Home Remedies: vick's vaporub

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Monday, January 27, 2014

Home Remedies for Allergies

Allergies are the result of an overactive immune system, which mistakes things such as dust and pollen for germs, then attacks them. Your body then releases histamines—chemical compounds involved in the immune inflammatory response.

Allergic rhinitis is a group of symptoms that affect the nose. Avoid exposure to as many allergens as possible; when you have problems there are some home remedies for allergies that allow a measure of relief. Allergy symptoms can involve the airways--sinuses and nasal passages, your skin and also the digestive system; they may include frequent sneezing, varied levels of difficulty breathing (including asthma), cramps, vomiting, rashes, hives, Pink Eye, runny nose, congestion, constant coughing and many others.

Home Remedies for Allergies:

Irrigating your nose with a saline solution (salt in water) will sometimes soothe upper respiratory allergies. The irrigation can dislodge irritants that have settled in the nasal area, which could cause inflammation. The solution may also erase some of the inflammatory cells. You can make your own saline solution by adding one teaspoon of salt to a pint of warm, distilled water and approximately 1/16 teaspoon (a pinch) of baking soda. You can use a dropper to put it in your nose or sniff the saline solution up out of your hand into one nostril at a time; allow it to drain out through the nose or mouth. You may also buy a prepared solution at the pharmacy. It’s alright to irrigate twice a day, but is recommended that you check with your physician first if you have asthma. For more information on sinus irrigation, please refer to Home Remedies for Sinus Infections.

If you must be outside for any time—sunglasses may help to protect your eyes from allergens, particularly ones with side shields; once inside take a shower and shampoo to wash all the pollens off of your body

If you suspect that air pollution triggers an allergic reaction, stay inside as much as possible on days that are smoggy; keep windows closed and operate air purifiers. Airborne toxins can actually cause allergies in certain people

Peppermint Tea

The oils in peppermint tea act as a decongestant; also certain substances in it contain anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial properties. Buy an herbal tea or put one-half ounce of dried peppermint leaves into a quart jar of boiling water and fill it two-thirds full with boiling water; steep for at least five minutes. Be careful giving the tea to small children; the menthol in peppermint may choke them

Breathing steam will often help to ease the pain in your sinuses. Pour boiling water into a large dish, lean over the bowl with a towel over your head and breathe the steam. (When we had colds as children, Mom would add a teaspoon of Vicks VapoRub to the boiling water—you may need to shut your eyes due to the fumes but it brings breathing relief)

Dip a washcloth in warm water and hold to your sinuses to help them drain; this method can be used as many times a day as you are comfortable with

If you are a pet owner and allergic to fur, wash your pet frequently; wash your hands after contact with your furry child! Also, keeping your pet indoors (or at least out of weeds and grass), will limit your exposure to those allergens and reduce the reactions you have to your pet.

Studies show that bedrooms (where you spend approximately one-third of your time) with carpets harbor more dust mites than any other room in the house. If possible, get rid of all carpeting! If you do not have the option of removing the carpet, such as living in a rental, then vacuum frequently with a vacuum that has a built-in high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Another alternative is to attach a filter to the exhaust port if you own a canister vacuum; upright vacuums usually do not have an exhaust port. If you own your home and dust is a major factor in your allergy problem, you may choose to invest in an industrial-strength vacuuming system (a recommended brand by many allergists is one called Nilfisk). If you remove the carpeting, put in a floor covering that can be washed frequently—preferably damped mopped daily; twice daily if possible. (There are carpets in our rented apartment; we covered them with two layers of 6-milliliter sheet plastic stapled to the baseboards. It may not be pretty but it is safer for allergies than carpet, it is serviceable (minus pets in the house) and can be damp mopped as often as you like)

Dust mites thrive in a humid environment. Keep humidity to a minimum by using the fan in the shower; also recommended is a dehumidifier or air conditioner. The dehumidifier will also help to prevent mold, a dangerous allergen, from growing in your home. If your kitchen exhaust fan is truly vented to the outside, use it while cooking. (We live in an apartment where the microwave is directly above the range. The range vent is on the bottom of the microwave, which sucks the steam / odors from cooking up into the fan and blows them out the vent at the top--all over the kitchen; a lovely feature when you've burned something!!! Moving soon!)

Horseradish or Wasabi (a Japanese plant that tastes similar to strong horseradish) promotes the flow of mucus, allowing some relief from allergies; you can also buy grated horseradish--use one-quarter teaspoon

Homeopathy, created in 1796, is a system of alternative medicine based on ‘like cures like.’ The substance that creates the symptoms of disease in a healthy person will also cure similar symptoms in a sick person. Homeopathic remedies may help some in the acute stage to relieve some of the symptoms of allergies. Check with your local health food store for the best remedies for your symptoms

Carry Benadryl with you at all times. It can save a life.

