Natural Herbal Beauty

Throat problems are often an indication of infection, so prompt action early on can help prevent it developing more seriously.

Sore Throat

A sore throat (pharyngitis) is inflammation of the pharynx, the area at the back of the mouth. The term is also used to cover inflammation of the adenoids, tonsils (tonsillitis), and the voice box or larynx (laryngitis). Laryngitis is characterized by hoarseness and loss of voice. If the soreness is not obviously caused by shouting too loudly, it may be a sign of infection. (more…)

Asthma is a chronic breathing problem from severe inflammation of the bronchioles—tubes in the lungs that deliver oxygen to the bloodstream and return, carbon dioxide from it—as a result of allergic reaction. The allergic causes of asthma are similar to those for eczema and hayfever. Asthma that starts in childhood often clears spontaneously during adolescence but adult asthma is usually long- lasting. There is no known cure while the allergy lasts, but a number of natural therapies have a good record of alleviating symptoms and helping promote recovery. (more…)

Problems such as earache are particularly common in children, and they may be linked to infections in other areas, for example tonsillitis.

Earache (Otitis)

Pain in the ears can be caused simply by loud noise and exposure to cold, windy conditions, or, more seriously, by infection. A heating pad or wrapped hot-water bottle held over the ear will ease the pain. (more…)

Natural remedies are ideal for a sore nose, which can be treated by gently rubbing aloe vera gel or vitamin E cream on the sore area.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses, often as a result of catarrh coupled with an infection. It can go from being a short-term problem to a long-term one, and so needs careful treatment. Chronic sinusitis can not only be excruciatingly painful but make thinking straight every bit as difficult as in migraines. (more…)

Classic migraine is much more than just a bad headache. It is a severe and often disabling pain in the head—usually on one side only—accompanied by sometimes alarming symptoms such as altered perception, a feeling that the skull is in the grip of a tightening vise, pins and needles or numbness, nausea and vomiting, and an inability to do anything. Symptoms can come and go and last for hours— sometimes even days. No two people usually experience the same symptoms, and one person can experience different symptoms on different occasions. (more…)

Cancer—a disease in which 12 the cells of the body “rebel” and multiply out of control—is feared as much for the belief that it is always painful as for its erratic, unpredictable, and hard-to-treat nature. But the truth is I that most cancers do not cause pain —at least initially — which is why it is difficult to detect some forms in the early stages.

There are no precise statistics, but various estimates have suggested that, as few as half of all those with cancer feel pain. Some cancers—liver cancer is the best example—cause minimal pain even in the advanced stages. Cancer can, and does, give rise to pain, but the significant fact is that when the pain eventually makes itself felt, it is more usually the result of the cancerous growth pressing on a nerve or interfering with some other bodily function than the cancer itself giving pain. (more…)

This is an extremely painful, blistering rash that normally occurs around one half of the midriff (although the neck, face, and sometimes the eyes can be affected) as a result of inflammation of nerve roots. Shingles is caused by the same herpes zoster virus that provokes chickenpox, and is often the result of a weakened immune system coinciding with a period of emotional stress. It is most common in older people. (more…)

An herbal steam inhalation is an excellent method for loosening congestion and cleansing the lungs. Steam inhalations are particularly helpful for relieving chronic sinusitis, respiratory congestion, bronchitis, and colds and flus, and can be used as often as desired for treating these conditions. (more…)

Making your own herbal infusions, decoctions, and tinctures is easy. Herbal infusions and decoctions are basically teas prepared in a specific way to maximize the healing properties of the herb. They are similar to teas, in that the fresh or dried herb is steeped or simmered in hot water. Herbs are best prepared in glass, porcelain, earthenware, or enamel-coated steel pots. You can use stainless steel, but avoid aluminum or nonstick cookware. (more…)

Lung-Cleansing Tea

This tea will help to relieve congestion related to colds, bronchitis, or allergies. It helps to soothe irritated bronchial passages and cleanses the lungs of excess mucus.

1 tablespoon mullein

1 tablespoon peppermint

1 tablespoon licorice root, if desired (more…)