Hangover Cures

Alcohol is a diuretic (meaning it removes fluids from the body), so drinking excessively can lead to dehydration. Dehydration is what causes many of the symptoms of a hangover.
Alcohol can upset your stomach and give you a bad night’s sleep. You may still have some alcohol in your system the next morning.

Cure myth
Hangover cures are generally a myth. There are no cures for a hangover. There are tips for avoiding hangovers and for easing the symptoms if you have one. The best way to avoid a hangover is not to drink. If you decide to drink, do it sensibly and within the recommended limits.

To minimise the risk of future serious health problems, men shouldn't regularly drink more than three to four units a day. Women shouldn't regularly drink more than two to three units a day.
To avoid a hangover, don't drink more than you know your body can cope with. If you're not sure how much that is, be careful.


Know your units
Adding up your units can be tricky at first, but once you know how many units a drink contains, you can keep track of what you’re consuming. Find out what a unit is on the desktop alcohol tracker, which is also available as an iPhone app.

You may be surprised. A large glass of wine, for instance, contains around three units. In one evening, that can quickly add up to a lot more than you intended to drink. Here are some examples:

• a can of standard lager, beer or bitter – 1.8 units 
• a pint of standard lager, beer or bitter – 2.3 units
• a small glass of wine (125ml) – 1.5 units
• a large glass of wine (250ml) – 3 units 
• a measure of spirits (25ml) – 1 unit  

Follow these tips to keep hangovers away:

• Don't drink on an empty stomach. Before you go out, have a meal that includes carbohydrates (such as pasta or rice) or fats. The food will help slow down the body’s absorption of alcohol.
• Don't drink dark-coloured drinks if you've found that you're sensitive to them. They contain natural chemicals called congeners (impurities), which irritate blood vessels and tissue in the brain and can make a hangover worse.
• Drink water or non-fizzy soft drinks in between each alcoholic drink. Carbonated (fizzy) drinks speed up the absorption of alcohol into your system.
• Drink a pint or so of water before you go to sleep. Keep a glass of water by the bed to sip if you wake up during the night.

The morning after
If you wake up the next morning feeling terrible, you probably didn't follow this advice. Although there are no real cures for hangovers, there are ways to ease the symptoms.

Treatment involves rehydrating the body so it can deal with the painful symptoms (though the best time to rehydrate is before going to sleep).

Over-the-counter painkillers can help with headaches and muscle cramps. Paracetamol-based remedies are usually preferable, as aspirin may further irritate the stomach and increase nausea and sickness.

Sugary foods may help you feel less trembly. In some cases, an antacid may be needed to settle your stomach first.

Bouillon soup, a thin vegetable-based broth, is a good source of vitamins and minerals, which can top-up depleted resources. Its main advantage is that it's easy for a fragile stomach to digest.

You can replace lost fluids by drinking bland liquids that are easy on the digestive system, such as water, soda water and isotonic drinks (available in most shops).

"Hair of the dog" (drinking more alcohol) does not help. Drinking in the morning is a risky habit, and you may simply be delaying the appearance of symptoms until the alcohol wears off again.

If you've had a heavy drinking session, hangover or not, doctors advise that you wait 48 hours before drinking any more alcohol, in order to give your body tissues time to recover. Sometimes, of course, a hangover makes that advice easier to follow.

Home Remedy for Low Blood Pressure

What is Low Blood Pressure?

Low blood pressure (hypotension) is the pressure of the blood in the arteries. It occurs when the pressure of the blood is abnormally low. Blood pressure is typically recorded as the systolic pressure (as the heart beats) over the diastolic pressure (time between two beats). A consistent blood pressure reading of 90/60 mm Hg or lower is considered low blood pressure. People with low BP may experience symptoms of dizziness or syncope (fainting) as the blood flow to the brain and other vital organs becomes insufficient.


Common Causes of Low Blood Pressure

• Dehydration (due to sweating and/or diarrhea)
• Medications (for high BP or other treatments)
• Severe infection
• Heart attack
• Heart failure
• Pregnancy
• Fainting

Home Remedies for Low Blood Pressure

Tip 1:

Soak 32 small raisins in a ceramic bowl full of water over night. Chew them one by one first thing in the morning. Chew well and drink the water also.

