Trying to eat clean and ensure you only put safe foods into your body may mean swapping out some harmful products for safer and more natural alternatives. This could apply to remedies and medicines, as well as your daily meals and snacks. There are many ingredients which you may have in your kitchen cupboard which will make great natural remedies.
Here are 5 Great Natural Remedies that you must have:
1. Turmeric
It’s difficult to start reading about natural remedies without coming across turmeric. This food has many health benefits, which is why it has been used to decades in Indian cooking. In addition to giving food color, it acts as a strong anti-inflammatory and works for relieving joint pain and aches.
2. Ginger
It’s not expensive and it’s easy to get your hands on. Many people have fresh ginger or ground ginger in the kitchen cupboard, hence, adding a bit of it to your meals can help to keep you in top shape. Also it has been known to help relieve the pain associated with arthritis. You can add crushed ginger to salads and stir fries, or mix some into a glass of warm water.
3. Olive oil
A kitchen isn’t complete without a bottle of olive oil, and there are many things you can use it for besides cooking. You can use olive oil on your hair to help it retain healthy oils and stay smooth and shiny, also you can use it on your skin as a moisturizer. Olive oil also acts as an anti-inflammatory, hence it’s a good idea to drizzle some over salads and other meals.
4. Cayenne pepper
Consuming cayenne pepper means you’ll benefit from its anti-inflammatory properties, but it can be used externally too. You can make your own cayenne cream for joint aches using two popular kitchen ingredients – cayenne pepper and coconut oil. For every half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, mix in 2-3 teaspoons of warm coconut oil. You can use warm water if you don’t have coconut oil available at home.
5. Cinnamon
Cinnamon has many uses, including helping to fend off a common cold. In addition, consuming cinnamon can also help to keep down your sugar levels if you suffer from Type 2 Diabetes. If you have any problems with your liver, you should be careful how much cinnamon you eat. In conclusion, as with many other things, eating cinnamon in moderation will ensure you stay safe and enjoy maximum benefits from this natural remedy.
Finally, these 5 Great Natural Remedies will become part of your wellness routine. Try them!
Have you ever woken up to sudden back pain, or made a twist and turn that leaves you practically immobile for hours?
Back pain is one of the most common issues that will damper all your activities.
Many people will lose hours of work, and their lifestyle will change. However, there are solutions to diminish lower back pain.
How Pain Affects Your Life
If you’ve ever felt the terrible sting of lower back pain, then you probably know how essential that part of your body can be to daily tasks.
Your lower back and its health will impact your mobility in ways that you’ll never think of until you experience it.
This is because that part of your back supports a large portion of your weight, and it’s full of complex organs and tissues.
A sensitive part of your nervous system also resides in your back. Your spine is like a fibrous highway that is constantly sending information up and down the line.
Any damages to that area can be life-changing. Being able to properly bend and twist is extremely important, therefore you must learn to be careful in these situations.
1. Symptoms
Although some things about back pain tend to be self-explanatory, it’s always a good idea to think about further specifics to help narrow down the amount of things that could be causing the pain.
The following are specific symptoms to consider.
You have muscle soreness
Sudden shooting pains
Pain that spreads to your legs
It gets worse when you’re doing any kind of activity
You have pain that goes away when you lean back
If you are experiencing any or all of these symptoms, then the following information most likely applies to you.
2. Causes
Back pain is caused by a variety of things, but the most common factors will be discussed here. In most cases a doctor will have the ability to find out the site of the injury.
A few of the causes might be:
A pulled a muscle or ligament.-If you make sudden movements that aren’t balanced, or you are repeating certain movements, you could be exposing yourself to the possibility of injury.
Damaged vertebrae.- As people get older, the soft tissues often referred to as disks can become damaged. When this happens, the weight of you upper body can press down onto the bones and cause them to grind into each other. Obviously, that’s something that would be extremely painful, so it’s important to get that looked at immediately.
Arthritis.- Arthritis is one of the most common causes of back pain. Only a specialized physician will offer solutions to arthritis related pain.
Skeletal malformations.- There are various types of growth issues that can affect your spine. Hence, a curvature to your spine, can easily cause pain that disrupts your life.
Osteoporosis.- This will cause your spine to develop tiny breaks and painful hairline fractures.
3. Diagnosis
Whether or not you have figured out exactly where your back pain is coming from, it is important to get proper diagnosis from a doctor. Additionally, This will help to rule out other potential causes, and start working on managing the pain.
A few of them are:
X-rays.- This method has always been a good one for these types of injuries because it can allow the doctor to see your skeletal structure and if there is damage that has taken place recently. This can also find issues that you might not have been aware of yet.
MRI Scans.- An MRI can help to create an image of what’s going on inside your body and are more detailed than x-rays. They can also look at nerve endings and blood vessels to see if the issues are related to those tiny parts of your body.
