10 Natural Remedies for Heartburn – Herbal Cures

Some of us suffer from a little heartburn from time to time, like usually at the holidays when we overindulge with the tasty food that is associated with holidays, and others are fighting a constant battle against heartburn. If you fall into the latter group then you know how painful the burning can be and you’re probably willing to do just about anything to have it stop.

The good news is that there are natural remedies for heartburn that can help, not only with a current attack, but also there are tips for preventing heartburn naturally so that you never have to have it reoccur. Wouldn’t that be great? Let’s dig in.

10 Natural Remedies for Heartburn – Herbal Cures

Heartburn:

Heartburn is a painful, burning feeling in the middle of our chest or the upper part of our stomach. This pain can also spread to our neck, jaw, or arms, can last just for a few minutes or make us suffer for hours.

What Causes Heartburn?

Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) is a muscle at the entrance of our stomach, it acts as a gate: It opens to let food move from our esophagus to our stomach, and then it shuts to stop food and acid from coming back out.

 What Causes Heartburn?

Following factors trigger the Heartburn symptoms-

•       An Overeating
•            Lying down immediately after meals.
•          Stress
•           Eating spicy, fatty foods or greasy foods

Most people run to the nearest pharmacy to get an over-the-counter treatment when they’re having a heartburn incident as they see this as a way to get instant relief. While this may be so, most over-the-counter medications simply mask the symptoms and do nothing to address the real cause of the heartburn.

Usually, because these drugs only mask the symptoms, the painful symptoms quickly return. This is why so many men and women, around the world, are turning to alternative remedies for heartburn to help ease their discomfort.

The beauty of natural remedies for heartburn is that you can do them from the comfort of your home.

A note of caution for you, however, is that you should not ignore your heartburn if it has become chronic as the repeated incidence of acid flowing back into your esophagus can lead to more serious conditions including esophageal cancer.

Let’s have a look at some natural remedies for heartburn that you can start implementing immediately to get relief;
(This list also includes tips to avoid heartburn)

1. Stop eating a few hours before bedtime – this also helps with weight control.

2. Eat smaller portions of food – eating smaller portions of food more frequently puts less of a strain on your digestive system.

3. Foods to avoid (these tend to trigger heartburn) – Citrus fruits, peppermint, tomatoes, spearmint, chocolate, raw onions, garlic, black pepper, vinegar, fatty foods, fried foods, spicy foods, coffee, carbonated drinks, alcoholic drinks and there may be others that are triggers for you so make note of what you’ve eaten before your heartburn attacks.

4. Reduce Stress – stress has been proven to be another factor that can trigger heartburn.

5. Quit Smoking – smoking can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter which closes off the esophagus and prevents stomach acids from entering it which causes heartburn.

6. Aloe Vera Juice – drink this before your meals. It has been shown to soothe the esophagus.

7. Slippery Elm – Slippery elm is often the primary ingredient in herbal sore throat lozenges found in health food stores or in the natural food section of some grocery stores and drug stores. It helps to coat the esophagus and reduce irritation.

8. Papaya Enzyme – You can get a chewable version of Papaya Enzyme.  Which helps to combat the acidic sensation and provide relief.

9. Pineapple Juice – Pineapple juice contains an enzyme called Bromelain, Enzyme Bromelain is known to digest Proteins.

10.  Change sleeping body shape – Practice sleeping on your side instead of your stomach.  Rise up your head position and upper body when you lie down.  

So there you have several remedies and tips for dealing with heartburn. 

Take the time to find the help and the natural treatment you need, and you’ll be able to get on with your life and enjoy it to the fullest. You deserve to be happy and healthy.

Also be sure to share any natural remedies you may know of by leaving us a comment. Thank you for sharing.

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12 Natural Remedies for Migraines – Herbal Cures

I used to get Migraine Headaches during my college days at least once a month. I used to get blurred vision, vomiting sensation, headache, One-sided headache among few symptoms. Later I moved to a city and at around 25 years of my age, my Migraine problem stopped without a treatment.  Also, I have seen others suffer from a Migraine Headache and they seem to be very incapacitating. There are millions of people who suffer from a Migraine Headache so hopefully, if you are one of them, you will find your cure here, now.

 12 Natural Remedies for Migraines – Herbal Cures

Symptoms of migraine headaches often include:

1. Pulsating or throbbing pain on one or both sides of your head
2. Any physical activity worsens the pain
3. Nausea, sometimes accompanied by vomiting
4. Extreme sensitivity to light and or sound

Some describe their migraines like this; when you apply a light touch to your eyes when they are closed you will experience three color auras, White- with a severe migraine, red- with a medium level migraine, and blue-lesser stage migraine.

