Alopecia is an ailment which can be caused by a poor diet or imbalance of hormones in the body. Alopecia can also start later on in life if there has not been enough attention to the hair shafts or if it is hereditary.

Aromatherapy Oils are distilled from herbal plants and used to treat a variety of ailments and beauty treatments. However, the oils should not be in direct contact with skin tissue.

It is advisable to mix the oil with base carrier oil such as sweet almond or olive before use.

Aromatherapy oils such as Ylang Ylang, Rosemary, Thyme, Chamomile or sage are useful essential oils to have in your Home Remedies cupboard for a reduction in stress or to bring calm to mind and body.

A healing treatment for alopecia:

Mix the essential oils of Cedar Wood, Sage, Lavender, Thyme and Chamomile. Add four drops of the oils Ylang Ylang and Rosemary.

Mix the above liquid with two ounces of your chosen base carrier oil.

Watch out for stains. Use an old towel.

Rub a few drops of the mixture into the scalp on a regular basis. Give it time for the new hair growth to appear.

Caution: Do a patch test and if no red allergy spots appear then you are ready to use this treatment.

Many females suffer with this on a monthly basis; some women suffer more than others.

There are Home Remedies available to help as an alternative natural treatment in place of prescribed medication.

Home remedies are natural products such as Vitamin B6, Vitamin E, Magnesium and Calcium.

Modern prescriptions are drugs with anti-inflammatory properties which can have side effects but are prescribed to reduce hot flushes and headaches.

Hormone remedies available from your doctor are available on prescription and they are prescribed as they are known to be a diuretic and can help with anxiety this condition causes. However they can produce side effects for some people.

Diet:

Coming up to the due date of menstruation excess water builds up in the body and it can cause a woman to wear a larger sized garment.

Avoiding sugary food can help to stop the bloating.

Try increasing vegetables which provide the iron your body required before menstruation such as broccoli or spinach.

Eating nuts can provide extra vitamins and iron.

Tip: Join a Yoga or Pilate’s class to help with stretching of muscles.

Caution: If you are on prescribed medication inform your doctor of any home remedies you are taking on a daily basis.

When you get up in a morning and you look into a mirror to find you have dark rings under your eyes, then there is every chance your immune system is low.

If you have been on a diet this can be another reason for the dark circles, or if it hereditary.

There a few Herbal Remedies and Home Remedies around which can be of assistance to you. Some of these treatments are unusual, but they do work.

Herbal remedy:

Mix the same amount of Turmeric, Red Sandalwood powder and honey to make a paste. Place in a container. Apply on a daily basis every evening for thirty minutes and then wash off.

Tip: use daily until you see a difference with the dark circles.

Home Remedy:

Use an ordinary sized potato from the kitchen. Grate the potato until it is a paste. Spread the paste over the area and mind the eyes.

Go to bed with the paste on (remembering to warn your partner). The paste will dry itself on your skin. In the morning wash it off. Using a clean towel pat the skin dry and do not rub.

Tip: Continue this beauty treatment three times a week until you notice a difference.

Summer is here and the first glimpse of people who are suffering from hay fever is upon us.

Every year hay fever sufferers have to go through mixed emotions of delight at seeing a sunny day and the upset of knowing they are going to suffer from the effects of hay fever.
Hay fever can mean a streaming nose, a wheezy chest, runny eyes and constant bouts of sneezing.

I have listed three different avenues of treatments to help people who suffer from this allergy:

It is easier to stay indoors early in the morning as the pollen count which triggers the allergy is higher in the morning.

Wash your hair and change your clothes regularly to stop pollen coming into the house when you have been out for the day.

Wear sunglasses which wrap themselves around the side of your eyes.

Herbal Remedies:

Herbal Remedies such as eyebright can help with the symptoms with of hay fever.

Goldenseal the herb is an anti inflammatory and astringent.

Nettles also have antihistamines properties and can be taken in the form of a tea.

Natural Remedies:

Eat fruit such as blackcurrants and rosehips which have bioflavenoids and natural antihastimines which can reduce inflammation.

Change black tea to green tea as this tea is full of powerful antioxidants which support the immune system.

Spring cleaning your house with a thought to the environment needs a little organising but there are many ways you can use items around the home.

More and more people are using natural products to minimise toxic products such as bleach, toilet and oven cleaners and hair fresheners.

Home Cleaning:

Try lemon juice diluted to clean surfaces and cupboards.

Half a lemon in the fridge can take away any nasty smells.

Lemon and water mixed together will brighten up copper, brass and when placed in the washer will brighten up clothes.

White wine vinegar will clean help with stains and lime scale in kettles.

Olive oil can be used as a wood polish. A little olive oil will clean up stainless steel.

If your spring clothes smell a little musty, spray a little tea tree oil and water over them. Tea tree oil and water is also useful to clean mould which has grown around the windows over the winter.

