Health/Fitness Archives - Knowledge Weighs Nothing

How To Perform CPR & ‘Hands-Only’ CPR (Infographic)

February 7, 2020

CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) saves lives. If someone experiences a cardiac arrest or is not breathing, performing CPR until medical help arrives can dramatically improve their chances of survival.

If you have not attended a first aid or CPR course, and you have no intention of doing so, at the very least save and study the two CPR infographics below. Better yet, print them out and place them on your refrigerator so the whole family will have a basic knowledge of what to do in event of cardiac arrest or a breathing emergency.

The CPR infographics below provide basic, step-by-step instructions on how to perform CPR. The first infographic covers CPR for an adult. The second infographic covers ‘hands-only’ CPR for an adult. CPR for children is broadly the same, but check out the Red Cross advice on giving CPR to children and infants for key differences.

How To Perform CPR On An ADULT

How To Perform ‘Hands-Only’ CPR On An ADULT

Everyone should know how to perform basic CPR. People experience breathing emergencies and cardiac arrest in every situation imaginable. For more information on CPR, CPR courses and certification check out the Red Cross’s information and advice pages.

5 Turmeric Tea Recipes – Plus The Health Benefits Of Turmeric

January 29, 2016

You can use turmeric to reduce inflammation and pain related to inflammation. Make a tea from it is one of the easiest ways to consume turmeric. In fact, turmeric tea is often known as the anti-inflammatory tea! Making turmeric tea is nice and simple, and there are all sorts of variations and adaptations of the recipe, allowing you to customize it to suit your personal tastes. Whichever recipe you use (or even if you get creative and make up your own version), it’s important that you only use good quality turmeric powder, or alternatively, you can use grated fresh turmeric root for a stronger flavour. There are numerous turmeric health benefits, and you can read more about the benefits of consuming turmeric regularly, further down the page.

Turmeric should be easy to find in your local grocery store or supermarket. Additionally, Amazon has the most extensive range of turmeric powder. We use and recommend Starwest Botanicals Organic Turmeric Root Powder from Amazon as it is organic, high quality and exceptional value.

***Please note that, despite turmeric’s benefits, you shouldn’t drink tea made from turmeric, or take turmeric supplements whilst you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If in doubt please contact your doctor first.***

Turmeric Tea Recipe Infographic

Check out the recipes below and discover how to make turmeric tea. Many people are concerned that making tea with turmeric is difficult, but that is not the case at all. Give one of these anti-inflammatory tea recipes below a try and see.

Basic Turmeric Tea Recipe

Ingredients

4 cups of water
1 teaspoon turmeric
Lemon or honey (or both!) to serve

How To Make the Tea

Heat 4 cups of water, bringing it to the boil.
Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric.
Reduce the heat and let the mixture simmer for around 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat and strain using a fine sieve.
Pour into serving cups and add lemon or honey to taste.

Turmeric Tea With A Twist Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups water
1 inch fresh ginger root, minced
2-teaspoon ground turmeric
1-teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 lemongrass tea bag
6 peppercorns (you can leave these out if you prefer!)
Pinch of sea salt

How To Make the Tea

Bring the water to the boil in a small saucepan.
Add the peeled, minced ginger root, turmeric, cinnamon, peppercorns (remember, these are optional!), sliced oranges, and sea-salt.
Allow the mixture to simmer on a medium low heat for 10-15 minutes.
Add the lemongrass teabag and allow to steep for around 3 minutes.
Remove the teabag and pour the mixture into a mug.

Creamy Turmeric Tea Recipe

Why not give your tea a creamy twist with some coconut milk?

Ingredients

1 cup coconut or almond milk
½ teaspoon turmeric
A pinch cayenne pepper
½ inch finely chopped ginger root
1 ½ teaspoon of honey (or an alternative sweetener)

How To Make the Tea

In a pan, gently warm the cup of coconut or almond milk.
Mix together the turmeric, cayenne pepper, finely chopped ginger root, and the honey.
Add a small amount of the warmed milk and stir it into the mixture.
Mix well until all of the lumps have disappeared.
Add the rest of the milk and mix.
Strain and then serve.

Sweet Turmeric Black Pepper Tea Recipe

Ingredients

1/3 cup honey
2 ½ teaspoons ground turmeric
Lemon
Freshly ground black pepper

How To Make the Tea

Mash the turmeric and honey into a paste (you can then store this in a jar to ensure you have it on hand whenever the need arises).
For each cup of sweet turmeric black pepper tea, take a heaped teaspoon of the turmeric and honey paste.
Top with boiling water.
Add a squeeze of lemon and a few generous twists of freshly ground black pepper.
Stir and enjoy!

Turmeric Lemon Tea Recipe

Turmeric lemon tea combines the sweet, tangy flavours of lemon and ginger, with a gentle kick from the cayenne pepper.

Ingredients

1 cup boiling water
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 tablespoon ground ginger
1/8 tablespoon turmeric
Cayenne
Honey to taste

How To Make the Tea

In a mug, mix together the lemon juice, turmeric, ginger and cayenne.
Top with boiling water.
Stir well.
Add honey to sweeten to your personal taste.

