Some awesome natural home remedies for all your health & beauty concerns!
We also provide you symptom & cause information for all the health conditions, helping you identify & prevent them from recurring.
Stressful lifestyles have made high blood pressure, or hypertension, a common phenomenon today. Not only is high blood pressure caused by the stress we have in our lives, but also because of the shortcuts we use in our cooking. Because of time constraints, people now opt to just open cans and heat the food, consuming more and more processed foods, leading to high salt intake.
How would you know if you have high blood pressure? Well, the most obvious symptoms to look out for would be headaches and blurry vision, but shortness of breath and chest pain can also indicate high blood pressure.
Home Remedies - Cure 1
Amla, or gooseberry, can be effectively used to treat hypertension.
Take about 2-3 amlas. Chop and crush them. Squeeze out 2 tsp of juice. Add 2 tsp of honey. Have this every morning.
Home Remedies - Cure 2
Include about 2-3 tsp of flaxseeds every day. These can also be crushed coarsely and sprinkled over food.
Garlic, especially in the raw form, is again very effective for blood pressure control. Have 2-3 cloves of garlic every day.
Home Remedies - Cure 3
Take about 2 tlbsp of watermelon seeds. Dry roast these in a pan. When cool, grind the seeds. Take 2 cups of water, and add the ground seeds. Boil for 10-15 minutes. Cool and strain. Have this liquid twice a day.
Take a piece of fresh ginger root and grate it. Extract 1 tsp of juice. Mix in 1 tsp of honey and 1 tsp of cumin powder. Stir well, and have twice a day.
If not addressed at the earliest, hypertension can lead to heart and kidney ailments. Follow these simple remedies, cut out alcohol and excessive caffeine, and enjoy a healthier life.
A person is said to be obese when he or she is overweight, with excessive fat accumulation in the body. Sedentary life styles, high consumption of processed foods, impaired metabolism and genetic factors all contribute to a person becoming obese. But ignoring obesity can lead to many serious ailments, some of which can be life threatening.
To shed those extra kilos, try these simple solutions in your kitchen.
Take a glass of warm water. Mix in 1 tlbsp of honey. Add 1 tsp of lime juice. Start your day with this.
Apple cider vinegar helps in the breaking down of fat deposits in the body. Take a glass of warm water. Add a tsp of apple cider vinegar and a tsp of lime juice. Have this before meals, twice a day.
Green tea restricts the absorption of fat in the body and is a good source of antioxidants. Substitute your normal tea with green tea, and have it 2-3 times a day.
Curry leaves, according to Ayurveda, also help fight obesity. Take 8-10 fresh curry leaves and wash them well. Eat these every morning.
Though these simple measures help in fighting obesity, there is no substitute for exercise, be it in the form of formal exercise, yoga, or just brisk walking.
Take care of yourself, and try to maintain your ideal body weight.
Weight is the unwanted baggage being carried around by too many people. This is mainly due to lack of exercise and unhealthy food options being adopted as a result of our on-the-go life styles. Not only does the aesthetic aspect impact mental health, but manifestations on physical health in the form of hypertension and diabetes lead to far more serious issues.
Take a glass of tepid water. Add 1 tlbsp of lime juice to it. Now, add 1 tsp of honey and mix well. Add in a pinch of pepper powder. Have this on an empty stomach at the start of the day, before 7:30 for maximum benefit.
Otherwise too, a lick of honey anytime is good; it helps to metabolize the fat already sitting in your body.
In a pan, boil about 1 L of water. Add in ¼ tsp of coriander, cumin and fennel seeds. Cover with a lid, and let it boil for about 5 minutes. Now let it cool, then strain the liquid. Keep it in a flask, and have sips of this detox solution through the day. Remember to make it fresh every morning.
Ensure you have the maximum calories of the day at lunch, with all the otherwise difficult to digest foods like carbs and sweets. Make sure you include a bowl of cabbage at lunch, cooked or raw. Believe it, this really works wonders. Put ¼ cup of yoghurt in a blender. Add ½ cup of water. Now mix in sugar to taste. Blend well. Now add in ½ cup water more. Make sure the water is at room temperature. Have this with lunch every day to enable good digestion.
Make your own fat-fighting spice powder. Put the following in a blender: 6 cloves 1 bay leaf 1/12-2 inch stick of cinnamon 1-1/4 tsp of fennel seeds 1 tsp fenugreek seeds 5 tsp coriander seeds ½ tsp of mustard seeds Grind finely in a blender. Add in 1-1/2 to 2 tsp of turmeric powder. Store this in a dry place, and sprinkle over any meal.