Migraine headaches are sometimes associated with other problems you are having such as liver, eyesight or digestive issues. Another cause of migraine headaches is extreme stress or mental tension.

Many migraine sufferers explain a headache as starting behind one of the eyes and staying on that side of the head. Another time the migraine could occur on the other side of your head.

Some people suffer from migraines every day and others get them every few weeks or months or several times a year. There is no set pattern for getting migraine headaches.

Some other possible causes of migraine headaches include;

1. Menstruation
2. Low blood sugar
3. Allergy infection
4. Excessive intake of certain drugs
5. Nutritional deficiency
6. Consistently overworking yourself
7. Improper or inadequate sleep and rest
8. Excessive smoking
9. Excessive drinking (alcohol)

So let’s look at some natural migraine remedies to get you some relief. 

Some of these you can do yourself and others will require that someone help you especially when you actually have a migraine.

1. Grape Juice – not the store-bought kind, but once you make at home yourself by squeezing fresh ripe grapes and drinking this.

2. Lemon Crust – grind some lemon crust into a paste and apply this to your forehead. Many have found this to be very effective.

3. Vegetable Juices – the combination of carrot and spinach juice or carrot juice mixed with beet and cucumber juice has proven effective in treating migraines.

4. Ginger-  It is well-known fact that Ginger provides relief from many Migraine conditions. As per the research study, Ginger powder decreased Migraine intensity and also the duration as effective as a prescription drug like sumatriptan.You can also sip some ginger Tea. 

5. Foods to Avoid – foods with MSG (monosodium glutamate), sugar, processed foods, white or refined flour, wine, and dairy products. There are others that you might have become aware of yourself that either triggers a migraine headache or make yours worse. Drink a lot of water.

6. A hot bath and cold compress – many have found that taking a warm bath and then applying a cold compress to your forehead can be very soothing.

7. Sleep – One of the best remedies for your migraine is to get some sleep in a very dark room.

8. Massage – massage your temples firmly in a circular motion until you feel some relief

9. Exercise – now obviously this is not a suggestion for while you are having a migraine attack but many have found that regular exercise reduces the incidence of migraines which is your ultimate goal.

10. Lavender Oil – According to a clinical study report inhaling a lavender oil may ease Migraine pain.

 The research report states that people who inhaled lavender oil during a Migraine attach for 15 minutes got faster relief than those who inhaled a placebo. Lavender oil can be inhaled directly or applied to the forehead.

Also Read:

a) Benefits of Lavender Plants

b) Natural Home Remedies for Sore Throat

c) Natural Remedies for Muscle Cramps 

11. Drink Water – Drink enough water, insufficient water intake may lead to developing migraine Headache. Many clinical studies explained that chronic dehydration is a common cause of headaches.

12. Go for Yoga – Certain breathing techniques, Meditation and body postures will impart good health.  According to a report in Advanced BioMedical Research, it is recommended that Yoga may relieve the intensity, duration, and frequency of a Migraine Headache. One has to adopt Yoga in their lifestyle.

If you have a Migraine, please some of the above remedies and get some relief.

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Natural Hair Dye With Herbs

Natural Hair Dye

Nowadays, hair color has become a fashion sign along with a trend. People have feeling that such a concept that people who color their hair are very fashionable and trendy. But perhaps they do not know that the chemicals used in making hair colors are very harmful to hair. These not only make hair rough but also make hair roots weak. So today we are suggesting you the natural ways of coloring the hair at home and go for natural hair dye!  Here are the steps for preparing for a natural hair dye!

Hair coloring is one of the very common menus in every modern saloon.  There’re plenty of colors or dyes available today.  One may change their hair colors anytime and with any colors.  However, there’re some voices concerning the possible harmful chemical content in commercial hair dye.

Good news is that we’re surrounded by many natural products.  We’re blessed with many plants where natural hair dye can be obtained. 

Impatients balsamina / Garden Balsam

In continuing with my previous post regarding hair loss treatment, the Impatients balsamina, (English: the Garden Balsam; Malay: Pokok Keembong; Chinese: feng xian hua) can also be used as natural hair dye. 

