Dealing with Kidney stones naturally

Pain in the flank or in the side is experienced when the pressure of the urine from the kidney pushes down into the ureter and the stone. The pain can range from moderate to severe and usually goes away once the kidney stone is pushed into the bladder. Once it is in the bladder, it would be able to disintegrate or break down into smaller stones that can easily be passed with urine. Some of the other symptoms associated with kidney stones include vomiting, nausea and the presence of blood in the urine.

Doctors would usually just prescribe pain management medications and advise the patient to wait for the kidney stone to make its way to the bladder on its own, especially if the symptoms are not too severe. As a matter of fact, if you do not want to take medications, you can try some home remedies that can help in getting rid of painful kidney stones. Here are some of them.

1. Since the best way to get rid of kidney stones would be to promote urination, you can try drinking herbal teas that act as natural diuretics. A good choice would be teas made from stinging nettle leaf or hydrangea. Nettle leaves can help in flushing out bacteria and in maintaining a good balance of the electrolytes in the urine while hydrangea has been used for many centuries as a remedy for various kidney and bladder problems. Through drinking about two or three cups of stinging nettle leaf or hydrangea tea daily, you would not just be able to treat kidney stones but also prevent them from forming again.

2. Eating cherries has also been studied to offer benefits to people who have been diagnosed with uric acid kidney stones. Cherries have anti-inflammatory properties which help in reducing the levels of uric acid in the body.

3. Another remedy that you can try would be drinking a mixture of extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. The acidity of lemon juice and the ability of the olive oil to act as a lubricant helps in breaking down the kidney stones and in making them pass through your urinary tract easier and faster.

4. You can also try cleansing your kidneys through eating watermelons. Watermelons have high water content, making them natural diuretics. Eating them would increase the amount and frequency of your urination, which could in turn speed up the passage of the kidney stones through your urinary system. However, note that this home remedy should not be done by diabetics as watermelons have plenty of natural sugars. Some other fruits and vegetables that you can add to your diet to promote the cleansing of the kidneys would be radish, cucumber, cranberries and celery.

5. Lastly, drink plenty of water. Water is probably the best natural remedy that can help in getting rid of painful kidney stones. Instead of drinking just eight to ten cups of water, increase your daily intake to 14 cups or more. This would allow you to pass about two to three quarts of water throughout the day, which can make the passage of stones quicker.


 

Unusual mosquito bite remedies

Mosquito Bites
For mosquito bites, you can prepare limejuice and dilute it with water. Apply the liquid onto the area bitten by the mosquito. Aside from this, you can opt to simply apply calamine lotion, which is the most common choice for home remedies. If you don't have any available, check your cupboard for baking soda. Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with a glass of water. Rub the mixture onto the bitten area for about 15 minutes. Other people also use oatmeal because it has antiseptic and cleansing properties that can kill harmful organisms, which have entered your skin by way of the insect bite. All you need to do is to mix a teaspoon of oatmeal to 3 teaspoons of hot water, and mix well then apply to the mosquito bite. Oatmeal is also known to reduce itching and swelling.

Jewel Weed- Nature's help for poison ivy

Jewel Weed usually grows near water or in shallow ponds. It is often found in areas where Poison Ivy grows.
Jewel Weed totally neutralizes the Poison Ivy's oily antigen called Urushiol, and you will no longer spread it by scratching or rubbing. The Urushiol oil may be carried on the fur of pets, clothing, shoes, toys, tools, or other objects and then transferred to the skin. Approximately 24 to 36 hrs after a sensitized person is exposed to the Urushiol, a blistery, itching rash develops. Usually within 15 minutes of contact, the Urushiol binds to skin proteins. If it is washed off with soap and water before that time, a reaction may be prevented. After the antigen is fixed, however, it cannot be washed off or transferred to other areas. Scratching or oozing blister fluid cannot spread the antigen to other areas of the body or to other persons.
Jewel Weed is still quite helpful even if you have developed scabs, though you need to work — Rub — it in longer, and it takes time for the blisters to heal.

