home remedies – Page 2

Home remedies for an upset stomach

October 22nd, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Was it something you ate, or do you have a tummy bug? You can’t eat or move comfortably without feeling a jolt of pain, so you stay home, curled up in a ball.

There’s nothing like an upset stomach to ruin your day, but before you reach for another painkiller, try these remedies to ease those cramps.

Ginger

This spicy root vegetable adds a kick to hot drinks and meals, but did you know it can ease cramps too? Ginger contains chemicals (called gingerols and shogaols) that can help speed up digestion. It does this by making your stomach contract faster which helps those indigestion-causing foods to move on (and out!) more quickly. Ginger can also help with symptoms like nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting.

Add ginger to hot water and drink it as is. Otherwise, add it to your tea.

Cinnamon

Sprinkle this aromatic spice on nearly anything and you’ll be in for a treat – and health benefits too! Cinnamon contains different antioxidants that may help ease digestion and reduce the risk of irritation in your digestive tract. These antioxidants include cinnamaldehyde, eugenol and camphor.

To reap the benefits of cinnamon, add one teaspoon of cinnamon powder or a cinnamon stick to your meals, or to boiling water with tea, two to three times daily.

Mint

Besides helping to freshen up your breath, mint contains menthol which can help relieve pain, ease indigestion and spasms and stop vomiting and diarrhoea.

Fresh mint leaves can be boiled with cardamom to make a soothing tea. You can also grate it finely to cold drinks and add it into your meals. Sugar-free mint sweets or gum can also be used to reduce the pain from heartburn.

Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an acquired taste for many, but it does pack a healthy punch with every sip. It helps regulate the amount of acid in your stomach which makes digestion easier. It also helps keep your gut bacteria healthy. This means you’re less likely to have an upset stomach in the first place!

If you can handle the taste, try a tablespoon every day to help with cramps or indigestion. If that’s too strong, mix it with a cup of water and a teaspoon of honey.

Cumin

Cumin is a staple ingredient in dishes like curry or spiced meat. It contains active ingredients that reduce indigestion, stomach acids and inflammation.

For an upset stomach, mix one to two tablespoons of ground or powdered cumin into your meals. You could also try adding a few teaspoons of cumin seeds or powdered cumin to boiling water to make a soothing tea.

Good to know

Sometimes an upset stomach can be a symptom of a more serious problem. If you experience pain in your stomach or nausea for more than 48 hours, visit your doctor.
Keep track of all the foods you eat every day to help rule out allergy-related cramps and always drink enough water to prevent dehydration.

References:

Bring back the good hair days!

May 11th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’re dressed to the nines and your skin is glowing, but your hair looks like a bird’s nest.

No thanks!

From split ends to coarse hair and an unruly mop, we all have bad hair days. Could it be your conditioner?

The problem with conditioners

Store-bought conditioners often contain synthetic chemicals and oils which may appear to improve your hair – for a little while.

Josh Rosebrook, an American hair care professional reveals that over time, these shelf conditioners make your hair look shiny and healthy, but they may leave you with an unhealthy scalp and hair. Many of them contain silicone, a manmade oil which helps your hair appear sleeker and smoother. In reality, though, silicone smothers your hair strands after one shampoo too many, making it impossible for them to absorb enough moisture.

And just like your skin dries out without enough moisture, your hair becomes dehydrated and eventually, coarse. What ’s more, harsh foaming agents like sulfates strip your hair of its natural oils.

Conditioner recipes to revive your hair:

If you want to save your crowning glory from these hair wreckers, put away your wallet. Instead, check your cupboards for a hair miracle that will last.

Vinegar, olive oil, and egg conditioner

Vinegar adds a zesty punch to salads, and makes a mean hair potion too. It helps detangle your hair, remove residue and prevents an itchy scalp. Along with egg and olive oil, which moisturise, this conditioner can be used often.

Ingredients

Two to three eggs.
One tablespoon of vinegar.
Two teaspoons of lemon juice.
Half a teaspoon of olive oil.
One tablespoon of honey.

