Treatment for Burns

From: DrWeil

What are burns?
Burns are damage to the skin from heat, fire, radiation, sunlight, electricity or chemicals. There are three degrees of severity:

• First-degree: these are the least serious burns. They are marked by redness, and extend only into the outermost layer of skin, known as the epidermis.
• Second-degree: These extend into skin tissue directly below the epidermis (known as the superficial or papillary dermis) and can involve superficial blistering.
• Third-degree: These damage all layers of skin. If they cover a large proportion of the body, they can be life-threatening.

What are the symptoms of burns?
First degree burns are red and painful and may cause some skin swelling. The affected skin may peel off after a day or two, and they typically heal in three to six days. Second degree burns have blisters and are painful and very swollen. The skin appears red and splotchy. These burns usually take two to three weeks to heal. Third degree burns are the most severe but are sometimes the least painful because the burn has damaged nerves in the skin. The skin itself appears white or charred. Healing is prolonged.

What are the causes of burns?
Most burns are caused by heat from fire, hot liquids or steam. Burns caused by caustic chemicals are similar to burns due to heat, while other types of burns - from radiation, too much sun and electricity - have different characteristics. Severe burns can penetrate below the skin into fat, muscle, or bone.

Following the trauma of the burn, fluid leaks into the area from blood vessels, causing swelling and pain. Burned skin is easily infected because it can no longer effectively maintain a barrier against invading organisms.

Some electrical burns can cause internal injuries - but no obvious external damage - and should be treated as a medical emergency with transport to a hospital as soon as possible.

Wash chemical burns with large amounts of water and remove any clothing that has been splashed by the chemical. Don't put anything other than water on the burn (you could set off a chemical reaction that will make matters worse). Call your doctor or 9-1-1.

What is the conventional treatment for burns?
Perform first aid for first degree burns. Immediately, immerse the burned area in cold water (don't use butter, oil, ice or ice water, all of which can worsen the damage). Cover the burn with an antibiotic ointment or aloe vera cream. If you have pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen, Motrin, Advil or naproxen (Aleve).

Soak second degree burns in cool water for 15 minutes, apply an antibiotic cream and cover with a nonstick dressing (hold it in place with gauze or tape). Change the dressing daily (after making sure your hands are clean). Watch for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus, worse pain) and don't break any blisters that form. As the burn heals, it may itch. Don't scratch.

Go to the hospital immediately for more severe burns. Emergency treatment is essential to prevent dehydration and shock.

What therapies does Dr. Weil recommend for burns?
Immediately immerse the affected part in cold water and keep it there for five to 10 minutes with brief break (There is a 20 minute critical period during which this treatment is most effective.) Then apply one of the following natural treatments of burns:

• Aloe Vera gel: The clear gel that fills the thick leaves of the succulent Aloe vera plant from Africa is a superior home remedy for burns, so useful that you ought to keep a potted aloe plant in your kitchen to have available in case of an accident. To use the fresh plant, cut off a lower leaf near the central stalk, cut off any spines along the edge, split the leaf length-wise, score the gel with the point of your knife, and apply it directly to the burn. It will soon soak into the skin and provide immediate soothing relief. Use it on sunburn, thermal burns and any areas of skin irritation or inflammation. You can buy aloe products in drugstores and health food stores, but some have too little aloe to do your skin much good. Read labels to determine the percentage of aloe gel in the formula and choose products with the most.
• Calendula tincture: This comes from a popular ornamental plant called a pot marigold (it is not a true marigold). You can buy ready to use calendula products in health food stores.
• Honey: Honey can be spectacularly effective for severe burns and is the basis of a therapy in China that has attracted much attention from doctors in the West. It is soothing, antiseptic and healing. However, I wouldn't depend on the honey from the supermarket - or the health food store - to treat your next burn. Instead, try one of the medicinal honeys. The type used in New Zealand research on honey for wound healing is known as manuka honey, and is available commercially. German physicians have been using Medihoney for treatment of persistent wounds. If you have a bad burn, be sure to get prompt medical treatment. Using honey correctly to treat a serious wound requires considerable expertise.

Be sure to get medical help for any burn that covers a large area, results in charring of skin or becomes infected.

Home Made Remedies for German Measles

From: homemade-remedies.com

German Measles also known as Rubella, is a highly contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus. It is commonly observed during childhood that nearly all children worldwide are at risk of getting infected by it.

