• Many children suffer from night-time coughs due to infections in their upper respiratory tract. These coughs hamper their sleep and make them physically week. Consuming  2 teaspoons of honey before going to bed is known to be effective in managing these night-time coughs; it is believed that honey helps in treating children’s coughs more effectively than the OTC cough medications.
• Honey is full of healthy resins that are known to possess excellent antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral effects.  Taking a teaspoon of honey everyday in the morning can protect us from infections causes by fungus, viruses and bacteria.
• Topical application of honey can accelerate healing of burns and wounds. Honey works by drying up the wounds preventing them from being infected. Honey is a source of an enzyme that can create hydrogen peroxide when blended with water in wounds; this in turn treats the wounds successfully.
• Regular intake of honey helps in increasing the levels of antioxidants in our blood. The more will be the levels of antioxidants in our blood, the greater will be the possibilities of protecting our cells from oxidative damages resulting from free radicals.
• Pure honey acts as a natural source of energy. Often athletes are asked to consume honey instead of other carbohydrate rich food items for increasing their energy levels.

Kombucha is basically categorized as the live culture of yeast and bacteria resembling the shape of the mushroom top or a pancake. If you add this agent into sweetened tea, it will digest the sugar and release beneficial nutrients, minerals and enzymes.

Regular users of kombucha tea claim that this tea helps in managing health problems like arthritis, indigestions, fatigue, insomnia, pimples etc. The tea is also known to be an excellent immunity system booster. This means having this tea regularly will give us the power to fight infections and other diseases.

When live kombucha cultures get added to tea, they take around 9 days to get fermented. As fermentation takes place, the sugar present in that gets converted into beneficial acids like gluconic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, and acetic acid. These acids improve our digestive functions and provide us with the ability of fighting bacteria.

Almost every health food store nowadays sells kombucha tea. There are also several online stores, from where you can buy the live cultures and prepare the tea by brewing them at home. Having the tea is absolutely safe, if you manage to ferment it in a sterile environment. However, the home brewed version often gets contaminated, which can cause sere harm to one’s health. So, if you are conducting the fermentation procedure at home, you must know the right process and be extremely careful while executing it.

Colds and fevers: Dengue and malaria fevers are very common in the countries of the east, especially during monsoon. Having a tea prepared from holy basil leaves offers protection against these fevers.  If you have acute fever, having an infusion prepared from the combination of tulsi leaves and cardamom powder is known to be beneficial. You can also add milk and sugar to this infusion for making it tasty. Fever can also be treated by consuming juice extracted from these leaves.

Cardiovascular disorders: Tulsi is known for its ability of improving blood circulation and strengthening our heart muscles. Some studies have also revealed that regular intake of tulsi leaves or juice of tulsi leaves helps in decreasing levels of bad cholesterol in blood.

Stomach problems: Tulsi is widely used for getting relief from a number of abdominal disorders. The herb is beneficial for people suffering from loss of appetite. Moreover, tulsi is known for boasting mild laxative effects, which makes it a potent remedy for constipation. Taking 2 cups of tulsi tea every day will keep you away from majority of the digestive disorders.

Inflammation: Tulsi possess strong anti-inflammatory effects. The herb is useful in treating all kinds of edema in human body. Tulsi is also capable of reducing the pain caused by swelling. According to herbalists, tulsi eliminates pain as effectively as the commonly used painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen.

Stress: The antioxidants present in tulsi reduce damages caused to our body by stress. Tulsi is also known to affect our brain’s neurochemistry in the same manner as the antidepressant medications.

Relaxation techniques:

Biofeedback, yoga and meditation are relaxation techniques that can be effectively used for getting rid of tension headache. These relaxation techniques work by eliminating the strains from the muscles of our neck. Staying in a good posture might also help us in preventing tensing up of the muscles. Biofeedback is a procedure that helps people in controlling the muscle tension; the process involves use of monitoring equipment, which allows us to check our blood pressure levels and heart rates and work for improving them.

Massage:

Undergoing the right massage therapy also helps in relieving muscle tension offering relief from severe tension headaches. Both self-massaging and massages conducted by a trained therapist work effectively if done in the right procedure. Besides the head, the shoulders and neck of the patient must also be massaged. You can use essential oils like rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender or jasmine oil for enhancing the effects of the massage.

Medications:

Tension headaches can be reduced considerably by taking OTC pain killers; however, such drugs must not be taken more than twice in a week. If the OTC medications fail to offer your pain relief, you can ask your physician to prescribe a pain killer.

Avoid certain food types:

According to medical experts, there are some food types which can be responsible for causing tension headaches. Examples of such food types include caffeine rich beverages and foods, chocolates, nuts, bananas, avocados, cheese, foods having monosodium glutamate, citrus fruits, peanut butter, pickled foods and dairy products.

Herbal remedies:

There are some herbs that are widely used for treating tension headaches. Applying extracts of mint on the forehead is known to offer instance relief from these headaches. There are several balms and ointments available in the market that has mint as one of its main ingredients. Another frequently used herb for treating tension headaches is feverfew. However, as this herb might increase an individual’s chances of experiencing bleeding, pregnant women should not use this herb. Use of feverfew is also not recommended for nursing mothers.