The preparation for natural hair dye using the Impatients balsamina is similar to the remedy for hair loss treatment.  Here are the steps:

1.     Collect a handful of leaves

2.     Wash with running water

3.     Get 2 – 3 stalks of Aloe vera, peel off the skin

4.     Blend the leaves and Aloe vera thoroughly

5.     Wear gloves and squeeze the blended leaves and Aloe vera to obtain the juice

6.     Squeeze some lemon or lime into the juice and mix it well

7.     Apply the juice on hair and massage gently, remember to put on gloves as the juice may contain natural dye

8.     You may also want to wear a shower cap

9.     Leave the herbal application for 1 – 2 hours

10. Wash away with water

11. Repeat the steps whenever needed

You may have beautiful and natural hair colors.  Be careful not to leave it too long or otherwise, the color may be too bright.

It’s a totally natural herbal preparation, simple, and 100% home recipe!

Alternatively, you may also want to replace the leaves with Hibiscus leaves for similar effect.

Below are some more natural ingredients for natural hair dye-

1.     Coffee Beans- Natural Brown Shade

If you think that coffee is used only for drinking, then forget it now. Because of the use of coffee, you can also give natural brown shades to your hair. how? For this, add coffee in henna and paste it well. You can also add 1 lemon juice to this paste. Now let it dry for about 2 to 3 hours after applying it in your hair. After this wash the hair with normal water. You will see that your hair turns to a natural brown shade.

2. TEA DECOCTION

Like coffee, black tea can help you go darker, and can also help cover up gray hairs. To treat lighter hair, there are other verities of Tea you can use. Chamomile is recommended for blondes. The longer you leave the tea on the hair, the more noticeable the color will get a darker shade. You can also try repeated applications.

The main point is to make the tea decoction highly concentrated. Make use of  3-5 teabags (or about the same amount in regular tea powder) for two cups of water. Apply the cooled tea decoction on hair,  alone or mix with conditioner (as mentioned in the coffee recipe). If you desire to cover up grey hairs, then mix with some fresh or dried sage,  it helps open up the hair follicles.

Allow the hair for at least an hour or more if you want more color.  Even you can put on a water-resistant cap and wear it overnight, then rinse the following morning. Check your hair color after wash to determine the darkness of hair.

You may also like read the article - Chamomile Tea: Health Benefits for Our Health

3.  HERBS

Depending on what type of hair color you desire to have. Following are some suggestions, each herb has its own shade-

Blonde hair:  Chamomile tea, Calendula, marigold, sunflower, and saffron are useful in Blonde hair shade. Use these herbs in two cups of water, boil them and strain then pour over hair.  You can add black tea to get darker colors.

Dark Hair / Brunette: Sage, Nettle, and Rosemary are useful to get dark hair shades. Boil all the three with simmer for half an hour, cool it, strain and apply to hair with a  brush. Allow this to about an hour.  Continue this process for a few days after a shower. You will notice the results after a few days. 

Red Hair: Rosehips, Marigold, Calendula, and hibiscus are prominent herbs in imparting red shade to hair.  Continued use of this natural dye will impart more noticeable shade. Occasionally you can boil above flowers for half an hour on simmer, then cool and strain. Spray this liquid on the hairs and dry in the sun if possible.

4. BEET AND CARROT JUICE

Beetroot is also effective

If you want natural and dark red sheds in your hair, then you can feel free to use beetroot. For this, add at least one glass of beetroot juice in some carrot juice and after that mix well on your hair. Leave it for about one to two hours. Wash the hair when these juices begin drying in the hair.

5. HENNA

Rosemary or henna (Lawsonia inermis) is a flowery plant that has been used to color skin, hair, skin, and wood since ancient times. Rosemary leaves contain a red-orange coloring agent, whose shade relies on the natural color of the hair of the user.- There is no such thing as black henna. In order to give black color to the hair, so-called natural hair color is mixed with chemicals, metallic salts or other ingredients obtained from other plants.

Method of applying  Mehndi -

Using the henna, to give hair almost black color, you can add natural Indigo flowers to it.

- Shades coming from Indigo (Neel in Hindi)  are available from light brown to the black range when found with henna. In this mixture, lemon juice or apple vinegar (apple cider vinegar) can be mixed, with acid coloring on the hair with good acidity. In the mixture of henna, mixing tea with a strong concentration of coffee, hair whiteness gets covered well.

6. LEMON JUICE

Many lemons will be required to make lemon dye. Take the lemons according to the length of your hair, with which these lemon dyes can be worn in your hair. Or, lemon as much as you want to use lemon dye in your hair. Now, take out the juice properly in a bowl of half a lemon.