Symptoms of German Measles

7-14 days after exposure to the virus, the symptoms appear in the form of:

• cold
• fever
• watery eyes
• dry cough

Four days later, skin rashes that is consisted of small rounded spots with reddish skin in the middle initially appears on the sides of the face and neck. It gradually spread all over the body. The spots grew darker as it lasts longer.

Usually, it is accompanied by fever and diarrhea. High fever and delirious state are apparent during severe conditions. Complications include bronchitis, abscesses in the ears and pneumonia. Rare complications affect the brain.

Causes of German Measles

Measles is a very contagious disease that is caused by a virus that is transmitted through aerosol means such as sneezing or coughing. Unhealthy dietary habits and living in unsanitary environment also contributes to its causes.

Treatment / Home Remedies for German Measles

Orange:

Drinking plenty of orange juice is a good home remedy for german measles for it helps to  overcome intense toxaemia and intense hunger and thirst.

Lemon:

Dilute 15-25 ml of lemon juice in water is one of the best remedies for German Measles. Drink to quench thirst.

Turmeric:

Dry raw turmeric roots under the sun and ground it into fine powder which can be an effective home remedy for German Measles. Mix ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder, a few drops of honey and bitter gourd leaf juice.

Licorice:

Taking ½ teaspoon of licorice powder mixed with equal parts honey is a very good home remedy to relieve cough due to German Measles.

Barley:

Mixing barley water with fresh sweet almond oil is one of the noted home remedy for German measles. Drink it frequently to ease cough.

Egg plant:

Another great Home remedy for German measles is Eggplant. Take ½-1 gm of egg plant seeds everyday for 3 days. Egg plant seeds are stimulant and they are effective in preventing measles contraction for 1 year.

Diets Suggestions for German Measles

Drink fresh orange and lemon juices frequently to bring back loss appetite.

Undergo an exclusive fruit diet for a few days as the condition improves. Follow with a healthy and well-balanced diet afterwards.

Further Suggestions for German Measles

Let the infected child take a complete bed rest.

Stay inside a well-ventilated room. This room should have subdued lighting that is enough to shade the eyes from too much sunlight as light has harmful effect on the eyes due to its weakened external eye tissues.

Administer a warm water enema every morning along with mudpack application on the abdomen in the morning and in the evening. Apply chest pack repeatedly as well. This successive treatment will help bring down temperature from fever while eliminating toxins from the body. Take lukewarm baths everyday to relieve itchiness. Extracts from neem leaves can be added to the water.

Stay away from infected person to avoid contracting the same disease.

Home Remedies for Foot Odor

by Editors of Consumer Guide


When you kick off your shoes, do you clear a room? That's one sure sign that your feet reek like week-old garbage. Your olfactory region may be blissfully unaware of the odors emitted from down below, but others' noses aren't so immune. Foot odor may leave you friendless, too, as the stink often (unfairly) implies bad hygiene to those who share your air.

Foot odor, known in the medical profession as bromhidrosis, can be traced to bacteria that find your moist and warm feet, socks, and shoes the perfect place to breed and multiply. Thousands of sweat glands on the soles of the feet produce perspiration composed of water, sodium chloride, fat, minerals, and various acids that are the end products of your body's metabolism. In the presence of certain bacteria (namely those found in dark, damp shoes), these sweaty secretions break down, generating the stench that turns people green.

If you suffer from this foot odor, don't worry. You don't have to stand for it anymore. Simply follow these home remedies for keeping your feet drier and sweeter smelling.

Wash well. Those sweat glands on the soles of your feet produce perspiration composed of water, sodium chloride, fat, minerals, and various acids that are end products of your body's metabolism. In the presence of certain bacteria, these sweaty secretions break down, generating a foul smell. Washing away the bacteria with deodorant soap (and drying them well) will short-circuit this process.

How often should you wash your feet? Enough to remove the offending bacteria but not so often that you remove all the protective oils from your skin. For strong foot odor, you may need to bathe your feet several times a day. However, if you notice that your feet are becoming scaly and cracked, cut back on the number of washings.

