Aloe Vera has long been a popular houseplant. It is a succulent plant, a member of the lily and onion family. Aloe Vera has been found described in writings in many different cultures and as far back as the Greek, Egyptians, and Roman eras. References have also been found in writings from the Indian and Chinese early cultures. I remember my Mother grabbing a piece off her aloe Vera plant and applying its gel to a burn or minor wound. The aloe Vera gel comes from the inner portion of the leaves. For pharmaceutical use as a laxative, the aloe juice is taken from the tubules just beneath the outer skin of the leaves. It’s a bitter yellow and dried to become aloe granules that are dark brown in color. This is from being exposed to the sun

Aloe gel has been used for topical treatment for minor wounds and burns and skin irritations for centuries. Made into a beverage and taken internally, it has been used to help many other conditions. Some of them are constipation, ulcers, diabetes, headaches, arthritis, and coughs. Taking aloe internally does have side effects, which can include pain, electrolyte imbalances, and diarrhea.

There have been scientific studies made to determine whether aloe gel can influence wound healing if taken internally. There isn’t enough evidence to determine if it does promote healing from the inside out, but enough testing has been done to know that it does if applied externally help with treating the above mentioned conditions. It has been determined that it can also help with treating minor vaginal irritations.

Some key points to remember about aloe Vera are:

Internal use of aloe gel has not been successfully proven to be effective against any disease.

Aloe latex, another derivative of the aloe Vera plant has been approved by the FDA in use in over the counter laxatives.

Aloe skin care products have not been scientifically proven to be effective as per their claims.

Aloe Vera has been given wonderful names such as the Burn Plant, Medicine Plant, Plant of Life and Wand of Heaven plant. Cleopatra was said to have used aloe-vera in their regular daily beauty routines. Aloe supplies were said to have been used by Alexander the Great to treat his wounded soldiers.

Aloe Vera is best used when used fresh from the plant. It doesn’t store well but can be bought as a preserved product. Aloe Vera can be used topically as well as taken internally, although as mentioned there is no concrete scientific proof of healing form the inside out. It has been used for mouth sores, what we call stomach sores, or cold sores.

Aloe Vera has been especially helpful of patients with severe and various skin diseases. It acts as a rejuvenating action. It acts as a moisturizer and hydrates the skin. After being absorbed into the skin, it stimulates the fibroblasts cells and causes them to regenerate themselves faster. It’s the cells that that produce the collagen and elastin so the skin will get smoother and look younger.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is said to affect as many as 12 million people just in Britain alone. Symptoms include:

Swollen abdomen

Unpleasant tastes in mouth

Diarrhea alternating between diarrhea and constipation

A diminished appetite

Stomach pains that occur low in the abdomen and frequently.

Gas and belching along with a rumbling in the gut in the bowel area.

General feeling of depression and lethargy.

Heartburn

Because Aloe Vera is natural, it works gently within the intestinal tract to help break down food residues that have become impacted and help clean out the bowel. When the bowel is cleaned out, it greatly reduces bloating, discomfort, and helps ease stress, which only leads to more attacks of irritable bowel syndrome. The sufferer of Irritable Bowel Syndrome must also begin watching his or her diet, as there are some foods that are triggers for an attack. We should stress that professional help should be obtained at the earliest onset of abdominal problems and pains.

Vinegar is essentially, sour wine. It is not only a useful ingredient in the kitchen, but also aids in natural health remedies. There are several different types of vinegar. These include white distilled vinegar, apple vinegar, cider, and wine vinegar. Vinegar has been used as natural remedies for over 10,000 years. Over the years, vinegar has been made using molasses, sorghum, fruits, berries, honey and even beer. Vinegar is made by fermentation of natural sugars to alcohol then to vinegar.

Today, vinegar is still produced and used as it has in the past. Today there are many more types of vinegar, especially specialty types including balsamic, rice, rice wine, raspberry, pineapple and flavored vinegars.

Apple cider vinegar is one of the oldest and most useful types of vinegar available on the market. Cider or apple cider vinegar is made from a two-part fermentation process from the juices of apples. It has a high vitamin content of vitamin C, E, A, B1, B2, b6, proto-vitamin, and beta-carotene. Apple cider vinegar also contains many minerals and trace elements such as potassium, calcium, sodium, copper, iron and magnesium.

