Men and women of all ages spend time taking care of their skin to some degree. Why shouldn’t they? After all, our skin helps take care of us continuously throughout the day, from protecting our bodies to our internal organs, its round-the-clock care helps us in more ways than we give it credit for. So come time that we repair and rejuvenate our skin, what are some safe and effective natural remedies we can try out?

Skin care requires special attention, since everyone is unique. For those with dry skin that leads to peeling, consider increasing vitamins A, B, and C together with proteins. While you’re at it, pick up some veggies, citrus fruits, fish, eggs, milk, carrots, and cheese from the grocery store. Consuming these on a regular basis can help reduce peeling. Taking a warm milk bath or warm bath with a few drops of oat extract once a week will help relieve dry skin as well.

For people dealing with eczema, a condition where symptoms involve an intense urge to scratch their itchy skin, it’s particularly important to find relief since scratching poses risk to infection. Limiting trigger factors such as dairy products and chemicals such as laundry detergent will help immensely. Try drinking tomato juice daily as well.

A more common skin condition is razor burn. Using warm water and soap will reduce the number of nicks and cuts, but what to do when you do get razor burn? Crush a few strawberries and mix in one teaspoon of sour cream, and then apply the mixture to the area. Leave for about fifteen minutes before washing off. Do this until the burn goes away. A trick would be to apply the mixture with a cotton swab each time so you don’t waste too many yummy strawberries on this.

Along with razor burns that often accompany summer days, there are sunburns to discuss. One of the best remedies for sunburn is Aloe Vera. Applying it directly to the skin will provide immediate relief from pain, just as thinly cut cucumbers and a milk-dipped towel would.

As you can see, there are many home remedies that help care of the skin that protects us both inside and out. Keep in mind when trying out these remedies that open cuts and wounds should be covered to minimize risk of infection. Everybody reacts differently to treatment. Should you notice anything peculiar with your skin before or after you try these natural remedies, be sure to seek medical treatment right away.

Menopause certainly has a way of creeping up on women once they reach around age forty.  Some symptoms come and may get ignored, but eventually the irritability and level of discomfort raises until there’s no longer any option but to face the facts head on.  Menopause cannot be avoided and while the symptoms are generally the same between individuals, the severity of the symptoms often varies from woman to woman.  No matter what your unique situation may be, there are options beyond medications that can help relieve menopause symptoms.  These are called natural remedies or home remedies.

Choosing what you eat carefully during your menopause can have a profound impact on the symptoms you endure.  Try deliberately eating more foods that are high in calcium and vitamin D while drinking lots of water and limiting caffeine.  If this is not something that’s easy for you due to eating patterns or diet restrictions, consider taking supplements for these nutrients.

For the more adventurous, try drinking about a quarter cup of beet juice two to three times a day.  This isn’t something for everyone and sure enough, when you notice the pinkish red color in your pee a few hours later, you’ll understand why. But sure enough, this vegetable juice helps provide relief from menopause symptoms.  So for those willing to give it a try, a helpful tip would be to add a bit of sugar to lessen the tart flavor.

This next remedy should sound more welcoming with the new popularity of incorporating Asian flavors and ingredients into the average kitchen.  Soy products like soy milk help to reduce and/or treat menopause symptoms.  These products are usually in the milk alternatives aisle of your local supermarket and are widely available both on and offline too.

For those who suffer from hot flashes, try taking the natural herb, black cohosh. This herb is known for reducing sweating in addition to hot flashes, both of which are common complaints of women enduring menopause.  If this isn’t something you’d like to pursue for treating these specific symptoms, you can try yoga, since many women have experienced success with this form of exercise.

Finally, for the unfortunate ones dealing with insomnia, which is another common menopause symptom, there are a number of strategies you can try:

• Create a nighttime routine to help yourself fall asleep
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sleeping pills
• Keep your bedroom cool and comfortable
• Relax and do not do stimulating activities before getting ready to sleep

Home remedies, just like medication, work differently for different people. Try out the ones you’ve read just now and see how your body responds.  At the end of the day, do what feels right for you and prioritize your health and wellness above all else.  Natural remedies are 100% natural, safe, and easy to try out.  Just remember that if you never try you never know.  What have you got to lose except those pesky menopause symptoms?