Additional Serving Suggestions

There are numerous ways to serve your turmeric tea, here are a few of our favorites…

Add a slice of orange, a dash of honey, the juice of 1 lemon, and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil.
Turmeric also works perfectly with a slice of apple or cucumber.
If you want a milder taste why not add extra water.
Serve chilled in the summer for a refreshing and healthy drink.

Now that you have some turmeric tea recipes to try, let’s find out a bit more about turmeric itself and the many health benefits of turmeric.

What Is Turmeric?

For centuries, turmeric has been widely used as a spice, medicine, food, and coloring agent across large parts of Asia. In India, it has been considered holy and auspicious for hundreds of thousands of years, not only due to its eye-catching color and unique flavor, but also because of the extensive range of health benefits that are associated with it. In fact, it is often referred to as the ‘Queen of Spices’!

Recent research has seen it promoted in the eyes of western science and it has been deemed as highly effective for treating osteoarthritis and various other health issues such as Crohn’s disease, stomach ulcers, skin wounds, kidney inflammation, and many, many more. It is also full of plenty of healthy nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, niacin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc.

A member of the ginger family, turmeric is a root that usually comes in a powdered form, although it is also available in capsules, tincture, fluid extracts, and tea.

Turmeric Root

Turmeric is used in many recipes, especially in curries and other Asian dishes but it’s earthy, spicy, and often bitter taste can be an acquired taste for some (although once they’ve acquired the taste, many people become addicted!). Additionally turmeric can be consumed as a super healthy, anti-inflammatory drink – turmeric tea!

Turmeric Benefits

Turmeric contains curcumin, which is a potent antioxidant with many health benefits, most notably its anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric and tea made from turmeric are renowned for the multiple health benefits it offers, particularly when it comes to inflammation and many people use turmeric for inflammation related pain relief – helping to treat health issues such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis. It can also help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s, and high cholesterol, to name but a few.

Turmeric can also help to prevent the blood from clotting and reduces the often-painful inflammation caused by wounds, acne, and various other skin conditions. In fact as research progresses, more and more turmeric health benefits are being discovered.

Anti-inflammatory

When it comes to pain relief, so many people across the globe call upon anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and aspirin, to relieve the symptoms of everything from headaches, backaches, and other muscular aches and pains. Whilst these medicines are really effective at relieving the pain and inflammation caused by a whole range of conditions, they can cause many adverse side effects, especially with long-term use.

In fact, the side effects of the long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs include, but are by no means limited to, nausea, diarrhea, gastrointestinal bleeding, hypertension (high blood pressure), increased risk of heart attack, increased risk of kidney cancer, and erectile dysfunction.

But the truth is, natural home remedies such as turmeric (anti-inflammatory tea) for pain relief can often deliver the same effects as these medications, without many of the potential side effects.

Turmeric powder used for the tea

So, how does Turmeric help with inflammation?

Well, in exactly the same way as anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. These drugs work by inhibiting an enzyme, COX-2 (Cyclooxygenase 2), which causes inflamed areas of the body to become painful and more inflamed. By blocking this enzyme, the medication blocks the pain and reduces the inflammation.

Turmeric works so well because it contains high levels of a compound called curcumin, which is a COX-2 inhibitor too. Curcumin is a potent antioxidant with many health benefits, most notably its anti-inflammatory properties. However, whilst turmeric has the same positive effects as the anti-inflammatory drugs, it rarely causes side effects. After all, it has been eaten and drunk across most of Southeast Asia for thousands of years without causing any problems. These anti-inflammatory properties are also at least partly responsible for all the other turmeric health benefits listed below.

Liver cleansing

As well as being a great anti-inflammatory, another turmeric health benefit is that it is also a powerful liver cleansing spice. In today’s toxin and chemical filled world, it’s easy for your liver to become stressed and overworked. Think about it, there are toxins all around us, in our air, our food, and our water. If your liver can’t keep up with the level of toxins feeding into it, they start to accumulate in the body and can have a serious effect on your health.

As well as avoiding processed foods and using lots of natural personal care and cleaning products, you can also help your liver out by incorporating herbs and spices into your diet to support your body’s detox pathways. As well as being a great anti-inflammatory, turmeric is also a powerful liver cleansing spice. So, if you’re looking to give your liver a boost, then a daily cup of this anti-inflammatory tea could offer the perfect solution.

Prevents Cancer

It is believed that turmeric can help to prevent prostate cancer, slow or even stop the growth of existing prostate cancer, and even destroy cancer cells. Research has also shown that the active components in turmeric make it one of the best protectors against radiation-induced tumors, and it is also has preventive effect against

Relieves Arthritis

Turmeric has also been linked to arthritis, providing an effective form of pain relief to those who suffer from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as many other forms of the disease. This is because the anti-inflammatory properties that can be found in turmeric work to destroy the free radicals in the body that are renowned for damaging body cells. In fact, case studies have proven that those suffering from arthritis who consume turmeric on a daily or regular basis, experienced far more relief from symptoms such as joint pain and inflammation, compared to those who didn’t consume turmeric. Given the benefits of turmeric for those with arthritis, it is definitely worth trying turmeric tea for a week or two to see if symptoms improve.

Controls Diabetes

Turmeric is also regularly used to treat diabetes. It works by helping to moderate and control insulin levels in the body. But not only does it assist in the moderation of insulin levels, it is also renowned for improving glucose control, whilst increasing the effect of the medications that are used to treat diabetes.