How to use Lemon juice for Natural Dye:-

a )   Boil lemons
Cut half the lemons left in four pieces and boil it in one cup of water. Mix lemon juice in this hot lemonade. Keep in mind that juice and water are in equal proportion. If your hair is too dry, then mix orange juice and natural conditioners in this mixture. Use aloe vera, curd or egg as a natural conditioner.
b )   Apply on hair
Now divide this mixture into two parts. Fill one part in a bottle of spray and apply the other part well in the hair. After applying this lemon mixture well in the hair, use the spray gun to that part of that hair which you want to highlight. Put this natural lemon dye in the hair in such a way that your hair should be fully covered with lemon juice.
 c) Sitting in the sun
Now dry this wet hair in the sun. It is better to apply this juice in the early morning and try it in the early sun. It is better to apply sunscreen lotion to face and hands. Drying hairs in the sun will induce better color shade to hair and also body will get Vitamin D.
c     Wash now
After sitting in the sun for one hour or more, wash the hair well with lukewarm water. Now apply the condition of good quality hair in the hair and let it dry for two to three minutes. Then wash the hair. Now let the hair dry. Do this for two to three weeks. This will also result in the conditioning of your hair and hair will also be highlighted.

7. WALNUT - Walnut experiment

The use of walnuts keeps hair colorful for long periods of time. You can use walnut shells for this. For this, first, make a paste by grinding walnut shells. After that, boil this paste by adding a little water on sim flame for at least half an hour. Now put this paste on the hair after cooling. When dry, wash hair with cold or lukewarm water. To save time you can use walnut powder instead of the shells.

8. Carrot - is also colorful

Using a carrot can also give hair the defended radish shade. For this, you take some carrots before they take out their juice. Now you wash your hair with this juice. If you want to paint some limited hair, then wash the same hair with this juice. Now let the juice stay like this for at least an hour and then wash your hair with normal water. On doing this twice your hair will be rediscovered naturally.

Enjoy the colors “ahead”!

If you know any other herbs for hair color do mention in below comment section. 

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Natural and Home Remedies for Toothache and Treatment for Flu

What would you do when you have pain, toothache, flu and common cold?  Taking pain killers?  Perhaps this is the simplest natural home remedies for toothache and treatment for flu.
Spilanthes, a family member of Compositae (Asteraceae), are widely distributed throughout the tropics and sub-tropics and can be found in damp pastures, swamp margins, on rocks near the sea and as a weed on road-sides and cultivations.  It is quite common herbs used as natural home remedies in South East Asia, Malesiana and surrounding habitats. 
There are 42 known species in the genus Spilanthes.  Of these, the Spilanthesacmella (Compositae, known as “Akarkar, Pipulka” in Hindi) was well documented as remedy for toothache, cold and flu, cough, rabies disease and tuberculosis. 


 Spilanthes is an important herbaceous plant that has been documented for many other beneficial properties, such as, spices, antiseptic, anti-bacteria, anti-fungus, anti-malaria, and other medicinal properties.  Besides its benefits as natural herbal remedies, it was also reported that S. acmella contained alkaloid that had potential to act as insecticide.  It was found to be able to control Aedes aegypti at Kenya.  Spilanthes acmella also possess excellent antimicrobial activities against red halophilic cocci from salted fish.

Spilanthes acmella- Toothache plant.

Spilanthes acmella, widely known as the tooth-acheplant, is an annual herb.  It has yellow flower heads which distinguish it from other Spilanthes spp.  The flowers and leaves of S. acmella have a pungent taste accompanied by tingling numbness when it was chewed, hence stop the toothache immediately when chewed, acting as natural pain killers.  This is the simplest natural home remedies.

You may also interested in the article Natural Home Remedies for Acne & Pimples- Click Here to read.

The whole plant of Spilanthes acmella was claimed to possess medicinal properties.  It has been used as spice for appetizers and as folk medicines for stammering, toothache, stomatitis and various types of throat complaints.  It was employed to produce a profuse salivation and stimulation for curing headaches. 

In India, the flowers were chewed to relieve toothache and the crushed plants were used in rheumatism.  The leaves were also eaten raw or as a vegetable by many tribes of India. 
In Java, dried flower heads of Spilanthes acmella were sold in markets for its use in managing sore mouth. 
A decoction of the plant was taken orally as natural diuretics and to resolve kidney stones and a decoction of roots was used as a purgative.  Spilanthes acmella was also reported to possess haemostatic and analgesic properties.

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Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Garlic As Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure

Garlic As Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (Hypertension) is one of the common cardiovascular diseases worldwide!    High blood pressure can be serious as it burdens the heart to pump sufficient blood to the body and it is one of the causes for atherosclerosis.  Garlic has proven to be useful as natural remedies for high blood pressure!