Malt vinegar acts as a disinfectant and if you mix some vinegar with washing up liquid it great for dirty windows.

Bicarbonate of soda mixed with water will get rid of dirt and grease. Good for shower curtains. Dry bicarbonate of soda absorbs carpet stains.

If you get up in a morning and you have had a good nights’ sleep and yet there are dark circles under the eyes, you need a natural herbal remedy.

Herbal Remedies have been around for thousands of years, but many have been forgotten until now.
Dark circles can be due to a lack of sleep, allergies, illness or extreme loss of weight.

Home Remedies :

Use a baking potato and grate it until it forms a paste and administer to the dark circles. Leave for ten hours or overnight and wash off with cool water. Pat your skin until dry.

Herbal Remedies:

Use herbs such as Turmeric and Red sandalwood powder mixed with honey. Paste the mixture under the eyes and leave for ten minutes before washing it off.

Herbs are used in culinary recipes to aid digestion and give more flavour to a recipe. The body’s immune system fights off bacteria and parasites. Unfortunately one food which is good for one person may irritate another.

Caution: Do some research on the herbs available which can be of assistance in helping skin irritations or allergies. Allergies can start at any age.

How many times have you been to a party or social evening and you wake up the next day with a heavy headache vowing never again to touch a drop of alcohol.

Water is your best friend to reduce some of the after effects of alcohol.

Going out for an evening of partying without taking the time to eat a meal beforehand is not good for your body’s immune system.

Alcohol in your body will not be able to stand up to the effects of alcohol over a period of time.

Home Remedies listed below that can be found in your kitchen will give you a boost:

Eat a piece of fruit or drink fruit juice to kick start you energy levels.

Drink a large glass of water to flush out toxins in the body and that will help your liver to recover.

Drink Herbal Remedies in the form of teas. Peppermint is a popular one to sooth the stomach and Chamomile to ease cramps.

Eating a slice of wholemeal toast will ease the feeling of nausea.

Warning: if you have dizzy spells or you find it difficult to stop drinking then inform your local doctor.

Herbal and Home Remedies can help with the painful viral infection known as mumps. Some home remedies can help the infection to heal quickly and are cost effective. Most of these can be found in the home, usually in the kitchen.

Use half a teaspoon or a pinch of bicarbonate of soda and mix it with water. Apply it on the infected area and leave for few minutes before rinsing off with water. If you repeat the process two or three times a day the swelling should start to reduce.

Ginger mixed with water to a paste-like substance will reduce the inflammation and help to keep swollen cheeks in shape.

Indian aloe reduces the pain of the infection immediately. Take a leaf of the aloe herb and peel. Add a little turmeric and India barberry to the leaf and place over the affect gland. This will reduce the pain.
Use the same amount of asparagus and fenugreek seeds and make into a paste; both the pain and swelling will disappear to help with a fast recovery.

Margosa leaves (or Neem) can be mixed with turmeric to a paste. Apply on the bottom part of the swollen gland on the facial area to bring a reduction in swelling and pain.

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath and it can be a result of several things, such as a bad diet or your teeth may need cleaning.

The herbal plant, sage, which can be obtained for culinary purposes, can help to reduce bad breath and make your mouth feel fresh. When you have eaten a meal try eating sage and it will freshen up your mouth.

Mouth ulcers are unpleasant, but they are another indication of the body’s immune system being run down.

Listed below is a recipe to use that can be made from Home Remedies :

Sage and salt toothpaste will keep your teeth clean and your mouth fresh.

Take one ounce of sage, the herb and cut into pieces. Cut the sage and place in an ovenproof dish.

Add one quarter of a teaspoonful of sea salt which has been grinded into very small pieces.

Place the bowl into an oven and bake for one hour until the dish has a crisp cover.

Note: This recipe can be adapted to a recipe for mouth ulcers by taking away the salt and adding a half teaspoonful of the essential oil myrrh.

Pour boiling water over the sage leaves and add myrrh. Leave the mix to steep for twenty minutes to cool. Use the liquid as a home remedy mouthwash.

Blessed thistle is an attractive, but herbal plant. Long and willowy, it bears cream and yellow flowers and is surrounded with spiky leaves. Due to the spiky leaves you would have to handle the herb with extreme care.

Most herbal trees and plants are used for a variety of illnesses and blessed thistle is no exception.

Years ago, when the country was under threat with bionic plaque, the tale went that this herb was used as a healing treatment at that time.

Blessed thistle is a volatile plant which can help in treating a poor digestive tract, headaches, diarrhoea and fever.

Women who suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding, or if a open cut or wound needs tending, then this herbal remedy can be of assistance.

The herb can be used as a tincture or dried. However be careful not to overdose as it could lead to nausea and vomiting.

If you decide to store this herb in you home remedy cupboard make sure it is dark but cool.

Warning: Do not use this herb if you think you may be pregnant. Inform your doctor if you are already taking prescribed medication.