• Feeling of fullness in the face.
• Pressure behind the eyes.
• Nasal obstruction, difficulty breathing through the nose.
• Postnasal drip.
• Foul smell in the nose.
• Fever (possibly).
• Toothache (possibly).

Call your Doctor if:

• sinusitis develops into an inflammation around the eye (orbital cellulitis), which could cause damage to the eye and facial nerves.
• the condition does not improve within seven days; you may need a prescription for antibiotics.
• sinusitis recurs more than three times in a year, and periods between bouts grow shorter; you may have a chronic infection that could become serious.

Treatment Options

Many alternative therapies attempt to relieve the pain of sinusitis and open the sinuses for drainage. Others aim to fight infection by boosting the immune system. If the sinuses are infected with bacteria, you may need antibiotics to kill the disease organisms before they cause further damage or spread to other sinuses.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in the treatment of sinusitis. An acupuncturist may apply medium stimulation to various ear points— adrenal, forehead, internal nose, lung, and near the sinuses—to help drain the sinuses. Points on the stomach, bladder, and large intestine meridians can also help; consult a licensed practitioner.

Aromatherapy

Inhalants of eucalyptus globulus (E. globulus), pine, or thyme (Thymus vulgaris) may help break up your clogged sinuses. You may also alleviate the symptoms by holding menthol or eucalyptus packs over your sinuses.

Herbal Therapies

Bromelain tablets have been shown in controlled studies to reduce inflammation, nasal discharge, headache, and breathing difficulties. You can boost your immune system with echinacea (Echinacea spp.), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), or garlic (Album sativum), preferably raw. Breathing the steam of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) tea or ginger (Zingiber officinale) tea also provides some relief. To combat excessive mucus production, herbalists suggest elder (Sambucus nigra) flower, eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis), marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis), or goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea).

The exact makeup of a prescribed Chinese herbal mixture depends on whether the sinusitis is “hot” (acute or infectious) or “cold” (chronic or allergic). Either way, the preparation may include the Chinese herb ephedra (Ephedra sinica), a decongestant. (WARNING: Do not use ephedra if you have hypertension or heart disease.) A number of other Chinese herbs, among them honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), fritillary bulb (Fritillaria cirrhosa), tan‑gerine peel (Citrus reticulata), xanthium fruit (Xan‑thium sibiricum), and magnolia flower (Magnolia liliflora), can also help relieve sinusitis symptoms.

Homeopathy

For acute sinusitis with thick, stringy mucus and pain in the cheeks or the bridge of the nose, use Kali bichromicum (30c) once or twice a day. For sinusitis with intense facial pain, alternating chills and sweat, and yellow-green discharge from the nose and mouth, use Mercurius vivus (30c) twice a day. For acute sinusitis with a clear, thin discharge, sneezing, headache, and a stopped-up nose at night, use Nux vomica (30c) twice a day. For sinusitis with light yellow or green nasal discharge accompanied by low spirits and lack of thirst, use Pulsatilla (30c) twice a day. If symptoms linger for more than two days, seek the advice of a professional homeopath.

Nutrition and Diet

A good, healthful diet including fruits and raw green leafy vegetables can help stimulate secretions and break up sinusitis. Nutritionists also suggest the following supplements to the diet: vitamin C, 500 mg every two hours; bioflavonoids, 1 gram per day; beta carotene (vitamin A), 25,000 IU per day; and zinc lozenges (consult a nutritionist for dosages). Stay away from foods that you suspect may trigger an allergic reaction.

Home Remedies

• Inhale steam from a vaporizer, a humidifier, a mixture of hot water and vinegar, or even a cup of tea or coffee. Steam is one of the best remedies for unclogging sinuses.
• Use warm compresses on your nose to help open your sinuses.
• Drink plenty of liquids.

Prevention

It’s difficult to prevent sinusitis, but you can reduce your chances of having your sinuses become infected. First, avoid allergenic substances, which for some people include the dust in their beds and certain foods, such as dairy products and wheat. Whenever possible, avoid cigarette smoke. Note: People with diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and certain other diseases may be prone to sinusitis.

The classic symptoms of a sore throat include a burning sensation or “scratchiness” in the back of the throat; pain, especially when swallowing; and, perhaps, tenderness along the neck. These symptoms may be accompanied by:

• Sneezing and coughing.
• Hoarseness.
• Runny nose.
• Mild fever.
• General fatigue.

Call Your Doctor If

• you also have a fever higher than 101°F without other cold symptoms; this may indicate a case of strep throat, which needs treatment.
• you also have flulike symptoms that don’t get better after a few days; this may indicate infectious mononucleosis.
• any hoarseness lasts longer than two weeks; this could be a sign of throat cancer or oral cancer.
• your sore throat is accompanied by drooling, or you experience difficulty swallowing or breathing; this may indicate an inflamed epiglottis, the structure that overhangs the opening to the larynx, or an abscess in the back of the throat; these two uncommon conditions require medical attention.

Treatment Options

Most alternative therapies for sore throat are geared toward symptom relief, although some address the cause. A sore throat usually goes away on its own. However, if the pain persists or worsens after a few days, you should see your doctor.

