Home Remedies for Hay Fever

Hay Fever also known as nasal allergies, pollinosis or seasonal allergic rhinitis is a collection of symptoms. Hay fever is an allergy to dust, pollen or dander in the air. It mainly causes allergy to the eyes and nose. Hay fever is seasonal; however it can last throughout the year if the allergens are present in the air throughout the year. Spring and fall are the two main seasons for hay fever.

Hay Fever Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of hay fever are as follows Coughing, Headache, Itching of nose, mouth, eyes, throat, ear and skin, Red and watery eyes, Runny and stuffy nose, Impaired smell, Sneezing, Sore throat, Wheezing, Fatigue and trouble in sleeping.

Allergens in the body

Hay fever is caused when the allergens enter our body. Hay fever allergens are airborne substances that enter our mouth, nose, throat, and lungs. Pollens are the most common hay fever allergen. They are the male sex cell of a plant. Wind carries these pollens to other plants of same species. Our immune system reacts to these allergens and produces an antibody, immunoglobulin E (IgE) to resist it. This IgE releases certain chemicals like histamine, to flush the pollen out of the airways.

Use of honey and petroleum jelly

Add some honey to boiled minced grapefruit and lemon. Have this solution three times a day. To stop irritation in your nose, apply little petroleum jelly inside your nose. Boil chamomile in water and inhale fumes from the water.

Hay Fever Diet

Eat a clean, healthy and balanced diet. Include vitamin C in your diet. Avoid flour, sugar, salt and dairy products for one week. Drink plenty of filtered water and herbal tea. Eat good quality protein.

Other Suggestions for Hay Fever

Avoid going out early in the morning or late in the evening. At this time pollen count in air is comparatively more. Avoid using nasal spray continuously for three days. It may increase congestion of nose. Avoid smoking and air pollutants.

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Home Remedies for Hyperthyroidism

The thyroid gland is an important part of the body’s endocrine system. It is located in the throat, close to the voice box. The thyroid gland produces the thyroxin hormone which is essential for the proper functioning of the body’s metabolism process.

Any imbalance in the thyroid gland can disrupt the body’s metabolism. These imbalances usually translate as excessive production of the thyroid hormone (known as hyperthyroidism) or inadequate production of the thyroid hormone (known as hypothyroidism). Hyperthyroidism is a medical condition wherein the thyroid gland produces excessive thyroid hormones. This overactive thyroid function results in several of the body’s functions speeding up, especially the metabolic process.

Symptoms for Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is characterized by certain common symptoms including weight loss, palpitation, nervousness, insomnia, fatigue, excessive sweating, hair loss, muscle weakness, tremors, irritability, and rapid heartbeat.

Causes for Hyperthyroidism

There are a number of reasons for the onset of hyperthyroidism. Some of the common causes are hereditary and environmental causes; excessive iodine in the system; an autoimmune condition known as Graves’ disease; tumors; non-cancerous growths of the thyroid gland; viral infection leading to thyroid infection. Hyperthyroidism can’t be cured but it can be easily controlled with the use of medication and appropriate lifestyle changes.

Home Remedies for Hyperthyroidism

Apart from conventional medical therapy, there are a number of complementary home remedies that can help you control the condition and that can negate any possible side effects that might be caused by medication. The following home remedies can help improve hyperthyroidism:

• Herbal teas make for an excellent home remedy for hyperthyroid. Teas like green tea and lemon balm are rich in antioxidants and are known to soothe the overactive thyroid.

• Herbal supplements like bugleweed and motherwort help control symptoms of hyperthyroidism. These herbal supplements can be purchased as tablets or in a powder form. While these supplements are easily available, be sure to consult your doctor before starting a course of herbal medication.

• It is very important to cut out stimulants like alcohol, caffeine and tobacco from your regime as they tend to flare the condition.

• The best and most effective natural remedy for an overactive thyroid is daily exercise (a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise daily is recommended) and a balanced diet.

Diet for Hyperthyroidism

An adequate hyperthyroid diet needs a healthy helping of proteins, minerals and vitamins. Include foods like poultry, yellow fruits and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower in the diet plan. Foods that need to be avoided include dairy, seafood, chocolate and other iodine rich foods.

Other Suggestions for Hyperthyroidism

Along with medication and proper diet there are a number of alternative therapies that can help control hyperthyroidism. Yoga exercises including yoga postures and breathing exercises specifically target the thyroid and correct imbalances. Deep breathing also improves oxygen intake and blood circulation. This helps individuals shake off fatigue and feel re-energized. Similar benefits can be derived from acupuncture, massage therapy, reflexology and aromatherapy. In addition to these alternative adequate sleep (at least eight hours of complete sleep per day) goes a long way in maintaining good health despite an over active thyroid.

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Home Remedies for Laryngitis

Have you woken up with a sore throat and find yourself having to struggle to utter even a few words? Maybe you’ve lost your voice entirely and can only communicate in hoarse whispers. This condition, which is known as laryngitis, is caused due to an inflammation in the voice box, or larynx.

Symptoms of Laryngitis

The primary symptom of laryngitis is hoarseness. You may lose your voice to some extent or completely. You may also experience constant irritation in your throat and may feel the need to clear it. In addition to a sore throat, laryngitis may be accompanied by fever, congestion, and cough.

Causes of Laryngitis

There are a number of things that can cause laryngitis. Let us take a look at some of them:

• The most common cause of laryngitis is a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection.

• Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and syphilis are also prime causes of laryngitis.

• Allergies and respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and sinusitis can also precipitate laryngitis.

• Overuse of the vocal chords may also cause laryngitis. This can be usually experienced when you’ve been to an event where you’ve been cheering or yelling at the top of your lungs. Public speakers and vocalists can also frequently experience bouts of laryngitis.

• Excessive smoking or consumption of alcohol may also cause laryngitis.

• A prolonged cough can also strain the vocal chords and lead to laryngitis.

• Exposure to atmospheric irritants or harsh chemicals can also lead to laryngitis.

• Those suffering from gastroesophageal reflux may also experience laryngitis.

Home Remedies for Laryngitis

If laryngitis is caused due to a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, or sue to some other underlying disease, the treatment prescribed by your doctor should be followed. In addition, here are some simple home remedies that will to speed up healing process and help you get your voice back quicker.

• A saltwater gargle is the best home remedy for laryngitis and a sore throat. Simply mix half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water and gargle with it several times a day. The salt water helps to soothe your throat and kills any infections.

• Gargling with an antiseptic and antibacterial mouthwash can also help to kill the germs that have infected your larynx.

• A solution made from equal amounts of vinegar and water can also be used to kill the bacteria. Gargle with this solution four to five times a day.

Diet for Laryngitis

In addition to these home remedies, what you eat can also have a significant effect on curing laryngitis. Let us see how:

• Garlic and ginger have strong anti-microbial properties. In addition, they also boost your immune system. So make sure that you use plenty of garlic and ginger in your food when you’ve laryngitis.

• A hot cup of ginger tea can do wonders for your throat and your larynx.

Other Suggestions for Laryngitis

When combined with proper medication, these home remedies and diet tips are more than enough to cure laryngitis. Here are some more things to keep in mind when you’ve lost your voice:

• Give your voice some rest. Laryngitis is a great opportunity to not speak. Do not try to strain your vocal chords unnecessarily. Also, if you do have to speak, try to speak normally instead of whispering, because whispering places additional strain on your vocal chords.

• If the air is very dry it makes sense to use a humidifier to moisten the air. Dry air only irritates your throat and further aggravates the situation.

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