SORE THROAT REMEDIES: NATURAL GARGLES

Gargling is a simple and remarkably effective way to kill germs and soothe a sore throat. Try one of these homemade gargles next time you're looking to relieve throat pain.

Salt and water

Try grandma's sore throat remedy by mixing 1⁄4 teaspoon salt in 1 cup warm water. (Use the hottest water you can comfortably tolerate. Cold gargles are ineffective.) If you have it, add 1 tablespoon of Listerine for germ-killing power. The briny solution helps rinse away and neutralize acids in the throat, relieving the burning sensation and promoting fast healing of irritated mucous membranes. Note: Mix a fresh batch of gargle for every use. Better to waste a bit pouring it out than to leave it in your glass, where it might become contaminated with bacteria. Also, do not swallow the gargle; spit it out.

Lemon and water

Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice in 1 cup water for this home remedy for sore throats; the astringent juice will help shrink swollen throat tissue and create a hostile (acidic) environment for viruses and bacteria.

Ginger, honey, and lemon in water

This home remedy mixes 1 teaspoon each of powdered ginger and honey, 1⁄2 cup of hot water, and the juice of 1⁄2 squeezed lemon. Pour the water over the ginger, then add the lemon juice and honey, and gargle. Honey coats the throat and also has mild antibacterial properties.

Hot sauce and water

The capsicum in hot peppers helps alleviate pain and fights inflammation. Add five shakes of ground cayenne pepper (or a few shakes of hot sauce) to a cup of hot water for sore throat relief. It'll burn, but try this gargle every 15 minutes and see if it helps.

Sage and water

Sage can soothe a sore throat and ease painful or swollen nasal passages. One traditional home remedy calls for 1 teaspoon sage, 1⁄2 teaspoon alum, 1⁄4 cup brown sugar, 3⁄8 cup vinegar, and 1⁄8 cup water.

Turmeric and water

This yellow spice is a powerful antioxidant, and scientists think it has the strength to fight many serious diseases. For a sore throat remedy, mix 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric and 1/2 teaspoon of salt into 1 cup of hot water and gargle.

Wheatgrass juice

Another good remedy: Wheatgrass juice. A quick rinse and spit with this chlorophyll-rich liquid helps prohibit bacteria growth and ease throat pain. Held in the mouth for five minutes or so, wheatgrass juice is said to help revitalize weakened gums and stop toothache pain.

Clove tea

Add 1 to 3 teaspoons of powdered or ground cloves to water, then mix and gargle. Cloves have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe and heal a sore throat.

Tomato juice

For temporary relief of sore throat symptoms, gargle with a mixture of 1/2 cup tomato juice and 1/2 cup hot water, plus about 10 drops hot pepper sauce. The antioxidant properties of lycopene may help remedy a sore throat faster.

Green tea

Green tea is known to naturally fight infections. Next time you brew a cup, make a little extra and gargle with some of this remedy to kill any bacteria your sore throat may be harboring. 

Apple cider vinegar and salt

If your throat is left raw by a bad cough, grab a bottle of apple cider vinegar because germs can't survive in the acidic coating it'll form on your throat. Gargle with 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon salt dissolved in a glass of warm water; use several times a day if needed. For a gentler treatment, combine 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup honey and take 1 tablespoon every four hours. 

Goldenseal and water

Gargling with the herbal germ-killer goldenseal (1 1⁄2 teaspoons goldenseal tincture in 8 ounces water) kills viruses and bacteria as it soothes inflamed throat tissue.

Echinacea and water

Echinacea is an herbal virus-killer. Add 2 teaspoons tincture of echinacea to 1 cup water and gargle this home remedy three times daily. In addition to easing sore throat pain, an echinacea gargle will give your immune system the boost it needs to fight the infection.

Myrrh and water

You may be able to speed the healing process with myrrh (a few drops of tincture of myrrh in a cup of water). Highly astringent, myrrh is superb at combating inflammation. It’s an antiseptic too. Gargle six times a day—a bit of an effort, true, but well worth it.