Tip 2:

Soak 7 almonds in water over night. Peel them and grind to a smooth paste. Add in a glass of milk and boil. Drink warm. 

Tip 3:

Crush 10-15 holy basil leaves (tulsi) and strain through a clean muslin cloth. Mix with 1 tsp honey. Have it the first thing in the morning.

Read more: Low Blood Pressure Home Remedy http://www.medindia.net/homeremedies/bp_low.asp#ixzz2FltLievi

6 Easy Exercises for Knee Pain Relief

Knee pain relief may be minutes-a-day away. Get strong, flexible, healthy knees with these exercises.

By RealAge


Stair Step-Ups

Place your left foot on the first step of a stairway and your hand on the wall or banister for balance. Slowly step up onto your left foot so you are standing tall on the step with your left foot, and your right foot's off the ground. Hold for a second, and then step back down off the step onto your right foot, so there's no weight on your left foot. Repeat up to 6 times. If you need to, take a short rest between steps. Reverse legs, and repeat up to 6 times.


Up and Downs

Sit in a firm, armless chair with your feet flat on the floor and your arms crossed or loose at your sides, whichever feels more balanced. Slowly stand up, using deliberate, controlled movements, until you reach your full height. Hold for a few seconds, and then slowly sit down again. Repeat this exercise for about 1 minute. A firm cushion can be placed on the chair if this move is difficult at first. Tip: Check your knees -- when going up or down, they should never move forward beyond your toes.


Leg Flexes

Sit on the floor with your legs together and stretched out in front of you. Place your hands on the floor behind you for support. Slowly bend your right knee, sliding your heel along the floor toward your butt until you feel a gentle stretch in the thigh muscles. Hold for about 5 seconds, and then slide your foot forward, straightening your leg. Rest a few seconds. Do 10 times. Reverse legs, and repeat 10 times.


Knee Rolls

Lie on your back, either on a cushy carpet or an exercise mat. Bend your knees so your feet are flat on the floor. Keep your arms at your sides and your eyes on the ceiling. Slowly lower both knees to the right -- trying to keep your knees together as you do this -- until you feel a gentle stretch in your thighs and lower back. Hold the stretch for 5 seconds, and then slowly lift your knees back to center. Then, lower your knees to the left side, hold, and return to center. Repeat 10 times on each side, with short rests in between.


Hip Extensions

Lie on your stomach, either on a cushy carpet or an exercise mat. Place your hands under your chin for support if you like. Look down at the floor, keep your legs and back straight, and slowly lift your right leg 3–4 inches off the floor. Try to hold the lift for a few seconds, and then slowly lower the leg. Do 5 times; switch legs and repeat. Tip: The key here is to create smooth, controlled movements.


Leg Lifts

Lie on your right side, either on a cushy carpet or an exercise mat. Use your right hand to support your head and your left hand to steady your balance. Keeping your legs straight, slowly lift your top leg straight up, as far as you comfortably can. Hold for a few seconds, and then slowly lower the leg. Do 10 times; switch sides and repeat. Slow, controlled movements will bring the most benefit.

Treatment for Hair Graying

from: http://www.prokerala.com

The naturally occurring phenomenon of hair graying may turn out to be a source of distress and despair with its premature onset. Absence of oil secretion by the glands of hair follicle harnesses premature graying. Oil secretion provides hair with required nutritional sustenance. The absence or deficiency of nutrition adds to premature graying. Also triggered by stress and strain intake of certain medicines may lead to the similar phenomena. Rather than going in for medications as preventive measures, certain home based solutions may be tried out because the ingredients used will yield no side effect.

• Avoiding junk food and food rich in calorie content can help you stay younger for a long period of time, Soft drinks, pastries and jam should be avoided in addition to oily and spicy food. Sprouts, fresh fruits and vegetables should be included in ones diet.
• Mixture of yogurt and yeast is also beneficial for doing away with premature graying; the resulting mixture needs to be applied to the grayish parts.
• As far as application of concocted mixture is concerned; an amalgam of coconut oil and curry leaves is supposed to be advantageous. The two ingredients may be boiled followed by due straining and cooling. Massaging the same gently on scalp helps to counteract undue graying.
• Clarified butter made from cow’s milk may be applied twice on scalp for obtaining the desired result.
• Mixture of gooseberry, almond and lemon juice is another of the natural homemade remedies.
• Henna an Indian herb soaked in liquor of yea may be applied as a hair pack for a period of six hours to add to the luster, shine and blackening of grey strands.