Aromatherapy

To increase blood circulation and improve fluid drainage in sore areas, massage your throat and chest with a lotion made with 2 drops each of eucalyptus globulus (E. globulus) and cypress in 2 tsp of a carrier oil such as vegetable or almond oil.

Herbal Therapies

At the first sign of soreness, take three raw cloves of garlic (Allium sativum) a day. (Garlic is a natural antibiotic and antiseptic.) If garlic smell becomes a problem, try four garlic oil capsules instead. Teas made from either goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) or echinacea (Echinacea spp.) may also be effective. One of the best herbal treatments uses ginger (Zingiber officinale), which is noted for its anti-inflammatory properties. Simmer 2 tsp chopped fresh ginger in water for 20 minutes; breathe in the steam from this tea for five minutes and repeat two or three times a day.

A traditional Native American treatment is drinking a tea made from the inner bark of the slippery elm (Ulmus fulva). Put 2 tsp powdered bark in 1 cup water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes.

Homeopathy

Homeopaths prescribe several remedies for sore throats. Consult a homeopathic practitioner or try those listed here:

If the pain comes on suddenly and is accompanied by great thirst and hoarseness, try Aconite (6c) three times a day.

If the pain comes on suddenly and is accompanied by fever, headache, and restlessness, use Belladonna (6c) three times a day.

If your sore throat has come on gradually and is accompanied by fatigue, try Ferrum phosphoricum (6c) three times a day.

If the back of your throat is red and swollen and the pain is relieved by cold water or ice, try Apis (6c) three times a day.

If your sore throat is accompanied by flulike symptoms, extreme sluggishness, and weakness, use Gelsemium (6c) three times a day.

Nutrition and Diet

At the first sign of soreness, take 500 to 6,000 mg of vitamin C daily to help fight the cold or other viral infection causing it. CAUTION: Unless your body is accustomed to megadoses of vitamin C, it cannot absorb more than about 1,000 mg every two hours; the excess will be passed off in your urine or, in some cases, result in diarrhea.

Home Remedies

• Get plenty of rest and drink a lot of fluids.
• Suck on a zinc lozenge (consult a nutritionist for dosages). Zinc can relieve sore throats and other cold symptoms but may cause nausea if taken on an empty stomach.
• To help relieve the pain, apply a warm heating pad or compress to your throat. You can also try a warm chamomile poultice: Mix 1 tbsp dried chamomile (Matricaria recutita) into 1 or 2 cups boiling water; steep for five minutes, then strain. Soak a clean cloth or towel in the tea, wring it out, then apply to your throat. Remove the cloth when it becomes cold. Repeat as often as necessary.

Try steam inhalations to ease the pain. Run very hot water in a sink. With a towel draped over your head to trap the steam, lean over the sink while the water is running. Breathe deeply through your mouth and nose for five to 10 minutes. Repeat several times a day.

Homemade Gargles

To wash away mucus and irritants and bring relief from the pain of a sore throat, try any of the following gargles:

• Salt water: Mix 1/2 asp salt in 8 oz warm water.
• Sage: Put 1 to 2 asp dried leaves in 1 cup boiling water; steep for 10 minutes, then strain and cool until lukewarm.
• Lemon: Mix the juice of one lemon in 8 oz warm water
• Horseradish: Mix I tbsp pure horseradish, 1 asp hon‑
  ey, and 1 asp ground cloves in 8 oz warm water.

• Raspberry: Put .1 to 2 tsp raspberry leaf in 1 cup boiling water; steep for 10 minutes, then strain and cool until lukewarm.
• Cayenne pepper: Mix the juice of half a lemon, 1 tbsp salt, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or more if you can tolerate it) in V2 cup warm water. The cayenne pepper temporarily reduces the amount of pain-causing chemicals produced by nerve endings in the throat.

Burning upper abdominal pain, particularly between meals, early in the morning, or after drinking orange juice, coffee, or alcohol, or taking aspirin; discomfort is usually relieved after taking antacids or eating a meal. Tarry, black, or bloody stools.

Call your doctor if:

• you have been diagnosed with a stomach ulcer and begin experiencing symptoms of anemia, such as fatigue and a pallid complexion. Your ulcer may be bleeding.
• you have symptoms of a stomach ulcer and develop severe back pain. Your ulcer may be perforating the stomach wall. Call your doctor now.
• you have symptoms of a stomach ulcer and vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or you pass dark red, bloody, or black stools, or stools that resemble currant jelly. These symptoms indicate internal bleeding; call 911 or your emergency number now.
• you have an ulcer and become cold and clammy, and feel faint or actually do faint. These are symptoms of shock, usually resulting from massive blood loss; get emergency medical treatment.

Treatment Options

An ulcer should always be monitored by your doctor. When a bacterial infection has been diagnosed as the cause, the best treatment is with antibiotics, which can permanently cure the ulcer. Many people also use over-the-counter antacids for symptom relief. There are, however, a variety of alternative treatments that can aid in relieving pain and in healing ulcers.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture targeting the points associated with stress, anxiety, and stomach/gastrointestinal disorders may help with the treatment of peptic ulcers. Consult a licensed acupuncturist.

Herbal Therapy

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), which stimulates mucus secretion by the stomach, is frequently used in herbal treatments of ulcers. Herbalists and naturopathic physicians typically employ a special preparation of licorice rather than the tincture or tea form; consult an herbal practitioner.

