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Got PMS? Try a Natural Remedy

FitSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:30:00 -0800

Most women experience some sort of PMS, and certain symptoms can be easier to treat than others. Ibuprofen is great for cramps, and Midol can help with bloating, but battling PMS-related irritability or depression is more of a challenge.

I've been on the hunt for natural remedies, including vitamins and herbal supplements, that might help relieve my monthly moodiness. Of course, there's always good, old-fashioned exercise, but I've also found some other natural solutions that sound promising. To see the list, read more

Of course, you should consult your doctor before taking any new vitamins and supplements, but here are some I plan to talk to my OB/GYN about:

Magnesium and B-6: Recent studies have found that this vitamin cocktail can help with bloating and moodiness. WebMD recommends 200 mg per day of magnesium combined with 50 mg of vitamin B-6.

Vitamin E: In his book Natural Health, Natural Medicine, Dr. Andrew Weil writes that vitamin E supplements can treat both PMS and painful or heavy periods. He recommends a supplement with 80 mg of vitamin E complex, taken once a day with your largest meal. Again, please talk to your doctor before starting any supplement program; vitamin E should not be taken if you have heart disease or diabetes.
Dong quai: Another of Dr. Weil's suggestions, this Chinese herb, made from the root of a carrot-like plant, is sometimes called "female ginseng," since it treats irregular periods, PMS, and menopausal symptoms. Weil recommends a two-month trial taking it two to three times a day.
Chaste tree berry: I've seen this recommended on several sites. According to an article on About.com: "a study published in the British Medical Journal involving 178 women with PMS found that chaste tree berry significantly reduced PMS symptoms over three menstrual cycles." It was especially effective treating irritability and depression.

Have any of you tried one of these natural remedies? If so, I'd love to hear if they worked, so please share in the comments below.

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Zicam Cold Medicine Pulled From Shelves

FitSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:45:00 -0700

Earlier today, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning for consumers to stop using Zicam Cold Remedy nasal gel, as well as adult and kid-size Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs.

The over-the-counter, homeopathic cold medicine contains zinc and can cause long-lasting or permanent loss of smell. Since 1999, the FDA has received 130 reports of loss of smell associated with these Zicam products. In a few cases the loss of smell occurred after the first usage.

To see why the FDA never formally approved Zicam, read more.

The FDA never formally approved Zicam, marketed as a cold remedy to reduce symptoms like sore throat and stuffy nose, since homeopathic remedies are not required to go under federal review before launching. Because of this, the FDA is not initiating a formal recall, but has sent Matrixx, the makers of Zicam, a formal warning letter. Zicam products represented 40 percent of the company's sales for last year. Although Matrixx has settled hundreds of Zicam lawsuits over the years, the company said it will consider withdrawing the products, and has halted shipments of Zicam products. Matrixx claims that Zicam is “supported by the cumulative science and has been confirmed by a multidisciplinary panel of scientists.” The FDA responded that they were unaware of any data to support the health claims made about product.

Have you ever used Zicam? If so, how is your sense of smell?

Home Remedies: Cold and Flu

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0800

The colors of Autumn might be lovely, but a few things about the season actually bring me down. I am talking about cold and flu season. If you're unlucky enough to have come down with some bug, you might be able to soothe some of your ailments with ingredients you have in your pantry. Prevention has listed some home remedies for common cold symptoms, and here are the highlights.

Soothe that sore throat: Mix six pressed garlic cloves with hot water, and gargle with this garlic tea twice a day, for three days. The warm liquid soothes inflamed tissues, while the garlic has antimicrobial properties that fight pain-causing bacteria.

Bring down a fever: Try drinking linden flower tea. It controls your body temperature by stimulating the hypothalamus, and also dilates your blood vessels and induces sweating. Pick up the dried herb at a health food store or herb shop. Steep one tablespoon of dried linden flower in a cup of hot water for 15 minutes. Stash makes a linden flower tea, too. Drink this tea three to four times a day. If your fever is over 102° F, take a tepid bath to cool off the body.

To see how you can dull your hacking cough with a few sweet things, just read more.

Suppress a cough: Eating a bit of dark chocolate can help your cough. Theobromine, a compound found in chocolate, has been found to be even more effective than codeine for suppressing coughs, and it won't make you drowsy or constipated. You can also tame your cough with honey. Before bed take two teaspoons of honey and take 500 mg of Ester C 30 minutes prior to lying down to quiet your cough and give your immune system a little lift.

If you have any home remedies for cold symptoms, please share them in the comment section below.

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Do You Use Herbal Remedies?

FitSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:00:56 -0800

I ran into a friend this week who was on his way to an herbal medicine shop to bulk up on tinctures and teas because his wife is sick.

I've dabbled a little bit with herbal remedies - ginger for an upset stomach and echinacea for a cold - but not to the extent that he and his wife do. He said that for minor illnesses they only use herbal remedies, and that they're more effective than drugstore meds.

I'm still dubious about herbal remedies because the research is a bit spotty, but I think there may be some benefits to their use. What do you think of them? If you've had any experiences with using herbal remedies, share your thoughts in the comments section.