Arthritis is a condition that affects millions of people around the world. Contrary to popular belief, it is not just seniors that are affected by this painful condition, which makes the movements of everyday life sometimes unbearable. To seek relief, many turn to over-the-counter medications or get prescription medications from their primary care physician. Beyond these methods however, there are still options to be tried out. Natural remedies are one such option and listed below are examples you can try out at home.

Raw juices made with green fruits and vegetables are recommended for treating arthritis because of its effectiveness over the years of trying and testing. Buy or borrow a juicer and try it for yourself. You might just be amazed at how delicious your road to less painful joints can be. Potato juice has also been highly successful in treating pain and discomfort. But just how do you make potato juice? Well, wash a potato and cut into thin slices, leaving the skin intact. Place a few potato slices into a glass and add cold water, then let it sit overnight and drink the following morning.

Eat fish containing omega 3 fatty acids. If you’re not a fan of fish, try supplements that are widely available at pharmacy and health food stores. The relief you get from your symptoms will make you a true believer that natural remedies are worth a try.

If you’re skeptical of eating foods to feel better, try this external application method for pain relief. Heat up olive oil until it’s just warm and let cool before applying it to your pain affected areas. Be very careful with the temperature of the oil to ensure its cool enough for you skin as to not cause burns. Try adding sage, rosemary, or garlic to the olive oil, about one part to ten parts oil. Relief is immediate.

Here’s another easy remedy to try, if you haven’t already. Take a warm bath that has three to four tablespoons of salt added to it. Use Epson salt and do NOT take a cold bath or shower. Cold temperatures intensify arthritis pain. Instead, try to take a warm salt bath that lasts for about half an hour to relieve your pain and discomfort.

For this next remedy, you may need to consult your physician to see what’s best for you. It’s been shown that a small amount of physical activity can help relieve symptoms, particularly exercises like walking and squeezing a stress ball. In this situation, less is more. Don’t stress out your body by overworking it or you may end up feeling worse.

As presented, there are 100% natural and safe ways to feel better from arthritis through food eaten, applied, and physical activity. Whether it’s you or someone you care about who suffers from pain and discomfort due to this condition, you now know how to feel better in the comfort of your own home, without masking your pain through medications. Best wishes on your journey toward comfort!

Countless people around the world deal with the problematic skin condition of acne. Acne poses risk for scaring or infection when dealt with improperly, so it’s important to seek ways of relieving its annoying and stressful effect with safe tactics.

A quick trip to the local pharmacy reveals a myriad of creams and medications both over-the-counter and prescription types, that guarantee results in bold printed letters. Flipping through television channels eventually leads to a well-known figure endorsing another product that have produced startling results in a short amount of time. And of course, since everyone’s skin is so different, some do experience relief while others don’t with the exact same product.

While the above are common strategies in dealing with acne, it’s important to note that other options are available and not all acne relief methods involve potentially dangerous chemicals. Natural remedies are just this. Using food as ‘medicine’ has enabled many people to discover a safe, natural, and often much cheaper method of acne relief.

Take for example the use of lettuce. First place lettuce into a bowl and cover with cold water for about an hour. Then, the resulting mixture is applied to the skin, acting as a rinse. It’s as easy as it sounds.

Another highly recommended remedy that’s known for its effectiveness in acne treatment involves fresh lime juice and milk. First, boil about half a cup of milk and then let it cool. To the cooled milk, add about half a cup of lime juice. Mix well and apply the mixture to your skin. The temperature of the mixture should feel comfortable and not hot enough to cause burns.

If treating acne that covers only a small area of the face, try using ripe tomatoes. Cut the tomato in half and scrape out the inner wet contents. Apply this to the affected areas and leave on for about an hour before washing off. Tomato paste can also be used.

To prevent scaring and infection, those suffering from acne can use Aloe Vera to keep their skin healthy and soothe their temptation to scratch.

With the above listed home remedies and tips, you’re now aware that beyond traditional approaches to acne care, there’s a world of relief waiting for you that does not involve medications that are both costly and often ineffective and gimmicky. Just give natural home remedies a try because you truly have nothing to lose. It’s completely safe and if nothing else, it’s a great opportunity to try something new with friends and family that may be seeking acne relief just like how you have been.

For many of us, we have a vague recollection of what it felt like to have chicken pox, remembering mainly the itching and scratching. But now as an adult, when we encounter a child with chicken pox, we’re suddenly at a loss for how to help and what to do. For example, did you know that by allowing your child to scratch their itch, it could lead to permanent scarring and heighten the risk of infection? Thankfully, there are natural remedies available to soothe your child’s agony as well as your own worries.