Ensure you are done with dinner by 8 p.m. , which should be the lightest meal of the day, and remember, carbs at night do you no good, as your digestive system needs a rest. It is difficult to battle the bulge, but make a start with these easy remedies. And of course, try to work in some exercise, and keep off all the fried and sweet temptations.
Wrinkles are an imminent though unwelcome part of aging. As the elasticity of the skin decreases with age, the skin tends to sag and form wrinkles. Moreover, due to the polluted environment we live in, wrinkles tend to set in at much younger ages nowadays.
Wrinkles generally first appear around the eyes, and then gradually the whole face. With a little care, you can arrest this process and prevent further wrinkles from appearing.
Start your day with a small piece of fresh finely chopped ginger mixed with a tsp of honey.
Before bathing, apply a paste of a mashed slice of fresh papaya and half a banana to your face for 15 minutes.
For the area under the eyes, gently rub in egg white.
The juice of cucumber applies daily is not only soothing, but also helps keep wrinkles at bay.
Every night, gently massage the areas where wrinkles appear with some almond or coconut oil.
A 15-20 minute yoga session also helps in maintaining the skin’s elasticity.
Like with every other part of the body, the skin also needs nourishment and pampering. Cut out smoking and alcohol, eat a well-balanced diet, and keep your body well hydrated with at least 2 litres of water a day.
These are small steps, but go a long way in making you look young and healthy for a long time.
Indigestion, known as dyspepsia in medical lingo, has become a common problem nowadays. It can cause nausea and belching, upper abdominal discomfort, and sometimes a feeling of being full even without having eaten. Spicy and oily foods often cause indigestion. Overeating and eating at irregular intervals can also cause indigestion. Sometimes, coffee, alcohol and even anxiety are the culprits. However, symptoms of indigestion could also be indications of serious latent problems, so make sure to rule this out. Try these simple remedies. Take a glass of water at room temperature. Add 1 tsp of honey. Add a pinch of pepper powder. Then add about ¼ tsp of cinnamon powder. Have a tlbsp of this mixture about 30 minutes after every meal.
In a glass of water, add a tsp of baking soda. To this add a few drops of lemon juice. This helps in keeping your stomach lining safe, and gives relief from gas and bloating.
If the food is too irresistible and you have overeaten, a tsp of apple cider vinegar in a half cup of water works wonders.
Add a tsp of yoghurt to a little water. Mix it very well. Now add more water to make it a glass full. Add a pinch of salt. Sip this at frequent intervals to soothe the stomach.
Grate some ginger and extract the juice, 1 tsp. Put it in a glass of warm water. Add in 1 tsp of lime juice. Now mix in 1-1/2-2 tsp of honey and stir well. Have this after meals.
These simple cures for common stomach ailments can protect the lining of your stomach wall. Follow them regularly to ensure a healthy digestive system.
How does the skin become oily? It is because of over productive sebaceous glands. This could be due to hereditary factors, hormonal changes, and sometimes even due to the unhealthy diet we consume.
The excess oil clogs the skin pores, resulting in black and white heads and even pimples. Therefore, it is obvious that those with oily skin need to take just that extra bit of care for their skin.
Egg whites, rich in vitamin A, are an effective tool to combat oily skin. Take the white of one egg and beat it till it forms soft peaks. Add to this the juice of ½ lime, and gently mix it. Now apply this to the face, and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Do this at least two times a week to see a difference. Not only does this mop off the excess oil on the face, but also acts as a mask to tighten the skin.
Take about 2 tlbsp of curd and beat well. Apply this on the face for 10 mins. Wash off with tepid water. Do this daily before bathing.
Take a tlbsp of grated apple, mix in a tlbsp of beaten curd, and a tlbsp of fresh lime juice. Apply liberally to the face, and leave it on for 10 minutes. Wash this off with water, pat dry, and apply a good moisturizer.
So, all you need to do to tackle your oily skin is walk into the kitchen. Remember, however, you need to drink plenty of water during the day also. Follow these remedies, and watch your skin glow.
Many of us like to maintain long nails, but few realize that nails also need to be nurtured. Very often, nails become brittle and crack and break easily. Broken fingernails look bad, but they could be an indication of iron deficiency. Follow this routine for healthy nails.
First and foremost, keep fingernails dry and clean to prevent bacteria developing beneath the nails. Take 250 ml of water (about 1 cup). Mix in 1 tlbsp of the juice of lime. Now soak the fingernails in this solution for 2-3 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water, and dry well. Moisturize well with a normal moisturizer. Do this for the toe nails also. Not only does this procedure keep nails healthy, it also removes nail stains.
Gently warm some mustard oil. Let the fingernails and toe nails soak in it for 10 minutes. Now gently massage each finger and toe, and wipe off the excess oil. Make this a daily routine to ensure healthy nails.
