If you’ve been looking for natural ways to repel and kill fleas on your dog, you might already know that lemon is a crucial ingredient. The citrus fruit contains a compound called limonene, which has insecticidal properties and can keep fleas away from your furry friend. One of the most popular ways to use lemon against fleas is a lemon spray. We’ve shared two simple recipes to make a lemon flea spray for your dog. Basic lemon flea spray For this recipe, all you need is water and lemons. Boil a pint of water in a pot and add around ten slices of lemon to it. Cover the pot with a lid and let the mixture sit overnight for about 8 hours, and the solution will be ready! Remove the lemon slices and pour the solution into a spray bottle. You can spray this solution on your dog’s coat generously every day until they are flea-free. While spraying, avoid areas like your pet’s ears, genitals, and eyes. An excellent plus point of this lemon flea spray is that you can use it in all flea-infested areas in your home, such as your dog’s bed, your carpet, and your upholstery. Lemon flea spray with rosemary and sage This recipe is similar to the previous one, except you need to add two sprigs of rosemary and one sprig of garden sage while boiling the water. These plants contain compounds that can help repel fleas even more strongly when combined with lemon. Let the lemon slices, rosemary, and garden sage steep in water overnight. Once the solution is ready, strain it into a spray bottle and apply it to your dog’s coat while avoiding the sensitive areas. Some pet owners also make flea collars using lemon and rosemary solutions for their pets. The recipe is the same as above, except you need not use garden sage.

Hemorrhoids, or piles, are one of the most common conditions experienced by people in the US. Causing mild to severe discomfort, hemorrhoids affect the veins present in rectum and anus. People suffering from this condition get swollen veins in the affected area and complain of rectal bleeding, itching, as well as pain. Though both external and internal hemorrhoids lead to discomfort, internal hemorrhoids are slightly difficult to heal. Yet, proper diet along with some home remedies can help in curing the condition in a short time. If you are looking for simple ways to treat hemorrhoids, the following few tips can be helpful. Aloe vera – Having an aloe vera plant in your garden is a great boon. Fresh aloe vera gel obtained from the leaves can work wonders to treat hemorrhoids. Extract the gel from the leaves and apply on the affected region to get a soothing effect. The anti-inflammatory properties of the gel will help in curing the condition in a few days, if applied regularly. Though obtaining fresh gel from plants is always a better choice, you need not be disappointed if you cannot find one in your garden. You can go to the medical stores and get aloe vera gel for your treatment. Cold compress – Sitting can be a great ordeal for people suffering from hemorrhoids. Yet, the condition can be relieved to some extent by applying ice packs on the affected area. Ice packs can be applied for multiple times in a day. Therefore, you can get it any time you want. Witch hazel – This is also another excellent home remedy to treat hemorrhoids and also the pain as well as itching associated with piles. Rich in anti-inflammatory properties, it can help in reducing the swelling faster than any other home remedies. To get the best results, you need to apply the liquid properly on the affected region.

Probiotics are living organisms which provide a lot of health benefits especially in the digestion of food and many other functions of the body. There are various probiotic supplements to improve various functionalities of the body. Therefore, to get the right kind of results, it is important to take the right probiotic supplements. Consuming the best probiotics will help in increasing the better functioning of the gut. Taking these supplements will provide a lot of health benefits especially in digestion such as processing vitamins and fiber by breaking them down. Probiotics supplements can also be taken by consuming fermented foods, yogurt, etc. Benefits of consuming the best probiotics There are many varieties of good bacteria, especially in the gut and colon area. Millions of bacteria from an approximate 500 species live in the gut and various other parts of the human body. The probiotics such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces help in digestion. Some of the best probiotics also contain these kinds of probiotic strands. Consuming the best probiotics help in controlling diarrhea, constipation, weight loss, etc. The units to measure probiotics are colony forming units (CFU). The higher doses of probiotics have to be present to give best results. The dosage can vary from 2 billion CFU per day to 20 billion CFU. The advantage with these probiotic supplements is that there are no side effects of consuming an underdose or overdose of these supplements. Some of the best probiotics for constipation Constipation is a condition where the bowel movements become infrequent or less. Constipation is a health condition many people experience irrespective of their age; however, this is more frequent in seniors. Chronic constipation, however, is a serious condition which is also mainly experienced by older adults and many bed-ridden people. While there are many medicines such as laxatives and stool softeners to reduce constipation, probiotic supplements with strains of probiotics such as B.

