Tag Archives: alternative therapies

8 Plant-Based Home Remedies for Bug Bites and Stings

by NXZDolores Posted on June 10, 2019

We know how important it is for our health to spend time in nature. Unfortunately, it often comes with the risk of getting bitten or stung by bugs. Don?t let that put you off enjoying the outdoors. There are many natural ways to quickly relieve bites and stings, either in the moment or after you?ve come home. And, luckily, you likely already have most of these natural fixes in your kitchen or growing in your garden.

Plantain (Plantago major)

1. Herbal Poultices

One of the fastest herbal poultices you can make is to simply chew a few leaves of plantain and put the mash on a bite or sting. If you have a band-aid handy, you can put it on top of the plantain to hold it in place.

You can also make a poultice out of a number of different herbs by crushing the fresh or dried herbs in a bowl or pestle with a small amount of water or oil. Put the poultice on a bite or sting, then wrap it with a piece of gauze, clean cloth or band-aid to keep the poultice in place until the itch or pain has gone.

Plantain, lavender, echinacea, basil, oregano, calendula, chamomile, bay leaves, witch hazel, thyme and peppermint all make good bite-relieving poultices.

2. Onions and Garlic

Perhaps surprisingly, the natural compounds in raw onions and garlic that can make your eyes water can also calm an insect bite or sting. You can apply fresh onion or garlic slices directly on your bite. You can also chop, grate or crush onions or garlic to make a poultice.

3. Raw Potatoes

Similar to onions and garlic, raw potato that?s been crushed, grated or sliced can be applied to a bite or sting for relief. If you?re in a hurry, simply cut a potato in half and hold it against your skin.

4. Citrus Fruits

Certain natural compounds in citrus fruits have been shown to effectively repel and kill various insect pests, including mosquitoes and ticks. This may be why some people report that citrus fruits can also ease bites and stings.

You can use the juice or the pulp of lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruits directly on your skin. If you don?t have any fresh fruit available, lemon juice concentrate or prepared orange juice may also help.

5. Oatmeal

Oatmeal contains specific phytochemicals that have anti-irritant qualities. Make an oatmeal poultice by mixing equal amounts of quick-cook oatmeal and water in a bowl until it becomes a paste. Hold it on your skin with your hand or a cloth until the itching and pain subside.

If you have a lot of bug bites, an oatmeal bath is another good option. Add 1 cup (240 grams) of instant or ground oatmeal to a regular-sized bath. Soak for about 15-20 minutes. Periodically rubbing some of oatmeal on your bites during the bath can also help.

6. Essential Oils

Many essential oils have been shown to provide relief from pain and itching. Essential oils are typically mixed with a carrier oil, such as sweet almond or olive oil, in a 1:1 ratio before applying to your skin to prevent any burning or discomfort. Some of the best essential oils for bug bites and stings are basil, chamomile, witch hazel, lavender, mint, rosemary, tea tree, thyme and eucalyptus.

7. Tea Bags

A tea bag makes a great pre-packaged poultice to put on bites and stings. Regular teas, such as Ceylon, green or white teas, contain natural tannins that can ease the discomfort. Chamomile, peppermint, lemon balm and echinacea teas can also help calm irritation and promote healing.

It?s best to steep a tea bag in cold water in the fridge for about 30 minutes. Squeeze out any excess water from the bag and put it on your bite or sting.

8. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera contains natural anti-inflammatory compounds that will help reduce itching and swelling, as well as promote healing. If you have an aloe vera plant, you can simply break off a leaf and rub some of the fresh inner gel on a bite or sting. You can also use store-bought aloe vera gel or extract if you don?t have a plant nearby.

Related on Care2

7 Ways to Treat Bug Bites
Why You?re a Mosquito Magnet, According to Science
9 Plants to Grow that Repel Mosquitoes

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8 Plant-Based Home Remedies for Bug Bites and Stings

Posted in alo, bigo, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, Uncategorized | Tagged alternative therapies, Bee, bigo, eco-friendly tips, health, home, How, Insect, mosquitoes, poultices | Comments Off

31 Clever Uses for a Lemon

by Dianne0211 Posted on April 30, 2017

Don’t throw that lemon half away! Lemons may be small and sour, but they’re a powerful cleaning, beauty, cooking and healing tool. Let the infographic below be your guide to citrus success!

Infographic via OnStride Financial

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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31 Clever Uses for a Lemon

Posted in FF, G & F, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, PUR, Uncategorized | Tagged alternative therapies, cooking-and, eco-friendly tips, expressed-above, food, g & f, green, hair care, hands & feet, not-reflect, onstride-financial, via-onstride | Comments Off

What is ‘Earthing’ and Why Are People Going Nuts Over It?

by ArielMathew9449 Posted on August 5, 2016

As humans, we seem to intuitively know that spending time outside is good for body and soul. In addition to the vitamin D benefits of sunlight, theres just something about being outside that feels good. We might not always be able to put our finger on why, exactly, the great outdoors is good for us, but we know it to be true: In fact, a recent study estimated that an abundant urban tree population would reduce national healthcare spending to the tune of $6.8 million, as a result of better air quality, decreases in stress and other health factors.

