Best Herbs and Supplements for Stress Relief [Infographic]

Tired of living in the age of anxiety? Try one of these gentle, non-addictive remedies.

Home Remedies for Headache Treatment

Headaches, including migraines, are extremely common. Because headaches can stem from a variety of causes, some headache sufferers seek treatment on a near-daily basis. Fortunately, there are several home-remedy treatments that can help alleviate migraine pain and other types of headaches.

Lavender Oil

Not only does lavender smell great — it’s also a useful home remedy for headaches and migraine pain. Lavender oil can be either inhaled or applied topically. Two to four drops for every two to three cups of boiling water are recommended when inhaling lavender-oil vapors as a headache treatment. Unlike many medicinal oils, this home remedy can also be safely applied externally without the need to dilute it. Lavender oil should not be taken orally.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint is a soothing home remedy that has been shown to benefit tension headaches. This fresh-smelling oil has vaso-constricting and vaso-dilating properties, which help control blood flow in the body. Headaches and migraine pain are often due to poor blood flow, and peppermint oil helps to open and close the vessels that promote flow. Peppermint home remedies also open up the sinuses so that more oxygen can get into the bloodstream.

Basil Oil

Basil, the strong-scented herb used as a topping for pizzas and pastas, certainly tastes and smells good. And for people in need of a natural headache treatment, the oil derived from basil plants can also be a useful home remedy. Basil works as a muscle relaxant, so it is especially helpful for headaches caused by tension and tight muscles.

Diet Fixes

One of the most useful home remedies for reducing headaches and migraine pain involves making changes to your diet. Certain foods have been shown to affect the frequency and severity of headaches and migraine pain, including dairy; chocolate; peanut butter; certain fruits, such as avocado, banana, and citrus; onions; meats with nitrates, such as bacon and hot dogs; foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG); foods containing tyramine, an amino acid found in red wine; and foods that are fermented or pickled. Keep track of these trigger foods and your reaction to them with a food diary.

DIY Scalp Massage

Do-it-yourself scalp massages can be an effective way to alleviate migraine pain, and they feel great. Researchers in Brazil showed that massaging the greater occipital nerve — the area in the back of the head, at the base of the skull — reduces migraine pain. Massage in general has been identified as a useful home remedy for headaches, especially reflexology (massaging reflex points on the hands and feet).

Feverfew

Feverfew, as its name suggests, is used to treat fever, but it’s most commonly known as an herbal headache treatment. This home remedy became popular in the 1980s, when a landmark study in Great Britain showed that 70 percent of participants had less migraine pain after taking feverfew daily. Since then, more studies have demonstrated feverfew’s benefit in preventing and treating migraine pain. One study showed improvement in migraine pain among people who took daily feverfew in combination with white willow, another herbal home remedy, which contains properties similar to aspirin.

Flaxseed

Some headaches are caused by inflammation, which can be reduced by consuming omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed can help provide headache relief because it’s rich in omega-3s. Flaxseed can be used as a home remedy in several forms, including as an oil and ground or whole seeds.

Buckwheat

Buckwheat’s usefulness as a home remedy for headaches and migraine pain comes from a flavonoid known as rutin. Flavonoids are phytochemicals, which are found in plants, and have been shown to contain antioxidant properties, which counteract damage to cells. In addition, researchers in Taiwan have demonstrated the effects of flavonoids on inflammation, a common cause of headaches.

[via Everyday Health]

Effective Natural Remedies to Cure Spring Allergies

Spring allergy is commonly used to refer to hay fever, a seasonal allergic rhinitis attack experienced by more than 35 million Americans every year as the season changes and many allergens start to blossom - during springtime. As pollens scatter and travel through air, people as far as hundreds of miles away unknowingly sniff them, triggering allergic reactions, such as sneezing, coughing, eye and nose irritation and runny nose.

Many over-the-counter medications for spring allergies are available at affordable prices. These drugs, nonetheless, can cause several side-effects and unnecessary expenses. Common side-effects include drowsiness, headache and occasional loss of appetite. Why bother experiencing them when there are scientifically proven natural remedies that can aid in fighting spring allergies?

You can try the following alternative treatments for safer and effective relief.

Garlic: On clinical studies, quercetin, a natural compound found in garlic and onion, is observed to mimic the antihistamine effect of certain drugs. When regularly added to the diet, spring may just pass without causing hassle sniffs.

Onion and apple are good sources too.