Poison Ivy treatment

Poison Ivy is a poisonous shrub that grows in most of the Canadian Provinces and all the US states except Alaska, California and Hawaii. It is usually found in wooded areas around the perimeters or rocky exposed areas. In Mexico it can be found in mountainous areas. Poison ivy grows as a shrub in clusters and can reach up to 1.2 metres tall and is easily identified by its yellow flowers and white berries which are small, smooth and clustered. The leaves in young Poison Ivyare a reddish brown and come in various shapes and textures (thin, hairy, hairless, dull, shiny, toothed, not toothed).
Poison Ivy produces an alkaloid to use as a protection against foraging animals. This alkaloid known as urushiol is a skin irritant that is harmful to humans who come into direct contact with it. The reaction to Poison Ivy may not be immediate. Sometimes the symptoms don't appear until a week or so later.This makes it hard to detect especially in children.
A major symptom of coming into contact with Poison Ivy is severe itching. This itching doesn't cause the rash to spread even if the blisters ooze or become infected. The rash will appear only on the areas where the urushiol has been in direct contact with the skin. Some people develop the full blown rash whilst in others it may appear gradually and even look like a scratch or a bite at the onset.
The inflammation will turn into non-coloured bumps on the skin and then into red blisters that often run in straight lines or streaks from the point of contact, These blisters are caused by the affected blood vessels developing gaps that leak fluid through to the skin. If you come into direct contact with Poison Ivy at the first opportunity apply rubbing alcohol to the affected area then rinse with water. This should be followed by further washing with soap and water.
Calamine Lotion or Burrow's Solution has in the past been used to ease the discomfort and itching, although sometimes they are ineffective. In severe cases where the blisters ooze clear fluids, corticosteroids may be prescribed.
Dermatologist often look for natural remedies to ease the symptoms of Poison Ivy. Rapid redness or unusually high swellings are symptomatic of an allergic reaction to Poison. If this occurs consult your physician immediately and do not attempt any home remedies.
A poplar home remedy for Poison Ivy. Is oatmeal.Simply Mix the oat meal with water and bring to the boil, stirring continuously. Allow to thicken and cool down before applying a thick layer to the affected areas. Leave to dry and then apply additional layers. For extra relief from itching and oozing add a tablespoon of baking soda to the mixture.
Baking soda mixed to a thick paste in the ratio 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water can also be used to relief Poison Ivy symptoms. Apply to the rash and leave to dry.
White vinegar and apple cider vinegar appear to draw out the poison and give relief to Poison Ivy symptoms. when applied directly onto the rash and blisters
Of course prevention is always better than cure so if you are going into areas where Poison Ivy is likely to be found remain vigilant. Carry a small bottle of rubbing alcohol with you for immediate treatment, then wash off with any water. Do not use water alone as this may cause the poison to spread.

Arnica for muscle injury

Muscle injuries are one type of injury that has become something that is often taken to a doctor to be treated which is easily dealt with at home using a variety of natural treatments. From sprains to bruises, there are extremely effective treatments that can be done at home using treatments that have been known to work for thousands of years. One of the best treatments available for alleviating bruising, swelling, and pain associated with muscle injuries is a salve from the Arnica plant.
The roots of the Arnica Montana plant contain compounds derived from thymol which has a number of different functions including acting as an anti-inflammatory agent and pain reliever. Typically, Arnica is used as a topical gel which is rubbed onto the effected area which provides local pain relief and helps the body to reabsorb blood and other fluids which collect in the area.
Numerous medical studies have been conducted and Arnica has been proven to be more effective at healing bruising and relieving muscular pain than a number of more expensive pharmaceutical options. While Arnica is extremely effective at aiding the healing of sprains, strains, and bruises, it does have a number of drawbacks.
The first and most noticeable drawback with Arnica is its very unique odor. While individuals have different opinions as to what constitutes an unattractive odor, Arnica has a rather strong and very unique odor. The odor does not linger too long after the application but for the first hour or so, it is quite noticeable. Another downside is that the gel, the most common form of Arnica application, leaves a sticky residue.
Even with the minor drawbacks, Arnica is an extremely popular remedy among professional athletes for dealing with injuries sustained during play and it is often used in conjunction with ice by hemophiliacs as a means of reducing and eliminating bruising that can inhibit function. Next time you get a sprain or strain, consider avoiding the expensive medical bills and marginally effective prescription drugs and grab some ice and some Arnica. Chances are good your recovery will be faster, less painful, less expensive, and better for your body