Spring is a season of colors, fresh, blooming flowers, and beautiful scents. It’s undoubtedly, the most romantic season of the year. But it’s also the season that brings out the worst of seasonal allergies in a lot of people. Hay fever as it’s commonly known is a condition that can leave you with a runny nose, sneezing, and bothersome lung congestion. In short, you’ll be quite miserable. However, before you reconcile yourself to a fate of misery, go through this article. It’ll help you understand the various treatments that you can undergo to alleviate the worst effects of the allergy. Preventive measures There are various seasonal allergy medications that you can take. These have all been proven to provide relief to the patient effectively. However, there are a few preventive measures that can be taken up to keep the problem at bay, to begin with. The preventive measures are as follows: Stay indoors and stay away from free-floating seasonal pollen. Stay away from gardening, mowing, and other jobs related to gardening. Have a shower and change your clothes once you come home after stepping outdoors. Don’t dry clothes outdoors. This can make you vulnerable to extended pollen exposure, through your clothes and through the act of drying your clothes outdoors. Wear a pollen mask when you’re outdoors. Close your doors and windows when the pollen count is high. Take seasonal allergy medication as a preventive measure if the pollen count is high. Keep the interiors of your house clean and tidy. Adjust your air conditioning system to ensure clean, fresh air circulation. Keep the filters on your air conditioner clean for maximum protection from pollen. Clean your floors diligently. Use a dehumidifier to keep your indoors as clean and dry as possible. Possible seasonal allergy medication Here are a few types of seasonal allergy medications and treatments that can be used for relief.

Allergies occur when the body responses in an irregular manner to an external substance. Most commonly allergies occur in case of certain food items. Medically, the immune system of human being becomes hypersensitive to some external factor. This condition is called allergy. Generally, allergies occur from food, fur, dust or pollen. The substance that causes an allergy is called an allergen. Pollen allergies are found to be very common among the American population. Allergy due to pollen is called known as Hay Fever. Pollen is basically a powder type of substance that is found in the environment. It helps in fertilizing other plants of their same kind. Pollen is found in flowers, trees, grass, weed and the atmosphere at large. It is the main factor that helps plants reproduce. It is extremely light-weight and thus can travel by air. Humans may breathe in this powdery substance, thus resulting in an irritation in their immune system and thereby leading to an onset of the signs of pollen allergy. Allergies are usually neglected by most people since it is considered as not very critical. The severity of allergies, however, can range from mild discomfort to seriously fatal situations where one can even lose a life. Signs of pollen allergies Pollen is usually found to be harmless to the human body. However, people who are hypersensitive may be troubled by its presence in the atmosphere. Signs of pollen allergies can be identified, when the body starts producing chemicals to attack the pollen that may have entered the body. This chemical is called histamine. The mission of this chemical is to eradicate and remove the allergen from the human body. The symptoms of most allergies are quite similar. So, it becomes difficult to identify the actual allergen as pollen, even by most health experts.

Pollen is a very fine yellowish powder produced by flowers, trees, weeds, and grasses to help fertilize other plants of the same species. Sometimes, these pollens, when inhaled by people, cause an adverse immune response, leading to pollen allergies. In fact, many people in the country are allergic to pollen. Normally, the body’s immune system guards the body against harmful raiders, such as bacteria and viruses, to keep all illnesses at bay. In the case of people with pollen allergies, the immune system erroneously classifies harmless pollens as dangerous invaders. Consequently, it starts producing a large number of antibodies to fight against pollen. This is termed as an allergic reaction. Pollen allergy is also known as Hay Fever or Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis. What to Do if You are Allergic to Pollen? Once a person has developed pollen allergy, he is quite unlikely to get rid of it. However, there are some remedies that offer pollen allergy relief. Apart from medications, making certain lifestyle changes can also help to manage the allergy symptoms. Here is a complete guide to pollen allergies, along with some effective home remedies that offer instant relief. Different Types of Pollen Allergies Several types of pollens exist in nature. This is the reason why some people experience symptoms when trees are flowering, while others experience symptoms when the grass is growing. People may have an allergy to the following pollen types: Trees such as oak, birch, and cedar Grasses Weeds such as ragweed, tumbleweed, and sagebrush Generally, it is seen that grasses are the most common source of allergy. If you are not sure about which pollen type you are allergic to, you can consult a specialist. This information is particularly important as every plant grows at a different time of the year. Knowing which pollen causes allergy can help you decide exactly when to start taking medications and precautions.