Salt your tootsies. For extra-sweaty feet, try adding half a cup of kosher salt (it has larger crystals than ordinary table salt) to a quart of water and soaking your feet in the solution. After soaking, don't rinse your feet; just dry them thoroughly. As anyone who has ever taken a dip in the ocean likely knows, salt has a drying effect on the skin.

Pretend they're the pits. Believe it or not, the deodorant and/or antiperspirant that you use under your arms can be used on your feet, too. Pay attention to the label on the product, though. Deodorants contain antibacterial agents that can kill bacteria -- they won't stop the sweat, but they will eliminate the odor that ensues when sweat meets bacteria. Antiperspirants, on the other hand, stop the sweat and the smell at the same time.

Take a powder. Shake on deodorizing foot powder that contains aluminum chloride hexahydrate.

Give 'em a good sock. Wear socks that let your feet breathe. Some people find that natural fibers such as cotton or wool are best, but others prefer acrylic; try different fabrics until you find the one that seems to keep your feet driest. If possible, change your socks at least once during the day, and don't wear the same pair two days in a row without laundering them. Contrary to conventional wisdom, white socks are not sterile and do contain dye, so they are not necessarily preferable to colored socks.

Shoe it away. Choose open shoes such as sandals whenever possible, because they allow air onto the feet, which helps evaporate sweat and slows the growth of odor-causing bacteria. If sandals aren't an option, choose leather or canvas shoes, which breathe a bit, and avoid shoes that are lined with solid rubber or synthetic materials.

Wash your sneakers. Some shoes -- such as sneakers and other canvas footwear -- can go right in the washing machine. Let them air-dry rather than throwing them in the dryer, though.

Let your shoes breathe. Try airing out your shoes in between wearings, too. If you can, alternate shoes on a daily basis so that you don't wear the same pair two days in a row. Loosen the laces and pull up the tongue on the pair you're not wearing, and let them dry out in the sunshine.

Sprinkle your shoes. Sprinkle the inside of your shoes with cornstarch to help absorb moisture and keep your feet drier.

Eat wisely. Avoid strong-flavored foods such as garlic, onions, scallions, and peppers, because the substances that give them their powerful flavor and aroma can pass through the bloodstream and eventually concentrate in your sweat. While this effect is not restricted to foot perspiration, it certainly won't help a case of smelly feet.

Keep calm. Stress and anxiety increase production of sweat, giving those nasty little bacteria even more to feed on. If you're so stressed that it's making your feet smell, it's time to make some changes in your life or, at the very least, learn some stress-reduction techniques.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.

Water: The Best Home Remedy To Detox Your Body

Tess Thompson


The natural detoxification system of the human body consists of the liver, the kidneys, the digestive system and the skin. The system is often put to the test due to the inhalation of pollutants and the unhealthy foods we consume. Even your dentist can contribute to your toxicity if he/she uses mercury amalgam to fill cavities. These amalgams can enter the body while brushing or can shed on their own over time.

For these reasons, you should choose a detox product or an herbal detox program to cleanse your body periodically. You could time it after a hectic vacation or a period of overindulgence. Some simple modifications in your regular diet and the addition of home remedies for natural detox can also prove to be helpful in cleansing your body over time.

However, in search of a good detox treatment , we tend to ignore one of the simplest detox remedies that exists and is extremely easy to include in our daily lives, water. Water is the last word in home remedies for detoxification. It is the best natural cleansing agent and helps in dispelling toxins from the body in more ways than one.

Drinking water provides the much needed hydration to the cells and body as a whole.

• Hydration - If the amount of water in the body is insufficient, the cells start to draw water from the blood. This puts unnecessary pressure on the heart and can prove to be harmful in the long run.
• Kidneys – Even short-lived dehydration can potentially affect kidney functioning. When the kidneys work too hard, the liver begins to take over. This initiates a chain reaction that affects other organs that help in detoxification. The net result is a heavier workload for the detoxification system as a whole. This can lead to conditions like acne, urinary tract infections, constipation and related medical disorders.

There is historical evidence that ancient cultures relied heavily on hot and cold baths and saunas for hygiene and health. All ancient cultures had bathing rituals for keeping their skin in proper condition.

Sweating is an essential part of the detoxification process. It is as essential as proper bowel movements. Sweat can change lipid toxins into water soluble toxins, and these water soluble toxins are then easily eliminated through the pores as sweat. Hot and cold baths and saunas open up the pores for smooth sweating.

