A serene, natural and green environment is the best therapy that you need. But, one thing you need to be wary of is the poisonous plants that lurk around the corner, waiting to come in contact with you. Poison ivy is one of the most common allergies that Americans face, with over 50 million people suffering from it each year. Statistics show that about 85 percent of the population is allergic to poison ivy. Poison ivy contains urushiol, which is an oily resin that is responsible for causing an allergic reaction. Urushiol is found in the roots, stems, and leaves of the poison ivy plant, and when you touch or brush against this plant, you end up with a poison ivy rash. Symptoms of Poison Ivy: How can you tell? The symptoms of poison ivy allergy or rash include swelling, itching, and redness in the affected area. You might even experience difficulty in breathing. The rash might turn into blisters. Since the plant has sharp edges, the rash might look like a straight line, as you’ve most likely brushed against it. Poison Ivy Treatment Cold compress Applying a cold compress can help soothe your skin as well as decrease the itchiness and prevent the urge to scratch the affected area. When you scratch the rashes, you tend to make it worse as your skin will get damaged. A cold compress can also help soothe inflammation. Lemon juice Lemon juice is a natural astringent. Since the oily resin in the poison ivy plant is what causes the rash and allergy, lemon juice can work as an excellent poison ivy treatment. Make sure you apply the lime juice as soon as you come in contact with the poison ivy, and before the oily resin gets into your skin. However, lemon juice can irritate a few people.

The overactive bladder is a medical condition which increases the urination frequency throughout the day. As per the Johns Hopkins Medical report near about 33 million Americans suffer from the disorder of overactive bladder. The overactive bladder is characterized by the several symptoms related to frequent urination. People with OAB are reluctant to attend social occasions as they are afraid of their overactive bladders. Some people lose their control over the bladder during exercising, coughing and laughing. Some of the symptoms of overactive treatment are: Frequency: People with overactive bladder feel the need to urinate more than eight times in a day. On an average, a person urinates about six to eight times in a day and once at night. However, people with OAB go for urination more than the above mentioned times. Urinary Urgency: The inability to delay or postpone urination. People cannot control the sudden urge to urinate. Urge Incontinence: It is an accidental leakage of urine which is caused by the lack of control on the urinary bladder. Nocturia: Going for urination many times during the night. The OAB worsens the quality of life. It also casts a bad impression on your work and personal life. Therefore it is advised to take notice of the early symptoms of overactive bladder and seek proper overactive bladder treatment. If you find the symptoms of overactive bladder or change in the urination habits, it’s high time to consult a doctor. Urinary tract infections contribute to the overactive bladders. It is essential to get the problem diagnosed by the doctor and seek the proper treatment plans. The doctors may recommend medications to treat the problem. Behavioural changes also prove effective to treat the OAB. If the medications don’t yield, productive results surgeries are the other viable option. Some of the effective overactive bladder treatment:

Gum disease or gingivitis is the result of poor oral hygiene. Plaque builds along and under the gum line leading to gingivitis. The symptoms manifest as—persistent bad breath, swelling in the gums accompanied by redness, bleeding in the gums, loose teeth, and receding gums. While poor oral hygiene can be identified as the sole factor causing gingivitis, other factors like hormonal changes, smoking, stress, a diet that is nutritionally deficient, certain medications, diabetes and other illnesses can be contributing factors. Gum disease is not only painful but if left untreated, it can lead to other complications like periodontitis. Unless severe, gingivitis can be tackled at home by adopting home remedies. Gum disease home remedies make use of natural ingredients, which help to contain the infection. Following are the top 10 gum disease home remedies: Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen peroxide is a strong anti-bacterial agent. It kills the germs, fights off gum disease, and also brightens your teeth. It is one of the easiest available gum disease home remedies. You can make use of diluted hydrogen peroxide. A 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide is effective in treating your gum disease. You can adopt any of the following: Mix water and hydrogen peroxide in equal proportion. Use this solution as a mouth rinse. Rinse for a few seconds and spit out. A word of caution; do not swallow hydrogen peroxide. To one teaspoon of baking soda, add hydrogen peroxide periodically in small amounts, such that it forms a paste. Now, use this as toothpaste and brush your gums and gum line. Spit out the residue. A paste of clove oil and hydrogen peroxide can be left on the gums for a few seconds and can be washed off later. This proven remedy can be used few times in a week, over a period of a couple of weeks.