Method

Whisk the eggs with the vinegar and lemon juice.
Add the olive oil and honey. Use a blender to make it into a thick paste.
Apply the paste to your hair tips and leave on for 10-15 minutes.
Rinse thoroughly with water.

Coconut oil and honey conditioner

Coconut oil has been lauded for its many uses, including cooking and skin care, but it also helps with hair health. Randy Schueller, an American cosmetic chemist says that coconut oil is just the right size and structure to penetrate your hair from the inside out. It prevents water from leaving your hair and therefore, locks in moisture. It also contains fatty acids which help nourish your scalp and makes your hair smooth and soft.

Ingredients

One tablespoon of coconut oil.
One tablespoon of honey.
One tablespoon of lemon juice.
Two tablespoons of curd.
One teaspoon of rose water.

Method

Add all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
Apply the mixture to shampooed hair.
Leave on for 10-15 minutes.
Rinse off with water.

Banana hair mask

It makes a tasty topping as a breakfast treat and is a nourishing food for your hair as well. If you struggle with frizzy or rough hair, then banana is your one-stop conditioning miracle. It’s rich in potassium and natural oils which moisturise your scalp, soften your hair and prevent split ends.

Ingredients

One banana.
Three tablespoons of honey.
Three tablespoons of milk.
Three tablespoons of olive oil.
One egg.

Method

Mix all the ingredients to make a paste.
Apply the paste to your hair.
Leave on for 10-15 minutes and then wash off.

References:

Is chicken soup good for flu?

April 20th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Chilly months seem to go hand-in-hand with colds and flu.

There’s the inevitable itch in your throat, coughing, headache – and of course, the sniffles. Before downing your over-the-counter medication, is it worth trying that old natural remedy: chicken soup? It’s delicious, warm and filled with nutrients – and seems to do the trick.

Here’s why.

Magic liquid

According to studies, cooking chicken releases the amino acid cysteine, which resembles a drug that can treat upper respiratory infections. Even better, when you add vegetables to your soup, you’re adding vitamins too, which ups your flu-fighting capabilities.

Drinking liquid broth soups also speeds up the movement of mucous in your nose. The hot liquid opens up your blood vessels which increases blood flow and allows the mucous to flush everything out. The warm broth not only soothes your throat, it helps you stay hydrated and eases congestion too.

More helpers

Add garlic to your soup. This pungent ingredient has antibacterial properties that help the immune system fight infections.
For veggies, choose tomatoes, bell peppers, squash, spinach and broccoli. These health helpers are packed with antioxidants that will help keep your immune system healthy.
Grapefruit, oranges, and lemons are bursting with nutrients and Vitamin C, which will help fight off the sniffles. Drink water to stay hydrated. Sip on 100% orange juice with pulp. It’s packed with Vitamin C and folic acid, which will give your immune system a boost while quenching your thirst.
In cold weather, hot ginger tea warms the body.

A word on probiotics

Regulating the good bacteria in your gut can help boost your immune system. Have some yoghurt with your favourite citrus fruits to get a boost of Vitamin C too. Greek yogurt is filled with sickness-fighting probiotics, and packed with more protein than regular yogurt.

Turn up the temperature

Add a dash of cayenne pepper to your soup or stew. Cayenne pepper is rich in Vitamin C and helps relieve chills, coughs, and congestion. It’s also an antioxidant and antiseptic. You can even stir some into your tea.
Chilli peppers can ease congestion and reduce swelling around your nose and throat. It will also help thin out your mucous enough for your body to cough or sneeze it away.
Sprinkle red pepper flakes on your vegetables, grains, chicken, or meat. A little goes a long way. They will boost immunity and open up your blocked nose.
When you eat spicy foods, your body will naturally loosen the mucous and phlegm that’s clogging your body and you might be able to breathe a little easier.
Stay away from spicy foods if you have an irritable stomach; it may only aggravate your symptoms.