It should be borne in mind that homemade solutions help to counteract and control. They can help facilitate in favour or against the naturally occurring processes of hair fall, hair graying and that of its growth. On their own they should not be taken as curative solutions. In order to cure extreme conditions of hair fall and graying medical help should be taken.

Natural Hair Fall Treatment

from: http://www.prokerala.com

It is normal to lose hair because hair fall is backed up naturally by hair growth. Hair fall relates to a process of abnormality when loss exceeds the frequency of natural re-growth. Hair fall effecting individuals irrespective of their age and sex is indicative of serious physical malfunctioning. While a part of it may be genetic and directly proportional to ageing; illness such as Diabetes, Lupus and Cancer are also some of the responsible factors. Amongst other associated causes, hormonal changes triggered by menopause, pregnancy and malfunctioning thyroid glands; absence of healthy diet, medications catering to arthritis, hypertension and depression can also be included.

Besides the medically maneuvered ways to cater to hair loss, certain home made ways involving the adoption of bare minimum fundamental regime may be outlined

Home Remedies for Hair Fall Treatment

• First and foremost balanced diet with proper emphasis on vitamin calcium and iron may go a long way in preventing hair fall, because deficiency of protein and iron intake also contributes to hair loss. Thus a balanced diet comprising of all the essential nutrients should be insisted on.
• Hair should be washed and brushed properly. Similar importance should be given to trimming to prevent tearing of hair. Combs with wide tooth should be made use of. Split ends should be got rid of as part of trimming. Blow drying should be avoided because the heat generated is found to be damaging from the point of view of hair.
• Gentle massaging of scalp regularly, preferably with drops of warm oil contributes against hair fall.
• Washing of head with a homemade concoction consisting of vodka/ alcohol, pepper and worm water will work well to combat hair loss.
• Adding a few drops of tobacco sauce to the regularly used lather producing shampoo can also be an effective remedy for preventing hair loss.
• Some of the herbal extracts used directly in forms of juice or paste can prove to be more beneficial than their medically encapsulated forms. Paste or juice of “Bhongra” may be massaged gently on to the scalp to counteract hair falling. Paste consisting of Shana seeds with coconut or castor oil turn out as an effective option.
• In cases of baldness in patches or ‘alopecia areata’; a paste of lime seeds and black pepper may be massaged on affected areas. Scrubbing the affected areas with onion cut into half followed by application of honey may also help out.

Jet Lag Remedies that Work

from: http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com

Jet lag remedies that work... It used to be a dream for me.

But after 15 years of trial and error, and, ahem, some growing up, the dream of beating jet lag came true.

As I am writing this page I have been back in Australia for 72 hours, and over the last three days I did not experience any jet lag symptoms whatsoever. Nothing. Nada. Niente. I'm fine. Cured from jet lag for good.

If you read the introductory page about Preventing Jet Lag, then you know that in the past I suffered from jet lag badly. I also mentioned on that page that I used to do EVERYTHING wrong that you could possibly do wrong if you want to avoid jet leg.

On this page I tell you what exactly I did wrong, and how you do it right, so you too can beat jet lag.


My own jet lag remedies, tried and tested

There are two major mistakes I made, mistakes that are easily fixed. And then there is one neat trick that turns the whole program into an effective natural jet lag remedy that works.

1. Sorry, no alcohol

In my first few years of flying back between Germany and Australia, this was my biggest mistake. Back then alcohol was still flowing freely on most airlines, and I sure didn't mind a free drink! Or three or half a dozen...

These days the airlines are less generous with their alcohol. But even that glass of wine you have with dinner makes a big difference! Any alcohol is pure poison when flying.

High altitude multiplies the effect of alcohol on the body. Alcohol dehydrates you, it messes up your brain and body chemistry and it disturbs your sleep patterns. Yes, even a little bit of it will worsen your jet lag symptoms. Don't touch it! Don't touch it the evening before your flight either.

