Showing posts with label aromatherapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aromatherapy. Show all posts

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Benefits of Sage Tea

Sage is a herb, which has been used for centuries for both medicinal and culinary purposes.  It was used by ancient Egyptians as a fertility drug. It has anti-fungal, antiviral, antiseptic and astringent properties. It can help to reduce perspiration. It is also an antioxidant. It has been used for long to treat respiratory problems. Gargling warm sage tea combined with honey and apple cider vinegar can help to cure sore throat and cough. The tea helps to strengthen the nervous system and memory.

                                           Sage Plant
                 Source: Wikimedia Commons: Aomorikum
              
 
Stimulant

Sage tea is a stimulant for the brain which helps to boost memory and helps you to think clearly. It is very useful for Alzheimer’s patients.


Preparation of Sage Tea


Sage tea can be prepared by adding a cup of boiling water to half a cup of sage leaves and straining it after 5 minutes. One tbsp of honey and one tbsp of lemon juice can be added to the tea. It may have blood sugar lowering effects. A cup of sage tea can be taken daily for maximum of ten days. You can resume drinking the tea after a gap of another 5 days.


Sage Tea for Lung Problems


Sage tea has a soothing effect on the mucous membranes and helps to get rid of cough and colds. It is an excellent expectorant and helps to expel mucous. Add a 10-12 sage leaves to water and boil it. Inhaling the fumes can also help to clear the mucous.


For Dental Care


Sage tea has the powers of a disinfectant and is especially useful for the heath of teeth and gums. It is highly effective as a mouth rinse.


For Skin

Sage lotion helps to get rid to excess oil from the skin and tighten up the pores. The tea can be applied to improve your complexion and get rid of acne. It is used in manufacture of deodorants and lotions because of its astringent properties. According to mothernature.com, it can help to suppress excessive perspiration. 

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Hair Loss

Sage tea helps to reduce hair loss. It can also help to stop graying hair and promote hair growth. It contains zinc, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B and C. You can apply it over your scalp with a gentle massage overnight and wash it off after next morning. According of University of Maryland Medical Center, sage oil can be used for aromatherapy to treat insomnia, hair loss and anxiety. The oil can be inhaled or applied on the skin.


Menopause


Sage tea can help to reduce hot flashes and night sweats for menopausal women. It may also reduce excessive sweating. It acts as a general tonic, helping to sooth the irritability during the period preceding the menopause. Prepare dilute sage tea pouring half a liter of boiling water over 3 tsp of dried sage leaves and steep it for 30 minutes. Drink a cup of the tea thrice a day.


These are some of the health benefits of sage tea

Monday, April 2, 2012

Health Benefits of Cloves: Antioxidant

There are several health benefits of cloves. They are very good antioxidants. They aid digestion and help to get rid of bad breath.
  
Cloves are dried flower buds from the clove tree. Clove bud is pink in color. It turns brown when it dries. Zanzibar is the world’s largest producer of cloves. Clove is also cultivated in other countries like Indonesia, India, West Indies and Madagascar. Cloves have been used for thousands of years in India and China for its medicinal properties and health benefits. Clove is used as a spice in several cuisines across the world. It gives a special flavor to food. It has excellent medicinal and nutritional value.
     
   Cloves
    Wikimedia Commons: Thamizhpparithi Maari
Nutrition Cloves

Cloves are rich in proteins, carbohydrates, potassium, sodium, calcium, manganese, phosphorous and hydrochloric acid. They also contain dietary fiber and omega 3 fatty acids.

Cloves for Teeth

Clove contains eugenol which has very good analgesic properties. They are very good for the teeth and can get rid of toothache. Hold a cotton ball dipped in clove oil to the gums below the affected tooth. It helps to relieve toothache. It also has antibacterial properties. It is used in the manufacture of dental creams, mouthwashes and mouth sprays.

Antispasmodic and Antiseptic Properties

Due to its antiseptic properties clove oil is used to treat cuts, burns, wounds, fungal infections and bruises. It has to be diluted as it can cause skin irritation. It can be applied topically to relieve muscle pain and spasms.


 Digestion Cloves

Cloves are an excellent remedy for indigestion. They can also help to relieve symptoms nausea, diarrhea, gastric irritability and vomiting.


Cloves Antioxidant Properties


Cloves are very good antioxidants and have the highest antioxidant capability compared to any other food. This helps to protect you against several degenerative diseases. Clove provides a boost to the immune system and helps to provide immunity against of a variety of diseases


Aromatherapy


Clove oil is used by aroma therapists to treat arthritis and rheumatism. It can help to relieve asthma, colds, cough, bronchitis and sinusitis.


Clove Tea


Add a four freshly ground cloves with tea leaves to half a liter of water and boil it. Let it steep for about 20 minutes. Strain it with a fine mesh strainer. You can drink the tea plain. You can also add milk and sugar for taste. Drink clove tea twice a day to get its wonderful health benefits.


Clove for Bad Breath


Clove has a fresh spicy smell and is an excellent mouth freshener. Keep a few cloves in the pocket and put it in the mouth and chew whenever you want to.It masks bad breath effectively.Clove oil is used in the manufacture of perfumes. Mixed with salt and milk it is used as a remedy for headaches. Eugenol helps to control blood glucose levels. It also helps to prevent blood clots.These are some of the health benefits of cloves.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Natural Sleep Remedies for Good Sleep

There are several natural remedies for good sleep. Exercise, aromatherapy and music are some of the important remedies. 
  
Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia) is a major problem. A good sleep is one of the best ways to rejuvenate the body and mind. Six hours of sleep are absolutely essential every day. Failure to get good sleep may cause health and psychological problems. One major factor that influences sleeplessness is stress. Regular habits can serve as natural sleep remedies for good sleep.

- Go to bed and getup at from the bed at a regular time

- Don’t go to bed unless you feel sleepy

- Don’t keep the TV in your bedroom

- Don’t use the bedroom for activities like reading and eating

- Don’t take short naps during the day

- Don’t eat heavily before you go to sleep   Don’t drink alcohol or coffee at least 3 hours before you go to sleep

- Keep the bedroom dark

- Remove all the sources of light and distracting noise

- Remove all sources of electronic devices and computers and electric blankets

-Ensure good air circulation in the room

- Keep the bed and blankets clean

Rhythmic drumming is said to create hypnotic effect and induce sleep. Yoga and relaxing music are also known to aid sleep. Regular exercises, aroma therapy and certain herbal teas help to serve as natural sleep remedies for good sleep.

Some herbs like valerian are used as a remedy for insomnia. It is available as an OTC medication without prescription in several countries. English lavender is used as aromatherapy to induce sleep.

There are several sleeping aids that can be used as natural sleep remedies.   Sleep Phone is one such aid. Sleep Phone is a soft headband with built in headphones which provide soft music continuously when you sleep. The music acts like a lullaby to induce sleep.