Natural cures for Insomnia

Do you struggle to get to sleep no matter how tired you are?

Do you wake up in the middle of the night and find it hard to go back to sleep?

Insomnia is a rather common sleeping disorder that is known to affect approximately one-third of the adult population worldwide. Stress, extreme temperature fluctuations, medication side-effects, noisy environment and hormonal changes can trigger this sleep disorder in many individuals. These natural approaches might help you get some rest:

• Bring your body to a relaxed state before your nap time by taking a warm bath. However, don’t overdo it because bathing in warm water for long can exhaust your body. Massages are also known to work the tension out of your muscles and get you to sleep
• A glass of warm milk when consumed 15 minutes before going to bed soothes your nervous system. Milk is a rich source of calcium which works directly on jagged nerves, making you feel at ease. If you are not a big fan of milk and dairy products then a hot cup of herbal tea can give similar results. Most health food stores will also have special blends of herb tea designed to soothe your senses and promote uninterrupted sleep.
• Listen to some soft, soothing music that will lull you to sleep. You can easily access exclusive music CD’s that are designed solely for this purposes.
• Drink 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in 8 ounces of water just before bedtime. Although this home remedy does not have any medical/scientific backing, there are many who have tried this remedy and found it to be extremely effective.
  https://www.everydayhealth.com/sleep-pictures/home-cures-for-insomnia.aspx#04
• Avoid untimely naps throughout the day. Napping during the day can make it more difficult to sleep at night. If you are extremely drowsy and feel like you have to take a nap, limit it to 30 minutes only.
• Create a comfortable and serene ambience in your bedroom. Make sure that the surrounding is quiet, dark, and cool. Make sure that your bed is not too hard nor too soft and that your pillows are in proper balance.
• Cherry juice can also help you doze off, because it is naturally high in melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your body’s sleep-wake cycles
• Limit your caffeine intake as it stimulates your brain and affects your sleep. If you are an insomniac, avoid food or beverages that contain caffeine after noon.
• Once you are ready to hit the bed, keep away all gadgets including your smart phones. As per a recent study, the blue wavelengths produced by smart phones and other gadgets significantly subdues the production of Melatonin – a hormone that helps you fall asleep
• Meditation can also help you calm your mind and put aside thoughts from the day which in turn promotes healthy sleep patterns thereby alleviating sleep disorders
  If you’ve tried the insomnia cures listed above and are still having sleep problems, it is recommended to seek professional help

Did you know…?

1 Organ Donor can save up to 8 Lives and up to 25 different organs and tissues can be donated for transplantation.

Organ donation has always been a controversial subject but a selfless act like this can easily tilt the balance of life and death in favor of a person in need. An individual that does not suffer from any chronic illness is a potential donor. Lack of knowledge and awareness has led to the development of false notions about organ donation.

Understandably, potential donors may have a few reservations about organ donation, which is why we have compiled a list of reasons that will hopefully motivate you to take the first step in giving someone the gift of life. Here are a few benefits of Organ Donation:

Social Responsibility

Every year thousands of people die while waiting for a transplant in the absence of a suitable donor. By pledging your organs you will not only be doing a humanitarian deed and fulfilling your social responsibility but also ensuring that a part of you survives even after your death.

Giving the transplant recipients a second chance at a normal life

Patients suffering from organ failure often have to continue expensive and painful treatments in order to survive. By donating your organs, you can relieve them of such costly routine treatments and give them a fair chance to improve the quality of their life

By donating an organ, the family of the deceased donor, can somewhat be able to feel a sense of goodness that comes from a tragedy. Although the sorrow of losing a loved one cannot be overcome, many grief-struck families of organ donors can at least find solace in the fact that someone on this planet is able to live a productive life because of their deceased relative.

Another advantage for donors and their families is that all costs for organ transplants are covered by recipients or the organ transplant program.

Living persons too can donate a kidney, portions of the liver, lung, pancreas, intestines, blood, and still continue to live a normal life. Most of the times, people volunteer to donate their organ in part or full to an ailing relative but there have been cases whereby individuals have agreed to perform this noble act for strangers completely on humanitarian grounds.

The success rate of organ transplant is high but unfortunately not many people come forward to pledge their organs for the good of an ailing patient.

Your organs benefit someone else after your death but your memory will live on for the grateful people who receive your organs.

Register to be an organ donor today and make a difference by giving someone the Gift of Life:
https://bit.ly/1o8oFAx

Backache is commonly experienced by the middle-aged or elderly population. Improper diet, lack of physical activity, muscle tension, poor posture, arthritis, and excess physical strain can trigger this health problem. Backache can make it extremely difficult for a person to carry out his/her day-to-day activities. These Natural remedies can prove to be very helpful in reducing its impact:

Apply some ginger paste on the affected region, followed by eucalyptus oil. Ginger contains anti-inflammatory compounds which gives instant relief from back pain. Bathing with warm water that contains 15-20 drops of eucalyptus oil is also known to offer some relief from lower back pain

Boil 10 to 12 basil leaves in a cup of water until the water evaporates to half. Allow it to cool down to room temperature then add a pinch of salt to it. Drink this syrup once or twice a day if you have mild or severe back pain.

Herbal oil massage helps in muscle relaxation and gives instant relief from the pain. You can use a mixture of several herbal oils like coconut, eucalyptus, almond, sesame, mustard etc. Heat the oil until warm and massage it gently on the aching area of your back.

Honey is blessed with several healing properties. Consuming 1 tablespoon of honey with a glass of warm water every day is known to be very helpful in relieving backache. A special kind of honey named ‘Manuka’ when massaged gently on the lower back for a period of 2 to 3 weeks can also treat this problem effectively.

