Natural Solutions for Dealing with Anxiety

This is the last post of the series Natural Solutions for Common Health Problems. Make sure to visit the earlier posts for more natural treatments.

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There is a huge amount of information available about understanding anxiety disorders and treating them. Many of these methods suggest the use of medication. These particular medications were developed to deal with the symptoms of anxiety disorders. Some of these include relaxants, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta blockers. However, not everyone is comfortable using strong medications as the potential side effects can be one more thing to be anxious about.

photo credit: SmilingStrong

How natural remedies work

Many natural remedies focus on how the patients can calm and relax themselves. When you are able to do this you can relieve some of the more debilitating symptoms of anxiety disorders. Once you begin working through the emotional or physical reasons for your anxiety it is easier to keep on track in the right path.

Some treatments include breathing and relaxation exercises. These kinds of exercises can help you focus on your breathing or focus on the exercise that you are doing. The purpose is to let go of tension and by concentrating on breathing and exercise you are able to escape your anxieties for awhile.

There are many natural things that you can take for the anxiety. There are also many herbs that have been known to help get rid of the symptoms of the anxiety disorders, such as valerian, kava, hops, California poppy, lemon balm, passionflower, catnip, chamomile, and lavender. However, the supervision of a professional is always recommended before taking herbs to treat anxiety. Your doctor may be able to make sure of the effectiveness of the remedy that you have chosen to help your anxiety disorder. Visiting your health practitioner is in this case very important because some of the herbal supplements have side effects that you may want to avoid.

Another natural remedy is doing regular exercises. This are known to help relieve some of the symptoms of your anxiety, partially because of the endorphins released, the focus on doing something else, and your breathing while exercising. Exercise gives you an all natural boost in your energy levels and your mood.

Only you know how bad your anxiety is, so take the time to really explain how you feel and your doctor will be able to help you better. Anxiety can lead to depression so it is very important to treat your anxiety early before it becomes something more difficult to deal with.

As usually anxiety and depression have the same roots, it’s worth cheching for some natural ways to prevent and deal with depression.

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Treating ADHD naturally

This is part of the Natural Solutions for Common Health Problems series. Make sure to visit the link for more natural remedies.

ADHD is a neurobehavioral developmental disorder that stands for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It affects 3-5% of the children under 19 throughout the world, especially present in large cities and urban environments.

ADHD usually becomes apparent during early childhood. Children diagnosed with ADHD are usually inattentive and/or hyperactive. They often have a hard time remembering things and they can have poor control over their impulses. No wonder ADHD can present a problem during school years.

photo credit: Little Yiye

Many studies have been done and much has been written about the unhealthy side affects associated with the use of one of the more popular medicines prescribed for ADHD children – Ritalin (methylphenidate) or Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine). In fact, not all children react favorably to these medications and the side effects can be worse than the problems associated with the ADHD. There are, however, natural suggestions to deal with the disorder. Of course, you should discuss this with your health practitioner or do further research.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinals) is an fragrant herb with a lemony taste that can even be grown in a plant pot. It was once considered a cure-all for various conditions including nervous problems. It has had a long history with families affected by ADHD. It is felt to have a particularly positive effect on overly energetic kids.

Melotone Syrup is a natural promotes as a “natural alternative to Ritalin.” It is a nutritional supplement that has Omega-3s (the good fats) and oils from salmon and the primrose plant. It also includes several vitamins and minerals that have been found to be low in children with ADHD (magnesium, B6 and others).

Spirulina is what is a known as a super food. It is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the earth. Studies have shown it to have positive effects on children who struggle with learning, social and behavioral problems. Putting powdered Spirulina in fruit smoothies in the morning hours can naturally help increase focus during the day.

Another not conventional way that have worked for many families is homeschooling, or even better, unschooling the child. According to John Holt’s writings in his book Teach your Own, many kinds of “learning disabilities” are triggered or worsen by lack of free time and directed learning, and miraculously improved or even cured when the child learning environment becomes more relaxed and self directed. You can try unschooling intentionally during summer vacations or weekends and consider if it would suit your child and family.

When looking for alternative options for ADHD treatment you cannot forget to consider making simple changes in diet, sleep, exercise, learning and routine. Food allergies can often play a big role in behavioral problems too, so keep an eye on your child ingest of gluten, wheat, and dairy. Natural or homeopathic remedies try to address the unbalance in the body without the side effects of sedation through medication. The goal of these remedies is to improve the balance and wellbeing of the whole child – mind and body.

Treating Thrush Naturally

This is part of the series of Natural Solutions for Common Health Problems. Make sure to visit the blog these days for more natural remedies.

Thrush is a yeast infection that can thrive in the baby’s mouth. Sometimes the baby will have a diaper rash caused by the excess yeast. However, sometimes the baby won’t seem to be bothered much by the thrush. If you’re breastfeeding, the yeast infection can be passed back and forth from your nipple back to baby’s mouth, making it difficult for you to eliminate the infection unless both of you are treated.

Thankfully yeast infections will respond to natural remedies such as the following.

photo credit: moppet65535

Strict hygiene

Yeast is a very hardy fungus, so very strict hygiene is crutial if you want to prevent spreading it to other family members. Moms need to wash their nursing bras and nursing pads, panties and cloth diapers in hot water and do a double rinse. Add vinegar to the first rinse to kill yeast and prevent irritation of sensitive tissues from detergents. Wash your hands well with hot soapy water after using the toilet or changing diapers. Wash anything that touches baby’s mouth (toys, teethers, etc) with apple cider vinegar. When it comes to bottles and nipples, these should be boiled or even discarded until the yeast is healed.

Baking soda

You can make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it to your nipples and then rinse it off before feeding the baby. Baby can also take baths with a sprinkle of baking soda in the water to help heal any diaper rash. Baking soda works by creating an alkaline environment that is inhospitable to yeast.

Vinegar

Vinegar kills thrush also – for the opposite reason as baking soda – as it is acidic. However, it could irritate the skin. One or two tablespoons can be added to a cup of water and applied to Mom’s nipples with a cotton ball several times a day.


Salty water

Salt is also a good cleanser, and very effective for killing fungus. You can put a spoon of marine salt to a cup of water and use it to rinse your nipples before and after feedings.

Probiotics and fermented food

Since yeast often overgrows in the gut when antibiotics are administered and the natural flora is disturbed, good bacteria found in probiotics and fermented food can help re-inoculating the gut. Mom can try natural yogurt instead of milk and replacing bread with sourdough bread. Kombucha is also a good source for healthy bacteria.

If you or your baby has a particularly difficult case of thrush, speak with your health care practitioner. You may have an underlying immune dysfunction caused by another health issue such as food allergy or diabetes.

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