Monday, 13 March 2017

Do you suffer from cough and chest infection? Treat it with ginger wraps within hours.

A cough has been a common problem in my family and I used to treat it with just ginger wraps. The procedure consists of heating a spoon of ginger powder in about 2 cups of water. Then you have to soak a cotton towel (the old one, I recommend) in this mixture and apply on your chest as hot as you can bear. Cover it with a sheet of film to avoid soaking your pyjamas and at best jump into bed. Leave it for a couple of hours and you should be relieved from a cough and a cold in general. 
Today I`ve found the article which presents another way of fighting with a chest infection - and those wraps seem to be more advanced method than my old one. Let`s try them if anybody suffers from a cough and leave your comment below that this cure worked for you. 
Aleksandra
Here is the article:
(...)A constant cough can also interrupt your sleep. Coughs are pretty common among young children since they are not able to fight colds and the flu as their immune system is too weak. 
When you have a cough, doctors prescribe cough syrups and medicines, as these are considered as the best ways to treat a cough. However, these pharmaceutical remedies can cause serious problems, such as long-term complications and negative side effects, which is especially worrying for parents of small children.
The most common negative side effects that are caused by taking cough syrups and medicines are migraines, sleeplessness and headaches. This happens as the most common ingredients in almost all cough syrups are codeine and dextromethorphan.
You are probably not aware of these ingredients and the negative side effects and complications they can cause.
You must know that the natural remedies, especially those which contain potent ingredients such as honey, are far more beneficial, safe and effective. The following recipe with honey and ginger wrap will solve a chronic cough almost immediately.

The recipe
Needed ingredients:
• 1 tablespoon of ginger powder or fresh ginger
• Honey
• Flour
• Olive oil
• Gauze
• Adhesive tape
• Napkins
How to prepare the ginger wraps
• First, you need to mix the flour and the raw honey.
• Then, add the olive oil and the ginger. Mix all the ingredients well.
• Put the mixture on the napkins and wrap them up with a gauze.
• Fix the napkin wraps on the back or the chest by using an adhesive tape.
If you are preparing the ginger wrap remedy for your child, let your child hold the wrap on the chest for 3 hours before going to sleep.
The wraps may remain on adults’ backs or chest through the night. You should be aware that these wraps cause sweating.
There are no negative side effects or complications of using the ginger wraps. However, you must be careful when you use them on your children, as children’s skin is more sensitive and delicate.
Real experience
One mother tried to use the ginger wrap recipe on her child. The results were incredible. This mother also modified the recipe a bit. Instead of napkins and gauze, this woman used aluminium foil. She also replaced the olive oil with coconut oil but kept the ginger and the honey.
This mother shared her experience of her Facebook profile. Her child always coughed at night, probably two hours before going to bed. However, the results were incredible when she started using the ginger wraps.
The constant coughing was completely gone and her child was feeling well. The congestion disappeared completely. The child was relieved from the coughs and congestion after only four hours.
Honey and ginger are well known natural remedies that have been used for the treatment of many different health problems.
Source: http://healthfularea.com/ginger-wraps/ 
The original title: Cure a Bad Cough and Remove Mucus in the Lungs in a Single Night with Ginger Wraps

Monday, 6 March 2017

These illustrations explain which muscles you’re stretching

This article is very informative and explains clearly what happens to our muscles while we doing the exercises. The better we understand the effect of our actions the more we are motivated to make the effort. 
Stretching is an important component of any physical fitness program and is very beneficial when it comes to everyday life.
We at Bright Side would like to share some beautiful illustrations created by a Spanish fitness coach to show you which muscles are affected by different stretches. Please bear in mind that while stretching you should pay attention to your breathing and make sure that the exercises do not cause you any pain. Hold each pose for 10-30 seconds.

Neck extension stretch

  • Muscles stretched: sternocleidomastoid muscles.
  • How to perform: Place your hands on your hips, keep your spine straight, and tilt your head back. For a bigger stretch, you can put your hands on your forehead.