Not all bacteria are bad for you, no matter how strange that sounds! Probiotics are essential and beneficial bacteria that help control the growth of bad bacteria that harms the gut. They replenish the body’s microbiome with healthy cultures and are strongly recommended for women aged 50 and above. While there are several food items like kefir, kombucha, cheese, and yogurt that contain probiotics naturally, there are several women who do not get enough of these foods in their diet, making it absolutely essential for them to take supplements. Women who are above 50 should ideally focus on their health and receiving probiotics is an essential part of that process. There are several probiotic supplements available in the market, and we have made the process of choosing the best one easier for you. Here are a few of the best probiotics for women! Ultimate Flora Probiotic by Renew Life Ultimate Flora Probiotic by Renew Life is one of the best probiotics for women. It provides immense support for vaginal, urinary, immune, and digestive health. To best keep the cultures alive, refrigerate the substance right after it is opened. This vegetable capsule supplement contains 25 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) Bifidobacterium strains and Lactobacilli. Higher CFU supplements are available as well. It is best to purchase a supplement of theirs with a CFU of at least 1 billion. It will not serve the purpose otherwise. Women’s Daily Care Probiotics by Garden of Life Women’s Daily Care Probiotics by Garden of Life is a vegetable capsule probiotic supplement. It is to be taken once daily and it aims at restoring and maintaining immune, vaginal and digestive health. It comes with 40 billion CFUs and was carefully designed using L. fermentum and L. reuteri strains. What makes this supplement stand out is the fact that it is resistant to stomach acid and bile.

Red fire ants live in mounds and to protect their abode, they sting aggressively when they sense an intruder. The sting is quite painful and causes an allergic reaction to the skin like redness, itching, and even swelling. If you are not wearing proper clothes and protective shoes, there are higher chances of incurring a sting. Therefore, before going into ant prone areas, you should know the symptoms and treatment for fire ant stings. Several species of stinging ants are called fire ants. These ants bite when disturbed, and the bite causes allergies or skin problems. The two most problematic species in America are the following: Solenopsis Invicta: This is a native South American species and is found in about 13 states in the United States. They are not more than half an inch in size and are red or brownish. It is better known as Red imported fire ant. A group of red imported fire ants stun their prey with venom and can overcome much larger animals like box turtles. Solenopsis Richteri: It is a native South American species better known as Black imported fire ant. These are not as widespread as the red fire ants and are mostly found on the Gulf Coast and the Southeast. Both the species in variable defend their mounds and bite intruders in large groups. Gardeners, children playing outdoors, and pets are most often bitten by these ants. Once these ants start attacking, they do not stop until the intruder has left the mound. Fire ants attack feet and legs when people step on their mounds. These ants are feared since, unlike other species, they sting multiple times. Allergic reaction to fire ant stings When a fire ant stings, it usually causes an allergic reaction in the form of blisters. Some people develop a severe reaction that may include swelling, burning, or itching.

Vitamin D is a kind of steroid hormone that helps in escalating intestinal assimilation of calcium and phosphorus thus maintaining the bone structure and keeping the bones strong. Vitamin D is the one vitamin that ensures that our muscles, lungs, nervous system and even our heart is functioning as per the norms and is capable of fighting any infections. A lack of vitamin D in your body will make you weak. The reasons why our body needs sufficient amounts of vitamin D include: • Building immunity • Proper muscular functionality • Maintaining the functionality of cardiovascular system • Maintaining the functionality of respiratory system • Proper brain growth • Preventing cancer • Reduction in weight For prevention of diseases like asthma, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s, depression and anxiety, cancer and type-2 diabetes, one must always ensure that the amount of vitamin D in their body is sufficient. Lack of vitamin D can cause a lot of health issues. You need to know about the best vitamin D supplements. The best vitamin D supplements available are listed below: Vitamin D with supplementary cofactors (Source: animals): The major ingredient of vitamin D is lanolin, a form of wax present in sheep’s wool. This is an inexpensive substance and is found in almost all the vitamin D supplements. Animal sourced vitamin D supplements also contain added cofactors that easily penetrate into your cells present in the body. Examples of such cofactors are zinc, magnesium, boron or even vitamin K2. Recommended products: Dr. Cannell’s Advanced Vitamin D which comes in a capsule form and helps in providing the proper functionality of bone and muscular system; it increases immunity, ensures proper functioning of the brain, boosts energy. Vitamin D exclusive of cofactors (Source: animals): The major source of such supplements is lanoline which lies in the best vitamin D supplements, but the difference lies in the fact that such supplements do not contain additional cofactors.