Although most people do not enjoy the taste of apple cider vinegar, it has been shown to help relive the symptoms of allergies from pollen, food and pets. It can cure sinus infections and help treat acne, high cholesterol, sore throats and can help with arthritis. It is traditionally suggested that the best way to take apple cider vinegar is to drink it. The recommended dosage is to add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to eight ounces of water with added honey to improve taste. This should be taken three times a day.

Cider vinegar can also help alleviate the symptoms of a sore throat. Cider vinegar and honey mixed in equal amounts helps clear the congestion in the throat. Another use for cider vinegar is to drink the cider mixed with one to two teaspoons of honey. This works for some people who suffer from arthritis and rheumatism. Also, people who suffer from chronic fatigue can drink cider vinegar with water to help treat low-grade fevers.

White vinegar is another type of vinegar that can be used to treat symptoms naturally. It can also be used to help remedy the symptoms of a sore throat. Mixing one tablespoon of white vinegar with eight ounces of warm water will help. Use the gargle every hour and swallow after gargling. Vinegar can also be added to a vaporizer with water or to a large pot of water. Inhaling the steam can help with chest congestion.

Rubbing white vinegar can also be used for treating minor cuts, abrasions, itchy rashes and insect stings or bites and can even help alleviate the sting from a jellyfish. It might also be beneficial in treating minor sunburns. In addition, white vinegar can help treat athlete’s foot, by changing the ph levels in the skin. Try soaking the entire foot in vinegar three days in a row.

White vinegar is also a natural remedy to relieve dry, itchy skin and dandruff. Adding two tablespoons of vinegar to a bath helps skin, while rinsing hair with a half of cup of vinegar and two cups of water after shampooing can help fight dandruff.

Toenail fungus can be treated with white vinegar in much of the same way. Using a cotton ball soaked with white vinegar rub the infected area several times a day.

Additionally, with daily ingestion of any vinegar, use caution. Regular ingestion of vinegar might cause harm to dental enamel. It is suggested that when taking vinegar by mouth, it is best to always drink it with water, and rinse your mouth out immediately, but do not brush right away, as this may cause further damage. Also, it is suggested to use a straw to prevent the mixture from coating the teeth. The use of vinegar is also very acidic and may cause heartburn.

Research shows that vinegar because of its acidic nature, vinegar is self-preserving and has an indefinite shelf life. It does not need refrigeration. White distilled vinegar will remain almost unchanged over a long period of time. Some vinegar may show change such as developing sediment or becoming hazy, but this does not affect the usefulness of the vinegar.

Reflexology has been used for many centuries. The method of reflexology, also called “zone therapy”, dates back to ancient Egypt, India and China.  Evidence of reflexology has even been found in tombs in Egypt. The method of reflexology works by stimulating and applying pressure to certain parts of the hands, or to the feet. Oil, lotion and creams are not used with reflexology. The pressure causes increased circulation and promotes an overall healthier body. The form of reflexology most commonly used today dates back 125 years old to Europe and Russia.

Because hands, feet and ears are very sensitive, pressure on these areas are believed to benefit whole body health. It is estimated that this method can be effective in treating over 93% of sixty-three disorders. Those undergoing reflexology sessions often report increased physical and emotional improvements and feel better with their self-esteem and confidence.

Many benefits of reflexology have been reported. This method can reduce stress from work or home and provide an overall feeling of relaxation. This form of massage also serves to reduce and sometimes eliminate pain in the neck, shoulders and lower back. Reflexology also improves circulation in the body. Another benefit of reflexology is that those receiving regular sessions report an overall sense of well-being, better health and a feeling of reduced stress levels.

In addition, reflexology therapy has been reported to reduce the pain or discomfort caused by a wide variety of medical symptoms. Sessions can help back pain, minor headaches and migraines, menstrual cramps, injuries from sprained muscles, sleep disorders and arthritis some patients report that this therapy also helps infertility. Reflexology can also safely and effectively be used on almost anyone including infants and children, pregnant women, the ill and the elderly.

This technique is a natural way to help both stimulate and relax the body at the same time. Many who experience reflexology report an immediate relief of stress or pain caused by medical conditions.

Learning the techniques of reflexology can be quite simple and easy. Many people can learn the technique and practice it at home or in the office. On-site classes and classes online are offered in many areas to teach the basics of reflexology. Also, books and videos can offer advice on learning the basics of this technique. Many specialty stores offer socks and gloves that can be purchased with the reflexology maps for the hands and feet.