Cayenne pepper: Like garlic, it also contains quercetin that can act as antihistamine. But more than that, it has anti-inflammatory properties that can prevent throat and nasal irritations. Some people prefer using cayenne pepper because the natural heat it produces in the body is said to comfort irritations caused by allergens.

Thyme: This herb is proven to be an effective natural expectorant that can relieve phlegm production during the onset of spring allergies. Even some drugs add it to their components for much more effective decongestion benefit. It also has high antimicrobial properties that aids in fighting infections caused by phlegm.

To experience its benefits, drink a tea made from fresh thyme twice a day or buy prepared brands that preserve the natural properties of the plant without altering its chemical components.

Chamomile: A healthy and delicious drink, chamomile tea can also relieve itchiness and dryness of the eyes. By placing a cold tea bag for five to 10 minutes, you will feel the immediate effects against allergic reaction.

Elderberries: This fruit is insanely high in antioxidant content and phytonutrients that are best used against flu. As it strengthens the immune system, it also makes recovery from cold faster. Its anti-inflammatory effects can be experienced by drinking fresh juice or even wine made from real fruits.

Chicken soup: Medical experts considered this as a mere hoax until a year ago when a research showed surprising benefits to the recovery rate of subjects experiencing the common cold. Since spring allergy triggers nasal fluid build-up, it is a smart idea to have chicken soup not only on a rainy day but during springtime as well.

Neti pot: Oprah considers this product as one of her favorite things because of its fast action against clogged nasal passages due to allergens. Cheap and natural, it safely soothes the passage using sterile water and a dash of salt.

Acupuncture: This ancient art of healing is said to relieve swollen nasal passages at a faster rate than some herbs do. Acupuncture is also said to strengthen the immune system; thus, strengthening the body's defense against spring allergies, or any kind of allergy for that matter.

[via Natural News]

Best and Worst Foods for Pain

Some research suggests that certain foods may affect rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.

What you eat is crucial for so many conditions—such as diabetes—that it would be great if the right food could also help ease chronic pain. Unfortunately, the link between food and pain is not as clear.

However, inflammation is a key cause of pain in many conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. And there is some evidence to suggest that certain foods might help ease inflammation. Medication is proven to help RA symptoms, but some people do feel that food affects how they feel and function.

Here are some foods that could be potentially harmful or helpful when it comes to pain; use trial and error to see if they work for you. --By Amanda Gardner, Health.com

Salmon: Best

Salmon is rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and these same compounds may also help reduce pain-promoting inflammation. That makes it a win-win for people with rheumatoid arthritis, who have greater risk of heart trouble than people without RA.

Studies have suggested that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may protect against developing rheumatoid arthritis and could mitigate the severity of the disease. "If you have rheumatoid arthritis, it would not hurt to consume these,” says Hyon Choi, MD, DrPH, professor of medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. Tuna, mackerel and sardines are also excellent sources of omega-3.

Olive Oil: Best

Olive oil works much the same way as omega-3s do—by potentially reducing painful joint inflammation, says Dr. Choi. It's also a staple of the famed Mediterranean diet, which was shown in a 2003 study not only to reduce inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients, but also to enhance physical function and vitality. A compound called oleocanthal, which gives olive oil its taste, may have the same effect in the body as aspirin, ibuprofen, and other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

Keep in mind, though, that olive oil has as many calories as other types of fat, so don't overdo it.

Turmeric: Best

This spice, used liberally in India and other parts of Asia to add taste and also a creamy yellow color to foods, may also have some anti-inflammatory properties, although those effects are likely to be "very, very mild," says Eric L. Matteson, MD, chair of rheumatology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. The magic ingredient may be curcumin, the active compound in turmeric.

Milk: Best and Worst

Some research suggests dairy products are good for rheumatoid arthritis, while others seem to indicate that they’re bad.

People who are allergic to the protein casein found in milk will develop joint swelling if they drink milk, says Dr. Matteson. This is true even if they don’t have rheumatoid arthritis.

On the other hand, a study of almost 30,000 women in Iowa found that those who consumed high levels of vitamin D via various milk products had a lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D may have anti-inflammatory effects in the body.

Onions: Best

Onions contain tons of phytochemicals that may reduce inflammation. One study identified quercetin, a compound found in this vegetable, as a possible mediator for this effect. Onions have also shown some anti-cancer effects. And let's not forget they add taste, with virtually no calories.

