Have you ever had someone walk past you wearing perfume or some other fragrance and received an instant headache? Scented candles, soaps and detergents and even shampoos all contain fragrances that can be harmful to your health. Let’s explore some of the most dangerous fragrances, where they hide and how you can avoid them.

Why Avoid Chemical Fragrances?

Chemical fragrances contain just that, chemicals. Here are a few facts that may surprise you: Read the rest of this entry

Scrapes and bruises are a part of everyday life. Some of us, it seems, whether we’re accident prone or adventurous or maybe a little bit of both get scraped up daily. While there are many handy over the counter remedies to clean cuts, reduce swelling, prevent infection and promote healing there are twice as many natural remedies which accomplish the same thing. Nature really does take good care of us.

Let’s look at some natural remedies for scrapes and bruises:

1. Witch hazel. This plant is actually a deciduous shrub and the bark and leaves are an astringent which can be used to disinfectant to clean skin. It’s also commonly used to treat sore muscles and swollen tissue. Read the rest of this entry

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a condition that plagues many. In fact, it’s been estimated that 1 in 5 people suffers from IBS. Symptoms range from abdominal pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea and/or constipation. It’s uncomfortable to say the least. If you suffer from IBS here are a few powerful and natural IBS remedies to consider:

1. Peppermint oil

   Peppermint oil is a great treatment for nausea and other digestive ailments. It is also commonly used to treat IBS. It not only relieves abdominal pain and bloating, it helps to eliminate gas and improve muscle function in the stomach and intestines.

   Peppermint oil is often taken by placing a few drops in a glass of water however, it’s recommended that IBS suffers take it as an enteric coated capsule. This coating prevents it from being absorbed to early, which can cause heartburn. You can take too much peppermint oil and it’s recommended to speak with a physician or medical practitioner before beginning a peppermint oil regimen. It does have a few side effects and may interact with certain pharmaceuticals.

2. Probiotics

   Probiotics are commonly referred to as good bacteria. We often eat yogurt to increase the number of good bacteria in our digestive tract. They help suppress the growth of harmful bacteria and have a positive influence on our immune system and overall health.

   It is theorized that people who suffer from IBS may have an overgrowth of bad bacteria in their intestinal tract. And studies have shown certain Probiotic bacteria to improve IBS symptoms. There are a number of different Probiotic strains and not all have shown to improve IBS however, one in particular, B. infantis, has shown great success in reducing symptoms.

3. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum

   One particularly distressing symptom of IBS is constipation, which is often followed by diarrhea. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG) is a water soluble, non-gelling fiber, which has been shown to reduce constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain. It’s also been shown to increase the amount of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. PHGG can be found in health food stores and markets and is generally sold as a fiber product.

4. Food allergies and sensitivities

   For many, IBS is caused by simple food intolerances. For example, diary and gluten are prime candidates. These sensitivities and food allergies may cause an immune response in your intestines. Your body is unable to process them effectively and becomes inflamed. This inflammation and inability to process the items may cause an imbalance in the bacteria we mentioned earlier when talking about probiotics.

   Thus eliminating these foods from your diet will have a profound effect on your IBS symptoms. While dairy and grains are the most common culprits, other foods can also irritate your intestines. An elimination diet is often necessary to be able to determine which foods you’re sensitive to and are causing your IBS.

Natural IBS remedies often require strict attention to your diet, a careful supplementation regimen and a commitment to live symptom free. Many IBS suffers and practitioners recommend keeping a journal and tracking your diet, supplements and symptoms to find the optimal natural IBS remedy solution for you.

Anxiety and stress are part of our life. They’re our body’s way of coping. And some anxiety is good. It can even save your life. However, the majority of the anxiety you feel causes a whole host of side effects, which over time can have a detrimental effect on your health. Rather than take a pharmaceutical to manage anxiety, take advantage of nature and consider on of these 5 natural anxiety cures.

1. Passion flower

   Passion flower has a long history as an anxiety reliever and was commonly used as a folk remedy. More recently, passion flower has been studied as an effective means of reducing anxiety. However, passion flower is not without side effects, as is the case with many herbs. Passion flower side effects may include nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, and rapid heartbeat.

Read the rest of this entry

Insomnia affects around 1 in 10 people and can range from mildly annoying to downright debilitating. Insomnia isn’t just the inability to fall asleep, it can also occur if you wake too often throughout the night or if you wake and feel un-rested.

Here are 10 tips to overcome insomnia naturally:

1. Pull the shades tight

   Our bodies are regulated by our circadian rhythms. These rhythms are directly influenced by light. That means even a trip to the bathroom where you turn on the light can have a negative effect on the rest of your sleep that night. And a cumulative effect over time. Pull the shades tight so you’re sleeping in darkness. To wake, consider investing in a natural alarm clock, which gradually brightens emulating the rising sun.

2. Turn off technology

   Television, computers and video games are all stimulating and can impede sleep. Give yourself at least an hour before bedtime without these distractions and by all means, keep them out of your bedroom.

3. Cool it

   If your bedroom is too hot, then you’re not going to be able to sleep. Experts recommend keeping your thermostat no higher than 70 degrees though the cooler the better.

4. Create a schedule and stick to it

   Sleep schedules are important. They tell your body what to expect and you’ll sleep better when you develop and stick to it. For example, doctors and health experts recommend 8 hours of sleep a night so you could go to bed at 11pm each night and wake at 7am.

5. Routines help

   Just like a schedule helps your body know what to expect, a sleep routine can also help get your mind prepared for a good night of sleep. Many people read before they go to bed, they listen to calming music, journal or pray. Create a sleep routine that calms your mind and prepares you for a good night’s sleep.

6. Avoid sugary foods before bed

   For a long time people advised against eating before bed however, the problem isn’t necessarily with eating, it’s what you eats. Starchy carbs and foods high in carbohydrates can cause a spike in blood sugar and a subsequent plummet. This blood sugar roller coaster ride is terrible for sleep. Instead, if you need a snack, consume a lean protein with a bit of whole grains.

7. Avoid caffeine

   Some people are particularly sensitive to caffeine and may not know that the cup of coffee they’re drinking in the morning may be preventing them from sleeping that night. If you’re a caffeine addict, all hope is not lost.

   Consider quitting caffeine for a few weeks and monitor your sleep. If your sleep doesn’t improve when you’re off the caffeine then you know that’s not your problem, however it’s still wise to not drink any caffeine after noon. Be aware that teas and some foods also contain caffeine, not just coffee.

8. Consider melatonin

   Your body naturally produces melatonin, a hormone that influences sleep. Light and darkness play a role in your body’s production of this hormone however sometimes it can get off kilter and the result is poor sleep and insomnia. You can find melatonin supplements in your natural food store.

9. Use valerian

   Another item you’ll find in your natural food store is the herb, valerian. While it smells something awful, it’s commonly used to treat insomnia by calming and relaxing. It comes in both capsule form and valerian tea, which tastes much better than it smells.

10. Avoid alcohol

    Alcohol makes sleeping quite difficult for most people. While it’s a depressant and causes relaxation alcohol doesn’t let your body fall into the deeper stages of sleep. This means you may fall asleep quite well once your head hits the pillow however you’ll wake a few hours later and be unable to fall back to sleep.

Ultimately, diet and exercise play an important role in your sleep and in preventing insomnia. The better care you take of yourself, the better you’ll be able to sleep. That being said, these 10 natural insomnia remedies are safe and effective whether your insomnia is an occasional occurrence or a chronic problem.