Lateral side flexion of the neck with hand assistance

  • Muscles stretched: sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles.
  • How to perform: Sit up with your back straight. Reach your left hand over your head, and slowly tilt your head to the left, trying to touch your left ear to your left shoulder. Repeat on the other side.
  • Lateral shoulder stretch

    • Muscles stretched: lateral deltoid.
    • How to perform: Stretch your right arm across your body. Use your other arm and pull the arm that is being stretched toward your body. Repeat the exercise with the other arm.


    Standing assisted neck flexion stretch

    • Muscles stretched: Trapezius muscle.
    • How to perform: Start in a standing position with your feet together and your back straight. Slowly push your hips back, round your upper back, and bend your head forward, trying to touch your chin to your chest.

    Lateral flexion with a dowel

    • Muscles stretched: external obliques and latissimus dorsi muscles.
    • How to perform: Stand with your back straight, and slowly pull your hips to the side. Repeat on the left side.
    • Triangle pose

      • Muscles stretched: external obliques.
      • How to perform: Stand with your feet slightly wider than shoulder width apart and your arms extended out to the sides. Keep your front foot pointed straight ahead and your back foot at approximately a 90 degree angle. Place your hand on your front leg, then push your front hip back, keeping your back straight.

      Camel pose

      • Muscles stretched: rectus abdominis muscle and the external obliques.
      • How to perform: Sit back onto your heels, put your hands behind your back, and push your hips up and forward. Be careful not to overtax your lower back.
      • Chest stretch at the wall

        • Muscles stretched: pectoralis and latissimus dorsi muscles.
        • How to perform: Begin by facing a wall with your right hand touching it. Slowly rotate away from the wall to stretch your chest muscle. Repeat the exercise with the other arm.

        Down dog variation at the wall

        • Muscles stretched: pectoralis and latissimus dorsi muscles.
        • How to perform: Stand far enough from a wall so that when you touch the wall your body becomes parallel to the ground. Take the position shown in the picture. Keep your back straight, and then push your chest forward creating a slight arch in your upper back.

        Child’s pose

        • Muscles stretched: latissimus dorsi muscles.
        • How to perform: Start in a kneeling position, and slowly bring your hips back toward your heels, trying to touch your forehead to the floor.

        Supine twist

        • Muscles stretched: glutes and external obliques.
        • How to perform: Lie on your back, bend your right knee up, and move it over to your left side. Slowly rotate your torso in the opposite direction. Use your left hand to increase the stretch, pushing your right knee toward the floor. Repeat with the other leg.

        Seated pigeon pose

        • Muscles stretched: tibialis anterior muscles.
        • How to perform: Sit on the floor, put the right hand on the floor behind the back, extend both legs in front of you, and then take one ankle over the opposite knee. Repeat for the left foot.
        • Seated half pigeon pose

          • Muscles stretched: glutes.
          • How to perform: Start in a seated position, and slowly pull your leg to your chest while rotating your hip and keeping your spine straight. Repeat with the other leg.

          Sitting adductor stretch

          • Muscles stretched: adductors and hamstrings.
          • How to perform: Sit on the floor with your legs wide apart. Keeping both legs straight, place your hands on the floor in front of you and begin to lean forward. Walk your fingers out as far as you can until you feel the stretch.

          Butterfly pose

          • Muscles stretched: adductors.
          • How to perform: Sit on the ground with your back straight, bending both knees and bringing your feet together. Use your hands to press your knees down towards the floor. Keep in mind: In order to try a more intense version of this stretch, try to bring your heels closer to your hips.
          • Wide side lunge pose

            • Muscles stretched: adductors.
            • How to perform: Stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Shift your weight to your right leg and bend your right knee into a half-squat while keeping your left leg straight. Repeat the exercise with the other leg.

            Half kneeling quad

            • Muscles stretched: psoas muscles and quadriceps.
            • How to perform: Start in a lunge position with your right knee on the ground and your left leg out in front of you at a 90 degree angle. Reach back and grab your right ankle, and pull it towards your butt. Then alternate the legs.

            Seated forward fold

            • Muscles stretched: back thigh muscles, hamstrings, and calves.
            • How to perform: Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you. Keeping your legs pressed against the floor, slowly lower the torso towards the legs.