References:

Need chronic painkillers? Try these natural alternatives

April 20th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

You massage your temples to try and ease the pain. This is your second headache of the day; time to pop another pill.

Painkillers have become household and handbag essentials over time. In the United States Opioids have even made headlines, as the drug-dependence epidemic surfaced. Strangely, many of us don’t know (or care) what we’re swallowing, as long as it gives us relief.

What you need to know

There are two main kinds of painkillers, anti-inflammatories and opioids. When you’re injured or hurt, special nerves send messages to your brain to communicate that you’re in pain. Painkilling drugs block or interfere with these messages, giving you relief. Not understanding the effects of any medication you’re taking could be dangerous, so let’s get clued up.

Anti-inflammatories

Anti-inflammatories are used to ease pain and reduce inflammation. They’re commonly used for conditions like joint pain, muscle and ligament pain (strains and sprains), period pain, headaches and migraines. Common over-the-counter anti-inflammatories are Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Celebrex and Aspirin.

Opioids

Opioids are drugs that have morphine-like effects and are mainly used for pain relief. They activate opioid receptors and nerve cells in the brain, which helps with pain relief. Other uses include helping to ease coughing and diarrhoea. Examples of opioids are morphine, methadone and oxycodone.

Swallow with caution

When you feel pain, you want the quickest and most effective solution, so you turn to painkillers. The problem is, they can become addictive. Painkillers can be addictive over time because of their “quick fix” effect. If painkillers are taken for a long time, your body adapts to the effect and it won’t give you relief as easily. Over time, you’ll need to take a higher and higher dose to get the same effect, spiralling out into drug misuse.

Opioids are the most commonly abused prescription medications, which people often take just to feel good. According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group, 75% of overdose-related deaths are from opioids abuse or misuse.

Ease the pain naturally

In some cases, like with chronic pain, anti-inflammatories and opioids are needed. Talk to your doctor before taking them, though. Alternatively, there are some natural ways to relieve pain.

Turmeric

This flavourful yellow powder gives curry its signature colour and flavour, and also has healing effects. It contains curcumin, an antioxidant that helps protect your body from free radicals. It helps relieve inflammation and pain and works well to soothe indigestion, muscle aches and ulcers. Make turmeric tea or flavour foods with it to reap the benefits. You can also take curcumin capsules if you don’t enjoy the taste of turmeric.

Cloves

There’s an active ingredient in cloves called eugenol; a natural pain reliever. It’s widely used in pain ointments and comes in the form of capsules, powder and oil (besides its natural form). Rubbing a small amount of clove oil on sore gums temporarily relieves toothache pain, but talk to a dentist before using it and don’t use it undiluted. Cloves may also help with symptoms of a cold, nausea, pain and inflammation.

Lavender and peppermint oil

Peppermint oil helps improve circulation and lavender oil relieves muscle tension, making a good solution for aches and pain. Use a few drops of these oils to massage away a headache. Rub gently on your forehead, temples and the back of your neck. If it’s too strong, blend with some essential oil like coconut oil, almond oil or grape seed oil.

Good to know

Deep breathing and meditation will help ease pain.
For chronic pain, keep track of your pain levels with a score out of 10. This will help your doctor choose your treatment.
Always talk to your doctor before taking painkillers and read labels for warnings, dosage instructions and side-effects.
Do gentle exercises like dancing, swimming and walking. Staying active boosts endorphins; the feel-good hormone.

References:

Sore throat soothers

March 16th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

A sore throat can be very painful and irritating, and may make it difficult for you to eat and drink.

Common causes of a sore throat include viral, bacterial and fungal infections, allergies, and dry air, irritants like pollution and smoking, and excessive shouting.

Fortunately, you can treat the pain, and perhaps resolve the sore throat without visiting your doctor. One of these simple, all-natural sore throat solutions may do the trick.