If the changing seasons make you sneeze your head off, instead of putting a spring in your step, you might have a pollen allergy. Pollen allergies or hay fever is an allergic reaction to the pollen released by plants. Pollen is a fine powder released by plants during their reproductive cycles. Pollen is fine enough to travel through the air, which helps plants to reproduce. However, the protein in the pollen can be easily inhaled or ingested via the nose, mouth, ears, or eyes which can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Approximately 30% of adults have some level of pollen allergy. Pollen is not only released by flowering plants but also by grass, trees, and weeds. Flower pollen allergies are more common in spring. Grass pollen allergies are more common in summer, and in autumn, pollen allergies from weeds are predominant. This makes pollen allergies a year-round ordeal for some people, that can be quite uncomfortable and impedes their daily lives. Pollen allergy signs and symptoms If you have a pollen sensitivity, every time you breathe in or come in contact with pollen, you might notice pollen allergy signs such as: Sneezing Itching Redness of the eyes A runny nose Coughing Watering eyes Difficulty breathing Pollen allergy signs can also include worsening of asthma and other respiratory conditions in people who are predisposed. Allergens such as pollen, trigger an immune response in the body. The immune system releases a chemical called Histamine, that works to eliminate this allergen, which is perceived as a threat to the body. Histamine causes the blood vessels to dilate which produces pollen allergy signs such as sneezing, runny nose, and redness of the nose and eyes. The nasal blood vessels also expand which can cause nasal congestion and sinus infections. Conversely, the veins of the face constrict in response to histamine, which causes characteristic pollen allergy signs called ‘allergic shiners’ like dark circles under the eyes.

If you think a spider has bitten you, it is harmless in most cases, and you don’t need to panic. Spiders are generally harmless and prefer to hide in the dark. They attack when they feel threatened or when exposed from their hiding space. You will not have to worry if you have a spider bite as most of these bites are harmless. Treating spider bites is very simple, and the bite marks can be easily taken care of with timely care and treatment. The first step is spider bite identification. Once this is done, you can go ahead and treat the wound. Why Spiders Bite A few spiders in the wild are known to be aggressive. These spiders are capable of attacking and causing harm. They are the poisonous ones. On the other hand, the non-poisonous spiders often bite as an act of self-defense. They prefer to hide in dark and isolated places. You may even come across harmless spiders in your home and be unaware of it. Spider bites cause itchy red spots on the skin. The spots clear up in a few days, and you will find no sign of it. Most of the spiders have fangs that are too short to penetrate the human skin. While most of the bites are painless, you may experience a sting in some. Spider bite identification is essential as you need to be aware if a poisonous spider has bitten you. The venom from the spider reacts differently in each person. Dangerous spiders can inflict bites and leave unnoticed. It is later that you start feeling its effect. Spider Bite Identification You can identify spider bites in no time. You may not notice it for a few hours, but once you do, you can easily tell. There will be swelling and skin damage on the spot where you have been bitten.

4 natural remedies to treat hair loss in men Hair loss is an extremely common problem faced by people as they age. While it is normal to lose around 100 strands of hair a day, anything more than that signals a problem. It is difficult to know exactly how many strands are being shed, so noticing clumps of hair on your pillow or in your sink drain are warning signals. And waiting till you see a receding hairline is definitely not recommended. If you are facing hair loss, you need to seek urgent treatment in the preliminary stages to prevent baldness. Along with proper medical care, here are some easy natural remedies that have proven effective to treat hair loss in men. Take vitamin supplements Hair loss is often linked to some nutritional deficiency. If you suffer from hair loss, then get yourself checked for any kind of deficiency. For most people, a deficiency of vitamins A, B7, and E lead to hair loss. The best way to add vitamins to your diet is through food. But for added nutrition, you can ask your doctor for suggesting vitamin supplements. Vitamin B7 is also known as biotin and helps in hair growth. Vitamin A encourages sebum production and vitamin E promotes blood circulation in the scalp. Get an oil massage An oil massage is the best way to stimulate healthy blood circulation to the scalp. It also helps hair follicles remain active. You can add a few drops of essential oil to your regular massage oil. Essential oils that are good for hair growth include lavender, rosemary, thyme, and peppermint. Stay hydrated through the day Sometimes the key to healthy hair is really as simple as drinking enough water through the day. In fact, if you do not get as much water as your body needs, you might face many health problems including hair loss.