            • Standing calf stretch

              • Muscles stretched: soleus and gastrocnemius muscles.
              • How to perform: You can perform this stretch on a rack or on the edge of a stair step. Lightly rotate your ankles to stretch the calf muscles actively.

              Single leg forward bend

              • Muscles stretched: back thigh muscles and hamstrings.
              • How to perform: Stand up straight, then step forward with your right foot. Bring your hands to your hips. Keep your spine straight as you bend forward from the hips. Repeat the exercise with the other leg.

              Standing calf stretch at the wall

              • Muscles stretched: soleus and gastrocnemius muscles.
              • How to perform: Start in a lunge position with your right foot forward and your left foot slightly turned out. Slowly bring your left heel to the ground to stretch your calf muscles. Repeat the exercise with the other leg.
              Adapted from: Óscar Morán Esquerdo
              ’Enciclopedia de ejercicios de estiramientos’
              Illustrated by: Isabel Arechabala
              Translated and adapted by Bright Side.

Monday, 23 January 2017

Treat sore throat naturally.

Home remedies do not have any side effects like the medicines have and they are always effective. You can use the remedies easily that you will find in the following to treat the strep throat infection. Many people want to use natural remedies to eliminate infections and let the body heals by itself. It was considered that the best solution for it was the medication, but the antibiotics can have side-effects. Strep throat infection is a viral infection and it can be transferred from one to another, quickly and easily. The following home remedies make the infections go in a day or two and make the life easier. This is one of them:
-One tbs. of raw honey;
-Four to five finely chopped garlic cloves;
-Half tsp. of cayenne powder;

Mix all of the ingredients and consume 1 tsp. of it every hour. Even those who don’t like garlic have tried it and were surprised how effective and simple it is.

*Get some rest*

You need to get rest because the strep infection won’t go away in one night. Get proper rest and sleep in order to fight off most of the infections. If you work, then you should take a day off, pull the curtain and turn off your devices and go to sleep.

*Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol*

When you’re having strep throat infection, the throat is at the weakest and at risk. You need to drink and eat with full care. Do not drink and eat things that can irritate the throat. Avoid smoking, alcohol, processed and deep-fried foods. Move away immediately if someone is smoking near you.

*Pepper and honey*

These ingredients have been used for centuries for soothing the throat. Just consume 1 spoon of honey and sprinkle some pepper (ground) on it and mix with another spoon. Consume it slowly and leave it to glide down the throat and it will ease the pain.

*Warm comforting drinks*

If you are having a dry and scratchy throat, a cup of hot or warm herbal tea can relief the pain in the throat. Sip it slowly and you will feel better for sure. It can fight off the tiredness, fatigue and weakness that strep throat brings. If you don’t like green or white tea, experiment with some other available flavours.

*Ginger tea*

This amazing root is known for its natural healing properties and it can treat and relieve strep throat infection. Preparation:
You will need crushed ginger that you have to add in boiling water and boil it for four to five minutes. After that strain the ginger and you can add honey to taste as it is a natural antibiotic, but it is optional. Drink it warm.

*Cayenne powder*

This ingredient is used as a therapy for a sore throat. It helps eliminate the pain from the strep infection. Preparation:
Add the cayenne powder in the quantity that you can tolerate to a cup of hot water. Mix it well until it is combined and leave it to cool down a little bit to sip it warm. Add raw honey.

*Inhale steam*

Steam cannot cure the strep throat immediately but it can relieve the complications that come with the infection. The steam can relieve a congested nose and make you feel better. Add a little of the essential oil in a bowl of hot water, put a towel over the head and inhale the steam. You can use juniper berry oil, thyme oil, hyssop oil, oregano oil, eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil.

*Green matcha tea*

This tea is rich in antioxidants that help boost the immune system and speed the recovery of inflammation. It is beneficial for eliminating harmful toxins from the body and it provides relief.

*Liquorice root*

The liquorice root has been used in treating sore throats and it is very effective when it is mixed with warm water so you can make a solution for gargle. Non-sugar liquorice root candy may provide pain relief and soothing.