Garlic

Garlic has antibacterial and antiseptic properties that can treat and prevent a painful, irritated throat. It’s also antimicrobial, which means it can help fight the infection and kill the bacteria that causes the problem. Allicin, a chemical that’s released when garlic is cut, crushed or chewed, is your warrior against sore throats. As soon as you notice a tickle at the back of your throat, eat a raw clove of garlic. Can’t stand the pungent flavour? Eat it cooked instead.

Cinnamon and cayenne pepper

Cinnamon is packed with antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial qualities that can soothe your sore throat. Cayenne pepper contains capsicum, which can contribute to reducing inflammation. Combine the two, and you have a powerful potion to alleviate throat pain and discomfort. For quick relief, add one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of cayenne pepper into a glass of warm water. Gargle with the solution two to three times a day.

Tomato juice

Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that can destroy bacteria and combat inflammation. Get long-lasting relief by gargling half a cup of tomato juice mixed with half a cup of warm water, twice a day. For an added kick, drizzle in a few drops of hot sauce. You can also drink tomato juice – the thickness of the liquid may be soothing on a sore throat.

Apple cider vinegar

Because of its high acidity and antibacterial properties, apple cider vinegar can help get rid of the bacteria that cause throat pain and irritation. When gargled, the apple cider vinegar forms an acidic coat on your throat. This can help keep germs at bay and give you instant relief. To make a gargle solution, mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle several times a day and add a dash of honey to make the treatment gentler.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and an anti-inflammatory, and can be used to treat many niggles, including a sore throat. This strong yellow spice works by reducing swelling and easing symptoms like burning, itching or that annoying scratchy feeling at the back of your throat. Mix half a teaspoon of turmeric powder and half a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water. Gargle twice daily. Alternatively, add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of hot water and drink daily until your symptoms go away.

If, however, your sore throat does not get better, or it gets worse, it may be time to visit your GP for medical interventions. Though there aren’t extensive studies to back the effectiveness of these natural alternatives, their relative risk is low enough that you could give them a try.

References:

Three home remedies for a runny nose

March 6th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Reaching for the tissues every few minutes? Is your red nose giving Rudolph a run for his money? A runny nose is no fun, but there are simple home remedies to keep that nose from running away with you.

Salt water
Salt water is a fantastic remedy to help clear up a runny nose. It has antibacterial properties, is 100% natural, and you can even use it to help prevent a runny nose during allergy season.

Mix one-half teaspoon of table salt in two cups of warm water.
Using a dropper, place a few drops of the solution into each nostril with your head tilted back.
Inhale very gently to draw the solution further into your nasal passages. Then blow your nose to remove excess mucus and solution.
Do this a few times until you feel relief.
Repeat a couple of times each day until your condition improves.

Turmeric
Turmeric can help with many health conditions, including a runny nose. The herb has strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it very effective for treating a runny nose, and a cold.

Soak one-half teaspoon of dry, ground turmeric in a cup of linseed oil. Hold the mixture over heat until it starts smoking. Slowly inhale the smoke through one nostril and then the other. Do this twice daily.
One-half teaspoon of turmeric powder can be taken two times a day. You can have it with some water. This will help loosen the mucus in your body.
Mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of water and drink before going to bed. This could offer some relief from a runny nose, a cough, a cold or a sore throat.

Ginger
Ginger has various antioxidants along with antiviral and antibacterial properties. It helps loosen phlegm and also give you relief from respiratory discomforts.

Cut up a few slices of ginger and chew it raw. If you can’t tolerate its strong flavour, use some honey to make it more edible.
Make ginger tea to treat your runny nose. Dice up a small piece of fresh ginger. Place these slices in a cup of hot water. Let it steep for about 10 minutes. You may strain or leave the ginger pieces settled at the bottom. You may also add a little honey to this ginger tea.
Inhale steam after boiling some pieces of ginger in a bowl of water.

Although these are not scientifically proven cures, they all offer some symptom relief, with low risks. So that, while can’t yet cure the common cold, we can at least make ourselves a bit more comfortable!

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