Natural home remedies: Body odour

It's natural—and healthy—to sweat, but no one wants to smell that way all day. Learn about home remedies that will help reduce body odour and find out when you should visit your doctor

Body odour starts with certain types of sweat. Eccrine glands pour out clear, neutral-smelling sweat, which cools your body as it evaporates. Apocrine glands, concentrated in your underarms and genitals, secrete a substance that bacteria feast upon, causing strong odours. Stress, ovulation, sexual excitement and anger can cause apocrine glands to kick into high gear. Some diseases cause the body to produce particular odours, and so do drugs such as venlafaxine (Effexor) and bupropion (Wellbutrin).

Natural remedies for body odour

• Wipe rubbing alcohol, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide onto your underarms during the day to cut down the numbers of odour-causing bacteria.

• Dab on witch hazel. You can splash it directly on your skin or apply it as often as necessary with a cotton pad. The clear, clean-smelling liquid has drying and deodorizing properties.

• Dust baking soda or cornstarch on any odour-troubled part of your body. Both of these powders absorb moisture, and baking soda also kills odour-causing bacteria.

• Shave regularly under your arms. Underarm hair can increase body odour because it traps sweat and bacteria.

· What to do if you sweat too much

· Which deodorant is right for you?

· How hot yoga helps my running

· The truth about fragrance sensitivity

• Apply tea-tree oil to problem areas, as long as it doesn’t irritate your skin. This oil, from an Australian tree, kills bacteria and also has a pleasant scent.

• Essential oils of lavender, pine and peppermint fight bacteria. They also smell nice. Since some people have a skin reaction to certain oils, test the underarm area or a small patch of skin before using.

• Delightfully fragrant, sage can fight bacteria and reduce perspiration. You can purchase a solution of sage tincture or diluted sage oil, or brew some sage tea that you cool and store in a bottle. Any of these liquids can be used in the underarm area, but not around the genitals. And after using sage, wash your hands before touching your face.

• A citrus fruit like lemon changes the pH level of your skin, making it more acidic. All bacteria, including the odour-causing kinds, have a hard time surviving in a highly acidic environment. Just rub on some lemon and pat dry.

Eat the right foods to counteract body odour

• Eat plenty of spinach, chard and kale. Green, leafy vegetables are rich in chlorophyll, which has a powerful deodorizing effect in your body.

• Have a few sprigs of parsley, credited with anti-odour properties. Or make parsley tea by steeping a teaspoon of chopped fresh parsley in a cup of boiling water for five minutes. Let it cool a bit before you drink it.

• Try wheatgrass juice, sold in health-food stores. Warning: It has a very strong taste, and some people feel nauseated the first time they try it. You might want to start with just 2 Tbsp (30 mL) of wheatgrass juice in 3/4 cup (200 mL) of water, then increase the proportion of juice in subsequent tastings. On first tasting, it’s wise to try this drink on an empty stomach just in case your stomach overreacts.

• Buy tablets containing chlorophyll. Many brands are available, made from plants like kelp, barley grass, and blue-green algae. Check the label for the dosage recommendation.

When to see your doctor

If you’re sweating frequently or heavily, you could have an overactive thyroid gland, low blood sugar or a problem with the part of the nervous system that controls sweating. If you think you’re sweating too much or you may have a medical condition causing your body odour, see your doctor. And if you’re taking a prescription medication that might be contributing to excessive odour, ask your doctor about switching to another drug

How To Cure Food Poisoning Fast!

Food that has gone bad or been contaminated by toxins, bacteria, or parasites can cause food poisoning, otherwise known as food-borne illness. And it ain't pretty! We've all been there, having eaten something we often knew wasn't a good idea or been surprised by food that was improperly prepared or stored. Picnics and food buffets are often at fault; when foods are kept above or below safe temperatures for several hours, pathogenic bacteria and viruses can grow to infectious or toxic levels. Meat and poultry are common sources, but so is water - especially if you've traveled somewhere new. So what do you do if you think you're in the early stages of food poisoning? Fortunately, there are fast-acting home remedies in your cupboard that can stop a bout of food poisoning in its tracks!

But first, what exactly are the symptoms for food poisoning? Well, they can be obvious (vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea) and occur within an hour or two after eating; however, the effects of a food borne disease can also be more subtle such as a fever or abdominal cramping and pain. In mild cases, food poisoning will resolve on its own. On the other hand if you see lasting or more significant symptoms such as blood in your vomit or diarrhea, see a doctor.