During a traditional reflexology course, students will usually learn the basics of reflexology techniques as well as hand and ear basics. Students also might learn the anatomy of the lower legs including the bones and muscles. Massage techniques and alignment exercises are often taught as well.

While no one is quite sure how reflexology works, there are some theories. One is the “nerve” theory. This theory maintains that there is a connection between the body maps used in reflexology on the feet, hands and ears to the rest of the body. When a certain pressure point is massaged, it will affect the part of the body connected. This is the most widely believed theory on how reflexology works.

Another theory is that reflexology is based on the “meridian” theory. This states that there are at least fourteen energy lines called meridians going up and down in the body. These energy lines have hundreds of pressure points and some of them are in the hands and feet. When pressure is applies to those areas, it creates a sense of well-being.

Another theory on how this technique works is the “vertical” and “horizontal” zone theories. These state that the body is divided in to either ten wide vertical strips or four horizontal strips. Every part of the body falls into one of the strips. Pressure applied to these areas helps that certain body zone.

Professional reflexology sessions can last between forty minutes to an hour. The session usually takes place in a chair with the feet raised. The reflexologies will use their hands and thumbs to help stimulate trouble areas in the body. Typically, after a session, the patient will feel comfortable and relaxed. Sometimes aromatherapy and breathing techniques are used to deepen the affects of reflexology. Breathing techniques used in conjunction with reflexology stimulates a deeper relaxation and better circulation.

Hydrotherapy is using water to treat various types of medical conditions. This practice has been part of disease and health condition treatment for thousands of years. Many ancient cultures, including Japan, China, and Rome used hydrotherapy as standard practice. Bavarian monk, Father Sebastian Kneipp, made hydrotherapy popular in the nineteenth century. Current uses of this treatment include baths, saunas, wraps, and packs.

Hydrotherapy is typically used to improve muscle tone, help with digestive and intestinal processes, stimulate circulation, improve the immune system, and offer pain relief. Water has the unique ability to eliminate stress and heal the body. It can not only assist the external body parts like skin, it can also soothe the major organs as well as the nervous system.

There are a number of techniques to use hydrotherapy. Cold rubbing is one unique use of this practice. It is primarily used to invigorate and tone the body. To start, soak a cloth, preferably linen, in cold water. Ring it out and rub the entire body. After this is complete, go to bed until your body is warm and dry.

Another form of hydrotherapy is a douche. A gentle douche can be carried out with a container of water or a source of water like a hose or shower head. The water, though, should never splash the skin. The water should flow in toward the heart. After the douche is complete, shake off the excess, get dressed, and work out. There are a number of types of douches. The knee douche is used for headaches, blood pressure problems, sleep issues, and skin problems like bruising or varicose veins. In this process, the water should move from the toes toward the knee, then back to the sole of the foot. It should be repeated for the other leg.

A thigh douche is very similar. The procedure is essentially the same as above, but instead of stopping at the knee, move toward the upper thigh. In addition to the conditions a knee douche treats, this can also improve circulation. A lower trunk douche is, again, the same procedure, but the entire lower half of your body should be included. This can help with the swelling of major organs or the formation of gall or kidney stones. The arm douche is used for anxiety issues, rheumatism, heart difficulties, and headaches. To complete this procedure, take the stream of water from the outside of the hand to the shoulder, then back on the inside of the arm. It should be repeated for the other arm. The upper trunk douche involves much the same procedure, but don't stop at the shoulder. Continue to the chest. This should help with lung and throat difficulties. It can also stimulate the cardiovascular system. The face douche, useful for headaches, eye problems, and toothaches, can be completed by starting at the right temple and moving toward the chin, then up to the left temple, and over the course of the forehead, then making circles about the face.

An additional form of hydrotherapy is a steam bath. These help with circulation, heart rate, hormone production, and airway flow. Additionally, they have been known to boost the immune system, relax the individual, and help with depression. It is important, though, in a steam bath to avoid overheating. Do not spend more than fifteen to twenty minutes in a steam bath.