Eating 2 to 3 cloves of garlic every morning on an empty stomach has proven to be extremely beneficial in preventing back pain. Heat coconut oil with mustard/sesame oil on low heat. Add 8-10 cloves of garlic to it and fry the garlic until it turns brown. Now strain the oil and allow it to reach room temperature. Massage your back gently with this oil, leave it on for some time and bathe in warm water.

Turmeric is used since ages for treating various illnesses, including back pain. Prepare a paste by mixing 2 tablespoons of turmeric with 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of milk. Rub this paste gently on the lower back area for 5 to 8 minutes for a period of 1-2 weeks until the pain subsides.

Drinking Aloe Vera juice every day is another effective method of reducing the impact of back pain. You can also try rubbing fresh Aloe Vera gel on the lower back for instant relief from the pain.

While the temperature outside is soaring high by the day, it is extremely vital to make sure that our body is equipped to deal with this harsh weather condition. Summer is often accompanied by a plethora of health problems which can be prevented as well as treated with the right measures. Let us take a look at some of the most prominent health concerns of this season:

Heat stroke is a serious kind of hyperthermia that is triggered when the human body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate.

Remedy: When suffering from a heat stroke, it is very important to bring down the body’s temperature as soon as possible. Switch on the air conditioner or take a cold shower. Stay hydrated, avoid physical exertion and wear lose/light-shaded clothes

Prickly heat is a bacterial infection that is triggered by excess accumulation of sweat on a certain part of the skin. It mainly affects the neck & back region.

Remedy: Apply medicated talcum powder to the affected areas. Wear loose clothing and take cold showers twice a day. Keep the infected area dry & clean

Sun burn occurs when ultra-violet rays burns the skin, resulting in dark patches.

Remedy: Avoid direct exposure to sun rays especially during summers, between 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Make a paste from 6 peeled cucumber juice, 2 cups of powdered milk and 2 teaspoons of dried lavender powder. Apply this paste to the tanned skin

Heat cramps occur in the form of muscle pain/spasms and can be a result of strenuous physical activity.

Remedy: Relax your muscles and rest in a cool place. Consume electrolyte-enriched drinks. Even after the cramps subside, wait for some time before getting back to the strenuous activity in order to avoid heat exhaustion

Foot infection: Sweat and humidity often paves way for the build-up of bacteria on the feet, leading to infection during summer

Remedy: Apply a good quality anti-bacterial powder to the affected area. Make sure to scrub your feet properly while taking a shower. This will help you get rid of the bacteria

Sun tan: Tanning is body’s way of protecting the internal organs from any harm caused by exposure to the ultra violet rays. Sun tan makes the skin one shade darker.

Remedy: Prepare a mixture with 5 tablespoons of rosewater and 1 tablespoon of lime. Apply this mixture to the tanned skin before bed time and rinse it the next morning.

Heat Exhaustion symptoms include excessive sweating followed by weakness, nausea, dizziness, muscle cramps, headache and even fainting

Remedy: Just like all other heat related illnesses, this ailment also requires the recipient to make immediate efforts to cool down the body temperature. Cold shower is a must. He/she can also consume chilled non-alcoholic beverages

Rosacea is a skin condition whereby the blood vessels dilate due to direct contact with heat, leaving a reddish appearance on the skin

Prevention: Use a good quality sunscreen with SPF30+. Avoid direct sunlight

Dehydration is a physical state wherein the body almost stops sweating. Symptoms of dehydration also include muscle cramps, feeling of nausea, palpitations and light-headedness

Prevention/Remedy: Always keep water handy before you move out in the sun. If dehydration is accompanied by fever, visit your physician
Dandruff is often aggravated during summer season mainly because of the sweat that is generated and accumulated within the scalp.

Remedy: Apply hot olive/sesame oil on your scalp before bedtime. The next morning, rub little lime juice on the scalp at least an hour before bathing. Rinse your hair well.

Obesity has emerged as a universal health threat that is linked to heart diseases, diabetes, blood pressure and many serious ailments. In addition to adding a distinctive flavor to Indian food, chillies are accompanied by plenty of health benefits. Let us take a look at some of the most prominent health benefits of Chili peppers:

Minimizes Appetite

According to research studies, spicing your meals with chili peppers diminishes appetite which automatically results in less consumption of food, thereby adding less weight to the body.

Boosts Metabolism

Chillies contain a substance called ‘Capsaicin’ which is known to boost the metabolic process, reduce negative cholesterol and decrease fatty deposits in the blood stream.

Promotes healthy bone development

Chili peppers contain high amounts of calcium, which is primarily responsible for bone health. Sufficient intake of chili peppers can provide people who are allergic to dairy products with the same minerals essential to keep their teeth and bones strong.

Reduces sugar levels from the bloodstream

Studies conducted in the past have shown that after consuming meals that were prepared with chili peppers, diabetics needed lower amounts of insulin to regulate their blood sugar levels. This proves the fact that chilies are helpful for diabetes patients and overweight individuals.

Prevents inflammation and Reduces Joint pain

Owing to the presence of a substance called ‘Capsaicin’, Chili peppers are known to reduce inflammation and ease joint pain especially the ones that are associated with arthritis. Many medicated creams & lotions that contain high amounts of capsaicin appear to be extremely effective in the treatment of arthritis, back pain and other similar conditions.

Improves blood circulation

Circulation brings blood to our muscles, color to our skin, focus to our brains, and removes toxins and lactic acid. Chillies assist in thinning the bloodstream which promotes better circulation and provides optimum defense against strokes.

Promotes Digestion

For years health professionals have warned people suffering from acid reflux or stomach ulcers to stay away from spicy foods but the findings of recent research studies prove otherwise. ‘Cayenne’ in chillies play an important role in the production of hydrochloric acid which not only promotes digestion but also cuts down on gas/bloatedness and eases stomach aches associated with ulcers.