Find a Natural Cure for Food Poisoning

Hands down, the most popular home cure for food poisoning is apple cider vinegar (ACV). Pathogens such as salmonella are very sensitive to acids¹, so ACV helps there, as does its natural antibiotic qualities. Will any old vinegar do as well? Possibly, but it's a questionable time to take the risk, no? Still, use what's on hand for fastest relief! Also, some have found relief from food poisoning symptoms in the toxin-absorbing qualities of activated charcoal.

Diarrhea, Age 12 and Older - Home Treatment

Home treatment can help you treat your diarrhea and avoid other related problems, such as dehydration.

· Take frequent, small sips of water or a rehydration drink and small bites of salty crackers.

o Try to increase your fluid intake to at least 1 qt (1 L) per hour for 1 to 2 hours or until diarrhea symptoms disappear.

· Begin eating mild foods the next day or sooner, depending on how you feel.

o Avoid spicy foods, fruits, alcohol, and caffeine until 48 hours after all symptoms have disappeared.

o Avoid chewing gum that contains sorbitol.

o Avoid dairy products for 3 days after symptoms disappear. Milk products may be harder for your body to digest when you have diarrhea.

Nonprescription medicines for diarrhea

If you are pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking any medicines for diarrhea.

Nonprescription medicines may be helpful in treating your diarrhea. Follow these tips when taking a nonprescription medicine for diarrhea:

· Use nonprescription antidiarrheal medicine if you have diarrhea for longer than 6 hours. Do not use nonprescription antidiarrheal medicines if you have bloody diarrhea, a high fever, or other signs of serious illness.

· Read and follow all label directions on the nonprescription medicine bottle or box. Be sure to take the recommended dose.

· Long-term use of nonprescription antidiarrheal medicine is not recommended. To avoid constipation, stop taking antidiarrheal medicines as soon as stools thicken.

· If your child or teen gets chickenpox or flu, do not treat the symptoms with over-the-counter medicines that contain bismuth subsalicylate (such as Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate). Subsalicylate has been linked to Reye syndrome, a rare but serious illness. If your child has taken this kind of medicine and he or she has changes in behavior with nausea and vomiting, call your doctor. These symptoms could be an early sign of Reye syndrome.

There are several types of antidiarrheal medicines: those that absorb water and thicken the stool, and those that slow intestinal spasms.

· Thickening mixtures (such as psyllium) absorb water. This helps bulk up the stool and make it more firm.

· Antispasmodic antidiarrheals, such as Imodium A-D and Pepto Diarrhea Control, slow intestinal spasms. Some products contain both thickening and antispasmodic ingredients.

· Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus, are available in either pills or powder. This bacteria occurs naturally in the intestine and may help with digestion. When diarrhea is present, the number of these bacteria is reduced

Back Pain Remedies

Back pain is a health concern for most people in the United States at some point in their lives and one of the most common reasons people miss work or visit the doctor.

Here is a glance at 15 popular natural remedies for back pain relief. Although further research is needed before any of these remedies can be recommended as a standard treatment for back pain, some of them may offer relief for mild to moderate back pain, particularly when part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

1) Acupuncture

A 2008 study published in Spine found "strong evidence that acupuncture can be a useful supplement to other forms of conventional therapy" for low back pain. After analyzing 23 clinical trials with a total of 6,359 patients, the study authors also found "moderate evidence that acupuncture is more effective than no treatment" in relief of back pain. The authors note that more research is needed before acupuncture can be recommended over conventional therapies for back pain.

Just how does acupuncture work? According totraditional Chinese medicine, pain results from blocked energy along energy pathways of the body, which are unblocked when acupuncture needles are inserted along these invisible pathways. Acupuncture may release natural pain-relieving opioids, send signals to the sympathetic nervous system, and release neurochemicals and hormones.

If you want to try acupuncture, plan on going one to three times a week for several weeks initially. Acupuncture may be tax-deductible as a medical expense and some insurance plans pay for acupuncture. More about acupuncture for chronic pain.

2) Massage Therapy

In a 2009 research review published in Spine, researchers reviewed 13 clinical trials on the use of massage in treatment of back pain. The study authors concluded that massage "might be beneficial for patients with subacute and chronic nonspecific low back pain, especially when combined with exercises and education." Noting that more research is needed to confirm this conclusion, the authors call for further studies that might help determine whether massage is a cost-effective treatment for low back pain.

