FitSugar

3 Throat-Soothing Herbal Teas

Anna Monette Roberts — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:51:09 PDT

If you find yourself suffering from a scratchy, sore throat, take comfort in the herbs astragalus, licorice root, and elm bark, which have a soothing effect on throat and respiratory issues. While the medical properties of these herbs have not undergone extensive scientific research, they have been brewed as healing teas for centuries and are mainstays in the alternative medicine community. Their natural sweetness, earthy scent, and slippery texture are pleasant, soothing, and worth trying out when colds strike.

Astragalus

What is it: Dr. Weil recommends taking astragalus, a sweet-tasting Chinese root which has immune boosting properties and helps soothe sore throats and bronchial infection.
Where to try it: Astragalus Immunity Tea ($6)
What scientists think: While the root has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, no detailed, Western clinical trials have been done to prove or dispute its benefits for throat and respiratory issues. (Studies have shown astragalus to be helpful in reducing symptoms related to seasonal allergies.) Astragalus is also traditionally taken with ginseng, angelica, and licorice.

See more throat-soothing teas.

Home Remedy: Soothe Sore Throats

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 10:15:00 PST

Sore throats are a common side effect of colds and flu, but also of dry, over-heated homes. Postnasal drip from colds and open-mouth breathing due to nasal congestion can both create sore throats. Although sore throats like these are generally worse in the morning and calm down as the day progresses, it is still nice to soothe the pain. At least you can swallow without pain and eat. Here are some home remedies for soothing a sore throat:

Gargle several times a day with warm salt water using 1/2 tsp. of salt in 1 cup warm water.
Some people find relief by gargling warm water mixed with cayenne, but do not exceed 1/8 tsp. of the hot stuff. The pepper acts like an anesthetic and numbs the pain.
Tea or simply warm water sweetened with honey, which can help relieve coughing, too.
Combine many of the above treatments together and add some vinegar! This spicy, old home remedy is made by adding one tsp. of apple-cider vinegar, a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper, juice from 1/4 lemon, and one tsp. honey to a cup of hot water. Drink four cups per day.

To see a few more soothing techniques, just

Cold liquids or popsicles help some sore throats and this is a winning technique with children, young and old.
Sucking on hard candies or throat lozenges (I like Ricola cough drops) can be very soothing, because it increases saliva production and helps keep the throat moist.
Use a cool-mist vaporizer or humidifier to moisten and sooth a dry and painful throat.
You can always try over-the-counter pain medications, such as acetaminophen to help dull the pain.

Not all sore throats can be treated or cured with home remedies. Please review this post When a Sore Throat Needs Medical Attention for symptoms that should send you to a doctor.

Do you have a home remedy for sore throats. Tell me about it in the comments section below.

Source

When a Sore Throat Needs Medical Attention

FitSugar — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 07:30:00 PST

Last month we went over the signs and symptoms of realizing when a stomach ache may require a visit to the doctor. And just recently we reviewed when to seek medical attention for earaches. Since cold and flu season is upon us, I figured it would be good to also highlight the signs and symptoms of when a sore throat may require a visit to the doctor.

Sore throat that comes on rapidly
Difficulty swallowing
Headaches
Fever, sometimes greater than 102° F
A raw, red appearance to the back of the throat
White pus on tonsils
Tender, high lymph nodes in neck
Rash
Absence of a cough, stuffy nose, or other upper-respiratory symptoms

Source

Symptoms of Strep Throat

FitSugar — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:00:00 PST

Where I live strep throat is already going around. It seems early to me, but bacterial infections unfortunately don't operate on my schedule. Strep flourishes in cold weather, and stress, exhaustion, as well as fighting off viral infections can weaken your body's defenses setting you up for an attack of strep throat. When it comes to strep, you want to catch it early before it depletes your health and you don't want to spread the contagious bacteria around.

Here are the symptoms to watch out for:

Sore throat that comes on rapidly
Headaches
A raw, red appearance to the back of the throat
White pus on tonsils
Tender, high lymph nodes in neck
Rash on the body that feels like sandpaper
Absence of a cough, stuffy nose, or other upper-respiratory symptoms

The incubation period for strep is 2 to 5 days and the infection is usually treated with a 10 day course of antibiotics.

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A Few Tips on Soothing a Sore Throat

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 03:00:00 PDT

I always get an irritating (physically and figuratively) sore throat as the seasons change. While my sore throat is usually related to allergies, many of us get sore throats when we get colds (even if it's still warm out).

Cold season is creeping up on us now that the kids are back to school. So in a tribute to back-to-school (and my allergies), here are some tips on how to soothe a sore throat:

Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like aspirin, naproxen or ibuprofen.
Gargle a few times daily with a warm salt water solution, created with one teaspoon of salt in a glass of water.
Suck on hard candies or throat lozenges throughout the day to keep the throat moist.
Eat a frozen dessert, such as a popsicle or ice cream, to soothe the throat.
In the less humid months of winter, keep a humidifier going in the bedroom while you sleep, and in other rooms you frequent during the day.
Drink plenty of fluids.