Take some freshly squeezed lime juice. With a small ball of cotton, scrub the finger and toe nails gently. Wash off thoroughly and dry well. This also makes the nails strong.
Do not bite either the nails or the surrounding delicate skin, which could lead to infection. Cleaning under the nails with anything sharp, or trying to cut the cuticles can also lead to infection. When cutting toenails, make sure to trim right across. Filing toenails in a curved way could lead to painful ingrown nails.
Finally, include foods like beetroot, spinach, nuts and dry fruit in your diet frequently to give the right nutrients to nails.
Pamper your nails, and watch them grow healthy and lustrous!
Not only do cracked heels look unsightly, they can become painful and even bleed if left untreated. Let’s first see why heels crack. If the feet are not washed and moisturized properly, they can become dry and the skin gets thickened, leading to cracks, especially when the weather is cold. Standing and walking bare feet on hard surfaces can also crack the heels. Very often, open foot wear can only lead to this condition.
So, to prevent heels from cracking and the cracks from deepening, follow these simple steps.
Soak the feet in warm water for about 10 minutes. Dry them thoroughly, and gently scrub with a pumice stone to exfoliate the dead skin. Now massage them well with coconut or olive oil. Cover them with a pair of cotton socks overnight. Make this a nightly ritual till the cracks disappear.
Take 2 cups of milk and warm it very slightly. Now add 1 cup of honey, and mix it in very thoroughly. Soak the feet in this for 10 minutes. For another 5 minutes, massage the feet with the mixture to help the feet absorb it well. Wash the feet well, pat dry with a towel thoroughly, and generously apply a moisturizer.
Till the heels heal, avoid wearing open foot wear and standing or walking for long periods on hard surfaces.
So take care of your feet, not only for the cosmetic appearance, but to avoid the painful condition they can lead to.
It is normal to lose a few strands of hair daily, but you are suffering from hair loss if you lose excessive hair, your hair line starts to recede, or bald patches are visible on your scalp. There are multiple reasons as to why we lose hair, the most prominent being genetic, a dirty and clogged scalp, lack of essential nutrients in diet, and even anaemia. A few simple remedial measures can be adopted to arrest hair loss. Take a handful of fenugreek seeds, and soak them in some water. After about 15 minutes, grind this to make a paste. Apply this paste on the scalp, and leave it on for an hour. Wash it off with warm water. Do this 2-3 times a week.
Grate a medium sized onion. Extract the juice. Apply it to the scalp. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with normal water. For best results, do this bi-weekly, but ensure that the juice is always fresh.
Mince about 3 cloves of garlic. Mix it in ¼ cup of coconut oil. Now boil this, and simmer on low flame for about 10 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Gently massage into scalp, leave for ½ an hour, and shampoo well.
Eat a healthy diet rich in nutrients, especially folic acid and B6, de-stress, and keep that head of full hair.
Losing hair is a cause of concern for both men and women. Bald patches are most visible sign in men, with a receding hairline and little or no hair on the head. The heredity factor plays a big role, especially when it comes to male pattern balding. In women, other factors like hormonal imbalance lead to thinning of hair. However, what is common to both men and women when it comes to hair loss is stress. Other causes include underlying chronic ailments such as anaemia, typhoid etc, Vitamin B6 and folic acid deficiency, or an unclean scalp with clogged follicles. Try using these simple ingredients available in the kitchen to help prevent hair loss.
Boil a cup of mustard oil or sarson ka tel as it is known. To the boiling oil, add four tablespoons of henna or mehendi leaves. Remove from heat and cool, then strain the oil. Store in a clean bottle, and regularly massage this oil onto the scalp
Break an egg and separate the egg white from the yolk. Put the yolk in a bowl, add a tsp of honey, and mix it well. Apply this mixture to the bald patches, leave for at least half an hour. Wash off the hair.
Alternatively, you can beat an egg yolk till it is smooth and creamy, apply on the scalp and let it remain for 30 minutes, and then wash it off.
To avoid hair fall, do not comb your hair when it is wet.
Oil your hair once or twice a week, and remember to massage your scalp well, as this stimulates growth.
Follow these remedies and enjoy a head full of healthy hair for a long time.
Headaches are a very common phenomenon, because they can occur due to several reasons. These are mostly related to our stressful lifestyles, which cause exhaustion and inadequate sleep. Whatever the cause, headaches can be quite debilitating. Try these simple tips, which can provide some respite.
Take a heaped tlbsp of cinnamon or dalchini powder. Add enough water to make a semi-liquid paste. Spread this paste over the forehead and temple areas.
