Natural Healthcare Guide

Every once and awhile I find myself talking to a friend about the fact that her child is coming down with a virus. I usually say something like—“just give her lots of immune boosters, she’ll be better in no time!” Then my friend usually gives me a quizzical look and asks, HOW DO I DO THAT? TELL ME! Today I’m going to tell you! When my kids start acting funny and I know they are fighting off a virus, I try to work as many immune boosting foods, drinks and supplements into their diets as possible. Often this is enough to ward off the virus altogether. If they do end up getting sick, the virus is usually mild as a result of this immune support. So the next time your little one is feeling ill, try these natural immune boosters for kids. Probiotic Food and Drink Probiotic flora (good bacteria) in the gut is the key to our immune function. Lowered immune function is often a sign that the balance of bacteria is off in our digestive tract. To boost immune function, try giving your ch...

Safflower is a plant. The flower and oil from the seeds are used as medicine. Safflower seed oil is used for preventing heart disease, including “hardening of the arteries” (atherosclerosis) and stroke. It is also used to treat fever, tumors, coughs, breathing problems, clotting conditions, pain, heart disease, chest pain, and traumatic injuries. Some people use it for inducing sweating; and as a laxative, stimulant, antiperspirant, and expectorant to help loosen phlegm. Women sometimes use safflower oil for absent or painful menstrual periods; they use safflower flower to cause an abortion. In foods, safflower seed oil is used as a cooking oil. This oil contains healthy fats and may even help prevent cardiovascular disease. All oils are pure fat, however, which means they're high in calories. Use safflower oil sparingly to help avoid unwanted weight gain. Safflower oil is rich in monounsaturated fat, which may help protect against heart disease. Unlike saturated fats from m...

Meditation is an integral part of yoga. It aims to help you achieve a harmonious balance between your body and mind. Meditation relaxes your mind and eliminates feelings of restlessness. Meditation improves your concentration and creates an awareness about the power of your body. Meditation can be safely practiced in all stages of pregnancy , even the last trimester when the growing body may hinder you from completing asanas or other exercises. While you can practice meditation throughout your pregnancy, it is best to follow a prenatal yoga class to choose the postures and breathing techniques most suited to relax your growing body without straining your back or abdominal muscles. The type of meditation you prefer may depend on your personal beliefs and the time available. Benefits of meditation Meditation: helps you deal with mood swings increases your sense of self-awareness helps you focus thereby improving concentration calms you down and relaxes you as well hel...

Take some time out to relax and get inspired with some soothing Garbha sanskar music made especially for pregnant women.  These songs have been composed in traditional ragas that create a particular mood and atmosphere. For four of these recordings, Mahua Mukherjee, the composer and singer, has selected some of the most commonly chanted pregnancy shlokas. Garba Raksha (Pregnant Women) Health Therapy Series Format: Audio CD A collection of chants and mantras specially selected to help carry a healthy and absolutely vital pregnancy. By bringing the emotions under control through changes in the brainwave pattern, both in the morning and evening, expectant mothers are relived of stress, in turn creating a nurturing environment for the fetus. Buy Other Related Books for Pregnancy </b></font></p> <p><font class="author notFaded" data-blogger-escaped-data-wid...

There are many benefits of healthy fiber for digestive health. Studies show that fiber is important for people of any age, and it helps treat and prevent a number of conditions -- ranging from severe acid reflux (known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) to inflammatory bowel syndrome (IBS) to obesity  and diverticulitis. Here’s how healthy fiber helps digestive health -- and why you need to get more of it. Regularity.  Fiber, particularly insoluble fiber, can help people prevent constipation. It bulks up stools and keeps food moving through the digestive tract. Healthy bacteria. You might have heard of probiotoics -- healthy bacteria that live in your intestines. Some types of soluble fiber are considered a prebiotic -- a fuel that feeds these healthy bacteria and increases their numbers. What do these bacteria do? They boost digestive health. And some studies suggest that they might have far-reaching effects, perhaps improving the immune response and preve...

