A lot of cosmetic products claim to contain Aloe Vera which we know has many health giving benefits. But did you also know that it is best to use Aloe Vera directly for best results and that it is a plant that is quite easy to grow at home?

Any sunny place, whether you want to have the plant in a pot or want it in the ground, is good for an Aloe Vera plant.

Simply cutting the stem of the fleshy plant, will give you access to the goodness within, which is in the form of a thick, translucent gel.

What you don’t want to use immediately can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.

Direct Applications of the Aloe Vera gel can help in a number of different ways such as:

• It can soothe irritated, sunburned, dry or chapped skin. It can eliminate redness and acts as a balm for a number of skin problems – simply Apply the gel directly to the affected areas.
• It isn’t just sunburn but also minor burns that the skin suffers can be effectively soothed by Application of Aloe Vera.
• Some also report to finding help for skin related problems such as acne and resultant blemishes, by using Aloe Vera.
• Aloe Vera is a natural balm for soothing insect bites.
• It can help cuts, wounds and minor traumas to heal better and faster.
• Eczema and psoriasis can also be helped by topical Aloe Vera Application.
• Apart from its medicinal uses, Aloe Vera also has a lot of cosmetic Applications – it is known to be an age old remedy for delaying signs of aging by helping to smoothen and rejuvenate skin.

Applying the gel to the hair directly is also known to be a great conditioner for hair, and can be particularly useful for alleviating dryness.

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Simple Ways to Incorporate Aloe Vera into Your Life

The 14 Best Natural Herbal Remedies

—-Know The Herbal Plants Usable For Treatment

Nowadays, when people are more in favor of using natural ingredientsinstead of chemical products, natural herbal remedies are going well into their favor.

Nevertheless, this trend has already hit the western market several years back but oriental people are using natural herbal remedies for a very long time already as therapeutic elements.

Centuries back when there was no medical technology, people used to get herbal treatment to cure several ailments.

These are wonderful, as they not only reduce quantity of harmful chemicals in our body but also help us in getting cured in a more natural manner. There are numerous herbs, which are used for curative measures. Below is a list to check out on an extensive array of frequently used herbs:

1. Lagundi (Vitex Negundo)

This is a bush, which is commonly used as medicine in the Philippines and other parts of the world.

Raw Lagundi is used for curative measures to more than a thousand years in the said country but nowadays it is widely sold as capsules, which are conveniently prepared by various pharmaceutical companies.

It is even said that every part of the Lagundi shrub is useful, as its root is considered good for energy boosting and is a great medicine for diseases such as dyspepsia, colic, rheumatism, worms, boils, and even leprosy.

Its flowers are hailed as awesome curatives used in common cases of diarrhea, cholera, high temperature (fever), liver diseases and cardiac problems.

Moreover, Lagundi seeds are generally taken to heal skin problems, inflammation of the mouth and leprosy. Most importantly, Lagundi has emerged as the most trusted remedy for coughs and asthma.

2. Yerba (Hierba) Buena (Mentha cordifelia)

Popular as ‘Mint,’ this shrub can be found in almost every part of the earth. It is broadly used as one of the natural herbal remedies for weakness, stomach problems and diarrhea.

This plant has an antiseptic nature, which makes it perfect for asthma patients. It is generally used in alcohol solution for asthma. Its leaves are said to be the most important part of a Mint plant for it can be used in the treatment of coughs and colds, toothaches and rheumatism.

3. Basil Leaves

Basil is used as a spice in Italy and is considered a holy plant in oriental countries.

It is one of the few plants, which exhales Oxygen twenty fours a day, as it always support the reaction of ‘photosynthesis.’

Basil is used in diverse forms of medicine in different countries.

People from the Far East use it to heal ‘cough’ whereas in some places, it is used for the treatment of asthma.

It is also useful for vomiting and constipation episodes. In a commercialized manner, Basil is available in capsules.

4. Tsaang Gubat (Carmona Retusa)

Commonly known as ‘Putputai’ and ‘wild tea,’ Tsaang Gubat is a famous antidote. It is broadly used to cure stomachaches, diarrhea and dysentery. This is also used to stop bleeding from snakebites.