Another significant benefit of turmeric in treating diabetes is that it is able to reduce insulin resistance in the body, and it’s also been suggested that it could even prevent the onset of Type-2 diabetes! It’s important to note though that, if combined with other strong medications, turmeric can cause low blood sugar, so it’s always best to check with your doctor before using it alongside any other medications.

Reduces Cholesterol Levels

It’s highly likely that, at some point in your lifetime, you will suffer from high cholesterol, especially as you grow older. However, research has proven that, by regularly using turmeric as a food seasoning, it can significantly decrease cholesterol levels. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level is paramount, as it is a well known fact that high cholesterol notoriously leads to a whole host of serious health problems such heart disease and stroke. If you have high cholesterol, it may be time to start seasoning your food with turmeric, or drinking some turmeric tea, especially given all the other turmeric health benefits list here.

Immunity Booster

Also known as lipopolysaccharide, turmeric can help to stimulate and strengthen your body’s immune system. This is because it is full of antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agents that work together to fight against colds, flu and coughs, ensuring that your immune system is healthy and strong.

If you do find yourself suffering from cold or flu like symptoms, try one of the turmeric tea recipes above, or simply mix one teaspoon of turmeric powder into a glass of warm milk, and drink daily until you feel better.

Heals Wounds

It’s inevitable that, from time to time, we all find ourselves nursing a cut or graze caused by a silly accident. However, even the smallest cuts or grazes can cause infection or take a long time to heal.

Both a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, turmeric can also be used as a highly effective disinfectant, protecting your skin or graze against infection whilst speeding up the healing process. All you need to do is sprinkle a small amount of turmeric powder onto the affected areas and you will instantly be protected. But that’s not all, turmeric can also be used to help to repair damaged skin, treat burns and even be used to effectively treat psoriasis along with a whole host of other common inflammatory skin conditions. See also: How To Stop Bleeding With Black Pepper.

(Turmeric tea image credit: Jules)

11 Home Remedies For Dry Cough That Really Work!

August 3, 2015

The onset of dry cough can be a sign of many different ailments. While a dry cough may be due to a previous cold, it’s not uncommon to experience a dry cough after breathing dry, hot air. For example, many people begin to develop a dry cough after turning on their furnace for the first time in the fall, which is primarily due to the dust and irritants that were collected over the spring and summer months. Chronic dry coughing is typically a result of persistent irritation, such as smoking cigarettes, allergies, asthma and environmental irritants.

Regardless of the cause, when you have a dry cough finding relief is of utmost importance. The longer a dry cough continues, the greater the likelihood of developing painful throat irritation and inflammation. Although there are many over-the-counter and prescription medications designed to reduce the urge to cough, home remedies for dry coughs accomplish the same goal without introducing synthetic chemicals or medications into your system. If you’re searching for immediate relief, continue reading to uncover the most effective dry cough remedies.

Effective Home Remedies For A Dry Cough

The following home remedies for dry coughs were selected for effectiveness in relieving acute or chronic dry coughing. Although each of these dry cough remedies are generally considered safe, if your coughing is not alleviated or becomes worse, you may need to visit a physician as chronic coughing can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.

#1 | Turmeric and Black Pepper Tea Dry Cough Remedy

Turmeric is an excellent herb to help reduce not only the severity of a dry cough but also the inflammation that occurs due to persistent coughing. Along with the soothing and anti-inflammatory qualities of turmeric, black pepper is known to help soothe throat irritation and help protect against viruses and bacteria which may be causing your dry cough to worsen. To utilize this home remedy for dry cough, bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil. Once boiling, add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Allow the ingredients to boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and pour into a mug. Add 1 tablespoon of raw honey or agave nectar (for flavour) and drink this dry cough remedy once a day.

#2 | Lemon and Honey Cough Syrup

If you’re searching for a natural alternative to the synthetic cough syrups found at your local drug store, then you’ll be very interested in this home remedy for dry cough. Both lemon and honey feature soothing and healing properties capable of reducing cough severity while treating the underlying causes of a cough. Lemons feature potent anti-inflammatory properties while honey features natural antioxidant capabilities. To utilize this dry cough remedy, simply add 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice into 1 tablespoon of raw honey. Drink the entire mixture at least three times per day until the cough has subsided.

#3 | Garlic and Honey Tea Remedy For Dry Coughs

Garlic is perhaps one of the most effective home remedies for dry cough as its unique medicinal compounds are known to have powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Although its flavour is quite strong, its healing capabilities are even stronger. When combined with the soothing effects of honey, many people experience immediate relief of their coughing and instant inflammation reduction. To utilize this remedy, slightly crush three garlic cloves and add them to 1 cup of water. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Allow the garlic to boil for 2 minutes before removing from heat. Strain the garlic cloves out of the water and pour into a mug. Add 1 tablespoon of honey and drink. For an added healing boost, eat the three garlic cloves.

#4 | Homemade Onion and Honey Cough Syrup

Although this may not seem as if it’s the most flavorful dry cough home remedy, the healing and soothing power of onions makes it one of the most effective options for near-instant relief. To utilize this remedy, add 1/2 teaspoon of fresh onion juice with 1 teaspoon of raw honey. Consume up to two times per day for a potent healing syrup and instant cough suppression.