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls.  Our normal blood pressure is 120/80 (Systolic/Diastolic blood pressure).  When blood pressure is 120-139/80-89, it’s considered as Pre-hypertension.  High blood pressures, stage 1 is at 140-159/90-99 and stage 2 is at 160 and above/100 and above.

Causes of high blood pressure are unknown, however, the following are some factors that may have a role in causing hypertension:-

• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• High salt in daily diet
• Alcohol
• Stress
• Smoking
• Elderly or Age factor
• Adrenal and thyroid disorders
• Chronic kidney disease
• Genetics

There are various types of anti-hypertensive available in the market based on their mode of action.  They are normally known as the following:- 

• Diuretics
• Adrenergic receptor antagonists
• Adrenergic receptor agonist
• Calcium channel blockers
• ACE inhibitors
• Angiotensin II receptor antagonists
• Aldosterone antagonists
• Vasodilators
• Centrally acting adrenergic drugs

Besides these medications, herbal products have also proven to be useful and effective treatment for high blood pressure.  Plants can be quite promising in treating hypertension.  Orthosiphon and Andrographis are good examples of these natural herbal remedies.

One of the very common plants - garlic, has been found by a various studies to be useful in controlling blood pressure.  Garlic appears to lower blood pressure by 5 – 10% and it can also lower the cholesterol level by reducing the triglyceride (TG) levels.

Nevertheless, garlic was also found to cause thinning of blood.  Hence, it’s advised that garlic should be taken as adjunct therapy with warfarin or pentoxifylline.  In total natural remedies, Garlic can be used in combination with vitamin E or ginkgo.

Garlic should be avoided for a few weeks before and after any type of surgical procedures.

As hypertension is associated with CV events, garlic should not be taken as a substitute for any antihypertensive medications.  It has a role in helping better blood pressure management and as supplementary treatment for high blood pressure, as many studies had shown positive outcome of garlic in lowering the systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

There are many ways to prepare the remedies from garlic.  Some of the remedies preparations are:

Fresh Garlic: Eating garlic regularly can help to lower blood pressure, blood sugar levels and cholesterol.

Garlic Juice: good for prevention of atherosclerosis.

Capsules: Powdered garlic can be prepared in capsules.  Garlic capsules are available as commercial products.

Citric Acid for Blood Pressure

Citric acid, is in its fresh form in lemon and limes, transforms during metabolism into alkali. This is helpful to your blood. Our  diet tends to be more acidic from coffee, sodas, alcohol, and certain proteins. An acidic condition tends to be more inflammatory.  Citric acid is required for  the Krebs cycle, Citric acid, together with Malic acid, are involved with complex chemical actions, resulting in the production of carbon dioxide, and its removal from the cells. Citric acid is also used as a natural preservative to retain freshness of many products. Citric Acid is a naturally available substance with no known side effects

Orthosiphon Stamineus / Cat's Whiskers

 Anti-hypertensive from Orthosiphon stamineus
Orthosiphon stamineus is a common medicinal herb found in tropical areas; especially in South East Asia (Malesiana), tropical Australia, and southern China.
Orthosiphon is also known as the Cat’s Whiskers or Misai Kucing (Kumis Kucing) in Malay words. Orthosiphon Stamineus is also known as Java Tea in Europe and US.



Research has been indicated it’s medicinal uses as anti-allergic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.  It is used as a remedy for arteriosclerosis (capillary and circulatory disorders), high blood pressures, kidney stones, diabetes and nephritis.   
The Cat’s Whiskers has been used as natural remedies for treatment of kidney or bladder stone, urinary tract infection, liver and kidney problems, diabetes, rheumatism and gout.
Many recent researches published the efficacy of Orthosiphon in treating or controlling hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) and hypertension (high blood pressure).  Controlling of high blood pressure has also been studied in Andrographis paniculata plants.  The plants contain natural diuretics as antihypertensive agents.
Common species of Cat’s Whiskers is Orthosiphon stamineu, with two subspecies Orthosiphon stamineus “purple” and Orthosiphon stamineus “white” have essential medicinal properties which are able to high blood pressure, kidney and urinary disorders, treat Diabeties  and bone or muscular pain.

The Cat’s Whiskers can be easily planted and managed in tropical garden.  As one of the natural remedies, the matured plants are harvested, washed and cut into smaller parts, followed by sun-dried.  The dried plants can be treated as “tea leaves”.  One can make tea from the dried plants and drink as tea everyday.  The Orthosiphon tea is also known as Java Tea, one of the well-known herbal tea.
Similar to other natural remedies, should symptoms persist, medical professionals should be consulted.  If swelling or edema occurred, patients should stop taking the Orthosiphon Tea and seek for professional medical advice.

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