One of the most tried and true remedies is vitamin E oil applied directly to the skin. Doing this once or twice a day will not only help relieving itching but also with the skin’s natural healing process. Scaring is also reduced as a result. Another type of external application is honey. This can get a bit messy, but applying honey to the skin has helped produce a faster rate of recovery with sweet success.

This next method requires a bit more planning. Boil some water on the stove to cook green peas and drain the peas once they are fully cooked. Save the green pea water and let it cool before applying to the skin. Since the peas are uncontaminated, this may just be a good time to make a green pea salad.

Now before any grandmas in the house get irritated at our lack of mention, let’s bring out the good old fashioned, time tested remedy of oatmeal. While a less experienced parent dealing with their child’s pox may opt to apply oatmeal to the skin as the above remedies have suggested, a grandparent knows better. With oatmeal, children with chicken pox experience the most relief when a bathtub is filled with warm water and oatmeal placed in a cloth bag is lowered in. Traditionally, oatmeal is poured directly into the tub, yielding a huge mess and possible clogged drain. Choose your adventure (wisely).

Most remedies involve applying a mixture directly to the skin to relieve the itching, as you’ve noticed from the extensive list above. In terms of food remedies, children may try natural herb teas that help them calm down from their upset and restless mental state from constant unfulfilled desire to scratch. One cup a day will do. Less is more in this case.

Remember that all the remedies listed have been to soothe the child’s physical discomfort. Try to imagine that the child is also suffering from mental stress as well from not understanding what chicken pox is and when, if at all, it’ll go away. Tackle the condition from both angles by providing physical and emotional comfort and your child will feel better all-round very soon.

Should the condition last, please feel free to give us a call, we want to help!

Depression is a complex medical condition that affects millions of people around the world.  It isn’t always obvious who suffers from depression since its severity and symptoms span a wide range. If you or someone you know has depression, it’s important to seek medical attention right away because it can lead to dangerous thoughts including suicide.  The following information regarding home remedies is only for people feeling depressed or down on occasion.

Eating healthy foods is a 100% natural and safe method of maintaining happiness. Drink lots of water and increase your intake of fruits and veggies.  Staying healthy isn’t complicated, but it does take intentional effort and planning when you go to the grocery store. Try writing a list before you go of your favorite fruits and vegetables and include a few of the foods mentioned below.

Asparagus

The asparagus root is highly recommended for treating depression. The root should be squeezed and crushed until powder appears. If you do this improperly a powder will not form.  Consume about one to two grams of this powder daily.

Apples

Apples are high in vitamin B and potassium, both of which help treat depression. Try developing a habit of eating an apple a day.  Some people find this remedy even more helpful by pairing the apple with a glass of milk and/or some honey.

Eggs/Green Vegetables/Whole Grain Foods/Fish

All these foods are also high in vitamin B and provide the same depression relief as do apples, so you can benefit from more food options.

Rose Petals

Mix a few rose petals with hot water and wait until it cools before drinking.  Some people prefer adding a bit of sugar to help with the taste.  Personally, I can’t keep my mind off soap when I do this, so I opt for natural herbal teas, which are just as great.

Asides from food remedies, relaxation has been proven to help people find relief from depression.  Staying still and focusing on breathing works for a lot of people.  For others, instructional videos, books, or online tutorials on relaxation are a great place to look for additional resources and options. Also seek your physicians input and keep in mind that medications have also been proven to help with depression.

While we’re on the topic of relaxation though, let’s discuss one more method of relief.  Never underestimate the beneficial effects of a relaxing warm water bath.  Heighten this experience by dimming the bathroom lights and reducing any noise to a minimum. Candles can be used too, but just be careful.

It’s worthwhile to note that professional medical advice is invaluable and should be sought after even for those that experience depression on occasion.  Depression can be chronic and while the above remedies are helpful in soothing the symptoms, always do what is best for your health.

We want to help you, give us a call today!

Ladies, we all know it. Menstrual cramps suck.  There’s no sugar coating what is inevitably a bad experience that comes every month.  Most people reach for medications that provide temporary pain relief when the going gets particularly tough. But speaking from experience, too much medication can lead to your body, specifically your gut, wearing out. But what’s a gal to do? Here are some home remedies you can try to get much needed relief from your menstrual cramps.

