Before you decide to take any substances or try any cure, do some research. You can ask trusted sources, such as a naturopath or other person who knows a lot about natural treatments. Even massage or physical therapists sometimes have a body of knowledge about natural treatments. Here are just some of the types of people who can help you understand your options:

• Acupuncturists
• Chiropractors
• Herbologists
• Homeopathy Practitioners
• Oriental Medicine Doctor (OMD)
• Massage Therapists
• MDs
• Naturopaths
• Nutritionists
• Pharmacists
• Physical Therapists

You can also look online, although use caution when doing so. There are so many different people out there sharing information — some of it true and some of it not. Some of it is also tainted by self-interest, so don’t believe everything you read. If, for example, you need a natural cure for dandruff, you want to treat depression without medication or you need to find natural arthritis treatments, try to find resources online and then discuss it with a reputable source. Don’t trust a random Web site — even this one — as your sole source of information.

If you find a natural treatment that you think might be worthwhile, you should definitely check first with your primary physician before trying it. This is particularly important  if you are on any medications or have conditions that might be affected by the treatment. With any luck, your doctor will be open to natural remedies. (If they aren’t, maybe it’s time to find another doctor!) You can also ask your pharmacist about any medications you currently take and whether they will interact with the natural remedy you have chosen.

Natural cures don’t always work for each person the same way. So don’t expect that every treatment you try will work the same for you as it did for someone on the Internet. Natural remedies can have side effects, too, so be aware of that and don’t try anything without thoroughly looking into it. A natural treatment can be life-changing and wonderful, but always do plenty of research before trying anything out.

You might also be interested in our Herbal Encyclopedia, which provides information on specific natural remedies.

Photo by yenhoon

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An at home facial can help you improve skin tone, reduce wrinkles and fine lines, treat sunspots and lessen the appearance of spider veins or damaged blood vessels.T his combination of beauty and cleansing procedures can sometimes be costly at a salon — $100 or more! But not to worry; if you’re on a tight budget, you can learn to give yourself facials right in the comfort of  your own home.

A basic home facial usually includes the four steps of cleansing, exfoliating, removal of blackheads and facial massage. You won’t have access to the equipment and products used in a regular salon or spa, but having beautiful, blemish-free and glowing skin is still attainable. Spending a little extra on high quality products will give you the best results, but soap, natural masks you can make in your own kitchen, and oil- and alcohol-free cleansers will also do just fine. Here are the four basic steps to a relaxing and beautifying at-home facial:

Cleansing is the first step. For people who have sensitive skin, a fragrance-free cleanser should be used to avoid irritations that can result from using scented products.

Exfoliation, the removal of dead skin cells that cling to the skin’s outermost surface, is next. You can use a facial scrub, an exfoliating cream or mask or a glycolic acid peel. These are the three most common products used in salons and spas. There are also many natural substances you probably have around the house that have been proven to be effective for exfoliation, such as the combination of oatmeal and eggs. Here’s a simple recipe for an effective natural cleansing mask that uses simple ingredients:

• 1 egg white
• 1/2 cup cooked instant oatmeal
• 1 tsp. lemon juice (use the juice of a fresh lemon, if possible)
• 1 tsp. olive oil

To create the mask, place the cooked instant oatmeal in a bowl and add the egg white, olive oil and lemon juice. Stir until smooth, apply to your face and neck and very gently massage it so that you get exfoliation without causing any damage. Don’t rub it until it flakes away, just long enough so it will remove the dead skin cells. Leave it on for 15 minutes. If you can, take the opportunity to lie down while you wait, to enhance your at-home spa treatment with a little relaxation. After 15 minutes, rinse the mask off with warm water and pat your skin very gently to dry it.

Extraction of blackheads is next. A blackhead strip, such as Bioré, can be used. Most of the time it doesn’t remove all of the blackheads, but if used routinely it will keep your skin blackhead-free. Be sure not to use it more often than the package directions indicate though. A metal blackhead extractor is commonly employed in spas in conjunction with steam and is more effective, but you probably shouldn’t try using one unless you have experience with it.

Facial massage is the last step in your at home facial. Its main purpose is to improve skin circulation and also relax tension in the facial muscles. Once there is proper circulation, more beautiful, glowing skin will result. To massage your skin, gently massage upward as you open your mouth and extend your jaw. Try to release the tension in your facial muscles as you do the massage.

Having a beautiful skin doesn’t need to be expensive. All it takes is proper daily skin care, a good diet, a healthy lifestyle and a monthly regimen of facial skin care. The skin regenerates every four weeks, so a monthly facial is just what you need to keep your skin healthy and beautiful. And the best thing about it? You can do it right in your  own home.

You might also be interested in these related posts:

• 10 Natural Facial Treatments
• Natural Skin Tightening Exercises
• Natural Home Remedies for Acne
• Eliminating Acne Redness

Illustration by Andy Panda

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There’s a long list of vitamin B12 benefits:

• It creates a fatty protective substance called myelin around nerve cells. This causes people with vitamin B12 deficiency to usually have some form of a nerve-system malfunction, such as tingles in the feet, hands and/or tongue, or sharp nerve shocks in the sides of the body.
• It helps to format healthy red blood cells.
• It aids in tissue growth.
• It lowers the homocysteine levels in the body. This amino acid has been linked with a higher risk of developing most of the modern western world’s ailments, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, strokes and more.
• It helps replicate DNA, a vital component of any living creature’s body.
• It acts as a natural energizer by boosting metabolism to higher levels. Some people look at it as a weight loss solution, while the truth is that it just makes you more likely to grab a skipping rope or a dumbbell, get active and lose some calories.

