Alternative Health Articles

Natural Remedies for Cracked Feet

Foot conditions such as cracked feet are often brushed aside because it is considered as a cosmetic inconvenience. After all it could easily be hidden out of sight by wearing shoes or covering it up with socks. But cracked feet can be a cause of insecurity especially when you're planning a trip to the beach. You wouldn't want those cracked feet ruining those beautiful sandals. Good thing, cracked feet can be treated easily and you could find some of these right in your kitchen.

Vegetable Oils

We all know how vegetable oils make a better alternative to animal oils. But these oils can also help you get rid of unsightly cracked feet. To get rid of cracked feet, soak it in soapy water. Then use a pumice stone to scrub the dry skin areas. Gently massage the area with vegetable oil. Wear clean sock and leave them overnight to let the oils seep deep into the skin. Repeat this until the cracks disappear leaving only smooth skin.

Paraffin Wax

Cracked feet are usually asymptomatic and do not cause pain. But extreme cases of cracked feet where cracks run deep into the skin, pain is usually reported. A paraffin wax treatment could be used to provide temporary pain relief. Paraffin wax is also especially effective in softening hard, dry skin cracks.

Lemons

Soak your feet in water mixed with lemons for a few minutes. Lemons are acidic and can be used to break hard, dry skin. Use lukewarm water as hot water can cause the skin to dry out even more. Use pumice stone to scrub cracked skin areas.

Ripe Bananas

Certainly one of the healthiest fruits available, ripe bananas could also be used to treat cracked feet. Get a couple of ripe bananas and turn it into paste. Apply this directly over the feet and leave it for a few minutes. Let it stay for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse it off with water. The banana acts as a natural skin moisturizer that restores nourishment to the skin.

Honey

Honey has two properties which make it ideal for treating cracked feet. It is a natural moisturizer and has antibacterial properties. Its moisturizing properties soften the skin which makes it easier for you to scrub dry, excess skin. Cracked heels can create easy portals for infection to set in. These cracks could run deep into the skin and open the skin for infection. Honey's antibacterial properties protect you against infection.

Petroleum Jelly

This is an excellent way of protecting our feet against cracked heels as well as locking in moisture in the skin. Apply petroleum jelly right after scrubbing. Wear socks to keep petroleum jelly locked in.

The skin is our body's largest organ. Proper skin care is more than erasing wrinkles or fine lines. Cracked feet may not have the same level of urgency such as the development of fine lines or wrinkles but it also shows neglect. Treating cracked skin is easy. These treatments can be done at home and are not only effective but also comes cheap.

Foods that Helps Relieve Pain Naturally

You want to come with your friends to watch a movie after work, but your painful back would not allow you to; you want to play with your grandchild but your creaky joints prevents you from doing so; you want to run in a marathon but afraid that you knees lacks the strength due to inflammation.

There are lots of moments in life that is meant to be spent in fun. However, because of the pain that runs into your system, it simply limits you to live to the fullest of you can be. Conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and muscle strains are common conditions that when not counter-attacked by your body's natural healing process can refrain you from living happily and normally.

What Can You Do When NSAID's won't Help?

Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Naproxen, Analgesic among others are types of medicine that people run to when they feel pain; but, what if your stomach is sensitive enough to handle these medications? Would you just sit there and wait for your body to cure the problem for you? The good news is that you don't need to suffer long. There are natural alternatives that can attack inflammation to boost your body's healing powers.

Here are six of nature's remedies that can replace or enhance the capabilities conventional medications for a pain-free physicality.