#5 | Homemade Cayenne Cough Suppressant

The healing power of cayenne pepper makes it one of the most effective spices for home remedies. When combined with fresh ginger, honey and apple cider vinegar, you can experience instant relief from your coughing symptoms. In fact, this home remedy for dry cough can be used as an immediate relief should you need to make a presentation or go to class. To utilize, simply add 1/4 teaspoon of fresh cayenne pepper, 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground ginger, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of raw honey into 2 tablespoons of pure water. Drink this healing elixir at least two times per day until your coughing has subsided.

#6 | Fresh Carrot Juice Dry Cough Remedy

This home remedy for dry cough can banish even the most persistent cough as fresh carrot juice is filled with a myriad of vitamins and nutrients capable of soothing an irritating cough and treating the underlying causes of a cough. Simply juice five carrots and add 2 tablespoons of water. Drink this dry cough remedy four times per day until your cough has officially subsided.

#7 | Licorice Root Tea Cough Remedy

Licorice root is among the most potent home remedies for dry cough as it treats the underlying causes. Whether the cough is due to a cold or irritants, the powerful healing properties found in the compound glycyrrhizin eases the urge to cough while simultaneously acting as an anti-inflammatory. Because throat inflammation is a common cause of a dry cough, liquorice root tea can be an effective home remedy. Bring 8 ounces of water to a rolling boil. Place 2 tablespoons of dried liquorice root in a mug. Pour the boiling water over the liquorice root. Cover and allow the tea to steep for 15 minutes. Strain the liquorice root out of the tea and consume two times per day until your cough has subsided.

Homemade Pine Needle Cough Syrup Recipe

May 9, 2015

Whether you’re suffering from a common cold, seasonal allergies or a more serious illness, such as pneumonia or bronchitis, the need for immediate and long-lasting cough suppression is immense. Unfortunately, many over-the-counter cough syrup medications are filled with a myriad of synthetic chemicals, which makes it an unappealing option for those wishing to minimize their exposure to these harsh compounds. However, what if you were to discover one of the most potent cough suppressant and anti-inflammatory compounds is found in your backyard?

Pine needle cough syrup has quickly moved from the underbelly of natural remedies into the mainstream spotlight due to its potency in alleviating symptoms associated with post nasal drip and respiratory illnesses. The most impressive part? This medicine utilizes 100% natural and cheap and/or free ingredients, which makes it an ideal choice for those seeking to minimize their exposure to synthetic chemicals or when access to pharmaceuticals is unavailable, such as during a natural disaster or camping trip.

The Ingredients

The potency of pine needle cough syrup is only matched by its simplicity. To make this homemade medicine, all you need is:

¼ cup of pine needles (specifically from the Eastern White Pine)
½ cup of filtered water
½ cup of raw honey (preferably from a local source)

Directions

Step One – Pour the water and pine needles into a pot and bring the water to a gentle boil. Allow the ingredients to boil for 10 minutes, or until the needles have turned brown and water has adopted a greenish-yellowish hue.

Step Two – Strain the needles out of the water, and replace the water back into the pot.

Step Three – Add the honey into pot, and bring the water to a boil. Continue to boil the ingredients until the liquid transforms into a syrup-like consistency.

Step Four – Once the liquid has thickened, pour into a resealable glass jar and allow it to cool.

Step Five – Consume 1 to 2 teaspoons as needed to control your cough and soothe throat and lung irritation. Refrigerate between uses.

Home Remedy For Earwax & Ear Infections

March 15, 2014

This home remedy is actually better than some of the over-the-counter solutions you can purchase from the pharmacy; most of the drops for swimmer’s ear (mild infection) contain just isopropyl alcohol to dry and wash out the ear, but the home remedy below contains rubbing alcohol and white vinegar.

The rubbing alcohol and white vinegar combination in this home remedy work together to break down earwax, dry the ear, fight infection and sooth the pain. The addition of white vinegar makes this home remedy way more effective, as white vinegar is an antimicrobial, or antibiotic and it fights infection, that otherwise might require a prescription antibiotic.

For anything other than a mild to moderate ear infection/trapped water/wax build up, go see your doctor first for a proper diagnosis, as you may require different treatment or stronger prescription antibiotics.

Making And Using This Home Remedy

You will need – some rubbing alcohol, white vinegar and teaspoon.

It couldn’t be easier make – mix 1 part white vinegar to 1 part rubbing alcohol.

To use – take one teaspoon (5 milliliters) of the mixture, tilt your head to one side and pour the mixture into your ear. Leave your head tilted for 30-60 seconds and then sit upright and allow the mixture to run out of your ear. Do this twice a day to treat an ear infection and clear out earwax and trapped water.

Note – If you see no signs of improvement after 3 days, I recommend you go see your doctor. Also, this remedy is not recommended for perforated eardrums. If you have perforated your eardrum, there is nothing much that can be done other than to take pain-relief. I know this as I perforated my eardrum last year, it was very painful and took three months to heal.

I am not a doctor or medical expert – I have simply researched this very popular home remedy recipe online to a level that satisfies my own needs. As with all home remedies we post about, I recommend you do further research to be sure you are happy and satisfied before trying the home remedy.