Plain popcorn provides whole grains, fiber and antioxidants. Whole grains, fiber and antioxidants are wrapped up in this simple snack. Be careful though. Smothering this naturally healthy snack in salt, fat, sugar and flavorings turns natural goodness into junk food. Popcorn is naturally a whole grain and therefore provides the healthy benefits derived from the nutrients in every component of the whole grain. Popcorn provides about 4 grams of dietary fiber for every 4 cups of popped corn. An adequate fiber intake not helps you to stay regular but may also lower your risk of cardiovascular disease, reduce blood cholesterol and lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by regulating blood sugar. The antioxidant concentration of popcorn is much higher than anticipated. In fact, the study found the concentration of polyphenols in popcorn surpassed that of most fruit. This nutrient was found within the hull and so popcorn without the hull may not contain this healthy antioxidant. Polyphenol...

According to Ayurveda , the hair is derived either as a by-product or produced as a breakdown product of Asthi (bone tissue). Any disturbance in this tissue metabolism, which very much depends on the digestive fire, can affect the health of the hair. To a certain extent, the quality of hair depends on the body constitution. The major causes of hairfall are hormonal, nutritional deficiencies and complication to other diseases and medications. Hormone related hair fall may also result from an increased sensitivity of hair follicles to male hormones or due to greater number of male hormone receptors attached to hair follicles. This is the component that is inherited through the genes — termed as Pitta constitution. According to Ayurveda , excess of Pitta dosha in the body is increased by hot climatic conditions, excessive intake of spicy, salty and sour food, hot and sharp food, tea, coffee, alcohol, meats and excessive smoking. Eating too much fried, oily, greasy, and acidic food...

Peppermint has a wonderful cooling effect on the skin. When used in skincare products, it nourishes dull skin and helps balance out oily skin. It can also alleviate bites, stings, burns and scalds, and best of all, peppermint essential oil has a sublimely uplifting aroma, which can enhance memory and alertness. Peppermint oil is an aromatic herb that has many versatile uses. The oil extracted from the herb is pale yellow in color. It has a very minty aroma that is cooling and refreshing. Peppermint oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids, iron, magnesium, calcium, Vitamins A and C, minerals, potassium, manganese and copper. Peppermint oil can cure indigestion. You can add it to your food as a flavoring agent or drink few drops with a glass of warm water after your meal. Since peppermint oil is carminative in nature, it helps to reduce a stomach upset. Try Now! Heather's Tummy Care, Tummy Tamers, Peppermint Oil, 90 Enteric Coated Softgels Urinary tract infection: Peppermint es...

Lavender , like chamomile, is one of nature’s essential herbs for skin nourishment and healing. Lavender essential oil not only smells divine, it is an antiseptic, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory, helping skin to heal and renew itself. While the most common use of lavender is to help treat anxiety and relieve stress through aromatherapy, some people also use it to treat minor skin conditions or injuries. Lavender can act as an astringent. Astringents are substances that cause tissue to contract. They can help treat small areas of swelling on the skin. While lavender might not help with managing pain, you can use it to treat small areas of swelling from bug bites or other causes. Buy Now: Emerginc Lavender Toner Facial Astringents(Size: 8.1 Oz) Lavender works well on all skin types and is effective in treating oily skin as well as acne, dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. It is thought to stimulate cellular growth and regeneration in the skin by helping your upper layer of...

(Calendula officinalis), the pot marigold, is a great herb for skin care, and has perhaps the longest history of use of any herb in skin care. Calendula has long been regarded as one of the safest and most effective herbs for skin. It is wonderfully healing for chapped, irritated and inflamed skin, rashes (it’s wonderful for nappy rash), dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, age spots, stretch marks, varicose veins, corns, warts, calluses, bruises, sprains, burns, ulcers, bites and stings. The oil soluble components including the essential oil are especially good at stimulating wound healing. Distillate of calendula can help soothe mouth sores and hemorrhoids. The petals of calendula are antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating. Calendula oil is often used for dry or damaged skin. It has natural restorative properties that infuse the skin with a youthful glow. Calendula oil is also used to protect the skin from premature aging and thinning of the skin. Calendula is safe eno...