Licorice water

Licorice root can soothe a sore throat and eliminate cough-inducing phlegm; a 2009 study found that post-operative patients who gargled with a licorice solution were less likely to develop a sore throat post-surgery. Mix one teaspoon of licorice syrup or powder with eight ounces of water and swish.

Raspberry tea

Raspberry tea is an old home remedy believed to treat everything from the flu to open wounds. One recipe calls for pouring 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried tea leaves. Steep for 10 minutes, then strain and let cool a bit. Gargle while warm.

HOME REMEDIES FOR BURNS

The cure to relieve burn pain, speed healing, and prevent scarring is as close as the next cabinet over. Read on for the best natural home remedies to heal a burn.

Never use ice on a burn!

It can restrict blood flow to the skin, and further damage tissue. Instead, immediately run cool water over the burn to stop it from spreading, and keep it there for at least 20 minutes if possible. What else works? Aloe, probably the most well known remedy for burns, will stop pain and inflammation, reduce swelling, and stimulate skin growth and repair. But if you don't have any on hand, these other home cures should help.

Mint toothpaste

For when you accidentally touch something hot without a potholder, or get splattered by something that's boiling, keep a tube of white, minty toothpaste in the kitchen as a home remedy to relieve a minor burn. First, run the scalded area under cold water, then gently pat it dry with a paper towel and cover with a layer of the toothpaste.

Vanilla

For minor burns, reach for vanilla extract. Use a cotton swab to gently dab vanilla onto the burned skin. The evaporation of the alcohol in vanilla extract will cool the burn, alleviating pain. 

Tea bags

Black tea contains tannic acid, which draws heat from burns to help make them less painful. Place two or three cool, wet black tea bags on a burn, using gauze to hold them in place. 

Vinegar

White vinegar contains acetic acid, a component of aspirin that can help relieve the pain, itching, and inflammation of a burn. It is also an antiseptic and astringent, so it will help keep your burn from becoming infected. Vinegar also draws heat from the burn, helping to dull pain naturally. Soak paper towels in diluted vinegar to create a soothing compress or use cotton swabs to gently dab the burn with vinegar. 

Honey

Honey is a natural antibiotic, which helps to prevent your burn from becoming infected. It has a natural pH balance that is inhospitable to bacteria, so once applied topically, it can also kill any existing bacteria or infection lingering on the skin. Honey will also cool the burn, relieve pain, and help the skin to heal.

Milk

The fat and protein content in milk soothes burns and promotes healing. Soak the burn in milk for 15 minutes for quick relief. Full-fat, whole-milk yogurt can also help cool and hydrate your parched skin. 

Oats

With its skin-soothing properties to reduce inflammation, oats are particularly useful when your burn is healing and you're tempted to scratch it. Add a cup of oats to bath water and soak for 20 minutes to soothe a large burn. For smaller irritations, add some oats to a small bowl of water and soak the affected area. Air dry your skin so a thin layer of oats remains, further reducing itching. For added relief, toss some baking soda into the bathwater. Bicarbonate of soda helps soothe skin inflammation.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is an excellent source of skin-healing vitamin E and it also contains fatty acids that are anti-fungal and anti-bacterial, which help keep your burn from becoming infected. If a scald has left a nasty mark on your skin, one home remedy suggests adding lemon juice to the coconut oil before massaging it into the mark. The acidic properties of lemon juice will help lighten the scar while the coconut oil helps it heal.

Lavender oil

A French chemist discovered the healing power of lavender oil in the early 1900s. When he severely burned his hand in a lab accident and plunged it into a vat of lavender essential oil, the oil eased the pain and his burn healed quickly. Mix 1 teaspoon of pure lavender essential oil into about 2 ounces of water in a misting bottle. Shake and mist burned skin lightly as often as needed. Tea tree oil and witch hazel are also effective remedies for a minor burn.

Vitamins C and E

Vitamin C promotes wound healing and the production of collagen, the base material for new skin. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps repair and protect your skin. To speed the healing of a burn, one home remedy is to eat foods rich in vitamins C and E or take 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C and 1,000 IU of vitamin E for a week or so after your burn. You can even break open a vitamin E capsule and apply it directly on the burn to help it heal and prevent scarring.

FOODS THAT HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT AT CHRISTMAS

Give your diet a gift with these fat releasing foods to help you lose weight during Christmas time.

