- Scores of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals are dedicated to eliminating aspects of the common cold. These medicines help with the symptoms, but there are just as many home remedies that will help. For example, if you want to open up your breathing passages and build up your body's cold-fighting abilities, try garlic soup once a day. Boil several cloves of chopped garlic in water or, as an extra bonus, put it in chicken broth. Garlic opens up respiratory passages and contains antiseptic ingredients. It cleans out bodily toxins and lowers fevers. Ginger is another excellent remedy for colds and coughs. Add several smaller pieces of fresh ginger into boiled water and let it steep, then drink a couple of cups of this home-brewed tea a day.
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How many billions of pills do people take every year because of headaches? Some headaches go away when putting some food in our stomachs or taking a nap. Others, especially ones from sinus pressure, do not go away easily. For these, remedies that relieve the pressure often help. For example, put an ice pack on your forehead, temples or other areas that are painful. Take a hot shower. Another method is to press gently for 10 seconds on those areas that hurt. Release the pressure and then repeat the action several times.
If you feel a headache coming on and are getting sleepy, drink a glass of water. Headaches are often caused by dehydration, especially if you have been in the sun. Or, sometimes it is blood sugar that is causing the problem. Eat a small snack with protein, such as cheese or nuts. If you feel a migraine coming, immediately lie down in a cool, dark and quiet room and put a cool washcloth on your forehead. - The word "heartburn" does not begin to convey the reality of the ailment. When we get heartburn, it has nothing to do with our heart. Rather, the pain we feel from heartburn, properly called pyrosis, is a problem with how our stomachs are digesting food. Some of the acids from our stomach start rising into the esophagus. If you have problems with heartburn, do not eat spicy or oily foods. Also, it is critical that you sit up after eating. Lying down will aggravate the problem. Eat six smaller meals a day, rather than three big ones. Your stomach can only handle so much food at a time. Once again, ginger tea can be helpful. Or, while you are eating, sip a small glass of water mixed with a teaspoon of cider vinegar. Finally, eat at least two to three hours before bedtime.
- Are you one of those people who always feel tired? There is hope. Exercise, a good diet and rest are essential. Rise and shine about 15 minutes earlier, so you do not have to rush around and get stressed. You may not like it, but that breakfast is important. Stay away from simple carbohydrates such as donuts, and eat whole grain cereals or bread along with some protein, such as milk or cheese, which will also give you the fats you require. Instead of sitting around after lunch or breakfast, take at 20-minute brisk walk several times a week. At night, follow a structured way of getting ready for bed. You are training your mind to say, "It's time to sleep now."