Detoxification of the body is a continuous process. There is nothing that can be called a "quick detox" remedy or product. You have to be aware of the need of eliminating toxins regularly and properly. Home remedies can be easily ingested, and among home remedies, water is the easiest, most affordable remedy include in your daily diet.

References:
http://www.detoxification.ws
http://www.thecompletedetox.com
http://www.disabled-world.com
http://ezinearticles.com

Home remedies for dry hair

By Melanie Lasoff Levs 

Here are five ideas for things you can use at home to help with dry hair. Most of these items are probably already in your refrigerator.

Life wreaks havoc on your hair, but often, deep conditioning and other fancy salon treatments can wreak havoc on your wallet. How can you fix dry hair woes at home? Try these natural ingredients — alone or combined — for softer, more manageable locks. 

 Many of these home remedies for dry hair work best when left in for at least 30 minutes before rinsing out completely. To keep hair shiny, it is best to rinse with cool water.

Olive oil 
Massage warm olive or coconut oil into your scalp and coat your hair with it. Slip on a shower cap for about 45 minutes before rinsing.

Vinegar 
Simply adding a teaspoon of vinegar to your final hair rinse can be effective in treating dry tresses. You could also mix 2 cups of water with one-half cup of vinegar, massage it into your hair after you shampoo, and leave it in for several minutes — up to an hour — before rinsing.

Avocado 
Mixed with banana, mayonnaise or by itself, avocado serves as a strong "mask" to seal moisture into hair follicles. 
  
Full-fat mayonnaise 
About 1 tablespoon spread evenly throughout your hair should do the trick; cover your head with a shower cap and then rinse the mayonnaise out after 30 minutes.   

Egg 
Several home dry hair remedies include raw eggs, which contain protein and lecithin that strengthen hair and add shine. Beat two eggs together, or one egg and some plain, full-fat yogurt, and massage into hair. Leave on for about 15 minutes, and use cool water (not warm or hot, lest you create a hard-boiled mess on your head) to rinse.   

How else can you treat dry hair at home? Prevent the problem by wearing a cap while swimming, drinking plenty of water, spacing out your hair treatments (such as coloring or blowing dry), and using a rubber-tipped brush or wide-tooth comb to brush hair when it’s wet. Shampooing less frequently also can prevent dry hair, as shampoos strip hair of natural oils.

Effective Natural Home Remedies for Hyperacidity

Hyperacidity is also known as acid indigestion, acid reflux, and acid dyspepsia. This disease can be explained so: our stomach contains gastric glands that produce gastric acid. This acid is vital for digestion because it breaks down the food in small pieces so that to be easily digested. If the amount of acid is very large we can talk about hyperacidity (acidity) or heartburn. Hyperacidity irritates the esophagus lining and as a consequence we experience pain in chest or in the low part of our stomach. 

The symptoms of hyperacidity are various. The person who suffers a hyperacidity attack can experience very unpleasant and painful conditions: from nausea, restless, loss of appetite, abdominal pain to difficulty swallowing, flatulence, and sour taste in his mouth. 

The main causes of this digestive problem are: stressful life, irregular meals, an unhealthy diet, the consumption of large amounts of tea, alcohol, coffee, too spicy food. Some medicines can lead to hyperacidity, too. 

Fortunately hyperacidity can be treated with some very efficient natural remedies that have only advantages. Unlike medicines, natural remedies have no side effects and, what is more important they are able to help you to get rid of hyperacidity for ever. 

A mixture prepared from thinned butter milk mixed with pepper powder is known as one of the fastest and the most efficient remedy for hyperacidity. Take this treatment on a regular basis. 

Another natural cure consists in ginger juice and a teaspoon of honey. Drink this juice after every meal and the digestive problems will be under control. 

Even if it is a short-term treatment, chilly milk helps you t get rid of hyperacidity. Drunk with little sips 2-3 times a day, this treatment helps you to feel an immediate relief. 

Pineapple or sweet lemon juice has the property to reduce the amount of acid from your stomach and to heal hyperacidity.

Cumin seeds are also recommended as an efficient treatment for hyperacidity. Add 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds in 2 liters of water and boil them for 3-5 minutes. Strain the solution and drink it. Take this treatment several days consecutively. 