It is a well-known body cleanser for newly born babies. Today, this is already available as a capsule and herbal tea in the market.

5. Bayabas/Guavas (Psidium Guajava L.)

The most common name of this herbal tree is the ‘Guava tree.’ The bark and leaves of the guava tree are well-known astringents. They are also effective anti-diarrheic.

Its bark is primarily used in cases of severe diarrhea in children. Ripe guava fruit is used as a curative agent for high blood pressure, poor circulation, diabetes and asthma. These are also considered as an enriched source of Vitamin C .

6. Bawang (AlliumSativum Linn)

Famously known as ‘Garlic,’ this wonder spice has a long history in the natural herbal remedies world.

It is considered as a super antioxidant and normally prescribed for patients with lower blood pressures and heart diseases.

It is also regarded as the best medicine to boost the immune system and balancing blood sugar. Garlic is a trusted curative agent to increase fat metabolism. Even if there is no ultimate treatment for cancer, Bawang is still a great herbal drug for prevention.

7. Ulasimang Bato (Peperomia Pellucida)

This is a seasonal herb. It is considered as a wonderful treatment for those who are faded up andexperience complexion problems. This is a commonly used medicine for gout and arthritis.

8. Akapulko (Cassia, Alata L.)

Akapulko is a wild shrub, which is known for its antifungal qualities. Akapulko leaves are considered to be the best oriental treatment for fungal diseases because they contain chrysophanic acid.

As a mixture, it is also used to treat bronchitis and alleviate the condition of asthma patients. Akapulko is now available at the market in the form of anti-fungal liniments.

9. Ampalaya (Momordica Charantia)

Ampalaya is a vegetable that is also known as bitter melon.

It is full of momordicin, which makes it bitter. Due to its bitterness, it is considered as one of the natural herbal remedies for diabetes.

It improves the body’s ability to produce more insulin. It is also effectual in HIV problems and liver problems. 

10. Sambong (Blumea Balsamifera)

Camphor is the popular name of Sambong. This herbal plant is considered as a great medicine for edema. Normally, doctors prescribe camphor as a medicine todissolve kidney stones.

Tea made from camphor leaves are taken as a remedy to get cured from colds. They also take it as an expectorant and is a trusted remedy for toothaches. Sambong is among the most used medicinal plants today.

11. Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)

You can find this readily available herbal plant in any kitchen. This is obviously a broadly used spice. Ginger is supposed to be magical in the treatment of some diseases.

It is a bit bitter in taste but a perfect treatment for coughs and colds. It is also used to reduce the body temperature in cases of high-fever.

12. Turmeric (Curcuma Longa SynC. Domestica)

Among one of the most trusted natural herbal remedies, turmeric has miscellaneous uses. It is used differently in varied regions.

Many people use Turmeric powder to heal skin ulcersand in some other places it is used to cure the navel of newborn babies.

It plays a great role in tacking blemishes and other skin diseases such as itching of the skin, eczema and psoriasis. Turmeric paste provides a great relief in muscle crack or sprain.

13. Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza Glabra)

This medicine is widely available in Asian countries. It is a perfect medicine for multitude of diseases such as abdominal pain, colds, bronchitis, cough etc.

In some places, it is used to treat hyperacidity, sore throat and inflammation. If you are suffering from a constant fall of hair then apply Mulethi. It is taken as a great treatment for hair-fall.

14. Indian Gooseberry, Amla (Emblica officinalis)

Indian gooseberry is the secret of good health for many people.

The Vitamin C enriched fruit is considered as a great medicine to make the eyesight better. It is widely used as an antibacterial agent.

This fruit is full of astringent properties, which makes it a great medication to be used in the prevention of infection. Their magical effects are able to cure ulcers as well.

Taken as the perfect alternatives for the more commercially-prepared and standard chemical medications, natural herbal remedies are making appeal to the masses nowadays.

These are not only lucrative in economic terms but are also the best substitutes to be used for healing. Unlike chemical drugs, they boast of having no unexpected side effects.