Across cultures, ginger is highly recommended and rated for its applications in soothing menstrual cramps.  Ginger can be taken in many forms, but fresh is always best.  Try grinding up about a teaspoon of fresh ginger, swallowing it and then drinking a glass of water immediately.  Personally, I prefer to add the teaspoon of fresh ginger to a glass of hot water and waiting for it to cool slightly before drinking all the contents.  Do this for each day that you’re in your menstrual cycle and you’ll experience comfort for sure.

A more exotic remedy is the banana flower. Cook the flower completely and eat it with curd. This will help reduce your pain and flow.

Eat leafy vegetables and whole grain foods for their magnesium content.  This way, you avoid the detriment that sometimes come along with taking magnesium supplements since too much of this mineral can lead to diarrhea and muscle weakness.

Fish lovers, here is some good news. Eating fatty fish containing omega 3 fatty acids helps reduce pain as well when consumed on a regular basis, instead of just when your menstrual cramps are here.  For those who prefer not to eat fish, omega 3 fatty acid supplements are now widely available and don’t worry, they don’t smell or tasty fishy at all.

Together with what you can eat to feel better, you can also increase you level of physical activity. Do what feels good, without overworking your body.  Try simple exercises that don’t require a gym membership, like walking, running, or aerobics and yoga. The good news for those lacking motivation in this area is that simply stretching can relieve pain in some individuals.

While the above are strategies you can test to relieve menstrual cramps, you must keep in mind that each person is unique and some remedies may work better on one person than another. Keep in mind before you suggest these to someone else that some people may be allergic to certain foods or herbal supplements.  At the end of the day, do what feels right to you and soon you’ll be on your way to relief from your monthly menstrual cramps.

If you want to discuss with a professional about menstrual and hormonal irregularities, book an appointment at Naturopath Vancouver, a Vancouver Naturopathic clinic,  at your earliest convenience.

Naturopath Vancouver BC

Allergy symptoms range from minor irritability to more severe degree of impairment in carrying on daily life at home, work, and play. Common approaches to seeking relief requires a quick trip to the local pharmacy where over-the-counter medications are often well stocked and recommended by friends and family alike. However, if you’re someone who prefers to reduce your intake of medications or you’re weary of what exactly is in those small white pills, you definitely have other options. Home remedies for allergies are more common than you think, with its effectiveness resulting in their ability to continue being passed down generations. See if any of the following appeal to you as remedies to relieving your allergies.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Don’t let the taste deter you. It’s highly recommended for its potency to treat allergies in addition to its beneficial effects towards weight loss, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. To soothe your taste buds, try mixing two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with juice or water every day and watch as your allergies improve.

Red Clover
This home remedy is available in many formats, with the most popular being red clover tea. Red clover wine and herbal supplements (in pill form) are also available.

Fruits & Vegetables
A easy place to start trying a home remedy to soothe allergy symptoms would probably be one of the following. Try squeezing fresh lime juice into your water, or drinking vegetable juices if you aren’t already. Bananas have also been recommended for their effectiveness in fighting allergies.

Acupuncture
This is where sterile needles are placed into the body with utmost precision by an experienced acupuncturist to help treat and relieve symptoms of allergies (in addition to its use in many other areas). Local health spas sometimes offer this to clients, but there are also specialized clinics for this type of treatment.

Other Tips to Reducing Allergies

1. If you have pets, try to limit their area of activity to away from where you spend the most time. Most of the time, this means keeping pets away from the bedroom and work/study room and spending quality time with them in common areas like the living room and kitchen. This will help reduce your exposure to this type of allergen.

2. Mold triggers allergies. Limit your home’s humidity levels by encouraging everyone to use the bathroom fan during and after showers, keeping windows open whenever possible and staying alert for signs of mold growth. If mold has already grown in your home, call a local company about proper removal and prevention strategies for the future. In the meantime, stay away from the affected areas as much as possible.

For more tips on how to get rid of your allergies naturally, book an appointment with naturopath vancouver here.

The above listed home remedies and tips work differently for different people. See what you’re enticed to try and look for new strategies to approach your allergies this season apart from reaching at the medicine cabinet. The possibilities with natural allergy remedies are endless, so rest assured – relief is on its way.