Abdominal pains besides being bothersome, are tricky as well if you are clueless about the cause. The primary cause of abdominal pain ranges anything from irritable bowel syndrome to indigestion, and from GERD to gastritis etc. Abdomen pain usually occurs in a person’s stomach and can vary in intensity from a slight stomach ache to chronic acute pain. To add to the woes, the symptoms of abdominal pain might differ and include stomach ulcers, appendicitis, food poisoning, gallbladder diseases, cysts, fibroids, diverticulitis and various other vascular issues. But before you hit the lows on how to treat the excruciating pain in your abdomen, here are a few effective home remedies for abdominal pain which are sure shot winners. Let us take a closer look at the home remedies that help in reducing pain in the abdomen. Take a Warm Sip of Your Chamomile Tea Chamomile is one of the most recognizable remedy that can prove effective in eliminating abdominal pain by taking up the role of an anti-inflammatory (stomach lining can become terribly inflamed as the result of gastritis, caused by bacteria, for example) and by calming the muscles of the digestive tract which are smooth and lies in the upper part. When it helps the muscle to relax, the contractions that are responsible for the pushing of the food through the system eases up a little and reduces the spasms and cramps pain. What do You need? A Chamomile Tea Bag or 2 teaspoons of chamomile (dried) Hot water A mug Pour down the boiling water over a mug of tea-bags and keep it covered, allowing it to steep for at least 10 minutes or so. If you are using dry chamomile then throw few chamomile into a mug filled with hot water. Keep the mug covered for 20 minutes straight.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a disorder that causes a change in the pattern of bowel movements. IBS with diarrhea is known as IBS-D and it causes acute abdominal pain. It can also be termed as a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that inflicts pain and discomfort. There are four types of IBS based on the combination of diarrhea and constipation, both or none. They are IBS-D, IBS-C, IBS-M, and IBS-U. Depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue are the other common disorders associated with IBS. This disorder is diagnosed with the study of its symptoms. Symptoms Of IBS-D The symptoms of IBS-D are painful and embarrassing. Most common symptoms that occur in the case of IBS are: Abdominal pain Diarrhea Constipation Frequent and loose stools Nausea Bloating Gassiness Headache Fatigue Causes Of IBS-D The exact causes of IBS-D are still unknown. However, irregularities in the gastrointestinal movements trigger IBS. Intestinal infection, pain, food sensitivity, and genetics are some factors responsible for IBS-D. Excessive consumption of alcohol and substances that cause inflammation are also known to increase the chances of IBS. Home Treatment For IBS-D Add Fiber To Your Diet Including fiber in your diet brings drastic relief with IBS-D. Soluble fibers found in certain food items and vegetables soak up the extra liquid content in your intestines. Hence, it prevents diarrhea. Oatmeal, beans, and certain fruits like apples, strawberries, and grapefruit are excellent sources of soluble fiber. Insoluble fibers help in resolving constipation. Insoluble fibers are mainly found in wheat, bran, and salad greens. Keep yourself well hydrated to help the fiber move swiftly through your body systems. Fiber helps in smooth functioning of the digestive system. Intake of Yogurt Yogurt contains a high amount of active bacteria that help in slowly decreasing diarrhea. Daily intake of yogurt helps in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria which cause IBS-D.

The characteristic symptom of pneumonia is coughing. A cough happens because of infection in the lungs, due to bacteria, virus or fungus. The inflammation in the air sacs is filled with pus. The pus blocks the airway and leads to difficulty in breathing. Home treatments for pneumonia are essential for fast recovery. A cough, chest pain, fever, and shortness of breath are symptoms of pneumonia. The infection varies from person to person. It is best to get yourself checked if you have any of these symptoms. However, there are pneumonia cough treatments that will help you recover fast. If the symptoms are mild, it will clear up with home treatments itself. Here are a few ways by which you can reduce the discomfort caused by pneumonia. Garlic The infection is caused by bacteria, fungi, or virus. Garlic is known for its antimicrobial properties. It will help reduce the body temperature and eliminate the phlegm from your lungs and chest. You can add garlic to many dishes. It is sure to help you recover in no time. You can either consume it or apply crushed garlic on your chest. If you don’t prefer garlic, you can always have drink ginger tea. Cayenne Pepper Cayenne pepper has high amounts of capsaicin which helps in releasing the mucus from the respiratory passages. Cayenne pepper is one of the best pneumonia cough treatments. It also has beta-carotene that helps keep the mucus membranes in good condition. You can make a mixture of lemon juice and a small amount of cayenne pepper. It is a very effective blend that is sure to provide you relief when you drink it few times a day. You can also mix it with carrot juice. Fenugreek Seeds Fenugreek seeds are known to have mucolytic properties that will break the congestion.

