Hemorrhoids are the swelling and inflammation of veins in the rectum and anus caused by increased straining during bowel movements caused by constipation or diarrhea. Increased straining during menstruation due to constipation caused by water retention in women is a common cause. Other causes include hypertension, obesity, and pregnancy, excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine and cigarette smoking during bowel movements.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids include irritation and itching around the anus, blood in the feces, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl. Protruding internal hemorrhoids can protrude through the anus outside the body and become irritated and painful. Hemorrhoids are not life threatening or dangerous and usually the symptoms go away after a few days. It is important when cleaning the area of hemorrhoids you do not rub or do anything to cause irritation as this will delay the healing process.

Herbal remedies for hemorrhoids include:

-Stoneroot (Collinsonia) found in most health food stores. Take two capsules (375 milligrams each) twice a day with a glass of water while you have the symptoms.

-Mango seeds dried and powdered with honey are an effective way to relieve the bleeding that hemorrhoids cause. Drink a dosage of about 1.5 grams daily while you have symptoms.

-Soaking in a warm tub of water is one of the best relievers of the symptoms of hemorrhoids.

-A high fiber diet which includes plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grain foods with plenty of liquids is one of the most efficient preventive measures. Six-Eight glasses of water is the recommended dosage for most adults.

-Taking a mixture of fresh ginger juice, honey, and lemon juice with a mint leave mixed in has been used for treatment. Use about a teaspoonful twice a day for relief.

Other remedies include black mustard and plain yogurt, and also white leadwort grounded to a powder but the effectiveness of these has not been tested.

A cough is a protective, primitive reflex in healthy individuals and may be a sign of respiratory infections such as the common cold, pneumonia, pertussis, and tuberculosis. Individuals who smoke, often have a smoker’s cough which is a loud hacking cough resulting in the expiration of phlegm.  Coughing has also been linked to air pollution.

 A major cause of coughing is bronchitis, 90-95% of bronchitis is due directly to smoking.  If you are a smoker stop smoking and avoid those who smoke. Other people’s smoking could be the cause of your bronchitis. If you have bronchitis, drinking fluids will loosen the mucus and make it watery and easier to cough up.

A home remedy for coughing is a tea made from fresh ginger root, lemon, and garlic. Slice or grate the ginger, combine half of the lemon (fruit and peel), a clove of garlic mashed, and a spoonful of honey into a pan containing 2 cups of water. Bring the combination to a boil, then turn down the heat and let simmer for 20 minutes. Strain into a cup and add more honey for sweetening and drink. This tea has been described as extremely invigorating and effective.

Other remedies include:

 mixing a tablespoon of honey with pepper and taking orally

mixing a teaspoon of honey with a shot of vodka or brandy

drinking cups of hot tea with lemon juice

Try these great home remedies and one of them should work for you.

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor and I offer this information not as medical advice but for general purposes. You should seek professional medical help before trying any of the above home remedies.

Genital Herpes also known as Herpes simplex II has the symptoms of burning sores on the genitals, fever or weakness. As far as we know, Herpes simplex II is incurable but there are some things to do to prevent or lessen the attack. After the initial attack subsequent attacks will be infrequent and not as severe as the first.  Here are a few things that have been found to relieve symptoms and in some cases make the attacks almost seem to never appear.

A prescription medication called acyclovir has been known to reduce the frequency of attacks by 90%.  It is marketed under the names Cyclovir, Herpex, Acivir, or Zovirax and it is used either in pill form or as a topical cream. The topical cream is the weakest form and is hardly used.  Acyclovir can also be applied intravenously when large doses are needed.

Another way to prevent or lessen attacks has to do with beefing up the patient’s immune system. Ways of doing this include a well rounded diet, lots of rest and relaxation, and regular exercise. Some experts believe that attacks occur more often in people who are stressed and recommend different stress relieving techniques such as meditation and hypnosis.

When you are having an attack some good things to help you are steering clear of ointments that block much needed air from the sores. When you wash the area where the sores are, use mild soap and water to keep the area germ free.

During an attack it is recommended that you take a warm shower or bath to get warm water over the genital area three or four times a day. When getting out of the shower or bath dry the genital area with a hair dryer set on low or cool. This may speed up the healing of the sores by drying them out but be careful not to burn yourself.

Other things you can do include:

Wear loose fitting underwear allowing your skin to breathe.