Massage therapy may also alleviate anxiety and depression associated with chronic pain. It is the most popular natural therapy for low back pain during pregnancy.

More about massage for back pain.

3) Chiropractic

Back pain is one of most common reasons people visit a chiropractor. Doctors of chiropractic use chiropractic spinal manipulation to restore joint mobility. They manually apply a controlled force to joints that have become restricted by muscle injury, strain, inflammation, and pain. Manipulation is believed to relieve pain and muscle tightness and encourage healing.

Chiropractic care involving spinal manipulation appears to reduce symptoms and improve function in patients with chronic low back pain, acute low back pain, and sub-acute low back pain, according to a research review published in the Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics. In their analysis of 887 documents (including 64 clinical trials), the review's authors concluded that combining chiropractic care with exercise is "likely to speed and improve outcomes" and protect against future episodes of back pain.

More: view the photo gallery of chiropractic adjustments.

4) Capsaicin Cream

Although you may not have heard of capsaicin before, if you've ever eaten a chili pepper and felt your mouth burn, you know exactly what capsaicin does. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chili peppers.

When it is applied to the skin, capsaicin has been found to deplete substance P - a neurochemical that transmits pain - causing an analgesic effect.

For a 2011 research review published in the British Journal of Anaesthesia, investigators sized up the available research on the use of topically applied capsaicin in treatment of several types of chronic pain. This included two clinical trials on back pain, both of which found that capsaicin helped reduce low back pain without causing notable side effects.

Capsaicin cream, also called capsicum cream, is available in drug stores, health food stores, and online. A typical dosage is 0.025% capsaicin cream applied four times a day. The most common side effect is a stinging or burning sensation in the area.

If possible, wear disposable gloves (available at drugstores) before applying the cream. Be careful not to touch the eye area or open skin. A tube or jar of capsaicin cream typically costs between $8 and $25.

5) Vitamin D

Chronic muscle pain can be a symptom of vitamin D deficiency. What's more, some research suggests that treatment with vitamin D supplements may lead to clinical improvement in back pain symptoms among people with low initial concentrations of vitamin D, according to a 2005 report published in the British Medical Journal.

An essential nutrient available in certain foods (such as fortified milk and fish with small bones), vitamin D is produced naturally by the body during exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. But since it's difficult to obtain your recommended daily intake of D solely through dietary sources and sun exposure, many medical experts recommend increasing your vitamin D levels by taking a dietary supplement.

Learn more about Vitamin D.

6) Anti-Inflammatory Herbs

Since inflammation is thought to play a role in the development of back pain, certain herbs thought to have anti-inflammatory effects may be useful for back pain relief.

White willow bark for instance, may have pain-relieving properties similar to aspirin. Known as salicin, a compound found in white willow bark is converted in the body to salicylic acid. (Similarly, aspirin is also converted to salicylic acid once in the body.) Salicylic acid is believed to be the active compound that relieves pain and inflammation.

Another herb sometimes used in treatment of back pain is devil's claw. Devil's claw contains harpagosides, which are chemical compounds found to possess anti-inflammatory properties.

In a 2007 research review published in Spine, both white willow bark and devil's claw were found to reduce pain more effectively than placebo. Since many of the trials included in the review were of poor quality, the review's authors call for further trials testing the use of these herbs against standard treatments for low back pain.

7) Magnesium

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body. Involved in over 300 biochemical reactions, it helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and preserves bones strength. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.

Published in the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, a 2001 study of 82 patients with chronic low back pain found that use of mineral supplements was associated with a reduction in pain symptoms in 76 participants. In addition, the supplements were found to increase intracellular magnesium levels by 11 percent.

8) Yoga

Yoga creates balance in the body through various poses that develop flexibility and strength. There's some evidence that taking up a yoga practice may help relieve back pain.

For a 2011 research review published in Clinical Rheumatology, investigators looked at seven clinical trials that tested the effects of yoga in patients in with low back pain. Of those studies, five suggested that yoga leads to a significantly greater reduction in low back pain than usual care, education, or conventional therapeutic exercises. However, the other two studies showed that yoga was no more effective than other types of care for low back pain.