Food Allergies

Food Allergies show up as a reaction due to ingestion of certain foods, the most common being:

Dairy
Wheat
Peanuts
Shellfish
Meat
Sugar
Gluten

Reactions to food allergies could involve many symptoms; some are:

Rashes
Nausea
Irritation
Fever
Sneezing
Wheezing
Anaphylaxis

Home Remedies for Food Allergies Include:

Banana tends to stop stomach pain and skin rashes
A five day juice fast to restore normal immune system functioning
5 drops of castor oil in 4oz of water on an empty stomach every morning
Half of a lime squeezed into a glass of warm water with 1 teaspoon of local, raw honey stirred in helps to flush the toxins out of the body
Vitamin E
Acupuncture
Yoga
Carrot juice mixed with beet or cucumber juice
If you are allergic to soft-cooked eggs, cook the egg completely--destroying the allergen
If you are allergic to dairy there are now numerous substitutes; I find coconut milk to be one of the most agreeable in taste and it has a long shelf life when unopened
Avoid alcohol, caffeine drinks, preserved foods, bakery products and peanuts
If in doubt at a restaurant or social gathering just say “no thanks”
Carry Benadryl with you if you or your child are known to have anaphylactic reactions. Benadryl can make the difference between life & death if you don't have an epi-pen on hand. Benadryl is different from other medications, so even if you take Allegra, Zyrtec, or Claritin, still carry Benadryl.

If you are suspicious of a particular allergen, read all food labels and keep a food diary. Notice particularly if any part of your body itches or tingles, your skin flushes or if you break out in hives or eczema.

Gluten

All grains contain protein that is theoretically gluten, however, people with celiac disease and most other ‘gluten allergies’ react to the form of gluten found in wheat, including spelt, kamut, triticale and all variations of wheat, barley, and rye.

The term gluten allergy can refer to one of four different circumstances: celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, dermatitis herpetiformis or gluten ataxia—none of these are true allergies. Sometimes when a person refers to a gluten allergy, they actually have a wheat allergy. Wheat has numerous components that include fat, starches and proteins. Not every person that has a true wheat allergy is reacting to the same part of the plant--27 different wheat allergens have already been identified with the protein ‘gluten’ being one of them. If you have an actual wheat allergy you suffer almost immediate—or only slightly delayed—symptoms after a meal made with wheat products—watery eyes, wheezing, nose stuffed up, or in more serious cases difficulty breathing and shock.

Some of the most common foods made with wheat are:

Bread (unless a label states otherwise)
Baked goods such as cookies, cakes, pastries
Pasta
Pizza
Breaded and battered foods such as fish sticks and vegetables
Cereals
Canned soups often have wheat flour to thicken them; also true of soup packets and restaurant soups
Vegetables- frozen or canned made in a sauce likely contain stabilizers made from wheat
Most commercially prepared sauces contain some wheat
Dips and gravy mixes contain wheat for thickening
Ground spices, at least curry powder, Cajun spices, Thai spices and pie spices contain wheat
Instant coffee, tea and cocoa powder all have wheat in them; also powdered, malted and chocolate milk; nearly all malted drinks contain wheat
Commercial deserts like ice cream, sherbet, icings, puddings, etc. usually contain wheat although may be labeled as a ’stabilizer’ instead of the word ‘wheat’
Condiments (commercial ones like ketchup, mayo, mustard, etc) contain wheat [[Ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard are all easy recipes to make up at home – no wheat involved]]
Most commercial salad dressings use a wheat enriched stabilizer or emulsifier
Meat – sausages, luncheon meats and prepared burgers may contain wheat
Wheat starches are often used in imitation and synthetic cheeses
Beer is usually made from barley, but wheat may be widely used an s beer ingredient
Many sweets have wheat as an ingredient—chocolate, candy made with cereal in it or using a cereal extract, also gum

· Read labels to make sure there has been no cross contamination such as in oats, which is naturally gluten-free but there is a lot of cross contamination at factories, e.g., wheat flour can remain suspended in the air for as long as 24 hours

Trying to avoid a wheat ingredient in your diet may take some dedicated effort at first—learning to know how labels are legally able to be written and what regulations are behind them; learning what words/terms are used and what various ingredients accomplish that goal, such as:

Colors (improve visual appeal)
Flavorings (improve taste)
Oils (improve taste and provide texture)
Preservatives (maintain or improve safety and freshness)
Stabilizers (provide texture)
Sweeteners (improve taste)
Thickeners (provide texture)

Keep a log of your allergies and what seems to affect them. If you have food allergies, keep track of everything that goes into your mouth and the reactions, if any. Take your food diary/allergy log with you when you shop and go to the doctors’ offices. Keep your allergist tuned in on your allergy symptoms and the list of home remedies used.