For individuals, who used to have dialysis before the kidney transplant, the diet following the transplantation will appear to be a lot restricted. Patients undergoing dialysis need to consume a high protein, low phosphorus, and low salt diet and are asked to limit their intake of potassium rich food items like dairy products, bananas, oranges and tomato sauce. The same patients after kidney transplantation will not need to limit potassium and phosphorus intake. But, these patients might experience a few issues with their diet as certain anti-rejection medicines prescribed to them might result in side effects impacting their diet.

A large share of people undergoing kidney transplantation experiences weight gain. This occurs primarily because of an increase in their appetite. Certain medications taken by them might also have weight gain as their side effect. Studies have shown that the average weight gain experience by kidney transplantation patients is 20 lb. To avoid excess weight gain, these patients must limit intake of fatty foods. Besides that they should consult their physician and seek guidance about the exercising pattern safe and suitable for them.

We have mentioned above that certain anti-rejection medicines prescribed to patients having kidney transplantation can affect their diet. Some examples of such medicines are: cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Gengraf, Neoral), tacrolimus (Prograf), mycophenolate (CellCept) steroids (prednisone) and azathioprine (Imuran). These medications might cause side effects like increase in blood cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels and triglyceride count. The patient might also experience increase in blood pressure levels and significant alterations in phosphorus, magnesium and potassium levels due to intake of these medications. These side effects can force you to eliminate or add certain food types from your daily diet.

The process of kidney transplantation is followed by the working of your body for adjusting to the new kidney. At this point of time, you might need to take a protein rich diet. Your doctor may also suggest you to take a calcium supplement.

It is shocking to see symptoms of this condition among kids. Unfortunately, the disorder is observed among adolescent and younger kids owing to underdeveloped immune system. It is observed that this meek system is extremely sensitive to factors like stress, wrong eating habits and more. Therefore, the children become predisposed to this hair loss condition and experience its bouts as a response to stress.

Moreover, the condition seems to run in families as it may get passed on from one generation to another through hereditary factors. Therefore, children with either of members, falling in blood relation, suffering from this condition are exposed to facing hair loss due to Alopecia. The symptoms of the same are observed in the form of round hairless patches on the scalp. The patches may intensify after the occurrence of episodes of emotional turbulence and stress.

The condition is the result of body’s immune system launching an attack on the hair follicles. More than 5 percent of kids suffering from this hair loss condition often go on to develop alopecia totalis which is characterized by the total loss of hair on the scalp. Therefore, in order to prevent the further worsening of the disorder, it is better to conduct a timely diagnosis so as to initiate the right treatment. In case, the bald patch fails to eliminate with the natural re-growth of the hair, it is advisable to use topical medicines on the affected regions. Some of the strong topical creams popularly recommended for the treatment of the condition are Temovate and Diprolene. Sometimes, a potent steroid, Celestone is also injected at the affected side to trigger immediate hair re-growth. The growth of initial few strands is observed right after 4-6 weeks following the treatment. The dosage of medicines however needs to be given after every 4-6 weeks until a normal growth cycle is resumed.

Your Ayurvedic treatment is a step-by-step process. Cleansing the body is the initial step in this procedure. If there is constipation, it is treated, because only through stool can the body be completely purged. Diet is recommended, you are asked to avoid sour food. Green leafy vegetables and boiled, non-spicy food is advised.

Anemia is generally caused due to bleeding. Ayurveda identifies basic causes of bleeding.

Bleeding can occur due to problems in the functioning of the internal organs. In such case medicines are recommended. One of the medicines you could be prescribed is Punarnavadi mandura. If your anemia is due to excessive bleeding during menstruation, separate medicines to control menstrual bleeding are prescribed like Ushirasava, Ashokarishta, Chandraprabha Vati, Pradaranashaka Churna, Lodhrasava, Jeerakadi Avaleha.

Ayurvedic treatments include use of crude iron in medicine or the use of certain herbs to treat anemia. You are given many kinds of powders as medicine for anemia. These powders are called bhasma or ash. Loha bhasma is an important source of iron; it has high concentration of the metal, which tackles the problem of iron-deficiency. Dhatri Loha , Navayasa Loha, Tapyadi Loha are usually recommended as cure for anemia.

If there is anemia in diabetics or those suffering from thyroid complaints, strict diet is suggested. Ayurveda suggests surgery only in case of severe accidents where there has been heavy bleeding.

One of the most notable features of antioxidants is their ability of protecting blood cells and ensuring that they are not damaged by any free radical. Free radicals are usually produced in our body when we get exposed to factors like air pollutants, stress, sunlight, alcohol, cigarette smoke and many such others.  The free radicals act by absorbing essential electrons from human cells. This action of the free radicals distorts DNA structures of affected individuals resulting in different biological disruptions. Antioxidants fight free radicals neutralizing their charge and preventing them from absorbing the cell electrons.