Bed bugs are very common, and they disrupt our sleep. They mainly feed on human blood and are found in warm temperature. They can even feed on animals such as cats, dogs, and other pets but it is the human blood that helps them to grow and reproduce. Bed bugs typically bite on hands and the head area, which is painless. Bed bugs are typically active when you are asleep and in the night and stay for about 15-20 minutes after which they shy away. Bed bugs are found in bedrooms where there are loads of furniture and bed sheets with spots and smears. This is because used furniture is a potential source for infestation. If you have bed bugs, here are simple home remedies for bed bugs that you can take help from: Keep your surroundings clean Bed bugs are attracted to dark and unclean spaces as they can shy away easily. By using a vacuum cleaner as a home remedy for bed bugs you can keep your place, especially your bedrooms clean to avoid infestation. Old furniture attracts bed bugs making them comfortable to live and grow. Freeze items Bed bugs are found in warm temperature in your houses. Therefore, to avoid them from growing or reproducing, you keep the house cool as they cannot survive in cold temperatures. Encase mattresses and pillows Another home remedy for bed bugs is to encase the mattresses and pillows. This will prevent them from entering and staying on the mattress and pillows are covered. Woven material ensures the death of bed bugs naturally. Salt It is believed that salt kills bed bugs the same way it kills snails and slugs. This is because salt has the substance to absorb fluid from the bodies of insects thereby dehydrating them resulting in the death of infestation.

Colds, flu, and allergic reactions are common causes of nasal congestion seen in infants, toddlers, and young children. Unfortunately, most of these conditions cannot be treated with the help of antibiotics alone. Instead, they need to be tackled with supportive treatment methods that help soothe symptoms and boost the immune system to fight the virus. Following are a few natural treatments and home remedies to ease nasal congestion and stuffiness in children. Clear out the mucus Nasal congestion is mainly caused due to the inflammation of the blood vessels that lie in the lining of the nose. In some cases, nasal stuffiness can also be attributed to increased mucus secretions. So, one way to tackle a stuffy nose is to clear out the mucus. If you are dealing with an infant, you may want to try out a nasal bulb. Nasal bulbs provide suction and gently clear up the build of mucus in the nasal passage. Try steam inhalation Steam inhalation is a popular and effective home remedy to tackle nasal congestion. The warm steam can help loosen thick mucus in the nasal passage and give the child much-needed relief. You can try giving the child a warm bath before bedtime. You can also get a steam machine. Use a humidifier Humidifiers are used to add moisture to the air. This helps prevent dryness that can lead to irritation. To tackle nasal congestion, you can try a cool-mist humidifier. This helps keep the air moist and reduces symptoms such as dry cough and stuffiness. Use humidifiers, especially at night, and try to keep them out of the child’s reach. Don’t forget to clean out the humidifier often, as mold can grow in wet and moist spaces. Chicken soup can help Another great home remedy for nasal congestion and stuffiness is chicken soup.

Dry eye syndrome is a condition characterized by the tear glands not producing adequate fluid to keep the eyes lubricated. This condition can lead to symptoms such as scratchy eyes, eye fatigue, heavy eyelids, pain, light sensitivity, and even blurred vision. These can disrupt one’s daily schedule and be very painful, causing further distress. This article shares some home remedies that one can try to relieve the symptoms of dry eyes. 5 Tips and Home Remedies to Manage Dry Eye Syndrome Use warm compresses Warm compresses basically stimulate the tear glands to promote the production of tears. This can be a regular practice and can provide great relief when done every day. Have a good night’s sleep Lack of sleep can instigate dry eyes and eye fatigue in people who would not have the condition otherwise. It is recommended to take short breaks between screen time and get some shut-eye. Use a humidifier People who reside in a region that is dominated by dry and cold weather must invest in a humidifier for it retains the moisture in the air and helps relieve the discomfort caused by the dry weather. Stay hydrated An adequate intake of water is essential for everyone, but it’s especially important for patients with dry eye syndrome. Having enough water can further help to keep the eyes lubricated, which helps in soothing the dry eye symptoms. Use eye drops or ointments Any over-the-counter eye drops available can help soothe the dry eye syndrome and provide temporary relief. You can also opt for eye drops that induce artificial tears to lubricate the eyes; however, remember to buy the ones without preservatives. Foods to Have for Dry Eye Syndrome Foods that are a potent source of omega-3 fatty acids significantly help relieve the symptoms of dry eyes when eaten over a period of time.

