Home Remedies to Cure Acne – Without Cosmetics!

Acne, also known by the medical term acne vulgaris, is a common skin condition which primarily occurs during adolescence and can continue into adulthood.

                                                                                       

Acne is caused by changes in pilosebaceous units, the skin structures that contain hair follicle and its sebaceous gland. Changes are due to androgen stimulation causing increased sebum production. This result in blockages in the follicles and physical characteristics of acne: non-inflammatory follicular papules (pinheads), comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), pustules (pimples), and inflammatory nodules (larger papules) in severe cases. 

You've probably looked into a range of home remedies for curing acne, or the best acne treatment, acne products, acne scar treatments and how to get rid of acne completely. You might find yourself visiting the doctor on a regular basis for the answers to your acne problem, but unfortunately treatment and acne prevention can be time consuming— as not all methods are guaranteed to work for each individual.

However, some of your acne concerns can be treated from the comfort of your home with home remedies— preventing acne scars, adult acne if you're a teenager, blackheads, acne cyst and the general inconveniences caused by the condition.

These acne home remedies and tips should be used in conjunction with treatment your doctor has recommended and, if followed correctly, can help control your acne:

General Acne Treatment Tips and Advice

• Wash your face or infected areas in the morning. Try to use a face cleanser and, when cleaning pores, use a clean wash cloth with warm water to rinse. It's best to do this only twice a day at most, in the morning and evening.
• Reduce processed sugar from your diet significantly, or eliminate altogether.
• Do not pick or squeeze your blemishes; this can force bacteria deeper into the skin, causing further inflammation, potentially leading to infection. It may also increase the risk of acne scarring.
• Try to eat the recommended daily intake of five different fruits and vegetables per day.
• Reduce your stress levels, which have been proven to worsen acne conditions.
• Limit make-up to special occasions to avoid acne breakouts.
• Take time out to exercise, as the production of sweat unclogs pores and helps further reduce acne.
• Consider the type of fabric you wear, especially if you have body acne. For example, garments made extensively of Lycra and nylon are effective at trapping heat and moisture against the skin, creating perfect conditions for a bacteria breeding ground.

 Acne Home Remedies to Apply
 

Aloe Vera:

Aloe Vera can be an excellent remedy for acne and also prevents acne scarring. Start by drinking half a cup of Aloe Vera juice per day, until your skin clears. If possible, purchase an Aloe Vera plant, cut and peel part of the leaf and apply the excess gel to the skin as a method of reducing acne scarring. Alternatively, you can purchase Aloe Vera oil and gel from your pharmacist for similar results.

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV):

Mix 2 teaspoons of ACV in 6 oz of water and drink everyday until acne clears. Alternatively, you can mix 2 tablespoons of ACV with 10 tablespoons of water into a spray bottle. Shake well and spray inflicted area after washing your face, but keep away from eyes and lips. Do not exceed 2 tablespoons of ACV in this mixture as large quantities can cause irritation.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

Dip a cotton swab in a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and swab the infected area twice a day after washing. Do not overuse.

Honey and Cinnamon:

Mix 3 tablespoons of honey to 1 tablespoon of cinnamon until a paste is created. Apply the paste in the morning and evening daily.

Raw Garlic:

Garlic is the all-round home remedy for almost any ailment. It allows the blood to carry allicin, which fights bacteria and can be particularly beneficial for acne conditions. Eat three small gloves of raw garlic daily—with meals preferably as garlic can irritate the stomach in significant quantities.

Home Remedies for Depression

Depression is a severe condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It can occur at any age, but it’s most prevalent in middle-aged men and women or young adolescents.

Depression can be a temporary condition caused by certain events in one's life. But it can also be a chronic, life-long condition, or part of other disorders (such as bipolar disorder, clinical depression, dysthymia or atypical disorder). Although all types of depression can hinder a person's ability to perform daily tasks and effect people around them—clinical depression is considered to be one of the most disabling chronic depression conditions. If you think you may be suffering from clinical depression, speak to your doctor immediately before attempting any home remedies.

 

There are many reasons for people to go through a bout of depression, even if the condition isn't permanent. Causes can include:

·         Financial instability

·         Work issues

·         Martial problems

·         War, violence or instability around them

·         Health problems

·         Disappointments in their life or current situation

·         Death or bereavement

When people become depressed because of their lifestyle or current issues surrounding them, the immediate solution to reduce the severe effects of depression are to turn to medication or family. For some, however, temporary depression can lead to seeking relief from negative sources; becoming involved in abusive relationships, self-harm or destructive tendencies can all occur if depression is not addressed.

Medication and advice from medical professionals is usually a good way to deal with the symptoms of depression. However, medication only works in 75% of cases, and it does not eliminate the actual cause of depression. Instead, medication works to 'numb' the body and stimulate serotonin receptors, thus relieving symptoms but not removing the root of the problem. In some cases, patients can also become addicted to anti-depressants and their bodies become dependant on the drug—causing further long-term problems.

Although your first port of call should always be a medical professional in cases of depression, there are alternatives to medication if you feel medicine won't help your symptoms— or you're worried about the long-term health implications of anti-depressants.

