially crippling type of arthritis occurs when there is too much uric acid in the system; it is an extremely painful form of arthritis commonly occurring in the big toe first. Gout can initiate stiff joints, pain, heat, swelling and redness of the affected part. As well as the large toe, it can affect your ankles, insteps, heels, wrists, fingers and elbows. These attacks can occur from having alcohol, drugs, an illness or sometimes stress. The first few attacks can improve within 3-10 days, possibly without treatment and you may not have any more attacks for possibly even years. Psoriatic arthritis is a joint problem that often occurs with a skin condition called psoriasis. Lupus is an extremely cruel form of arthritis with inflammation, swelling, and damage to joints, lungs, blood, skin, heart and kidneys

Arthritis Pain relief During Cold Weather

If you have any form of arthritis, dress warmly when the weather is cold—hat, gloves leg warmers, warm pants—whatever it takes to maintain a comfortable body temperature. 
  • Exercise indoors 
  • Swim in a heated pool
  • Take warm baths
  • Use Vitamin D as a supplement
  • Wear solid, supportive shoes if you live where it freezes
  • Try a glucosamine-chondroitin supplement (if you are allergic to shellfish, be cautious as many of these supplements are made from shellfish. Glucosamine by itself is safer if you have these allergies.)
  • Add Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil
  • Have a massage
  • Take NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) such as aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, etc. 
  • Try acupuncture for pain

Home Remedies to Help Ease the Pain of Arthritis: 

While there are currently no known cures for arthritis, there are some simple things you can do to ease the pain of many types of arthritis:
  • Cayenne Pepper has been found to have pain-relieving properties when eaten or used in a lotion or ointment and applied to sore muscles or joints. If you mix it into a lotion or ointment and apply it to a painful area of your body, be sure to use it sparingly. There are commercial products with Capsaicin (the pain-relieving ingredient in Cayenne Pepper) in them that I have tried, and when I put the cream on too thickly it burned my skin. Try it, but be cautious. Cayenne pepper can also be beneficial in treating high blood pressure and a cough.
  • Raw, unprocessed Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) can add essential nutrients to your diet such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and calcium. These nutrients can help relieve joint pain. The potassium in the ACV helps prevent calcium from building up in the joints; a condition associated with arthritis. Take 1 TBSP of ACV mixed in 8 Oz of water and sweetened  with honey (if desired) before meals to aid digestion and relieve arthritis pain. It may also be used topically. Mix 2 TBSP of ACV with 1 TBSP of Coconut Oil or Olive Oil for a soothing joint rub.
  • Curcumin, found in turmeric, and resveratrol, found in grapes, wine, berries, peanuts, and chocolate are nutritional supplements that seem to benefit people with osteoarthritis of the knee. They have been used in traditional Hindu medicine for at least a thousand years for various health problems, including joint disorders and arthritis. 
  • Omega-3 fatty acids also appear to be beneficial for cardio-protective effectiveness.
  • Leeks, scallions, shallots, garlic, onions and other members of the allium family help to prevent joint pain. 
  • Dr. F. Batmanghelidjf, in his book, “You’re Not Sick, You’re Thirsty!”, says that dehydration is a major trigger for rheumatoid arthritis—drink LOTS of water! 
  • Women who eat a lot of vegetables from the cabbage family (cruciferous vegetables) have a lower risk for early arthritis. 
  • Exercise is important, but begin gently at first and keep communication lines open with your doctor concerning the type of exercise and how much to do. 
  • Keeping your weight at a desirable limit is important; too much weight stresses the knee joint. 
  • A warm shower may ease pain. 
  • Keep up on current information regarding your condition. There are various websites that may give you information on arthritis; if you do not have a doctor and don’t know where to start, try contacting the Website: http://www.arthritis.org. The Mayo Clinic distributes a newsletter with tips to help you manage your arthritis symptoms


Links for Other Conditions:

Rashes and Allergies:

Home Remedies For Eczema
Home Remedies For Allergies 

Respiratory Conditions / Colds and Flu

Home Remedies for a Cough Related to Asthma or Colds
Home Remedies For Flu
Home Remedies For Sinus Infections

Cardiovascular / Gastric Conditions

Home Remedies for High Blood Pressure
Home Remedy For Heartburn
Home Remedies For Bloating
Sore Throat Remedies 

Pain

Home Remedies For Back Pain
Home Remedies For Arthritis
Home Remedies For Migraines Home Remedy For Toothache

Miscellaneous

Home Remedy For Hair Loss




Sources and Citations

http://www.rheumatology.org/Practice/Clinical/Patients/Diseases_And_Conditions/The_Immune_System_and_Its_link_to_Rheumatic_Diseases/
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