Johnson Rebecca L - National Geographic Shorts 88 Natural Remedies: Ancient Healing Traditions for Modern Times

Dandelions may be a bane to allergy sufferers, but dandelion leaf tea is an effective diuretic.
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T his book is meant to increase your knowledge about home remedies and other ways to care for your health at home, and to the best of our knowledge the information provided is accurate at the time of its publication. It is not intended as a medical manual, and neither the author nor the publisher is engaged in rendering medical or other professional advice to the individual reader. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate supplements and herbs, so there is no guarantee of strength, purity, or safety, and effects may vary. The illustrations in this book are general and are not intended to be used as guides to identification or instruction. You should not use the information contained in this book as a substitute for the advice of a licensed health care professional. Because everyone is different, we urge you to see a licensed health care professional to diagnose problems and supervise the use of any of these home remedies to treat individual conditions.

The author, advisers, and publisher disclaim any liability whatsoever with respect to any loss, injury, or damage arising directly or indirectly from the use of this book.

15 ways to take a deeper breath

A t rest, a healthy adult takes between 8 and 16 breaths per minute. Most of the time, youre hardly aware of your breathing. Its a largely unconscious reflex controlled by the nervous system, much like blinking or the beating of the heart. But you notice immediately when breathing becomes even the slightest bit difficult, or when something interferes with that rhythmic and usually effortless intake and release of air. Serious breathing problems, including those associated with asthma, severe allergic reactions, injuries, or something caught in the airways, always require immediate medical attention. But minor breathing difficulties such as the annoying stuffy nose that often accompanies a cold usually can be relieved by taking simple steps at home.

When tissues and blood vessels lining the nasal passages become inflamed and swollen, its difficultand sometimes nearly impossibleto breathe through your nose. Doctors call this stuffy, plugged-up condition nasal congestion. Colds and flu can bring it on. So can common allergens such as pet dander, pollen, and mold, as well as airborne irritants like dust and smoke. Most acute cases of nasal congestion eventually clear up on their own, but try the following tips and techniques to make breathing a little easier.

Try a Nasal Wash Nasal lavage is a time-honored technique for flushing out nasal passages with a saltwater solution. A nasal wash helps rinse away mucus, germs, and allergens that contribute to congestion. Make the wash by stirring teaspoon noniodized salt into 1 cup warm water (use distilled water only) until completely dissolved. Alternatively, use a store-bought nasal saline solution. Two of the most common tools for getting the salt water into your nose are a small bulb syringe and a neti pot. If using a syringe, draw up some of the solution into the bulb. While leaning over a sink, place the tip of the syringe in one nostril and gently squeeze the bulb, causing the solution to fill the nostril, run through the sinuses, and flow out the other nostril. Blow your nose gently to get all the water out. Then flush the other nostril in the same way. If using a neti pot, tip your head forward and slightly sideways and then pour the solution into the uppermost nostril; repeat on the other side. Thoroughly clean and air-dry the bulb syringe or neti pot after each use. Discard any unused salt solution.

Use Steam Therapy Inhaling steam is an old-fashioned remedy for helping to clear congestion. Carefully pour 4 cups of just-boiled water into a large, heatproof bowl. Place a towel over your head and shoulders and lean over the bowl, keeping your face at least 12 inches above the waters surface. If the temperature feels comfortable, inhale deeply. Continue inhaling the steam for about 10 minutes. To boost the congestion-clearing power of the steam, add a drop or two of eucalyptus essential oil to the hot water in the bowl before you begin.

Go Warm and Cold Place a warm, wet washcloth across the bridge of your nose. Hold it against your face for about a minute. Then switch to a cold, wet washcloth and hold for about the same length of time. Repeat several times.

Have a Cup of Herbal Tea A steamy cup of an aromatic herbal tea, such as peppermint or ginger, can help clear a stuffy nose. To brew peppermint tea, place a heaping teaspoon of dried peppermint in a cup, fill with just-boiled water, cover, and steep 10 minutes. Strain and add honey or maple syrup to sweeten, if desired. To brew ginger tea, steep 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger root in a cup of just-boiled water for 10 minutes. Sweeten as needed, or add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Snoring is the rough, rattling, sometimes thunderous sound that occurs when a persons breathing is partially obstructed while sleeping. This can happen when muscles in the roof of the mouth, tongue, and throat relax. As air flows past, these relaxed tissues vibrate, which creates the irritating noises. Habitual snoring, especially if marked by episodes of breath holding, can be a sign of a serious condition. Infrequent light snoring, such as that caused by temporary nasal congestion, is less serious. The following remedies may help.