2. Sorry, no coffee, tea or coke

Coffee and tea, as well as any sodas with caffeine, also interfere with your wake/sleep patterns and body clock. On top of that caffeine is a diuretic, causing dehydration. And dehydration is your worst enemy on long haul flights!

Instead of looking to stimulants for a jet lag cure, focus on drinking lots of water.

Read through any jet leg tips anywhere, and you'll find the same advice. No alcohol, no other dehydrating drinks and no stimulants. Only drink water, water, water.

Ask the flight attendant for a whole bottle (you'll never get enough if you have to ask for every little cup full). Even better, bring your own bottle. You can't take liquids from the outside on planes, but maybe you can buy a bottle after passing security, or fill an empty bottle from a drinking fountain.

You can't drink too much on a plane. If you have to run to the toilet all the time, all the better. Moving around and keeping the blood circulating also helps with jet lag.

3. Don't resort to sleeping pills at night

Sleeping medication does not induce a natural sleep. It'll knock you out but it won't alleviate the jet lag symptoms, i.e. the groggyness and headaches, or the inability to sleep at night. Taking sleeping pills during the flight is even dangerous because it affects your circulation. Do you really want to risk a blood clot in your legs or even in your lungs?

(I am talking about standard sleeping pills here, the prescription type barbiturates etc., and also the over the counter histamin based pills. The controversial melatonin falls into a different category.

I used to take it melatonin, but while it helped me go to sleep in the evening, it didn't make me sleep through a night, and I still felt very groggy during the next days. Melatonin sure is no miracle jet lag remedy.)

4. Don't sleep during the day

This one you also find written up in all the jet lag tips: no matter how tired you are when you arrive, stay awake. Don't go to sleep until 10 or 11 pm.

Sorry, but this one I can't do. It's fine for flights with say 12-18 hours travel time. It does not work if you spend 30 - 40 hours door to door like I do.

If you can manage to stay up, great. If you don't, there's still hope.

Stay awake as long as possible, and when you have to crash, make sure you don't stay in bed for too long. Ideally you only have a nap... Just do the best you can do.

I sleep a few hours during the day, and I still sleep at night and feel great the next morning.


So far I just repeated what most people already know. Those points can't be stressed enough.
However, now we get to the jet lag remedies that you do NOT find listed in any and all list of jetlag tips...

5. Don't eat the airplane food

Do you like airplane food? Do you mainly eat it because you are starving? I only ate it because I was bored stiff...

Airplane food sucks. But that's not the main reason to avoid it. The main reason is that your digestive system has a LOT to do with setting your internal clock. That's why there is such a thing as a jet lag diet.

Jet Lag diets are specific diets that you have to start four days before departure, and you have to watch what you eat and when you eat it.

But there is no need to make things so complicated. Eat lightly on the day of departure (or the previous day if you leave early). And then just don't touch the airplane food, instead take your own food with you.

Eat as little and as lightly as possible during the flight. The ideal food to take with you is fresh fruit. Also check the special meals your airline offers. On my last flight I flew Lufthansa and they offered fruit platter as a meal option. Perfect.

If you can not take enough food, stick to the very lightest fare available. When changing planes, scour the transit area of the airport for a juice bar or a salad bar.

Be careful with the salads. They likely use ready made dressings full of chemicals and harmful fats. Not good for you digestion and not good for jet lag! Also stay away from salads with eggs, cheese, meat etc. Fresh, raw fare would be best. Just fresh fruit would be ideal.

If you feel you can't go for that long without a "decent" meal, oh well, you'll have to suffer through the jet lag then. Please do not underestimate the importance of this point!

6. My secret jet lag remedy

This last point is a neat trick that I picked up somewhere on the internet. And for me it worked.

Have a short fast! Fast, as in have nothing but water, for 16 hours before you have breakfast at the new destination. It improves sleep quality and it really helps reset the body clock.

So regardless of when you leave or when you arrive or how long you are in the air, figure out when you'll have your first breakfast at your destination. Count back 16 hours from that, and that's when you stop eating.

If you have hunger pangs, drink water. If, as recommended, you ate very lightly or fruit only in the 24 hours beforehand, you shouldn't feel too hungry.

If you do, make your choice: a few hours of being awfully hungry, or a few days of being terribly jetlagged. Which do you prefer? If you ever suffered from jetlag like I used to, it's a very easy choice.