Electromyography.- EMG measures the electrical signals created by your nerves and keeps track of how your muscles are affected. Also is extremely useful in pinpointing problem areas.
4. Treatments
Just because you are experiencing pain doesn’t mean that you have to live with it. There are a number of ways that you can get some relief, and in some cases it might be completely necessary for healing. You doctor can make determinations about what will be the most useful for you, but here are a few of the things that they might suggest:
Medication
Narcotics.– Drugs that are relatively powerful might be useful for a short time. Opioids, must be administered by a medical professional due to the addictive nature of the medication.
Over-the-counter pain relief.- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like as ibuprofen are some of the most common ways that people use to deal with pain of this type. Although it has less danger associated with it than narcotics, taking too many of them can seriously affect your health. Be sure to keep the doses to their approved amounts.
Topical pain relievers.- Creams that limit pain are the second most popular method of reducing back pain. Therefore, rub the area with pain for quick relief.
Natural Remedies
Improve Your Posture.- Poor posture is one of the leading causes of back pain as well. Sitting incorrectly for long periods of time will strain muscles around the spine.
Sit upright when you’re reading or doing any kind of focused activity.
Core Exercises. – Core muscles wrap and protect organs. Additionally, they keep your organs and tissues in place. Strengthening your core is a must.
Massages.- Massage is an ancient art that helps to improve your muscle and circulatory health. Studies have shown that even one massage per week can greatly reduce pain in your body.
Specially trained therapists will correct spinal malformations through manipulation. Many patients have reported increased mobility after spinal manipulation sessions.
Get Better Sleep.- Sleep is an important part of your back health as well. It takes time to find a proper sleep position that will work for you. Lying on your side is the best way. Hence, be aware of where the pressure is located when you get in bed, and correct what is causing it.
Finally, Lower Back Pain, as debilitating as it is, can be overcome. Find the Solution!
Having trouble sleeping is one of the most frustrating things to deal with, whether you can’t fall asleep or you have difficulty staying asleep. Lack of sleep is not only frustrating because it causes a lot of fatigue and restlessness during the day, but it can affect your physical and mental health.
While there are pills and medications that help in fighting insomnia, you might want to look at the natural remedies first. One great place to start is your diet. Use foods that are relaxants and make you sleep better.
Here are a few examples:
1.- Dark Chocolate
This amazing brown candy is good for more than just a treat, high in antioxidants. It also plays a hefty role in helping you sleep. Studies have shown that people who consume 40 grams of dark chocolate a day for 2 weeks saw a decrease in cortisol, a hormone produced when a person experiences stress. This could be possible due to its magnesium content which aids in regulating stress, muscle spasms, and anxiety.
TIP: Try eating it as a dessert with your favorite berries for a healthy snack option, eat it alone, or make some dark hot chocolate on cold nights.
2.- Chamomile Tea
This tea calms and has mild sedative effects because of the flavonoid apigenin it contains. It binds to benzodiazepine receptors located in the brain. Additionally there are a variety of caffeine free teas and sleeping aid teas such as Valerian available on the market. Another great tool for fighting insomnia.
TIP: You can use honey, lemon or mint to give your tea a different flavor.
3.- Cheese
Milk makes you sleep, science has revealed that all dairy products contain tryptophan. Cheese is also an excellent source of calcium which regulates muscle movement.
TIP: Eat cheese with low-calorie crackers for a light snack about an hour before bedtime.
4.- Walnuts
Walnuts contain an amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan is responsible for the production for serotonin and melatonin, which are key components of controlling sleep cycles. Interestingly, walnuts contain melatonin on their own. Most diets, low calorie, low carb, Keto, and Paleo use walnuts. If you are looking into fighting insomnia in a simple way, eat walnuts.
TIP: Add a handful of walnuts to a half cup of Greek yogurt for a great snack or enjoy them with some of your cheese to help you sleep even better.
5.- Lettuce
Lettuce is great with almost every food and it turns out that it can fill a number of dietary needs for trace minerals, the real secret of lettuce however, is lactucin. Lactucin aka “Lettuce Opium,” has mild sedative effects.
TIP: Top some chips with thinly sliced lettuce and grated cheese for some easy bedtime nachos!
6.- Almonds
Almonds are a great low calorie snack that are high in fiber. They are also extremely high in magnesium, which is needed for a variety of body functions. They are also associated with headache relief, which can be a great aid to relaxation and sleep.
TIP: You can get whole or sliced almonds to add to some yogurt. You can even add walnuts to add more texture.
7.- Turkey
This is probably the most famous example of food containing tryptophan. Turkey is famous for its sleep inducing effect, commonly and somewhat endearingly referred to as a food coma.
Eat it fried, baked, broiled and barbequed. It is also a cost-effective meat substitute.