Mind/Body Medicine

Biofeedback, meditation, and other relaxation techniques can help you learn how to deal effectively with stress, which increases stomach acid production and irritates ulcers.

A Hole in the Stomach

A peptic ulcer is a break in the protective lining of the esophagus, the stomach, or the duodenum. Duodenal and gastric ulcers (inset) are the two commonest forms. Their typical symptoms are recurring pain in the upper abdomen and a bloated feeling after eating.

Nutrition and Diet

Some nutritionists recommend supplementing your intake of vitamins A and E as well as zinc, which increase the production of mucin, a substance your body secretes to protect the stomach lining. Another suggestion may include drinking about a quart of cabbage juice daily; its high content of glutamine is thought to expedite the growth of mucin-producing cells.

Home Remedies

Cut down on milk. Although it may feel as though milk’s coating properties are soothing your ulcer, milk actually stimulates stomach acid secretion, irritating the ulcer.

Pick appropriate antacids. Like milk, calcium- containing antacids can stimulate stomach acid secretion. Experiments suggest that bismuth, an ingredient in some over-the-counter stomach medications, may help destroy the bacterium that causes some peptic ulcers.

Be cautious when choosing over-the-counter pain relievers. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, can cause ulcers and prevent an existing ulcer from healing. Your best choice may be acetaminophen, which does not cause or promote stomach ulcers.

Learn how to deal with stress. While there is no evidence that stress causes ulcers, it can exacerbate existing ones. Practicing relaxation techniques can help alleviate stress.

Prevention

Avoid foods and beverages such as caffeinated drinks that irritate your stomach. Use common sense: If it upsets your stomach, avoid it.

Spicy and fatty foods are common irritants. m Eat foods with high fiber content. Fiber is thought to enhance mucin secretion.

Physical symptoms may include headache, fatigue, insomnia, digestive changes, neck pain or backache, loss of appetite, or overeating.

Psychological symptoms may include tension or anxiety, anger, reclusiveness, pessimism, resentment, increased irritability, feelings of cynicism, and inability to concentrate or perform at usual levels.

Call Your Doctor If

You have prolonged or acute symptoms. Excessive stress puts you at risk of other serious disorders, including immune problems, digestive disorders, diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, migraine headaches, and possibly cancer.

You have symptoms of stress and any of the following: unusual patterns of sleep, appetite, and moods; physical movement that is unusually agitated or abnormally slow. You may have clinical depression.

Relaxation exercises can help you keep stress under control. For the Corpse, lie on your back, with your feet approximately 18 inches apart and turned out slightly. With palms up, place your hands about six inches from your hips. Close your eyes and breathe deeply for eight to 10 minutes.

Stress is the reaction of our bodies and minds to something that upsets their normal balance. The human response to stressful events is an ancient one, dating back to a time when life was a constant struggle for survival A good example of stress in action is the way you react when you are frightened or threatened. But not all stressful events are so sudden or so obvious as the threat of bodily harm. Stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the demands of life and our ability to cope with them. Any challenge that overwhelms us—a serious illness, the death of a family member, the loss of a job or a lover—can be stressful to the point of physical and psychological dysfunction.

Treatment Options

Some treatments once considered alternative are now widely used in the medical community—particularly those designed to promote physical and mental relaxation.

Aromatherapy

Essential oil of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) can help reduce stress: Try 5 or 6 drops in a bath, or put 2 or 3 drops on a handkerchief and inhale from time to time. Other oils to try include Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis), marjoram (Origanum majorana), lemon-scented eucalyptus (Eucalyptus citriodora), and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis).

Ayurvedic Medicine

Two combined formulas, Geriforte and Mentat, may help reduce stress. The following remedies may also be useful: a milk decoction or powder of the root of winter cherry; a decoction or powder of the fruit of emblic myrobalan; or an infusion, powder, or pill of gotu kola.

Body Work

The Alexander technique focuses on ways to eliminate stress-causing muscle tension and promote a restful breathing pattern.

Exercise

Vigorous aerobic exercise can reduce the level of pulse-quickening hormones released during stress and stimulate a sense of well-being. Even a walk around the block can help reduce anxiety. Try to schedule the exercise of your choice for 30 minutes at least three times a week.

Stretching exercises can relax tense upper- body muscles that accompany stress and affect breathing. Rotate your shoulders up, back, and then down. Inhale as the shoulders go back; exhale as they go down. Do the exercise four or five times, inhale deeply, and exhale. Repeat the cycle.

Flower Remedy

The Bach flower Rescue Remedy may help reduce stress. Consult a naturopath or other practitioner familiar with flower remedies.

Herbal Therapies

A traditional response to stress is to drink a cup of hot tea. Some herbalists suggest chamomile (Matricaria recutita), passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), or American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) tea.

Hydrotherapy

Try a warm bath containing 1 drop of the essential oils of lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), jasmine, or German chamomile (Matricaria recutita).

Massage

By relaxing tense muscles and helping circulation, massage helps the mind relax. Between treatments, massage your temples, neck, shoulders, and face.

