Health and Fitness

A sore, red and swollen throat can make you feel sick and miserable. Fortunately there are a host of natural sore throat remedies that can get you feeling better fast. The beauty of these natural sore throat remedies is that you can find a lot of the ingredients at home. Unlike conventional medicine these remedies have no nasty side effects, and are safe even for children.

These are some of the most popular sore throat remedies that I dispense to my patients:

Salt water gargle 

Add half teaspoon of salt and a pinch of cayenne pepper to ¼ cup of warm water. Gargle with this mix for a minute or two. Repeat as needed or at least 3 times a day. The cayenne pepper numbs the nerves in the throat and can relieve the pain. The salt and warm water cleanses the throat and rinses away any microbes or toxins.

Ginger syrup 

You can buy commercial preparations of ginger syrup which combine ginger, Manuka honey and apple cider vinegar. Alternatively make your own up by adding 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger to 1 teaspoon of honey with added apple cider vinegar to taste. Sip the syrup straight off the spoon or dissolve it in hot water to soothe the pain and heal the throat.

Hot lemon tea 

Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into a cup of hot water. Add some grated ginger, garlic, cayenne and honey to make it even more effective. This is one of the best natural sore throat remedies around, and has the added benefit of killing off the microbes causing the infection.

Steam inhalation 

Sit with your head over a bowel of hot water. Cover your head with a towel and breathe deeply for a few minutes. Add a pinch of salt or a teaspoon of tea leaves to boost the steam's cleansing properties. Some of my patients like to add a few drops of an anti-viral oil like tea tree, thyme or eucalyptus oil.

Chicken soup 

Make up a big pot of chicken broth. Load it up with lots of garlic, onion, ginger and turmeric to help thin and expel the mucus from your system. This is one of the natural sore throat remedies that can comfort your soul, particularly if it reminds you of your grandmother's home cooking!

Eat lightly 

One of the least expensive natural sore throat remedies is your diet. If your throat is really red and swollen do not eat any solid food. Aim for a liquid-only diet of broths, chicken soups, herbal teas and freshly squeezed vegetable juices. Sucking on some ice chips and/or zinc lozenges can help reduce the swelling.

When your throat improves you can add some soft fruits like kiwi, fresh pineapple and paw paw which are excellent for reducing inflammation. Protein foods like scrambled eggs, protein smoothies (get a sugar free powder like whey protein) and stir fries with fish, chicken or lean red meat are good options for when your appetite returns.

Vitamins and minerals 

Essential nutrients that are powerful natural sore throat remedies include vitamin C, vitamin A, zinc and the B complex. These can help boost your immune system, fight the microbe causing the infection and reduce inflammation. If you have problems swallowing then a powdered or liquid supplement is probably best for you.

Pain killers 

I do not advise using any aspirin for painful throats as there is a very slight risk of complications with Reye's Syndrome - a potentially serious illness which causes brain inflammation and liver problems. You can try a safer alternative like Panadeine, or better still for natural sore throat remedies, try a herbal or homeopathic remedy.

If you or a loved one are suffering from a sore throat and want more information on natural sore throat remedies please refer to the e-book "Nature's Amazing Sore Throat Cures" by qualified naturopath Elizabeth Noble.

If you are tired of spending anymore time and money on acne medications that promised big but never delivered, then you might want to take a look at home remedy approach. Home remedies are becoming more and more preferred solutions nowadays because of the many benefits you can get. Treating acne at home with homemade remedies not only allows more freedom and privacy, but also saves precious time and hard-earned money. A simple home remedy that suits your skin perfectly is no doubt much powerful than any over-the-top commercial remedy if used properly. With that said, here are the ten most popular home remedies that anyone can easily do to get rid of acne from home.

Home Remedy 1: Orange Peels

Orange peel is a well known effective natural medication for acne. It contains citric acid which actively kills bacteria, and it has a very attractive smell too. To apply this, grind peels of oranges into paste and put it on the areas affected for 10 minutes. You can add a bit of water if the paste is too thick. Do this twice a day for optimal results.

Home Remedy 2: Almond Powder

The use of almonds as medicine has been on for centuries long. It is rich in vitamin E, which is good for skin's longevity. It can also be used as a cure to acne-prone skin. Mix almond powder with water to form a paste, and then put it on the affected skin. Allow it to dry for about half an hour and later wash it off.

Home Remedy 3: Cinnamon + Lemon Juice

Cinnamon is well-known for its numerous health benefits. And these apply to skin as well. Combine it with lemon juice and you'll have a powerful acne solution. Grind a cinnamon finely and then mix with a teaspoon of lemon juice. Put on the concerned patches of skin and leave it for about 10 minutes before washing off. Do this at least two times a day.

Home Remedy 4: Sandalwood + Turmeric Powder

Sandalwood was commonly used by herbalists to treat various skin problems and diseases during ancient times. Today people are still using it to treat acne. Turmeric acts as anti-inflammatory agent for the skin and also helps in reducing infections and diseases. Mix a half teaspoon of sandalwood along with turmeric powder and add some small quantity of water. Apply the mix to the affected skin.

Home Remedy 5: Cucumber

Home remedy enthusiasts use cucumber on topical applications more often than eating because of its top-notch cooling effect, the cleansing properties which clears and soften the skin, and the sulfur content that eliminates acne. Blend a cucumber into paste and then apply to the affected area. It can be left there for about 30 minutes to an hour after which it should be washed away.

Home Remedy 6: Aloe Vera

You can't go wrong with Aloe Vera. This plant is a storehouse of hundreds of nutritional substances and has been used as medicine since before history was written! Pick a fresh Aloe Vera plant and rub its juice all over the affected area. Let it dry before going to bed, have it washed off in the morning.

Home Remedy 7: Honey + Cinnamon

This combination has been reported to have the miracle of healing sickness and diseases. It also cures acne effectively. With three tablespoons of pure honey and one of cinnamon powder, make a paste and apply to the affected skin before bed. Next morning, wash it off with warm water. Apply this home remedy continuously for two weeks to see results.

Home Remedy 8: Baking Soda

I'm sure you have this in your kitchen right now! Not only is cheap, baking soda also cures acne very well. It helps to dry out the pimples, calm redness of skin, and also reduce scars. Mix a small amount of baking soda with water and gently apply on skin. This may sting a little so don't wait too long before washing off with cool water. Best done before taking shower.

Home Remedy 9: Yogurt

Don't limit yogurt for just eating, yogurt can be applied externally too. The bacterial content of yogurt does not harm the skin in any way. Instead, it kills harmful bacteria off the skin! Apply a non-fat yogurt as a face mask twice a week for best results.

Home Remedy 10: Green Tea

Green tea often becomes the answer to many health problems. This is especially true when it is proven to improve the immune system of the body, rejuvenate dying skin cells, and improve life's longevity. By just drinking at least three cups of decaffeinated green tea every day, you'll be on your way to a healthy body, not just the skin. You can apply it topically too by rubbing the tea bag on the acne.

There you have it! Now that you have learned the 10 best home remedies for acne, there is no more reason for you to look away and take the tedious, expensive paths to have your acne treated. Go try and make one remedy out of yourself and I'm sure you will love how it feels! If one didn't work out as you hoped for, don't give up! The right cure is always out there waiting for you to discover. Experiment other remedies as you go and keep looking forward to finding the best one that suits your skin. I sincerely hope after reading this article, you find your Holy Grail, and that acne would someday become nothing but a distant memory.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daren_Joel