Garlic: Best

A clove of garlic may be able to fight off not only vampires, but arthritis as well. Like onions, this flavorful little bulb may have properties that may keep your joints from aching.

"Garlic has phytochemicals that have been shown in mouse and rat studies as well as in test-tube studies to shut off the inflammatory pathways, similar to ibuprofen," says Lona Sandon, RD, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.

Alcohol: Best and Worst

Several studies have shown that people who drink in moderation have a lower risk of being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis—and if they do have RA, moderate drinkers seem to have less severe symptoms, including pain, than non drinkers.

But beware of alcohol if you're taking medications for RA, cautions Sandon: "Drugs can interact with alcohol."

Raspberries, Strawberries and Blackberries: Best

These berries contain phytochemicals known as anthocyanins, which may offer a benefit. "Anthocyanins stop inflammatory compounds in their tracks," says Sandon.

In one study, animals treated with red-raspberry extract were less likely to develop arthritis and less likely to have severe arthritis if they did develop the condition. There was also a protective effect on cartilage. Anthocyanins are responsible for the vibrant blue, red and purple colors seen in a variety of berries.

Bacon, Butter and Cream: Worst

The saturated fats in bacon and other animal products contain arachidonic acid, which may worsen inflammation and related pain and swelling. So skip the prime rib—a cut of meat that is particularly high in fat and calories—and select lean proteins instead, says Sandon.

Broccoli and Other Veggies: Best

And it's not just broccoli—a vegetable-rich diet in general may be helpful. One study found that people who regularly ate cooked vegetables had a 61% decreased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis compared to those who didn't.

Other research has found that vegetarian diets may help with swollen joints and joint pain. "Vegetables in general have been associated with a protective effect on the development of rheumatoid arthritis," says Dr. Choi.

Cherries: Best

But not just any cherry. "There's some evidence that tart cherries can affect the sensation of pain," says Sandon. And studies have shown decreases in blood levels of a number of different inflammatory markers associated with consuming this tree fruit. Cherries have a reputation for relieving gout, another form of arthritis that involves repeat episodes of pain.

In fact, a study conducted by Dr. Choi found that people who ate cherries over a period of two days had a 35% lower risk of gout attacks than those who didn't.

Red Meat: Worst

High in saturated fat, studies suggest people who eat a diet that contains a lot of red meat are at greater risk of inflammatory arthritis.

Why? It's not clear, but meat fats or corrosive free radicals from iron may promote inflammation. Either way, limit your consumption of red meat, not only for pain, but also for your heart.

Sugary Drinks: Worst

There's really no clear evidence that sugary drinks are good or bad for chronic pain. However, they tend to be low in nutrients and relatively high in calories, and may be a contributor to the obesity epidemic.

In general, being overweight or obese can increase your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis by 24%, according to a recent study authored by Dr. Matteson. Carrying around extra weight also puts unnecessary stress on already beleaguered joints.

So it might be best to avoid them as part of your healthy-eating plan.

Gluten: Worst

People with celiac disease, which is a severe gluten intolerance, can develop arthritis, so some people with rheumatoid arthritis steer clear of this ingredient.

Gluten is found in wheat, rye, and barley, and many grain products including breads, pasta, and cereal. Some medicines, vitamins, and lip balms may contain gluten too. You can choose legumes, nuts, quinoa, and rice instead.

But keep in mind that eating a completely gluten-free diet can be a challenge (and expensive), so no need to do so if gluten doesn't seem to be a problem.

Eggplant: Best and Worst

Eggplant is a "nightshade vegetable," in the same category as tomatoes and potatoes. Evidence is mixed on the benefit—or harm—of these items.

"There are people who claim nightshades are helpful and others who claim they're aggravating or not helpful," says Dr. Matteson. There's no evidence that support claims one way or the other. And cutting out nighshades may cut you off from other helpful compounds, such as capsaicin in red peppers, which can dampen inflammation.

Yogurt: Best

Some types of yogurt contain probiotics—or beneficial microorganisms—and some researchers now believe there may be a connection between rheumatoid arthritis and the gut.

If that's the case, the more good bugs, the better. "There's a theory that a healthy gut may control some of the inflammation . . . if you have good bacteria fighting for you," says Sandon.

Like other dairy products, yogurt may be fortified with beneficial vitamin D (check the label), but best to avoid it if you have an allergy.

[via MSN Healthy Living]