Mind/Body Medicine

Meditation brings relaxation and increased awareness. When you feel stressed, think affirmations such as “I can face this calmly. I control my own life.” Or try visualization, or guided imagery, exercises. Visualizing a pleasant situation can bring physical as well as emotional benefits; combine a visualization session with soothing music. Many excellent teachers, books, and tapes are available to help you learn the technique.

Nutrition and Diet

How well you handle stress can be affected by your diet. Because it is easy to neglect nutrition when you are under stress, make an extra effort to eat a balanced diet—plenty of vegetables and fruit, as well as foods high in complex carbohydrates, moderate in protein, and low in fat. Avoid or reduce caffeine consumption: Excessive caffeine has been shown to increase anxiety.

Sound Therapy

A number of sound-therapy techniques can help reduce stress.

Home Remedies

There are many simple, inexpensive ways to manage stress on your own. For many people, a good way to start is by cutting out artificial stress relievers such as alcohol, which can mask symptoms and may become addictive. Try exercise instead. Take walks. Breathe deeply.

In times of stress, social support is crucial. People with close personal relationships are the most likely to recover from serious illness or injury, and stress is no different. The ability to form relationships with people—or pets, for that matter— can be a key to good health.

Prevention

While we can’t—and perhaps shouldn’t try to— change our personality or avoid stressful situations, we can learn to cope with them. Try the following:

Cultivate outside interests and plan occasional diversions to break routine habits.

Set up a regular sleeping schedule and get plenty of rest—without sleeping pills.

Ea Avoid the learned behaviors of hurry and worry, which can upset your sleeping, eating, and other schedules. Take time to enjoy your life.

Make a list of things that trouble you. Ask yourself: What’s the worst that can happen? Have I done what I can to prepare myself? Is this problem really worth worrying about?

When you’re facing a stressful situation, remember a bit of folk wisdom: Count to 10 and take a deep breath before saying or doing anything. A deliberate pause can be an instant tranquilizer.

Sty: a red, hot, tender, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful swelling near the edge of the eyelid.

Chalazion: a relatively painless, smooth, round bump within a fat gland of the eyelid.

Call Your Doctor If

Either type of swelling does not subside within a few weeks.

The swelling interferes with your vision. you have pain in the eye.

You have recurrent sties. A sty can be a symptom of other ailments such as diabetes and chronic skin problems.

CAUTION：Although some alternative treatments may be helpful in relieving and preventing eyelid infections, never put any preparations in the eye itself unless specifically directed to do so by a physician. The surface of the eye is easily damaged by some antiseptics and medications. When applying any lotions or compresses to the eyelid, keep your eye closed.

A sty is a pimple or abscess on the upper or lower edge of the eyelid that signals an infected eyelid gland. Although sties are usually on the outside of the lid, they can also occur on the underside.

An external sty starts as a pimple next to an eyelash. It turns into a red, painful swelling that usually lasts several days before it bursts and then heals. Most external sties are short lived

An internal sty (on the underside of the lid) also causes a red, painful swelling, but its location prevents the pus from appearing on the eyelid. The sty may disappear completely once the infection is past, or it may leave a small fluid-filled cyst or nodule that can persist and may have to be cut open.

A chalazion is also a sign of an infected eyelid gland, but unlike a sty, it is a firm, round, smooth, painless bump located usually some distance from the edge of the lid.

Sties and chalazions are usually harmless and rarely affect your eye or sight They can occur at any age and tend to recur elsewhere on the lid.

Treatment Options

While painful and unsightly, most sties heal within a few days on their own or with simple treatment. Chalazions, too, often disappear on their own, but it might take a month or more.

If sties recur, your doctor may prescribe an antibiotic ointment or solution. Apply it to the eyelid (with your eye closed) as directed.

Although a chalazion will often disappear on its own, applying warm compresses to the lid and perhaps a corticosteroid ointment will help speed the process.

In some especially problematic cases that do not respond to home treatment, you may need to have an internal sty or a chalazion removed surgically. An ophthalmologist can perform this minor procedure in the office using a local anesthetic. The eyelid usually heals quickly.

Acupuncture

In traditional Chinese medicine it is believed that all types of boils, including sties, are caused by heat invasion.

Ayurvedic Medicine

An infusion made with Indian basil can be soaked in a piece of clean cloth or cotton ball and applied to the sty to provide relief. Be sure to read the caution at left about applying treatments to the eye. Consult a qualified practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine for further specific advice.

Flower Remedy

Bach Rescue Remedy cream, applied directly to the sty, may help the eyelid heal faster. Be careful when you apply the cream—avoid getting it in your eye.

Herbal Therapies

To help reduce the pain and inflammation of sties, herbalists recommend professionally prepared eye drops made from eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis). They may also prescribe an oral preparation of burdock (Arctium lappa).

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy treatment for a sty consists of applying hot compresses to the affected eye for 10 to 15 minutes four times daily for several days. This not only relieves pain and inflammation but also helps the sty ripen faster. To make a hot compress, use a cotton cloth or washcloth. Soak it in hot water, then wring it out; the cloth should be dry enough not to drip but wet enough to maintain a hot temperature for several minutes. Replace or remoisten the cloth as needed to keep it hot. Be sure to close your eye while you apply the compress. When the sty comes to a head, continue applying hot compresses to relieve pressure and promote rupture. Do not squeeze the sty; let it burst on its own.

