Posts

Home Remedies for Insomnia

Insomnia is a common sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling or staying asleep. This leads to daytime fatigue, poor performance, tension headaches, irritability, depression, and various other problems.

Insomnia is generally of two types: acute and chronic. Acute insomnia is usually more common and lasts for days or weeks. Chronic insomnia, on the other hand, lasts for months or even longer.

There are a variety of causes including stress, anxiety, psychotic disorders, poor sleep habits, disruptions in sleeping environment, life changes, caffeine or other stimulants, chronic pain, breathing difficulties, and certain medical conditions such as arthritis, heart failure, acid reflux, and others.

It can also be a side effect of certain medications such as corticosteroids, alpha-blockers, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and more. There are few simple home remedies to get sleep. 

1. Cumin Seeds

Cumin is a culinary spice with medicinal properties that aid in digestion. In traditional Ayrvedic medicine, it has been used to induce sleep. Cumin oil, too, has a tranquilizing effect. 

2. Nutmeg

Nutmeg has sedative properties and works as a natural sleep aid. 

3. Saffron

Saffron also has mild sedative properties that help treat insomnia. 

4. Chamomile Tea. 

5. Bananas

Eating a banana can be useful in combating insomnia because it contains an amino acid called tryptophan that helps raise serotonin levels, which help regulate sleep patterns. It also will elevate your mood and help regulate your apetite. Minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium present in this fruit also help with sleep. 

6. Warm Milk

Warm milk is an excellent home remedy to relax your mind and body. Moreover, like bananas, milk contains tryptophan that promotes sleep. 

7. Fenugreek Juice 

Fenugreek ( Methi) reduces anxiety, insomnia, and dizziness.

8.  Valerian 

Valerian is a medicinal herb with sedative and muscle relaxing properties. It induces relaxation and sleep. 

9. Hot Bath

Taking a hot bath or shower about two hours before going to bed can be of great help in treating insomnia. It works as a good bedtime ritual to relax your body and soothe nerve endings. For better effect apply oil to head and body if you want. 

10. Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey

Apple cider vinegar contains amino acids that relieve fatigue. Plus, it helps break down fatty acids that release tryptophan. Honey, too, promotes sleep by raising your insulin and causing a release of serotonin, a brain chemical that helps regulate sleep/wake cycles.

Source https://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-insomnia.html/

(Image: Representation only)

iMedWorks Ask Platform Links below:

1. Get a Medical Second Opinion
2. Search doctors and Request Appointment

Home Remedies for Ear Infections [mostly for kids]

Ear infections are caused by bacteria or viruses in the middle ear. Ear infections occur more often in children than adults. Some causes and contributing factors that lead to ear infections are wax buildup, upper respiratory infections, food allergies, environmental allergies, fetal alcohol syndrome, genetics, nutritional deficiencies and internal injuries. Some common signs that someone is suffering from an ear infection are pain in the ear, tugging at the ear, difficulty sleeping, headache, poor response to sounds, high fever, fluid draining from the ear, vomiting, diarrhea and so on.

Each part has specific functions that help a person hear. You can see in the diagram that the outer ear which shape like a leaf captures the traveling sound waves. In the outer part of our ear, there is a section called as pinna and through this section the sound waves enter into the ear canal. Through the ear canal the sound waves reach the eardrum which is located in the middle part. In addition, the middle section of the ear also has other important ear organs like hammer, anvil, stir up, semicircular, and middle canal. Through the canal, sound waves travel to the inner section of our ear. In the inner part of the ear, there are important ear parts like cochlea, Eustachian tube, and nerves. Sound waves from the canal are sent to the nerves so that the brain can process the sound. After that we are able to recognize the sound and understand it.

An ear infection can occur in any of the three parts. Inner ear infections are the most serious. It is important to treat an ear infection to prevent complications, including damaging or rupturing the ear drum. Untreated ear infections can also lead to chronic recurrence and can even cause deafness! It is important to consult a doctor, but for immediate relief you can try some natural treatments.There are many time-honored, simple and easy home remedies that can help to get rid of the pain and other symptoms of an ear infection.

1. Salt

Heat up one cup of salt on a pan over low heat for a few minutes. You can also heat it in a microwave or double-boiler.Place the hot salt on a cloth and seal the open end with rubber band (or tie a knot).When it is bearably hot, lay down and put the cloth on the affected ear for 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat this remedy daily as many times as needed. The heat generated from the sock will help draw out fluid from the ear and relieve swelling and pain.

[Rice can be used instead of salt]

2. Holy Basil or Tulasi

Crush four to five fresh holy basil leaves gently to extract the juice. Apply the basil juice on or around the infected ear. Avoid getting the juice in the ear canal.You can also mix a few drops of holy basil oil with an equal amount of carrier oil like coconut oil. Soak a cotton ball in the mixture and gently wipe just inside the ear, around the outer edge and behind the ear. Repeat the process twice daily.

3. Olive Oil 

One of the main causes of an ear infection is wax in the ear catching some fungal or bacterial growth leading to a blockage in the Eustachian tubes. You can easily clear the obstruction with the help of olive oil.

Warm some olive oil slightly. Put a few drops of the warm oil into the infected ear. The oil will cause the wax to soften. Remove the infected wax with cotton-tipped swabs. Be careful not to put the swab too far in the ear or you might damage the eardrum.

4.  Onion Juice

Onion is a very common ingredient used in cooking. It has medicinal uses too, including for the treatment of an ear infection.

Chop one small onion, put it in a bowl and microwave it for one to two minutes. Allow it to cool and then strain out the onion juice. Put two to three drops of the juice in the infected ear, leave it for sometime and then turn your head to let it drain out of your ear. Place the cloth on the infected ear for five minutes. Wait for 10 minutes and then repeat the process.

5.  Mango leaf extract

Mango leaf extract is a quick and effective treatment.Crush or grind two to three soft mango leaves to extract the juice. Slightly warm the juice. Using a dropper, put three to four drops of the juice into the infected ear. Within a few minutes, you will feel relief from the pain.

Follow this remedy two to three times a day for full relief from ear infection.

6. Breast Milk

Breast milk has natural antibodies that can help speed up the healing process of any kind of ear infection. It will alleviate swelling and discomfort and can get rid of an ear infection within one or two days. This remedy works for both children and adults

Using a dropper, put a few drops of breast milk into the affected ear

Repeat the process every few hours as needed.

Breast milk also can be used to treat eye infections, minor cuts and minor burns.

Source:  https://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-for-ear-infection.html

(Image: Representation only)

iMedWorks Ask Platform Links below:

1. Get a Medical Second Opinion
2. Search doctors and Request Appointment