Remember to not touch the sores as you could pass the virus on to other parts of your body.

Remember when you have sores to avoid sex so you don’t pass the virus on.

Supplements such as zinc or the amino acid lysine have been found to be effective in some cases but ineffective in others.

Below are some places for more information on herpes.

Center for Disease Control and Prevention

eMedicine Health

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor and I offer this information not as medical advice but for general purposes. You should seek professional medical help before trying any of the above home remedies.

Spring is the worst time of year for the folks who suffer from allergies. All of the pollen and dust and such make for watery eyes, itchy throat, and sneezing. But there are some remedies typically found in the home to reduce the suffering these people go through this time of year.

Garlic and onion have been known to have anti-inflammatory benefits that can relieve sufferers of sinus problems due to allergies. It has been said the people can breathe easier using less effort after smelling and eating garlic and onions.

A spoonful of horseradish is another recommendation for cleaning the sinuses. It has been suggested by some experts that you eat a spoonful daily until all symptoms are gone. Use this as a preventative a few times each month to help prevent future attacks.

Buying a dehumidifier to keep the air clean in your home will also bring relief from pollens, molds, and pet dander.  And clean those sheets, pillowcases, and mattress pads often in hot water to kill dust mites.  

A few nutrients and vitamins that can relieve allergies are Vitamin A, B5, and B12.These should be taken as recommended especially during the allergy season as well as Vitamin C and zinc. Medicated ointments containing camphor or oil of eucalyptus aid in the clearing of the sinuses.

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor and I offer this information not as medical advice but for general purposes. You should seek professional medical help before trying any of the above home remedies.

Constipation is caused by irregularity and is related to the digestive system. When a person has a hard time digesting something, extreme discomfort and pain occurs usually from the hardening of the feces. Constipation can be caused by dietary or hormonal problems or the side effects of certain medications. If not treated, constipation can cause obstructions in the bowel. Some remedies for constipation include:

1)      Getting enough fluids. Six to eight glasses of water per day should be a part of everyone’s diet to prevent constipation.

2)      Getting enough fiber. Fiber can be found in whole grains, fruit, and vegetables. Dried beans, prunes, figs, raisins, popcorn, oatmeal, pears, and nuts are the best foods for fiber.

3)      Dandelion root is a mild laxative and can be used by people with chronic constipation. Make a tea by boiling the root in water. You can take this tea up to four times per day if needed.

4)      Guava fruit is an effective home remedy for constipation. Eat the fruit with the seeds for maximum effect.

5)      Apple pectin and folic acid are supplements recommended for treatment of constipation as well as magnesium that helps soften stools.

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor and I offer this information not as medical advice but for general purposes. You should seek professional medical help before trying any of the above home remedies.

Influenza also known as the flu is an infectious disease that affects birds and mammals. It is caused by viruses and the common symptoms are chills, fever, muscle pain, headaches, coughing, weakness and just plain discomfort. The flu can cause pneumonia in severe cases which could lead to death especially in young children and the elderly. Influenza can cause nausea and vomiting especially in children but these are commonly symptoms of stomach flu or the 24 hour flu.

Some things you can do to relieve symptoms of the flu are:

Get plenty of rest- bed rest is essential because being active when you are sick weakens you immune system and hampers recovery.

Drink plenty of fluids-Thin soups and vegetable or fruit juice are the best liquids. Try some beet juice or carrot juice as they contain important vitamins and minerals.

Pain relief- Aspirin or ibuprofen reduces the symptoms of fever, headache, and body aches that occur when you have the flu. Important Don’t Give aspirin or medications that contain aspirin to anyone under the age of 21 who has the flu.

Gargle with salt water- This will help relieve the scratchy throat that accompanies the flu.

Warm your feet by soaking in hot water to relieve headaches or nasal congestion.

Eat Light-Dry toast, bananas, applesauce, rice, or baked potatoes with yogurt on top are some of the best.

Herbs that can be used to treat flu include garlic taken as a capsule or raw cloves for sore throat. Other herbs include Siberian Ginseng, Echinacea, lemon juice, hyssop, blackcurrant and horehound. Most of these herbs are best used in a tea. You should boil them in water, strain them, and let them seep for about 20 minutes. For sweetening these herbal teas a teaspoon of honey works the best.

Disclaimer:  I am not a doctor and I offer this information not as medical advice but for general purposes. You should seek professional medical help before trying any of the above home remedies.