Nutrition and Diet

If you have recurrent sties and chalazions, a nutritionist may recommend that you take supplements of vitamins A and C, which seem to promote healthy skin. You might also want to try a system- cleansing diet, consuming only raw fruits and vegetables, yogurt, herbal teas, fruit juices, and mineral water for up to a week. Naturopathic physicians believe that this diet, repeated at regular intervals, may keep sties from developing.

Home Remedies

The simplest—and often the most effective—treatment for sties and chalazions is to apply hot compresses, as described under Hydrotherapy, above. When the sty has come to a head, it will spontaneously rupture. You can also make a compress by wetting a tea bag with warm water and placing it on your eyelid, with your eye closed, for five minutes three to four times a day.

Prevention

If sties tend to recur, you need to cleanse the outside of your eyelids daily. Put a few drops of very mild baby shampoo into a teacup of warm water and stir. Using a clean cotton swab, gently brush the mixture over your eyelid once a day, keeping your lids closed. It is very important that you avoid contact of the eyelid with cosmetics, dirty towels, or contaminated hands.

Frequent application of hot compresses at the first sign of an infection will prevent further blockage of the lid glands. To keep the infection from spreading to other members of your household, be sure to use a clean, disposable cloth for compresses and do not share washcloths or towels.

Painful tenderness at or near a joint, especially around a shoulder, wrist, or heel (where it is known as Achilles tendinitis), or on the outside of an elbow (where it is called tennis elbow).

In some cases, numbness or tingling.

Stiffness that, along with the pain, restricts the movement of the joint involved.

Occasionally, mild swelling at the joint.

Persistence of the soreness, which may last or recur long after the tendon has had time to recover from the original injury.

Call Your Doctor If

Your pain doesn’t ease up in seven to 10 days. You want to avoid letting chronic tendinitis set in; moreover, you may have another problem such as bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, phlebitis, or tenosynovitis.

Your pain is extremely severe and is accompanied by swelling and loss of function. You may have a ruptured tendon, which requires immediate medical attention.

Caution: If you have suffered a stroke or have diabetes, circulatory problems, or heart disease, avoid massage and applications of heat or cold until you consult your doctor.

Tendinitis is an inflammation in or around a tendon, which is a cable of fibrous tissue that connects a muscle to a bone and transmits the force the muscle exerts. Tendons are designed to withstand bending, stretching, and twisting, but they can become inflamed because of overuse, disease, or injuries that leave them with torn fibers or other damage. The pain can be significant, and it will worsen if the damage progresses because of continued use of the joint. Most tendinitis heals in about two weeks, but chronic tendinitis can take more than six weeks to improve, often because the sufferer doesn’t give the tendon time to heal.

Treatment Options

The goal of treatment is to restore movement to the joint without pain and to maintain strength in surrounding muscles while giving the tissues time to heal. Adequate rest is crucial. Returning too soon to the activity that caused the injury can lead to chronic tendinitis or torn tendons.

Ayurvedic Medicine

A paste of Indian bdellium applied directly to the affected area can help soothe the pain of tendinitis.

Body Work

The Alexander technique—which teaches patients how to maintain good body alignment and reduce muscle tension—can have a healing effect on chronic tendinitis. The Feldenkrais method, Rolfing, and Aston-Patterning are other bodywork techniques that may also help heal chronic tendinitis.

Chinese Medicine

Acupuncture, if performed by a qualified practitioner, can be useful in treating tendinitis. A number of Chinese herbal liniments can also soothe tendinitis pain, including Po Sum On Medicated Oil, Tieh Ta Yao Gin (Traumatic Injury Medicine), and Zheng Gu Shui. Chinese herbalists might prepare a poultice of gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides), flour, and wine, which, together with tui na—a type of massage that uses the ball of the thumb to manipulate the area—may help to reduce swelling and to increase circulation.

Herbal Therapies

For pain, a naturopathic practitioner might suggest white willow (Salix alba), the natural form of aspirin, taken orally. Try comfrey (Symphytum officinale) salve, applied two or three times a day, to help relieve inflammation and to strengthen the tendon. Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, is sometimes taken orally with the aim of reducing inflammation in soft tissues; bromelain should not be taken with meals, so take it at least 30 minutes before, or two hours after, eating.

Hydrotherapy

Use alternating hot and cold compresses: Soak one washcloth in hot water and another in cold. Wring out the warm cloth and place it over the affected area for three minutes; follow with the cold cloth for 30 seconds. Alternate them two more times, finishing with a cold cloth. Do this once or twice a day, as needed.

Or try a hot vinegar pack: Heat equal parts vinegar and water, then soak a towel in the mixture. Wring it out and apply it to the affected area for five minutes. Remove it, then apply a cold one for five minutes. Cover with wool. Repeat these hot- cold applications three times, finishing with cold.

Massage

If performed by a skilled practitioner, massage can help relieve tendinitis and promote the proper healing of the affected tissues; the friction technique is particularly effective for chronic tendinitis.

Nutrition and Diet

Research suggests that vitamin supplements may help heal tendinitis. Ask your doctor about taking daily supplements of vitamin C (1,000 mg), beta carotene (vitamin A, 10,000 IU), zinc (22.5 mg), vitamin E (400 IU), and selenium (50 mcg).