Take a couple of fresh limes, and peel the rind. Grind this to a paste and gently smooth over the forehead.
Take about a 1 inch piece of fresh ginger. Crush it coarsely and add it to a glass of water. Boil it well for 3-4 minutes. Let this cool till it is just warm. Strain and drink the liquid.
Brew some green tea leaves with water. Strain this, mix in the juice of half a lime, and drink while still warm. You may add in a tsp of honey as well.
Tender coconut water or watermelon juice provide relief if the headache is caused due to excessive heat in the body, so try to include these in your breakfast, especially during the summer months.
Take a handful of mint or pudina leaves, and a handful of coriander or dhania leaves. Put them in water for about 5 minutes, then carefully pick them off from the top. Now grind these and squeeze out the juice. Drink this to get relief from headache. Destress, stay well hydrated, and don’t let that headache get you dow
Those who have experienced a toothache know the agony it can cause. Besides the excruciating pain, it affects the appetite and sleep also. Why does a toothache occur? Well, this could be due to multiple factors such as a decaying tooth, gum infection or tooth nerve irritation. Whatever the reason, it needs to be dealt with immediately.
Simple ingredients found in the kitchen can offer quick relief for an aching tooth.
Take 2 tsp of freshly squeezed lime juice. To this add a big pinch of asafetida powder, commonly known as hing. Warm this very lightly. With a small cotton ball, apply this over the infected tooth.
Powder two cloves. Add this to a little oil, (you can use any vegetable oil) to get a semi thick consistency. Now apply this to the tooth with a cotton bud. Alternatively, you can place the clove over the tooth and bite down hard on it.
Take a glass of warm water, and add to it about ½ tsp of salt. Gargle the mouth with this a couple of times a day. Not only does this bring down the swelling, it also eliminates bacteria affecting the tooth.
An extremely simple way of dealing with toothache is to mix ¼ tsp of salt with ¼ tsp of pepper, adding a little water to make it a paste, and applying it to the tooth for a few minutes and gargling it off.
When you feel a toothache coming on, immediately either put a small piece of onion on the tooth, or just chew on it for a few minutes.
Remember, oral hygiene plays a big part in your overall health, so do not ignore a toothache.
Our bodies require sugar to give energy for functioning. However, if the concentration of sugar in the blood increases, it leads to diabetes. If sugar levels in blood rise because the body cannot produce insulin, it is known as diabetes 1, and if the body develops a resistance to insulin, it is known as diabetes 2. By including a few ingredients in your diet, you can keep diabetes in check, so start with these simple steps.
Add 2 tsp of fenugreek seeds to a cup of water. Soak overnight. Drink the water on an empty stomach in the morning.
Take 1 bitter gourd, or karela, and wash it well. Remove the seeds and grate or crush it. Extract about 2 tsp juice and have every morning. Alternatively, you can include cooked bitter gourd in your diet once a week.
The Indian blackberry, known as jamun, is also very effective in controlling sugar levels. When in season, have 6 jamuns every day. When not in season, add 1 tsp of powdered jamun seeds to a glass of milk and have daily.
Have about ½-1 tsp of cinnamon powder every day.
You can lead a healthy life even with diabetes, keeping a few precautions in mind. Avoid fruit like bananas, custard apples and mangos, and vegetables like carrots and beetroots. Keep calories in check and avoid sugary foods. Eat healthy, live healthy.
Cholesterol levels rise when there is an excess of fat cells in the blood. Cholesterol is of two types, LDL cholesterol, which is the bad cholesterol, and HDL, which is the good cholesterol. Though cholesterol can result from intake of fatty foods and cakes and pastries, it is very often hereditary. So how does one tackle high cholesterol levels? First and foremost, flush out toxins from the body by consuming at least 2 litres of water daily. Take about 1 tlbsp of coriander seeds. Crush them coarsely. Add these to a glass of water. Drink this mixture daily.
Grate a slice of an onion. Squeeze out the juice. Add this to a glass of water or buttermilk. Add a generous pinch of black pepper powder. Drink this every morning. Raw garlic has proved to be very beneficial in controlling cholesterol levels, so consume 2-3 cloves every day.
Take 2 tlbsp of oats in a cup and cover with water. Microwave for 1 minute (or cook normally). Add 2 walnuts chopped. Add a tlbsp of chopped dates. Add 5 peppercorns. Now add low fat milk to make it a full cup. Mix well to remove any lumps. Now microwave again for a minute (or cook normally). You can also add some fresh seasonal fruit. Have this for breakfast every day.
Avoid foods like red meat, butter, cheese and confectionary items. Remember, cholesterol can lead to other more serious problems, so start addressing it immediately.