How To Make Witch Hazel Water (Plus 25 Uses!)

July 19, 2014

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a flowering shrub/tree which is common in North America and Japan. The witch hazel plant extract is derived from the leaves and bark of the shrub, and offers many benefits and uses especially for those seeking natural first aid and topical treatments.

How To Make Witch Hazel Water

You will need a cooking pot, some water (distilled or filtered water ideally) and two handfuls of fresh, pruned witch hazel twigs and small branches.
Most of the active, healing compounds are found in the bark of the branches, so using a knife, carefully peel and scrap as much of the bark off as possible. Once done, cut the twigs and branches into short pieces.
Add the twigs, branches and bark to a cooking pot. Cover with water. Put it on the stove and bring to the boil. Once boiling, turn the heat down and gently simmer for around half an hour, before removing from the heat.
Allow the cooking pot and contents to cool overnight. The next day, strain the liquid into a glass bottle or jar. Use a cheesecloth or coffee filter to strain. Once strained, store in the refrigerator. Use the witch hazel water within a week or so. If in doubt, discard it and make a fresh batch.

The potency of the witch hazel water will vary a bit from batch to batch. Before applying to your face or other sensitive areas, it is advisable to do a small skin sensitivity test for each new batch of witch hazel water.

25 Uses For Witch Hazel Water

1. Treating Bruises & Blemishes

Witch hazel offers the benefit of being able to remove blemishes and bruises as well as inflammatory skin conditions. Apply to the skin straight from the bottle using a cotton ball or cosmetic pad.

Witch hazel also helps remove discolouration from bruises and makes the healing process speedier. It can be applied up to three times daily.

2. Witch Hazel as a Natural Astringent

A popular use of witch hazel is as a natural astringent. This is because it contains a high concentration of tannins. This means the witch hazel can be used as an astringent to rid the skin of excess oil and clear the pores. There are a lot of contaminants in the air which enter the skin’s pores. The witch hazel, when applied, reduces those contaminants and makes their effects on the skin less severe. Regular use may also prevent blemishes from returning and lessen the likelihood of blackheads forming.

3. Use to Stop Bleeding

Another of witch hazel’s benefits and uses is that it can be applied to stop bleeding for minor cuts and scrapes. The reason why witch hazel does stop bleeding is that it serves to tighten the skin and this, in turn, promotes faster healing. So apply it to those small cuts and scrapes to help the bleeding to stop. Witch hazel bought in a store often contains isopropyl alcohol which helps cleanse the wound, offering an added benefit.

4. Ease an Itchy Scalp

An itchy scalp can be very irritating and annoying. A natural way to ease the condition is to use witch hazel. Just mix one part witch hazel with two parts water and then pour a little of the solution on the scalp. Massage into the scalp then rinse.

5. Helps Shrink Swollen Veins

Use witch hazel to shrink swollen veins by soaking a soft terry cloth in the liquid and laying it over the area affected by varicose veins. This temporarily removes pain and swelling. The affected areas should be propped up as high as possible during treatment as this will reduce blood pressure in the swollen veins.

6. Use Witch Hazel for Hemorrhoid Relief

Haemorrhoids to say the least are very uncomfortable as they itch, swell and bleed. One of the uses of witch hazel is to provide relief for the condition. Witch hazel is often an ingredient used in commercial haemorrhoid products, but a simpler and cheaper option is to mix it with Aloe Vera Gel and apply it to the affected area. This will provide fast relief.

Witch hazel bottle from 1913

7. Use Witch Hazel for the Treatment of Acne

Witch hazel offers many advantages compared with commercial acne treatments. The commercial products tend to be harsh whereas witch hazel is gentle and non-drying and is ideal for toning and cleansing skin which is acne-prone or actually infected with acne. Witch hazel is perfect for treating the condition because it is a natural astringent thanks to its high tannin content. It also has antioxidant properties. Witch hazel should be applied to acne-affected areas twice a day straight from the bottle using a cotton pad.

Also see: How To Get Rid Of Blackheads Fast: 15 Home Remedies

8. Use After Shaving or Hair Removal

Witch hazel is perfect for men and women to use after shaving any part of the body. Firstly witch hazel is able to stop minor bleeds such as nicks and cuts, something which can happen when shaving with a wet razor. Secondly, the plant extract also has anti-inflammatory properties which can prevent or reduce the effects of razor burn. Thirdly for those who remove hair through hot wax treatment witch hazel is also useful as it can be used as an anti-inflammatory following waxing and help stop bleeding from hair follicles that have been damaged by the process.

9. Help Soothe Diaper Rash

Diaper rash can cause distress to a baby but this can be dealt with thanks to witch hazel’s soothing properties. It is especially useful if the diaper rash is healing slowly. Apply a witch hazel solution to the affected area and there will be an immediate improvement.

10. Treat puffy areas around the eyes

Puffy and discoloured areas around the eyes are not very attractive but one of the benefits of witch hazel is that it is able to deal with the condition in a natural way and avoid the need to use chemical-laden products. This is because witch hazel is a natural astringent able to tighten the skin, treat the discolouring and reduce the puffiness around and under the eyes. While treating puffiness is one of the most important benefits of using witch hazel it is highly important that none of it gets in the eyes, so be careful.