Benefits of Stinging Nettle

Here are 10 Health Benefits of Nettle:
1) Contains high amounts of Iron and is used to treat Anemia
2) Is used as a Diuretic
3) Treats Arthritis and Rheumatism
4) Helps Urinary and Respiratory Problems such as Asthma
5) Supports the Prostate
6) Boosts Energy, Stamina and Vitality
7) Prevents Hair Loss and Stimulates New Hair Growth
8) Improves Digestion
9) Benefits the skin in cases such as eczema and psoriasis
10) Supports the Liver
Stinging Nettle is also used to promote healing speed and also to help stop bleeding and cleanse the blood.

Stinging Nettles helps hair loss

Hair loss can be frustrating and embarrassing, especially if it happens at a young age. Balding may be due to the natural aging process, but it can also be hereditary or due to certain medications or medical conditions, stress, scalp infections, or poor nutrition. While there are no cures for balding there are ways to stop hair loss.
Both medical and herbal treatments can improve the growth and health of hair. Nettle is an herb that has been used for centuries to treat various conditions, including asthma, kidney infections, coughs, anemia and colds. Nettle roots and leaves have been used to lower blood pressure, speed up healing, and improve digestion. Despite its stinging hairs, nettle cooks up into a nutritious green, similar to spinach. Roman warriors brushed up against the plant to warm their legs. Today the most popular use of nettle is to treat hair loss.
Nettle grows two to three feet tall, and has dark green leaves. Tiny white stinging hairs cover parts of the plant, hence the nickname "stinging nettle." The plant has a mildly irritating effect, causing skin irritation or allergic reaction in some people. The plant's hairs contain active ingredients that act as gentle irritants and affect nerve cells, which is most likely what stimulates hair growth on people.
The roots and leaves of the nettle plant hold the valued natural properties. Nettle acts as a hair tonic and growth stimulant, restoring luster, color, and beauty to hair. It improves the health of skin, scalp, and hair; strengthens weakened hair follicles; and removes dandruff. The tingling or stinging sensation of the nettle increases blood flow, which is what improves hair growth. Nettle can be taken internally as a tea or tincture or fresh herb added to salads and other foods. Natural food stores carry nettle in tea bags, loose tea mixes, and capsules and as extracts. Many herbal hair products like shampoos and conditioners contain nettle for external application to the skin and scalp. Like many herbal treatments, nettle takes time to do its magic; it's not an overnight fix. Results vary among individuals, but people who frequently use nettle hair products often see results within three to six months.
Also like many herbs, nettle has side effects. Fresh nettle can cause irritation, hives, or an allergic reaction in susceptible people. Taken internally it can cause upset stomach, burning, bloating, and difficulty urinating. Because nettle causes water retention, internal use is not recommended for people with heart of kidney problems. Nettle, taken internally, can alter the menstrual cycle, making it an unwise choice for women who want to get pregnant. Nettle could also interact with medical treatments and medications. That's why it's important to consult a medical care provider before taking nettle internally.
While there is no surefire remedy for hair loss, many people have found that products made from or containing nettle do help stimulate the growth of hair. Using nettles in natural hair products, such as nettle shampoo, is a gentle way to promote hair growth without chemicals or expensive medical treatments.