In a 2008 report published in Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, researchers found that yoga may be helpful in managing low back pain, but note that patients should consult their health care providers for help in finding yoga instructors with experience in working with people with low back pain.

9) Vitamin B12

A study published in the European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences in 2000 examined the safety and effectiveness of vitamin B12 injections for low back pain. Involving 60 patients, the study found that those who received vitamin B12 injections experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain and disability. They also used less pain medication than those who received a placebo.

Besides pain, other symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency are numbness and tingling, irritability, mild memory impairment, and depression. Risk factors for vitamin B12 deficiency are:

· pernicious anemia

· use of certain medications (including stomach acid-blocking medications)

· inadequate intake of meat or dairy products

· infection (such as small intestine bacterial overgrowth, parasites)

· digestive diseases (including celiac disease and Crohn's disease)

Vitamin B12 muscle injections are the standard treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency. Studies have found that vitamin B12 sublingual tablets (placed under the tongue for absorption) and nasal gel are also effective.

10 Tips for Breast Cancer Prevention

10 Tips for Breast Cancer Prevention

1. Avoid becoming overweight. Obesity raises the risk of breast cancer after menopause, the time of life when breast cancer most often occurs. Avoid gaining weight over time, and try to maintain a body-mass index under 25 (calculators can be found online).

2. Eat healthy to avoid tipping the scale. Embrace a diet high in vegetables and fruit and low in sugared drinks, refined carbohydrates and fatty foods. Eat lean protein such as fish or chicken breast and eat red meat in moderation, if at all. Eat whole grains. Choose vegetable oils over animal fats.

3. Keep physically active. Research suggests that increased physical activity, even when begun later in life, reduces overall breast-cancer risk by about 10 percent to 30 percent. All it takes is moderate exercise like a 30-minute walk five days a week to get this protective effect.

4. Drink little or no alcohol. Alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Women should limit intake to no more than one drink per day, regardless of the type of alcohol.

5. Avoid hormone replacement therapy. Menopausal hormone therapy increases risk for breast cancer. If you must take hormones to manage menopausal symptoms, avoid those that contain progesterone and limit their use to less than three years. “Bioidentical hormones” and hormonal creams and gels are no safer than prescription hormones and should also be avoided Dr. Anne McTiernan, Director of the Prevention Center

6. Consider taking an estrogen-blocking drug. Women with a family history of breast cancer or who are over age 60 should talk to their doctor about the pros and cons of estrogen-blocking drugs such as tamoxifen and raloxifene.

7. Consider taking the aromatase inhibitor exemestane. The results of a study released earlier this year showed that the drug exemestane reduced the risk of breast cancer by 65 percent in high-risk, postmenopausal women. Talk to your doctor about whether this may benefit you.

8. Don’t smoke. Research suggests that long-term smoking is associated with increased risk of breast cancer in some women.

9. Breast-feed your babies for as long as possible. Women who breast-feed their babies for at least a year in total have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer later.

10. Get fit and support breast cancer research at the same time. Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. Ascend some of the world’s most breathtaking peaks while raising vital funds for and awareness of breast cancer research by participating in the Hutchinson Center’s annua

Simple, Practical Mental Health Tips

Simple, Practical Mental Health Tips:

30 Tips For Preserving a Healthy Mind

Are you feeling depressed lately and wondering how to improve your mood? Are you in the midst of getting over a significant loss in your life and wondering how to keep your mind healthy as you grieve? Are you interested in how you can maintain a healthy mind to keep your body healthy?

Mental health is a complex subject-- it's hard to define and difficult to grasp all of the different aspects of mental health. Still, however, there are simple steps that you can take in your life to keep your mind healthy.

Check out these practical tips for maintaining a healthy mind! Employ just a few of these ideas and you'll likely feel the difference in your mental health.

1) Make sure you’re getting enough rest. Sleep is the body’s way of recharging, meaning that sleep doesn’t only increase your energy—it actually boosts your mental health.

2) Feel what you feel! Don't worry about controlling or changing your feelings. For now, focus on expressing the feelings that you have rather than trying to feel a certain way.

3) Forgive yourself for past mistakes. Messing up is a part of life, and mental health requires understanding that and moving past mistakes in our lives. Is there a mistake or regret that eats at you? Let. It. Go.

4) Throw a mini-party for yourself! Celebrate a recent accomplishment in your life by patting yourself on the back and rewarding yourself with a small gift you've been looking forward to. It's important to acknowledge successes-- not just failures.