TIP: You can use leftover turkey in a variety of ways. Keep some sliced in sealed bags for easy use in sandwiches and other delicious dishes.
8.- Banana
It’s a little known fact that bananas also contain tryptophan. This elongated, fleshy fruit can be prepared in a variety of ways and contains enough tryptophan to help give you a noticeable and natural feeling of calmness.
TIP: Use a blender to whip a banana, milk and two teaspoons of honey for a delicious shake. Add a tablespoon of organic peanut butter for more protein.
9.- Kale
This coarse green vegetable is a favorite among many health enthusiasts. It is another green vegetable that is a great source of magnesium and its positive effects. Kale is also high in fiber which aids in proper elimination and digestion, thus helping you to relax and be more comfortable for a good night’s rest.
TIP: Try adding kale to your smoothie of choice. Fruit such as apple are very good at masking the bitter flavor of kale.
10.-Oats
This staple food is a major component of recipes all over the world, yet few see it as an evening food on its own. Eating a bowl of oats in the evening will give you a generous helping of melatonin, which helps the body to relax in preparation for sleep. Oats are also great for heart health, a key component in fighting physical anxiety symptoms.
TIP: Try adding banana to your oatmeal. That will add some flavor along with the combo punch of sleep inducing tryptophan.
11.-Tuna
This easily palatable fish contains an essential vitamin called B6 that is needed for the formation of melatonin. Omega 3 fatty acids fight depression, regulate anxiety, and weight. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for human health and cannot be made by the body. They also regulate the heart rhythm. Additionally, it facilitates the conversion of tryptophan to niacin which prevents anemias and other deficiency diseases. Hence, fighting insomnia by eating tuna is a great idea.
TIP: A tuna salad for dinner will give you both the benefits of the omega 3, B6 and Lactucin.
12.- Cherries
These sweet little fruits are a flavorful and delicious way to get your dose of melatonin. Many people simply eat them, both as snacks or in a fruit salad. Others are more prone to drink it in a juice form, as studies have shown that drinking 2 cups of very tart cherry juice a day can extend sleep time by as much as 90 minutes per night.
TIP: No need to juice it yourself, there are several organic cherry juice brands are available for purchase!
13.- Rice
Foods like rice with a high glycemic index are excellent when you’re looking for a quick road to deeper sleep. According to some studies, jasmine rice is the best rice for getting to sleep quickly.
TIP: Try eating rice about 4 hours prior to bedtime. This allows for the insulin spike to peak and fall in time for you to hit the pillow!
14.- Honey
For all recorded history, honey has been celebrated as the world’s most amazing and useful sweetener for its uses in medicine and the world’s oldest treats, but this delightful golden substance earned its place on this list because it contains orexin. Orexin regulates alertness and arousal. The natural relationship with orexin changes in amount helps us to become tired and limit brain functions allowing humans in fighting insomnia .
TIP: Add some honey to your oatmeal, and you have a naturally sweetened sleep aid!
15.- Hummus
The main ingredient in this delectable 13th century snack is the garbanzo bean. These versatile beans are high in B6, which is a key to melatonin production. They also regulate appetite which aids in calming the body and preparing it for sleep.
TIP: Lettuce wraps made with hummus and a sprinkle of cheese will get you in the mood for bedtime, or go traditional and just cozy up to hummus with your favorite crackers.
16.- Elk
Though not always available, this tasty meat contains nearly twice the amount of tryptophan as a turkey. Elk meat is extremely lean when compared to beef, but has a similar taste. This makes it easy to use as a low fat, low cholesterol substitution for beef.
TIP: Because of the low-fat quality of this meat, it can dry out or over cook very easily. Cook it hot and fast to retain the texture, moisture and flavor of the meat. Pair it with a complex carbohydrate.
17.- Pretzels
These little salty snacks are famous for being used in snack mixes or on their own for a quick pick me up. Due to their high glycemic index, a small snack of pretzels will give you a quick burst of energy, followed by a crash. That crash will make you sleepy and your body will be more prepared for sleep.
TIP: Eat a small portion about 1 hour before bed.
18.-Passion Fruit Tea
This refreshing tea is full of powerful antioxidants and trace minerals. Research has also shown that people who consume passion fruit tea are likely to sleep better. The alkaloids in the tea act as Monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Alkaloids play a large part in managing depression as well as fighting insomnia, since they aid in relaxation and lead to better sleep.
TIP: Try adding lemon, honey or ginger to your tea to create a new adventurous flavor!
19.- Fighting Insomnia with Lobster
Crustaceans like lobster aren’t immediately associated with restful sleep, but crustaceans are high in tryptophan.
TIP: Try adding garlic bread with fresh garlic to get the vitamin B6 tryptophan needs to become serotonin and carry you off to sleepy land.
There are many other foods that help fighting insomnia, do a little research and find even more!