A new group of scientists has recently started looking into the health benefits of direct contact with the earththings like walking barefoot on the grass, sitting against a tree and lying on a warm, sandy beach. This practice of direct contact has been termed earthing, and a number of health and wellness gurus are beginning to advocate for it.

The Theory Behind Earthing

The idea on which earthing is based states that the earth emits a certain type of energy that can reduce inflammation, calm stress and improve health overall. Without making direct contact with the ground, say proponents, we dont get these benefits, leaving us feeling sluggish and generally causing ill health.

Think of it perhaps as vitamin GG for ground, states Earthing.com. What does that mean to you? Maybe the difference between feeling good and not so good, of having little or a lot of energy, or sleeping well or not so well.

This may sound extremely woo-woo, but in fact, there is some research to support this. One study published by scientists at the University of California, Irvine, found that just one hour of earthing decreased markers of inflammation and improved blood flow. Another study confirmed these findings, and also added that earthing seemed to improve immune response, increase wound healing factors and lessen the effects of autoimmune diseases. The idea of some special electric current running through the ground may be a little far-fetched, but there’s little doubt that the effects of nature can reduce stress and therefore improve health.

ElectronicEarthing Products

So, its hard to argue with the idea of grass beneath your feet being bad for you, but do you really need technology to experience the benefits of earthing? This is where the line gets blurry.

Companies such as Earthing.com sell products that you can place under your feet (for while youre at the computer or in front of the TV) or under your bed (for while youre sleeping) that supposedly get energy from the ground outside your home, allowing you to earth while youre inside partaking of your daily activities. The argument is that these earthing pads give you the same energy charge that youd get from making direct contact with the ground outside.

The Bottom Line

Its hard to see how people would buy into the idea of synthetic earthing pads when they could just go outside. But strange products aside, the prospect of spending more time in direct contact with the grass, dirt or sand is certainly an attractive one. And if sitting against a tree, eating an apple and reading a book is good for you, theres really no downside. Time spent outside is always valuable.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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What is ‘Earthing’ and Why Are People Going Nuts Over It?

Posted in ATTRA, FF, GE, LAI, LG, ONA, PUR, Radius, Uncategorized | Tagged alternative health, alternative therapies, bottom, general health, health, Idea, products, pur, without | Comments Off

The Solution to Getting More Omega-3s in Our Diet

by WendyHaddad Posted on February 20, 2016

The age-old adage that you get what you pay for is definitely true when it comes to organic meat and milk. A studythe largest of its kindpublished this week in the British Journal of Nutrition analyzed data from around the world and found 50 percent more beneficial omega-3 fatty acids in organic meat and milk than in their conventional, non-organic counterparts. The research team also discovered that organic meat and milk boasts more essential minerals and antioxidants.

The research teamnoted that since Western European diets are low in both beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, a switch from conventional meat and milk to organic would help increase community uptake of these important dietary components without increasing calories. One of the researchers, Chris Seal, a professor of Food and Human Nutrition at Newcastle University explained why:

“Omega-3s are linked to reductions in cardiovascular disease, improved neurological development and function, and better immune function.”Western European diets are recognized as being too low in these fatty acids and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends we should double our intake. But getting enough in our diet is difficult. Our study suggests that switching to organic would go some way towards improving intakes of these important nutrients.”

For example, a half-liter of organic full-fat milk provides 39mg or 16 percent of the recommended daily intake of omega-3, while non-organic milk of the same quantity only provides 25 mg or 11 percent.

In addition to the omega-3 fatty acids, higher levels of vitamin E and carotenoids were also observed in organic milk.

These healthier nutritional profiles were closely linked to outdoor grazing as prescribed by organic farming standards.

In addition to this study, two other recent studies, showed that when a nursing mother drinks organic milk and other dairy products, her child has a reduced risk of certain diseases and disorders, such as childhood eczema.

All of these conclusions dovetail with the team’s previous meta-analysis involving experts from across Europe that investigated the nutritional profiles of organic versus conventionally-grown crops. Just as in the meat and milk studies, organic crops boasted higher antioxidants than conventionally-grown crops and contained less of the toxic metal cadmium.

Professor Carlo Leifert, also at Newcastle University, who led the mother-child studies, commented that “we have shown without doubt there are composition differences between organic and conventional food. Taken together, the three studies on crops, meat and milk suggest that a switch to organic fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products would provide significantly higher amounts of dietary antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.”

Altogether, these landmark meta studies show that the way we produce our food has real consequences on human health. So, the next time you are temped to pay less for conventional meat, dairy and produce know that not all apples nor all milk nor all pork chops are the same, and you do, in fact, get what you pay for.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

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The Solution to Getting More Omega-3s in Our Diet