*Slipper elm*

This is a remedy for treating sore throats as it has mucus-like substance when mixed with warm water and this gel coats the throat wall and heals it. If you have its supplement in capsules form, take 1-2 and use the following method. Add one tsp. of slippery elm powder glass of warm water (8oz) and stir until it dissolves. Then, drink it.

*Marshmallow root*

This root also has a mucus-like substance that soothes and coats the infected throat. It is shown by some research that it can soothe and comfort irritated mucus membranes. Add dried root in one cup of very warm water and make a tea. Sip it two times a day.

*Apple cider vinegar*

ACV is one of the most helpful methods for helping the body recover from many minor ailments and treating strep throat infection. Make a solution of ½ cup of warm water and one to two tsp. of ACV for gargling. If you don’t like the taste, mix one to two tsp. of ACV in 8oz glass of water and sip it the during the day. 

Saturday, 3 December 2016

11 Reasons You Should Drink Apple Cider Vinegar Every Day



You may think that is impossible Apple Cider Vinegar to offer so many benefits. But, it’s true.

Consuming ACV daily is a sure way to improve your health and your life.
Organic, raw, unpasteurized and unfiltered ACV is one of the oldest and most beneficial remedies.

It is rich in raw enzymes and bacteria that are responsible for the many health benefits.
We will present you 11 reasons why you should consume ACV every day.
Always mix 1 tablespoon of ACV with 8 ounces of water, because if you drink ACV straight it may burn the oesophagus. You can always add raw honey if you don’t like the taste.

 


1. It Will Help Our Body Maintain a Good Alkaline pH Level

For better health, our bodies need to be more alkaline. A small change in our pH can have a big effect on body functioning.
When consumed ACV becomes alkaline. If we keep our bodies more alkaline, we naturally keep the levels of energy up and also, the body is able to fight all diseases and illnesses.

2. Drinking ACV Helps in Regulation of Blood Sugar

According to a study of Dr Carol Johnston, professor and director of the Nutrition Department at Arizona State University, drinking ACV at mealtime reduces postprandial glycaemia and increases satiety, both metabolic effects that benefit people with having issues with pre-diabetes and diabetes.
The scientists found that consuming 2 tablespoons of ACV mixed with water before bedtime lowered levels of blood sugar of 4-6 % by morning.

3. Drinking ACV Helps Lower Blood Pressure

ACV contains potassium, which helps with a balance of sodium levels and keeps the optimal blood pressure. This way it reduces the risk of heart disease.
ACV also contains magnesium, which relaxes the walls of the blood vessels and lowers the blood pressure.

4. Drinking ACV Improves Heart Health

ACV increases good cholesterol or HDL and helps control triglycerides.
It contains chlorogenic acid – the antioxidant that protects LDL cholesterol particles to oxidise, a core step in the process of disease of the heart.

5. It Promotes Healthy Detoxification of the Liver and Other Organs

ACV helps in the body detoxification and that way keeps the balance of the body’s pH. The researchers discovered that it specifically detox the liver and helps stimulate circulation.
Other benefits are: helping in the healing processes of the skin, cleansing the lymph nodes, breaking up mucus. The healthy lymphatic system successfully removes the toxins and that way the body has a better immune system.

6. Drinking ACV Eliminates Candida Overgrowth

Consuming ACV can help in eliminating Candida. Candida can cause many health issues, including fatigue, poor memory, headaches, depression, yeast infections and sugar cravings.
ACV is fermented with useful yeast that acts as a prebiotic, helping the good bacteria to grow.

7. Drinking ACV Eases Digestive Ailments

ACV can help bloating, indigestion, gas and heartburn. ACV contains healthy acids like isobutyric, acetic, propionic and lactic acid that aids control the growth of bacteria and unwanted yeast in the stomach.
This is not a case if you have an ulcer.

8. Drinking ACV Accelerates Weight Loss

Consuming 2 teaspoons of ACV with 16 ounces of water may boost weight loss.
Participants in one study, who consumed ACV for 3 months managed to lose weight and also waist circumference, abdominal fat and triglycerides.

9. Drinking ACV Can Help to Prevent Osteoporosis

ACV assists in the nutrient absorption of calcium, which is an essential mineral that helps in osteoporosis prevention. By consuming ACV daily you will strengthen your bones.