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Some of the world’s strangest allergies include:

Allergic to your new-born child--pemphigoid gestitionis
Allergic to water-- aquagenic urticaria
Allergic to sex--human seminal plasma hypersensitivity
Allergic to wood
Allergic to exercise (Exercise-induced anaphylaxis [EIA])
Allergic to apples eaten near a birch tree (bizarre food allergy--young girl goes into severe shock)
Allergic to the sun (Solar urticaria [SU])
Allergic to modern living/technology-- electromagnetic field (emf) or 'smog' created by computers, mobile phones, microwave ovens and even some cars
Allergic to kissing
Allergic to specific fabrics in undergarments (my personal opinion is more that it is a lack of air in undergarments, nylon, spandex and polyester are synthetics and do not make ‘healthy’ underwear. If your clothing doesn’t breathe you often become overheated and sweat in intimate parts of the body—this may cause itching and scratching but not necessarily an allergy))

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Links for Other Conditions:

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Home Remedies for a Cough

There are many home remedies for a cough and a lot of them will be in the average spice rack in American kitchens. I have asthma, so not only do I use these remedies for coughs due to colds, but for for a persistent cough, such as asthma, as well. If there is a difference between the two, I will note it below. For all of the tea recipes, I recommend using a strainer because the last thing you need when coughing is to have some piece of an herb stick in the back of your throat and trigger another coughing spell. I've been there, it's not fun, so use a tea strainer, some cheesecloth, or even a clean sock if you're desperate.

People with heart conditions should keep in mind that many herbs have the effect of dilating the bronchial tubes, which can cause jittery sensations and possibly speed up the heart. For that reason please be cautious when using dried plantain, thyme or coltsfoot.

Vick's VapoRub:

Vick's VapoRub

You've probably heard throughout your life that Vick's VapoRub (or a similar herbal concoction) stops coughs when applied to your chest, or used in the dispenser area of a humidifier, but did you know that applying it to the soles of your feet and wearing socks over it can help coughs too? I like this approach because sometimes I really don't want Vick's around my face or on my chest or back, and it's a nice alternative to that. Simply slather the Vick's on the soles of your feet and put on some socks (make sure you don't care if the socks get grease stains) right before going to bed. This treatment is best for a cough due to a cold, as asthma attacks can sometimes be triggered by the smell of Vick's.

Honey and Black Pepper:

You can make a cough syrup using honey and black pepper. Mix 1 tsp ground black pepper into 3 tsps of honey. You can take it like that (it's very hot and sweet) or add hot water and sip it. This is one of many cough remedies used by Native Americans. I would not recommend this treatment for asthma, as the pepper can get stuck in your throat and trigger an asthma attack.

Alternatively, Cayenne pepper can be used instead of black pepper, but I would recommend a smaller portion of it (perhaps ~1/4 to 1/2 tsp). Cayenne pepper is also one of many home remedies for high blood pressure, home remedies for arthritis, and home remedies for migraines.

Chestal Cough Syrup

Homeopathic Cough Syrup:

While not necessarily a "home remedy", there is a homeopathic cough syrup that I have used many times and highly recommend. It's made from honey and even tastes like honey but has a lower viscosity. The cough syrup is called Chestal, and is made by Boiron. It is one of my favorite homeopathic remedies and is also available in a children's formula.

Sage and Thyme:

Both Sage and Thyme are helpful herbs when it comes to breathing problems. Make a tea with 1 tsp of either ingredient (or mix them together). Pour boiling water over them and it steep for 5 minutes. Add honey to sweeten. Honey is one of many sore throat remedies, and is one of the home remedies for allergies as well so it's a good choice to add to an herbal tea. These are herbs that help dilate your bronchial tubes and can ease an asthma attack or coughing fit and help break up a chest cold.

Coltsfoot:

Dried Coltsfoot

I was excited to find coltsfoot available at Amazon.com as I haven't been able to find it locally for years, and it is highly effective in treating asthma. Coltsfoot even has a reputation for treating whooping cough. If you have whooping cough symptoms, go see a medical practitioner rather than trying to treat it at home. Whooping cough is highly contagious. For an asthma attack, or chest cold, I would usually make a tea of 1 tsp thyme and 1 tsp of coltsfoot and let it steep in boiling water for about 5 minutes. I usually added honey and drank it hot. It would loosen up my chest during an asthma attack pretty quickly.

Plantain Leaf:

I'm not talking about the little bananas, rather a green herb that I used to be able to find in health food stores. This is another herb that I would mix with either coltsfoot or thyme when having asthma trouble. The instructions are the same 1 tsp of each herb, steep in boiling water for 5 minutes, and add honey to taste.