Home Remedies

Try the RICE treatment: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Rest mainly means not using the joint, especially not for the same action that injured it. For ice, a bag of frozen vegetables will do if no ice pack is handy. Compression is best provided by an elastic sports bandage wrapping the area snugly, but not painfully tight. For elevation—to reduce fluid pressure in the injured area—put your ankle on a footstool or lift your elbow onto a chairside table.

Prevention

Include warmups, cooldowns, and stretches in your exercise routine. Vary your exercises, and gradually increase their level of difficulty.

Tendinitis on the Job

If your tendinitis it caused by tasks you perform at work and you cannot rest your injuries while keeping up with your duties, ask your supervisor for help in moding your work habits. You may want to request a work-site inspection by an ergonomics specialist, who can analyze the situation and suggest changes. Try some stretches before and after work, and plan to take a five- to 10- minute period each hour to rest the injured area by undertaking tasks that do not involve its use.

Mildly reddish to severely red or purplish skin discoloration; skin feels hot and tender. Sunburn appears one to six hours after exposure to sunlight and peaks within 24 hours, later fading to tan or brown.

Small, fluid-filled blisters that may itch and eventually break; flaking or peeling skin that reveals the tender, reddened underlayer.

Red, blistered skin accompanied by chills, fever, nausea, or dehydration. This severe stage of sunburn is considered a first-degree burn.

Pain and irritation of the eye associated with overexposure to ultraviolet rays from sunlight or other sources.

Call Your Doctor If

• Your sunburn blisters and is accompanied by chills, fever, or nausea. Severe sunburn requires professional care in order to limit the risk of infection and to prevent dehydration.
• Your eyes are extremely painful and feel gritty. You should have your eyes examined by an ophthalmologist to determine whether the corneas are damaged.

Even though light-skinned people have the highest risk of getting sunburned, skin of any color can be damaged by the sun’s rays. A sunburn is like any other kind of burn, except that it comes on more slowly. Skin that is reddened and feels hot to the touch can be self-treated and will heal in a matter of days. Sunburned skin that swells or blisters, causing localized pain and overall discomfort, is considered a first-degree burn. A sunburn that results in swelling and extensive blisters may be accompanied by fever, nausea, and dehydration.

Getting a severe sunburn early in life increases the risk of developing malignant melanoma, a type of skin cancer, years later.

The Sun’s Dangerous Rays

Of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation that penetrates Earth’s atmosphere, UVA radiation generally only tans but may also take part in premature aging and wrinkling. UVB rays cause sunburn and the potential for skin cancer. Reflected sunlight from sand, water, or snow is as strong as direct sunlight; shade, clouds, clothes, sunglasses, and sunscreens do not provide complete protection. In addition, certain drugs can intensify the harmful effects of UV radiation; if you are concerned about the potential danger, ask your healthcare practitioner about the risk of photosensitivity.

Treatment Options

Few cases of sunburn require medical care. If the burn is very painful or widespread, a doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids to relieve the discomfort. Treatment for extremely severe cases of sunburn—those involving extensive blistering, dehydration, or fever—usually requires bed rest and possibly hospitalization.

Ayurvedic Medicine

Fresh gel of aloe or a paste made from the herb Indian country mallow can provide relief when they are applied to the skin. A paste or the oil of sandalwood applied to the forehead may help cool the body. Consult a practitioner of Ayurvedic medicine to find out about these and other traditional Indian remedies.

Chinese Medicine

A traditional Chinese remedy for burns of any kind is Ching Wan Hung (Beijing Absolute Red); consult a practitioner of Chinese medicine for treatment.

Flower Remedy

The flower remedy known as Rescue Remedy cream can be applied to sunburned skin to provide relief. Consult a practitioner such as a naturopathic physician who is familiar with flower remedies.

Herbal Therapies

Over-the-counter preparations containing aloe (Aloe barbadensis) are excellent for relieving the dryness and irritation that accompany sunburn. Lotions, poultices, and compresses containing calendula (Calendula officinalis) will reduce inflammation and pain. Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) may be used on exposed new skin after peeling or blistering, to help prevent infection.

Homeopathy

Cantharis (12x) taken orally every three to four hours for up to two days is recommended for relieving pain and helping to heal blisters.

Hydrotherapy

A cool bath laced with several tablespoonfuls of baking soda or cider vinegar can relieve the pain, itching, and inflammation of a moderate sunburn.

Home Remedies

Apply cold compresses or calamine lotion to ease itchiness, take aspirin to relieve pain, and have a cool bath or shower for overall relief. Drink plenty of water, but avoid alcohol, which dehydrates the skin. Do not break any blisters; doing so will slow the healing process and increase the risk of infection. When your skin peels or the blisters break, gently remove dried fragments and apply an antiseptic ointment or hydrocortisone cream to the skin beneath. If you feel feverish or nauseated, drink lots of fluids and see a doctor immediately.

Prevention

The most effective way to prevent sunburn is to limit your exposure to direct sunlight, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Take a look at your shadow: If it’s shorter than your height, stay under cover.

If you have to be outside in the midday sun, wear loose-fitting clothes, a broad-brimmed hat, and socks and shoes to protect your feet and ankles.

• Note that radiation exposure is greater at higher altitudes and southern latitudes.
• Any water surface reflects the sun’s rays and can double the radiation dose. Protect your skin with a water-resistant sunscreen.