If you experience any vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms, such as tingling in the limbs,nerve shocks or even depression and memory loss, make sure you get a medical screening. Fortunately, deficiency can be diagnosed with a simple blood test. If you’re found deficient, you may be given a series of vitamin B12 injections or be prescribed intranasal sprays or sublingual tablets.

Ask your doctor to see if you have problems with the “intrinsic factor,” which is one of the most common reasons for having a vitamin B12 deficiency. It resides in the stomach, and is responsible for decomposing B12 into your blood stream. If you are found to have it, vitamin B12 shots might be required, since you will have no other way to incorporate the vitamin into your bloodstream.

You might also be interested in these vitamin-related articles:

• Should You Take Vitamins and Minerals?
• Vitamin A Fact Sheet
• B Vitamins Fact Sheet
• Vitamin C Fact Sheet
• Phytochemicals Fact Sheet
• Drugs That Deplete Vitamins and Minerals

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Cholesterol is one of those health problems that can be stressful to deal with once it develops, so every effort to prevent high cholesterol is always worth it. Given the fact that we live in the real world, there are other factors to consider, such as a busy schedule, a limited budget, or trying planning a diet for an entire family. Thankfully, even if you are overwhelmed with other aspects of your life there are simple things you can do every day to lower your cholesterol. Here are just some of them:

Eat fiber at breakfast
Many people have the bad habit of skipping breakfast altogether, which can have negative implications for their metabolisms and hunger levels throughout the day. A quick way to kill two birds with one stone is to eat a breakfast cereal high in fiber to get yourself off to a good start. Soluble fiber found in bran and oats can be incredibly beneficial in helping to absorb excess cholesterol in your system. And after all, what could be easier than eating a bowl of cereal when you wake up?

Exercise
If you’re busy you may have a hard time finding opportunities to exercise. But if you’re creative and dedicated you can find ways to stay active and raise your levels of good cholesterol through various exercises. Even something as simple as walking for 20 minutes a day can get your body in tune and running better. And if you can manage to exercise more regularly through intensive activities you can boost your good cholesterol levels by up to 10 percent. And if you do happen to engage in a more active lifestyle then make sure to eat a balanced diet filled with foods high in iron and protein so that you give your body the fuel it needs.

Take a healthier approach to snacks
A common cause of excess cholesterol are snacks. There are so many tempting high cholesterol foods to avoid that it can be hard to keep track of exactly what’s going into your body. To be on the safe side, look to fruits and vegetables whenever you need a quick boost between meals, and stay well away from anything that contains saturated fats.

Eat smaller, more frequent meals
There is growing evidence that blood sugar and cholesterol are connected, so anything you can do to keep your blood sugar even can only benefit you. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can help control your blood sugar by keeping a more consistent flow of food into the body. We also have some tasty healthy recipes to control blood glucose levels that can help you keep your blood sugar on track.

As an aside, it’s important to watch the discoveries coming out of the medical industry. Because of the money involved with cholesterol-lowering drugs, I’ve always suspected that cholesterol news has been manipulated by the pharmaceutical companies, and through them, the media. I predict that eventually we’ll see different perspectives come forward in regard to the role of cholesterol in our lives. The suggestions in this article will probably always be relevant, because they’re just common sense. But we may find over time that there’s not quite as much to fear from cholesterol as we now believe.

Photo by Ula Kapala

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Many times a natural cure for insomnia can be found; you just need to teach yourself how to sleep better naturally, so you can not only get to sleep faster but also feel more rested in general. Here are some easy relaxation tips that can help you fall asleep naturally:

Stretch and breathe
Set aside 10 to 15 minutes before bed every night to do some simple stretches and deep breathing exercises. You don’t want to do a workout or warm-up, just some very mild stretches. The purpose is to help your muscles relax and be ready for sleep, so you want to move slowly in a relaxed way and concentrate on calm thoughts. Doing these simple stretching exercises every evening before bed can help your body to begin winding down and helps your mind prepare for rest as well.

Start by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart and gently reach for your toes, then gently stretch toward the ceiling. If you have the space, you may want to try doing these exercises while sitting in the floor. Remember never to push yourself to the point of pain. Concentrate on taking deep breathes from the diaphragm between stretches and exhaling completely during the stretches. Don’t take the deep breathing portion of this exercise for granted. The breath actually holds the key to relaxation in a more powerful way than you may realize. It also works well for panic attacks, which can sometimes go hand-in-hand with severe sleep deprivation.

Take a bath or shower
Having a warm bath or shower can really help your muscles loosen up and release the day’s tension. If you add candlelight and soft music, you can make this nighttime ritual feel like a spa treatment. This will help your mind look forward to it, so it can get used to the ritual of relaxing before bed. If you take a bath, try combining some light reading with soaking to distract your mind and encourage it to relax.

Create a sanctuary
You can extend the spa environment of your bathroom to the bedroom by making your sleeping area as inviting as possible. Beautiful, soft sheets can help make the bedroom inviting, as does making sure the room is as dark or light as you need to be comfortable. Many people find sleep is made easier by having the room as dark as possible so they won’t be awakened by the morning light. But if you’re one of those people who can’t sleep without a little bit of light, get an attractive nightlight that will provide the illumination and comfort you need and also decorate your bedroom.

If you can develop a routine of getting in the mood for sleep every night before bed and do it at the same time every night, you’ll be on your way to finding a natural cure for insomnia and getting the rest your body is yearning for. But remember, learning how to sleep better is only part of the equation; the other is actually putting what you have learned into practice and doing it regularly.

Illustration components by StarLight Designs; illustration design by Carla Chadwick

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