Want to be safe? Do it again the next night. Stop eating at 4 pm.

My jet lag remedies in action on my latest flight

My flight left Munich in the evening. My last meal in Munich was a salad in the afternoon.

Lufthansa served me my requested special meal, a fresh fruit platter, for dinner and breakfast. I also had some fruit with me which I had during my stopover in Singapore. At 4 pm (note: that is 4 pm at my Australian destination), still at Singapore airport, I stopped eating.

I arrived at home in Australia at 7 am the next day and had breakfast between 8 and 9. Then I managed to stay awake for another two hours and eventually I slept. I woke up at 3 pm (set your alarm if you need to, don't get up later than 4 pm).

I had another meal wich I finished around 4 pm. After that I only had water, and I went to bed at 11 pm.

I slept like a baby until 7 am. Thas NEVER happened to me before, even with sleeping pills! I awoke without an alarm clock, fully refreshed. And I was perfectly fine, with a clear head, energetic and happy, for ALL of the next day.

Sure, I did feel that I hadn't slept much in the previous nights. But there was no leaden feeling in my legs or head, no groggyness, no headache, no jet lag symptoms whatsoever! That has NEVER happened to me before.

Try it for yourself. This natural jet lag remedy is free, simple and safe. Even if it doesn't cure your jetlag, it will still make you feel a million times better than you would on booze, coffee and a stomach full of airplane food. You can only win!

How to Cure Boils Naturally

By Kathy Love - 2006-09-23

Boils are not a pleasant topic, but it is something that most of us will experience at some point in our lives. This article will show how you can cure your boils naturally by using inexpensive natural remedies.


What is a boil?
Another name used to describe a boil is a skin abscess, but basically it's just an infection deep in the skin. I like to describe a boil as being a really big zit because that's what it looks like. Below are several different types of boils:

Cystic acne -- An abscess that forms when the oil ducts become infected or clogged. This type of boil is found mostly on the face and primarily effects teenagers.

Furuncle or carbuncle -- An abscess of the skin caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This type of boil may cause a fever or chills.

Pilonidal cyst -- This abscess is usually found in the crease of the buttocks. People who sit a lot or travel over long distances, like a truck driver, are more prone to getting this kind of boil.

Hidradenitis suppurativa -- This is when you have multiple boils that form in the arm pits and groin area and are associated with the sweat glands.

Why do we get boils?
The most common cause is believed to be clogged sweat glands or hair follicles that become infected. It is also possible for a scratch or any other break in the skin to become infected and turn into a boil. Believe it or not, an ingrown hair can cause a boil. People with compromised or suppressed immune systems are more likely to get boils. That includes people with diabetes. Medications can also suppress the immune system -- especially cortisone, prednisone, prednisolone and medications used by cancer patients.

How to cure boils naturally?
If you have been searching the Internet for information on how to cure boils, you probably found that most Websites recommend that you go to your doctor and be put on antibiotics. I think that's a bit radical when most boils can be effectively cured at home. If, however, after you have tried to cure the boil yourself, but it doesn't work, then go to your doctor immediately. Below are three natural cures you can try:

Turmeric -- Turmeric taken internally can help dissolve and heal boils in as little as three days. It has anti-inflammatory and blood purifying effects on the body. Just take one teaspoon of turmeric powder in warm water three times a day or buy turmeric in capsule form and take at least 450 mg each day. You can also make a paste out of the turmeric powder and place it directly on the boil and cover it with gauze. Be careful as turmeric can stain your skin and your clothes. The stain on your skin will go away in about two weeks.

Tea Tree Oil -- Tea tree oil is a natural antiseptic that is able to help in the healing of all kinds of skin problems. All you have to do is apply one drop of tea tree oil directly on the boil each morning after bathing until it's gone.

Castor Oil -- Put some Castor oil on a cotton ball and place it on the boil. You will need to secure it with gauze or a band-aid. Castor oil will draw the poison right out of the boil and can heal it in as little as two days.

There are other remedies that I did not mention as I felt the three above were the best. Some other remedies are iodine, a paste made out of baking soda or you can take an epson salts bath.


Disabled World - Disability News for all the Family: http://www.disabled-world.com/artman/publish/cure-boils.shtml#ixzz2FbM0n0sI