Many Probiotics Short on Bacteria

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:09 -0800

With claims that they improve digestion, bolster immunity, and fight acne, it's no wonder that probiotic supplements are big business. Newsweek reports that sales of these supplements have more than quadrupled in the last 10 years. I will admit, I'm a fan these friendly bacteria found in yogurt and miso, but it's the quality of the supplements that's raising eyebrows.

Many popular probiotic supplements were tested by Consumer Lab, an independent agency that monitors vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements not regularly tested by the government. The lab's findings are a bit startling. Some of the products contain as little as 13 percent of the amount of "viable bacteria" claimed on the products' labels, although most products do contain one billion organisms - the amount needed to register some health benefits.

When it comes to misleading marketing with these supplements, much of the problem stems from the fact that the term probiotics has no legal definition and can be used loosely by manufactures. Of the supplements tested, ConsumerLab ranked Advocare Probiotic Restore, GNC Nature Brand Best Super Acidophilus, and Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus as having the highest quality. You can buy a full review from Consumer Lab for $12.

Lil Links: Sugardaddy Ken Is Rolling Out

babysugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:00:26 -0800

Mattel's got a new sugardaddy in Ken - ParentDish
Colin Farrell welcomes son Henry - Celebrity Baby Blog
Showing off pregnancy in magazines - CafeMom
Karolína Kurková welcomes son Tobin Jack! - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Mom and crying child booted from Southwest flight - MomLogic
The pre-baby bucket list - Alpha Mom
Remedies for dry and itchy skin - Health
How to get rid of your Halloween candy - The Mommy Files
Tips to be a happier mom - Parenting

Home Remedies: Sleep Issues

FitSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:00:00 -0800

Lack of sleep can cause so many problems from puffy eyes, to headaches, from heart disease, to weight gain, not to mention plain old crankiness. Sometimes you can't help it if your cat was attacking your feet all night, but Prevention has come up with some home remedies for some common sleep issues. Here are its tips.

Revive tired, puffy eyes: Even if you were up all night no one will know. Since black tea contains tannins - astringents that help tighten undereye puffiness - Prevention recommends: "activate the tannins in a tea bag by dipping in a cup of hot water for several minutes. Cool in the fridge, then apply the damp bag as a compress to the closed eye for 10 minutes."
Stop snoring: All you back sleepers who snore, "put a tennis ball in a shirt pocket cut from an old t-shirt and sew it to the midback of your tight pajama top. The discomfort forces you to roll over and sleep on your side - without waking you up." Sounds medieval but it works.
Conquer insomnia: "Before bedtime, eat a handful of cherries, which scientists discovered are jam-packed with melatonin, the same hormone created by your body to regulate sleep patterns." To add to the tranquility, "steep yourself in a hot bath to relax your muscles and your mind." Then when you slide into bed, "rest your head on a lavender-filled pillow - the fragrance induces sleepiness."

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Home Remedies: Digestive Issues

FitSugar — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:00:00 -0800

If the four days of feasting over Thanksgiving weekend have taken a toll on your tummy, you might be interested in trying some home remedies. Prevention has created a list of tummy tamers and here are the highlights.

Ease nausea: Give frozen ginger chips a try. Make your own by infusing slices of fresh ginger in hot water. Strain the ginger and place them in an ice cube tray. When you're feeling queasy, crush the cubes and suck on the frozen pieces.

Curb flatulence: Three times a day, take two enteric-coated peppermint capsules (500 mg each). They must be coated so the peppermint can make it to your intestines. This herb will kill the bacteria in your digestive system that's causing your bloated feeling. It also has relaxing effects on your gastrointestinal muscles.

Constipation: Boil 10 grapes in six ounces of milk. Before bed, drink the milk separately and then eat the grapes.

Diarrhea: Mash bananas in white rice and eat in small amounts. The two have binding effects.

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Home Remedies: Fact or Fiction

FitSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

In a perfect world, we could heal all our wounds with ingredients found in our kitchen cabinets. In reality, there are some foods that help the healing process, and some that hinder it. Do you know which is which? Take this quiz and see.

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Take the quiz

Cure It at Home: Poison Ivy

FitSugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:00:00 -0700

So you went hiking last weekend and you accidentally tromped through a patch of poison ivy. You've got a nasty, blistery rash all over your feet and you want it to go away pronto. I've only tried a few of these home remedies, so I can't vouch for all of them, but anything's worth one try when you're itching like crazy.

Jewelweed, a common weed found in damp areas, is often used to help treat the rash. Mash the weed and apply to your itchy skin.
For 20 minutes, take a bath in salt water, or swim in a chlorinated pool to dry out the rash.
Bathe in tomato juice.
To relieve the itch, cut a mango in half and smear the juice over the rashy area for 10 minutes.
Spray the rash with a deodorant containing aluminum.
Apply tea tree oil to the affected area to help dry it out and clear up the rash faster.

Fit's Tip: Of course, if you have a really aggressive case, I'd talk to your doctor about what over-the-counter or prescription meds he would recommend.

If you have any other home remedies for poison ivy, please share them in the comment section below.

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