11. Soothe Chicken Pox Blisters

Another use of witch hazel is to soothe chickenpox blisters. It is very simple to prepare and involves taking a cup of witch hazel and another one of water. The two are then mixed and should be applied liberally to the affected areas on the body and then allowed to dry. This chickenpox blister treatment using witch hazel can be used as often as needed as it uses natural ingredients with no chemicals.

12. Treat Those Damaged Gums

A natural way to treat damaged gums is to use a witch hazel mouth rinse. It is important that witch hazel containing isopropyl alcohol is not used for the treatment. To gain maximum benefit, use only the natural product. Witch hazel reduces pain and swelling caused by irritated or infected gums and also helps stop minor bleeding in the mouth. A teaspoonful of witch hazel with a drop of clove and myrrh oil can also reduce pain caused by emerging wisdom teeth and also ease the pain suffered by infants who are teething.

13. Helping to Dry Up Swimmer’s Ear

Among the many witch hazel benefits is the ability to treat “swimmer’s ear.” Swimmer’s ear – otitis externa to give the condition its medical name – affects the ear canal and is caused by a microbial infection. The ear becomes clogged up with pus, wax and other debris. This can be treated by putting a few drops of witch hazel into the affected ear using an eyedropper. The witch hazel allows the ear to drain and then it can be cleaned with a cotton swab.

14. Help Neutralize the Effects of Contact Dermatitis

Certain plant compounds can irritate the skin and cause severe itching. Witch hazel is excellent for curing the areas of the skin affected by the likes of sap oil from poison ivy and poison oak which can cause contact dermatitis. It helps dry the affected skin and prevents it from itching.

15. Curing a Sore Throat

One of the uses of witch hazel is to help cure a sore throat. This is why it can be very handy to have a witch hazel bush growing close by. Soak the leaves with some of the twigs in a cup filled with very hot water. A few cloves can be added for flavour. They should be soaked for at least 15 minutes. The solids should then be strained off leaving a cup of witch hazel tea. The tea is then gargled and the witch hazel’s properties will soothe the throat and reduce swelling.

16. Cleansing and soothing a wound

Witch hazel can be used as a natural way to cleanse wounds and scrapes, big and small. It is able to cleanse the skin of germs and bacteria and also soothe any inflammation. The skin cleansing properties of witch hazel are well known to tattoo artists, many of whom use it clean new tattoos.

17. Refreshing Skin

During the summer people become hot and sweaty and the skin becomes oily. One of the benefits offered by witch hazel is that it can refresh the skin. Just soak a cotton pad with witch hazel to wipe away the oil and other impurities and the skin is refreshed.

18. Sealing in moisture

Witch oil is great to use after a shower because it seals in moisture and prevents dry skin. This makes witch oil a superior astringent to commercial products as they tend to be drying which is detrimental to people who suffer dry skin conditions.

19. Healing Cold Sores

If someone has a cold sore they will not want it becoming a blister. Witch hazel provides a safe and natural way to prevent this from happening. As soon as the cold sore begins to appear witch hazel should be applied. If a blister has already appeared it will heal even quicker if the plant extract is used.

20. A Deep Cleanser for the Scalp

Witch hazel provides a solution for people who suffer psoriasis, eczema, or dandruff. Massage into the scalp before using a shampoo and conditioner. Witch hazel is also an ideal way to wash hair between washes with shampoo and conditioner.

Witch hazel is especially good for soothing bug bites

21. Ease Bug Bites and Stings

Witch hazel benefits include the ability to ease bug bites and stings. Witch Hazel’s anti-itch and anti-inflammatory properties help provide relief for those unfortunate to have suffered stings or bites from bees, wasps, fleas, flies and other insects during those hotter months Apply it, using a cotton pad, to the bite or sting to bring relief.

22. Avoid Skin Peeling after Sunburn

The skin will peel following severe sunburn, but witch hazel will prevent this and help the affected area to heal. This is all down to the plant extract’s exceptional anti-inflammatory properties. Not only will the skin be prevented from peeling, which is both unpleasant and unsightly, but witch hazel along with Aloe will also help cool the burn and ease discomfort.

23. Use as an Aftershave

As most men will know aftershave can be very expensive. However, there is a cheaper and natural alternative. It is witch hazel. This natural product has all the essential ingredients for an aftershave. It helps tighten the skin and serves as a moisturizer. Witch hazel also has anti-inflammatory properties which means it can deal with shaving hazards such as razor burns as well as stem bleeding from little razor nicks. Some users prefer the scent of standard aftershaves and they continue to use them following a shave after first splashing on the witch hazel.

24. Refreshing Tired Eyes

Many people suffer tired eyes, especially at the end of a long day, and it can be extremely uncomfortable. One way to deal with this is by using witch hazel. This is very easy to do and the whole process can take less than 15 minutes. Just mix some witch hazel in a bowl of cold water. Take a clean cloth or flannel and soak in the water. Then place the cloth over the closed eyes for around 10 minutes. This should leave your eyes refreshed and remove any redness. The witch hazel cold compress can also help someone who has been crying to look and feel much better.