Worried your weight loss efforts will slide at Christmas?
All the goodies up for grabs can definitely test your healthy eating habits.

Luckily, if you know what to look for, you can choose certain fat releasing foods—research shows these can make a huge difference in losing weight and keeping it off. Isn’t it nice, especially at this time of year, to get a list of foods you should be eating, rather than a list of things you should avoid?

Flax seed meal
This nutty grain packs a double punch: Flax seed meal is both a great source of healthy fats (PUFAs and MUFAs; you know, Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Monounsaturated Fatty Acids, the kind of fats that benefit your gut) and fiber.

Nutritionist Ashley Koff, RD, backs this up. “Because soluble fiber forms a gel when it contacts water,” she explains, “digestion takes more time, and carbohydrate-containing foods are absorbed more slowly into the bloodstream.” This allows your body to use the carbs for energy instead of storing them as fat.
Try it: Flax seed meal is a base in the fruity, flavorful Digest Diet smoothies that our fans swear by. You can also add it to other dishes, including desserts, for rich texture and flavor. Koff shared this cool tip: She combines flax seed meal and water just enough to make a paste, then uses it in place of eggs or mayo in recipes. You can find flax seed meal at certain groceries, or online.

Red peppers
This veggie—often found raw around a bowl of creamy dip—is actually a slimming powerhouse, thanks to its hearty dose of vitamin C and capsinoids.

Studies show that capsaicin content helps turn on the fat-burning modules in your body; plus you get an extra boost of fiber which helps keep you fuller, longer.
Try it: If you're at a party, crunch them raw (and skip the dip). At home, sauté, slice or snack on them with a low-fat ricotta spread (calcium is another fat releasing ingredient).

Vinegar
Olive oil seems to get all the love when it comes to dressing a salad or sautéing fish, probably because of the healthy fats that place it at the heart of Mediterranean diets.

But! There’s a carafe full of reasons to love its low-cal complement, vinegar, as well. In studies, mice that ate vinegar extract accumulated less body fat than those that did not. Additionally, vinegar may also help regulate your blood sugar, and prevent it from spiking after meals.
Try it: All vinegars help reduce bloating, from apple cider to red wine. My pick? I love balsamic vinegar mixed with honey (another fat releaser!), drizzled over salmon.

Quinoa
A 2011 study found that animals whose diets were supplemented with a quinoa seed extract had lower body fat, lower weight and ate less than those with no quinoa.

I’m also keen on quinoa because it’s loaded with amino acids, vitamin E and phytosterols (which can help reduce blood cholesterol)
Try it: Cook this delicious grain with a hearty array of veggies, and some cubed chicken or fish for added protein. You can also enjoy it for breakfast, like oatmeal.

Lemons
All citrus help release fat (again, it's the vitamin C). You can choose oranges or limes, but bright, tart lemons contain “a weak acid which helps to stimulate your stomach for optimal digestion.

As a result, they’re a key secret in slimming down, especially flattening the tummy area,” shares Koff.
Try it: Adding a citrus wedge to water will spruce up an otherwise plain drink and make sure you are hydrated and full all day long. Also squeeze lemons or limes over salad for an added splash of flavor.

Beans
Here's a secret source of power from the pros: Nutritionist Tara Ostrowe, MS, RD, who works for the New York Giants, recommends beans to help with energy metabolism, as they are rich in B vitamins, fiber and protein.

To calculate a healthy portion size, think of the bulb part of a light bulb; it doesn’t take more than this to fill you up and curb your appetite.
Try it: If you're at a party, focus on the bean-rich dips (and scoop 'em with your red pepper crudité!). Beans are also the perfect vegetarian base for stews and slow cooker recipes.

Cinnamon
This last skinny food, cinnamon, is a versatile seasoning. Ostrowe explains, “Cinnamon can help lower blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. This means that less sugar in your body will be stored as fat, and that it can help aid weight loss.”

A 2012 study from the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that adding cinnamon to cereal was effective at moderating glucose response in normal weight and obese adults after eating.
Try it: Dash it on your skinny latte, or dust it over savory dishes for a little sweet heat.