• Protect babies’ sensitive skin from strong sunlight, and alert older children to the hazards of overexposure.
• Wear sunglasses that are rated for UV protection. In general, gray, brown, and green lenses—in order from most to least effective—can block out damaging UV rays.

Screening the Sun

Two types of sunscreens are on the market. Physical sun- blocks, such as zinc ointment, protect by creating a barrier between your skin and the sun. They’re good for small areas, such as the nose and lips, but not for your whole body Products containing para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) block virtually all UVB rays—the kind most likely to cause sunburn—but offer only minimal protection against UVA rays.

Sunscreens carry a sun protection factor (SPF); a rating of SPF 15 is recommended for most people, but fair-skinned people who are in the sun all day need more. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go out, and reapply it after a swim. Even if you don’t swim, a waterproof sunscreen has more staying power. If PABA gives you a rash, try sunscreens containing cinnamates for UVB protection and avobenzone for UVA protection.

Include the following in the diet: sprouts (especially mung beans and alfalfa), apricots, dried beans, lentils, fresh grated beetroot, Brazil nuts, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, mealier, mealie-meal, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, guava, horseradish, lemons, lettuce, mustard greens, oranges, parsley, peaches, pecan nuts, green peppers, sweet potatoes, honey, soya beans, spinach, tomatoes and watercress.

Make a standard brew tea using Salad Burnet, Calendula (leaves and flowers), Lavender or Nettle. Drink daily.

Bulbinella (Bulbinefrutescens)

Apply the juice and jelly of the leaf to the affected area.

Strawberries

Pulp fresh strawberries and apply to the area.

Grapes

Pulp flesh of the grapes and apply to the area.

Oatmeal

Mix with water and apply to the area.

Elder

Make a wash (250 ml flowers and leaves to 750 ml boiling water). Stand and steep. Strain when the wash is quite cool. Dab on frequently. Store excess in the fridge. A wash using the same proportions can be made from Nettle, Ajuga, Calendula, Grape leaves and Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis).

Burdock

The leaves can be used to make a wash (250 ml leaves to 750 ml boiling water) and lotion. This is an excellent treatment for many skin conditions, especially eczema. The leaves can be eaten as a vegetable.

Soapwort

Chop roots, leaves and flowers, cover with water and boil for 15 minutes. Leave to cool. Makes a soapy, green, soothing wash and lotion. Dab on frequently. Keep excess in the fridge. Excellent for scalp eczema; use as a shampoo.

Herbal Formula for EYE AILMENTS

Include the following in the diet to improve eyesight, clear infections and strengthen the eyes: borage, calendula, apples, raw beetroot (including leaves), broccoli, carrot, cabbage, coconut, watercress, strawberries, watermelon, grapefruit, lemons, lettuce, onions, nasturtiums, prunes, chicory, grapes, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds.

Cucumber

For tired eyes, place fresh slices over the lids and rest for half an hour.

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Boil 250 ml chopped leaves in 1 litre water. Use the water as a wash.

Fennel

Chop up 12,5 ml herb. Pour over 250 ml boiling water. Dip a clean cloth into the tea and use as a compress. Thyme, Blackjack, Cornflower and Yarrow can all be used in the same way.

Herbal Formula for FAINTING

Include the following in the diet: barley (as a drink and eaten cooked), sunflower seeds, Brazil nuts, pecan nuts and walnuts.

Make a standard brew tea using either Rosemary or Lucerne.

FEVER

Include the following in the diet: barley water (add a pinch of cayenne pepper), grapes, diluted grape juice.

Drink as much cool water as possible; hold ice chips between the lips.

Make a standard brew tea of Borage, Catnip, Yarrow or Tansy.

Lemons

Suck slices of ice-cold lemon.

Brown rice

Cook 250 ml rice in 1,5 litres water. Allow to cool, then strain and drink the water. Strawberries

Liquidise with cool water and drink. (To 125 ml berries add a few Borage flowers and 2 leaves in 250 ml water. Liquidise.)

FEVER BLISTERS

Apply juice of bulbinella (Bulbine frutescens) frequently, or dab on Apple cider vinegar.

After over-indulgence of alcohol, incorrect eating, smoking, or in times of anger, stress and anxiety, the following herbs will help rid the body ofharmful toxins.

Include the following in the diet: celery, parsley, sage, salad burnet, fennel, thyme, rosemary, watercress, radishes, beetroot, melons (particularly watermelon), sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and apple cider vinegar.

Cayenne pepper

Take small pinches of cayenne pepper in a glass’ of water. Add 5-10 ml apple cider vinegar.

Fennel

Make a tea (4 cups leaves, flowers and seeds in 2 litres boiling water). Stand, steep, strain. Drink 1 cup and use the rest as a wash or pour in with your bath-water.

Peaches

Boil 10 peach pips in 1,5 litres water for

10 minutes. Cool, strain and keep in the fridge. Take 12,5 ml four times a day to cleanse the system. (This is especially good for treating worms.)

Sea-salt

Add 250-500 ml to your bath-water and soak in the bath for half an hour. Rub a handful of salt into the feet. After an X-ray add 500 ml sea-salt, 250 ml bicarbonate of soda and 500 ml Epsom salts to the bath-water to offset the effects of radiation.