Black Tea:

Hot black tea (sweetened or not) but without milk is a great emergency substitute for asthma medication. Tea contains Theophylin, which is actually a chemical that has been synthesized into a prescription asthma drug. It is wonderful because most restaurants carry it and it's an easy substitute for an inhaler if you're stuck without one. I don't recommend using it instead of Dr recommended medication, but if you're in a pinch, it can get you through a bad situation.

If tea is not available, then opt for hot black coffee. While coffee does not have as much Theophylin as black tea, it does have some and can still be beneficial.

Peppermint:

Peppermint tea can be beneficial for treating coughs related to colds or the flu, but I would not recommend it for asthma. If there are no other options and someone is having an asthma attack, I would recommend trying a smell test before giving it to the person. Have the patient smell the tea bag (or the brewed tea) before they drink it. Keep in mind that doing so may exacerbate symptoms depending on their sensitivities. Some asthmatics are triggered by things that have minty smells. If the smell doesn't make it worse, then the peppermint tea could be beneficial. Peppermint can be a good home remedy for heartburn, and also one of the home remedies for bloating so if the coughing is triggered by heartburn, it could help in that way as well.

Astragalus Root:

Astragalus Root Liquid Capsules

Another herb that's great for the lungs is astragalus root. Astragalus root not only helps heal the lungs from a number of conditions, but is also one of the home remedies for flu and is one of the great preventive home remedies for sinus infections. That makes it a great herb to have on hand for flu and cold season, and to fight any virus that moves into your chest. I take it in liquid capsule form, but there are a variety of ways to take it.

Thorn Apple (Also known as Jimsonweed):

I left Thorn Apple til last because it is a toxic herb used in Chinese medicine to treat asthma and coughs. While this herb is also a potential home remedy for hair loss, I'd recommend getting the help of a medical practitioner before using it.

If someone has ingested a plant that you are afraid is poisonous, please contact your local or national poison control center immediately. The website: http://indoorplanttips.com/poisonous-plants/ lists phone numbers for the United States national poison control center, as well as the ASPCA poison control center for animal poisonings.

How to Stop Coughing:

Whatever the reason for your cough, be sure to stay hydrated, because that will thin the mucus and help you clear your airways.

Asthmatic Cough:

Over the years as an asthmatic, I've run into many suggestions for how to stop coughing. One that actually helps a bit is to raise your arms over your head, as it expands your chest and opens up your airways a little. However, if you're in the midst of an asthma attack, it's just not practical to hold your arms in the air for long. I usually advise people to sit up straight with their feet on the floor, arch the back, and pull tight clothes away from the throat and chest. Breathe as slowly and as deeply as you can, in through your nose and out through your mouth; breathing into your stomach (called diaphragmatic breathing). Respiratory therapists usually describe this method of breathing as "smelling the roses and blowing out the candles". Just make sure the "blowing out the candles" part of the breath is slow.

I have seen a hot shower listed as a "no fail way to stop coughing"; however, be cautious if the cough is caused by asthma, as a hot shower can actually aggravate the symptoms. Even WebMD recommends a hot shower, but obviously the people who say that have never had an asthma attack because just the thought of a shower during an asthma attack is almost suffocating. An asthma cough is better relieved by a hot drink than by increasing humidity.

Dry cough Due to Illness:

If you have a dry cough due to an illness, then humidity will probably help. In that case, take a hot shower or use a humidifier. Hot drinks should also help loosen things up and stop a coughing fit.

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://voices.yahoo.com/herbs-lower-blood-pressure-rid-flu-and-439611.html?cat=5

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/t/thorna12.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/028726_hair_loss_dong_quai.html

http://coughingaft.wordpress.com/best-antibiotic-for-sinus-infection/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/12/15/baking-soda-used-to-treat-swine-flu-85-years-ago.aspx

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Monday, January 27, 2014

Home Remedies for Allergies

Food Allergies

Gluten

Links for Other Conditions:

Rashes and Allergies:

Respiratory Conditions / Colds and Flu

Cardiovascular / Gastric Conditions

Pain

Miscellaneous

Sources and Citations

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Home Remedies for a Cough

Vick's VapoRub:

Honey and Black Pepper:

Homeopathic Cough Syrup:

Sage and Thyme:

Coltsfoot:

Plantain Leaf:

Black Tea:

Peppermint:

Astragalus Root:

Thorn Apple (Also known as Jimsonweed):

How to Stop Coughing:

Asthmatic Cough:

Dry cough Due to Illness:

Links for Other Conditions:

Rashes and Allergies:

Respiratory Conditions / Colds and Flu

Cardiovascular / Gastric Conditions

Pain

Miscellaneous

Sources and Citations: