Road to Natural Health and Weight loss....

The Habit of Healthy Living: Tips for Natural Health & Weight Loss ~ Part 1

 BY ANDREA 

“If I’d known I was going to live so long, 
I’d have taken better care of myself.” 
~Leon Eldred

Our modern, popular culture is full of in-your-face health and weight loss advice!

Especially this time of year…wouldn’t you agree!?!

This advice is most often focused on short-term plans — a.k.a. fad diets — and usually promotes an endless cycle of “yo-yo” dieting. The emphasis always seems to be on calorie counting or some “magic supplement” that’s going to cure your weight loss woes.

Now, if I’m honest, I’d have to say that some of these diet plans aren’t all together bad. Yet they all seem to carry a flaw…

…drastic change.

Calling for a drastic change in lifestyle in order to achieve health is hard to sustain, and inevitably we see temptation give way to failure.

Today I’d like for us to review a few common-sense tips that will hopefully help us to rewire our perspective on diet and nutrition so that we can gain health and balance — and lose weight…naturally.

The Habit of Healthy Living

More often than not, humanity seems to perceive the body as a object…something that can be manipulated to meet certain criteria.

Criteria unfortunately set forth by mainstream advertisement.

Of the many dangers that lie in that type of comparison thinking…the most common revolve around:

• a style of dieting that more often than not, robs the body of proper nutrition.
• an exercise regime that leaves the body stressed and over-worked.

So instead of living in extremes, why not work on shifting our thinking — by making small changes — and the good habits will follow!

Baby Steps

What follows is just an example of a few things that have helped me. Take and use what you can, making whatever changes necessary for your unique needs.

1. Inside out. I hope you don’t mind if I ask, but…how do you view your body? Most people go through life very unaware of their physical body — i.e. muscles, organs, skin, bones. The exception comes, of course, when something goes wrong or starts to hurt.  But, what if we started to view our bodies from the inside out. What a difference that small shift would make! 

2. Every Meal. Think of every meal as an opportunity to improve your health.  Food is not the enemy nor is it a source of emotional comfort. Choose foods that benefit the body — ones that are nutritionally dense and life-giving. Learn more from online workshops and/or eBooks such as:

• Gnowfglins eCourse
• Whole Food Kitchen Online Workshop
• Good and Easy Eats
• Eat This: Meal Salads & Whole Foods Dressings

3. Replace commercially-prepared (bad) foods with whole, natural (healthy) foods.And be sure that they are ones you and your family enjoy! I get that frozen, overly-processed, and take-out dinners can at times seem like a real “calorie bargain” — with all of their promises to satisfy your hunger while still keeping everything under a set calorie limit — but trust me…they hold countless hidden dangers.

Why not baby step from:

• sugary cereal to whole grain cereal or better yet homemade instant oatmeal.
• ordering pizza to making it a home.
• drinking soda to drinking water or yummy herbal teas.

Here’s an excellent case for eating whole, natural foods (including plenty of raw) and examples of how they can work to restore health.

4. Buy in Bulk. Buying in bulk is a great way to stock up on healthy snacks…it also makes it easier to keep them handy for those times when the food cravings hit. I love buying and preparing little baggies of:

• nuts instead of chips.
• dried fruits and berries instead of candy.  

5. Set a goal. Set it in your mind, tell yourself daily, and make your it your goal to feel healthier, more at peace, energetic, stronger and more flexible. Let weight loss be a natural side-effect of gaining health!

6. Get sleep. Although reasonable calorie restriction and excerse are most often recommended (and required) for weight loss…there is significant evidence to show thatinadequate sleep is huge contributing factor to obesity. In fact, lack of sleep increases the body’s desire to consume more food and seriously messes with the appetite-regulating hormones.

7. Start looking to plants and minerals. Plants, herbs, and natural earth minerals offer some of the most absorb-able forms of nutrients…one’s that our bodies just drink up with excitement! Instead of looking to synthetic supplements…shift your gaze toward the earth.

How to whiten your teeth naturally .....

(NaturalNews) Dental hygiene is an important part of keeping healthy, but maintaining a  white smile is also a great way to show that you take pride in your appearance and wish  to keep  your body in as good of shape as possible. Because dental problems are correlated with other health risks, keeping your smile as bright and clean as you can is an important step in keeping your entire body  healthy. Today's market offers a great deal of  dental hygiene products,  but many of  them are loaded with harmful  chemicals. To keep  your teeth naturally white, here  are five  ways to safely brighten your smile. 1. Eat Crunchy Foods. Many fruits and vegetables, such as apples, carrots, celery, and  pears, can naturally clean and whiten teeth due to their acidic nature. The crunchier the food, the more abrasive it is and the cleaner it will get your teeth. If you adhere to a natural diet, you most  likely already consume a fair number of fruits and vegetables, but keep in mind that you need to eat  them in their whole form in order to benefit from whiter teeth. For example, bite into your next apple instead of cutting it up or running it through the juicer. 2. Up the (Grass-Fed, Organic, Raw) Dairy. Recent scientific evidence indicates that cheese, milk, and yogurt contain minerals that strengthen teeth and improve their appearance.  Among  these minerals are calcium and phosphorus, which enhance teeth's enamel. With stronger  enamel, your teeth will be able to better withstand the other natural remedies on this list. 3. Eat More Strawberries. Strawberries contain malic acid, which removes discolorations  on the surface of the teeth. Additionally, the berries' texture helps buff the enamel, creating a brighter, smoother appearance. To heighten the effects of strawberries as a natural  teeth whitener, combine a crushed berry with one half of a teaspoon of baking soda. Once  the mixture is  complete, apply and leave on teeth for five minutes. Only do this once in a  while, to keep the enamel of the teeth from breaking down. 4. Use Baking Soda. The literature on baking soda is diverse, as some professionals say to use it often and others say not to use it at all, but studies show that limited use of baking soda can enhance the whiteness of teeth. Periodically, utilize a baking soda and hydrogen peroxide or salt mixture to clean and whiten teeth. Lemons or strawberries may also be incorporated with baking soda for a more naturalsolution. 5. Drink with a Straw. Even if you follow a natural diet, the beverages that you drink have the  tendency to stain teeth. To avoid as many stains as possible, use a straw to draw beverages  into your mouth, instead of having them slide over your teeth. The less contact your teeth  have with damaging substances, the whiter they will be. Maintaining a bright, white smile is something that today's culture values highly; however, it  is also an indication that you have maintained healthy teeth. Be careful, though, because  teeth are fragile. Using too much baking soda, eating too many acidic fruits, or trying too  hard to whiten your smile can cause great amounts of damage to your enamel, gums, and  other parts of your mouth. Remember to keep a natural approach by using all of  these tips in moderation. Sources http://revivelifeclinic.com/2011/03/23/top-5-ways-to-naturally-whiten... http://thebeautybean.com/site/beautify/how-to-whiten-your-teeth-natur... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/20/natural-tooth-whiteners_n_86...

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033392_white_teeth_tips.html#ixzz2JPNvF4gg

Elixir of Youth....

All Purpose Healing Salve...easy to make recipe

10 Ways to Use All Purpose Healing Salve & Recipe

If I had to choose only one skin care product out of the billions and billions of 

products  I've tried over the years, this All Purpose Healing Salve would be it!

This recipe was shared  prior to this  blog post------DIY Skin Care for Gardeners.  

But since then, more and more people have used it and shared HOW 

they used it!  I'm pretty grateful for how this salve has improved the lives

 of both people and animals.

All Purpose Healing Salve Recipe:

1/2  Cup Coconut Oil
1/2  Cup Olive Oil
2  T. Beeswax Pastilles
20  drops doTERRA Lavender
10  drops doTERRA Lemon
10  drops doTERRA Melaleuca

You can buy doTERRA essential oil here:

 http://www.mydoterra.com/pamelalualhati/

Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer as well as antibacterial.  Olive oil has lots

 of anti-oxidants, including Hydroxytyrosol as well as anti-inflammatory properties.

Lavender soothes and heals, Lemon cleanses and disinfects while 

Melaleuca is antibacterial and antifungal!

Melt the coconut, olive oil and beeswax in a warm bath, stirring with a knife every few minutes until melted.

*********************************************

Add the essential oils. 

Stir, then pour into glass jars of your choice and let cool.

Put a paper towel over the jars while cooling and wait to 

cover with lids until completely cooled down.

Suggestions from experience:  
Use small jars so you can keep several around the house and have travel sizes handy.

Here's a list of ways that All Purpose Healing Balm has been used...with great success I might add :)

1.  Crazy good hand moisturizer!  
2.  Amazing on dry, cracked heels and crusty elbows.
3.  All round moisturizer for dry climes.  I use it as a body   moisturizer
 and even on my face, sparingly!
4.  Soothes and heals chapped lips or any chappy place.
5.  Soothes welts, burns and sunburn!
6.  Great for diaper rash.
7.  Keep your dogs in mind!  My son has healed his bulldogs sunburned 
noses with this.
8.  Antiseptic properties make it great for cuts and scrapes!
9.  Wonderful for elderly folks and their thin, fragile skin.
10. Great for scaly scalp!

Notes:  It's super easy to double the recipe if you're making gifts!  Great gift to give, 
by the way.  Purchase some lip balm pots or tins and fill with salve to keep in your
 purse or backpack.  It's easiest to do after the salve has cooled, otherwise you're 
trying to fill a tiny container with hot oil...messy!!

Source: http://campwander.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/10-ways-to-use-all-purpose-healing.html

Everyday's Food....

Foods that prevent Anemia....

Effectiveness of Ginger Root Tea...try it

GINGER ROOT TEA
♡ - Mother Nature's PROTECTIVE CLOAK - ♡

♡ Ginger is Mother Nature's protective cloak, shielding us from sickness on winter days.
♡ This tea is very spicy—if it tastes too strong, dilute it with more hot water and honey.
♡ Traditional advice is not to drink more than 2 cups of ginger tea a day unless you are using it as a treatment for a bad chest cold.

♡♥♡ Health Benefits of Drinking Ginger Root Tea-
For thousands of years folks have been making drinks with herbs and spices.
And you can be certain some culture will have a long tradition of brewing up a cup of ginger tea for a variety of illness and ailments.

♡♥♡ Benefits include:
-It's an effective treatment for morning sickness
-It's long been used as a remedy for heartburn
-Gives effective relief against gastro-intestinal problems
-Sip some with added honey for flu, colds and sore throat relief

♡♥♡ Fresh Ginger Tea Recipe: ♡♥♡
♡ Ingredients: (makes 2 cups)
2 cups water
½ inch (2cm) piece of root
½ tsp grated nutmeg
2 tbsp orange juice (from fresh fruit) / or fresh lemon juice
Honey or agave nectar (optional)

♡ Directions:
Thinly slice or grate the root and put in a saucepan with the water and add the nutmeg.
Bring to the *boil, simmer for 2-3 minutes then turn off the heat...
Add the orange juice and let steep (sit) for 5-10 minutes
Pour through a strainer and enjoy!
Add some honey or agave for sweetness (optional).

*Suggest not to boil the root for long as this can destroy the essential oils and some of the health benefits.

♡ Take lots of fluids : Tea, Water, Fresh Juices to wash away toxins for a radiant and healthy body...

Natural Antibiotics

The Most Important Oil to Put in Your Body....

Is This The Most Important Oil To Put In Your Body?

According to an article on NaturalNews.com, Dr. Gary Null believes black cumin oil (also known as black seed oil) is the most important oil you can put in your body. He says…

“Black cumin oil is probably the single most important oil you can put in your system. Every time you take black cumin you are stimulating your immune system to fight on your behalf and increase natural killer cells.” 

Here are some of the things black cumin oil can do for you…

• A study conducted in 1987 revealed that participants taking one gram of cumin seed oil twice a day showed a 72% improvement in their immune system after just four weeks compared to participants taking a placebo.
• Black cumin oil has been identified as an effective treatment for auto-immune diseases such as Crohn’s disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Celiac disease.
• Research suggests that black cumin oil has cancer fighting properties and is particularly effective at fighting pancreatic cancer.
• Black cumin has also been found to be an effective treatment for migraines, asthma, allergies, diabetes and baldness.

How To Take Black Cumin Oil + Dosage
To ensure you reap the maximum benefits from black cumin oil, ensure that it is organic, cold pressed and free from additives. Black cumin oil should be taken on an empty stomach, preferably half an hour before breakfast and either with raw honey or fresh juice.

Where To Buy Black Cumin Oil
Mountain Rose Herbs stock one of the highest quality bottles of black cumin oil. It is certified organic and cold pressed and you can buy a bottle from this page. It is the second item down.
Alternatively, if you’d rather buy from Amazon you can get a bottle of organic and cold pressed black cumin oil from this page.

Source: Black cumin oil is the most important oil you can put in your system on Natural News.
For more information on black cumin and black seeds, visit Nigella–Sativa.com

Homemade Cough Syrup...... Anyone???

So, I’ve done a few posts on natural cold remedies recently.  Homemade vapor rub & shower soothers. You should be able to tell now that this time of the year is the worst on my family’s sinuses.

In any cold fighting arsenal, you need something to treat that cough.

So, I wanted to share with you my Great Grandma’s homemade cough syrup.  She used it on all of her kids, grand-kids, and on me…and now I make it myself.  It’s so-so-so simple with just 3 all-natural cough busting ingredients.

Olive Oil: Making a homemade cough syrup using olive oil will help you combat your cough as well as reduce reduce inflammation in the throat.

Honey:  Honey helps with coughs, particularly buckwheat honey. In a study of 110 children, a single dose of buckwheat honey was just as effective as a single dose of dextromethorphan in relieving nocturnal cough and allowing proper sleep. You can use any type of honey you have on hand though.

Lemon: Because everyone knows that lemon & honey is the one of the best throat soother combinations.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup raw organic honey
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 lemons - juiced

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a small pot over medium heat until steaming. Remove from the heat & let it cool. Place it into a mason jar or other container with a tight fitting lid. Store it in the fridge for 3 months, or on the counter top for 1.5 months.

Tips:

Use by the teaspoon or tablespoon, as needed.

Stir & warm before using

Use as soon as you feel a cold coming on.

Also great for allergies

Source: http://www.herbsandoilsworld.com/grandmas-homemade-cough-syrup/

Feed Your Face : 10 Foods for Better Skin - Part 111

Face Food #7: Baked Potatoes 

Set aside the greasy French fries.  A plump, steaming baked potato is good for your skin. Eat one baked potato (with the skin) to get 75% of your daily copper need.  This essential mineral works with vitamin C and zinc to produce the elastin fibers that support skin structure.  Too little copper in your diet can reduce your skin’s ability to heal and cause it to become rigid and lifeless.

 Face Food #8: Mushrooms
This fungus isn’t just for soup; it’s rich in riboflavin, a B vitamin that’s vital to your skin.  Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is involved in tissue maintenance and repair, and improves skin blemishes caused by rosacea.  This vitamin is so important for skin repair that the body uses large amounts after sustaining a burn or wound, or undergoing surgery.

Face Food #9: Flaxseed OilIt’s no secret that omega 3s are great for your skin, but did you know that flaxseed oil is one of the best sources of this essential fatty acid? That’s great news if you’re not a fish-lover.

Face Food #10: Wheat Germ

Don’t let the “germ” scare you – it’s actually just the embryo within a grain of wheat, and it’s nutritious. Wheat germ is a good source of biotin, a B vitamin that's crucial to skin health.  A mild biotin deficiency can cause dermatitis, a condition characterized by itchy, scaly skin.  Sprinkle wheat germ on yogurt for a tasty way to get more biotin in your diet.

Feed Your Face : 10 Foods for Better Skin - Part 11

Part 11

Face Food #4: Cottage CheeseDairy is good for your bones and face. But it’s the selenium in cottage cheese, not the calcium, that makes us wild for the creamy curds. Selenium, an essential mineral, teams up with vitamin E as a powerful free radical-fighting antioxidant duo. Plus, it’ll protect against skin cancer and fight dandruff.
Get your cottage cheese fill in this Baked Mac & Cheese.

 
Face Food #5: Acerola CherriesYour average cherry doesn’t supply a lot of vitamin C, but that’s not true for Acerolas. One of these cherries supplies 100% of your daily allowance for vitamin C, which is great news for your skin. As an antioxidant, vitamin C fights skin damage and wrinkles.
It also plays a central role in the production of collagen, the structural protein in your skin.
Use Acerolas in these Chocolate-Cherry Cupcakes.

Face Food #6: OystersWhether they’re an aphrodisiac or not, oysters are a love fest for skin. They fight pimples because they’re rich in zinc. The mineral affects sebum production, a deficiency may contribute to acne. Zinc also helps boost elastin (the skin's elastic protein) production with the help of vitamin C.
Make this Cioppino with oysters.

to be continued....

Feed Your Face : 10 Foods for Better Skin - Part 1

By Jennifer Gruenemay, ACE-Certified, Special to Lifescrip   Published November 4, 2012

 You can’t just shove junk food in your face and expect to have smooth, supple skin. But swap those cheese puffs for a cup of cottage cheese and you’ll get glowing results. To mark Healthy Skin Month, read on for 10 nourishing foods...

When it comes to your health, the outside reflects the inside. A dull, dry complexion is a blinking neon sign that you’re not eating right.

Lucky for you, you can put your best face forward with a better diet. Here’s how:

Face Food #1: AvocadosThis creamy, green fruit is abundant in essential oils and B-complex vitamins that nourish your skin, inside and out. Niacin (vitamin B3) is especially important for healthy skin, and avocados contain lots of it. Niacin, an anti-inflammatory, soothes irritated skin and red, blotchy skin. One avocado has 3.8 mg niacin – 27% of your daily need.  Blend half an avocado with yogurt and frozen berries to make a creamy, nutty-flavored morning smoothie. Or try this Avocado Ice Cream recipe. And keep reading for an avocado face-mask recipe that will solve your dry skin problems instantly.

Face Food #2: Mangoes 

Mangoes have more than 80% of your daily requirements for vitamin A, which is why they’re such a great face food. Vitamin A maintains and repairs skin cells; a deficiency will result in a dry, flaky complexion. As an antioxidant, vitamin A also fights free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin. And with fewer than 70 calories per serving, this succulent fruit is the perfect pick for your figure, not just your face.

 

Check out this Mango-Chile Chutney.

Face Food #3: AlmondsNot only is it a gorgeous shape for your eyes, almonds are also great for your complexion. With 150% of your daily need for vitamin E, it’s no wonder that getting a bit nutty is good for you.  

Vitamin E's rich oils moisturize dry skin, and its antioxidants protect against skin damage and premature aging.

Reach for a handful of these Spiced Spanish Almonds.

to be continued.....

Walking barefeet outside.....

Health benefits of walking Bare feet outside~

1. Clear Your Mind

It’s hard not to pay attention to every step when you’re walking barefoot. You have to be on the look out for sharp rocks and thorns. Awareness of what’s in front of you in this moment quiets your inner chatter and clears your mind and helps you focus on the here and now.

2. It’s Free Foot Yoga

Walking barefoot strengthens and stretches the muscles, tendons and ligaments in your feet, ankles and calves. This helps prevent injury, knee strain and back problems. Not only that, but because it works muscles not used when you’re wearing shoes, it strengthens and stretches your core, helping keep your posture upright, and your balance spot on.

3. It’s a Free Reflexology Session.

There are reflex points to every part of your body in your feet. Every little bump and rock in the road helps to stimulate all these little reflex points. If it hurts at first – especially in specific areas, this means your feet need the stimulation they’re getting by being barefoot. Over time, these sensitivities will go away, and the areas the tenderness corresponds to will be rejuvenated, helping decrease the symptoms of whatever it is that ails you.

4. Decrease Anxiety & Depression.

Walking barefoot in the grass can help decrease anxiety and depression by 62 percent, and increases the levels of those feel good endorphins. Awesome!

5. Get a Good Night's Sleep.

The ancients believed that walking barefoot in the grass was the best cure for insomnia, and many people still swear by it today.

6. It’s Grounding. Literally.

Our bodies are made up of about 60 percent water, which is great for conducting electricity. The earth has a negative ionic charge. Going barefoot grounds our bodies to that charge. Negative Ions have been proven to detoxify, calm, reduce inflammation, synchronise your internal clocks, hormonal cycles and physiological rhythms. The best places to get some negative ions through your feet are by the water. Everyone knows how good it feels to be barefoot on the beach – now we know why!

7. Get Back to What Matters.

To be barefoot outside doesn’t just involve your feet – the rest of you has to be outside too. You get to connect with Mother Nature all around. Feel the sunshine on your face; hear the wind in the trees. It’s easier to connect to a higher power when you’re in touch with Nature; it’s easier to put things into perspective.

Who knew something as simple as a barefoot walk could be so good for you – mind, body and soul.

 

Source: https://www.facebook.com/dailyhealthtipss

How to Cure Allergies with Natural Remedies

Allergies occur when your body over-reacts to normally harmless substances. Your immune system typically saves it's efforts for fighting off bacteria or viruses. But, when you have allergies, your immune system is reacting to pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, or other substances instead. You can reach for over the counter medications or you can try one of the natural remedies below.

1: Use Saline Solution

Irrigating the nose with saline solution (salt water) may help soothe upper respiratory allergies by removing irritants that become lodged in the nose and cause inflammation. In fact, saline solution may even wash away some of the inflammatory cells themselves.
You can buy ready-made saline solution at your local drugstore, or you can make your own fresh solution daily by mixing a teaspoon of salt in a pint of warm, distilled water and adding a pinch of baking soda. Bend over a sink and sniff a bit of solution into one nostril at a time, allowing it to drain back out through the nose or mouth; do this once or twice a day. (If you also have asthma, however, check with your doctor before trying this remedy.)

2: Wash

If you've spent long hours outdoors during the pollen season, wash your hair to remove pollen after you come inside. The sticky yellow stuff tends to collect on the hair, making it more likely to fall into your eyes.
If you wake up in the middle of the night with a coughing, sneezing allergy attack, a hot shower may wash off any pollen residues you've collected on your body throughout the day. (You might want to change your pillowcase, too.) It may also help open up your sinuses, at least for a while, making breathing a little easier. The warm water may even help you relax and go back to sleep.
If your eyes are itchy and irritated and you have no access to allergy medicine, rinsing your eyes with cool, clean water may also help soothe them. Although not as effective as an antihistamine, this remedy certainly can't do any harm.

3: Beware of the Air

Breathing polluted air can worsen symptoms. In fact, airborne toxins can actually cause allergies in some people. If you suspect that air pollution triggers your attacks, spend as little time outdoors as possible on smoggy days. When you must go outside, wear a surgical mask, especially while exercising. Don't expect miracles (the mask won't screen out all allergens) but it may help you breathe a little easier.
Tobacco smoke is a notorious irritant, either causing or aggravating respiratory allergies. Don't let your friends and family foul the air with cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. And, of course, if you still light up, stop it!
A fresh breeze blowing through an open window on a spring day may sound inviting, but it's bad news for an allergy sufferer, since it can fill the house with pollen. To minimize contact with the powdery stuff, keep windows closed at all times. Air purifiers, especially those with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters) filters, may help eliminate indoor pollen, but they also tend to stir up dust, which might worsen some allergies.
On a windy day in pollen season, a pair of sunglasses (or your regular prescription eyeglasses, if you wear them) may also help shield your eyes from airborne allergens. For extra protection, try a pair of sunglasses with side shields or even a pair of goggles.

4: Drink Peppermint Tea

Allergy sufferers throughout the centuries have turned to hot tea to provide relief for clogged-up noses and irritated mucous membranes, and one of the best for symptom relief is peppermint tea. Peppermint's benefits extend well beyond its delicious smell; the essential oil acts as a decongestant, and substances in peppermint contain anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial constituents.
To make peppermint tea: Place 1/2 ounce dried peppermint leaves in a 1-quart jar. Fill two-thirds of the jar with boiling water, and steep for five minutes. (You can inhale the steam for added benefit). Let cool, strain, sweeten if desired, and drink. (Note: Peppermint tea should be used with caution in children, as the menthol in peppermint may cause them to choke.)

5: Steam Your Face

Breathing steam refreshes and soothes irritated sinuses, and it helps rid the nasal passages of mucus. While it takes some time, it will make you feel wonderful! Boil several cups of water and pour into a big bowl (or a plugged sink). Lean carefully over the bowl, and drape a towel over your head. Breathe gently for 5 to 10 minutes.
When you're finished breathing steam, use the water for a second purpose: Let the water cool until warm, saturate a washcloth, and hold the cloth on your sinuses (to the sides of your nose, below the eyes, and above the eyebrows).

Source: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/natural-medicine/home-remedies/10-home-remedies-for-allergies1.htm

What you should know about Allergies and Pollen....

Blowing in the Wind: Allergies and Pollen

by George Lohmillern
http://www.almanac.com/content/blowing-wind-allergies-and-pollen 

 

If misery loves company, then hay-fever sufferers should never have to be alone. Thirty-five million Americans have pollen allergies that may cause itchy eyes, ears, and throats; difficulty breathing; or all of the above.

Which Plants Cause Allergies?

• Insect-pollinated plants have bright flowers and heavy, sticky, pollen grains that tend to stay put and cause few allergies.
• It’s the wind-pollinated plants that cause the most problems for allergy sufferers. Their small, dull, inconspicuous flowers produce clouds of tiny, light, pollen grains that are blown aloft for great distances and can easily penetrate window screens.
• To increase the chances that at least some pollen grains will reach the appropriate female flowers, plants produce many more grains than are needed—and some end up on our hair, on our clothes, and, alas, in our eyes and nasal passages.

The Big Offenders

Pollen counts are high in the spring and fall. Trees, grasses, and weeds are responsible for most windblown pollen. The big offenders are:

• Large shade trees such as oaks, maples, and beeches; tree pollen emerges in the spring.
• Most lawn grasses; grass pollen emerges in the spring and continues through summer.
• Common weeds such as lamb’s-quarter, pigweed, and ragweed, which may produce a million pollen grains on just one plant. Some weed pollen begins in the summer; ragweed, a major allergen, causes problems in late summer and fall.
• Goldenrod, which blooms along with ragweed, is often blamed for allergies, but it is bee-pollinated and causes few problems.

There has been a huge increase in hay-fever sufferers in recent years, partly due to a growing interest in fruitless and seedless “litter-free” trees. Many of these are males that may be litter-free, but they are definitely not pollen-free. To make matters worse, fewer female trees are being planted, so less pollen is being caught. Instead, it falls to the ground, where it can be stirred up by mowers and foot traffic.

 

Credit: Mary Ann Andersen 

How to Limit Allergy Discomfort

For gardeners or anyone who has allergies but loves the outdoors, there are steps that can be taken to limit discomfort.

• Plan your outdoor activities when pollen counts are lowest, such as in the late afternoon or during cool, wet weather.
• Be especially wary during the morning, when pollen is often emitted in larger amounts.
• Dry, windy days distribute pollen farther, whereas rain washes it from the air, lowing pollen counts (but encouraging mold, which causes some people more headaches).
• Plant only all-female trees and shrubs.
• Limit grassy areas by planting insect-pollinated ground covers.

By carefully choosing the right plants and gardening when pollen counts are low, you can make your yard a healthier and more enjoyable place to be, which is nothing to sneeze at.