1. Fish or Calamari Oil: Packed with the amazing wonders of Omega-3, fish and calamari oil which are its natural sources are best included in your diet. Omega-3 fatty acids is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. As reported by ScienceDaily from a study conducted by a biochemist in University of Michigan, Omega-3 can significantly reduce the production and potency of various prostaglandins that triggers inflammation.
2. Aquamin: This red seaweed is another wonder with its inflammation-fighting abilities, thus there are plenty of joint supplements based on it that appears in the market today. It is rich in Calcium, magnesium among other 74 trace minerals that includes selenium, zinc, and iron.
3. Vitamin D: People with deficiency to Vitamin D are most likely victims of chronic pain. If you are more likely to suffer from inflammation especially caused by joint pain, getting yourself an ample amount of the sunshine-vitamin from a daily morning walk can make miracles. Vitamin D also function in the metabolism of calcium for superior bone health.
4. Chili Peppers: Love spicy food? Then you are also spicing up your health! Capsaicin from chili peppers is a natural remedy for pain and is rich with Vitamin E that is beneficial for the skin. Topical capsaicin is used to alleviate pain caused by muscle sprains, strains and rheumatoid arthritis. It is good for back pain, fibromyalgia, and headaches, but you have to be wary if you have skin irritation. Do not forget to wash your hands after application and do not touch your eyes and other sensitive areas of the skin after applying capsaicin.
5. Pineapples: This delish tropical fruit is rich in enzyme called bromelain. Bromelain is helpful in osteoarthritis by reducing inflammation and pain.
6. Vitamin B2: Deficiency in riboflavin can cause mouth ulcers, sore throat, and iron deficiency anemia. It is richly found in liver, dried herbs, peppers, spices, soybeans, and fish. In a study, riboflavin has found with promise in reducing the frequency of migraines.

Food play a vital role in preventing the triggers of anti-inflammatory responses in the body. Eat food rich in nutrients mentioned above for an anti-pain diet.  Increase your intake of Omega-3 and create good balance of it with Omega-6. Omega-6 tend to promote inflammation, but are still essential for your health.

Finding Relief from Arthritis Naturally

Arthritis is a common ailment among the elderly. But this is a complaint that also affects younger people. There are many types of arthritis but general symptoms include swelling, stiffness and pain. Treatment for arthritis usually includes the use of medications that provide instant pain relief. But the use of drugs and medications are not the only means available for effective arthritis management.

For the millions of arthritis sufferers searching for effective home remedies for arthritis, below are proven natural treatments for arthritis.

Eating a Healthy Diet

A healthy diet keeps you within ideal weight limits while reducing the stress on your joints. Talking with a nutritionist also gives you an idea on what type of foods to avoid. Eating dairy products in particular should be minimized or eliminated altogether. A nutritionist could give you information on healthier alternatives to dairy products. Arthritis sufferers should also keep an eye for high sugar foods, caffeine and carbonated drinks that could worsen joint pain and swelling.

Fish is an excellent source of Omega-3. This is also available in supplements, nuts and flaxseed oils. Omega-3 improves circulation by removing blockages. However, before taking Omega-3 supplements check this with your doctor. If you are currently taking blood thinning drugs, this could increase your chance for bleeding or hemorrhage.

Massage

Massaging is a simple way of providing instant relief to swelling and arthritis pain. It is also a powerful stress reliever, preventing the production of cortisol (stress hormone) that only aggravates the condition. Massaging improves blood flow and reduces inflammation.

Acupuncture

Arthritis sufferers searching for alternative treatments for arthritis could use acupuncture to reduce inflammation and pain. It is also a powerful stress reliever that calms and soothes the nerves of arthritis patients. Acupuncture needles are used to restore the normal flow of energy through the body. It reduces inflammation in painful areas and promotes healthy blood flow.

Herbs and Supplements

Another traditional way of treating arthritis at home is through the use of herbs and supplements. Herbs for example have long been used in traditional medicine to enhance body functioning and are important ingredients to some of today's most potent medicines.

Glucosamine and chondroitin supplements can be used to slow cartilage loss and reduce pain. However, its effects are not readily felt by the sufferer. The benefits are sometimes seen after one month of use. Ginger is another health supplement that has proven itself as an effective natural treatment for arthritis. It improves blood circulation and carries inflammatory chemicals away from the joints.