Sweet basil and clove tea

Take 60 ml basil and 6 cloves. Pour over 250 ml boiling water. Stand, steep, strain. Drink while hot.

Herbal Formula for DIABETES

Include the following in the diet: prickly pears, green vegetables, sunflower seeds, cabbage, celery, olives, parsley, soya beans and naartjies.

Make a standard brew tea of either Vinca rosea (pink Madagascar periwinkle) or Nettle. Drink daily.

Herbal Formula for DIARRHOEA

Include the following in the diet: white rice, barley water, grated apple, grated quince, cream crackers and flat Coca Cola.

Make a standard brew tea using either Scented geranium, Ginger root, Yarrow, Peppermint, Sour fig, Periwinkle (Vinca major), Waterlily or Amaranthus.

Herbal Formula for DIURESIS

Include the following in the diet: grapes, apple, melons (particularly watermelon), raw onions, asparagus, celery, parsley, pawpaw and strawberries.

Make a standard brew tea using either Fennel, Celery, Nettle, Yarrow, Mealie husk silk or Parsley.

Herbal Formula for DIZZINESS

Include the following in the diet: fresh fruit juices, vegetable juices, beetroot, cabbage, carrots, barley, mealies, mushrooms, onions, green peas, baked potatoes, soya beans, sunflower seeds and turnips.

Make a standard brew tea using either Rosemary, Mint or Lemon balm (melissa) to combat dizzy spells.

Herbal Formula for DYSENTERY

Include the following in the diet: beetroot and fresh coconut.

Make a standard brew tea using either Scented geranium, Ginger, Hypericum, Quince, Sour fig, Yarrow or Peppermint. Drink frequently

Herbal Formula for EARACHE

Include the following in the diet: grated fresh carrots, lettuce, dandelion greens, salad burnt, chickweed, pawpaw, parsley, peaches, sweet potatoes, green peas, pecan nuts, prunes, watercress and spinach.

NB: Consult your doctor before attempting to treat earache, and particularly ear infections in children.

Caraway

Crush 125 ml seeds. Heat a slice ofbread in the oven and discard crusts. Pound seeds and bread together. Add a little hot brandy. Apply as a poultice behind the ear.

Garlic

Peel 2-3 cloves, encase in a piece of gauze and insert gently into the extreme outer canal of the ear. Do not push toofar in.

Verbascum

Oil can be bought from a chemist or homeopathic supplier. Use a warmed drop or two in the ear, or apply a poultice of warmed flowers to the outer ear or behind it.

Onion

Apply a roast onion, as hot as can be tolerated, to the area behind the ear.

Yarrow

Make a strong tea (125 ml herb to 250 ml boiling water). Dip a ball of cottonwool in the tea, wring out and apply behind the ear, or insert (not too deeply) into the ear.

Include the following in the diet: apricots, asparagus, green beans, beetroot and beetroot tops, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, dandelion greens, lettuce, mustard, oranges, lemons, naartjies, grapefruit, parsley, peaches, pawpaw, peas, pecan nuts, watercress, spinach and garlic.

Make a standard brew tea using either Lemon balm, Sage, Elderflowers, Honeysuckle, Verbascum (mullein), Thyme, Comfrey or Peppermint, and drink throughout the day.

Almonds

Grind 6 almonds into a meal, add 250 ml warm water and the juice ofone lemon. Sweeten with honey. Drink a little every now and then to break the cough.

Anise

Crush 12,5 ml aniseed, then pour over 250 ml boiling water. Sweeten with honey. Allow to stand overnight. Drink a spoonful at regular intervals to soothe the cough.

Sage

Finely chop 25-50 ml fresh sage. Add enough honey to bind it (about 25 ml). Add 12,5 ml lemon juice and mix well. Keep near at hand and take a teaspoon each time you cough.

Onion

Cut onion into thin slices, sprinkle each slice with sugar and cover. Leave overnight. Drain off the juice and take a teaspoon every now and then to relieve the cough.

CRAMPS AND MUSCLE SPASMS

Make a standard brew tea using either Ginger, Chamomile, Rosemary, Peppermint or Apple cider vinegar. Add honey to sweeten. Take 5 ml daily in a glass of water to ease cramps.

Calcium tablets (Dolomite) and vitamin C (500 mg daily) will also ease cramps.

Eucalyptus

Rub oil (or Apple cider vinegar) into the painful area.

CUTS

Include the following in the diet: fresh (or tinned) asparagus, fresh celery, borage, lettuce, parsley, pawpaw, spanspek, honeydew melon, watermelon and barley water (drink the water and eat the barley with only herb seasoning, eg thyme, celery seeds).

Make a tea (125 ml herb to 500 ml boiling water) using either Celery, Borage, Kweekgras rhizomes or Parsley. Stand, then strain. Drink warm (6-12 cups per day).

Garlic tea

Crush 2-3 cloves garlic and pour over 250 ml boiling water and 12,5 ml lemon juice. Drink 4 cups of this tea at intervals throughout the day. Chew a sprig ofparsley afterwards to cleanse the breath.

DEODORANT

Include sage and parsley in the diet. Chew cloves, cumin and cinnamon.

Sage

Make a