Home Remedies for Hives

You know you're not supposed to scratch that itch, but what can you do about hives? Here are some tips regarding home remedies:

Take an antihistamine. The most recommended remedy is over-the-counter (OTC) Benadryl (available generically as diphenhydramine). But be forewarned: It may cause drowsiness. However, since hives tend to be worse at night, a medication that makes you sleepy may help you ignore the itching. For a list of precautions to take when using over-the-counter analgesics, click here.

Try to ferret out the cause. But don't get frustrated, since doctors are only able to identify a specific cause in 20 to 30 percent of patients.

10 Home Remedies for Gential Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the herpes simplex virus Type I (HSV-1) and Type II (HSV-2). The Type I virus is the same one that causes cold sores on the mouth, face and lips, although it can also cause sores on the genitals. The Type II virus, however, most often causes sores on the genitals.

Herpes can spread to the genitals from a cold sore if hand washing and other hygiene precautions are not taken. Or it can be spread though oral or genital sexual contact. And be warned: The virus does not have to be in an active state -- that is, blisters do not have to be present -- for a partner to become infected [source:

Benifits of Oregon Grape

Oregon grape and its cousin goldenseal act very similarly. But since Oregon grape is easy to grow and is not threatened with extinction, more and more herbal practitioners are switching from goldenseal to Oregon grape to treat a range of conditions. Here's how this alternative medicine works:

Healing Properties

Oregon grape root has a distinctly bitter taste due to the presence of alkaloids, including berberine, the most notable. Though initially disagreeable to people not

18 Home Remedies for Bad Breath

Figuring out the cause of bad breath is the first step, obviously, in doing something about it, but here are some home remedies to keep your breath as fresh as possible.

Mouthwash Myths Madison Avenue has played to our fears of bad breath in advertising claims for mouthwashes. But do they really work? Yes, but only for a short time. Dental researchers agree that commercial mouthwashes mask odors only temporarily (anywhere from about 20 minutes to about 2 hours). These products don't prevent bad breath, either. While they may be able to kill bacteria that contribute to bad breath, a new batch of bacteria crops up fairly quickly. If you do decide to use a mouthwash, choose a product with fluoride for its cavity fighting potential or one that is accepted by the American Dental Association for removing plaque.

Keep your mouth clean. Brush thoroughly at least twice a day, and floss daily. Food and bacteria trapped between teeth and at the gum line can be removed only with floss; if it's left to linger, it's not going to smell nice. Periodontal disease can result in chronically bad breath.

Clean your tongue, too.
Bacteria left on your tongue can contribute to less-than-fresh breath, so be sure to brush your tongue after you've polished your pearly whites.

Ditch your dentures. If you wear dentures, never wear them to sleep. Give them a thorough cleaning and leave them out until morning.

Wet your whistle. A dry mouth can equal smelly breath. Saliva helps clean your mouth; it has a natural antibacterial action and it washes away food particles. (Reduced saliva flow at night explains why your breath smells sour when you wake up in the morning.) Try sucking on sugarless mints to stimulate saliva production.

Home Remedies for Asthma

Although there are many medical ways to help asthma sufferers breathe easier, experts recommend combining certain natural home remedies with prescription anti-inflammatories and bronchodilators. Here are some helpful remedies right from the kitchen.

Home Remedies From the Cupboard

Coffee. The caffeine in regular coffee can help prevent and control asthma attacks. Researchers have found that regular coffee drinkers have one-third fewer asthma symptoms than those who don't drink the hot stuff. The reason? Caffeine has bronchodilating effects. In

Treating a Bladder Infection With Aromatherapy

 

Try these treatments to relieve and prevent bladder infections. 

Bladder Infection Oil

• 8 drops juniper berry or cypress oil
• 6 drops tea tree oil
• 6 drops bergamot oil
• 2 drops fennel oil

Alternative Treatments for Arthritis

It's a common tabloid headline -- "Miracle Cure for Arthritis!" Arthritis is the kind of disease that's not well understood, so anything goes when it comes to theories and treatments. And arthritis often strikes older folks, who are favorite targets of charlatans.If you suffer from arthritis, you know how desperate you can get for relief. You may feel you have nothing to lose by trying an alleged cure. After all, your own doctor may not be able to offer much relief, and what medicines there are -- primarily nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and steroids -- have limited benefits and may cause some unpleasant side effects, as well.

Arthritis is unpredictable, with natural flare-ups and remissions. This, of course, makes it very difficult for patients to know for sure if any improvement is the result of a specific treatment or just a normal remission.