Applying Heat and Cold Treatments

Applying heat and cold treatments to painful joints provides instant relief. Hot packs, electric blankets, heating pads and hot packs are just some of the simple ways you could introduce heat to painful joints. Taking a hot bath or shower soothes the body and helps reduce pain quickly.

Cold treatments equally work well in reducing painful joints. It reduces pain by numbing the nerves and reduces inflammation by preventing the flow of white cells into the joint. Wrapping ice in a towel or placing cold fruits and vegetables over the painful joints are just some of the creative ways to apply cold treatments.

Capsaicin is a chemical found in hot peppers and brings instant hit when rubbed on the skin. It reduces pain by distracting the brain and irritating nerve endings. Eucalyptus oil and wintergreen are also great for soothing painful joints. These creams are very potent and should not be combined with heating pad; this could burn or irritate the skin.

These are just some of the effective home remedies for arthritis that offer a gentler and more natural way of managing and treating the symptoms of arthritis. However, for a more complete treatment regimen, establishing a relationship and constant communication with your physician should always be a priority.

Yoga, Natural Stress Reliever

Yoga as a movement has dated back in the ancient times of India. Today, 15 million Americans practice it while its fans are mostly women and those in the age brackets of 18-34.

Yoga has been known as one of the oldest practice of self-development and has evolved from its classic beauty to its modern charms today. It included discipline, medication, breathing and physical postures. Now a major physical fitness staple and movement in the West, it has come a long way since its establishment and practice from the East.

Understanding Yoga

Yoga is composed of stretching exercises, relaxation and controlled breathing. Its major focus though has been on its Asanas or the poses. It is an excellent activity to reduce stress.

Yoga poses are composed of different movements that are designed to increase flexibility as well as the strength. These poses are either done at home or in a yoga room. Yoga poses can be brought outdoors too and may be done even in offices and workplace. Poses also varies from simple floor stretching to complicated postures that make use of some yoga equipment.

Yoga has become a fitness phenomenon as well as a meditation option. It helps improve range, motion, strength and balance. Keeps you from injuring yourself from some physical endeavors and makes you healthy due to its capability to improve blood circulation and its flushing out f toxins benefits.

It has been known to help manage heart conditions, high blood and alleviate pain, anxiety and sleeping problems.

Lately though yoga has been emphasized as a stress buster. So how does it benefit stress?

Yoga in Fighting Stress

There are many stressors in everyone's everyday life. Say you got an inconsiderate boss, an exam tomorrow, or a deadline to meet. Work and personal life are often the two major fields in one's life that can cause stress. Physical and emotional stress once adds up can be tasking and may affect ones normal day to day living.

Yoga on the other hand can help remedy it and even reduce it. You can start saying goodbye to emotional tension and even to physical stress.6

Yoga poses helps better blood circulation which may prep up the body to function better and be stronger to fight against tasking mental stress and over thinking. Plus, yoga may help reduce the cortisone hormones as well as the adrenaline, two of the things that are known as chemical stressors.

Plus, consistent yoga practice may prevent depression and moods swings, one major result of long time stress. It helps increase the body's serotonin level which regulates sleep, appetite and mood.

Different Yoga Moves to Battle Stress

Here are some different yoga poses you may try to help combat stress.

1. Child's Pose. You may need a pillow for this pose. Lower on your knees and fold your upper body over the support or the pillow. Rest forearms in the floor and turn to one side.
2. Half Pigeon. Half pigeon pose asks you to go on all fours, move your right knee forward toward your right hand as you lower your right hip into the pillow. Let your hands support you.
3. Supported bridge pose. Lie on your back, bend your knees and plant your feet on the floor apart. Extend your arms by your side on the floor and lift your hips while sliding the yoga block under the base of the spine. Always do the pose first before putting the block support under you.
4. Reclining bound angle pose. This one's a bit easy. Lie on your back putting your feet soles together. Slide it up close to the groin as possible and put a cushion under your legs. Place your arms at your side in 45 degree angle while palm is up.

These yoga poses doesn't just need to be executed, you have to do the breathing exercises with it. It will calm you down, help you think better and keep you perked up for the day.