25. Use as a Deodorant

Many commercially produced deodorants contain witch hazel. However, people do not have to spend their cash on purchasing these products; if they have some witch hazel they can make their own homemade deodorant. All that is needed is 4 tablespoonfuls of the witch hazel. What other ingredients are used will depend on personal taste. One suggestion is a tablespoonful of vodka along with 2 tablespoonfuls of cornflower water and orange flower water. Also add 10 drops of both cypress and geranium, 8 drops of bergamot, 5 of neroli, 4 of lavender and 3 drops of black pepper.

The essential oils should be added one by one into a bottle and then shaken vigorously until dissolved. Then pour in the witch hazel and flower waters and shake well. The result will be a bottle of home-produced witch hazel deodorant.

If you like using traditional treatments and home remedies, make sure you check out our home remedies for common ailments infographic.

How To Make Pineapple Weed Tea (Great For Stress & Insomnia)

July 4, 2014

You have probably seen pineapple weed thousands of times but never given it a second look. It likes yards and other trampled/beaten and unkempt areas. It is very easy to identify with its pineapple-shaped yellow flower heads. Pineapple weed is actually a close relative of chamomile, and it has similar calming/sedative properties. In fact, I would say it is a more powerful sedative than chamomile.

Pineapple tea is very simple to make and it tastes great, like a sweeter slightly pineapple version of chamomile tea. It is excellent to drink when stressed to help you relax. It is also great to drink before bed to help you sleep.

How To Make Pineapple Weed Tea

You only use the flower heads to make the tea, so go out and collect around a handful (seems about the right amount for a decent sized cup). Make sure you collect from a clean and unpolluted area. Once you have your flower heads, simply put them in a cup, teapot or French press (French press works very well), cover with boiling water and let them sit and steep for 3-5 minutes. Now simply strain and drink!

Pineapple weed tea is delicious and quite sweet by itself, but it is also amazing if you add a spoonful of honey. Give it a try!

Note: I am not aware of any issues relating to drinking pineapple weed tea and medical conditions or medications, but I am not a medical expert, so just to be on the safe side, check with your doctor if you are suffering from a serious medical condition. I am sure it’s fine but better to be safe than sorry.

(Image from Wikipedia)

Dakin’s Solution Recipe: How To Make Dakin’s Solution

September 29, 2016

A member of your family is wounded. You don’t have an antiseptic solution to clean and disinfect the wound, what can you do? Well, you could make an antiseptic called Dakin’s solution from common household ingredients you already have in your home!

This homemade antiseptic is known as Dakin’s solution (also known as Dakin’s fluid & Carrel–Dakin fluid) and it was developed by English chemist, Henry Drysdale Dakin and French surgeon, Alexis Carrel, it was first used in the first World War to treat soldier wounds and fight infection. The Dakin’s solution recipe is made up with Clorox or similar chlorine bleach, baking soda and water, that’s it…

Dakin’s Solution Recipe

You will need:

Clorox or similar household bleach (Sodium hypochlorite solution 5.25%). Don’t use thick or scented bleach
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
Tap water
Cleaned/sterilized pan with lid, measuring cup and spoon, jar with lid.

How To Make Dakin’s Solution

Wash your hands
Measure out 32 ounces (4 cups) of tap water. Pour into the clean pan.
Boil water for 15 minutes with the lid on the pan. Remove from heat.
Using the sterile measuring spoon, add ½ teaspoonful of baking soda to the boiled water.
You can make the solution in one of four strengths. Measure bleach according to the chart and add to the water also:

1. For full strength – add 3 oz. bleach or 95 ml.
2. For 1/2 strength – add 3 tbls. + 1/2 tsp. or 48 ml
3. For 1/4 strength – add 1 tbls. +2 tsp. or 24 ml.
4. For 1/8 strength – add 2 1/2 tsp. or 12-14 ml.

Pour the solution into the sterile jar and put the lid on.
Make sure you clearly label the jar as Dakin’s solution, also including the strength of solution and date of expiry
Cover the jar with aluminium foil or store it somewhere dark, to protect it from light.

After opening the jar, throw away the remaining solution after 48 hours. An unopened jar can be stored for around a month if it is not opened, providing it is stored in the dark.

Dakin’s Solution Recipe Infographic

How To Make Dakin’s Solution Video Tutorial

There are quite a few steps to this recipe, so check out the video below for a full demonstration of how to make Dakin’s solution.

How To Stop Bleeding With Black Pepper

November 13, 2013

When it comes to survival and wilderness first aid, I highly recommend you carry a blood clotting agent with you in your first aid kit, personally I believe that CELOX produce the best consumer available blood clotting agent, as unlike many other brands, CELOX is also effective for people on blood thinners such as heparin and warfarin etc. You can purchase CELOX here from Amazon. It is quite expensive, but simply put – it could save your life one day…

If you do not have a clotting agent such as CELOX, you can in fact use simple ground black pepper to stop bleeding quickly for small to medium sized cuts/wounds. Black pepper is naturally antibacterial and it also makes blood coagulate quickly and stop bleeding. Black pepper was commonly used by soldiers in the Second World War, and even today it is often used in professional kitchens (probably due to its availability) to stop cuts from bleeding.

It couldn’t be simpler to use black pepper to stop bleeding – simply pour a generous amount of ground black pepper onto the wound and apply pressure (and bandage if necessary) and it should quickly stop bleeding (please use common sense though as serious cuts may still require the attention of a physician).