5) Find a good support system. Whether family, friends, a church, or something else, find a group of people who are willing to love you for who you are. This boosts resilience and helps to provide perspective in the midst of stress and pain.

6) Eat healthy. Invest time in learning which kinds of foods bring you “up” and which kinds bring you “down.” Committing to a diet can make you feel good about yourself, give you a sense of self-improvement, and boost your sense of accomplishment.

7) Exercise. Regularly exercising can help to cut back stress in your life, releasing pent up energy as you work your body. Exercise releases endorphins, chemicals in the brain that energize us.

8) Get some sun. Sunlight can lift one’s spirits, boosting mental health and preventing depression.

9) Leave some time for leisure. Make sure you allow time in your schedule for whatever causes you to relax. Maybe it's watching movies or completing crossword puzzles or walking outside. Make time for the things you know relax you.

10) Stay away from drugs and alcohol. When you consume cigarettes, illegal drugs, and alcohol, these drugs tamper with your mental health, decreasing mental stability and giving you “false positive” emotions.

11) Commit to helping others. You can build self-esteem and self-worth by regularly pouring out your energy and talents to help others. Volunteering is another activity that releases endorphins, boosting your mood.

12) Do things that require discipline. Self-control increases self-worth, as you feel like you can control aspects of your life.

13) Learn something new! Part of what makes us human is our tendency to challenge ourselves. Challenge yourself to learn something new-- maybe a new skill, sport, or game.

14) Spend time enjoying art. Studying artwork exercises our minds and encourages us to think creatively. Take some time to visit a gallery or an art show-- you may return with a new perspective on your situation.

15) Find a good listener, and return the favor. Find one person who is willing to listen to you vent and talk freely. It can also relieve stress to form a listening partnership, where the two of you share on a regular basis.

16) Stick to your friends! Do what you can to intentionally keep in touch with a circle of friends. Schedule lunches, dates, or get-togethers with your friends more often. Deep friendships remind us of a sense of belonging.

17) Make the decision not to worry. Worry will consume your mind if you let it, but you can also train yourself to avoid worry, to choose a life without anxiety. Ask God to help you not to worry.

18) Do things that engage your senses. Each day, perform one task that engages each of your senses: sight, touch, smell, sound, and taste. Engaging your senses helps you to live in the moment and focus on the present.

19) Leave time to build and create! Even if it's just LEGOs or a can of Play-doh, it's important to engage our creative sides frequently. When the mind gets into a rut of the same sort of thinking, it gets sick. Keep it well by staying creative.

20) Consider getting a pet. This is a big decision, but having a pet can really help mental health. Pets love us unconditionally, keep us active, and provide us a way to care for something.

21) Leave time for nothing. Make sure your schedule has a little room for free time: time that is unbudgeted. Use that time for meditation, prayer, or relaxation exercises.

22) Cut out late-night TV and computer use. Studies have shown that watching TV and using a computer late at night can cause depressive symptoms.

23) Spend time with people every day. Find people who are like you and who like you. This one seems pretty obvious, but it's easy to forget when you're depressed or down. Interacting with people is likely part of the solution, not the problem.

24) Work to understand what stresses you. Understand your stressors and be able to recognize how you need to react. Be informed about what is happening in your mind and body.

25) Give and receive compliments. Find reasons to praise people, and be willing to accept people's praises of you. This will help you to appreciate the good in those around you and recognize it in yourself.

26) Join a club or social group that meets regularly. This will help to create a community in your life, fueling purpose and camaraderie.

27) Leave time to laugh. Try to laugh hysterically every day. Feed yourself funny things, allowing your mind to decompress from time to time.

28) Accept that there are some things you cannot change. A lot of anxiety stems from trying to change things beyond our control. Recognizing that some things are beyond our control is a key to a healthy, anxiety-free mind.

29) Engage in spirituality on a regular basis. Make sure you're exercising not just your mind and your body but also your spirit. Interact regularly with a spiritual community. Putting faith in God relieves stress on ourselves.

30) Talk to God about where you’re at. Interact with God in prayer on a daily basis and allow God to be a part of your stress-reduction strategy. He’s been doing it for thousands of years—He’s got a little more practice than you do.

NATURAL TREATMENT OF ALL KIND OF AILMENTS

Natural home remedies: Body odour

Natural home remedies: Body odour