Full and partial immersion baths are also forms of hydrotherapy. For back pain and the common cold, a rising temperature hip bath can be helpful. For fifteen minutes, three times a week, stand in a tub with rising hot water. It should start at the foot and rise to the navel. The eventual temperature should reach one hundred and three degrees. A cold foot bath can assist with varicose veins, headaches, circulation issues, and sleep problems. Place both feet in a bath filled with cold water up to the calf. You should stop when the water no longer seems cold. Wipe off the extra water, then walk or run until you are dry.

A final form of hydrotherapy is the wrap. Wraps are used to treat fever and inflammation. A cloth, preferably linen, should be wet with cold water and wrung out. It should then be tightly wrapped around the part of the body that is ill, but do not constrict that part of the body. Once you’ve completed this wrap, wrap again with a dry linen cloth. The person receiving the wrap can then relax for an hour. If the wrap is not warm after fifteen minutes, a hot water bottle should be applied. If at any point in time, the person receiving the wrap feels ill, the wrap should be removed.

Natural cures for everyday Health Issues takes many forms. We call them Grandmas’ old remedies or natural cures, but they are cures without using medications. Do you know how to stop a baby’s hiccups? A little bit of sugar on your finger will take them away after he’s done sucking off the sugar. Another one for hiccups for someone older is to try to scare them out of them, sipping water from a glass upside down, and then there’s my personal favorite. Taking a big, deep breath and holding it until you either turn blue, pass out or your body forces you to breath. And that’s what it does; you can’t voluntarily hold your breath to turn blue.

Some other old remedies I remember from living with my Grandma. Do you have a cold? Then the best thing is to do a sink full of dirty dishes and make the water as hot as you can stand it. Personally, I would just rather go sit in the shower. Have you ever had vapor rubbed on your chest and covered with a piece of flannel? Been there, done that lots of times. Our cough syrup was honey and lemon juice.

Headaches also have many natural cures you can try. Exercise is a good idea, a brisk walk will get your blood circulating, release contracted muscles and generally just lets you relax. My personal favorite is a hot bath. The hot water also helps release bunched up muscles and helps you to relax.

Did you know that dehydration could cause headaches? It’s been printed that you need to drink at least six to eight glasses of water a day. I have heard the excuse that you don’t like the taste of water, but now it comes in so many flavors and without sugar that excuse is pretty well not usable anymore. In addition, other natural cures for headaches include acupressure, acupuncture, and aromatherapy. You need to press or massage on the fleshy area between thumb and forefinger, that’s one of the pressure points for acupressure.

Other ways to get rid of a nasty headache is to lie down in a dark room avoiding bright lights. Alternate hot and cold washcloths applied to the area where the pain is located. If you haven’t eaten in a while, have something to eat that is nutritious. Do slight neck rolls and shoulder lifts to relieve tense muscles in your shoulder and neck area.

Here are some interesting natural cures for symptoms of pregnancy I wish I’d had when I was pregnant. To relieve symptoms of morning sickness there are natural cures you can do to help the situation. One of the most obvious is to cut out spicy and fatty foods. Another is to stay away from strong odors such as onion, garlic, and coffee. You should eat several small meals a day instead of three big ones. Try eating a few soda crackers with a couple of sips of room temperature water before you get up in the morning. Again, acupressure is recommended by wearing sea bands three quarter of an inch down your wrist in between tendons. Last, eat what sounds good to you. My doctor gave me that advice and it has been good for me throughout my life. Generally, if it sounds good, you can keep it down better.

Heartburn can also be helped by many of the same remedies of morning sickness. Some extra hints are avoiding trigger foods that are acidic, spicy, and fatty. Avoid tight fitting clothing after you’ve eaten which can worsen the symptoms. One other idea, add some slippery elm powder to a cup of tea.

Natural cures are available for arthritis sufferers as well. Ginger extract is a natural anti-inflammatory substance. It takes damaging oxidizing agents out of the body. In other words, it’s an antioxidant. Ginger extract is completely natural and can be taken and have no side effects. Willow has also been used to ease pain. The Greeks used to mash the leaves of the willow plant with a little wine and apply it to the sore area.

Lifestyle changes can significantly impact pain levels of arthritis. Getting some exercise daily will help the joints moving freely and strengthens the joints. Don’t overdo, but a little exercise will go a long way to keep you moving freely. It helps some sufferers if they cut back on certain foods. Some of those foods are red meat, dairy products, and tomatoes. Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables, include plenty of Vitamin C and you’ll find your joints will feel better but you’re also eating healthier too.