If you have a dog or cat at home, you’d be familiar with a flea infestation in your house. It can get very difficult to contain flea infestation once their growth gets out of control, but there are several home remedies to treat flea infestation effectively. The best part about these remedies is that they are natural and chemical-free. The mentioned home remedies to treat flea infestation are very effective in getting rid of infestations that are bothersome to your pets: Boric acid : Boric acid is great at getting rid of fleas from your home, and it is available in powder form. You can spread this powder over the carpets, under the furniture, and also on the furniture. The results of this home remedy can be seen in a few days. Boric acid is not toxic and does not leave any residue either. In case there are toddlers around, you need to be extra careful about them coming in contact with the powder. It is best to vacuum once a week after applying boric acid as vacuuming also helps get rid of the flea debris or rogue eggs. Natural flea collars : A natural flea collar can be used for your pet to ward off fleas. You can either make your own natural flea collar or buy one from the market. For a DIY natural flea collar, you can buy a nylon collar or a cotton pet collar. A teaspoon of vodka mixed with a drop of geranium or cedarwood oil can be applied on the collar. Alternately, you can mix vodka with one drop of eucalyptus oil, one drop of thyme oil, and one drop of lemongrass oil and apply it to the collar. You should refresh the collar on a weekly basis or once the smell fades.

Cleanliness is next to Godliness, and with good reason! Not only do we strive to adorn our households with posh furniture and the latest showpieces, but we also ensure that they are well kept and clean. Beds too are getting comfier by the day. Advanced technology is being applied to layer beds with adjustable cells and body posture retaining foam. While putting your mattress out in the sun does ensure that your mattress is free of a few bugs, it is not enough to eradicate petty bed bugs. They are annoying and can ruin a good night’s sleep. No one wants to constantly wake up to biting bugs! These pesky creatures can be removed for good by using certain formulations. While there are several chemical substances available in the market for the same, it is better to use homemade bed bug sprays. Here are a few of the best ones! Diatomaceous Earth While bed bugs are hard to spot, they can be identified by the appearance of blood stains on bed sheets. These creatures crawl into tiny spaces and cause havoc. Using chemical based bed bug sprays is not advised as some of these chemicals contain carcinogens which may lead to cancer. A good home remedy for bed bugs is the need of the hour. Diatomaceous Earth is an option you can consider. For one, it is chemical free and is made from the fossilized remains of tiny aquatic creatures. It is available in the powder form and is effective against bed bugs. All you have to do is apply this powder around the affected areas and let it work its magic. Ensure that you cover your face with a mask to avoid inhaling the substance. Wash your bed sheets and pillowcases with hot water before using the substance. The process takes up to 10 days but is worth the wait.

Gum disease can cause immense pain in your teeth too. As medications for gum disease are expensive, it is better to look for treatment methods with some home remedies. With home remedies, you can treat your gum disease once and for all, and this is the reason many people prefer home remedies for gum disease. In this article, let’s find out some of the most effective home remedies for gum disease. Tea tree oil Tea tree oil has some powerful anti-inflammatory agents that could really help you get relief from the pain due to gum disease. A study conducted on tea tree oil’s effects on gum disease in 2008 revealed that the application of a gel made from tea tree oil can reduce the gingivitis and gum bleeding effectively. What you can do is buy toothpaste that has tea tree oil as an ingredient or add some drops of tea tree oil in the toothpaste you are already using. You need to brush with tea tree oil in your toothpaste for two to three times a day in order to get maximum results. Sea salt Sea salt has been known widely for its effectiveness in treating pain and reducing inflammation. For gum problems, you can dissolve a small portion of sea salt in a cup of lukewarm water and swish that mixture of water in your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out. You have to follow this mouthwash technique until the symptoms of the gum problem subside. Sea salt is one of the effective home remedies for gum disease and will help reduce the swelling in your gums. Baking soda This is one of the most effective home remedies for gum disease that you can ever come across and hence it is a popular ingredient for making toothpaste.