Herbal teas are miraculous in treating this ailment. For example, cinnamon tea, green tea, chamomile tea and more others have unbelievable effects helping you to get rid of hyperacidity. 

Chewing almonds or basil leaves is very helpful, too. 

Fruits and vegetables as papaya, water melon, bananas, apples, cucumber, tomatoes, cabbage and potatoes can count among the best solution in hyperacidity treatment. From cabbage or potato you can prepare a fresh juice. Just a half a cup of this juice drunk on empty stomach every morning will heal you completely from hyperacidity. Fresh pineapple juice has the same effect. You can use sweet lemon juice as well. 

Water is another exceptional remedy. Drink 3-4 glasses of water daily and the level of acid in your stomach will be kept in its normal limits. 

Jaggery has proved to be a good remedy, too. Suck about 10 gm of jaggery and you can get rid of heartburn or acidity efficiently.

Read more about Acidity Treatment. Also know about High Blood Pressure Herbal Treatment.

Posted in Home Remedies.

Tagged with home remedies for hyperacidity, hyperacidity remedies, natural remedies for hyperacidity.

By Easton Patrick – February 4, 2011

Home Remedies For Asthma

From: www.homemademedicine.com

Asthma is a very common respiratory disease, it affects the trachea and bronchial tubes by becoming inflamed and plugged with mucus. This causes the airways to narrow, restricting the amount of air going to the lungs, and makes it very difficult to breathe. Asthma can occur in anyone but is very common in children and young adults. Typical symptoms of an asthma attack are coughing, wheezing, tight chest, difficulty breathing. Home remedies for asthma can help breathing.

There are 2 types of asthma, allergic asthma and non allergic asthma.  Some of the allergens that can trigger an asthma attack are: chemicals, drugs, smoke, dust, food additives, pollution, mold, etc. Non allergic asthma can be cause by anxiety, exercise, dry or humid weather, fear, laughing, stress etc. Home remedies for asthma can help these conditions as well.

The rate, in which asthma attacks have increase in the pass few years is alarming, specially in children. Scientists believe that, there is a strong link between contamination in the air we breath and asthma, evidence suggest that the percentage of people who live in big cities, and have asthma attacks is far greater, than those of people who live in rural areas. However, this may not be the only reason, it is believed that genetic, food additives, toxins etc. could also contribute to asthma attacks.

Modern medicine can offer very little to children with asthma, most drugs can only produce a temporary effect. Herbs in the other hand can be very helpful,  not only reducing attacks but also strengthening the lungs and immune system. You'll learn to treat this disease with many combinations of herbs such as mullein , elecampane and more. 


Use These Home Remedies for Asthma

Home Remedies for asthma #1: Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 are very important nutrients to treat asthma decreasing the inflammation in the lungs.

Home Remedies for asthma #2: Vitamin C Is needed to fight infection, increase the amount of oxygen and reduce inflammation.

Home Remedies for asthma #3: Use ginkgo biloba, this herb contains ginkgolide B which is very helpful. Some studies indicate that ginkgo biloba reduces the frequency of asthma attacks.

Home Remedies for asthma #4: Mullein oil is used to fight respiratory congestion, is very important to make it as a tea for faster results. 

Home Remedies for asthma #5: Pau d'arco is a natural antibiotic and reduces inflammation. 

Home Remedies for asthma #6: In china a powerful mixture of herbs called Shuan Huang Lian is being used in hospitals to treat respiratory illness, very important to use this herb in asthma and acute bronchitis.

Home Remedies for asthma #7: If exercise triggers asthma attacks, cut back the amount of salt in your diet and take 2,000 mg. of Vitamin C one hour before your workout.

Home Remedies for asthma #8: Eat salmon 3 times a week and take salmon oil capsules.

Home Remedies for asthma #9: Drink coffee and Soft drinks with caffeine (colas), caffeine dilates the bronchial airways.

Home Remedies for asthma #10: Make a tea using: 
2 tsp. powdered Indian root. 
2 tsp. granulated echinacea root. 
2 tsp. elecampane root.
2 cups of water. 
Mix all ingredients and let them set for 2 hours.

Home Remedies for asthma #12: To improve breathing make a tea with:

1 quart boiling water. 
1 tsp. chamomile flowers. 
1 tsp. echinacea root. 
1 tsp. mullein leaves. 
1 tsp. passionflower leaves.