You can try to following home remedies to help relieve symptoms of depression:

·         Mix 2 tablespoons of black strap molasses in a glass of cool milk or soy milk and drink once a day.

·         Blend fresh apple with milk and honey to drink once a day. This mixture provides vitamin B, phosphorus and potassium, which are essential nutrients to help aid the production of neurons and relax nerve ending in the brain.

·         Drink licorice tea twice a day, in the morning and before bed to relieve symptoms.

·         Drink Milo to further relieve symptoms. However, this can cause drowsiness in some people, so it should be taken with caution.

·         Eat one dried root of Asparagus per day to replace nutrients in the body.

·         Use rose petals in hot beverages to calm and relax the body and help physical symptoms of depression.

You should also try to eat regularly and exercise well. Usually, when people enter depression, their routine becomes sluggish which further adds to their depressive state.  Leading an active, healthy lifestyle helps people feel like they are in control of their lives and helps them positively tackle bad situations. Avoid fatty foods, caffeine and alcohol which can further contribute to depressive moods and instead include more fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains and wheat products in your diet for those who can tolerate it.

Natural Home Remedies for Sore Throat

Sore throats are usually caused by bacteria or viruses, but smoking, dry heat or allergic reactions can also cause your throat to burn and feel scratchy. Any kind of sore throat is painful and inconvenient— whether it’s part of a cold or unhealthy lifestyle —but there are natural ways to treat it.

Relief Remedies and Prevention Tips

• Looking for fast, effective relief for that scratchy sore throat? Try the classic salt-water gargle: dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, gargle thoroughly and spit out, repeating four times a day until symptoms disappear. Salt is a mild antiseptic and draws water out of mucous membranes, which helps clear phlegm whilst also killing infection.

• If you’re not too keen on salt water, replace the salt in the solution with baking soda, which provides the same relief.

• Keep a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier in your bedroom, or the room where you spend most of your time. Moisture in the air will stop air from drying out and keep the lining of your throat moist; if you don’t want to invest in a humidifier, put a bowl of water on your radiator each night for similar results.

• If you smoke, quit. Cigarette smoke irritates the lining of the throat and, if your sore throat isn’t the result of infection or bacteria, it’s likely to be caused by smoking.

• Does your sore throat keep coming back even after a clear up? Try changing your toothbrush. Bacteria clings to the bristles on brushes can allow sore throat infections to reappear time and time again to re-infect you.

• Up your immune system and keep it in tip-top condition with herbs, vitamins and a nutritious diet; vitamins C and E, zinc, magnesium, goldenseal and astraglus are effective supplements to take to help your body fight off those nasty flu viruses. If you prefer to use natural supplementary ingredients in your food, try garlic, ginger, reishi, mushrooms or shiitake mushrooms. 

Home Remedies

• Honey is a tasty natural remedy for sore throat; it’s been used for centuries to treat many ailments because of its antibacterial properties and because it draws water out of inflamed tissue, relieving discomforting symptoms. Add several teaspoons to hot water or herbal tea and drink each day. Hot lemonade with honey can also work to relieve pain caused by sore throats.

• Horehound is an excellent home made herbal drink to effectively reduce swelling in the throat and thin the mucus. To make this tea, steep 2 teaspoons of chopped herb into a cup of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes, strain and drink once a day.

• Slippery elm and marshmallow root contain throat-coating mucilage which eases soreness and relieves symptoms. To make either tea, steep 2 teaspoons of dried elm or marshmallow root herb into a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain the mixture and drink 3 to 5 times a day.

• Keep up your vitamin C intake. If you don’t feel like you eat enough vitamin C rich foods, take supplements three times a day. Vitamin C aids the immune system and helps your body fight off infections, including the common cold and flu viruses.

• Take Echinacea which can speed up the healing process with its antibacterial and antiviral properties.

• Add garlic to your meals, dried garlic if possible, which can help fight infection with its potent antibacterial properties.

• Suck on zinc lozenges. Studies have shown that, although large amounts of zinc can compromise immunity, sucking on lozenges that contain small amounts of zinc every two hours help clear viral infection quicker than normal lozenges. 

 “To learn more on this topic or to view other related articles, click here”

Natural Home Treatments for Dog Allergies

 

Like people, dogs can develop allergies. Many common sources of allergic substances come from flea bites, feathers, airborne chemicals, mold spores or dust. An allergen can affect a dog by inhaling through the nose or direct contact with the skin, causing itching, scratching, sneezing and typical reactions to allergens.

Itchiness and Scratching
The most common allergic reaction in our furry friends is itchy skin. Usually, for a dog’s skin to become irritated, they must be exposed to the allergen more than once; a dog naturally scratches and chews itchy skin anyway, but irritation caused by allergens can lead them scratch more than usual and create sores and, in severe cases, infection.

If your dog has itchy skin or a bout of bad scratching due to allergy, soak your dog in cool water to alleviate the symptoms. If your dog isn’t fond of bath time, soak a clean cloth in cool water and squeeze over irritated skin for relief.