Other than that, antioxidants also possess the ability of combating signs of aging. A blend comprising of antioxidants varieties like lutein, beta-carotene and lycopene can protect our skin from damages caused by sunrays. This antioxidant blend can lighten visible marks and spots on our skin including pigmentations. Dermatologists recommend daily application of antioxidant rich creams on aging skin for removing wrinkles and fine lines.

Antioxidants are also known for improving our metabolic system, which results in burning of excess fat stored in our body. Another feature of antioxidants is their ability of acting as appetite suppressants, which also aids weight loss.

The discussion above has informed you about the different health benefits offered by antioxidants; let us now know the food sources of antioxidants. The food items containing high amount of antioxidant in them include: strawberry, black bean, plum, blueberry, red kidney beans, prunes etc.

Majority of the binge drinkers are aware of the fact that although extremely uncomfortable, the vomiting episodes will not continue to bother them for too long. This fact makes time the best cure for hangover induced vomiting. However, it is also true that drinking up to a point that might lead to vomiting from hangovers should never be a regular practice. This is because drinking alcohol in such big amounts might end up causing other chronic health problems.

Prevention of hangover is possible by taking some simple steps after, during and before the drinking phase. Before you start drinking, have some foods; you can also have a glass of any non-alcoholic beverage along with the food you are eating. This will help in diluting the ill effects of alcohol. When you start drinking, never drink too much together. Space out the drinks to a maximum of 1 drink per hour. In between two drinks you can have non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. Once you finish drinking, drink a minimum of 2 glasses of water (you can have other clear liquids like lime water instead) before getting into bed. Drinking adequate amount of liquids will ensure that you will not suffer from dehydration and the other ill effects of alcohol will also not be there.

Consuming clear liquids is extremely important for heavy drinkers. These liquids help in moving out the alcohol from their body. Some of the healthy drinking options for alcoholic individuals are: electrolytes, sports drinks, plain water and lemon water. On the other hands, all kinds of caffeinated beverages like coffee should be strictly avoided to prevent the occurrence of alcohol induced hangover.

Leave the Skins on Kiwis

Kiwis are tasty & delectable fruits with soft & greenish inner & that coarse brown exterior that we mindlessly toss into the bin. Think again prior to doing this as consuming kiwis with skins on enhance their nutritional density & trebles the fiber consumption one gets in comparison to consuming merely the fleshy part. Moreover not peeling the kiwis aids in better retaining its vitamin C lushness & the fruits holding up better when coalesced in a mix fruit salad. In case one plans on not de-skinning it then ensure procuring organic type as it would mean less pesticides remnants in one’s dietetic intake though ensure scrubbing the fruits properly in any case.

Broccoli Stalks Pack a Healthy Punch

The stalk part of broccoli has as much fiber & antioxidant presence along with taste as the floret part, still the stalk would be landing in the rubbish bin. Oftentimes the stalk part is going waste when one prepares broccoli-based dishes. Instead, how about fine slicing the stalk parts & using them in stir-fry or stew dishes.

Winter Squash Skins

During squash preparations, majority of the individuals would choose to consume the fleshy part which translates to crucial antioxidants being missed out. The best advice is keeping the skins on of this healthy food. A great means of preparing winter squash is roasting the cut up pieces with the skins left on & consuming it whole. Retaining the skin even would be adding colour, feel & general food appeal. Microwaving these slices is also a nice way of swiftly preparing it. For additional flavoring, dress the winter squash with some maple syrup drizzled over, a dash of rock salt plus a small amount of buttery addition.

In Pineapples the Cores Matter

Though the cores of pineapples are quite hard, lesser sweeter & in comparison not that likable as compared to their flesh portion, but eating it is best for you nutritionally as they have as much nutrient worth as the fleshy portion & ideally consumed in raw form.

Re-Mulling about Rinds of Oranges

Rinds are often thought as the cover amid us & the delicious core within when actually they are antioxidant-laden. Terpene present in the rind of orange & lemon has identified cell-obliterating or cytotoxic qualities & might have inflammation-combating effects. Addition of the rind of citrus fruits to your daily dietetic intake might provide some extent of shielding from cancer cells & has anti-aging properties. Taste is enhanced hence one would require balancing these with other flavorings in one’s recipe. Zest the rinds into any dressing or dish with strong-flavoring to mask the bitter taste & offer the strong smell linked with the oils. One could even add small rind pieces into D.I.Y. cranberries sauce & vinegar-based dressing.

Leaving on Skins of Potatoes

Omnipresent potatoes can be deemed healthier & lesser of a diet-breaker when one has it without skinning them. Large extents of nutrients in these potatoes such as K, vitamin C are retained when potato cooking & eating is done with the casing intact. Moreover, the skin offers a lot of fiber. Many people in America are merely obtaining only fifty percent of the fiber necessary everyday from their dietetic intake. Almost all recipes that one earlier prepared by de-skinning potatoes could be made & eaten with the peel retained. Hence, start experimenting & take pleasure in the additional chewy sensations associated with the skins.