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The 14 Best Natural Herbal Remedies

– Keep itchy eyes and running nose at bay with natural allergy remedies

If you suffer from allergies, you’re probably familiar with the pharmaceutical remedies that can relieve your symptoms. But here are some natural ways to fight allergies that won’t make you drowsy or damage your liver.

1. Quercetin supplements

Derived from a natural plant known as biofla vonoid, this compound is found in many kinds of foods including things like apples, tea, broccoli, citrus fruits, and onions. They act not only as natural antioxidants, but also help allergy sufferers by preventing allergic attacks.

You’ll need to take this as a supplement and start about six weeks before the expected start of allergy season to get maximum results. A dose of 1,000 milligrams per day between meals is usually recommended.

2. Bromelain enzyme

Another natural option for allergy sufferers is bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple plants that has anti-inflammatory properties. It seems to work by helping to body produce reactions that reduce pain and swelling.

This enzyme can also help patients who have recently undergone surgery or had a nasal injury, and can help with a variety of other ailments, including ulcerative colitis, muscle relaxation, shortening labor, and getting rid of fat.

3. Eat to prevent allergies

There are now several studies that suggest certain dietary intakes can help you fight allergies. For instance, nothing clears the sinuses like spicy, hot foods. Add more horseradish, hot sauce, or chilli peppers to your diet (assuming your digestive system can hack it) to clear the nasal passages quickly and naturally.

Additionally, most people do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids in their diets, but these nutrients help to fight inflammation. To boost your intake, eat more walnuts, flaxseeds and flax oil, cold-water fish, and eggs from grass-fed chickens.

4. Neti pot

Your nasal passages and sinuses can become very congested with allergies, making it difficult to breath and challenging to sleep. Neti pots help you do what people have been doing for centuries – give your sinuses a saltwater bath.

These little devices are small vessels that look somewhat like Alladin lamps that help you run saltwater through your nasal passages to remove allergens and promote sinus health. In fact, an Italian study on the neti pots showed that this nasal flushing methods can really help to reduce your dependence on antihistamines.

Irrigation of this kind may also help to prevent frequent nosebleeds.

5. Eucalyptus steam

Create a gentle mist that will help to clear the sinuses and create a lovely aroma in your home at the same time. Using eucalyptus essential oil, add a few drops to either a pot of hot water or a humidifier diffuser.

You can either go about your day normally, or for a really intense treatment, lean over the pot or humidifier and drape a towel over the back of your head to drink in the purifying aromas. This will help to loosen mucus in your system and have you breathing easier in no time.

6. Stinging nettle as a natural antihistamine

If you can’t live without some sort of antihistamine support, a natural and effective option is stinging nettle (urtica dioica) that acts using similar mechanisms to pharmaceutical treatments but is free of drug side effects like sleepiness and dry mouth. You can either take stinging nettle as a supplement (freeze-dried, capsule leaves are best), though you can also brew it in tea or take it as a tincture.

7. Butterbur

This is another antihistamine-acting plant (a perennial shrub called petasites hybridus found in Europe) that is being used to prevent allergic rhinitis instead of prescription drugs. Scientific studies against pharmaceuticals like Zyrtec and Allegra have shown great promise for this natural alternative.

If, however, you’re allergic to ragweed, this may not be the choice for you as it is in the same family and may worsen your allergies rather than relieve them.

8. Prevention through lifestyle changes

There are several simple things you can do to fight allergies by reducing your exposure to allergensand ease the discomfort that involve some simple lifestyle changes. For instance, start by limiting (or completely avoiding) your use of window fans during allergy season as these can bring allergens into your home or work environment.

Ceiling fans and air conditioners are better in this case.  If the allergens are really bad, consider closing windows altogether to keep pollen and other allergens out of the interior spaces as much as possible. And when possible limit how much time you spend outdoors in order to further limit your exposure.

One more thing: if you have carpeting in your home, strongly consider cleaning it with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter. These specialized filters help to trap find particular matter, dust mites, pollen, and mold spores, all of which contribute to common allergies.

8 Ways to Fight Allergies Naturally and Without Drugs