Source

8 Cool Uses For Lemons

Emily Co — Wed, 16 May 2012 03:05:41 PDT

You can make more out of lemons than lemonade. In fact, lemon juice is a really useful liquid that can be used to clean your home, can treat cold symptoms, and can even be part of your beauty regimen. Here are a couple of other uses for the yellow fruit:

Wash your hands: When you're serving messy food like crabs or ribs, put out little bowls of lemon water for guests to wash the smell and gunk off their fingers.
Relieve flu symptoms: If you have a sore throat or a cough, mix lemon with honey and water for a drink that will soothe your throat.
Clean a chopping board: Add some lemon juice or use a lemon slice to wipe the chopping board to deodorize and sanitize it.
Lighten blemishes: If you have some blemishes or you notice your face darkening in pigment in some spots, put some lemon juice on it every day until it lightens.
Brighten white loads: To make the whites even brighter, add a quarter cup of lemon juice with the clothes that you throw into the washing machine.
Brighten fingernails: Soak your fingernails in a lemon water mixture to whiten and brighten them.
Freshen household equipment: Make your appliances fresh by adding lemon juice or lemons to them. For example, microwave slices of lemons to freshen it up. Add lemon juice to the dishwasher when it's empty and let it run a cycle and clean itself with the lemon juice. Add a bit of lemon juice to the humidifier or vacuum bag if those appliances are getting a little smelly and old.
Disinfect wounds: Stop bleeding and clean small cuts and scrapes with lemon juice.

Nighttime Habits That Are Ruining Your Sleep and Health

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 14:28:16 PST

You slip under the covers, turn off the light, and rest your head on your pillow. Seems simple and perfect, but here are some things you could be doing in bed that harm your health.

Grinding your teeth: Formally called sleep bruxism, many people unknowingly clench their jaw or grind their teeth at night, which can lead to tension headaches, earaches, irritated tissue on the inside of your cheeks, jaw pain, and permanent damage to your teeth in the form of chips and worn-down enamel that cause sensitivity or cracks. Stress can be a factor, so reducing the amount of worry in your life can help. If it doesn't, see your dentist about designing your own personal mouth guard to sleep with. Not exactly the sexiest thing to wear to bed, it's sure to offer you a more restful and less painful night of sleep.
Sucking on a cough drop: If you suffer from a chronic cough, cold or sinus infection, or postnasal drip, sucking on a cough drop every night may be the only way you can get some sleep without coughing keeping you up. Although soothing to your throat, exposure to a bath of sugar all night long is sure to lead to tooth decay and cavities. Here are other natural remedies for your nighttime coughs. If the cough persists, it's time to see your doc.

Keep reading to find out what else you're doing at night that's wrecking your health.

Healthy Dose Link Time: Brazilian Blowout Contains Formaldehyde

Susi May — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:22:22 PST

Health hazards of hair straightening: Brazilian Blowout contains carcinogens - Blisstree
Go crazy and try the Insanity Workout for free! - Self
10 easy ways to get cooking with kale. It's a superfood! - Real Simple
Could a club drug be the new cure for depression? - The Stir
Three natural ways to soothe your sore throat - Prevention
Trying to diet? Try skipping the food boards on Pinterest - Fit Bottomed Girls
A full-body workout for you. Print it out and do it! - Fitnessista
Race on! Train for a 5K personal record! - Women's Running

Flying With a Cold? Survival Tips While in the Air

Heather Dale — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:59:20 PST

I started the New Year with a cold that has knocked me right off my feet. I was fine staying home for the midnight countdown, but what I'm not looking forward to is having to board a plane with this bad bug - traveling when you're sick is the worst! If you need to fly and are suffering from a cold, here are some survival tips to help alleviate the annoying symptoms associated with being sick.

Sore throat: Before you get to the airport, gargle with warm salt water using 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. Once you get to the airport, sip on hot tea or warm water sweetened with honey, which can help soothe an irritated throat. While on the plane, drink plenty of liquids and come prepared with hard candies or throat lozenges, which can be very soothing since they increase saliva production and help keep the throat moist.

Keep reading for more tips.

6 Daily Must Dos to Prevent the Common Cold

Jenny Sugar — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:06:25 PDT

As we wave farewell to Summer and the colder weather of Fall blows in, the risk for coming down with a cold may increase. Aside from getting a flu shot at the beginning of cold season, here are some everyday things you can do to fight back and keep the sore throat and sniffles from getting you.

Wash produce. Even if produce has a peel you don't eat, make sure to wash before consuming. Bananas, mangoes, oranges, and kiwis have all been touched by many people: someone picked it, someone else packaged it, a fellow consumer touched it, the cashier picked it up, and the person bagging it also got their hands on it. If you eat fruit before giving it a good wash, well, it's no wonder you come down with a cold.
Disinfect commonly touched items. Make sure you disinfect items you use a lot like your phone, keyboard, mouse, doorknobs, light switches, handles on the fridge, microwave, and cabinets.
Keep up with your regular exercise routine. I know Fall often means busier schedules, but make exercise a priority to keep your immune system strong.
Get enough sleep. Proper rest will give your body the energy to fight germs should they attack your system.
Wash out your reusable water bottle once a day. I don't mean just dump out the water and refill it again - disinfect your bottle, inside and out. It's something that is touched and carried around by you every day, and since it comes in contact with many public surfaces (the lunch table at work, bottle holder on the treadmill at the gym, seat on the bus, etc.), who knows what kind of germs are lurking on it and getting into your mouth.
Wash your hands often. This is especially true after shaking hands with someone, before you sit down to eat, or if you've touched something others touch often like grocery store carts, gym equipment, or magazines in waiting rooms. If you can't get to a sink, use antibacterial gel.