First Aid for Vomiting

Call it what you will: barfing, throwing up, driving the porcelain bus, morning sickness… vomiting is no fun. Want to get technical? Vomiting is the expulsion of the stomach contents through the esophagus and out the mouth. (And sometimes the nose, too. Whee!) Why is vomiting sometimes a good thing? It can get toxins out of the body and help ease stomach discomfort. Better out than in, as they say. Why is vomiting sometimes a bad thing? It’s gross. (Okay, that’s not medically bad, but I can’t think of any illness that makes me feel worse than throwing up.) The … Continue reading

Tips for Alleviating Morning Sickness

Morning sickness can dampen the joys of finding out you are expecting. Morning sickness, like most pregnancy symptoms, is caused by the increase of hormones in your body, particularly estrogen. You may feel mild to severe nausea, with or without bouts of vomiting. The nausea is not necessarily limited to the morning. Many pregnant women experience morning sickness throughout the day. Some women suffer from morning sickness for a few weeks or months, while others find themselves suffering for the duration of their pregnancy. If you are expecting twins, you may experience more severe morning sickness, due to increased hormone … Continue reading

Flu Kits

With all the talk about swine flu in the news lately, you may have heard mention of a “flu kit” — basically, a bunch of stuff to keep handy in case you come down with some form of influenza. The things in your flu kit can help keep you comfortable while the virus runs its course. So what might you want to put in your flu kit? Medical-Type Stuff A thermometer. Fever may be your most noticeable (and bothersome) flu symptom. Fever/pain medication, like acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil). Avoid giving aspirin to children. Tissues. The flu can spread quickly … Continue reading

The Essential Eight Supplements

Prevention magazine recently shared a list of eight “essential” supplements — natural remedies that science supports and experts trust. Andrographis (for immunity). This Asian plant can help rein in the symptoms of the common cold — and may help prevent one in the first place. I haven’t heard of this herb, but the experts at Prevention vouch for it. Capsaicin (for pain relief). The stuff that makes hot peppers so hot helps ease pain by first stimulating and then decreasing pain signals. Ginseng (for energy). All varieties of ginseng — American, Asian, and Siberian — can stimulate an adrenal hormone … Continue reading

Foods that Help Reduce Colds and the Flu

My 3-year-old daughter just came down with her first cold of the winter season. Technically, winter doesn’t officially begin until December 22nd and she had a horrible bought of the flu in early November so I’m hoping this latest round of fever, sore, throat and the sniffles is not a sign of things to come. Making matters worse is the fact that my daughter refuses to take oral medication. She will make herself throw up if a drop of medicine comes anywhere near her lips. (Any prescribed medication is administered via shots—an agonizing process to say the least.) Which means … Continue reading

Spicing Up the Holidays with Healthy Spices

My daughter and I spent the better part of last week in the kitchen trying to get our holiday baking done. We’ve got a few more batches of cookies to go before I can collapse under the Christmas tree and start enjoying the fruits of our labor. It’s been hectic, but there’s nothing better than having your home smell like the inside of a spice factory. The mouth-watering aroma of warm spices got me thinking about the nutritional value of some of the ingredients we’ve been adding to our recipes—-namely the spices. Obviously spices make a dish taste good, but … Continue reading

The Right Tea for the Job

Tea is good for you in many ways! But there are lots of teas out there… so how do you choose the one that’s best for what’s ailing you? Alas, some teas make big claims and have small (if any) benefits. The coffee and tea aisle at the food store is full of all kinds of health remedies. And for some things, like stress, anxiety, PMS, and an upset stomach, tea can be the perfect cure. You usually don’t need to drink much — just one or two cups can relieve the problem. If you are feeling nauseated, bloated, or … Continue reading

Herbal Remedies In Your Pantry

Some common herbs used for cooking can also be used to treat some common health issues. Caraway seeds are thought to ease digestive troubles and relieve flatulence. Cayenne pepper is thought to be good for fever, fighting infection, and whole body cleansing. Cinnamon is a digestive aid, and was traditionally used to treat fever, diarrhea, and bleeding. Clove aids in digestion. Cumin aids in digestion. Fennel can be used as a digestive aid or to relieve flatulence. Fenugreek can help soothe respiratory irritations and relieve coughs. It is also an anti-inflammatory. Garlic may help reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood … Continue reading

Hypnosis for Morning Sickness

Morning sickness affects many pregnant women. If you suffer with nausea every morning, you have likely tried a variety of home remedies to ease the queasiness. Some women are finding relief from their symptoms through hypnosis. Hypnosis is a natural method for treating morning sickness. You aren’t ingesting anything that can cross the placenta. It’s completely safe for the baby. Anti nausea medications are sometimes given in extreme cases of morning sickness, but it’s best to avoid them if possible. It works by putting you in a deep state of relaxation. When you are in the relaxed state, your mind … Continue reading

Let’s Talk Pregnancy – Ten Awesome, Easy Snack Options

If you are anything like I am during pregnancy, hunger has the tendency to hit you out of nowhere. If you’re really like me, then the sudden onset of intense hunger brings on horrible heartburn and nausea. I learned right away to keep small, quick snacks at the ready for just such an occasion. Here are my ten favorite, ready-to-go, grab-it snacks that kept me healthy and not hungry, in no particular order: 1. Almonds – This was my favorite easy-snack. They are full of protein and healthy fats, and always curbed my hunger with a simple handful. You can … Continue reading