10. Drinking ACV Slows the Ageing Process

The antioxidant properties of ACV help in premature ageing by slowing down this process. The key role in this is the ACV’s ability to keep the stability of the alkaline and acid balance in the body.

11. It Assists In the Fight against Free Radical Damage

Free radicals kill a variety of germs and that way fight infections. But when we have an overproduction of free radicals, then a lot of problems can show up.
Overproduction of free radicals can cause damage to cell membranes, tissues or even DNA because antioxidant nutrients or enzymes can handle them. All of this may result in diseases as ulcers, arthritis, emphysema and immune disorders.
ACV is rich in antioxidants that help the reducing of free radicals in the body. 

Do you have any experience with drinking ACV? How do you find a taste of this beverage (some people don`t like it)? 


http://www.healthylifestylezone.com/11-reasons-you-should-drink-one-tablespoon-of-apple-cider-vinegar-every-day/

The Top 30 Alkaline Foods On The Planet (Eat More To Prevent Cancer, Obesity And Heart Disease)

Proper diet means consuming a variety of foods that provide nutrients you need to maintain balanced vitamin and mineral status. This is very important in order to maintain your health, feel good, and have energy.
Given the fact that today`s fruits and vegetables are grown differently than 40 years ago, most people are forced to use dietary supplements.
People who use dietary supplements should know that vitamins should be taken in the morning, as they provide vitality while minerals should be taken during the day, as they provide a good sleep.
Alkaline-Food-List-The-Most-Effective-Alkalizing-Foods-to-Reset-pH-Balance
TOP 5 ALKALINE FOODS
1.      Olive Oil
Olive oil is one of the best alkaline foods, as it is abundant in monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant vitamin E. Besides its ability to prevent diseases that cause chest pain and heart attack, it helps in reducing hot flashes in menopausal women.
2.      Flax Seed and Flax Seed Oil
These seeds and oil and high in lignans, compounds which help to prevent prostate, colon, and breast cancer as well as improve kidney function. They are ideal for any detox program, due to their abundance in essential omega-3 fatty acids. Moreover, they regulate blood pressure and reduce bad cholesterol.
3.      Green Vegetables
Most people consume too much processed foods and meat which are high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. Regular consumption of these foods causes the blood pH to be rather acidic, mainly due to the lack of water content.
On the other hand, green vegetables contain water content as well all nutrients the body needs. They are alkaline-forming foods that are abundant in antioxidants, which makes them an ideal food to maintain healthy pH levels.
4.      Cruciferous Vegetables
These vegetables possess anti-bacterial, anti-carcinogenic, and anti-viral properties, which makes them one of the best foods to reset the pH balances to alkalinity.
When cooking Brussels sprouts or cabbage, most people tend to dispose of the water. However, this food can be used to make sauces and shouldn’t be thrown away.
5.      Melons
Melons, including cucumber, muskmelon, watermelon, and honey melon, are high in potassium, folic acid, B6, dietary fibre, and vitamin A. All of these nutrients provide energy which helps us sustain during the day. Moreover, melon reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, due to its ability to thin the blood and act as an anticoagulant.
ACIDIC AND HARMFUL FOODS
As mentioned above, the diet in most developed Western countries is mainly based on acidic foods. Some of them include sugar-loaded cereals, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, and caffeine.
The artificial sweeteners are added to many drinks and foods to appear as sugar-free and be more appealing to customers. However, they are anything but sugar-free.
ALKALINE FOODS ( EAT THESE)
–          Alfalfa sprouts
–          Avocado
–          Broccoli
–          Brussels sprouts
–          Cabbage
–          Cauliflower
–          Celery
–          Chive
–          Cucumber
–          Flax and flaxseed oil
–          Garlic
–          Grapefruit
–          Green beans
–          Green peas
–          Lettuce
–          Leeks
–          Lemon and lime
–          Millet
–          Olive and olive oil
–          Onion
–          Parsley
–          Pears
–          Pumpkin
–          Radishes
–          Sesame seeds
–          Spinach
–          Tomato
–          Watermelon
–          Wild rice
–          Zucchini
Do you include these foods into your daily diet?