Note: Finely ground black pepper works best, and no, black pepper does not sting when put on a cut!

Personally I keep some CELOX in our first aid kits for emergencies, but for day-to-day and around the home, black pepper is a useful alternative for smaller wounds.

Disclaimer – I am not a medical expert, this information is based on my own experience and research. Please do your own research and exercise common sense before trying this. If you have an existing medical condition or allergy, please check that this won’t interfere with your condition or medication.

Fish Antibiotics for Humans. What You Need To Know…

August 23, 2017

Firstly a disclaimer. I am not a medical professional. I have simply done my own research online to a level which satisfies my own needs. Please do your own research and cross check everything you read here. Also please use antibiotics responsibly and only when absolutely required. Overuse of antibiotics can cause its own problems, due to bugs becoming resistant to them. See the links at the bottom of the page for more details on this.

Stockpiling medication for a future disaster or a collapse of society is straightforward when it comes to non-prescription medications such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen etc. They are cheap to buy and readily available. However, it is not so simple to acquire and stockpile prescription medications such as common antibiotics which are required to treat infections.

To have a stockpile of antibiotics in a long-term survival situation or a collapse of society would be useful if not vital. Infection will be a big problem in these kinds of situation; for example – take away our power, water/sanitation and groceries; replace with – fires/camp stoves, survival food and untreated water. On top of this, give us knives, axes and guns (which we are largely unaccustomed to using) to chop wood, hunt and defend ourselves and it is easy to see the need to have access to antibiotics. Lot of cuts and stomach bugs…

How To Stock Up On Antibiotics In Case The SHTF?

How do you acquire/stockpile prescription antibiotics in case of emergency? Well you could try to convince your doctor it is a good idea to give you a large amount of common antibiotics to stockpile (good luck with that one!), OR you could perhaps, just go down to your local pet store…

Believe it or not, many of the common antibiotics we are prescribed are also used to keep fish healthy in aquariums. Sceptical? I bet you are, so was I, but I looked into this, and many of the antibiotic medicines used to treat bacteria in aquariums contain the same antibiotics used to treat infection in humans.. The other strange thing is these aquarium antibiotics even come in the same common dosages which are used on humans. To me that seems very strange…

I have checked several sources, some of which were created by medical doctors, and below is a list of aquarium branded medicines which (at the time of writing) contain commonly prescribed human antibiotics.

Aquarium Branded Antibiotics Containing Common Human Antibiotics

FISH-MOX which is Amoxicillin 250mg (http://www.drugs.com/amoxicillin.html)
FISH-MOX FORTE which is Amoxicillin 500mg (http://www.drugs.com/amoxicillin.html)
FISH-FLEX which is Keflex 250mg (http://www.drugs.com/keflex.html)
FISH-FLEX FORTE which is Keflex 500mg (http://www.drugs.com/keflex.html)
FISH-ZOLE which is Metronidazole 250mg (http://www.drugs.com/metronidazole.html)
FISH-PEN which is Penicillin 250mg (http://www.drugs.com/penicillin.html)
FISH-PEN FORTE which is Penicillin 500mg (http://www.drugs.com/penicillin.html)

***I am not going to provide any information on correct dosages or advice on allergies/precautions or what each antibiotic treats etc. It is entirely 100% your responsibility to do your own research here. It is vital you can identify any tablets you purchase and know what treats what and the dosage/precautions etc for the people you are treating.***

Are The Aquarium Antibiotics The Same Thing?

My understanding is that if the pill identifier numbers are the same on the aquarium antibiotics, as on the human antibiotics, and vice versa, they have to be the same thing. This makes 100% sense to me as if you overdosed on one of the antibiotics, you would provide the pill identifier number to Poison Control for example, and they would identify the ingredients based on the pill identifier number regardless of whether they are prescription antibiotics or aquarium antibiotics.

All of the antibiotics above require a prescription from a doctor and usually a doctor will only prescribe a single course of treatment to cure your illness. However, they can all be bought from pet stores without prescription. This means you can stockpile these common antibiotics, in case the SHTF, something which would normally be impossible to achieve.

The bottom line is – we should not start going to the pet store when we have a cough or a sore throat, as it is clearly important to get a diagnosis and treatment from a doctor. I think the thing to bear in mind is that in the future, if things go wrong, we will have to improvise many things and many things may be less than ideal. We should be reluctant to take aquarium branded antibiotics today, but having access to some in a SHTF future could be vital.

I for one, will not be taking aquarium antibiotics whilst I have access to a doctor and prescription medications. If the SHTF in the future and aquarium antibiotics are my only option, I would cautiously and reluctantly take them. I say reluctantly as I am cautious about taking any drugs without them being 100% necessary. I will always try to give my body the chance to fight of an infection before resorting to antibiotic medication.

As a side note, I think anyone interested in emergency preparedness, or the outdoors, should purchase the book: Medicine for the Outdoors: The Essential Guide to First Aid and Medical Emergencies. The book covers pretty much every medical emergency you are likely to encounter, including very detailed information and advice about treating infections, and antibiotics.

Whilst we are discussing antibiotics, be sure to read the two articles below, from the BBC. They make scary reading… Antibiotic overuse, and resistance is a real and very worrying.