Adding oatmeal to the water may ease irritation further and also provides a lubricant for dry skin. Make sure you grind your oats up in a blender or food processor before adding to the water.

Oral Remedies

Antihistamines are ideal for treating dog allergies and can be found in the pharmacy aisle at most grocery stores. The medication can counter the release of histamines, which cause itchy and irritated skin in dogs due to allergic reactions. The recommended dosage is between 1 – 3 mg for every pound your dog weighs, but if you’re unsure consult your vet.

Read more in «Conditions and Diseases in Pets and Animals»

 

Fatty acid supplements can also be added to your dog’s food to relieve irritated skin and promote healthier skin when the allergic reaction passes.

Adjusting Your Environment

Keeping your dog’s environment clean and spotless when the airborne pollen count is high outside will reduce your dog’s allergic reactions. Daily vacuuming and cleaning of surfaces will remove many allergens, including dust mites, which can cause severe reactions in dogs. Ensure you clean your dog’s bedding frequently and use flea prevention sprays in your home to further eliminate potential allergens.

“To learn more on this topic or to view other related articles, click here!”

How to Treat Cat Allergies

Most of us can reach for the medicine cabinet when the pollen count rises and attacks our sinuses, but that’s not an easy task for our fury friends who don’t have opposable thumbs. So what can you do you relieve your cat of its allergy symptoms?

Our expert tips below will help you keep your cat healthy and happy during allergy season without a scratch or sniffle!

Pollen Count

Certified veterinary doctors report more cat owners seek relief for their pets when the pollen count rises, but cat’s aren’t affected by pollen in the way a human is; rather, the sneeze and the physical irritation from the pollen causes the cat’s discomfort. When the pollen count rises, monitor your cat for sneezes and sniffles rather than taking them to the vet immediately, in case they aren’t irritated by allergy season.
If your cat is responding negatively to the high pollen count, keep your cat indoors during reported high pollen forecasts and remove shoes at the door or invest in a mat to prevent tracking pollen into your home.

Read more in « Conditions and Diseases in Pets and Animals»

Allergy Symptoms

Keep an eye out for allergy symptoms in your cat; when a cat has a problem with the pollen, you should notice the cat’s skin will typically suffer and become noticeably irritated because of the release of immunoglobulin from the reaction.Some symptoms of allergies include hair loss, scabs or open sores in cats, as well as discharge from the ears or excessive scratching.

However, if you feel your cat is suffering, don’t reach for the Bendaryl in the first instant. Instead, contact your vet and only use medication prescribed and recommended. Most vets’ note that, like humans, each cat reacts differently to medication on an individual level and the best treatment is offered after a thorough physical examination to ensure the cat remains safe and healthy.

Temporary Relief
Itchy skin and irritation can be a real bother for cats. You can bathe your cat in soap-free allergy shampoo with cool water only to reduce pollen and mold sports on the skin, and soothe irritated wounds. Your cat may not like the water, but it’ll do them a world of good and they’ll thank you later!

Severe Conditions and Treatment

Unfortunately, veterinary treatment for cats can be quite costly. Usually steroid injections can relieve symptoms, but this is a costly procedure and is only recommended for cases of severe allergic reactions. In the first instance, take your cat to the vet, who will determine the necessary action to undertake and possibly refer you and your pet to a dermatologist. The vet, or dermatologist, will use a series of blood tests or intra-dermal skin tests to deduce the specific allergen affecting your cat and recommend a treatment plan.
However, you can prevent potential severe reactions in your cat by having them undergo allergy shots to desensitize your cat to specific allergens, which is cheaper and more effective than steroid injections but involves a two year commitment. Oral medication, usually Atopica, can also be supplied in some cases to suppress T-cells and reduce inflammation, relieving symptoms.

The treatment method will be determined by the severity of the reaction and recommendation from your vet. However, since even preliminary tests for steroid injections can cost hundreds of dollars, you should consider insuring you pet in case they should have a severe allergic reaction.

Prevention: Monthly Flea and Tick Treatments

If you want to avoid those costly bills altogether you could try some prevention methods. Although pollen can be a pain for cats, flea and tick saliva can the primary cause of allergic reactions – and pollen season is also flea season in most states.

Comb your cat frequently and check your home for fleas on a regular basis to reduce the likelihood of a flea infestation. You can apply ‘Spot-On’, a popular flea and tick medication for cats, or use general flea prevention sprays in your home. If you’re concerned about the chemicals in some products, opt for Natural Chemistry DeFlea which only harms the exoskeleton of fleas, not cat or human skin. For the greenest alternative to flea prevention, natural oils and mineral based pesticides work just as well!

Omega-3 Oil

As a final tip to keeping your cat healthy in allergy season, add a little Omega-3 fatty acid supplement to your cat’s food. This helps keep their immune system in tip top condition, but also keeps the skin healthy and reduces secondary infections. If you don’t have any supplements or are unsure of a supplement dosage for cats, a little bit of salmon, trout and sardines are a perfect Omega-3 packed treat for your pet.

“To learn more on this topic or to view other related articles, click here!”